has anyone done this ,is so can you recommend a company to go with ?
we do not want to be on a cattle boat

Moving this to the top. I woul dbe interested in know ing also. We plan on trying this in May. A site I was told about is: http://www.eco-adventure.com/
Duane

I went with Jacks Dive Locker a few years ago, and it was the most incredible dive of my life. They are located night next to the Hard Rock Cafe in Kona. They take you on a two tank dive, the first before sunset, where they let you pretty much do your own thing,,,you can dive your computer and stay down as long as you like.
The night Manta dive was unreal. One of those "once in a lifetime" thrills.

Hi, I've been on the boat, but not the dive...that night the mantas didn't arrive & there were a lot of boats in the area. I wonder where the manta dive is now, as the hotel that had the light for that cove is closed. I don't see any manta dives listed on the eco-adventure site, but one listed on Jack's. Jack's is a very good dive outfit & the site says 12 divers & some snorkelers..so not a crowd. I hope you get to see them as it is quite a sight. tho never in the water with them, which would be incredible..I did view them from the hotel roof when I attended a party there...most of us were watching the mantas rather than enjoying our friends inside at the buffet.
Another place to see mantas is Mauna Kea Hotel, a path on the north side of the beach leads to a lighted cove where the mantas gather. It is always best at high tide, so try to choose the night with the highest tide. Aloha, Linda

Thanks,thats the second person to suggest jacks diving locker.can anyone give me an update on the hotel being closed?

Great info. I look up Jacks.
Thanks!
Duane

Don't sharks feed at night ?

yes sharks do feed at night, why ?

Simply put, sharks eat people.
Especially at night.
Especially in deep water.

put simply
sharks do not eat people(thay sometimes attack by mistake)
most shark attacks happen during the day(sufers and body boarders are most at risk)
most attacks happen in quite shallow water.
Jaws was just a film !!!

You just keep thinking that.
And how long have you been a marine biologist?

By the way, I like sharks.
You always know where you stand (er, float) with a shark.

Iam not a marine biologist,but maybe you would like some stastistics as to real shark behaviour. have you ever been diving when sharks are present?its awesome,thought personally I think barracudas are a bit more scary.try this link for REAL FACTS. http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/Sharks...statistics.htm

I have been a certified diver for more years than I can count. I have dived in many parts of the world, including South Africa.

I happen to think that these "tours" that say they will take you to swim with dolphins, sharks, manta rays, etc are a good way that harmless people wind up getting hurt, or the poor sea life winds up getting frightened beyond belief.

In fact, many countries (and certain states in the US) have banned a number of these tour operators.

Now, is it wonderful to see any of these creatures in the wild? It sure the heck is. But to take boat loads of people (which invariably is what happens . Look at Belize. Someone started taking people out to "pet" the sharks and the next thing you know you have boat after boat, chockful of people, wanting to pet a shark. Guess what, someone got bitten. Gee, who'd have figured that.)

If you know so much about diving, go out on your own (with some friends). Nothing more thrilling than a night dive with 3 or 4 people.

marlin,
as a diver for more years than you can count you must realise that telling me to go diving to a place i have never been before without a guide is not very safe advice .as only my husband and i are going to hawaii we would be just one buddy pair.
we too have been diving in south africa
most of the problems with divers and sharks come from baiting which i completly disagree with.
if you read my original post i was asking for advice of a good diving company NOT a cattle boat as we would like to dive with the rays without the circus atmoshere.
everytime you or I get in the water we interact with marine life is that irresponsible too ???

Sharks eat people, at night, in deep water????? oh come on Marlin, if you have been diving as long as you say, you KNOW thats not true..the majority of shark "attacks" are in shallow water,
low vis, just off shore. A surfer looks alot like a seal to them from below.
You can count on your hands and toes the number of people attacked in open water, at depth in the past 20 years.
Unless provoked, sharks pretty much keep their distance. Although, I've had a few swim by to get a closer look.

Sorry to try to get the thread back on topic, but the manta ray dive tours usually involve a bank of bright underwater lights that attract manta rays, but not too many other denizens of the deep. I don't think that any baiting is involved in attracting the rays to the dive site.