Aloha Reader,

November is almost here, and with it comes winter on the water.

Hawaiʻi’s big-surf season runs from November through mid-April. Storms far out in the North Pacific generate large waves that travel toward the islands and reach the north and west shores of the Big Island - including the Kona/Kohala coast, where we (and other operators) run our manta ray tours.

When a big swell rolls in, the surface gets choppy, sand lifts off the bottom, and visibility drops. We enter from shore, and getting a group safely in and out through the break isn’t a risk we’re willing to take. Boat tours often cancel too when it’s this rough, and the ones that do head out are in for a rock-and-roll adventure from the moment they leave the harbor.

And these aren’t rare exceptions. Our 2025 statistics tell the story: we called off 28 nights in January (we got in the water only three times all month), and February brought no tours at all.

In case you’re wondering, the mantas don’t go anywhere. Reef mantas aren’t migratory - they live along this coast year-round. They simply stay away from the viewing sites when the ocean is stirred up and murky. And when a short window of calm opens up, there’s no guarantee they’ll find their way back into the bay in time.

Plenty of visitors (we lovingly call them snowbirds) trade the cold mainland for Kona’s sunshine during these months - and even when the ocean isn’t cooperating, the weather is almost always beautiful. If you book a tour with us, just come prepared:

• Keep a spare night in your schedule if you can.
• If we cancel, we’ll do our best to rebook you on another date. If that’s not possible, you’ll receive a full refund.
• ​Reach out anytime with questions.​

To learn more, read about the best time to see manta rays in Hawaii or see what a night in the water looks like this time of year - we’ve added videos that show the difference from summer.

We’d much rather tell you now than have you find out the night of your tour.

Warmest Aloha, Martina

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