Manta Ray Night Scuba & Snorkeling

BIG ISLAND Activities - Enjoy the wonders of the underwater world of the beautiful Kona Coast while viewing the magnificent Manta Rays as they glide in front of your very own eyes!  This will be an experience of a life time that cannot be missed, for snorkelers and certified divers alike!

HIGHLIGHTS
     * Swim with Manta Rays!
     * All gear provided
     * One of the most exhilarating activities on the Big Island

Snorkelers will be provided with mask, fins and snorkel. Wetsuits are provided to all participants at no additional cost. They will keep you warm, make you float and most importantly, make you look pretty good in pictures! Certified One Tank Manta Ray Divers will have all the equipment included. BCD, Regulator, Wetsuit, Dive Light, Mask, Fins, Tanks & Weights. 

Snorkeling with the manta rays has been a organized encounter for nearly 30 years now in Kona and because of that, the manta rays have become conditioned where to go each night to get an easy meal. The average number of feeding rays per night averages between one and four but can easily exceed 10 or even more with an all time high one night in May 2008 of an unprecedented 36 rays on one night! Very seldom, less than 10% of the time, there is less than average (0). Odds this high can seldom be found with any wild animal encounter. Having nothing that bites and nothing that stings, viewing the manta rays is not only safe but can be considered one of the 7 wonders of the underwater world. Neptune Charlies has pioneered the easiest and most effective way to safely allow our snorkelers to get within inches of the manta rays- we use floating rings.

THE PACIFIC MANTA RAY (Manta Alfredi) - The wing span of the near-shore Pacific Manta Ray averages 5 to 8 feet but can reach well over 14! They have no real teeth, no stinger, and a harmless disposition. Their only defense is to flee.

These huge and gentle creatures feed on a food source of almost microscopic organisms called plankton, so Mantas must work very hard to get enough of this tiny food. At night, light attracts brine shrimp, a form of plankton that ray feed on. Using their cephalic fins like big scoops, they funnel water into their wide-open mouths and filter out these organisms.

Neptune Charlie's Ocean Safari has over 10 years of experience on and in the waters of the Big Island of Hawaii, and they want to share these wonderful experiences with you so that you may enjoy what the ocean in Hawaii has to offer. They are  members of the Professional Association of Diving Instructors
since 1977 and adhere to all PADI safety standards in our instructional and recreational dives.

Their 2006 custom built luxury dive boat was built specifically for comfort and style. Aptly named, "The Manta", She is 40 ft. long and amazingly 15 ft. wide providing incredible stability both cruising to and from the dive site as well as sitting at anchor. She's also loaded with features such as; sundeck, shaded areas, oversized swim platform for ease of entry/exit, fresh water showers, camera tables and most importantly friendly and professional staff.

No age restrictions
No experience necessary
Fun for the whole family
Ride-alongs welcome
Seating in either sun or shade areas, toilet on board
Oversize swim platform and fresh water showers
Top quality wetsuits, snorkel gear, flotation devices included
Top quality dive gear available for rental (BCD / regulator / wetsuit)
Snacks and soft drinks provided
Friendly, knowledgeable and professional staff
Sunset EcoAdventure time is 3 hours (departure times vary by season)
Sunset departs from Honokohau Marina, boat check-in is 30 minutes prior to departure
Moonlight EcoAdventure time is 2 hours (departure times vary by season)
Moonlight departs from Honokohau Marina, boat ramp check-in is 15 minutes prior to departure
98% chance of seeing manta rays
Bring towel, jacket or cover-up, underwater flash camera

By placing an online order or making a phone reservation with a concierge you acknowledge our PRICING & CANCELLATION POLICY

this was by far the greatest thing that we did while in kona. The crew was not only hilarious but also extremely knowledgable in what they are doing and they help you with anything that you need. We did the manta ray night dive and we are so glad we did! The husband was a first time snorkler and he had absolutely no issues in the water. The mantas were breathtaking and the crew make sure that you get the best view of the mantas. This was worth every penny and I will definitely recommend this to every person going to kona.

Reviewed by: Katelynne H, Des Moines, United States, October 2014

Well worth the effort. These guys care about the Manta Rays and ensure their guests both enjoy their experience and learn a bit about these amazing animals. Having so many huge creatures twirling gracefully around you as you sit on the ocean bed in scuba gear, taking it all in, was amazing. Don't worry about the bad reviews, take the humour of the guides in the light hearted way it is intended and just have fun. I'd recommend these guys without reservation - excellent customer service when one of us had to cancel. Visited October 2014

Reviewed by: AnAussieFamily , , Australia, October 2014

Just did the night Manta snorkel last night, crew was awesome. They had their system down, felt confident in them, they knew what to do and when to do it. And they were fun energy and very likeable, every single one of them. There are many manta snorkel adventures out there, I picked this one based on 1. Location--near the airport. Some do it near Keahou and one snorkel place said you'd see " between 2-12 mantas" at Keahou location. Neptune Charlie's said "12-30 mantas"--we saw 17 last night. Although I'm sure it depends on the time of year, apples to apples, I think you still see more near the airport verses the more southern location. 2. Price. Neptune Charlie's was $85 adults, $65 keiki ( ranges seem to be between $85-120 for other companies per person, no keiki rates. Pretty big difference if you times that by 4 participants like we had) 3. They allowed younger keiki to go. I can't recall the exact minimum age policy (6?) but my 2 kids were allowed to go ( some companies had a min of 10 years old). Now, I would still say your kid needs to have strong snorkel skills, and endurance ( in water for 45 mins) before I'd recommend you bringing them. And I thought it was pretty cold in the water, since you are not moving around too much. I wouldn't even bring them along and wait on the boat--it was CHOPPY after anchoring and a few folks got seasick, including adults. I'd say the only cons/reason NOT to do this type of adventure ( and it has nothing to do with Neptune Charlie's but applies to all night snorkel adventures): 1. Don't go if you tend toward sea sickness 2. Don't go if you getting cold is a concern ( like small kids) 3. Don't go if you think 45 mins in the wAter is a lot 4. Your arms are over your head while holding on to the surfboard rigging thing for 45 mins. Don't go if you have shoulder issues with overhead motions ( like rotator cuff problems). My shoulders hurt from that position is why I mention it. But if you do choose to go, Neptune Charlie's is a top notch outfit, give 'em a try! Visited October 2014

Reviewed by: Summer P, Santa Cruz, United States, October 2014

Cancellations must be made by calling our concierge lines at 808-214-9283.  We will not accept cancellations via email, voicemail, fax or chatline. You must call at least 48 hours before the event for credit or refund to be applied. Some activities require a longer notice or will not allow cancellations once booking is made (each tour description will show exceptions to the 48 hour rule if applicable). Activities are 100% refunded in the event of your tour being canceled by the Activity Provider for any reason, such as weather, mechanical, etc. Ohana Fun! Hawaii will make every effort to get approval from an activity provider but cannot guarantee a refund until such approval is granted.  If you have any questions regarding a specific activity refund policy please call our concierge lines at 1-808-214-9283 prior to making your booking.