Get PADI certified for scuba diving and do a night dive with Manta Rays

Went on a trip to the big island of Hawaii. They had an excursion that went to see the Manta Rays at night, but you had to be certified or waste 3 days of your vacation time there getting certified to go. Snorkeling wouldn’t have been worth it because you can’t go deep enough to see the rays from the bottom, where they really stand out. Ended up really wishing I had been able to take advantage of the opportunity.

So, I guess this really consists of two goals:
1)Get PADI certification
2)Do a night dive with Manta Rays

But, since I don’t really want one without the other, I’m listing them together.