Ocean Adventures Through the Years
Underwater Kona: From Reefs to Manta Rays
Manta Ray Night Dive: A Must-Try Experience
Gladys was still a newer diver when I suggested the manta ray night dive, and her first response was a very clear “no.” The idea of entering the ocean after dark and being so close to such large creatures sounded intimidating, especially because she had never encountered marine animals of that size up close.
After learning more about how the dive was organized, and with her adventurous spirit taking over, she agreed to try it. I had already completed the dive with my son Colton in 2021, and the black-and-white manta ray photo on this page is from that trip. For Gladys, however, this was an entirely new experience.
I wanted her to take in every second of it, and of course, I also wanted the chance to photograph her, so I stayed slightly behind. That gave Gladys the true front-row experience as the mantas passed incredibly close overhead, while I enjoyed the equally important role of underwater photographer.
She later told me she had not felt afraid at all, only amazed when she saw them gliding calmly through the water. Her perception changed completely. What had seemed frightening became peaceful, and unforgettable. By the end of the evening, she was already asking when we could do it again. The experience became one of our underwater favorite memories from Kona.
What to Expect on a Kona Manta Ray Night Dive
Our late-afternoon boat ride took us to Garden Eel Cove, in Makako Bay, north of Kona, also known as Manta Heaven. Several dive and snorkel boats gathered there as the sun began to set. Between the boat lights, dive lights, underwater lights, and illuminated floating boards, the area felt less like a dark ocean and more like an organized underwater show.
Once we are geared up, we descend to the viewing area on the ocean floor. The setup is often arranged like an underwater campfire: divers kneel or hold position around a circle of rocks while bright lights shine upward from the center.
The lights attract plankton, and the plankton is what brings the manta rays in. As it gathers, the mantas begin feeding, gliding through the light, turning, looping, and passing close to the divers. We were told that some can weigh up to 300 pounds and have a wingspan of nearly 16 feet. Their size is impressive, but what stands out most is how gracefully and effortlessly they move.
Snorkelers get a great view from the surface too. They hold onto floating boards with lights shining down into the water, which also attracts plankton and brings the mantas up to feed.
But from the diver’s view, kneeling below as a manta passes just inches overhead, the experience is hard to beat.
Gladys was easy to spot in her colorful wetsuit, and at one point, a manta came just glide right over her. Seeing a creature that large move so calmly above her was unforgettable. I think that was the moment her original “NO” officially retired.
At times, you might see the mantas forming a line or "train" as they approach the area. On your way back from the campfire area, occasionally a manta might just want to hang out with you and your dive buddy for some one on one time.
Manta Dive in 2021
The crew told us about the mantas we may see. They can recognize each one by the unique spot pattern on its belly, along with other distinctive features, and most of them already have names.
We were also told that if someone spots a brand-new manta, the first person to identify it may get naming rights, which is a pretty fun reward for paying attention. Even though this was probably my second or third manta dive, I still could not tell one from another. Apparently, I am much better at enjoying the show than memorizing manta-ray belly patterns.
Blackwater Dive - A Night Dives - Another experience
Kona Honu Divers offers a unique adventure for experienced divers called the Blackwater Dive. This dive will take you a few miles off shore in the evening and you get to experience the bioluminescent creatures of the deep that appear in the glow of your torch light.
As I descend into the open ocean at night, I quickly realize this is unlike any night dive I've ever experienced. With nearly 4000 feet of water beneath me, I hang suspended in complete darkness, illuminated only by the beam of my dive light. While larger marine animals occasionally glide past, my attention is drawn to the countless tiny, transparent creatures drifting upward from the depths. I watch larval fish, sea butterflies, siphonophores, and juvenile squid and octopuses-many no larger than my fingernail-float effortlessly through the water. Their nearly invisible bodies catch my light, shimmering with flashes of blue, green, and rainbow colors like tiny prisms. It feels as thought I'm drifting through a living galaxy, witnessing a hidden world that few people ever have the opportunity to see.
Encounter with a transparent pelagic sea snail
Tips from Our Experience
- If you tend to get seasick, consider taking non-drowsy Dramamine, as long as it is safe for you.
- Full wetsuit is recommended; night dives can feel much colder than daytime dives.
- Bring a camera or recording device — you will want to relive this one.
- Hold onto a rock if needed; currents can make it hard to stay in place.
- Never touch the manta rays; respect their space and let them move freely.
Over the years, I tried a few dive operators on the Big Island, and each offered a professional experience. But once I found Kona Honu Divers, they became my go-to dive operator. I have dived with them for years now, and they have consistently provided excellent service, whether for manta ray night dives or other scuba adventures on the Big Island.