On the surface, the rest of us got our snorkel gear on and prepared to face the manta rays (literally). Snorkeling with Big Island Hawaii Manta Rays in Kona Light attracts plankton and plankton attracts manta rays. The dive master, Jason, instructed them to follow him to the ‘campfire.’ This is what they called the big bright lights at the bottom of the ocean that divers sit around. Once the sky was dark enough, each certified scuba diver on the boat got all their gear on and jumped in the water. And it is one of the best places to do a night dive for scuba divers! This is the only place on Earth that I know of where you have such a good chance of getting an up-close encounter with these majestic wild animals. We met the crew members of Manta Ray Dives of Hawaii a little before sunset at the dock and headed out to the area where the manta rays would be. But surprisingly, I was getting excited to see the manta rays at night. After a relaxing stay on the laid-back isle of Molokai, the volcanic activity and increased traffic on the Big Island of Hawaii had me a little on edge. We had arrived in Kona to a thick cloud of vog (volcanic fog) from the active volcano that had been making the news daily in Hawaii – and on the mainland. Our Big Island Hawaii Manta Ray Dive & Snorkel Toursįast forward to the fateful day of our Hawaii manta ray experience. I wouldn’t be sitting on the bottom of the ocean while the enormous sea pancakes swam around me, but I was still nervous about floating above them in the dark. And then I did my best to put it out of my mind. Since activities tend to book up fast in Hawaii, we signed up weeks before we would actually get to the island. There are multiple tour operators offering these snorkel trips to the manta village, but this one had some of the best reviews. Photo credit: Jason of Alive Underwater on Instagram). So, we came to a decision – we’d sign up for a trip with Manta Ray Dives of Hawaii, but I’d do the manta ray night snorkel while he did the more intense manta ray night dive option. Buddy has been dreaming of the Big Island Hawaii manta ray dive off the Kona Coast since a friend of ours did it years ago. Going into the big, deep ocean AT NIGHT with giant kite-looking creatures at least twice my size was one of these situations.
So, if you want to experience the thrill of swimming with manta rays, book a manta ray night snorkel in Kona today.When traveling as a couple, sometimes you have to make a few compromises and push past your personal comfort zone to do something your spouse is excited about. If you are lucky enough to see a manta ray swimming through the water at night, be sure to take a moment to appreciate its beauty. This makes them easy to spot in the water, and it is an amazing sight to behold. This will bring the manta rays to the surface of the water so you can see them up close and personal. When the tour guides shine the lights down into the water it attracts microplankton which the manta rays feed on.
#Big island manta ray snorkel skin#
This is because they have naturally shiny skin that reflects light. Manta rays are one of the few creatures that can be seen at night. RELATED: Is There Starbucks in France? Why Snorkel with Manta Rays at Night? If you are still nervous though there are so many other things to do in Kona like go to a Big Island Hawaiian luau!
They do not have stingers or teeth so you are safe to swim with them. So, while it is always important to be cautious around any type of marine life, manta rays should not be cause for alarm. Manta rays are generally shy creatures that will only attack humans if they feel threatened. There have been very few cases of manta rays attacking humans, and those incidents have been attributed to either carelessness or misunderstandings on the part of the humans involved. In fact, they are known to be quite docile and gentle. If you’re ever lucky enough to see a manta ray, you’ll never forget it! These amazing creatures are truly one of a kind. Manta rays are not considered endangered at this time, but they are threatened by pollution and overfishing in some areas. They give birth to one or two babies at a time, which are born alive and able to swim on their own. Manta rays have a lifespan of about 20 years. They are graceful creatures and are a popular site for scuba divers. Manta rays are harmless to humans and are often seen swimming close to the surface of the water.
They often congregate near coral reefs, where they can find plenty of food. Manta rays can be found in tropical and subtropical waters all over the world.
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