From check-in to your return to the harbor, here’s exactly how your Big Island Manta Ray Night Snorkel will unfold. This guide helps you feel prepared and confident before arriving at the boat.
Check-In at the Harbor
Your evening begins at Hang Loose Boat Tours at Keauhou Bay Harbor. Arrive 20–30 minutes before departure to meet your crew, confirm your booking, and receive initial instructions. The crew will guide you through equipment fitting, answer questions, and make sure you understand the basic flow of the experience.
You’ll also get a quick overview of ocean conditions and what the team expects for the night’s manta activity.
Boarding and the Boat Ride to the Snorkel Site
Once everyone is checked in, you’ll board the boat and begin the short ride toward the manta ray viewing area. This ride is typically calm and scenic, giving you time to relax and settle into the atmosphere. As the boat heads offshore, the crew provides a detailed safety briefing covering:
- How to use your snorkel and mask
- How to safely enter and exit the water
- How to hold onto the floating light boards
- What manta behavior to expect
- Emergency procedures and signals
The goal is to make sure everyone feels comfortable and ready before entering the water.
Watching the Kona Sunset
Before reaching the snorkel site, you’ll be treated to one of Kona’s signature highlights – the sunset. The sky often transforms into layers of pink, gold, and deep orange, reflecting across the ocean’s surface. It’s a calm, beautiful way to begin the evening and sets the tone for the encounter ahead.
Many guests say the transition from sunset to starlight is one of their favorite moments of the entire trip.
Getting Ready to Enter the Water
After arriving at the manta site, the crew will help you put on your mask and snorkel, slip into your jacket-style wetsuit top and use the flotation device properly.
When it’s your turn, you’ll climb down the ladder into the water with the assistance of a crew member. The water is typically calm and warm, making it easy to settle in. You’ll float horizontally with the light board in front of you, legs extended behind you to avoid accidental contact with the manta rays.
Watching Manta Rays Up Close
As the lights illuminate the water, they attract plankton – drawing manta rays directly beneath you. These gentle giants glide upward in slow, graceful loops, often passing within inches of your vantage point.
The encounter is peaceful, surreal, and unlike any other wildlife experience in Hawaii.
Guests often describe it as “floating in a planetarium made of water.”
The snorkel session typically lasts 20–40 minutes, depending on conditions.
Returning to the Boat
When your group is finished, a crew member will guide you back up the ladder and help you settle onto the boat. Towels and dry clothes come in handy at this point, especially when the evening breeze picks up. You’ll enjoy light snacks and bottled water while the crew shares more information about the manta rays and answers questions about what you observed.
Ride Back to the Harbor
The return ride is calm, quiet, and reflective – perfect for taking in the night sky and discussing the experience with your group. Many guests use this time to review photos or simply enjoy the peaceful ocean atmosphere. Once back at the harbor, the crew will help you off the boat and ensure you know where to go next.
After Your Tour
If manta rays were not seen during your session (a rare occurrence), you’ll be offered a free return trip on another night, subject to availability. Otherwise, you leave with a once-in-a-lifetime memory, often considered the most magical part of a Big Island vacation.