Many of us have a tendency to want to document our trip’s big moments with selfies, quick snaps, or videos. You are much more dangerous to them than they are to you. They use tiny plates in their mouths to strain plankton from the water. Keep your breathing in check while you’re waiting, be confident that you have a knowledgeable crew around you, and once the rays do show up, keep in mind that they are toothless. Let’s be honest: It is kind of freaky to be in the open ocean after dark, peering down into the depths while you are waiting for enormous 1,000-pound creatures to come swimming at you - and under you. So, keep your hands to yourself and let the mantas eat in peace! If at any time we were seen trying to touch the animals, we would have been immediately escorted back to the boat. While they did come so close we were nudged twice, there is a strict hands-off policy. Our guides explained that a touch from us could expose the animals to bacteria or other pathogens that could make them sick. These animals are a protected species, and for all their great size and strength, they are actually quite fragile. These experts made the experience fun and easy, but it also helped that we had low expectations that were greatly exceeded by our fantastic encounter! 6. Our crew was quite up to date with the manta sighting patterns in Keauhou Bay that week and knew the exact spot to stop for our excursion. We went in with the mindset that we’d be happy just to see a single manta ray. Some evenings the mantas will be very social other evenings, they might keep their distance. Our guides were quick to point out that seeing three mantas right under the raft was a rare occurrence. We were absolutely awestruck by their beauty and grace and couldn’t believe our great luck that we got to see three of them during our snorkel. It was all we could do not to shriek with excitement as we saw the mantas approach. These gorgeous creatures were so incredible - and so close. ![]() As this gentle giant swooped and flipped just inches from us, we watched in amazement as two more rays joined in the feed. Suddenly, it was right under us, somersaulting through the water just below as it fed on the plankton. You Won’t Believe Your EyesĪfter about 10 minutes, we saw an enormous shadowy figure approach. Then we watched and waited as the plankton swarmed below. Once at the raft, we were instructed to grab its sides, keep our faces down in the water, and keep our bodies stretched out behind us. We used pool noodles as floatation devices for the swim and to keep us afloat during the snorkel. ![]() We then had to swim out to the raft through some light ocean chop - about 20 yards. The light attracts plankton, which the manta love to eat. Once there, the crew deployed a raft outfitted with a spotlight that shone down into the water. You Will Swim Quite A BitĪs the sun was going down, our boat took us out past the mouth of the bay to a spot where the mantas are known to feed at night. We were able to really relax with these masks, which made our experience that much better. I’m not a big fan of breathing through my mouth, and these masks make all the difference! They fit over your entire face, giving you a better underwater view and allowing you to breathe normally. However, we opted to bring our own full-face Tribord masks. Once on board our boat, we were offered standard snorkel gear. You’ll want to make sure they’re snug and not saggy so you don’t get weighed down out in the water. On the dock, our SeaQuest crew gave us wetsuits as the evening ocean water can get a bit chilly. Our crew had hot chocolate and cookies waiting for us after the snorkel, which was a much-appreciated perk! They also know these animals well and were just as excited as we were to see them emerge from the deep and circle below us. They were patient, helped us get to the viewing raft, and took great care to answer all the questions we had. They met us at Keauhou Bay and explained every step of the process that would unfold that evening. We chose SeaQuest out of Kona, and they did not disappoint. ![]() ![]() An evening open-ocean snorkel can be intimidating, and you’ll want to make sure you’re with an experienced, knowledgeable crew who knows where the mantas come to feed and can easily talk you through every step of the experience. Get A Great Tour ProviderĪs with most tours, choosing a well-reviewed and recommended provider is of the utmost importance. It’s an experience you’ll never forget! CrackerClips Stock Media / 1. Here’s what you need to know to prepare for an underwater adventure with these amazing creatures. It was an incredible outing that we would do again in an instant. One of the excursions that took our visit absolutely over the top was an evening snorkel with giant manta rays. The Big Island of Hawaii is a mystical, magical place.
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