Quick Details
Consistently ranked as one of the best dives in the world, the Manta Ray Night Dive belongs on every diver’s bucket list. With no stingers, barbs or teeth, manta rays are gentle giants and watching them move through the water column is a sight to behold.
After dark, divers use bright lights to attract plankton, a naturally occurring food source for manta rays. The plankton concentrates around the lights, making it easy for manta rays to easily gulp down mouthfuls of food.
Both dives take place at Makako Bay (Garden Eel Cove). The first dive is a late afternoon dive during which our guides point out some of the unique marine life around the cove (Hawaiian Garden Eels!) and place bright lights down to prep the site for the night dive. Occasionally, manta rays show up early and divers get to see them on both dives!
During the surface interval, as the sun sets, our passionate and knowledgeable guides teach divers about manta ray behavior and give thorough briefings to prepare them for the night dive.
Once it’s dark, divers get back in to watch the manta rays graceful and mesmerizing feeding ballet. Sometimes swimming inches over the heads of the divers! Many of our guests say this dive is a highlight, not just of their trip to Hawaii, but of their entire lives.
We keep our groups small, with no more than 5 divers per divemaster. More personalized attention helps make diving safer- and more fun!
**The number of mantas will often vary in accordance to the naturally occurring levels of plankton present. Plankton levels are impossible to predict and can even change throughout the course of a dive. While the overall chance of seeing manta rays is high, manta rays are wild animals and there is no way to guarantee they will show. In the event no manta rays show up on a particular night, our crew will lead divers on an exploratory night reef dive.
All charters include air tanks, dive weights, dive lights, defog and complementary use of our masks, snorkels and full-foot fins.
Snacks are served between dives (including our famous homemade brownies!) and a variety of hot and cold beverages are available. Our boat includes a mixture of sun and shade, a protective cabin and a hot freshwater shower to rinse off after diving.
Swimsuit, towel, sunglasses, hat, rash guard, refillable water bottle, hair ties, reef-safe sunscreen and anything else you need for a fun day in the ocean. Since this charter concludes at night, warm, dry clothes to change into after your dive are encouraged (most are comfortable with a sweatshirt or light jacket).
Rental Gear
– Weight integrated BCD with trim pockets
– 3mm or 5mm full wetsuits
– Nitrox-compatible computer
– Regulator (regulator rental automatically includes a console dive computer)
Enriched Air Nitrox
Not required, but always recommended. Digital analyzer available on board.
Not Nitrox certified? We offer Nitrox Certification and Introduction to Nitrox
Want to set your own pace without worrying about anyone else? A private guide can help personalize your experience so you get exactly the kind of dive you want. Fewer divers in a group can also make for more intimate and engaging animal interactions. A great option for photographers trying to get the perfect shot.
IMPORTANT SAFETY REMINDER
Scuba diving is an extreme sport and restrictions must be adhered to before, during and after to mitigate potential health risks. Post-diving, this includes flying, going to altitude, freediving and other activities that could contribute to Decompression Sickness.
