5 hours · Ages 10+
2-Tank Night Manta Dive Charter
Sunset reef dive, then the mantas.
| Certified diver | $219 |
|---|
Editorial spotlight · Honokohau Harbor, Kona
2026 Golden Lei Awards nomineeBest Manta Night Dive
Kona Honu Divers
The Kona dive operation that swept all seven categories of Scuba Diving magazine's Readers' Choice awards: a two-tank manta ray night dive with free nitrox, hot showers on a 46-foot Newton, a six-diver blackwater night dive for experienced divers, and morning two-tanks along the Kona coast.
- Manta night dive
- $219
- 2-tank morning
- $199
- Tripadvisor
- 4.8
- Reviews
- 1,830
Editorial spotlight. Kona Honu Divers is a nominee in the 2026 Golden Lei Awards. They did not pay for this page and had no say in it. We earn a commission when you book through the links here; your price is the same.
The team
A PADI Five Star center with a published crew
The team page names Jeff Jones as general manager, Sarah Milisen as director of education, Kevin S. as instructor and head of training, and Jeff Milisen as blackwater master and photographer; the owner is listed only as “Marty.” A December 2023 Big Island Now feature names Byron Kay as owner since 2015, while the team page lists Byron as director of marketing, so we leave ownership to the operator to confirm.
The boats are Honu One, a 46-foot Newton with a Coast Guard limit of 49 that the company caps at 18 divers on the manta dive, and Honu Lele, a 33-foot World Cat for six divers and a guide. The company says mantas show about 80 percent of the time; if not, the second dive becomes a night reef dive. Across 1,830 reviews, 2 percent are Terrible; the recurring gripes are a six-to-one diver ratio and an unremarkable first afternoon site.
“80% of the time.”
- JJ
General manager
Jeff Jones
- SM
Director of education
Sarah Milisen
- KS
Instructor, head of training
Kevin S.
- JM
Blackwater master, photographer
Jeff Milisen
Titles as published on the team page; ownership is left for the operator to confirm.
The one to book
2-Tank Night Manta Dive
Five hours from Honokohau Harbor: a sunset reef dive, then the manta site after dark with dive lights. Guide, tanks (air or free nitrox), weights, dive light, snacks, a hot shower and a marine head are included, per the tour page.
Open Water or higher, a dive within the last two years, no heart conditions; ages 12 to 17 with a parent or guardian, and 10 to 11 only with a private guide. Cancel or rebook up to 72 hours before.
| Certified diver | $219 |
|---|---|
| 2-tank morning | $199 |
| Blackwater night dive | $239 |
Before tax and fees; the company says prices vary by demand. Checked against FareHarbor on October 1, 2026.
Check AvailabilityThe boats
Honu One and Honu Lele
Per the company's About page.
Honu One
- Type
- 46 ft Newton custom dive boat
- Capacity
- USCG 49; 18 divers on the manta dive
- Comforts
- Hot showers, padded seating, shaded upper deck
Honu Lele
- Type
- 33 ft World Cat power catamaran
- Divers
- 6 plus a guide
Book it
Dives
Per person before tax and fees. Checked against FareHarbor on October 1, 2026.
5 hours · Ages 10+
2-Tank Local Morning Dive Charter
Two Kona coast sites; observers ride for $99.
| Certified diver | $199 |
|---|---|
| Refresher dive | $299 |
3 hours · Ages 18+ · Max 6
Black Water Night Dive
Drift in open ocean after dark over thousands of feet of water. 50+ logged dives and a dive within six months required.
| Certified diver | $239 |
|---|
7 hours · Ages 18+
Premium Advanced 2-Tank Long Range Charter
Farther sites for advanced divers.
| Certified diver | $289 |
|---|
5 hours · Ages 18+
Discover Scuba Diving Experience
A first dive from the boat, no certification needed.
| Per person | $449 |
|---|
Also listed: private charters on both boats, PADI Open Water and Advanced courses, and freediving and spearfishing courses.
Before you go
Know before you go
Where
The company's slip at Honokohau Harbor, Kailua-Kona; the retail shop is on Luhia Street.
Requirements
Manta dive: Open Water or higher, a dive within two years, no heart conditions, conversational English. Blackwater: 50+ dives, 18+, a dive within six months.
Cancellation
Manta dive: cancel or rebook up to 72 hours ahead. Weather policy not published.
Nitrox
Free on the manta dive, per the tour page.
Reviews
What guests say
- 4.8Tripadvisor1,830 reviews as of October 1, 2026
- 2023Readers' ChoiceBest overall operation, Pacific and Indian Oceans, Scuba Diving magazine
- PADIFive StarPer the company
Reviewers praise the manta encounter, the boat comforts and the photography-minded crew; the recurring complaints are the diver-to-guide ratio and a dull first afternoon site.
Questions
Good to know
Where does it leave from?
Honokohau Harbor, Kona.
What does the manta dive cost?
$219 before tax. Checked October 1, 2026.
Will I see mantas?
About 80 percent of the time, per the company; otherwise a night reef dive.
Can non-divers come?
Observers ride the morning charter for $99; Discover Scuba is $449.
Dive with Kona's mantas
A Readers' Choice dive center with free nitrox and hot showers.
Check Availability