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Sea Quest Manta Ray Snorkel Review: Is This Big Island Night Tour Worth It?
- Alyssa
- Apr 1, 2023
- 5 min read
Updated: Dec 14, 2025
Snorkeling with manta rays on the Big Island is one of Hawaiʻi’s most unforgettable experiences, and Sea Quest is one of the most popular operators offering this night snorkel off the Kona coast. We’ve snorkeled with manta rays on the Big Island multiple times, and Sea Quest is the company we chose to go with more than once.
Manta rays regularly gather just offshore at night to feed on plankton, creating a rare opportunity to swim alongside these gentle giants in their natural environment. Although their size can seem intimidating at first, they are calm, graceful, and completely non-aggressive. For this experience, we booked two adult tickets for Sea Quest’s 7:15 PM manta ray night snorkel and paid $254.20 total ($127.10 per person). The price included the use of snorkel equipment, flotation devices, a shorty wetsuit or wetsuit top, and warm drinks and cookies after the swim.
Overall, our experience with Sea Quest was excellent. The crew was friendly, professional, and extremely knowledgeable, they could even identify individual manta rays by their markings and share details about their names and ages. After such a great first experience, we felt confident enough to return and do this tour again, which says a lot about the quality of the operation.
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Our Experience Snorkeling with Manta Rays (Sea Quest)
Check-In, Parking & Getting Ready
We arrived at the Sea Quest building about 30 minutes early to check in. We highly recommend doing this, as parking in the area is limited and multiple tours launch around the same time. We ended up parking on the street and walking to the check-in location.
Once checked in, there’s plenty of outdoor seating where you can relax and wait for the rest of the group to arrive. As people checked in, the staff began handing out wetsuits and getting everyone sized properly.
Wetsuits & Gear Setup
The water wasn’t cold for us, so we were comfortable wearing just a wetsuit top, but if you tend to get cold easily, we’d recommend opting for the shorty wetsuit. There was a wide range of sizes available, and everyone in our group was able to find something that fit well.
When it was time to head out, we walked directly from the check-in area to the boat, which was docked in the small harbor just outside. The boat ride to the snorkel site was short, about 10–15 minutes.
Entering the Water & the Light Raft
Once we arrived at the snorkel site, some of the crew entered the water first to set up the light raft, while the rest of the staff stayed on board to help guests gear up. Snorkel equipment and pool noodles were passed out, which are used to help everyone float comfortably. Guests entered the water one at a time by either sliding or jumping in from the side of the boat. Once in the water, staff guided us over to the light raft, where they helped position our noodles under our ankles and our hands on the raft. This setup keeps you floating at the surface with your face in the water, giving you a clear view below while staying in a stable, controlled position. The light raft illuminates the water, attracting plankton, and in turn, the manta rays.
Seeing the Manta Rays Up Close
Once everyone was settled, we waited with our faces in the water, watching fish swim beneath us while anticipation built. Before long, we spotted our first manta ray approaching in the distance. Soon, manta rays were gliding directly beneath us, swimming gracefully back and forth, feeding on plankton just feet away. They would dive down and then rise back toward the surface, passing incredibly close without ever touching anyone. The crew stayed nearby the entire time, answering questions and pointing out details about the manta rays, including how to recognize individuals by their markings. Watching these gentle giants up close was truly unforgettable.
Taking Photos & What Camera to Use
We did make one mistake: we attempted to bring a Canon 5D Mark IV in a waterproof housing, which ended up being far too bulky. The lens protruded too much and could have come into contact with the manta rays, something we absolutely wanted to avoid, as their outer membranes are very sensitive.
If you plan on taking photos or videos, we strongly recommend using a small action camera (like a GoPro) or a phone in a waterproof case instead. We personally used the ProShot Touch waterproof phone case, which worked well for this type of experience and kept our phone easy to handle in the water.
Group Size & Other Tours Nearby
It’s also worth noting that multiple tour companies operate in the same area, so you should expect to see several other groups in the water nearby. In our experience, this didn’t negatively impact the snorkel at all. If anything, the additional light sources helped illuminate the water and made it easier to spot manta rays. Groups were spread out enough that it never felt crowded or chaotic.
Returning to Shore & Post-Snorkel Treats
When it was time to wrap up, the crew helped guests back onto the boat one at a time using a ladder. The process felt safe and well-organized. After the short ride back to the dock, we were welcomed with hot chocolate and cookies, which was a nice touch after being in the water. Warming up with a hot drink while drying off was the perfect way to end the experience.
What to Bring for the Sea Quest Manta Ray Snorkel
You don’t need much for this experience, but bringing the right items will make the night snorkel more comfortable.
Swimsuit – You can arrive wearing it to make gearing up easier.
Towel – Helpful for drying off after the snorkel.
Change of clothes – Nice to have for the ride back to shore.
Cash for gratuity – Tips for the crew are not included in the tour price.
Small waterproof camera or phone case – Ideal for capturing photos and video without risking bulky equipment.
Final Verdict: Is Sea Quest’s Manta Ray Snorkel Worth Your Wallet?
We’ve gone out with Sea Quest multiple times, and each experience has been exceptional. For our most recent night snorkel, we paid $254.20 total for two adults ($127.10 per person). While Sea Quest is often more expensive than some smaller operators, we’ve consistently felt the price is justified based on the quality of the experience.
The staff is professional, kind, and extremely knowledgeable, they can even identify individual manta rays by their markings and share details about their names and histories. On every tour we’ve done with Sea Quest, we’ve seen multiple manta rays, and watching them glide effortlessly beneath you is truly unforgettable.
If you’re looking for the cheapest manta ray snorkel on the Big Island, Sea Quest may not be the lowest-priced option. However, if safety, organization, experienced guides, and consistently strong manta ray sightings matter to you, we think Sea Quest is absolutely worth the extra cost. For travelers who want to compare prices or explore other operators, checking a full list of manta ray snorkel tours can be helpful, but Sea Quest remains the company we personally return to.
So, is a manta ray night snorkel worth your wallet? For us, it’s one of the most memorable experiences on the Big Island, and Sea Quest is who we trust to do it right. Have you snorkeled with manta rays before, or would you try it on your next trip to Hawaii? Let us know in the comments below!
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