All Reviews for Top Big Island Sights & Attractions

My husband and I had a great time in the tour. We were picked up on time and the guide made the trip to the summit entertaining and we learned many different things about Hawaii during that time.
The sunset at the summit is breathtaking and our guide was prepared to take pictures that he later shared with all of us!
It got cold after the sunset…. so be ready. The hot chocolate while stargazing was a very nice addition!

The stargazing tour allowed me to see so many stars with the naked eye that it felt like stardust was falling from the sky. The quality was extremely high, and I was very satisfied. (The photo was taken with my smartphone, so I could see about ten times more stars with my eyes.)

Additionally, the guide's explanations during the journey were clear and entertaining, providing quality entertainment throughout the day. (I was lucky that the bus I happened to be on was exclusively for Japanese guests, so I was able to receive the English tour in Japanese.)

Next time, I would love to join a tour of the recommended spots by the guide.

If I have the opportunity to come back to the Big Island, I would like to participate in the tour again. Thank you very much.

星空ツアーは星屑が空から降ってくるように感じるほどたくさんの星を肉眼で見ることができ、非常にクオリティが高く大満足でした。(写真はスマホで撮ったものなので肉眼では10倍くらい星が見えています。)

また、道中のガイドさんの案内がわかりやすく、かつ面白く1日を通して良質なエンターテイメントを提供していただきました。
(たまたま私の乗車したバスが日本人客のみのバスだったため本来英語のツアーを日本語で対応いただけたのはラッキーでした)

次回はぜひガイドのお兄さんのオススメスポットツアーがあれば参加したいくらいです。笑

またハワイ島に来る機会があればツアーに参加させていただきたいです。
ありがとうございました。

I don't think too many people know about this, but it is an excellent experience. Our driver was a Waipio local who drove us down into the valley - a sacred place in Hawaiian culture - and showed us the beauty, the self-sufficient culture, and the hydroponics. We also got to see horses extremely up close on the way back (this is not guaranteed though). Most of all, I appreciated the commitment to preserving nature and living in harmony with it. Do go and check it out!

The best decision on Big Island
I enjoyed every moment of the ride with K who has so much knowledge about Waipio being from the valley
100% recommend

We loved the Waipio valley tour and our guide was awesome! He grew up and lives in the valley and we learned so much! We are glad we did the tour down into the valley instead of just visiting the lookout.

I was a bit disappointed because I thought more manta rays would gather in the light, but there were only a few. Next time, I want to see dolphins.

マンタが、もっと光に集まってくるかと思い数匹だったのでちょっとガッカリでした。
じかいは、イルカちゃんをみたいです。

We sailed south along the west coast of the Big Island to the Captain Cook landing site. While listening to explanations about the history of the Big Island, we were able to see the magnificent overall view of the island from the sea, which was quite enjoyable. Dinner was a set menu, including cocktails and soft drinks. When requesting a vegetarian meal at the time of reservation, we were served Thai curry. For appetizers, we had a green salad with strawberries, and for dessert, there was a wonderfully sweet chocolate tart cake. Hot coffee (Kona coffee) was also provided. After turning back at the Captain Cook landing site, we headed towards the departing port while witnessing the sunset offshore. Along the way, a family of dolphins came close, which was exciting even though it was for a short time. We also observed small fish, resembling flying fish, actively jumping around. Onboard, there was a live guitar performance, and we had a great time singing along to classic hits that any American would know. Depending on the weather, the boat might sway a bit, so those who are prone to seasickness might want to bring motion sickness medication.

ハワイ島西海岸沿いの沖合をキャプテンクック上陸点まで南下。ハワイ島の歴史に関する説明を聞きながら、西海岸沖の海上から雄大なハワイ島の全体像を見ることができ、これだけでもかなり楽しめます。夕食はセットメニューで、カクテルやソフトドリンクがついています。ベジタリアンミールを希望するときは予約時に選択すると、タイカレーが提供されました。前菜としてイチゴの入ったグリーンサラダ、デザートにはめいっぱい甘いチョコレートタルトケーキがでました。ホットコーヒー（コナコーヒー）も提供してくれます。キャプテンクック上陸点で折り返し、沖合でサンセットを見届けると出発した港に向けて航路を向けますが、途中でイルカの家族が近くまで来てくれて、短い時間でしたが盛り上がりました。アジサシ？のような小さな飛び魚のような魚が盛んに飛びながらおよいでいるのも観察できました。船上ではギターのライブ演奏があり、アメリカ人ならだれでも知っている往年のヒット曲で大いに盛り上がりました。天候によっては多少揺れると思いますので、船に弱い人は酔い止めを持って行った方がよいかもしれません。

I thought it was a long tour for the content, but once I participated, I understood the various measures against altitude sickness. I was able to experience an unexpectedly moving world. The stargazing event was also enjoyable. I forgot to give a tip to the driver! I'm sorry. I'll do it next time I come.

内容の割に長いツアーだな、と思いながら参加しました。
参加してみると、いろいろな高山病対策に納得。
予想外の感動的な世界を体験できました。
星空観察会も楽しかったです。
ドライバーさんにチップを渡すのを忘れてた！　ごめんなさい。また来た時に。

The guide in Japanese was easy to understand and wonderful. The content of the guide was clear and enjoyable. I also learned about the history of Hawaii.

日本語でのガイドが分かりやすく素晴らしかった。
ガイド内容も分かりやすく、楽しかったです。
ハワイの歴史も教えてもらえました。

It was a great experience where we could enjoy both the sunset and stargazing on one tour, and the driver's explanations and service were attentive.

一つのツアーでサンセットとスターゲイジングができ、ドライバーの方の説明や対応が細やかで、良い体験ができました。

The sunset and the starry sky were amazing.
I was very surprised by the cold weather, which was unexpected for Hawaii.
The Subaru Telescope at an altitude of 4,000 meters was impressive.

サンセットと満天の星空は最高でした。
ハワイとは思えない寒さで大変驚きました。
標高4,000Mの山頂にあるスバル天体望遠鏡は感動しました。

James who was the tour guide was very nice and thoughtful in providing anything we needed and gave a very informative details about Mauna Kea and the surrounding areas. He was also very helpful in pointing out specific constellations during the star gazing tour. He offered and took pictures of us with our phones. I really enjoyed the tour and highly recommend anyone who comes to The Big Island of Hawaii to take this tour and hopefully James will be assigned as your tour guide.

The sunset from the summit of Mauna Kea was exceptional!
We were able to observe a starry sky so clear that we could see the Milky Way!
Thanks to the attentive Japanese guide during the journey and the observation, we had a wonderful time.

マウナケア山頂からのサンセットは、格別でした！
星空観測も天の川が見える程の満天の星空を観測できました！
道中や観測中の際も、丁寧な日本語ガイドのお陰で、とても楽しむことができました。

Had an incredible time. Our guide was local and new everyone in the valley. HE sang to us, played music and really showed us the best views. Highly recommend.

I was surprised to see manta rays so close. I saw several of them, and their graceful movements as they surfaced and spun around to eat were beautiful and magical. It felt like I was in a dream world, and I could have watched them forever.

The encounter rate with manta rays seems to vary by day, so I was lucky. This is my best memory from the Big Island.

I was comfortable since I was used to swimming and snorkeling, but for those who aren't confident in their stamina, it might be challenging after about 30 minutes.

マンタをこんな近くで見れるんだとびっくりでした。何匹も見れたし、何回も浮上してすぐそばで回転して餌を食べる姿は綺麗で幻想的。なんか夢の国にいるようでずっと見ていたかったぐらい。
　マンタの遭遇率は、日によるらしいので、ラッキーでした。ハワイ島で一番の思い出です。
　泳ぎとスノーケルで慣れていたので快適でしたが、体力に自信のないと30分ぐらいでしたが、大変かもしれません。

The last time it was canceled due to a hurricane, so this was my second attempt. I watched the sunset for about 20 minutes before it started, and it was truly beautiful with clear air and almost no clouds. At one moment, I even saw the green flash.

For stargazing, I booked on a day as close to the new moon as possible, so I was able to see the Milky Way, and with the telescope set up by the guide, I could observe Saturn and even Jupiter along with its moons. Although the number of visible constellations is limited by the season, I was surprised to see all 12 zodiac signs with the naked eye.

Moreover, the guide's vast knowledge, covering everything from the origins of constellations to information from various observatories around the world, was impressive. It was truly a satisfying experience, blessed with good weather and a knowledgeable guide.

前回はハリケーンでキャンセルとなり、２度目のトライでした。
サンセットの20分くらい前からずーっと見ていましたが、澄んだ空気の中、雲もほとんどなく、本当に美しいサンセットでした。瞬間的にはグリーンフラッシュも見えたほどです。
星空観測も、出来るだけ新月に近い日を選んで予約したので、天の川はもちろん、ガイドさんがセットして下さった望遠鏡では土星、そして木星は周りの衛星まで確認することが出来ました。また、季節的に数は限られるものの、12星座を肉眼で見られたのも驚きです。
そして、それらを説明して下さったガイドさんの膨大な知識量は、各国の天文台から星座の由来、成り立ちまで幅広くて驚きました。
天候とガイドさんに恵まれた、本当に満足出来る体験でした。

We traveled entirely by car, so my elderly parents (70 and 66 years old) were able to participate with peace of mind! The starry sky was beautifully visible, and the explanations in Japanese were very clear and made for a really enjoyable time. The cocoa in the cold was delicious too ❤︎ I was worried about the high altitude, but thanks to the acclimatization at the Onizuka Center, we were able to complete the entire program without any issues. Thank you so much for this valuable experience! I would love to participate again when my children are older and can join us!

移動は全て車なので、高齢の両親(70歳、66歳)も安心して参加させていただきました！
星空は綺麗に見える上に、日本語での説明もしていただいて、すごくわかりやすく楽しい時間になりました。寒い中のココアも美味しかったです❤︎
標高が高いので心配でしたが、オニヅカセンターでの慣らしもあり、無事に全工程を過ごせました。
貴重な体験を本当にありがとうございました！子供が大きくなって、一緒に行けるようになったらまた参加したいです！

This was my second helicopter tour, but it was my first time sitting next to the pilot. The view was wide and I highly recommend it. You can see down very well, so this tour offered great views of the waterfalls and canyons. I think 50 minutes is just the right length.

The pilot was very kind and cheerful. He seemed to be a former military pilot, so his skills were definitely impressive. All the staff were also very friendly. There are many wonderful views on the Big Island that you can't see from a car or land, so I think taking a helicopter tour to see them from the sky is a great experience. I've heard that during periods of volcanic eruptions, reservations fill up quickly and it's hard to get a spot. Definitely give it a try!

ヘリコプターツアーは二度目でしたが、パイロット横の席は初めてでした。視界が広くおすすめです。下の方までよく見えるので、このツアーは滝や渓谷がよく見えました。50分は適当な長さだと思います。
パイロットの方はとても優しくて陽気でした。元軍のパイロットだったらしく、腕は間違いないです。スタッフの皆さんもとても親切でした。ハワイ島は車や陸からでは見られない素晴らしい景色が沢山あるのでヘリコプターツアーで空から見るのは良い経験だと思います。火山が噴火してる期間は予約がいっぱいで取れないとか。是非試して見て下さい。

This was such an amazing experience. I felt like I was on another planet and our guide James was such an awesome guy. I’m hoping to experience this again in the future soon

It was fun. Nice weather.
Food was disappointing. Chairs were not comfortable. Entertainment was great.

I chose a day that seemed to have good weather in advance and made a reservation, so I was able to see the best sunset and starry sky. I prepared for the cold, but the guide was very kind, so I wasn't cold at all. The sandwiches that were served along the way were tastier than I expected. The stories about constellations, the observatory, and when Mauna Loa erupted were very interesting. The guide was very gentlemanly and friendly, which was great. Thank you.

事前に天気の良さそうな日を選んで予約したので、最高の夕日と星空が見えました。
寒さ対策をしていきましたが、ガイドの方がとても優しくしてくださったので、全く寒くありませんでした。
途中出てくるサンドイッチは思った以上においしかった。
星座の話や観測所の話マウナロアが噴火したときの話はとても面白かった。ガイドの方はとても紳士的で友好的でとても良かったありがとう。

My daughter enjoyed herself. The attendants were extremely helpful and knowledgeable. She had a great time and the dolphins were awesome.

We got on the van and descended into Waipi'o Valley. At the entrance of the steep slope, the guide offered a prayer before we entered the valley.

There are breathtaking views that are not visible from the observation deck.

I was moved by the guide's love for their hometown.

I think it would be better to do a little research beforehand.

バンに乗って
ワイピオ渓谷の中に降りて行きます
急斜面の入り口で
ガイドさんが祈りを捧げてから
渓谷に入りました

展望台からは見えない
最高の景色が広かっています

ガイドさんの地元愛に
感動しました

事前に少し勉強して行くと
より良いかと思います

My two friends and teenage son went on this sunset sail and had an absolutely beautiful time. The sunset colors were stunning, and dolphins played along the bow of the boat as we were underway. It was magical! Crew was great. Drinks were yummy. It was a great thing to do on our last night in Hawaii. Highly recommend.

The location is a 15-minute walk from Ocean Tower, and it takes about 15 minutes by tram as well. Check-in for general seating is on a first-come, first-served basis starting at 16:45, so we lined up at 16:00 and were the first ones there. Premium seats are prioritized in the front, while general seating is in the back blocks. The show runs roughly until 20:30, and at the end, everyone can take photos. The meat at the buffet was delicious. Additionally, the American couple at the neighboring table kindly struck up a conversation with us, which made for a very enjoyable experience.

場所はオーシャンタワーから徒歩15分、トラムに乗車でも15分くらいかかります。先着順16:45チェックイン(一般席)との事で、16：00に並んで1番乗りでした。席はプレミアムシートは優先的に前側、一般席はそれよりも後ろのブロックになります。ざっくり20：30までショーがあり、最後には写真撮影も各自出来ます。ビュッフェの肉が美味しかったです。また、私たちはとなりの席のアメリカのご夫婦が優しく話しかけてくれ、とても楽しい気分でした。

We had an outstanding tour with Forest. He was incredibly knowledgeable about this amazing valley. The entire experience was well worth the cost!

The best part is the guide took excellent pictures of everyone with the sunset and stars.

Very knowledgeable and answered all questions. Was very considerate and made sure all were ok during the trip.

Setup the telescope very well - we could see the rings of Saturn very clearly.

Great fun and experience. The crew were exceptional. They were very professional and knowledgeable.

Our guide, Koki, did a fabulous job with the Sunset photos for each of us at the summit and also a great job getting everyone's photo with the stars. He was an excellent driver and went slowly on the bumpy gravel part of the drive.

Because Koki's Japanese dialect is not something most English speaking people understand, he needs to speak more slowly and distinctly. I had a great deal of trouble understanding him - seems like I could only catch 4 out of every 10 words, and that is not something I expected on this tour. Granted, out of the 10 people, there were 2 Japanese men and Koki spent a lot of time on the way home speaking only to them in Japanese.

So, I had very mixed feelings about this tour. I come to Hawaii at least a couple times a year and I would definitely ask more questions about the guide and his speaking and understanding ability before I take my nest tour.

This was our third time on the Hani Olani catamaran, sunset cruise with our cousins. Each time has been a great experience. It’s great being barefoot on the deck of the catamaran makes serve drinks and food. The crew are always really nice and accommodating making us feel comfortable and treating us like royalty. It’s so beautiful to be out at sea and watch the sunset. It’s such a great surrounding. We highly recommend this excursion and most likely will do it again when we come back to the Big Island