All Reviews for Top Big Island Sights & Attractions

I participated with my parents on September 8th. My parents, in their 70s, were a bit anxious at first, but under the guidance of Kevin and Noni, they started paddling the kayak with ease and even tried snorkeling (which was, of course, their first time!). They gained confidence from being able to venture out into the vast ocean on their own and felt energized the next day without any fatigue. I believe this was all thanks to the guidance and support of the two guides. It also seemed mentally easier for us that the tour was just the three of us, so we didn't have to worry about bothering others. After returning home, I've been showing off the photos to friends of the same age. It was the best way to show appreciation to my parents. If you are an older person considering participating, I definitely encourage you to give it a try!

９月８日に両親と３人で参加しました。
70代の両親、最初はちょっと不安そうでしたがケビンさん、ノニさんの指導のもと、
途中からは余裕でカヤックを漕ぎ、シュノーケリング（もちろん人生で初めて！）もやっていました。
あんな大海に自らの力で出て行ったこと、翌日に疲れも出ず元気だったことで自信をつけていました。
これもガイドお２人の指導とサポートのお陰だと思います。
ツアーが私達３人だけで他人に迷惑をかけなかったことも精神的に楽だったようです。
帰国後も写真を眺めては同年代の友人に自慢しています。最高の親孝行ができました。
高齢の方で参加を迷っていらっしゃるならぜひ一度トライしてみて下さい！

The sunset disappeared in the blink of an eye, but it's a view I could watch forever.

夕陽はあっという間に沈んでしまいましたが、いつまでも見ていたい景色です

As everyone mentioned, it was a wonderful sunset, just as the rumors said. It was my first time seeing so many stars, and I was truly moved. The Milky Way and shooting stars were beautifully visible.

I thought the 1:30 PM meeting time was early, but considering everyone's health, I understood the schedule after it was over. The beef stew for dinner was delicious, and it had an outdoor vibe, but it might be a bit tough for those who aren't fond of the outdoors.

We had dinner at 5 PM, and we returned after 11 PM, so it might be a good idea to bring some snacks for the night.

Also, it is really cold. Personally, I felt it was colder than winter in Japan, so please make sure to dress warmly.

皆さんのコメント通り、噂通りの素晴らしいサンセットでした。
あんな沢山の星を見たのも初めてですし、感動しっぱなしでした。
ミルキーウェイも流れ星も綺麗に見えました。

１３：３０の集合は早いのでは？と思ったのですが、体調の事を考えてのスケジュールだったので、終わってみてから納得しました。
夕ご飯のビーフシチューも美味しくて、アウトドアな感じで頂くのですが、アウトドアが苦手な方ならちょっと辛いかもしれません。。

１７時にご飯を食べて、戻ってくるのが２３時過ぎなので、何か夜食を用意して行かれた方が良いかもしれません。

あと、本当に寒いです。
個人的に日本の冬よりも寒い気がしましたので、本気で防寒して下さいね。

It was a truly wonderful tour.
I have been to Haleakalā in Maui many times, but I was even more impressed by Mauna Kea.
Also, thank you very much to our guide Leo for all your help.
I am attaching the photo of the moon that Leo took for me.
It was great to learn about the coffee farm and the abalone direct sales shop.
I look forward to seeing you again.
Oh, Buddha Coffee was delicious!

大変すばらしいツァーでした。
マウイのハレヤカラには何度と行きましたが、それよりも高いマウナケア　　　すべてに感動しました。
それとガイドのレオさん　　　いろいろとお世話になりありがとうございました。
レオさんに撮ってもらった月の写真　　添付します。
コーヒー農園、アワビの直売所を教えていただき大変良かったです。
また会えるのを楽しみにしています。
あっ　　ぶっだコーヒー　　おいしかったです。

On Mauna Kea in Hawaii, there are astronomical observatories from various countries, including Japan's "Subaru." This tour, where you can see the starry sky in such a place, is highly recommended! The number of stars is on a completely different scale than in Japan. I was able to see the Milky Way for the first time, and I was very satisfied!!

Watching the bright red sun set, along with the sea of clouds spreading below from the summit of Mauna Kea (which is over 4,000 meters high, higher than Mount Fuji), was truly moving. The road to the summit is quite rough, so I think it's safer and more enjoyable to go with a tour where a knowledgeable guide drives a 4WD vehicle rather than going in your own rental car.

★Things to check before booking the tour
Depending on the moon phase at that time, the recommendation for whether to join a sunrise or sunset tour to see the starry sky changes. I learned this only after arriving on-site, but I think it's best to confirm this when booking to ensure you can enjoy the stars.

★Differences between tour companies
Since multiple companies operate these tours, I booked without knowing what points to consider. After going myself, I realized that there isn't much difference in the schedule or the number of participants. I haven't checked the contents of the lunch boxes thoroughly, but I don't think there's much difference there either. I only went with Nature School, but it seems they were the only company that provided ski pants, hats, and gloves in addition to jackets as cold-weather gear, which I really appreciated. They also explained the constellations using a laser pointer, making it easy to understand.

ハワイ島マウナケアには日本の「すばる」をはじめ、各国の天文観測所が設置されています。
そんな場所で星空が見れちゃうこのツアーは本当におススメ！日本とはスケールがまったくちがう数の星。初めて天の川も見れて、大満足でした！！

真っ赤な太陽が沈んでいく様子も、マウナケア山頂（富士山よりも高い、標高4000m以上）から下に広がる雲海とともに見られて、とても感動的です。
山頂まで行く途中はかなり道が悪いので、自分のレンタカーで行くよりも、慣れたガイドさんが４ＷＤ車を運転してくれるツアーで行くほうが、安心だし十分楽しめると思います。

★ツアー申込前に確かめてほしいこと
その時期の月齢によって、サンライズツアー／サンセットツアーのどちらで星空を見るのがおすすめか変わるそうです。私は現地に着いて初めて知りましたが、申込時に確認したほうが確実に星を楽しめると思います。

★ツアー会社のちがい
複数の会社が催行しているため、何をポイントに申し込めば良いのかわからないまま私は申し込みました。
自分で行ってみて思いましたが、タイムスケジュールや定員人数にはほとんど差は無いようです。お弁当の中身も、ちゃんと確かめてはいないですがそれほどの差は無いかと＾＾
私はネイチャースクールでしか行っていませんが、防寒具としてジャケット以外にスキーウエア的なズボンや帽子・手袋も貸して下さっていたのはこちらの会社のみのようで、とてもありがたかったです。また星座も、レーザーポインタで指し示しながら解説してくださるので話が分かりやすかったです。

When we arrived at the meeting point on the pier, we immediately recognized the boat that was docked. The boat was clean, with tables and benches on the first floor, and only benches on the second floor. There was plenty of space to move around. We had a 4-year-old and a 6-year-old with us, and there were activities that everyone, from kids to adults, could enjoy, such as watching dolphins and riding in a boat shaped like a float. The staff were friendly and very attentive. They also provided wetsuits for both children and adults (each for $10). We were also soothed by the wonderful views, sea breeze, and music. I highly recommend it.

集合場所の桟橋に着くと、船がとまっているのですぐにわかりました。船はきれいで１階にはテーブルとベンチがあり、２階にはベンチのみ。スペースはかなりゆったりとしています。４歳と６歳の子供連れでしたが、イルカを見たり、浮き輪のような形のボートに乗ったり、子供から大人まで楽しめる内容です。スタッフもフレンドリーで、面倒見のよい方々ばかりでした。子供用と大人用のウェットスーツも借してくれます。（１つ１０ドル）素晴らしい景色と海風と音楽にも癒されました。おすすめです。

The Mauna Kea tour in September is fully booked everywhere!! It was a good decision to make a reservation in advance with Alan1. Since all the tours have a small number of participants, they fill up quickly. I recommend making an early reservation... it seems impossible to do so once you arrive in September.

Honestly, I didn't have high expectations, but I was incredibly impressed and came back amazed. The beauty of the sunset is the best.

However, since it was close to a full moon, the brightness of the moon overshadowed the stars... which was a bit disappointing!!

But I was happy to see the craters on the moon through the telescope. September is the time of the Mid-Autumn Festival, so the moon is beautiful.

Next time, I will aim for a new moon and participate again. The photos I uploaded are of the sunset, the observation deck, and the bright, beautiful moon.

マウナケアのツアーは9月は、どこも満席状態！！
まえもって、Ａｌａｎ1で予約していって正解でした。
どのツアーも少人数なので、すぐに満席になるようです。
早めの予約をお勧めします・・・・現地についてからなんて
9月は無理みたいです。

正直、あまり期待しないでいったのですが・・・・
想像以上に　きれいで、超感激して帰ってきました。
夕日の美しさ、最高です。

ただ、★は満月に近かったので、月の明るさに負けてしまい・・・少々　残念！！

でも、望遠鏡で、月のクレーターを見れたのは、うれしかった。
9月は中秋の名月で、月がきれいな時期ですものね。

今度は新月ねらって、また参加します。
ＵＰした写真は、夕日や展望台ときれいな明るい月です。

This was one of the best activities we did on the big island. I would highly recommend this trip!

The excursion was extremely interesting and our tour guide Mavrick very knowledgeable also he was concered about the group safety. We where well informed about the history of the creater, lava tube and the coffee tour! The staff was wonderful and extremely polite, took their time for the guest to drink some of the delicious Hula Daddy Coffee while looking out at the beautiful view.
The only downside I had was the ***extremely*** bumping ride as we got closer to the crater, I feel if there was dirt road or pavement all would have been perfect... I also feel because of the rough road and the crater edge no kids should be taken on this tour. Overall, this was an experience I will always remember, Thanks.

Upon arriving at the hotel on the Big Island, I immediately made a phone call to confirm my reservation, but I could only communicate in English and couldn't effectively ask about directions to the meeting point, so I gave up and hung up. Fortunately, it seems they kindly contacted the Japanese desk at the hotel for me, and I was able to get assistance from the Japanese desk. I decided to take a taxi to the meeting point.

When we arrived at the meeting point, we were the only Japanese customers there. Once we boarded the boat and set off, I couldn't help but scream with excitement at the incredible speed. It was so much fun! I'm glad I wore sunglasses because the wind was strong.

After a while, we encountered a pod of dolphins, and I was thrilled to see them jump in front of us like in a dolphin show at an aquarium. The clarity of the water in Kealakekua Bay was amazing, and I took various pictures of the fish with my waterproof camera while snorkeling. An American child on board was having fun jumping off the boat. We took a little break on the boat to enjoy sandwiches, fruits, and snacks.

After that, we went to see various caves and felt the greatness of nature. There was an explanation in English about the history of the Big Island along the way, so I recommend that those who don't understand English read the Japanese pamphlet provided before boarding.

It was a tour that exceeded my expectations, and I was very satisfied!☆

　ハワイ島のホテルに着いてさっそく予約確認の電話をかけましたが英語しか通じず集合場所までの行き方についての質問をうまく伝えられずに諦めて電話を切りました。するとご親切にもホテルのジャパニーズデスクに連絡してくだっさったようでジャパニーズデスクに対応してもらいタクシーで集合場所まで行くことにしました。
　無事集合場所に到着すると日本人のお客さんは私たちだけでした。いざボートに乗り込み出発するとすごいスピードでキャーキャー叫んでしまいました。すごく楽しいです！風が強いのでサングラスをしていて良かったです。
　しばらく行くとイルカの群れに遭遇し水族館のイルカショーのような大ジャンプが目の前で見られて感激しました。
　ケアラケクア湾の透明度はすばらしくシュノーケリングをしながら防水カメラでいろんな魚を撮りました。一緒に乗っていたアメリカ人の子供はボートから飛び込みをしたりして楽しんでいました。ボートの上でサンドイッチとフルーツ、スナック菓子をいただきちょっと休憩。
　その後、いろんな洞窟を見に行き、自然の偉大さを実感しました。
　途中ハワイ島の歴史について英語で説明がありますので英語がわからない方は乗船前にもらえる日本語の説明書を熟読しておくことをおすすめします。
　期待以上に楽しいツアーで大満足でしたぁー☆

　

We had a great time as a family on this cruise. My kids (ages 10 and 13) swim, but I was still nervous about them with snorkeling gear in open water for 1.5 hours. Turns out I had no need to worry. They have these great flotation devices you can buckle around their torsos that gives them about 50% flotation, and my kids enjoyed having these on so they didn't have to expend much energy swimming and could enjoy the fish. I'm a marginal swimmer--ok in pools but little experience in open water, and I had a great time also--put on a flotation device around me and didn't worry a bit. I probably could have continued snorkeling another hour. The kids enjoyed sliding off the boat slides into the bay also. Highly recommend.

Had a great time! Saw a huge pod of spinner dolphins at the start of the trip - good omen for a fun day!

Floating in the night sea for 45 minutes while being tossed by the waves, even while holding onto something, takes quite a bit of stamina. I wondered if I really needed to wear a life jacket. The day we went, the waves might have been a bit rough.

I took motion sickness medication, but the waves were so rough that I got seasick and returned to the boat a little earlier than others. At the very least, it's a good idea to remember some English like "I wanna go back to the boat. I'm tired." The staff will help you when returning, but for the few meters until you grab the rope, you'll have to swim on your own in open water, which could be tough if you're not a strong swimmer... I think it's better to return with a bit of energy left. It was a more demanding activity than I expected.

The manta rays came quite close, which was great. Since seaweed and debris can get tangled in your hair while floating, wearing a swim cap helps prevent that and also makes the mask straps more comfortable. The English explanations weren't difficult, so you'll be fine.

何かにつかまりながらとはいえ、夜の海で波に揉まれながら45分浮いているのは、結構体力がいります。救命胴衣は着けなくていいのかな？と思う位でした。私たちが利用した日は、少し波が荒かったのかもしれません。

酔い止めを飲んで行きましたが、波が荒くて酔ってしまい、他の人より少し早く船に戻りましたが、少なくとも"I wanna go back to the boat. I'm tired."位の英語は覚えていった方がいいです。戻る時はスタッフが手伝ってくれますが、ロープにつかまるまでの数mは、何もない所を自力で泳ぐことになるので、カナヅチだと厳しいかも...少し余力を残した状態で戻った方がいいと思います。思っていたよりお気楽ではないアクティビティでした。

マンタそのものは、すぐ近くまで来てくれて良かったです。海に浮いている藻や屑が髪に絡まるため、水泳用の帽子をかぶっておくと、引っ掛かりにくいし、マスクのゴムも痛くないです。英語の説明は、難しい事は言っていないので、大丈夫です。

Cruising while being blown by the sea breeze was very pleasant. The view of Hawaii Island from the ocean was also wonderful. Along the way, a pod of about five or six dolphins came close and swam right by us, which was a bit moving. The snorkeling was beautiful with its blue waters, but it was a bit disappointing that there weren't many fish. However, I was pleasantly surprised by how enjoyable the cruising was, and I felt glad to have participated.

潮風に吹かれながらのクルージングはとても気持ちよかったです。海から見るハワイ島の景色もすばらしかったです。途中イルカも５，６頭寄ってきてすぐそこを泳いでいるのが見れてちょっと感動でした。シュノーケルは青くてきれいでしたが、ちょっと魚がいない感じでそこは残念でしたが、クルージングが意外に気持ちよくて参加してよかったと思いました。

It was the best.
The guide's knowledge, the beautiful starry sky and sunset.
It became the best memory.
I'm glad I participated.

最高でした。
ガイドさんの知識、美しい星空と夕景。
最高の思い出になりました。
参加してよかったです。

We were on our honeymoon, looking for something to do, this was so unique! Who would of thought we would be in a parka in Hawaii! Pick this company! There were many up there, but these guys did it best, so thankful we paid a bit more and got an awesome experience. Staff was wonderful, thank you!

You will need a means of transportation, such as a rental car, to reach the tour meeting point. Since it was an English tour, I could hardly understand what the female instructor and guide was saying.

However, we enjoyed the descent to the bottom of Waipi'o Valley in a 4WD with a 25-degree slope (it's quite difficult to reach the bottom of Waipi'o unless you're in good shape). After selecting a horse and receiving a very simple explanation (which I didn't understand much of in English), we began our horseback riding.

We crossed a river that was knee-deep and enjoyed riding on paths that cars couldn't access. The horses are well-trained, so even as first-time riders, they walked on their own. Occasionally, they would playfully interact with other horses, which made them excited, but pulling on the reins calmed them down.

It was a satisfying tour with the deep nature of Waipi'o and the valuable horseback riding experience. I believe it would have been even more satisfying if participants were paired with friendly horses. During the ride, our horses were quite far apart, making it difficult for us to converse.

ツアーの集合場所までは、レンタカーなど移動手段が必要です。英語ツアーなので、女性のインストラクター兼ガイドさんの言っていることは、ほとんど理解できませんでした。
が、ワイピオ渓谷の下まで２５度の斜度のくだりを４ＷＤで楽しみ（よほどの健脚でないとワイピオの下までは無理）、馬を選んでくれて、ほんとに簡単な説明（英語であまり理解できませんでしたが）の後、乗馬開始。
膝まで浸かる様な川を渡ったり、車の通れないような道の乗馬を楽しみました。
馬は調教されているので乗馬初体験の夫婦でも、馬が勝手に歩いてくれました。たまに他の馬にちょっかいを出し合ったりし、馬が興奮しますが手綱を引けば落ち着いてくれました。
ワイピオの深い自然と乗馬体験という貴重な経験で満足いくツアーでした。
馬の選定時に、同じ参加者同士に仲の良い馬を与えてもらえれば、もっと満足のいくものであったと思います。
乗馬中は、夫婦の乗った馬が離れていて、夫婦間の会話がほとんどできませんでした。

I had some anxiety about the announcements being in English only, but on that day, there happened to be a Japanese group with us, and the guide translated for us, so there were no problems at all.

Kealakekua Bay was amazing. The sea was so beautiful that my 7-year-old and 4-year-old said it was the most fun they’ve ever had. Even my husband, who isn’t very comfortable in the water, really enjoyed it. The slide was quite high and not suitable for small children, but my older child took on the challenge. I tried it too, but... young guys were sliding down like crazy.

The hamburgers for lunch were delicious, and the boat didn’t rock too much, which was great. Unfortunately, we didn’t get to see any dolphins, but we will definitely go again next time. I highly recommend it.

英語のアナウンスのみと言うことで多少の不安がありましたがこの日はたまたま日本の団体が一緒でガイドさんが通訳してくれたので何の問題もありませんでした。

ケアラクア湾は最高でした。
とにかく海が綺麗で７歳と４歳の子供達も一番楽しかったと言ってます。
あまり海が得意でない夫もとっても楽しんでました。
滑り台は結構な高さがあり、小さい子には不向きですが上の子はチャレンジしてました。私もやりましたが・・・・
若い男子がガンガンすべってました。
お昼のハンバーガーもおいしくて船もあまり揺れず、よかったです。
残念ながらイルカには会えなかったけど次もまた絶対行きます。お勧めです。

I went with my 6-year-old and 4-year-old, and both of them enjoyed floating in the sea. The activities were enjoyable for the kids as well. We were the only Japanese people there, but it wasn't a problem at all. Grandpa just watched, but the boat was large enough to provide shade, so waiting was comfortable.

６歳と４歳の子供連れでしたが、二人とも海でぷかぷか。
子供にも楽しめる内容でした。
日本人は私達だけですが、特に問題はなかったです。
ジージは見ているだけなのですが、船が大きいので日陰があり
待つのも安心でした。

We were looking forward to our first adventure in Hawaii... an official Luau. It was a lot of fun and we enjoyed the history of the story telling. However, one downside was that we were instructed and confirmed to go to one hotel and when we arrived early to check in were told there was no show there that night... after going through channels we were told to go to another hotel and we checked in without issue. The evening was pleasant, we met other families and enjoyed the fun. The food was good but nothing too special but the atmosphere was pleasant, the breeze warm and the mai tai's cold! We enjoyed the experience overall.

My first time on the Big Island. It's a tropical island just a half-hour flight from Oahu. I was amazed by the island that looked like it was covered in chocolate from the airplane. Once there, it was all about relaxing and taking it easy. The marina with the Zodiac tour was a continuous source of excitement for someone like me who loves machines and mechanics. I was captivated by the moving lathes and milling machines in the repair shop. A round of applause for the behind-the-scenes workers at the resort. The American workers in their uniforms looked cool too.

Now, the rafting on the boat was a blast, zooming over the waves with a cheerful captain and staff. It was simply fun. Not only did we speed along, but we were also gentle with the dolphins and whales we spotted in the waves. The staff mentioned that it's rare to see whales so close. (The timing was so perfect, it felt like they were kept in the Zodiac.) The snorkeling was incredible, probably due to the clear waters around the lava coast. The bay had little current, making it enjoyable for both kids and adults. On the way back, there was no time to get seasick as we sped back. Thank you for a wonderful day. Mahalo.

初めてのハワイ島。オアフ島より半時間ほどのフライトでつくトロピカルな島。飛行機から見るチョコレートを流したような島にびっくり。過ごせば、のんびり、ゆったり。このツアーのソディアックのあるマリーナは、機械、メカが大好きな小生には、感激の連続。旋盤、フライス盤の動いている修理工場に見入った。リゾートの裏方に拍手。作業服のアメリカ人もカッコイイ。さて、ボートでのラフティングは、陽気なキャプテン、スタッフとともに、バンバン波の上をブッ飛ばす。アーア楽しいの一言。飛ばすだけでなく、波に見えるイルカ、クジラには優しく。クジラがこんな身近で見られるのは、スタッフも珍しいとのこと。（ソディアックで飼っているいるのかと思われるようなタイミングのよさ）シュノーケルも溶岩の海岸のためか、海の透明度がすごい。湾の流れも少なく、子どもも大人も楽しめる。帰りのボートも船酔いする暇もなく、すっ飛ばす。楽しい一日をありがとう。マハロ

I saw a manta ray for the first time in Hawaii. I heard that the chances of seeing one are close to 100%. Since I had my child with me, I was relieved that we were able to see it. However, the briefing on the boat before diving was quite long, and my wife and child started to feel sick, so I think the briefing should be shorter. That said, I was surprised at how close it came, almost touching my legs. I think seeing a manta ray is worth it, but maybe just once?

　初めてのハワイでマンタを見ました。見ることができる確率は１００％に近いと聞いていま。子供がいたので、見ることができホッとしました。ただ、潜るまでのレクチャーが、船上で長く行われたため、ワイフと子供が気持ちが悪いと言い出したので、船上レクチャーは短めにしたほうがいいと思いました。それにしても足に触るぐらいまで近くに来たのでビックリ。マンタは一度でいいかな？でも見る価値はあると思います。

I participated with my husband and son. I had done rafting in a river before, but I had never done it in the ocean, so I was excited to see what it would be like. Since it was my first time going to the meeting point, I was a bit anxious, but I was able to find it right away as directed. The captain only spoke English, but we received detailed printed information in advance, so I didn't have any issues. However, I thought it would have been more fun if I understood the language better.

When we set off, I thought it was a rafting and snorkeling tour, but we encountered a whale once and dolphins two times. It was very exciting since I hadn't expected it. The dolphins jumped while spinning their bodies several times. They were very playful. Seeing a whale in person was also a first-time experience for me, and it was very moving. We enjoyed rafting both to and from the location, and we had plenty of time for snorkeling, about an hour and a half, with lots of fish around. It's rare to find a tour that offers such experiences. I think the cost performance is good as well. I highly recommend it.

However, the boat stops at certain points, and the waves can make you feel a bit nauseous. It moves quickly, so it's okay, but since you spend five hours on the boat or in the sea, if you're worried, it's a good idea to take motion sickness medication. The sun is also strong, and there is nothing to block it, so I think it's best to prepare well for that before participating.

夫と息子と私の３人で参加しました。川でのラフティングはしたことがありましたが、海ではしたことがなく、どんなのかわくわくして参加しました。現地集合で初めて行くところなので不安がありましたが、案内されたとおりで、すぐにみつけることができました。キャプテンは英語しか話せませんが、事前に詳しいプリントといただけるので、困ることはありませんでした。でも言葉が分かれば、もっと楽しいだろうなと思いました。出発するとラフティングとシュノーケルのツアーと思って参加したのですが、クジラ１回といるか２回に出会えました。期待していなっただけにとても盛り上がりました。いるかは、何度もくるくる体を回転させながらジャンプしていました。サービス精神満点のいるかでした。くじらも生で見るのは初めての経験で、とても感動しました。ラフティングも行きと帰りに楽しみ、シュノーケルもたっぷり１時間半ぐらい時間があり、魚もいっぱいでした。これだけ体験できるツアーはなかなかないです。コストパフォーマンスもいいと思います。お勧めです。ただポイントでボートが停まってくれるのですが、波でゆれ気分が悪くなることもありました。すぐに動くので大丈夫ですが、５時間はずっとボートか海の上で過ごすので、心配な方は酔い止めを飲んでおくと安心です。日差しも強く遮ってくれるものもないので、対策は、しっかりして参加するといいと思います。

This was a very unique experience for us. We felt in very good hands with our guides, considering we were in the open Ocean! Everyone was very friendly, and were quick to point out a pod of dolphins and their new baby! Totally awesome!

Wonderful experience! Felt a bit rushed with having our dinner. Not enough bath room breaks, especially after having a cup of coffee after star gazing and then having a two hour drive back to our hotels, made for a very uncomfortable ride home.

We participated as a family of three. The car was full. The staff who provided the transportation was very good at talking, and we enjoyed ourselves during the ride. The miso soup in the bento during the break was delicious. It seemed that the conditions on the day we participated were good, and the temperature was a bit high. Still, it was quite cold at night without winter clothing. After getting off near the summit, we walked a little more to reach the top's cairn. It was my first summit!!! The altimeter indeed showed over 4000 meters. During the stargazing, we descended a bit to avoid disturbing the observatory. Since the moon was not out at that time, we were able to fully enjoy the starry sky. After living for several decades, I was able to see the Milky Way and my first shooting star with my own eyes.

家族３人で参加。車は満席でした。送迎スタッフはとても話が上手な方で、車中でも楽しませていただきました。途中休憩のお弁当のお味噌汁が美味しかったです。参加した日は好条件だったようで少し気温が高めだったようです。それでも防寒着なしで夜の寒さは厳しいですね。山頂近くで下車してから残り少し歩いて頂上のケルンへ。初登頂！！！。高度計は確かに４０００ｍ以上を示していました。星空観察時には天文台の邪魔にならないよう少し下山。月もでていない時間帯だったこともあり、星空を堪能することができました。○十年生きていて、初天の川と初流れ星を目で見ることができました。

Cahuilla Ranch is about an hour's drive from the airport. It's located about 11 miles up a mountain road. The elevation is quite high, so it feels cool, and we ride horses in a line across the spacious ranch. My mother was a complete beginner this time, but she seemed to enjoy it very much. We were able to ride comfortably in the clear air. Since we ride for a long time, it's a good idea to apply sunscreen!

　カフア牧場は空港で車で飛ばせば１時間くらいのところでした。
マウンテンロードを１１マイル登ったところでしょうか。
結構標高が高いのか涼しく、広い牧場を一列になって乗馬します。
今回母が全くの初心者でしたが、とても楽しめたようです。
澄んだ空気の中、気持ちよく乗馬できました。
長時間乗るので、日焼け止めを塗った方が良いでしょう！

We participated with our children who are in the second and third grades. Although we couldn't communicate in Japanese, we managed just fine. Thanks to taking motion sickness medication before boarding, we didn't get seasick and arrived at the snorkeling spot. When they asked for our fin sizes, it was hard to communicate in centimeters, so I recommend checking the sizes in inches beforehand. They also provided floaties and other floating devices. The cheeseburger for lunch was delicious.

On the way back, we were accompanied by a lot of dolphins, and they were even right under the boat, which really impressed the kids. As parents, we felt like kids again and enjoyed jumping into the sea from the boat's slide, taking our time to relax.

We were quite tired, so we ended up taking a nap at the hotel in the afternoon. I think it's better not to schedule anything after that.

小学2年と3年の子供と家族で参加しました。日本語は通じないけれど、なんとかなりました。酔い止めの薬を飲んで乗船したおかげか、船酔いもせずにシュノーケルスポットにつきました。フィンのサイズを聞かれたときに、ｃｍでは通じないので、インチのサイズを調べておくといいと思います。浮き輪も浮き具もあります。ランチのチーズバーガーも美味しかったです。
帰りにイルカがたくさん併走してくれて、船の真下にもいたので子供たちはとっても感動していました。親も、子供にかえった気分で船の滑り台から海に飛び込んで、のんびりと満喫しました。
結構疲れたのか、午後はホテルで昼寝をするくらいだったので、その後には予定をいれないほうがいいと思います。

I knew that the moon would be nearly full during my vacation, but I was disappointed with the stargazing results. A new moon would have been best, and I regret not considering the moonrise time.

Japanese people love moon viewing, so the moon I saw from the summit of Mauna Kea was wonderful. At the same time, the observatories floating in the evening scenery were beautiful.

I don't think there was much concern about altitude sickness, but as regular trail runners, we got a bit carried away and quickly became out of breath while running up the mountain path (laughs).

Mauna Kea looks close, but it's a distant mountain that requires someone to take you there. It was a great experience. If I have the chance to go again, I want to experience a sky full of stars, where the stars alone are bright, and see shooting stars continuously. It was comparable to the starry sky in Tokyo...

まず休暇の日程ありで仕方なく月はほぼ満月なのは知っていましたが星空はがっかりな結果になりました。新月なのがベストですが、月の出時間も検討していけばよかったと反省です。
お月見は日本人は好きですからマウナケアの頂上で見た月はすばらしかった。同時に夕景に浮かぶ天文台群も美しい。

高山病の心配はほとんどないと思うのですが普段トレランをする私たちが調子に乗って頂上への山道を走ったらあっという間に息が上がりました（笑）

マウナケアは近くに見えても遠い山で連れてきてもらわなければいけません。いい経験をしました。もし次回があったら満天の星、星だけで明るいという経験、流れ続ける星なんていうのを経験したいもんです。東京での星空なみでしたから。。

When I first boarded the Zodiac rubber boat, I was a bit shaky and squealed, but gradually I started to feel exhilarated no matter how fast we went or how much we bounced. I knew I couldn't keep my hat on, but even the hood of my rash guard came off.

We jumped into the deep blue sea, far from land. The water was crystal clear up to my feet, but beyond that, it turned a deep navy blue. I wondered just how deep it was. The water felt so soothing that when I relaxed, my body floated effortlessly. It was an incredible sense of liberation.

Snorkeling around the Captain Cook Monument was also fantastic. It felt like being thrown into a tropical fish tank. However, for us Japanese, it might have been a bit too long. Watching families from Russia and the mainland continue to jump in and have fun made me wonder how much longer we would be there. (Sorry if I seem a bit out of sync.)

The captain kept speaking in English, but I couldn't see his face and the wind made it hard to understand. It wasn't a problem, though. I thought it might be fun to understand and respond like a native, but I don't really do that even in Japanese.

Towards the end, we encountered a pod of dolphins. They seemed so free. I was very satisfied.

Despite being careful about sunburn, my thighs and knees (from sitting) ended up getting sunburned bright red. For those who will participate in the future, wearing a long dress that is easy to put on and take off over your swimsuit might be safer. If you're concerned about getting tanned, this activity might not be for you.

ゴムボートのゾディアック号に最初乗った時は少々揺れてもキャーキャーしていましたがだんだんスピードがどんなに出ても飛び跳ねても爽快に感じるようになりました。帽子はかぶっていられないことはわかっていましたがラッシュガードのフードも脱げてしまいます。

陸地から遠く離れ海のど真ん中でただただ碧い海に飛び込みました。足もとまでくっきり透き通って見えるのにその先は濃紺、いったいどれほどの深さなのでしょう。とろりと感じるぐらいの水、脱力すると簡単に体は浮きます。ものすごい解放感。


キャプテンクック記念碑の周りでのスノーケリングもすばらしかった。まるで熱帯魚の水槽の中に放り込まれたようでした。でも我々日本人には冗長すぎる時間かもしれません。いつまでもはしゃいで飛び込んだりし続けるロシアやメインランドからの家族を船の上から見ながらいつまでここにいるのかなと思うようになります。（ノリが悪いのかすみません）

キャプテンがしゃべりつづけてる英語は顔も見ていないし風にも吹かれているしまるで理解できませんね~。それで困ることはありません。理解できてネイティブ並みに反応できたら楽しいかとも思いますが（もともと日本語でもそういう乗り突っ込みはしないですからね）

最後のころにイルカの群れに会えました。自由を感じるイルカたちでした。大満足でしたね。

日焼けに気をつけていたにもかかわらず腿がひざが（座っているから）真っ赤に火傷してしまいました。これから参加される方は水着の上に簡単に脱ぎ着できるなが~いワンピを着て参加すると安全かもしれません。美白を気にする人は参加無理です。