The Dolphin Discoveries Kona manta ray night snorkel is a 2-hour evening trip from Keauhou Bay: a 5-minute boat ride to Manta Ray Village, then about 30 minutes on a lighted float board while mantas feed below. It suits swimmers aged 6 and up wanting the shortest ride to the mantas. Drawbacks: boats up to 28 guests, unclear re-ride policy.
Highlights
5-minute boat ride from Keauhou Bay to Manta Ray Village, then about 30 minutes in the water on an illuminated float board (operator site, October 2026)
Check-in slots at 5:00 PM (seasonal), 6:00 PM, 7:00 PM and 8:00 PM (seasonal), 7 nights a week
Mask, snorkel, short-sleeve wetsuit top, lighted float board, pool noodle and crew guidance included; from $99.99 on the operator site, $114.70 on Greetwell
Two boats: Moana Lou with up to 28 passengers and 4 crew, Naia Nui with up to 16 passengers and 3 crew
Manta guarantee: a free second trip on a space-available basis if no mantas are seen, with no cash refund
What to Expect
You check in at the Dolphin Discoveries store in Keauhou Shopping Center at your slot time, no more than 10 minutes early, and are fitted with mask, snorkel and wetsuit top.
You drive to Keauhou Bay, 78-7130 Kaleiopapa St, to meet the crew and board Moana Lou or Naia Nui.
The boat takes about 5 minutes to reach Manta Ray Village off Keauhou, where lights are set up to attract plankton.
After a safety briefing you enter the water, hold the lighted float board with the group and keep still while mantas feed below; touching them is forbidden.
After about 30 minutes in the water you re-board, and the whole trip takes about 2 hours from check-in.
If no mantas appear, the operator offers a second outing at no charge subject to space; there are no refunds.
What's Included
Mask and snorkel
Short-sleeve wetsuit top
Illuminated float board and pool noodle
Safety briefing and in-water crew guidance
What's Not Included
Snorkel vest (available for rent)
Towel and light cover-up
Gratuity
Hotel transportation; ride-along tickets are full price
What to Bring
Swimwear, towel and a light cover-up for after the swim
A small bag; the boat has a small dry box
Your own mask and snorkel if preferred, but not fins, which are not used on the float board
Restrictions and Requirements
Must be able to swim; in-water minimum age 6 with an adult staying with the child
Younger children may ride along only with a parent or guardian on the vessel
No touching the manta rays
Each adult signs a waiver; one adult signs for each minor
No weight limit is listed for this tour
Cancellation Policy
Not stated on the operator's website or Greetwell beyond the manta guarantee, which allows a free re-ride on a space-available basis if no mantas are seen and gives no refunds if space is unavailable. The operator's blog states that weather cancellations by the captain can be rescheduled or fully refunded. Checked October 2026 on dolphindiscoveries.com; confirm the personal-cancellation terms when booking.
Check-in at the Dolphin Discoveries store, Keauhou Shopping Center, 78-6831 Ali'i Drive, Suite F-146 (door sign reads 174), Kailua-Kona, HI 96740; boarding at Keauhou Bay, 78-7130 Kaleiopapa St, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
Check-In
Slot times 5:00 PM (seasonal), 6:00 PM, 7:00 PM, 8:00 PM (seasonal); arrive no more than 10 minutes early
Parking and Getting There
Park near Tropics Tap House or KTA Grocery at Keauhou Shopping Center and walk to the courtyard
Ratings from every source we could find
TripAdvisor
4.8
5,100 reviews
Other
4.8
1,100 reviews
Google Maps — Summarized by Our Team
General Kona manta night snorkel sentiment applies; smaller operators in this category are often praised for closer, more personal guide attention in the water.
Last checked 2026-09-15
Ratings and review counts are checked periodically and may not reflect same-day changes on each platform.
What the Reviews Say
We read 1 review with text for Dolphin Discoveries (Greetwell, 5 stars, August 2026) plus Greetwell's aggregated review summary, which specifically mentions the manta snorkel; that is too little to identify patterns. Ratings below are public listing scores as of October 2026.
About the Operator in General
Greetwell's review summary for Dolphin Discoveries says guests praise the manta snorkel, name captains Craig, Rob and Dennis and guides Vinny and Voss, and note that the boat reaches the manta site within minutes, leaving more time in the water; one reviewer noted the shop is not at the pier, which adds driving. The operator shows 4.8 from about 1,100 Greetwell reviews and over 5,100 TripAdvisor reviews as of October 2026.
Our Verdict
Tripreviewall's Take
From $99.99, this sits at the bottom of the $99–$169 range the operator itself quotes for Kona manta snorkels, and the 5-minute ride from Keauhou Bay means less time on a boat and more in the water than trips from Honokohau Harbor. The trade-off is scale: up to 28 people on Moana Lou share one or two float boards. Book it for price and a short ride; skip it if you want a small group or a guaranteed refund when mantas do not show.
Book This Tour If…
You want one of the cheaper manta snorkels in Kona at $99.99–$114.70
You are staying in Keauhou or South Kona and want a 5-minute boat ride rather than 20–30 minutes from Honokohau
You have children aged 6 and up who can swim, or non-swimmers who are content to ride along at full price
You can keep a second evening free in case the manta guarantee re-ride is needed
Skip This Tour If…
You want a small group; the larger boat carries up to 28 passengers
You expect a cash refund if no mantas appear; only a space-available re-ride is offered
You are leaving Kona the next morning and could not use a re-ride
You want a snorkel vest included; it is a rental extra
Tips From Reviewers and Operator Notes
Book the Naia Nui departure if you want the 16-passenger boat rather than the 28-passenger Moana Lou; ask which boat your slot uses
Arrive no more than 10 minutes before your slot; check-in starts on time and the shop is a short drive from the bay
Bring a towel and cover-up; only a short-sleeve wetsuit top is provided and the ride back is after dark
Confirm in writing whether the manta guarantee applies to your booking channel; the operator's page says it requires booking direct by website or phone
Assessed by the Tripreviewall editorial team, last reviewed October 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the Dolphin Discoveries manta ray night snorkel?
The Dolphin Discoveries manta ray night snorkel starts at $99.99 per person on the operator's website and is listed at $114.70 on Greetwell as of October 2026. The operator's blog quotes $99–$169 as the typical Kona range, with taxes and harbor fees adding 7–10% and ride-along tickets at $69–$99.
How long are you in the water on the Kona manta ray night snorkel?
You are in the water for about 30 minutes on the Kona manta ray night snorkel, within a 2-hour outing that includes check-in at Keauhou Shopping Center, the drive to Keauhou Bay and a 5-minute boat ride each way to Manta Ray Village. Guests hold a lighted float board and stay still while mantas feed below.
What happens if no manta rays show up?
If no manta rays show up, Dolphin Discoveries offers a second trip at no extra charge on a space-available basis under its manta guarantee, and gives no refunds if space is unavailable or you cannot reschedule. The operator's page says the guarantee requires booking directly by website or phone, so confirm it applies to your booking.
Can children join the manta ray night snorkel?
Children aged 6 and up who can swim may join the manta ray night snorkel in the water with an adult staying beside them at all times. Younger children may ride along on the boat at full ticket price with a parent or guardian on board. Each minor needs a waiver signed by an adult.
What time does the manta ray snorkel check in?
The manta ray snorkel checks in at 5:00 PM (seasonal), 6:00 PM, 7:00 PM or 8:00 PM (seasonal), seven nights a week, at the Dolphin Discoveries store in Keauhou Shopping Center. The operator asks guests to arrive no more than 10 minutes early and then drive to Keauhou Bay to board.
What is included in the Dolphin Discoveries manta snorkel?
The Dolphin Discoveries manta snorkel includes a mask and snorkel, a short-sleeve wetsuit top, an illuminated float board, a pool noodle, a safety briefing and in-water crew guidance. Snorkel vests are a rental extra, towels and cover-ups are not provided, and fins are not used on the float board.
Contact
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