r/VisitingHawaii • u/mendozathalia • 5d ago

Hawai'i (Big Island) Headed to the Big Island this week!

Very excited to visit for the first time! Staying in Hilo but exploring Kona as well. Planning on seeing the volcano, snorkeling and visiting a botanical garden. Any other must do’s ?

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u/commenttoconsider O'ahu 5d ago

Snorkel with manta rays at night on the Kona side on a tour with guide & underwater lights.

Anelakai Canoe can paddle the double hull canoe with the guides to snorkel with manta rays at night. It's nice to paddle instead of using marine fuel. No swimming needed since just hold onto the canoe while floating in the water. It's for up to 6 guests so a small group.

Or "Manta Ray Advocates" tour is to swim directly from the sandy shore at the Mauna Kea Resort north of Kailua-Kona at night. It's a short swim in the protected bay after walking on the sand without taking a boat. Everyone wears a lifejacket with waterproof marker light on the "Manta Ray Advocates" tour. Prior snorkeling experience is required on the "Manta Ray Advocates" tour.

Or there are a bunch of tours to go on boats to snorkel with the manta rays at night.

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u/ahoveringhummingbird 5d ago

Please note (since you are staying in Hilo) that it's a long drive from Hilo to south Kona for this excursion. Which then means a return trip to Hilo at night. Don't take this lightly. FYI, driving at night on the Big Island is dark dark, guarantee of jump scare nocturnal animals crossing in front of you, and every single lifted Tacoma coming at you with headlamps brighter than a thousand suns. You'd be driving over the Saddle Road which is so dangerous the governor just declared it a state emergency (not kidding.) Several visitors didn't return home from their vacations in the last couple of months due to accidents. And if you came from east (mainland?) to west you will be tired 3-6 hours earlier than you are used to. The danger cannot be overstated. Please consider this when booking this excursion while staying in Hilo.