Big Island Manta Ray nattsnorkel

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!

Swimming with manta rays at night with this amazing crew was the best part of our entire vacation. The captain and crew kept us completely safe, shared fascinating facts about the gentle giants, and made the whole trip fun and unforgettable.Highlights of the TripFriendly Crew: The team welcomed us warmly and helped everyone feel calm in the water.Great Safety: The guides watched us closely and kept the big light board secure so we could float easily.Smart Guides: The crew shared great facts about manta ray habits and how they feed on plankton.Amazing Sights: Dozens of graceful rays swam right underneath us with their giant mouths open wide.Final ThoughtsThe boat ride was smooth and comfortable.The hot cocoa after the swim was a wonderful touch.We give this tour five stars and suggest it to everyone.

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

It was a bucket list filling adventure. Aiden and his crew were funny, attentive, and educational throughout the trip. You could tell they were trying to make it as personalized as possible. The trip out and back was pretty smooth and the crew kept us entertained. There must have been at least a dozen different mantas swimming under us the whole time we were in the water.

This is one of the most incredible experiences I’ve ever had! If you’re near Kona, Hawaii, it’s a must-do. The majestic animals and the close encounter are simply unreal. The guides are incredibly professional, fun, and friendly. They’re worth every penny and every minute of your time!

The operator had a choice between going to two different locations. He was able to put us on dozens of manta rays in our location. It was an amazing experience.

What an amazing experience! The manta rays were literally right in my face! It was surreal getting to swim with these incredible creatures. I didn’t realize they were going to get so close! I also really appreciated that the manta rays weren’t being baited by throwing food into the water just so tourists could see them. Instead, lights were used to attract the plankton that the manta rays naturally feed on, which made the experience feel much more natural. The crew was great! The boat was great! The weather was great! The water was fantastic! It was honestly just perfect all around. I’m so grateful and fortunate to have had this experience. My only regret: I wish I had a GoPro!