Big Island
I wanted to let my 4-year-old child meet dolphins. First, there was a bit of a struggle since no one spoke Japanese. The time spent playing with the dolphins was short, so I felt it might not be worth the cost in terms of enjoyment. However, you can see the dolphins up close, so that might be satisfying enough.
4歳の子供をイルカと会わせたくて利用。
まず日本語が全く通じず、少し苦戦。
イルカと遊ぶ時間が短いので、金額ほど楽しめないかなと思う。
近くでイルカは普通に見えるので、それで満足できるかも。
I had signed up to participate on May 12, but my friend who was accompanying me canceled at the last minute due to health issues. My husband and two sisters participated, and they said it was great because dolphins came very close to them both on the way to and from the snorkeling point. They also mentioned that the boat was large and comfortable, but it was a problem that all the explanations were in English, so you need to understand at least some English. It seems there were no other Japanese participants.
5月12日に参加申し込みをしていましたが、私と同行したお友達は体調不良のため直前キャンセルをしました。
主人と妹二人で参加しましたが、シュノーケルポイントまでの行きも帰りも、すぐ近くまでイルカが来てくれてとても良かったとのことです。
船も大きく快適だったそうですが、英語ある程度分から無いと説明が全て英語なので、そこが問題と言ってました。日本人の方は他にはいらっしゃらなかったようです。
A 9-year-old child participated. I chose this program because it was safe with shallow interactions for kids and I thought it would also help with English learning. However, in the first half, there was a long quiz about aquatic creatures while showing pictures indoors, and my child, who doesn't understand English well, seemed to dislike being mixed in with native children. On the other hand, the time spent in the dolphin pool was somewhat longer, and in the end, my child said it was fun. However, it seems that in other programs, groups with many children were also having shallow interactions, so perhaps those programs would have been better.
9歳の子供が参加しました。子供向けで浅いところでふれあいなので安心だし、英語の勉強にもなると思い、こちらを選びましたが、前半、室内で絵を見せながら水の生き物に関するクイズが長く続いて、ネイティブの子供の中に一人交じって英語もよくわからないので嫌そうでした。ただイルカのプールにいる時間は若干長く、最後は楽しかったと話していました。ただ他のプログラムでも子供が多いグループは浅いところでふれあいをしていたようなので、他のプログラムの方がよかったかも。
I was impressed by the intelligence and cuteness of the dolphin. When I asked its age, it was said to be 32 years old. Dolphins really do live a long time, don't they?
イルカのかしこさとかわいさに感激しました。
年齢を聞いたら32歳とのこと。イルカって長生きなんですね。
Eight years ago, my eldest son experienced this, and my second son saw the photos and videos and said he wanted to do it too, so we came to have this experience. The content seems to be the same as before.
The day before, we were satisfied swimming with wild dolphins, but I think this attraction is good for children because they can take their time to look and touch.
The participation fee and the cost of photos are a bit high.
8年前に長男が体験していて、次男がその写真やビデオを見ていて、自分もやりたいと言い出し、この体験をするためにやって来ました。内容は以前と同じように思います。
前日は野生のイルカと泳げたので満足でしたが、このアトラクションはゆっくり見たり触ったり出来るので子供には良いと思います。
参加費用と写真代が高いのが何点です。
I participated because it was my dream to swim with dolphins, but it was a bit different than I expected. I think the female instructor explained the dolphins' ecology very thoroughly, but it was all in 100% English. I could hardly understand... It's embarrassing not to be able to speak English these days, and I feel self-loathing about it now. However, it was a good memory when the dolphin spun around with my signal and the kiss with the dolphin.
イルカと泳ぐのが夢で参加したのですがちょっと違ったようです。インストラクターの女性はイルカの生態などを丁寧に説明してくださったと思うのですが、とにかく100%いんぐりっしゅ。殆ど理解できず…今どき英語ができないのは恥ずかしいことで、今更ながら自己嫌悪。でも、イルカが自分のサインでクルクル回ってくれたり、イルカとのkissは良い思い出になりました。
We spotted dolphins just five minutes after departing! What a wonderful start. I watched brave foreigners diving into the sea while enjoying snorkeling with my son. The inside of the boat was very clean! The restroom was cleaner than those in nearby hotels! Moreover, I was impressed to see the staff constantly moving and working diligently. Good job! On the way back, we encountered whales, making it an even more enjoyable memory.
出港して5分としないうちにイルカ出没‼︎なんと素晴らしいスタート。息子とシュノーケルを楽しみながら海へダイブの勇敢な外国人の方々を眺めました。船内はとても綺麗‼︎トイレはその辺のホテルより綺麗‼︎しかもスタッフの方々は常に動き、きめ細かくお仕事していたのを見て感動しました。good job‼︎
帰りにはクジラ出没し、更に楽しい想い出になりました。
Fabulous!!! But many got sea sickness!!
Food was awesome
We had a reservation at 8:45. It was a windy day and the water temperature was low, so it was a bit chilly, but the activity of being able to touch dolphins is unique to this place, and my 4-year-old son was really looking forward to it! The instructor was kind and friendly! She taught us where the dolphin's ears, eyes, and nose are, gently touched its belly, and fed it fish. At my son's signal, the dolphin would make sounds and jump, making us feel like we had the dolphin show all to ourselves! It was only 15 minutes, but it was fulfilling!
8:45からの予約でした。風が強い日で水温も低くて、少し寒かったですが、イルカに触れることができるアクティビティはここでしかないので、4歳の息子は楽しみにしておりました!
インストラクターのお姉さんも優しく、親切!
イルカの耳や目や鼻はココにあるよと教えてくれたり、おなかを優しく触ったり、お魚を食べさせてあげたり、子どもの合図で、イルカが鳴いたり、ジャンプしたり、イルカショーを独り占めした気分でしたよ〜^ ^
たったの15分でしたが、充実しました❗️
I participated with my first grader, and the large boat provided stability, complete with restrooms, fruit service, and hamburger service, so my child ended up sleeping on the way back. They had fins and goggles available in child sizes, and although we brought our own, I felt we didn't really need them.
We saw dolphins swimming alongside the boat, and the snorkeling was at a different location from the dolphin point. However, it was a relaxed experience, unlike the frantic rush to see dolphins, allowing my child to play comfortably. They provided floats for kids, making it enjoyable even for those who can't dive.
If you're in the mood, you can dive into the sea from the second floor or slide down the slide (which ends at the first floor, giving a feeling of falling for the rest), and we stayed at the points until the afternoon, really enjoying a leisurely time.
Actually, I previously participated in a dolphin swimming tour on a small boat, and we were quite frantic moving from point to point to achieve our goal, which left me exhausted and seasick. This time, I intentionally chose a different type of tour, and considering the longer duration, lunch included, and nearly unlimited drinks, the price wasn't much different, making it highly recommended.
The explanation before diving is entirely in English, but somehow the important points get across. Enjoy!
小学一年生を連れての参加でしたが、大きな船で安定感もあり、トイレ完備、フルーツサービスあり、ハンバーガーサービスありで、すっかり帰りは寝ていました。
フィンもゴーグルも子供サイズが揃っており、自前で持っていきましたが「要らなかったな」という感想です。
イルカは船と並走してるのを見て、シュノーケルはイルカポイントとは別の場所でした。だけど、必死でイルカに会うために移動を続けるのとは違って、気持ちに余裕も あって、子供も安心して遊んでました。
子供用にフロートを出してくれたり、潜れない人でも充分楽しめます。
気分が乗れば、二階から海にダイブしたり、滑り台(一階までで切れてて、残りは落ちる感がありますが)でダイブしたり、昼過ぎまでポイントにいて、本当にゆっくり楽しめました。
実は以前、小型ボートでイルカと泳ごうツアーに参加したんですが、目的達成のために結構必死でポイントを移動したのでぐったり疲れてしまったのと、酔ってしまった思い出があって、今回は敢えて違うタイプに参加したのですが、所要時間の長さとお昼つき、ドリンクもほぼ自由でお値段もたいして変わらないので、かなりのお薦めとなりました。
潜る前の説明は思い切り英語ですが、何となく重要な事は伝わります。。楽しんでください!
Title a bit misleading as we saw no Dolphins (they did point out some movement in the water on the trip out that might have been Dolphins but who knows).
My husband and I had a lot of fun ! The team was really friendly and we had the perfect weather ! We will take the cruise again when we come back to the Big Island !
Absolutely perfect day! Saw dolphins, snorkeled, good food, great staff.
My second-grade daughter participated and was very happy, but there was an explanation in English until we could interact with the dolphins. It felt more like a discussion than an explanation. Also, the pool where we could interact with the dolphins seemed a bit deep, which was a bit tough for my short daughter.
小学2年の娘が参加しました喜んでおりましたがイルカと触れ合えるまで英語での説明がありました。説明というよりもディスカッションみたいでした。あとイルカと触れ合えるプールが少し深さがあるようで、背の低い娘にはちょっとしんどそうでした。
What a fun day. The crew was courteous and intent on everyone having fun. There were families on our trip with very young children and some grandparents on board too. Everyone was in the water whether snokling, scub or snuba diving or just relaxing in tubes. I also didn't hear any complaints about the food. Service was very efficient. Everyone was satisfied!!
Nice ship great staff a fun time was had by all .
Very professional crew
Did not know how much fun this activity would be. First time ever snorkeling and it was a blast and exciting and we saw turtles!!!!! The staff went out of their way to accomidate our needs and were super friendly. The food was great also. Would highly recommend this activity and we would do it again.
Welcoming, good food and safety aware. i would recommend this to anyone of any age including families with young children. Crews knowledge of the area and the marine life was good.They were helpful and demonstrated awareness of the impact that man can have on such an environment.
The cruise was excellent. We saw dolphins on the way out and on the way back. When we anchored we had about 2.5 hours to snorkel, jump off the boat and play with the various water equipment. The kids particularly enjoyed using the paddle board. The breakfast and lunch was great and the staff were very friendly. I would definitely recommend this trip.
Great crew, wonderful experience, saw dolphins at a distance
Great adventure with a well organized, professional, informative crew! Originally booked a different tour for my boyfriend as a birthday present, but Veltra contacted me when that tour wasn't going to run and connected me with this outfit, especially since they were based right outside our hotel. I'm so glad they did! We didn't see dolphins, but had a great time snorkeling and exploring the coast under the guidance of Captains Patrick and Cassie. Great experience all around. Highly recommend!
CPT Pononui Lealao and his assistant were great and provided us with a great adventure of being able to swim with the dolphins. Awesome adventure.
Very nice crew and boat. Good food and alots of toys .To many rules over all great time ..
I was looking for a tour to swim with dolphins on the Big Island and narrowed it down to two options: ① a small boat tour with about six people (no restroom, no shower, some snacks provided, possibly swimming close to dolphins) or ② a large boat (with restroom, shower, breakfast and lunch included, able to see dolphins but not swim with them). When I asked my kids, they preferred the large boat with a slide (more interested in that than the dolphins... haha), and considering my wife's health, I thought it would be better to choose the tour with the restroom, so I went with option ②.
In fact, two years ago, when I participated in a tour with Quicksilver in Cairns, Australia, the large boat had a buffet for lunch and was equipped with restrooms and changing rooms, making it very comfortable, so I chose a similar type this time as well. The departure location was a bit far from the office and unclear, but when I first went to the departure point and asked a crew member near the boat, they kindly guided me, allowing me to find the office and park the car successfully.
When I got close to the boat, the check-in was smooth, and we boarded. The boat was not as large as the one from Quicksilver in Australia, with six booth-style seats like those in a family restaurant, and there were bench seats back-to-back in the central area on the second floor, which had a roof, while the outer bench seats were exposed to the sun. By the way, for those prone to seasickness, the first-floor seats are recommended as they experience less rocking.
Since we had an early morning meeting, there was a simple breakfast buffet where we could eat as much as we wanted, including fruit. Also, I had accidentally submerged my waterproof camera the day before, so I rented a digital camera (GoPro) for about $30 with an 8GB SD card and chip. I think it’s much better than the waterproof disposable camera... I tried both, but the photos included here are from the GoPro.
Unlike the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, we didn’t go out far into the ocean but progressed along the coast. Therefore, we were on the boat for about 30 to 40 minutes. When we arrived, the staff distributed snorkeling masks, and the fins were located under the seats on the first floor, so we were told to choose ones that fit our foot size. The water was deep enough for diving, so I borrowed a life jacket (the staff will lend it to you if you ask; you can just gesture to indicate what you need... haha).
When I went to the Great Barrier Reef in Australia around the same time, the seawater was a bit cold, and I borrowed a wetsuit (to prevent jellyfish stings), but this time it wasn’t necessary (there were no jellyfish). The visibility was incredible, and I could see all the way down. It was beautiful.
We swam freely around the boat and slid down the slide from the second floor (the slide ends around the first floor, and you drop into the water from about one floor high). My third-grade son enjoyed it. The adults also had fun. Even without the slide, you could jump in from the second floor where there were no railings.
Around lunchtime, they started a BBQ on the deck, and we had a buffet-style meal centered around hamburgers. During this time, we had free time to eat or play until the departure time.
On the way back, we encountered a pod of dolphins that swam alongside the boat and jumped around. I think we were very fortunate with the weather. I did feel a bit seasick during the trip, but since it was a large boat, I could lie down in my seat the whole time, so I was glad it wasn’t a small boat.
By the way, we were the only Japanese on this tour. Even though we came all the way to Hawaii, it felt a bit lonely to be surrounded by only Japanese people, so I chose this tour, but thanks to that, I was able to make friends with an American who came from Los Angeles.
Since I got seasick this time, I rated it four stars, but the tour itself was great.
ハワイ島でイルカと一緒に泳ぐツアーに参加しようと探していたところ、2つに絞られ、①6名程度の小型ボート(トイレなし、シャワーなし、スナック程度付、イルカの近くで泳げるかも)でのツアーか、②大型船(トイレ、シャワーあり、朝食・昼食付、イルカを見れるけど一緒には泳げない)になりました。
子どもたちに尋ねたところ船にスライダーがついている②大型船を希望し(イルカよりもそっちか…笑)、妻の体調のことも考えるとトイレが完備されているツアーの方がいいかと思い、②を選びました。
実際、2年前にオーストラリアのケアンズでクイックシルバー社のツアーに参加した時、大型船で昼食にビュッフェがあったり、トイレ・更衣室等完備されていたので、大変快適だったので、今回もそのようなタイプを選びました。
出発場所から若干事務所が離れていてよくわからなく、最初に出発場所に行って船の近くにいるクルーに尋ねたら親切に教えてくれたので、事務所を無事に見つけ、車を駐車することができました。
船の近くに行くと受付が行われていて、スムーズに済み、乗船。
オーストラリアのクイックシルバー社の船ほどの大きさはなく、ファミレスのボックスシートのような席が6か所、あとは二階席で中央側にベンチシートが背中合わせであり、そこには屋根があり、外側のベンチシートは日が当たるような状態でした。ちなみに船酔いしやすい人は1階席の方が揺れが少ないのでお勧めです。
朝早くの集合のため、簡単な朝食バイキングがあり、フルーツを含め好きなだけ食べることができました。また前日に防水カメラの内部に浸水させて故障させてしまったので、デジタルカメラ(GoPro)を借りました(8GBのSDカードとチップを入れて30ドル程度だったかな。防水タイプの写るんですよりは全然いいかと思います…両方試してみましたが。今回掲載している写真は、GoProのものです)
オーストラリアのグレートバリアリーフとは違い沖に出ず、岸に沿って進んでいきます。そのため30分か40分程度船に乗るくらいです。
到着する頃になると、スタッフがシュノーケルのマスクを配ってくれ、フィンは1階のシート下にあるので、自分の足のサイズに合うものを選んで使ってくれということでした。ダイビングもできるくらいの深さのところなので、ライフジャケットを借り(スタッフに言えば貸してくれます。というか、置いてあるものを手で持って、ジェスチャーで示すだけでもわかってもらえます…笑)
オーストラリアのグレートバリアリーフに同じ時期に行った時は、海水がやや冷たく、ウェットスーツを借りましたが(クラゲ防止も含めて)、今回は不要でした(クラゲもおらず)。
透明度がすごくて、思いっきり下まで見えました。綺麗です。
船の周辺を好き勝手に泳いだり、2階からスライダーで滑り下りて(1階くらいでスライダーがなくなり、残り1階分くらいの高さから)、水中に落ちる。小3の息子は楽しんでいました。外国人は大人も楽しんでいました。スライダーでなくても2階の手すりのないところから飛びこむこともできます。
昼食頃になるとデッキでBBQをやり始め、ハンバーガーを中心としたバイキング形式の食事になります。
この辺りは食べようが遊ぼうが出発時間までは自由時間です。
帰り道でイルカの群れに遭遇し、船と並走して、ジャンプしたりしてくれました。
天気にも恵まれて大変よかったと思います。
途中船酔い状態になりましたが、やはり大型船だったため、ずっとシートで横になっていることができたので、小型ボートでなくてよかったと思いました。
ちなみにこのツアーですが日本人はうちだけでした。せっかくハワイまで来たのに、周りが日本人ばかりというのもちょっと寂しいので、そのようなツアーにしましたが、お陰でロスから来られたアメリカ人の方と仲良くすることができました。
今回酔ってしまったので、星4つとしましたが、ツアー自体はいいものです。
Great time had by all! Thanks for the memory! We will be back in the future!
I signed up for this tour because I was with my mother-in-law. It was an English tour, and I was happy that the crew took care of us. However, the water in October was cold, and there were some waves. Additionally, there weren't many fish, and there weren't many dolphins either. You can swim in the sea, but I think snorkeling might not be that great.
義理のお母さんと一緒なので、このツアーに申し込みました。英語ツアーでしたが、クルーの人たちは私達を気にかけてくれて嬉しかったです。
ただ、10月の海の水は冷たいのと少し波がたかかったです。あとは、あまり魚たちがおらず、イルカもあまりいませんでした。海では泳げますが、シュノーケルはいまいちかなと思います。
I participated because I really wanted to see dolphins in Hawaii for the first time. I even got to see a baby dolphin, and snorkeling was comfortable. The ocean was so beautiful and enjoyable that I lost track of time. However, I wonder if it was because I couldn't sleep the night before? I got really seasick ( ̄O ̄;).
If there's a next time, I want to participate after getting a good night's sleep ( ̄^ ̄)ゞ.
初ハワイにて、どうしてもイルカに会いたくて参加しました。
イルカの赤ちゃんにも会えましたし、シュノーケリングも快適でした。もう、海が綺麗すぎて、楽しくて時間が過ぎるのを忘れました。
ただ、前日に眠れなかったのがきいたのか?めっちゃ船酔いしまくりでした( ̄O ̄;)
次回があれば、ゆっくり寝てから参加したいです( ̄^ ̄)ゞ
I participated in a tour that included dolphin watching, snorkeling, and a barbecue lunch, and it was great. The participants were all foreigners, and the staff were kind, cheerful, and a lot of fun, making for an amazing half-day experience.
I was worried about getting seasick, but it was so enjoyable that I didn't have time to feel seasick at all, and I was completely fine.
The meeting point at the pier was very close to the hotel, which was very convenient.
The hamburgers grilled by the staff were the best!
イルカウォッチングとシュノーケル、
その上バーベキューランチ付のツアーがよかったので、
こちらのツアーに参加しました。
参加者は外国人ばかりで、スタッフも親切で明るくて
とっても楽しい方ばかりだったので、最高の半日が過ごせました。
船酔いを心配していましたが、
楽しくてあっという間で、
船酔いなんてしている暇がないくらいで
全然大丈夫でした。
集合場所の桟橋もホテルからすぐのところで、
とっても便利でした。
スタッフが焼いてくれるハンバーガーが
最高でした!
You can enjoy it with a middle school level of English proficiency. I think it's a safe tour. Even in the middle of summer, it can be cold on the way back, so it's better to bring a jacket.
中学生レベルの英語力で充分楽しめます。
安全なツアーだと思います。真夏でも帰りは寒いので上着持参したほうがいいです。
We participated as a family with our three children, aged 11, 8, and 5.
The snorkeling location was quite deep (over 10-15 meters?), and since our youngest child couldn't swim, we had some concerns. However, they provided children's life jackets, and with the floaties we brought, the kids were able to float and enjoy themselves. The older two were initially scared, but as they got used to it, they enjoyed snorkeling in the clear sea. The staff were also very friendly, and the freshly made hamburgers were delicious. We even got to see dolphins along the way, making it a very satisfying tour overall.
Since the boat ride to the snorkeling location is quite long, it's advisable for those prone to seasickness to take motion sickness medication beforehand (the older child got seasick). If you have small children, bringing floaties would enhance their enjoyment as well.
Despite a few challenges, it was a very enjoyable tour, and I can definitely recommend it for families.
11歳、8歳、5歳の3人の子供と家族で参加しました。
シュノーケリングする場所は結構深く(10~15m以上?)、
下の子供は泳ぐことができない為、多少不安もありましたが、
子供用のライフジャケットも完備されており、持参した浮き輪を使って
ぷかぷかと浮かんで楽しんでいました。
上の2人も最初は怖がっていましたが、慣れてくるとシュノーケルを使って
透き通った海を楽しんでいました。
スタッフの方も非常に親切で、焼き立てのハンバーガも美味しかったです。
途中イルカにも会うことができ、ツアーとしては非常に満足できるものでした。
シュノーケリングする場所まで結構乗船する為、船酔いする方は
酔い止めを必ず飲んでいった方が良いです。(上の子は酔いました)
また小さな子供がいるようであれば、浮き輪も持参した方が楽しめると
思います。
いろいろとありましたが、ツアーとしては非常に楽しめるもので
家族連れの方にも十分おすすめできます。