Manta Rays in Hawaii in May
Yes, May is one of the best months to see manta rays in Hawaii. It is the 3rd busiest month of the year, with 66 of the 610 sightings logged across the year (10.8%), based on verified iNaturalist records.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Peak month for manta rays in Hawaii
10.8%
of yearly sightings
66
records in May
#3
busiest month of 12
610
verified records a year
April 9.5%, May 10.8%, June 8.2%. Busiest month is December at 13.3%.
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)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 45 | 7.4% |
| February | 26 | 4.3% |
| March | 45 | 7.4% |
| April | 58 | 9.5% |
| Maypeak | 66 | 10.8% |
| June | 50 | 8.2% |
| July | 39 | 6.4% |
| August | 43 | 7% |
| September | 48 | 7.9% |
| October | 40 | 6.6% |
| Novemberpeak | 69 | 11.3% |
| Decemberpeak | 81 | 13.3% |
Manta Rays you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Reef Manta Ray | 592 |
| Oceanic Manta Ray | 8 |
In Hawaii, May carries 10.8% of the year's manta rays sightings, about 2.5 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 3rd busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from April (9.5%) into May, and it heads toward June (8.2%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so May is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The manta rays most often recorded in Hawaii are Reef Manta Ray and Oceanic Manta Ray. Those counts are annual totals rather than a May split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in May itself.
Which manta rays you are most likely to see
- Reef Manta Ray592 records
- Oceanic Manta Ray8 records
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.
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Live tours nearbySee live tours near Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main manta ray viewing area.
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Frequently asked questions
Can you see manta rays in Hawaii in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 66 of the 610 verified manta rays sightings logged in Hawaii across the year, which is 10.8% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see manta rays in Hawaii?+
May is one of the best months. It ranks 3rd of the year and sits inside the peak window of December, November and May.
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.
See manta rays in Hawaii in other months
More wildlife in Hawaii