All Reviews for Top Big Island Sights & Attractions

This tour is wonderful. Waipio Valley is an incredible place, and the tour guide (who grew up in the Valley and lives there still) was phenomenal.

Pickup at the parking lot behind IGM.
The tour was conducted with just seven Japanese participants. We then met up with a couple at the Onizuka Center. The lively conversation led by Stephan, who grew up at Yokota Air Base in Japan and is known as "Suu-san," included fun chats, preparations for the tour, and important points to note, and before we knew it, we arrived at Onizuka S. We took a break to acclimatize to the altitude. Although the weather forecast looked questionable, we were hopeful since it was reported that the sunset at the summit of Mauna Kea was visible yesterday despite the clouds.
As sunset approached, the weather turned ominous, and we waited in the car, but a snowstorm hit, leading to a recommendation from the ranger to descend. Along the way, we saw several broken-down vehicles, but with Stephan's never-give-up spirit (laughs), we stopped at a stargazing point to wait for a break in the clouds.
We observed Saturn and M87 through a telephoto lens, and with a DSLR, we captured images of Orion while enjoying sandwiches and cocoa.
We took photos of couples in the dark, and there was so much to enjoy. We headed back, hoping to see the sunset next time.
I felt lucky to enjoy the tour without language barriers since it was exclusively for Japanese participants.
I've already seen the sunrise, so next time I want to complete the sunset experience.
Thank you, Stephan!

IGMの裏手駐車場にてピックアップ。
日本人のみの7人で催行。さらにオニヅカセンターでカップル2人と合流。スーさんこと日本の横田基地育ちのステファンの軽快な日本語によるたのしいおしゃべり、ツアーに向けての心構え、注意点なども含めてのトークでオニヅカSまではアッという間に到着。高度順応も兼ねての休憩。天気予報は怪しかったが山頂に雲がかかっていた昨日もマウナケア山頂でのサンセットは見られたということで、期待して山頂へと向かう。
日没が近づくにつれ、雲行きが怪しくなり車内で待機したものの吹雪となり、レンジャーによる下山勧告。途中、何台かの故障車を観ながら移動、ステファンのネバギブ精神(笑）で途中の星空観測ポイントで晴れ間を待つ。
晴れ間からの土星、M87を望遠レンズで、オリオン座など目視、一眼レフでの撮影をしながらのサンドイッチとココアでの食事。
暗闇の中のカップルの撮影、、、いろいろ盛りだくさんあって、とてもたのしめました。今度は是非、夕日を見られたらと思いつつ帰路につきました。
日本人のみの催行で言葉に気兼ねなく楽しめてラッキーでした。
サンライズはクリア済なので次回はサンセットをコンプリートしたいです。
ステファン　ありがとう！

I saw manta rays swimming at the bottom about 3-4 times, but they didn't come as close as I had hoped. Since there was no shuttle service, I used Uber for the round trip, but I was worried if they would come to the dark port after the tour. The public restrooms are also unavailable at night, so I struggled to change. It's expected, but once the tour is over, the staff are indifferent. For those participating, make sure to prepare in advance!

底の方を泳ぐマンタを３－４回見ましたが、期待したほど近くには来ませんでした。送迎なしだったのでUberタクシーで往復しましたが、ツアー後の暗い港に来てもらえるか不安でした。公共トイレも夜は使えないので、着替えにも苦労しました。当たり前ですか、ツアー終わればスタッフは無関心。参加される方は事前準備を怠りなく！

I ask others to go with me, and get...
'is it a big helicopter? must be stable'
'need a seat in the middle up front or I'll barf'
'doors off, are you nutz?'
Don't let them ruin it for you. Small copter with doors off is the full woohooo. The ride is smooth and stable enough. The view out the open door is wondrous. Accept nothing less. Watch a video in the comfort of your couch or get the whole experience.

What a great excursion. Yes, we saw whales!! Very friendly, accommodating, and organized crew. Captain Mike a true professional with a sense of humor-thank you. Very convenient beach boarding in A-Bay (Waikoloa Resort), which for us was so nice not having to drive down the coast. Cheers

Stay at King Kam so this evening was an easy evening on grounds. Show was really great, food was good too

great evening swimming with these giant gorgeous creatures, we got lucky with the abundance who came around to play!

We had the most AMAZING time ziplining!! It was a little rainy/misty but that didn't take away from the experience at all! The crew was informative, funny and put our safety as their number one priority.

Our guide lived here and shared some stories and was extremely knowledgeable. We encountered wild horses. Before entering, pray and be respectful. Thank you for showing us this beautiful sacred land

The cruise ship was luxurious, and the snacks were as advertised. The restrooms were relatively clean and spacious. I was impressed by the blue ocean and vast sea right after departure! The view of the natural beauty of the Big Island from the ship was amazing!

It might have been a time of high waves, but the rocking was intense, comparable to a roller coaster, and there were many people feeling unwell on board. I kept looking at the sea to avoid getting seasick.

After more than an hour of intense rocking without spotting any whales, we turned around, and after two and a half hours, we got quite close to the departure point when we finally saw a whale in the distance. The two people who joined me were feeling too sick to see anything, so they accepted that they would have to rely on the video I took.

I personally don't get seasick, so I was fine, but it might not be recommended for those who do.

客船は豪華で、軽食も情報通りでした。
お手洗いも割とキレイですし、広めでした。
出発直後は青い海、広い海に感動しました！
船から見るハワイ島の大自然も最高でした！

波の高い時期だったのかもしれませんが、とにかく揺れがすごく絶叫マシーン並みで、船内に体調不良者続出で、もらい◯◯しないように海を見続けていました。

1時間以上激しい揺れの中進んでもクジラは見つからず、Uターンして出航して2時間半経ち、出発地点にかなり近くなってきたところで遠くにクジラが見えました。一緒に参加した2人は具合が悪過ぎて何も見られず私の撮った動画で見れたことにしよう、と納得した、と言う感じでした。

私は船酔いしないタイプなので大丈夫でしたが、船酔いする方にはあまりオススメではないかもしれません。

Good food, good show. They kept things moving with no waiting. Still expensive though.

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。