Kona is one of the most reliable places in the world to see manta rays up close. Along the Kona coast, nutrient-rich waters attract plankton that manta rays feed on, creating ideal conditions for regular sightings. The manta ray night snorkel in Keauhou Bay, located directly in front of the OUTRIGGER Kona Resort & Spa, has become a world-famous wildlife experience where guests can watch these graceful giants glide and feed just beneath the surface. Researchers have even identified hundreds of individual manta rays in Kona using the unique spot patterns on their undersides.

Keauhou Bay is considered one of the best manta ray viewing locations in Kona thanks to its calm waters and consistent plankton supply. The bay, located directly in front of the OUTRIGGER Kona Resort & Spa, is where the original manta ray night dive began in the 1980s. At sunset, snorkel and dive boats gather in the bay as lights attract plankton to the surface, drawing manta rays into the illuminated water to feed. The result is a remarkable underwater ballet just offshore from the resort. 

Manta ray night snorkeling in Keauhou Bay is a simple and unforgettable experience. After sunset, guests float on the surface holding onto a light board that shines into the water. The lights attract plankton, which in turn attracts manta rays that glide and loop beneath snorkelers while feeding. Because manta rays are gentle filter feeders that eat plankton, they pose no threat to swimmers and often pass within inches of guests as they move gracefully through the water. 

Manta rays can be seen in Kona year-round, which is one reason the manta ray night snorkel is so popular. Because manta rays feed on plankton that gathers in coastal waters throughout the year, sightings in Keauhou Bay are common in every season. Guests staying at the OUTRIGGER Kona Resort & Spa can experience this remarkable encounter any time of year, with tours departing nightly from nearby Keauhou Bay.

For first-time manta ray snorkelers, a few simple tips can help make the experience even more enjoyable. Choose a guided tour departing from Keauhou Bay, listen carefully to your guide’s safety instructions and relax while floating on the surface. Avoid touching manta rays and allow them to swim naturally beneath you. Many guests also find that bringing a light jacket for the boat ride and arriving early to enjoy sunset views over Keauhou Bay helps create the perfect evening.

Many manta ray snorkeling tours depart directly from Keauhou Bay, located beside the OUTRIGGER Kona Resort & Spa. Because the manta ray viewing site is just offshore, boats travel only a short distance before guests enter the water. This convenient departure point allows visitors staying at the resort to enjoy one of Kona’s most famous ocean experiences just minutes from their room.

A manta ray snorkel in Keauhou Bay pairs perfectly with a relaxing Kona evening. Start with sunset views along the shoreline near the OUTRIGGER Kona Resort & Spa, then head out on a manta ray snorkel tour just after dark. After watching manta rays glide through the illuminated water, return to the resort to unwind under the stars. It’s a magical way to experience the natural beauty of the Kona coast in a single evening.

When you stay at the OUTRIGGER Kona Resort & Spa, Kona's famous manta ray snorkeling experience is right outside your door. Located above Keauhou Bay, the resort sits at the birthplace of the manta ray night snorkel. Guests can easily access tours departing nearby, enjoy sunset views over the bay and experience one of Hawaii’s most unforgettable wildlife encounters just minutes from their room.