All Reviews for Snorkeling Cruises & Tours

We had a great time on this excursion. The ride on the raft to the snorkeling sites was exhilarating and relaxing as we took in the beauty of the Kona landscape. We chose this excursion because we were able to snorkel at two different bays ( including Captain Cook's monument). The only disappointment was not seeing more different types of fishes (saw about 5-7 different types per area) and more fishes overall. Our captain and shipmate took good care of our group of 9. The Captain gave us a history of the many caves and cliffs that we visited. They also provided us with fresh fruit, soda, chips, and cookies during the rides. Bonus was seeing a couple of dolphins and mountain goats. A fun afternoon snorkeling made this trip memorable.

You will take a shuttle from Blue Hawaiian Helicopters and arrive at the office in about 10 minutes. Upon entering the office, you will check in, but it seems there are no staff members who speak Japanese. You will leave your bag and hat there. After completing the check-in process, you will watch a flight safety video, and then it's finally time to board the helicopter.

The tour departs from Waikoloa and covers Mauna Loa, Kilauea, and Waipi'o. The aircraft is called ECO-STAR, which seats two people in the front and four in the back. We sat in the two seats on the right in the back.

As we ascend, you can clearly see the flow of lava. The Waikoloa side is barren, either covered in lava or grassland.

During the flight, you will wear headphones to hear the pilot's voice. The crew speaks into a microphone, and everyone can hear them. Other passengers are conversing in English; while I can generally understand what they are saying, my English skills aren't strong enough to actively participate in the conversation, so I mostly remained quiet.

The helicopter heads towards Mauna Loa. If there were no clouds, we might have been able to see the summit of Mauna Kea, but it was obscured by clouds. The slopes of Mauna Loa are gentle, and you can see the different colors of the ground following the flow of lava. As we flew over Mauna Loa, the greenery gradually increased. After flying past Mauna Loa for a while, we saw smoke rising through the clouds. As we descended closer to the crater, we could see red lava coming from it. This is a view that can only be seen from the helicopter, and it is truly breathtaking. The pilot circles around the crater, changing direction so that both sides can see, allowing us to take plenty of photos and videos.

After that, the helicopter heads to another location. Here, white smoke or steam is billowing from the ground, and as we get closer, we can see some red lava within it. I think the lava appeared closer here than at the Kilauea crater. This is a place that cannot be seen except from the helicopter.

Next, we pass over the town of Hilo, and shortly after, we see Waipi'o Valley. The helicopter briefly flies past Waipi'o Valley and along the coastline. The coastline features steep cliffs with several waterfalls cascading down. After viewing these waterfalls, the helicopter makes a U-turn and heads back to Waipi'o Valley. As we enter the valley, we can see a large waterfall in the distance. Continuing further into the valley, we discover several waterfalls on the mountainside. I never imagined there would be so many waterfalls until we entered the valley. The helicopter flies along the mountainside, circling and maneuvering. The turns here are quite thrilling, combining turns with altitude changes, creating a bit of an attraction-like experience. This is arguably the highlight of the flight.

After exiting Waipi'o Valley, we ascend and head to the other side of the mountain. The lush green scenery of the valley suddenly gives way to a dry landscape with no trees. I was surprised at how distinctly the climate changed in such a short distance.

After that, we head south along the coastline of the Kohala Coast. After a while, we can see the helicopter pad where we started. This aerial journey comes to an end here.

Although it was a bit pricey, this experience is something you can't do anywhere else, and the satisfaction level is incredibly high. If given the chance, I would love to do it again, and I think it would be a shame not to see this scenery after coming all the way to the Big Island. If the pilot had been Japanese, I might have understood more details, but even without understanding English, I think just seeing the scenery is enough to grasp the experience. I highly recommend it to everyone.

ブルー・ハワイアン・ヘリコプターの送迎車に乗り、10分程度でオフィスに到着します。
オフィスに入って受付をしますが、日本語の話せるスタッフはいない模様。バッグと帽子を預けます。
チェックインを済ませて、フライトの説明ビデオを見て、いよいよヘリに乗り込みます。

ツアーはワイコロアを出発しマウナロア、キラウエア、ワイピオを回るものです。
機体はECO-STARと呼ばれるもので、前に2人、後ろに4人座れます。私たち2人は後ろの右2席へ座りました。

上昇するにつれて、溶岩が流れた様子がよく分かります。ワイコロア側は溶岩か牧草地で何もないです。

飛行中はヘッドフォンをしていて、パイロットの声が聞こえるようになっています。乗員はマイクで喋るとその声がみんなに聞こえます。他の乗客は英語で普通に喋っていますが、こちらは相手の言っていることはだいたいわかりますが積極的に会話に加われるほどの英語力はないため、ほとんどしゃべることはありませんでした。

ヘリはマウナロアに向けて進行していきます。雲が無ければマウナケアの山頂も見えたかもしれませんが、そちら方向は雲に隠れて見えません。
マウナロアの山は緩やかな傾斜で、溶岩の流れに従って地面の色が分かれているのがよく分かります。
マウナロアの山を越えるに従って、少しずつ緑も増えていきます。
マウナロアを過ぎて暫く飛ぶと、雲の間から煙が見えたきました。高度を下げて火口に近付くと火口から赤い溶岩が見えます。
まさにヘリからしか見えない景色、感動の景色です。
両側の席のそれぞれが見えるようにパイロットは旋回する向きを変えながら火口の上を旋回してくれます。おかげてたっぷり写真とビデオを撮ることができました。

ヘリはそのあと、別の場所へ向かいます。そこでは地面からいくつもの煙とも水蒸気とも入れない白いものが吹き出ており、近ずくとその中に赤い溶岩が幾つか見えます。キラウエアの火口よりも溶岩が近くに見えたと思います。この場所はヘリ以外では絶対見えない場所です。

その後、ヒロの街を通り過ぎ、暫くするとワイピオ渓谷が見えてきます。
ヘリは一旦ワイピオ渓谷を過ぎて海岸に沿って進みます。海岸線は絶壁になっていて、幾つもの滝が流れ落ちています。それらの滝を見たあとヘリはUターンしてワイピオ渓谷へ引き返します。渓谷の中へ進むと奥に大きな滝が見えます。その滝からさらに奥へ進むと山肌に幾つもの滝が現れます。これほど多くの滝があるとは渓谷に入るまでは想像できませんでした。ヘリは山肌に沿って飛行したり、旋回したりしながら進んで行きます。ここでの旋回はかなりスリリングで旋回と上下が組み合わさり、ちょっとしたアトラクション気分です。この飛行の最大の見せ場と言えます。

その後、ワイピオ渓谷を抜け上昇して山の反対側へ行きます。今まで緑一杯だった渓谷の風景から一気に木がなくなり、乾燥した大地が現れます。これだけ、ちょっとの間にはっきりと気候が分かれるのにびっくりしました。

その後は、コハラコーストの海岸線を見ながら南下していきます。暫くすると、出発したヘリポートも見えてきました。この空の旅もここで終わりです。

ちょっと値段は高かったですが、この体験は他ではできないものですし、満足感はすごく高いです。
機会があれば、また乗ってみたいとも思いますし、せっかくハワイ島まで来てこの景色を見ないのはもったいないと思います。
パイロットが日本人ならもっと詳しく理解できたでしょうが、英語が分からなくても景色を見るだけで十分理解できると思います。
みなさんに、おすすめできます。

Natasha was a friendly knowledgeable guide. This a fabulous area to snorkel and see awesome fish and dolphins!

I was able to see a manta ray up close, and I was truly satisfied. There was a manta ray just about 10 centimeters in front of me!!!! A very beautiful lady who spoke Japanese guided us, which made me feel safe participating. She was also a great swimmer, like a mermaid. The participants were not only Japanese but also from various countries.

There were quite a few people who felt unwell, but I took motion sickness medication beforehand, so I was totally fine (*^◯^*). I'm not good with thrill rides, so the boat ride to see the manta rays was quite scary, but I got used to it after a while and was able to enjoy it.

The sunset and the starry sky viewed from the boat were truly wonderful and became a lifelong memory. I highly recommend it!

ものすごく近くでマンタを見ることができて、本当に大満足です。
目の前10センチくらいのところにマンタがいました！！！！
日本語を話せるとても綺麗なお姉さんが案内をしてくださり、安心して参加できました。泳ぎも上手で、マーメイドのようでした。参加者は日本人ばかりではなく、いろんな国の方がいました。
気分が悪くなっている方も結構いらっしゃいましたが、私は酔い止めを飲んで行ったので、全然平気でした(*^◯^*)
絶叫マシンなどが苦手なので、マンタに会いに行くまでの船がとても怖かったですが、しばらくすると慣れて、楽しむことができました。
船から見る夕日も、星空も、本当に素晴らしく、一生の思い出になりました。
本当にオススメです！

Daisuke, who is very friendly, will take you along. He loves dolphins and seems to really connect with them, and he knows all the best spots for dolphin watching. However, as we went by boat to the viewing area and floated around wearing life jackets, I started to feel a bit seasick and couldn't dive in completely. That was the only disappointment. I'll make sure to prepare better next time! 😊

とてもフレンドリーなだいすけさんが連れて行ってくれます。いるかのことが大好きで本当に通じ合っているかのようなだいすけさんはイルカポイントもばっちりです。ただ、見れるところまで船でいってぷかぷかライフジャケットを着て揺られているとだんだん船酔いしてしまい、全部もぐれることができませんでした。それだけが残念。また体調整えていくぞ＾＾

This was by far the best part of our vacation. I only wish we would have had more time so we could have taken the longer trip.

I was able to see several manta rays. Some of them came so close that I thought they might bump into me, which was very impressive. I also enjoyed the little fish, similar to horse mackerel, bumping into me. It was my first time snorkeling, but they taught me carefully, so I felt very secure. Although I saw the manta rays at night, the sunset in the evening was also a highlight. However, I think it's better for those who are prone to motion sickness to take some medication beforehand.

何枚ものマンタを見ることが出来ました。
なかにはぶつかるんじゃ無いかと思うくらい近づいてくるマンタもいて、とても迫力があります。アジの様な小魚がぶつかってきたりと、色々と楽しめました。
シュノーケリングは初めてでしたが、丁寧に教えてくれるのでとても安心です。
マンタを見るのは夜になってからですが、夕方のサンセットも見所です。
但し、酔いやすい人は酔い止めの薬を飲んでおいた方が良いと思います。

Since it was my first helicopter ride, I chose a slightly luxurious OP tour. The stability was more impressive than I expected. After an exciting takeoff, we headed towards the Kilauea volcano. However, we spent a long time just flying over black lava flows, and I was disappointed to see only a little orange magma from the crater. In the second half, as we headed towards Waipi'o Valley, the scenery changed dramatically, revealing beautiful coastlines reminiscent of a Jurassic Park movie, which made me very satisfied. In Waipi'o Valley, the pilot made wonderful turns, allowing us to enjoy a fantastic time. I couldn't understand what was being said in the English commentary, but I wish they had played a Japanese audio guide as well. Since it was quite a long flight, I think I would have been very satisfied if they had shortened the flight over Kilauea volcano to about a third and offered it at a lower price. According to the hotel staff, the pilots here are all former members of the Army helicopter unit and are exceptional pilots.

初めてのヘリコプターといううことで、ちょっと贅沢なＯＰツアーを選択しました。思っていたより素晴らしい安定感です。興奮気味での離陸後、キラウエア火山遊覧に向かいます。ところが延々と真っ黒な溶岩流の後ばかり、火口から見えたオレンジ色のマグマはほんの少しでがっかりな時間が続きます。後半はワイピオ渓谷へ向かうと景色は一変、きれいな海岸沿いにジュラシックパークの映画のような風景が現れ大満足です。ワイピオ渓谷ではパイロットが左右に旋回しながら素晴らしい時間を過ごさせていただきました。英語の案内で何を言っているのかわからなかったけど、、、日本語の案内テープでも流してくれればよかったかな。結構、長い時間のフライトなので、キラウエア火山での飛行を３分の1くらいに短縮して、もっとお安くしてくれれば大満足だったと思います。ホテルの人の話ではここのパイロットは陸軍のヘリコプター部隊のＯＢで抜群の操縦技術者ばかりというう事でした。

A 9-year-old child participated. I chose this program because it was safe with shallow interactions for kids and I thought it would also help with English learning. However, in the first half, there was a long quiz about aquatic creatures while showing pictures indoors, and my child, who doesn't understand English well, seemed to dislike being mixed in with native children. On the other hand, the time spent in the dolphin pool was somewhat longer, and in the end, my child said it was fun. However, it seems that in other programs, groups with many children were also having shallow interactions, so perhaps those programs would have been better.

9歳の子供が参加しました。子供向けで浅いところでふれあいなので安心だし、英語の勉強にもなると思い、こちらを選びましたが、前半、室内で絵を見せながら水の生き物に関するクイズが長く続いて、ネイティブの子供の中に一人交じって英語もよくわからないので嫌そうでした。ただイルカのプールにいる時間は若干長く、最後は楽しかったと話していました。ただ他のプログラムでも子供が多いグループは浅いところでふれあいをしていたようなので、他のプログラムの方がよかったかも。

Other than my spouse and I, everyone was American, and it was a bit difficult to understand the conversation, which was disappointing. However, the captain drove the boat like a roller coaster, and it was thrilling and fun. We saw a lot of dolphins, and I was happy to see a whale as well. I think this was a very satisfying and memorable optional tour.

私達夫婦以外はアメリカ人で、会話が分り難く、その辺りは残念でしたが、キャプテンがボートをジェットコースターのように運転してくれて、スリリングで楽しかった。イルカも沢山見れたし、クジラが見れたのは嬉しかった。
大満足の記憶に残るオプショナルツアーと思います。

While searching for a snorkeling tour on the Big Island, I discovered this tour. The tagline "Thrilling Rafting Adventure" caught my attention, and I checked the details, which seemed quite intense! I decided to participate, looking forward to ocean rafting more than snorkeling. After arriving on the Big Island, I had the hotel’s travel desk call to confirm my participation and get detailed meeting location information. On the day of the tour, I drove to Honokohau Marina, which was easier to find than I expected, and I arrived without getting lost. Once all the participants gathered, it was time to board. Before that, the captain asked me, "Where are you from? Do you speak English?" I replied, "A little." The entire tour was in English, and it seemed like the captain and staff were not particularly inclined to communicate more than necessary with participants who were not native English speakers. By the way, the introduction mentioned that "the captain would provide a written translation of the spot descriptions in Japanese before boarding, so you can enjoy the activities without a language barrier!" However, nothing was provided, and the tour started. As we set off, the boat gradually picked up speed, and the bouncing over the waves became more pronounced. I was excited to see how fast we would go. There was a rope stretched across the floor to prevent anyone from falling through, and I sat on the edge of the boat, holding onto the rope, feeling the wind, sunlight, and the blue sea directly—it was incredibly liberating! I wanted to keep going like this forever! But my backside was hurting! (laughs) A note for women: the shorts worn over a bikini sit right under your backside when you sit on the edge of the boat, and with each bounce, the back of your thighs rub against it. I recommend wearing knee-length pants. Also, they advised us to remove hats and towels to prevent them from flying away, so be sure to apply sunscreen thoroughly. At the snorkeling point, snacks, juice, and sandwiches were provided, and you could relax and eat on the boat or quickly eat and float in the sea. The coastal cliffs were breathtakingly spectacular. There might be a stronger sense of being out of place due to the few Japanese participants, but those who don’t mind can enjoy themselves thoroughly.

ハワイ島でのシュノーケリングツアーを探していると、このツアーを発見。「スリル満点のラフティングアドベンチャー」のうたい文句に引かれて詳細を確認、結構激しいらしい♪シュノーケリングよりもオーシャンラフティングに期待を膨らませて参加することに。ハワイ島に到着後、参加確認の電話をホテルの旅行会社のデスクからかけてもらい、詳しい集合位置を教えてもらう。当日はレンタカーでホノコハウ・マリーナへ。思ったよりわかりやすい場所で迷うことなく到着。ツアー参加者が揃うといよいよ乗船。その前に船長から「どこから来た？英語できる？」と聞かれ「少しね」と答える。ツアー中は全て英語、船長やスタッフにゆっくり話したり、英語が母国語ではない参加者と必要以上のコミュニケーションを取ろうという気はなさそう。ちなみに「キャプテンが英語で語るスポットの説明などを日本語に翻訳した文章を乗船前に渡してくれるので、言葉の壁なくアクティビティをお楽しみいただけます！」と紹介文にあったが、特に何もないままツアースタート。出港すると徐々にボートの速度が上がり、波を越える際のバウンドも大きくなる。どこまで速くなるのかワクワク。足元の床にロープが張ってあり、足の指を通して落ちないようにする。ボートの淵に腰かけて、ロープにつかまっているだけなので、風も、陽の光も、海の青も全てダイレクトに感じて解放感抜群！ずーっとこのまま進んで行きたい！！けどお尻が痛い！！(笑)女性の方への注意事項としては、ビキニの上に履く短パン、ボートの淵に腰かけた時にちょうどお尻の下にきて、バウンドする度に太ももの裏が擦れます。膝丈くらいのパンツを履くことをおススメします。あと、帽子やタオルは飛ばないように外してと言われるので、日焼け止めは厳重に。シュノーケリングポイントではスナックやジュース、サンドイッチが配られて、ボート上でのんびり食べてもいいし、さっさと食べてひたすら海に浮いていてもよし。断崖絶壁の海岸線は迫力満点の絶景。参加者に日本人が少ないとアウェイ感は強めかもしれないけど、気にしない人は十分に楽しめるかと。

This was my third snorkeling trip with the Fair Wind to Kealakekua Bay. Once again, another flawlessly executed experience! The crew is very friendly and accommodating, the food and drinks are consistently good, and the snorkeling and Snuba experiences are top-notch.

There were six of us, two of us and four travelers from China. The pilot was a handsome young American man. Although he spoke in English, he really got us excited. Unfortunately, due to bad weather, we couldn't see the lava flow that we were looking forward to. However, we received a refund for that, so I would like to try again next time. The helicopter tour got us close enough to reach Waipi'o Valley, which was thrilling.

中国の旅行客4人と私たち2人の6人の客でした。パイロットはイケメンの若いアメリカ人の方でした。英語でしたが、私たちを盛り上げてくれました。天候が悪く、楽しみにしていた溶岩流は見ることができませんでした。でも、その分、返金していただけたので、次回またチャレンジしてみたいと思いました。ヘリコプター遊覧は、ワイピオ渓谷に手が届くくらいの距離まで近づけて、興奮しました。

I was impressed by the intelligence and cuteness of the dolphin. When I asked its age, it was said to be 32 years old. Dolphins really do live a long time, don't they?

イルカのかしこさとかわいさに感激しました。
年齢を聞いたら32歳とのこと。イルカって長生きなんですね。

We had such a great time snorkeling we did the trip again the next day. Awesome crew and a beautiful place to snorkel!!

Eight years ago, my eldest son experienced this, and my second son saw the photos and videos and said he wanted to do it too, so we came to have this experience. The content seems to be the same as before.

The day before, we were satisfied swimming with wild dolphins, but I think this attraction is good for children because they can take their time to look and touch.

The participation fee and the cost of photos are a bit high.

8年前に長男が体験していて、次男がその写真やビデオを見ていて、自分もやりたいと言い出し、この体験をするためにやって来ました。内容は以前と同じように思います。
前日は野生のイルカと泳げたので満足でしたが、このアトラクションはゆっくり見たり触ったり出来るので子供には良いと思います。
参加費用と写真代が高いのが何点です。

"I was told during the trip that 'the waves were strong, and it might actually be canceled,' and I was wondering what would happen... but it turned out to be an even more enjoyable swimming experience than I imagined. Many dolphins stayed around us, and during the first session, we played together for over an hour after jumping in. It was so much fun that I couldn't even find the right moment to get back on the boat, and the captain had to call us for a break... But we jumped back in right away. Since the dolphins didn't leave, we were able to swim freely as well. There’s no other sea where you can swim with wild dolphins like this. I definitely want to participate again. Thank you for the wonderful experience!"

「うねりがあって、本当は中止になるかもしれませんでした」と移動中聞かされ、
どうなることやら・・と思っていましたが想像以上の楽しいスイミングになりました。
多くのイルカが私たちの周りから去ることはなく、一回目は飛び込んでから一時間以上一緒に
遊んでくれたのです。あまりにも楽しくて、ボートに上がるタイミングもつかめず、
キャプテンが呼んでやっと休憩・・
でも、またすぐに飛び込みました。イルカたちが離れなかってため、自由に私たちも
泳がせていただきました。野生のイルカとこんなに泳げる海はありませんね。
また、是非参加したいと思います。感動をありがとうございました！

My husband, who loves roller coasters but can't swim at all, was worried about whether he could really enjoy the speed of the Zodiac without being thrown around, but it turned out to be completely unnecessary concern.

We were the only Japanese people in a group of nine, which included four other couples and families. The Zodiac goes really fast, so we bounced around on the boat, but there was no worry about falling into the sea, and it was a lot of fun.

After about a 15-minute ride from the marina, we encountered a pod of dolphins, and then after another 15 minutes, we were incredibly lucky to see a family of whales.

After that, we went snorkeling, which was my husband's first time snorkeling despite not being a good swimmer. I was more worried, but he seemed to really enjoy it and said he wanted to go snorkeling again. When we returned to the boat, we had snacks and delicious turkey sandwiches, making it a very enjoyable and satisfying tour.

ジェットコースターが大好きだけど、全く泳げない主人がゾディアックのスピードに振り下ろされずに本当に楽しめるかどうか心配でしたが、全く杞憂に終わりました。

日本人は私たちだけで、他に４組のカップル＆家族の計９名のグループでした。
ゾディアックは、めちゃくちゃ飛ばすので、ボートの上で私たちはポンポン跳ねましたが、海に落とされる心配は無くとても楽しかったです。

マリーナから１５分くらい走ると、イルカの群れに出会うことが出来、それから１５分くらいまた走ると最高にラッキーなことにクジラのファミリーにも会うことが出来ました。

その後は、シュノーケルもしましたが、カナズチの主人の初シュノーケル。
私の方が心配でしたが、本人もとても楽しめたみたいで、またシュノーケルしたいと言っていました。
ボートに戻るとスナックや美味しいターキーサンドイッチを頂き、とても楽しくて満足なツアーでした。

The staff on the boat were fantastic. We were all very patient but only 1 manta ray showed, and stayed for about 1 minute so that was disappointing. we were offered another night on the house but we were flying out the following day, and they don't offer refunds.

Currently, the activity of Kilauea seems to be at a lull, and the orange crater is not easily visible. However, the pilot (an American on this day) skillfully maneuvered the helicopter with right and left turns, ensuring that both sides had a good view. In the attached photo, you can see the orange crater when enlarged.

In Waipi'o Valley, you can see multiple waterfalls with a significant drop against a backdrop of green forests, which were even more impressive than the crater.

今、キラウエアの活動は小康状態のようで、オレンジ色の火口はなかなか見ることができないのですが、パイロット（この日はアメリカ人）はヘリコプターを右旋回、左旋回と操り、左右いずれの席からもよく見えるよう、丁寧な操縦をしてくれました。添付した写真は拡大してみるとオレンジ色の火口が見えます。
ワイピオ渓谷では緑の森をバックにした落差が大きい、いくつもの滝を見ることができ、火口以上に圧巻でした。

I participated because it was my dream to swim with dolphins, but it was a bit different than I expected. I think the female instructor explained the dolphins' ecology very thoroughly, but it was all in 100% English. I could hardly understand... It's embarrassing not to be able to speak English these days, and I feel self-loathing about it now. However, it was a good memory when the dolphin spun around with my signal and the kiss with the dolphin.

イルカと泳ぐのが夢で参加したのですがちょっと違ったようです。インストラクターの女性はイルカの生態などを丁寧に説明してくださったと思うのですが、とにかく１００％いんぐりっしゅ。殆ど理解できず…今どき英語ができないのは恥ずかしいことで、今更ながら自己嫌悪。でも、イルカが自分のサインでクルクル回ってくれたり、イルカとのkissは良い思い出になりました。

The tour planning was excellent, but the dinner and the starry sky were the best, and I was truly moved. Thanks to Sue, I had a wonderful time. I will come again.

ツアーの企画も大変良かったんですが、夕食の食事と満天の星空最高で、感激しました。スーさんのお陰様で楽しく過ごせました。また来ます。

I participated in an optional tour for my honeymoon. The guide and most of the participants were foreigners, and all explanations were in English. There was a Japanese version of the initial instructions. I think it's a good idea to use the restroom before boarding the boat (there is one on the boat, but I was worried about the lock). I wore my swimsuit under my clothes from the start. It might be better not to bring too many valuables... I might have had some, but I couldn't find them. You can leave your belongings on the boat!

From the meeting point to the boat, it takes about 30 minutes to reach the Captain Cook Monument. On the boat, they serve fruits, hamburgers, snacks, and drinks, all you can eat and drink at your leisure! I guess breakfast and lunch are combined? You will get full. When we arrive at the snorkeling spot, there is a brief explanation, and then everyone can freely dive into the sea (directly from the boat). You can borrow a full set of snorkeling gear and a float, and there was also something like a bodyboard for kids to see underwater. It's quite deep, so of course, your feet won't touch the bottom, but it's just beautiful! There are lots of corals and fish, and it was very moving. If it gets cold, you can return to the boat to drink warm coffee, sunbathe on the boat, take a little break, and then dive again... You can stay at the spot for about an hour and a half, so you can take your time ( ˘ω˘ ). The boat has a diving board and a slide, so I never got bored. I didn't get bored just diving either, haha.

The guides were all very friendly, and I was able to talk a lot even with my broken English!

It's an experience that you can only understand by going and experiencing it. If you're going to snorkel in Hawaii, I definitely think this tour is the best! I would absolutely want to participate again (^^).

新婚旅行のオプショナルツアーで参加しました。
ガイドさん、参加者、ほぼ外国の方で説明はすべて英語です。最初にもらった注意書きは日本語版がありました。トイレを済ませて船に乗るといいと思います。(船の中にもあるけど、鍵が不安)
水着は最初から洋服の下に着て行きました。
貴重品はあまり持たない方がいいかも…あったのかもしれませんが、探せませんでした。船の上では荷物置きっぱなしです！

集合場所から船に乗り、キャプテンクック記念碑まで30分程度です。
船の中でフルーツ、ハンバーガー、お菓子、飲み物が出て、全て好きな時間に食べ飲み放題！朝食と昼食が一緒なのかな？お腹いっぱいになります。
シュノーケルスポットに着くと、少し説明があってそれぞれ自由に海に潜れます。(船から直接)
シュノーケル道具一式と浮輪も借りれるし、子供には海の中が見えるようになってるボディボードみたいな物もありました。
かなり深いのでもちろん足は届きませんが、とにかく綺麗です！サンゴも魚もたくさんいてとても感動しました。
寒くなったら船に戻って暖かいコーヒーを飲んだり、船の上で日向ぼっこしたり少し休憩してまた潜ったり…スポットに滞在するのは1時間半くらいなのでかなりゆっくりできます( ˘ω˘ )
船には飛込み台と滑り台があるので全然飽きませんでした。私は潜ってるだけでも飽きませんでしたが笑
ガイドの方達はとても気さくな方達ばかりで、片言英語でもたくさん話す事が出来ました！

行って体験しないと分からない感動です。
ハワイでシュノーケルするなら絶対このツアーがいいと思います！また絶対参加したいツアーです(^^)

A dolphin was right in front of me...
So I had to avoid touching it.
(I was told in advance not to touch them since they are wild.)
When our guide, Daisuke, waved his hand, the dolphin responded by moving its fins slightly and sang with a cute voice.
I definitely want to participate again and absolutely recommend it.

目の前にイルカが…
なので触らずにいるために避けなくてはいけませんでした。
（事前に野生なので触らないようにいわれていましたので）
ガイドのDAISUKEさんが手をふられたら応えて、小さくひれを動かし
可愛らしい声で歌ってくれました。
また是非参加したいし、絶対おすすめします。

It was a 7:00 AM flight. Since I was staying at Mauna Lani, I chose a tour from Waikoloa, which was a bit pricey. The departure was just as the sunrise was happening, and the view of the sunrise from Mauna Kea was spectacular. The pilot was very kind, and we could see the lava and waterfalls up close from any seat. The guide spoke English and explained everything very clearly. The 1 hour and 40 minutes flew by. It’s tough to wake up early, but there’s a shuttle service to the hotel, and you can make the most of your day, so I highly recommend it. It’s a bit expensive, but I’m glad I decided to participate. I was very satisfied.

朝一番の7:00のフライトでした。マウナラニに泊まっていたので、少々高いのですがワイコロアからのツアーにしました。朝日が丁度昇る頃の出発だったので、マウナケアから昇る朝日が見事でした。パイロットの方がとても親切で、どの座席からも溶岩や滝を間近で見ることができました。ガイドも英語でしたが、とても分かりやすく話してくれました。1時間４０分があっという間でした。朝一番は大変ですが、ホテルまで送迎がありますし、その日を有意義ぬ使えるので、とてもオススメだと思います。チョットお高いですが、思い切って参加してよかったです。大満足でした。

On that day, we arrived early at the port with our rental car, and the office was already open, where a friendly woman at the reception welcomed us. With both of us excited for our first ocean rafting and snorkeling experience, the Captain Zodiac set off into the waves with the four of us, including an American couple. Captain Andy was easygoing and very approachable, making it hard to believe we had just met, as he shared various stories and jokes with us. Unfortunately, the sea was rough, and it felt like we could be thrown overboard if we didn't hold on tightly, but my wife seemed to be enjoying the thrill. Along the way, we encountered a pod of dolphins, and since we were beginners, we were excitedly searching for dolphins from the boat, while the American couple, being more experienced, swam happily around the dolphins. After that, we reached a calm bay where we could go snorkeling. Looking at the seabed, we saw various fish swimming gracefully, and it truly felt like we had come to the Big Island of Hawaii! Captain Andy provided sandwiches and fruit, and the meal enjoyed on the water was very delicious. As we headed back while looking at the shore from the boat, we spotted a whale in the distance, and everyone let out excited cheers. The waves were still high, and the wind was strong, making it feel like we were on a roller coaster the whole time. To be honest, by the end, I was tired, but when we arrived at the port, I felt a sense of relief at our safe arrival and wanted to thank Captain Andy for the thrilling boat trip and the opportunity to enjoy the great nature of the Big Island!

その日はレンタカーで早めに港に着いたが、事務所はすでに開いていて、受付の女性がフレンドリーに迎えてくれました。初めてのオーシャンラフティングとシュノーケリングに夫婦そろって期待が高まる中、キャプテン・ゾディアック号はアメリカ人夫婦と私達の４名を乗せ波の中に出発したのです。キャプテンのアンディーは気さくで非常に親しみやすく初めて会ったとは思えないほど、ジョークを交えいろいろな話をしてくれました。あいにく海は荒れていて、しっかりとつかまっていないと海に放り出されてしまいそうでしたが、妻はのそスリルを楽しんでいる様子でした。途中イルカの群れに遭遇したが、我々は初心者だったので船上から感激してイルカを探し、アメリカ人夫婦は経験者だったので楽しそうにイルカの周りを泳いでいました。その後静かな湾に着いてシュノーケリングをすることができました。海底を見ると色々な魚が群れをなして優雅に泳いでいて　まさにハワイ島に来た！という実感を味わえました。キャプテンがサンドイッチやフルーツを出してくれて、海の上で食べる食事はとてもおいしかったです。ボートから岸を見ながら帰途に就いたが、遠くにクジラも見つけみんな感激の雄叫びをあけていました。波は相変わらず高く風も強くてまるでジェットコースターにずーっと乗っているようで、正直なところ最後の方は疲れたけれど、港に着いた時は無事到着した安心感と同時にキャプテン・アンディーにスリリングな船旅とハワイ島の大自然を満喫させてもらいありがとう！

There were four adults participating (my husband and I, along with my niece and her husband). The weather on the day was very nice, not as hot as I had expected, making it a wonderful day for rafting. We were the only Japanese participants, but the woman at the tour company's office was very kind and accommodating. I needed prescription goggles for the water, but I forgot to request them when I made the reservation. However, I called the day before, and they managed to have them ready for me.

The snorkeling was a bit different from what I had imagined. I was expecting a clearer sea, but it was murkier than I thought. Perhaps it was due to the location? They provided the necessary goggles for snorkeling, but they were old, and I experienced some water leakage, which meant I had to clear the water several times, so I ended up getting out early. If I had brought my own perfect-fitting gear, I might have enjoyed it more. The lunch was delicious! Eating burgers and fruit on the water was exceptional.

I have relied on VELTRA's tours several times, so I felt comfortable trusting them. Next time, I would like to participate in a different tour.

おとな４人（私たち夫婦と姪夫婦）の参加でした。当日はとても天気が良く思っていたほど暑くもなく素晴らしいラフティング日和でした。日本人の参加者は私たち４人だけでしたがツアー催行会社の事務所の女性がとても親切に対応してくれました。水中眼鏡の度が入ったものが必要だったのですが予約の時に頼み忘れてしまっていたのですが、前日電話でお願いし何とか間に合わせていただきました。
シュノーケルのほうは私が思っていたのとはちょっと違っていました。というのももっときれいな海を想像していたのですが思ってより濁っていたのです。場所のせいでしょうか？それからシュノーケルに必要なメガネなどは貸していただけるのですが古いせいでしょうか水漏れがして何度も水を抜く必要があったので私は早めに上がってしまいました。自分にぴったりのものを持っていけばもっと楽しめたのかも・・。ランチはおいしかったですよ！
バーガーもフルーツも海の上で食べるのは格別でした。
VELTRAさんのツアーには何度かお世話になっているので安心して頼むことができました。
次回は他のツアーに参加したいと思っています。

We participated as a couple. It took about 30 minutes by rental car from our accommodation in Waikoloa. You won't miss the big marlin sign along Highway 19 at the Honokohau Marina where the office is located.

We arrived at the office at 8:45, and our departure was at 9:15. After checking in, all participants signed a document outlining the disclaimers. Our boat had a total of 13 people on board, consisting of two American families on vacation from the mainland and a solo male traveler besides us. There were three staff members, including the captain.

The boat we boarded was a sturdy rubber boat. Holding onto the rope with one hand and placing one foot under the rope at the bottom, we experienced quite a jolt as we traveled for about 40 minutes to Kealakekua Bay. My hands started to hurt, so the captain stopped the boat at various points to share stories and explanations about the Big Island, mixed with jokes, but it was all in English, which might be a bit challenging for those who aren't proficient. However, I don't think it would be too problematic. The topics included the island's volcanoes, elevation, climate zones, and the legend of Pele, so there weren't any groundbreaking discoveries.

Nevertheless, from the sea, you can clearly see the plants and colors of the land changing gradually, showcasing the differences in climate zones on the island. On the way, we were able to see several whales. Many boats approach them, so if you keep an eye out for those, you'll spot them.

Kealakekua Bay also has a monument where Captain Cook landed. While you can't go from the sea to the land, the deep blue sea and steep cliffs are truly beautiful. This bay has a large amount of freshwater bubbling up, and as you get closer to the cliffs, the water gets cold and your visibility becomes hazy, but that means it's rich in nutrients, and there are many colorful fish.

The water is deep, and you can't touch the bottom, but the boat provides life jackets and tubes. We swam for about an hour, returning to the boat whenever we liked to eat sandwiches, drinks, snacks, and fruits. Then we would go back into the sea to swim again.

On the way back, we stopped at several lava caves. The waves were high that day, so we didn't go inside the caves, but on calm days, you can enter. Then, when we got offshore, we encountered a huge pod of about 200 dolphins! We were chased by playful baby dolphins and spinning dolphins, and we enjoyed about 20 minutes together heading back to the marina, experiencing the island's great nature.

夫婦で参加しました。
宿泊先のワイコロアから、レンタカーで30分。事務所があるホノコハウ・マリーナは19号線沿いに大きなカジキマグロの看板があるので見逃しません。
8:45に事務所に着き、出発は9:15。チェックインして、免責事項が記載されている書類に参加者全員がサインします。
私たちのボートは全員で13人が搭乗、私たち以外は全員メインランドからバケーションに来ていたアメリカ人の家族2組と1人旅の男性。スタッフはキャプテン含め3人です。
乗るボートは丈夫なゴムボートというイメージ。
片手でヒモをしっかり持ち、片足を底の部分にあるヒモの下に入れ、かなりの衝撃を受けながら40分くらいかけて、ケアラケウア・ベイまで行きます。
手が痛くなるので、キャプテンが要所要所で船を止めてくれ、ハワイ島に関する話や説明をジョークを交えながらしてくれますが、全部英語で不得意な人にはちょっとついていけないかもしれないです…。でも特に困ることもないと思います。ハワイ島の火山や標高、気候帯、ペレの伝説等なので、ものすごい新たな発見がある話はなかったです。
けれども、海から見る島生えている植物や土地の色がははっきりと段々に変わっていて、この島の気候帯の違いを見ることができます。
行きにくじらを数頭見ることができました。多くの船が近付いていくので、それを目印に目を凝らせば見つかります。
ケアラケウア・ベイはキャプテン・クックが上陸した記念碑もあります。海から陸地に上がることはできませんが、真っ青な海と切り立った崖は本当にきれいです。
この湾には大量の淡水が湧き出ていて、岸壁に近づくと水が冷たく、視界がぼやけますが、それだけ栄養分が多く、色とりどりの魚がたくさんいます。
水深は深く、足が届くところはありませんが、ボートにはライフジャケットやチューブを貸してくれます。
1時間くらい泳いで、各々好きな時にボートに戻って、サンドイッチ、ドリンク、スナック、フルーツを食べます。
そしてまた海に戻って泳ぐといった具合です。
帰りには、溶岩洞窟にいくつか止まります。この日は波が高かったので洞窟の中まで入りませんでしたが、波が穏やかな日は入れるそうです。
そして、沖に出たら何と200頭くらいのいるかの大群に遭遇しました！ずーっと追いかけてくる子どものイルカ、スピンするイルカ、20分くらい一緒にマリーナへ向かい、この島の大自然を堪能することができました。

I participated with my 6-year-old son. Led by Daisuke, who loves dolphins, we jumped into the water to see where the dolphins were swimming. When we looked into the surface, we were able to see a pod of wild dolphins swimming by. Another female staff member stayed with my son, and it seemed like he was able to see them well.

At first, I was nervous and my body was tense, and I was also worried about my son, so the dolphins swam by in no time. However, as I gradually got used to it, I was able to relax and enjoy the experience. Daisuke initially told me, "Please enjoy yourself, Mom," which helped ease my worries about seasickness and whether I could snorkel in the ocean for the first time. I was able to trust them completely.

On the way back to the port, we even saw two whales, which was so moving! It became a precious experience for both my son and me. Thank you very much!

6歳の息子と参加しました。
イルカが好きすぎるというだいすけさん主導で、イルカの泳いでくるポイントへ飛び込み、水面をのぞくと、泳いでくる野生のイルカの群れを見られました。息子には、もう一人の女性スタッフが、ついていてくださり、息子もちゃんと見られたようでした。
はじめは、ドキドキして身体も硬く、息子のことも気になり、あっという間にイルカちゃんは泳いで行ってしまいましたが、だんだんと慣れてきたら、ゆったりと落ち着いてみることができました☆
だいすけさんが、はじめに「お母さんが楽しんでください」と言って下さり、船酔い等の体調面、海での初のシュノーケルができるのかなど不安もありましたが、安心してお任せすることができました。
そして港へかえる途中には、なんとくじらを2頭も見ることがで、感動！！
私にとっても息子にとっても貴重な体験になりました。
本当にありがとうございました♪

When driving, the store and parking lot are located far apart, so it's necessary to check the store's location on the map before parking. I think it's better for those coming by rental car to allow extra time. The reception started at 1 PM, but we arrived early and waited for our departure time while having lunch at a table in front of the store.

Since we were departing in the afternoon, I thought the wind and waves might be stronger in December, so I took motion sickness medication. The boat ride took about 45 minutes and was a bit bumpy, but since it was a large boat, I don't think it was too bad. On the way back, it gets cold because you're wet, so I think it's better to have a jacket in addition to a towel.

On the way there, drinks (water, juice) and snacks like rice crackers, as well as drinks, potato chips, and fruit, are available as self-service. The restrooms are spacious, clean, and separated by gender.

All snorkeling equipment is provided, and safety precautions and instructions on how to use the snorkeling gear are explained in English. I can hardly speak English, but I managed. The snorkeling spot had cold water, but there were no waves, and there were plenty of fish, which was fantastic.

By chance, we were able to see dolphins and whales on the way back, making it even more memorable. I would like to participate in the morning next time.

車で行くと店舗と駐車場が離れた場所にあるので、地図の場所の店舗で確認してから止めに行く必要があります。レンタカーでこられる方は余裕をもってこられた方がいいと思います。13時から受付でしたが私たちは早めにいって、お店の前のテーブルでランチしながら出発時間を待ちました。
午後出発なので12月だと風や波が強くなるのかと思って、酔い止めを飲みました。船で移動する時間が45分くらいかかり多少揺れましたが、大きな船なのでそれほどひどくなかったと思います。帰りは濡れているので寒くなりますから、タオルだけでなく、上着があった方がよいと思います。
行きは飲み物（水、ジュース）とおかき、飲み物とポテトチップと果物がセルフサービスで出ます。トイレは男女別て広くてきれいです。
シュノーケル用具はすべて貸してくれるし、安全上の注意やシュノーケル用具の使い方も英語ですが説明もしてくれます。私はほぼ英語ができませんが、なんとかなりました。シュノーケル場所は水が冷たかったですが、波もなく、魚もたくさんいて最高でした。
偶然ですが、帰りにイルカやクジラを見ることができて、さらに思い出深いものになりました。今度は午前中に参加してみたいと思いました。