There’s nothing more magical than swimming with manta rays in the moonlight. Hop aboard the boat at Honokohau Marina near Kailua-Kona and head to one of the best snorkeling sites along the Kona coastline.
Float above the water and watch the mantas soar through beams of light that attract plankton to feed. It’s an unforgettable experience that you can only get in Kona!
1. Manta Ray Night Snorkel
If you’re a big fan of ocean creatures, and especially manta rays, this is a must-do experience. It’s an unforgettable mix of exhilaration and a bit of fear when you see that first colossal manta ray glide gracefully through the water, seemingly just inches away from you. Then you realize these gentle giants are completely harmless and just here to feed on the plankton that lights are attracting.
This amazing experience takes place at night because the manta rays feed on the plankton attracted to light (during the day they would be eating their favorite food, phytoplankton). The tour guides use underwater lights to concentrate the plankton around them while guests swim at the surface, holding onto a raft that emits more light. It’s an incredible sight to see these massive sea creatures swoop in circles in a silent underwater ballet, and it’s even more beautiful knowing that they are there to dine on the plankton that we’ve brought them.
The best time to do a manta ray night snorkeling is from May to September, when the seas are calmer and sightings are the most likely. However, manta rays are not limited to those months and can be seen at any time of year.
You’ll need to bring a snorkel, mask, wetsuit, and floatation belt. There are two locations along the Kona coast where these manta rays congregate to eat. After a 20+ minute boat ride to the snorkel location you’ll slip into the warm waters and float above the majestic mantas. They can be as large as 15 feet wing tip to wing tip and weigh 3000 pounds! They have a very distinctive appearance, with triangular-shaped pectoral fins and a wide mouth that filters their delicious plankton dinner.
2. Whale Watching Snorkel
Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) migrate to Hawaii every year from Alaska to breed and give birth. They can be seen from December through mid-April. This is one of the most popular whale watching adventures in the world.
Snorkelers will jump from a boat and enter the water to observe these massive mammals up close. You will get to listen to their amazing songs and witness their breaching, tail fluking, and mating behavior. It’s also common to see them interacting with their calves.
The water around Molokini is deep and sheltered, making it an ideal spot for whales to swim around and take rest in between their migration. If you are lucky, you may even be able to see them underwater as they playfully interact with each other.
Swimming with whales is not guaranteed on this tour because it depends on the weather and the behavior of the animals. In years where the whales are more active and in their prime breeding season, a snorkeling encounter is possible. The experience is truly once-in-a-lifetime.
Aside from getting up close to the whales, you will be able to take some amazing pictures and videos as well. Just remember to respect the code of conduct and stay a safe distance from the whales.
For the best viewing, make sure you wear comfortable clothing and bring sunscreen with you. You will also want to bring a waterproof camera, such as a Go Pro, to capture the underwater moments. This is a great activity to do with your family or friends. It is recommended to book in advance, especially during peak season. You can always visit the whale watching office at the Royal Kona Resort and they will be able to reserve a tour for you.
3. Kealakekua Bay Snorkel
Kealakekua Bay is a stunning marine sanctuary that’s full of vibrant marine life. It’s also home to the iconic Captain Cook Monument. While you can explore the bay on your own by renting kayaking and snorkeling gear, we highly recommend booking a tour with one of the many reputable companies out of Kona. This will ensure that you’re well taken care of and provided with all the equipment you need to enjoy your day in the water. It’s also the best way to make sure that you see as much as possible, including spinner dolphins, which are known to frequent this bay.
The best time of day to visit Kealakekua Bay, and the Captain Cook Monument, is in the morning. This is when the weather tends to be calmer and there will likely be less boats out on the water. It’s also a great time to try and spot some spinner dolphins, which are often seen using the bay as a resting place.
If you’re looking for the best daytime snorkeling experience in Hawaii, then we strongly recommend booking a Kealakekua Bay Snorkel Tour with Fair Wind Cruises. They’ll take you out to explore this beautiful marine sanctuary and give you the opportunity to snorkel at the Captain Cook monument, where you’ll be able to admire the stunning marine life. Afterwards, you’ll head to Red Hill, which is a lesser-known area of the bay that’s home to unique underwater rock formations like sea caves and lava tubes. Here, you’ll have about an hour of snorkeling to explore the marine life and the secluded coral reef. While you’re here, your guides will be able to tell you more about the rich Hawaiian and natural history of this special area.
4. Captain Cook Monument Snorkel
Imagine floating over a colorful reef in warm, calm, clear waters with schools of bright tropical fish all around you. Then, raise your head above the water and you’ll see massive cliffs plummeting into the ocean and a white obelisk memorializing Captain Cook. This is Kealakekua Bay in Kona and it’s one of the best snorkeling spots in Hawaii with stunning scenery, history, and marine life.
You can snorkel at Kealakekua Bay on your own by renting a kayak, or you can take a tour. We recommend Fair Wind Cruises because they offer an amazing experience. They’ll cruise along the coast, stopping to check out marine life and stunning topside scenery. Plus, they serve coffee and plant-based food. Their Hoku Nui is also one of the largest boats in Kona and it can accommodate up to 80 people.
The most popular way to snorkel at Kealakekua Bay is to book a Captain Cook Monument Snorkel tour. These tours depart from Keauhou Bay and will lead you right to the spot in front of the Captain Cook monument where you can snorkel. This is a great experience because you’ll get to see a different part of the bay and explore the coral reef up close. Plus, you’ll have a chance to see Hawaiian spinner dolphins and green sea turtles (during whale watching season).
When snorkeling at Captain Cook Monument, be sure to follow the instructions of your tour guide closely. You’ll want to avoid the rocky point directly in front of the monument and swim out toward the center of the bay. Then you’ll find a beautiful coral reef that begins in just a few feet of water and gets deeper the further out you swim.
5. Kona Snorkel Trips
The marine life here at Kealakekua Bay (K-bay) is incredible and it’s also home to the Captain Cook monument and an ancient Hawaiian temple (heiau). This is one of our favorite snorkel tours because it combines history, geography and excellent pristine underwater views in just 1/2 day.
After a short cruise out of Keahou Harbor aboard a spacious sailing catamaran you’ll be dropped off in one of the most pristine snorkeling areas on the Big Island. The water is clear and vibrant, and as you explore the marine life you’ll be able to see a wide variety of coral and tropical fish species.
Once you’re done snorkeling, you’ll head back to the boat for some snacks and drinks. After you’re back on the beach, the crew will point out a few histories of the area and offer a little bit of history lessons to help you really appreciate this beautiful spot.
Located on the western coast of the Big Island, Honaunau Bay is an incredible place to swim and snorkel. The thriving reef here is a natural aquarium, and it’s home to brightly colored parrotfish flapping their pectoral fins, schools of tang, and trumpetfish swimming all around. The underwater scenery at Honaunau Bay is spectacular and it’s also a great chance to see some wild spinner dolphins in their natural habitat.
This is a fun, easy and safe experience that you won’t want to miss out on. There’s no reason to wait, so book this tour today! Just remember to bring your snorkel gear, reef-safe sunscreen, a towel, a large bottle of water, and a camera or underwater phone case. Don’t forget to book online to get the best price on this incredible experience!
