Big Island Manta Ray nacht snorkel

Fantastic time with a great crew (Jordan and Mana). Manta Rays were amazing.

Incredible experience with Captain Jacob, Vince, and the entire Hang Loose Tours crew! Everyone was friendly, professional, and helpful from the initial welcome through deboarding. Hang Loose was also extremely accommodating when we needed to change our tour date because of forecast bad weather. I was expecting the tour to go to the Keauhou area, but we instead went near the airport—which was arguably even better. There were fewer boats, and we saw 10–12 manta rays continuously throughout our time in the water. Swimmers of all skill levels were welcome, and the guides were available to help weaker swimmers get to and from the boat and the viewing raft. Once you’re there, all you have to do is relax and enjoy the spectacular scenery and these majestic creatures. The boat was also well equipped, with an onboard restroom, light snacks such as chips, water, and soft drinks. An incredible experience and definitely one of the highlights of our trip!

This was a great experience. If you are on the big island this is a must. Would definitely recommend!

It was an amazing experience. So many manta rays. The crew one and all were attentive, informative and sooo helpful.

This was such a magical experience!! The guides were fun, lively and knowledgeable. We felt safe the whole time. It’s a must when coming to the island!

This is a gold-rated experience on TripAdvisor for a reason — it’s truly one of the most memorable wildlife encounters I’ve ever had. The photos and descriptions online don’t come close to capturing what it feels like to be in the water with these giant manta rays. It’s surreal, magical, and honestly something you have to experience to believe. Captain Jacob and his crew — Vincent and Brodie (sorry if I’m slightly off on the name!) — were phenomenal. They were experienced, friendly, and incredibly attentive. They made my family and everyone on the boat feel safe, secure, and fully supported. If anyone needed extra assistance, they were right there without hesitation. Their calm confidence set the tone, especially for someone like me who was nervous about being in open water at night. The playlist on the ride out and back was perfect, setting a fun, relaxed vibe that helped ease any nerves. Once in the water, I was surprised by how shallow the snorkel area actually is — you can clearly see the ocean floor, maybe around 20 feet deep — and thanks to the bright lights mounted beneath the boards, the visibility is incredible. The whole scene is illuminated in a way that makes the manta rays feel almost otherworldly. And then the stars of the night: the giant manta rays. They were so close, gliding and looping right beneath us. It genuinely felt like being inside a National Geographic documentary. Absolutely breathtaking. I highly recommend renting a GoPro from the Hang Loose team. The photos and videos we captured are the only way anyone would believe what we saw. They also provide wetsuits, which help a lot with comfort, and there’s a quick warm rinse on the boat afterward — just a brief rinse since there are about 20 people, but still appreciated. What an experience. If you’re considering it, do it. It’s unforgettable.

Our tour guides were professional and kind the entire time. They made sure everyone was comfortable and safe.

Incredible experience!! It’s absolutely insane how close the rays get to you and their size is unbelievable. I would highly recommend!

Captain Aiden, and his crew handled the international crowd and rain professionally; Aiden was amazing, he knew exactly what he was doing, made us all comfortable and ensured our safety. The swim itself was fantastic, the manta rays are fabulous creatures. Thank you crew!

This was such an awesome experience! We had a blast. Definitely one of those experiences you’ll never forget!