All Reviews for Sightseeing / Guided Tours

The sea of clouds was beautiful!

雲海がきれいでした！

The loco moco was delicious!

The waterfall was beautiful!

I was able to take a lot of pictures!

ロコモコ美味しかったです！

滝もきれいでした！

写真もいっぱいとってもらえました！

I participated with a friend.

As we got closer to the summit, the oxygen became thinner, and I started to feel anxious because I was out of breath even after just a little movement.

However, thanks to the staff's advice and the breaks we took along the way, I felt reassured and was able to participate comfortably.

The sunset and the starry sky were breathtaking, unlike anything I had ever seen before! I was especially moved by the beautiful colors of the sea of clouds during the sunset.

I was unsure about participating since I lack physical stamina and tend to get car sick, but now I’m glad I decided to join.

It will definitely be a lifelong memory.

I would love to participate again someday.

友達と２人で参加しました。

山頂に近ずくにつれ酸素が薄くなり、少し動いただけでも息があがってしまい不安になりました。

でも、スタッフさんのアドバイスがあったり、途中で何度か休憩をとってくれたり、いろいろ親切にしていただいて、安心して参加できました。

サンセットと星空は今までみたことがない絶景でとても感動です！！とくにサンセットの時、雲海がきれいな色に染まるところに感動しました。

体力に自身がないうえに、車酔いもするほうなので、参加するかどうか迷いましたが、今は参加できて良かったと思っています。

一生の思い出になること間違いなしです。

いつかまた、参加したいです。

Hawaii is an island of the South Seas. It was a mystical experience that completely dispelled that image. The air at an altitude of 4,000 meters was crystal clear, and I was breathless at the majestic sight of nature untouched by human hands. The sun quickly set, and the colors of the sky changed vividly along with it, while the brilliance of the stars that filled the night sky afterward was an overwhelming sight that is hard to put into words. The guide who explained the constellations, stars, and the Milky Way under this natural planetarium, weaving in stories related to them, was truly wonderful. I want to go again to gaze at the autumn and winter skies.

ハワイは南国の島。とのイメージを完全に払拭される神秘の体験でした。標高4000メートルの空気は澄み切っていて、人の手の及ばない大自然の悠然とした姿に息をのみました。陽が見る見るうちに落ちていき、それと共に鮮やかに変化していく空の色も、その後夜空をぎっしり埋め尽くした星々の輝きも、言葉にし難い圧巻の光景でした。天然のプラネタリウムの下で星座や星、天の川など、それらにまつわる物語を交えて解説して下さったガイドさんも本当に素晴らしかったです。今度は秋冬の空を眺めに行きたいです。

The perfect choice for our family of four! My husband and I weren't too sure at first if our kids would behave for this trip, but we were so glad we went. Not only did the kids behave....they loved it! They couldn't get enough of the colorful fish and sea critters. And the time was perfect...enough to see alot, yet not too long for the kids to get too restless or bored at all. A great choice for us.

The sunset from the summit of Mauna Kea. The sun sinking into the sea of clouds was more beautiful than I imagined.
With the borrowed gear and over-pants, I hardly felt the cold.

After that, we descended to 3,900 meters for stargazing. The starry sky exceeded my expectations. Choosing a date close to the new moon was the right decision.
The guide's explanations were easy to understand, and I had downloaded a constellation app (Star Walk) on my iPhone, but it didn't see much use, which was a pleasant surprise.
Taking photos of the starry sky was quite challenging, but with a simple tripod and a compact digital camera that allowed manual shooting, I managed to capture some shots.

The round trip drive is a bit long, so it might be a challenge for those who are prone to motion sickness, but it's definitely worth the effort to prepare and take on the challenge.

マウナケア山頂からのサンセット。雲海に沈む夕日は想像以上の美しさ。
お借りしたウェアとオーバーパンツで寒さもあまり気にならず。

その後、高度3900mまで下っての星空観測。こちらも期待以上の最高の星空。
新月に近い日程を選んで正解でした。
ガイドの方の説明もわかりやすく、iPhoneに星座早見アプリ（Star Walk）を仕込んでいきましたが、あまり活躍せず、嬉しい誤算でした。
星空の写真撮影はなかなか難しかったのですが、簡単な三脚とマニュアル撮影が可能なコンパクトデジカメで、なんとか撮影が出来ました。

往復のドライブがちょっと長いので、車酔いに弱い方にはちょっと難点かもしれませんが、体長を整えてチャレンジする価値は高いです。

When you live in the city, you rarely get to gaze at the starry sky. Given the season, "Tanabata" is one of the events for Japanese people, drawing attention to the night sky. However, it's also the rainy season, and it's rare to have clear weather in Japan.

So, off to the Big Island of Hawaii! A natural planetarium!

The starry sky at the summit of Mauna Kea was truly wonderful. I could see Saturn's rings clearly. To see both the Southern Cross and the North Star in the same night sky! I saw countless shooting stars. Thank you to our engaging guide, Mr. Yamamoto, for keeping us entertained with his witty storytelling.

It was a summit tour that felt like it was over in the blink of an eye. It's no wonder there are so many repeat visitors.

都会に住んでいると星空を眺めることはありません。
季節柄、「七夕」は日本人なら行事の一つで、夜空を眺める注意を惹かれます。しかしながら、梅雨の時期でもあり、日本で晴天に恵まれる事は稀です。

そこでハワイ島！
天然プラネタリューム！

マウナケア山頂の星空はとても素敵でした。
土星の「輪」も良く見えました。
「南十字星」と北極星が一つの夜空で見られるなんて！
流れ星も数え切れないほど見えました。
軽妙な話術で飽きさせないコンダクターの山本さん、ありがとうございました。


「あっ」という間の山頂ツアーでした。
リピーターが多いのもうなづけました。

My wife, who is an avid bird watcher, convinced me to come on this tour. Okay, she basically dragged me here...and I seriously thought I was going to be miserable and bored the whole time....but I was honestly amazed at how much fun I had!

It was an entire day, but it didn't feel too long at all...in fact, there were so many new birds that I had never seen before that we were learning the names of and all, that I felt like by day's end we were just skimming the surface of all these rare species!

My wife teases me now when we talk about it, that I might have had even more fun than her! Great tour.

When I arrived on the Big Island, I joined a tour to see the stars! I hope this helps those who are planning to participate in the future.

I recommend going during the new moon. Without the moonlight, the stars are beautiful. The tour company provides warm clothing, so it’s best to prepare your own warm socks for your feet and ear muffs or a mask for your face.

Also, you will drive on rough roads, and there are temperature and pressure differences, so I think it’s a good idea to rest well the day before you go. It’s also recommended not to have a packed schedule the next day (I personally felt like I wanted to take it easy the following day).

I chose the tour company based on price after some deliberation, and I’m really glad I did. There was an older gentleman who was a veteran of the Big Island among the participants, and he said this tour was the best.

The main reason is that they focus on the stars. Since there is an observatory nearby, there are some restrictions, but they push it to the limit (laughs). Other companies seem to have shorter times. However, it seems they stop at supermarkets, so if that’s something you want to do, you might prefer that option. I think it’s good to choose a company based on other people's comments as well. The new moon days are popular, so make your reservation early!

ハワイ島に着たら、星！ということでツアーに参加しました。
これから参加する方のためになればと思います。

お薦めは、新月に行かれること。
月の光がないので、星が綺麗です。
そして、防寒具は催行会社が貸してくれるので、それ以外、足（厚手の靴下）、顔（耳あて、マスク？）の準備をご自身でされていかれると良いです。

それと、道中はあらい道を車で通りますが、気温差、気圧差もあるので、前日はゆっくり休まれてからむかうのが良いと思います。翌日もあまり詰め込んだスケジュールにしない方がお薦め（どちらかというと、翌日の方がゆっくりしたいなと思いました）。

催行会社さんは、悩んで最後は値段で決めたのですが、ここで本当に良かったです。
一緒に参加されている方に、ハワイ島ベテランの年配の方がいらっしゃいましたが、その方もこのツアーが1番良かったとおっしゃっていました。

1番の理由は、星に重点をおいてくれることでしょうか。
天文台が近くにあるため、制約があるのですが、ぎりぎりまでねばってくれます（笑）
他社さんはもう少し時間が短いようです。その代り、スーパーとかに行かれているようなので、その点は事前に確認し、寄りたいというのであればそっちの方が良いという方もいるかも。
他の方のコメントも参考に、会社を選ばれると良いと思います。新月の日は人気なので、お早めに予約を~。

This was my fourth time at Mauna Kea. I also went for the sunrise, but I preferred the sunset. Each time, I participated with a different tour company, and they all put in a lot of effort to make it enjoyable, but I think this was the best one so far.

I was especially happy that this tour allowed for a longer time at the summit. Each company provides warm clothing, but it was my first time borrowing pants. It really helps since your feet can get cold after a long time.

I always plan my schedule around the new moon, so this time, the starry sky and shooting stars were amazing!

Moreover, this time we observed from the closest spot to the summit, so the stars were right next to us... I also saw the Southern Cross for the first time.

What impressed me the most was being able to take a photo of Saturn with my phone camera, thanks to the staff.

I will definitely participate in this tour again next time!

マウナケアには４回目
サンライズも行ったけれど、私はサンセットのほうが良かったです。
毎回違う催行会社で参加、
各社とも私考を凝らして楽しませてくれますが、今までで一番良かったと思いました。

特にこのツアーは山頂での時間をとても長く取ってもらえるので嬉しいです。
そして、各社防寒着を貸してもらえるのですが、ズボンを借りたのは初めてでした。長時間居てると足下が冷えるので助かります。

毎回新月時期を狙ってスケジュールを組んで行くので、今回も満天の星と流れ星は最高！でした。

それにまして今回は山頂に一番近い所での観測だったので星が真横に・・・初めて南十字星も見ました。

一番感激したのは、
土星の写真を携帯のカメラで取れた事、スタッフの御陰です。

次回も絶対このツアーに参加します

An adventure with. great sights and friendly /helpful staff.
Reccomnend for anyone who loves water and great sight seeing.

It was such a wonderful experience that it brought me to tears instead of words. The appropriate and flexible responses, along with the necessary yet not extravagant equipment, and reasonable prices made me glad I chose Masashi Nature School.

Guide Ochi-san provided clear explanations about the history, background, and stories of Hawaii and Mauna Kea during the journey and at the summit. There seems to be a saying on the Big Island: "If you want to know everything, go to the top of the mountain." As I looked at Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa and got closer, I felt that meaning resonate in my heart. Standing there, the majestic Hawaiian prayer songs naturally echoed deep within my ears.

【What was wonderful】
- The crisp atmosphere at the summit.
- A 360-degree panorama from the true summit (4205m).
- The sunset sinking beyond the sea of clouds to the west.
- The shadow of the mountain appearing above the sea of clouds to the east.
- The shadow of the Earth that appears after the sun sets.
- The gradient from orange to deep blue.
- The countless stars I had never seen before, including the Southern Cross.
- Guide Ochi-san. At first, I thought he was a bit brusque (laughs).

While it was already amazing as it was, I recommend preparing the following, including my own reflections:

【Altitude sickness measures】
- Get plenty of sleep the night before.
- On the day, avoid drinking alcohol at the beach in the morning.
- If you're worried, buy oxygen spray locally.
*You will be going to a place nearly 450m higher than the summit of Mount Fuji. Underestimating it can lead to painful experiences, even for seasoned climbers.

【Cold and hunger measures】
- They will lend you warm outerwear, but you should prepare your own inner layers (flannel shirts, fleece, long pants, shoes, etc.).
- If you're sensitive to the cold, bring hand warmers from the base.
- You might get hungry on the way back, so bring snacks like candy or Snickers.
*Lunch will be provided, but since you'll be returning more than five hours after eating, you might feel a bit hungry.

【Photography equipment】
- A "tripod" and a camera that can set the shutter speed to over 30 seconds (get accustomed to using it beforehand).
- Batteries deplete quickly in the cold, so bring a spare battery.
*Capturing beautiful sunset and starry sky photos will create the best memories.

【iPhone/iPad app "Star Walk"】

言葉の代わりに涙が出るほど、すばらしい経験でした。
適切かつ臨機応変な応対と、華美ではないが必要充分な装備、リーズナブルな価格。
マサシネイチャースクールにしてよかったと思いました。

ガイドの越智さんが道中および山頂で、ハワイやマウナケアについての歴史・背景・エピソード等、色々と分かりやすく教えてくれました。
「全てを知りたければ、山の頂へ行け」という格言がハワイ島にはあるらしいです。
マウナケア・マウナロアを見て、そこへ近づくに従って、その意味が心で感じられる気がしました。
その場に立つと、雄大なハワイの祈りの歌が、自然と耳の奥に響きました。

【素晴らしかったこと】
・ピンと張りつめた山頂の大気。
・本当の山頂（4205m）からの360度パノラマ。
・西の雲海の彼方に沈む夕日。
・東の雲海上に出現する、山の影。
・夕日が沈んだ後に現れる、地球の影。
・オレンジ~深い青へのグラデーション。
・見たこともない星の数。そして南十字星。
・ガイドの越智さん。最初はぶっきらぼうな人かと思いましたが（笑）

そのままでも十分すばらしいですが、私の反省も含めて、
以下の準備をして行くことをオススメします。

【高山病対策】
　・前夜の睡眠は十分に取る。
　・当日は、午前中でもビーチでアルコールなどを飲まない。
　・心配なら現地で酸素スプレーを買っておく。
　※富士山頂より450m近く高い場所に行きます。
　　ナメてかかると玄人でも痛い思いをします。

【寒さ＆空腹対策】
　・暖かい防寒着の上下を貸してくれるが、インナー系は自分で用意する。
　　（ネルシャツ、フリース、長ズボン、靴など）
　・寒がりの人は、ホッカイロなどを麓で仕込んで行く。
　・帰り道でお腹が減る可能性があるので、飴やスニッカーズ等、小腹に入れるものを。
　※お弁当は出ますが、食べて5時間以上経過して帰りますので。少し腹が減りました。

【写真道具】
　・「三脚」と「シャッタースピードを30秒以上に設定できるカメラ」。
　　（事前に使い慣れておくこと）
　・寒いとバッテリーの消耗が激しいので、予備バッテリー。
　※夕日や星空を綺麗に撮れると、最高の思い出になります。

【iPhone／iPadアプリの「Star Walk」】

The sunset at the summit of Mauna Kea was truly wonderful. The starry sky was lovely, but it was a bit disappointing that there were quite a few clouds. I hope for clear weather next time. However, the sunset was beautiful with the clouds, as the orange spread across the sky in an indescribable way. I want to go again.

マウナケア山頂のサンセットは本当に素晴らしかったです。
星空も素敵だったのですが少し雲が多かったのが残念でした。次回は晴天に恵まれたいなと思いました。
でもサンセットは雲が多かったのでオレンジ色が広がって何とも言えない感じでした。
また行きたいです。

I have participated in this tour twice in the past. It's definitely one of the tours you should go on when you visit the Big Island. This time, we were covered by thick clouds from the moment we left the hotel, and it was said that the summit conditions were fifty-fifty. By the time we arrived at Mauna Kea, there was unusually snow at the summit for this time of year, and the roads were frozen, resulting in a road closure, so we couldn't go up. However, the staff's response to whether customers would be satisfied with the current situation was good. After the rain and thunder, we were taken to another point where we could see the sunset through a gap in the clouds, and we were able to walk and enjoy it together. The timing was perfect! We were able to see a beautiful sunset. I'll save the starry sky for the next time as something to look forward to. Thanks to the staff's judgment and actions at that time, we were able to have a great time. The view from that point was also a wonderful memory. The bento from another company looked more delicious, though (laughs). I would like to use this service again!

過去２回ほど、参加しております。
ハワイ島に来たら是非、行ってほしいツアーの一つです。
今回は、ホテル出発時より厚い雲に覆われていて　山頂は五分五分との事でした。
やはりオニヅカに到着した頃には、この時期には珍しく山頂には雪が積もっていて　路面も凍結しているとのことでロードクローズとなって　上がる事は出来ませんでしたが　スタッフの方の　今の状況でお客様に満足してもらえるかの対応は良かったです。
雨や雷が落ちていた状況の後で　雲の隙間から見える夕日を違うポイントへ連れてって頂き、皆でウォーキングして見ることができました。
タイミングもばっちり！綺麗な夕日を見ることができました。
満点の星は、また次回への楽しみとしてとっておきます♪
あの時のスタッフさんの、判断の行動で　楽しく過ごす事ができました。あそこから見たポイントも素晴らしい景色で思い出となりました。
お弁当だけは、他社の方が美味しそうでしたけど（笑）
また利用させて頂きたいと思ってます！！　

The experience of watching the sunset from a peak over 4000 meters is truly unforgettable, and it became a wonderful memory. Additionally, while stargazing, I learned a lot from the interesting stories shared. The tour conductor also mixed in various anecdotes while guiding the tour, so the frequent movements didn't bother me much. However, it tends to be quite cold, so it's best to prepare as much as possible for the cold. We brought fleece and leggings from Japan. Other outerwear for warmth can be borrowed, and they are quite good quality.

4000mを超える山頂から夕陽を眺める経験はそうできないので、本当に良い思い出になりました。また星空観察でも色々と面白い話を聞きながらなので、勉強になりました。ツアーコンダクターの方も色々な話を織り交ぜながら、ツアーを進めてくれるので、移動の多さもあまり気になりません。ただ、寒いことが多いようですので、可能な限り防寒対策をしていかれた方が良いです。私たちは日本からフリースとスパッツを持って行きました。それ以外のアウターの防寒具は立派なものを貸して頂けます。

I experienced breathtaking views that you wouldn't expect in tropical Hawaii. The beauty of the setting sun was particularly exceptional.

Unfortunately, I couldn't see the Southern Cross due to clouds, but I definitely want to see it next time. The staff were kind, and I made some wonderful memories. Thank you!

南国のハワイとは思えぬ
絶景を見てきました
特に沈む夕日の美しさは格別でした

南十字星は残念ながら雲があり見えませんでしたが
次回は必ず観にいきたいと思います
スタッフも優しくてとても楽しい思い出ができました
ありがとうございます

The participation day was the day before the full moon, so the moonlight obscured the view of the stars a bit, but I was still moved by the beautiful starry sky. The staff's explanations were easy to understand, and I was able to experience the mysterious universe, including Saturn viewed through the telescope.

参加日は満月の前日のため、月の光に遮られて、星の見え方は今一つでしたが、それでも美しい星空に感動しました。
スタッフの方の説明もわかりやすく、望遠鏡から覗いた土星も含めて神秘の宇宙を体感できました。

We participated as a family of three, including my spouse and our first-grade child. The boat was quite comfortable, and we were able to see dolphins very well. We also spotted whales a few times in the distance. At one point, we witnessed a breaching, which was truly moving. However, our child was scared and didn't want to be at the edge of the boat, so they stayed in the middle and couldn't see much. The staff's explanations were in English, so I didn't understand them well, but the snacks we had on board were delicious.

夫婦と小学校1年生の子供の3人で参加しました。
船は結構快適で、イルカが良く見えました。クジラも少し遠くですが数回見えました。一度はブリーチングが見れ感動ものでした。ただし子供は船の端のほうにいるのを嫌がり（怖がり）船の真ん中の方いたので良く見れませんでした。
スタッフの方の説明は英語だったのでよく分かりませんでしたが、船上で食べたスナックが美味しかったです。

This was my first experience at an altitude of 4200 meters, and I was initially filled with worry about the health of my elementary and high school daughters. However, thanks to the advice and attentiveness of our guide, Mr. Fujitani, the tour turned out to be reassuring. The photos are indeed beautiful, but the emotions can only be understood by those who have seen it! It was such a shame to see the sunset, and how fast time flew by... I definitely want to go again. The stargazing afterward was not at the 2800-meter Onizuka Center, but at a completely dark area around 4000 meters, which was also very satisfying! I learned a lot from the detailed information about the constellations.

自分自身は初めての4200mの高地体験であり、更に小学生、高校生の娘達の体調も気掛かりで、最初は心配な気持ちいっぱいでしたが、ガイドのFUJITANIさんのアドバイスと気配りで安心したツアーとなりました。写真は確かにキレイですが、、、やはり、観た人しかこの感動はわかりません！！！　夕陽が沈んでいくのがとても惜しく、時間の流れゆくのがなんと速いことか、、、また、観に行きたいと思います。　そのあとの星空観賞も2800mのオニズカセンターではなく、4000m付近の灯が全くない広場での鑑賞で、これも大満足！　星座にとても詳しい話を聞けて、とても勉強になりました。

The guide was very kind.
The scenery was amazing.
The starry sky was also fantastic.
It was really cold!
I brought two pairs of gloves and earmuffs, so I was fine, but my friend who was with me got so cold during the stargazing that they were in "I want to get back to the car quickly!" mode. They do lend out winter clothing, but it’s better to prepare your own as well.

At that time, I wasn't climbing mountains, but now that I do, I wish I had gone to the "real summit."

ガイドさんもとても親切
景色は最高
星空も最高
すごく寒い！
私は手袋２枚＆耳当てを持っていき大丈夫でしたが、同行の友達は星空観測の途中からあまりの寒さに「早く車に入りたい！」というモードになってしまっていたそうです。防寒着貸してくれますが、プラス自分でも防寒着、用意してしてしすぎることはないです。

当時は山登りをしていなかったのですが、今は山に登るようになったため、「本当の山頂」に行ってみたかったなあ、と今になって思います。

I went without much expectation, but it was more enjoyable than I thought! I happened to get friendly with a Japanese couple I met in line, and we enjoyed the show together, which made for great memories.

However, there was a time when I struggled with severe drowsiness due to jet lag... Since it was such a special show, it might be a waste to incorporate it into a very tight schedule.

そんなに期待せずに行ったんですが
思っていたより楽しかったです！
たまたま列で一緒になった日本人のご夫婦と仲良くなって
一緒にショーを楽しんだり、いい思い出になりました。

ただ、時差ボケで途中ちょっとすごい眠気でつらかった時間帯が…。
せっかくのショーなので、
あまり強行スケジュールに組み込むともったいないかもしれません。

This is our third trip to the Islands and our second luau. The Island Brezze Luau far surpassed our first experience. Food was great and plenty of it and the entertainment outstanding. If this is your first or last luau make sure it's the Island Breeze Luau.

I'm glad I was able to see many shooting stars. I was also moved by the sunset over Mauna Kea. The bento was delicious too.

流れ星が沢山みれてよかったです。
マウナケアに沈む夕日にも感動しました。
お弁当もおいしかったです。

On January 1, 2011, I participated with my family of four. It was great to see a whale for the first time in my life. However, since it was a large boat, I thought it would be difficult, and I was a bit disappointed that we were a little far from the whale, so I couldn't fully experience its size. I also wished we could have spent a bit more time watching the whales. Nonetheless, it was a relatively easy tour, and I don't think you can have this kind of experience in Japan, so I would recommend this tour to anyone who wants to see whales.

2011年1月1日の元日に家族4人で参加しました。生まれて初めて鯨を見ることができたので良かったです。ただ大きな船なので難しいとは思いますが、ちょっと鯨との距離が離れていたので大きさを体感することができなかったのは残念でした。またもう少し鯨を見る時間をとってほしかったなと思いました。でも比較的手軽なツアーだし、日本ではこのような体験はできないと思うので鯨を見てみたい人にはオススメのツアーだと思います。

Despite the rain, we set sail and spent about an hour searching diligently for whales, but unfortunately, we didn't see any. However, at the end, we encountered a pod of dolphins! We spent quite a long time moving through the sea together. Several dolphins swam around the boat, and we were able to see them up close. They jumped repeatedly, putting on a great show for us. The disappointment of not seeing any whales was completely blown away. I definitely want to participate in a whale watching cruise again next time and hope to see whales.

雨が降る中、 出航し１時間程、一生懸命に鯨を探し回って下さったのですが、残念ながら鯨の姿は見えませんでした。
でも最後にイルカの群れが！
かなり長い時間一緒に海を進みました。何頭ものイルカが船の周りを泳いでくれて、すごく近くで見ることができました。ジャンプを何回も繰り返して大サービスしてくれましたし。鯨を見られなかったショックも一度に吹き飛びました。
次回も是非ホエールウオッチング・クルーズに参加し、鯨の姿を見たい思っています。

My first time on the Big Island of Hawaii!

It was cloudy, so I was worried about whether I could see the sunset and the starry sky, but the sunset was beautifully visible between the clouds. As time passed, the clouds cleared up, and in the end, I was able to see the stars well enough to be satisfied!!

It was moving!!

However, it was really cold, and I was a bit scared because I felt dizzy and had numbness in my hands and feet, which didn't go away for a while.

But I'm glad I participated. I want to try again when the weather is nice.

初ハワイ島！

曇ってたのでサンセットも星空も見えるか心配でしたが、
サンセットは雲と雲の間から綺麗に見えました。
星空も時間が経過するにつれて雲が無くなって、
最後は満足できるぐらい見えました!!

感動!!

でもめちゃ寒かったのと、
高山病なのか？ふらふらするのと手足のしびれが
しばらく治らなくてちょっとびびりました。

でも参加して良かったです。
次は天気の良い時に再チャレンジしたいです。

I participated with my wife and our third-grade son. Shortly after departure, we encountered a mother and baby whale. We were able to see them quite a few times while keeping our distance. One of those times, we were lucky enough to witness the mother whale jumping and showing her massive body above the water's surface. However, the distance was generally far, so the emotional impact was somewhat diminished. Also, since we could mostly only see the whales' backs, we had to concentrate on the surface of the water to catch the exciting moments like when they jump or elegantly raise their tails above the surface. That can be quite challenging.

This was my first time whale watching, so I might have underestimated it a bit. On the other hand, a pod of dolphins came quite close to the boat and swam alongside us, and when the boat picked up speed, the sea breeze felt pleasant. If you can think of it as mainly enjoying the cruising experience, it could be quite happy.

The staff was cheerful and friendly, and the captain was impressively talkative, providing explanations (though in English). There were snacks and fruits available, but no substantial meals. Coffee and water were unlimited, but cocktails were available for an extra charge.

　妻と小学校３年の息子の３人で参加しました。　
出港後、ほどなくして親子のクジラに遭遇。遠巻きに見ながら追っかけて、けっこうな回数、見ることができました。　しかも、そのうち１回は親クジラがジャンプするような感じで巨体を水面に出す場面が見れたので、ラッキーでした。ただ、距離は全般的に遠かったので、感動も小さかったかな。　また、クジラはほとんど背中しか見えませんので、ジャンプするところや尾びれを優雅に水面に出すオイシイ場面を見逃さないようにするには、集中して海面を見つめていなければなりません。それがけっこう大変かも。
　私はホエール･ウォッチングは初めてでしたので、ちょっと安易に考えすぎてすぎていたかもしれません。
　その代わりにイルカの群れは、けっこう船の近くまで寄っ
てきて泳いでくれましたし、船がスピードを出すと潮風が心地よかったので、クルージングを楽しむことがメインだと思えればＨＡＰＰＹかもしれません。
　スタッフは陽気でフレンドリーだし、船長は感心するくらいしゃべりっぱなしで説明をしていました（ただし英語）。
　あと、スナック菓子やフルーツはありましたが、食事的なものはありません。コーヒーと水は飲み放題ですが、カクテル類は有料でした。

I joined a tour that departed in the afternoon. I skipped lunch expecting some light snacks, but what was served were just some snack bites and fruit, which was a bit disappointing. The drinks were free except for alcohol, but since we were on a boat, it felt awkward to go to the restroom, so I couldn't drink too much. However, I did get to see whales that I wouldn't have seen on land, so it was okay.

If you want to take good photos of the whales, you need a serious camera with a telephoto lens and shoot in burst mode, otherwise, you'll end up with photos where you can't even tell where the whale is. My IXUS was completely useless for whale photography.

午後出発のツアーに参加しました。
軽食付きに期待して昼ご飯を抜いたら、供されたのはおつまみスナックとフルーツくらいで、ちょいがっくり。飲み物はアルコール以外フリードリンクですが、船上の事、トイレに行くのも憚られるのでそうそうがぶ飲みも出来ず。
でも陸に居ては見られないクジラを見られたし、まあＯＫです。
クジラの写真をちゃんと撮って帰りたい人は、望遠レンズ付きのマジなカメラで連写しないと、どこにクジラがいるのかさっぱり判らない写真しか撮れない事になるので、ご注意を。私のＩＸＹはクジラ撮影には完璧に無力でした。

Very entertaining evening. Performers were excellent and involved the audience. Food was very good and a there was a variety of foods to fit most diets. For the more adventurous, poke and poy to try.

Enjoyed all the various polynesian dances--a tour of the south pacific without the boat.

We had an excellent evening and would recommend this to anyone.

Last year, my son and his wife participated in a tour and said, "It was really great!" so I decided to join as well.

It was surprisingly cold for Hawaii, but they provided warm clothing, and the stunning scenery made me forget the cold!

You can overlook the sea of clouds and watch the sunset from the mountaintop, which looks like a sunrise despite being a sunset, so I used the photos taken there for my New Year's cards♪

The starry sky was also amazing, and I was able to refresh my mind so much that I forgot about the busyness in Japan.

If you're going to the Big Island, this is definitely a tour you can't miss!

昨年、息子夫婦がツアーに参加し、「とてもよかった！」と言っていたので参加してみました。

ハワイとは思えない寒さでしたが、防寒具も貸してもらえるし、寒さも忘れるほどのすばらしい景色！


雲海を見下ろし、山頂でサンセットを見ることができるのですが、サンセットでありながら日の出のように見えるので、ここで撮ってもらった写真を年賀状の写真にしました♪

星空もすばらしく、日本での忙しさを忘れるほど「心のリフレッシュ」ができました。

ハワイ島にいくなら絶対に外せないツアーです！