All Reviews for Top Big Island Sights & Attractions

We went on the dinner cruise our first night in Kona. The water was pretty choppy, myself and another woman became very sea sick from the beginning of the cruise. The crew were very concern and tried to make us as comfortable as they could. My husband and mom had a great time the enjoyed the food and entertainment.

My husband, mom and I went on the Fair Wind Kealakekua Bay Snorkeling Sail. We had a great time the staff was awesome. The boat was very clean and beautiful. My mom is 75 and didn't snorkel but the crew was very nice and made sure she had everything she needed. When we return to Kona we will take this cruise again. The crew was very knowledgeable and made sure we knew everything we were seeing. The families with kids looked like they were having a great time especially on the high dive and slides. The area we went to was beautiful. We saw a shark hiding in the reef and many beautiful fish and coral. The food was great.

Due to a protest against the construction of a new observatory, the road was closed beyond the Onizuka Center, and I couldn't reach the summit. However, the guide quickly took us to a different nearby location where we were able to see some truly breathtaking views. The weather was excellent, and it was mystical to see the sun setting below the sea of clouds and the shadow of the Earth. I could see the Milky Way with the naked eye and observed Saturn's rings through a telescope. The guide's explanations of the constellations were very interesting. Even though I couldn't reach the summit, it was still a wonderful experience, but I feel a bit regretful, so I want to try again for a rematch.

新しい天文台の建設反対デモとかぶってしまいオニヅカセンターより先がロードクローズで山頂へは行けませんでしたが、ガイドの方が急きょ近くの違う場所に連れてってくれてとても感動的な景色を見ることができました。お天気はとても良くて雲海の下に沈む太陽や地球の影も見れて神秘的でした。天の川が肉眼で確認でき、望遠鏡で土星の輪も観察しました。話し上手なガイドさんの星座の解説がとても面白かったです。山頂まで行けなくてもとてもいい体験ができましたがやっぱり悔しいのでまたリベンジしたいです。

I was very satisfied overall with my first day upon arriving on the Big Island!

I took a taxi from my hotel in Kona to the meeting point. I had called ahead to ask for the exact location, so I had the driver drop me off at the restroom near the North (not South) parking area, and I quickly found the yellow and blue tent nearby. The meeting point is key for those gathering on-site. I arranged for the same taxi to pick me up for the return trip, and I made it back safely.

The tour had all Japanese participants, with one Japanese-speaking instructor and three local staff members, all of whom were very friendly, which was reassuring. We traveled quite a distance at high speed to the manta ray encounter point, but since we were on a rubber boat, we could straddle the edge and feel the wind like on a banana boat, which was a lot of fun. It felt like we were getting a bonus marine sports experience!

Since it was still bright when we arrived, we were able to snorkel until sunset, but there weren't many fish. The water was clear and beautiful, though. Once the sun finally set, the mantas came close to gather under the lights, attracted by the plankton! It was an emotional experience to see them up close! We weren't allowed to touch them (due to the risk of infection), but they came so close that they brushed against my legs several times! This experience is probably unique to just a few places in the world. It seems to be a famous tour globally.

Lastly, it's definitely a good idea to take motion sickness medication beforehand! We took it in advance, so we didn't feel any nausea at all, but other participants seemed to get quite seasick and couldn't get in the water, while some were just watching from above... Don't forget to take it!

ハワイ島到着初日に予定していました、総合的に大満足です！

コナのホテルからタクシーで現地集合にしました、事前に電話して詳しい場所をきいておいたので、運転手さんにもノース（サウスではなく）パーキングのそばのRestroomでおろしてもらい、近くにある黄色と青のテントは直ぐに見つかりました。現地集合の方はそこがポイントです。帰りも同じタクシーにきてもらい無事に帰れました。

ツアーは全員日本人の参加、日本語のインストラクターさんお一人と現地スタッフ3人皆さん感じの良い方で安心です。マンタ遭遇ポイントまではかなりの距離をハイスピードで向かいますが、ゴムボートなので外の枠にまたがって、バナナボートのように風を感じてとても楽しめました。まるでマリンスポーツもついてるようでお得！？

到着後まだ明るかったので、日が沈むまでスノーケリングできました、でもあまりお魚はいなかったです。海は透き通って綺麗でしたが。やっと日が沈むとライトの下に集まってくるプランクトンを目当てにマンタが寄ってきました！！！大接近で感動！！こちらからは触ってはいけないので（感染症の恐れあり）見るだけでしたが、あまりにも近くに寄ってくるので何度が自分の足に触れてきました！この体験は世界でもここぐらいではないでしょうか。世界的にも有名なツアーのようです。

最後に、必ず酔い止めは飲んでおいたほうがいいです！私たちは事前に飲んだので全く酔いませんでしたが、他の参加者の方はかなり酔われているようで海に入れず、上から見ている方も。。。是非お忘れなく！

The staff was kind, and the starry sky was amazing. I really appreciated the thorough explanations. Although we couldn't reach the summit due to bad weather, it was a satisfying tour. One issue was that there were too many participants, which made the car feel cramped. We were seated together as a parent and child, but newlyweds were seated in front and behind us, and I felt a bit sorry for them as they were holding hands during the journey. I hope they consider not only increasing productivity but also the feelings of the participants.

スタッフも親切で、星空も最高でした。
丁寧な説明はhとても評価できます。
天候が悪く山頂までは行けませんでしたが、満足できるツアーでした。
課題としては、参加人数が多すぎて、車にすし詰状態なのには不満を感じました。
私達は親子で並び席でしたが、新婚の方が前後に座られ
せめてもと道中手を握られてるのが少し不憫に感じました。
生産性を上げる事〜だけでなくて、参加者の思いも汲んであげて欲しいです。

I recommend arriving early at the meeting place since seating is done in the order of arrival. Even if you get there early, there will be juice available, so you can drink and chat, and time will pass quickly. We were about five groups back, but we ended up with seats at the very front. There will be a commemorative photo taken before seating, but the sales will be in front of the restroom later, so you don't have to purchase it. We bought one for the memories, though (laughs). The food and drinks are plentiful. The show is enjoyable, and the staff is friendly. They also provide blankets for cold weather. Dressing up adds to the fun. Since it was fully booked, I think making a reservation early is a good idea. I believe even the lower class of Grey is sufficient.

並んだ順に着席するので、早めに集合場所へ行く事をお勧めします。
早く行っても、ジュースの用意があるので、飲んでおしゃべりしていると時間はすぐに過ぎます。
5組くらい前にいましたが、私達は一番前の席になりました。
着席前に記念撮影がありますが、販売は後ほどトイレ前なので、購入はしなくても大丈夫です。
私達は思い出に買いましたが（笑）
お食事も飲み物も充実しております。
ショウも楽しく、スタッフもフレンドリーです。
寒さ対策のひざ掛けも配布してくれます。
おしゃれをして参加すると楽しさ倍増です。
満席でしたので、早めの予約が良いと思います。
グレイどの高いクラスでなくても十分だと思います。

We had a great time! Staff was friendly and very interactive with guest, food was great and plentiful, entertainment was great, historical guide was informative and great to talk too! The boat wasn't packed with people like the other boats leaving the dock. We would definitely do the dinner cruise again. You get some spectacular sites from the cruise, even a dolphin side show. The captain stopped the Boat for dinner and we watched the spectacular sunset while eating. It was a great experience! I would highly recommend this dinner cruise.

The meeting place was a bit hard to find, but everything else was a wonderful experience. Riding along the stream, taking photos, and the final fruit service made for a very fulfilling time. I definitely want to come back next time!

集合場所が少しわかりくかったけれど、それ以外は素晴らしい体験でした。
せせらぎを騎乗して歩いたり、写真をとってもらったり、
最後の果物のサービスまで、とても充実した時間でした。
次回もまた来たいと思いました！

I'll be honest, overall I didn't have a great time on this trip. We sailed off late and missed the sunset which we were supposed to enjoy, and then spent 15 minutes "sailing" in a circle getting tossed about in the waves in the boat which was very unenjoyable. I wouldn't call it snorkeling either. After an hour of getting tossed around in the waves, you get in your wet suit and get your snorkel mask and get in the water to hold on to a long float, getting beat up by the waves (some more) while playing footsie with your neighbor. Meanwhile, your float is drifting in the current towards the plethera of other boats in the surrounding area leaving you wondering if you're going to get run over or not. Seriously, our floating group ended up almost tangled in another boats anchor line. It was incredibly unsafe.

Why am I rating it a 3 with the description being very negative? Well it's because it's the most incredible thing to see Manta's swimming INCHES from you. We had quite a few come by and it was spectacular to witness for those few seconds.

From the moment the guide picked us up at the hotel, I had a feeling it was going to be a fun tour because of their incredibly high energy. They even arrived five minutes early for the pickup.

We were visiting the Big Island for our honeymoon and wanted to do something memorable, which is why we chose this tour. Our guide, Matsuzaki, was not only entertaining but also very attentive, making it a truly enjoyable experience.

We got to take a lot of wonderful photos. The sunset we saw from the highest point was incredibly beautiful, and the pictures taken with the setting sun in the background were so good that I plan to develop them and display them in our room.

We also did some stargazing a little further down, and the starry sky was astonishingly clear. We could even see artificial satellites with the naked eye. Matsuzaki provided perfect explanations of the constellations, kept us laughing, and used an amazing camera to take pictures of the starry sky with us.

I'm really glad I participated in this tour. Thank you so much, Matsuchan!!

ホテルに迎えに来てくれた時から、ガイドさんのテンションがものすごく高くて楽しいツアーになりそうな予感がありました。お迎えの時間も5分前に来てくれましたよ。
今回は新婚旅行でハワイ島を訪れていたのですが、何か記憶に残ることをしたいと選んだのがこちらのツアーでした。
ガイドの松崎さんは、面白い上にとても気を配ってくださって、本当に楽しいツアーでした。
素敵な写真もたくさん撮って頂きました。
今までで一番高いところから見た夕陽はとても美しく、また沈む夕陽をバックに撮ってもらった写真は現像して部屋に飾る程良い写真でした。
少しだけ下ったところで星空観測をしたのですが、驚くほどの満天の星空です。人工衛星も肉眼で確認出来ました。
松崎さんは星座の説明も完璧、笑いをとることも忘れず、またこちらでもすごいカメラを使って星空と一緒に写真を撮ってくれました。
本当にツアーに参加して良かったです。
まっちゃん、ほんとありがとー！！

I had heard that there was a 99% chance of encountering manta rays, but I boarded the boat with a bit of anxiety. The boat sped along for about 20 minutes. Along the way, the sunset was incredibly beautiful, and I couldn't stop feeling excited about the possibility of seeing manta rays.

When we arrived at the spot where the manta rays come, it was just getting dark, and we were finally ready with our wetsuits and snorkels. The guide and the captain threw a floating ring with blue lights into the water, and we jumped in.

Eight of us held onto the ring, stretching our arms and legs while looking into the water. Soon, manta rays approached us, drawn to the plankton attracted by the blue lights. The size of the manta ray's mouth was larger than I had imagined, and it felt like it could suck me in—it was an intense experience that was initially quite frightening. However, as the manta rays kept coming closer, my fear disappeared, and I was overwhelmed with emotion.

The tour was titled "Swim with Manta Rays!" but it would be more accurate to say that we watched them swim up close. I never expected to see them so closely, and I was beyond excited and completely satisfied!

After about 30 minutes of enjoyment, the boat sped back. The guide prepared snacks and warm cocoa for us. The cocoa was delicious and warmed my chilled body. With the boat's lights turned off, the sea was pitch dark, and the lights of Kona in the distance were beautiful.

Since "Swim with Manta Rays!" was the last activity on the Big Island, I left feeling very satisfied with my experience.

９９％の確率でマンタに遭えると聞いていましたが少し不安な気持ちでボートに乗り込みました。20分位全速力でボートは進みました。途中サンセットがすごく綺麗で感動しながらマンタに遭えるワクワクが止まりません。

マンタがやってくる所に着くとちょうどあたりも暗くなりいよいよスウェットスーツとシュノーケルをつけて準備オッケイです。ガイドさんと船長さんがブルーライトが付いた手すりつきの浮き輪を海に投げ入れて私たちは海に飛び込みました。

浮き輪には8人が手すりにつかまり腕と足をぴんと伸ばして海の中を見ています。ほどなくマンタがブルーライトに寄ってくるプランクトンをめがけて私たちに近づいてきます。
マンタの口が想像以上にデカく吸い込まれそうで大迫力の接近戦で最初は恐ろしいほどでした。
何回もマンタが寄ってくるうちに怖さもなくなり感動感動の連続でした。
ツアーのタイトルが「マンタと泳ぐ！」とありますが一緒に泳ぐわけでなく泳ぐのを間近で見ているといった方が正解ですね。あんなに近くで見られるとは思っていなかったので大興奮！大満足！でした。

30分ほどのお楽しみが終わりボートは全速力で戻っていきます。ガイドさんがスナック菓子とあったかいココアを淹れてくれます。冷え切った体にココアがしみ込んでとても美味しかったです。ボートの明かりを消しているので海は真っ暗、向こうに見えるコナの街の明かりが綺麗でした。

ハワイ島での最後のアクティビティーが「マンタと泳ぐ！」だったので大満足のハワイ島でした。

I participated in my long-awaited first surfing experience. The weather was so nice that the waves were calm. There were only two participants, including myself, and with two instructors, it felt like a "private lesson."

Before heading to the beach, during the explanation, I was told, "I'll make sure you can ride the waves!" I wondered if I really could, and after about 15 minutes of indoor instruction, we headed to the beach!

Thanks to the instructors' teaching, I managed to ride the waves for a few meters on my first try! On the second try, I rode for several dozen meters! The instructor said, "Perfect! Now, let's wait for some good waves!" I felt like a surfer!

However, the weather was really too nice, and it was very hot while waiting for the waves. Of course, I got sunburned. I had a great time thanks to instructors Jacob and Jeff. I would love to request these two again next time!

念願だった初めてのサーフィンに参加しました。
当日は天気もよすぎたせいか、波が穏やかでした。
参加者は我々2人だけで、インストラクターは2名だったので、「個人レッスン」のように
教えて頂きました。
実際にビーチに行く前の説明では、「確実に波に乗れるように、教えるよ！」と言われ、ホントに乗れるかなと思いいつつ、約15分の室内での説明が終わり、いざ、ビーチへ！
インストラクターの教え方がよかったのか、1本目ではほんの数メートルでしたが、ホントに乗れました！！2本目では数十メートル！！
インストラクターからは、「完璧だね！さ～いい波を待とう！」と言われ、気分はサーファーです！！
ただ、天気が本当によすぎて、波を待つ間はすごく暑かったです。もちろん焼けました。
インストラクターのJACOBさんとJEFFさんのおかげで、ホントに楽しかったです。
次もこの2人を指名したいくらいです。

A enjoyable flight, if they can they take you up to the vent, to try and see lava, which may not always be flowing, the staff are very friendly, organised.

The snorkeling point had quite high waves, so families with small children seemed to have a tough time. After about three attempts, we encountered a lot of dolphins! It was truly moving ♡ While in the water, I could even hear the dolphins' calls, and I was very satisfied!! For those who get seasick, I think it's essential to take motion sickness medication. Also, since we were snorkeling in a place where we couldn't touch the bottom, they provided floaties for those who couldn't swim. I wouldn't recommend it for those who feel anxious.

結構波が高いポイントでシュノーケルだったので、小さなお子さん連れていたご家族は大変そうでした。
3回くらいアタックして、沢山のイルカに出会えました！とっても感激♡
海の中にいるとイルカの鳴き声も聞こえて、大満足でした！！
船酔いする方は必ず酔い止め必要かと思います。
あと、足がつかない場所でシュノーケルするので泳げない方には浮き輪貸してくれてました。不安な方にはオススメしないです。

As mentioned in other experiences, our guide Macchan was a great character, and we had a truly enjoyable time. I was impressed by Macchan's thorough and fun explanations, as well as his ability to take photos with any camera.

At the summit, it was so calm that I doubted we were at 4000 meters! Unfortunately, the sunset wasn't very clear, but the starry sky and the views of Saturn and the moon through the telescope were breathtaking.

Additionally, we were lucky enough to see a "moonbow" on the way back! I can't believe we were so fortunate. I had wanted to stay on the Big Island for a long time, and I would love to visit Macchan again.

他の体験談にあるように、ガイドまっちゃんがいいキャラで実に楽しい時間を過ごすことができました。まっちゃんの丁寧で楽しい説明と、どんなカメラでも写真を撮ってくれる対応力に脱帽。
山頂はここが4000ｍ？と疑うほど無風でラッキーでした。残念ながら夕日はスッキリとはいきませんでしたが、星空や望遠鏡からのぞく土星や月は感動。
そして、今回ラッキーなことに帰りに「ムーンボウ」まで見ることができました！！こんなにラッキーでいいのかな？
以前より滞在したかったハワイ島。また、まっちゃんに会いに行きたいです。

My wife and I participated together. Before joining, I heard great things about Daisuke, and I thought if I was going to swim with dolphins, it had to be with him. After the tour, we all agreed it was "the best!" and it became a wonderful memory.

Before departure, they mentioned it would take about 40 to 50 minutes to reach the dolphin encounter point, but luckily, we encountered a pod of dolphins just 5 minutes after setting off! We quickly dove in and had the best time with the dolphins. Throughout the experience, I was very satisfied to feel Daisuke's passion for dolphins and his energy to share their charm! When I go to Hawaii again, I will definitely participate again!

嫁と二人で参加したました。
参加前にダイスケさんの評判を知りイルカと泳ぐならダイスケさんだと思い、
申し込みましたがツアーが終わった後には口を揃えて「最高だった！」と言える程、
素敵な思い出になりました。

出発前には「イルカと出会えるポイントまで40～50分程度」と言っていましたが、ラッキーなことに出発して5分でイルカの群れに遭遇！早速潜ってイルカとの最高の時間を過ごすことができました。終始ダイスケさんのイルカに対する想いと、その魅力を伝えたいというエネルギーに触れられ大満足です！ハワイに行く際には、また参加します！

Go for the Eco star! The viewing windows and space provide an excellent ride. Brandt was a great pilot who gave us an informative tour with funny antidotes. It's the closest feeling you can get to literally flying since it such a smooth ride, felt like we floated over billowing volcanoes and gushing waterfalls. Footage from video at the end had great clips inside and outside the helicopter but was too pixeled and fuzzy to want to purchase, hopefully as technology improves so will DVD. Pics and videos we took ourselves turned out good, even with an IPhone 6 and point and low end point and shoot camera. Take the ride, it's worth it!

I signed up based on a recommendation from an acquaintance. It was enjoyable to hear many stories about the Big Island and explanations of the scenery even before we reached Mauna Kea. Not only were the stories fun, but there was also advice on altitude sickness, which was very kind.

At Mauna Kea, I was moved by the sunset and the starry sky!! I was able to take wonderful photos, creating memories for a lifetime. The guide's wealth of knowledge, thoughtfulness, and hospitality were outstanding in every situation. Thank you so much, Konno! I will confidently recommend this to acquaintances who are going to the Big Island in the future!

知人からおすすめされて申し込みました。マウナケアに着くまでもハワイ島のお話しをたくさんしてくださったり景色の説明をしてくださって楽しかったです。楽しいお話しだけでなく高山病のアドバイスもあり親切でした。
マウナケアでは夕日と満点の星空に感動しました！！素敵な写真も撮ってもらえて一生の思い出になりました。どんな場面においてもとにかくガイドさんの知識量。気遣い、ホスピタリティが素晴らしかったです。コンノさん本当にありがとうございました！これからハワイ島に行く知人にも自信をもっておすすめさせていただきます♪

We participated as a couple. Neither of us is good at English, but we thought we could manage with snorkeling and enjoying the scenery, so we decided to join. When we arrived at the office for check-in on the day of the tour, they provided us with a Japanese explanation sheet detailing the day's precautions and points of interest, which was very helpful. Additionally, there was a Japanese family of three with us, which made us feel a bit more at ease. The tour included nine people in total (five Japanese and four Americans), along with two American women, the captain, and a crew member.

We were excited about the thrilling rafting and the chance to encounter dolphins. The captain sped us out to sea, which was thrilling and fun, but unfortunately, we didn't see a single dolphin that day, which was very disappointing.

The snorkeling at Kealakekua Bay was fantastic; the water was clear, and we could see beautiful corals and various fish. For those who are not confident swimmers, they provide floatation devices, which I think is reassuring.

It was great to see the Captain Cook monument, which can only be accessed by trekking from land, while snorkeling. When we got a bit tired of snorkeling at Kealakekua Bay, they provided light snacks, sandwiches, and drinks, followed by a fruit service with pineapple and oranges, allowing us to refuel before snorkeling again. I think we stayed anchored for quite a long time.

After that, we got close to the cave cliffs (where they also offered a bit of snorkeling service) and visited a spot that resembles the sleeping form of the fire goddess Pele. The five-hour tour flew by in no time.

On the return boat ride, they also provided snacks and drinks, which was nice. One thing to note is that the boat does not have a restroom, and there is no roof, so you will be directly exposed to the sun. The sunlight can be intense, so be careful of sunburn (especially on your ears, lips, and the backs of your thighs) and make sure to apply sunscreen frequently, as you can get burned in just a few hours.

夫婦二人で参加です。
二人共英語はだめですが、シュノーケルと景色を見るなら大丈夫と思い参加しました。でも当日受付をする事務所に行くと、その日の注意事項や行くポイントについて書かれた日本語の説明書をくれたので凄く助かりました、それにこの日は、親子三人の日本の方もご一緒だったのでちょっと安心しました、アメリカの女性二名とキャプテンとサブの方含め9人(日本人5人・アメリカ人4人)でのツアーでした。
スリル満点のラフティングとイルカ遭遇に期待しました、キャプテンが沖の方にスピードをかけて走ってくれたのは、スリルあり面白かった、でも、この日は運悪く一匹のイルカにも会うことが出来ず凄く残念でした。
ケアラケクア湾でのシュノーケルは、水も綺麗でサンゴや色々な魚も見ることが出来凄く良かったです。泳ぎに自信のない方には、浮き棒を貸してくれますので安心だと思います。
陸からならトレッキングでしか行けないキャプテン・クックの記念碑をシュノーケルをしながら見ることが出来良かったです。
ケアラケリア湾でのシュノーケルに飽きた頃に軽食のサンドイッチとドリンクの提供もあり、その後、パイナップルとオレンジのフルーツサービスもありちょっと腹ごしらえをして又シュノーケルも出来、結構長い時間停泊してくれていたと思います。
その後、洞窟の岸壁に近寄ったり(ここでもちょっとだけシュノーケルのサービスをしてくれた)火の神ペレの寝姿に見える場所に寄ってくれたり5時間のツアーは、あっと言う間に過ぎました。
帰りのボートでも、スナック菓子やドリンクのサービスもあり良かったです。
注意するのは、ボートはトイレがないのとボートには屋根がないので直に日差しが当たります、日差しがきついので日焼けには(耳や唇・太ももの裏等)注意してこまめに日焼け止めを塗らないと数時間でしっかり焼けます。

Now being honest the weather was not good at Hilo, very wet and cloudy. But in spite of the weather the flight did go ahead. I do have to say doors off is definitely the way to go! We flew over several areas of coastline and lava flows and then headed up to the Puʻu ʻŌʻō, again the weather wasn't great but you could see the ground pretty well. Heading up the mountain we saw a small area of fresh lava but it was over in a flash and then we were heading back to Hilo.

Now I fully understand that when weather and visibility are not good you might not see everything but at no point did the pilot state what we would or would not see. Obviously the vent or flowing lava is the main part of the "show" and you keep waiting for that to appear. But it wasn't until a guest asked that we were told that we went as far as we could.

Feel the heat? No we certainly did not.

A word of warning for passengers with longer hair wear a beany or make sure your hair is tied back tight, due to the wind it ended up with my wife's hair being badly knotted around the headset.

Two stars - to be honest only for the fun aspect of the doors off.

It would have been so much better if we were kept informed of the visibility and weather (now on Hawai'i this might not be a normal issue) and what we would be able to see as opposed to not being told anything and not experiencing what the flight was all about and coming away with the slightly cheated feeling.

Would I go again - yes - but I would certainly be asking a lot of questions about the weather conditions, visibility and expected viewing. It is a lot of money to pay, and especially if you are not local to not "Feel the Heat" because why else would you fly "doors off"

In additional I have to say the staff at Paradise were very understanding when we raised our points.

The flight was amazing, but we did not fly from Hilo. When our scheduled time (from Hilo) arrived, the weather was below minimum at the volcano. This was very disappointing since Hilo weather was nice. But, Hawaii weather is very volatile.

We rescheduled for the next day as a "reserve flight" (needed more people to "confirm" the flight). Before the scheduled time, Paradise Helicopters called to say the flight was still only "reserved", but they had an opening in a different, circle the whole island, flight from Kona. They would upgrade me for no additional cost to take that one. We jumped at it.

The flight was amazing. We got to see the whole island, in addition to the volcano and real, live, flowing lava. Our pilot was Koji and he was awesome. The weather over the volcano was mixed, but he was able to navigate through the clouds enough to maintain the FAA rules for height and get us over the actual volcano caldera. Then, we headed for the current eruption points on the southern slopes and saw even more lava in the second vent. Moving further to the new lava fields, he located some live, flow lava. "WOW!!!" is all I can say.

The rest of the flight was great, too. Flying low up the valley on the north shore was wild. Seeing all the waterfalls was also terrific.

I was worried about whether I would encounter dolphins due to the bad weather the day before, but according to our guide Daisuke, we encountered around 200 dolphins. Every time I looked into the water, I saw dolphins. It became the best memory of my life!

It's a good idea to bring water when you board the boat.

前日が悪天候だったので、イルカに出会えるか心配でしたがガイドのダイスケさんがおっしゃるには２００頭ぐらいのイルカに出会えたとのことでした。
本当に海の中を覗く度にイルカたちに出会えました。
人生で最高の思い出になりました！

ボートに乗り込む時には水を持っていった方がいいです。

I was worried because the weather was cloudy, but as I waited, the clouds gradually cleared, and I was able to see a beautiful sunset. The sunset reflected on the clouds was also wonderful and moving!

On the day of the tour, a high-energy guide came to pick us up in the early afternoon. I was a bit worried at first (laughs), but throughout the journey, they shared fun stories and showed great consideration, making it a very enjoyable experience.

The lunch and warm miso soup at the Onizuka Center were also very delicious. It was a pity that there were many clouds and not many stars were visible, but I want to save that for the next time.

Thank you, guide M, for the fun tour!

曇りがちな天気だったので心配しましたが、待っていたら少しずつ雲が晴れとても素敵な夕日を見ることができました。雲に映し出される夕日もとても素晴らしく感動しました！
当日は、お昼過ぎにハイテンションのガイドさんが迎えに来て下さり、若干心配(?)したりもしたのですが(笑)、道中ずっと楽しいお話や気遣いをして頂いて、とても楽しく過ごせました。
オニヅカセンターでのお弁当や温かいお味噌汁もとても美味しかったです。
雲が多く星があまり見えなかったのが残念でしたが、また次回のお楽しみにとっておきたいと思います。
ガイドのMさん、楽しいツアーをありがとうございました！

I am a complete beginner at snorkeling, but I was really immersed in it. I was amazed by the clarity of the water and the number of fish. There were a few moments of anxiety, but it was such a wonderful experience that it made up for everything.

I participated with my child. My child seemed a bit anxious and was looking around, wondering if there were any Japanese people, but there were quite a few Chinese people, and we were the only two Japanese. Everything was in English, so I couldn't understand anything and just followed the movements of those around me. Well, once you're in the water, there are no problems at all (*^-^*).

One little issue was that I made the reservation on my smartphone while traveling, but I had to bring a printed reservation instead of just showing the smartphone screen. I managed to get it printed at the hotel front desk, thanks to a kind front desk staff member who understood a little Japanese.

Also, regarding the snorkeling at Kealakekua Bay, please make sure not to confuse the meeting point, which is at Keauhou Bay.

シュノーケルは超初心者ですが、すごい夢中になってシュノーケルしていました。水の透明度、魚の数にびっくりでした。少し不安な所がありましたが、それを全てチャラにするくらい素敵な経験をさせてもらいました。
子供と二人で参加しました。子供は心細かったみたいで｢日本人いないかなぁ｣とキヨロキヨロ周りを捜していましたが、中国の人は結構おられましたが、日本人は私たち二人だけでした。全て英語だったので、何も理解できませんでしたので、周りの人の動きを見ながら行動してました。まぁ海に入ればなんの問題もありませんが(*^-^*)
ちよっと困ったのは、旅行に出てからスマホで予約したのですが、スマホ画面ではなく、予約票を印刷して持って行かなければなりませんでした。ホテルのフロントでなんとかプリントして貰う事ができましたが、少し日本語が通じる親切なフロントマンのおかげです。
あと、ケアラケクア湾シュノーケルですが、集合はケアウホウ湾なので、つい間違わないようにして下さい。

Riding a helicopter for the first time and being able to see the faint red lava was a rare and interesting experience. The price was a bit high, but I'm glad I decided to participate.

I had heard that some people get motion sickness on helicopters, but my wife, who is prone to motion sickness, was fine, so that might not be something to worry about.

The footage from the ride can be purchased about 20 minutes after returning, so I bought it as a keepsake (though I haven't watched it yet).

However, I found it difficult to see outside from the middle seat in the back, so I wish they would differentiate the prices based on seating.

初めてヘリに乗ったっていうのと、うっすらながら赤い溶岩も見れたっていうのは、貴重で面白い経験だった。
ちょっと値段は高めだけど、思い切って参加してよかったです。

ヘリに酔うって話も聞いていたけど、乗り物酔いしやすい嫁さんでも大丈夫だったので、そのあたりは心配しなくてもいいのかもしれない。

乗った時の映像が、帰還して２０分くらいで購入できるので、記念に買ったみた（まだ見てないけど）。

ただ、後ろの真ん中席だと外が見づらいので、座席で値段を分けてほしいと思いました。

The guide and his team was awesome. They took care of us very well. It was almost an hour kayak on the wavy sea to the cliff. We also saw dolphins. We did a cliff jumping which was very awesome! Overall, recommended!

This snorkeling trip was outstanding! Everything was provided and the crew was great! They made sure we all had a great time.

First luau and a great one to attend. The performers were fantastic and the food was outstanding! Due to weather this one was held indoors and the show was great even in the closed in area.

Fantastic! Beautiful place to snorkel! Crew was outstanding. We loved that everything was provided and the crew made sure we had an excellent time.

First helo ride ever and we had the doors off. It was fantastic! Our pilot Rob was great! Would definitely recommend this if you want a close up view of a volcano!