Manta Rays in Hawaii in June

Yes, June is a good month to see manta rays in Hawaii. It is the 5th busiest month of the year, with 50 of the 610 sightings logged across the year (8.2%), based on verified iNaturalist records.

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By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.

Reef Manta Ray photographed in HawaiiReef Manta Ray photographed in HawaiiReef Manta Ray photographed in Hawaii
Photos by iNaturalist observers, used under Creative Commons.

Good month for manta rays in Hawaii

8.2%

of yearly sightings

50

records in June

#5

busiest month of 12

610

verified records a year

May 10.8%, June 8.2%, July 6.4%. Busiest month is December at 13.3%.

Best months: December, November, May

610 verified observations of manta rays in Hawaii, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.

When manta rays are recorded in Hawaii

Peak month

December

81 records (13.3% of the year)

Quietest month

February

26 records

MonthObservationsShare
January457.4%
February264.3%
March457.4%
April589.5%
Maypeak6610.8%
June508.2%
July396.4%
August437%
September487.9%
October406.6%
Novemberpeak6911.3%
Decemberpeak8113.3%

Manta Rays you are most likely to see

SpeciesVerified observations
Reef Manta Ray592
Oceanic Manta Ray8

In Hawaii, June carries 8.2% of the year's manta rays sightings, about 0.1 points below an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 5th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.

Activity is easing off from May (10.8%) into June, and it heads toward July (6.4%) after. The busiest month is December (13.3%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.

The manta rays most often recorded in Hawaii are Reef Manta Ray and Oceanic Manta Ray. Those counts are annual totals rather than a June split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in June itself.

Which manta rays you are most likely to see

  • Reef Manta Ray592 records
  • Oceanic Manta Ray8 records
Plan your tripAla Kahakai National Historic Trail

Plan your manta ray trip in Hawaii

Start with live tours near Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.

Frequently asked questions

Can you see manta rays in Hawaii in June?+

Yes. June accounts for 50 of the 610 verified manta rays sightings logged in Hawaii across the year, which is 8.2% of the annual total.

Is June a good time to see manta rays in Hawaii?+

June is the 5th busiest month. It is workable, though December and November is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.

What month is best for manta rays in Hawaii?+

December is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through December, November and May, based on 610 verified observations.

Which manta rays are you most likely to see in Hawaii?+

The most-recorded species in Hawaii are Reef Manta Ray and Oceanic Manta Ray, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.