We do not allow touching or harassing wildlife on any of our charters. Mantas are not a migrating species and show up for dinner at their feeding grounds for their daily feeding. If you don't see any rays on your dive, you may receive a 50% discount off of any future manta ray tours. How long does it take to get SCUBA certified? What will I see on the dives / what are the dive sites like? Regardless of dive history or experience, we have a 10 minute time limit on your first decent if you are unable to comfortably descend, well ask you to sit the dive out and consider a refresher. Volcano Night Lava Viewing Tours / Volcano Sightseeing Tours / Volcano Air Flights & Tours / Volcano Hiking Tours, Zipline Adventures / ATV & Off-Road Tours / Horseback Riding Tours / Stargazing Tours / Waterfall Tour Adventures / Hiking Tours, Kayaking Tours / Scuba Diving / Surfing / SUP Lessons, Sunset Cocktail Sails / Sunset Dinner Cruises, Hawaii Private Boat Charters / Submarine & Glassbottom Boat / Fishing Charters & Tours / Day Sailing Cruise from Hilo / Big Island Whale Watch Tours, Circle Island Tours / Private Guided Tours / Cruise Ship Shore Excursions / Farm Tours / Walking & Segway Tours, Mauna Kea Summit Adventures / Waipio Valley Tours / Snorkel at Kealakekua Bay / Kohala Adventures & Things to Do / Rainbow Falls / Scenic Hamakua Coast / Hilo Town Attractions / Sacred Honaunau National Park / Black Sand Beach / Akaka Falls State Park / Keauhou Bay, Rated as one of the world's best night dives by numerous dive and travel magazines, Environmentally responsible tour practices ensure sustainability. Manta Rays (and all other marine life) are wild animals, and no guarantees can be made for their presence. I hope that I will be able to return To Kona someday and do this again with the same crew. Manta rays can come as close as a nose-length during the night dive. We have a variety of healthy hard corals, as well as many endemic fish that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. Divers that have not dived within the last 2 years are strongly encouraged to take a refresher course, however, we do not require a refresher to dive with us. https://bigislanddivers.com/testimonials/two-tank-dive/, Any additional snacks or non-alcoholic beverages youd like, Dry towels and something cozy to wear on the ride home, Exposure protective clothing, and only non-aerosol reef-safe sunscreen.. Your dive guide will tell you stories of manta rays and diving at night. The crew was the greatest they were attentive of all your needs. Register and enjoy smoother booking, as well as being able to save your wish list and recently viewed activities. When the mantas are gone you will return to the harbor. Nitrox is $12 per tank, available when booking your dive online. PADIs recommendation for flying or driving to altitude after diving within the No-Decompression Limits (regular recreational diving) are as follows: Single dives - A minimum pre-flight surface interval of 12 hours is suggested. If you consider yourself overweight, or have any medical conditions, please consult with your doctor and complete the PADI Medical Waiver. Those with medical issues must consult with a physician and complete the "RSTC Medical Statement and Guidelines for Recreational Scuba Diver's Physical Examination" on their behalf. Guests may not fly within 12 hours of a one-tank scuba dive due to the high risk of decompression sickness. Scuba Diving And Snorkeling Charters Kona Hawaii - Since 1997. are using new-to-you equipment (or freshly serviced equipment). The Big Island is unique in that it has three feeding locations where you can consistently see Manta Rays when they feed at night: The chance of seeing a manta ray during a tour at any of these locations in higher than 90%, read more about these locations on our website. This is a 700 square ft space where you can see beautiful manta ray photos, as well as general information about manta ray anatomy, life cycle and feeding, reproductive and behavioral patterns. Count on being in the water for about 30 minutes. Do you have a question that is not answered above or in our guide? Scuba diving certification is required (Open Water or above). Manta rays feed on tiny marine organisms called plankton. It was simply awesome. https://bigislanddivers.com/testimonials/manta-ray-night-dive/. Then, we give you a complete overview of the different ways in which you can hop in and try it yourself. Keeping a respectful distance from these wild animals is the best way to avoid any problems! The difference between the manta ray snorkel and the manta ray dive is where you are during the tour. New: the Love Oahu website with 40+ pages of planning tips. SCUBA divers will stay at the bottom of the ocean floor for the duration of the dive so as not to interfere with the manta rays' natural feeding behavior patterns. If you are not an avid snorkeler, we suggest you first work on those skills before snorkeling at night on our manta charter, or on our more advanced morning dolphin charter. Q. Free cancellation: up to 24 hours before tour. The Kona Manta Ray Night Dive is one of the most popular activities in Hawaii. In 2013, for example, a staggering 96% of all manta ray tours reported seeing manta rays, with an average of 4 manta rays per night (source). Use our site to plan your vacation in a sustainable way with minimum impact on the local environment. If you would like to try diving, you can sign up for our Discover Scuba Diving program on a daytime charter. Summer Vacation in Hawaii! They are, however, quite large and fast and it is recommended to give them as much space as possible. Manta Heaven is a very popular spot for daylight dives, and is also known as Garden Eel Cove. we recommend that you sign up for the 2-Tank or join us on a daytime charter prior to signing up for this adventure. Wetsuit rentals for snorkelers are $15 per day, plus tax. We do not use hull lights on our vessels to avoid harming manta rays. https://bigislanddivers.com/testimonials/manta-night-dive-lives-up-to-the-hype/. During the manta ray night snorkel you will spend your time in the water looking down while holding on to a flotation device. Add-on a GoPro and record photo and video of your dive. It was so amazing that it made me feel like a kid again - this is coming from someone who has traveled a lot. Its akin to watching your child ride a bike for the first time or finding a winning lottery ticket. We recommend against ride-along or snorkeler passengers on our morning dive charters, as guests tend to get seasick and bored waiting for SCUBA divers to complete their dives. The PADI e-Learning can be done online and may take several days to a few weeks to complete. Image credit: google maps. Please, bring your card! Copyright 2018 Pacific Rim Divers Limited. Rental gear is available if you arent bringing any equipment. Its impossible to describe the feeling of watching a massive fish the shape of a stealth bomber coming into vision. Two tank dive and one tank dives and manta snorkeling available! Choose from a quick one-tank dive, a longer 2-tank dive, or an advanced 2-tank blackwater experience! To find more tour operators and/or shop around for low prices you can simply walk around town (Alii Drive) to find special last-minute offers (if available), use a price comparison website like hawaiiactivities1. Lastly, all Charters require a minimum of 3 participants to go. SCUBA divers will stay at the bottom of the ocean floor for the duration of the dive so as not to interfere with the manta rays' natural feeding behavior patterns. The volcanic nature of the island results in unique underwater structures such as walls, pinnacles, archways, and steep ledges. To catch the plankton the manta rays filter it out of the ocean by swooping through the water with their mouths open in something that we can only describe as a dance. We adhere to community-established manta tour operator guidelines. Manta sightings follow no specific pattern. Repetitive dives and/or multiple day dives - A minimum pre-flight surface interval of 18 hours is suggested. This means that any time of year is good for seeing them. Should I bring my dive knife? 25 logged dives). Our captains are United States Coast Guard certified. Because it is a good, reliable site for plankton accumulation (mantas show up about 90% of the time). Increase your no-decompression limits with enriched air. Bucket List - Top 20 Things You MUST Do on Big Island! Please visit VELTRA Support page to send an inquiry about this activity. Keeping a respectful distance from these wild animals is the best way to avoid any problems! We are a Big Island travel guide written by people with a passion for Hawaii. Tour operators in Hawaii operate under strict and self-enforced standards. If you are not certified and would like to try diving, you can sign up for our Discover Scuba Diving program on a daytime charter. And the night crew comes alive. Diving on the Kona coast offers clear water, with 80 to 100 feet of visibility not uncommon. We have no rule against bringing a dive knife. Professional snorkel & dive guides, dive lights (for night dives only), snacks, drinks, dry towels, tanks, soft weights, and the best customer service in Hawaii! Removing part of it by touching the rays exposes the mantas to infection. It is the location with the highest success rate in manta ray sightings. What if we don't see any manta rays on our dive? During the dive you will spend most of your time sitting on the ocean floor while the manta rays feed in the water above you. Hawaii Top Manta Encounters, Top 7 Big Island of Hawaii Air & Helicopter Tours, Big Island's Top Outdoor Adventures for Thrill Seekers, Hidden Gems & Hawaii Top Unique Experiences, Best Family-Friendly Activities on the Big Island, Best Hawaii Local Coffee Farm & Wineries Tours, Subscribe here to get updates on this activity. Samuel Beckett Planet Dive. A third, less reliable but also less crowded location, is off the Waikoloa coast near the Kohala Coast Resorts. Yep! Perhaps the best way to express how special an experience the manta ray night dive is by quoting a certified and seasoned dive instructor: Diving with mantas is one of the most satisfying things a person can do in the water. Manta Rays are covered by a thin coating of protective mucous that protects them from bacterial infections. The lion's paw sea cucumber reaches out of the reef with its fuzzy feeding tentacles. This adventure is for certified divers only. Any minor under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times. Please note that staying further north than Waikoloa or further south than Captain Cook involves driving to elevation that is not safe after SCUBA diving. The average number of manta rays seen here per night in 2013 was 11, compared to only 4 at Manta Village. A. We share our favorite tips and images on Instagram, click here to go to our instagram account. I went out for a refresher dive since it had been 9 years since my last dive. Can I dive with mantas while getting my open water certification? During the Manta Ray dive (or snorkel) you will get to see these immense fish up close and personal. If you're lucky, your light collects lots of plankton and a manta flies right over your head. Black sea urchins spawn white strips of ooze And some species of nudibranch are only seen at night. Guests who are prone to motion sickness are encouraged to use an anti-emetic such as Bonine or Dramamine before boarding the boat. Watch the mantas come out to feed, creating a wonderful, magical experience with these graceful creatures! This is the dive shop to go with for great service and knowledgeable staff. As they are a protected species, you are not allowed to touch or chase the mantas. Proof of certification is required for all SCUBA dives - no exceptions. Our dive master Amy was excellent all the way around and our captain Rob was not only a great captain but very knowledgeable about Hawaii and even served hot chocolate on the way back to the Marina. They are, however, quite large and fast and it is recommended to give them as much space as possible. A. If you are planning on getting SCUBA certified with us, we recommend having your PADI e-Learning completed prior to being on-island. Please contact us for more information. Any scuba participant under 18 years of age, must be accompanied while on the vessel by their parent or guardian OR a minimum of 2 BID employees. What is the minimum age to get SCUBA certified? As long as they meet the dive prerequisites (e.g. These cleaning stations are places where the manta rays go to get their skin cleaned by smaller creatures (more information). I talked to other divers who described the Black Water Dive, and I wish I would have done that one instead of the twilight dive. For safety reasons, all participants must understand and speak English. How long do I need to wait before I go over Saddle Road / to Mauna Kea / Volcano Park / on an inter-island flight? Hawaii Activities is a registered trademark of VELTRA, Inc. [EN_50107_194598, EN_50107_161935, EN_50107_161932, EN_50107_184358]. Our dolphin charter is in the open ocean and requires swimming skills. Nearly an hour of down time with dozens of large mantas putting on an incredible show. Two Manta Rays Feeding At Night off Kona, Hawaii. While manta rays in Hawaiian waters are protected by law from being hunted, the increasing popularity of manta ray dives and the associated crowding of their feeding zones puts them in a vulnerable position. Being creatures of habit Manta Rays als0 have specific places where they to go to eat: feeding stations. We agree with the experts and think that swimming with manta rays is one of the Big Island activities that you shouldnt miss. Your dive guide will be sure to get your attention by waving their light back and forth if they find something cool. Peak pricing subject to change. Call our local Hawaii specialists for any questions about our island tours and activities, Read the Frequently Asked Questions or send us an inquiry. Are there rules against it? ould do to put you in full view of the mantas and they were truly wonderful . diving with manta rays in kona is a must-do, once-in-a-lifetime,check-it-off-your-bucket-list experience. Knives are used for entanglement situations - we do not have kelp forests in Hawaii, but you may want a knife for fishing line. One recommended operator that uses this dive site is Torpedo Tours. Of course, this spot is also known for manta ray night dives. A female scuba diver swims with a young male Manta ray in the Kona district / Big Island. 2001-2022, VELTRA Inc. All Rights Reserved. If you do not have your certification card, a photo ID will be required upon check-in or we are not able to allow you to dive. Every night at sunset there is a changing of the guard. Daytime reef dwellers go to sleep. Manta Village is located off the coast from of the Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort & Spa in Keauhou, about 7 miles south of Kona. Before boarding or during your trip to the feeding grounds, the crew will teach you how to behave while in the water and teach you a thing or two about the manta rays. No, manta rays don't have barbs, stingers, or teeth to hurt you with, nor are they venomous. Standby availability is not guaranteed and is determined by management the day of the charter. https://bigislanddivers.com/testimonials/an-amazing-souvenir/. The Manta rays you see at the night dive are all locals! Sustainable Travel guide and itineraries for the Big Island of Hawaii. The best way to see them is to get out there! A natural sand channel allows divers to sit or kneel on the bottom without impacting the environment. Other popular places where you can have an encounter with these gentle giants are, for example, the Maldives, the Great Barrier Reef, and the Galapagos islands, and most manta ray dives at these locations happen at so-called cleaning stations. This means that it is wise to plan your manta ray night dive early during your stay so that, if necessary, you can reschedule your tour without running into too many conflicts with the rest of your itinerary! If you don't see any rays on your dive, you may receive a 50% discount off of any future manta ray tours. If you are not certified, you can join us as a snorkeler. Divers 12-17 years of age must be accompanied on the charter by their parent or guardian at all times. Book one activity and receive a coupon for {{string_target}} off your second activity. The manta rays that inhabit Hawaiian waters belong to the Mobula alfredi species. On this adventure, you will leave the harbor and get to the dive site in time to enjoy a beautiful Kona sunset. This is the most northern location on the Big Island to see the manta rays. On this adventure, you will do a crepuscular dive (that's right before sunset), followed by the manta ray night dive. We offer a variety of morning snorkel charters and can set up a private charter for mixed SCUBA and snorkeler groups. Breathing Nitrox, or enriched air, allows you longer no-decompression limits. Manta heaven is located offshore of Kona International Airport. SCUBA Diving and snorkeling are physical activities that require you to be able to swim and be in good physical health. 100% Hawaiian Bucket List! Great dive experience underwater and while on the boat. It's rare that no mantas show up on a dive, but as they are wild animals there are no guarantees of their presence. Great for first-time visitors! *Based on standby availability, or pay 50% for a guaranteed seat. Pricing for refresher courses is the same as adding a private divemaster to your charter $200 plus the cost of your dives. We have been diving the BID on multiple dives over multiple trips and we keep coming back to them because of the high quality service that they provide. In addition of the amazing experience to observe the Manta rays in their natural environment, the crew was just perfect, always helpful and offers us a warm hospitality. In the video you see the divers sitting on the ocean floor looking up while the manta rays are swirling around to eat the plankton. Please be advised that should we feel that we are unable to effectively communicate with a guest, we may not permit the guest to continue on the charter. Divers age 10-11 are not permitted on Long Range, Advanced, or Black Water charters. That will never happen here, and sometimes the group that you are with is the only one in the water. Fronting the Manta Village location is the Sheraton Kona resort in which you can find the manta learning center. Your doctor can advise you on the safety of these activities given your health. No. Your guide will be sure to point out this behavior as you swim along the reef. These 3 locations are discussed below: This is the original manta ray night dive location. Learn more about our carbon offset. Fun Things to Do on Big Island. Swimming with the Manta rays is possible both while snorkeling and while diving. The Manta Ray Night Charter and Twilight / Manta Ray Night Charter takes place at Garden Eel Cove (northern Airport site) unless ocean conditions or manta sightings dictate otherwise. We had a great two tank dive with BID last week! Enjoy more control and stabilized footage with the new GoPro Hero 9. The big selling point for this location is the number of manta rays you can see. This is a must do while staying on the Big Island. Snorkelers gather on the surface with bright lights shining down from rafts. For more information about any given evening, click on the event for details. The two most consistent and popular places to see manta rays at night are nicknamed Manta Village and Manta Heaven. The activity schedule is subject to change or cancellation due to weather or traffic conditions. Nowadays tour operators bring bright light with them to attract plankton and to give their guests front row seats for dinner. This activity is not wheelchair accessible. You must be 10 years or older to get SCUBA certified. What a truly amazing experience!! We require that all participants be able to understand and communicate in English for the safety of our other guests and crew. To find more tour operators and/or shop around for low prices you can use a price comparison website like hawaiiactivities1. No, manta rays don't have barbs, stingers, or teeth to hurt you with, nor are they venomous. Youll dive with the mantas for 45-60 minutes, then head back to the boat for hot chocolate & the starlit ride back to the harbor. Our Divemasters love to look for eels, nudibranchs, octopus, frogfish, and other varieties of marine life. The manta rays gracefully swim, turn, and somersault through the light beams, sometimes almost touching their spectators. There are a few local operators (such as Sea Paradise) that operate from the nearby Keauhou Bay to reach this site. What to bring: any personal dive gear, certification card, camera, towel and sense of adventure. Every night at sunset, there is a changing of the guard as the day critters get ready for bed and the night creatures come out. Divers carry a light and shine it up towards the surface, while snorkelers typically hold on to a float with a light that shines down. Times: Varies based on sunset (1-tank or 2-tank available), Where: Honokohau Marina near the mountain-side (mauka) boat ramp, What's included: tanks, weights, snacks, water and a professional, experienced dive guide. They are wild animals and we cannot guarantee their presence. World famous for close encounters with our gentle giants, the manta ray night dive is a bucket-list activity for anyone visiting the Big Island. We make every effort to run our fleet as efficiently as possible, and pay to offset our carbon emissions. They performed ballet moves with each other, sometimes as many as 4 at a time feeding on the plankton. You will be in the ocean, and divers will be in water up to 40ft of depth. And Pacific Rim Divers has been taking people diving with manta rays for 25 years. The general recommended amount is 20% of your charter fee. There is a 10 minute time limit on your first descent. The reason for this is also the main disadvantage of this location: there are fewer manta rays and they are seen here less frequently. If you're snorkeling, you might find yourself belly to belly with a 10-foot manta. Once you arrive at the tour location you will enter the water and wait for the manta rays show up. They did everything that they could do to put you in full view of the mantas and they were truly wonderful . If you are unable to comfortably descend, well ask you to sit the dive out and consider a refresher. By Steve Dunleavy from Lake Tahoe, NV, United States Nick and Isabelle, Kona Hawaii, CC BY 2.0, Link. Join us on any of our day or night You need to be a certified scuba diver to join the manta ray night dive. And once it's dark, you'll jump in for your dive. If you cannot find your dive card, we may be able to look up your certification in your dive agency's online database. Mantas feed on plankton (microscopic sea organisms) and their only possible interest in humans comes out of curiosity. The trip back can be cold so try bringing a comfortable windbreaker or sweater to keep you warm. This cuts down travel time down from 45+ minutes to only a few, which is great for those of you prone to sea sickness, and also means you will be exposed to the elements for a much shorter time after being submerged in the ocean for 45 min to an hour (it can get cold at night on the ocean). These so-called reef manta rays are the second largest species of manta rays in the world, and can grow up to a wingspan of 18 ft (5.5m)! Some people find that they get chilled after being in the water at night, so we recommend you bring warmer dry clothes and even a hat. Rental gear is extra, and a full set of gear costs $60 per day, plus tax. On the water surface you can see stagnant and floating lights on the surface. The Hawaiian manta rays first started coming to the feeding stations to feast on all the plankton attracted by bright hotel lights shining on the water. If less than 3 participants are booked, the activity may not operate. This is necessary to protect the manta rays and we urge you to choose a tour provider that follows these standards. The last few minutes show footage of that same manta ray dive. You can find an up-to-date list of these tour operators in the following green list. See also: 1: An Overview of Maui 2: An Overview of Kauai 3: An overview of Lnai 4: An overview of Molokai 5: An Overview of Oahu, Facebook Pinterest Twitter Instagram Subscribe to our Newsletter Read our Blog. Manta rays are wild animals, and their presence isn't guaranteed. This boat will take you to one of the manta ray feeding zones. If you've been certified with PADI, SSI, SDI, NAUI, or any other valid agency, we can take you diving. Manta rays, dolphins, whales, and other marine life are wild creatures and their presence is affected by surf conditions, seasonal changes and the quantity of food in the water. I recently went on the sunset reef dive & manta ray night dive. While charters are rarely cancelled due to a lack of participants, Big Island Divers will make every effort to reschedule customers to another day or with another company. We group snorkelers and divers together on our manta ray charters, so your group can stick together even if some aren't certified to SCUBA dive. Lobsters and crabs also come out at night. Read more about our participation. Cannot say enough great things about the company, captain and DM - highly recommend and will dive with them again.
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