Manta Ray Night Snorkel Tour From Kona

Very disappointing. I understand that the company cannot control the sea creatures but being that the company states the percentages of sightings are over 90%, I believe that they could have been a bit more understanding in our situation. They offer a guarantee for a rebooking if there are no manta ray sightings but being that we departed the next day and unable to attend another tour, they declined our request of a refund. Hanging onto the light bar for 45 minutes with no activity was very disappointing. I will definitely choose another company if we decide to try this experience again in the future.

Incredible experience! Highly recommend this company for your manta tour. Some advantages: since this is a larger group, if you end up not seeing any mantas, you can try again another night through the manta guarantee. I didn’t initially realize that going with a larger group would help with this. We initially booked with a smaller boat / tour group - did not see any mantas due to the conditions. But it was essentially impossible to rebook because the boats are so tiny that all the spots were already reserved for the next few nights with low likelihood of cancellations. With a larger boat, we feel this wouldn’t be an issue. We were actually so desperate to see mantas that we paid for a second tour in full last minute (this one!) and were SO lucky to have a beautiful manta sighting! The experience was great, with a super knowledgeable crew with a high emphasis on efficiency and safety. Even though it was a larger group, we were in and out of the water and on and off the boat quickly. This is a very well run and organized operation! There were also many crew members in the water with the group the entire time and were constantly watching for our safety and comfort - checking in when appropriate and helping folks with any snorkel issues or noodles / flotation that slipped away. It was great to feel the full support of the crew the entire time. The other advantage of a larger boat tour is that we had all the light boards connected together which provided a more stable experience in the waves in addition to generating a ton of light - which meant more plankton, more mantas and a larger area of visibility overall.

Not to be missed. This operator is professional and they are well worth the money. Felt very safe and cared for. Great sightings of multiple manta rays.

This excursion came highly recommended from multiple people. It did not disappoint. The staff was incredible and the experience was awesome!

We had the best time on this bucket list tour! The crew, lead by Dante was fantastic. They were fun, educational and ensured safety protocols were followed. Seeing the manta rays at night was a cool, unforgettable experience!!! An extra they provide is warm, delicious soup and hot beverages after snorkeling. It was an awesome experience and I highly recommend them. Get online and book your excursion now, you won't regret it!!! The best! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The experience of a lifetime. Everyone should see these gentle giants. The crew was very nice, professional, knowledgeable. I would do this again anytime!

Our experience with Fair Wind Cruises for the manta ray night snorkel was honestly a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. Seeing these beautiful creatures up close and personal in the ocean at night was something we will never forget. The crew was amazing, professional, and made everyone feel safe and comfortable throughout the experience. One of the best parts was watching the manta rays glide gracefully through the water right beneath and around us while feeding. Of course, you are reminded not to touch them since they are protected wildlife, but sometimes they come incredibly close and may brush past you while eating the plankton attracted by the lights — which makes the whole experience even more surreal. It was peaceful, exciting, and absolutely breathtaking all at the same time. If you are visiting Hawaii and looking for something truly unforgettable, we highly recommend doing the manta ray night snorkel with Fair Wind Cruises. Definitely one of the most incredible experiences we have ever had.

We’ve watched the manta rays from shore many times but that’s nothing like seeing them up close. For reference we’re 70 and it was an easy activity for us. We are used to the water and fairly active. We felt safe at all times. The crew made it fun and even took pictures for us. I’m so glad I finally took the plunge and experienced this. What a memory!

I came to Kona specifically for the Mantas so I researched loads of Manta Tours before choosing this one. After booking numerous locals told me I had booked the right one. It was professional and easy to find. They provide all snorkeling gear & wetsuits and all of the staff were cheerful and kind. Theres a private waiting area with a gift shop with plenty of souvenirs. The check in was quick and easy and the boat ride was about 10min. It took longer for the safety briefing than it did to get to the dive spot. They taught us about the Mantas we would see and their individual stories and names and moments after we swam out to the lighted rafts 3 giant Mantas showed up and frolicked with us the entire hour. These curious gentle giants were gliding so close to me they touched me and it was more beautiful than I ever dreamed. I was overwhelmed with emotion and cried. After the magical dive they served us warm soup and hot chocolate on the return trip. The trip was 100% worth it for this 1 magical experience.

This was a truly amazing experience. We were well briefed prior to going into the water, the staff were approachable and gracious. Seeing the manta rays was absolutely incredible. Words can’t describe!

The Manta Rays were fantastic and they get a 5 for being what they are. The crew of the boat gets a 3 for their bored, going through the motions performance. The naturalist gave a presentation on the natural history of Manta Rays which I could not hear at the back of the group as she was soft spoken and did not use the boat's excellent PA system which other crew members did use. Fortunately, there was a naturalist from another company in the water with his group describing what we were seeing in real time and I could hear him, so thanks to that guy. The whole management of the trip was hurry up and get on the boat, hurry up and get in the water, hurry up and get out of the water, hurry up and get off of the boat and go away. Also, the Captain had a quirky personality (wise guy) which was off putting. His final joke was to tell us that the bathroom at the dock was closed, so we were meant to use the bushes I guess. The Manta Rays were great, but at this price, choose another company.

My family and booked with Fair Wind for the manta ray night tour. Captain Mauricio and the rest of the crew were very knowledgeable, attentive, and accommodating and made it such an awesome and unique experience. I highly recommend this tour to anybody!

If you are going to go snorkelling, it is hard to beat Fairwinds. We been with them over five years and over 10 trips. They are organized and very nice to deal with. I would consider them for all their excursions. We love Snorkelling with Manta with them since they have the brightest light.

The night snorkel was great. Appreciated the large boat compared to other tour companies who parked in same area of water but with much smaller boats. We have snorkeled before so in general not scared as potentially others with no experience may be. Safe experience holding onto a bar with a pool noodle under the feet. We stayed out for the full 45 mins. However if you only wanted to stay for 10 minutes or in general a short amount of time the crew was more than willingly to help bring you back to the boat. Crew very friendly. Hot chocolate post snorkel was great. Highly recommend even if you are scared of the idea of a night snorkel. Mantas come right under you. This crew will take care of you. Amazing!

We really enjoyed this experience. The staff was professional and knowledgeable. The boat ride was only about five minutes each direction. It was easy to gear up and swim out along the viewing platform. The Manta Rays put on a spectacular show! It was fabulous!

Great experience! The crew was professional and knowledgeable. It was easy to gear up and swim out along the viewing platform, and the Manta Rays gave us a spectacular show! Highly recommend!

Absolutely, the best experience of my life. The most huge, graceful creatures. The crew, safety crew & lifeguard were great. We had around 7 manta feeding around us continuously. Absolutely spectacular. After getting back on the boat, we had homemade soup & roll, with delicious hot chocolate. Absolutely recommend, & would go again in a heartbeat. ❤️

Amazing experience! Crew was friendly and helpful, provided everything needed for an unforgettable adventure! Delicious soup was a bonus.

Worth every penny! It was an incredible experience, and you can tell how much they care about the ocean, the manta rays, and making the experience magical for every guest. The crew was professional, knowledgeable, and genuinely passionate. Watching the manta rays glide just inches away from us under the moonlit water was surreal—something I’ll never forget. If you’re considering it, do it. Absolutely unforgettable.

The crew was amazing, kind and kept everyone safe, we saw manta rays from beginning to end, the boat was easy to get in and out of. This was really a once in a lifetime experience and I would highly recommend this company, boat and crew!

I can’t say enough about the manta ray night snorkel. I did this with my daughter and daughter in law. We made some fun memories. I was skeptical about the plant based meal but the lentil soup was warm and delicious. It turned out to be one of our favorite meals from the whole trip. Fair Wind is a great company and if I find myself in Kona again, I would definitely book with them

Great experience! Would highly recommend this company to do your tour with. Very helpful and informative and fun! We seen 8 different mantas during our time in the water. Super cool thing to experience!

Fantastic and very unique experience. Crew was outstanding and I was amazed by the variance in the ages of the population. Suitable for kids all the way to senior adults. Job well done!

Personally, in the future I would spend my money on a regular snorkeling trip. We only saw one manta (that was probably just bad luck, but it's still a lot of money for one sighting); the location was about 100 yards from the dock, so no real "tour"; the location was shared with a half-dozen of more other tour boats and their clients; and there is no real snorkeling involved. That said, the crew was pleasant and knowledgeable and the post-immersion hot cocoa and stew were very good and welcome. The adventure just wasn't an adventure and wasn't worth the money.

This was an amazing experience, highly recommended. The boat was nice and the crew was ok. Would have been great to get a little bit of 'natural education' around the Manta Ray's. They literally just drive you 2 minutes out of the harbor, get you in the water, get out of the water and get you 2 minutes back to harbor.

DO IT! It is so wonderful The beautiful creatures come right next to you. I was worried about being cold...no way. The experience makes you forget any negatives. And the crew gives you yummy soup once you're back on the boat. Highly recommend! And Fair Wind is a great company to do it with!!!

This was one of the best things we’ve done in our lives! While obviously the company cannot control the rays- the entire time we were in the water there were so so many dancing all around. The crew was so wonderful, helpful and fun. They educated us in the amazing animals in detail and were with us helping the entire time. My husband had some mask issues (facial hair) and they helped him back in the boat and fed him. Our 17 year old said it was life changing- truly cannot recommend highly enough!

At first we thought, ' Hmmm a bit expensive and a bigger bought means too many people'. Wow we're we wrong! This was an absolute treat and a fantastic trip. We went snorkeling with this company the day before and they offer 20% off for returning guests guest so we decided to do it. The captain cook landing snorkel trip was amazing as well. We saw dolphins, octopus, barracuda, puffer fish and thousands of other fish. It was so good we took the Manta trip and it was unbelievable! The fantastic gracefully caresses our stomachs as they barrel rolled and swooped right in front of us. They were so close you could honestly kiss them. And huge!!! 14 feet and over a thousand pounds. Staff was great and the in water life guard helped my wife out of the ocean when she got tired. Both trips are absolutely #1. Don't even think about it because it is worth every penny!

Absolutely recommend!! Quite the experience to see Mantas up close and personal. No problem staying comfortable in the water. The soup & cocoa after. coming back onboard was extremely tasty. Again..... awesome Capt. & Crew!!!

This was one of the most incredible things I have ever done. The boat and crew were awesome and the experience was indescribable, you just have to go do it to understand.

One of the best experiences of my life. Being that close to the mantas was amazing. Fair Winds runs a tight ship and the tour was very professional. Wetsuits were provided (and snorkel/mask if needed) and the water was not uncomfortable, even in January. The site is just a 10 minute boat ride from their pier, so you don't spend too much time wet and cold after the snorkel. They provided warm and tasty stew, along with hot chocolate/coffee/tea when you got out of the water. The staff were friendly and knowledgeable.

Incredible experience- manta ray an inch from my face. This was incredible- but I think it’s important to note that small kids will probably be scared so know your kids if taking with. Also- upper body strength is very important. You have to hold onto a bar and lay flat the entire time- which is totally worth it, but good to know before going.

This was hands down the best excursion I did my entire two weeks visiting the Hawaiian islands. This might also be one of the best travel excursions I’ve ever done period. We had at least 6 mantas around us, and someone said they counted 9 at one point! This experience was way more than I could have thought or imagined it. The proximity to these graceful snd magnificent creatures was truly remarkable. Honestly words cannot properly describe the feeling and the beauty of being so close, and yet being so respectful to let them be themselves. Fair Wind and crew is the only way to go. Don’t consider any other. After getting out of the chilly water, there was delicious soup w/ fresh rolls, and hot chocolate too warm you up. Delicious !! Kudos to the kitchen staff. If I had another day they’re, I would have done a day snorkel or trip with them, just because this is the level of service travellers hope to receive. Fair Wind absolutely delivers on every level. Thanks for the treasured memories.

This is a trip I highly recommend for everyone…..this was an amazing experience. The crew and boat were great. They made everyone feel very comfortable getting in the water at night, great learning experience, the crew’s knowledge and willing to teach was great.

An experience of a lifetime! The boat was very nice, and the crew made it very easy by giving clear instructions. The manta rays came within inches of us. They are so majestic. Absolutely amazing!!!

First of all, Thank you Fairwinds for an AWESOME tour! Capt Isaac, Sam, Aubrey and Jamie were outstanding host! Aubrey educated us on the life of a Manta Ray, Isaac backed her up with the rules and what to expect. Jamie was in the water with us answering any questions, and Sam was ready with warm Cocoa and soup when we came back aboard ship! The Manta Rays put on the most elegant underwater ballet show as they gracefully swam loops (sometimes in what seemed like formation) as they had their mouths open to catch the plankton. Absolutely amazing creatures. Remember to look left and right while your face is in the water, or else you will be quite startled when one of the Manta Rays brushes up against your arms!

Fair Winds crew are top notch, and the platform attracted loads of plankton. 4 manta rays danced around below us and came right up close. It was amazing! We had done this snorkel with another group a few years ago, but this was so much better. AMAZING!

This is, without a doubt, the premier manta ray tour on the island. From start to finish, the entire experience was seamless and unforgettable. We were fortunate to have perfect conditions on the night of our tour, which made the encounter all the more magical. The boat was spacious and impeccably maintained, providing a comfortable setting for everyone onboard. After the dive, the homemade soup and hot chocolate were the perfect touch, adding warmth and a sense of hospitality that truly sets this tour apart. Highly recommend to anyone seeking an exceptional adventure!

This tour is a 'NOT TO BE MISSED' once in a lifetime experience! Cannot say enough good things about this tour, the crew, and the set up that made it possible. All equipment needed is provided, including wetsuit and snorkel gear. First, the boat - the Hula Kai is a large catamaran with dual ladders extending several steps down into the water, making getting off and getting back on the boat easy for me. At 70, I was concerned about being able to get out of the water and back into the boat safely. So easy with the ladder extending down into the water about 5 steps. Seeing the manta rays was a concern for me in the dark nighttime water, as I have low light vision difficulties! No problem. With the manta rays lit from below and lit awash in the blue light from the float we anchored ourselves to in order to stay above the action, I could see the manta rays clearly. Some of them swimming just inches from my nose. The only discomfort I had was having my feet up on the noodle seemed awkward, but you get used to it. The motion of the lighted float in the ocean is enough to create seasickness, so please do remember to take your dramamine or other motion sickness medication. You'll be glad you did. The 2 additional features that are an advantage of going with Fair Wind for the tour - the trip out to see the manta rays is short, less than 10 minutes & there are 2 swimmers in the water with you at all times to help with anything you need. I also appreciated the refreshments post swim. The hot drinks were a hit with my whole family, especially my 7 year old grandson. We might not be converts to Ulu Chowder soup but the hot chocolate was excellent. If you have a chance, don't miss this snorkel adventure. The sights you see will stick with you for a lifetime. Note: My video formats are unable to be recognized by TripAdvisor, but you can go out to youtube or view the videos for manta rays available on Hula Kai website. Mohala!

Awesome trip in the ocean with the rays. I did this on my own , but did not feel awkward at all, staff are super nice. Friendly staff helped me with a short wet suit and snorkel, making sure everything fitted ok. Sort walk along the jetty to the boat and 5 min ride into the bay as the sun was setting. Bright lights were shone off the front to attract the plankton and rays, during which time a short talk was given, what to expect , how to behave . Not touching the rays. No peeing in the wet suits! As the rays appeared, we were instructed how to enter the water, and given a noodle to hold onto. We swam to the bar towed off the boat and held on, looking down into the ocean with our snorkels. The rays are huge, beautiful and gentle. They swim underneath then circle up, upside down so close they sometimes brush against you. Just an incredible experience. During the spaces when there were no rays around, it was amazing just to watch the plankton. I stayed in right to the end, although some got out sooner. Hot chocolate to drink, and a bowl of soup was very welcome. Only issue …is it really necessary to scream when the rays swim past ? No. It’s beautiful.

This was our second tour with Fair Wind. The Manta Ray Tour was unlike anything we have ever experienced. The manta rays swam within inches of us, and sometimes they even brushed up against us as they fed on plankton and tiny fish illuminated by underwater ultra violet lights. The crew was great, very helpful. Hot cocoa and soup at the end of the tour was a welcome treat. If you go to the Big Island, you can't miss this!

This trip was awesome. We seen over 9 manta rays. Most over 10 feet wide. They had the best lighting to attract the manta rays and keep them close. We snorkeled for 45 minutes and had manta rays in front of us all the time. The manta rays swam under you within inches.The crew was excellent. They really did a great job helping you get ready and helping you if needed while snorkeling. The boat was easy to got off and back on. They had soup and hot chocolate on the way back to dock. I would highly recommend them. Can’t wait to come back and go again

The explanation by the captain about the mantas anatomy and habits, the procedure that we would follow, the use of the noodle for going to the platform, and later used under our feet was great. The viewing of both the plankton and the 5 mantas was great. The assistance into and out of the water was great. Regards, David Fleming

I have been fortunate in my life to experience many interesting and adventurous things. This may top the list. The crew was professional. The boat was large and high quality. We had a particularly good night as the mantas came in almost immediately and stayed the entire time. We had 6-10 in view at all times. When I say “in view” I mean from 20 ft away or 1 inch. Without question the highlight of the trip to Hawaii.

Incredible experience and the crew at Fair Wind made it even better! The lights truly attract it all, be ready to see mantas but also worms, eels and everything else. Bucket list check!! The boat was clean, the staff was so knowedgable and friendly and the boat was well stocked with hot chocolate and warm soup when you got out of the ocean! you MUST be able to swim in the ocean and know how to snorkel too. GREAT time!!

Crew was friendly and knowledgeable. Easy boat ride, clear instructions on boat with sunset view, and then into the water where manta rays immediately greeted us. Saw at least 5 rays. Highlight of our trip?

About 45 minutes of amazing time with these beautiful mantas. They were inches away, swimming, doing backflips. Truly incredible. Crew was professional. Felt safe the whole time. Easy check-in. They provide wetsuit and mask/snorkel. Boat was large and comfortable compared to others we saw that night. 100% recommend!🤙

Our night snorkel with Manta Rays was one of the highlights of our trip. For those unfamiliar, there are two main locations that manta ray tours are run on the island. This group goes in front of the Outrigger Hotel, which means the actual boat ride was all of 10 minutes during a gorgeous sunset. They did a great job of getting us all suited up and in the water, as well as helping to make sure everyone stayed well afloat during our tour. The rays are almost unbelievable with how big they are and how close they get. At the end, the soup and hot chocolate really hit the spot, too. I would definitely book this tour again.

The manatee tour is a must do, actually I did several tour with this company I did snorkel with both ships and they both were excellent. The crew is amazing, very knowledgeable and friendly. They had information about the cultural significance of the area where we snorkeled , and offered as refreshments and a snorkeling mini training. The sites where they took as was amazing . The best experience was the many tour it was the highlight of our trip . We still talk about it. To see the amazing creatures swimming inches away from you , eating the plankton is like swallowing light . You have to do it .