All Reviews for Top Big Island Sights & Attractions

So I decided to propose on this particular cruise, and I couldn't have picked a more romantic, thoughtful, and special cruise to do it. I was so incredibly nervous, but the customer service rep was extremely communicative and responsive for my specific request. John, the captain of the vessel, was so knowledgable in the marine life, that my fiance and I asked if he had majored in Marine Biology in college. He had a lot of passion for the marine life and he spent a lot of time speaking with us. Also, the wait staff was beyond courteous, they took pictures of my engagement, and they made us feel so special with their champagne toast.

I also set-up an original song to sing for my fiance, and the musician onboard actually learned my song before-hand, and played it perfectly as I sang it in front of 40 strangers! His tunes really bring that cool, Hawaiian vibe, and the MC was great with her meticulous tour and crowd work. I couldn't have asked for a better sunset, a perfect location, and the greatest staff that I have probably ever encountered. That's saying a lot as I had been a musician on several international five-star cruise lines in the past. I would HIGHLY recommend this cruise to anyone looking for a special event with incredible food.

The pilot was friendly and being Japanese made me feel at ease. Unlike most sightseeing helicopters that fly for around 20 minutes, this one flew for over 2 hours, which was very satisfying.

パイロットの方も感じが良く日本人なので安心できました。観光ヘリは20分前後が多い中でみっちり2時間以上も飛んでくれて大満足でした。

I was able to enjoy snorkeling to my heart's content in the beautifully clear Kealakekua Bay. The crew members were all kind, and it was a wonderful experience. However, the meal was perhaps not what I would call a "luxurious BBQ lunch."

透明度抜群のケアラケクア湾で思う存分、シュノーケルを楽しめた。
クルーの方々もみな親切で素晴らしい経験が出来た。
ただ食事は「豪華BBQランチ」とは言い難かったかも。

Guides very knowledgeable and went the extra mile to make sure we had a great time. Extended the trip back a bit to view some playful dolphins.Kayaking was fun and snorkeling was fantastic!

All the crew were knowledgeable, friendly and super helpful. Didn't see any whales but we had a great time anyway!

I was anxious about going to a mountain higher than Mount Fuji, but the attentive service from the Japanese staff made for a worry-free and enjoyable drive. At the summit, we were able to see a truly wonderful sunset, and the stargazing was even more beautiful than a planetarium. The explanations about the stars were also very enjoyable and detailed, making it a tour that left my family completely satisfied.

富士山より高い山に行くのは不安でしたが、日本人スタッフの方のきめ細やかなサービスを受け
不安もなく楽しいドライブでした。山頂ではとても素晴らしいサンセットをみることができ、
星空観測もプラネタリウムより綺麗でした。また、星の説明もとても楽しく詳しく説明いただき
家族大満足のツアーでした。

This tour was perfect, reply promptly when I had question.
The sunset and the starry night are stunning, wanna go again.
The guide is super nice, I joined 12/22, but forget the guide's name (sorry)
He was really professional and full of knowledge with the stars and thanks him gave us a ride to hotel, we are really appreciated !! Wanna say thanks again :)
If I have the chance, I'll go again !

The quality of food for a dinner cruise was above-average. Drinks were good. The crew was pretty solidly great, mixing an easy-going sociability with attentiveness. And we were lucky enough to see dolphins, glimpse whales, and spend time with a manta ray, all before catching a fantastic sunset.

You have to do this activity! If you love sea creatures, and have not done this before, go for it! The Hula Kai is the way to go. Other tours are available, but the Hula Kai us the best outfit. Plan it early in the trip. It is highly unlikely that the Mantas will not show up, but if they don't, go again. It is only a couple of hours, and a reliable great time. You don't need to be an experienced snorkel / scuba person, they have a system all worked out. Very easy in and out of the water. Go for it!

We went to this on our last night in Hawaii. It was a really great way to close out a terrific week. The food was delicious, and we had two vegetarians in our party! The entertainment was amazing, much more than hula dancers. The setting was exceptional, a tropical paradise. I recommend this luau highly!

I came to Hawaii Island for the first time. I wanted to see Kilauea Volcano, but it would take too long to get there by rental car, so I joined this tour. I was worried about whether the high cost of the tour would be worth it, but the experience was even more wonderful than I imagined. The pilot was Japanese and occasionally explained things in Japanese, which made it easy to understand.

However, be prepared for the possibility of cancellations due to weather conditions. We were able to go, but the next group had their tour canceled after checking in and had to go back...

初めてのハワイで、ハワイ島に来ました。
とりあえずキラウエア火山を見たいと思っていましたが、レンタカーでは行くまでに時間がかかり1日潰れてしまうのでこのツアーに参加しました。
このツアーの料金が高いので満足できるか不安がありましたが、結果は想像以上に素晴らしいものでした。
パイロットの方が日本人で時折日本語を交えて説明してくださったので理解しやすかったです。

ただ、天候によって中止になることもあるので覚悟が必要です。
私達は乗れましたが、次の時間の人たちは受付をした後中止が決まり、帰っていきました…

This is my third time participating in the Mauna Kea Nature tour, but unfortunately, the weather was not great this time. I managed to climb to the summit of Mauna Kea from the Onizuka Center, but it was snowing and hailing, and it was extremely cold, so I couldn't see the sunset. I barely caught a glimpse of the sunset through a break in the clouds, and I could see the magma of Kilauea in the distance.

Since I couldn't see the starry sky from up high, I moved down and was able to see it there.

It's disappointing that we can't choose the weather, but in a way, it was quite rare for Hawaii, and it turned out to be a valuable experience.

Above all, I enjoyed participating in the tour with the other guests, encouraging each other in a friendly atmosphere. The guide also made an effort to show us the best possible sunset and starry sky, which added to the fun memories.

Needless to say, the warm miso soup, the improved bento from last time, the winter clothing, and the free photo download service are all attractions of this tour.

If you participate in the winter, be prepared for unpredictable weather; I think it's best to join with the mindset that if you get to see something, it's a bonus. Even without a perfect sunset and stars, there is so much to gain from this wonderful tour.

マサシネイチャーでの参加は3回目ですが、今回はあいにくの天気でした。
オニヅカセンターから上のマウナケア山頂にはなんとな登れましたが雪がつもり雹がふり、極寒でサンセットは見れず。
辛うじて一瞬雲の合間から夕陽、遠くにキラウエアのマグマが。
星空も上の方ではみれなかったため下に移動してなんとか見ることができました。

天候は選べないものなので残念といえば残念ですが、ある意味でハワイではかなり稀な天候であり、それはそれで貴重な経験でした。

なにより同行した他のお客様御一行と和気あいあいと励ましあいながらツアーに参加できたこと、ガイドさんも少しでも良い星空、サンセットをみせようと努力してくださる心遣いが伝わり、それらも含め楽しい思い出になりました。

言うまでもなく、暖かいお味噌汁、前回よりおいしくなったお弁当、防寒着に写真の無料ダウンロードサービスもこのツアーの魅了です。

冬場に参加の場合、天気は荒れやすい、それを覚悟の上、見れたらラッキーくらいで参加するといいと思います。
満点のサンセットと星がみえなくても、得るものが大きい、いいツアーです。

I think this is my fifth time participating in this tour. Even those without horseback riding experience can join without any issues. You simply proceed slowly in a line through the valley, so you can participate with peace of mind. If possible, I recommend the morning tour as it allows for more time.

Wild Mustangs come close to the herd along the way. It's interesting to see how horses have their likes and dislikes. I believe first-timers will have a very satisfying experience.

While Waipi'o Valley can be viewed from above, you can get a better sense of it by going down. Recently, Japanese documents have also been prepared, so even though the guide doesn't understand Japanese, it’s not a particular problem.

このツアーへの参加は5回目になると思います。乗馬経験のない人でもまず問題なく参加できます。ゆっくりと渓谷の中を一列に進んでいくだけですので、安心して参加できます。できれば午前中のツアーの方が時間の余裕がありますので、おすすめです。
途中野生の馬ムスタングが群れに近づいてきます。馬同士も好き嫌いがあって面白いです。
初めての方には大満足の経験ができると思います。
ワイピオ渓谷は上からも見れますが、下に降りてみると様子がよくわかります。最近では日本語の書類も用意されていますので、ガイドは日本語はわかりませんが、特に問題はありません。

I chose this tour because regular cameras can't capture the night sky, but I was disappointed by the lack of hospitality.

During the photo shoot on the way to the summit of Mauna Kea, I asked the guide who took my picture if it turned out well, and he assured me it was fine. I felt relieved and downloaded the photos later, but they were not suitable as keepsakes. It's very unpleasant that these images are shared with other tour participants.

As for the stargazing location, we stopped on a side road on the way from the summit of Mauna Kea to the Onizuka Center for an explanation session. However, several cars passed by on their way down, kicking up dust, and since I was trying to take pictures with a DSLR, the headlights from the cars interfered, causing me to fail at capturing multiple shots. Moreover, the location wasn't open, and the mountains obstructed the view of the night sky, ruining the experience. There should be better spots for stargazing.

Even if the guide is used to the scenery every day, the tour participants are not able to visit these places multiple times. This tour requires you to confirm your reservation on the day of your arrival in Hawaii, but with this kind of service, I felt it was a waste to pay for the phone call.

For positive aspects, please check the comments from other tour participants.

普通のカメラでは星空写真が撮影出来ないので、こちらのツアーを選びましたが
ホスピタリティの無さには期待外れでした。

マウナケア山頂へ行く途中での撮影の際、途中で動いてしまったので撮影してくれたガイドさんに「写真はきちんと撮れているか」と確認した所「大丈夫です」との回答に安心して、後日ダウンロードしましたが、記念写真にならない画像。他のツアー参加者にも公開されているので非常に不快です。

星空観賞の場所。マウナケア山頂からオニヅカセンターへの途中の脇道で停車し説明会が始まりましたが、すぐ近くを下山する車が何台も通るので砂煙が巻き上がるし、私は一眼レフでの撮影に挑戦していたので、車のヘッドライドの明かりが邪魔して何枚も撮影に失敗しました。しかも山間でひらけた場所ではないので、山が邪魔で星空が隠れてしまい台無しです。観賞場所ならもっと他にもあるはずです。

ガイドさんは毎日見慣れた景色でも、ツアー参加者は何回も来れる場所ではないのです。
こちらのツアーはハワイ島到着時に当日の予約確認の依頼をされていますが、この様なサービスでは電話代を支払うのも勿体なく思いました。

良かった点は、他のツアー参加者コメントから確認してください。

We participated as a couple. It was just before a Japanese interpreter started working, but I heard they will be available here, so I think it will be fine for those who don't understand English if they request an interpreter. The participants ranged from children to adults. There were even families from the mainland U.S. participating together across three generations (from grandparents to grandchildren), so I believe people of all ages can enjoy it.

The first zip line was a bit scary because it was my first time and it was high, but after that, I had a lot of fun. I'm not very good with heights, but I managed. Due to the season, it had been rainy and chilly, making ocean activities impossible, but trying mountain activities during that time was very enjoyable.

夫婦二人で参加しました。
ちょうど、日本人の通訳さんが働き始める前の体験中でした。これからこちらで働くそうなので、英語が分からない人でも通訳さんをお願いすれば大丈夫になると思います。
参加者は子供から大人までいろいろ。
アメリカ本土から親子3世代（おじいちゃん、おばあちゃんから孫まで）で、そろって参加していた方もいたので、年齢問わず楽しめると思います。
最初のジップが、初めてで慣れないうえに高さがあってちょっと怖かったですが、後は楽しめました。
私は高いところがそんなに得意ではないですが、大丈夫でした。
時期的に雨が降って肌寒い日が続いていて、海のレジャーは全然ダメだったのですが、そんなときの山のレジャーとしてやってみたら、とても楽しかったです。

I had given up on reaching the summit because I heard beforehand that it was inaccessible due to snow, but on the day of the tour, I received the wonderful news that "it has become possible to climb since yesterday!" My excitement shot up instantly. When I got there, the breathtaking view was absolutely amazing! The starry sky and the explanations were fantastic too! The kindness and gentle care from our guide Jin and Con-chan from car number two made the tour very soothing overall. Thank you so much. I have fallen in love with the Big Island!

前情報で山頂へは雪で行けないと聞いていたのであきらめていましたが、
当日「昨日から登れるようになりました」とうれしい知らせ！
一気にテンションがＵＰしました。
行ってみたら、それはそれは素晴らしい絶景！！
星空も解説も素晴らしい！
ガイドのジンさんと2号車のコンちゃんさんのお心遣いも柔らかく優しいもので
それも含めてとても癒されるツアーでした。
本当にありがとうございました。
ハワイ島が大好きになりました。

Although a little long in length, this tour was my favorite activity of our entire trip. We got to see a good portion of the island and its amazing landscape and learned a lot along the way. Our tour guide, Nick, was top notch. Even our two surly teens rated this one of their favorite activities, which says a lot!

We participated as a family of five with our three elementary school children. Although we arrived later than our scheduled time, we were welcomed without any issues. The show was, of course, fantastic, and the buffet-style meal was very delicious, leaving both the adults and the kids very satisfied. The family next to us was from Canada and also had children, so even though the kids couldn't communicate verbally, they played together happily, and my husband and I were able to communicate as well. It was truly a wonderful dinner show. We would love to participate again!

小学生の子供３人を連れて家族５人で参加しました。到着予定時刻が遅れた為、予約時間に遅れてしまったのですが、全く問題なく快く受け付けて頂きました。ショーはもちろん、ビュッフェ形式の食事は大変美味しく、大人も子供たちも大満足でした。隣の席のカナダからのご家族も子供連れだったので、子供同士が言葉は通じなくても仲良く遊んだり、私たち夫婦もコミュニケーションが取れて、本当に素敵なディナーショーでした。また参加したいです！

After leaving the port, we immediately saw dolphins. Moreover, there was a large pod. They were jumping as well. Some dolphins were chasing after the boat.

出港後、すぐにイルカが見れました。
しかも大量の群れ。ジャンプも。
船の後を追いかけてくるイルカもいました。

My husband and I had a great time snorkeling and kayaking with Kevin. He was very patient with us and is a wealth of knowledge about the Big Island and its history. We even saw dolphins, though I don't think that's guaranteed.

I highly recommend this tour and would book it again if I go back!

It was my first time on a horse for decades and thanks to the wonderful guides and calm horses, i never felt safer. The scenery is fabulous and the guides have a huge and amazing knowledge of the valley, its inhabitants whether human or animal, as well as the plentiful edible plant life. They really made the trek perfect. Highly recommend whether a first timer or an experienced rider, you will not regret it.

Had a rest time. The show was very good and the food better than expected. It was a good venue also.

I wanted to go down to Waipi'o Valley and was looking for a tour. I was a bit anxious since I had never been horseback riding before, but I decided to sign up for the tour thinking there might be other Japanese participants. A tall woman came to pick me up at the meeting point as the guide, and after checking in, we headed to the stables in a large vehicle with a 4x4 and horses painted on it. However, she told me that she didn't understand Japanese. I felt uneasy but she reassured me that she could say "danger!" so I should listen carefully. The horseback riding instructions were given in English and gestures, and there were Japanese warning signs and simple explanations posted. Even if you don't understand English, the horses are well-trained, so it's manageable, but if you want to understand the guide's explanations along the way, I think an intermediate level of English is necessary. The horses lined up on their own and walked easily, and the reins only required simple movements. We progressed through the river, crossed it, and even strayed off the path to eat grass, but the smart horses quickly returned to the line. We were able to slowly enjoy the taro fields and waterfalls at the bottom of the valley, and the hour and a half passed in no time. If it's a morning tour, you can head out in the afternoon, which is enjoyable. We were blessed with good weather, and I'm glad I participated. I didn't have time to take photos, but the guide took some for us along the way. I would love to participate again!

ワイピオ渓谷の下まで行ってみたくて、ツアーを探していました。乗馬もしたことがなかったので不安でしたが、日本人で参加している方がいるのならと思いツアーを申し込みました。背の高い女性がガイドで集合場所まで迎えに来てくれて、チェックイン後に4×4と馬が描かれた大きな車で厩舎まで向かいましたが、そのときに日本語は分からないからと言われました。不安になりましたが「あぶない！」だけは言えるから、よく聞いてねと。乗馬の説明は英語とジェスチャーで、日本語の注意書きや簡単な説明文は貼り出されていました。英語が分からなくても馬がよく調教されているので大丈夫ですが、ガイドさんの途中での説明も聞き取りたいのであれば中級以上の英語力が必要かとおもいます。馬は一列に勝手に並んでくれて、歩いてくれますし手綱も簡単な動きだけでした。川の中をどんどん進んだり、川を渡ったり、草を食べに道から外れたこともありましたが、すぐに列に戻ってくれる賢い馬たちでした。渓谷の下のタロイモの畑や滝もゆっくり観られて、1時間半はあっというまに過ぎました。午前のツアーであれば、午後から出かけられるので楽しめますね。天気にも恵まれ、参加してよかったです。写真を写す余裕がなかったのですが、途中でガイドさんが写してくれました。また、参加したいです！

I participated with my child who is under three years old. My husband and I planned to take turns going into the sea while one of us stayed on the boat with our child, but since the group went a bit far from the boat, that plan turned out to be difficult. In the end, we sat our son on a surfboard and both of us snorkeled with the other participants. At first, our child was scared and crying, but gradually he got used to it and said, "I'm not scared anymore." The staff were very kind to our youngest son, holding him so we could enjoy ourselves without worrying about him, and they were incredibly helpful.

I wasn't sure about the meeting place, but when I called the contact number, they kindly explained the location and even sent a photo of the map to my phone.

We had a great time, but I think it might be difficult for children under three to participate, depending on the staff.

3歳未満の子供と参加しました。主人と交代で海に入り、どちらかが子供と一緒に船上で待っていようと計画していましたが団体が少し船から離れたところまで行くので実際はその計画は難しく、結局サーフボードに息子を座らせて夫婦同時に他の参加者と共にシュノーケルをしました。はじめ子供は怖がっていて泣きべそをかいていましたがだんだん慣れて「もう怖くない」と言っていました。スタッフも最年少の息子にとても優しく、私たちが息子のことを気にかけず楽しめるように抱っこしてくれたり申し訳ないほど親切にしてもらいました。

集合場所もよく分からなかったのですが連絡先に電話を入れたらとても丁寧に場所を教えてくれて私の携帯に地図の写真まで送ってくれました。

とても楽しめましたがスタッフによっては３歳未満の参加は難しいかと思います。

I parked my car in the hotel parking lot. Normally, the parking fee for non-guests is high, but guests of the luau could park for $5. The venue has long tables where you sit with others, but since the other tables are not all acquaintances, it doesn't feel awkward. The food was delicious, the performances were enjoyable, and my son, who is under three years old, had a great time. I was worried that little kids might get bored halfway through, but he seemed to be fascinated by the dancing and music, sitting quietly and happily watching the stage.

ホテルの駐車場に車を停めました。普通宿泊客でない駐車料は高いですがルアウの客は５ドルで停められました。会場は長テーブルで相席になりますが他のテーブルも皆知り合い同士じゃないのでお互い気になりません。食事もおいしく、パフォーマンスも楽しく、3歳未満の息子も楽しめました。小さい子は途中で飽きてしまうか心配でしたが、踊りや音楽が興味深かったようでおとなしくじっとステージを見て喜んでいました。

I was worried because I had my son who is under three years old, but all the children's floaties were available for free rental. The staff was friendly and accommodating, which made it enjoyable.
Both breakfast and lunch were delicious, and my son was happy.
The snorkeling spot had clear water and was a great experience. It seemed to be full, so the boat felt a bit crowded, but the amount of food was sufficient, and during snorkeling, everyone enjoyed their activities, so it didn't bother me at all. The restroom on the boat was clean. They also provided careful assistance for snorkeling beginners.

３歳未満の息子もいたので心配でしたが、子供用の浮き輪などすべて無料でレンタルできます。スタッフも気さくでフレンドリーに対応してくれて楽しめました。
朝食も昼食もおいしく、息子も喜んでいました。
シュノーケルの場所も水がきれいでいい経験でした。満員だったようで船上は少し込み合った感がありましたが食事の量も十分だし、シュノーケル中はそれぞれの行動を楽しむので全く気になりませんでした。船の中のトイレもきれいです。シュノーケル初心者にも丁寧に対応してくれます。

We thought this would be a island tour. Yes we wanted to see the volcano that we wanted to see more too. We saw very little other than the volcano.

I think this tour to Mauna Kea is the only one where you can easily go to a place higher than Mount Fuji, which is the tallest in Japan!

日本一高い富士山よりも高いところに、こんなにあっさり行けるのはマウナケアのこのツアーだけだと思います！

Since I went to the Big Island, I absolutely wanted to see a manta ray! With high spirits, I joined this tour. I was really excited until I got into the water, but... since it was December, the water temperature was cold, and the waves were quite strong, so the conditions weren't great. Once I got in the water, it was really cold, and even though I took motion sickness medication, I ended up feeling seasick. I stayed in the water for 30 minutes, determined to see at least one manta ray, and I was able to see a few! The excitement I felt when I saw them was truly beyond words! However, I couldn't last until the end and had to get back on the boat after 30 minutes, feeling groggy... but this is also a memory of my trip.

The instructor, Torichan, was a very cheerful Japanese person, which made me feel really at ease. They lent us their personal windbreaker since we were feeling seasick and offered us warm drinks.

It was easy to communicate in Japanese, which was nice.

I want to see manta rays up close again, so I think I'll try for a rematch during the warmer season!

Thank you for the exciting experience! ^ - ^

ハワイ島に行ったからには、絶対にマンタを見たい‼︎と、気合いいっぱいでこちらのツアーに参加しました。
海に入るまではノリノリでしたが…
12月という事もあって、水温は冷たくたまたま波のうねりも強く、とても良いコンディションとは言えませんでした。
海に入ると、とっても寒くて酔い止めを飲んでいましたが波酔いもしてしまいました。
一目でもマンタを見たいとねばり30分海に入ってて、数枚のマンタを見れました！
見た時の感動はほんとうに計り知れないものでした！
ただ、最後までは頑張れず30分で船に上がりグロッキー状態でしたが…笑
これも、旅の思い出です。
インストラクターのとりちゃんは
とっても明るい日本人の方で、とても安心できまし
た。船酔いしてる私たちに私物のウインドブレーカーを貸してくれたり、暖かい飲み物をくれたり。

日本語でやり取りできるから楽ちんでした。

もっともっと、近くでマンタが見たいので今度は暖かいシーズンでリベンジしたと思います！

エキサイティングな体験をありがとうございました^ - ^

While waiting for the pickup in the hotel lobby, I heard the disappointing news that due to strong winds, we couldn't go to the summit and it was uncertain if we could find a place to see the starry sky. Since we could get a full refund if we canceled now and it was possible to change the tour, we decided as a family to switch to a full island tour the next day. Then, the next morning, it was pouring rain! It really rained a lot. As we waited with low spirits, our guide Matsuzaki arrived with incredibly high energy! I thought the island would only have lava, but it turned out to be a lush green island. Waipi'o Valley was breathtaking, and Akaka Falls was impressive, but the highlight was definitely the Kilauea volcano's crater! It was lucky to see the bright red lava rising so high. The lava dome tunnel provided an adventurous experience, and even though it rained the whole time, they provided a large umbrella and towels, making sure we stayed as dry as possible. We were able to take many photos and truly enjoyed the wonderful aspects of the Big Island. Everyone in the family was very satisfied with the tour. We even saw sea turtles, and we wrapped up the day with a beautiful rainbow and sunset. Thank you, Matsuzaki, for your hard work during the long drive!

ホテルロビーでピックアップを待っていると、強風のため山頂へはいけず、星空も見える場所を探すけれど、どうなるかわからないという残念なお話。今中止すれば全額返金、ツアー変更も可能という事なので家族会議の結果、翌日の島一周に変えさせて頂きました。そして翌朝、大雨！まあよく降ること。テンション低めで待っていると、テンションすごーく高めのガイドマツザキさん登場！溶岩しかないのかと思っていたら、実は緑豊かな島で、ワイピオ渓谷は絶景、アカカ滝も迫力満点でしたが、なんといってもキラウエア火山の噴火口！真っ赤な溶岩がここまで上昇しているのはラッキーなんですって。溶岩ドームトンネルもアドベンチャー気分が味わえ、ずっと雨でしたが、大きな傘とタオルを用意して下さり、なるべく濡れないよう気配りして頂き、
写真もたくさん撮れましたし、ハワイ島の良いところがたくさん味わえた家族全員大満足なツアーでした。ウミガメにも会えたし、最後はきれいな虹と夕日で締めくくり。マツザキさん、長時間のドライブ本当にお疲れ様でした。そしてありがとうございました！