Reviewed by: 匿名希望
About ten days before my trip, I made several inquiries to book a tour, but since all the Japanese tours were fully booked, I decided to join this one.
I can't really recommend it for those who don't understand English at all, but if you're okay with explanations in English, I definitely encourage you to participate.
We met at the designated spot around 2 PM and traveled by car with the guide. There were about ten people in our group. We drove along Saddle Road for about two hours and took a break at the foot of Mauna Kea to prevent altitude sickness while having dinner. I heard that the Japanese tour provides bento boxes, but this tour offered corn bread and either beef or vegetable soup (a bit light, but tasty). After about an hour's break, we continued driving up.
We arrived at the summit just before sunset and had about 30 minutes to enjoy the view. The temperature felt below zero... it was quite cold, but they provided winter jackets and gloves, so it was manageable.
After the sunset, we descended a bit to stargaze. The stars are quite beautiful even with the naked eye, and the guide provided detailed explanations of the constellations using a telescope. We stood outside for nearly an hour and a half, so it was very cold. They also served hot cocoa and cookies, but I recommend bringing a hat and hand warmers if you're sensitive to the cold.
This tour, with its fiery sunset and countless stars, including many shooting stars, is something you can never experience in Japan, so I absolutely recommend it! If you're prone to altitude sickness or get motion sickness, please take medication beforehand.
旅行の10日ほど前に予約をしようといくつか問い合わせをしましたが、日本語のツアーが全ていっぱいだったためこちらに参加しました。
英語が全く分からない方にとってはあまりオススメはできませんが、説明が英語でも問題ない方は是非こちらに参加してみてください。
2時ごろ集合場所に車で行き、そこからガイドさんの車で移動。参加人数は1グループにつき10人ほど。
2時間ほどサドル・ロードをひたすら走り、マウナ・ケアの麓で夕食がてら高山病予防のため休憩。日本語のツアーはお弁当が出るそうですが、このツアーはコーン・ブレッドとビーフか野菜のスープ(少し物足りないですが美味しいです)。1時間ほど休憩して、また一気に車であがります。
頂上には太陽が沈む直前につき、30分くらい景色を眺める時間があります。体感温度は0度以下です・・・かなり寒いですが、ちゃんと冬用のジャケットと手袋を貸してくれるので大丈夫です。
夕日のあとは少し山を下って星を見ます。裸眼でもかなりキレイに見えますが、望遠鏡も使いながら星座の説明を詳しくしてくれます。1時間半近く外で立っているのでかなり寒いです。ホットココアとクッキーも出ますが、寒さに弱い人は帽子とホッカイロを持参することをオススメします。
燃えるような夕日と無数の星、流れ星もたくさん見えるこのツアーは日本では決して体験できないので絶対オススメです!高山病になりやすい方や乗り物酔いをする方は予め薬を飲んでから参加してください。
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| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2011/09/23 |
Reviewed by: maki
As everyone mentioned, it was a wonderful sunset, just as the rumors said. It was my first time seeing so many stars, and I was truly moved. The Milky Way and shooting stars were beautifully visible.
I thought the 1:30 PM meeting time was early, but considering everyone's health, I understood the schedule after it was over. The beef stew for dinner was delicious, and it had an outdoor vibe, but it might be a bit tough for those who aren't fond of the outdoors.
We had dinner at 5 PM, and we returned after 11 PM, so it might be a good idea to bring some snacks for the night.
Also, it is really cold. Personally, I felt it was colder than winter in Japan, so please make sure to dress warmly.
皆さんのコメント通り、噂通りの素晴らしいサンセットでした。
あんな沢山の星を見たのも初めてですし、感動しっぱなしでした。
ミルキーウェイも流れ星も綺麗に見えました。
13:30の集合は早いのでは?と思ったのですが、体調の事を考えてのスケジュールだったので、終わってみてから納得しました。
夕ご飯のビーフシチューも美味しくて、アウトドアな感じで頂くのですが、アウトドアが苦手な方ならちょっと辛いかもしれません。。
17時にご飯を食べて、戻ってくるのが23時過ぎなので、何か夜食を用意して行かれた方が良いかもしれません。
あと、本当に寒いです。
個人的に日本の冬よりも寒い気がしましたので、本気で防寒して下さいね。
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| Attended as: | Families |
| Posted on: | 2011/09/21 |
Reviewed by: Kim&Geoff
We were on our honeymoon, looking for something to do, this was so unique! Who would of thought we would be in a parka in Hawaii! Pick this company! There were many up there, but these guys did it best, so thankful we paid a bit more and got an awesome experience. Staff was wonderful, thank you!
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| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2011/09/04 |
Reviewed by: Mr. Anonymous
Wonderful experience! Felt a bit rushed with having our dinner. Not enough bath room breaks, especially after having a cup of coffee after star gazing and then having a two hour drive back to our hotels, made for a very uncomfortable ride home.
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| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2011/08/23 |
Reviewed by: Arnold
The two guides who went with us are wonderful as they were concerned for our safety and comfort. It was a very calm sea the day went out so waves were few. They also showed us the sights of the bay and, since waves were few, they let us use their snorkel gear for a great snorkel experience.
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| Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
| Posted on: | 2011/07/14 |
Reviewed by: miwa.M
This is something I absolutely think everyone should experience!
In addition to seeing the moving red lava, they also took us to a canyon that can only be accessed by helicopter, showcasing a world you can't see in everyday life.
You can witness the wonders of nature.
The pilot, Toshi, was a fun person and provided a lot of explanations, which was great.
I heard that Toshi also runs a company called Aloha Breeze.
Since you can see the natural conditions at that time, I don't think you'll ever get tired of the experience, no matter how many times you do it.
I definitely plan to ride in a helicopter again next time!
これは、絶対経験するべきと思いました!
赤い溶岩が動いている様子やワイピオ渓谷の他にもヘリでしか行けない渓谷にも連れて行ってくれて、日常では見られない世界です。
自然の素晴らしさを見られます。
パイロットのトシさんは、楽しい方で、いろいろ説明もしてもらえてので良かったです。
トシさんはアロハブリーズという会社もされているそうです。
その時の自然の状態を見られるので、何度経験しても飽きないと思います。
次もぜひ、ヘリに乗ろうと思います!
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| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2011/07/10 |
Reviewed by: Mr. Anonymous
My girl and I went on this. Wasn't sure what to expect with canoe surfing at all. I am a surfer, but it is a whole different thing! We had a blast, and would definitely recommend it to others!
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| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2011/06/30 |
Reviewed by: Amber P.
We were lucky enough to see a bunch of sea turtles and different fish. Our toddlers loved the boat and were able to see everything. The staff was very informative!
Thank you!
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| Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
| Posted on: | 2011/05/12 |
Reviewed by: fufufu
After driving around the Big Island, I participated in this tour.
It was exciting to see the scenery and the overall landscape of the island that I couldn't see from the car.
In Hawaii, the clouds feel very low. The moment I entered the clouds, water droplets formed on the window, and the wind from the propeller made them slide down the window at an incredible speed, which was quite a surprise.
I could see the boundary between the grassy areas and the black regions where lava had solidified, observe plants growing only along the river in places without paths, suddenly encounter a volcano with glowing red lava inside, and get close to a magnificent waterfall surrounded by lush greenery. It was truly a tour that allowed me to experience the grandeur of Hawaii's nature.
I was hoping for a Japanese pilot, but unfortunately, it was conducted in English.
If I understood a bit more English, it would have been even more interesting... I realized my lack of English skills.
Of course, the pilot was very refreshing and a wonderful person.
After seeing the overall landscape from here, driving around the island might spark more interest in various things.
車でハワイ島を回った後に参加。
車では見えなかった景色や島の全貌が見え興奮ものでした。
ハワイは雲がとても低く感じられます。
雲に入った瞬間に窓に水滴がつきプロペラの爆風ですごい勢いで窓を伝って滑り落ちていく様までが珍しく、驚きの連続でした。
草原地帯と、溶岩の固まったような黒いエリアの境目が見えたり、道なき場所にある川沿いにだけ植物が育っているのをみたり、急に火山が出現しその中で溶岩が赤く光っているのをみたり、そうかと思えば、緑あふれるにある壮大な滝に接近したり、本当にハワイの自然の壮大さを体感でいるツアーでした。
日本人パイロットもいるということでそれにかけていましたが、残念ながら英語対応。
もうちょっと英語がわかればもっとおもしろかったのに…。自分の英語力のなさを痛感しました。
もちろんパイロットさんは、とっても爽やかで素敵な方でしたいよ。
こちらで全貌をみてから島を車でまわると、いろいろなことに興味がもてていいかもしれません。
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| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2011/05/10 |
Reviewed by: Tina Thatcher
This was an excellent trip!
The pre-flight activities were well organized, and the staff was very courteous.
The actual flight was incredible, and the pilot was very knowledgeable. It was wonderful to be able to ask questions while in flight.
The weather was the only drawback. We couldn't see the crater due to rain/fog/wind. It was still an incredible trip, but it would have been even better to see the crater.
I would recommend this trip to anyone, although considering the cost, children probably wouldn't enjoy as much as adults. Seating is arranged by weight to balance the ride, so young children could be separated from Mom - might be an issue for some.
Overall, a wonderful tour conducted by a wonderful company.
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| Attended as: | Families |
| Posted on: | 2011/04/05 |
Reviewed by: 山マキFamily
The staff's service is outstanding. They are friendly and approachable. The pilot was cautious and serious, and the explanations were easy to understand (he's from Hawaii). It was the most comfortable helicopter ride I've ever experienced.
I started to get a bit bored with the endless expanse of volcanic ash and land, but then came the breathtaking beauty of the Kohala Coast and Waipi'o Valley!!!! I think this beauty can only be appreciated from a helicopter. When I spotted a mother and baby whale swimming from above and informed the pilot, he kindly showed us from an angle where everyone could see, which was truly moving.
For those who want to condense the essence of the vast Hawaii Island into a short time, this adventure comes highly recommended.
スタッフさんの対応は抜群です。気軽に話しかけてくれてフレンドリーです。パイロットの方は慎重な運転のかたで、まじめ、解説もわかりやすかった(ハワイのかたです)です。今まで乗ったヘリコプターのなかでいちばん安心の乗り心地でした。
延々と続く広大な火山灰と土地に半ば飽きが来てしまいましたが そのうちコハラコースト、ワイピオバレーの鳥肌ものの美しさ!!!!これはヘリの上からでないと味わえない美しさだと思いました。途中クジラの親子の遊泳を上から発見した私がパイロットに知らせると丁寧に 全員が観れる角度で見せてくれて感激しました。
広い広いハワイ島の醍醐味を短い時間で凝縮して楽しみたいというかたは、ぜひお勧めのアドベンチャーです。
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| Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
| Posted on: | 2011/03/07 |
Reviewed by: Teresa Mackr
Me and my husband had SO much fun yesterday put on the boat. The staff was really friendly, the Captain got us right into the whales, too. We saw 9, 3 of which came right up next to the boat. The man who spoke during the boat rode (sorry I don't remember the name) was really knowledgeable and funny, too! We had a great time! Thank you for an experience we'll never forget.
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| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2011/01/12 |
Reviewed by: Adele + Samantha
The helicopter trip was fun. The pilot (Julie) was very informative. Would have been better if the volcano was erupting so that we could have seen that!
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| Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
| Posted on: | 2010/12/29 |
Reviewed by: Peggy
The Volcano Helicopter Tour with Blue Hawaiian was outstanding! One of the highlights of our trip. We were not only fortunate enough to see lava in the crater and flowing into the ocean but saw many other great sites and learned a great deal about the region. Our guide (Thanks, Kemo!) was fun, knowledgable and a great pilot. I would highly recommend this tour to anyone.
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| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2010/10/11 |
Reviewed by: エクレア大好き
I am very satisfied.
Even though I couldn't communicate in Japanese, I was still very satisfied.
It was the most enjoyable time during my trip to Hawaii.
If I have the opportunity, I would like to use it again.
The driving was safe and comfortable.
大満足です。
日本語が通じませんでしたが、それでも大満足でした。
ハワイの旅行で1番楽しい時間でした。
機会があれば、また利用したいと思います。
運転も安全で、快適でした。
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| Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
| Posted on: | 2010/10/03 |
Reviewed by: Harry
Had a great time. The crew was very entertaining and made sure everyone had a good time.
Thanks
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| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2010/09/30 |
Reviewed by: げんき姉
The view from the summit of Mauna Kea was simply amazing. The sea of clouds in front of me, the sky gradually turning orange, and just before sunset, the sky looked like it was on fire. It was incredibly cold, to the point of being laughable, but that too is a great memory.
After that, I received a starry sky explanation at the Onizuka Center. Since it was in English, I understood less than half, but it was moving to see the surface of the moon through a telescope. While everyone was receiving the explanation about the stars, a mysterious flying object suddenly appeared, and even the guide exclaimed, "I have never seen!" and was extremely excited. They said it was probably a rocket, but the truth is uncertain.
The food was surprisingly (sorry) delicious, and I was satisfied.
I thought it would have been even better if there was a guide who could speak a little Japanese, not just English, so I could enjoy the starry sky a bit more.
マウナケア山頂からの眺めはすばらしいの一言でした。
目の前一面の雲海、徐々にオレンジ色に染まる空、
沈む寸前は空が燃えるようでした。
とてもとても寒くて笑えるほどだったけど、それもいい思い出です。
その後にオニヅカセンターで星空の説明を受けました。
英語だったので半分以下しか理解できませんでしたが、
天体望遠鏡で月の表面を見れたのは感動でした。
全員で星空の説明を受けているときに、突然謎の飛行物体が見えて、ガイドの方も「I have never seen!」と言ってめちゃめちゃ興奮しました。多分ロケット?とのことでしたが真相は定かではありません。
ゴハンも意外と(すみません)美味しくて、私は満足でした。
できれば英語だけではなく、少しでもいいから日本語を話せるガイドさんがいるともう少し星空を楽しめたかなぁと思いました。
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| Attended as: | Families |
| Posted on: | 2010/09/27 |
Reviewed by: Gary and Michelle Trupe
Absolutely fantastic!! Great care taken by the staff. Great attention to detail. Saftey always the first priority and concern. The staff is not only knowledgeable but absolutely incredibly fun to travel with. We would never go anywhere else and we will most certainly return. Keep up the great work! Aloha and Maholo!!
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| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2010/08/30 |
Reviewed by: Helt Family
When we go to tropical destinations we make a point of booking a snorkel sail sometime during our vacation.
We have gone on a number of them in the Caribbean and Hawaii and have really enjoyed them all.
Our all time favorite was the Holo Holo charter on Kauai that took us over to Napali.
My wife and I, as well as our 3 boys, really like getting out on the ocean in a smooth running catamarran.
The Black Sand Snorkel sail was a blast. We really enjoyed the Sea Smoke and the awesome crew. Kane was very friendly and knowledgeable, and Captain Pat was great as well.
One of the main reasons I booked this particular snorkel sail was that it was close to our condo villiage in the Waikoloa Beach Resort. I think it may have been the only one available in that area since most of the others were out of the Kona area.
The only things I would not comment positively on were the fact that the breakfast offering was not good. All they served were some sliced oranges. Other sails I have been on ha
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| Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
| Posted on: | 2010/08/29 |
Reviewed by: Paul
Excellent. To start, we went out on the Sea Smoke, little did we know, this was owned by James Arness (Gun Smoke TV show) and he raced this from LA to Hawaii and beat the pack by 2-days… So we were sailing on a piece of history.
Crew was awesome and extremely hospitable. Equipment was very good; food and beverages were high quality and fresh.
We arrived at the dive spot and it was amazing, sea turtles to say the least. The black sand beach was amazing and really different than the typical white sugar sand that most beaches are made of.
I would recommend this to all skill levels and all ages.
On the way back they sent up the sails and turned the engine off, we enjoyed the speed and stability that 60’ catamarans are famous for.
If you have a chance, don't miss this opportunity to view the Big Island and its beautiful coastline from the ocean… Well worth the 4-hour snorkel adventure and very convenient to find as this is anchored at the Waikoloa Marriot.
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| Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
| Posted on: | 2010/07/29 |
Reviewed by: SAR
Great transportation, very knowledgeable guides/drivers, wonderful "star gazing," well prepared food (too much for one person to eat at one meal!) with stainless steel table service, warm parkas and gloves provided. Recommend wearing jeans, sneakers and socks, and perhaps a light jacket to wear under the parka. Understand that it will be cold at these altitudes and be wary of altitude sickness if you are normally near sea level. Be well rested when you go and altitude shouldn't be a problem since a couple of rests (and restroom stops) as you ascend are provided. On the ride back after excellent stargazing and a hot drink and cookie, really nice and varied selections of music were played! I've never seen such wonderful sky views! Hope to come again and bring grandchildren!
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| Attended as: | Families |
| Posted on: | 2010/07/10 |
Reviewed by: Mr. Anonymous
I was skeptical when my wife booked me a spa package, but it turned out to be much better than I expected. She booked me the Men's Spa Escape, and it turned out to be exactly what I needed. I left the spa feeling a lot less stress and I was in a state of pure relaxation. Just because you are a man doesn't mean you can't benefit from a few hours at a spa.
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| Attended as: | Friends |
| Posted on: | 2010/05/18 |
Reviewed by: Mr. Anonymous
The staff was great and tour was better than expected. We saw lots of turtles.
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| Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
| Posted on: | 2010/04/09 |
Reviewed by: William
I would not recommend this activity unless you've already done most everything else on this island. Everyone we talked to after getting back was dis-appointed. It sure isn't what I thought. First the transportation isn't very convenient. Getting to and from the pick up points should be improved. Next on the way up the mountain we stopped at a gift/visitor shop. Thats where we had a cardboard box dinner in the van. Someone else said bring a sandwich. I also recomend that. Going on up the hill. The observatories we only got to see from the outside, and was just told about them. We did watch a nice sunset at 13,780 feet of elevation. It was a nice view although I like the sunsets over the beach better. After the sun went down we left and went down to about 7000 feet elevation and they set up 11inch Celestron telescopes. Nice telescopes, i have a friend who has one. We saw several stars and clusters ect. Beautiful clear sky. Chitchen-Itza ruins in Mexico was just a clear a
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| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2010/04/04 |
Reviewed by: William
To start off with when we were making reservations transportation aparently wasn't available. Don't let them tell you that. They have vans and make pick-ups from the hotel we stayed in. We took the big island spectacular 2 hour. It was nice. The volcano part wasn't what i thought. I expected to see flowing lava. All you see is the top crust of past lava flows. Even the volcano vent wasn't what I thought it would be. The VOG was so thick thast about all you could see. A little let down. Although the 2nd part was the tropical rain forest. We had a nice ride along the ocean front. Went up the valleys and saw more waterfalls than I could keep track of. Pilot even sighted some whales and circled for us. Wind turbulance in some of the valleys made me tighten my seat belt a bit. Later I learned the pilot is a retired coast guard pilot. Wish I knew that going in, I would have been a bit more relaxed.
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| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2010/04/04 |
Reviewed by: Rick & Beth
This experience was the highlight of our time on the Big Island. The whales and dolphins were amazing and the crew was lots of fun!
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| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2010/02/01 |
Reviewed by: Mr. Anonymous
The trip was just amazing! Our guide was very entertaining and knowledgeable. Would go back and do this again! Can't believe the view! This is one of the few trips we will never forget!
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| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2010/01/15 |
Reviewed by: Andrea Barbado
...about to this cruise. My children and I utterly loved this tour and I just want to thank the unforgettable crew members who made this trip a highlight of our vacation. From the moment we stepped onto the boat until we stepped off, it was an absolute pleasure.
Hearing my children's sounds of joy when they saw their first whale breach from the water is something that I will remember always.
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| Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
| Posted on: | 2009/12/20 |
Reviewed by: Lia, Miki, Karyn and Sam
TOTALLY AMAZING! When my friends and I saw this tour we were like, "Hmmm, whale watching? Sure why not!" and I am so glad that we decided to go. The boat was great, the view was priceless and seeing humpback whales jumping and slapping the water is something that I will never forget...ever. Like what a great memory to bring back home with me. Take this tour! You won't regret it!
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| Attended as: | Families |
| Posted on: | 2009/12/20 |
Reviewed by: Mr. Anonymous
Wish we brought the kids, they would have had a blast!! In any case it was our first time to the Big Island and this was a super good time. I'm guessing it's the same crew, but the afternoon sail crew was just lovely. Highly Recommended!!!
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| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2009/12/20 |
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