Reviewed by: The Ertl Family
Such a great trip seeing the dolphins and another stop that was likes swimming in an aquarium! Thank you for a great day!
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| Packages: | Dolphin Swim & Snorkel (No Transportation) (until 2018/03/31) |
| Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
| Posted on: | 2018/04/04 |
| Activity Date: | 2018/03/31 |
Reviewed by: Monica
Not like other cheaper speed boats, it was a smooth sailing catamaran. Even a pregnant woman was on the board. They offer a breakfast such as 3 kinds of bread, fruits and drinks. For lunch, I enjoyed make-my-own delicious sandwiches and chips. After snorkeling, they offered some cookies and hot drinks. Most of all, the staffs was so cheerful and helpful. On the way to the snorkeling spot, captain Morgan caught a huge ono. I specially want to thank Joey for teaching me how to snorkel. Thanks to her, I could enjoy the beautiful underwater. She made my day!
I highly recommand this fun trip to everyone.
Choose this tour with well-trained staffs.
This is the best tour ever!!!
Mahalo for taking the time to review your tour. We are so happy to know you had a good time and the crew took care of you.
Aloha!
| Rating: | |
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| Packages: | Deluxe Morning Snorkel Cruise with 2 Snorkel Stops, Breakfast & Lunch [4.5 hrs] |
| Attended as: | Solo Travelers |
| Posted on: | 2018/04/03 |
| Activity Date: | 2018/03/31 |
Reviewed by: Southern USA family
We took our 9 year old son on this and had a great time. Wahine Charters and staff were great. Smaller group (12 total) made the experience that much better. Highly recommended. Really an experience unlike any other.
| Rating: | |
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| Packages: | Sunset Cruise & Evening Manta Snorkel Tour [2.5 hours] |
| Attended as: | Families |
| Posted on: | 2018/04/01 |
| Activity Date: | 2018/03/29 |
Reviewed by: しゅがー
I read the reviews here and made a reservation.
I stayed at the Sheraton Hotel. Around noon, I stopped by a shopping center just a 5-minute drive away and checked in at the store. When I arrived at the designated location at 5:45 PM, I was explained in English that I should ask about the car that was parked there. Honestly, I didn't understand what they were saying, but I somehow got the gist through gestures.
When I arrived at the designated spot around 5:30 PM with the rental car, the same car was parked there, and they were handing out wetsuits in the parking lot. You try it on right away, and if it doesn’t fit, you can exchange it. So, you need to wear your swimsuit before going. The parking lot at the harbor is small, so we barely managed to park, but those who couldn't park had to leave their cars at the edge of the road.
I was told to put on the wetsuit and wait on the boat. On the boat, you can have snacks and fruits, but honestly, while waiting for the sun to set, I felt seasick from the waves and couldn't enjoy it. They also serve cold juice if you ask. There was a restroom on the boat. I was told that warm drinks would be served last because it gets cold after you warm up and then enter the water.
To enter the water, I was instructed to hook a noodle (a float) around my ankle and enter horizontally. I only understood a little English, but by watching gestures and other guests, I managed to figure it out. We were the only Japanese people there.
When we finally turned on the lights and entered the sea, a manta ray swam right past me the moment I got in. You’re not supposed to touch the manta rays, but they were gracefully swimming close by, feeding on the surface. I was truly amazed to see them up close. In total, about five manta rays swam nearby. While I was watching one manta ray on my right, I almost collided with another one that approached from the left without me noticing. Watching the manta rays swim elegantly in front of me made me forget about my seasickness.
I was in the water for about 45 minutes, and I only missed seeing manta rays for about 5 minutes. However, it was late March, and it was incredibly cold; my hands were numb during the last 10 minutes. Just floating in the water made the cold and seasickness tough to handle. I was wearing a wetsuit over my rash guard and swimsuit leggings, so I only felt cold towards the end, but my husband was just in a swimsuit and a short-sleeved wetsuit, and he seemed to be shivering uncontrollably after just 10 minutes.
When the time was up, we got back on the boat and had some snacks and warm drinks. They served cocoa, but since I was feeling very seasick, I opted for warm green tea. Once I dried off on the boat, I felt much warmer and better. We returned the snorkels and wetsuits on the boat, and when we arrived at the harbor, we just dispersed.
I think if you come to the Big Island, you absolutely should go on this tour. I believe it’s fine even if you don’t speak English, but for those who are anxious, a Japanese tour might be more reassuring. We thought since we came all the way to Hawaii, we should sign up for this tour, and I’m glad we did.
As advice, it would be great to have a waterproof camera and an underwater flashlight.
ここで口コミを見て、予約しました。
シェラトンホテルに泊まっていました。そこから車で5分のショッピングセンターに寄ったお昼ごろに、お店に立ち寄りチェックインをしました。夕方5:45に指定の場所に来たら、この車が止まっているからたずねてね、というようなことを英語で説明されました。正直、何を話しているかわからなかったですが、何となく身振り手振りで伝わりました。
レンタカーで、指定の場所に5:30ごろに行くと、先ほどの車が止まっていて、ウェットスーツの貸し出しを駐車場で行っていました。すぐに着てみて、無理そうだったらサイズ交換といった感じですので、水着は着用してから行く必要があります。港の駐車場は狭いので、私たちはぎりぎり駐車できましたが、駐車できなかった人は、路上の端に駐車していました。
ウェットスーツを着て、船上で待つように言われました。船上では、スナック菓子やフルーツが食べられますが、正直、日が沈むまで待つ時間、波に揺られ酔ってしまい、それどころではありませんでした。つめたいジュースなども頼めば出してくれます。トイレも船の中にありました。
暖かい飲み物は、身体が温まってから水に入ると寒いから、最後に出されるといった説明がありました。
入り方は、ヌードルと言われるウキを足首にひっかけて、身体を水平にして入るようにと言われました。何となくしか英語がわかりませんでしたが、身振り手振りや、他のお客さんを見ているとわかります。日本人は私たちだけでした。
いざ、ライトをつけて海に入りました。入った瞬間から、目の前をマンタが通り過ぎました。マンタにさわってはいけませんが、本当にすれすれのところをくるくるとまわって餌を食べていました。こんなに間近で見られるなんて、本当に感動しました。
結局5匹ほどのマンタが近くで泳いでいました。右で泳いでいるマンタを見ていると、左から迫ってきたマンタに気づかず、思わずぶつかりそうになりました。目の前で優雅に泳ぐマンタたちを見ていると、船酔いも忘れてしまいました。
45分ほど入水していますが、マンタが見られなかった時間は5分ほどだけでした。ただ、3月下旬でしたが、ものすごく寒くて、最後の10分ほどは手がかじかんで、感覚がなくなっていました。
浮いているだけなので、寒さと船酔いはつらかったです。
ただ、私はラッシュガードと水着のレギンスの上からウェットスーツを着ていたからか、最後のほうだけ寒さがつらかったですが、旦那は水着にウェットスーツ(全て半そで半ズボン丈)だけだったので開始10分後から震えが止まらないようでした。
時間が来たので船に上がり、スナック菓子や暖かい飲み物をいただきました。ココアが配られましたが、私は船酔いがひどかったので暖かい緑茶をいただきました。船上で体を乾かすと、だいぶ温まり気分がよくなりました。船上でシュノーケルとウェットスーツを返し、港についたら、そのまま流れ解散です。
ハワイ島に来たら、絶対にこのツアーに行くべきだと思いました。英語ができなくても、問題ないと思いますが、不安な方は日本語のツアーの方が安心かなと思いました。わたしたちはせっかくハワイに来たのだから、と思いこのツアーに申し込みました。ここにしてよかったと思います。
アドバイスとしては、水の中でとれるカメラと水中の懐中電灯があるといいです。
マハロ(ありがとう)!あなたのマンタツアーのレビューに時間を割いていただき、感謝します。ご参加いただき、ありがとうございます。アロハ!
Mahalo for taking the time to review your manta tour and thank you for joining us.
Aloha!
| Rating: | |
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| Packages: | サンセットプラン |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2018/04/01 |
| Activity Date: | 2018/03/26 |
Reviewed by: バンビ
We participated as a family of three with our son who just turned 7! The guide took great care of our son, and we were able to see a large group of dolphins and even manta rays up close! For our son, who loves the ocean and marine life, it was a precious experience that he will never forget. It was a wonderful time where we could truly experience the deep charm of the Big Island of Hawaii. Thank you very much!
7歳になったばかりの息子と、家族3人で参加しました!ガイドの方に、息子を手厚くフォローして頂き、イルカの大群やマンタまで、間近で見ることができました!海や生き物が大好きな息子にとって、生涯忘れられない貴重な体験ができました。ハワイ島の奥深い魅力を体感できた素晴らしい時間でした。本当にありがとうございございました。
| Rating: | |
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| Packages: | 現地集合プラン |
| Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
| Posted on: | 2018/03/29 |
| Activity Date: | 2018/03/26 |
Reviewed by: も〜〜
Daisuke really loves dolphins, and that came across clearly. When I saw Daisuke swimming with the dolphins, he looked just like one of them (laughs). I have some snorkeling experience, but I was anxious in deep water where I couldn't touch the bottom. Daisuke was incredibly considerate, holding my hand at times and guiding me to the best positions. Thanks to him, I encountered many dolphins. When I was focused on looking ahead, he would quickly let me know if there were dolphins behind us, so I didn't miss anything! He was more persistent than other tour boats.
Even for someone like me who isn't great with speed, the veteran captain's driving was reassuring, and I didn't feel scared at all. I recommend this company's tour to those who might be a bit nervous.
だいすけさんは、本当にイルカが好きなんだなぁって、伝わって来ました。だいすけさんがイルカと泳いでいる姿は、イルカに見えましたもん(笑)シュノーケルの経験はありますが、足のつかないところは不安な私に気遣い120%で、所々手を引いてベストポジションに連れて行っていただきました。お陰様で、たくさんのイルカに遭遇出来ました。前ばかり向いていると後ろにいたりするのですが、後ろにいるよ〜〜とか、すかさず教えてくれるので、見逃しません!他ツアーの船よりも粘ってくれます。
スピードが苦手な私でも、ベテランキャプテンの運転は安心感があって、ちっとも怖くなかったです。ビビリの方にもこの会社のツアーをお勧めします。
| Rating: | |
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| Packages: | 現地集合プラン |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2018/03/26 |
| Activity Date: | 2018/03/23 |
Reviewed by: グローブトロッター
I was so moved by my experience swimming with dolphins on Oahu that I made it my number one goal to participate on the Big Island as well. There were so many different types of dolphins, and they seemed to swim more freely and naturally than the ones on Oahu! The number of dolphins was incomparable!
With Captain Hitomi and guide Daisuke as a fantastic duo, the journey was enjoyable and I felt safe throughout. I was able to go into the ocean multiple times and swim with the dolphins! I will definitely participate again when I come back to the Big Island!
オアフ島でドルフィンスイムを経験した感動から、ハワイ島でも1番の目的で参加しましたが、イルカの種類もたくさん、オアフ島のイルカよりものびのび、ナチュラルに楽しそうに泳いでくれるイルカに感動でした!!
オアフ島とは比べものにならない群の数でした!
キャプテンひとみさんとガイドのダイスケさんの名コンビで道中も楽しく、安心して過ごせ、また何回も海に入らせて頂きイルカと泳がせてもらうことができました!!
またハワイ島に来たら必ず参加します!
| Rating: | |
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| Packages: | 送迎付きプラン<1名様申し込み> |
| Attended as: | Solo Travelers |
| Posted on: | 2018/03/24 |
| Activity Date: | 2018/03/18 |
Reviewed by: mikko
The boat is smaller than those of other companies, but that allows for more freedom in trying things out, which seems to increase the chances of encounters. Above all, I think it's wonderful that the captain and guides wholeheartedly support us in having "fun encounters"! Thank you so much for connecting us with the dolphins!
船は他の会社より小さいですが、その分自由なトライが出来て遭遇率アップになるようです。何よりキャプテンはじめガイドが、私達への「楽しい出逢いのサポート」を全力でしてくれるハートが素敵だと思います!イルカさんと私達を繫いでくれて、本当にありがとうございました!
| Rating: | |
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| Packages: | 送迎付きプラン |
| Attended as: | Friends |
| Posted on: | 2018/03/22 |
| Activity Date: | 2018/03/18 |
Reviewed by: yukenta
With Daisuke's guidance, who even has a photo book of dolphins, we were able to see many wild dolphins. Since it's a morning tour, you can make good use of the afternoon as well.
イルカの写真集まで出されているダイスケさんのガイドで、たくさんの野生のイルカを見ることができました。
午前中のツアーなので、午後も有効に使えます。
| Rating: | |
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| Packages: | 送迎付きプラン |
| Attended as: | Families |
| Posted on: | 2018/03/20 |
| Activity Date: | 2018/03/07 |
Reviewed by: 祖父祖母一緒で計7名参加
Unfortunately, the height of the waves affected our entire family, and even the motion sickness medication barely worked, so we spent most of the time lying down. We were able to see dolphins and managed to experience snorkeling, but the intense rocking created some memorable moments in a way, haha. This time we traveled in late February, but next time, if the weather is milder, I would like to participate again.
あいにくの波の高さに家族総出でやられてしまいまして、酔い止めすらほぼ効かず、ほぼ横になっている状態で終始過ごしました。
イルカも見ることが出来ましたし、シュノーケルもなんとか経験出来ましたが、あまりの揺れのためにある意味いい思い出が刻み込まれましたw
ただ今回は2月下旬の渡航でしたが、次回は気候の穏やかな時期であれば再度参加したいと、思います。
| Rating: | |
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| Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
| Posted on: | 2018/03/17 |
| Activity Date: | 2018/02/25 |
Reviewed by: David
This was better than I could imagine. After leaving the shore on a small boat (three crew and four passengers), we passed manta village and went south a bit more to see some historic land with wild goats on it and sat there while the sun set. We had a platter of sushi and grapes, which was delicious.
When the sun set, we went back up and joined the rest of the boats at manta village, and got into the water where we all held a surf board and had floaties under our stomachs. It was all very comfortable, besides the cold, which we had full or short sleeve wetsuits for. The surf board had a nice light on it which attracted plenty of plankton.
We saw two manta rays, Amanda, and I forget the name of the other one. Amanda actually brushed up against my wife twice! (Don't intentionally touch them as I've heard it's a $5000 fine).
After plenty of time in the water, and repeated visits by both manta rays, we headed back to the boat and had some ginger ale on the way back to the dock.
Overall wonderful experience!
Oh, if you're on your honeymoon, make sure your ring fits tightly enough not to fall off in the water! And insure it if it's valuable! Mine slipped off, but thankfully I didn't loose a bunch of money.
Thank you for letting us know about your Sunset/Manta Snorkeling tour with Kona Ocean Experience! We're pleased that you appreciated the small group atmosphere, and enjoyed the sushi and fruit platter. We appreciate you taking the time to write your descriptive review as this lets other folks know what they might expect when going out on our tour. We're especially glad to hear that you had wonderful experience and super close encounters with the mantas, while being mindfully careful not to touch them! Thank you for your warning to others to remove loose jewelry... and although not expensive it's still a "bummer" that you lost your wedding ring. Mahalo again for joining us aboard. Hope you might be able to return for another adventure with KOEX in the future! Aloha!
| Rating: | |
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| Packages: | Sunset Cruise with Appetizers & Night Manta Ray Snorkel [90 mins] |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2018/03/14 |
| Activity Date: | 2018/02/26 |
Reviewed by: きむにい
The guide was wonderful. It seemed like they knew everything about dolphins, and I was able to swim with many dolphins. In the second half, I got seasick, so I couldn't focus on the dolphins, but I'm glad I participated. I'm grateful to the guide.
ガイドさんがすばらしかったです。
イルカのことを知り尽くしているみたいで、たくさんのイルカと泳ぐことが出来ました。
後半は酔ってしまって、イルカどころではなかったけど、参加して良かったです。
ガイドさんに感謝です。
| Rating: | |
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| Packages: | 送迎付きプラン |
| Attended as: | Friends |
| Posted on: | 2018/03/14 |
| Activity Date: | 2018/03/11 |
Reviewed by: YUTA
It was guided by Daisuke! I was able to see a pod of dolphins, sea turtles, and rare creatures like hammerhead sharks up close, which provided a unique and invaluable experience. If I have the chance to go again, I would love to do it once more.
大輔さんのガイドでした!
イルカの群れを初めとしてウミガメ、イタチザメなど珍しい生き物を間近で見ることができて、今までにない貴重な経験と時間を体験することが出来ました。
また行くことがあったらもう一度行きたいです
| Rating: | |
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| Packages: | 送迎付きプラン |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2018/03/13 |
| Activity Date: | 2018/03/10 |
Reviewed by: sat
At first, I wasn't used to snorkeling or swimming, and I made a lot of splashing sounds, which limited my visibility, making it difficult to see the pod of dolphins swimming by. Once I got the hang of it, I was finally able to see the dolphins pass by, and it was an emotional experience. The key is to enter the water quietly, just float (don't swim), and look around curiously underwater.
最初はシュノーケリングや泳ぐことになれず、
バシャバシャと水音を立て、視野もせまく
泳いでやって来ているイルカの群れをなかなか見る事ができませんでした。
慣れてきたころ、ようやくイルカの群れが通り過ぎていくのを見ることができ、感動しました。
入水は静かに、浮かんでればよい(泳がない)、水中キョロキョロ見回すことがポイントです。
| Rating: | |
|---|---|
| Packages: | 送迎付きプラン |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2018/03/13 |
| Activity Date: | 2017/07/18 |
Reviewed by: たまこ
I stayed at the King Kamehameha Hotel right in front of Kailua Pier, so it was easy to walk there for the 7:30 AM meeting. Once on the boat, there was a buffet area with bread and fruit, and coffee and water were also available for free.
After about 40 to 50 minutes of traveling along the bay, they provided explanations about various buildings and scenery, all in English. I just enjoyed the atmosphere. The Kanoa II is a large catamaran, but the swaying in the open sea was quite significant. There were about 40 passengers, and it seemed that around 20% of them looked a bit green. I recommend taking motion sickness medication about an hour before boarding.
When we arrived at the snorkeling point, all passengers were gathered on the first floor for about 10 minutes of safety instructions, also in English. They mentioned that in case of an emergency, the horn would sound five times, so we should return to the boat immediately, not to stand on the coral, and not to stray too far from the boat. I think as long as you don't act too differently from those around you, you'll be fine. The snorkeling point is about 15 meters deep and incredibly clear and beautiful. There are quite a few fish, but the water is cold! They seem to rent out wetsuits for a fee, so if you're not confident, it might be a good idea to borrow one. I gave up after about 20 minutes of swimming due to the cold and the waves, and returned to the boat early. The boat stays here for about an hour, and it might be tough for those who are sensitive to motion.
For lunch, the staff grilled hamburgers and vegetables on the spot, and you can make your own cheeseburger at the buffet. It was quite delicious! If you're not feeling seasick, definitely give it a try (laughs).
On the way back, it takes about another hour to return to Kailua Pier.
The boat is large and has a flushing toilet, which someone mentioned is much cleaner than many public restrooms. There’s a bar area, and soft drinks seem to be free. The staff comes around to each table to ask if you need any drinks. Smoothies and cocktails appear to be for a fee.
Among the participants, we were the only Japanese, but the handsome and beautiful staff frequently checked on us, so we were able to relax without worry. The sea water is cold, but the wind on the way back is also quite chilly. If you're in a wet swimsuit, you're bound to catch a cold. I recommend bringing something to wear over it, like a windbreaker.
カイルア桟橋の目の前のキングカメハメハホテルに泊まっていたので、朝7時半の集合も何の苦もなく歩いて行けました。
船に乗り込むと、ビュッフェコーナーにパンとフルーツが置いてあり、コーヒーやお水も含め、取り放題です。
出発して40分~50分ほど、湾に沿って移動をし、その間いろんな建造物や風景の説明をしてくれるのですが、すべて英語です。雰囲気だけ楽しみました。
カノアII号は大きな双頭船ですが、外洋の揺れはかなり大きく、乗客は40名ほどいたでしょうか、そのうち2割ほどはグロッキーになっていたように見えました。乗船する1時間ほど前には酔い止めをしっかり飲んで参加されることをお勧めします。
シュノーケリングポイントに着くと、乗客全員が1階に集められ、注意事項の説明が10分ほどあります。これもすべて英語です。
緊急の時はホーンを5回鳴らすからすぐに船に戻ってね、サンゴの上には立たないでね、船からあまり離れないでね、後いろいろ言ってたと思うのですが、まぁ周りの人とあまり異なる行動をしなければOKかと思います。
シュノーケリングポイントは、深さ15メートルぐらいあるでしょうか。さすがに澄んでいてとてもキレイです。お魚もそこそこいます。ただ、水が冷たい!!
有料でウェットスーツも貸し出しているようなので、自信のない方は借りた方がいいかも。私も20分ほど泳いで寒さと波の高さにギブアップです。早々に船に引き上げました。
船はここで1時間ほど停泊しています。ずっと揺れてますのでつらい人にはつらいかも。
ランチはスタッフがその場で焼いてくれたハンバーグや野菜がビュッフェコーナーに並び、自分でチーズバーガーを作って食べます。かなり美味しかったですよ!酔ってなければぜひ召し上がってください(笑)。
そして帰りはまた小一時間ほどかけてカイルア桟橋に戻る感じです。
船は大きくてトイレも水洗、どなたかが書いていましたがそんじょそこらのトイレよりよっぽどキレイです。
バーコーナーがあって、ソフトドリンクは無料のようです。スタッフが各テーブルを回って飲み物いらないか?と聞きに来てくれます。スムージーやカクテルは有料のようです。
参加者のうち、日本人は私達だけでしたが、美男美女のスタッフがしょっちゅう様子を見に来てくれるので、気にせず過ごせました。
海の水も冷たいですが、行き帰りの風もかなり寒いです。濡れたままの水着だと漏れなく風邪をひきそうです。ウィンドブレーカーなど、上に羽織るものを持参される事をお勧めします。
| Rating: | |
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| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2018/03/13 |
| Activity Date: | 2018/03/06 |
Reviewed by: Amber
Captain Steve and Sam were great! They were very knowledgeable and took great care of our family. The snorkeling was wonderful and we were able to see a lot of different species, including sea turtles and a spotted eagle ray.
| Rating: | |
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| Packages: | 5-hour South Kona Expedition with Lunch (3 Snorkel Stops) |
| Attended as: | Families |
| Posted on: | 2018/03/12 |
| Activity Date: | 2018/03/09 |
Reviewed by: kmy
I made a reservation a week before the participation date, and it was for my second choice of time. The 9 AM slot is quite popular, so we participated at 7 AM. However, departing during the dim light of dawn allowed us to be moved by the changing scenery of the Big Island of Hawaii!
If you're staying at the Waikoloa Resort and have rented a car, I think it's better to go directly rather than waiting for the hotel pickup. It saves time and is smoother.
Fortunately, our guide was Toshi, a Japanese staff member, who was very friendly and, despite the early hour, guided us with high energy. (According to another guide in Hawaii, this person's helicopter tour is the most luxurious Japanese-language tour on the Big Island...) He provided guidance in English for the American couple we rode with and in Japanese for us, showing great consideration, even offering cool air to me when I felt nauseous. When there are foreign participants, the main guidance will be in English, so having a basic understanding of English can make the tour more enjoyable.
Of course, the volcano is a must-see, but I highly recommend the canyon as well. It's difficult to access the canyon on ground tours, so seeing it from the air in this tour really changes your image of the Big Island.
I tend to get seasick, and I forgot about that when I joined the tour, which significantly affected my enjoyment due to helicopter motion sickness... The volcano and canyon involve several turns and significant shaking, so I recommend taking motion sickness medication if you're prone to it. They sell motion sickness medication at the reception, but since you might not know if it suits you, it's best to bring your own. They do provide etiquette bags and wet tissues inside the helicopter. There is a break at Hilo Airport, so you won't be on the helicopter for two hours straight.
I ended up feeling quite groggy from motion sickness, but even so, I was very satisfied with this tour!
コナ発で参加日の一週間前の予約、第2希望の時間帯でした。やはり9時からは人気で私達は7時からの参加でした。ですが、夜明けの薄暗い時間帯に出発することで時間によるハワイ島の景色の変化に感動させられました!
ワイコロアリゾートに宿泊していてレンタカーを借りている方はホテルのピックアップを待つより直接行ったほうがいいかなと思います。時間かからないのでスムーズです。
スタッフは運良く日本人スタッフのToshiさんで、非常に気さくで早朝にもかかわらずハイテンションでガイドしてしていただきました。(別のハワイのガイドさん曰くこの人のヘリコプターツアーがハワイ島で一番贅沢な日本語ツアーだとか…)一緒に乗ったアメリカ人夫婦には英語、私達には日本語でガイドしてくださり、酔ってしまった私にも冷風を当ててくれたりと気遣いがとてもよかったです。外国人参加者と同席になると当たり前ですか、英語がメインのガイドになりますので多少の英語が理解できるとより楽しいツアーになるかと思います。
火山はもちろんのことおすすめは渓谷です。渓谷は地上のツアーでは入ることが入ることが難しいので空から見られるこのツアーで、ハワイ島のイメージがかなり変わります。
私は船酔いが激しくそのことを忘れてツアーに参加してしまったためかなりヘリコプター酔いに楽しい時間が邪魔されてしまいました…火山と渓谷は旋回が何回も揺れも大きいので船酔いが激しい方は酔い止めを飲んで参加することをおすすめします。受付で酔い止めも販売されていますが体に合うかわからないので持参した酔い止めがおすすめです。一応エチケット袋とウエットティシュはヘリコプター内に常備されています。ヒロ空港で休憩がありますので2時間乗りっぱなしということではないです。
乗り物酔いでかなりグロッキーになってしまいましたが、そんな私でも今回のツアーはかなり満足できるものになりました!
| Rating: | |
|---|---|
| Attended as: | Families |
| Posted on: | 2018/03/08 |
| Activity Date: | 2018/03/05 |
Reviewed by: ノブGM
Wild dolphins & Kealakekua
Snorkeling
On Dave's boat, it was just my son and me. Dave searched for dolphin spots, and with his signal of "JUMP IN!", we jumped in multiple times. When the pod of dolphins swam away, we got back on the boat and headed to the next spot, laughing. We dove about 7 or 8 times and finally encountered a pod of over 50 dolphins! The snorkeling afterward was also amazing!
野生のイルカ&ケアラケクア
シュノーケリング
ガイドのDaveのボートには息子と私の2人だけ
イルカのポイントをデイブが探し「JUMP IN! 」の合図で何度も取り込んでは、イルカの群れが行ってしまうとまたボートに上がり次のポイントへ笑。7、8本はダイブし最後は50頭以上の群れに遭遇!その後のシューノーケリングも最高!
Dear Nobu GM,
Thank you very much for taking the time to leave a comment. I'm glad to hear that you were able to see many dolphins and that you had a fulfilling time with your son. Thank you again for participating in our tour.
ノブGM様
この度は、わざわざコメントを残していただきありがとうございました。沢山のイルカたちに会えたようで、そして息子さんと充実した時間を過ごして頂けたようで、何よりです。この度は弊社のツアーへのご参加、誠にありがとうございました。
| Rating: | |
|---|---|
| Attended as: | Families |
| Posted on: | 2018/03/05 |
| Activity Date: | 2018/03/02 |
Reviewed by: マサカズ
This was my second time on the Big Island of Hawaii, and I finally got to ride in a helicopter. The pilot was Japanese and navigated kindly and carefully, which was very impressive. I also got to see waterfalls and landscapes that can only be viewed from the helicopter, and I was able to see three whales! I highly recommend it to everyone!
今回二回目のハワイ島でしたが、やっとヘリに乗ることが出来ました(^。^)
パイロットも日本人の方で親切丁寧にナビしていただき大変感動しました(^。^)
あとヘリからしか見れない滝や風景
そしてクジラとも三頭も見ることが出来ました!
皆様にもオススメですよ!
| Rating: | |
|---|---|
| Attended as: | Friends |
| Posted on: | 2018/03/04 |
| Activity Date: | 2018/02/05 |
Reviewed by: ヤッキー
I chose this tour because the meeting place was close to the hotel. The guide didn't speak any Japanese at all, so I had to figure things out on my own. Since it was my first time snorkeling, I struggled with how to use the equipment and wasn't able to swim with the dolphins (crying). The ocean was beautiful.
集合場所が宿泊ホテルから近かったので、このツアーを選びました。
ガイドさんは日本語は全くダメだったので、なんとなく察して動きましたが、
シュノーケルは初めてだったので使い方がわからずもたついてしまい、イルカと泳ぐことができませんでした(泣)。
海はきれいでした。
Thank you for your comment, Yaki. Yes, we do not have guides who speak Japanese. All tours are conducted in English. I understand that it was your first time snorkeling, and unfortunately, you couldn't swim with the dolphins because you weren't familiar with how to use the equipment. That is indeed unfortunate. If possible, I hope you can practice using the snorkeling mask in a pool next time, and we would love for you to join the tour again. I'm sure you will have a wonderful time next time. Thank you very much for participating.
ヤッキー様 コメントを書いてくださり、ありがとうございます。はい、弊社には日本語を話せるガイドはおりません。全て英語でのツアーとなっております。シュノーケリングをされるのは初めてだったとのこと。そのため使い方がよく分からずイルカと泳げなかったとのことで、それはそれは残念です。出来れば次回プールなどでシュノーケリングのマスクの練習をされて、また是非ツアーに参加していただけたらと思っております。きっと今度は楽しい時間を過ごして頂けるのではと思います。ご参加、誠にありがとうございました。
| Rating: | |
|---|---|
| Attended as: | Friends |
| Posted on: | 2018/03/03 |
| Activity Date: | 2018/02/10 |
Reviewed by: きひろ
I rated this experience as such because it was held on a very cloudy day.
First, we went whale watching (we saw several whales, including pairs and mother-calf combinations. A baby whale even came right up next to the boat). Then we experienced rafting on a military boat that holds 18 people (it was thrilling with a sense of speed, including moments where we sped towards the coastal cliffs and made U-turns at the last second). Lastly, we went snorkeling (we saw beautiful corals and small fish, and the water clarity was high).
There are three attractions: whale watching, rafting, and snorkeling, and any one of them is worth participating in. Some elderly participants chose not to snorkel.
My rating is primarily due to the poor weather, but the content of the attractions was thoroughly satisfying.
今回はどん曇りの中催行のためこの評価にしました。
内容はまず、ホエールウオッチング(見れました。何頭も。ペアや親子の組み合わせ等。子クジラはボートの真横まで上がってきました。)。18人乗りの軍用ボートによるラフティング(スピード感もありスリルは味わえます。海岸の崖に向かってスピードを上げ、直前でUターン等もあり)。シュノーケル(綺麗なサンゴや小魚等見られます。透明度も高いです。)
ホエールウオッチング、ラフティング、シュノーケルの3つのアトラクションがありどれか1つが目的でも利用価値はあります。高齢の方は、シュノーケルはしない方もいました。
あくまでも天気が良くなかったからの評価であり、アトラクションの内容は十分に満足できる内容です。
| Rating: | |
|---|---|
| Packages: | 水曜催行<カイルア桟橋発/4時間/軽食付>(2019年12月31日まで) |
| Attended as: | Solo Travelers |
| Posted on: | 2018/02/25 |
| Activity Date: | 2018/02/21 |
Reviewed by: K-M
Around 5 PM, we left the harbor and watched the sunset over the ocean. There were about four to five boats offshore. The wind was a bit strong, and the waves crashed violently against the Sheraton Hotel's pier. Feeling a little cold, I tightened my wetsuit up to my neck. Around 6 PM, enveloped in twilight, about 20 participants took turns entering the sea and gazing at the surface. Perhaps due to the weather, the manta rays were not appearing easily... Shortly after, they showed up in slightly deeper waters (3-5 meters?) and passed by. As my body temperature dropped and about 40-50 minutes had passed, suddenly, a manta ray performed a backflip right beneath me! I was moved by the manta's spirit! For those prone to seasickness, feeling cold, or afraid of the ocean, I think it's good to approach this experience with a bit of caution. That said, since it's nature, whether you get to see the manta rays beautifully is a matter of luck.
17時頃港を出て沖で日が沈むのを眺めています。沖合には4-5隻のボート・船。風はやや強く、シェラトンホテルの岸壁に激しく波が打ち付けられます。少し寒いな、とも感じてウエットスーツを首元までしめます。薄闇につつまれる18時ごろ(だったと思います)、20人ほどの参加者が順繰りに海へ入り、海面をみつめます。天候のせいか、なかなかマンタは現れててくれません。。。それからほどなく少し深い(3-5m?)ところに現れては、通りすぎていきます。体温も下がってきて、40-50分が過ぎるころ、いきなり自分のからだの真下あたりからバック転をしながら、マンタがサービスしてくれました!マンタの心意気に感動でした!船酔いする方、寒がりの方、海が怖い方、ちょっとだけ用心して臨むとよいと思います。とはいえ自然のことなので、マンタが綺麗に見えるかどうかは運次第です;
| Rating: | |
|---|---|
| Packages: | サンセットプラン |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2018/02/22 |
| Activity Date: | 2018/01/23 |
Reviewed by: あゆ☆
This time, I went to Hawaii for my honeymoon and booked this tour. It was an experience beyond my imagination. It was so wonderful that I forgot to take pictures. Wild dolphins swam around us, performing three flips, and it was so mystical and amazing that I thought I was dreaming. Our guide, Daisuke, and the captain were perfectly in sync, and they were incredibly knowledgeable about the ecosystem, providing detailed explanations to all our questions. They took us to the best spots to see the dolphins, and coincidentally, there were whales nearby that day, so we got to see not only dolphins but also whales. It was truly the best experience. I definitely want to participate again.
今回はハネムーンでハワイに行き、このツアーを予約させていただきました。
想像以上に素晴らしい体験ができました。
素晴らしすぎて写真を撮るのを忘れてしまいました。
野性のイルカが何頭も私達の周りを泳ぎ、3回転ジャンプをして見せてくれたり、これは夢なのかと思うくらい神秘的で素晴らしかったです。
ガイドのダイスケさんと船長さんの息もぴったりだし、生態についてもものすごく詳しいので何を聞いても詳しく説明してくれました。
イルカを見る場所のベストポジションに連れて行ってくれましたし、たまたまこの日は鯨が近くにいるとのことでイルカだけではなく鯨も見
せてくれました。
本当に最高の体験でした。
ぜひまた参加したいです。
| Rating: | |
|---|---|
| Packages: | 送迎付きプラン |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2018/02/22 |
| Activity Date: | 2018/02/18 |
Reviewed by: ボゴです!
I wanted to swim with dolphins and was looking into various tours, but I hesitated because I was scared of floating in deep water with just a life jacket and snorkel. That's when I found this tour! With this option, I could keep my feet on the ground the whole time, which made me feel safe, and I could definitely interact with the dolphins, so I decided right away! They also took a lot of photos, and although there was an extra charge, I think it was great to have those moments of interacting with the dolphins captured in pictures.
イルカと泳ぎたくて、他のツアーをいろいろ調べて検討してたんですが、足の届かない深い海にライフジャケットとシュノーケルで浮かんでることが怖くて躊躇してました。
そんな時に見つけたのがこのツアーです!
これならずーっと地面に足をつけたままなので安心だし、確実にイルカと触れ合うことも出来るので、即決しました!!
写真もたくさん撮ってもらえるし、(別料金ですが)イルカと触れ合ってる瞬間がしっかり写真に残せて、とても良かったと思います。
Aloha,
Thank you for choosing Dolphin Quest! We are so happy to hear you had a fun time in a safe environment to touch and feed a dolphin! We hope to have you back again for another experience on your next trip to Hawaii!
Mahalo from Dolphin Quest Hawaii!
Aloha,
Thank you for choosing Dolphin Quest! We are so happy to hear you had a fun time in a safe environment to touch and feed a dolphin! We hope to have you back again for another experience on your next trip to Hawaii!
Mahalo from Dolphin Quest Hawaii!
| Rating: | |
|---|---|
| Packages: | イルカと泳ぐ!エンカウンター<20分> |
| Attended as: | Families |
| Posted on: | 2018/02/20 |
| Activity Date: | 2018/02/17 |
Reviewed by: Kaborin
After reading experiences about the smartphone tour and knowing it was a boat departing from Keauhou Bay, I thought it would be perfect for me since I easily get seasick and feel cold, so I made a reservation. However, on February 16, the day I made the reservation, I received an email via VELTRA at 9 AM notifying me that the tour was canceled due to bad weather. The message stated that I would receive a full refund, and there was a link below for rescheduling the reservation.
I quickly made a reservation for the following day, February 17, and soon received a confirmation reply through VELTRA. However, the next day, there were zero manta rays. When disembarking, I was told, "The office opens at 8 AM tomorrow, so please call." But the next day, I had a tour with Kona Brewing where I would be drinking, so I couldn't drive afterward, and I had to return home the following day.
In a bind, I sent a question email to the VELTRA representative who had sent me the cancellation email, but I received no reply. I had seen too many experiences on VELTRA and mistakenly thought that if I didn't see manta rays, I could try again anytime, similar to other tours. However, for this tour, the information about being able to retry within seven days if I didn't see manta rays only appeared if I opened the "View Details" section on my smartphone.
(There was also information in the Q&A about what to do if I didn't see manta rays, but I noticed it too late...) The guide might have explained the details about retrying when disembarking, but I couldn't understand because I'm not fluent in English. It's my own mistake, and there's nothing I can do about it, but I'm really disappointed that I didn't see any manta rays. Next time, I plan to choose a tour where I can retry anytime if I don't see manta rays.
スマホの体験談を読み、ケアウホウ湾から出る船とのことで、船酔いしやすく又寒がりの私にはこれだ!と思い、予約しましたが…。
予約をした2月16日は、VELTRA経由で朝9時にメールで天候不順で中止との連絡が。
金額は全額返金との文面、更にその下には日程を変更して予約する場合のリンクが貼られていました。
すぐに翌17日の予約を入れ、程なく予約確定の返事もVELTA経由で頂いたのですが…。
翌日決行するも、マンタはゼロ。
下船時『明日8時から事務所が開くので、電話してください』というような話をされましたが、翌日はコナブリューイングのツアーでお酒を飲むため、その後の運転はNG、そして次の日にはもう帰国せねばならず。
困り果て、中止メールを頂いたVERTRAの担当者さんに質問メールを入れましたが、返事はなく…。
VELTRAさんでツアーの体験談をいろいろ見すぎてしまったことで、マンタが見られなかった場合は、またいつでも挑戦可能という他のツアーの体験談と勘違いしてしまい、このツアーも再挑戦はいつでもOKなのだと思い込んでしまっていました。
このツアーは、スマホだと〔詳細を見る〕というところを開けないとマンタが見れなかった場合7日以内に再挑戦可能という文面が現れません。
(Q&Aにも、マンタに会えなかった場合のことが書いてありましたが、気づくのが遅かった…)
ガイドさんは、下船時に再挑戦に際しての詳しい話もされていたのかもしれませんが、英語が堪能ではないので、理解できず。
自分のミスで、仕方ないことですが、マンタが見られず、本当に残念です。
次回は、マンタに会えなかった場合は再挑戦がいつでもOKなところを選ぼうと思います。
| Rating: | |
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| Packages: | サンセットプラン |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2018/02/19 |
| Activity Date: | 2018/02/17 |
Reviewed by: Luca
Snorkelling in the night with manta rays was an awesome experience.
Everything was perfectly organized: Captain and "Mermaids" were professional, nice and helpful.
We did it with our two kids (8 and 11) and they loved it.
Big mantas swam a few cm from us: in many occasions it looked like it was better to keep the breath in order to avoid touching them!!
It was super-fun and safe.
I recommend this activity to everybody!!!!
Big thanks to the crew for the amazing memories we will bring with us forever
Aloha Luca!
Mahalo for your review! We are thrilled that you enjoyed your manta experience with us. Next time you are on the island ask about our frequent customer discount!
| Rating: | |
|---|---|
| Packages: | Manta Ray Night Snorkeling [Early Evening Tour] |
| Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
| Posted on: | 2018/02/19 |
| Activity Date: | 2018/02/13 |
Reviewed by: miteyo
Fortunately, the weather was favorable, and I was able to achieve my goal of visiting the Big Island of Hawaii. Additionally, I was pleased to have a Japanese pilot as I had hoped, who provided explanations at key points in Japanese. The magma at the Kilauea volcano's crater can only be seen by helicopter!
幸い天候にも恵まれてハワイ島へ行った目的が叶いました。
又、希望どうり日本人パイロットでしたので要所要所日本で説明いただき
良かったです。キラウエア火山噴火口のマグマはヘリでなければ見れません!
| Rating: | |
|---|---|
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2018/02/14 |
| Activity Date: | 2018/02/06 |
Reviewed by: Kay
Watching rays swoop in from the darkness was amazing.
Our dive master was well informed and even gave us a great recommendation for a beach to hit the next day.
If I had any quibbles with the excursion is that from the time we left the dock until the time we went back to the dock we were only out for about 1hr and 15 minutes.
We were aware that the excursion had a max time of 2 hrs+ but would have loved to spend more time in the water after sunset and the Rays actually came out.
The excursion was still great though and it’s certainly a recent highlight of wild animal viewing.
Thank you for submitting a review on behalf of Kona Ocean Experience. We're happy to hear that our dive guide provided great information to you regarding the manta rays (as well as a beach recommendation) and that you had an amazing time watching the mantas "in action"! Just so that you (and others) know, our KOEX Sunset/Manta Snorkeling tour is advertised as a 1.5 hour trip (not "2+ hrs") as verified on our website: www.konaoceanx.com. Although a bit shorter than you'd expected, we're glad you felt it was a great excursion and a wild animal viewing "highlight"!
| Rating: | |
|---|---|
| Packages: | Sunset Cruise with Appetizers & Night Manta Ray Snorkel [90 mins] |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2018/02/14 |
| Activity Date: | 2018/02/10 |
Reviewed by: おくさん
I was amazed to see so many dolphins up close, more than I had expected. It was truly a fun time! The guide was also fantastic!
思っていたよりたくさんのイルカをすぐ近くで見れて感動しました。本当に楽しい時間でした!ガイドさんも最高でした!
| Rating: | |
|---|---|
| Packages: | 送迎付きプラン |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2018/02/11 |
| Activity Date: | 2018/02/08 |
Reviewed by: Okada
I was able to try multiple times to swim with the dolphins up close. Thanks to that, I was able to swim among a pod of dolphins. As a bonus, I even got to see a whale, which made me very satisfied. Daisuke truly conveyed his love for dolphins, and it felt like he understood their feelings as well. I'm a repeat visitor to the Big Island, and I will definitely be a repeat customer for this tour too!
本当に近くで一緒にイルカと泳げるまでなんどもトライして頂きました。お陰でイルカの群れの中で一緒に泳ぐことができました。
おまけで、クジラまで見させて頂いて大満足でした。
ダイスケさん、心からイルカを愛している方が伝わり、イルカの気持ちまで分かってるようでした。
ハワイ島リピーターですが、このツアーもリピーターになります!
| Rating: | |
|---|---|
| Packages: | 現地集合プラン |
| Attended as: | Families |
| Posted on: | 2018/02/08 |
| Activity Date: | 2018/02/05 |
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Aloha. the Ertl Family!
Thank you for join our tour!!
We are very glad that you had great experience with us!!!
We are looking forward to see you soon!!
Mahalo
Iruka office