Activities · Destination Guide
Hawaii Island Big Island Usa
Year-round mantas, lava-formed reefs, and easy access to deep blue water
Updated Oct 30, 2025 • 20 sources
Hawaii Island (The Big Island) Activity Planning
Pick an activity mode to compare signature sites, skill fit, and gear planning notes before you lock your trip.
Scuba
What It Feels Like
Kona's leeward reefs and quick-access bluewater deliver diverse diving in compact travel days. Signature experiences include the manta ray night dive and the pelagic blackwater drift. Reefs feature lava tubes and arches, turtle cleaning stations, and occasional pelagics. Established operators like Jack's Diving Locker, Big Island Divers, and Kona Honu Divers run daily boats and night trips.
Signature Sites
Start Here
Day dive on a sandy plateau with garden eels, rays, and visiting pelagics.
Lava arches and reef fish schools on the Kona coast.
Offshore pinnacle with schooling fish and clear water.
Level Up
South Kona manta option near shore with easy access.
North KonaKohala shoreline with lava benches, turtles, and micro topography.
Advanced
Manta Ray Heaven, Garden Eel Cove
Kona's marquee manta site with frequent nighttime feeding passes overhead.
Planning Playbook
Operator Checklist
- Book manta and blackwater nights early.
- Bring a primary and backup light for night dives. SMB and whistle are standard on Kona boats.
- Use day-use moorings with operators. No glove use on coral and no touching mantas or turtles.
- Operators: Jack's Diving Locker runs manta and Pelagic Magic trips. Big Island Divers offers manta and blackwater. Kona Honu Divers runs manta and blackwater programs.
Conditions Fallback
- If surgey lava entries shifts, confirm site selection with your operator before departure.
Avoid
- Do not ignore surgey lava entries advisories from local operators.