Night Manta Ray Experience

Sea Quest was an absolutely fantastic partner for our corporate event on the Big Island! We arranged a private buyout of their night manta ray snorkel experience and hosted our dinner at their office afterward. From start to finish, the team was professional, accommodating, and instrumental in bringing our vision to life. The night manta ray snorkel was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and our attendees had an incredible time. In fact, the VP shared, "In my 35 years and all of the company events and president's clubs I've been on, that was the most incredible and special experience, hands down." That speaks volumes about how memorable the evening was! After snorkeling, guests had the opportunity to rinse off in their outside shower (cold water only) and change before transitioning into dinner. We transformed the space with lighting, catering, a Kona Sea Salt tasting activation, and a DJ, creating a unique and memorable evening that perfectly blended adventure and hospitality. Sea Quest was flexible, collaborative, and wonderful to work with throughout the process. If you're looking for a truly unique experience for a corporate group, incentive program, or special event, I cannot recommend Sea Quest enough. They helped us create an evening the attendees will be talking about for years to come!

We are glad we did this, but of course, the first manta ray came really close and then the rest stayed farther away. Still very cool, but you always want a finale! You must be able to swim and swimming at night even when the thing you're going to hang onto is close by, is not for the faint of heart. The boat is very small so your gear is stored back on shore. You will get cold. Your arms may get hired just hanging on for 45 minutes without a break. The guides will be talking to each other a lot and moving the lighted frame so that your group stays where they need to be. There will be hot chocolate and tea back on shore. Parking is just along the shoulder of the road, and that's where everyone parks, so come early and plan to walk so you aren't rushing.

Fantastic experience, well run and a really fun time. Highly recommended. We cannot say enough good things about SeaQuest Hawai’i . From the boat captain, to the crew to the equipment, we were really impressed with the whole experience.

Was a wonderful time. One of the highlights of our Hawaii trip.

All equipment provided so simply show up. Even have prescription masks to help those with glasses. Was apprehensive at first about being in the ocean at night but crew are awesome and the experience was unbelievable.

Incredible experience. We saw 4 Manta Rays and had the best time! Excellent staff from start to finish and the captain took great care of me when feeling ill. The short boat ride helped maximize time in the water and we loved it. Highly recommend! Shoutout to John!

The was an amazing experience, the team at sea quest were great, they were professional and friendly. We had plenty of time in the water and didn’t feel rushed at all. Our group wasn’t too big and it didn’t feel at all crowded.

We did the Sea Quest Night Manta Snorkel in Kona, and it was one of the most amazing experiences of our trip! Seeing these incredible manta rays up close is almost impossible to describe. They are like giant angels gliding through the water—they seem to appear out of the darkness, gracefully sweep beneath you, and then disappear again just as quickly. And when I say they come close, I mean CLOSE! One manta actually brushed across my husband’s upper body as it glided past him. It was incredible! You travel out by boat and then enter the water and hold onto a large illuminated flotation board. The lights attract plankton, and before long the mantas begin appearing beneath you to feed. Watching these enormous, graceful animals glide and turn just inches away is absolutely mesmerizing. The Sea Quest team was organized, friendly, and very attentive. We noticed that they provided a lot of support and reassurance to several people in our group who were clearly less experienced or uncomfortable in the water. The crew did a great job keeping everyone organized and helping people throughout the experience. A little advice from our trip: a few people became seasick while we were in the water. If you are prone to motion sickness, be prepared for that. If you start feeling queasy, pop your head up occasionally and look toward the shoreline or another stationary point. The manta viewing area is actually very close to shore, so you can easily see land. The entire experience felt incredibly special. There is something almost peaceful about floating in the dark ocean and watching these huge, gentle creatures silently glide beneath you. We would absolutely do this again, and we would LOVE to bring our grandkids someday. What an unforgettable adventure that would be for them! If you are visiting Kona, put the Night Manta Snorkel on your list. It is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. HIGHLY RECOMMEND! 🌊🌙🤿❤️

staff there are with great hospitality, trustworthy experience. Parking slot might not be easy to find, remember to come at least 30mins in advance.

Went with my 7 year old and neither of us is advanced swimmer or snorkeler, but the staff took good care of us throughout the tour. We spotted mantas two minutes into the water and they stayed around the whole time. The tour was well organized and they provided everything you’d need. Just bring yourself, plus a towel and a waterproof camera, and have a good time!

while an unexpected issue (hazardous fireworms) prevented us from going on the manta ray excursion - i am impressed by any operator who prioritizes safety over profit. they were straightforward and offered everyone a refund or opportunity to rebook.

We had a good time going out to see the manta rays as a parent with one college-age and one high-school-age son. We were on the first trip of the night and had no trouble finding street-side parking, but I could see how things were about to get chaotic with multiple companies running trips from the same dock. Check-in was straightforward at the SeaQuest business location adjacent to the dock. They had a secure place to store items we didn’t want to take on the boat with us. SeaQuest had several groups going out on different boats at the same time, but everything was well organized. Our guides did a good job checking in with us to make sure we had everything we needed. We had our own masks and wetsuits, but they provide these as well. One of my sons opted to try one of the prescription masks SeaQuest had available at no extra fee, which was a nice opportunity for him. Our guides provided an overview of the evening and explained the established protocols. After a short 10-minute boat ride, they set up the light panels to attract plankton, and we were in the water with dozens of other people. I brought my GoPro, which is encouraged, and was glad I did. If you bring a camera, make sure you have a good wrist strap and are comfortable operating it with one hand. You need to keep one hand on the light panel and are not allowed to drift free. I was able to get a great video clip of the adult female that came up close to us. Our guides did a great job keeping track of everyone, including families with younger kids. This trip is a carefully and highly managed experience. Unfortunately, we did not see many manta rays, which is simply the nature of wild animals. We saw one juvenile along the bottom a couple of times, but thankfully an adult female came up to within inches of us just as our guide had announced it was time to leave. Although it was not as spectacular as a previous trip I took where we had dozens of close encounters, the kids still loved it and we had a great time. When we got back to the dock, the team had hot drinks waiting for us. I would go with this company again. They run a bigger operation than some of the others, but they were very organized. Having a building adjacent to the dock was convenient, and the staff were all very attentive to everyone's needs.

Amazing. Check in Crew was delightful and very helpful. Amazing. The crew on the boat was beyond helpful, kind, and Skyler was excellent with information and welcoming. Amazing. We saw, I don't know how many Manta's but it was a constant parade of the beautiful creatures. The entire night was well above expectations. ... Did I mention it was Amazing? Thank you so much for an unforgetable eveing.

This was the most magical experience! I was nervous about the idea of snorkeling at night but it could not have been more fun. The guides are so enthusiastic and helpful, sharing knowledge during the experience. We saw 4 different mantas doing barrel rolls underneath us. It was as good as it gets! Some things to know: you will remove your shoes and they store them on the boat. They provide you with wetsuits to keep warm and snorkel gear, including vision correction masks if needed. Strong swimming is not necessary as you are holding on to the light board and have a pool noodle under your feet to help you float. They will keep your bag dry on shore so no need to bring anything with you.

This was an absolutely incredible experience, beyond anything I had imagined, and I will definitely be doing it again! (Beware: it does actually work your triceps to hold onto that raft for 45 minuts - we were sore the day after!)

Great experience seeing the mantas up close. The guides were very knowledgeable and made the trip run smoothly. The boat ride is only about 5 minutes away as the dock is located right by the area where the mantas feed.

Unfortunately, we didn't see any marine animals; it was cold Even with the suit, people were throwing up next to us. I hope people have a better experience than we did.

This was awesome! Our children who were 7 and 8 were a little nervous. Ally, Brooke, Ethan, and captain Mike put them right at ease and made the who experience that much better with how wonderful they were with our kids. I really enjoyed all the additional facts and info our in water tour guides had on the manta rays. The hot coco and cookies at the end just made it that much better.

Excellent experience. We did the 9:00 tour which turned out to be the right choice. We saw two amazing Manta rays for 20 to 30 minutes, a bottlenose dolphin and a very tame shark. The guides were great and very accommodating for those not quite familiar with snorkeling.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ An unforgettable experience from start to finish! We booked the manta ray night snorkel with Sea Quest, and it exceeded every expectation. The crew was incredibly friendly, knowledgeable, professional, and made everyone feel safe and comfortable throughout the entire trip. The highlight, of course, was the manta rays. We couldn’t believe how close they came—gracefully gliding just inches beneath us. It was absolutely breathtaking and something we’ll never forget. Everyone in our group was amazed! The crew shared interesting information about the manta rays, kept the atmosphere fun and relaxed, and genuinely cared that everyone had a great experience. You could tell they love what they do. If you’re visiting the Big Island, this is an absolute must-do. Thank you, Sea Quest, for giving us one of the most memorable experiences of our Hawaiian vacation. We would recommend this tour to anyone without hesitation!

Life is about experiences and this was a fantastic one we’ll talk about for a long time. We went as a group of eight with two weaker swimmers nervous about the trip. The Sea Quest crew were awesome looking after all of us. They seemed to be the most professional operator with the best base and equipment. You need to be able to wear a mask and snorkel and be comfortable with your head in water. There was no more than 10 yards of swimming total. We took the 9PM dive and saw 8 large Manta Rays. They swam up to us within inches and brushed against us. We were in the sea for about 45 minutes. It wasn’t cold, but we were grateful for the hot cocoa afterwards. Definitely recommended with Sea Quest. The pictures on their site look fantastic, and that’s exactly what we experienced.

The staff at SeaQuest are phenomenal. From check-in to closing, everyone was genial, gracious, and did a great job with both crowdwork (managing different types of people, setting the mood, making sure everyone was comfortable) and ensuring everyone's safety, comfort, and education. We interacted the most with Rick and Elizabeth, who were especial standouts. It's clear how much effort they put into the program while making it all look effortless--both in terms of the physicality of their job and especially the social and educational aspects. The manta rays are, of course, the stars of the show, but the incredibly high caliber of the human staff really stand out, too. Unsung heroes!

It was the most amazing experience. You have to do it at least once in your life. Seeing Manta Rays up close is like nothing you have ever done.

Such a unique experience! The staff is helpful and great with people who are cautious of the experience. I appreciated all the patience they showed for my parents who were apprehensive!

We had a great time July 13th. The captain and guides were awesome and made sure everyone was taken care of. Our groups only complaint, it was just too crowded. We were bumping elbows and feet with each other. The staff was super organized and getting on and off the boat was well orcustrated. The equipment was very good as well. The last one we did was using old surfboards.

OMG, what an amazing night. We were met by friendly staff who checked us in quickly and before long had been given wetsuits and a briefing. Then the fun started. These teams of crew bantered amongst themselves that showed their humour, professionalism and desire to give us all a great experience. Ten minutes later we are at the spot and in the water for the show of a lifetime. We were right above a group of manta rays who put on a great show, rolling below us and coming to say hi. At all times, the crew cared about the safety of guests and re-assured us all. The advantage of our small group meant a high staff to guest ratio and we felt like family. Three C’s-, Comedy, Compassion and care summed this team up. The crew all gave the vibe that they have fun working for this company. Regards, two blown away Australians.

Seeing the manta rays gracefully glide just inches beneath us was absolutely breathtaking. They came so close that it almost didn't feel real! It was incredible to watch them perform their elegant barrel rolls while feeding, and the guides shared interesting information about the mantas and their behavior.

7/9/2026 What an amazing experience. We saw many manta rays. They came so close it was unbelievable. We had to work to avoid touching them. As a bonus, we saw several dolphins and even a small shark. The crew was friendly and professional. We enjoyed the hot chocolate and cookies at the end too. This is a must do on the Big Island.

The SeaQuest team does an incredible job safely escorting us fun-loving tourists out into the dark ocean to experience the magic of the manta rays up close. I've done this excursion multiple times with other companies, but SeaQuest was the first to offer a wetsuit (for free) - and let me tell you, game changer! I was the warmest than I've ever been on a night snorkel tour. And then...HOT CHOCOLATE at the end?! What kind of luxury operation is this? Absolutely loved it! What really stood out was the focus on safety. I'm not saying other tour companies are questionable, but compared to SeaQuest, if I had accidentally floated off into the Pacific, I'm not entirely convinced anyone would have noticed right away. The crew was friendly, professional, fun, and clearly passionate about what they do. If you are looking for a manta ray experience that combines adventure, comfort, and a healthy appreciation for keeping tourists alive, SeaQuest is the company to choose! Great job, SeaQuest-you earned every one of those 5 stars!!!

We only saw two Manta Rays from a far distance and people all around us were throwing up. From other reviews, I thought we would see many from a close range. But the boat captain offered us to go out again free of charge

Absolutely a must do. It’s daunting to pick which company to see the Manta Rays with but Seaquest was exceptional. They have their own lawn/waiting area on the docks to make check in easy and relaxing. The guides were amazing, knowledgeable, and fun. They did everything from sharing manta ray facts, sharing names of manta rays, and made sure all guests were safe and taken care of at all times. We had over 20 manta ray encounters during our time in the water, with most coming within inches of you. I’m not one to write reviews but this tour was beyond exceptional.

The crew was amazing! Informative and friendly! Did not feel rushed or crowded! The rays were amazing!! Definitely planning to book again next time we're here!

The Sea Quest crew were very helpful and knowledgeable about the Mantas and other creatures that inhabited this area.We really recommend this Company. Mahalo!

Great experience—we saw mantas about 30 seconds after we got in the water. The guides were knowledgeable and friendly. Highly recommend!

Most incredible experience I've ever had! She saw 3 Mantas the entire time we were in the water!!! All the barrels rolls they did into the lights. They were so close I couldn't get the best video at times cause it was just of their bellies! Unbelievable!!

I am not a great swimmer or snorkeler by any means but I thoroughly enjoyed this experience. My husband always wants me to learn to scuba dive and this experience made the underwater world very accessible for someone like me. It was an amazing experience to be grazed by a manta ray so close. We got close to Santa Maria. She was playful, magnificent, and friendly. Such a treat. Definitely do not miss this experience. All the staff were amazing, gave us great info, were super energetic, and made the experience so memorable. Thank you for an amazing last night experience on the Big Island!

An experience of a lifetime, exceeded my expectations not only for the amount of Mantas we saw and performed for us, but also the crew such as Sierra, Paola, Skylar, Abrahim, Nolan and Sky. Sierra was so informative and so witty with her puns and knowledge of the Manta Rays. The crew also made us all feel at ease in the water making sure we were comfortable and secure at all times. They obviously all enjoyed their jobs and left an impression on our family that we'll never forget! Thanks Seaquest, it was a Mantacular experience!

I over researched Manta options and ultimately landed at Sea Quest. Glad I did. First manta snorkel experience for me and it is just a quality operation. Very friendly staff, give you everything you need minus towel (so wetsuit, nice snorkel gear w/prescription option, etc). You leave from dock very close to snorkel site (apparently not case for all operators), so most of time is actually spent in water (would guess 40-45 minutes). Whole time boat trip + snorkel took an hour. When you get back they have snacks and drinks (hot chocolate, etc) waiting for you. Manta experience itself is beyond cool. We had an above average night I’m told. Manta rays just kept coming, probably 10-15 times made a pass close enough for them to brush against us. Wish I had a camera to capture it all. The in water staffer helping us was very attentive to my boys. Fed them manta knowledge the whole time and was very patient in helping them get situated at float. If looking for 1) very friendly, well staffed operation, 2) high quality boat, gear, etc included, 3) speedy trip to snorkel site, 4) amazing experience in water you’ve found your operator.

The boat ride to the snorkel site is short, so most of your time is spent in the water. We saw a huge manta but it swam away, and we were lucky enough that “Milky” Ray came to our light and spent the rest of the time swimming all around us and barrel rolling through the plankton. It was awesome to see! The crew was right there in the water keeping us safe and giving us information about the mantas. Definitely recommend Sea Quest for daytime or nighttime snorkel trips!

It was wonderful that SeaQuest operates right by the dock where the boats go out. Their staff was wonderful helping us all with the wet suits and educating us on Manta Rays the entire time we were in the water. We were lucky to see the manta rays so close to us! Very safety conscious!

AMAZING experience. We had 5 swimming around, getting up close and personal. Great crew.

We had Choppy waters, so the water was a bit murky. I only saw 2 Manta Rays. Too many groups too close together so legs were hitting other legs and hitting other bodies. Pool noodles felt like they were being pulled away from your ankles. Plus I got stung by a Man a War Jellyfish. This was one of the most painful things I've had had to endure and spent a couple of hours in the ER due to the pain. My friends mask was defective and he had a difficult time breathing, but the crew seemed more focused on retrieving loose pool noodles than getting him a new mask. To top it all off, they made us leave early due to too many Jellyfish in the water. Not a great experience for me.

WOW! This was our 5th Manta Ray Snorkle, 3rd with sea Quest. My Brother and wife's 1st. SPECTACULAR. We had them all around us and brushing against us. Perfect!

Sea Quest gave us an experience that was safe and easy - thanks to their great crew and staff. Abram and Cara were assigned to our group along with 2 other crew for the other half of the boat, plus a spotter and captain on board. All were super with initial briefings (thanks for the jokes to calm nerves!) and getting everyone in the water and floating on the lightboard. They moved us around in the water periodically to make sure we had the best manta viewing experience. Thanks to them, we saw at least 6 manta - one of whom put on a show doing barrel rolls for 10-15 min in front of a very giddy audience. The experience was so incredible and I attribute that to the excellent crew on Sea Quest. Thanks for keeping us safe while we all had a ball watching the manta show!

Trip was well organized and safety was a top priority. We saw lots of manta rays close up. Great experience!

This was the highlight of our trip to the Big Island, up close and able to view all these beautiful Mantas up close was once in a lifetime experience. The Sea Quest team including Captain Nick and his team were professional and fun. We were lucky to view 7 different rays, we were spoiled. The crew taught us about the animals and the individual mantas that return to visit the site. I appreciated their respect for keeping the mantas safe. It was amazing and worth every penny. I would definitely recommend to friends and return again.

Nick was the captain and interacted with everyone, while keeping a safety oriented demeanor. Wayland was so knowledgeable and funny, zero questions left unanswered. We saw ray after ray and we got touched by a ray 3 times as they fed close to our face. Safe and enjoyable!!!

Very cool experience. The water wasn’t as cold as people told us before hand. Take motion sickness meds if u have a weak stomach

It was amazing!! One of the best experiences of my life!! And Sea Quest was great as well! Highly recommend!