MANTA RAY DIVE KONA UPDATE
To update everyone, as of this writing there are two Manta Ray dive sites. They swam right up to our lights and even pushed against our lights as they fed on the shrimp. On a final note, the local yellowfin goatfish have learned to feed like the mantas. This instantly became one of my favorite dives. I have done hundreds of dives in Hawaii and frequently see manta rays. Whether you do this by shore of by boat, this is a must do dive. If you are a beginner or if you just want an easier dive go with one of the boat tours, they do a great job. It was a not big deal, but I would not want to be attempting the swim in rougher conditions. Last night we headed back in right before low tide and a slight current (pulling us out to sea) was present. I would not recommend this for anyone who has not done a significant amount of rocky shore entries. Do your research with this site, check it out during the day and the night before to see entry and exit details.
The entry and exit are challenging and the long surface swims in the dark is a little intimidating. Please don't touch them and one accidently bumped into my camera so be careful if you have lighting arms and leave your snorkel on the shore. We did this dive last night and the manta rays are fantastic! They swim right up to you, mouths open, and turn upwards at the last second. It comes later in the evening, around 7:30-8pm. That boat is only there on Tuesdays and Thursdays though. Be careful not to get too close to the boats, especially the glass bottom boat which keeps it's engines live. Just enter at the end of the trail and swim out towards the platform and then to the dive boats when you see them.
If the surf is small I highly recommend it.
MANTA RAY DIVE KONA FOR FREE
Anyhow we loved this experience and loved the fact that we got to do something 4 times for free (or for the price of a tank rental) that everyone else was paying over $100 for. Also, one night we went when there were no tour boats out (we got out there late) and we only saw one Manta and it did not stick around with us. On other nights the Manta's left when the tours left. Perhaps having the lights at the surface (snorkeling) is better at attracting them, or perhaps it was just chance. That first night the Manta's stayed with us and our lights after the tours left, but every other night they left when the tours and their giant lights left. Just ignore them and pretend you don't hear them. Some of the boat operators may be rude to you and say stuff such as 'get away from our people'. This was easily one of our best nights so I feel snorkeling it gives you pretty much the same quality of experience. The first night we did the dive as a snorkel just to make sure the entry and exit was easy. It's great to go dive under one of the snorkel groups as there lights attract the mantas. I believe most of the tour groups start getting people in the water around 6:30, at least in December. You will want to make sure you time your visit correctly. It was nice that the Sheraton has those tiki torches, they make the exit easy to spot and navigate on a clear day. We parked at the Sheraton and followed the sign for shoreline access to a path and walked down to where the trail entered and basically entered there. The entry and exit isn't too bad (if you are used to climbing up and down rocks) if the surf is small. My girlfriend and I did this dive 4 times in a row during our trip to Kona last week, once as a snorkel and three times as a dive.
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