Kona Manta Ray Dives

[mccabejc]

Anyone have a recommendation for a good Manta Ray dive op in Kona? I'm looking for a relatively inexpensive single night dive to check out them big fishies. Planning on doing the night dive on Thursday or Friday of next week (3/10 or 3/11).

The recommendations I've read so far are mostly for Jack's, but it looks like they only offer a two tank dive at $115. I also saw "wanna-dive-kona" for a single dive at $69. Are they pretty good?

Thanks.

 

[montyb]

Hi Jim:
I just got back from two weeks of diving with Steve at wanna dive - I'll be diving with them on my next two weeks. Price, comfort, helpfulness, you name it - go with them. You wont regret it.
montyb

 

[TwoTanks]

I did the manta ray night dive twice a few years back

The first time was with Kona Coast Divers and the second time was with Eco-Adventures.

They were both great operations, Kona coast has this submersable light plant that supposedly attracts the mantas better, but Eco-Adventures had a nicer boat for the ride.

With Eco-Adventures a video diver came with us and I bought a copy of the video.

I would recomend either one.

Reguardless of who you dive with, this will be a very memorable dive.

TT

 

[friscuba]

Sadly, Eco-Adventures is no longer around. Their boat is now doing the walewatch/historical tour thing for people on the cruise ships. These days there are a couple of videographers who work with the boats which don't have their own dedicated video diver, you should be able to get a viedo from pretty much any boat op making the trip most nights.

Aloha,

I did the manta ray night dive twice a few years back

The first time was with Kona Coast Divers and the second time was with Eco-Adventures.

They were both great operations, Kona coast has this submersable light plant that supposedly attracts the mantas better, but Eco-Adventures had a nicer boat for the ride.

With Eco-Adventures a video diver came with us and I bought a copy of the video.

I would recomend either one.

Reguardless of who you dive with, this will be a very memorable dive.

TT

 

[slingshot]

I did a Manta Ray dive (my first) with Kona Honu Divers on February 5th, but it was a two tank dive, which is their standard manta "package". Nice, roomy dive boat. Leaves about 3:30pm, first tank is a late afternoon dive at Garden Eel cove, then a dive at the same area after dark, which seems to be where most folks go for their manta encounters now (Jack's was out there, and a few six packs). The first dive was actually better than I expected, saw a frogfish, a fuschia flatworm, lots of eels. When the mantas showed up, the second dive became the highlight of my trip. Very graceful. I hope you have a fun dive, whomever you go with.

 

[gkndivebum]

Keith at DiveTEK Adventures / Kona Diving Adventures sometimes runs single tank night charters as well...

(fwiw I dive quite often with DiveTEK)

 

[Mark Goodchild]

I've a report on my site that you might be interested in.

If you need more information I'm sure john who wrote the article could help!

http://www.zerovisibility.co.uk/Reports/HawaiitripreportJohnEasley.htm

Hope this helps.

 

[WileEDiver]

Keith at DiveTEK Adventures / Kona Diving Adventures sometimes runs single tank night charters as well...

(fwiw I dive quite often with DiveTEK)

I strongly recommend diving with these guys. They do a great job!

 

[bob1dp]

Kona Divers was great. It was one of the most fun dives I've done. I bought the video and still enjoy it.

 

[Mantasscareme]

Jacks Diving Locker is very professional but usually booked far in advance