Can you swim with manta rays?

The long and short of it is that snorkeling with manta rays is amazing. If you're scared of the water and being on the open ocean, this activity is NOT for you. While you're never too far off the coast of the Big Island, the darkness of being at sea after sunset can be frightening for some.



Swimming with manta rays is one of the most popular marine experiences in 2026, available in "manta hotspots" like Kona (Hawaii), the Maldives, Raja Ampat (Indonesia), and Socorro Island (Mexico). These encounters are typically done as snorkeling trips or scuba dives. To protect these gentle giants, strict "Manta Codes of Conduct" are enforced: you must enter the water quietly, maintain a distance of at least 10 feet (3 meters), and—most importantly—never touch them, as human contact can damage their protective mucus layer. In Kona, the "Night Manta Snorkel" is iconic, where lights are used to attract plankton, which in turn brings the mantas to the surface to feed right beneath swimmers. Manta rays do not have stingers and are filter feeders, making them completely harmless to humans. However, it is vital to choose an operator committed to "Sustainable Manta Tourism" to ensure your presence doesn't disrupt their natural feeding or "cleaning" behaviors. These experiences offer a profound connection to ocean life while supporting conservation through tourism revenue.

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Whether a manta ray snorkel or dive in Hawaii is ethical is inconclusive. There are strict Manta Ray Tour Operator Standards in place to protect Hawaii's manta rays. But some tours care more for the welfare of the manta rays than others and don't adhere to these rules and there seem to be very few repercussions.

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It is best to approach mantas slowly from their side allowing the animal to see you while it can maintain a clear path of travel ahead. Never chase after a manta ray. If you stay still they often come back for a closer look at you. Like you and I, mantas appreciate their personal space.

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After doing a TON of research the best manta ray night snorkel tour, in my opinion, is Sea Paradise, which has nightly tours departing from Keauhou Bay, less than a five minute boat ride from Manta Ray Village. This was the tour company that Justin and I went with and I HIGHLY recommend them.

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How much do you tip a manta ray snorkel? While it is not expected and always appreciated, it is common to tip a manta ray tour guide between $20 – $40 per snorkeler if they do a great job and up to $100 if they do an outstanding job.

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The short answer is no; manta rays don't pose much of a threat to humans in terms of physical harm. Unlike other species such as sharks or stingrays, which may attack if provoked or startled, manta rays are typically passive and docile animals who do not display aggressive behavior towards people.

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Manta rays are a protected species in Hawaii and we absolutely do not allow any touching, chasing, or harassing of the manta rays.

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Every year, approximately 100 million sharks and 5,000 manta rays are killed.

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Giant oceanic manta rays are pretty rare; any diver or snorkelers who gets to witness one is a lucky person. Giant mantas are also known as oceanic manta rays, pelagic manta rays – or by their Latin name, mobula birostris.

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Most sharks are not in any way dangerous and should be respected by observing from a distance and not touching, chasing, or harassing. Of the most inquisitive larger sharks, if you feel threatened or worried, always remain facing the shark, stay low, and back off slowly.

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