All Reviews for Snorkeling Cruises & Tours

I was able to swim with many dolphins. According to the guide, there are days when you can only see a few, so I think I was lucky. However, I believe it was thanks to the guide's efforts in finding the right spots to see the dolphins. It became a wonderful memory. Thank you very much.

沢山のイルカと泳ぐ事ができました。
ガイドさん曰く、数頭しか会えない日もあるとの事で、運が良かったのだと思います。
でも、イルカに会えるポイントをしっかり探して下さったお陰だと思います。
とても良い思い出になりました。有難うございます。

I had no experience with snorkeling, but I was taught how to swim. Additionally, the instructor pulled me along to where the dolphins were swimming. I'm really grateful for that.

シュノーケリングの経験も無かったのですが、泳ぎ方から教えてもらいました。また、インストラクターの方がイルカが泳いでいるところまで、引っ張って連れて泳いでくれました。本当に感謝です。

In the past, when I participated in a tour to swim with wild dolphins in Japan, they didn't come very close to me, but this time, dolphins came right in front of me!! Within about three minutes of departure, dolphins were swimming next to the boat. We quickly arrived at the pod and were able to swim with many dolphins. I was truly moved to see so many dolphins swimming right in front of me!! The guide also mentioned that we were lucky today, and we were able to enjoy snorkeling without moving around too much in the boat! At one point, Daisuke was swimming with the dolphins too, and he dove in so quickly, it was like he was a dolphin! I made sure to engrave the experience in my memory, but I later thought it would have been great to rent a GoPro to look back on it. The weather was also favorable, making it a wonderful memory. This tour allows you to arrive at the spot before other tour boats, so you can be the first to swim with the dolphins! Since it finishes in the morning, I was able to join the Mauna Kea tour in the afternoon, making for a fulfilling day. Next time, I want to participate again with a GoPro rental!

過去に一度日本で野生のイルカと泳ぐツアーに参加した時は、
あまり近づいてくれませんでしたが、今回は目の前にイルカがきてくれました！！
出発してから3分も経たないくらいで、ボート横にイルカが泳いでいました。
すぐに群れのところに到着し、たくさんのイルカと一緒に泳ぐことができました。目の前でたくさんのイルカが泳いでいるのを見れて、本当に感動しました！！
ガイドさんも今日はラッキーと仰っていましたが、あまりボートで移動することなく、シュノーケリングを楽しむことができました！
途中だいすけさんも一緒にイルカと泳いでいましたが、あっという間に潜っていてまるでイルカのようでした！
しっかり目に焼き付けましたが、後から見返せるようにGoProレンタルをすればよかったなと思いました。
天候にも恵まれ、良い思い出になりました。
このツアーでは、他のツアーの船が来る前に、ポイントに到着できるので、一番乗りでイルカと泳ぐことができるそうです！
午前中で終わるので、午後からはマウナケアツアーに参加でき、充実した1日になりました。
次回はGoProレンタルでまた参加したいです！

Since it was introduced on TV, I had been looking forward to meeting the manta rays. I had some concerns about whether I could participate on the day of the tour because I heard from other tour guides that the boat was broken, but the boat they arranged for us was a hand-me-down from the navy? It was cool! (The boat, that is!). It's a shame I didn't take any pictures.

The weather was decent on the day, and we were able to enjoy the sunset over the sea. Since it gets cold at night, I rented a wetsuit for $10. That was the right choice. I was able to enjoy myself without feeling cold. The guide adjusted the snorkeling gear to fit each individual and provided a proper explanation on how to wear it.

I felt great floating in the sea while watching the fantastic manta rays and fish. The guide kept encouraging the other participants to raise their legs to attract the manta rays, and he quickly noticed when my husband started feeling unwell and took care of him.

Because we were scattering bait in the water, in the end, two manta rays took turns opening their mouths and spinning around. They performed a somersault right in front of the kids, which was very exciting. It was just like what we saw on TV! On the way back, I definitely felt the cold. I'm glad I brought a bath towel. The warm cocoa after getting off the boat was very delicious. Thank you very much. Mahalo♪

Brett, Jason, thank you~★

テレビで紹介されて以来、マンタに会えることを楽しみにしていました。
他のツアーガイドさんからボートが故障していると聞いていたので当日まで参加できるのかという思いがありましたが、代わりに手配してくれたボートは海軍のお下がり？でした。かっこよかったです。（ボートが！）。写真を撮ってこなかったのが残念。

当日は天気もまずまず海からのサンセットも鑑賞できました。夜になると冷えるからということでウェットスーツ（10ドル）を借りました。正解でした。寒さを感じずに楽しめました。
シュノーケルセットは個人に合うようにガイドさんが調節してくれます。つけ方もきちんとレクチャーしてくれました。
私は海にプカプカ浮きながら幻想的なマンタや魚を見れてとても気持ちよかったです。

ガイドさんが、マンタが来やすいように足を上げてね～、と終始他の参加者に声をかけてくれたし、
途中夫が気分が悪くなったのもいち早く気づいていただき、対処をしてくれました。
海に撒き餌（？！）をする形となったせいか、最後はマンタ２枚がかわるがわる口を開けて回転してくれました。
子供の目の前で宙返りを見せてくれたので大興奮でした。ほんとにテレビで見た通りだったね！と。
帰りのボートはさすがに寒さを感じました。バスタオルを持って行って良かったです。
ボートを降りてからの暖かいココアがとても美味しかったです。
ありがとうございました。マハロ♪

ブレッド、ジェイソン、ありがとう～★

This was my first trip to the Big Island of Hawaii, and I participated in the much-talked-about night manta ray tour. I chose this particular tour among several options because the price included a wetsuit and was relatively reasonable, the boat ride to the snorkeling point was short, and there was a 7-day guarantee in case we didn't encounter any manta rays.

On the day of the tour, I went to the office to check in and then traveled to the boarding point, which was about a 5-minute drive away. There, I was able to rent a wetsuit and snorkeling gear. My husband borrowed prescription goggles. We set sail during sunset and quickly arrived at the snorkeling point. Aside from us, everyone else on the tour was from abroad, with about 30 participants in total. The instructions were given only in English, but it wasn't a problem at all. The staff members were very friendly and made the experience enjoyable.

The night ocean was incredibly mystical. Holding onto the floatation device and looking down, manta rays soon appeared. Over the course of about 50 minutes, 5 to 6 manta rays came by, showcasing their graceful movements. They were so adorable that I lost track of time, and everyone was super excited! My husband seemed ready to get out, but I wanted to keep watching forever. We returned to the dock in about 5 minutes, and I didn't feel the cold I had worried about at all. It was a thoroughly satisfying night.

今回初めてのハワイ島旅行、話題の夜のマンタツアーに参加しました。いくつかある同企画の中からこちらのツアーを選んだ理由は、ウェットスーツ込みの価格が比較的リーズナブルなこと、岸からポイントまでの乗船時間が短いこと、非遭遇時の7日間保証があることです。
当日、自分で事務所へ行き受付を済ませ、かなり離れた乗船ポイントまで行きます(車で5分)。そこでウェットスーツやシュノーケルセットを借りられます。主人は度付きのゴーグルを貸してもらいました。夕焼けの中、出航。すぐにポイントに到着。私達夫婦以外は全て外国の方。全部で30人位参加していました。説明は英語オンリーでしたが、特に困ることもありません。スタッフの方達はとてもフレンドリーで、楽しませてくれました。
夜の海はとても神秘的です。浮き具につかまり下を覗くと、すぐにマンタがやってきてくれました。50分程の間に5〜6頭やってきては、華麗な舞を披露してくれました。可愛くて、時間の経つのも忘れ、みんな大興奮‼︎ 主人はそろそろ上がりたかったみたいですが、私はいつまでもいつまでも見ていたかったです。帰りも5分程で船着場に到着。心配していた寒さも感じず、大満足の夜でした。

My 4-year-old son and my husband participated. My husband seemed to enjoy it more than my son. It was also nice that there were staff members who could speak a little Japanese.

4歳の息子と旦那が参加しました。
息子よりも旦那の方が楽しそうでした。
日本語を少し話せるスタッフが対応してくれたのも良かったです。

We participated as a family of three: my 7-year-old son, my 11-year-old son, and their father. The price was high, so their mother decided not to join... but since she could film from the observation area, it turned out to be better for her not to participate!

We started with a 15-minute lecture about dolphins at the learning center, and then we went to the pool. They provided life jackets and goggles. There were two families of three, making a total of six people in our group. There were a few times we had to wait, but overall, we spent about 30 minutes in the pool, which was longer than we expected, and the kids were satisfied.

Compared to snorkeling tours to see wild dolphins, I think the price is indeed high. We were able to take a lot of photos, but the cost for purchasing the data was $55 for two photos and $155 for all, which is quite expensive. However, I felt it was a good choice since I was scared to take small children out into the ocean.

7歳、11歳の息子と父親、３人で参加しました。
料金が高かったので、母は参加を断念…でも見学スペースから動画の撮影ができたので、記録係としてはかえって参加しなくてよかったです！

はじめにラーニングセンターで15分ほどイルカについてのレクチャーを受け、その後プールへ。
ライフジャケットとゴーグルは貸してもらえます。
3人家族×2組の6人が同じグループでした。
途中、待たされる時間などがちょくちょくありましたが、プールに入ってから帰ってくるまで30分くらいと思っていたより長く、子供達も満足していました。

野生のイルカを見るシュノーケリングツアーと比べるとやはり値段は高いなと思います。写真もたくさん撮ってもらえましたが、データ購入代は2枚で55ドル、全部購入で155ドルと、結構な高額です。
ただ小さな子供を沖に出すのは怖かったので、こちらを選んで良かったと思います。

I participated in a helicopter tour from Hilo 20 years ago. At that time, I got motion sickness and remember feeling pale when I got off the helicopter. So this time, I recommended my daughter take motion sickness medication before we joined. However, the helicopters nowadays don't shake at all! Or maybe this particular helicopter was just superior. In any case, it was incredibly comfortable. Our pilot was Mr. Mochizuki, who is Japanese. The amount of information we could understand compared to an English-speaking pilot was completely different! It seems that it's not always possible to have a Japanese-speaking pilot, but we were lucky. By the way, applying through Mr. Mochizuki's homepage seems to increase your chances. Mr. Mochizuki, who has lived in Hawaii for a long time, impressively conveys the true state of volcanic activity. The highlight was the Kohala Falls. It felt like I had become a drone myself... The scenery was truly indescribable. The grass and trees swayed in the wind created by the helicopter's propeller as we landed right next to the waterfall. The black and brown lava was not the only color; there was also the green of the Big Island. This tour certainly costs a lot. However, it is an experience that far exceeds its value, and I highly recommend it to everyone. Lastly, please prepare a tip for the pilot. You might think, "Isn't the tour price high enough without a tip?" But when you get off, you'll want to give one. Especially if the pilot, like Mr. Mochizuki, makes sure that all passengers can enjoy the wonderful views by circling around.

20年前にヒロからのヘリコプターツアーに参加したことがありました。そのときは乗り物酔いし、降りたときには真っ青になっていた記憶が…。だから、今回は、娘に酔い止め服用を勧め、いざ参加。ところが、いまのヘリコプターってまったく揺れないんですね！それとも今回のヘリコプターが優れているのかしら。とにかくものすごく快適です。そして、パイロットは日本人の望月さん。英語スピーカーの操縦士さんと比べると理解できる情報量が違う！日本語スピーカーのパイロットを希望しても、常にかなうわけではないようですが、私たちはラッキーでした。ちなみに、望月さんのホームページから申込むと確率アップのようです。ハワイ在住歴が長い望月さん、火山活動のほんとうの様子を伝えようとする真摯な姿が印象的です。極めつきはコハラの滝。自身がドローンになったよう…。ほんとうに筆舌尽くし難い情景でした。滝つぼのすぐそばに着陸する際のヘリのプロペラが巻き起こす風に揺さぶられる草木。溶岩の黒色、茶色だけではない緑色のハワイ島の姿。このツアー、確かに費用はかかります。が、その価値をはるかに上回る、ぜひみなさんに強烈にお勧めしたいツアーです。最後に、パイロットさんにお渡しするチップをご用意ください。こんなにツアー料金が高いのに、さらにチップ？と思うかもしれません。でも、降りるときはお渡ししたくなります。もしパイロットが、搭乗者全員が素晴らしい景色を満喫できるよう旋回を繰り返してくれる望月さんなら、なおさらです。

On the day of the tour, it seemed that the previous group had a hard time finding the dolphins and returned late. This meant that the tour was dedicated to ensuring we would meet the dolphins. In fact, our captain was determined to find them for us. About an hour after leaving the port, we spotted the dolphins! I could only do a flutter kick, but our guide, Aki, held my hand and encouraged me, saying, "Look down! Relax!" while we snorkeled. I was able to see a pod of dolphins up close! Of course, it’s different from seeing them in an aquarium! We continued to dive three more times while chasing the pod of dolphins. The captain made sure that all participants got to see and enjoy the dolphins. His dedication to ensuring everyone was satisfied was incredible! The only regret I have is that I participated without cash, so I couldn’t give a tip. I truly regret that. Thank you to Captain Noda and Aki, who guided me to see the dolphins! Aki is very knowledgeable about coffee. On the way back to the port, we stopped by a coffee shop, and the Kona coffee was truly delicious and not sour at all! This was also a wonderful experience from participating in the tour.

当日、前の時間帯のグループがイルカになかなか会えず戻ってくるのが遅れているようでした。…ということは、イルカに会えるまでがんばってくれるツアーということ。実際、私たちのグループにも船長が執念でイルカを探してくれました。港を出て一時間ほどで目指すイルカたちが！私はバタ足しか出来ません。が、ガイドのアキさんが手を引いてくれて、「下を見て！力を抜いて！」と激励されながら、シュノーケリング。しっかりとイルカの群れを見ました！当然ですが、水族館で見るのとは違います！その後もイルカの群れを追いかけながらさらに三回ほど潜水。参加者全員がしっかりとイルカに会い満喫するまで船を走らせてくれました。全員が満足を感じるようにという執念？がハンパじゃありません！心残りは、現金を持たずに参加したのでチップをお渡しできなかったこと。ほんとうにそれがめちゃくちゃ心残りです。船長の縄田さん、手を引いてイルカに会わせてくれたアキさん、ありがとうございました！アキさんは、コーヒーにめちゃくちゃ詳しいです。港に向かう途中でコーヒー屋さんに寄ってもらいましたが、ほんとうに美味しいコナのコーヒーは酸っぱくない！これもこのツアー参加の素敵な体験です。

This trip to Hawaii was a long-awaited three-generation family vacation. To fulfill my 9-year-old niece's wish to swim with dolphins, we decided to participate as a family. Our family tends to be more indoorsy, and with many of us not being able to swim, we were able to enjoy ourselves safely thanks to the kind and friendly Nao and the handsome and fun Rei, who provided us with constant support. The sea conditions were terrible, and participants from other tour companies likely wouldn’t have seen any dolphins, but thanks to Nao, Rei, and the captain's persistence, we encountered a large pod of dolphins! They made our dream of swimming with dolphins come true, creating a lifelong memory. My niece was also very satisfied.

The driver, Mr. Nawata, was from Fukuoka like us, and we had a great time chatting about our hometown, making it enjoyable from start to finish! Mr. Nawata and Rei were just as handsome as they were described (laughs).

Thank you so much for the best dolphin tour! I definitely want to ask Aloha Kona Tours for help again next time!

今回のハワイ旅行は、念願の3世代旅行でした。イルカと泳ぎたい！という9歳の姪の希望を叶えるために、家族で参加を決めました。インドア派な我が家...泳げない人も多数いる中、優しくて気さくななおさんとイケメンで楽しいレイさんが付きっきりでサポートしてくださり、安心して楽しむことができました。他のツアー会社の参加者は、きっとイルカに会えなかっただろうという最悪な海のコンディションでしたが、なおさん、レイさん、船長さんが粘ってくれたおかげで、イルカの大群と遭遇！イルカたちと一緒に泳ぐ夢を叶えていただき、一生の思い出となりました(^^)姪も大満足でした。

今回送迎してくださった縄田さんは、同じ福岡出身で、地元話でとても盛り上がり最初から最後まで楽しかったです！
縄田さん、レイさんはお話通りイケメンでしたよ（笑）

最高のイルカツアー、本当にありがとうございました❤︎次回もまた、必ずアロハコナツアーズさんにお願いしたいです！

Today, there were six Japanese participants, one of whom was an 11-year-old girl. After listening to various explanations, everyone put on wetsuits, and I, being a bit nervous, also wore a life jacket. We set off to our destination on the cruiser!

"The waves are high today," they said, and we experienced quite a bit of rocking and splashes. "It looks like it's raining around the point," I thought we might be unlucky, but then I saw a rainbow in the left front. As I was delighted by that rainbow, I noticed another one behind us. And behind us was a beautiful sunset.

Thanks to that situation, we saw a large semi-circular rainbow. On top of that, it was a double rainbow! I was very satisfied with this cruising experience, which allowed us to enjoy a 360-degree view while getting splashed, even more than a regular sunset cruise.

When we arrived at the point, we put on our snorkels. Following my husband, I jumped in, but my snorkel came off due to an accident. However, the staff calmed me down, saying, "There's no need to panic. I'll help you put it back on."

As we reached the point, we were amazed to see a manta ray almost immediately. "Wow, that's amazing!" I exclaimed, and then two manta rays rolled up towards us from the seabed, circling just inches away with their mouths wide open—I could even see inside their mouths.

For someone like me, who gets nervous easily, it was quite a shock. But each time, they reassured me with, "A manta is coming!" "You're okay!" "Just relax and float!" This guidance helped me stay calm and enjoy the experience.

The plankton, larval crustaceans, and swimming fish were sparkling beautifully thanks to the lighting. It was truly a precious experience.

With attentive service throughout, the cruiser driver offered me sparkling water since I was feeling a bit seasick. Even though I was in a wetsuit, I still felt quite cold. The hot chocolate made by the staff after we returned warmed both my heart and body. It became a wonderful memory of Hawaii! ☆*:.｡. o(≧▽≦)o .｡.:*☆

本日の日本人参加者は6人。うち1人は11歳の女の子。
諸説明を聞き、全員ウエットスーツを着用し、ビビリの私は、ライフジャケットもつけました。
クルーザーで目的地へ発進❗️
「今日は波が高いですね」ということで大きく揺れつつ、波しぶきもしっかり浴びました。
「ポイント辺り、雨降っていそうですね」ということで、あー私たちついてないのかなーーーと思っっていると、左前方に虹が。その虹に大喜びしてると、左後方にも虹が。そして、背後には美しいサンセットが。
そんなシチュエーションのおかげで、半円の大きな虹が見えました。その上、二重に！ダブルレインボーになりました。
普通のサンセットクルーズより、波しぶきを浴びながら360度見渡せるこのクルージングだけでも、大満足❣️でした。

ポイントに着き、シュノーケル装着。主人に続いてドボンと飛び込むとーシュノーケルが外れるアクシデント。でも、スタッフさんが「焦らなくて大丈夫。つけてあげるから」と落ち着かせてくれました。
ポイントに行くと、驚くほど直ぐにマンタが(´⊙ω⊙`)。あー凄い！と喜んでいると、2匹のマンタが、海底より私たちに向かってローリングアップ。大きな口を開けてーーースレスレを旋回。口の中まで見えました。
ビビリの私には、強すぎる衝撃でした。でも、その都度、「マンタ来ますよー」「大丈夫ですよー」「力を抜いて浮いていてくださいねー」と的確に声をかけていただいて、落ち着いて、楽しむことができました。
海中のプランクトンー甲殻類の幼生等や、泳ぎ回るサカナ等、照明のお陰でキラキラしてよく見えました。本当に貴重な体験でした。

すべてに丁寧な対応で、船酔い気味の私に、クルーザーの運転手さんは炭酸水をくださいました。ウエットスーツ着てたけど、それでもとっても冷えました。帰着後に頂いた、スタッフさん手作りのホットチョコレートは、心も身体も温まりました。ハワイのとっても良い思いでになりました
。☆*:.｡. o(≧▽≦)o .｡.:*☆。

The manta ray came close enough to reach out and touch! I was so thrilled to see it even rolling! I should have brought my GoPro...

手が届きそうな距離までマンタが来てくれました！
ローリングまで見せてくれて感激です！！　
GoPro持って行けばよかった……

I was led by guides who never forgot their respect for dolphins on a small group tour, and even though I can't swim, I was able to encounter a pod of dolphins twice! My daughter seemed truly moved by the pod and managed to dive during all six of her attempts, seeing not only dolphins but also a large school of mackerel. My son, who usually doesn't get seasick, ended up feeling nauseous on the boat. It might have been because he wasn't used to the wetsuit. Additionally, wearing a rash guard might have been constricting for him. Even the experienced guides mentioned that they feel seasick when wearing a wetsuit, so for those who can swim, it might be better to keep things light.

少人数のツアーでイルカに対するリスペクトを忘れない姿勢のガイドさん達にリードしてもらい、泳げない私でも2度ほどイルカの群れに出会えました！
娘はイルカの群れに本当に感動したようで、6回ほどのチャレンジ全て潜り、イルカの他アジの大群なども見たようです。
息子は普段酔うタイプではないのですが、船酔いしてしまいました。ウエットスーツが慣れなかったせいもあるかもしれません。更にラッシュガードも着ていたのが体を締め付けていたのかも。
慣れてるガイドの方でもウエットスーツを着ると酔うとおっしゃってたので、泳げる方は、身軽にした方がいいかもです。

Since there was no shuttle service, we took an Uber to the dock for $20. When we signed up for the trip, it turned out that we were the only ones on the boat. It seems that the other participants, all from English-speaking countries, were on separate boats with their families. After visiting the blowhole, we went snorkeling at Captain Cook's Cove, where we saw a lot of tropical fish. After that, we went looking for dolphins and encountered a large pod of dolphins called Captain Whale, which were about 5 meters long! We observed the dolphins from the boat.

Since we went on a small boat, here are some points to consider:

Pros: The small boat can anchor close to the coral reef, allowing us to get near the fish areas without swimming too much. With fewer people, it feels more private.
Cons: There are only two seats with backrests. The other two seats are like benches on the side, so it feels scary unless you hold onto something to avoid being thrown around. There was only one staff member who acted as both the driver and the guide. The boat goes quite fast, so motion sickness medication is a must.

送迎なしのため、船着き場まではuberで$20で行きました。4人で申し込んだところ、船に乗るのは私達だけでした。他の参加者【全員英語圏】も家族ごとに別の船だったようです。ブロウホールを見学したあと、キャプテンクック岬でシュノーケリングしました。たくさんの熱帯魚が見られます。そのあとイルカを探しに行き、キャプテンホエールという体長5mの大きなイルカの群れに遭遇できました！イルカは船上からの観察です。

小さいボートで行くので以下をご参考に。

メリット：船が小さいので珊瑚礁の近くに停泊できる。したがってあまり泳がなくても魚エリアに近づける。少人数なのでプライベート感がある。
デメリット：背もたれのある座席は2席のみ。あとの2席は側面のベンチのような椅子に座るので、何かにつかまっていないと飛ばされそうで怖い。船のスタッフは運転手兼ガイドの1名のみ。かなりスピードを出すので酔い止めは必須。

PLEASE READ, IT WILL HELP! Truthfully I was skeptical when the tour started, we were the last boat to the area and the last in the water and you could see everyone getting a little edgy seeing other groups experiencing the odd Manta whilst we were still on deck. The staff kept telling us to relax, it would be great. When we finally got in the water we waited a short while for the first Manta and it is exciting, however we didn’t know what was to come. Their plan worked a treat, the other boats all started to leave as they are
On strict timeframes (although we didn’t realise this with our heads down) and we were swarmed by Mantas. The crew counted 7, I thought there were more but perhaps that was my excitement. These giants come so close you can’t believe they don’t touch you belly to belly as they barrel roll. THIS IS AN UNBELIEVABLE EXPERIENCE. The crew are very careful not to damage the environment with their anchor placement and so respectful of the Mantas. I cannot recommend this experience or this operator enough.
STILL SMILING

It was the worst. First of all, the boat was probably over capacity. We were crammed in tightly, and those who couldn't sit had to sit on the steps. We were told to take off our flip-flops before getting on the boat. Those wearing water shoes were allowed to keep them on. For nearly 30 minutes, I was trying to avoid seasickness by staring into the distance in such a cramped space. When we arrived at the spot, we entered the water, but instead of swimming, we had to hold onto a rope and stay in a stretched-out position. (There was no space between us and the person next to us, so we were constantly bumping into each other.) Kicking our legs was prohibited. We had to maintain that position for about 50 minutes. It was really tough, and it got quite cold. I have experience with snorkeling and diving and was confident in my stamina, but this type of tour was a first for me, and I was quite exhausted.

Moreover, the descriptions stated things like "You can see mantas up close" and "First-timers will be well supported and feel safe!" and "The boat is comfortable," but the mantas didn't come close at all, there was no reassuring support, and a cramped boat with people so close together was anything but comfortable. It's understandable that mantas, being wild animals, might not show up, but it seemed like the divers below were trying to lure them in. However, the bubbles from their exhaled air kept rising towards us, making it impossible to see any mantas. I could only confirm the presence of a manta below with light about three times. After returning to the boat, someone ended up vomiting (which is understandable after maintaining that floating position for 50 minutes), but the tour staff aggressively washed the vomit away with water right at our feet. We almost ended up with "sympathy vomit," so we moved away from our seats. The vomit was not completely cleaned up, and there were remnants scattered at our feet. Later, we were told, "If you feel sick, please use this bucket." I think such information should have been communicated before departure. The person who vomited likely didn't have any instructions on where to go, which is why they ended up vomiting on the boat. I couldn't walk barefoot over the scattered vomit, so I had to stand instead of sitting. There was no consideration from the tour staff regarding this, and we ended up sitting on the hard ground on the way back. Although there were cushions on the seats, we endured about 30 minutes on the hard ground while being rocked by the rough waves. It was really tough.

To begin with, they packed us in over capacity, so there was no preparation for emergencies like this. Despite paying a good amount, we ended up sitting on the ground on the way back, which was just the worst. They mentioned that light snacks would be provided, but all we got were peanuts. The tour was from 5:30 PM to 9:00 PM, so I was expecting a simple dinner (like sandwiches or burgers), but peanuts... I was really frustrated with this tour despite paying a good amount. If they are going to provide details about the tour, they should specify what kind of viewing method it involves and that the light snacks are not a dinner, so we should eat beforehand. For those hoping to swim with mantas, please be careful, as that is not the case.

最悪だった。まずボートは恐らく定員オーバー。キツキツに詰められて、さらに座れない人は段差に座る羽目に。ビーチサンダルはボートに乗る前に脱ぐように言われます。海用シューズを履いていた人はそのままでOKでした。30分近く窮屈な中、船酔いしないように遠くを眺めてました。ポイントについて海に入りますが、泳ぐのではなく紐に捕まって蹴伸びの状態。（隣の人との間隔がないので常にぶつかってます）足をバタつかせるのは禁止。そのまま約50分キープする体制です。とにかくその体制はきついです。そしてかなり冷えます。シュノーケルやダイビングをよく体験していて体力には自信がありましたが、このような体制のツアーは初めてだったのでかなり疲れました。そして、記載されていた【マンタが手の届く程近くで見れる】や【初めての方もしっかりサポートで安心！】【船上も快適】など書いてありましたが、マンタが手の近くまで来ることもなく、安心のサポートもなく、あんな人と人が密着してる窮屈な船上が快適なわけありません。マンタは自然の動物なので、現れなかった。と言うのは仕方ないですが、ダイビングの人が下でマンタをおびき寄せてたみたいですが、その人たちが吐く空気の泡が私たちの方に上がってくるので全くマンタを見ることができませんでした。3回くらい下にいたマンタを光で確認できた程度。そして船に戻ってから吐いてしまった人がいて（流石に50分も浮いた状態をキープするのは気持ち悪くなるのでそれは仕方ないですが）その人のゲロを私たちの足元にツアーの人が水で勢いよく流してきました。貰いゲロをしそうだったので私たちは席から離れました。ゲロは完全に処理されず、足元には流れきれなかったものがあちこちに。そしてあとから「気持ち悪い人はこのバケツに吐いてください」と。そういうのは出発前に伝えるべきだったと思う。吐いた人もそのような説明がなく、どこに吐いていいかわからなくて、船の上に吐いてしまったのだと思う。そして散らばったゲロの上を裸足で歩くのはさすがに私にはできなかったので、座る場所を奪われ立っていました。それに対してツアーの人たちの配慮がなく、私たちは地べたに座って帰りました。イスにはクッションが敷いてありますが、私たちは硬い地べたの上で荒波に揺られながら約30分間も耐えていました。本当にきつかったです。そもそも定員オーバーで人を詰め込んでいるから、万が一のこういう時の備えがない。いい金額を払っているのにもかかわらず、帰りは地べたに座る羽目なんて最悪すぎました。そして軽食が出ると書いてありますが、出してきたのはピーナッツ。17:30〜21:00までのツアーだったので、簡単な夜ご飯（サンドイッチやハンバーガー系のもの）が配られるのを期待していましたが、ピーナッツって、、、って思いました。とにかくいい金額を払っているのに、このツアーにはイライラしかしませんでした。ツアーの詳細を記載するなら、どのような見学方法なのかとか、軽食は夕食ではないから済ませて来いなど書いておくべきだと思います。マンタと一緒に泳げると思って参加を希望している人は、そうではないので気をつけてください。

I understand that it's nature and you can't control it, but honestly, I was expecting to see a bit more, so I felt a bit unsatisfied. We floated on the surface for over 40 minutes, catching sight of a manta ray three times at the edge of our vision, and towards the end, one manta passed quite far below our group. We were so disappointed with the lack of sightings that when we finally saw one, we were like, "Wow!"

The guide was very considerate and polite, which was great. I want to improve my luck with manta rays and try again. There was a little girl, around elementary school age, in our group who started to cry from the cold halfway through. The night sea can be tough for small children.

Also, I think it's a good idea to prepare tips for the local staff. After returning to the port, the guide mentioned, "If you'd like to give something to the driver," and some people were caught off guard. It's not something you have to do, but being able to do this smoothly feels smart. On the day, you will be taken care of by about three to four people, including the guide, the boat driver, and the shuttle staff, so I recommend it.

自然の生きもの相手なのでしょうがないと分かってはいるものの、正直もう少し見られるかと思っていたので物足りない感。
40分以上海面を漂って、視界の端にマンタをとらえること3回、終わり頃に1度だけ自分たちのグループの下（かなり下）をマンタが通過していきました。あまりに見られなかったので、そのときには「おおっ！」となりましたが…。
ガイドさんは気遣いのある丁寧な方でとても良かったです。自分のマンタ運を高めて、またチャレンジしたいです。
一緒のグループで参加されていた小学生くらいのお嬢さんが、途中から寒い寒いと半泣き状態でした。夜の海は小さいお子さんにはつらいかもしれません。
また、現地スタッフさんへのチップをご用意されておくと良いかと思います。帰港後ガイドさんに「運転手さんに良かったら」と言われ、あわてている方も。必ず渡すべきものではありませんが、こういうのがすっとできるとスマートな気がします。ガイドさん、船の運転手さん、送迎のお兄さんなど、当日は3〜4名の方にお世話になりますので、ぜひ。

Great experience knowledgeable guides. Whole operation runs smooth. Definitely touristy but there is a reason it’s so popular! Book it! 10/10 would recommend. Beautiful experience. Such great animals.

On the day, it was quite difficult to find dolphins. The guide communicated with other boats and made every effort to search for them. As a result, we were able to see a rare bottlenose dolphin just in time, and I am grateful for that encounter.
However, it felt more like "seeing dolphins swimming underwater" rather than "swimming with dolphins." Also, when the search for dolphins takes a long time like this, there is hardly any time left to enjoy snorkeling. If you don't take that into consideration, you might feel a bit disappointed.
Additionally, I personally didn't have any tips prepared, which I regretted. While it's not something you have to pay, I think it's nice to give a little something to the guide and the boat driver who worked hard for us. It would be smart to prepare a tip in addition to the fee.

当日はなかなかイルカが見つからず…。ガイドさんが他の船と連絡を取り合い、心をつくして探してくださいました。結果、ぎりぎりのところで珍しいバンドウイルカが見られ、出会いに感謝です。
ただ、「イルカと泳ぐ」ではなく、「水中で泳いでいくイルカを見る」イメージになります。また、今回のようにイルカ探しの時間が長くなると、シュノーケルを楽しむ時間はほとんどありません。それらを了承しないと空振り感があるかも。
また、私的にはチップの用意がなく、しまったなぁという思いです。払わないといけないものではないですが、いろいろ考えて動いてくださったガイドさんや船の運転手さんにぜひ心付けを。代金とは別に、チップをご用意をされていくとスマートかと思います。

In the summer sea, you can enjoy the sunset and stay in the water for 45 minutes without it being too cold. They keep the lights on in the water, so many manta rays swim close by. They spin around right in front of you, showing off their playful spirit. On the boat, there are light snacks available, such as drinks, fruits, and chips. It's all in English, but it's easy to understand and fun. If you're prone to seasickness, taking motion sickness medication is a must. Keauhou Bay is quite far, so it's fine for those staying at the Sheraton, but others will need to rent a car.

夏の海、サンセットもみれて、そんなに冷たくない海で45分つかります。
海ではずっとライトをつけてくれるのでたくさんのマンタが近くを通ってくれます。
目の前でくるくる回ってくれたりサービス精神旺盛でした。
船では飲み物やフルーツ、チップスなどの軽食サービスもあります。
英語オンリーですが、わかりやすいし楽しいです。
船酔いしやすい人は酔い止め必須です。
ケアウホウベイはかなり遠いので、シェラトンの人は隣でいいけどそれ以外の宿泊の人はレンタカーが必要ですね。

I was able to see one manta ray. I feel like if the briefing had been more thorough, I could have seen many more manta rays right in front of me. It's a shame.

マンタは1枚見れました。
グリーフィングをもっとしっかりやっていればもっとたくさんのマンタを目の前で見れた気がします。
残念です。

The flight departed at 7:00 AM, allowing us to see the sunrise. I was seated next to American passengers, but our Japanese pilot, Toshi, passionately spoke about the nature of the Big Island in both English and Japanese. Since it was the day after we arrived on the island and I didn't know much about it yet, it was great to see the overall landscape from the air! Toshi not only had a lighthearted way of speaking but was also an excellent pilot, making the flight very stable, so I could enjoy the scenery without feeling nauseous. We saw valleys and waterfalls that can only be accessed by helicopter, making it a very satisfying flight! The price is high, but I believe it was worth it! Thank you very much, Toshi!

7:00からのフライトで朝日を見ながらの出発でした。アメリカ人のお客さんと同席の機内でしたが、日本人パイロットのトシさんが英語と日本語を使い分けながらハワイ島の自然について熱く語ってくれました。ハワイ島に着いた翌日でまだ島のことをよくわかっていない状況だったので空から全貌を見ることができてとてもよかったです！トシさんは軽妙なトークはもちろん操縦も上手くて機内はとても安定していて酔うこともなく安心して景色を楽しむことができました！ヘリコプターでしか入っていくことのできない渓谷や滝の風景もあり、大満足のフライトでした！値段は高いですが、その価値は十分にあったと思います！トシさんどうもありがとうございました！

This was my second time participating. Although only English is spoken, they responded politely even with my broken language, which made me feel at ease. My 6-year-old and 8-year-old had a blast sliding down the slide on the boat and jumping off the diving board. The hamburger lunch, with burgers grilled on the boat, was also fantastic. I will definitely participate again when I go to Hawaii Island.

今回は２回目の参加でした。英語しか通じないですが、片言でも丁寧に対応してくれて、安心して参加できます。６歳と８歳の子どもも船の滑り台から滑ったり、飛び込み台からジャンプしたりと大はしゃぎでした。船上で焼いてくれるハンバーガーをはさんでのハンバーガーの昼食も最高です。またハワイ島に行く時は参加します。

One of the highlights of our trip to the Big Island was jumping in the water after dark and watching these enormous, graceful creatures emerge from the blackness, do a few plankton-catching loops and then disappear back into the darkness. Can't recommend it enough!

We participated with our 11-year-old child. The guide took the child's hand and helped with snorkeling, allowing us beginners to enjoy it as well. Since dolphin swimming can be suspended at any time due to regulations, I recommend experiencing it sooner rather than later.

11才の子どもも一緒に参加。ガイドの方が子供の手をとりシュノーケリングをしてくれたので、初心者の我々も楽しむことができました。ドルフィンスイムは法規制でいつ中止になってもおかしくないようなので、早めに体験しておくのがお薦めです。

You're just floating with a snorkel and holding onto a float for 45 minutes. It gets really cold, so it might be tough for those who aren't very fit or for small children. We did get to see manta rays, which was impressive, but we only saw about six in 45 minutes, and the water wasn't very clear either. Since we did see the manta rays, I'll give it three stars.

By the way, the "noodle" refers to the stick-shaped float that is given before entering the water. Haha!

45分シュノーケルを付けて浮き輪につかまって浮いているだけです
すごく冷えるので、体力が無い方や小さい子にはキツイかもしれません
マンタは観れて大迫力でしたが、45分で6匹くらい、、、海もあまり綺麗じゃありませんでした
一応マンタ観れたので、星3です

因みに、ヌードルは海に入る前に渡される棒状の浮き輪の事です笑

Since it’s nature, there are days when you might not see dolphins, but I was able to see them about three times! They were incredibly fast. Additionally, I also got to see a manta ray. My husband said he even heard the dolphins' voices.

Thank you, Nawata, Naoko, and Rei. Since I can’t swim, I was able to see the dolphins thanks to Naoko pulling me toward them. The breeze on the water felt so good. The time flew by. I also really enjoyed the stories about warriors and scary tales with Rei. By the way, Rei was quite handsome! I want to see whales too, so if I can go back to the Big Island, I would love to join this tour again.

自然相手なので日によってはイルカに会えないこともあるということでしたが、なんとか3回ほどイルカを見ることができました！すごいスピードでした。さらにマンタも見ることができました。夫はイルカの声も聞いたそうです。
なわたさん、ナオコさん、レイさんありがとうございました。泳げない私はナオコさんがイルカの方に引っ張って行ってくれたおかげでイルカを見ることができました。海上の風がとにかく気持ち良かったです。あっという間の時間でした。レイさんとの武将や怖い話もとても楽しかったです。とにかくレイさんがイケメンでした笑。クジラも見てみたいので、またハワイ島に行けたらこちらのツアーに参加したいです。

A typhoon was approaching, and the dolphins were somewhat far away, so we had to travel about 45 minutes from the meeting point, which is a distance we rarely go. Thanks to that, we were able to encounter a pod of dolphins. It was very enjoyable to see the dolphins jumping and swimming right in front of us. The guides were all friendly, and the conversations on the way there and back were fun as well. Thank you very much.

台風が近づいていてイルカが多少遠くにいるとの事で、集合地点から約45分と普段では滅多に行かない距離まで移動してくださいました。
そのおかげかイルカの群れに遭遇する事ができました。イルカのジャンプや目の前を泳ぐイルカを見る事が出来て、とても楽しかったです。
ガイドの方もみなフレンドリーで行き帰りの会話も楽しかったです。ありがとうございました。

About 30 minutes to an hour by boat, we encountered a pod of 100 to 200 dolphins. They were jumping and spinning all around, and I was already moved before even entering the water. Once in the water, I swam a little, and there were so many dolphins swimming right in front of me; it was incredibly touching. They were so close that I felt I could almost reach out and touch them!

Since I was in a wetsuit, I felt safe entering the water as it helped me float. Some people who were not confident swimmers were worried, but in addition to the wetsuits, they provided floatation devices, and the guide pulled the floatation device for them, which made them very happy to see the dolphins up close.

Our guide, Ray, was very engaging and considerate during the trip, making it a comfortable and enjoyable experience. It would be a real shame not to participate in a dolphin tour while visiting the Big Island!

ボートで30分～1時間くらい行ったところに100～200頭のイルカの群れがいました。
あちこちでイルカがジャンプしたりスピンしたりしていて海に入る前から感動でした。
海に入ってからは少し泳ぎますが、すぐ目の前をイルカたちがたくさん泳いでいてとても感動しました。手が届きそうなほど近くでした！
ウエットスーツなので浮くため安心して海に入れました。泳ぎが苦手な方が心配していましたが、ウエットスーツに加えて浮き具も貸してもらえててガイドさんが浮き具を引っ張ってくれたようで、「近くでイルカをみられた」と喜んでいました。
ガイドのレイさんは移動中もいろいろと話をしてくれたり気遣いをしてくれてとても居心地のいい楽しい時間を過ごせました。ハワイ島にきてイルカのツアーに参加しないのはかなりもったいないです！

I can't give even one star.

As soon as I arrived at the meeting point after 6 PM, I was told, "We haven't coordinated properly in advance, and we can't arrange the boat. We either need to delay the start to 8:30 PM or reschedule for another day." I ended up waiting for two hours and agreed to push it to 8:30 PM. I killed time at the beach, and when I returned to the meeting point around 8:00 PM, I was told, "We can't set sail due to maintenance issues." (However, there were many boats at the port, but none had their lights on, and I suspect they weren't even preparing to set sail.)

I was told I would receive a refund for the tour fee and a free participation in the next tour. This is unacceptable. It's the worst. According to the guide, "This shouldn't happen, but it occasionally does."

Considering what I had to give up and compromise to participate in the manta tour, and how everything was ruined due to the cancellation, a refund of just the tour fee is not enough. Who would want to spend time and money to come back to the Big Island and book a tour with a company that treated them this way? 1) It's not guaranteed that I can come to the Big Island multiple times in my life. 2) Even if I do come, I don't know if the manta tour will still be available. 3) I also don't know if the tour company (Dolphin University) will still be around in a few years. If the system changes, how will they manage the "people who get to go for free"?

I consulted with the emergency contact for the night, but I decided to skip the manta tour during my stay in Hawaii. I am not satisfied with this response, so I expressed my desire to have the facts confirmed and shared within the tour company and to discuss the response with someone in a higher position, but I received no follow-up, and only the tour fee was refunded via Veltra.

If the reason was natural, like not encountering mantas or being unable to set sail due to a hurricane, I would be disappointed but understand. However, this time it was completely a human error. I think the response was lacking in consideration. My excitement was completely ruined. I was very sad.

星１つもつけれません。
18時過ぎに集合場所に着いた途端、「事前にちゃんと連携が取れておらず船の手配が出来ていない。20:30開始に遅らせるか、別日にずらさせてほしい」と言われ2時間待って20:30にずらすことに。ビーチで時間を潰し20:00過ぎに再び集合場所に戻ると「船のメンテナンスの都合で出航できない」と。（ただ、港にはたくさん船がありましたが、どれも電気はついておらず、出航の準備すらしていないのではないかと疑っています）
ツアー代金の返金と次回ツアー参加無料と言われました。折り合いがつかない。最悪。ガイドさん曰く「よくあっちゃいけないけど、たまにあるんです」とのこと。
マンタツアーに参加する為に諦めたもの妥協したもの、不催行のせいで台無しになったものを考えるとツアー代金のみの返金では足りない。それにこんな仕打ちをされたツアー会社に誰がもう一度、時間とお金をかけてハワイ島に来てツアーを申し込むでしょうか。①人生のうち何度もハワイ島に来れるとは限らない②来たとしてもマンタツアーが存続してるか分からない③そもそもツアー会社（イルカ大学）自体も数年後に存続してるか不明。体制が変わったりした際、どのように「無料にしてあげる人」を管理するのでしょうか。
夜間緊急連絡先とも相談しましたが、今回ハワイにいる期間でのマンタツアーは見送ることに。この対応には納得していないので、ツアー会社内で事実経緯確認、共有してもらった上で、対応について上席の人と話したいと伝えましたが、何も音沙汰無く、ツアー代金のみveltra経由で返金されました。
海に出たけどマンタに出会えなかった、ハリケーンが来ていて出航出来なかった等、自然が理由なら残念ですが仕方ありません。ただ、今回は完全に人的ミス。対応に配慮が足りないと思う。楽しみにしていた気持ちが台無し。とても悲しかったです。