All Reviews for Snorkeling Cruises & Tours

Everything was perfect! The boat is virtually brand new and is spotless! The crew was amazingly friendly and competent. We were traveling with 3 generations of our family, ranging from 3 to 72 and everyone raved about how this was one of the best adventures any of us had ever experienced! You will not regret booking an adventure on the Spirit of Aloha!!!

On the way to the manta snorkeling point, while riding the boat and enjoying the beautiful sunset, we were able to see two whales and many sharks. I heard that sharks can only be seen about twice a year.

During snorkeling, the large mantas came so close that it felt like they were almost going to bump into us, which was very impressive!

The staff were all very kind, and having a Japanese guide on board made us feel secure. After the tour, they even sent us the videos taken with the GoPro for free. I highly recommend this tour!

マンタのシュノーケリングポイントに行く途中、美しい夕焼けを見ながら船に乗っていると、二匹のクジラ、そしてたくさんのサメを見ることができまさした。
サメは年に2回ほどしか見ることができないそうです。
シュノーケリングでは大きなマンタが何枚もぶつかりそうになるほど近い距離まで来てくれて、とても迫力がありました！

スタッフの皆さまもとても親切で、日本人ガイドさんも乗船して下さったので安心でした。
終了後にGoProで撮影した動画も無料で送って下さいました。
本当におすすめのツアーです！

Guides were great
Dolphins are clearly very well taken care of and lived
100% awesome

This is a luxurious tour where you can enjoy whale watching, dolphin watching, sea turtle viewing, and snorkeling all on a cruise charter. We participated as a family of six across three generations, and with two staff members accompanying us, one of whom entered the water to provide guidance and support, my 78-year-old mother, who has paralysis on her right side, was truly grateful to be able to snorkel together. After snorkeling, there was a service of tropical fruits, juice, and snacks, which I believe offers great value for the price. I especially recommend private charters for families with small children or elderly individuals.

クルーザーチャーターで、ホエールウオッチングも、イルカウオッチングも、ウミガメかざしも楽しめ、スノーケルも楽しめる贅沢なツアーです。
三世代家族6人で参加しましたが、スタッフが2人付いてくれ、1人が一緒に海に入って指導やサポートをしてくれるので、78歳で右半身に麻痺が残る母も、一緒にスノーケルできたのが本当にありがたかったです。
スノーケル後にはトロピカルフルーツやジュース、スナックのサービスもあり、お値段以上の価値があると思います。
特に小さいお子さんや高齢の方にはプライベートチャーターはお勧めです。

Loooooved it! We didnt wanna get off the boat n the crew was awesome with my kids!!!!

No time to relax on this excursion. We flew to Captain Cook on a zodiac boat with little room to sit or move about. The snorkeling was OK and the guides were helpful. Everything felt rushed from the get go. This trip sure gave us a lot of chuckles when rehashing our day.

I couldn't see any dolphins, whales, or turtles, not even a shadow or a hint of their presence, and I felt no motivation to search for them. The first snorkeling spot had hardly any fish, yet we were made to swim there for a long time. The second snorkeling spot was really great, but I got cold and tired from the first spot, so I ended up spending less time at the second one, which was disappointing. The hot dog for lunch had a sickly red sausage that was surprisingly bad, and I couldn't eat it. It was the worst hot dog I've ever had; I always thought you couldn't make a hot dog taste bad no matter how you prepared it, so I was shocked. There were no pineapples. The boat was simpler than I expected and rocked a lot, making it uncomfortable to ride. I thought the quality for this price was terrible.

イルカもクジラもカメも影も形もみえず、気配さえ感じられず、なんとか探そうという気概も感じられず。一回目のシュノーケルスポットはたいして魚もいないのに長時間泳がされて、2回目のシュノーケルスポットはとてもよかったのに、一回目のシュノーケルスポットで冷えて疲れて2回目の方が短時間になってしまい物足りなかった。ランチのホットドッグが気持ち悪い赤い色のソーセージで、びっくりするほどまずく、食べられなかった。こんなにまずいホットドックはうまれて初めて、ホットドックなんてどう作ってもまずくはならないと思っていたので衝撃だった。パイナップルはなかった。船も思っていたより簡易的で揺れて乗り心地が悪かった。この値段でこの内容はひどすぎると思いました。

I participated in an English-only tour because the Japanese-speaking reservations were fully booked. The experience itself was impressive, as there are many similar tours in the area, and manta rays regularly approached us. The staff was also very accommodating. However, the time spent floating in the sea was quite long, and it can be tough if you don't have the stamina to hold onto the float. My wife had to retire midway. There were no unnecessary services, so it was relatively inexpensive, and it might be a good option for those looking for this kind of experience.

日本語対応の予約がいっぱいだっだので、英語オンリーのツアーに参加しました。
体験自体は周辺にたくさんの同じようなツアーがあるため、マンタが定期的に近づいてきますので迫力がありました。スタッフも対応が良かったです。
ただ、結構海に浮かんでいる時間が長いのと、浮き輪に捕まっている体力が無いと厳しいです。嫁さんは途中でリタイヤしました。
余計なサービスもないので比較的安価でしたし、このような内容を希望する人はいいかもしれません。

Since I stayed at Waikoloa Village, I decided to book Dolphin Quest. The prices were high due to the weak yen, but I thought the experience for my child was priceless, so I made the reservation. The group was divided into two, with one team that understood English and another that did not. The team that didn't understand English had four Japanese and one Indian. Later, you can purchase photos for download.

ワイコロアビレッジに宿泊したため、せっかくなのでドルフィンクエストを予約しました。
円安だし値段は高かったけど、子供の経験はプライスレスだと思い予約。
グループを2つに分けられて、英語がわかるチームと分からないチームに分けられました。
英語わからない方は日本人4.インド系1でした。
後日ダウンロードの写真購入ができます。

3 manta rays out, so scary but so beautiful! a memory our kids will get to have forever!

This is my third manta tour, and each one has been different. This time, I felt the most at ease. Having support from Japanese staff was really helpful. The moment the manta appeared was truly breathtaking. However, it was quite cold during this season, and the return trip to the port was chilly, so those planning to go should prepare accordingly.

マンタツアーは3回目ですがそれぞれちがうツアーで今回が一番安心できました
日本人のサポートがあるのは本当に助かります
マンタの出てくるポイントも本当にまじかに　現れ　感動の瞬間でした
ただ　時期的に寒く　港に着くまでの帰路は寒かったので行かれる方はそれなりの準備をしてくださいね

It was unfortunately a cloudy day, but thanks to the cheerful crew, my spirits were lifted. Even with my limited English, they understood me and responded kindly. The sea was cold, but it was beautiful and became an unforgettable memory.

あいにくの曇り空でしたが、陽気なクルーのおかげでテンションがあがりました。私のつたない英語でも、理解してくれて、優しく対応してもらいました。
海は冷たかったけど、美しくて忘れられない思い出になりました。、

Right after we set off, we spotted a pod of dolphins near the exit from the port. They even showed us some jumps. The snorkeling point seemed to be beginner-friendly since there were children, but the waves were quite rough, and there were only a few types of fish, so it wasn't a very impressive experience. As a result, some participants got seasick, and although it was a tour that included lunch, when I mentioned that I couldn't eat, nothing was provided, and the tour ended. I wasn't able to ask because my English isn't very good, but I wish they had at least asked if I wanted to take something back.

出発してすぐ、港からの出口付近にイルカの群れを発見。ジャンプも見せてくれました。シュノーケルは子供も居たので初心者向けのポイントだった様ですが、結構波が荒く、魚も数種類で感動体験とはいきませんでした。結果参加者は船酔いしてしまい、昼食付きのツアーでしたが今は食べられなそうと言ったら何も提供されないままツアー終了。英語が不慣れな事もあり聞けませんでしたが、せめて持ち帰るか？など聞いて欲しかったです。

I was a bit disappointed because I thought more manta rays would gather in the light, but there were only a few. Next time, I want to see dolphins.

マンタが、もっと光に集まってくるかと思い数匹だったのでちょっとガッカリでした。
じかいは、イルカちゃんをみたいです。

I was surprised to see manta rays so close. I saw several of them, and their graceful movements as they surfaced and spun around to eat were beautiful and magical. It felt like I was in a dream world, and I could have watched them forever.

The encounter rate with manta rays seems to vary by day, so I was lucky. This is my best memory from the Big Island.

I was comfortable since I was used to swimming and snorkeling, but for those who aren't confident in their stamina, it might be challenging after about 30 minutes.

マンタをこんな近くで見れるんだとびっくりでした。何匹も見れたし、何回も浮上してすぐそばで回転して餌を食べる姿は綺麗で幻想的。なんか夢の国にいるようでずっと見ていたかったぐらい。
　マンタの遭遇率は、日によるらしいので、ラッキーでした。ハワイ島で一番の思い出です。
　泳ぎとスノーケルで慣れていたので快適でしたが、体力に自信のないと30分ぐらいでしたが、大変かもしれません。

My daughter enjoyed herself. The attendants were extremely helpful and knowledgeable. She had a great time and the dolphins were awesome.

My husband, who experienced snorkeling for the first time, ranked the experience at Kealakekua Bay as the most enjoyable activity. Although he wasn't confident in swimming, he was able to borrow a float and easily swim to see the fish. It was great that there was no stress involved. I enjoyed diving from the second floor of the boat. Even though it was a jump into the sea from a height of 5 meters, it required courage. It became a wonderful memory for our sixtieth wedding anniversary trip. Thank you for your hospitality.

シュノーケリング初体験の主人が楽しかったアクティビティとして今回のケアラケクア湾の体験を一番にあげました。泳ぐのが苦手な主人でしたが浮き輪を借りてスイスイと魚達のいるところまで見に行く事ができました。ストレスがかからず良かったです。私は船の二階からのダイブを楽しみました。５mはある高さから海に飛び込むとはいえ勇気が必要でした。還暦夫婦の海外旅行の良い思い出となりました。お世話になりました。

I was helped by the Japanese staff.
It was my first time interacting with dolphins.
They were very cute and I was smiling the whole time.
Since such experiences are rare, if you have the chance to interact with them, I recommend doing it even if it's expensive.
I was able to spend a happy time.
Thank you very much! ♪

日本人スタッフがおられたので助かりました。
イルカとの触れ合いは初めてでした。
とっても可愛く終始笑顔でした。
こんな体験はなかなか出来ないので触れ合う機会があれば、高くても体験して欲しいです。
幸せな時間を過ごすことができました。
有り難うございました♪

While flying over the vast skies of the Big Island, the lack of changing scenery was a bit disappointing, but I enjoyed the views of Kilauea Volcano and the coastline. I had hoped to see lava around Kilauea Volcano, but unfortunately, that didn't happen.

ハワイ島の広大な上空をフライトしている時は、風景の変化も乏しく、少し期待外れのところもありましたが、キラウエア火山、海岸線等では、楽しめました。キラウエア火山周辺では、溶岩等が見えることも期待していましたが、残念でした。

It was really fun to see the manta rays up close. It was a different kind of excitement compared to the Osaka Aquarium! Be careful as it can be tiring on your arms since you have to hold onto the pipe to watch.

マンタがとても近くで見れてとても楽しかったです
海遊館とはまた違った迫力でした！
パイプに捕まって眺めるので腕がしんどいので注意してください

Night snorkeling with the manta rays was incredible! We had a wonderful show from six different rays the entire time we were in the water. The guides were all very friendly and helpful. They assist with wetsuits before you board, then assist with masks onboard, and assist with floating noodles and less-experienced swimmers while in the water.

A word of warning - the water (and subsequently, the boat) were rolling intensely once we left the dock. And once you leave the dock, there is nowhere to go to get away from the rolling. Several individuals succumb to seasickness on our cruise. Not sure if maybe the ocean was just rough on our night, or if this amount of rocking is normal. Either way, I would advise caution if you are sensitive to motion sickness or vertigo.

Mantas right in front of me!

Not just one, but two mantas approaching from both sides, gracefully rotating and swimming just below the board I was holding without colliding! When I looked down, I saw a third, fourth... and when I glanced around, there were seven swimming elegantly!!! And one by one, they opened their mouths wide and came towards us!

I was so moved to see such graceful creatures living in the ocean! I’m really, really glad I participated.

This spot is said to be one of the best places in the world to encounter mantas. That day, there were quite a few mantas, and we were also lucky enough to see dolphins on the way there!

On the return boat, we were served warm drinks. I had mint tea, which was refreshing. I also took a sip of my husband’s hot cocoa, and the sweetness was comforting.

Moana's bright, kind, and humorous talk was enjoyable. I learned a lot about not just mantas, but also the shop and Mauna Kea. I also appreciated the gentle smile of Brian, who always looked out for us.

By the way, regarding the wetsuit, I felt a slight pressure around my stomach, so I opted for one size larger, thinking it might cause seasickness. However, I would recommend getting a size that fits snugly if possible. Once in the water, seawater would enter and exit through the gaps in the suit, and I felt colder than my family who accompanied me. On the boat, I didn’t wear the suit on my upper body, and I was probably so engrossed in the surroundings that I didn’t mind any pressure while underwater! (Later, I learned that with a snug wetsuit, the water that first enters the gap warms up to body temperature, maintaining insulation.)

For those snorkeling for the first time, it’s a good idea to learn how to use the equipment before entering the water. I got too caught up and ended up swallowing seawater. It can be stressful in the dark ocean for beginners. (I think they asked if I was experienced at the beginning.)

After the tour, my daughter and I changed in the car we drove to the site. The parking lot wasn’t too bright, and we covered the windows with our family towels and a spare towel, so we managed to change comfortably in the back seat.

Overall, it was a truly wonderful evening. My family of four was very satisfied, and we are extremely grateful.

(The posted photo is a cropped video taken by Moana from the position where she was pulling the board = the short side of the board. Our family of four held onto the long side of the board, two on each side. I apologize for the automatic cropping when uploading the photo, which didn’t turn out well.)

マンタが目の前に！

1枚だけでなく、左右から互いに近づいてくる2枚のマンタが、私の目の前でぶつかることなく、互いに体をそらして回転し、掴まっているボードにお腹スレスレで泳いで去っていく‼︎視線を下に向けると、3枚目、4枚目…見渡すと7枚は優雅に泳いでいました!!!そして順々に口を大きく開けてこちらに来るではないですか！

海の中をこんなにも優雅に泳いで暮らしている生き物がいるなんて！見たことのない光景に感動しました。参加できて本当に本当に良かったです。

ここのスポットは世界でも有数の、マンタに会える確率が高い場所だそうです。この日はマンタも多めだったのと、往路でイルカにも出会え、とってもラッキーでした♫

帰りのボートでは温かい飲み物を頂きました。私はミントの香りのお茶を頂きスッキリ。夫が飲んでいたホットココアも一口もらいましたが、甘さが体に染み渡ってほっとしました。

モアナさんの明るくて優しくて冗談の入り混じったトークも楽しかったです。マンタに限らず、お店のこと、マウナ・ケアのことなど、色々教わりました。常に私たちのことを気にかけてくれる優しいBrianさんの笑顔にもほっとしました。

ところでウェットスーツですが、お腹辺りにすこーし圧迫感を感じたので、船酔いを引き起こしやすいかもと、1サイズ大きいものにしてもらいましたが、できるなら体にピッタリなサイズの方をおすすめします。水中に入るとスーツの隙間から海水が入っては出て行き、同行した家族が言うより、より寒さを感じましたので。ボート上では上半身はスーツも着ませんし、恐らく水中では圧迫感など気にならないほど周りに夢中になっていたことでしょう！(後で、体にピッタリのウエットスーツの場合、本来はスーツと体の隙間に最初に入った水が体温と同じになり、保温性を保つ、と知りました。)

それからシュノーケリングが初めての方は、海に入る前に使い方をよく教わるといいでしょう。夢中になりすぎて潜りすぎ、口の中に海水が入ることも私はありましたから。初めてだと、暗い海の中で焦りますよね。(最初に経験者かどうか聞かれた気もします。)

ツアー後の着替えは、娘と私は現地まで乗って行った車の中でしました。駐車場が明るすぎることもなく、持って行った家族のバスタオルと予備のバスタオルで車の窓を覆って、後部座席で問題なくできました。

ということで、本当に素敵な夜でした。家族4人とも大満足で、とってもとっても感謝しています。

(投稿した写真は、モアナさんがボードを引っ張る位置＝ボードの短辺、から撮ってくださった動画を切り取ったものです。私たち家族4人はボードの長辺にそれぞれ2名ずつ掴まって眺めさせてもらいました。アップロードする際に写真が自動で切り取られてしまい、うまく載せられずごめんなさい)

Before departure, I put on a wetsuit that fit my body. They also lend out snorkeling gear, so all you need is a swimsuit and a towel.

While enjoying a wonderful sunset and engaging conversations, we headed to the manta ray spot. There were other boats gathered there, but the number of mantas was beyond my imagination, coming so close that it felt like they were about to bump into us, spinning around during their plankton feeding time. It was truly a moving experience.

The illuminated board had handles, and the guide pulled it to the spot, so there was no need to swim, making it suitable for those who aren't confident in their swimming abilities. Moana, our Japanese guide, kept us entertained with her lively talk. The captain spoke English, but his thoughtfulness made for a reassuring boat trip.

The encounter rate with mantas is over 90%, so the satisfaction level is very high. I highly recommend it!

出発前に体に合わせたウエットスーツを着て乗船。
シュノーケルグッズも貸し出してくれるので、水着とタオルだけでオッケー
素晴らしい夕陽を見ながら、楽しい会話と共にマンタのスポットへ。
そこには他の船も集まってましたが、想像以上の数のマンタがぶつかりそうなくらいまで近くに来て何度も回転しながらプランクトンのお食事タイム。
ほんと感動のひとときでした。
照明のついたボードには、持ち手もついていて、ガイドさんが引っ張ってスポットまで連れて行ってくれるので、泳ぐ必要はなくて泳ぎに自信がない人でも大丈夫
日本語ガイドのモアナさんも軽快なトークで楽しませてくれます。キャプテンは英語ですが、気遣いが伝わってきて安心の船旅でした。
マンタとの遭遇率は90%以上とのこと、満足感はとても高いです。おすすめします！

This time on my solo trip, I went kayaking.
Unfortunately, there were no dolphins, but the views of Hualalai and Mauna Loa in the morning were absolutely beautiful!
The couple who joined me patiently waited for me, who was running a bit late, along with the guide, and I did my best to keep up.
On the way back, WiL helped by connecting my kayak since I was a bit tired.
I want to participate again next time and hope to encounter dolphins!

ひとり旅の今回は、カヤックに。
残念ながらイルカはいなかったけど、朝のフアラライやマウナロアがとても綺麗に見えて最高でした！
一緒に参加のご夫婦も、遅れ気味の私をガイドさんとともにのんびりと待ってくださり、一生懸命ついていきました♪
帰りは少し疲れた私のカヤックをWiLさんが連結してヘルプしてくださいました。
次もまた参加して、今度はイルカに遭遇したいです

Mantas can be seen in other countries as well, but the encounter rate on the Big Island of Hawaii is overwhelmingly high, so I definitely recommend experiencing it. During the session I participated in, several large mantas swam right in front of me, providing a truly valuable experience. The Japanese-speaking guide was very attentive, making it a reassuring tour.

For those who will be participating:
- The boat will speed towards the destination for a while, and it can be quite bumpy. If you're worried about seasickness, it's recommended to take motion sickness medication before joining.
- It gets chilly after coming out of the water. Bringing a large towel can be useful as it can also serve as a wrap.
- Since it's a popular tour, seats can fill up quickly, so it's advisable to keep your belongings to a minimum (if you don't want to place them on the floor). A waterproof bag is recommended as a lot of seawater comes into the boat.
- There is only one Japanese-speaking guide, and of course, they won't be able to provide individual attention to everyone. Especially for beginners in snorkeling, it's safer to familiarize yourself with how to wear the snorkel, how to fit it, how to put on a wetsuit, and how to enter the water beforehand.

マンタは他の国でも見られるそうですが、ハワイ島での遭遇率は圧倒的に高いそうなので、ぜひ体験することをお勧めします。私が参加した回も、大きなマンタが何匹も目の前でくるくると回ってくれて、とても貴重な体験をすることができました。
日本語対応ガイドさんもきめ細やかに対応してくださって、安心できるツアーでした。

これから参加する方に向けて
・爆速のボートをしばらく走らせて目的地に向かいます。かなり揺れます。船酔いが心配な方は酔い止めを服用してから参加するのがおすすめです。
・海から出た後は冷えます。大きなタオルを持参すると羽織にもなるので良いと思います。
・人気なツアーで席が埋まることも多いそうなので、荷物は最小限がおすすめです(床に置きたくなければ)。海水が船内にかなり入ってくるので、防水対応の袋に入れると安心と思います。
・日本語ガイドさんは一名で、もちろん自分たちだけにつきっきりでケアしてくれるわけではありません。特にシュノーケリング初心者の方はシュノーケルの装着方法や合わせ方、ウェットスーツの着方や海への入り方等々、事前に知識を入れられるものは入れてから望んだ方が安心です。

Turned out to be a perfect day and the crew were fabulous.

100% would do again

An experience like we never had before, the manta rays are gentle giants and the boat guides made our tour even more easy!

I had a very enjoyable time with the dolphins. I had many opportunities to touch them. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to swim while holding onto the dolphin's dorsal fin. It was listed as one of the activities, so I thought I would definitely be able to experience it, but I couldn't.

とても楽しい時間をいるかと過ごせました。たくさん触る機会がありました。残念だったのはいるかの背びれにつかまって泳ぐことはできませんでした。アクティビティのひとつに書かれていたので、必ず体験できると思っていたのですができませんでした。

The whole family loved the experience and had a blast! Fun, informative and friendly staff. Would love to do it again.

6 members all different ages had so much fun and felt more comfortable then expected in the ocean during evening!