Kona Manta Ray Night Snorkel on a Hawaiian Double Hull Canoe (wa'a kaulua)
Location
Keauhou Bay, Kailua-Kona
Duration
Approximately 1 Hour
Availability
Monday–Friday,
6:30 PM, 8:30PM
Group Size
Max 6 guest per vessel
Min Age
2+ years old
Price
$180 per person (all ages)
Sold out? Our calendar is real-time, but cancellations happen. Call (808) 987-0377 to join our waitlist.
Kona Manta Ray Night Snorkel on a Hawaiian Double Hull Canoe (wa'a kaulua)
Eco Friendly • No Motors • No Oil • No Gas
Non-Invasive •Hawaiian Style
Paddle Power
Eco Friendly • No Motors • No Oil • No Gas • Non-Invasive •Hawaiian Style • Paddle Power
Hahalua, Manta Rays, have been coming to Keauhou Bay long before any of us were here. And a paddle and a canoe is the best way to meet them.
No motors, no crowds. Just you, the canoe, and the night ocean. With only six guests per tour on our Kona manta ray night snorkel, you can snorkel alongside the mantas or stay in the canoe and watch as they glide beneath the hulls. Either way, you'll experience one of the most intimate manta ray snorkels in Kona and see them closer than you ever expected.
How Do You Meet a Manta Ray?
You paddle.
Book a tour and join us as we slip out into the dark ocean from Keauhou Bay, then paddle a very short 5-7 minute paddle out to the manta ray night snorkel site. After spending time with our hahalua (manta rays), the short paddle back is the perfect way to warm up at the end of your adventure.
That’s right. We use paddle-power—no motors at all. That makes us the most eco-friendly tour available. It’s better for the mantas, the ocean, and our guests.
We only allow six people per tour, so you will have the undivided attention of both your guides and the mantas. Plus our double-hull canoe gives you an authentic Hawaiian experience unlike any other.
Anelakai Adventures provides the only non motorized, paddle power opportunity to view Manta Rays here on the Kona Coast. The rays swim right up to the light between the two hulls of our wa’a (canoe) providing you a view you can’t get on any other type of vessel. You have the option of getting in the water with a mask and snorkel, or enjoying the incredible view you have from your seat of the canoe - it’s perfect for all ability levels!
Skip the big crowds and go for a local Hawaiian experience — there’s no better way to meet mantas than on an Anelakai Adventures night manta ray snorkel in Kona!
Your Ride to the Mantas
Check in with your guide at the boat ramp, board our canoe at the dock, then paddle out a short 5-7 minutes to the manta site. Enough time to settle in, get comfortable, and take in either the sunset or night sky before the main event. Keauhou Bay is naturally protected, so the water stays calm most of the year. And with only six guests per canoe, you'll have the undivided attention of your guides.
Why Paddle Power Matters (Especially to the Mantas)
Being non motorized, we leave no footprint - no oil, no gas, no sound, and no danger to the mantas. With no propellor in the water, we are free to drift through the manta site with no worries.
The Mantas pass directly between the hulls of our canoe, close enough that you could reach out and touch them (please don't). That's where our lights and the plankton are, so the mantas come to us. You're never swimming away from the boat to see them.
Safer for you and the Mantas.
Your View from the Canoe or Snorkeling In the Water
Want to get in?
You slip into the water right between the hulls of the canoe and stay there the whole time. No swimming out to a distant board with a crowd of strangers. You'll wear ankle floats to keep your feet up (so you don't accidentally bump a manta) and hold onto a handle between the hulls. Six people max, all within arm's reach of the canoe.
Rather stay dry?
Stay in the canoe. Seriously. This is a view motor boats can't offer. You're looking straight down between the hulls into illuminated water as the mantas pass directly beneath you. A lot of our guests never get in the water, and they don't miss a thing.
Both options give you a front-row seat. There's no wrong choice here.
When the Mantas Arrive
This is the part that's hard to describe until you see it yourself.
The lights attract plankton. The plankton attracts mantas. And once they arrive, it's a moment you'll never forget.
They're big. Wingspans average 7-12 feet, some weighing over a thousand pounds. They have no stingers, no teeth, no barbs, and you have no worries. They are the true meaning of Anelakai - Angels of the Sea.
Being wild animals in their natural environment, every night is different. We are blessed to see them almost every time we are out, and having a positive attitude, and 'mantifesting' a great experience goes a long way.
Manta Ray Night Snorkel
Location
Keauhou Bay, Kailua-Kona
Duration
Approximately 1 Hour
Availability
Monday–Friday,
6:30 PM, 8:30PM
Group Size
Max 6 guest per vessel
Min Age
2+ years old
Price
$180 per person (all ages)
Sold out? Our calendar is real-time, but cancellations happen. Call (808) 987-0377 to join our waitlist.
The Paddle
The View
The Experience
The Paddle Out
The View
The Experience
All Kinds of Guests,
Same Great Experience
If packed boats and shoulder-to-shoulder snorkelers aren’t your thing, you’re in the right place.
Swimmers and non-swimmers
You don't have to get in the water to have the full experience. Watching from the canoe isn't the backup plan. It's a legitimate way to see the mantas, and many guests prefer it.
If you do want to snorkel, you’re right there in the water between the hulls, with the canoe always within reach.
Families with kids
Children are welcome as long as they can sit in their own seat on the canoe without assistance, typically age 2 and up. Kids can stay in the canoe the whole time, and our crew is used to making sure little ones feel safe and included.
Newer snorkelers
You don't need to be an expert, but you should be comfortable with a mask and snorkel before the tour. The water is calm and you're floating at the surface holding onto the canoe, so it's a relaxed environment. Just know that life jackets aren't allowed in the water, so if you're not confident swimming without one, staying in the canoe is a great option.
Guests with disabilities or mobility concerns
We've taken guests with paraplegia, quadriplegia, cerebral palsy, and other conditions that made other tour companies say no. We have adaptive equipment, trained crew, and a genuine commitment to making this work for everyone. Learn more about our accessibility accommodations, or call us directly and we'll figure it out together.
Seniors and guests wondering about physical ability
There's no upper age limit. We've had guests in their 70s and 80s enjoy this tour. Keauhou Bay is calm, protected water. You can stay in the canoe the entire time if you prefer, and our crew can help with boarding.
Guest Reviews
"A fresh, sustainable method of manta snorkeling... paddle-powered tours instead of motorized."
National Geographic, 100 Nights of a Lifetime
Know Before You Go
Meeting Point
Keauhou Bay Boat Ramp, Kailua-Kona. Detailed directions and parking information available on our Directions & Parking page.
Check-In
Please arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled tour time. Exact departure times vary and will be confirmed when you book.
What We Provide
Masks, snorkels, wetsuit tops, and ankle floats. Life jackets are available on request and required for all guests 12 and under per Coast Guard regulations. Life jackets are not allowed while snorkeling with the manta rays, so adults who plan to get in the water should be comfortable swimming without one. There's a dry storage box on the canoe for your valuables and towel.
Note:
Fins and full-face snorkel masks are strictly prohibited.
What to Bring
- Towel
- Underwater camera or GoPro (optional)
- Valuables like phones, keys, and wallets (don't leave them in the car)
That's it. Travel light. Large bags stay behind.
Weight Limit
For the safety of all guests and our crew, there is a 250 lb per-person weight limit on this tour. We may ask you to confirm your weight at check-in. If the limit is exceeded, we're unable to accommodate you on the tour and a refund will not be issued. We appreciate your understanding — this is about keeping everyone safe on the water.
Physical Requirements
Our tours are 100% human-powered, and we ask that all guests be physically willing and able to participate by paddling. You don't need to be an athlete, but you do need to be willing to paddle. If you plan to get in the water, you must be comfortable swimming and have prior snorkel experience. You'll also need to be able to climb a short ladder to reboard the canoe. There's a step down from the dock to the canoe (1-3 feet depending on tide). If you have physical limitations or special needs, please contact us before booking so we can discuss how to accommodate you.
Questions We Hear a Lot
Is the Kona manta ray night snorkel safe?
Yes. Manta rays are gentle filter feeders. They have no stingers, no barbs, no teeth that can hurt you. They pose no threat to humans. In fact, it's the other way around. We're more of a danger to them than they are to us. That's why we ask guests to stay calm, avoid excessive kicking, and never touch them.
What if my dates are sold out?
Our online calendar shows real-time availability, so if a date shows full, it really is full for now. Cancellations do happen, and we keep a waitlist. Give us a call at (808) 987-0377 to get on it, and we’ll reach out if a spot opens up.
What's the cancellation policy?
Because we run very small groups and tours often sell out, cancellations or changes must be made at least 48 hours in advance.
Cancellations within 48 hours of your tour are non-refundable.
Weather cancellations on our end are always fully refunded.
What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?
Safety is our first priority. Our crew are experienced watermen who know these waters well, and if conditions aren't safe, we don't go out. We sometimes have to cancel due to high surf, bad weather, or rough ocean conditions.
When we make that call, you'll be fully refunded. If there's another night that works during your stay, we're happy to try to rebook you. And if another operator is still running tours when we've cancelled, that should tell you something about their priorities.
When is the best time to go on a manta ray snorkel?
The mantas are here year-round, so there’s no “best season” for sightings.
As for tour times, both have their perks. The earlier tour gives you more twilight on the paddle out, which is a really beautiful time to be on the water. The later tour is fully dark when you arrive and tends to have fewer boats at the site.
The mantas don’t seem to care either way. It’s really about what works best for your schedule.
What happens if we don't see manta rays?
Manta rays are wild animals. While we see them on the vast majority of tours, we cannot guarantee sightings. Because it happens so rarely we take it on a case by case basis, with our end goal for you to see Mantas.
Is there a minimum age to participate?
Children are welcome on all tours as long as they can sit in their own seat on the canoe without assistance. That's typically age 2+ for the Manta Ray Night Snorkel. Kids can stay in the canoe the whole time, and our crew is used to making sure little ones feel safe and included.
What if our group is larger than 6?
Our canoes hold six guests each, but we can run two canoes and take up to 12 guests on the same tour. Please contact us or call (808) 987-0377 to arrange multi-canoe bookings.
Can people with mobility limitations or disabilities participate?
Yes. We've taken guests with paraplegia, quadriplegia, cerebral palsy, and other conditions that made other tour companies say no. We have adaptive equipment, trained crew, and a genuine commitment to making this work. Call us directly at (808) 987-0377 and we'll figure it out together.
Do you provide wetsuits and snorkel gear?
Yes. We provide masks, snorkels, wetsuit tops, and ankle floats. There's a dry storage box on the canoe for your valuables and towel.
How long is the tour and how much time is spent with the mantas?
The tour is approximately one hour total. The paddle out takes about 7-10 minutes, and we typically spend 30-45 minutes at the manta site before paddling back.
Do you offer kamaʻāina rates or military discounts?
Yes! Please call (808) 987-0377 for details.
Have more questions? We’ve got answers.
Groups & Private Tours
Our double-hull canoes have six seats, so we take six guests. Simple as that.
Traveling with a bigger group?
We run two canoes, so we can sometimes accommodate up to 12 guests on the same tour.
Want a canoe to yourselves?
Private tours are available. Your group, your crew, your pace.
Give call us at (808) 987-0377 and and let's talk.
