Embark on a Rare Aquatic Adventure and Come Face to Fin with Majestic Mantas

Beneath the stars and waves, you can swim with these gentle giants off the Kona Coast.

Lying flat on the surface of the Pacific Ocean, I wait for nature’s show to begin. Nearby, bubbles ascend from scuba divers exploring the reef—a soft crescendo of effervescence.

The first manta ray emerges from behind, rising from the dark waters below. Its 12-foot wingspan dwarfs me as it glides mere inches away—so close that I could stick out my tongue and lick it, which our guides specifically asked us not to do during the pre-tour briefing.

Soon, more of these gentle giants are drawn toward our powerful underwater lights. They aren’t chasing the lights themselves but what they illuminate: microscopic zooplankton, their main food source.

I squeal with delight as a squadron of mantas gathers around us to perform a graceful, seemingly synchronized dance. Their wings flap, propelling them upward. Just before they reach the surface, they arch backward with mouths open wide to maximize their catch.

Swimming with manta rays on Hawaiʻi Island—specifically off the Kona Coast—is a bucket-list experience. // Photo courtesy of Kona Snorkel Trips

The massive creatures’ white, spotted bellies fill my vision and their gills expand just beyond my mask. I take a deep breath through my snorkel—being alongside them like this is surreal.

“They really are the gentle giants of the ocean,” says Shari Sicsko, co-owner of Kona Snorkel Trips, which offers its world-famous manta ray night snorkel year-round. “Everybody’s really passionate about the animals, showing you what we love about this and how unique it is to our little section of Kona.”

Welcoming everyone from first-time visitors to repeat guests with commemorative tattoos, each tour is as unique as the mantas themselves.

Kona Snorkel Trips runs two tours daily, at 5:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. The earlier trip includes sunset views and typically draws more boats, which can attract more mantas but can also cause them to spread out. This evening, we’re lucky enough to see 10 mantas, many of which circle back often during the 30-minute tour.

Typically, fewer operators and boats are in the water for the second show. Sometimes the mantas congregate; other times many of them leave after having their fill for the night.

Nature is unpredictable, which is why the company offers a manta guarantee: If no mantas appear or the trip is canceled due to unsafe weather conditions, you’ll be offered a free standby spot on another night.

“During the winter, our waters are a little choppier and a little bit more intense,” says tour guide Micah Tumlinson. “Sometimes that does bring in a lot of plankton. … The roughest, craziest, grossest water times tend to be the best manta shows.”

The giant manta ray is the largest ray and one of the largest fishes in the world, with wingspans reaching 26 feet. Females are the largest. // Photo courtesy of Kona Snorkel Trips

Just as I ask Tumlinson about the craziest thing she’s seen, a manta breaches right beside our group. As it turns out, “manta breaching” is the answer. “We don’t really know if they breach for any main reason,” she explains. “They’ll breach to get away from predators. I’ve heard rumors of mantas giving birth in aquariums while breaching … but I don’t know if that happens out in the wild. We think they just breach for fun a lot of times.”

Hosting six to 18 guests, this intimate experience is open to all ages—as long as you can stay afloat. A shortie wetsuit, mask (including those with prescription lenses for guests who wear glasses) and snorkel are provided. Guests should wear swimsuits, bring towels and pack or rent GoPros ($40) to capture the magic.

Back on the boat, the excitement settles as we make our way back to the harbor. I look up at the Milky Way painting the night sky above and envision the mantas still circling the waters below. It’s easy to see why this is one of Hawaiʻi’s most sought-after adventures. But what stays with me isn’t the thrill—it’s the peace that comes from sharing a brief moment with these otherworldly beings.

74-381 Kealakehe Parkway, Kailua-Kona, 808-326-4774, konasnorkeltrips.com