All Reviews for Top Big Island Sights & Attractions

The Blue Hawaiian helicopter tour was easily the best event our group had while on the Big Island. Everyone loved it. BH uses very high quality helicopters and our pilot was well trained and very skilled. We all agreed that at no time did we feel unsafe. Our pilot was also very well informed and told us a lot of interesting things about the volcano and the Hilo side of the island. But, the views were the most memorable part of the trip. Don't forget your camera or you'll hate yourself.

I name of this tour says it all! Live lava flows and incredible waterfalls. Our pilot, Peter, was fantastic and informative. I highly recommend the store to everyone.

First of all, it was fun heading out to sea while watching the sunset sink into the ocean! We stopped the boat and waited for it to get dark, and then it was time to go underwater! I was so happy when 2 to 3 large mantas came close to us. On the way there, there were a few people who got seasick, so motion sickness medication is a must. I forgot to bring my motion sickness medication for the return trip, so I ended up feeling nauseous on the way back. Also, it gets really cold on the return trip, so I think it's essential to have clothes that you can easily change into or warm clothing on the boat.

まず、海に沈む夕日を見ながら沖へ向かって行くのが楽しかったです！そして船を停めて暗くなるのを待ち、いざ水中へ！とても大きなマンタが2〜3枚来てくれてとっても近くまで来てくれてすごく嬉しかったです。行きの船では船酔いしている方が何名か居たので酔い止めは必須です。私は帰りの酔い止めを持参し忘れた為に帰りは気持ち悪くなってしまいました。そして帰りはすごく寒くなるので船の上で簡単に着替えられる様な服や防寒着は必須だと思いました。

This was my second time at the luau show, and both adults and children enjoyed it. Among the performances, the fire dance was particularly impressive and definitely worth seeing.

今回で2回目のルアウショーでしたが、大人も子供も楽しめました。
その中でもファイヤーダンスは見応えがあり、一見の価値ありです。

Amidst the uncertain weather forecast, the clouds miraculously cleared, allowing us to enjoy a beautiful starry sky! The sunset was also incredibly beautiful. I felt like I was purified by the unique Sun Power of the Big Island.

微妙な天気の予想の中、奇跡的に雲が晴れ、綺麗な星空を堪能できました！サンセットも抜群の綺麗さ。ハワイ島独特のSun Powerを浴び、浄められたかな。

I requested a pickup service. Even after the scheduled pickup time had passed, I waited for a long time. The receptionist at Royal Cliff was considerate and made an inquiry (they were Japanese). They mentioned that they were running late due to making rounds, but a taxi arrived 30 minutes late. The driver seemed very apologetic.
However, it was such a wonderful sightseeing flight that I didn't mind at all. Thank you, pilot TOSHI. I would definitely like to request this again on another island.

送迎付きでお願いしました。お迎えの時間を過ぎてもずっと待っていました。ロイヤルシークリフのレセプションの方が気を利かせて問い合わせしてくださいました（日本の方でした）。あちこち廻ってるので遅れているとのことでしたが、30分遅れでやって来たのはタクシーでした。凄く申し訳なさそうに謝ってました。
そんなことも全く気にならないほどの素晴らしい遊覧飛行でした。パイロットのTOSHIさん、ありがとうございました。他の島でもまた是非お願いしたいと思います。

The sunset was wonderful. The guide's service spirit was also excellent, and I was able to take many lovely memory photos.

とにかくサンセットが良かった。ガイドさんのサービス精神も素晴らしく、素敵な思い出写真もたくさん撮ってもらうことができました。

Just me with my two grown sons, amazing experience! Got great footage on our go-pro. Very glad I took 2 bonine beforehand, no motion sickness for me. My other son only took 1 bonine and had to cut out 10 mins early but enjoyed the view from the boat. Crew friendly & helpful:)

It's the last one~
This time, I only went to Hawaii Island, but I was able to relax a lot.
I participated in a submarine tour, and it was a really great experience!

さいごです〜
今回、Hawaii island だけだったんですが、とても ゆっくり 出来ました。
潜水艦のツアーに参加してとても良い経験させていただきましたよ！

My 10-year-old son had an experience there. As mentioned in other reviews, the language barrier and budget are issues. I've been interested in Dolphin Quest for a while and thought I would let him participate if the opportunity arose. My son, who doesn't speak much English, joined a group with other foreign families and seemed to enjoy touching the dolphins. My wife and I, who did not participate, watched from the sidelines. While the pricing may be set based on costs for caring for the dolphins and labor, I thought it would be easier to participate if there were more discounts available. The photo prices are also high.

息子１０歳が体験してきました．他の方の口コミにもあるように，英語と予算が問題になりますね．ドルフィン・クエストは以前から気になっていて，チャンスがあったら参加させようと思っていました．あまり英語のできない息子は，他の外人の家族のグループに入ってイルカに触れたり，それなりに楽しそうにしていました．参加しない家内と小生は，周りで見学です．イルカを飼育していくための経費とか，人件費などで料金設定されているのかもしれませんが，もう少し利用料金の割引などあると参加しやすいのかなぁ，と思いました．写真も高いです．

I used to dive every year, but recently I switched to snorkeling, and I was told that I should definitely see the manta rays, so I participated. For the first 30 minutes, the manta rays didn't appear, and I was worried I wouldn't be able to endure the seasickness. When the manta finally showed up, it circled right beneath us multiple times, and it was an incredible experience. It's amazing that such a large creature doesn't attack. Once it appeared, it stayed right below us the whole time.

However, since I was feeling seasick, I returned to the boat earlier than the others. On the way out, we were given either canned ginger ale, juice, or water along with snacks. I chose the ginger ale, thinking I had to drink it all, and I ended up feeling too full. For those who are prone to seasickness, I recommend taking your drink back with you and just sipping a little of what you brought.

Also, for those who have never snorkeled before, I think it would be a bit difficult unless you practice in the sea first. If you're prone to seasickness, I think it's better to sign up for a tour that departs from in front of the Sheraton Hotel.

ダイビングを毎年していた人が、この頃はシュノーケルに変えて、その中でもマンタだけは見た方がよいというので、参加しました。マンタが最初30分ぐらい現れず、船酔いもしていたので、気持ち悪くて耐えられるか心配でした。やっと現れたマンタは、何度も私たちの体の真下を旋回して、それはそれはすごい経験でした。あんなに体が大きいのに、襲わないなんて不思議です。一度現れた後は、ずっと真下にいました。
　ただ船酔いをしていたので、他の人よりは早く船に戻りました。行きに缶のジンジャエールか、ジュースか水とお菓子をもらうのですが、私はジンジャエールをもらい、最後まで飲まなきゃいけないと思って、全部飲んだら胃が満杯になってしまったのだと思います。酔いやすい人は、それは持ち帰って、自分が持ってきた飲み物を少しだけ飲むことをお勧めします。
　またシュノーケルを一度もやったことがない人は、海で練習してからでないと、ちょっと無理だと思います。
　酔いやすい人は、シェラトンホテルの前で見ることになるので、そちらから出るツアーを申し込んだ方がよいと思います。

It seems that the encounter rate with manta rays is almost 100%. We were able to see them perfectly during our time there. The manta rays showed themselves more than ten times, and on one occasion, we even saw their underside.

On the way to the dive site, we encountered a pod of dolphins and were very satisfied to see them jumping out of the water.

Our guide, Musashi, was handsome and kind. I would love to do this again if the opportunity arises.

マンタとの遭遇率はほぼ100%のようです。
私たちの時もバッチリ見れました。マンタは10回以上姿を見せてくれ、うち1回はお腹側も見れました。
ポイントに行くまでの間には、イルカの群れに遭遇して、海面を飛び跳ねる姿も見れて大満足です。

ガイドのムサシさんはイケメンで親切でした。
また機会があったらお願いします。

On November 6th, I participated with a friend, just the two of us. We are in our late 30s. It was my first time kayaking, but I was able to paddle smoothly right away. I thought we would be experiencing it in a bay, but we headed straight out into the open sea. I was a bit surprised, but I didn't feel scared at all.

I also enjoyed snorkeling in a place where no one else was around. You can get some really cool photos too. I just wish we could have seen some dolphins! It was perfect.

You might want to be a little careful about sunburn and seasickness. :) But it was very refreshing and fun!

11月6日に、友人と２人で参加しました。30代後半です。
カヤックは初めてでしたが、すぐにスイスイと漕ぐことができました。湾の中で体験する感じかなぁと思っていたら、がんがん大海原へ。ちょっとびっくりしましたが、こわい思いは全くしなかったです。
誰もいない場所でのシュノーケリングも満喫。かっこいい写真もたくさん撮ってもらえますよ。あとは、イルカに会えたら！カンペキでした。
日焼けと船酔いにはちょっと注意かも。:) でもとても気持ちよくて楽しかったです。

I participated with friends in November. I was looking for a tour with transportation included, but I was told that the transportation companies were fully booked, so I decided to take the plunge and join this tour without transportation, renting a car for the first time abroad. It was a good decision in terms of cost performance.

This was my second time riding a horse, but that didn't matter; we set off after a brief introduction. The height was quite significant, but we walked slowly through the woods, so it wasn't scary. We also splashed through the water, which added some variety and made it fun.

My horse was a bit of a glutton and stopped to eat grass along the way, but it was all very relaxed. The dogs that walked alongside us were also very cute.

Oh, Japanese is not spoken here. They knew a few words and occasionally said something, but it wasn't a problem for horseback riding.

11月に友人同士で参加しました。
送迎付のツアーを探していたのですが、送迎会社がいっぱいだと言われ、思い切って海外初レンタカーで、送迎なしのこのツアーに参加しました。コストパフォーマンスとしても正解でした。
馬に乗るのは2回目でしたが、そんなことおかまいなしに、ちょっとのレクで出発します。結構高さがありますが、木立をゆっくり歩いていくのでこわくはなく、でも水の中をじゃぶじゃぶ入ったりして、変化もあって楽しかったです。
私の馬は食いしん坊で、道中草を食べて動かなくなったりしましたが、それものんびりと。一緒に散歩する犬たちもとてもかわいかったです。
あ、日本語は通じません。少し単語を知っていて時々何か言ってましたが。乗馬には問題ないですよ。

The trip was initially cancelled due to poor weather, but the Blue Hawaiian staff were all extraordinarily friendly and helpful, and rebooked us for later that day. The flight was gorgeous, and the pilot (Patrick) was both professional and very entertaining. I'd happily recommend it to anyone.

Very clean and comfortable helicopter. Pilot had a great soundtrack and was very good at making sure we all got a good view of everything. Staff was efficient and knowledgeable.

We thoroughly enjoyed thrilling rafting and beautiful snorkeling in the ocean under wonderful weather! The service from the captain and crew was absolutely five-star! In the morning, we were able to swim leisurely before the snorkeling spot at Kealakekua Bay became crowded with boats, and we got to see and even touch many dolphins up close. The sea, sparkling like a jewel, was also very satisfying. My kids (especially my son) were thrilled, saying the captain was an excellent navigator and super cool, and that this was the most fun they’ve ever had on a trip. They can’t wait to join again next time!

★ Sunscreen is a must. Sunglasses and a lightweight beach towel are also essential. It gets quite chilly while swimming. You might not need a hat as it could blow away. Since large bags cannot be taken on the boat, it’s best to bring only what you need in a compact backpack. Sandals are sufficient for footwear. My younger child (9) can swim but borrowed a life jacket from the reception office (which is free, of course). My older child (13) got tired and borrowed a noodle (a floating tube like macaroni) halfway through. Having a noodle makes it easier. There isn’t a specific place to change after returning, so you’ll either stay in your swimsuit or change in the rental car. There was a restaurant and restroom where we disembarked! ★

素晴らしいお天気の中、スリリングなラフティングと美しい海のシュノーケルを存分に楽しみました！なんと言っても、サービス満点なキャプテン＆クルーは５つ星間違いなし！朝、ケアラケクア湾のシュノーケルスポットが船で溢れ返ってしまう前にゆっくりと泳げましたし、沢山のイルカを触れるほど間近で見ることもできました。宝石のような輝きの海にも大満足でした。子供たち（特に息子）はキャプテンは操縦がうまくてめちゃくちゃかっこいいし今回の旅で一番楽しかったと大喜びでした。次回も参加したいと大はしゃぎです！　

★日焼け止めは必須です。サングラス、それからバスタオルは薄手の物でも必ず持った方が良いです。泳いでいるとだいぶ冷えます。帽子は飛ばされちゃいますのでいらないかと。ボートに大きな荷物は載せられないので、コンパクトなリュックに必要なものだけ持っていくと良いでしょう。履物はサンダルで十分です。　
下の子（9）は泳げますが受付事務所でライフジャケットを借りました（もちろん無料です）上の子（13）疲れて途中でヌードル（マカロニみたいな浮くチューブ）を借りました。ヌードルがあると楽です。帰りに着替える場所は特に無いので、水着のままかレンタカーの中で着替えるかになります。下船した所にレストランとトイレがありましたよ★　

We enjoyed the flight a lot. The flight without doors is realy special. The pilot flight direct over the crater with magna and we can made beautiful pictures and feel the cold wind and the hot magna!

It was the best experience I've ever had under the starry sky. The Milky Way spread out right in front of me, and it felt like I was in a planetarium. It turned out to be a great summer vacation.

今まで見た星空で最高の体験が出来ました。天の川が目の前に広がり、まるでプラネタリウムにいるようでした。良い夏休みになりました。

I was able to see so many dolphins, and it was very moving and fun. I definitely want to participate next time.

こんなにたくさんのイルカを見ることが出来、とっても感動、楽しかったです。
次回の是非、参加したいです。

Great time , interesting island history, great crew

This is not just about the tour content; it's a bigger issue. I used your service in August, and although I made a proper reservation for four people from Japan, only two reservations were actually confirmed, and the remaining two ended up being walk-ins on the day of the tour. Due to the pricing situation, I emailed Veltra after returning home, but I have been ignored regarding this matter. I will not be using this company in the future.

ツアー内容どうこうの話ではなく、それ以前の問題です。8月にお世話になったのですが、日本からきちんと4名の予約をしていったのに、実際予約が2名分しかとれていなく残りの2名は当日予約になってしまいました。料金の兼ね合いもありveltraさんに帰国後メールを入れましたがそれに関しては無視されています。今後この会社を使うことはありません。

Compared to other tours, the waiting time before starting was long, and the time spent riding the horse was short. We followed almost the same course, but other tours were already turning back and passing us. We were on the horse for about 40 to 50 minutes. I expected it to be 1.5 to 2 hours. The route felt more like the horse was just walking along a car track rather than going through the great outdoors. The guide spoke in English, but since there was a long line of horses, only those near the speaker could hear. I would recommend a tour that allows you to walk down into the canyon instead. Alternatively, if you're looking for a similar tour, I would recommend the Na'alapa tour.

ほかのツアーと比べて開始までの時間が長く馬に乗る時間が短い。ほぼ同じコースを通るのですが他のツアーは、すでに折り返しで我々とすれ違う状況。馬に乗っていたのは４０～５０分くらいでしょうか。1.5～２時間と思っていましたが。ルートも大自然の中を行くというより車のわだちを馬が勝手に歩くという感じです。案内も英語さらに長い馬の隊列なので話す人の近くの人しか聞こえません。私は、渓谷に下りて足で歩く時間をとるツアーのほうをお勧めします。または、同じようなツアーならばナアラパのツアーをお勧めします。

It took about 30 minutes by rubber boat to reach the point. Two manta rays gracefully appeared. They came very close and danced around, which was a bit surprising. This manta ray tour seemed to be a side tour organized by a main operator. The day before the tour, I received a request to change to a later time because the original tour was canceled for boat inspection and repairs. Initially, I considered canceling my participation in the tour, but it went ahead as scheduled. Upon reflection, I think it wasn't due to the boat inspection and repairs, but rather that they hadn't reached the minimum number of participants. Additionally, even after the meeting time had passed, the tour operator did not arrive, making it feel like a disorganized company.

ゴムボートで片道約30分でポイントに到着。2枚のマンタが優雅に現れてくれました。もうすれすれまで来て舞ってくれてちょっとびびりました。このマンタのツアーも元締めみたいのがいてそのおこぼれツアーのようでした。ツアーの前日に、船の点検修理のためその時間のがキャンセルになり遅い時間のに変更依頼を受けました。当初は、ツアー参加のキャンセルを考えましたが、ツアーは予定どおりに催行されました。よくよく考えると、船の点検修理のためではなく、最少催行人数に達していなかったのだと思いました。また集合時間を過ぎても催行社は来ず、でたらめな会社のように感じました。

We participated as a couple for the first time on the Big Island. The tour guide was experienced and seemed very familiar with the route, having guided every day. As we approached the summit, the thinning air caused some dizziness and headaches. They provided great support for that, and we were able to see very beautiful scenery and a starry sky, which made us very satisfied!

ハワイ島初めての夫婦で参加しました。ツアーガイドの方はさすが毎日ガイドしているだけあって、慣れた様子でした。山頂に近づくにつれて、空気が薄くなることによりめまいや頭痛がすることがあります。そちらのフォローもしっかりして頂き、とてもキレイな景色と星空を見ることが出来てとても満足です！

Last year, the weather was bad, and I had to give up on going to Mauna Kea. This year, I decided to try again. Thanks to waiting a year, the weather this time was perfect. The bento and miso soup at Mauna Kea were much appreciated. I was thrilled to see the endangered silversword plant. The scene with the Subaru telescope and the sunset at the summit of Mauna Kea is something I will never forget. I realized I had dropped my camera at the summit while stargazing at the mid-level. When I consulted with the guide, Mr. Matsuzaki, he immediately discussed it with the security team, obtained permission to return to the summit, and went back after the stargazing to help me look for it. During that time, he turned off the car lights to be considerate of the observatories at the summit and drove in the faint light of the crescent moon. When he found my camera, I was moved to tears. I will never forget the song "Ryusei" by Kobukuro that was playing in the car at that moment. I also want to thank everyone in the tour for kindly accompanying me to the summit. I apologize for returning to the hotel late because of this. Lastly, Mr. Matsuzaki, thank you very much.

昨年は天気が悪く、オニヅカでクローズとのことで断念しました。今年こそと再チャレンジしました。1年間待ったおかげで、今回の天気は最高でした。オニヅカでの幕の内弁当と味噌汁はありがたかったです。絶滅危惧種のシルバー・スォードを見ることができ感激でした。マウナケアの山頂ではスバル望遠鏡と夕日のシーンは一生忘れることができません。中腹での星空観測の際にカメラを山頂に落としたことに気づきました。ガイドのMatsuzakiさんに相談すると、すぐに警備の方と協議していただき、山頂に戻る許可をとり、天体観測後に山頂に探しに戻ってくれました。その際、山頂の天文台群に配慮して車のライトを消し、三日月の僅かな光の中を運転され、その上、カメラを見つけてくれた際は、涙がでました。その時、車内で流れていたコブクロの「流星」は一生忘れないでしょう。参加したツアーの皆様方も快く山頂までつきあっていただき感謝しております。このため、ホテルへの帰りが遅くなってしまい申し訳ありませんでした。最後になりますが、Matsuzakiさん、本当にありがとうございました。

After watching Miho Kanno on television, I really wanted to join a doorless helicopter tour. Before the tour, we received a thorough briefing, which made me feel secure about getting on the helicopter. Since it was my first time in a helicopter, I expected some turbulence, but it felt smooth as if gliding over the water, so I had no anxiety. I was able to see the lava flowing into the ocean and the steam rising, as well as feel the hot winds. Additionally, we had a bird's-eye view of waterfalls like Rainbow Falls, and my family of three is thrilled to have had the best experience of our lives. After the tour, my wife thanked me for giving her the front seat. According to her, the front seat was the best. Next time, I want to let my daughter sit there. I definitely want to recommend this tour to my friends. Thank you very much.

菅野美穂さんのテレビを見て、どうしても扉なしのヘリツアーに参加したくなりました。ツアー前に丁寧にブリーフィングしていただき、安心してヘリに乗ることができました。初めてのヘリでしたので、揺れることを予想していましたが、水面を滑るような感じで不安はありませんでした。期待していた海に溶岩が流れ込み水蒸気が立ち上るところや溶岩の流れ、その熱風を肌で感じることができました。さらに、レインボーフォールなどの滝を俯瞰することができ、人生最高の体験をできたと家族3人喜んでいます。ツアー後、妻から前の席を譲ってくれてありがとうと感謝されました。妻曰く、前の席は最高だったよとのことです。今度は娘に座らせてあげたいです。友人にも是非紹介したいツアーです。ありがとうございました。

All good. Hank was great. Zzzzxzzzzzzxxzxzzzzzzzzzzzzz

I was deeply moved by the experience of being able to drive to a higher point than Mount Fuji and the breathtaking views at the summit. I was also very satisfied with the tour conductor's explanations and attentiveness.

車で富士山より高いところに行ける感動と頂上での景観に大感動でした。また、ツアーコンダクターの解説、心配りにも大満足でした。

I've done 3 or 4 luaus in my day. This was the best. The service was top notch. I had one of the attendees watch my infant son while we went for food. My 4 year old daughter danced up a storm while watching the professional dancers and the other patrons where kind beyond belief.

Could not have gotten a better experience.