Double Hulled Canoe Manta Ray Experience
Duration: 1 Hour
Ages: 5+
Please Note: You MUST be able to float & swim unassisted & climb a short ladder back into the canoe unassisted.
Regarded by the Travel Channel as one of the most thrilling experiences on Earth, join us as we watch magnificent manta rays glide through the ocean in search of dinner! They can weigh more than 1,000 lbs and span more than 15 feet! Don’t worry; manta rays only filter feed on plankton.
Our manta ray night snorkel experience is an activity that can only be had in a few locations around the world; one of them is here on the Big Island of Hawaii. You’re unlikely to find another activity providing an incredible adrenaline rush while being safe and low-risk! Manta ray snorkeling will give you an unforgettable sensation. It is both humbling and awe-inspiring.
Guests will join us on a 5-10 minute ride on our Hawaiian double-hull canoe to the manta ray snorkel site near the mouth of Keauhou Bay (1/4 mile from the pier). Your professional guides will provide a safety briefing, instructions on using snorkel gear, and fit the group with wet suit tops to keep you warm in the water. Guests will then be guided into the water and positioned along the perimeter of our Light Board. A professional guide will be in the water with guests at all times! While guests watch for manta rays, we keep the Light Board in position. Simply hang on to the handles and effortlessly float, face down, with the help of the provided floatation devices. The powerful lights attract photosynthetic plankton toward the group, and the manta rays come in search of the plankton! We will reposition the group as needed for optimal manta ray viewing!
No providers in Kona offer free swimming or snorkeling with the manta rays. All guests will hold onto a Light Board. The stationary and concentrated light is your best chance to attract manta rays while keeping everyone safe.
Parking is limited (but free of charge). Allow an extra 10 minutes to find parking and walk to your check-in location at the pier! See the link below (or the Reach Us tab) for details.
Please Note: You MUST be able to float & swim unassisted & climb a short ladder back into the canoe unassisted.
What to Bring:
- Towel
- Windbreaker or sweater
- Rash guard/extra T-shirt (for guests who chill easily, as an extra layer under the wetsuit top)
- Motion sickness medication (as needed; take 30-60 min before the tour starts)
- Waterproof camera (video is generally better than photos in these low-light conditions)
- A tote or backpack to hold your belongings
Inclusions:
- Use of all snorkel equipment, including wet suits, masks, swim noodles
- Use of our custom built lightboard
Exclusions:
- Food
- Towels
- Sunscreen
Manta Guarantee:
- Please remember that these manta rays are completely wild animals. They are not fed or trained. Eka Canoe Adventures cannot guarantee their presence. We are very good at spotting manta rays and providing our guests with the best manta viewing experience possible.
- In the unlikely event that we do not spot a manta ray on your tour, our Manta Ray Guarantee will ensure you have another opportunity to come back for another attempt on a different evening or on a future visit to Kona, Hawai’i (pending available seats).
- Please note that seating may be limited at certain times during the year, so we encourage guests to book a manta ray snorkel early in their visit to offer the most availability for a second snorkel.
- Even if the manta rays take a night off, our operating costs do not. Because of this, we are unable to offer refunds for tours where manta rays were not seen; only another chance to snorkel with them. This is true for any manta ray snorkel provider in Kona. We greatly appreciate your understanding!
