1st Manta Ray Snorkel Tour

The 1st Manta Ray Tour (first departure) departs Keauhou Bay around sunset. Exact times shift seasonally as sunset times change throughout the year. Current departure times are listed at seaparadise.com. Check in 15 minutes before your scheduled departure at the end of the Keauhou Bay finger pier — not at any buildings.

Both tours visit Manta Village and follow the same snorkel format. The 1st Tour (first departure) leaves around sunset with golden-hour coastline views and an earlier nighttime return — it is the better choice for families with younger guests and those who prefer to be back ashore earlier in the evening. The 2nd Tour (second departure) departs at dark and offers a quieter, more intimate atmosphere under darker skies with fewer vessels at the viewing site. Both carry the same Manta Guarantee and sighting rates.

Sea Paradise’s manta ray sighting rates consistently run 85–95% on most nights of the year — among the highest reliable encounter rates for any wild animal experience in the world. Every Captain logs every sighting after each departure, tracking patterns across nights and seasons. The Manta Guarantee applies if mantas are not seen.

If manta rays are not seen on your departure, Sea Paradise will rebook you on a future manta tour at no additional charge, on a space-available basis. See our Manta Guarantee for full terms.

All snorkeling guests must be confident swimmers and comfortable floating on the surface in open ocean at night. The 1st Tour is the more accessible of the two manta departures and is well suited to guests who are new to night snorkeling. The crew does not teach swimming onboard. Guests who prefer not to enter the water are warmly welcome as Ride-Along observers.

Yes — as Ride-Along guests. Non-swimmers are warmly welcome to join the manta tour as Ride-Along observers, remaining on deck aboard the Hoku Nui. Ride-Along guests often see manta rays clearly from above the illuminated water and enjoy the full crew briefing, warm drinks, chocolate, and bar service. All guests must still review our Medical and Health Information and sign a release form (during the booking process) before boarding.

The Kona Coast is home to over 450 identified reef manta rays catalogued by Manta Ray Advocates Hawaii and the Manta Pacific Research Foundation using unique belly spot patterns. Famous residents include Lefty — the first Kona manta ever identified, in 1979, recognizable by her damaged left cephalic fin — Big Bertha, one of the largest females with an estimated 14–16 foot wingspan documented since 1991, Koie Ray, known for swimming boldly close to snorkelers, Jolene Ray, a petite regular at about 5 feet wide, and Obama Ray, originally named Barack Obama before being confirmed female. Quarantina, first spotted during the COVID pandemic, and Elvis are among other well-known residents. If you photograph an unidentified manta belly, you can submit it to the Manta Ray Tracker — and if it’s a new individual, you may earn the right to name it.
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Warm drinks and chocolate are served after the snorkel on the return sail. Non-alcoholic beverages are also available. 

Wear a swimsuit under comfortable clothing. Bring a towel, a light jacket or hoodie for the cooler return sail, and sandals or slip-ons (Sea Paradise operates shoe-less boats). All snorkel equipment including wetsuits is provided. Underwater cameras are welcome — disable any flash before entering the water. Shark Bands Are NOT Allowed as they may repel the manta rays. 

Check in at the end of the finger pier at Keauhou Bay — end of Kaleiopapa Street, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740. Do not check in at any buildings. Arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled departure. Free parking is available along Kaleiopapa Street; allow 3–5 minutes to walk to the boat. Public restrooms are on the east side of Kaleiopapa Street near the parking lot. Restrooms/ Changing rooms are also onboard the Hoku Nui.