WITNESS THE SPECTACLE ON A MANTA RAY NIGHT SNORKEL IN KONA’S ILLUMINATED WATERS
If you are someone looking for an adventure more exciting than swimming along one of Kona’s spectacular reefs– this up and coming Big Island excursion is sure to be right up your alley. Perfect for ocean lovers and thrill seekers alike, the night time manta ray snorkel in Kona is swiftly becoming one of the leading snorkel tours across Hawaii.
If you are interested in what is involved on one of the snorkel tours where you will get to come up close and personal with one of Hawaii’s largest gentle marine creatures, then keep reading!
What to Expect on a Manta Ray Night Snorkel in Kona
Every snorkel tour in Hawaii is wholly unique. Whether you are embarking during the winter versus the summer, early in the morning versus at night, or visiting the same reef through different tour companies; there are so many factors that will create complete diversity in your experience. This is why it is so important to do your research before booking your Kona snorkel tour; not only to ensure that it meets your expectations but so that you may book with confidence in your captain, crew, and their vessel.
What especially differentiates a manta ray night snorkel from, say, a morning snorkel of Captain Cook Monument is the ocean conditions and obstacles that only arise at night. This intimate encounter with marine wildlife is only accessible through an accredited tour boat; this not only will keep you safe, but protect the manta rays as well. These tour companies will provide you with wetsuits as well as a mask and snorkel as the water is considerably colder with lack of sunlight. Because of the limited visibility and in order to attract the rays, your in-water guide will also equip the group with an illuminated flotation device.
Protecting Manta Rays during Night Snorkeling in Kona
The biggest rule of thumb when embarking on any oceanic adventure is leaving virtually no footprint. This can be summarized as: do not touch any marine plant and animal life, avoid taking anything from the ocean while snorkeling or diving, and make sure to wear reef safe sunscreen and gear to preserve the habitats for its dependents and generations to come.
While there are still many opportunities to interact with the sea life around the Hawaiian islands, leaving the smallest possible human impact is of paramount importance. When you snorkel with manta rays on the Big Island, your tour group will make sure to go over the biggest safety guidelines to adhere to for yours and the animal’s safety. Your time in the water will consist of floating at the surface which allows for the manta rays to safely and freely complete barrel rolls directly under you. If you wear sunscreen earlier in the day or plan on wearing some to cover the areas outside of the wetsuit before the sunset, be sure to check out our guidelines on determining what actual reef safe sunscreen is. If you have any questions regarding interacting with the manta rays, please keep in mind the #1 rule: to not touch– if they touch you that is ok but do not reach out your hand to “pet” the manta rays.
Beyond the Night Snorkel with Manta Rays: Other Close Encounters with Marine Life in Kona
The Big Island of Hawaii is home to some incredible and vastly diverse marine life found seldom anywhere else in the world. Because of this, many people are itching to rack up as many close encounters with these oceanic creatures as possible. Recent legislation has now prohibited any swimming directly with the native Hawaiian spinner dolphin pods; however, you still are able to book a dolphin watch trip aboard one of the ecologically responsible boat tour companies like Dolphin Discoveries. Other on-boat tours available are whale watching tours, most popular during the winter months where humpback whales travel to the tropics in order to give birth or mate.
If you alternatively choose to book an in-water adventure, the day and morning snorkel tours offered will allow you to get up close and personal with a variety of tropical reef fish and marine creatures! This is an unforgettable experience sure to delight.
No matter what you can’t go wrong when booking a close encounter in Kona, but our suggestion is to make the most of it and choose the once in a lifetime experience of a night time manta ray snorkel on the Big Island!