Five night adventures of the world: manta rays, glowing bay and Petra by candlelight

At night, the familiar world changes its rules. The water in the bay lights up with every paddle stroke, the zoo wakes up around midnight, and a rock city greets its guests by the light of a thousand candles.

We've put together five nighttime adventures in different corners of the planet. Tickets for most of them are sold with a date and entry time, and the entrance to the Petra gorge opens only at 8:30 PM.

Five places in this roundup: Kona on Hawaii, the glowing bay on Vieques Island, Night Safari in Singapore, an evening tour of Alcatraz, and Petra by candlelight in Jordan.

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What awaits you at night

💡 In short:

• Kona, Hawaii: swimming with manta rays in the glow of spotlights.
• Vieques, Puerto Rico: the glowing Mosquito Bay.
• Singapore: the Night Safari park and a tram ride through the tropical forest.
• San Francisco: an evening tour of the Alcatraz prison island.
• Jordan: the Petra gorge by candlelight and the Al-Khazneh facade.
• Prices and hours: As of 09/2026, from the official websites in the table, for Petra on the official Petra by Night website.

1. Night swimming with manta rays in Kona

Manta rays belong to the ray family and resemble silent wings gliding through the water. Some individuals exceed five meters in width, which is why locals nicknamed them "sea devils."

© Female_scuba_diver_swims_with_a_young_male_Manta_ray_-_Kona_district,_Hawaii.jpg : Steve Dunleavy from Lake Tahoe, NV, U · CC BYPhoto: Female_scuba_diver_swims_with_a_young_male_Manta_ray_-_Kona_district,_Hawaii.jpg : Steve Dunleavy from Lake Tahoe, NV, U, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), Wikimedia Commons

During the day, manta rays are rarely seen near the Hawaiian coast; they feed at depth. But after sunset, plankton draws them to the surface, illuminated by spotlights from the boat.

The main action takes place off the coast of Kona on the island of Hawaii. This is where boats head out to the Manta Village reef, where manta rays gather almost every evening.

No diving experience is needed. An instructor keeps you at the surface and guides you toward the animals, and hands beginners a life vest.

Manta rays are safe for humans: they have no teeth or venom, and they won't attack. The only thing that can get in the way is the weather; when the swell is strong, some tours are canceled.

• How to get there: Kona Airport (KOA), Honokohau Harbor exit, about 15 minutes from Kona (on the map).
• Cost: night snorkeling from $140 per person (as of 09/2026, operator's website).
• Who it's for / Not for: for those who can lie calmly face down on the water; if you're afraid of deep water, a boat option without getting in the water works better.
• The catch: even an operator with a hit rate above 95% doesn't promise a 100% encounter (as of 09/2026, The Manta Snorkel Co).
• Night dive with manta rays on GetYourGuide

2. Bioluminescent bay on Vieques

Mosquito Bay lies on the island of Vieques, reached by ferry from Ceiba. After sunset its water lights up blue and green, and on a good evening you can see the glow right from the shore.

The light comes from dinoflagellates, tiny single-celled organisms. Any movement makes them flash, so your kayak leaves a glowing trail behind you.

The density of these organisms here is among the highest on the planet, and the bay is called one of the brightest bioluminescent bays in the world. Staying overnight on Vieques itself lets you make a late departure without rushing.

• How to get there: ferry from Ceiba to Vieques, then to the bay only with a licensed operator (according to the tourist office).
• Cost: check tour prices with operators; in high season a kayak is cheaper than a boat.
• Who it's for / Not for: for a romantic evening and unusual photos; a late departure is tiring for small children.
• The catch: the bay is popular, and slots for the best evenings book up in advance.
• Bioluminescent tour on Vieques

3. Night Safari in Singapore

Night Safari operates as a separate park within Mandai Wildlife Reserve and opens in the evening. It showcases animals that are active in the dark, from big cats to tapirs.

© Orderinchaos · CC BY-SAPhoto: Orderinchaos, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

The core of the experience is a tram ride through the rainforest. The guide lights up the animals with soft, moon-like light, so you see them without flashes or noise.

The tram is complemented by walking trails along the enclosures. This format works well with kids: you ride part of the way, walk part of it yourself, and decide where to linger.

• Hours: the park welcomes guests in the evening and until midnight (according to Mandai Wildlife Reserve).
• Cost: a ticket for a local resident is cheaper than for a tourist. Buy online with a date and entry time.
• Who it's for / Not for: for families with kids and for those who find a lot of walking difficult; viewing from the late tram is more relaxed.
• The catch: you won't see all the residents in one evening, the animals roam freely and hide.
• Night Safari tickets with a date

4. Night tour of Alcatraz

Alcatraz served as a federal prison on an island in San Francisco Bay. The most dangerous prisoners in the US were sent here, and officially no one ever escaped.

© Emily Mathews from Ann Arbor, MI · CC BYPhoto: Emily Mathews from Ann Arbor, MI, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), Wikimedia Commons

During the day, visitors are admitted in large groups, while the evening tour has a limited number of guests. The ferry departs from Pier 33, and the crossing takes about 15 minutes (according to the map).

A separate part of the program is an audio tour through the cells and corridors. The voices on the recording belong to real guards and inmates, so you hear authentic accounts rather than actors.

The evening format isn't for everyone. The program keeps a somber tone, and the return ferry brings you back to the city after dark.

• Hours: evening tours don't run every day; check the schedule and tickets with the National Park Service.
• Cost: the evening tour is more expensive than the daytime one, and tickets sell out weeks in advance.
• Who it's for / Not for: for adults and teenagers; the somber program isn't suitable for young children.
• The catch: the tour is designed for strong nerves; the isolation unit and guard cells make a powerful impression.
• Alcatraz evening tour on GetYourGuide

5. Petra by candlelight in Jordan

Petra is carved directly into the rock, and at night it looks completely different. About an hour after sunset, the Siq canyon is lit with thousands of candles, and you walk through it to the facade of Al-Khazneh.

© Mustafa Waad Saeed · CC BY-SAPhoto: Mustafa Waad Saeed, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

The Petra by Night program runs on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, from 8:30 PM to 10:30 PM (as of 09/2026, official Petra by Night website).

You walk on sand for about 1.2 km from the entrance to the square in front of Al-Khazneh (according to the map). Music plays along the way, and at the facade guests are seated on rugs right under the rock.

• Hours: Mon, Wed, Thu, 8:30 PM to 10:30 PM; in bad weather the evening is rescheduled (as of 09/2026, Petra by Night).
• Cost: the evening ticket is sold separately from the daytime one; check the price on the organizer's website.
• Getting there: Wadi Musa, then on foot through the Siq canyon to Al-Khazneh.
• The catch: you'll have to walk on uneven sand in the dark, so wear comfortable shoes.
• Petra by candlelight tours on GetYourGuide

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

How much does a night adventure cost?

Prices depend on the operator and the format. Evening slots at Alcatraz are more expensive than daytime ones. Check exact prices on the official websites of the sites before buying.

Do you need to book night tours in advance?

Yes, almost everywhere. Evening slots at Alcatraz sell out weeks ahead, Mosquito Bay has a limited number of boats, and Petra welcomes guests only three evenings a week. In high season, book your date right after buying your flights.

What should you bring on a night adventure?

A warm jacket, comfortable shoes, and a power bank. On the water near Kona, a towel comes in handy. Filming rules on evening tours vary, so check them with the operator in advance so you don't leave your camera on the boat.

Is this kind of adventure suitable for kids?

Some programs are designed for adults. Night Safari in Singapore is family-friendly, and part of the route is done by tram. Evening Alcatraz and the long walks through Petra are better planned for teenagers; they would be tough for little ones.

When is the best time to go?

Evening programs run year-round, but weather plays a big role. The wet season can cancel a boat trip or postpone an evening in Petra. Before buying a ticket, check the date and cancellation policy with the operator.

In short: what's worth booking

Night adventures are rarely spontaneous: evening slots are limited, and weather makes its own adjustments. If you're short on time, pick one place and set aside a separate evening for it.

• If you love the water: manta rays in Kona or the glowing bay on Vieques.
• If you're traveling with kids: Night Safari in Singapore.
• If you want a dark, moody atmosphere: evening Alcatraz.
• If you want the most striking photo: Petra by candlelight.

Compare tours on GetYourGuide and pick a date that fits your trip.