Manta Ray Night Snorkel at Kona, Big Island

The manta ray experience itself was enjoyable, but the tour description should be more transparent about the logistics. It doesn’t mention that you’ll need to drive a considerable distance to the meeting point, where parking is extremely limited. There is no dedicated parking, so you’re left to search for a spot on busy residential streets. We had to park one to two blocks away and walk to the meeting location, which added unnecessary stress before the tour. This is important information that should be clearly stated in the listing so guests can plan ahead and allow extra time.

The crew was great. The experience was unforgettable. Check in was super easy. Couldn't ask for a better night for my family and I.

This has changed in the last two years. It was a lot more low key with much fewer boats before. Now, it’s still an amazing experience, but with TONS of other people. We were crowded onto the light platform and I was fighting for space the whole time. It didn’t help that people from other groups were literally screaming every time they saw a manta. It really took away from what could be a serene and peaceful experience. They’re also fitting in shorter tours so they can do more in a night. Like I said, still an amazing time getting close to the mantas, but it was much less than the first time I did this. Kind of a shame.

Unbelievable experience. Be patient when in the water - the guides will position you to see Manta Rays. We had several Manta Rays do barrel rolls . We had one family member not go in the water and she had a great time on the boat watching and could see the manta rays and dolphins. Dolphin Discoveries was great. Ethan our guide was knowledgeable about the Manta Rays.

Aloha, Night snorkeling with the Manta Rays, through Dolphin Discoveries, was the most AMAZING experience ever! From check-in to the boat crew all personnel were kind, caring, and very knowledgeable and informative about equipment fittings and marine life. I would love to give a shout out to the June 22, 2026 7:00 tour boat crew (Jack, Brayden, the captain, ship mate, and other diver. Sorry couldn't remember all crew members names). They all did a wonderful job of explaining exactly what was to be expected while snorkeling, and how to stay calm while the manta rays get up close and personal. Jack and Brayden did an excellent job of explaining the life of manta rays and how to identify each one while we were in the water. A big thank you to Brayden for be encouraging and keeping me calm while in the water. He knew I was a good swimmer, but am very nervous in deep water. Brayden was very good at informing us when a ray was getting close and to just stay still and calm if one were to get too close to our bodies. He did a wonderful job with keeping us safe, informed with marine life, and gave clear directions as to what we needed to do to get in the water, while we were in the water, and with how to get out of the water back onto the boat. Mahalo (Thank you) Dolphin Discoveries Crew for a wonderful night snorkel with the manta rays! I would highly recommend this excursion to anyone that is visiting the island of Hawaii!! It is a once and a life time experience and well worth the money you pay to go on the excursion.

Our guides Jake and Ethan were awesome, very fun and helpful! Every staff from check in onward were great! We saw plenty of manta rays! So cool!. Totally recommend!

What an unforgettable experience! Mitch and Bryce were absolutely amazing from start to finish. They were friendly, professional, knowledgeable, and made everyone feel comfortable the entire trip. I’m not the strongest swimmer, so I requested a life jacket, and they accommodated me without any hesitation. They explained everything clearly, made me feel completely safe, and gave me the confidence to enjoy the experience. You don’t have to be an experienced swimmer to do this tour—they do a great job of making everyone feel comfortable. Seeing the manta rays at night was truly breathtaking. We saw so many mantas, and watching them glide so gracefully right beneath us was something I’ll never forget. The entire tour was smooth, well organized, and exceeded every expectation. After the swim, they had snacks and hot cocoa waiting for us, which was the perfect way to end the evening. The ride was so much fun and Bryce will sit and talk with you while Mitch drives the “boat”🤙🏽It’s those thoughtful little touches that made the experience even more special. This was easily a 10/10 experience, and I would recommend it to anyone visiting the Big Island. And please make sure to tip your guides! Mitch and Bryce worked incredibly hard to make the night safe, fun, and unforgettable. They truly made the whole experience so special. Mahalo, Mitch and Bryce, for an incredible evening I’ll never forget!

What a great experience! They seemed like they were only inches away. This is a must for anyone visiting the Big Island 😊

Crew & staff were friendly. We waited at the dock for the boat for more than the amount of time we were actually in the water (30 mins snorkel time). Only saw 1 manta ray unfortunately.

What an amazing experience ! The captain and his crew were great and gave lots of info. We had two (and at one point three) Manta rays swimming with us the whole time we were there. So close to us. Incredible experience ! Days was our in-water guide and she was great.