6 person (MAX) group boat
Snorkel with Manta Rays
** GUEST FAVORITE ** SELECT YOUR TIME
SUNSET SNORKEL WITH THE MAJESTIC MANTAS
WITH ONLY 6-PEOPLE PER BOAT (MAX)
"I loved the intimate feel of our adventure. Only 3 of us on our boat plus the captain and the guide. The minute I was in the water, I saw a manta ray right next to me. Cassie shared so much info about the manta rays. She knows the name of all of them. We had 11 rays out there with us tonight. Breathtaking adventure!"
ShellBelle
Most Booked! Only 6 per boat
Kona’s Best Intimate
Snorkeling Experience
Keauhou: The Original Manta Spot
Gather your family or join a small band of adventurers for an electrifying 1-hour snorkeling escapade in the supple blue waters of Hawaii. Set sail on a short journey towards what could easily become the most exhilarating experience of your lifetime!
Nearly half a century ago, the Outrigger Hotel began illuminating the ocean at Keauhou, drawing in guests with captivating displays. These lights also beckoned the Manta rays’ by drawing in their favorite food: microscopic plankton.
Today, we revisit this very locale, enticing the rays with our underwater lights that lure the same plankton as those original spotlights did. This brings you and your loved ones within arm’s reach of these majestic Mantas as they elegantly glide through to feast, offering an unparalleled encounter with nature’s wonders!
All snorkeling gear is also included!
Most Booked! Only 6 per boat
Kona’s Best Intimate
Snorkeling Experience
Guided Individual & Group Boat Tours
Evening Tours (Times pending sunset hour)
5:30pm – 8:30pm
45 min
in water
$100
/ per person
Gather your family
or join a small band of adventurers for an electrifying 1-hour snorkeling escapade in the supple blue waters of Hawaii. Set sail on a short journey towards what could easily become the most exhilarating experience of your lifetime!
Nearly half a century ago
the Outrigger Hotel began illuminating the ocean at Keauhou, drawing in guests with captivating displays. These lights also beckoned the Manta rays’ by drawing in their favorite food: microscopic plankton.
Today, we revisit this very locale
enticing the rays with our underwater lights that lure the same plankton as those original spotlights did.
This brings you and your loved ones
within arm’s reach of these majestic Mantas as they elegantly glide through to feast, offering an unparalleled encounter with nature’s wonders!
Exclusive Private Tours
Sunset with the Mantas
on the Freeman 37VH
6 people max
2.5 hours tour
Departure 5:30 pm
$4295
Exclusive Private Tour
Includes adult beverages and choice of pupu platter, including sushi and other local fare.
Single bookings are available at $795/person (based on a minimum passenger count).
Book Now
As the sun begins its fiery
descent over the Pacific, casting hues of amber and rose across the Hawaiian sky, you find yourself embarking on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure: a sunset snorkeling tour with manta rays in the enchanting waters of Kona, Hawaii.
Departing
from Honokohau Harbor, the anticipation in the air is as palpable as the warmth of the fading sunlight.
While the crew navigates through the gentle waves to the manta ray viewing spot, enjoy some tastefully crafted, fresh Hawaiian fish and unique sushi tapas along with your choice of adult refreshments.
As you hover on
the water’s surface, the sea around you begins to sparkle with bioluminescence, creating a surreal underwater galaxy.
The crew shines soft lights into the depths, attracting plankton and creating a mesmerizing display that mirrors the star-studded sky above.
The Manta Ray
make their grand entrance, gliding effortlessly with wingspans that seem to defy imagination.
This is where your once-in-a-lifetime experience begins.
Exclusive Private Tours
Moonlight with the Mantas
on the Freeman 37VH
6 people max
2.5 hours tour
Departure 7:30 pm
$3995
Exclusive Private Tour
Includes traditional fresh Hawaiian fish and eclectic sushi tapas. Includes adult refreshments.
Single bookings are available at $695/person (based on a minimum passenger count).
Book Now
Get set
for a super-boat experience as the crew on the Freeman 37VH show you the power and grace of this vessel on Kona’s blue waters. We will head directly to where the magical Mantas are ready to accept our presence and embrace the warm waters as this once-in-a-lifetime adventure begins.
Gentle giants
with wings that span up to 15 feet, perform an aquatic ballet beneath you, twirling and somersaulting in a display of grace and elegance. The gentle hum of their movements and the occasional flicker of their white bellies against the night create a symphony of sights and sounds that etch a memory into your soul.
As the night
unfolds and the stars begin to emerge, you find yourself surrounded by the magic of a sunset, an underwater light show, and the dance of manta rays. It’s a sensory feast that transcends the ordinary, leaving you with a profound appreciation for the wonders of the ocean and the breathtaking beauty of Kona, Hawaii.
After this
magical experience, we will make a toast to such unique experiences and enjoy tastefully crafted, fresh Hawaiian fish and unique sushi tapas on our slow cruise under the warm starry night.
Our Tours
Exclusive Private Fishing Charter
Freeman Daytime
5 people max
8 hours
$4495
Private Day Fishing Charter:
Embark on an unforgettable Ahi tuna fishing experience. Includes traditional fresh Hawaiian fish and eclectic sushi tapas. Includes adult refreshments.
Book NowTestimonials
Nighttime manta ray snorkeling was awesome.
"I loved the intimate feel of our adventure. Only 3 of us on our boat plus the captain and the guide. The minute I was in the water, I saw a manta ray right next to me. Cassie shared so much info about the manta rays. She knows the name of all of them. We had 11 rays out there with us tonight. Breathtaking adventure!"
ShellBelle
Night snorkel with Manta rays
"Had an awesome night manta ray experience. Loved the small group (6)” people, the boat, the captain and our guide! Well run adventure and absolutely seeing the rays!!"
KimG
Exceptional experience
"It seems like everyone who comes to visit me on the Big Island wants to go swimming with the Manga Rays, so I have been on a few of the larger tour boats, but I must say that this was by far the best experience I've had. The smaller group and great guide are just something that the big boats can't do. I know that tonight was a extremely rare experience with so many rays Swimming with us. But it was an experience that I will never forget. My thanks to the entire crew for your excellent service. I will not use any other tour service in the Kona area."
Sara S
"Our experience was totally great! Got to see a lot of beautiful, magnificent, huge mantas tonight. The water is warm. The owners and the whole team are super awesome. They explained all the details about manta rays. They gave us a private tour just for our family. It was the highlight of our Big Island spring break trip and an experience of a lifetime! Thank you so much and will definitely be back again to this beautiful island! Mahalo, Niebres family"
Gaile N.
"The best in the business. It's the reason I go to the Big island from Kauai. They are friendly and you can rest assured you'll have an amazing experience."
Anastasia S.
"Great business. Fantastic experience. Joni & the crew were so helpful & accommodating."
Dm K.About Us
Ninth Island Nation
Welcome to Ninth Island Nation — your gateway to aquatic wonders! Dive into adventure with our group and private snorkeling tours featuring the famous manta rays in Kona. Join scheduled sessions or reserve an entire boat for an exclusive experience. Explore the beauty of the ocean in a whole new way. Dive in with us!
Aloha!
The first question many ask is “why the name Ninth Island Nation.”
The Ninth Island is a colloquial name for Las Vegas, where one of our founders moved from (to Hawaii) in 2023. Las Vegas is called the Ninth Island because more Hawaiian Islanders live there than anywhere else in the world, aside from the eight inhabited islands of Hawaii.
The story behind the name has multiple facets and perspectives: The reality for Hawaiians is that housing affordability has reached levels that island incomes no longer support, thus many have been forced to move to the mainland to find affordable housing.
Conversely, many Hawaiians enjoy visiting Vegas for all the entertainment it offers and to visit their loved ones.
At Ninth Island Nation we have multiple missions; Manta Ray conservation and interactions are only the beginning. We move forward with the purpose of not only business but to do our best to create an understanding of the true story of Hawaii.
Mahalo Nui Loa
—
Ninth Island Nation Adventures
Kona, Hawaii
74429 Kealakehe Pkwy,
Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
Premier Fleet
About Our Boats
31FT RIB | Freeman 37VH
Powerful Performance
Equipped with powerful outboard motors, built for speed and efficiency. Whether you’re racing to your favorite fishing spot or cruising back to the marina, the boat delivers a thrilling ride.
31FT RIB
Step Aboard the epitome of maritime adventure – the 31-foot rigid inflatable tour boat.
Sleek, stylish, and unapologetically bold, this vessel is your ticket to exploring the open seas with unrivaled excitement. Feel the rush as the powerful engines propel you effortlessly over the waves, while the rigid hull ensures stability, promising an exhilarating ride without compromise.
Designed for the modern explorer, the 31-foot RIB seamlessly combines form and function.
Freeman 37VH
With state-of-the-art Vented Hull tech, The 37VH FREEMAN is the most impressive boat in Hawaii for offshore performance.
Relax in comfort on your Kona excursion while the power gets you to the mantas swiftly.
Excellent for fishing, this is the perfect vessel for our private charters.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
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