One of the most memorable and fascinating activities to seek out on your Big Island adventure doesn’t take you far from the comforts of Kailua-Kona, but you’ll feel as though you’ve been transported to another place and time.
Swimming, diving, and snorkeling with the manta rays off the Big Island coast is a remarkable activity you can enjoy with your family or friends, making memories that will last a lifetime. About Kona Manta RaysThe manta rays native to the waters of Hawaii are of the Manta alfredi species, the second largest in the world.
While their wingspans can reach up to 18 feet, most manta rays around Kona average between 10-12 feet in wingspan. The rays are incredibly graceful and gentle and watching them swim is more like watching a bird in flight than a marine animal swimming. Surviving on a diet of mostly plankton, Kona manta rays feed with their mouths wide open and reside in the coastal waters around the islands for the entirety of their lives. Because they live to be nearly 50 years old and return regularly to the same locations, many of the manta rays in Hawaii have been given their own names. Manta Ray Dives and Snorkeling – an Unforgettable ExperienceFew other places in the world make viewing manta rays up close so easy and accessible, but only Hawaii allows you to experience the rays at night, while they feed. Several locations on the Kona side of the Big Island allow for manta ray viewing and activities, but so-called ray bay is the hotspot. Directly below the Sheraton Kona Resort at Keauhou, these manta rays are often attracted to the plankton that moves near the surface as the resorts spotlights turn on and the sun begins to set. Visitors to the resort can watch the rays feed from the resort’s viewing platform, but for an up-close experience, getting in the water with these amazing animals is the best option. Manta Ray Viewing OptionsThankfully, visitors have plenty of options based on price, availability, and timing to see the manta rays. Whether you want to splurge and experience the animals up close or relax and watch them feed from a nearby viewing platform, options are available that suit both your time and bank account. Manta Ray Night SnorkelingMost manta ray snorkeling trips include a guided tour to the location, gear, and floatation devices. You’ll be looking at the rays while as they feed, illuminated by nearby spotlights and viewing lights projected by the tour boat. You will be looking down into the water, wearing snorkel gear and holding on to a floating platform with handles. Because plankton are attracted to these bright lights, you’ll be awarded a unique perspective to see the manta rays feeding up close without venturing too f boat. be overwhelming for people who are claustrophobic or uncomfortable in snorkel gear.
