All Reviews for Snorkeling Cruises & Tours

Among the various tours available, I chose this one based on the reviews. The wetsuit rental is an additional $10, but it’s a fantastic tour. As mentioned in someone else's post, this tour lights up the water, attracting plankton, and many mantas come to visit! I spent about an hour right in front of the mantas! According to the tour guide, there were supposedly 11 mantas!

Other tours seemed to encounter mantas nearby, but this tour allows you to see them up close. It became a lifelong memory!

It can get a bit cold, so warm clothing is essential!

いろいろのツアーがある中、口コミの内容でこちらを選びました。
ウエットスーツ10ドルが別になりますが、素晴らしいツアーです。
どなたかの書き込みにもありましが、このツアーか灯を照らし、そこにプランクトンが集まります。そこにマンタがたくさん来てくれました！目の前で約一時間、マンタとの時間を過ごせました！ツアーの方曰く、11匹のマンタだったらしいです！

他のツアーは、このツアーの側にきて、マンタとの遭遇のようでした。
でも、一番側で観れるのはこのツアーです。
一生の思い出になりました！

少し寒くなりますので、防寒は必須です！

I had been repeatedly turned down by dolphins in Oahu, Guam, Saipan, and Bali. I signed up for my first dolphin tour on the Big Island, but my family gave me cold looks, saying, "You won't see any dolphins anyway." Deep down, I was filled with a sense of foreboding that I wouldn't see them. (Just in case I didn't see any dolphins on this tour, I booked a stay at Hilton Waikoloa Village, planning to participate in a dolphin program with my kids if all else failed...)

When I mentioned this, our guide Daisuke said, "Let's end that unfortunate record today! Don't worry! You'll see them!" His encouraging words gave me hope. As I boarded the boat, I silently prayed, "I believe!" Just one minute in, I heard, "Oh, there are dolphins!" and when I looked out at the sea, there they were!!! I had never seen them before, but I recognized them immediately! The dolphins were swimming with their dorsal fins breaking the surface repeatedly. And then, we quickly went into the water! There were dolphins everywhere; I was amazed at how many there were. At that moment, I was truly moved...

However, the ocean is vast, and when they dive deep, we just had to wait. But Daisuke dove down to the dolphins. Strangely, they were drawn to him and came up to the surface near us! Incredible, just incredible!

According to Daisuke, "Today, the dolphins are really in a good mood; if I call them ten times, they'll respond every time." (Daisuke can tell the dolphins' moods... that's amazing...) When a dolphin swam past me over my shoulder, I was just overwhelmed with emotion. A regular participant (who has joined this tour about 50 times) said that the dolphins are attracted to Daisuke, and he has never failed to see them.

What I found most wonderful about this tour, especially as a family participant, was when Daisuke said, "Parents, please focus on yourselves. I'll take care of the kids." He actually helped the children who were struggling to get to the dolphins in the water. Thanks to him, I was able to chase the dolphins freely and enjoy myself without worry. I believe families can participate with peace of mind, and it's clear why there are so many regulars; it was a fantastic tour.

We encountered a large group of dolphins just one minute after boarding, but on average, it takes about 50 minutes to find a pod of dolphins.

Once my children's exams are over, I want to go back to the Big Island and join the tour again!

オアフ島・グアム・サイパン・バリ・・・と何度も何度もイルカにフラれ続けた私。
ハワイ島での初のイルカツアーをこちらに申し込みましたが「どうせイルカには会えないって」と家族からも冷たい視線を送られる私。
内心、会えない予感でいっぱいでした。
（今回のツアーで会えなかった場合に備えて、ヒルトンワイコロアビレッジに宿泊。最悪子供とドルフィンプログラムに参加するつもりでした・・・。）

その話をすると、ガイドのダイスケさん、「その不名誉な記録は今日で終わりにしましょう！大丈夫です！会えます！」と力強いお言葉。
「信じてますよ～！！」と心の中で祈りつつ、乗船して一分。
「あ、イルカいますよ～」と言われ、目を海にやるとイルカちゃんが！！！
今までに一度も見たことないのに、すぐに分かりました！
イルカちゃんが何度も何度も海面に背びれを出して泳いでました。
そして、早速海の中へ！
います、います、イルカちゃん達。本当に一体何匹いるんだろうと驚くばかりのイルカの群れ。もうこの時点で私は感動。。。。

ただ海は広いので、深いところへもぐってしまうと、ただ待つことになるのですが、ダイスケさんが素潜りでイルカちゃん達のもとへ。
不思議なことに、それに誘われてイルカちゃんが海面に上がってきて私たちの近くまでやってきてくれるのです！すごい、すごすぎる！

ダイスケさん曰く、「今日は本当にイルカちゃんみんな機嫌がよくて、10回誘ったら10回応えてくれる感じです～」とのことでした。
（イルカちゃんの機嫌がわかる、ダイスケさん、、、すごすぎる。。。）
誘われてきたイルカが私の肩越しにすれ違った時は本当にただただ、感動してしまいました。
常連の方（いままでこちらのツアーに50回くらい参加されている）曰く、ダイスケさんにイルカちゃんはひきつけられてくるんで、一度も会えなかった事はないです～とのことでした。
何より家族で参加した私が一番このツアーで素敵だな～と思ったのは、
「お父さん、お母さんは自分のことをしっかりやってください。子供のことは僕が見ます」とダイスケさんがおっしゃってくださり、実際うまく海の中でイルカのところへ行けな子供達を適時面倒見てくれたこことです。
おかげで、私は本当にのびのびイルカを追いかけまわして、心置きなく楽しむことができました。
家族連れの方も安心して参加していただけると思いますし、常連さんがいらっしゃるのがよくわかる、素敵なツアーでした。

今回私たちは乗船して1分でイルカの大群に出会うことができましたが、平均的にはイルカの群れを見つけるためには、50分くらいかかるそうです。

子供の受験が終わったらまたハワイ島に行ってツアーに参加したいと思ってます！

Mr. Mochizuki is the best! 1) He created a group just for Japanese people.
Mr. Mochizuki is the best! 2) This was my 12th time on the Big Island, while others were visiting for the first time, but the explanations satisfied both groups.
Mr. Mochizuki is the best! 3) He showed us the waterfall deep in Waipi'o Valley, and we thoroughly enjoyed it.
I want to ride in Mr. Mochizuki's helicopter next time!

望月さん最高１）日本人だけのグループにしてくれた。
望月さん最高２）私は、ハワイ島１２回目、他の方は初めてでしたが、両方が満足できる説明でした。
望月さん最高３）ワイピオ渓谷の奥の滝を見せてくれて十分満喫しました。
次回も望月さんのヘリコプターに乗りたい！

I never expected to meet so many wild dolphins, so it was truly a wonderful experience. I was nervous because I'm not good at swimming, but they held my hand the whole time and checked in on me frequently, which helped me relax and enjoy it. ♡ It became the best honeymoon!

野生のイルカにあんなたくさん会えるなんて思ってなかったので本当に素敵な体験が出来ました。泳ぐのが苦手で不安だったんですが、ずっと手を引いてくれて声かけもこまめにしてくださってリラックスして楽しめました♡
最高のハネムーンになりました！

Rather than swimming with the manta rays, it feels more like observing them from above while holding onto a board on the surface of the water. It seems that touching the manta rays is prohibited and comes with a hefty fine, so no one reaches out to them. As a result, the manta rays appear completely unafraid and even come surprisingly close, making me think they might be curious enough to wonder if I could be food!

マンタと一緒に泳ぐというより、海の上でボードにつかまって上からマンタを観察する感じです。マンタを触ったりするのは禁じられており高額な罰金があるそうで誰も手を伸ばさないので、マンタは全く危険を感じない様子で、こちらが食べられるんじゃないかと思うくらい近くまで来てビックリでした！

We were able to enjoy over 100 dolphins just one minute after departure! Captain Nawata and Daisuke taught us a lot, and we had a wonderful snorkeling experience two years later! Highly recommended.

出港から１分で100頭以上のイルカと楽しむことができました！！船長の縄田さんや、だいすけさんに色々と教えていただき2年後しの楽しいシュノーケリングができました！とてもおすすめです。

We participated in a tour from Kona with two adults and three children (6th grade, 3rd grade, and kindergarten) that included a visit to Waipi'o Valley and Kīlauea Volcano with a waterfall landing option. Our pilot was Toshi, a Japanese pilot (Mochizuki). We had informed them during the booking process that we preferred a Japanese pilot. There were two American couples and our family of five, making a total of seven people, so Toshi kindly explained everything in both English and Japanese. Since the children understood English, he switched to primarily English explanations partway through. Toshi is usually off on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

As for the tour itself, I was surprised at how stable the helicopter was; it didn't shake or make much noise. Just in case, the children took motion sickness medication, but it seemed unnecessary. In fact, the younger two got sleepy from the medication and almost fell asleep. Of course, individual experiences may vary, but I think it's much less likely to cause motion sickness than a boat. As of August, Kīlauea Volcano's activity has decreased, and we couldn't see any lava flows. However, we could see magma bubbling near the crater. More than that, the scenery around the valley was absolutely stunning. Personally, I recommend the views here even more. Additionally, we opted for the landing near the waterfall, and I highly recommend this. You can enjoy a waterfall that can only be accessed by helicopter all to yourself.

After the tour, you can purchase a video of the helicopter ride for $40, which includes footage from both inside and outside the helicopter. They save the video on a USB stick for you. The music played through the headphones during the tour matched the visuals perfectly, and I’m glad we made the purchase.

The price isn't cheap, but I believe it's worth it. Definitely enjoy the breathtaking views with the waterfall landing option.

大人2名と子供3名（小6、小3、年長）でコナ発、ワイピオ渓谷とキラウエア火山遊覧にWaterfall landing のオプション付きで参加しました。パイロットは日本人パイロットのToshiさん（望月さん）でした。申し込み段階で、一応「日本人パイロット希望」の旨は連絡していました。アメリカ人夫婦2名と我が家5名の計7名だったので、Toshiさんは英語と日本語を織り交ぜて丁寧に説明してくれました。子供達も英語は理解できることがわかったので、途中からは英語メインに切り替えて説明してくれました。Toshiさんは確か金土日曜日はお休みのはずです。
ツアー内容ですが、まず、ヘリコプターがとても安定しており、揺れない、うるさくないことにびっくり。念のため子供達は酔い止めを飲んでいましたが、必要なかったようです。逆に下2人は酔い止めで眠くなり、ほぼ寝ていました。。もちろん個人差はあると思いますが、船よりは全然酔いにくいと思います。キラウエア火山は8月現在活動が低下しており、溶岩流は見えませんでした。火口付近にマグマがボコボコしている様子は見えました。それよりも、渓谷付近の景色が最高でした。個人的にはこちらの景色の方がおススメです。あと、滝の近くに着陸するオプションを申し込んだのですが、これは絶対おススメです。ヘリコプターでしかアプローチできない滝を独り占めできます。
ツアーが終わると、オフィスにてツアー中のヘリ内外を撮影したビデオを$40で購入できます。USBスティックにビデオを保存して渡してくれます。こちらもツアー中にヘッドホンから流れてくる音楽と映像がマッチしており、購入して良かったです。
お値段は安くはないですが、それだけの価値はあると思います。是非、滝への着陸オプションで絶景を堪能ください。

First, we watched the sunset from a boat and then headed to the manta spot. As soon as we got into the water, a manta did a somersault right in front of us. We were able to see so many mantas up close. Our whole family was very satisfied. The staff were also incredibly friendly.

まず、ボートで夕陽を見てからマンタスポットへ行きました。 海に入ったらすぐに間近でマンタが宙返りしてくれました。 凄いたくさんのマンタがすごく近くで見れました。家族みんな大満足です。スタッフさん達も凄く親切でした。。

The boat was a bit small, but it was agile and great for getting close to the dolphins. There was one male and one female guide, and with the guests included, there were about ten people total, which felt just right. The male guide was Daisuke. After leaving the harbor, I saw Daisuke on the boat, who absolutely loves dolphins and was excited like a child, which made me feel at ease from the start. I had no worries at all. As he said, the dolphins come to you, so this method is enjoyable even for beginners. This way of dolphin swimming is gentle for both the dolphins and people, so if I do dolphin swimming again, I would like to request Daisuke.

Personally, I thought the water temperature might be low, so I borrowed a wetsuit, but after finishing, I realized I should have taken it off to enter the water for diving. However, the dolphins came really close, so the kids could see them up close, and it was a very enjoyable tour. Thank you very much.

P.S. It seemed that some people got seasick during the tour, so I think anyone who isn't confident should definitely take Anelon (there's also a children's version) to enjoy the experience without worrying about seasickness.

ボートは小さめでしたが、機動力もあるし、イルカのそばに近づくにはいいですね。船長、ガイドさんが男性1人、女性1人で、お客さんも入れて全員で10人ぐらいでちょうどいい感じで、その男性ガイドさんがだいすけさんでした。だいすけさんが、港を離れてから、ボート上で、イルカが大好きで、もう、まるで少年のようにワクワクしているのを見て、最初から安心しておまかせできました。全く不安なしでした。イルカは自分から来てくれるから～という通りで、このやりかたなら、初心者でも楽しめますね。このドルフィンスイムのやり方は、イルカにとっても、人にも優しいので、ドルフィンスイムをやるなら、また、だいすけさんにお願いしたいです。
個人的には、水温が低いかもと思い、ウェットスーツをお借りしたですが、潜るためにも、脱いでエントリーすべきだったと、終わったあと、思いました。でも、イルカたちは、ばっちり近くにたくさん来てくれたので、子供も近くで見れて、とても楽しいツアーでした。ありがとうございました。
P.S.
ツアー中、船酔いした方もいたようなので、自信がある方意外は、アネロン（子供用もあります）を必ず飲んで参加したほうが、船酔いの心配ゼロで楽しめると思いました。

After departing from the port, we spent quite a while on the boat. It was a long ride, and the sea wasn't particularly rough, but including the kids, our family was hit hard by seasickness. So, we couldn't enjoy breakfast...

However, once we arrived at the snorkeling spot and got into the water, the seasickness improved, and everyone was thrilled to be in the deep, clear sea.

On the way back, we encountered dolphins, which was super exciting. But then, shortly after that, I felt nauseous again and ended up resting while returning.

The captain was cheerful and lively, making it a lot of fun. I think the hamburgers for lunch would have been really delicious if we hadn't been seasick!

港を出発して結構な時間、船に乗ります。これがなかなか長く、大して海も荒れているわけでもありませんが、子どもたち含め、我が家は船酔いでダウンしました。ですので、朝ごはんは楽しめず。。。
しかし、シュノーケル場所に到着して、海に入ってしまえば、船酔いもよくなり、深いのに透明な海でみんな大喜びしていました。
帰りの船でイルカに遭遇し、大興奮しました。が、またそのあとげろげろになり、寝ながら戻ったという感じです。
船長も陽気、ノリノリでとても楽しく、お昼のハンバーガーも船酔いしていなかったらとてもおいしかったと思います！

There weren't that many mantas, but about two of them swam close by, fluttering around persistently, which was enough for us to enjoy. After we finished watching the mantas, my son got sick, but the guide's response at that time was wonderful, and I am very grateful. Thank you very much.

そんなに多くのマンタがいたわけではないのですが、2匹くらいがしつこいくらい近くをひらひら回転してくれて十分楽しむことができました。
マンタを見終わった後、息子が吐いてしまったのですが、その時のガイドさんの対応も素晴らしく、大変感謝しております。
ありがとうございました。

I was very satisfied, not realizing that the time spent on the helicopter was 2 hours (I thought it would be around 2 hours including orientation). In fact, I was picked up from the hotel at 11:20 and returned before 3:00.

We were able to see the northern and eastern parts of the Big Island (so many waterfalls!), flying over Hilo and all the way to the ocean entry in the southern part. I also got to see the currently erupting crater of Kilauea and the flowing lava in abundance.

ヘリに乗っている時間が2時間とは思わず（オリエンテーション含めて2時間くらいと思ってました）、大満足です。実際11時20分にホテルピックアップでホテルに帰ったのは3時前でした。
ハワイ島北部から東側（滝が多い！）、ヒロ上空を経由して南部のオーシャンエントリーまで、見ることができましたし、キラウエアの現在噴火している火口と現在流れている溶岩流も思う存分見ることができました。

It is a must! It is worth! I would do it again. At the beginning, I did not know what to expect, it was a friend recommendation and I thought it would be similar to swim with dolphins actitiviy I did before, but no, it is 10 times better! Getting into the water at night and be so close to these gentle giants was an experience that I will never forget. In less than 10 minutes in the water, we had mantas approaching us. They get very close to you thanks to the powerful lights attracting plâncton. I recommend you take your cell phone in a waterproof case and film. Just keep filming uninterruptly because you don’t know when the mantas will show up. Great experience!

I had a wonderful experience. It was my first time in a helicopter, so I was honestly a bit worried at first, but I found it to be a stable ride. The kids were so comfortable with the vibrations that they even fell asleep... haha. It seems that the number of Japanese guests is still quite low, as we were among the few on that day, but there is a Japanese pilot on staff, so I recommend it even if you're not good at English. The volcano is impressive, but the Waipi'o Valley is simply breathtaking.

素晴らしい体験が出来ました。ヘリコプターは初めてだったので、最初正直心配だったのですが、安定した乗り物だと知りました。子供達は振動が心地よく寝てしまったくらいです…笑日本人客の割合はまだまだ少ないらしく、当日は私達位だったようですが、日本人パイロットの方も在籍されているので、英語が苦手でもお勧めです。火山もですが、とにかくワイピオ渓谷は圧巻です。

You can choose the tour, but you can't choose the weather. It was a windy day, so the boat was really rocking. Some people were holding their heads and feeling sick (including my son).

According to reviews, it didn't seem like there would be many participants, but on the day we went, I think there were over 50 people on board. The second floor was almost full.

We saw dolphins right after we set off. There were several of them, which was a great start.

It takes about 40-50 minutes to reach the snorkeling point. Once we arrived, we received a safety briefing before heading out to snorkel. The water was clear, and we could see fish and sea urchins. My 4-year-old daughter also put on the fins and goggles we borrowed and swam. The waves were high, so just swimming was quite challenging.

After snorkeling, we enjoyed a waterslide from the boat. It was thrilling but fun.

We had breakfast and lunch on the boat, and the lunch burgers were delicious.

Seeing my son suffering from seasickness and a headache, an American lady said, "Drinking ginger ale will help." However, I'm not sure if that's true.

Anyway, it was tough with the high waves, but it was a very good experience!

ツアーは選べても、天気は選べません。強風の日だったので、ボートがスゴく揺れました。何人かの人が頭を抱え、寝込んでいました。(我が息子もですが。)

口コミでは、そんなに参加者も多くなさそうでしだか、私らが参加した日は、50人以上は乗船していたと思います。二階席もほぼ満席でした。

出発してすぐにイルカは見れました。何頭もいて、幸先良いスタートでした。

シュノーケルポイントまでは、40-50分？乗ります。着いたら安全に関するレクチャーを受けてから、いざシュノーケルに出陣。水は澄んで、魚もウニも見えました。４歳の娘も一丁前に借りた足のフィンとゴーグルを着けて、泳ぎました。波が高かったので、ただ泳ぐのも大変でした。

シュノーケルのあとは、ボートからのウォータースライダー。スリリングだけど、楽しかったです。

朝食もランチもボートで食べましたが、ランチのバーガーは美味しかったです。

船酔いで頭が痛くて仕方なかった息子を見かねて、アメリカンのオバチャマが、"ジンジャエールを飲むと、マシになるよ。"と言っていたものの、定かではありません。

とにかく、波が高くて大変でしたが、とても良い経験が出来ました！

We were a family of 7 visiting Hawaii for the first time in July 2018 and swimming with the Mantas sounded like a dream. We went out and was disappointed when only 2 Mantas showed up but I only saw one. To our surprise the captain announced that he planned on going back out later and anyone who wished to go back out was welcomed to stay onboard. Well needless to say we went back out to the south side of the island and to our amazement we were blessed to not only swim with one but with seven Mantas. The experience was outstanding one I will never forget. The captain and crew was courteous and professional and I highly recommend Ocean Encounters.

The night was perfect. We saw 6-7 mantas ! The captain (Tony) and the crew (I don't remember everyone's name :() were great as well giving clear instructions and making sure everyone made the most out of te experience. Prescription snorkling equipment was available which was even better.

The crew were terrific. We had a long lengthy talk about "safety" and what to do and what not to do to keep us and the manta rays safe. Initially, the area looked crowded as there were a handful of boats out in the same area. We booked this excursion early on in our stay as Sea Paradise offers 100% guarantee that we will see manta rays. If we don't, we can come back for free. As we started, the manta rays were swimming underneath us immediately. We had an unusually fantastic night as we were told that normal nights, there were 4 manta rays. Our night, we had 6-8, I loose track. They were so close to us, tumbling and doing their ballets. We had at least 30 minutes of their bellies being 2 inches away from our faces. What an unforgettable night! Hot chocolate as we came out of the water to keep us warm. Lots of snacks on board.

I was really looking forward to swimming with manta rays! We boarded a small boat and after about 30 minutes of travel, the waves were so rough that it felt like a roller coaster ride! It was amazing. ><;

(The instructor said, "Everyone did a great job!")

When we arrived at the site, we listened to the safety instructions and then entered the water one by one, but instead of swimming, we were just floating. We stretched out our legs (keeping a kicking position) and watched as the graceful manta rays swam beneath us. Since they are wild manta rays, we couldn't swim alongside them. Seeing them glide elegantly right in front of me made me go, "Wow!" but it was different from what I had imagined. My mother (80 years old) and my sister (in her 60s), who participated with me, said they wished there had been a clearer explanation of how to snorkel. It seemed to be a bit difficult for the older participants.

On the way back, as everyone mentioned, it was quite cold, so precautions are necessary. There are no changing facilities, so I think it's important to be flexible in preparing for that as well.

マンタを泳ぐ！となっていたので、かなり期待していました。小さなボートに乗り、進むこと30分くらい？波が大荒れだったのと、先端に乗っていたのとでジェットコースター以上の体感！凄かったです。><;
（「みなさん、よく頑張りました！」とインストラクターさんからの一言）
現場に到着し、注意事項を聞いて、次々に海に入りますが…泳ぐのではなく、浮いている状態。足をのばし（蹴伸びしている状態をキープ）その下を、優雅にマンタが泳いできてくれるという光景。野生のマンタですもの、一緒に泳ぐことはできないんですね。自分の目の前を優雅に泳いでいく姿を見るのは、「わぁー！」と思いましたが、想像していたのとは、違っていました。一緒に参加していた母(80歳）とお姉さま（60代）の二人は、「シュノーケリングの仕方？をしっかり説明してほしかった」と言っていました。年配の方には難しかったみたいです。
帰りは、皆さんがおっしゃるようにかなり寒いので、対策は必要です。着替える場所はないので、そのあたりも臨機応変に対策が必要だと思います。

I only add the nerve wracking part as it was something I did with a little trepidation - the idea of swimming in the ocean, in the dark, in the cold with a little tube to breathe through... However, I like to do something that scares every once in a while as the fear usually is nothing when actually doing the activity and this one was definitely the case in this experience. The guides were excellent and talked everyone through and kept everyone relaxed. You had a half wet suit to help with the cold; the water was lit up (to attract the plankton and mantas); the snorkel you soon forgot once you were floating in pure amazement and smiles as these giants swooped below you and then treated to the bright white display of them underneath as they rolled to eat up the plankton. Complete gentle giants; and not at all scary but just delightful

The day before the tour, I received a notification about a change in the pickup time. It was only 15 minutes earlier, but since I don't frequently check my emails while traveling, I almost missed it.

On the day of the tour, there were other guests, but perhaps due to the large number of participants, our family of four was directed to a larger boat that seemed to be a different English tour boat called "Hang Loose." We joined about 20 foreign guests on board. A Japanese guide accompanied us, and since the explanations were provided in Japanese, we had no difficulties. However, it felt a bit misleading to call this a "small group of up to 10 people" (although it was true that the guide was only responsible for our family of four). I also felt that the content of the tour was somewhat different from what other Japanese guests experienced.

In the end, I actually thought it was better for our family to be on the boat we were assigned to. First, the Japanese guide who also handled the transportation to the hotel was dedicated solely to our family of four, creating a private guide experience. On the boat, they were attentive to our health and provided light snacks, and they constantly supported our two elementary school children, who were not very familiar with the sea, which made us feel secure.

Shortly after departure, we spotted dolphins and entered the water twice. Although we didn't spend a long time in the water due to our inexperience with snorkeling, the children were able to see the dolphins. After the second time, when we got back on the boat, it sped off to a distant location. The guide informed us that this boat also takes guests to Captain Cook. In the waters in front of the Captain Cook monument, we were able to leisurely see many fish while snorkeling. It seemed that the relaxed snorkeling at Captain Cook suited our children better than the hurried movements chasing dolphins. After that, the boat returned while we enjoyed the view of the cliffs along the coast.

Although the content was somewhat different from what was described at the time of booking, our family was very satisfied with the tour, and we are very grateful to the guide who assisted us. However, if you strongly wish to swim with dolphins, you might be disappointed if you end up on a boat similar to ours.

ツアー前日の午後になって、ピックアップ時間変更の連絡がありました。集合が15分早くなっただけでしたが、旅先で頻繁にメールを見ているわけではないので、危うく見過ごすところでした。
当日は他のお客さんも居ましたが、参加人数が多かったせいか、うちの家族4人は他の参加者とは異なる大き目の船へ案内されました。案内されたのは Hang loose と書かれた別の英語のツアー船のようで、20人程度の外国のお客さんの中にうちの家族4人が同乗する形。日本人のガイドの方が同行してくれて、説明等は日本語で聞けたので何の不自由もありませんでしたが、これを「最大10名の少人数制」と呼ぶのか？？？という感じ（確かに日本人ガイドさんが担当しているのはうちの4人だけではありますが）。 ツアーの内容も他の日本人のお客さんとは異なるものだったような気がします。
ただ、結果としては、うちの家族にとっては、むしろ案内された船で良かったと思いました。まず、ホテルまでの送迎も担当してくれた日本人ガイドさんが、我が家の4名のみに付きっ切りというプライベートガイド状態。船上では体調や軽食などいろいろ気配りをしていただき、海中では海が不慣れな小学生の2人の子供を常にサポートしてもらい安心できました。
出港後、ほどなくイルカを見つけ海に入ったのが2回。シュノーケルに不慣れで手間取ったこともあって、そんなに長い時間ではありませんでしたが、子供たちもイルカを見ることができました。2回目が終わって船に上がったところで船はスピードを上げて遠方へ。ガイドさんから、この船はキャプテンクックにも案内していると教えてもらいました。キャプテンクックの記念碑の前の海ではシュノーケリングでたくさんの魚をのんびり見ることができました。うちの子供達にはイルカを追って慌ただしく動くよりも、キャプテンクックでのゆったりしたシュノーケリングの方が合っていたようです。その後、船は海岸沿いの崖を見物しながら帰港しました。
申し込み時の案内とは内容が多少異なっていましたが、我が家的には非常に満足できるツアーでしたし、担当してくれたガイドさんにも非常に感謝しております。
ただ、もしイルカと泳ぎたいということを強く願って参加される場合は、今回の我々と同じような船に同乗することになると残念に思ってしまうかもしれません。

I was able to see many beautiful fish! As a bonus, about ten dolphins came by, and we snorkeled together!! The staff were kind, and I had a great time! There were no other Japanese people besides us, but we enjoyed it enough!!

綺麗なおサカナがたくさん見れましたー
オマケに、イルカか10頭くらいやって来て、一緒にシュノーケリングしました！！ w
スタッフの方達も親切で楽しく過ごせました！
日本人は、うちの他にはいませんでしたが…十分楽しめました！！

This adventure was awesome! Lots of fish at both areas but especially the second area. We were the only boat at the second place we went to and there were tons of fish! I wish I would've taken my own snorkel gear but I'll make sure I do next time. Their gear was ok though.
5 hours was a good amount of time and we didn't feel rushed at either stopping area.
The breakfast was good.
I don't eat meat and the veggie burger that they made was pretty bad. I have never had a veggie burger that I liked. I love having everything on a bun with cheese though and that was great.

Could one really say they came to the Big Island without seeing this breathtaking view...? It was such a magnificent sight. I was able to take my time and enjoy it for two hours.

この絶景を見ずにしてビッグアイランドに来たと言えるだろうか。。。というくらいの壮大な景色。2時間かけてゆっくりとみることができました。

Great crew very attentive kind and funny what a great way to see Dolphins in the wild you can stay with the group or get outside by yourself must do trip you and your family will love it. Bill

This time, we participated as a couple. Originally, we planned to walk on the lava, but due to the incredible force of the eruption, it has been canceled. It’s quite expensive, but I felt sorry for the residents of Hawaii for this rare situation that happens once every few hundred years, and I wanted to see it with my own eyes.

I was very satisfied with the actual participation. We were the only Japanese people there, but since I mentioned that we couldn't speak English, we weren't approached for conversation, and we were able to enjoy ourselves together.

今回夫婦で参加しました。本当は溶岩の上を歩く予定でしたが、噴火の勢いがすごく今中止になってるため、いいお値段しますが、何百年に1回のこの惨状をハワイの住人には申し訳ないけどこの目でしっかり見ておきたかったです。
実際参加させてもらい大満足でした。日本人は私どもだけでしたが、英語できないと言っておいたので話を振られることもなく、2人で楽しめました。

We thoroughly enjoyed the Manta Ray excursion. The tour guide was great with telling us about the history of this tour and details about the behavior and nature of these Manta Rays. My daughter was most impressed. Although she’s 9yo and a good swimmer, she was still a little nervous about snorkeling at night and meeting these Manta Rays that could come inches to your face. However, the tour guide has made everyone felt safe and she was able to enjoy the magnificence of these gentle sea creatures. Highly recommended

The tour that day consisted of just two people, including myself, who had snorkeling experience. I'm grateful they held the tour with the minimum number of participants.

First, we searched for dolphins off the coast of Kailua-Kona. There were many tour boats gathering around a pod of dolphins, and the sea was already filled with people! The waters off Kailua-Kona were as crowded as Takeshita Street! Amidst all this, Captain K skillfully predicted the dolphins' movements and dropped us in an area with fewer people.

By repeating the process of moving the boat, dropping us, surfacing, and moving again, we were able to chase the pod of dolphins more dynamically, doubling our chances! Dolphins surfaced right in front of us to breathe and passed by!

According to our guide, "Dolphins will avoid people if they're in a bad mood," but today we were lucky, and the dolphins didn't seem to mind people. It was a lucky day! I had a fantastic time on the tour! When I visit the Big Island again, I will definitely join another tour! Mahalo!

当日のツアーはシュノーケル経験のある方と私の２名でした。
ツアー最小挙行人数で開催してくれて感謝です。

まずはドルフィンを探してカイルアコナの沖へ
ポイントには沢山のツアーボートがドルフィンの群れを
追い集結しており、海には沢山の人が既にいる状態！
カイルアコナ沖が竹下通りのごとく人人人！
そん中船長のKさんうまくドルフィンの動きを予想して
あまり人混みのない海域で私たちをドロップさせてくれました。

船移動→ドロップ→上がってまた移動→ドロップ
と繰り返すことで機動的にドルフィンの群れを追うことで
チャンスが倍増！
すぐ目の前をドルフィンたちがブローのため浮上して通過して行く！

ガイドさん曰く「ドルフィンも機嫌が悪いと人を極端に避ける」そうで
今日は運が良くドルフィンたちも人を嫌がらない
ラッキーデイだね！と言っていただき
大満足なツアーを過ごせました！
またハワイ島を訪れる時はまたツアーに参加します！
Mahalo!

First of all, this activity is a test of physical strength and mental stamina. It's not recommended for those who are prone to motion sickness.

Regular motion sickness medication may not be effective, so it's best to take a stronger anti-nausea medication in advance.

Additionally, a wetsuit (10 dollars) is essential. It gets very cold on the water, and the 40-minute manta ray viewing can be quite tough. The return trip is especially challenging. The water is extremely cold after sunset, and even in summer, a wet body can feel freezing.

In addition to drying off, it's necessary to bring a towel for warmth, so make sure to take a thick one.

That said, you don't need to worry about not seeing manta rays; they come quite close and swim around, providing a thrilling manta ray show.

Moreover, it seems that other tour companies are watching from a distance, likely due to the equipment of this tour, so they aren't very close. If you want to enjoy the closest manta rays, I recommend this tour.

The guide, Alicia, speaks Japanese, which I thought was very good.

Lastly, I want to emphasize again that managing your health and body temperature, as well as maintaining your physical and mental stamina, is essential. I do not recommend bringing children. The family next to us had to leave because their child couldn't handle it.

When we returned to the boat, we had a hard time getting the raft close, and our stamina was running low; it felt like we were about to get lost. The sea might have been rough, but it was quite dangerous. My wife was on the verge of getting lost or drowning.

Also, after the tour, the area around the parking lot is pitch dark, and there are no facilities like showers. The only thing available is a dimly lit restroom.

Changing clothes is impossible, so it's best to head back as you are. It's scary even without considering safety concerns.

まず、このアクティビティは体力と気力勝負です。
乗り物酔いする方にもお勧めできません。

車の酔い止め程度では効きませんので
ちょっと強めの酔い止めを事前に飲んでおきましょう

更に、ウェットスーツ（10ドル）は必須です。
洋上は非常に寒く、40分間の海の上でのマンタ見学も
かなり辛いものになります。
特に辛いのは帰りです。日の落ちた洋上は非常に寒く
濡れた身体は、夏でも凍えるほどです。

身体を拭くのとは別に保温用としてのタオルは必須で
厚手のものを持って行きましょう

さて、だからと言ってマンタが見れなかった訳では
ありませんのでご安心を、かなり近くまでマンタが
寄ってきて回遊しますので、迫力あるマンタショーが
体験できました。

しかも他社のツアーは、このツアーの設備目当てに
周りで見ているようなので、あまり近くに居ないようです。
最接近のマンタを楽しみたいなら、このツアーをお勧めします。

ガイドはアリシアちゃんが日本語を喋れるので
非常に良かったと思います。

最後にもう一度だけ言っておくと
体調と体温の管理、体力と気力の保持は必須です。
お子様も連れて行くのはお勧めしません。
隣の家族は途中で子供が根を上げて、帰ってしまったようでした。

我々も船に帰る際になかなかイカダが船が近づけず
体力もキツくなってきて、それはもう遭難しそうでした
海が荒れていたのかも知れませんが、かなり危なかったです。
妻はもう遭難か溺れる寸前でした。

あと、終わると駐車場周辺は真っ暗闇で、シャワーも何も設備はありません。
あるのはうす暗いトイレのみです。

着替えるのは無理なので、そのまま帰りましょう
治安とか考えなくても怖いですよ

I couldn't believe I could meet manta rays so close. I was moved to see five manta rays. It was a wonderful tour.

こんなに近くでマンタに会うことができるなんて信じられないくらいでした。
五羽のマンタに会え感動しました。素晴らしいツアーでした。