All Reviews for Top Big Island Sights & Attractions

We are a family of 4 with 2 teenagers, we had a great time with our guide at the stargazing tour. Our highlights were the lava caves, watching the sunset as well as stargazing. The sky was unbelievable and we learned a ton with our very knowledgeable guide.

Highly recommend.

Pros: pig roast being done onsite, got to witness uncovering and presentation of the pig. (my son hated this portion!). menu and performances were both great! I liked different island nations being represented in music and dance and a little bit of story telling/history to tie it together. performance was good length and sunset was gorgeous! desserts and beverages were also delicious.

Cons: attempted to check in entire luau at one time slot. made for a lot of time waisted waiting in hotel lobby check in line. check in inside and then second check in outside felt redundant. we arrived at 5:22, email confirmation had suggested 5:30 check in, but spent several (20+ minutes) waiting to check in. by the time we arrived in luau area, we missed the 'activities' portion of the luau. we also missed the royal entrance of the luau show. we did however have great seats so first-come-first-seated wasn't an issue.

brief meet and greet with performers after the show felt rushed -- they were spread along exit sidewalk and available for a quick picture but were ushering us along immediately, without any chit chat -- which is a huge difference compared to other luaus.

professional photography of your party was an additional $25 for digital download. fresh lei's were an additional $10 each, which in my opinion were reasonably priced but I've had digital photography and leis included at other similarly-priced luaus.

having dined at this marriott the night before and spoken to several guests in the week it seems this particular marriott has become quite overpriced for the level of service and age of property it's become. it has an outstanding location, but is overpriced for the level of service or hospitality i've experienced at other similarly priced marriotts in the islands. pool and restaurants were crowded and bonvoy perks were lacking/zero. kids meals were reasonable, but got charged $10 each for kids scoop of vanilla icecream.

Captain and crew of Ocean Encounters 1 dove in ahead of guests, made a plan, and navigated us there. Honestly, we had a great viewing spot and several other boats' guests were eager to move into our spot upon our exiting. Boats are staggered and have a neighborly way of communicating where/when/how each group will be staggered but I would have been disappointed to be in one of the peripheral groups. These are wild animals, so no telling what each evening will look like, but was glad to have a captain who led the charge.

Tips: It is a bit of a rough ride for 20 mins out and approx 20 minutes back. If you are someone who suffers from carsickness or seasickness, highly recommend treating for that before you leave. We had 2 of 30 guests puking over the sides. I gave my carsick kiddo dramamine about an hour before-- no issues.

Do have inexperienced family members practice snorkeling ahead of tour so that they can spend the entire 45 minutes head down in the water enjoying the fish and rays and the learning is done in a pool or bay ahead of time. There were zero swimming skills necessary on this trip but knowing how to calmly enjoy breathing through a snorkel for an extended period was the difference between guests who really enjoyed and guests who didn't. There was a surfboard with handles that the group held on to, which was pulled into position by the guides.

Do warn your kiddos that these rays are HUGE. My youngest expected small 3-4 foot rays like we have in our aquarium and was initially very surprised (terrified) by the 12-15 wingspan on some of these beautiful creatures. They got right up in our personal bubble/faces/immediately underneath bellies and legs so do be ready for up-close amazing experience.

Do not bring a bunch of stuff/items as they end up dripped on and/or in the way. If the weather is warm all you need is shoes that are okay getting wet/dripped on, and a towel. They provided water and light packaged snacks on the return trip.

The guide was fluent in Japanese and talked about altitude sickness measures and various topics during the ride, which made me feel at ease and enjoy the experience. The weather was great, and it was the best experience. I want to go to Hawaii Island again! Next time, I want to join the sunrise tour! ☺︎

ガイドさんが日本語も堪能な方で、高山病の対策についてや車内でも色々とお話しをしてくれて安心して楽しめました。
天気も良く、最高の体験ができました。またハワイ島に行きたい！次はサンライズツアーに参加したいです☺︎

I signed up for the tour because there was only an English option, but it seems a certain number of Japanese participants gathered, and they held a Japanese tour for us. I was glad to receive explanations in Japanese about altitude sickness and the stars, which were quite specialized. Our guide, Sho-chan, was friendly and made it enjoyable. The timing for the sunset and stargazing was perfect, and I'm really glad I participated in the tour.

英語でのツアーしかなかったので申し込みましたが、日本人参加者が一定数集まったそうで日本人むけの日本語ツアーを開催してくださいました。高山病へのアテンションや星の説明など専門的な話を日本語で説明受けれてよかったです。ガイドのしょうちゃんはフレンドリーで楽しかったです。
サンセットの時間や星空観測などの時間配分も完璧でツアーで参加してよかったです。

Just got back from our tour, but if you're questioning of splurging, take these into consideration: these are based on my experience tonight.

1) liking the convenience of a tour guide driving to the summit. But if the sunset view is what you’re after- you can drive to the summit yourself. Everyone follows the rule of leaving the observatory after sunset. Totally understandable. STUNNNNING views. Keep in mind it’s gravel paved and quite treacherous at night- but doable.

2) huge upset: if stargazing is what you’re after- like me. I was disappointed that they only show THREE views through telescope. Three. That’s it. First was a cluster of random stars. Second, after math of a super nova. Third was millions of stars what believed to be pulled in by a black hole. Amazing stuff, but that’s all you get. I was reading other previous reviews and they seem to enjoy more bang for their buck. The tour guide did go over the constellations using a laser and showed some stars in the sky without needing the telescope- but if you’re wanting to see planets, stars up close, we were limited to three.

3) food was okay- salty lasagna. Just save some few bucks and bring your own food.

4) bundle up-long sleeve and pants, close toe shoes is a must. It gets cold at night. They do offer parkas and gloves.


Would I want to do this again? Not after tonight. It was overpriced for what they offer.

Sam was fantastic - really gave us all an exceptional tour of the night sky and was very knowledgable and great with the kids too!

Watching these huge sized manta rays glide beneath us was surreal! Best experience hands down.

I had been to the visitor center in the past, but this time I participated in the sunset and stargazing tour at the summit for the first time. In conclusion, I was very satisfied with my participation! I highly recommend it!

There were more participants than I expected, and we departed in two cars. The cars were divided between foreigners and Japanese participants, and our driver was Japanese, who communicated clearly and kept the conversation enjoyable throughout the trip. Despite the large number of people, I felt that the service was not lacking, and efforts were made to ensure everyone could enjoy the experience.

We brought down jackets, gloves, and hats, but they provided very warm rental gear, so I think it's fine if you don't bring anything. Each group had several photos taken, and they captured wonderful pictures for us. During the sunset, I felt the power with my whole body, and I was overwhelmed by the grandeur of the starry sky shining all around.

I also got to see a very cute semicircular rainbow next to the summit of Mauna Kea. It was a tour filled with emotion, a gift from the snow goddess Poliahu. If you are going to the Big Island, I definitely recommend participating!

過去にビジターセンターまで行ったことはありましたが、今回初めて山頂でのサンセットと星空観測のツアーに参加しました。
結論、参加して大満足です！おすすめします！
参加人数が思ったより多く、車2台で出発。
車は外国の方と日本人とに分けられ、私たちのドライバーは日本の方で、とてもわかりやすく楽しくずっと話してくださいました。
人数が多いから…とサービスが手薄にならず、すべての人が楽しめるように工夫されていたと思います。
私たちはダウンや手袋、帽子は持参しましたが、とても暖かそうな防寒具の貸し出しがあるので何も持っていかなくても大丈夫だと思います。
写真もそれぞれのグループで何枚も撮影してくださり、素敵な写真を撮ってくださいました。
サンセットでは体全身でパワーを感じ、夜空一面に輝く星空には自然の雄大さに圧倒されました。
またマウナケア山頂の横にとてもかわいい半円の虹を見ることができました。
雪の女神ポリアフからの贈り物に、感動ばかりのツアーでした。
ぜひハワイ島に行かれるなら参加して欲しいです。

I participated with my daughter. It was our first time seeing such a beautiful sunset, and we were both moved! The explanations during the stargazing were detailed and easy to understand. Above all, we were captivated by the dazzling stars that were out!

娘と参加しました
こんなに美しい日没を見たのは初めてでふたりで感動しました！
星観察でも詳しい説明なので分かりやすかったです
何よりもこんなに星が出ていたんだとキラキラまばゆい星に見惚れてしまいます！

Of course you can’t predict rain in Hawaii but you can have spots to seek cover. The event did pass out rain plastic but only once at the beginning and we did not get any.

Once the rain passed there was no attempt to wipe chairs so even if the rain stopped you were still soaked.

The hurried the show to see a quick fire dancer set but that was not that good.

Even without the rain you couldn’t see. The tables in rows made it difficult. The food was ok. The drinks didn’t not taste like any alcohol was in them just super sweet drinks. Overall I was not happy with the event.

Zip line over 250 foot waterfall. Great fun. Mirabell & Calista were fantastic guides, made our day.

We gathered at the Royal Kona Resort and set off. After about an hour and a half, we arrived at the Onizuka Visitor Center, where we took a 30-minute break to acclimatize to the altitude. The Onizuka Visitor Center has souvenirs, explanations of the ecosystem on Mauna Kea, and insect specimens on display, so it’s not boring. After the break, we headed towards the summit, stopping at various observatories and photo spots along the way. Our guide, James, actively took photos and entertained us, making the journey very enjoyable. I participated with my family, and when one family member started feeling unwell on the way to the summit, he was very helpful in preparing oxygen for us. If you experience any symptoms like headaches or nausea, it's best to report it on the spot and ask to extend the break time at the Onizuka Visitor Center. After reaching the summit, we waited for the sunset while visiting the surrounding observatories. I think it’s a good idea to take photos at various locations while waiting. If you ask, James will take interesting photos with a special camera. The changing contrast of the sky, clouds, and sun during the sunset is beautiful. I felt that wearing sunglasses was essential to see it properly. After the sunset, we descended a bit while eating sandwiches in the car and observed the starry sky. The sandwiches were incredibly delicious. At the start of the stargazing, the sky was still bright and it was hard to see the stars, but as time passed, the sky gradually filled with stars, which was captivating, and I was moved by the vast starry sky. The only disappointment was that the moon was too bright to see the Milky Way this time. Our guide, Shotaro, prepared a simple telescope and showed us a beautiful moon that we usually can't see. He also explained the constellations, allowing us to enjoy the stargazing experience. At the end, he took photos with a camera that captures the stars well. After the stargazing, they can take you back to your accommodation for an additional fee, but generally, the tour concludes at the meeting point. Both the sunset and stargazing were wonderful experiences. The guides, James and Shotaro, were kind and attentive, making it an overall satisfying tour.

Royal Kona Resortで集合して出発。約1時間半かけてオニヅカビジターセンターに向かい、高山病に備えて30分ほど休憩。オニヅカビジターセンターには、お土産やマウナケア山における生態系の説明、虫の標本などが展示してあり退屈しない。休憩後は山頂へ向かいながら、ところどころ天文台やフォトスポットに駐車。ガイドのJamesは積極的に写真を撮ってくれたり楽しませようとしてくれて、非常におもしろい道中だった。私は家族で参加したが、山頂へ向かう途中で家族の1人が不調を訴えたときは酸素を吸えるように準備くれたため、とても助かった。少しでも頭痛・吐気などの不調があれば、オニヅカビジターセンターでの休憩時間を延ばしてもらうよう、その場で申告した方が良い。山頂到着後は周囲の天文台を周りながらサンセットまで待機。待機時に色々な場所で写真を撮るのが良いと思う。Jamesはお願いすれば、専用のカメラでおもしろい写真を撮ってくれた。サンセットの過程では、空と雲と太陽のコントラストが刻々と変化していく様が美しい。しっかりと見れるようにサングラスの着用は必須と感じた。サンセット後は車内でサンドイッチを食べながら少し下山して星空観測。このサンドイッチはやたらと美味しい。星空観測の開始時は空がまだ明るく星が見えにくかったが、時間が経つにつれて徐々に満天の星空になるのは見てて飽きず、見渡す限りの満天の星空には感動した。ただ今回は月が明るすぎて天の川が見えなかったことだけが残念だった。ガイドのShotaroは簡易な天体望遠鏡を準備しており、普段は見えない綺麗な月を見せてくれた。星座についても解説してくれたため、楽しみながら星空観測をすることができた。最後には星空が良く撮れるカメラで写真を撮ってくれる。星空観測終了後は、追加料金を払えば宿泊場所まで送ってくれるが、基本的には集合場所で解散。
サンセット、星空観測ともに素晴らしい体験だった。ガイドのJames、Shotaroも親切で気が利いていたため、全体的に満足なツアーだった。

At the summit, it was a windy day, and even though I borrowed ski wear, it was colder than I imagined, so I quickly got back into the car. At the observation point, cocoa was also served, and it wasn't that cold there. The staff explained the stars using a pointer, and since we had two guides, we could hear explanations in both English and Japanese, which made it very easy to understand. Since it was the day before the full moon, they mentioned that the stars weren't as clear as usual, but I was thrilled to see both the Southern Cross and the Big Dipper at the same time.

山頂は、風が強い日で、スキーウェアもお借りしましたが、想像以上の寒さですぐに車に乗り込んでしまいました。
観測地点では、ココアも配られ、そこまでは寒さではなかったです。
星の説明もポインターで指しながら、2台で登りましたのでそれぞれのスタッフから英語と日本語の両方で聞くことができとてもわかりやすかったです。
明日が満月という日だったのでいつもよりははっきり見えないとのことでしたが、南十字星と北斗七星を同時に見ることができて感激しました。

The weather in the city was cloudy, but at the summit, the clouds were far below. As expected at an altitude of over 4000 meters, the air was incredibly clear, and the surroundings were beautiful. The sunset as the sun sank into the clouds was stunning and captivated my heart.

Regarding altitude sickness, I think as long as you follow the staff's advice and don't get too excited at the summit, you should be fine.

If you come to the Big Island, this is definitely a place you should visit. The day we went was almost a full moon, so it wasn't very suitable for stargazing, but the staff's stories about the stars were great, and I was able to see artificial satellites moving, which was also nice.

街中では天気は曇りでしたが山頂は遥か下に雲、さすが標高4000m以上だとめちゃくちゃ空気も澄んでいて周りがとても綺麗でした。
太陽が雲に沈んでいく時とても綺麗で心が奪われました。

高山病に対しては、スタッフの言う事を守っていけば、よほど山頂ではしゃいでいなければ大丈夫かと思います。

ハワイ島に来たならば絶対来るべき所です。
私達が行った日はほぼ満月でしたので星の観察にはあまり適さなかったですが、それでも分かる範囲でスタッフの星の話は良かったですし、人工衛星も動いていたのを見れたのでそれも良かったです。

You can drive to the summit of Mauna Kea, which is higher than Mount Fuji (elevation 4,205m)! It’s a wonderful tour where you can also see the Subaru Telescope in Japan. I’ve always wanted to go someday, and this year my wish came true.

The sunset sinking into the sea of clouds at the observatory was extraordinarily beautiful. Although there were initial concerns about thin clouds during the stargazing, it cleared up completely by sunset, and the Milky Way appeared right in front of us. I was moved by the true "starry sky." We also saw satellites and shooting stars (though it was disappointing not to see anything resembling UAPs). The Southern Cross was just about to set behind the western hills, but we managed to see it. I was very satisfied.

Our professional guide, Sho, was friendly and shared a lot of interesting stories (bilingual). Sho is also a professional photographer. I’m looking forward to seeing the photos we each took afterward. If I participate in another tour, I would love to request Sho again. The sandwiches and cocoa we drank under the starry sky in the cold were delicious!

Since it was summer, I didn’t feel cold thanks to the warm clothing provided for the tour (especially the jacket). They also sell warm clothing at the visitor center, which could make for a nice souvenir.

I had previously experienced altitude sickness while climbing Mount Fuji, so I was a bit worried, but this time there were no issues. Once we reached the summit, my body felt heavy. Some participants felt unwell, but it was good that they could rest in the car.

富士山よりも高いマウナケア山頂（標高4205m）まで車で行けて！日本のすばる天文台もみれるすばらしいツアー。いつかいってみたい！と思い続けて今年その願いが叶いました。
天文台のあいまの雲海に沈んでいく太陽は非日常的な美しさでした。その後のスターゲイジングも初め薄雲が心配されていましたがサンセットまでにはすっかり晴れ、ミルキーウェイが真正面に現れこれが本当の「星降る満天の空」と感動しました。人工衛星や流れ星もみれました（UAPっぽいものはみれず残念）。南十字星も、ちょうど西の丘に沈みかけていましたがみれました。大満足でした。

今回プロのガイドさんであるShoさんはきさくでいろいろとお話をうかがえてよかったです（バイリンガル）。Shoさん写真もプロですよ。この後各自で撮っていただいた写真をみるのが楽しみです。いつかまたツアーに参加するならShoさんにお願いしたいです。そしてサンドイッチと星空の下寒い中飲んだココアはおいしかった！

夏だったのでツアーで用意されている防寒具（特にジャケット）で寒く感じませんでした。ビジターセンターでも防寒具売っています。いいお土産になるかもしれません。

わたしは富士山登山で高山病になったことがあり少し心配していましたが今回は問題ありませんでした。山頂についたらガクッと体が重くなりました。参加者のなかには具合が悪くなった方がいましたが車のなかで休むことができたのでそれはよかったと思います。

If you're coming to the Big Island, I highly recommend this tour! The summit of Mauna Kea had clear air and a beautiful, sunny atmosphere. Eating a BLT sandwich while watching the sunset at 4,200 meters is an experience you can't find anywhere else! And the BLT sandwich is delicious!

You can take photos in various styles, and during free time, you can capture pictures from different angles. There is also a stargazing tour, but I recommend going on a new moon day! Unfortunately, there was some moonlight, but you can still enjoy stargazing and be very satisfied! The warm cocoa was very tasty.

The guide primarily speaks English, but I was relieved to know they could speak some Japanese as well! Anyway, the greatness of this tour can't be conveyed unless you participate. So, I won't post any photos. Please join and experience this wonderful time for yourself!

ハワイ島へ来るなら、このツアーをおすすめします！
マウナ・ケア山山頂は、空気が透き通り、晴れ渡って素敵な空間でした。
4200mで夕陽を眺めながら食べるBLTサンドは他では経験出来ないと思います！そしてBLTサンドが美味しいです！
写真撮影も色んなパターンで撮って貰えますし、空き時間で色んな角度から写真を撮れます。
星空のツアーもありますが…新月の日がおすすめです！
残念ながら月明かりがありましたが、それでも星座を眺めたり十分に満足出来ます！
温かいココアはとても美味しかったです。
ガイドさんは基本的には英語のガイドですが日本語も多少なり話せて安心しました！
とにかくこのツアーの素晴らしさは参加しないことには伝わりません。なので写真も載せません。ぜひ参加して素敵な時間を体験してみてください！

Riding the UTV was an unforgettable adrenaline rush through stunning landscapes—pure adventure from start to finish. The guides were fantastic and made the whole experience safe, fun, and absolutely thrilling!

Highlights included walking through Volcanoes National Park, seeing steam vents and lava fields up close, the stunning black sand beach at Punaluʻu, and panoramic views over Waipiʻo Valley.

It’s a long day, but absolutely packed with jaw-dropping sights and well-paced stops.

Watching the sunset and stargazing at Mauna Kea became a lifelong memory. The sight of the sun sinking into the sea of clouds was mystical, and the starry sky was breathtakingly beautiful. The guide's explanations were thorough, allowing us to enjoy the experience with peace of mind. Warm clothing is essential, but it's definitely worth it!

マウナケアでの夕焼けと星空観賞は一生の思い出になりました。夕日が雲海に沈む光景は神秘的で、満天の星空は息をのむ美しさ。ガイドさんの解説も丁寧で安心して楽しめました。防寒対策は必須ですが、その価値は十分にあります！

The tour guide primarily spoke English, but they were kind and attentive even to those who couldn't speak English. I was very satisfied as I was able to get many beautiful photos taken!

ツアーガイドさんは英語メインでしたが、英語が話せなくても親切で丁寧に声をかけてくれました(^^)綺麗な写真も何枚も撮って貰えて大満足です！

We usually skip tours and try to experience places through the locals, soaking in real culture over curated stops. But this tour into Waipio Valley with Forrest changed everything.

From the start, it was clear this wasn’t a typical tour. Forrest’s love for the valley, his deep knowledge of its history and sacredness, and his powerful storytelling made us feel connected to every inch of this land. He didn’t just drive us through—he invited us in.

The peace we felt in Waipio was unreal. Waterfalls, wild horses, taro fields… all of it wrapped in a stillness that felt spiritual. We walked away with more than photos—we walked away with perspective and gratitude.

If you get the chance, go. And hope Forrest is your guide. It’s an experience we’ll never forget.

About six months ago, I decided on this tour for the new moon in June and planned my trip. The weather forecast in Japan indicated that it would be clear the whole time, but when I arrived at the location, it was mostly cloudy. The highlights of the tour were watching the sunset at the summit and stargazing. I was able to enjoy both quite a bit. Since it's about the weather, there's nothing to do but pray, but it seems that the moonlight significantly affects stargazing. All 11 guests were Japanese, and the guide was of Japanese descent (we called him Sho-chan) and provided the tour entirely in Japanese, which was very helpful. The topics covered ranged from safety to sightseeing, keeping us entertained without getting bored. His photography skills were particularly impressive. It seems that we can download the photos of the sunset against the backlight and the portraits under the starry sky later. The explanation of the starry sky was also good. He used a laser to explain the constellations. I highly recommend this tour.

半年ほど前から、6月の新月の日にこのツアーを決めて旅行を組みました。日本の天気予報では、ずっと晴れが続くことになってはいたのですが、現地に着くと、雲の多い天気が続いていました。ツアーの目玉は頂上での日没と星空観察です。｡何とか二つとも十分楽しむことができました。天気のことなので、祈る以外はないのですが、月のあかりは、星空観察には大きく影響するみたいです。ゲストは11人全員が日本人でガイドは日系の方で(私たちは正ちゃんと呼んでいましたが)日本語だけで案内していただけました。これはありがたかったです。話の内容は安全に関することから、観光に関することまで飽きさせることなく楽しませてくれました。特にカメラの腕は素晴らしいです。逆光の夕日、星空の中での人物の写真はあとで、ダウンロードしていただけるようです。また星空の解説は良かったです。星座についてレーザーを使って説明してくれました。お勧めできるツアーです。

We’ve done a few ziplines in other states and I can say this was one of the best. David and BoBo were fun, friendly and professional. They made our experience a memorable one.

In June, the summit of Mauna Kea was said to be 7°C, but it didn't feel as cold as I expected. On the way up the mountain by car, thick clouds made it hard to see anything, but at the summit, we broke through the clouds and had a clear view of the surroundings. There were some clouds higher up, but the sunset from there was very beautiful. The guide also provided various tips and took three poses for us.

For stargazing, there were some areas where it was a bit hard to see due to the clouds, but the guide's explanations were thorough, and I was able to understand the constellations well.

6月のマウナケアの山頂は7℃と言われましたが、思った程寒く感じませんでした。車で山を登る途中は厚い雲で周りが見えないほどでしたが、山頂はそのその雲を突き抜けて、周囲はクリアーに見ることが出来ました。また更に上空には若干の雲はかかりましたが、そこから見る夕陽がとても綺麗でした。ガイドの方も色々とアドバイスしてくれて3ポーズ撮影していただきました。
星空観察も雲のかかったままでやや見えづらいところもありましたが、ガイドの方のご説明も丁寧で星座などもよく理解できました。

We only found out about this tour because we knew a local person. There’s no sign at the road near the bay as to where to turn or park. Parking cost $38 in the public beach parking area. Once you get to the parking lot, there’s no sign as to where the boat is docked or where the kiosk for the tour company is. One girl working the kiosk told us that they didn’t offer glass bottom boat tours; the kiosk name matched our reservation. The website is very unfriendly. The tour guide was good but the captain could go a bit slower when over a reef so that we unfamiliar with it can focus our eyes to see the fish.

The best thing we did in Hawaii. The manta rays were so close & there were so many. Cannot recommend enough.

Kool show super packed parking was crazy I recommend parking off site because 200 people plus a fishing tournament and whatever else is happening in the area leaving at the same time it took 45 min just to get out of the parking lot.

The team is always doing a great job and provide a fantastic experience.