Reviewed by: DWAungst
The flight was amazing, but we did not fly from Hilo. When our scheduled time (from Hilo) arrived, the weather was below minimum at the volcano. This was very disappointing since Hilo weather was nice. But, Hawaii weather is very volatile.
We rescheduled for the next day as a "reserve flight" (needed more people to "confirm" the flight). Before the scheduled time, Paradise Helicopters called to say the flight was still only "reserved", but they had an opening in a different, circle the whole island, flight from Kona. They would upgrade me for no additional cost to take that one. We jumped at it.
The flight was amazing. We got to see the whole island, in addition to the volcano and real, live, flowing lava. Our pilot was Koji and he was awesome. The weather over the volcano was mixed, but he was able to navigate through the clouds enough to maintain the FAA rules for height and get us over the actual volcano caldera. Then, we headed for the current eruption points on the southern slopes and saw even more lava in the second vent. Moving further to the new lava fields, he located some live, flow lava. "WOW!!!" is all I can say.
The rest of the flight was great, too. Flying low up the valley on the north shore was wild. Seeing all the waterfalls was also terrific.
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| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2015/09/21 |
Reviewed by: eriri
I am a complete beginner at snorkeling, but I was really immersed in it. I was amazed by the clarity of the water and the number of fish. There were a few moments of anxiety, but it was such a wonderful experience that it made up for everything.
I participated with my child. My child seemed a bit anxious and was looking around, wondering if there were any Japanese people, but there were quite a few Chinese people, and we were the only two Japanese. Everything was in English, so I couldn't understand anything and just followed the movements of those around me. Well, once you're in the water, there are no problems at all (*^-^*).
One little issue was that I made the reservation on my smartphone while traveling, but I had to bring a printed reservation instead of just showing the smartphone screen. I managed to get it printed at the hotel front desk, thanks to a kind front desk staff member who understood a little Japanese.
Also, regarding the snorkeling at Kealakekua Bay, please make sure not to confuse the meeting point, which is at Keauhou Bay.
シュノーケルは超初心者ですが、すごい夢中になってシュノーケルしていました。水の透明度、魚の数にびっくりでした。少し不安な所がありましたが、それを全てチャラにするくらい素敵な経験をさせてもらいました。
子供と二人で参加しました。子供は心細かったみたいで「日本人いないかなぁ」とキヨロキヨロ周りを捜していましたが、中国の人は結構おられましたが、日本人は私たち二人だけでした。全て英語だったので、何も理解できませんでしたので、周りの人の動きを見ながら行動してました。まぁ海に入ればなんの問題もありませんが(*^-^*)
ちよっと困ったのは、旅行に出てからスマホで予約したのですが、スマホ画面ではなく、予約票を印刷して持って行かなければなりませんでした。ホテルのフロントでなんとかプリントして貰う事ができましたが、少し日本語が通じる親切なフロントマンのおかげです。
あと、ケアラケクア湾シュノーケルですが、集合はケアウホウ湾なので、つい間違わないようにして下さい。
| Rating: | |
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| Packages: | アフタヌーンクルーズ<軽食>(2017年12月31日までのご参加) |
| Attended as: | Families |
| Posted on: | 2015/09/20 |
| Activity Date: | 2015/08/25 |
Reviewed by: giraffeslover
The guide and his team was awesome. They took care of us very well. It was almost an hour kayak on the wavy sea to the cliff. We also saw dolphins. We did a cliff jumping which was very awesome! Overall, recommended!
| Rating: | |
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| Packages: | Standard Package |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2015/09/20 |
| Activity Date: | 2015/09/02 |
Reviewed by: Miked
This snorkeling trip was outstanding! Everything was provided and the crew was great! They made sure we all had a great time.
| Rating: | |
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| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2015/09/19 |
Reviewed by: Miked
First luau and a great one to attend. The performers were fantastic and the food was outstanding! Due to weather this one was held indoors and the show was great even in the closed in area.
| Rating: | |
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| Packages: | Ohana Package |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2015/09/17 |
| Activity Date: | 2015/09/13 |
Reviewed by: Miked
Fantastic! Beautiful place to snorkel! Crew was outstanding. We loved that everything was provided and the crew made sure we had an excellent time.
| Rating: | |
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| Packages: | Morning Kealakekua Snorkel Tour [4.5 hours] |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2015/09/17 |
| Activity Date: | 2015/09/16 |
Reviewed by: Miked
First helo ride ever and we had the doors off. It was fantastic! Our pilot Rob was great! Would definitely recommend this if you want a close up view of a volcano!
| Rating: | |
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| Packages: | Popular! Shared Doors-Off Flight [40 mins] |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2015/09/17 |
| Activity Date: | 2015/09/14 |
Reviewed by: らがお
The clarity of the ocean was outstanding, and there were plenty of fish, which made it very enjoyable. Since it was a plan without transportation, I thought the directions to the parking lot and from the parking lot to the boat were a bit unclear, but it was manageable.
The explanations were in English, but they provided written instructions in Japanese regarding snorkeling precautions, so that was also manageable. The meeting point before the boat departs only has one restroom, so there might be a bit of a wait, but there is a restroom on the boat as well, so it's fine.
Once on the boat, you need to secure your preferred seating early if you want to enjoy your meal comfortably, so be cautious about that. In the morning, the muffins were delicious, and the lunch burgers were tasty too.
The explanation regarding the vests and floaties for snorkeling was, "Feel free to use what you like according to your level." In a previous tour I took in Oahu, wearing a life vest was mandatory, which made swimming difficult, so I appreciated this flexibility. I think if you're accustomed to snorkeling, a vest isn't necessary. If you wear fins, your body will float.
There was about an hour of free time upon arrival. Even with lunch in between, we had plenty of time to enjoy snorkeling, which was great. Before heading back, I was able to take a freshwater shower at the right timing, but if you miss that opportunity, there are no shower facilities nearby, so you have to go back to the hotel as is.
Still, I can truly recommend this for those who want to swim in a highly transparent ocean.
海の透明度が抜群で、魚も沢山いて、とても楽しめました。
送迎無しのプランでしたので、駐車場の場所と、駐車場から船までの場所の案内が、少しわかりづらかったかなとも思いましたが、まあ、何とかなります。
説明は英語のみですが、シュノーケリングの注意事項等は、日本語で書いた説明文を見せてくれますので、これも、何とかなります。
船が出るまでの待ち合わせ場所になっている所には、トイレが1つあるだけですので、ちょっと並んだりもしますが、船にもトイレはありますから、大丈夫。
船に乗ったら、自分たちの座りたい席は、早めにキープしないと、ゆっくり座って食事が出来なくなりますので、注意が必要です。
朝は、マフィンが美味しかった。ランチのハンバーガーも美味しかったです。
シュノーケリングの時のベストや浮き輪は、「自分のレベルに合わせて、好きな物を使って下さいね」という程度の説明。以前、オアフで利用したツアーは、ライフベスト必ず着用でしたので、泳ぎにくくて辛かったので、これは私達にはありがたいなと思いました。
シュノーケリングに慣れている人ならば、ベストは必要無いと思いました。フィンを付けていれば、身体は浮くので。
到着して1時間程度のフリータイム。ランチをはさんでもう1時間程度、たっぷりシュノーケリングが楽しめて、良かったです。
帰る前の船に上がるタイミングで真水のシャワーを浴びる事が出来ましたが、そのタイミングを逃すと、戻っても近くにシャワーの設備等がありませんので、そのままホテルまで戻るしかありません。
それでも、透明度の高い海で泳ぎたい方には、本当におすすめできます。
| Rating: | |
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| Packages: | 9:00出港(シュノーケル2.5時間) |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2015/09/17 |
| Activity Date: | 2015/08/21 |
Reviewed by: DWAungst
Weather cancelled booked flight. They upgraded me to a whole island tour for second flight next day. Bucket list item checked off - I saw real, flowing lava! Amazing flight. I wanna do it again.
| Rating: | |
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| Packages: | Popular! Shared Doors-Off Flight [40 mins] |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2015/09/13 |
| Activity Date: | 2015/09/10 |
Reviewed by: たこっち
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!
| Rating: | |
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| Packages: | おすすめプラン(2015/12/31まで) |
| Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
| Posted on: | 2015/09/13 |
| Activity Date: | 2015/08/18 |
Reviewed by: Sandra
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).
| Rating: | |
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| Packages: | Deluxe Snorkel & Dolphin Watch Cruise |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2015/09/13 |
| Activity Date: | 2015/09/10 |
Reviewed by: yukari
I wanted to go snorkeling at Kealakekua Bay, and I was drawn to this tour because of its packed itinerary. My husband, our two daughters (in 6th and 4th grade), and I participated as a family of four. We brought our own snorkeling gear from Japan. The kids were nervous about their first rafting boat ride, so they put on their life jackets before boarding and chose seats at the back where the rocking was relatively mild. However, as soon as we set sail, we encountered dolphins, and we were thrilled to see a pod of seven or eight swimming around the boat. When the staff invited us to move to the front, we eagerly did so. The staff supported our daughters from behind as they squealed with joy at the bouncing of the boat and the splashes of water. Once they got used to it, the boat made turns and created G-forces, making it feel like an amusement park ride! We even encountered a rare mother and baby whale during the summer. They came so close that we could almost touch them, which was moving.
The long-awaited Kealakekua Bay had high transparency, and we were able to swim to our heart's content among the coral and tropical fish. The kids were very happy to take off their life jackets and dive into the water during the middle of the snorkeling time (something that wouldn’t be allowed on tours in Japan), and they borrowed noodles (floating sticks) to play with, looking very satisfied. After snorkeling, while we were leisurely cruising in the bay, we encountered a pod of dozens of dolphins. A baby dolphin performed a beautiful spin jump right next to the boat, and everyone on board applauded! There were 12 passengers in total, and we were the only Japanese family; the others were from various places like New York and Australia. The friendly atmosphere provided a great stimulus for my daughters, who hardly understood any English. The view of the lava cliffs from the sea on the way back was incredibly impressive.
When it came time to tip the captain, I noticed that foreign guests were giving about $10 each, totaling around $40 for our group of four. Unfamiliar with the tipping customs and unsure of the going rate, I regretted that my tip might have been a bit low. The staff's hospitality was outstanding, which made me feel even more that way. My daughters had the biggest smiles, exclaiming, "We had so much fun!!" While there are tour coupon tickets available at the airport and other locations, they only accept phone reservations and do not accommodate Japanese speakers, so I would like to rely on VELTRA, which allows for reservations from Japan, for the next opportunity. I definitely want to participate again!
ケアラケクア湾でシュノーケルがしたくて、盛り沢山の内容に惹かれてこのツアーに参加しました。夫と私、小6と小4の娘の家族4人での参加。日本から自分たちのシュノーケルの道具を持参しました。子供たちは初めてのラフティングボートに緊張の様子で、乗船前からマイライフジャケットを装着し、揺れが比較的小さいという船尾に陣取りました。が、いざ出航してすぐイルカに遭遇し、7,8頭の群れがいくつもボートを取り囲むように泳ぐ姿に大興奮で、スタッフが「前においで」と誘ってくれるまま、船首に移動。船のバウンドとかかる波しぶきにキャーキャー喜ぶ娘たちをスタッフの方が後ろからサポートしてくださいました。慣れてきたころには、船を旋回してGをかけてくれたり、遊園地のアトラクションばりの面白さ!夏には珍しいクジラの親子にも遭遇しました。手を伸ばせば触れそうな距離まで近寄ってきてくれ、感動しました。待望のケアラケクア湾は透明度が高く、珊瑚と熱帯魚たちと心ゆくまで泳ぐことができました。子供たちもシュノーケルタイム中盤からはライフジャケットを外して海の中に潜ったり(コレは日本のツアーではさせてくれないことなので、とても喜んでました。)、ヌードル(浮き棒)を借りて遊んだり、大満足の様子でした。シュノーケル後、ゆっくり湾の中をクルージングしているとき、何十頭ものイルカの群れに遭遇しました。その中でベイビーイルカが船の横で華麗に回転ジャンプを披露してくれ、船内一同拍手!12名の同乗者、日本人は私たち家族だけで、他の方はニューヨークやオーストラリア、さまざまな場所からの参加でした。終始フレンドリーな雰囲気で英語がほとんど分からない娘たちにもすごくいい刺激になりました。帰りの海から見る溶岩の断崖はすごい迫力でした。最後にキャプテンにチップを渡すとき、外国の方は一人当たり10$、4人組で40$ほど渡していました。チップの習慣に不慣れで、チップの相場に疎い私は自分のチップはちょっと少なかったかなと、後悔。スタッフさんのホスピタリティが素晴らしかったので、余計にそう思いました。「すごく楽しかった!!」と娘たちは最高の笑顔。現地に行けば、空港等にツアーのクーポン券などもありますが、電話予約オンリーで日本語NGなので、日本で予約できる安心のVELTRAさんに次の機会もお願いしたいと思います。また、ぜひ参加したいです。
| Rating: | |
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| Packages: | ☆会員様限定モニターツアー☆/ホノコハウ・マリーナ発<5時間/ランチ> |
| Attended as: | Families |
| Posted on: | 2015/09/10 |
| Activity Date: | 2015/09/04 |
Reviewed by: asako
I participated with my parents.
The location of the shop was a bit hard to find, and we got lost, but the staff were very kind, which made us feel at ease. The rafting boat was faster and more thrilling than I imagined, but it felt great and was a lot of fun! We stopped at a point where we could see dolphins, and they explained the history of Hawaii (in English). The snorkeling spot was also wonderfully beautiful, and we thoroughly enjoyed the tour. My mother, who said she would wait on the boat, ended up enjoying snorkeling as well, and our whole family was very satisfied!
For lunch, we had turkey sandwiches on the boat, and afterwards, they cut up fresh pineapple right there, which was a big hit with all the guests. After snorkeling, on our way back to the port, we stopped by some lava cliffs to take pictures.
Since you can get quite sunburned, it's better to apply sunscreen frequently. Our family got so caught up in snorkeling that our backs got completely burned (laughs).
Since we met at the location, I wish there was a more helpful map for the meeting point; otherwise, it was such a wonderful experience that I would give it a perfect score. I want to go again!!
親と三人で参加してきました。
ちょっとお店の場所が分かりづらくて、迷いましたがスタッフさんがとても言い方で安心しました。
ラフティングボートは想像以上に速くてスリリングでしたが、すごく気持ちが良くて楽しかったです!
イルカに会えるポイントで停まったり、ハワイの歴史を説明してくれたり(英語)、シュノーケリングスポットも素晴らしくキレイでツアーを堪能できました。
ボートで待っていると言っていた母もすっかりシュノーケリングを楽しみ家族全員大満足です!
ランチはボートの上でターキーサンドを頂いて、そのあとにパイナップルをその場で切ってくれてお客さん皆から大好評。
シュノーケリングが終わって、港に戻る途中で溶岩の岸壁にいくつか立ち寄り写真を撮ってくれました。
かなり焼けるので、日焼け止めはこまめに塗った方がいいです。うっかりシュノーケリングに夢中になった我が家は背中が丸焼けになりました(笑)
現地集合な分、集合場所の地図がもっと親切にあれば大満足をつけたいところなくらい素敵な体験をしました。また行きたいです!!
| Rating: | |
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| Packages: | ☆会員様限定モニターツアー☆/ホノコハウ・マリーナ発<5時間/ランチ> |
| Attended as: | Families |
| Posted on: | 2015/09/07 |
| Activity Date: | 2015/08/31 |
Reviewed by: 匿名希望
I participated with my sister. At first, there were no manta rays at all, and I was worried about what would happen if it ended like this, but in the last 30 minutes, a lot of them gathered, and we were able to see them quite up close!! When we entered the water, we were handed floats, but I didn't understand the English instructions well and only figured it out by watching the people around me. It might be a bit tough if you're participating alone and don't understand English. Even though it was a reasonably priced tour, I was glad to see the manta rays. It seems like they gather due to the lights from the boat, and the other boats were much brighter, attracting a lot more manta rays. I might want to try that one next time.
妹と二人で参加しました。最初、マンタは全く現れず、このまま終わったらどうしようと不安になりましたが、最後30分くらいでいっぱい集まってきて、かなり間近で見れました!!海に入る際にフロートを渡されたのですが、英語がよくわからず、回りの人をみてやっと理解。。一人参加で英語がわからないとちょっとツラいかもです。リーズナブルなツアーでも、マンタを見れたのでよかったですが、船の明かりでマンタを集める仕組みのようで、他の船の方がものすごく明るくてマンタもよく集まってるみたいでした。次回はそっち乗りたいかも。。
マハロ(ありがとう)ツアーのレビューをしていただき、感謝します。アロハ!
Mahalo for taking the time to review your tour. Aloha!
| Rating: | |
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| Attended as: | Families |
| Posted on: | 2015/09/02 |
Reviewed by: ありのまま
The staff were kind and entertaining, which was great, but overall, the experience felt lacking. I participated in snorkeling for the first time in the Hawaiian islands, with many repeat visitors promoting it, so I had high expectations. However, there were few fish in terms of both quantity and variety, and I felt it wasn't worth the time and money spent. The waters in Okinawa and Asia are definitely much clearer and have more fish! Is this what Hawaii is like? I also had high hopes for the luxurious BBQ, but aside from snacks, the only real meal was a hamburger. The burger they grilled on-site was indeed delicious, but I felt that Americans have a rather limited diet during this trip. By the way, we were the only Japanese people there, and no one spoke Japanese at all.
スタッフの方々は親切で、なにかとおもしろく楽しませてくれてよかったのですが、全体的に内容がイマイチといった感じでした。ハワイの離島で初のシュノーケリング、リピーター多数というフレコミで、とても期待して参加したのですが、魚の数も種類も少なく、こんな時間とお金をかけてくるほどじゃないなと思ってしまいました。沖縄やアジアの海の方がだんぜんキレイで魚も多い!ハワイってこんなもんなの?という印象です。豪華BBQとあるのも期待したのですが、スナックを除けば食事らしい食事はハンバーガーだけ。その場で焼いてくれるバーガーは確かに美味しかったけど、アメリカ人って食生活が乏しいと感じる旅行でした。
ちなみに、日本人は私たちだけでした。日本語は全く通じません。
| Rating: | |
|---|---|
| Packages: | 9:00出港(シュノーケル2.5時間) |
| Attended as: | Families |
| Posted on: | 2015/09/01 |
| Activity Date: | 2015/08/26 |
Reviewed by: りゅうのすけ
From 8 AM to around 2 PM, you can leisurely enjoy the waters of Hawaii. I participated with my 7-year-old daughter (who had a rental life jacket and brought her own goggles), my mother (who had a rental float and a rental snorkeling set), and my father (who also had a rental snorkeling set). We were able to relax more than we expected.
The crew was cheerful, bright, and kind, and the onboard restroom was spacious and clean. For lunch, the crew cooked hamburgers and hot dogs on the boat (with smoke billowing), and we could choose our favorites to put in buns. Since we were on a boat, it was a bit bumpy, but the open atmosphere made it enjoyable.
The boat doesn’t sway much, and the sea breeze is truly refreshing. However, if you're concerned about sunburn or are traveling with children, it’s better to line up a bit early to secure indoor seating on the first floor. It can get hot, though. About 30% of the seats are indoors on the first floor, while 70% are on the second floor (the central part has a vinyl roof for shade, but the first floor is more reliable). The first floor also has all the windows open, allowing the breeze in and providing a nice view. I think it would be good for the kids and mothers to have long-sleeve rash guards and UV hats that can get wet (my daughter got a sunburn on her scalp after just two hours of snorkeling).
We didn’t have any issues with English, but the crew explains everything in English, so if you feel anxious about that, it’s good to prepare yourself a bit. However, I think you can understand what’s happening by observing those around you. There were only a few Japanese participants.
The snorkeling area was calm, with almost no waves and high visibility, allowing us to see many fish. However, there were also people from other tours, which felt a bit crowded compared to the Hawaiian vibe.
I highly recommend it.
朝の8時から2時ぐらいまで、ゆっくりハワイの海を楽しめます。
7歳の娘(貸し出し用ライフジャケット+持参ゴーグル)と母(貸し出し用浮き輪+貸し出し用シュノーケルセット)と父(貸し出し用シュノーケルセット)での参加でしたが、思った以上にリラックスして参加できました。
クルーも陽気で明るく親切、船内のトイレも大きくきれいです。ランチのハンバーガーとホットドックも船上でクルーが調理してくれ(煙モクモク出てました)好きなものをパンに挟んでいただく形式です。船の上なので多少ガサガサしますが、開放的な雰囲気で楽しいです。
船はそんなに揺れませんし海風は本当に気持ち良いですが、日焼けに気を付けたい方やお子さん連れの方は1階の屋内の席を確保する為、少し早目に乗船の列に並んだ方が良いです。これが暑いんですけど。座席は3割が1階屋内、7割が2階(中央部分はビニールの屋根がついているので日よけにはなりますが、1階の方が確実です)。1階も窓全開なので風が入って景色も見えて気持ちいいですよ。でもお子さんとお母さんは長袖ラッシュガード&お子さんは濡れても良いUV帽子があるといいと思います(娘は2時間のシュノーケリングであっという間に頭皮日焼けです)。
私たちは英語の心配はなかったので問題はなかったのですが、クルーは英語ですべてを説明しますので、ここに不安を感じる方は少し心の準備を。ただ、周りの方の動きを見ていれば何が起こっているかはわかると思いますが。日本人は2,3組の参加でした。
シュノーケリングポイントのエリアは波もないと言っていいぐらい穏やかで透明度も高く沢山の魚を見ることが出来ます。ただ、このツアー以外のツアーの人々も勿論いらして、ちょっとハワイの感覚からすると人口密度が高く感じますけれども。
お勧めです。
| Rating: | |
|---|---|
| Packages: | 9:00出港(シュノーケル2.5時間) |
| Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
| Posted on: | 2015/08/27 |
| Activity Date: | 2015/08/02 |
Reviewed by: 匿名希望
I stayed at the Sheraton Kona, and it was very close to the meeting point, just a 2-3 minute walk from the hotel entrance, which made me feel secure about participating.
Although the staff only spoke English, they were very kind, so I didn't feel particularly anxious about reconfirming over the phone on the day of the event. I was the only Japanese participant at that time, and most others seemed to be from the mainland United States. There were elderly individuals who needed canes to walk, as well as a few babies just a few months old, but everyone was enjoying themselves in their own way. They provide everything you need for snorkeling, such as fins, goggles, and flotation devices, so you can go hands-free without any issues.
The boat was larger than I expected, accommodating over 50 people. It had a diving platform and a slide, allowing for various ways to enjoy Kealakekua Bay.
Breakfast consisted of light items like muffins and fruit, while lunch was a style where you could assemble your own burger or hot dog with meat grilled on the boat. I had a burger, and it was delicious.
I debated between the afternoon course and the morning one, but the two-hour option flew by, so I recommend the longer morning course.
シェラトン・コナに滞在していましたが、集合場所までホテル玄関から徒歩2,3分ととても近く安心して参加できました。
英語のみですが、スタッフの方はとても親切なので電話のリコンファームも当日も特に不安を感じることはありません。このときの日本人参加者は私だけで、ほかはほとんどがアメリカ本土の方のようでした。歩くのに杖が必要な高齢の方もいらっしゃいましたし、生後数ヶ月の赤ちゃんもいましたが、みんな思い思いに楽しんでいました。フィンやゴーグル、浮き具などシュノーケリングに必要なものはすべて貸してくれますので手ぶらで問題ありません。
船は思ったより大きく、50人以上は乗っていました。飛び込み台や滑り台もついていて、ケアラケクア湾ではさまざまな遊び方をすることができます。
朝食はマフィンやフルーツなど軽いものですが、昼食は船の上で焼いてくれたお肉でバーガーかホットドッグを自分で盛り付けて食べるスタイルで、バーガーを食べましたがおいしかったです。
午後のコースと悩みましたが、2時間でもあっという間でしたので、午前の長いコースがおすすめです。
| Rating: | |
|---|---|
| Packages: | 9:00出港(シュノーケル2.5時間) |
| Attended as: | Solo Travelers |
| Posted on: | 2015/08/25 |
| Activity Date: | 2015/08/20 |
Reviewed by: vcb
Amazing tour and very informative. A great way to see the whole island.
| Rating: | |
|---|---|
| Packages: | Grand Circle Island & Volcanoes National Park |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2015/08/25 |
| Activity Date: | 2015/08/22 |
Reviewed by: 、&%
If you're looking to enjoy the atmosphere, it might be fine, but the satisfaction level is low, so the cost performance isn't good. The talks between the shows were long, and if you don't understand English, you won't know what they're saying, so the show ended without understanding anything from start to finish.
The food portions were large, but there wasn't anything particularly delicious, and it rained during the event, so both the drinks and food got wet. They provided ponchos, but I didn't think it was a show worth seeing while wearing one.
On another day, I watched the show from the balcony of the Kinkame Hotel, and perhaps because the weather was nice, it seemed like they performed for a longer time than during our visit.
If someone asked me whether I would recommend it, I would not.
雰囲気を楽しむのであれば、よいのですが、満足度が低いのでコスパはよくないですね。ショーの合間のトークが長いので、英語がわからないと何を言っているのかわからず、最初から最後までわからないままショーが終わりました。
お料理も量は多目ですが、特別おいしいものがなく、途中雨がふりましたので、ドリンクもお料理も雨入りです。ポンチョが支給されましたが、ポンチョきてまで、見るショーとは思いませんでした。
別の日にキンカメホテルのバルコニーからショーを見てましたが、天気がよかったせいか、私たちの時よりも、長めにショーをしているように思われました。
人に勧めるかと聞かれたら、おすすめはしないです。
Thank you for visiting Island Breeze Luau. We are very sorry that you were unable to fully enjoy the show in the rain. We appreciate your feedback and will take it as a valuable message. Our wish is to make it easy to understand and enjoyable for everyone in Japan. We will strive to improve step by step. We sincerely thank you for your comments.
アイランドブリーズルアウにお越し頂きありがとうございました。雨の中ショーをご覧いただき、またご満足いただけなかったことは
とても残念でなりません。頂きましたお言葉は、貴重なメッセージをとして受け止めたいと思っております。
日本の皆様にもわかりやすく、そして楽しんで頂きたいのが私どもの願いです。
一つずつでも改善にむけて努めて参りたいと思います。コメントを頂きましたこと、心から感謝申し上げます。
| Rating: | |
|---|---|
| Attended as: | Families |
| Posted on: | 2015/08/23 |
Reviewed by: kaorin
I was moved by the experience of rafting and being able to see dolphins up close! It's a rare opportunity in Japan to see them that closely, so I think it was a very valuable experience.
Also, diving into the sea to see fish and coral was, of course, impressive, but the sandwiches, snacks, and fruits we ate on the boat tasted exceptionally good! The boat sped through the sea and made turns! It was thrilling, and I had a lot of fun throughout the experience.
The guide was very kind and made it easy for us Japanese participants to understand by adding gestures.
At first, I was scared because of the speed, but the guide was so entertaining that it turned out to be a great experience. On the way to snorkeling, I was moved by how many dolphins we encountered. I even got to see them jump up close. Snorkeling was great too, as I saw many coral reefs and schools of fish.
Lunch was fulfilling, and the guide cut fresh pineapple and oranges right in front of us. On the way back, we went near an area where we could see various layers of earth and received explanations. I am very satisfied with the experience, which is something I can't do much in Japan.
ラフティングを体験して、
イルカにあんなに近くで見れたことに感動しました!日本ではなかなかあんなに近くで見れないのですごく貴重な体験だと思います。
あと、海にもぐって魚や、サンゴを見れたことはもちろん感動しましたが、船の上で食べるサンドイッチやお菓子、フルーツは格別に美味しく感じました!
船がすごいスピードで海をかけぬけたり
船が回ったり!すごくスリリングで終始楽しく過ごせました。
ガイドさんもすごく親切な方で日本人の私達にも丁寧にジェスチャーも加えて分かり易いように教えてくれました!
みなほ
体験してみて、初めはスピードが早くて怖かったけどガイドさんがおもしろくてとてもいい経験になりました。シュノーケリングに行く途中には、イルカにたくさん会えたので感動しました。間近でジャンプをしたところも見えました。シュノーケリングもサンゴ礁や魚の群れがたくさん見れてよかったです。お昼ご飯も充実していて、ガイドさんが目の前でパイナップルやオレンジを切ってくれました。帰りには色々な地層の見える土地の近くに行き、説明してもらいました。日本ではあまりできない経験が出来てとても満足しています
ひとみ
| Rating: | |
|---|---|
| Packages: | ☆会員様限定モニターツアー☆/ホノコハウ・マリーナ発<5時間/ランチ> |
| Attended as: | Friends |
| Posted on: | 2015/08/23 |
| Activity Date: | 2015/08/14 |
Reviewed by: Laure & Sam Morrison
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 !
| Rating: | |
|---|---|
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2015/08/15 |
Reviewed by: びびやん
We participated with a friend because the monitor fee was applicable! Since we didn't rent a car during our stay, we took a taxi from Kailua-Kona and arrived at the meeting point, the harbor, for about $20.
There were about 20 participants, so we split into two boats for departure. There were no other Japanese participants, only Westerners. Everything was explained in English, but since there wasn't anything particularly special to do, I think it's fine if you don't speak much English. (They asked if we could speak English at the reception, so if you mention it there, you might receive written explanations. However, the tour is primarily in English.)
The tour itself lasted from around 10 AM to 1 PM, and we went around the Big Island on a high-speed boat. Along the way, we stopped at various points of interest, and the captain provided explanations. We were also told we could jump in when we spotted dolphins. When we found them, it was after the other dolphin tour groups had left, so we were able to see the dolphins up close and at a leisurely pace! We also spotted turtles and fish, and thoroughly enjoyed both rafting and snorkeling. By the way, lunch was just a sandwich, but after swimming, the sandwich and cola were incredibly delicious!
On the way back, our hotel happened to be right in front of the dock, so we were able to get dropped off there, saving on taxi fare. The staff were all very friendly, and overall, it was a satisfying tour.
モニター料金が適用されるということで、友人と二人で参加しました!滞在中レンタカーを借りていなかったため、カイルアコナからタクシーに乗りましたが20ドルくらいで集合場所のハーバーに到着。
参加者が20名くらいだったため、2隻に分かれて出発でした。他に日本人の参加者はおらず、欧米人のみ。説明等全て英語でしたが、何か特別なことをするわけではないので基本的にはそんなに英語が話せなくても問題ないかと思います。(英語が話せるか受付時に聞かれたのでそこで言えば説明書き等もらえるのかも知れません。が、基本的にはツアーは全編英語です。)
ツアー自体は10時~13時くらいまでで、ハワイ島の周りを高速ボートで回る感じです。途中いろんな見どころに寄って船長さんが解説をしてくれます。またイルカを見つけると飛び込んでいいとのこと、他のドルフィンツアーの人たちがいるところで一緒に潜るのに加え、帰り道に見つけた際にはツアーの人たちはもういない時間だったのでかなり近くでゆっくりイルカを見ることが出来ました!他にもカメを見かけたり、魚をみたり、ラフティングとシュノーケル、どちらも満喫できました。ちなみにランチはただのサンドイッチですが、泳ぎ疲れたあとのサンドイッチとコーラは最高においしかったです!
帰りはたまたま滞在しているホテルが船着き場の目の前だったので、そこで下ろしてもらうことができ、タクシー代も節約できました。
スタッフもみなさん親切で、全体的に満足のいくツアーでした。
| Rating: | |
|---|---|
| Packages: | ☆会員様限定モニターツアー☆/ホノコハウ・マリーナ発<5時間/ランチ> |
| Attended as: | Friends |
| Posted on: | 2015/08/15 |
| Activity Date: | 2015/07/28 |
Reviewed by: Amanda
Absolutely perfect day! Saw dolphins, snorkeled, good food, great staff.
| Rating: | |
|---|---|
| Packages: | Deluxe Snorkel & Dolphin Watch Cruise |
| Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
| Posted on: | 2015/08/15 |
| Activity Date: | 2015/08/11 |
Reviewed by: Mr.&Ms.平野
The tour conductor was a couple, with a husband who spoke Japanese well and a Japanese wife. Since it was a tour just for our couple and our friends' couple, they adjusted to our pace. The kayak had a high backrest that provided good support for the waist, making it easy to paddle. It was wonderful to encounter cute dolphins. The wife took photos for us, and I look forward to them later.
ツアーコンダクターは日本語の上手なご主人と日本人の奥様のご夫婦でした。友人夫婦と私達夫婦だけのツアーでしたので、私達達のペースに合わせていただきました。カヤックの背当てが高く、しっかり腰をガードいてくれるカヤックでしたので、楽に漕ぐことができました。可愛いイルカと遭遇しとても良かったです。写真も奥様がとってくれて、後日楽しみです
| Rating: | |
|---|---|
| Packages: | 早朝プラン (2018/12/31まで) |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2015/08/05 |
| Activity Date: | 2015/08/02 |
Reviewed by: Paméla
English :
It was awesome to swim this close from the spinner dolphins! The friend I come with was like a kid, she loved it and she add a check on her bucket list. We swam many times along the dolphins, there were about thirty and more. We had delicious snacks on our way back to the harbor. A thing to do in a lifetime :)
Thanks again to the crew!
Français :
C'était vraiment super de nager si près des dauphins spinner ! Mon amie qui était avec était comme une enfant tellement elle a adoré. Elle a pu rayer un élément de sa bucket list. Nous avons nagé plusieurs fois aux côtés des dauphins, il y en avait beaucoup, environ une trentaine (au moins) ! Lors du retour à la marina, nous avons eu de délicieuses bouchées à déguster. Merci à l'équipage pour ce super moment !
| Rating: | |
|---|---|
| Attended as: | Friends |
| Posted on: | 2015/08/04 |
| Activity Date: | 2015/07/24 |
Reviewed by: Tanisha
I had an amazing time snorkeling for the very first time. Captain Dave was great, he made me feel very comfortable. I am definitely coming back the next time I visit The Big Island!
| Rating: | |
|---|---|
| Packages: | 3-hour Captain Cook Cruise (1 Snorkel Stop) |
| Attended as: | Solo Travelers |
| Posted on: | 2015/08/02 |
| Activity Date: | 2015/07/09 |
Reviewed by: サマー
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。
| Rating: | |
|---|---|
| Packages: | イルカに触る!キッズクエスト<浅瀬/20分> |
| Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
| Posted on: | 2015/08/01 |
| Activity Date: | 2015/07/29 |
Reviewed by: ゴマちゃん
The tour operator only communicated in English, which made it difficult for me during the confirmation call. On the day of the tour, we departed from the pier in Kona, which was convenient since it was close to where I was staying. The glass-bottom boat was quite stable and comfortable, but there wasn't much variation in the fish or underwater scenery, so I honestly got a bit bored along the way. The staff were friendly and engaged in conversation, which was nice.
催行先が英語のみの対応なので、確認電話で苦労しました。当日はコナの桟橋からの出発でしたので、滞在先からすぐの場所でラクでした。グラスボートはあまり揺れがなく快適でしたが、あまり魚や海中の景色に変化が乏しかったので、正直途中で飽きてしまいました。スタッフの人はフレンドリーにいろいろ話しかけてくれて良かったです。
ご予約や道案内に関してご不便をおかけしたことをお詫び申し上げます。コナには州内で最も透明度の高い水と豊富な魚がいますが、時には「自然の母」が水を濁らせることもあります。今後またお越しいただけることを願っております。
We are sorry for any difficultty you may have had with your reservation or directions. Kona has some of the clearest waters and abundance of fish in the state, but sometimes "Mother Nature" clouds the waters. We hope that you will join us again in the future.
| Rating: | |
|---|---|
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2015/07/31 |
| Activity Date: | 2014/09/24 |
Reviewed by: The Labbe Family
My son had a fabulous morning surfing in Kona! We wished we had taken him earlier in the week, so that he could have gone a few times! His instructor was great and he loved it!
Aloha From Team HLSI. Thank you for sharing your experience with us and the world and for the great photo! We are glad you guys had as much fun as we did out there- We are going to add your awesome after surfing shot to our website, and we look forward to surifng with your son again in the future Mahalo!
| Rating: | |
|---|---|
| Packages: | One-on-One Private Surf Lesson |
| Attended as: | Families |
| Posted on: | 2015/07/29 |
| Activity Date: | 2015/07/16 |
Reviewed by: jaja
I participated with my husband and our first-grade daughter, making it a family of three. We stayed at the Marriott Hotel in Waikoloa and arrived in just under 40 minutes. We were told to look for the blue roof of the Honokohau Marina, and as soon as we entered the marina, we found several shops with blue roofs lined up on the right side. The tour shop was easily identifiable with the sign that read "CAPTAIN ZODIAC" (it was the shop at the far right).
When we joined, there were six of us in total: our family of three and three American girls. With Captain Colin and his assistant Paul, we set off with a total of eight people! First, we sped across the surface of the sea. The waves were relatively calm, so I didn’t experience the seasickness I was worried about; instead, it felt refreshing with the wind in my face!
After about five minutes of racing across the water, the boat suddenly slowed down. Captain Colin was looking around, and just as I was wondering what was happening, he shouted, "Dolphins!" When I looked in the direction he was pointing, I saw several dorsal fins surfacing and diving. There were dolphins jumping like in an aquarium, and even a baby dolphin! My daughter was so excited, shouting, "Dolphin! Dolphin!"
At that point, the captain stopped the boat and began preparing the snorkeling gear. My daughter was quite nervous since it was her first time snorkeling and going out to deep water on a boat. Honestly, I thought, "Snorkeling in such deep water?! No way!" But it seemed her curiosity about the wild dolphins won out. She put on her new snorkeling set (which we brought, although they provide rentals) and borrowed a long foam noodle from the captain to use as a float.
Then, with her dad holding her hand, she peered into the water and saw a school of dolphins swimming right below us. Overjoyed, she squealed, "Yay! Dolphins!" and pointed excitedly. I was also amazed; I never expected to see so many dolphins up close.
We then changed locations and enjoyed a total of three dolphin swims.
After that, we had about 30 minutes of free snorkeling in Kealakekua Bay. My daughter was scared of the urchins and almost returned to the boat, but when Captain Colin threw some cookies into the water, the fish came close, and she was thrilled. Thanks to that, she was able to continue snorkeling.
I was worried that my daughter might end up scared and not able to do anything during the tour, but thanks to Captain Colin's thoughtfulness and the dolphins and fish, both my daughter and husband had a great time!
I definitely want to participate again the next time we come to the Big Island.
P.S.
1. For those who will be participating, it might be a good idea to hand the captain your camera and ask him to take pictures while snorkeling.
2. I recommend reapplying sunscreen during the trip. Even though I thought I had applied a lot, I ended up getting really sunburned (crying).
夫と小1の娘と一緒に3人で参加しました。
ワイコロアのマリオットホテルに滞在しており、40分弱で到着しました。
ホノコハウマリーナの青い屋根が目印とのことでしたが、マリーナの入り口入ってすぐの右手側に、青い屋根の何軒かのお店が長屋のように連なっていました。このツアーのお店は、看板に「CAPTAIN ZODIAC」と書いてあるのですぐにわかりました。(向かって一番右端のお店でした)
私たちが参加した時は、私たち家族3人とAmericanGirls3人の計6人。そこに、キャプテンコリンと、助手の?ポールを合わせて8名で出発!
まずは、ビュンビュン飛ぶように海面を走ります。比較的波がなく海面が穏やかだったので、懸念していた船酔いにはならず、逆に風を受けて爽快でした!
5分ほど?海面を走り急にボートがゆっくりに。。キャプテンコリンが何やら周りを見回しています。??と思っていると、「ドルフィン!」と叫ぶので指さす方を見ると、何頭もの背びれが浮かんだり沈んだり。そのうち、水族館のようにクルリとジャンプをするイルカがいたり、ベビーイルカがいたり、娘も「イルカさん!イルカさん!」と大興奮。
そこで、キャプテンがボートを停め、シュノーケルギアを準備し始めました。娘は、シュノーケルも初めて、ボートで深い海に行くのも初めてということでかなり緊張をしており、正直「こんなに深い場所でシュノーケル?!無理だよーー」と思いましたが、娘は野生のイルカのジャンプを見て好奇心が勝った模様。新しいMyシュノーケルセット(貸してもらえますが、私たちは持参しました)を装着し、キャプテンに浮き輪代わりにヌードルというウレタン製の細長い棒を借りて、プカプカ。
その後、パパに手を引いて貰い海を覗き込むと、真下にイルカたちの群れが泳いでいます。歓喜のあまり海の中で「キャーキャ-イルカーーー!!」と指をさして喜ぶ娘。
私も、こんなに沢山のイルカ達がこんなに間近に見られるとは思ってもいなかったので、大感激でした。
その後場所を変え、計3回ドルフィンスイムを楽しみました。
その後はケアラケクア湾で30分ほど自由にシュノーケル。娘はガンガゼを怖がり、ボートに帰りかけましたが、キャプテンコリンがクッキーを持ってきて海に投げると、近くまで魚が寄ってきてくれて大喜び。おかげでシュノーケルを続行することができました。
娘が怖がって何もできずに終わったらどうしよう??と思いながらツアーを申し込みましたが、キャプテンコリンの気遣いとイルカや魚たちのおかげで娘・パパともども楽しむことができました!
次回ハワイ島に来た時にも是非参加したいです。
追記:
①これから参加される方は、シュノーケル時にキャプテンにカメラを渡し、撮影をお願いすると良いかもしれません。
②日焼け止めを途中で塗りなおすことをオススメします。かなり塗りたくって参加したはずなのに、真っっ黒に焼けてしまいました(泣)
| Rating: | |
|---|---|
| Packages: | ☆会員様限定モニターツアー☆/ホノコハウ・マリーナ発<5時間/ランチ> |
| Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
| Posted on: | 2015/07/27 |
| Activity Date: | 2015/07/21 |
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Big Mahalos!!! We're glad you had a good time. Please come back and visit us when you on the Big Island.
Aloha from Ocean Safaris:)