Night Manta Ray Experience

The Night Manta Ray Experience in Kona, Hawaii offers adventurers a rare opportunity to witness these majestic creatures in their natural habitat. Participants are outfitted with the necessary gear and led out into the open ocean, where they can observe the manta rays as they gracefully perform their captivating "ballet," filter-feeding on plankton. With a maximum group size of 27, the tour ensures an intimate and unforgettable encounter with these gentle giants. But what makes this experience truly special is the chance to witness the manta rays emerge from the darkness, showcasing their impressive size and awe-inspiring movements.

Key Points

• Participants enjoy a nighttime manta ray feeding frenzy, witnessing the captivating ‘manta ray ballet’ as the giant creatures emerge from the darkness.
• The experience provides an opportunity to swim up close with the gentle, docile manta rays, a truly unforgettable adventure to witness these majestic marine animals.
• The tour includes snorkel gear, wetsuits, flotation devices, hot chocolate, and gratuities, ensuring a hassle-free and comfortable experience.
• The meeting and end point is convenient, located at 78-7138 Kaleiopapa St, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, USA, with participants advised to arrive 30 minutes prior to departure.
• The tour has a cancellation policy that allows for a full refund if canceled up to 24 hours in advance, and a free return visit if no mantas are seen during the tour.

Experience Details

During this unique nighttime activity in Kona, swimmers can enjoy a mesmerizing manta ray feeding frenzy. They’ll watch the giants appear out of the darkness to feast on abundant plankton, creating a captivating ‘manta ray ballet.’

Participants can get up close and personal with these gentle, docile creatures, which can weigh up to 1000 lbs and measure 16 feet across. All necessary snorkel gear, wetsuits, and flotation devices are provided, allowing guests to focus on the breathtaking experience.

The activity presents a rare opportunity to witness these majestic marine animals in their natural habitat, making it a truly unforgettable adventure.

What’s Included

The night manta ray experience includes snorkel gear, wetsuits, hot chocolate, gratuities, and towels.

Transportation, however, isn’t provided. This allows you to focus on the main attraction – swimming with the majestic manta rays.

The snorkel gear and wetsuits keep you comfortable as you glide through the water, while the hot chocolate warms you up after your encounter. The gratuities are included to ensure the crew is appropriately compensated for their expertise in guiding you through this unforgettable experience.

Towels are provided to dry off after your swim. With all the essentials taken care of, you can fully learn about the mesmerizing ballet of the manta rays.

Meeting and End Point

The meeting point for the Night Manta Ray Experience is located at 78-7138 Kaleiopapa St, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, USA.

Participants are advised to arrive 30 minutes prior to the scheduled departure time.

At the end of the experience, guests return to the same meeting point.

The location is a convenient starting and ending point for the tour, ensuring a seamless and organized experience.

Guests don’t have to worry about transportation, as they simply need to make their way to the designated meeting area.

This centralized meeting point makes it easy for the tour operators to gather the group and depart on time, maximizing the time spent observing the majestic manta rays during the night-time activity.

Additional Information

Participants receive confirmation at the time of booking for the Night Manta Ray Experience. Rare occurrences of not seeing any mantas during the tour allow for a free return visit during the same vacation.

The activity isn’t wheelchair accessible and requires a moderate level of physical fitness. A maximum of 27 travelers can join each tour.

The experience offers several key features that enhance the adventure:

• No transportation is provided, requiring participants to arrive at the meeting point on their own.
• Warm hot chocolate is included to help keep participants cozy during the nighttime outing.
• Gratuities are pre-paid, eliminating the need for additional out-of-pocket expenses.
• Towels are supplied, allowing participants to dry off after their manta ray encounter.

Cancellation Policy and Booking

You can freely cancel the Night Manta Ray Experience up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. However, no refunds are offered for cancellations made less than 24 hours prior to the experience. Given the likely high demand, it’s recommended to book this adventure early as the price starts at $145.41.

The cancellation policy and booking details are as follows:

Cancellation Policy	Refund
24+ hours before	Full Refund
Less than 24 hours	No Refund
Weather Cancellation	Alternative Date or Full Refund

Plus, the experience is subject to availability, and it’s advised to make reservations in advance to secure your spot.

Manta Ray Ballet

Majestic manta rays emerge from the inky darkness, gliding effortlessly through the water as they engage in a captivating ballet, feasting on the abundant plankton.

This unique nighttime experience in Kona offers a rare opportunity to witness these gentle giants in action. The manta ray ballet is a sight to behold, as the rays:

• Gracefully flap their wing-like pectoral fins in a mesmerizing display
• Open their cavernous mouths to filter-feed on plankton, their primary food source
• Perform synchronized twists and turns, showcasing their remarkable agility
• Appear out of the shadows, seemingly materializing from the depths of the ocean

This enchanting encounter allows visitors to get up close and personal with these remarkable creatures, leaving a lasting impression on all who witness the manta ray ballet.

Gentle Giants

The manta rays encountered during the night experience are gentle, docile creatures that can grow up to 16 feet across and weigh as much as 1000 lbs, captivating visitors with their effortless movements and awe-inspiring size.

These majestic animals are completely harmless to humans, with no teeth and a diet consisting solely of plankton.

As they gracefully glide through the water, feeding on the abundant plankton, participants have the unique opportunity to swim alongside these gentle giants, marveling at their sheer scale and elegance.

The night manta ray experience offers an unforgettable encounter with these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat, allowing visitors to appreciate the beauty and wonder of these gentle ocean dwellers.

Guaranteed Sightings

Although manta ray sightings are a rare occurrence, the Night Manta Ray Experience comes with a guarantee that allows for a free return visit during the same vacation if no mantas are seen. This gives participants peace of mind, knowing they’ve a chance to witness these magnificent creatures up close and personal.

The tour also includes:

• Snorkel gear, wetsuits, and flotation devices to ensure a comfortable and safe experience
• Hot chocolate to warm up after the adventure
• Gratuities covered, so guests can relax and enjoy the moment
• A maximum group size of 27 travelers, allowing for an intimate and personalized encounter.

With the guarantee and well-thought-out inclusions, the Night Manta Ray Experience is designed to provide an unforgettable and worry-free encounter with these gentle giants.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Does the Experience Last?

The experience typically lasts around 2-3 hours. It involves swimming and observing the manta rays during their nighttime feeding frenzy. The tour provides all necessary gear and ensures a up-close encounter with these gentle giant sea creatures.

Are Photos and Videos Allowed During the Activity?

Photos and videos are generally allowed during the activity. Participants are encouraged to capture the mesmerizing ballet of the manta rays, though they should avoid using flash to not disturb the creatures.

What Is the Minimum Age Requirement for Participants?

The minimum age requirement for participants in this activity is not explicitly stated in the provided information. However, a moderate physical fitness level is required, suggesting the activity may not be suitable for very young children.

Is the Experience Suitable for Non-Swimmers?

Though the experience requires moderate physical fitness, the tour operator provides snorkel gear, wetsuits, and flotation devices. Non-swimmers can participate by using the provided flotation aids, though they may not be able to swim alongside the mantas.

Can the Mantas Be Touched or Fed During the Encounter?

Participants are not allowed to touch or feed the manta rays during the encounter. The mantas are gentle, but wild creatures, and the operator enforces a hands-off policy to ensure the safety and well-being of both the mantas and the participants.

Recap

The Night Manta Ray Experience in Kona, Hawaii offers an unforgettable opportunity to witness the captivating ‘manta ray ballet‘ up close.

With guaranteed sightings, complimentary amenities, and an intimate group size, this adventure allows visitors to get up-close with these gentle giants as they emerge from the darkness to filter-feed on plankton, creating a truly memorable and awe-inspiring experience.