We visited the Big Island in June 2018 for the first time. My in laws brought all of their children, their children's spouses and grandchildren and everyone stayed in a home in Kona.

The main purpose of coming to the Big Island was to participate in the Manta Ray night dive. Our daughters that are 15 and 13 years old were able to get scuba certified just prior to our trip so they could participate.

Those that weren't certified, including our younger boys, were able to still see the Manta Rays while snorkeling.

This was an exprience we'll never forget. The dive guides created a "campfire" with several high lumens lights and all of the divers sat around the "campfire" with their own personal lights aimed towards the surface. The lights attract plankton which is the main feeding source for these Manta Rays.

For 35 minutes we were able to sit on the ocean floor 40 feet down and watch these incredible animals gracefully swoop through the water to gather plankton. They often swooped inches over our heads as they went back and forth.

Each Manta Ray has a unique W like mark on their underside and this has allowed researchers to identify and name them. Some of these Manta Rays have been coming to this same bay for decades.

This was the most incredible dive I have ever participated in. If you have the chance to do it I would highly recommend it.