Reviewed by: Chris G.
Pros:
-Fun, knowledgeable guides
-Comfortable boat
-Saw 8+ different whales, 16+ different sightings
Cons:
-Whales were pretty far away (200+ yds)
Overall:
-Highly recommend for first time whale watching.
| Rating: | |
|---|---|
| Packages: | [8:00 AM] Whale Watch Cruise from Anaeho’omalu Bay |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2018/01/30 |
| Activity Date: | 2018/01/03 |
Reviewed by: ルアルアウ
The Hilton Hotel has a dedicated space for luaus. To get straight to the point, it’s not much different from luaus I've seen elsewhere, but the performances are unique to a family-friendly hotel. Right in front of the stage, there are mats set up for small children, along with plenty of cushions, allowing the kids to mimic the dancers and enjoy dancing along. It was very heartwarming. It was worth reserving the premium seats, as we were guided to the table right at the front. We were also able to get our food first. I was a bit hesitant before making the reservation, but I'm glad I went.
ヒルトンホテルにルアウ専用スペースが設けられてます。結論から先に行ってしまうと、他の場所で観たルアウショーとあまり違っていませんが、ファミリーが多いホテルならではの演出と、舞台すぐ目の前には小さいお子様用にマットがしかれており、多数のクッションが置いてあり、目の前で繰り広げられるダンスにお子様たちもダンサーのマネをして一緒に踊ったりして楽しんでいました。とても微笑ましかったです。プレミアムシートで予約した甲斐があり、テーブルの一番前の席に案内してもらえました。お料理も先に取りにいけました。予約前はちょっと迷っていたけれど、観に行ってよかったです。
| Rating: | |
|---|---|
| Attended as: | Families |
| Posted on: | 2018/01/26 |
Reviewed by: Katy
Awesome catamaran, great staff and naturalist on board! Unbelievable whale watching from every angle. Delicious beer on tap as well!
| Rating: | |
|---|---|
| Packages: | [8:00 AM] Whale Watch Cruise from Anaeho’omalu Bay |
| Attended as: | Friends |
| Posted on: | 2018/01/24 |
| Activity Date: | 2018/01/20 |
Reviewed by: R&B Olson
Great time from Kawaihae!! Captain and crew along with biologist kept us up to date with all you want to know about humpbacks . Had whales all around.
Highly recommend this trip.
| Rating: | |
|---|---|
| Packages: | [09:30 AM] Whale Watch Cruise from Kawaihae Harbor |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2018/01/18 |
| Activity Date: | 2018/01/15 |
Reviewed by: Greg
This trip was a really fun experience as a contrast to the normal beach and ocean explorations that a visit to Hawaii normally includes.
The guide was very informative and the trip was planned well. The van was very comfortable (big Mercedes).
Climbing above the clouds made it feel like we were going to another world. The sunset from the top amongst all the observatory domes was incredibly colorful and the photography was cool with the domes.
The second part when we went down the mountain and set up the telescopes was fun too. The guide had an excellent presentation and mastery of the topics.
I highly recommend-it was out of the ordinary and visually spectacular.
| Rating: | |
|---|---|
| Packages: | Mauna Kea Sunset & Stargazing Tour with Dinner |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2018/01/15 |
| Activity Date: | 2018/01/12 |
Reviewed by: まいまい
We were the only Japanese people, but the crew was kind and we were able to spend a comfortable time.
We saw whales right after we set sail, and we were able to see them several more times!
My elementary school son was very moved.
The morning cruise was refreshing, and we were able to enjoy the scenery of the Big Island.
日本人は私たちだけでしたが、クルーの方々は親切で快適に過ごせました。
出航してすぐにクジラが見れました。その後も何回も見ることが出来ました!
小学生の息子はとても感動していました。
朝のクルーズは爽快で、ハワイ島の景色も楽しむことが出来ました。
| Rating: | |
|---|---|
| Packages: | 8:00発/ワイコロア港 |
| Attended as: | Families |
| Posted on: | 2018/01/13 |
| Activity Date: | 2018/01/10 |
Reviewed by: Sop
Our guides were Arthur and Justin. Both are funny and knowledgeable. This tour surprised us in so many ways. It is crazy that you can go from beach weather to freezing winds in a matter of hours. The parkas definitely help. I would recommend some layers of clothes, jeans, and good shoes. Bring a scarf or beanie. For those who live in the country, you do not realize how fortunate you are to not have light pollution. The stars that we saw were amazing. Your eyes adjust and focus so well on all the bright twinkles because there's no surrounding light. It's hard to explain but you feel like a child who's just seen something new and cool. Light pollution is real. On a good night in the city, I can probably see maybe 10 stars. Here, the volume is overwhelming. The location of Hawaii lets you see a lot more. Not only do you see the stars, but you can see distant galaxies as well our own milky way. Primitive, primal, natural are some other ways to describe experience.
The sunset on Mauna Kea was also a fantastic experience. Arthur and Justin are safe and excellent drivers. You see rental cars driving up the volcano on unpaved roads when they shouldn't. It's better to have the experts take you to the summit.
We attended this tour January 3, 2018. This gave us the rare opportunity to see the wolf moon and all the stars. I never knew how much light the moon provided at night.
I would do this again and recommend it to anybody who visits the Big Island.
| Rating: | |
|---|---|
| Packages: | Mauna Kea Sunset & Stargazing Tour with Dinner |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2018/01/09 |
| Activity Date: | 2018/01/03 |
Reviewed by: くじら〜
The weather was great, and I was excited for my first-ever whale watching experience! However, it was in English, so I didn't understand everything, which was a bit disappointing. The whales weren't very active, but I was satisfied just to see them jump a few times! My husband got a little seasick, but we definitely want to come back!
天気にも恵まれ、生まれて初めてのホエールワッチングに興奮しました!
ただ英語のガイドだったので、意味がよく分からず少しだけ残念でした。
クジラはそんなにアクティブではありませんでしたが、数回ジャンプを見ることができ、それだけで満足です!
主人は少し船酔いしてしまいましたが、また来たいと思います!
| Rating: | |
|---|---|
| Packages: | 9:30発/ カワイハエ港 |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2018/01/09 |
| Activity Date: | 2018/01/04 |
Reviewed by: Kiyu
I was disappointed that there wasn't a Japanese pilot. Also, the two people sitting in front of me were wearing beige and red tops with shorts, which caused those colors to reflect on the glass. It was the worst because I couldn't take a photo with my smartphone without those colors showing up. For those participating, it's best to wear longer pants, at least knee-length, in black, and also a black top.
日本語パイロットでなかったのが残念でした。
あと、前に座った2人が、ベージュ、赤色のトップスにショートパンツの洋服を着ていたせいで、ガラスにその色が反射して、スマホで写真撮ろうとしても映り込んで、最悪でした。
参加される方は長めの、せめて膝下丈のパンツで色は黒色、そしてトップスも黒色を必ず着ていくほうがベストですよ。
| Rating: | |
|---|---|
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2018/01/01 |
| Activity Date: | 2017/12/16 |
Reviewed by: Christine S.
Our original trip was postponed due to snow on the summit of Mauna Kea but we rescheduled and had an unforgettable experience. Our guide Hank was great. As well as his astronomy expertise, he provided lots of information on Hawaiian culture. The views on the way up to the summit were spectacular. Great photographic opportunities of the sunset, views and night sky.
I would thoroughly recommend this trip.
| Rating: | |
|---|---|
| Packages: | Summit Sunset & Stargazing Adventure |
| Attended as: | Families |
| Posted on: | 2017/12/30 |
| Activity Date: | 2017/12/04 |
Reviewed by: Big family with kids
The whole family really enjoyed the boat ride, the hosts on the boat were excellent and we saw a lot of fish, turtles etc. they were wonderful at engaging with the kids and answering all our questions.
The customer service of the people we met at the hut left something to be desired. Aloof and not very interested in engaging. Which is fine, but they are the first people you meet when you get there—so—it made me kinda nervous, but the actual ride was fine!
| Rating: | |
|---|---|
| Packages: | Waikoloa Glass Bottom Boat Cruise |
| Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
| Posted on: | 2017/12/23 |
| Activity Date: | 2017/12/02 |
Reviewed by: Mayra
The water is so clear we could see many different types of fish in the water. The captain was great at helping us spot turtles swimming on the side of the boat and would stop for us to see them. It was a lot of fun.
| Rating: | |
|---|---|
| Packages: | Waikoloa Glass Bottom Boat Cruise |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2017/12/21 |
| Activity Date: | 2017/12/18 |
Reviewed by: Nobu
The waves were high, but we were able to see whales multiple times, which was amazing. The crew also provided explanations in English throughout the trip and frequently checked in on the drink service, allowing us to have a wonderful time.
波は高かったのですが何回もクジラが見られて最高でした。また船のクルーの人も説明(英語)をずっとしていたり、ドリンクサービスもこまめに聞いてくれて、楽しいひとときを過ごせました。
| Rating: | |
|---|---|
| Packages: | 9:30発/ カワイハエ港 |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2017/12/18 |
| Activity Date: | 2017/12/15 |
Reviewed by: Lorena
Our 10am whale watching cruise was cancelled but we were accommodated on an other cruise for 10:30am. This one included snorkeling. So it was a big win for us. We did get to see a few whales and dolphins. The crew was amazing. They were friendly and informative. They took the time to chat with us. They gave us some background on the whales and clear instructions before getting in the water for snorkeling. They were very attentive and ready to help everyone during the snorkeling. This was an awesome tour. I would definitely book this tour again and recommend it.
| Rating: | |
|---|---|
| Packages: | [09:30 AM] Whale Watch Cruise from Kawaihae Harbor |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2017/12/12 |
| Activity Date: | 2017/12/06 |
Reviewed by: LJKouri
Guides were great. Hard to see through glass, though.
| Rating: | |
|---|---|
| Packages: | Waikoloa Glass Bottom Boat Cruise |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2017/12/02 |
| Activity Date: | 2017/11/09 |
Reviewed by: Richard V.
This was my second trip up to the summit of Mauna Kea for the Sunset & Stargazing Adventure. The drive up this time was smoother than the first, thankfully, and our guide was excellent. You could tell he was well-informed on all the topics he discussed. The catered Hawaiian dinner was very tasty, and in sufficient quantity to satisfy a good appetite. The only drawback this time was that the clock-drive on the telescope was not working, which took away from our ability to look at celestial objects at high magnification. I recommend this trip, and also that the tour company repair their clock drives!
| Rating: | |
|---|---|
| Packages: | Summit Sunset & Stargazing Adventure |
| Attended as: | Friends |
| Posted on: | 2017/11/18 |
| Activity Date: | 2017/11/04 |
Reviewed by: Curt
This was one of the best tours ever! The high lite was the star gazing, holy cow was it fantastic!
| Rating: | |
|---|---|
| Packages: | Summit Sunset & Stargazing Adventure |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2017/11/17 |
| Activity Date: | 2017/11/14 |
Reviewed by: Brad
We had a great time in our trip. Our guide jeff was fantastic and took the time to make sure everyone had a great night. Highly recommend this trip.
| Rating: | |
|---|---|
| Packages: | Summit Sunset & Stargazing Adventure |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2017/11/15 |
| Activity Date: | 2017/11/12 |
Reviewed by: ビーバー
If you go thinking it's a touristy show in Honolulu, you might be a bit disappointed. The dinner didn't quite suit my taste either. Since the prices aren't exactly cheap, I think next time I'll book shows in Honolulu instead. It was outdoors, so it was very windy and cold at night. Honestly, I felt like I wanted to spend my time and money on something different.
ホノルルの観光客向けのショー的な感じと思って行くとちょっとがっかりするかも。ディナーもちょっと私の口には合わなかったです。値段も決して安いわけではないので、同じ払うなら、次回から、ショー関係はホノルルで予約すると思います。屋外であったので、とても風が強く、夜も寒かった。正直、もっと違うことに時間とお金を使いたいなと思いました。
| Rating: | |
|---|---|
| Packages: | スタンダードシート |
| Attended as: | Families |
| Posted on: | 2017/11/13 |
| Activity Date: | 2017/11/05 |
Reviewed by: Ralphg
If you have the opportunity to visit Hawaii and the big island is on your agenda, the tour to the top of Mauna Kea is a must do !! The journey up and down the mountain is exhilarating, the views on the way up, stunning and the views from the top at sunset - unforgettable!!!!
Of course the weather gods can have their say and you could be unlucky.
Very impressed by the capability of our driver Joe who also made our star gazing even more memorable with his explanations and knowledge. You will leave with an impression of how “special” it is to visit the top of Mauna Kea and with an understanding of why the Hawaiian people see it as a place to be treated with respect
| Rating: | |
|---|---|
| Packages: | Summit Sunset & Stargazing Adventure |
| Attended as: | Solo Travelers |
| Posted on: | 2017/11/12 |
| Activity Date: | 2017/11/09 |
Reviewed by: アロハ
I was very moved to encounter the whales swimming majestically! I thought the size of the boat and the number of people were just right, not too many and not too few. I definitely want to participate again.
雄大に泳ぐクジラに出会えて、とても感動しました!船の大きさも、人数も多すぎず、少なすぎず、ちょうど良いと思いました。ぜひまた参加したいと思います。
| Rating: | |
|---|---|
| Packages: | 午後出発 飲み放題&ビュッフェ付きサンセットプラン <カワイハエ・ベイ出航> |
| Attended as: | Solo Travelers |
| Posted on: | 2017/11/09 |
| Activity Date: | 2017/03/02 |
Reviewed by: Yang
Its was a great tour as advertised, Pick up was on time. and Gordon is a good driver, friendly, take good cares of everyone. He and his buddy provided a great service for the entire tour. This is a great tour to take if you are just visiting big island for vacation. We were traveling light, dont want to prepare winter cloth. the tour provides what we need on the mountain. It was one of the best tour we took in big island. definitely will do again~~
| Rating: | |
|---|---|
| Packages: | Mauna Kea Sunset & Stargazing Tour with Dinner |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2017/11/06 |
| Activity Date: | 2017/10/15 |
Reviewed by: Andrea
Excellent, just do it, unforgettable experience!! Thanks to Hawaii Forest and Trail group, make sure your tour is through them, in fact make sure all your Big Island tours are through them, they are AWESOME!!
| Rating: | |
|---|---|
| Packages: | Summit Sunset & Stargazing Adventure |
| Attended as: | Solo Travelers |
| Posted on: | 2017/10/22 |
| Activity Date: | 2017/10/19 |
Reviewed by: タツヤ
I felt uplifted when I was given a lei upon entry! The all-you-can-eat and all-you-can-drink options, along with the show, were fantastic!
入場時にレイをかけてもらって、気分が上がりました!
食べ放題、飲み放題でショーも見れて最高でした‼︎
| Rating: | |
|---|---|
| Packages: | スタンダードシート |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2017/10/14 |
| Activity Date: | 2017/09/24 |
Reviewed by: クリスピー
I had been interested in the sunset at the summit of Mauna Kea, which I had seen on TV for a long time! Additionally, we got to do some stargazing, making it the best day ever! We participated as a couple on our honeymoon.
Initially, I was planning to sign up for a tour with a Japanese guide, but it was already fully booked, so I signed up for this tour instead. I was a bit worried since I don't speak much English, but despite the tour being almost 100% in English, thanks to the tour guide's consideration and a Japanese family who happened to join us, I was able to enjoy it very much!
I also observed other tours with Japanese guides and felt that the content and quality of this tour, along with the consideration for customers and the very free-flowing nature of the proceedings, made me truly glad that I participated in this tour.
The hot chocolate and brownies during stargazing were unforgettable. It was truly the best tour! Thank you very much!
以前からテレビで見て気になっていたマウナケア山頂でのサンセット!さらに天体観測もさせてもらえて最高の1日でした!
新婚旅行で夫婦で参加しました。
当初、日本語ガイドのツアーを申し込もうと思っていたところ、既に一杯だったためこちらのツアーに申し込みました。
英語がほぼ出来ないため、多少心配していましたが、ツアーの最中はほぼ100%英語だったにもかかわらず、ツアーガイドさんのお気遣いと、偶然一緒に参加した日本人の家族の方のおかげで、とても楽しむ事ができました!
他の日本語ガイドのツアーの方々もいらっしゃって様子を拝見致しましたが、ツアーの内容や質、お客様への配慮やとても自由な感じでの進行など、このツアーに参加出来てよかったと改めて感じています。
天体観測中のホットチョコレートとブラウニー、あのおいしさはわすれられません。
本当に最高のツアーでした!ありがとうございました!
| Rating: | |
|---|---|
| Packages: | 基本プラン |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2017/09/27 |
| Activity Date: | 2017/09/23 |
Reviewed by: Karen from MO
This trip was the highlight of our trip to the Big Island. We had a great time and enjoyed the experience immensely. I was a little disappointed when they called me that morning and told us the road to the summit was closed and we might not be able to go to the top. Since we were on a limited time schedule we decided to go anyway. Nate was our guide and picked us up in Kona. On the ride to Mauna Kea, he explained about the different kinds of lava flows and some of the myths about Pele. When we got to the sheep station, Nate set up our meal for us and explained about life as a sheep rancher on the island. He promised that if we didn't get to go to the summit, he would make sure we at least saw the sunset from another spot. Supper was very good and it was fun getting to know the other tourists with us. After we ate, we got the good news that the road had opened and we were able to go to the top. What a gorgeous sight!! We saw the sun set on one side and turned around and saw the full moon coming up on the other. After watching the sunset, we went back down to visitor center and did some stargazing. Nate was very knowledgeable about the constellations. We were able to see the rings around Saturn and other constellations that night. The hot chocolate and warm brownies tasted good after being up on the summit where it was pretty chilly! I would definitely recommend this adventure for anyone visiting the Big Island, If we are fortunate enough to return, we will be doing this again!! Thank you Nate for a great evening.
| Rating: | |
|---|---|
| Packages: | Summit Sunset & Stargazing Adventure |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2017/09/24 |
| Activity Date: | 2017/09/05 |
Reviewed by: Nay
Joe was amazing!!! His passion for astronomy was so refreshing and we loved his poem at the end.
| Rating: | |
|---|---|
| Packages: | Summit Sunset & Stargazing Adventure |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2017/09/24 |
| Activity Date: | 2017/09/21 |
Reviewed by: はく☆
We used this for our honeymoon! We stayed at Hilton Waikoloa Village and also made reservations for a show.
We had booked premium seats, but after reading reviews, we learned that if you don't arrive early, you won't get good seats. So even though the meeting time was 5 PM, we arrived at 4:45 PM. We were guided to the very front of the long table, right in front of the stage. The seating is really based on the order of arrival. If you want to see up close, it's better to line up early!
They also guided us to the food quickly, so we were able to eat without waiting! However, since it was a buffet, if others who were not in the premium seats were still on their first round, it was hard to go back for seconds. So if you're a big eater, I think it's better to take two plates at once!
Drinks were ordered at the table, which was convenient! Most of the options were cocktails, and my husband only had Corona beer.
The narration for the show was all in English! If you don't understand English, you won't have any idea what they are talking about. It was really just for viewing. My husband didn't understand any English, so it felt like just watching the show for him.
ハネムーンで使用しました!ヒルトンワイコロアビレッジに宿泊し、ショーの予約もしました。
プレミアム席の予約をしていましたが、クチコミをみてその中で早めに行かないといい席にならないとのことだったので17時集合でしたが16:45には集合しました。長机の一番前、ステージ真ん前へ案内してもらいました。席の案内は本当に来た順です。真ん前でみたいのであれば早めに並んだ方がいいですよ!
料理も早めに案内してくれたので、待たず食べることができました!ただ、ビュッフェですが2回目を取りにいくには他の人がまだプレミアム席ではない人がまだ1回目だと全然取りにいけないので、ものすごく食べる方は2皿持っていった方がいいと思います!
ドリンクは席での注文なので楽でした!ほとんどカクテルばかりで旦那はコロナビールオンリーでした。
ショーのナレーションは全て英語!英語がわからないと何を話しているか全くわからず。本当に鑑賞のみです。旦那は英語が全くわからなかったので、ショーのみって感じでした。
| Rating: | |
|---|---|
| Packages: | プレミアムシート |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2017/09/22 |
| Activity Date: | 2017/09/19 |
Reviewed by: M.TAKAKO
Reserving with a higher budget was definitely the right choice! I was able to see a powerful show from the front row, which was fantastic. The staff were very friendly and even took videos on my phone, allowing me to create great memories. The meal was also very satisfying, leaving me completely full. 😊
予算を高い方で予約したのは大正解でした!
最前列で迫力のあるショーを見る事ができてとても良かったです。スタッフの方もとてもフレンドリーで携帯で動画を撮ってくださり良い思い出を残す事が出来ました。食事もお腹いっぱいになるほどで大満足でした(^^)v
| Rating: | |
|---|---|
| Packages: | プレミアムシート |
| Attended as: | Families |
| Posted on: | 2017/09/21 |
| Activity Date: | 2017/09/17 |
Reviewed by: ミヤミヤ
The friendly and smart little dolphin was very cute! ╰(*´︶`*)╯♡ I want to come back to see you again next year, so please wait for me~ (^з^)-☆
人なつこくて かしこいイルカちゃん、とても可愛かったです╰(*´︶`*)╯♡
また来年 会いに行きたいと思います、待っててね〜(^з^)-☆
| Rating: | |
|---|---|
| Packages: | イルカと泳ぐ!エンカウンター<20分> |
| Attended as: | Families |
| Posted on: | 2017/09/20 |
| Activity Date: | 2017/09/17 |
Tips and suggestions
Reply from activity provider
An unexpected error has occurred. Please go back to the previous page and try again, or wait a few minutes and try once again.
Thank you very much for participating in the tour. However, we are very sorry to hear that you were not satisfied with the experience.
Regarding the request for a Japanese-speaking pilot, as mentioned on the tour page, we cannot guarantee this, but we understand that you were hoping for explanations in Japanese since you took the time to join us. We also regret that the reflections of other customers' clothing on the window made it difficult to see the scenery. We will share your feedback with the operating company and consider improvements together.
If you have the opportunity to visit the Big Island again, we sincerely hope that your next tour will be one that meets your expectations.
Thank you for your valuable feedback during your busy schedule. We look forward to serving you again.
VELTRA Customer Support Team
この度はツアーにご参加いただき誠にありがとうございます。
しかしながら、ツアーにご満足いただくことができなかったとのこと、弊社としても大変残念に思っております。
日本語パイロットのリクエストに関しましては、ツアーページでもご案内申し上げておりますように確約ではございませんが、
せっかくご参加いただくのであれば、日本語での説明を期待されていたことと存じます。
また、他のお客様のお召し物が窓ガラスに映り込み、景色が見えづらかったという点についても残念でなりません。
いただきましたご意見は催行会社に共有をさせていただき、ともに改善を検討してまいります。
次回またハワイ島にお越しになることがありましたら、その際にはご満足いただけるツアーとなりますこと、心より願っております。
お忙しい中、貴重なご投稿を賜りまして、誠にありがとうございました。
またのご利用をお待ちしております。
VELTRAカスタマーサポートチーム