All Reviews for Top Big Island Sights & Attractions

This was an amazing excursion for our family! We have visited Hawaii several times, but this was our first horseback riding experience. It definitely did NOT disappoint! The guides were patient and helpful throughout the trip. They gave a detailed safety briefing and Jaime took time with my younger daughter to practice a few commands so she would feel more comfortable. The views during our ride were beautiful and breathtaking at times! We had a great time at the waterfall as well. There was plenty of time to swim, play in the waterfall, kayak and use the paddle boards. They also had life jackets if needed. I could go on forever about how much we loved this trip! I highly recommend it for anyone who is looking for a fun way to see the beauty of this island.

The guide was very kind, and it was a fun time! The talk and the photography were full of enthusiasm and it was really great. The cocoa made under the starry sky was very delicious and warming! The bento wasn't very tasty, though > < (I'm sorry...)

ガイドの方がとても親切で楽しいひと時でした！
トークも撮影もサービス精神旺盛でとてもよかったです。
星空の下で作ってくださったココアがとてもおいしくて温まりました！
お弁当はあまりおいしくなかったです＞＜（すみません…）

This was a great experience for the entire family. Our two girls did not have any riding experience and were really nervous. The guides gave a very detailed safety briefing and made sure the girls were comfortable before the trip started. The guides were always close by to help them guide the horses when needed. The scenery on the entire trip was the most beautiful I have seen since being on the island. The stop at the waterfall was incredible. We had plenty of time to enjoy the paddle boards, kayaks and swim under the waterfall. This experience was the highlight of our trip and I highly recommend to those considering it. I recommend wearing pants if you have them.

I was really impressed when the manta rays turned right in front of me multiple times!

I wonder if it would have been even more fun to swim with them, but since it was night, the chances of getting lost increase, so it might be difficult?

But it was so much fun! I highly recommend it, so if you come to Hawaii, definitely check it out!!

マンタが目の前で何度もターンをしてくれてすごく感動しました！

一緒に泳げるともっと楽しかったのかなぁと思いましたが、夜なので遭難になる確率があがるから難しいのかな？

でも、すごく楽しかったです！オススメなので、ハワイに来た際はぜひ！！

I had a great time riding horses and crossing the river while enjoying nature. The horses were so cute! It might be a good idea to bring insect repellent!

馬に乗って川を渡ったり、自然を満喫出来て楽しかったです。
馬がとても可愛かった〜
虫除けを持っていくといいかも！

You can explore the sights of Kailua-Kona while experiencing a Segway tour, which offers a delightful two-in-one experience. It was a very unique adventure, as we passed through the bustling streets, visited the oldest church in Hawaii, and zipped through the remnants of a runway. It was also great that this activity could be enjoyed in the evening. We had a fulfilling time stopping by the beach and watching the sunset. The president who accompanied us captured our experience on video, creating a wonderful montage. They also took plenty of photos, making for great memories.

カイルアコナの名所をセグウェイ体験しながら回れるので、
一石二鳥の面白さがある。
繁華街を通り抜けながらハワイ州で一番古い教会を見学したり、
滑走路跡地を駆け抜けたりと、とてもユニークな体験になった。
夕方から体験できるアクティビティなのも良かった。
ビーチに寄ったり、夕日を見たりと、結構充実している。
体験している様子を同行していてる社長さんが撮影してくれていて、
見事な動画に仕上げてくれた。
写真もいっぱい撮っていてくれて、いい思い出になりました。

This time, we were blessed with good weather, and the sunset and stargazing from above the clouds were wonderful. I was captivated by the gradient of colors changing from yellow to deep red, forgetting the passage of time. During stargazing, I was able to see the North Star, the Southern Cross, the Milky Way, and several shooting stars, which reminded me of the starry skies at Yokote Mountain where I used to stay during my student days. Although I had a view of about 180 degrees, this time it was a full 360 degrees☆☆☆☆☆. The guide's explanations of the constellations were easy to understand, and thanks to that, I was able to grasp how to observe constellations, which I found confusing in elementary school science. I had no idea that Scorpio was so large. I'm thrilled that I've now been able to identify constellations beyond just the Big Dipper.

今回は、天候にも恵まれ雲上からの夕陽と星座観測が素晴らしかったです
夕日は暫し、時間の経過も忘れ唯々その黄色から深紅に変わりゆくグラデーションに見とれていました。
星座観測では、北極星・南十字星・天の川に加え、複数の流れ星も見ることができて、久しぶりに学生時代に居候していた横手山の星空を思い出しました。せいぜ１８０度位の視界でしたが、今回は３６０度☆☆☆☆☆に☆彡三昧でした。ガイドさんの星座の解説も判りやすく、小学校の理科ではチンプンカンプンだった星座の見方もお陰様で分かるようになりました。さそり座があんなに大きかったなんて知りませんでした。これからは、北斗七星以外にも自分で見つけられる星座ができたことはうれしい限りです。

This is quite an old post, but... I wanted to do some stargazing, so I signed up for this tour in December! I already knew it had snowed while I was in Japan, and when I received a call before the pickup time, I was informed that "due to the snowfall at the summit of Mauna Kea, stargazing might not be possible." I appreciated the advance notice, as it allowed me to prepare mentally.

On the day of the tour, there were quite a few clouds, and it seemed like the weather was going to be a challenge for deciding where to watch the sunset. However, our guide worked really hard, checking the cloud conditions and exchanging information with other guides, and we were able to move around and successfully view the sunset! We also got some wonderful photos taken!

The guide made sure to use the digital cameras and DSLRs that participants had to capture the best shots. Before stargazing, we had some time for shopping, exploring wild plants, and enjoying a lunch break. The warmth of the miso soup was comforting in the cold! At such a high altitude, the air felt different from what you would expect in Hawaii.

Then it was time for stargazing... or so we thought, but unfortunately, there had been snowfall near the summit, and the road was closed, so we couldn't go to the top. It was really disappointing, but the stars were beautiful even from the mid-level area where we waited! Since we couldn't do the stargazing, we also received a partial refund.

However, thanks to our unique and entertaining guide who worked hard throughout the tour, I had a very enjoyable time! If I get the chance again, I would love to try for a second time! Thank you so much to the guide who put in so much effort from start to finish!

かなり前の投稿になってしまいますが…
星空観察がしたくて、12月にこちらのツアーに申し込みました！
雪が降ったことは日本にいるときに既に知っており、
ピックアップ時間前にお電話を頂いた時も「マウナケア山頂の積雪によってもしかすると星空観測ができないかもしれない」という連絡を頂いていました。
事前連絡を頂けて、心の準備ができたので有難かったです。
当日は少し雲が多めで、サンセットの場所をどうするかがかなりの悩ましいお天気だったようです。
でも、すごく頑張ってガイドさんが雲の様子を見ながらほかのガイドさんとの情報交換を続けてくれて、あちこちと動いてくれて無事にサンセットを見学！！
素敵な写真も撮っていただきました！！
参加者が持っているデジカメや一眼レフも、ちゃんと使いこなしてベストな写真を残してくださいます。
星空観測の前に時間があって、ショッピングや野草の見学、お弁当タイムも。
寒さにお味噌汁の温かさがしみるぅぅ！
標高が高いので、ハワイとは思えないような空気を感じます。
そしていざ、星空観察…！！
の予定でしたが、あいにく頂上付近からしばらく積雪があり、道路はクローズになっていて頂上には行けませんでした…。
本当に残念でしたが、待機していた中腹部分でも星はきれいでした！
そして、星空観察ができなかった為、一部返金もしていただきました。
でも、個性的な面白いガイドさんが終始頑張ってくれたおかげで、とても楽しい時間を過ごすことができました！
また機会があるなら、リベンジしたいです！
せっかくのツアー時間だからと、最初から最後まですごく頑張ってくださったガイドさん、本当にありがとうございました^^

This was the most anticipated activity of our honeymoon. It was incredibly fun and an unforgettable tour that exceeded our expectations! Our guide, Daisuke, had a special connection with the dolphins and truly knew them better than anyone else…! He was so enthusiastic that he even bent the captain's instructions to let us try again, shining with joy more than any other participant that day (laughs). However, that enthusiasm made us participants very happy, and I believe we had a truly valuable experience! There were quite a number of dolphins, and I will never forget the view the moment I put my face in the water! All the other staff members were friendly and wonderful people! I was able to spend a lovely time with the other participants. Thank you so much! If I can visit the Big Island again, I would definitely love to participate again!!

今回の新婚旅行で、一番の楽しみにしていたアクティビティでした。
期待通り、というか期待を大きく上回ってとっても楽しくて忘れられないツアーでした！
ガイドのだいすけさん、イルカと通じ合っていてそして誰よりも一番イルカを知っているすごいお方…！
船長の指示を折り曲げてもう1回トライさせてくれちゃうくらい、その日のツアー参加者より誰よりも楽しんでおられるキラキラした方でした(笑)
でも、そんなお気持ちが私たち参加者には嬉しくて、とても貴重な体験ができたと思います！
かなりの数のイルカがいてくれた時だったそうで、海面に顔を入れた瞬間のあの景色はずっと忘れません！
ほかのスタッフさんもみなさんフレンドリーで素敵な方々ばかりでした！
一緒に参加した方々と一緒になって素敵な時間を過ごせました。
本当にありがとうございました！
またハワイ島を訪れることができたら、ぜひまた参加したいです！！

I was worried because it was cloudy on the day, but by night it cleared up, and I was able to see the starry sky, which was my main goal! The guide was knowledgeable about cameras and taught us how to take great photos of the night sky.

当日曇っていたので不安だったのですが、夜になったら晴れ、一番の目的だった満天の星空を見ることができました！ガイドさんがカメラに詳しく、星空を上手に撮る方法を教えてくださいました。

I participated in a two-and-a-half-hour morning course. There were a total of four participants, including us and a foreign family. The guide spoke only in English, but spoke slowly and clearly, so there were no particular difficulties. The horses were well-trained and even did canter. The weather was great, and I thoroughly enjoyed horseback riding in the beautiful scenery, which was very healing.

午前の部の2時間半のコースに参加。参加者は私たちと外国人親子の計4名でした。ガイドは英語のみですがゆっくりと分かり易く話してくれるので特に不自由はありません。馬はよく調教されており、駈歩までしてくれます。天気も良く最高の景色の中で大いに乗馬を楽しみ癒されました。

The guides where friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. The area was gorgeous, pictures do not do it justice. The horses knew what they were doing so it was simple for all levels of riding. I highly recommend anyone on the Big Island to make the trip to tour Waipio Valley!

I have experienced Segway tours in other countries, but I was interested in the 2-hour sunset tour and participated with my spouse. It was so much fun! Since we would be riding in narrow places and on public roads, we first received gentle and thorough instructions from Nana indoors before setting off. The tour, led by President Alan and Nana, took us around temples and the former airport site. I thought two hours might be a bit long, but it ended in no time. It was a packed tour that allowed us to enjoy the fun of riding a Segway while also learning about the history of the Big Island. Plus, we had the bonus of the sunset. Additionally, Alan edited and sent us videos he took during the tour, which became a wonderful memory. Mahalo! The hospitality was top-notch. I would love to participate again. Thank you, Nana and Alan!

セグウェイは他国のツアーで経験してますが、2時間のサンセットツアーに興味を持ち夫婦で参加。楽しかったあ。狭い場所や公道を走るとの事で、まず室内でナナさんに優しく丁寧な手ほどきを受け出発。社長のアランさんとナナさんの先導で寺院や空港跡地等をめぐるツアー。2時間は少し長いかなと思いましたがあっという間に終了。セグウェイに乗る楽しさと共にハワイ島の歴史にも触れられるてんこ盛りツアー。サンセットのおまけ付き。また、ツアー中にアラン社長が撮影した動画を編集して送って頂き、これは何よりもいい思い出となりました。Mahalo! ホスピタリティー最高。また参加したいと思います。ナナさん、アランさん。有難う御座いました！

Had a relaxing and fun day with the Kahua Ranch horseback group! Went with my husband and two teenage sons. My youngest son has high functioning Autism and was given a gentle sweet horse. The ranch is beautiful and has many types of terrain to ride across. The ranch is a working ranch with cattle and cows with calves. There are also sheep spread around the property. The guides are knowledgeable and fun and support the guests with instruction and help throughout the ride. This is a gentle relaxing ride for all skill levels. I would recommend this excursion for folks wanting a calm relaxing ride threw the pastures of Big Island! (The cows get all the best views on Big Island!)

We were a group of three guys with almost no riding experience. They did a great job of making sure we knew what we were doing and the horses were good.

Riding horses was fun but my favorite thing about that activity was the stop at the waterfalls. Very safe lake to swim in and they even let you use canoes which was a great addition.

Mylie and Jamie made sure we were comfortable on our horses, given our varying degrees of riding experience. Each horse was perfectly matched to us! I even shared a name with my horse! As we rode through the beautiful rain forest area, Mylie and Jamie shared information about the flora and history of the area. Both grew up in the area and are so knowledgable.

At the waterfall, there were toilets and a changing room. Jamie got out kayaks and paddleboards for those who wanted them, but the pool was also fabulous for swimming. I swam and sat behind the waterfall, listening to the water cascade over me! Brilliant. So much fun!

On the ride back we stopped for a photo op. and learned more about the area.

Though this is a new tour and outfit, they are connected with a well-established outfit and have the expertise you look for in a horseback excursion! Fabulous afternoon!

It is hard to know which cruise to book--well this is the one I would go with each time! The crew were knowledgable and respectful! As we came into the bay, their were a pod of spinner dolphins; we kept a respectful distance but we all got to take photos. Then when we pulled into anchor and snorkel, they made sure we knew to keep our distance from where the dolphins were swimming, since the dolphins come to the bay to rest it is even more important for people to give them their space--so impressed with the crew.

The snorkeling was beautiful. The coral was amazing and at many different levels with sooo many different species of fish!! Fabulous!

Love waterfalls? Love rain forests? Love riding horses (or have always wanted to try)? Want to learn more about the plants and animals and history of the area? Then this tour is the one for you!
We were hoping to go on the horseback ride through the Waipi'o Valley; however, it was booked. We think it was our lucky day. We have no doubt the Waipi'o Valley ride would have been wonderful, but on our tour--we got to swim in a waterfall! The two tour leaders, Jamie and Mylie, made sure we were each comfortable on our horse given our varying riding abilities. We rode for about 45 minutes as the guides told us about the plants we were seeing and a bit about the history of the area. It was wonderful dialogue. When we arrived at the waterfalls, there was a restroom and changing room. Jamie and Mylie got out kayaks and paddle boards for those who wanted it, but I just wanted to swim--it was wonderful. The two falls were strong, but I swam up along the side and behind it to sit behind it, watching the water pour down! We then had a photo op. on our horses with the falls in the background. We had a wonderful ride back--Jamie and Mylie were a wealth of information, kindness, and support! Fabulous day--my daughter's favorite of our 2 week vacation!

My cousin and I did the horseback ride to the waterfall adventure on 6/18/19 and had so much fun. I was really nervous to ride a horse because I have not done so since I was a child, however, the guide (I believe his name was Jamie), made me feel really comfortable and answered all of my questions. This was by far the best horseback riding experience I have had. The guide was very friendly and knowledgeable about the local plants and Hawaiian history. I would definitely recommend this experience to anyone!

We tried it with three people aged 68, 60, and 47. At first, we were nervous, but after sliding down twice, we started to feel more relaxed. The price is a bit on the higher side, but it might be fun.

68歳60歳47歳の３人でトライしてきました。
最初はドキドキでしたが、２本も滑れば‥余裕が出て来ます。
料金的には少し高めですが‥楽しいかも‥

The stargazing and sunset were beyond my expectations. I had heard it would be cold, but the warm clothing kept me comfortable, and I was able to enjoy the sunset at the summit of Mauna Kea. The bento we had along the way was delightful, featuring white rice, fried white fish, and teriyaki chicken, along with some vegetables! The taro or sweet potato was delicious. And the miso soup was a bit salty for me!

After the sunset, the stargazing was amazing. Our guide, MASA, showed us Jupiter through the telescope, and the second guide (Yona-mitchi?!) explained the stars very well! I was surprised to see the Southern Cross. I was a bit disappointed that I couldn't find out my own constellation.

Thank you for ensuring I didn't get altitude sickness and for bringing me back safely.

思っていた以上の星空とサンセットでした。寒いとは聞いて今したが、防寒具がとても暖かくマウナケアの山頂でも楽しんでサンセットを見ることができました。途中のお弁当も、久々に白いゴハンに白身のさかなのフライにチキンの照り焼きのような…と、お野菜！私は、タロ芋なのかお芋がサツマイモのようでおいしかったです。あと、お味噌汁！若干しょっぱかったかな！私には。
サンセットの後の星空観測は、ガイドのMASAさんが天体望遠鏡で木星を見せていただき２台目のガイドさん(よなみっちさん？！)が、星空の説明をしていただき良く分かりました！南十字星が見れたのがびっくりでした。私の星座も知りたかったのが、少し残念でした。

高山病にもならず無事に帰って来れてありがとうございました。

By far one of the highlights of our trip ,If you love nature and a good adventure this is the most magical and stunning place well worth it , the views are just breathtaking ,Jennifer is so amazing thanks a lot for the amazing experience it truly was magical 100% RECOMMENDED

I had a great time with a full two hours of horseback riding, which included a few thrilling moments (due to the horse's state of mind). The two female guides were charming and reliable. The only downside was the cleanliness of the shuttle car that took us to the riding area in the valley.

2時間たっぷりの乗馬時間で、少しハラハラするようなハプニング(馬の精神状態)もあり、とても楽しかったです。
ガイドの女性２人もチャーミングで頼りがいあり。
マイナス点は渓谷下の馬場へ送迎するシャトルカーの清潔度くらい。

I gathered at the port, which is about a 10-minute drive from the hotel in Kona! There were so few Japanese people that I felt a sense of relief in an environment where Japanese could be spoken.

At first, we had a hard time finding the dolphin spot and kept cruising around the Waikoloa area. Just when I started to worry, the boat stopped, and we entered the water!

When we dove in at the call of "Here they come!", a large number of dolphins swam towards us!!!! The dolphins, which I usually only see in the aquarium, swam towards us leisurely and happily.

They twirled around, jumped, and swam close together, and it was such a precious experience that was incredibly cute!!! Thank you, Lei and Aki, for sharing so many stories and for being such warm-hearted people. I had a wonderful time! Thank you very much!

コナのホテルから車で10分くらいの港に現地集合で行きました！探さないと日本人が見つからない位の少なさの中で、日本語が通じる環境に安心感、、^o^
最初はなかなかイルカのポイントが見つからず、ワイコロア周辺まで船で走り続け、心配になってきたところで船が止まり、海に入ります。！
来ましたよ〜！の声で海に潜ると、大量のイルカたちがこっちに向かってきました！！！！
普段は水族館のプールの中でしか見たことのないイルカたちが、のんびりと、楽しそうにこっちに向かって泳いできました。
くるくると回ったり、飛び跳ねたり、2頭で身体をくっつけて泳いだり、可愛くて可愛くて、とても貴重な体験をしました！！！
レイさん、アキさん、いろんな話を聞かせてもらい、とても柔らかい人柄で楽しく過ごせました。本当にありがとうございました！

Had an amazing time on this trail ride/waterfall swim!

The ride was lovely, perfect weather for both us and the horses, and the waterfall was beautiful! Very peaceful area, refreshing water, perfect way to cool off mid-ride! Our guide was wonderful! Not only did she get us to the waterfall before other groups, she taught us a bit about Hawaii and the nature on the trail, and best of all she clearly loves the horses and takes great care of them.

Great company, friendly and caring staff, wonderful experience. Highly recommend!

It was my first time riding in a helicopter, and I was very moved to see the Big Island from above. Since the pilot was not Japanese, it was a bit disappointing that there were many parts of the pilot's explanations that we couldn't understand, as we are not very good at English.

ヘリコプターに乗るのは初めてでしたがハワイ島を上空から観れてとても感動しました。日本人パイロットではなっかたので、英語があまり得意ではない私達はパイロットの説明が理解出来ない部分が多かったのが少し残念でした。

Not only did I get to see the full view of the Big Island, but I also felt the vibrant life of the island, as if I were watching a movie. The music added to the atmosphere and drew me in even more. It was wonderful how the pilot made sure that everyone could see well from either side. I would love to experience it again if I have the chance.

BIG islandの全貌がわかるだけでなく、島自体の生きている感じが脈々と伝わってきて、まさに映画を観ているようでした。
演出の音楽も気分を盛り上げ、さらに引き込まれました。
どちらのサイドに座ってもちゃんと見れるようにパイロットの細やかな配慮もステキでした。
機会があればまた体験したいです。

I participated in a 120-minute sunset tour. I was able to park my rental car in the parking lot behind Ali'i Sunset Plaza. It seems that parking is free for up to two hours.

When I entered the shop, I was warmly welcomed by the president (an American), the guide Nana (a Japanese), and Mama (an American). Since there were only the two of us participating, it turned out to be a private tour. The guide explained that the president would accompany us and take videos and photos for free!

I chose a helmet with a design I liked, practiced a bit, and then we set off! We visited not only the classic spots but also beautiful and unique places that weren't even in the guidebook. The guiding method involved going to the destination on a Segway, which was great because we weren't on the Segway the whole time, so it wasn't tiring.

Especially at Old Kona Airport, it was still spacious and felt like a runway, so we could ride the Segway freely! I couldn't help but shout like Hiroyuki Ariyoshi, "Riding the Segway feels great!"

I had plenty of time to ride the Segway, and it was wonderful to chat with the president and the guide. When we returned to the office, the president showed us the videos and photos he took. They were so beautifully captured that I couldn't believe they were taken with just one iPhone! Moreover, he said he would edit them even better and send them to us!

I think this will become the best memory! I'm glad I participated! Thank you!

120分のサンセットツアーに参加しました。
レンタカーは、アリイ・サンセットプラザの裏側の駐車場に止めれました。2時間以内は、フリーみたいです。
お店に入ると、社長さん（アメリカ人）とガイドのナナさん（日本人）とママさん（アメリカ人）が優しく迎えてくれました。参加したのは僕たち２人だけだったので貸切ツアーでした。ガイドさんから、社長さんが付き添って、動画や写真をフリーで撮ってくれると説明してもらいました！
自分の好きな柄のヘルメットを選んで、練習もそこそこで、早速出発！
定番の場所はもちろん、ガイドブックにも乗っていないきれいな場所や、珍しい場所へも行ってくれました。
ガイドの方法は、目的地までセグウェイで行って、ガイドしてくれる感じです。セグウェイに乗りっぱなしじゃないので疲れなくて良かったです。
特にオールドコナエアポートは、いまでも広くて、滑走路みたいになっているので、自由にセグウェイを乗りまくれました！
有吉弘行さんみたいに、「セグウェイ気持ちいい～」って叫んじゃいますねw
セグウェイの運転もたっぷり出来て、社長さんやガイドさんと楽しいおしゃべりも出来て最高でした。
事務所に戻ると社長さんが、撮った動画や写真を見せてくれました。
iPhone一台でこんなにプロ並み撮れるの？っていうぐらいキレイに撮れてました！
しかもさらに、もっとうまく編集して送ってくれるそうです！
最高の思い出になると思います！
参加して良かったです！
ありがとうございました！

Our tour had less light compared to other tours, and people around us mentioned that other places were gathering more plankton. I agree with that. We could only see the mantas from a distance at the neighboring tour, which lacked impact. Additionally, one of the participants was splashing their feet and making noise, which made it seem like the mantas didn't want to come closer. I wished the instructor had better control over the participants.

自分たちのツアーは、他のツアーに比べてライトの量が少なく他のところの方がプランクトンを集めているんじゃないかと周りの人が言ってました。私も同感です。となりのツアーのところに来ているマンタを遠くから見る事しか出来ず、迫力に欠けました。また、同じツアー参加者が、足をバタバタさせて騒ぐので、マンタも近づいてくれなかった様に感じます。インストラクターはもっと参加者をコントロールして欲しかったです。

I decided on this tour/adventure package because it’s something that really interests me. From the coffee, to the excellent bbq picnic, the solar view of the sun setting, and of course the stars! Todd was our guide and he was so professional and was beyond knowledgeable in each area of the tour. He made everyone feel comfortable and was very engaging. I would HIGHLY recommend this to anyone wishing to do something that feels laid back, but covers a lot of ground.