Manta Ray Hawaii spots : what you need to know [ GUIDE 2024]

Definitively something unforgettable . Something unique and a great experience . I would never forget . If you have an underwater camera ( like Gopro ) it is even better . Try to hire certified divers and a great snorkeling tour company . You will see giant mantas in open ocean. You can swim with them or see them from your dive boat . Beware of ocean currents, but I would say the trip is very safe and an UNMISSABLE EXPERIENCE .

Strongly recommended by myself, international traveler that have seen many inspiring things during around the world . But there is nothing more beautiful than the nature itself . Outstanding !

Going through the amazingly engaging location of Hawaii, which involved scuba exercises with manta rays, I could feel the thrill and joy that extraordinary discovery entailed. Hawaii scuba diving packages provide a fantastic chance to watch the Hawaiian islands’ stunning and unique underwater world, with a high concentration of marine life and fascinating underwater topography.

Discovering free-flowing manta rays gracefully moving in the sea currents or demonstrating the terrific beauty of coral reefs, every dive provides a fantastic experience of exploring the beauty of Mother Nature. Hawaii’s underwater world is fascinating, as thousands of divers flock to the area to go scuba diving. With each dive of the sub, I continue to be drawn to and immerse myself in the beauty of Hawaii’s undersea environment – something I look forward to doing as a sub-aqua enthusiast. What lies beneath the Offshore of Hawaii- the island paradise? I will take you through the beautiful world of manta rays in the post.

When is the best time to see manta rays in Hawaii ?

Even though I became interested in the beauty of the Hawaii manta rays, I could further appreciate that the rays are spectacular, especially at night, and that the best time to view them is from April to September. During these months, there is an abundance of planktones, which are the food for Manta Rays; their feeding habits increase during these months. For this reason, the Hawaiians consider these months to be the best time for fishing the fish in large numbers. Along these areas, chain planktons are abundant, bringing in many manta rays for feed and being a perfect viewing sight for divers and snorkelers.

For instance, the manta rays are commonly sighted on the East Coast through June, July, and August, as these are warm; hence, the water temperatures and conditions are perfect for hosting these rays. Some of the diving and snorkelling tours focus on the night when rays are on the prowl, and the water dances spectacularly, performing the actual ballet with their enormous wings spread up to 14 feet in diameter.

And you know, no matter if you are a professional diver or a newly beginner snorkeler, the moment of seeing these calm giants in the ocean’s depths is something you will never forget and will inspire you to a great extent. So, if you wish to watch manta rays in Hawaii, plan your visit in the summer months.

Top Manta Ray Dives of Hawaii

Night Manta Ray Adventure on the Big Island, Hawaii

Manta Ray night diving in Hawaii is considered one of the most incredible adventures; the Night Manta Ray Adventure at the Big Island is the best. Diving into the waters off the Kona Coast, one immediate sensation that drew me in deeply was the lights of Garden Eel Cove that shone brightly on the waters. Together with Manta Village and Makako Bay – as you know – this site is one of the best sites for night diving with manta rays.

Keauhou Bay is this adventure’s beginner’s starting point, offering a thrilling and up-close view of these giants. This is a great delight to watch, especially as the scuba divers submerge into the water, observing the elegant movements accomplished by the manta rays while moving about in the illuminated waters. One can certainly try this dive in the morning or afternoon, although the best time is usually during the early evening hours when the rays glide up from the depths to feed on plankton attracted by the boats’ lights.

The aquatic life around this dive site is excellent, although manta rays provide quite a fantastic experience to watch. Their enormous wings and possible flips make their performance impressive, and any diver will be lucky to view this performance. Big Island manta ray dive is unforgettable, giving the kind of thrills that are not easily replicated in other landmarks.

Manta Ray Night Snorkel

From the onset, I knew I was for a riveting experience by the time I started the Manta Ray Night Snorkel in Hawaii. 

There are many excellent spots for snorkeling tours in the Hawaiian Islands, and this one would be exceptional. 

With the help of divers like Kona Honu Divers, we set off for the open water and an unforgettable adventure with the kings of the ocean – manta rays. Nighttime diving opened another world in water – the ocean bottom was alive and full of exciting creatures like tropical fish surrounding beautiful colored coral gardens, playful sea turtles, and majestic eagle rays.

We were escorted skilfully to Manta Heaven, another site renowned for showcasing the giant rays to visitors. While on a diving trip in a shark-infested ocean and forests of light sticks, we saw the gliding of manta rays, which was watchful. 

Most people who have dived even professionally say that the experience we are talking about here is similar to diving in the great barrier coral reefs. Swimming around the magnificent manta rays, with reef sharks and playful dolphins also around, made it a natural sea paradise. This tour must be more than a simple snorkeling session because it draws visitors into the vast kingdom of marine life from the Hawaiian islands.

Manta Heaven

Situated off the shore of Kona International Airport, Manta Heaven, more familiarly known as Garden Eel Cove, is one of the most frequented spots for diving and snorkeling trips to encounter manta rays. The reader might also know that I am a certified scuba diver, and they would understand the fascination of diving into this particular place where so many great sea animals can be found in their wild state. In a location like this, it is evident that quite several divers will be fascinated by the prospect of doing a daylight dive due to adequate water temperatures and a surface interval replete with diversified reef mantas and different species of fish.

Thirdly, as noted, night diving is when real life is witnessed in this ecosystem. While their success per night is slightly lower than that of Manta Village – 11 manta rays per night in 2024 – Manta Heaven has much to be proud of. This is a testament to the advocacy and merits of manta rays alongside dedicated groups such as the Manta Pacific Research Foundation.

During my first night dive the following night, it was calm, clear weather, making it even more amazing to watch these gentle giants moving through the water column effortlessly. Both the tank dive and the snorkel tour meant that there was hardly a spare moment to switch off and marvel at the beauty of the location. 

Every time, for first-time and every hundredth-time diver, Manta Heaven assures an incredible interaction with other sea creatures, including the school of playful, friendly dolphins, the elusive octopus, and many more.

Kohala Coast

Manta rays can be seen on the Kohala Coast, specifically near the Waikoloa Village and Kohala Resorts, the northern region of the Big Island of Hawaii. This is mainly because the manta ray night dive location provides a comparatively serene experience coupled with the scarcity of other tourists. On my thickest manta ray night snorkeling, I can swim and experience the calmness during the night and the soleness when it is just my group and our guide in the water.

This serene setting does come with a slight trade-off: manta rays are less common here. However, the social structure of the manta rays, consisting of smaller groups, and the personalised attention from the manta ray tour operators ensured that the experience was of the highest quality. The operators even provided life jackets and made sure everyone was comfortable and secure in the water, showing their utmost care for our safety and enjoyment.

From late afternoon, the snorkel trip to nighttime provided a timeless look into the dark adventures of these beautiful animals. The excellent service from the crew and the opportunity to have a unique experience and swim in one of the best snorkelling places in Hawaii has made it enthusiastic. 

A lot of attention should be paid to the exhibitions of marine life forms during my stay at the manta rays in addition to sea turtles and the reef sharks that could be found within the waters of Kohala Coast, I discovered offers some of the best scuba diving and snorkelling options for tourists in Hawaii.

Conclusion

Touring around manta rays in Hawaii is one of Hawaii’s most adventurous scuba diving. In this post, we have captured some breathtaking scenes of Hawaii beaches and underwater while diving with manta rays. The various options for Hawaii scuba diving will be to the extraordinary underwater geography and the best diving locations in Hawaii. I was lucky to swim and dive with the beautiful manta rays, comprising amazing corals and sea creatures like turtles, reef sharks, dolphins, and other fish.

Regardless of where you want to swim with manta – Manta Heaven, Manta Ray Village, or the calm waters of Kohala coast, you will experience a magical encounter with these graceful creatures. The night diver poses more fun besides the wild world down at the ocean floor, not forgetting the glamour of observing manta rays feed in their natural habitat, making Hawaii amongst the leading places for scuba divers across the globe. Each dive remains enchanting, and the events remind us that Scuba is among the best in Hawaii.

WHO AM I ?

Hello !

I am Eric, a French Australian citizen based between Australia, Asia and Bali and I love to travel and experience the world. I generally like outdoor activities, wellness, great food and venues , party and real local adventures ! I am a Yoga practitioner and fitness lover

I created this blog because I love to travel and I want to share my experiences with others. I’ve been traveling since I was a child, and I’ve been to over 50 countries. I’ve seen some amazing things and met some amazing people, and I want to help others experience the same things.

I believe that travel is one of the best ways to learn about the world and about yourself. When you travel, you’re forced to step outside of your comfort zone and experience new things. You learn about different cultures, different religions, and different ways of life. You also learn about yourself, your strengths, and your weaknesses.

Travel can also be a great way to make new friends. When you’re traveling, you’re surrounded by people from all over the world, and you’re all in the same boat. You’re all there to explore and experience new things, and that can create a bond between people.

Let’s connect together !

I hope that my travel blog will inspire others to travel and to see the world. I also hope that it will help people to learn about different cultures and to become more open-minded.