Big Island Volcano Tour & Manta Ray Night Snorkel
Island ecosystems by day, manta ray snorkeling after dark
Duration
2 days
Includes
Lunch, park fees, snorkel gear
Highlights
Explore the Big Island's changing landscapes, then take to the water after dark to look for manta rays. The land tour and nighttime snorkel take place on separate days.
- Explore landscapes ranging from desert and pasture to rainforest and dry forest
- Discover 8 of the world's 13 climate zones
- Learn how Hawaii's youngest and largest island was formed
- Look for manta rays during a nighttime snorkel
Itinerary
Circle Island Tour:
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Visit a Kona coffee farm, stroll through the orchards, learn about harvesting and milling, and sample freshly brewed Kona coffee.
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Relax at Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach, a great spot to see green sea turtles along the shore.
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Explore Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park — see steam vents, past lava flows, Kīlauea craters, and walk through the 600-foot-long Thurston Lava Tube.
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Visit the island’s iconic waterfalls: Akaka Falls — a 442-foot (135 m) cascade surrounded by lush rainforest. Rainbow Falls — an 80-foot (24 m) waterfall beside a massive banyan tree.
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Drive along the scenic Hamakua Coast and end the day with breathtaking sunset views at Waipiʻo Valley Lookout, where verdant cliffs meet the ocean.
Manta Ray Night Snorkel:
Self check-in 30 mins before departure time. 2-3 hours boat tour with 30-40 mins in the water.
What's Included
- Gourmet lunch
- Assorted juices, snacks, and bottled water
- Park entrance fees
- Rain gear
- Wetsuits and snorkel equipment
- Glow sticks and hot beverages
Important details
- Arrive for manta snorkel self-check-in 30 minutes before departure
- Ages 5+ only for the Circle Island Tour
- Requires walking short to moderate distances on uneven terrain
- Wheelchairs, scooters, and walkers cannot be accommodated on the Circle Island Tour
- Non-swimmers and first-time snorkelers cannot join the manta snorkel
- Pregnant travelers and those with back, neck, or shoulder issues or limited mobility cannot join the manta snorkel
- Bring a swimsuit and towel for the snorkel tour
Cancellation Policy
Cancel at least 24 hours before start for 1–5 people, 48 hours for 6+ people, or 72 hours for private tours. Late cancellations, date changes, no-shows, and travelers who don't meet requirements are charged in full. If minimum participation is not met, you may reschedule or receive a full refund.
FAQs
No. You do the activities on two different days.
For the land tour, wear comfortable clothes in layers since temperatures vary, bring a light jacket, and wear covered walking shoes. For the snorkel tour, bring a swimsuit and towels.
Yes. You can request special dietary needs and restrictions with advance notice.
Related locations
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
Admission includedStanding at the rim of Kīlauea, one of the most active volcanoes on Earth, you feel the ground warm beneath your feet and catch the sulfurous drift of volcanic gases rising from the caldera below. Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park stretches across nearly 330,000 acres of the Big Island, encompassing steaming vents, hardened lava fields, and lush rainforest that gives way abruptly to barren black rock. This is a place where the planet's interior announces itself without apology, and where Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park earns its reputation as one of the most geologically dynamic destinations in the United States.
