Liquid Hawai‘i Charters — Attraction in Hawaii

Our manta ray snorkel experience with Liquid Hawaii was simply extraordinary—truly a once-in-a-lifetime adventure! From beginning to end, the professionalism, care, and passion of the team stood out.

Captain Kieran made arrival seamless by texting very clear directions, ensuring we found the location without hassle. The team thoughtfully provided wetsuits for our three adults and two kids, even offering me an extra wetsuit over my own to ensure I stayed warm.

The boat itself was great, with convenient dry compartments to safely store our towels and personal items. The 20-minute ride out to Mauna Kea Bay at sunset was breathtaking—watching the sun set over the ocean was magical and memorable.

Once anchored, Captain Kieran and Azur, our guide, delivered a fantastic 15-minute briefing filled with manta ray history and hilarious names like Lana Del Ray, Billie Ray Cyrus, and clever Star Wars references (Mantalorian, Ray2D2, Princess Ray-a). Their enthusiasm and genuine love and respect for these incredible animals were evident.

The team was incredibly thoughtful, particularly with our young kids (ages 5.5 and 6.5). They timed their entry into the water perfectly, with Azur personally swimming each child to us at “peak ray” viewing time. When our children were ready to return to the boat—exactly as predicted about 20 minutes later—Azur kindly swam them back. Captain Kieran immediately got them comfortable, warmed up, and engaged them with snacks and fun science discussions, allowing the adults to continue enjoying the rays worry-free. It’s rare to see such careful attention and kindness toward families on excursions like this. (Note: kids do need basic swimming skills and comfort with snorkels.)

The manta experience itself was spectacular—we floated effortlessly, holding onto a specially designed paddleboard with pool noodles under our legs, comfortably watching three gentle rays flip and glide gracefully around us for a full 45 minutes. Azur shared fun facts and manta ray stories throughout, enriching the experience.

Returning under a stunning full moon rising over Mauna Kea, with stars and the Big Dipper shining brightly overhead, was the perfect finish. At the dock, Kieran and Azur conveniently AirDropped us all their photos and videos (included in the tour price), providing priceless memories.

A unique advantage of Liquid Hawaii is their exclusive Mauna Kea Bay location, far away from Kona’s crowded waters filled with many boats each night. We were completely alone, making the experience intimate and genuinely special. We loved this unforgettable adventure so much that we’re immediately sending the family members who didn’t go tonight!

Highly recommend Liquid Hawaii—this was even better manta ray snorkel experience than we could have dreamed of! Thanks Kieran and Azur - you...

Did the nighttime manta ray snorkel trip with Liquid Hawaii and it was phenomenal! Far exceeded our expectations! Amy & Yassi (sp?) were great. They were where they said they'd be and they were very nice, helpful & educational. It was just us and another group of 5 (total of 8 guests), so it was very comfortable. Boat was a rigid hull inflatable boat, so it's relatively small, but the trip to the snorkel location is only about 10 minutes. We had great weather and smooth seas the day we went - can't speak to what it would be like if the wind was blowing or the swells bigger. You snorkel in the bay in front of the Mauna Kea Resort Hotel. Amy dropped anchor and we started getting ready to get in the water. Yassi went through an educational presentation teaching us about the manta rays and what we should expect. Caught a beautiful sunset (complete with green flash) before we got in the water. Once in the water, the manta rays weren't showing up, so Amy swam and pulled us all (holding the light board) about 200 yards closer to shore where we eventually had the most magical experience with a manta ray for about 20-30 minutes I guess. Amy pulled us back to the boat and once everyone was back on board, we rode back to the dock. We were probably in the water a total of 45-60 minutes. Got back to the dock a little after 9pm (left at 6:30pm). Amy also took video during the encounter and Airdropped it to us all once back on the dock. We had a clear waterproof pouch that is designed for taking cell phone photos underwater. It worked well with a little practice. All in all, it was a fantastic experience - would HIGHLY recommend. There are other groups you can find that offer these trips, but Liquid Hawaii seemed reasonable in cost, and they are a small local company. Give them a shot -...

If you’re looking for an unforgettable freediving experience in Hawaii, look no further than Liquid Hawaii. My wife and I had a magical time that we will cherish forever. From start to finish, the entire experience was not only thrilling but deeply respectful of the ocean and its incredible creatures.

What sets Liquid Hawaii apart is their dedication to the ocean and its inhabitants. As part of the Manta Ray Alliance, they are actively involved in the protection and preservation of manta rays, which made our dives feel even more meaningful. You’re not just a customer here – you’re part of something bigger, a community that values conservation and respect for marine life.

We did two amazing dives: the Sea Turtle Dive and the Nighttime Manta Ray Dive. Both were absolutely worth every penny, and the memories we made will last a lifetime. The beauty and serenity of swimming alongside sea turtles and encountering the majestic manta rays under the stars was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Matt, our guide, was outstanding. He treated us like family, and his passion for freediving and the ocean was evident in every aspect of our trip. He made us feel safe, supported, and excited the entire time. It’s not just about the dives with Liquid Hawaii – it’s about the love of the ocean they share and the connections you make along the way.

If you want a truly special, respectful, and magical diving experience, Liquid Hawaii is the only company you should choose. We can't recommend them enough – Matt and his team are now...