Never touch a manta ray! It can cause bacteria infiltration and infection by your hand. Manta Rays are not dangerous for human beings it is the opposite. Sometimes I really thought they would bump into me, but they never even touched me. While the manta rays feed, they swim elegant, turn around and often come close to the surface and you. Divers are on the ocean floor and watch the spectacle. Snorkelers hold themselves at floating devices which are also equipped with lights shining to the bottom. The plankton gets attracted by the lights and the manta rays by plankton. Why? The manta is getting closeĬlose to the airport of Kona is a manta ray 'cleaning station'. The tour operators position lights on the surface and the bottom of the sea. It is almost guaranteed to spot the mantas just next to you. My friend Leif went to Kona diving and told us about this thrilling experience. Spotting manta rays up close was always on my bucket list. Whale sharks are more likely to spot between mid-December to mid-January.Hammerhead Sharks can be spotted year-round most probable encounters are in January and February.In the winter, the rainy season, the sea can be turbulent high waves can spoil your trip. Day temperatures are pleasant above 80☏/27☌ and nights drop to 66☏/19☌. Winter - Rainy Season Snow often occurs on Mauna Kea in winter. Kona is often cloudy during the summer, reaching 87☏/31☌ and night temps are around 73☏/23☌. Summer - Drier Season Pololu Valley Lookout in summerĭuring summer, the drier season, the ocean is calmer, making snorkelling much easier, especially for beginners. The island is drier from May to October. The best time for Manta snorkel and dive tours is from April/Mai until October because of the pleasant weather the sea is calmer. The warm ocean temperatures of at least 77☏/25☌ have an impact on the air temperature, which is mild the entire year. There are only two seasons the summer - dry season and the winter - rainy season. It is a tropical climate in Hawaii but usually not too hot. Kona is located in the west, therefore excellent to stay here for a couple of days. Showers frequently occur in Hawaii, especially late afternoon and during the night, but not frequently in Kona. The south and the west of Big Island experience less rain. Tour prices are at no extra cost! Weather and Ocean Conditions Floating device for snorkelers Thx for booking via my website! With your support, I am able to provide all information first-hand. These are my recommended tours via GetYourGuide. Hawaii is overrun during Christmas, New Year's Eve and Independence Day week. It is utterly crowded when the Ironman takes place in October, and also very busy with increasing summer rates from July to August. It starts in spring from mid-April to mid-June and in fall from September to November. It's busier during the 'Golden Week' in Japan end of April until the beginning of May. You won't believe how close the mantas come. Nevertheless, everybody gets plenty of space to hold the floating device and also to take pictures. Therefore advanced booking is recommended. Up to 150 people watch this awesome 'dinner show' in the sea each evening. The popular manta tour is often fully booked, even in the shoulder season. Avoiding Crowds Picture provided by Byron Kay from Kona Honu Divers We spotted plenty of manta rays some almost touched us. It's a popular tour and likely to be sold out days before, particularly during weekends. However, sometimes ocean conditions can spoil the trip, especially in the winter and spring, from November until March/April.

Therefore, the snorkel and dive tour is offered year-round, during the day and in the evening when it is dark outside. So there isn't a precise season for manta rays. The manta rays are here abundant at this specific spot throughout the year.

Manta ray kona hawaii