All Reviews for Top Big Island Sights & Attractions

Great experience! Great views of the erupting Kilauea volcano and spill of lava from fissure 8 into the ocean.

In the past, I watched a program where the hosts discovered and introduced the wonders of a certain world while answering quizzes. I saw footage of former synchronized swimmer Mikako Kotani swimming freely with dolphins, and I dreamed of swimming with dolphins like that. It was truly a happy time when that dream came true!

I was told not to touch them, but the dolphins came so close that it felt like they were about to bump into me. They swam alongside me, followed behind in a group, and suddenly one appeared right beneath me. I had so much fun playing with the dolphins! (*^^*)

The dolphins on the Big Island of Hawaii are said to be friendlier than those on other islands and will come close to you. So, if you're going to do a dolphin swim, I highly recommend the Big Island!

Also, I was lucky enough to see a manta ray! That seemed to be a stroke of luck. The tour guides were also dedicated to helping us find dolphins and ensuring we had a great time.

You can borrow a wetsuit, which is enough to keep you afloat, but if you're feeling anxious, you can also borrow a floating pole (a cylindrical float), so even if you're not a strong swimmer, you'll be fine. There was even a little boy, about three years old, who was entering the water with the guide's support. (Little ones must wear life jackets.)

When I posted about it on Facebook, someone immediately expressed interest in going, so I recommended this tour. When we come back to the Big Island, we will definitely participate in this tour again! Thank you so much! (*^^*)

昔、某世界のふしぎを発見・紹介しながら出演者がクイズに答える番組で、元シンクロ選手の小谷実可子さんがイルカと自由に泳いでる映像を観て、イルカと泳ぐことに憧れていました。
あんな風にイルカと泳げたらいいな、と思っていた状況が実現して、本当に幸せな時間でした！
触っちゃいけないと言われてましたが、イルカの方からぶつかりそうなくらい近くまで寄ってきて、横に並んで泳いだり、群れの後ろについて泳いだり、突然イルカが私の下から現れたりして、イルカに遊んでもらえて本当に楽しかったです(*^^*)
ハワイ島のイルカは他の島より人懐っこく、近くまで来てくれるそうです。なので、ドルフィンスイムをするなら、ハワイ島が一番オススメ！！
あと、ラッキーなことにマンタも観れました！それは運が良かったみたいです。
ツアーガイドの皆さんもイルカを探したり、先回りしたり、楽しめるように尽力してくださってました。
ウェットスーツを借りるので、それだけでも十分浮けますが、不安な人はフローティングポール(筒状の浮き具)を借りられるので泳ぎが得意でなくても大丈夫です。3歳くらいの男の子も、ガイドさんに支えてもらいながら海に入ってました。(ちっちゃい子はライフジャケット着用)
Facebookにあげたら、早速行きたい！という人がいたので、ここのツアーをオススメしました。
私達もまたハワイ島に来る時は、このツアーに参加します！
ありがとうございました！(*^^*)

My wife and I had a good experience. The boat was comfortable although some people got seasick since it was a fairly choppy sea. I'd recommend taking Dramamine before going. The appetizers were just bagged snacks and cans of juice and pop. We ended up seeing about eight manta rays in the water.

This Zipline Adventure is fun family activity. It did not fulfill the adrenaline rush I was hoping for, but definitely a good experience!

An amazing experience, friendly professional staff.

This is a completely English tour, so it might be a bit challenging for those who cannot speak or understand English at all. The helicopter pilot will serve as the guide during the tour, but even if you can't catch everything they say, the views are so amazing that I think you can still enjoy it. Also, just a note, it departs from Hilo International Airport, so be aware of that.

At the time, there was an active volcanic eruption, and we were able to see everything from directly above the eruption to the ocean entry where the lava flows into the sea. Additionally, since there are no windows, you can even feel the heat from the eruption, making it a very exciting experience.

完全に英語のツアーなので、全く英語が喋れない、全く聞き取れない方の参加は少し厳しいかもしれません。ツアー中のヘリのパイロットがガイドをしてくれますが、それが聞き取れなくても景色が素晴らしいので、それはそれで楽しめると思います。また、そんな人はいないかもしれませんが、ヒロ国際空港発ですので注意が必要です。

ちょうど火山が噴火している状況でしたので、噴火しているまさにその上空から、その溶岩が海へ流れ込むオーシャンエントリーまで全てを見ることができました。また、窓が無いので噴火のその熱気まで感じることができ、とてもエキサイティングな体験でした。

They lent me warm clothing, so I wasn't cold. It's great that I could go hands-free. The miso soup was really delicious. Next time, I'll check the lunar calendar and join!

防寒着を貸してくれたので寒かなかった。手ぶらで行けるのが良いですね。
お味噌汁がとっても美味しかった。次回は月歴を確認して参加しまーす！

Excellent experience and well worth the money. The crew was friendly and helpful. I would not recommend this experience for “timid” children but, if your kid is into new things and not afraid of the ocean, this is an experience they will remember forever! It was amazing to see how well all the boat crews worked together to ensure everyone enjoyed a fantastic show

I love the ocean, and I have had experiences swimming with turtles and dolphins while snorkeling in various places. Unfortunately, I can't dive because of my hearing issues. However, manta rays don't usually come close to the surface. I had given up on seeing them up close, but on this tour, they kept coming one after another! ♡

We surrounded the light with our snorkeling gear and observed them. It felt more like the manta rays were coming to eat the plankton gathered around the light rather than swimming alongside us. Still, they came so close that I had to dodge them! I could see right into their bellies.

There were probably 6 to 7 manta rays that kept circling around endlessly. I might have been lucky, but I really enjoyed it! You should definitely bring a GoPro. Also, I wasn't cold at all on the boat. However, since many Japanese people are sensitive to the cold, it might be a good idea to bring a towel or a sweatshirt just in case.

私は海が大好きで、いろいろなところでシュノーケリングをすることで亀やイルカと泳いだ経験はありました。耳が悪いので、ダイビングをすることができません。でも、マンタはなかなか水面までは来てくれません。なので、マンタをまじかで見ることは諦めていましたが、このツアーだと、次から次へと遊びに来てくれます♡
ライトの近くを囲んでシュノーケリルをつけて観察する感じで、一緒に泳ぐというよりは、マンタがライトに集まって来たプランクトンを食べに来てくれるという感じでした。それでも、マンタが自分でぶつかってくるほど近くに来てくれたので、こちらが避けないとならないほどでした。
マンタのお腹の中までよく見えます。
多分6-7枚のマンタがエンドレスで順繰り廻って来てくれる感じでした。運が良かったのかもしれないですが本当に楽しめました！
Go proは絶対持って行くべきです。
あと、船の上では私は全く寒くなかったです。
ただ、日本人は寒がりな人が多いので、タオルを呼びで1枚持って行く、もしくはトレーナーなどを持って行ってもいいのかもしれません。

I truly experienced the spiritual awe of the ocean on the Big Island. On the way to the encounter spot, I also came across dolphins and whales. I think this is something you absolutely must experience when you visit the Big Island.

まさに、ハワイ島のスピリチュアルな海の畏怖の念を体験しました。遭遇スポットに行く途中、イルカやクジラにも遭遇しました。ハワイ島に行ったら、絶対体験すべきだと思います。

I've been to various luaus, and this was the best. Really. My three-generation family ranges in age from 3 y/o to 70, and everyone had a great time. The 7 y/o was truly amazed by everything, which was delightful. The event was well organized, informative, and vastly entertaining. The food and beverages we're very good, high quality, and plentiful. No dishes ran out, and the selection was excellent. The arrival of the King and his court was fun. We enjoyed the extra touches, like the Hawaiians tattoos, and hula lesson. The dancers were excellent and engaging; we especially enjoyed those involving fire! I would definitely recommend this luau. I don't think there were any bad seats, and the view was glorious.

Awesome experience!!!

Best Father's day present ever. The lava channel and fissure 8 eruption was priceless.

Recommend highly! Book it with Blue Hawiian.

Allen

Rob was an excellent pilot. Everything was well organized and went smoothly. The view was awesome. Could have stayed up there all day.

If you want to see the volcano now, there's no choice but to take a helicopter! So I made a last-minute reservation, and it was absolutely the right decision! Since I rarely ride in helicopters, that alone was a thrilling experience. The pilot's explanations are all in English, but if you have some understanding of the history of the volcano, you can grasp it somewhat; I think it's better to have a little background knowledge. I was speechless seeing how the lava flow has engulfed farms and residential areas where people live. I can only hope that the damage does not spread any further... The pilot also explained the ocean entry that started a few days ago, and we circled around the crater multiple times, allowing us to experience the heat and smell of the lava. It was a tour where I felt the immense power of nature and learned about the power of the Big Island.

今、ボルケーノを見るならヘリしかない！って事で急遽申し込みしましたがコレが大正解！普段ヘリに乗る事なんてないので、それだけでもスリリングな体験です。パイロットの説明は全て英語ですが、今までのボルケーノの歴史がある程度分かっていると何となくでも理解出来ます、少し予備知識がある方が良いかと思います。農園そして人々が暮らしている住宅地が溶岩流に飲み込まれている様子に言葉が出ませんでした。これ以上被害が広がらない事を願うばかりです…パイロットは数日前に始まったオーシャンエントリーについても説明して下さいましたし、噴火口の周りは何度も旋回して下さるので溶岩の熱、ニオイも体験出来ます。自然の大きな力を感じ、ハワイ島のパワーを知る事が出来たツアーでした。

You can experience both summer and winter temperatures at the same time. At 2800m on Onizuka, from around 16:30 for about an hour, we will have a bento while acclimatizing to the altitude (you might not want to expect much in terms of taste... but if you don't eat, you'll be hungry on the way back. I managed to eat it). However, it gets suddenly cold as soon as you get out of the car. They will lend you down jackets, but you will need to put on your outerwear just before reaching the summit, so I recommend preparing some of your own gear. By the way, I wore a T-shirt, a hoodie, a certain company's ultra-light down jacket, a block tech parka, a knit cap, and gloves, and I was able to enjoy both the sunset and stargazing without freezing. We were blessed with clear weather and saw many shooting stars, which was great.

真夏の気温と真冬の気温を一度に体験出来ます。2800mのオニヅカで16:30過ぎから1時間程、高度順応兼ねてお弁当をいただきます(味は期待しない方が良いかも…でも食べておかないと帰りにお腹が空いてしまいます。頑張って食べました)が、車を降りたらいきなり寒いです。ダウン上下を貸していただけますが、上着着用は頂上に登る直前ですのである程度ご自身で用意して行く事をお勧めします。ちなみに自分はTシャツ、パーカー、某社ウルトラライトダウン、同ブロックテックパーカー、ニット帽、手袋を着用で最後まで凍えること事なく、サンセット、星空観測共に楽しめました。晴天に恵まれ、流れ星もたくさん見れて良かったです。

Overall, this was as a good luau experience. The show was excellent and the food was also excellent and plenty of variety. The setting is beautiful. The open bar was very good. There was not a lot of room, however, considering they were serving over 500 people (I overheard an organizer tell a waiter it was "515 people tonight"). The seating was a bit cramped. The ancillary activities (lei making for example) was fairly limited and not too well publicized. Those were the things that made our luau in Oahu truly special and yet we weren't able to take advantage of them since the supplies were limited.

Had a fantastic time. Kayak was good fun and not overly strenuous. Had a couple of stops along the way to catch our breath before we arrived at the monument. Snorkel was amazing with a huge variety of fish on display at close quarters. A pod of spinner dolphins arrived as we were leaving. Spent an hour snorkeling which gave us plenty of time to look around.
Then a paddle back again afterwards.
Our guide Patrick was very knowledgeable and safety conscious. He looked after us extremely well.
Very good value for the money.

On June 7th, I participated in the Mauna Kea summit tour with a friend. Our guide was Matsuzaki-san (I'll refer to him as Mats-chan). Mats-chan is funny. He was a big hit. (Well, I don’t know any other guides, but still!) He started with his self-introduction, and the entire tour was filled with puns and jokes. Since we were climbing to a high altitude in a short time, it seems that if you sleep, your body can't keep up... To keep the guests awake (or maybe he just can't help but talk when he thinks of something? (laugh)), he kept chatting and making us laugh. At the photo spots, he used his experience to take amazing pictures for us. You could really feel his enthusiasm to entertain the guests; he is truly a passionate and great guide. Did Mats-chan's spirit reach the heavens? The sky, which looked a bit suspicious, cleared up enough for us to see the sunset, and we were able to enjoy the starry sky as well.

Since Kilauea volcano was active, we even got to see the lava in the darkness of the night. I believe that the improvement in the weather was Mats-chan's psychic power (laugh).

I was a bit worried about altitude sickness, but I only experienced some tingling in my hands while descending. I'm really glad I participated. The summit is seriously cold, so I highly recommend this tour, which provides warm clothing for both the top and bottom (they say this is the only tour that offers bottom wear as well... am I promoting them? (laugh)). I'm not promoting them, though.

Oh, and I would have been happier if the bento was a little more delicious (bitter laugh). I had a great experience. Mahalo.

６月７日、友人と二人でマウナケア山頂ツアーに参加させて貰いました。
ガイドは松崎さん（以下、松ちゃんとさせて頂きます＾＾）。
松ちゃん、面白いです。大当たりでした。（いや、他のガイドさんを知ってるわけでもなんでも無いのですが＾＾；）ご自分の自己紹介から始まって、沿道周辺ガイドの全てが駄洒落とギャグのオンパレードでして( ´∀｀ )。標高の高いところまで短時間で登るため、眠ると体が追い付かないらしく…ゲストを眠らせない為（いや。単に思いついたら言わずにいられないのかも？(笑)）にずぅっとしゃべり続け、笑わせてくれました。そして撮影スポットでは、これまでの経験を駆使して素晴らしい写真を撮ってくれるのです。私達ゲストを楽しませようという心意気がひしひしと伝わって来るような、ホントに熱い良いガイドさんです。そんな松ちゃんの心意気が天にも通じたのか？ちょっぴり怪しめの空だったのが、ちゃんと夕日を拝むことが出来、星空もきっちり見せて頂けました。
折しもキラウエア火山が活動中だったので、夜の暗闇で遠くその溶岩まで見る事まで出来てしまいました。きっとあの天気の回復は松ちゃんの念力だったのだと思います（笑）。

高山病とか少しビビッていたのですが、下って来る際の手先のしびれだけで済みました。参加してホントに良かったと思います。そして山頂はマジで寒いので、上下の防寒ウエアを貸し出して下さるこのツアー（ボトムまで貸し出してくれるのは、ここだけなんだそうです･･･って、回し者か？(笑)）とてもお勧めです。回し者じゃないです＾＾。
あ、あとはお弁当がもう少しだけ美味しいと嬉しかったかな（苦笑）いい経験をさせて頂きました。Mahalo

When we reached the canyon I had been most looking forward to, I was moved by the guide's thoughtful gesture of lowering his voice to let us soak in the scenery quietly. Watching the pilot from behind the cockpit made me think how wonderful it is to be a pilot! It was a very rare experience to actually see the lava's gooey texture. I'm glad my mother, who was scared of helicopters, was able to ride comfortably. Above all, Toshi's love for the Big Island really came through. I want to work hard in Tokyo and return to the Big Island! Thank you very much for this experience.

一番見たかった渓谷に差し掛かった時に、ガイドの声を落として静かに景色に浸らせてくれる心配りに、景色と共に感動でした。操縦席を後ろから見ていてパイロットて素敵だなぁと思いましたw溶岩のドロドロさも目視出来てとても貴重な体験でした。ヘリコプターを怖がっていた母も安心して乗っていられたようで良かったです。何よりbig Island へのtoshiさんの愛がとてもよく伝わりました。又東京で頑張って働いてbig islandに帰りたいです！この度はありがとうございました。

Very organized and friendly staff. The restroom I used was very clean. The gears were clean. Excellent experience. If I have another chance to come back, I would definitely come back again!

Incredible opportunity to see volcano. Very professional pilot. Highly recommend.

My first trip to the Big Island of Hawaii was highly anticipated, especially since the tour of Kilauea Volcano was canceled due to the eruption. I was really looking forward to the starry sky from Mauna Kea.

Since we left the hotel before 4 PM, I was able to explore the town of Kona during the day. I'm glad I could make good use of my limited schedule.

Climbing to over 4,000 meters was thrilling, but we quickly reached the summit in a 4WD vehicle. The lunch we had at the Onizuka Visitor Center was just like a Japanese bento, which was comforting. (laughs)

We were blessed with good weather, and we were able to see both the sunset and the starry sky under great conditions! I think it was my first time seeing the Southern Cross.

Additionally, not only the starry sky but also the sight of Kilauea Volcano's eruption glowing red in the darkness was moving. It was lucky that we couldn't get close due to traffic restrictions around the volcano. This might be a unique landscape that can only be seen now.

The tour guide, Tyler, was attentive to the participants throughout the tour, which was nice. I definitely want to use this service again.

初のハワイ島旅行、楽しみにしていたキラウエア火山が噴火影響でツアー中止になった事もあり、マウナケアからの星空に思いっきり期待しての参加です。
ホテルを16時前に出発だったこともあり、日中はコナの街を観光。限られた
日程をうまく使えて嬉しいですね。
4000m超の山という事もありドキドキでしたが4WD車で一気に山頂へ到着。
途中立ち寄ったオニヅカ・ビジターセンターでのお弁当も、日本のお弁当その物で少しホッと出来ました。（笑）
天気にも恵まれ、サンセットも星空も良い条件で見ることが出来ました！
南十字星を見たのはたぶん初めてです。
また、星空だけでなく、キラウエア火山の噴火の様子が暗闇に赤く浮かび上がっていてこちらも感動。火山周辺は交通規制で近づけなかったのでラッキー
でした。今だからこその風景なのかもです。
ツアーガイド（タイラさん）も、ツアー参加者に常に気を配っていて感じが
良かったです。また是非ご利用したいと思います。

This was the most enjoyable tour I've ever experienced for activities on the Big Island. I was moved by the sight of manta rays doing backflips underwater and sucking in plankton up close. This tour is one that I would definitely do again for the incredible experience it offers. I highly recommend it. My whole family was very happy as well.

ハワイ島でのアクティビティで今までで一番、楽しむ事が出来るツアーでした。
すぐ間近でマンタが水中バク転をしてプランクトンを吸い込む姿には感動しました。
このツアーはまた行ってもよい最高の感動を頂く事が出来る一つです。
お奨めします。
家族も全員、大いに喜んでいました。

Since it's well-trained, just riding is enough. Two and a half hours is just right—not too short and not too long. The reins are held with one hand, unlike in Japan. (Using both hands when changing direction is smoother.) You can take photos freely. (It might be safer to have a strap attached in case you drop your phone.) Jumpers and boots are available for free rental, but you might not need them if the weather is good.

よく調教されてるので騎乗してるだけでいい。
2時間半だと短すぎず長すぎず丁度良い。
手綱は日本と違い片手持ち。
(向きを変えるときは両手スタイルのがスムーズ)
写メは各自自由にできます。
(落としたらまずいのでヒモ付きだと安心かも)
ジャンパー、ブーツは無料レンタルできますが天候が良ければ必要ないかも

You can see manta rays really up close. The manta rays illuminated by blue light cross right in front of you over and over again. This was a wonderful experience. Alicia, who speaks Japanese well, explained everything clearly, so both my middle school daughter and us in our late forties enjoyed it without any worries.

As a note, if you're not confident in swimming, don't hesitate to borrow a life jacket (free of charge). If you check the water temperature and feel it's even a little cold, you should rent a wetsuit for a fee. If you're prone to seasickness, be sure to take motion sickness medication.

We zoomed to the spot where the manta rays are located by boat, and since we were in the night sea for 40 minutes, it was quite chilly in mid-June. They don't provide a tutorial on how to use the snorkel, so if it's your first time, it's better to ask how to use it once you receive it. They will talk about not touching the manta rays and safety precautions before entering the water, so make sure to follow those instructions.

After starting the snorkeling, they check on you multiple times asking, "Are you okay?" So if you feel uncomfortable, it's better to get back on the boat. It's a wonderful experience, so feel free to ask for assistance, and enjoy it while considering your own stamina and condition.

マンタが本当にすぐ近くで見られます。青い光に照らされたマンタが目の前を何度も何度も横切ります。
これは素晴らしい経験でした。
日本語の上手なアリシアちゃんがきちんと説明をしてくれたので、中学生の娘もアラフィフの私たちもなんの不安もなく楽しめました。
注意点としては、泳ぎに自信がないなら迷わずライフジャケット（無料）を借りること。水温を確認して少しでも冷たいと思ったら有料のウェットスーツは借りること。船酔いの恐れがある人は酔い止めを必ず飲むこと
マンタのいるスポットまでボートで飛ばしますし、40分間夜の海に浸っているので、6月半ばではかなり冷えました。
シュノーケルの使い方は講習的なことはやってくれません。初体験の方は渡されたらどう使うかを聞いたほうが良いです。
海に入る前にマンタを触らないことや態勢の注意点を話してくれるのできちんと守りましょう。
シュノーケルを始めた後、途中で「大丈夫？」と何度も声かけしてくれるので、辛いと思ったらボートに上がったほうが良いです。
せっかくの素敵な体験です。声をかければ対応してくれるので、自分の体力や体調と相談しながら楽しんでください。

I was so scared being a non swimmer but I’m so glad I didn’t chicken out and did it!!! What an incredible experience. Professional crew that kept us safe and relaxed the entire time. I would recommend Wahine Charters to anyone and will recommend to all my friends!

Wow, I was surprised when a real manta ray came towards me with its mouth open! It gracefully swam by, flipping over to show its white belly. There were fish similar to horse mackerel swimming right next to me, and the water was so clear that I could see snake-like fish slithering along the seabed. I definitely recommend enjoying the natural beauty of the Big Island of Hawaii. When a manta ray appears, you should jump in the water and stay underwater for about 30 minutes in a horizontal position. There are occasionally cold currents, so it's better to rent a wetsuit. I think it would be tough to participate on a full stomach since the boat sways when it stops.

いゃぁ〜、本物のマンタが口を開けてこっちに向かって来たときにはビックリしました‼️ （口は閉じれるのか？）目の前で体を反転させ腹の白い部分を見せて、優雅に泳いでました。
鯵に似た魚もすぐ側を泳いでいて、海底では海へびのような魚もニョロニョロしているのがわかるくらいの透明度が高い海です。
ハワイ島の自然を是非楽しんでほしいですね。
マンタが現れたら入水し、30分は水中でケノビ状態でいます。時たま冷たい流れがあるので、ウエットスーツは借りた方がいいです。 停船すると波でゆれるので、お腹いっぱいで参加するのはキツイと思います。

With the help of the friendly Daisuke and Kevin, as well as the slightly shy but cheerful captain, we headed out to sea! At first, I was a bit nervous, but when we encountered dolphins, my excitement grew more and more. Watching Daisuke swim joyfully with the dolphins made me want to join in, but since I couldn't dive, it was impossible. However, I was truly moved to see the dolphins up close. Although I shouldn't reach out to touch them, they were so close that it felt like I could. The fun time flew by in an instant. The anxiety I felt before participating turned into smiles.

気さくでフレンドリーなダイスケさんやケビンさん、少しシャイだけれども陽気な船長さんに助けていただきながら海にGO!!
初めは少し、恐々でしたがイルカに遭遇しどんどんテンションも上がりました
楽しくイルカと泳ぐダイスケさんを見ていると自分も一緒に泳ぎたくなりますが…潜れないので無理でした。でもとても近くで見るイルカちゃんには、とても感動しました。手を伸ばして触ってはいけないのですが、触れそうなほど近くにイルカちゃんがいました。楽しい時間は、あっという間でした。参加する前の不安は、笑顔に変わっていました。

This was my second time flying over Kilauea Volcano by helicopter. The first time, I could only faintly see some orange from the crater, but this time, I could see the magma bubbling up during the eruption. In the tour guide's photos, it looks like they fly quite low, but in reality, they don't get too close to the crater, which was a bit disappointing.

ヘリコプターでのキラウェア火山の上空を飛ぶのは、2回目でした。一度目は 火口から微かにオレンジ色のものが見えただけでしたが
今回は、噴火をしててマグマがドロドロと吹き出している様子がみえました。ツアー案内の写真では、かなりの低空飛行をしてるように見えますが実際には、そんなに火口には近づいてくれなくて少し残念でした。

Wow! We had the pleasure of taking the historic Kona tour with Drew. It was an amazing day! Drew has an energy and enthusiasm about the island that is infectious! He took us to beautiful spots that were advertised and even a few of his favorites that were off the beaten path a bit. The thing that stood out was the intricate knowledge of the historical significance of all the places that we went that Drew was able to share with us. I’ve been to a few of these spots before but never understood them as I do now and that’s all from our great guide. Drew, I hope you know that you shared with us a memory that we will all hold dear for life!