All Reviews for Snorkeling Cruises & Tours

The day before and on the day itself, unfortunately, there was light rain. I assumed a Japanese person would come to pick me up, but it was someone else, so I didn't realize at first, haha. I figured it out because the back of the T-shirt had "Manta University" written on it. For those who will be using this service, please keep that in mind! Haha.

After doing a lot of searching and research, I decided to go with Manta University based on reviews and prior reputation, and it was definitely the right choice. I had an amazing experience!

It seems that Manta University is highly rated by other tour companies as well, as everyone I spoke to said, "That place is great!" when I mentioned their name. The website was a bit hard to navigate (it really is quite confusing), and I chose them because a Japanese person said there would be a restroom, but there wasn't one. They were complaining during the briefing before boarding the boat, but I wish they had done their homework. Since half of the participants were foreigners, I felt a bit embarrassed as a fellow Japanese person.

Just a heads up, the boat for the manta tour on the Big Island does not have a restroom! Haha. Please keep that in mind!

Before departure, they provide explanations and help you put on the wetsuits. You need to specify your size when booking, but they will lend you a properly fitting size on-site, so those who are worried can feel at ease.

The boat ride to and from the site is quite bumpy and you will get wet. It’s cold, but that’s to be expected when you’re speeding across the ocean! Haha. This was my third tour, and although I could only chat a little, I was used to talking with foreigners, so I had a great time throughout. There was a lovely elderly couple from America; the man was very kind to his wife, and I thought, "I want to be like that couple."

My wife can't swim and this was her first time in the ocean, so I was honestly a bit worried, but our guide, Toriama (Tori-chan), was very kind and attentive, so she was able to snorkel in the night sea with me until the end!

The manta rays were just amazing! I was so happy to see them! From the moment they appeared right in front of me to their graceful gliding, everything was incredible!! I felt like I came just to see the mantas, so it was the best experience ever!!

We talked about wanting to go see dolphins next! Manta University comes highly recommended.

P.S. Mantas appear to feed on plankton that gather around lights, and I saw other tour companies claiming their lights are stronger than others, but when I asked a knowledgeable friend in the marine world, it seems that doesn’t really matter, haha. Since we’re dealing with nature, there will be times when you can’t see them, and other times when many come. During my tour, three mantas showed up.

When choosing a tour company, I recommend considering whether they have Japanese guides, the level of care they provide, and the details of their services. Please avoid getting distracted by unclear services and the desire to have a better experience than others!

The Big Island is the best! I will definitely come back!

前日、当日は生憎の小雨模様でした。
日本人の方が迎えに来てくれると思い込んでいましたが、違ったので最初わかりませんでした笑
Tシャツの背中側の上にマンタ大学と書いてあったのでわかりました。
利用される方は参考にしてくださいね！笑

色々探したり調べて、口コミや前評判からマンタ大学さんにお願いしましたが、間違いありませんでしたよ。
最高な体験ができました！

マンタ大学さんは、他のツアー会社にも評価は高いようで、名前を出したら、あそこはいいですよ！と、どのツアーの方も仰っていました。
ホームページが見ずらかったのか(たしかにわかりづらいですよね)、日本の方がトイレ付きだから選んだのに。ないんなら他を選んでいた。と、船に乗る前の説明で文句を言っていましたが、ちゃんと下調べはして欲しいものです。海外の方が半数だったので、同じ日本人として、少し恥ずかしかったですね。

ハワイ島のマンタツアーの船にトイレはありませんよー！笑
参考にしてくださいね！笑

出発前に説明とウェットスーツの着用をしてくれます。申し込み時にサイズを言わなければいけませんが、現地にて自分にちゃんと合ったサイズのものを貸してくれるので、不安な方は安心してくださいね。

行き帰りの船はかなり揺れます。そして濡れます。
寒いです。そりゃ海の上を突っ走りますから、まぁ当然ですよね！笑
この時はもうツアー3回目で触り程度しか話せない2人ですが、海外の方とのおしゃべりも慣れていたので終始楽しかったです。
アメリカ出身の老夫婦が素敵でした。男性が奥さんにとても優しくあんな夫婦になりたいと思いました。

私の妻は泳げない&海も人生初。で、正直不安でしたがガイドのトリヤマさん(トリちゃん)が優しく、またちゃんと気にしてくれていたので、夜の海でのシュノも最後まで一緒にすることができました！

マンタは、もう最高でした！会えて幸せでした♫
目の前に、ヌーーッと現れるところから、ヒラリヒラリと舞う姿も、全てがヤバかったです！！
私はマンタに会いに来たようなモノだったので最高な体験ができました！！

次はイルカに通いたいと夫婦で話しましたよ♫
マンタ大学さんはオススメです。

追記
光に集まるプランクトンを食いにマンタが現れるのですが、他のツアー会社の説明に他者よりライトの光が強い！等を見かけましたが、ちゃんとした海の友人に聞いたところ、関係ないようです笑
自然世界を相手にしているので、見れない時もあるでしょう。また、たくさん来てくれる時もあるでしょう。私の時は、3枚のマンタちゃんが来てくれました。
ツアー会社を選ぶ際には、日本人ガイドがいるか。
ケアはどうか。サービス内容は。等で選考するのをオススメします。よくわからないサービスに目を奪われて、他人よりいい思いをしようという思いにかられない様にして選んでくださいね！

ハワイ島最高ー♫
また来ます、必ず！

I participated in the Manta University Night Dive.

The guide was Tori. She was a very considerate and great guide.

We boarded a boat and headed out to the Sheraton off Kailua-Kona. The boat was going at an amazing speed, and it felt great. During sunset, the boat was stopped in a position that made it easy to take pictures.

At the manta viewing point, we just floated while holding onto the SUP boards! At first, no mantas came, but gradually many appeared, swimming right in front of us. I was moved by the mantas swimming and rotating just inches from my nose.

Reluctantly, we headed back after about 30 minutes.

On the way back, the lights of Kailua-Kona were beautiful. I would love to participate again to meet the amazing mantas with the attentive guide. Thank you!

マンタ大学夜学部に参加してきました。

ガイドはトリさんでした。
とても気遣いされる良いガイドさんでした。

ボートに乗り、カイルアコナのシェラトン沖へ。
ボートはすごいスピードで気持ちいい感じです。
途中、サンセットタイムではボートを見易い向きで停めて頂き写真が取れました。

マンタを見るポイントではSUPのボードに捕まって浮いてるだけ！最初はマンタ来なかったですが、だんだんたくさん来て、正に目の前を回遊してくれました。
鼻先すれすれを回転しながら泳ぐマンタに感動。
名残惜しくも30分位で帰路へ。

帰りはカイルアコナの街の光が綺麗でした。
丁寧なガイドさんと感動のマンタに会いにまた参加したいと思います。
ありがとうございました❗

I chose this tour because it mentioned that there would be a restroom on the boat, but I was shocked to find out there was none. In the end, it turned out I didn't need it, but if there wasn't one, it would have been the same as the others. Everything else was fantastic. At first, I thought the manta rays wouldn't come, and I was about to give up, but they showed up in the second half. Our tour guide, Tori, was very encouraging to us as it was our first time snorkeling, and we had a great time. The night sea was a bit scary, but if you're going to Hawaii Island, I definitely recommend this tour.

予約する時、船にトイレがあるとなっていたので、こちらを選んだのですが、参加してみたら船にはトイレがなくショック
結果的には行かなくて大丈夫でしたが、ないなら他と同じだったな・・と
それ以外は最高でした
最初はマンタが来なくて、駄目かなと諦めてたら後半は来てくれました
ツアーガイドのトリちゃんが初めてのシュノーケルだった私たちに色々声を掛けてくれて、とても楽しかったです
夜の海はちょっと怖かったけど、ハワイ島へ行くなら絶対おすすめです

The magnificent sunset seen from the sea and the flying fish skimming the surface build excitement as we ride a thrilling boat, reminiscent of being on a banana boat.

Wearing a wetsuit, fins, and goggles, I floated while holding onto the raft's rope. A three-meter manta ray approached the raft, showing its patterned belly and opening its large mouth, spinning close to us multiple times. The sheer power of the experience left me completely overwhelmed and deeply moved. It was truly a precious and emotional experience.

ポイントにつくまでに見られる海上からの雄大なサンセットと海面を飛び続けるトビウオ、バナナボートに乗っているかのようなスリル満点の船で期待感が高まります。
ウェットスーツ、足ひれ、ゴーグルをつけ筏のロープに腕を伸ばした状態でつかまり浮いていると筏のブルーライトに寄ってくるプランクトンめがけて3メートル大のマンタが斑模様のおなかを見せながら大きな口を開けて私たちスレスレに何度も回転する様子には、あまりの迫力にただただ圧倒され感動するばかりでした。本当に貴重な感動体験ができました。

We participated as a couple. Most of the tour participants were American, so there was a bit of an away feeling, but one of the participants kindly spoke to us in slow, clear English since we didn't understand much.

We encountered many dolphins, and snorkeling was fun. But above all, the high-speed boat was thrilling! However, after snorkeling, the wind was quite strong and cold, so a jacket is necessary!

夫婦で参加。ツアー参加者はアメリカ人ばかりでアウェイ感はありましたが、参加者の一人が英語がわからない私たちに、ゆっくりと分かりやすい英語で話しかけてくれて助かりました。
イルカにも沢山出会えましたし、シュノーケルも楽しかったです。
でも、何といっても高速ボートがスリル満点‼
ただ、シュノーケルの後は風がかなり当たって寒いので、上着は必要です‼

I booked this tour because it comes with a Japanese guide. I forgot that I needed to contact them after arriving in Hawaii, and on the day of the tour, I hurriedly made a phone call, but there were no issues.
The participants were half Japanese and half foreigners. The guide was a friendly American woman in her twenties who spoke a little Japanese. The atmosphere on the boat was pleasant throughout.
About 30 minutes after departure, we arrived at the spot. We floated a buoy that looked like a glowing surfboard in the sea and waited for the manta rays to come. Once we confirmed that the manta rays were approaching, we all got into the water, held onto the buoy, and looked at the manta rays with our faces in the water. The manta rays swirled around, coming close to the light and then moving away, repeating this several times, and they came quite close, which was thrilling. On this day, the manta rays approached our buoy about 7 to 8 times. The night sea was cold, and since we couldn't stay in the water for too long, we were lucky to see them for a bit.

日本人ガイドがつくということで、こちらのツアーを予約しました。ハワイ到着後に連絡を入れなければならないことを忘れており、ツアー当日に慌てて電話をしましたが、問題ありませんでした。
ツアー参加者は日本人と外国人が半々。ガイドは20代くらいのアメリカ人女性でした。日本語は少し話せる程度でしたが、フレンドリーな性格で船上は終始和やかな雰囲気でした。
出港して30分ほどでポイントに到着。光を放つサーフボードのような浮きを海に浮かべ、マンタが寄ってくるのを待ちます。マンタが近づいてきたのを確認し、みんなで水に入り浮きにつかまりながら顔を水につけてマンタを見学。マンタはくるくると旋回しながら光に近づいては離れ、を繰り返しますが、かなり近くまでやってくるので迫力満点。この日は７～８回マンタが私たちの浮きに近づいてきました。夜の海は水が冷たく体が冷えるのであまり長く水中にいられないため、少ししか見られないこともあるようですので、私たちはラッキーでした。

We had an awesome time with captain JC and Kevin. I went on dolfin discovery the day before and didn't even see the dolfin and captain JC found for us a shark, 3x dolfin and bring us to a place where the turtles are. In one word AWESOME, mahalo and aloha from the Netherlands

I had an awesome expierence with the Manta Ray swim in front of our hotel.

I encountered dolphins!! The guide was very kind and gave us many opportunities to swim with the dolphins, so we swam a lot!! I was very excited when a dolphin came right by my feet. It became a wonderful memory!!

イルカに出会えました！！ガイドの方もとっても親切でした。何回もイルカと泳ぐチャンスをくれてたくさん泳げました！！足元にイルカが来たときはとても興奮しました。良い思い出になりました！！

I participated at the end of April with a total of six people: my family of four, plus my father and mother.

The one-hour boat ride to our destination was pleasant and enjoyable. Drinks and snacks were provided, and we could help ourselves. The staff were very cheerful and kind, efficiently preparing snorkels and fins in sizes that suited everyone.

Upon arriving at the bay with the Captain Cook monument, it was finally time for snorkeling. I was worried about whether my six-year-old daughter and my 66-year-old father would be able to participate, but there were plenty of floaties and body wraps available, so we could enjoy it with peace of mind. The water was a bit cold, but it was great to see so many colorful fish.

On the return trip, we encountered a pod of dolphins. Dolphins gathered from all around, swimming alongside the boat and jumping around us. We were able to see their cute appearances and behaviors for about 20 minutes, which was very moving.

I created many wonderful memories. Next time I visit the Big Island, I definitely want to join the Fair Wind snorkeling tour again. Thank you very much.

私は４月末に、家族四人＆私の父と母、の合計６人で参加しました。

目的地に着くまでの一時間程、船の旅も気持ちよく楽しいものでした。ドリンクやスナックが用意されていて、自由に取りに行く形でした。
スタッフの方々もとても明るく親切で、それぞれにあったサイズのシュノーケル、フィンも手際よく用意してくれました。

キャプテンクックの記念碑がある湾に到着し、いよいよシュノーケルです。
娘は６歳、私の父は66歳だったので出来るか心配していましたが、浮き輪や体に巻き付ける浮具がたくさん用意されていたので、安心して楽しめました。海は少し冷たかったですが、カラフルな魚がたくさん見れて良かったです。

帰りの船ではイルカの群れに遭遇しました。あちこちからイルカがたくさん集まってきて、船と並んで泳いだり、周りでジャンプしたり、、
20分ほどイルカの可愛い姿や仕草が見れて、
とっても感動しました。
本当に素敵な思い出がたくさんできました。

次回、ハワイ島に行くときは必ずまたフェアウィンド号のシュノーケルツアーに参加したいと思います。ありがとうございました。

Great day, great crew. Extremely safety conscious company. We had a rough ride a fair way so it was good to feel in safe hands. Saw many dolphins and a few turtles too.

The Japanese female tour guide was bright, kind, and provided clear and efficient explanations and support, making it enjoyable. Watching the manta rays eat plankton was thrilling, a mix of a little scary and fun. I'm glad I participated. There were about 20 participants, which felt a bit crowded.

日本人女性のツアーガイドさんが、明るく、優しく、無駄のない、説明やフォローをしてくれ、楽しめました。
マンタがプランクトンを食べる様子は、迫力満点で、ちょっと怖いのと楽しいのが混ざった感じでした。参加して良かったです。
参加者が２０人で、ちょっと多かったです。

I joined hoping to see dolphins up close, but I was surprised at how much closer they came than I expected! It felt like the dolphins were playing with me. I had a great time!

イルカが近くで見れたら良いな～ぐらいに思って参加しましたが
思ったより随分と近くに寄ってきてビックリ！
イルカさんに遊んでもらった印象です。
とても楽しかったです！

Me and my family attended this activity on 5/12/17 and it was everything and more! There was a total of 8 of us in my family that went. The boat was huge and there was not a lot of people so there was plenty of room to sit and wander. The crew was friendly and very informational! They answered all questions and did a good instructional of what to expect and what not to do. Once in the water they were so helpful especially for those snorkeling for the first time. They helped you every step of the way to make sure you were having the best time possible. They eased you and helped to calm your nerves. We saw three manta's during our time and it was amazing! A must do event that no one can miss. Once we were back on the boat there were a total of five manta's swimming around almost pleading us to come back in the water! Two of us got sea sick over the side of the boat and the crew was super nice about it and just said that we were feeding the fish! Hahahaha. I would highly recommend this snorkel swim and specifically with the Hula Kai. It seemed to be the better of what I could see once out on the bay. I can not thank the crew enough for such a wonderful experience for our family! Job well done!

Swimming with Manta Rays has been on my bucket list for a very long time. Seeing these beautiful creatures swimming next to you was absolutely unreal! As you can only spot Manta Rays at night we went for a short boat trip first where we watched the sunset, enjoyed the weather and had a few drinks. Our captain was a great guy who showed us something I couldn’t believe existed – a green flash right before the sun disappears below the horizon – thought it was a myth! Crew did everything they could to make us feel comfortable and to enhance our experience throughout the entire trip. Manta Rays were swimming right next to us and I managed to get a perfect footage on my GoPro camera which I am going to use for my video. This experience is a must do if you are visiting Big Island – this was definitely a highlight of my trip to Hawaii!

I was glad to be able to see wild dolphins up close. The briefing before meeting the dolphins was thorough and left a good impression. Thank you to all the guides.

間近で野生のイルカをみることができて良かったです。イルカに会う前のレクチャーも丁寧で好感でした。ガイドのみなさんありがとうございました。

Despite not being confident in swimming, I participated on the day of arrival. Thanks to the extensive support, I was able to see many impressive manta rays without feeling scared. The sunset on the way there was beautiful. I felt a bit chilly, so don't forget to bring warm clothing.

泳ぎに自信がないくせに
到着日に参加しました。
手厚いサポートがあったため
怖い思いをせず、迫力のマンタを
たくさん見ることができました。
行きの夕日も綺麗でした。
少し肌寒い思いをしたので、
防寒着を忘れずに。

One instructor is assigned to every six people, allowing for interaction with the dolphins. I have participated in a dolphin interaction event at Yokohama Hakkeijima Sea Paradise, but this experience was so much more substantial and satisfying that it’s not even comparable.

We were able to touch the dolphins, observe them swimming up close, and even make them jump. The hour flew by in no time. Unfortunately, my 5-year-old grandchild was scared and couldn't put their face in the water while wearing a mask. I wish we had gotten them more accustomed to the water beforehand.

6人に1人のインストラクターが着いてイルカと触れ合います。
八景島シーパラダイスでもイルカとの触れ合いイベントに参加したことが有りますが、内容は比較にならない程ボリューム満点で大満足です。

触れたり、泳いでいる様子を顔を付けて見たり、ジャンプさせたり、あっという間の1時間でした。
残念なのは、5歳の孫がマスクを着けて顔を水に浸けられず、怖がってしまった事。水にもう少し鳴らしておけばよかった。

I was very excited to meet many dolphins and see them up close. The guide was young but very calm and kind, which helped me relax. I highly recommend it!

たくさんのイルカに会え、間近に見ることができ、とても興奮しました。
ガイドの方も若い方ですが、とても穏やかな優しい方で、
リラックスできました。お勧めです！

It's a special experience where you can feel the grandeur of the Big Island, including the appearance of the volcano, the flow of magma into the ocean, the townscape of Hilo, and the waterfalls in the valley. It's an experience that money can't buy. I highly recommend it! Although I wasn't a Japanese pilot, I could somewhat understand what was being said through the words.

火山の様子やマグマの海への流出、
ヒロの町並み、渓谷内の滝が流れる様子、
とにかくハワイ島の雄大さを感じることができるスペシャルな体験です。
お金じゃ買えない経験です。お勧めします！！
なお、日本語パイロットではなかったですが、
単語でなんとなく言っていることは分かりました。

I had very little experience swimming before, and it was my first time snorkeling, so I was quite anxious. However, I am grateful to our guide, Daisuke, for easing my nerves. Since we were looking for wild dolphins, there was no guarantee we would see them, but it seemed like he was using his experienced intuition to search for them. Normally, it takes about an hour to find them, but in our case, we encountered them just one minute after departure and were able to swim with them for a long time.

これまで泳ぎをあまりしたことがなく、シュノーケリングも初めてでとても不安でしたが、ガイドの大輔さんが緊張を柔らげてくださって感謝です。野性のイルカなので、必ず会える保証はないとのことですが、経験豊富な勘？でイルカを探していただいているようで、普段1時間ぐらいは船を走らせるところ、私達の時は、出航わずか1分で遭遇し、長い時間一緒に泳ぐことが出来ました。

I participated last September, and thanks to the experienced guide, I was able to encounter pods of dolphins multiple times, creating the best memories. I definitely want to join again when I go to the Big Island! I highly recommend it!

昨年の9月に参加しましたが、経験豊富なガイドさんのおかげで何度もイルカの群れに遭遇することができ、最高の思い出になりました。
またハワイ島に行った際はぜひ参加したいです！
おすすめです！！

I have participated in snorkeling tours on all the islands in Hawaii, but this spot on the Big Island has the most coral and plenty of fish—it's truly a wonderful place! This is my third time, and I'm always very satisfied. The price is a bit high, but the boat is clean, the lunch is delicious, and it's very comfortable. There are various activities on the Big Island, but I definitely want to experience snorkeling in the ocean. I really recommend it! My 82-year-old father didn't go into the water, but he enjoyed just looking at the beautiful sea like he was on a cruise. I will definitely come back again.

ハワイでは全ての島でシュノーケリングツアーに参加してますが、
ハワイ島のここが1番珊瑚が多く魚もたくさんいて本当に素敵なスポットです♪
今回三回目ですがいつも大満足です。
ちょっと金額は高いですが、ボートもキレイだしランチも美味しいし
とても快適
ハワイ島は色んなアクティビティあるけどやっぱり海でシュノーケリングも体験しで欲しいです。ほんとにオススメ
82歳の父は海には入らないけどクルーズ気分でキレイな海を眺めているだけで楽しめました。
またリピートします

The manta ray approached with incredible power, opening its large mouth, and I was surprised at how much more impressive it was than I had imagined. Our guide, Musashi, reassured us by saying, "Manta rays like plankton and are not interested in humans, so they won't eat you. They come to feed while upside down." This made it easy for me to swim without worry. While trying to stay still and "float," two manta rays crossed right in front of me, and their fins almost touched my body, making me move my legs out of the way. I was so thrilled that I had a dream for the first time in years that night. Since it was getting cold, I was glad I brought a windbreaker and a towel. I thought it would have been nice to bring an underwater camera if I could have used one hand. Later, I received the graduation photos, which became a wonderful memory.

とにかくすごい迫力でマンタが近寄ってきて大きな口を開け、想像以上だったので初めは驚きました。ガイドのムサシさんが、「マンタはプランクトンが好きで人間には興味がないから食べられることはない。ひっくり返って餌を食べに来ますよ。」と教えてくれたので安心して泳ぐことができました。なるべく体を動かさずに「ふし浮き」をしていたら2匹が一緒に私の前で交差してひれが体に触れそうになり足をよけたほどでした。とにかく大感激で夜に何年かぶりに、夢を見ました。寒くなるとのことで、ウインドブレイカーとタオルを持参していたので良かったです。片手が使えるなら、水中カメラを持参しておけばよかったかなあと思いました。後で、卒業写真を送っていただき思い出になりました。

My husband and I went snorkeling and it was amazing! We saw Captain Cook monument and snorkled the most beautiful part of Hawaii. The boat tour was so much fun, we saw so many dolphins. Our boat driver and helper were super friendly. This is a must! Don't second guess just book it...your adventure begins here!

Swimming with a pod of wild dolphins multiple times became the best memory for our entire family on the Big Island. It felt like I was part of the pod. I've heard that swimming with wild dolphins might soon be prohibited, so please make sure to go soon!

野生のイルカの群れと何度も一緒に泳ぐことが出来て家族全員一致でハワイ島で一番の思い出になりました。まるで自分が群れの一員の様な気分でした。もうすぐ野生のイルカと泳ぐ事が禁止になるかもとの事で是非お早目に行って下さい！

This was our second trip snorkeling with Tim. This time we brought my wife's family (from Miami). They absolutely loved it, and we can't thank Tim and crew enough for making it, yet again, a once in a lifetime experience for our family.

You guys rock!!!

Trevor and Captain Jesse James were incredible. We were in Hawaii for 7 day with 3 days in Hilo and 4 days in Kona and this 3 hour trip is what my three sons remember the most. Highly recommend!

Mike and Deanna were our guides this afternoon. They were quick but thorough in equipping everyone and explaining what to expect. The snorkeling was amazing. Though the wind picked up more than expected, they skillfully guided us back across the bay. Great experience that was enhanced by Mike's tales of the history of the bay.

We went as a family of four with two girls, 10 and 8,neither of whom had ever snorkelled. (but both had kayaked). We did the afternoon tour and were really lucky to see the spinner dolphins on the way to and from the snorkeling. The ethos of the tour was amazing. Once spotted, we stopped paddling and let them come to us, no chasing, no interference and Deanna and her colleague (sorry, forgot his name), clearly care so much about the reef and local wildlife, very much respecting it and observing rather than chasing it down. Once on the reef they showed us local plants, and got all our goggles ready for snorkeling. As my kids hadn't snorkelled before they were botha bit scared, but Deanna was super helpful, and got in with them. Once they looked down they were off, and didn't want to come in. Snacks and drinks were provided, as was a history of the Captain Cook monument. Would highly highly recommend.... No guarantees you will get dolphins, but incredibly safe and clear snorkeling, best I have seen and clearly run by people who care most about maintaining the reef and wildlife for future generations.