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If evening swimming with manta rays isn’t on your bucket list, it should be!

manta ray at night

According to the Travel Channel, going on a night-time swim with manta rays is “one of the top-ten things to do in your lifetime”. That is a pretty weighty comment to make when you consider everything that is on offer. But you know what, we think you’ll find that the Travel Channel is absolutely right, and this is definitely one of those experiences of a lifetime not to be missed out on.

 

The Hokulani is your #1 boat for snorkeling with manta rays

Your evening will begin around the time dusk begins to settle in and you board the beautiful trimaran Hokulani before setting sail for Manta Ray Village off the Kona Coast of the island of Hawai’i. Once there you will be given an introduction to manta rays and advice on how best to watch them as they approach.

 

Much more exciting than feeding time at the zoo!

Manta rays feed off plankton – isn’t it remarkable how some of the ocean’s largest creatures actually feed off the smallest ones, including most baleen whale species and basking sharks. With the sun setting or set, a platform of downward-facing lights is switched on and the light which emanates from it attracts plankton which, you guessed it, attracts the manta rays, and that’s when the real fun begins.

 

How big are manta rays? Come and see for yourself…

evening manta ray snorkel tourApart from the size of the manta rays – the giant manta ray can measure up to 29 feet from wing tip to wing tip, while reef manta rays can measure up to 11 feet across – you will be mesmerized by the grace and beauty with which they swim and glide through the water, a scene made even more memorable by the silence below the waves. It is a little like watching the world in slow motion as these beautiful creatures glide through the water.

 

Manta rays look great on social media pages

Obviously, you won’t be able to use your smartphone to take photos of these memorable creatures, but underwater cameras are relatively inexpensive these days and a worthwhile investment for such a wonderful sight. Just imagine the comments you will get from all your social media followers when you post some breath-taking shots, most of them having something to do with feeling envious! The only stipulation they make is that when taking photos, make sure your flash is switched off as it does not work well underwater and will also spook these oh-so-graceful creatures.

 

Choose a tour time to suit your itinerary

Depending on your itinerary while staying on Hawai’i, you’ve got a choice of two tours which commence at either 6.30 p.m. for the first or 9.00 p.m. for the second. The Hokulani is a ‘shoeless’ boat, so appropriate footwear would have to be light sandals or flip-flops.

 

Here at Lea Lea Tours we are always keen to ‘cherry pick’ the very best of tours available on the beautiful Hawaiian island. To find out more about night-time swimming with manta rays, to book a place (always advisable in advance as there are only so many people you can get on a boat, or to discuss about a private charter!), or to learn more about any of our other recommended tours, please feel free to get in touch with us at any time.