While I have written extensively about the downsides of unregulated manta ray tourism and the dangers from hull lights (coming from some of the boats), Hawaii Ocean Watch keeps a “greenlist” of manta ray tour operators who go to great lengths to make their tour more sustainable you can find the greenlist here and/or scroll down to read more about tour operator standards. An injury could do more than just ruin your vacation, and is just not worth the risk. All of these risks are intensified at night, in the dark. You risk injury from sea urchins, sharp lava rock, unpredictable surf, boat traffic, and coral. We cannot stress enough trying to go swimming alone, especially from a rocky shore, is an extremely bad idea. We at Manta Ray Advocates are the only activity provider offering a manta ray swim with access from a private sandy beach (no boat required).The main viewing areas are accessible via boat only due to the lava-rock shoreline.There are 2 ways to safely swim with manta rays safely along the West Coast of the Big Island: Manta Tour Boat Trip vs Entering from Shore
SWIM WITH RAYS FULL
If you prefer scuba diving but haven’t been diving for a while, we recommend you sign up for a 5-hour tour with 2 dives (2-tank charter) that dive operators offer that way, you can refresh your skills in full daylight before embarking on the night dive.įree diving (= holding your breath and diving to a certain depth into the water column where the mantas feed) is not permitted, as it disturbs the manta rays’ flow and could scare them or even cause collisions. In order to join a diving tour, you must be a certified scuba diver. If you go scuba diving with manta rays, you will be sitting on the ocean floor with lights and be able to observe the feeding manta rays by looking up. Most tour operators provide you with a flotation device to hold on to this device has lights that attract plankton, and thus the manta rays. If you go on a snorkeling tour, you will stay on the water’s surface. This makes it accessible for more people of all ages today, more people snorkel than scuba dive with mantas. Initially, the manta rays were enjoyed only by scuba divers, but in the last decade or so activity providers started offering both scuba diving and snorkeling tours. Snorkeling vs Scuba Diving with Manta Rays When going on a manta ray swim along the coast of Kona, you’re most likely to see reef mantas. There are two types of manta rays: pelagic (giant) mantas are larger and roam the open ocean, while reef manta rays are smaller and frequently seen in shallower coastal habitats. The manta rays, in turn, are attracted by the abundance of plankton. The viewing sites feature powerful lights that attract plankton (the mantas’ main food source).
The coastal waters of the West coast of the Big Island of Hawaii are home to one of the most robust and accessible populations of manta rays in the world, thanks to the viewing sites where mantas come to feed at night.
Manta rays have been Kona’s most unique attraction for travelers since the early 90s. From booking a manta ray tour that meets your expectations to preparing for a safe and potentially life-changing experience, this article covers everything you need to know before swimming with manta rays in their natural environment. Manta rays, known for their majestic presence, provide visitors with an unforgettable night-time encounter.īut entering the ocean after dark to swim with large fish is not as straightforward as some may think. Embarking on a Moonlight Manta Swim is an extraordinary adventure that allows you to intimately connect with the gentle giants of the Kona coast.
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