In Reply to: Manta Dive in Kona posted by Ross Widel on July 07, 2011 at 15:10:41:

I did the manta dive with a charter once and it was fun but when I went back a few years later with my kids we snorkeled out in front of the Sheraton and saw plenty of mantas attracted by the flood lights from the hotel (we each had a dive light too).

It was about a 100 yard swim from the boat ramp to the area where we saw the rays and we were within 30 yards of shore the whole time. My kids (4 and 9 at the time) had a blast.

Also, if you swim in the bay near the Captain Cook monument, there's a good chance you'll see wild dolphins.

Personally, I saw more interesting stuff snorkeling in Kona than when I was diving.