All Reviews for Top Big Island Sights & Attractions

I participated with my middle school daughter. Both of us were a bit tired on the fifth day in Hawaii. The weather was nice, and we could see the sunset, the moon, and the stars clearly. I regretted that we couldn't see the Milky Way because the moon was so bright. We could also see the glow of the Kilauea volcano faintly. The scenery of the Big Island along the way was beautiful, and the various guide explanations were interesting. Matt's chatter was enjoyable too. I wondered if he was okay talking so much in such thin oxygen. I appreciated his effort to entertain us. The down jacket and pants we borrowed were incredibly warm. The miso soup we had in the cold was very delicious!

中学生の娘と参加。私も娘も、やや疲れ気味のハワイ5日目。お天気もよくて夕日、月、星共によく見えました。月が明るくて天の川が見えなかったのが心残り。キラウエアの火山のあかりもボンヤリとみえました。途中のハワイ島の景色も良かったし、色々なガイド説明も興味深かった。まっちゃんのおしゃべりも楽しかったです。酸素が薄い中、あんなに、話し続けて、大丈夫かな？私たちを楽しませてくれようとする気持ちがありがたかったです。借りたダウンとズボンは凄く暖かかった。寒い中で食べる味噌汁はとてもおいしかった！

Husband and I throughly enjoyed the excursion! Our guide blew us away with his well rounded knowledge of the island, its geography and history. The coffee farm and meal were a special treat before an evening of stargazing.

It was a wonderful tour.

The summit of Mauna Kea was above the clouds, and I thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful sunset and stargazing, as well as photographing the night sky. I was also amazed to see the phenomenon of Kilauea's lava illuminating the sky in red from the summit.

The guide's explanations and guidance were of a high level, and they were very knowledgeable in various fields. The atmosphere, environment, and taste of the dining location were also impeccable.

全てが素晴らしいツアーでした。

マウナケア山頂は雲の上であり、とても美しいサンセットと星空観賞、星空撮影を満喫できました。キラウエアの溶岩が空を赤く照らす現象も山頂から眺められたことに驚きました。

ガイドの説明や案内のレベルも高く、様々な分野にとても詳しい方でした。
食事場所の雰囲気や環境、味も文句なしです。

Could one really say they came to the Big Island without seeing this breathtaking view...? It was such a magnificent sight. I was able to take my time and enjoy it for two hours.

この絶景を見ずにしてビッグアイランドに来たと言えるだろうか。。。というくらいの壮大な景色。2時間かけてゆっくりとみることができました。

The tour guide Herald was very nice, friendly and knowledgeble on native hawaiian's culture, ecology and astronomy. We got to see a "natural planetarium" in the mountain including Mars, Jupiter, Saturn and Venus. Coming from a big city we don't see stars in the sky, so the view was just breath taking and we were soooo glad we participated in the tour. I guess you can go to the summit and see stars on your own but I'd strongly recommend this tour. Because I think it will give you a whole new experience and view on the island and their culture.
Dinner was tasty too. I was expecting a lot less.

This was our second time, but since it was my niece's first time on the Big Island, we participated. My sister, who is not good with heights, felt unwell, but our guides, Shin and Matsuzaki, were very kind and supportive. (She used oxygen a couple of times, but she said she really enjoyed it.) My niece, who was participating for the first time, was thrilled and felt it was great to join. Matsuzaki's storytelling was very enjoyable, and during the stargazing, we forgot about the cold and shortness of breath, laughing a lot while enjoying the stars. Next time, I would like to join another tour with a different Masashi Nature School.

私たちは2度目でしたが、ハワイ島初めての姪っ子がいたので、参加しました。
高所が不得意な姉が気分を悪くしましたが、ガイドのシンさんや、松崎さんが優しく対応してくださり、（2回ほど酸素吸入しましたが）、姉もとても楽しめたと言っていました。初参加の姪は、大はしゃぎで参加してよかったと思っています。
松崎さんのおしゃべりはとても楽しく、星空観察の際は、寒さや息苦しさも忘れて大笑いをしながら星空を楽しめました。
次回は、また別のマサシネーチャースクールのツアーに参加したいと思います。

Great crew very attentive kind and funny what a great way to see Dolphins in the wild you can stay with the group or get outside by yourself must do trip you and your family will love it. Bill

Since it was my first time on the Big Island, I really wanted to go to Mauna Kea, so I joined the tour!

The guide was a lot of fun, and we were laughing so much in the car. Before I knew it, we arrived at the Onizuka Center. We had an early dinner there, and the bento with miso soup was delicious—it had been a while since I had Japanese food.

The weather was really nice that day, and both the sunset and the starry sky were beyond words in their beauty!

Depending on the weather, I definitely recommend this tour.

初ハワイ島だったのでぜひマウナケアに行きたいと思い参加しました！

ガイドさんがとっても楽しい方で車の中は大爆笑。あっと言う間にオニヅカセンターへ。そこで早めの夕飯を食べましたが、お弁当に味噌汁付きで久しぶりの日本食が美味しかったです。

当日はとても天気が良かったこともあり、サンセットも星空も言葉では言い表せない素晴らしさでした！

天気にもよりますが、ぜひお勧めしたいツアーです。

This time, we participated as a couple. Originally, we planned to walk on the lava, but due to the incredible force of the eruption, it has been canceled. It’s quite expensive, but I felt sorry for the residents of Hawaii for this rare situation that happens once every few hundred years, and I wanted to see it with my own eyes.

I was very satisfied with the actual participation. We were the only Japanese people there, but since I mentioned that we couldn't speak English, we weren't approached for conversation, and we were able to enjoy ourselves together.

今回夫婦で参加しました。本当は溶岩の上を歩く予定でしたが、噴火の勢いがすごく今中止になってるため、いいお値段しますが、何百年に1回のこの惨状をハワイの住人には申し訳ないけどこの目でしっかり見ておきたかったです。
実際参加させてもらい大満足でした。日本人は私どもだけでしたが、英語できないと言っておいたので話を振られることもなく、2人で楽しめました。

I was lucky to have great weather. The starry sky changed my perspective on life. I saw two big shooting stars, and the view of the red glow from Kilauea Volcano reflecting on the clouds was magical. They also took commemorative photos with a high-sensitivity camera, and I'm looking forward to downloading them.
They provided information on how to cope with the thin air at high altitudes, and there are oxygen tanks available for those who feel unwell, which is reassuring.
Seeing is believing.

天気に恵まれてラッキーでした。満天の星空は、人生観が変わります。大きな流れ星も、２つ見え、キラウェア火山の赤が雲に映る景色も幻想的でした。高感度カメラで記念写真も撮ってくれて、ダウンロードするのが楽しみです。
酸素が薄い高地での対処方法も教えて下さるし、具合の悪い方用酸素ボンベもあり、安心です。
百聞は一見にしかずです。

It was a fun time! The crew were funny and let my son steer the boat. Saw 4 sea turtles. Did it for my parents and 2 young sons to have a good time and they did. Highly recommend

At first, I was a little scared, but it was a lot of fun. I have a fear of heights, but I was okay. It was a bit chilly in the mountains, so I regretted going in light clothing.

はじめは少し怖かったですがとても楽しかったです。
高所恐怖症ですが大丈夫でした。
山の中はちょっと肌寒かったので薄着で行ってしまったことを後悔しました。

When I booked this trip to Hawaii, I was not anticipating Kilauea to erupt actively. In fact when it came on the news that this volcano was spewing lava, I was ready to cancel this trip. However, Kilauea is on the Southeast end of the island and Waikoloa, where we were staying, was far from the volcanic activity. So, we not only kept our trip to big island of Hawaii but also added a helicopter ride to witness an active volcano, which is not something Californians can see on a regular basis, more of a once in a lifetime.

Our pilot, Scott, was great. He took the time to explain what we were seeing, took into consideration of Sophia’s, my 9yo daughter, wanting to see and learn more about this magnificent phenomenon (in fact it was the whole reason for booking this helicopter tour), and took into consideration in providing a smooth, fun, helicopter ride without missing out on being able to see what we need to enjoy the experience of viewing the natural activities of an active volcano. This tour was so worth it. Highly recommended

We thoroughly enjoyed the Manta Ray excursion. The tour guide was great with telling us about the history of this tour and details about the behavior and nature of these Manta Rays. My daughter was most impressed. Although she’s 9yo and a good swimmer, she was still a little nervous about snorkeling at night and meeting these Manta Rays that could come inches to your face. However, the tour guide has made everyone felt safe and she was able to enjoy the magnificence of these gentle sea creatures. Highly recommended

The tour that day consisted of just two people, including myself, who had snorkeling experience. I'm grateful they held the tour with the minimum number of participants.

First, we searched for dolphins off the coast of Kailua-Kona. There were many tour boats gathering around a pod of dolphins, and the sea was already filled with people! The waters off Kailua-Kona were as crowded as Takeshita Street! Amidst all this, Captain K skillfully predicted the dolphins' movements and dropped us in an area with fewer people.

By repeating the process of moving the boat, dropping us, surfacing, and moving again, we were able to chase the pod of dolphins more dynamically, doubling our chances! Dolphins surfaced right in front of us to breathe and passed by!

According to our guide, "Dolphins will avoid people if they're in a bad mood," but today we were lucky, and the dolphins didn't seem to mind people. It was a lucky day! I had a fantastic time on the tour! When I visit the Big Island again, I will definitely join another tour! Mahalo!

当日のツアーはシュノーケル経験のある方と私の２名でした。
ツアー最小挙行人数で開催してくれて感謝です。

まずはドルフィンを探してカイルアコナの沖へ
ポイントには沢山のツアーボートがドルフィンの群れを
追い集結しており、海には沢山の人が既にいる状態！
カイルアコナ沖が竹下通りのごとく人人人！
そん中船長のKさんうまくドルフィンの動きを予想して
あまり人混みのない海域で私たちをドロップさせてくれました。

船移動→ドロップ→上がってまた移動→ドロップ
と繰り返すことで機動的にドルフィンの群れを追うことで
チャンスが倍増！
すぐ目の前をドルフィンたちがブローのため浮上して通過して行く！

ガイドさん曰く「ドルフィンも機嫌が悪いと人を極端に避ける」そうで
今日は運が良くドルフィンたちも人を嫌がらない
ラッキーデイだね！と言っていただき
大満足なツアーを過ごせました！
またハワイ島を訪れる時はまたツアーに参加します！
Mahalo!

They booked me a spot I wasn't able to book directly through the company; and at a cheaper pricer!!

First of all, this activity is a test of physical strength and mental stamina. It's not recommended for those who are prone to motion sickness.

Regular motion sickness medication may not be effective, so it's best to take a stronger anti-nausea medication in advance.

Additionally, a wetsuit (10 dollars) is essential. It gets very cold on the water, and the 40-minute manta ray viewing can be quite tough. The return trip is especially challenging. The water is extremely cold after sunset, and even in summer, a wet body can feel freezing.

In addition to drying off, it's necessary to bring a towel for warmth, so make sure to take a thick one.

That said, you don't need to worry about not seeing manta rays; they come quite close and swim around, providing a thrilling manta ray show.

Moreover, it seems that other tour companies are watching from a distance, likely due to the equipment of this tour, so they aren't very close. If you want to enjoy the closest manta rays, I recommend this tour.

The guide, Alicia, speaks Japanese, which I thought was very good.

Lastly, I want to emphasize again that managing your health and body temperature, as well as maintaining your physical and mental stamina, is essential. I do not recommend bringing children. The family next to us had to leave because their child couldn't handle it.

When we returned to the boat, we had a hard time getting the raft close, and our stamina was running low; it felt like we were about to get lost. The sea might have been rough, but it was quite dangerous. My wife was on the verge of getting lost or drowning.

Also, after the tour, the area around the parking lot is pitch dark, and there are no facilities like showers. The only thing available is a dimly lit restroom.

Changing clothes is impossible, so it's best to head back as you are. It's scary even without considering safety concerns.

まず、このアクティビティは体力と気力勝負です。
乗り物酔いする方にもお勧めできません。

車の酔い止め程度では効きませんので
ちょっと強めの酔い止めを事前に飲んでおきましょう

更に、ウェットスーツ（10ドル）は必須です。
洋上は非常に寒く、40分間の海の上でのマンタ見学も
かなり辛いものになります。
特に辛いのは帰りです。日の落ちた洋上は非常に寒く
濡れた身体は、夏でも凍えるほどです。

身体を拭くのとは別に保温用としてのタオルは必須で
厚手のものを持って行きましょう

さて、だからと言ってマンタが見れなかった訳では
ありませんのでご安心を、かなり近くまでマンタが
寄ってきて回遊しますので、迫力あるマンタショーが
体験できました。

しかも他社のツアーは、このツアーの設備目当てに
周りで見ているようなので、あまり近くに居ないようです。
最接近のマンタを楽しみたいなら、このツアーをお勧めします。

ガイドはアリシアちゃんが日本語を喋れるので
非常に良かったと思います。

最後にもう一度だけ言っておくと
体調と体温の管理、体力と気力の保持は必須です。
お子様も連れて行くのはお勧めしません。
隣の家族は途中で子供が根を上げて、帰ってしまったようでした。

我々も船に帰る際になかなかイカダが船が近づけず
体力もキツくなってきて、それはもう遭難しそうでした
海が荒れていたのかも知れませんが、かなり危なかったです。
妻はもう遭難か溺れる寸前でした。

あと、終わると駐車場周辺は真っ暗闇で、シャワーも何も設備はありません。
あるのはうす暗いトイレのみです。

着替えるのは無理なので、そのまま帰りましょう
治安とか考えなくても怖いですよ

I couldn't believe I could meet manta rays so close. I was moved to see five manta rays. It was a wonderful tour.

こんなに近くでマンタに会うことができるなんて信じられないくらいでした。
五羽のマンタに会え感動しました。素晴らしいツアーでした。

I was a bit anxious about my English, so I requested a consent form in advance, filled it out, and brought it with me. We were the only Japanese participants, and the guide spoke entirely in English, but I understood the instructions, and even those who are not good at English can manage if they enjoy the activities. I also got along well with the other participants. After the tour, there was a photo sale, like at Disneyland attractions, and if there's one thing I regret now, it's not buying those photos.

英語に不安があったので、事前に同意書を送ってもらい、記入して持参しました。日本人は私たちのみ、ガイドもオール英語でしたが、指示はわかりましたし、英語が苦手な方もアクティビティが好きならどうにかなります。一緒に参加した方たちとも仲良くなりましたよ。ツアー終了後はディズニーランドのアトラクションのように写真販売もあって、今、後悔していることがあるとすれば、その写真を買わなかったことです。

This company was professional and went out of their way to make sure that everything was in place to make our trip first class. From calling the day before to confirm with us on meeting location and time to hot brownies at the end of the tour. Everything was great and the guide took the time to get to know us so she could make our experience the best it could be.

I would highly recommend this company.

We participated as a family of three, including our 6-year-old son, starting from Hilo. We drove from our accommodation in Waikoloa to Hilo with a rental car. The roads were good, and we enjoyed the journey!

Since this was a rare opportunity, we booked a tour to see volcanic activity, and we were able to see the crater up close, even more than we had imagined.

The guidance was in English, but the pilot provided detailed explanations about the local area and its features. The piloting was impressive and gave us a sense of security.

There was a one-hour delay due to a mechanical issue, but it turned out to be a wonderful experience. Thank you very much.

6歳男児を含めた家族３人で、ヒロ発で参加しました。※宿泊先のワイコロアからヒロにレンタカーで移動しました。道もよく、道中も楽しめました♪

滅多にない機会なので、火山活動が見られるコースを予約しましたが、想像以上に間近で噴火口がみることができました。

英語での案内でしたが、操縦士の方が現地の方の様子など丁寧に説明して下さいました。また、その操縦も見事で、安心感のあるものでした。

機体故障で1時間の遅延となりましたが、とても良い体験となりました。ありがとうございました。

We participated as a couple. We were worried about altitude sickness, but we were completely fine. We wore jackets, long pants, and knit hats for warmth. Additionally, we wore borrowed cold-weather gear, so we weren't cold at the summit. The sunset at the top was incredibly beautiful and moving. The stargazing was also amazing, and it was the first time I took photos with the starry sky as a backdrop. After returning to Japan, I downloaded the photos and was pleased with how well they turned out. It was the best memory. Thank you very much.

　夫婦２名の参加です。高山病の心配をしていましたが、全然平気でした。
寒さ対策にジャケットと長ズボン、ニット帽を着用。それに借りた防寒着を着たので、頂上でも寒くはありませんでした。頂上では、サンセットがとても綺麗で感動しました。星空観測も星がとても綺麗で、星空をバックにした写真を撮ったのは初めてでした。日本に帰ってからダウンロードした写真を見ましたが、とても良く撮れていて良かったです。最高の思い出です。ありがとうございました。

Mauna Kea, where various astronomical telescopes from different countries, including the Subaru Telescope, are installed. Since it's quite rare to tour the interior of the Subaru Telescope, I booked this tour.

The vehicle, which can accommodate about 14 people, was full. To ensure everyone had a good view from the windows, the guide kindly arranged seat changes at each rest stop, making sure everyone was treated fairly.

After enjoying a lunch at the Onizuka Center on Mauna Kea, we ascended an unpaved road with a steep incline, and the scenery from there was like being on the moon, with a landscape entirely of brown soil, creating a different world.

The sunset viewed from the various observatories on Mauna Kea was truly magnificent. After the sunset, we descended a bit to stargaze. I was amazed by the countless stars, and under the stunning night sky, we learned about the Southern Cross and various other stars that cannot be seen in Japan. It was a truly wonderful experience. I was very satisfied with the tour.

スバル望遠鏡等の様々な国の天体望遠鏡が設置されているマウナケア山。なかなかスバル望遠鏡の内部見学はできないため、このツアーを予約しました。
14名程度が乗れる車は満席でした。窓からの景色が良く見えるようにと、ガイドさんが休憩場所ごとに席替えをし、皆さんが公平になるように配慮してくださいました。
マウナケア山のオニヅカセンターでお弁当を頂いた後、急勾配の舗装されていない道を上っていくのですが、そこから見える景色はまるで月にいるような茶色の土一色で、別世界でした。
マウナケア山の各国の天文台付近から見たサンセットは本当に素晴らしかったです。
また、サンセットの後、少し下った場所で星空を見学しました。こんなに星があったのか、と驚くほどの満天の星空の下、日本では見ることのできない南十字星や様々な星の解説をしてくださり、とても素晴らしい時間を過ごすことができました。大満足のツアーでした。

Excelllent trip. Microphone would of been nice. Hard to hear everything. I would still recommend this tour!

I participated on the first night after arriving on the Big Island. Even though the encounter rate is 99%, I was worried that I might not see any... but that was not the case!! A total of nearly six manta rays appeared, showing their bellies while feeding. They came so close that it felt like I could touch them, and it was an amazing sight. The guide was also very kind and attentive, and I had a truly wonderful time. Next time I come to the Big Island, I would like to participate in the manta ray experience again.

ハワイ島に到着した初日の夜に参加しました。
遭遇率99%といえど、もしかしたら会えないかも…と心配していましたか、なんのその!!
合計6羽近くのマンタが現れ、お腹を見せてご飯を食べてくれました。
触れてしまいそうな距離まで来てくれ、圧巻の光景でした。
ガイドのお姉さんも親切丁寧に対応してくれ、とても素晴らしい時間を過ごさせていただきました。
次回ハワイ島に来るときは、またマンタ大学に参加したいと思います。

We only had one day on the big island and wanted to see as much as possible. This tour takes you all the way around with multiple, although brief stops and several locations. Could omit the coffee tasting and spend more time on the black beach or at the falls.

Our guide, Keith, was full of history, folk lore and traditional information which was a big bonus.
If you want history and a good whirlwind tour of the island, this tour is for you.
Of note, lunch was provided and this service has its own chef who prepares the meals. Very healthy sampling of the typical fare at area restaurants, however, when it’s served in lieu of a cold sandwich and a picturesque park, it suddenly becomes one of the best meals of the vacation.

One of the coolest things we’ve done. The Manta rays would get so close and were so graceful and gentle.

The crew, including Capt Mike Morgan, was awesome and ensured we had a fabulous time. I would rate this as a MUST DO on the big island! Experience of a lifetime!

Unfortunately, it was raining down below, and when we had an early dinner, we ate our bento in the drizzle, but the teriyaki chicken and the miso soup we were given were very delicious. When we reached the summit, the wind was very strong, and the warm clothing we borrowed was very helpful.

During the stargazing, what impressed me the most was seeing the Ocean Entry glowing red. The Southern Cross was also clearly visible. It's a shame that we couldn't see many stars due to the weather, but I was thrilled just to witness the beautiful sunset. Thank you very much. Later, when I took a helicopter tour over Kīlauea Volcano, seeing the incredible steam rising from Ocean Entry made me feel even more moved, realizing that I had seen this from Mauna Kea. I appreciate the guide from Okinawa. It was a lot of fun.

下界は生憎雨が降っていて、早めの夕食取るときは霧雨の中お弁当食べましたが、照り焼きチキンと入れていただいた味噌汁がとてもおいしかったです。山頂に登るととても風が強く、貸していただいた防寒着がとても役立ちました。
星空観察時に何と言ってもオーシャンエントリーが赤く見えたことが印象的でした。南十字星もはっきり見えました。天候のせいで星がたくさん見れなかったことが残念ですが、美しいサンセット見れただけで感激です。ありがとうございました。後日ヘリツアーでキラウエア火山の上空見たときにオーシャンエントリーの立ち上るものすごい水蒸気みて、マウナケア山からこれが見れたんだなーと感激ひとしおでした。沖縄出身のガイドさんお世話になりました。楽しかったです。

I have done dolphin snorkeling in places like Honolulu, Guam, and the Ogasawara Islands, but this was the first time I encountered so many dolphins. In the early morning, the water was very clear, and I could see dolphins from a distance, but after a while, the water became murky, making it a bit difficult to find them even when they said, "There are dolphins!" However, I got to see baby dolphins and a lot of dolphin jumps, which made me very satisfied. There was someone in the tour who was free diving, and I was really envious of them. When we were leaving, the captain sped off at an incredible speed, so be careful! (laughs)

ホノルルやグァム、小笠原などでイルカシュノーケルをしたことがありますが、
こんなにたくさんのイルカと会えたのは初めてです。
朝一番は海も透明度が高く遠くのイルカもたくさん見えましたが
少し時間がたつと海が濁ってきて「イルカいるよー」と言われても潜ってしまうとちょっと探しづらかったです。
でも赤ちゃんイルカも見れたし、イルカジャンプもたくさん見れて大満足でした。
ツアーの中で一人巣潜りされてる方がいらして本当に羨ましかったです。
帰る時、船長さんが恐ろしいスピードでぶっ飛ばすので要注意です（笑）

Even though I was sea sick, my husband and daughter had the time of their life that they described as surreal like a dream. The mantas were inches away from their faces doing rolls. An experience they will never forgot and well worth it. The captain and crew were very nice and sympathetic to my condition.