Big Island Manta Ray Night Snorkel
$94per person
See dates & pricesBig Island, Hawaii · 162 trips compared
Big Island excursions: volcanoes by day, manta rays by night
The island of Hawaii is larger than all the other Hawaiian islands together, and its best trips happen at very different times of day. These Big Island excursions compare the tours travellers rate best.
We earn a commission when you book through our links. You pay the same price as on Viator or GetYourGuide. How we compare trips
Compare at a glance
Which Big Island excursion fits your day?
Start times and lengths are typical for the tours listed below. Prices are the lowest per-person price among them on 12 November 2026.
| Excursion | Starts | Takes | From | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manta ray night snorkel | Evening, around sunset | About 2 hours | $94 | Gliding mantas under lights |
| Hawaii Volcanoes National Park | Early pick-up from Kona or Hilo | 10 to 12 hours from Kona | $208 | Craters, lava fields and steam vents |
| Mauna Kea summit and stars | Afternoon pick-up | 7 to 8 hours | $260 | Sunset above the clouds, then stars |
| Waterfalls and the Hilo side | Morning | Half or full day | $246 | Rainbow Falls and Akaka Falls |
| Kona coffee and snorkeling | Morning | 2 to 5 hours | $76 | Coffee farms and calm bays |
01
Manta ray night snorkel
Evening, around sunsetAbout 2 hoursGliding mantas under lights
Off the Kona coast, boats switch on strong lights after dark. The light attracts plankton, and manta rays come to feed on it, sometimes just below your mask. You float at the surface and hold on to a lit board, so you do not need to dive.
Partner links: we earn a commission, your price stays the same.
Kailua Kona: Night Manta Ray Adventure on the Big Island
$122per person
See dates & prices
Manta Magic: Small-Group Manta Ray Night Snorkel in Kailua Kona
$145per person
See dates & prices02
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Early pick-up from Kona or Hilo10 to 12 hours from KonaCraters, lava fields and steam vents
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park lies on the south-east side of the island, about two and a half hours by car from Kona and less than an hour from Hilo. Tours visit the Kilauea crater, lava tubes and steam vents. Whether lava is glowing depends on the volcano on the day.
Partner links: we earn a commission, your price stays the same.
Big Island in a Day: Volcanoes Waterfalls Sightseeing and History
$276per person
See dates & prices
Small Group Big Island Twilight Volcano and Stargazing Tour
$309per person
See dates & prices
Big Island: Fat Tire E-Bike Tour through Volcanoes National Park
$208per person
See dates & pricesWhen the Big Island's best trips happen
One island, around the clock
Kona coffee and snorkel boats start in the morning, the volcano takes the whole day, Mauna Kea and the manta rays belong to the evening. Times are typical for the tours listed below.
03
Mauna Kea summit and stars
Afternoon pick-up7 to 8 hoursSunset above the clouds, then stars
Mauna Kea rises 13,803 feet above the sea and has some of the clearest skies on Earth, which is why so many observatories stand on top. Tours drive you up for sunset and then show you the stars through telescopes lower down. Most tours lend you warm parkas and set a minimum age because of the altitude.
Partner links: we earn a commission, your price stays the same.
Big Island: Mauna Kea Summit and Stars Small-Group Adventure Tour
$330per person
See dates & prices
Big Island: Mauna Kea Summit Tour with Free Night Star Photo
$290per person
See dates & prices
Big Island GOAT Experience: Mauna Kea Summit, Sunset & Stars
$260per person
See dates & prices04
Waterfalls and the Hilo side
MorningHalf or full dayRainbow Falls and Akaka Falls
The east side of the island is wet and green. Rainbow Falls lies right in Hilo, and Akaka Falls drops about 440 feet into a gorge north of the town. Tours often combine the waterfalls with a stop at a black-sand beach.
Partner links: we earn a commission, your price stays the same.
Big Island Highlights: Coffee, Volcano, Black Sands & Waterfall
$299per person
See dates & prices
Big Island: 9-Line Waterfall Zipline Experience
$277per person
See dates & prices
Big Island Zipline Tour Near Akaka Falls (250-ft Waterfall!)
$246per person
See dates & prices05
Kona coffee and snorkeling
Morning2 to 5 hoursCoffee farms and calm bays
Only coffee grown in the North and South Kona districts, on the slopes above the Kona coast, may be sold as Kona coffee. Farm tours show you how the beans are picked and roasted, and end with a tasting. Snorkel boats from Kona head for calm bays such as Kealakekua.
Partner links: we earn a commission, your price stays the same.
Kona’s Best Morning Snorkel: Captain Cook & Kealakekua Bay
$194per person
See dates & prices
Big Island: Captain Cook Snorkel On A Power Catamaran With Lunch
$76per person
See dates & prices
Kealakekua Bay (Captain Cook Monument) Snorkel and Sail Adventure
$189per person
See dates & pricesBig Island questions
Good to know before you book a Big Island excursion
What is the best excursion on the Big Island?
The two favourites are a full-day tour to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and the manta ray night snorkel off Kona, each with thousands of reviews. From Kona the volcano trip takes a full day, while the manta snorkel takes about two hours in the evening.
Can I see lava on the Big Island?
Sometimes. Kilauea erupts in phases, and glowing lava is only visible during an eruption. Check the current status on the national park website before you book a lava tour.
Is the Mauna Kea tour suitable for children?
Most Mauna Kea summit tours set a minimum age, often 13 or 16, because of the thin air at nearly 14,000 feet. Stargazing tours that stay lower on the mountain often welcome younger children.
More islands
