We’ve enjoyed seeing manta rays in Hawaii, both in the water and from the land. In fact, this photo is one of ours taken on the Big Island. This week, we were provided an opportunity to see manta rays on Kauai via drone footage below.
A few years ago, we night snorkeled with Manta rays nearby Kona airport on the Big Island. It was a totally unforgettable experience. Let us know if you’ve seen manta rays in Hawaii (or elsewhere) and what that was like for you. Hawaii manta ray tours are top-rated, and now we understand why. Before COVID, up to 100k people, a year came to have this nightly experience where spotlights attract manta’s favorite food, plankton.
The manta rays in Hawaii are of the Mobula Alfredi species and are the second-largest manta rays found anywhere. They have a wingspan of up to 18 feet. We’ve also seen the manta rays at the Hapuna Beach hotel.
Manta rays off the coast at Poipu Kauai.
It was reported that the Twitter video below was taken a few days ago off of Poipu, near the point called Spouting Horn. There is nothing in the video that can confirm that, however.
Awesome shot – Trio of large manta rays off the south coast of Kaua'i (video: @ReubenKamp) #Hawaii #HIWX #Rays @KITV4 pic.twitter.com/6Ax3BePCBG
— Tom George (@TheTomGeorge) February 25, 2021
Manta rays in Hawaiian culture.
It is said that the Hawaii name for manta “hahalua” means two breaths. It speaks to their ability to breach in the way that humpback whales and dolphins do.
Globally too, it is not unusual for manta rays to possess great cultural significance and symbolism. That is true in Hawaii as well as in Peru, Australia, China, and elsewhere.
Manta rays were once seen as large, dangerous creatures that could attack. It was believed that they have an attack stinger, which they do not. They pose no danger to humans, although they are pretty scary to see the first time. They appear curious about humans. Manta rays have enormous fins, which may be why they had a bad reputation and were even referred to as devilfish.
Manta rays in modern culture.
Manta rays have been and remain popular in media, including tv, film, and literature.
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In 2019, we swam with the mantas off the Kona Coast by the Sheraton Hotel for a night dive. Excellent tour group and a great experience. I have a few great photos from this trip with a manta rays mouth coming at me.
I would recommend this activity to anyone and my wife and I will definitely do this again….of course, when Hawaii opens up.
BTW….love reading your Beat of Hawaii newsletter….
Hi Dave.
Thank you. Everyone who has reported on the manta rays has had an incredible experience. Glad you did as well.
Aloha.
I was on the Big Island in 2003 and 2016 and was blessed to night dive with the Mantas on both trips, off two different locations. Truly a magical and memorable experience. In 2003 it wasn’t quite the organized tourist production. That first glimpse of their angelic approach overhead, such graceful beauty that to this day brings a smile to my heart.
Thank you for the reminder of the beauty around us. I look forward to a return trip to Kauai that might include diving with the Mantas.
Mahalo
I encountered a Manta Ray in Honolua Bay, Maui. I was snorkeling and it just appeared in front of me. Freaked me out, but was so impressive! Planning a night dive in Kona this June!!!
Aloha
Early one morning while looking down from our lanai on the 6th floor, we saw 6 small rays “fly” by in the clear shallows. The height gave us the opportunity to view them straight overhead: something we had never been able to do before or since. Breathtaking!
Mahalo aloha
It is too bad we could not be part of the sighting in Poipu, since Kauai does not want our tourist business. I hope when they decide to open up, there are businesses for us to support. Sad that politics have to get in the way of common sense.
We too have gone snorkeling with several of them at a time, maybe a half dozen times in total. All our encounters were off the Kona coast. They are surreal, magical and not something you get tired of seeing.
Aloha Guys
Please explain the statement that Manta don’t have attack stingers. Wasn’t Steve Irwin killed by the stinger of a Manta?
We swam with Manta rays off Grand Cayman … beautiful experience. Their skin feels like velvet!
Hi Margot.
Manta rays don’t have the stingers that stingrays do. He was killed by a stingray.
Aloha.
Aloha Margot! I am happy you had the opportunity to swim with the Manta rays. With all due respect, please do not touch sea creatures but enjoy them with your eyes. Manta rays have a protective layer of mucus, and when touched, become very vulnerable to disease and problems with parasites. Please help educate others so that we may continue to marvel at these amazing creatures. Mahalo!
2021 Sept 12 saw 5 close to shore kalapaki bay today very close to shore so beautiful !
We have been fortunate to see Manta Rays swimming below the cliffs along the Maha’ulepu Heritage Trail near the Grand Hyatt in Kauai. Amazing! We have also gone on several nighttime snorkel excursions to see Mantas in Kona on the Big Island. If you have the opportunity, this is an experience not to be missed. I have videos you can see on You Tube. One of them is studio.youtube.com/video/sqSkgDPCxKY/edit Enjoy!
My husband, his brother and I saw a manta ray while on a boat tour going from the Napili coast to Niihau. I thought it was unusual since we had only seen them near Kona. It was really cool and so quick that there wasn’t time for a picture. It was hugh.
I did the Manta Ray tour near the Kona airport about 7 years ago. It was the most amazing and surreal experience I have had. My husband dove and I snorkeled while hanging onto a lit surfboard. A ray came up to us and did three barrel rolls right beneath us. It was big, yet so graceful. I would definitely do it again!
I grew up on Oahu. One summer when I was about 7 there was a big storm. I think it was winter time. My dad took me and my brothers to the north shore to see the big waves. To my child’s eyes the waves were enormous, but the most fascinating part for me was the equally enormous black diamonds in the water when the face of the waves rose up from the ocean. Those big black rays were terrifying to me at the time. I dreamed about it for weeks after. But it’s a memory I’ll have forever.
We have done the night snorkeling on the Big Island with the Manta Ray’s and it is indeed magical. About 4 years ago we were hiking along Maha’ulepu and got past the cliffs, down to a bay, and I swear we saw some Mantas out there.
The one guy had places to go and seem in a hurry to get there.
We got the opportunity to snorkel with manta rays just off the Kona coast, by the airport (probably where you did).
It was one of the scariest, coolest things I have ever experienced. To be in the presence of these huge graceful creatures is absolutely amazing. I’d definitely recommend it!
We are actually planning a trip to Kona later this year. We will be swimming with mantas! Let’s hope the travel restrictions loosen a little!
Three years ago we were “swimming with dolphins” along the Kona coast when we spotted a Manta Ray cruising along the sandy bottom. With our snorkel gear, we were able to hang back and watch it for quite awhile! Thrilling!! Amazing!!
We have had the rare opportunity to see these beautiful creatures while participating in a night snorkel near the Sheraton. Kona resort Keauhou bay. These graceful Rays glide through the water feeding on plankton, and if you are lucky enough their fins will softly you as they pass by. An amazing experience.
A few years ago my husband and I took a night snorkel excursion with the manta rays off Kona on the Big Island. It was an event we will never forget. We were told not to touch them, but one accidentally came so close to me it brushed against my leg….it was as soft as velvet…and I will never forget that encounter. I took a 20 minute video that evening and it remains breathtakingly beautiful every time we watch it!! An experience of a lifetime. Nothing but the utmost respect for such a larger than life creature! I would highly recommend it…. can’t wait to go back for a repeat!!!
We loved our night manta ray experience on the Big Island. Unforgettable!
This is soooo cool. Had no idea. Thanks!!
We manta rays in Bora Bora. We had taken a “feed the sharks” tour and on our way back to the hotel, we saw 3 manta rays on the surface of the ocean. That was very cool! I love them!
I have done 2 night snorkeling with manta rays off of the Sheraton Kona and after getting over the concept of slipping into jet black water I found it to be one of the most awesome snorkeling experiences of my life. Feeling the pressure wave as they swam in front of me was an unimaginable experience. I recommend that anyone that has the chance to do this take advantage of it.
About 15 years ago my son, a scuba instructor on Maui, took me on a shore dive off of Ukumehame beach park. He had previously seen mantas there. We swam out about 200 yards and submerged. Within a few minutes the mantas arrived at what was obviously a cleaning station for them. At one point we had 13 mantas swimming and hovering around us. It was the most memorable dive of my life. I have often wondered if they still visit that area of the reef.
My husband and I watched a manta ray from the cliffs at Shipwreck Beach in Kauai. Amazing creature! Super graceful! I’m sure he was waving at us!
We dove with Mantas off Kona and it was a close to religious experience as the glided by and over us. We (I) was so mesmerized that I apparently had a Moray swim between my legs and I never saw it. Apparently, after that he became a “usual” as he came to the lights for the fish that came for the plankton and the divers were forewarned. Have a great video of the night. We are planning to snorkel with them next month while in Kona.
I have done the night snorkel with mantas twice, and it is easily my favorite activity. The awe they inspire when they come inches from you (or sometimes even accidently brush against you) is incredible! These gentle giants are amazing, and their grace and beauty is incredible to watch. I’ve snorkeled with wild dolphins, and thought that was tops, but this, to me, beat it hands down.
When I lived on the Big Island in 1976 I would see rays jumping out of the water at Hapuna first thing in the morning….all alone on the beach ! Not sure if they were mantas but it was thrilling. Check out the nightly free viewing of mantas at the hotel bar lanai in Keauhou Bay. Outstanding.
We’ve seen Manta Rays days off Kam 1 on Maui….so graceful and beautiful. I always thought they were dangerous….until we were educated that they were harmless when visiting Hawaii! We miss the island’s and can hardly wait to return!! Getting our 2nd Covid vaccine in March!! Looking forward to visiting….not sure the vaccine will help us get back to vacationing to Hawaii but we sure hope so!?
I saw a small group of them right off shore at Larsen’s Beach on Kauai. Friends who live on the island were jealous because they have never seen them.
A firiend and I did a Kona night snorkel with the mantas. The mantas’ were so graceful. We felt it was like watching a ballet in the water. Try an unforgettable experience.
Enjoyed your story on the amazing mantas. We were fortunate enough to see at Keauhou Bay on a night excursion, a few years ago. To say this was an unforgettable experience doesn’t do it justice. Can’t wait to go again!
Mahalo, BOH.
Hi Jim.
Thanks. We’d concur about the experience – it was other-worldly.
Aloha.
I observed the nighttime manta ray snorkeling off Kona in 2011, and it was impressive. I snorkeled with some in Belize. We also saw some odd Kauai last year. They are mesmerizing to watch.