WAIMEA SCUBA FIELD GUIDE
Under Waimea’s Night Sky: A Private Boat Swim with Giant Mantas
A two-hour private night dive and snorkel in Waimea with Captain Chad's Charters for up to six guests, offering an intimate encounter with manta rays where Hawaii is the only place in the world to do this at night.
Under Waimea’s Night Sky: A Private Boat Swim with Giant Mantas.
Adventure brief
Under Waimea’s Night Sky: A Private Boat Swim with Giant Mantas
Dive into a short, electric night on the Kona coast: Hawaii’s signature manta-ray experience, offered as a private boat outing by Captain Chad's Charters. Limited to six guests, the trip promises a personal, safe, and intimate two-hour encounter beneath the stars with gentle manta rays—the only place on earth where these night swims take place.
Experience the magic of swimming alongside graceful manta rays during a private night scuba-snorkel adventure off the coast of Waimea, Hawaii. Captain Chad's Charters offers an intimate journey with no more than six guests, ensuring personalized attention and a peaceful escape from crowded tours. As darkness falls over the Pacific, the water comes alive with bioluminescent plankton, attracting majestic manta rays that glide effortlessly around your group. Guided by Captain Chad's expertise, you'll enjoy a safe and unforgettable encounter with these gentle giants in their natural habitat. This exclusive excursion highlights Hawaii's unique marine biodiversity and provides a rare opportunity to connect deeply with ocean life beneath a starlit sky. Whether you're an experienced diver or a first-time snorkeler, this trip is crafted for comfort, excitement, and memories that endure long after you leave the water. Come prepared for a night filled with wonder and discovery in one of the world's most legendary manta ray viewing spots.
Route Schematic
Route Schematic
The outing follows a short private-boat itinerary focused entirely on a night manta snorkel/dive within a two-hour window.
Board Private Charter
Guests board the private boat for the short nighttime excursion with Captain Chad's Charters.
Night Snorkel/Dive with Manta Rays
The central stop is the night snorkel and scuba opportunity to swim with gentle manta rays—the hallmark of this experience.
Return to Shore
After the two-hour outing the boat returns to shore, concluding the private night encounter.
Note: this is a night dive/snorkel lasting approximately two hours and operated as a small-group private charter; assess your comfort with nighttime water activity before booking.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Night Swim with Gentle Manta Rays
Hawaii is the only place in the world where you can swim with manta rays at night—an otherworldly encounter with the species in low light that defines this outing.
Private, Intimate Boat Experience
Operated by Captain Chad's Charters with a maximum of six guests, the private boat format is designed to avoid large crowds and deliver a personal, memorable ocean experience.
Two Hours Under the Stars
A concise two-hour excursion focused on a night dive and snorkel, concentrated around the brief, luminous time when mantas feed and glide through the water.
What the day feels like
What This Night Feels Like
Over the course of two hours you join a small, private boat group led by Captain Chad for a night dive and snorkel designed to put you in the water with manta rays beneath the stars. The emphasis is on a safe, personal encounter—an escape from the larger, daytime crowds and a compact, unforgettable marine encounter.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this trip suits—and who it doesn’t.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
The experience runs approximately 2 hours.
This is a night dive and snorkel (Scuba topic).
Maximum of six guests to keep the outing private and intimate.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the Manta Ray Experience Private Boat trip?
The trip duration is approximately 2 hours.
How many people are on each charter?
Each outing is limited to a maximum of six guests.
Who operates the manta night swims?
The experience is run by Captain Chad's Charters.
Is this a night activity?
Yes. This is a night dive and snorkel—the experience centers on swimming with manta rays after dark.
Is Hawaii unique for night manta swims?
Yes. Hawaii is the only place in the world where you can swim with manta rays at night.
Will the trip feel private or crowded?
The charter is promoted as a private, personal experience intended to escape the large crowds, with a six-guest maximum for intimacy.
How this guide was prepared
This field guide is synthesized using verified supplier specifications, route descriptions, and destination data. Some booking links may generate affiliate revenue for ADV Guides.
- Verified: 2026-08-13T21:21:39.925Z
Some booking links may generate revenue for ADV Guides or The Adventure Collective.
Availability, pricing, schedules and operating details can change.
Trip details and contextual sources were reviewed by ADV Guides Editorial.