All Reviews for Top Big Island Sights & Attractions

The boat was comfortable, the captain was friendly and knowledgeable. We got a text in the morning saying that visibility was poor... and it was. We didn't see much. I don't feel like it was worth the price. Maybe a beverage, a snack or a little souvenir could have been included for the $50 we paid.

After a week in Hawaii, this one has proved to be the highlight of our trip. The boat ride was smooth and comfortable under the shade, especially later in the day. The captain and crew were so kind and helpful, one of the other passengers got seasick and they offered plenty of remedies (ginger candies‚ who knew). Shoutout to Jennifer and Bob who were great with the snorkeling and super knowledgeable about the fish and the area. If you are considering this tour do it!

[Reviewed by HawaiiActivities.com Staff]

We had a wonderful time! We were super lucky to see a lot of dolphins and whales. It was for sure a once in a lifetime adventure. The entire crew was awesome! Thank you so much!

It was much colder than I expected, and I couldn't stay in for even 30 minutes. But I was glad to see a lot of fish. I was also happy to see a whale.

思っていたよりとても寒くて３０分も入っていられませんでした。でもたくさん魚がみれて良かったです。クジラもみれて良かったです

We had done a tour of Waipio decades ago when it was a horse drawn wagon tour. The van tour we did this year was many times better than that one, and our guide was actually a resident of Waipio and gave a lot of insight into the area.

Wife and I attended the Luau on February 29th, which happens to be my wife's Birthday ( yes she is a leap year baby) The Hosts took time out to personally wish here happy Birthday and all attendees sang "happy Birthday to her. One of the Best birthday's she will have.

The guide had a wealth of knowledge and taught us about the Big Island, not just at Mauna Kea but also during the journey, which made it enjoyable throughout! It was unusually cold in March!

ガイドさんが色々な知識を持っていらっしゃって、マウナケアではもちろん移動中もハワイ島のことを教えてくださり、終始楽しかったです！3月異常に寒かったです！

They guide you through the nature and attractions of Hilo while taking you to a spot where you can see the starry sky at Mauna Kea. We visited many more points than what was mentioned in the tour details, and the guide was very clear and enjoyable, making the time fly by.

ヒロエリアの自然や見どころをガイドしながら、マウナケアの星空の見えるところに連れて行ってくれます。ツアー内容に書かれているより沢山のポイントに行き、ガイドもとてもわかりやすく楽しいのであっという間でした。

虹を見ることができなかったのは残念でしたが、子供たちはツアーを楽しんでいました。

It was a shame that we didn't see a rainbow, but the kids loved the tour.

We loved everything about this tour! The boat was comfortable and clean and there was plenty of room for our gear. The food was excellent. My husband and I are omnivores, but we thoroughly enjoyed the vegan lunch and breakfast! The snorkeling was so much fun and we were fortunate enough to have perfect weather. We brought our own snorkel equipment and fins, but the boat was equipped with all of that plus life vests, pool noodles, inner tubes, sun screen and anti fog spray for masks. Last, but most importantly, the crew was amazing. Everyone was so caring and helpful and made sure we felt comfortable and safe in the water and out. We will be sure to book with Fair Wind Cruises again when we travel to the Big Island.

We very were honored to be in the presence of such a beautiful and sacred place. The discussion of Waipi’o history and culture from someone who was raised in the valley was a special experience. Thank you for your hospitality!

While it may be a lack of research on my part, I would like to see a review of the tour promotion that prominently features nighttime photos of volcanic craters. It would be helpful to clearly inform participants that this is a tour where you generally won't see magma erupting from the volcano. Although it seems there is a note mentioning this, it only states that "it may not be visible," which gives the impression that it's a minor possibility. However, upon arriving at the site, it becomes clear that the chance of actually seeing it is quite rare and would be considered very lucky.

下調べ不足といえばそこまでだが、夜間の火山火口の写真を前面に出したツアー募集は見直して欲しい。基本的には火山からマグマが出るなんて見れないツアーということは通知しておいて欲しい。注意書きにその旨を書いているようだが、注意書きだけ見ると「見れない場合がある」程度の表記だか、現地に来ると「見れたら相当にラッキー」という確率の話。

I chose this place because I wanted to try something different from horseback riding last time. We rode for about two hours. The scenery was absolutely amazing, and the view of the ocean from the high ground was wonderful. Our guide, Maika, was very kind even though we couldn't speak English well. The horses were also very well-trained, allowing us to enjoy horseback riding with peace of mind. I'm grateful for that. I want to go again. Thank you. Aloha.

前回、乗馬と違う場所でしたくてこちらを選びました。2時間ぐらいかけて乗馬しました。景色がとても最高で高台から見える海も眺めれて素晴らしかったです。
ガイドのマイカは、私達が英語を話せなくても、とても優しかったです。
馬もすごく教育されていて安心して乗馬を楽しむことができました。感謝です。
また行きたいです。ありがとうございます。Aloha

We participated as a couple aged 64 and 57. Since it was a trip in February, we boarded the boat with high hopes of definitely encountering whales. It was about a two-hour cruise where we witnessed spouts and large breaths up close. I was a bit disappointed because I thought we would see larger whales closer. The boat was rocking, so we didn't eat any snacks. I'm glad we had this valuable experience.

64歳と57歳の夫婦で参加しました。
２月の旅行だったので鯨に確実に遭遇できるだろうと期待に胸を膨らませて乗船。
潮吹きや大きな息遣いも目の当たりにした約2時間のクルーズでした。
もっと大きな鯨が近くで見られると思っていたので少し残念ではありました。
船が揺れるので軽食は食べませんでした。
貴重な経験ができて良かったです。

I participated because it said that horseback riding can be experienced from the age of 8. Even children can enjoy horseback riding, and they are very happy. Thank you! A cute dog also welcomes you! ❤️

8歳から乗馬が体験できると言う事で参加しました。子供でも楽しく乗馬が体験できて、大喜びです。ありがとうございましたかわいい犬もお出迎えしてくれますよ❤️

On my first trip to the Big Island, I was looking forward to the Mauna Kea summit sunset and stargazing. I knew it would be a full moon when I planned the trip, so my expectations were more focused on the sunset than the stars, and it did not disappoint—it was a breathtaking view. Our Japanese guide provided thorough explanations, making the drive to the summit enjoyable. Additionally, I appreciated being dropped off at the hotel instead of the designated drop-off point. The BLT sandwich for dinner was also very delicious.

初めてのハワイ島で、楽しみにしていたマウナケア山頂サンセット&星空観測。旅行を計画した時から満月なのはわかっていたので、星空よりサンセットへの期待が膨らんでいましたが、期待通りの絶景でした。日系のガイドさんが丁寧に色々説明していただき、山頂への車中も飽きることなく過ごせました。また、帰りは指定の降車場所でなくホテルまで送っていただき、ありがとうございました。夕食のBLTサンドもとても美味しくいただきました。

We are so happy that we took this tour! It was one of our favorite days of the vacation. Our tour guide, Omar, was very friendly and knowledgeable. We learned a lot about Hawaiian culture and the history of the valley itself. It was beautiful.

Fun,educational tour for the entire family. Thank you Omar for a great trip

The purpose of going to the Big Island was to visit the summit of Mauna Kea, but I joined a tour based on the information that it would be better. The English-speaking guide was very kind and friendly, making it a fun experience. The weather was great, and I was able to encounter truly beautiful sights. I am grateful for the wonderful sunset. Regarding the starry sky, it was a full moon that day, so if there hadn't been a moon, we might have seen an even more amazing starry sky. However, the guide showed us the moon's surface through a telescope that clearly captured the craters, provided us with photos of the moon, and gave detailed explanations, allowing us to have a great time. Mauna Kea truly became a wonderful memory.

ハワイ島に行く目的はマウナケア山頂行くことが目的でしたが、ツアーに参加するほうが良いという情報で参加しました。イングリッシュガイドでしたが、
大変親切で、フレンドリーなガイドさんで楽しかったです。天候もよく、本当に良い光景にも巡り合うことができました。素晴らしいサンセットに感謝します。星空については、当日は満月でしたので、もし、月がなけれもっと素晴らしい星空が望めたかもしれません。しかし、ガイドさんが月のクレーターがばっちり写っている望遠鏡で月面を見せてくれたり、月の写真を提供いただいたり、詳しい説明をいただいたいたりして、よい時間を過ごせました。本当に良い思い出になるマウナケアでした。

I am 64 years old. I participated because I wanted to see manta rays. The sunset was beautiful and wonderful. However, diving from the boat took courage. Swimming from there to the manta spot was tough, and I had to be pulled by the staff member. It was difficult to float while holding onto the frame and breathing through the snorkel, so I started to observe from the center of the floating frame, which was enough for me. I wonder if I was the only one who felt exhausted. I hope that the enjoyment of watching (which lasted about 20 to 30 minutes) could be a bit easier from the start. I was lucky that I could lie on the frame, which allowed me to use both hands freely for filming, but it was a bit tough until I settled down.

64歳です。見たかったマンタなので参加しました。
夕陽も美しく素晴らしかったです。でも、船からのダイブは勇気がいりました。そこからマンタスポットまで泳いでの移動もしんどくてスタッフのお兄さんに引っ張ってもらいました。両手で枠につかまりながらシュノーケルで息をしながら浮いて見ているのが辛かったので途中から浮き枠に乗って枠の中央から観察させてもらいましたが、それで十分でした。しんどさを感じたのは私だけなのでしょうか。観る楽しさ(20〜30分だったのでしょうか)も、最初からもう少し楽に楽しめたらいいなと思います。私は枠に腹ばいで乗れたおかげで両手が自由に使えて撮影も余裕でできたのでラッキーでしたが、落ち着くまではちょっとしんどかったです。

I participated alone, but I was able to enjoy the experience of encouraging Boe (the horse's name) to graze and giving a little kick to speed up, all while feeling a sense of tension until the end. I was very happy to have this dream-like first experience of riding a horse through the great outdoors in my mid-60s.

1人での参加でしたが、草を喰むBoe(馬の名前)を促すことや腹を蹴っての少しの早足も緊張感と共に最後まで楽しく体験できました。60代半ばで大自然の中を馬に乗って闊歩するという憧れのような初体験ができたことがとても嬉しかったです。

This is my second time participating. The kids really wanted to go, so we chose the morning snorkeling. With breakfast and lunch included, we had a great time for two and a half hours. Thank you!

今回は２度目の参加となります。子供達が絶対に行きたいと希望したので朝からのシューノーケルにしました。朝食と昼食が付いて2時間半、たっぷりと楽しめました。ありがとうございます

For us it was a true Luau. Not just a Hawaiian show. From weaving headbands to teaching hula dancing. The show was very personable with audience interaction. Food was very good, brought out to the table instead of a buffet bar. It was an all day affair for us. Went to Waimea Falls first and spent some time there and then to the Luau. MC was great. Highly recommend. We stayed on the North Shore so it was very convenient!

I knew that the tour date was not suitable for stargazing due to the seasonal factors and being a few days after the full moon, but I had made my decision to participate after the travel date was set, so I was prepared for that. On the day of the tour, our guide was Stefan, who grew up in Japan, and he provided a fun experience. According to the guide, the moon's influence was not a problem since it was already a few days past the full moon and the moon would rise after the tour ended, but he was concerned about the clouds. I wished for no clouds in the sky, but unfortunately, my worries came true. However, there was just enough of a gap to see the sunset.

I understood that due to the timing, it was more likely that we wouldn't see the stars, but I was really looking forward to it, so it was truly disappointing.

For cold weather preparation, I wore: on top, a tank top + short-sleeve Heattech + a slightly thicker long-sleeve T-shirt + a light down jacket + a scarf around my neck; on the bottom, Heattech leggings + warm windproof pants with a boa lining (I also wore a long skirt that I had on from the start). I put on the warm clothing I brought with me at the Onizuka Visitor Center. It was a windless day at the summit, but it was still cold, and I borrowed a jacket from the guide. The jacket I borrowed was really warm and a great help. I also appreciated the warm cocoa service. My friend brought a hot pack, which was helpful too. I wished I had brought gloves. I recommend bringing gloves that allow you to touch your phone screen (like those without fingertips).

However, the restroom situation was a bit challenging. The guide advised us to use the facilities at the Onizuka Visitor Center, saying there were portable toilets at the summit, but they weren't clean. I made sure to go before the tour, but I tend to need the restroom frequently, and the cold made it worse. I was also told to drink water frequently to avoid altitude sickness, so I couldn't avoid hydration. I remember there were about four portable toilets at the summit, but when I peeked in because I couldn't hold it anymore, they were too dirty to use. So, the off-road return trip was really tough (laughs). This seemed to be a common occurrence, as the guide mentioned on the way back that it was hard to hold it on the off-road path. By the way, the restrooms at the Onizuka Visitor Center are flush toilets, so you can use them with peace of mind. However, since there were participants from other tour companies and the overall number of people was large, there was a long line for the women's restroom.

It was very disappointing not to see the beautiful sunset or the starry sky, but it was truly a valuable experience to reach a height higher than Mount Fuji, and the guide was a veteran, which was reassuring. I hope to join another tour with this company someday and see the sunset and the starry sky next time.

ツアー申込日が季節的なことと満月の数日後のため、星空ツアーに適していないことはわかっていたのですが、旅行日が決定した後に参加を決めたので、覚悟はしていました。当日のガイドさんは日本育ちのステファンさんで、楽しく案内してくださいました。ガイドさん曰く、月の影響については既に満月より数日過ぎていて、月が昇るのがツアーが終わった後の時間であるため問題はないこと、しかし雲が心配とのこと。どうか雲が空にかかっていませんように、とその願いも虚しく、心配が的中してしまいました。しかし、かろうじて隙間があり、そこから夕焼けは見ることができました。

時期的な問題もあったので、無理かもしれない可能性の方が高かいことは承知していたものの、もしかして。。。と、星空をとても楽しみにしていたので、本当に残念でした。

寒さ対策としては、上：タンクトップ＋半袖ヒートテック＋少々厚手の長Tシャツ＋ライトダウンジャケット＋ストールを首に巻く、下：ヒートテックのレギンス＋暖かいボア裏地付きの風を通さないタイプのズボン（最初からはいていた長いスカートもそのまま着ていました）で挑みました。オニヅカ・ビジターセンターで手荷物で持ってきた防寒着を着込みました。山頂でも風が全くない日でしたが、さすがに山頂は寒く、ガイドさんにジャケットをお借りしました。お借りしたジャケットが本当に暖かく、助かりました。温かいココアのサービスも嬉しかったです。友達が持ってきてくれたホッカイロも助かりました。手袋を持っていけばよかったなぁと思いました。携帯の画面が触れるような（指先がないタイプとか）手袋があったら持って行くことをお勧めします

ただ、トイレ事情がちょっと大変でした。ガイドさんからは、オニヅカビジターセンターで行っておいてくださいね、山頂にも簡易トイレがあるけど綺麗じゃないので。と案内があったので、ちゃんと行っておいたのですが、元々トイレに行く頻度が多い私も、寒いのせいで更にトイレが近くなります。そして、高山病にならないように、お水をちびちび頻繁に飲むようにと言われていたので、水分を取らないということもできませんでした。山頂の簡易トイレは４つほどあったように記憶していますが、トイレが我慢できそうになくて、使ってみようかと覗いてみたところ、汚くてどうしても使えませんでした。だから帰りのオフロードが本当に辛かった（笑）それはお馴染みの出来事のようで、ガイドさんも帰り道、オフロードの道がトイレ我慢してると辛いよね〜って話してました。ちなみに、オニヅカビジターセンターのトイレは水洗なので安心して使えます。しかし他のツアー会社の参加者もいますし、全体に人数が多いのもあって、女性トイレは長い列ができていました。

綺麗な夕陽も星空も見れなかったことは大変残念でしたが、富士山より高いところまで行けたことは本当に貴重な体験でしたし、ガイドさんもベテランの方で安心できました。いつか、またこちらの会社のツアーに参加して、次こそは夕陽と星空を見たいと思います。

It was great experience. We have don’t this tour many times. Saw lots of whales. Crew was friendly and helpful and informative. It was fun and enjoyed every minute.

We were very lucky to sail on a lovely evening with lots of whales surrounding us and they were quite active. The crew were great, we enjoyed the snacks and drinks. It was just about perfect, loved the boat, could have stayed out on the water for hours if allowed. Definitely will do again and recommend this cruise.

I was moved to see a starry sky like a planetarium! If possible, I strongly recommend going around the new moon when there is less light in the sky.

プラネタリウムみたいな星空が見れて感動しました！！
日程調整が可能であれば、空に明かりが少ない新月周辺で行くことを強くお勧めします。

We got a great morning, very clear skies and gorgeous views of the volc nat park!

Beautiful caves to explore on the Kona cliffsides!

Awesome to get to see the volcano from above to understand it much different then walking through