
Sunset Manta Ray Tour in Kailua-Kona
Pick your date
Highlighted days have spots open. Grey days are sold out or not running.
September 2026
Loading live availability
Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
Select a highlighted day to see live departure times and the exact price for your group.
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 247 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Sunset Manta Ray Tour in Kailua-Kona worth booking?
Sunset Manta Ray Tour in Kailua-Kona is a 2-hour experience in Big Island of Hawaii, United States, from $109 per person. It scores 83 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Exceptional”, based on a 5/5 rating across 247 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 83 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (247)
- Duration
- 2 hours
- From
- $109 per person
Experience an unforgettable sunset manta ray snorkel tour, consistently ranked among the top lifetime adventures in Hawaiʻi. We specialize in small-group tours, limiting each experience to no more than 10 guests in the w
What you get
About this experience
Experience an unforgettable sunset manta ray snorkel tour, consistently ranked among the top lifetime adventures in Hawaiʻi. We specialize in small-group tours, limiting each experience to no more than 10 guests in the water, unlike many operators with 25–50 passengers. The result is a calmer, more personal encounter with these incredible animals. Check in directly at our in-water boat slip (G-8) for fast, easy boarding. After a thorough safety briefing, enjoy a smooth 10–15 minute ride to a prime manta snorkel site, followed by 35–40 minutes in the water with attentive, experienced swim guides. Reboarding is simple with our wide ladder, and the return ride offers comfortable seating. Each tour includes 2 crew members for personalized attention. A minimum of 4 guests is required; if not met, we’ll coordinate a reschedule. All-Inclusive No Hidden Fees. Snorkel gear, wetsuits, bottled water, hot cocoa and tea, snacks, plus all taxes and fees are included.
What's included
Included
- Hot Cocoa
- Snacks
- Hot Tea
- Bottled water
- Use of snorkeling equipment
- wetsuit
What you'll see and do
Garden Eel Cove / Manta Heaven
Embark on a voyage that transforms the night into a realm of enchantment with our Nightly Manta Ray snorkel experience. Rated as one of the top aquatic adventures in the world, it is truly a “bucket-list” once-in-a-lifetime experience. Our Nightly Manta Ray snorkel is a portal to a realm rarely witnessed by human eyes. With custom-made high-intensity LED light boards, we invite you into the nocturnal playground of these gentle giants. Imagine floating weightlessly as the Manta Rays glide elegantly through the darkness, inches away from your awe-struck gaze. With wingspans of up to 16 feet and weighing up to 1,600 pounds, it’s truly awe-inspiring, but safe as mantas have no teeth, stingers, or barbs. They are filter-feeders and are here strictly to gorge themselves upon microscopic plankton attracted to the lights. Before the adventure begins, you’ll receive a safety and Manta Ray briefing, ensuring you’re prepared for this otherworldly encounter.
180 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Big Island of Hawaii
CHECK-IN: Honokohau Harbor Slip, G-8 under the HAWAII MARINE LIFE CHARTERS sign. After exiting Queen Kaahumanu Highway (Hwy 19) at Kealakehe Pkwy, take the 3rd RIGHT(at brown restrooms/red roof). Find our white van and orange tour sign on the right. Please arrive 15 mins early. Mahalo!
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
CHECK-IN: Honokohau Harbor Slip, G-8 under the HAWAII MARINE LIFE CHARTERS sign. After exiting Queen Kaahumanu Highway (Hwy 19) at Kealakehe Pkwy, take the 3rd RIGHT(at brown restrooms/red roof). Find our white van and orange tour sign on the right. Please arrive 15 mins early. Mahalo!
Options you can book
Sunset Manta Ray Tour
drinks and snacks: Hot Cocoa, Hot Tea, Potato chips, and cookies Kona Coast 31' Ocean Craft RHIB
Ride Along Option-non Swimming
Drinks, and snacks: Cold water, Hot Cocoa, Hot Tea, Potato chips, Cookies.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 10 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Hawaii Marine Life Charters
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Not recomended for anyone over 250 lbs
- All guests must confirm they do not have any pre-existing medical conditions, including neck or back injuries, that could be aggravated by this activity. Guests must be able to climb a vertical boat ladder without assistance. Expecting mothers are not permitted to participate.
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 247 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Photo opportunities
3 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Small groups
2 mentionsThe group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.
Traveler reviews
247 verified traveler reviews for Sunset Manta Ray Tour in Kailua-Kona. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Magnificent
Absolutely Magnificent! This is a must do. Mitch and Bobby did a wonderful job. Don’t miss this.
Response from the operator: Aloha, and mahalo for the amazing review! “Absolutely magnificent” is a wonderful way to describe a night with the manta rays. Mitch and Bobby will be so happy to hear your kind words. They love creating a fun, safe, and memorable experience for guests, and we’re glad they helped make this a must-do part of your Big Island trip. Mahalo for choosing Hawaii Marine Life Charters and for the “don’t miss this” recommendation — we truly appreciate it!
via Tripadvisor
Intimate and unforgettable!
Intimate and unforgettable — this tour blew away every expectation. I’ll admit, the thought of getting in the ocean at night had me nervous, but it turned out to be thrilling and exhilarating. Bobby kept things light with his comedy, then got right in the water with us — guiding us by fins and expertise to find the rays. This was one of the coolest experiences of my life. Amanda, the ray, was clearly putting on a show — she glided within inches of me, a gentle giant of the sea. Even though we were provided wetsuits, the ocean chill started to set in about halfway through so the hot chocolate and rice crispy treat waiting afterwards were the perfect warm up reward. 10/10, would highly recommend. Bonus points for the video footage the team captured, so I could really enjoy myself. P.S. — loved the zodiac boat! 🤙🏽
Response from the operator: Aloha, and mahalo for such a fun and detailed review! We’re so glad your nerves about getting in the ocean at night turned into a thrilling, exhilarating, and unforgettable experience. Bobby will love hearing this. His humor definitely helps guests relax, and once he’s in the water, he works hard to guide everyone safely and get the group into the best position for manta viewing. Amanda putting on a show sounds like an incredible moment. Having a manta glide within inches really does feel like meeting a gentle giant of the sea, and we’re happy you got to experience that up close. We’re also glad the hot chocolate and Rice Krispie treat were the perfect warm-up afterward, and that the video footage let you stay present and enjoy the moment. Mahalo for choosing Hawaii Marine Life Charters — and we love that you enjoyed our ocean Craft RHIB too!
via Tripadvisor
Incredible top 10 lifetime experience
Absolutely incredible experience. We say 8 manta rays doing barrel rolls right below us. Absolutely nuts. Top 10 lifetime experience and these guys do it right. Hot chocolate on the way home was a wonderful bonus! Seriously, do this, you won’t be sorry.
Response from the operator: Absolutely incredible experience. We say 8 manta rays doing barrel rolls right below us. Absolutely nuts. Top 10 lifetime experience and these guys do it right. Hot chocolate on the way home was a wonderful bonus! Seriously, do this, you won’t be sorry.
via Tripadvisor
Had so much fun!
We were given snorkels and wet suits and they took us on the boat to the location. After a few mantaray facts, we got in the water. The mantarays got so close! In fact they bumped into me I think a few times. Afterwards they gave us hot chocolate and snacks. It was an incredible experience in the ocean, mantarays are such beautiful creatures.
Response from the operator: Aloha, and mahalo for the wonderful review! We’re so glad you had such an incredible experience out in the ocean with the manta rays. From getting fitted with snorkels and wetsuits, to learning a few manta ray facts, to seeing them glide so close in the water — it sounds like a truly unforgettable night. They really are beautiful creatures, and those close passes can feel almost unreal. We’re happy the hot chocolate and snacks were a nice ending after the snorkel. Mahalo for choosing Hawaii Marine Life Charters — we’re grateful we got to share this special manta ray experience with you!
via Tripadvisor
Manta Ray Sunset and Snorkel
It was a great experience!! I loved the small group it felt very comfortable with the guides
Response from the operator: Aloha Sarah, thankyou so much for joining us on our small group manta ray tour.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 2 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $109 to $149
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 86
- Verdict
- Exceptional
Why this scores 83
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Sunset Manta Ray Tour in Kailua-Kona: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Big Island of Hawaii.
How much does Sunset Manta Ray Tour in Kailua-Kona cost?
+
Prices start at $109 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Big Island of Hawaii usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Sunset Manta Ray Tour in Kailua-Kona take?
+
Plan for about 2 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Big Island of Hawaii is not rushed.
Is Sunset Manta Ray Tour in Kailua-Kona worth it?
+
It holds an Outty Ranking of 83 out of 100, which we label "Exceptional". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 247 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Big Island of Hawaii, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Sunset Manta Ray Tour in Kailua-Kona?
+
Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Sunset Manta Ray Tour in Kailua-Kona suitable for kids and families?
+
Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 2-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Sunset Manta Ray Tour in Kailua-Kona?
+
Around 86 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Big Island of Hawaii can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
+
Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Big Island of Hawaii and add a light layer if any part of the 2-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Sunset Manta Ray Tour in Kailua-Kona start and how do I get there?
+
The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Big Island of Hawaii within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Big Island of Hawaii?
+
The Big Island is volcano country: Hawaii Volcanoes National Park tours, Mauna Kea summit stargazing, night manta ray snorkels off Kona, Waipio Valley lookouts and coffee farm visits. Summit tours have real altitude rules, so we weight safety detail. On Outty we rank every Big Island of Hawaii experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include KONA Manta Ray Night Snorkel - FREE re-ride if no Sightings, Big Island: Captain Cook Snorkel On A Power Catamaran With Lunch, Big Island in a Day: Volcanoes Waterfalls Sightseeing and History. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Big Island of Hawaii?
+
April to October, though the island runs year round. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Big Island of Hawaii?
+
Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
+
Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
Ready to lock in your spot?
Pick a date, choose your group, and see the exact price for Sunset Manta Ray Tour in Kailua-Kona.
Pick your date




