Do two dives at Makako Bay, including a manta ray night dive with small groups
Approximately 5 hours
Up to 5 people
Tanks, weights, dive lights
Head out to Makako Bay (Garden Eel Cove) for a two-tank charter that pairs a late afternoon dive with a guided manta ray night dive using bright lights to attract plankton. You dive in small groups with up to 5 divers per divemaster.
Open Water scuba certification is required. Start time varies throughout the year based on sunset. Manta rays are wild animals and sightings are not guaranteed.
Cancel at least 72 hours in advance for a 100% refund. Cancellations within 72 hours are subject to the full cost of the charter. Full refund if the operator cancels due to prohibitive weather or other unforeseen circumstances. Private charters require 1 month notice; 6+ passengers, all classes, and private guide require 7 days.
Product ID: G8WP38
Yes. You must have Open Water scuba certification to join this charter.
Bring a swimsuit, towel, sunglasses, hat, a refillable water bottle, and hair ties. Since the charter ends at night, bring warm, dry clothes to change into after your dives (many guests are comfortable with a sweatshirt or light jacket).
Air tanks, dive weights, dive lights, defog, and complimentary use of masks, snorkels, and full-foot fins are included. Rental gear (such as a buoyancy control device (BCD), wetsuit, regulator, and a Nitrox-compatible computer), enriched air Nitrox, a Nitrox certification, and a private guide are available as add-ons.
Kona Diving Company Huaka'i Boat
Kona's manta ray night dive is a bucket-list experience, and this crew delivers it exceptionally well. Guides like Cody, Bruce, Dave, Kim, and Imran come up repeatedly in reviews for being knowledgeable, patient, and genuinely fun to be around. Newer divers consistently feel supported, while more experienced ones appreciate the quality of the sites and the crew's ability to spot marine life others might miss. Warm drinks, snacks, and homemade brownies between dives are a nice touch, and the two resident dogs, Ziggy and Blue, have apparently earned their own fan base. Beyond the manta rays, guests have encountered whale sharks, tiger sharks, turtles, eels, octopus, and lava tubes, so the diversity of what's out there is real. One review stood out for a more serious reason: a guest's husband had a medical emergency on board, and the crew's emergency response, CPR, AED, coordinated communication with emergency services, was swift and effective. That kind of preparedness says a lot about how this operation is run. Captain Kirsten's team has clearly built something worth trusting, and the sheer volume of people saying they'd come back is hard to argue with.
I had an awesome experience with Kona Diving Company! From start to finish, Captain Max, Cody, Dave, and Ashley were fantastic. Everyone was friendly, professional, knowledgeable, and made sure I was comfortable and having a great time. One thing that really stood out was how much they paid attention to me as an individual diver. I was going through my air faster than I wanted, and they helped me out by switching me to a steel tank, which allowed me to stay down longer and get more out of my dives. That kind of personal attention really made a difference. The daytime dives were great, but the Manta Ray night dive was absolutely spectacular and something I will never forget. Watching those huge manta rays glide right over us was one of the highlights of my entire Hawaii trip. You can tell this crew genuinely enjoys diving and wants their customers to have the best experience possible. A huge thank you to Captain Max, Cody, Dave, and Ashley for making my Kona diving experience so memorable. If I make it back to the Big Island, Kona Diving Company will definitely be who I dive with again. Highly recommended! 🤿🌺🐠
Justin Blick
September 7, 2026
I had an awesome experience with Kona Diving Company! From start to finish, Captain Max, Cody, Dave, and Ashley were fantastic. Everyone was friendly, professional, knowledgeable, and made sure I was comfortable and having a great time. One thing that really stood out was how much they paid attention to me as an individual diver. I was going through my air faster than I wanted, and they helped me out by switching me to a steel tank, which allowed me to stay down longer and get more out of my dives. That kind of personal attention really made a difference. The daytime dives were great, but the Manta Ray night dive was absolutely spectacular and something I will never forget. Watching those huge manta rays glide right over us was one of the highlights of my entire Hawaii trip. You can tell this crew genuinely enjoys diving and wants their customers to have the best experience possible. A huge thank you to Captain Max, Cody, Dave, and Ashley for making my Kona diving experience so memorable. If I make it back to the Big Island, Kona Diving Company will definitely be who I dive with again. Highly recommended! 🤿🌺🐠
Justin Blick
September 7, 2026
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