All Reviews for Top Places to Visit in Hawaii

The submarine tour is really amazing. How often can you say that you were in an actual submarine. The sub is air conditioned and really very spacious and comfortable. There is never a dull moment. Fish, coral eels and ship wrecks. Plenty to see and experience.

Mauna Kea is taller than Mount Fuji. Before departing, I was worried about whether I would be able to see the summit clearly since there were thick clouds covering it when I looked from the hotel. During the journey, our guide, Stephan (who speaks fluent Japanese, surprisingly for his appearance), made the trip enjoyable, and we quickly arrived at the Onizuka Visitor Center for a break. The bento and miso soup, which were my first taste of Japanese food in a while, were delicious and comforting. After acclimating my body, we headed to the summit. The gravel road was incredible, with no guardrails! As we ascended, I experienced altitude sickness for the first time in my life by the time we reached the summit. I thought I wouldn't be able to enjoy the tour, but when I saw the sunset sinking into the clouds, I was so moved that I forgot about the altitude sickness! I've never seen such a beautiful sunset. Furthermore, the starry sky afterward felt just like a planetarium. Being surrounded by stars in over 180 degrees was breathtaking. I believe this is one of the must-see views when visiting the Big Island. Also, the guides from Masashi Nature School are all unique and fun, so I highly recommend them!

富士山より高いマウナケア。出発前ホテルから見たら山頂に厚い雲がかかっていたので綺麗に見えるか不安でした。道中、ガイドのステファンさん(見た目からは想像付かない程日本語ペラペラ)が色々な楽しいをしてくれたので休憩所のオニヅカビジターセンターまであっという間に付きました。ここで久しぶりの日本食だったお弁当と味噌汁が美味しく、体に染み渡りました。体を慣らした所でいざ山頂へ。ガードレールもないすごい砂利道！どんどん標高も上がっていくので山頂に着く頃には人生初の高山病に・・これではせっかくのツアーも楽しめないかと思いましたが、いざ雲に沈んでいく夕日を見たら高山病を忘れるくらい感動しました！こんな綺麗な夕日は見た事がありません。更に、その後の星空はプラネタリウムそのままという感じでした。180度以上を星に囲まれているのでそれ以上かもしれません。ハワイ島に来たら絶対に外せない絶景のひとつだと思います。そしてマサシネイチャースクールのガイドさんは皆さん個性があって楽しいのでお勧めです♪

The weather wasn't great, but I had a good time. I leisurely walked through the valley, and crossing the river was a bit thrilling and fun.

お天気がイマイチでしたが、楽しめました。渓谷の下をのんびり散策し、川を渡るのはちょっとドキドキで楽しかったです。

The weather was nice, and the water temperature was high, so I had a great time. I was very satisfied to see not only dolphins but also manta rays and whales.

お天気も良く、水温も高かったため、とても楽しかったです。イルカはもちろん、マンタ、クジラも見れ、大満足でした。

I decided to join this tour after seeing the reviews, as it seemed interesting. Our hotel was in Waikoloa, and since there are five of us in the family, I wanted to minimize expenses by opting for a local meeting point. However, since there was no transportation available for the return, I chose the option with pick-up. The young man who came to pick us up was very friendly. He couldn't speak Japanese, but he had a name similar to my son's, which helped us bond quickly and made it enjoyable.

It was a bit chilly, so I borrowed a wetsuit. Without it, I wouldn't have been able to stay out long because it was too cold. It was everyone's first time going out into the night sea, and we were all nervous, but our guide, Leon, provided great support, making it enjoyable even for my first grader. (He speaks Japanese almost like a native.) I was worried that my child might be screaming out of fear, but it turned out to be excited shouts as the manta rays came so close they almost bumped into us. Although we shouldn't touch them, they were so close that we truly felt the wildness of the experience.

The water was so clear that we could see the bottom (it was dark, but occasionally the lights illuminated it), and many manta rays' white bellies floated up, creating an exhilarating and moving sight! It was definitely worth it. I'm really glad we went!

Leon said, "The joy of this job is knowing that the kids will remember today for a long time," which left a strong impression on me. We also visited Oahu during this trip, and when I asked the kids what they remembered most, they said it was this "Manta Tour." It's that impactful of an experience. I highly recommend trying it!

書き込みを見て、このツアー面白そうと思い決めました。ホテルがワイコロアだったのですが、家族５人なので少しでも支出を抑えたくて現地集合にしようと思いましたが、帰りの交通手段がなかったので送迎つきにしました。でも、お迎えに来てくれた青年がとても気さくで、日本語は話せませんが、息子と名前が似ていたのですぐ打ち解けて楽しかったです。

肌寒かったのでウエットスーツを借りました。着ないとと寒くて長くは見ていられなかったでしょう。夜の海に出るのは皆初めてでドキドキでしたが、ちゃんとガイドのリオン君がサポートしてくれたので、小１の子も楽しめました。(日本人なみに日本語話せます)怖さで絶叫しているのかと心配していたら、マンタがぶつかる位接近してくるので、興奮しての雄叫びでした。触れてはいけないのに、マンタからぶつかってくるので、まさしく野性を肌で感じられるツアーです。海の底が見える程の透明度のなか(暗いけど時折ライトで底が見える)、沢山のマンタの白いお腹が浮かび上がり、その迫力に興奮と感動！間違いなしです。本当に行って良かった！

リオン君が「子ども達が、今日のことをずっと覚えていてくれる事が、この仕事をやっている喜び」と言っていたのが印象的でした。今回の旅行はオアフ島にも行ったのですが、子ども達に何が一番心に残ったか聞いたら、この「マンタツアー」でした。それ位キョーレツなツアーです。是非おためしを！

I was looking forward to participating as it was recommended by those around me! However, unfortunately, due to the snow, I was unable to see both the sunset and the starry sky… The guide mentioned that it’s rare not to see either, and they searched for a spot where we could see the stars until the very last moment, showing a determination not to give up! However, since I was really looking forward to it, it was very disappointing and shocking that I couldn’t see either after spending both time and money (>_<).

I think it would help change the mood a bit if, in such cases, you could provide photos of the sunset and starry sky as a gift♪ The photos are really well taken☆ Please consider this for the future! If there’s another opportunity, I would definitely like to try again!

周りに薦められて楽しみに参加しました！
しかし、残念ながら雪の影響で夕日も星空も両方見ることが出来ませんでした…
ガイドの方も両方見れない事は珍しいと言っていて、場所を移動し星が見れる場所をギリギリまで探してくれて、最後まで諦めない姿勢が伺えました！
しかし楽しみにしていただけにお金と時間がかかり両方見れなかったのはとても残念でショックでした(>_<)
もしこの様な場合の時には夕日と星空の写真等をプレゼントしていただければ気持ちも少し変わるのではと思います♪とても上手に写真が撮れてるので☆
今後の為にも参考にして見てください！
また機会があれば、ぜひもう一度挑戦して見たいと思います！

I have visited the Big Island about three times, but I never knew where the surf spots were and always envied those enjoying the ocean. However, this time I participated in a private lesson, and the instructor was fun. It was my first time on a longboard, but I was able to ride the waves several times, so I am very satisfied.

ハワイ島には３回ほど訪れていますがサーフスポットがわからずいつも海を横目にうらやましく思っていましたが今回プライベートレッスンに参加させて頂きイントラの方も楽しく初ロングボードでしたが何度か波に乗る事ができたので
とても満足しています。

I came to Hawaii Island specifically to see the starry sky from 4,000 meters, so it’s not an exaggeration to say that. It was rainy from the morning. There was snow at the summit, and I heard that it was closed the day before. Other tour groups were quickly giving up and had a mood of descending, but only Nature School, especially guide Matsuzaki, kept saying, "Let’s hang in there! It will surely change!" He encouraged participants who were really in a giving-up mode and made us forget the time with his fun, rapid-fire talk. Then, to our surprise, a cloudless new moon starry sky spread out before us. It was a private star-gazing event just for Nature School. If I have the chance to come again, I would definitely want to request this tour without hesitation. I thought the long tour might bore the kids, but the enjoyable conversation made the time fly by, and before we knew it, it was time to disperse. Also, I think the warm clothing provided was warmer compared to other companies. Matsuzaki, it was really great! Thank you!

４０００mからの星空が見たくてハワイ島に来たといっても過言ではない状態で、朝から雨模様。
頂上付近は雪が積もって、前日はクローズになっていたとのこと。
他社のツアーさんは早々にあきらめ下山ムードがさまよっていましたが、ネイチャースクールだけは、特にガイドの松崎さんが、とにかく粘りましょう！きっと変わってきますよ！と、ほんとにあきらめモードの参加者を励ましてくれ、楽しいマシンガントークで時間のたつのも忘れさせてくれました. そうしたら、なんと雲一つない新月の星空が広がってくるではないですか。ネイチャースクールだけの貸し切り星空見学会でした。
もしまた来ることが出来たら、迷わずこちらでお願いしたいと思います。
長いツアーで子供も飽きるかなと思っていましたが、終始楽しい会話であっという間に解散時間でした。
それと、防寒具も他社さんに比べて暖かいと思います。
まっちゃん、ほんとによかったです！　ありがとう！

I only saw one manta in the distance. It just passed by in an instant. The water was cold, like a punishment game. The staff was friendly. I was able to walk from the office to the boat.

マンタは遠くに一匹のみ。
一瞬通り過ぎただけでした。
水は冷たく、罰ゲームのようでした。
スタッフはフレンドリー。
事務所から船までも歩けました。

I gave the adventure 5 stars, because I don't think it could have been any better and the guides were excellent.

That being said, I did not enjoy the adventure. The water was very rough and I had a very difficult time paddling and controlling the kayak. I have kayaked on lakes and rivers before without difficulty. In addition, because it was so rough, I got VERY sea-sick. That made the return trip nearly impossible. Since you are on your own, you have to muscle through it. As a result, my husband didn't enjoy it because he was worried about me.

Some suggestions, don't do this adventure if you get sea-sick. Another gentleman in the group was also throwing up, so it wasn't just me. In addition, unless you are in amazing physical condition, get a two person kayak. You can use your combined strength to get through the waves.

I was looking for a tour to swim with dolphins on the Big Island and narrowed it down to two options: ① a small boat tour with about six people (no restroom, no shower, some snacks provided, possibly swimming close to dolphins) or ② a large boat (with restroom, shower, breakfast and lunch included, able to see dolphins but not swim with them). When I asked my kids, they preferred the large boat with a slide (more interested in that than the dolphins... haha), and considering my wife's health, I thought it would be better to choose the tour with the restroom, so I went with option ②.

In fact, two years ago, when I participated in a tour with Quicksilver in Cairns, Australia, the large boat had a buffet for lunch and was equipped with restrooms and changing rooms, making it very comfortable, so I chose a similar type this time as well. The departure location was a bit far from the office and unclear, but when I first went to the departure point and asked a crew member near the boat, they kindly guided me, allowing me to find the office and park the car successfully.

When I got close to the boat, the check-in was smooth, and we boarded. The boat was not as large as the one from Quicksilver in Australia, with six booth-style seats like those in a family restaurant, and there were bench seats back-to-back in the central area on the second floor, which had a roof, while the outer bench seats were exposed to the sun. By the way, for those prone to seasickness, the first-floor seats are recommended as they experience less rocking.

Since we had an early morning meeting, there was a simple breakfast buffet where we could eat as much as we wanted, including fruit. Also, I had accidentally submerged my waterproof camera the day before, so I rented a digital camera (GoPro) for about $30 with an 8GB SD card and chip. I think it’s much better than the waterproof disposable camera... I tried both, but the photos included here are from the GoPro.

Unlike the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, we didn’t go out far into the ocean but progressed along the coast. Therefore, we were on the boat for about 30 to 40 minutes. When we arrived, the staff distributed snorkeling masks, and the fins were located under the seats on the first floor, so we were told to choose ones that fit our foot size. The water was deep enough for diving, so I borrowed a life jacket (the staff will lend it to you if you ask; you can just gesture to indicate what you need... haha).

When I went to the Great Barrier Reef in Australia around the same time, the seawater was a bit cold, and I borrowed a wetsuit (to prevent jellyfish stings), but this time it wasn’t necessary (there were no jellyfish). The visibility was incredible, and I could see all the way down. It was beautiful.

We swam freely around the boat and slid down the slide from the second floor (the slide ends around the first floor, and you drop into the water from about one floor high). My third-grade son enjoyed it. The adults also had fun. Even without the slide, you could jump in from the second floor where there were no railings.

Around lunchtime, they started a BBQ on the deck, and we had a buffet-style meal centered around hamburgers. During this time, we had free time to eat or play until the departure time.

On the way back, we encountered a pod of dolphins that swam alongside the boat and jumped around. I think we were very fortunate with the weather. I did feel a bit seasick during the trip, but since it was a large boat, I could lie down in my seat the whole time, so I was glad it wasn’t a small boat.

By the way, we were the only Japanese on this tour. Even though we came all the way to Hawaii, it felt a bit lonely to be surrounded by only Japanese people, so I chose this tour, but thanks to that, I was able to make friends with an American who came from Los Angeles.

Since I got seasick this time, I rated it four stars, but the tour itself was great.

ハワイ島でイルカと一緒に泳ぐツアーに参加しようと探していたところ、2つに絞られ、①6名程度の小型ボート（トイレなし、シャワーなし、スナック程度付、イルカの近くで泳げるかも）でのツアーか、②大型船（トイレ、シャワーあり、朝食・昼食付、イルカを見れるけど一緒には泳げない）になりました。
子どもたちに尋ねたところ船にスライダーがついている②大型船を希望し（イルカよりもそっちか…笑）、妻の体調のことも考えるとトイレが完備されているツアーの方がいいかと思い、②を選びました。
実際、2年前にオーストラリアのケアンズでクイックシルバー社のツアーに参加した時、大型船で昼食にビュッフェがあったり、トイレ・更衣室等完備されていたので、大変快適だったので、今回もそのようなタイプを選びました。
出発場所から若干事務所が離れていてよくわからなく、最初に出発場所に行って船の近くにいるクルーに尋ねたら親切に教えてくれたので、事務所を無事に見つけ、車を駐車することができました。
船の近くに行くと受付が行われていて、スムーズに済み、乗船。
オーストラリアのクイックシルバー社の船ほどの大きさはなく、ファミレスのボックスシートのような席が6か所、あとは二階席で中央側にベンチシートが背中合わせであり、そこには屋根があり、外側のベンチシートは日が当たるような状態でした。ちなみに船酔いしやすい人は1階席の方が揺れが少ないのでお勧めです。
朝早くの集合のため、簡単な朝食バイキングがあり、フルーツを含め好きなだけ食べることができました。また前日に防水カメラの内部に浸水させて故障させてしまったので、デジタルカメラ（GoPro）を借りました（8GBのSDカードとチップを入れて30ドル程度だったかな。防水タイプの写るんですよりは全然いいかと思います…両方試してみましたが。今回掲載している写真は、GoProのものです）
オーストラリアのグレートバリアリーフとは違い沖に出ず、岸に沿って進んでいきます。そのため30分か40分程度船に乗るくらいです。
到着する頃になると、スタッフがシュノーケルのマスクを配ってくれ、フィンは1階のシート下にあるので、自分の足のサイズに合うものを選んで使ってくれということでした。ダイビングもできるくらいの深さのところなので、ライフジャケットを借り（スタッフに言えば貸してくれます。というか、置いてあるものを手で持って、ジェスチャーで示すだけでもわかってもらえます…笑）
オーストラリアのグレートバリアリーフに同じ時期に行った時は、海水がやや冷たく、ウェットスーツを借りましたが（クラゲ防止も含めて）、今回は不要でした（クラゲもおらず）。
透明度がすごくて、思いっきり下まで見えました。綺麗です。
船の周辺を好き勝手に泳いだり、2階からスライダーで滑り下りて（1階くらいでスライダーがなくなり、残り1階分くらいの高さから）、水中に落ちる。小3の息子は楽しんでいました。外国人は大人も楽しんでいました。スライダーでなくても2階の手すりのないところから飛びこむこともできます。
昼食頃になるとデッキでBBQをやり始め、ハンバーガーを中心としたバイキング形式の食事になります。
この辺りは食べようが遊ぼうが出発時間までは自由時間です。
帰り道でイルカの群れに遭遇し、船と並走して、ジャンプしたりしてくれました。
天気にも恵まれて大変よかったと思います。
途中船酔い状態になりましたが、やはり大型船だったため、ずっとシートで横になっていることができたので、小型ボートでなくてよかったと思いました。
ちなみにこのツアーですが日本人はうちだけでした。せっかくハワイまで来たのに、周りが日本人ばかりというのもちょっと寂しいので、そのようなツアーにしましたが、お陰でロスから来られたアメリカ人の方と仲良くすることができました。
今回酔ってしまったので、星4つとしましたが、ツアー自体はいいものです。

I participated in the tour with my 8-year-old and 6-year-old sons. Honestly, both of them were a bit anxious about swimming, and I was a little worried before joining the tour. But with our kind and reliable swim guide, Daisuke, I felt reassured! Once we set off, both my kids and I completely relaxed. The boat ride was comfortable, and I didn't have to worry about seasickness.

We were able to see dolphins right away, and they swam close to us multiple times. The happy dolphins showed off by jumping several times. They swam by us, displaying various expressions as they played together. Hearing the dolphins' sounds was truly moving and gave me goosebumps.

Daisuke not only ensures that the guests have fun but also prioritizes not putting any stress on the dolphins. He knows a lot about dolphins, so while other boat groups seemed to be desperately chasing after them, Daisuke thought about the dolphins' pathways, letting us enter the water quietly, and the dolphins would come close to us.

Do you believe that dolphins and humans can communicate? Daisuke asked me this, and now I truly believe they can. Since then, I've started dreaming about dolphins. I want to visit them again someday. I highly recommend this tour for those who want to be healed, connect with dolphins, or feel a bit anxious about the sea.

I was really lucky to see a humpback whale, which I thought I wouldn't be able to see in April. Thank you so much, Daisuke!

8歳と6歳の息子を連れて参加しました。正直、二人とも泳ぎに不安があり、ツアー参加前はちょっと心配な気持ちもありました。でも、このツアーには、優しくて頼もしいスイムガイドのダイスケさんがいるから大丈夫です！！出発してからは私も子供もすっかりリラックスモードでした。船の乗り心地も良く、船酔いの心配もありませんでした。
イルカにも、すぐに会うことが出来、何度も近くを泳いでくれました。ご機嫌が良いイルカは何度もジャンプを見せてくれました。親子で泳ぐ姿、じゃれあいながら泳ぐ姿、いろんな表情を見せながら私達の近くを通って行きました。イルカの声を聞いた時には鳥肌が立つような感動でした。
ダイスケさんはお客さんを楽しませることはもちろん、イルカに負担を掛けないことも大切にしています。イルカの事を熟知しているので、他のボートのグループはイルカの後を必死に追いかけている感じなのに対し、ダイスケさんはイルカの通り道を考えて私たちを入水させ、静かに待っていると本当にイルカの方から近くを通って行ってくれるんです。
イルカと人は会話できると信じますか？とダイスケさんに聞かれたけれど、今は出来ると心から信じています。あれからイルカの夢を見るようになりました。またいつかイルカちゃん達に会いに行きたいです。癒されたい方、イルカと心を通わせて見たい方、海にちょっと不安がある方にお勧めしたいツアーです。
4月でもう会えないだろうなと思っていたザトウクジラにも会うことが出来て本当にラッキーでした。ダイスケさん、本当にありがとうございました！！

Our annual family trip to Hawaii. This time, we participated as a couple. Horseback riding is a regular optional activity in Hawaii. This time, we used Naalapa Staples for the first time. Usually, horseback riding gives the impression of well-behaved horses lined up quietly, but this course was interesting!! Not only did we cross a gently flowing river, but we also splashed through water deep enough to soak the horses' bellies, making us exclaim, "We're going through here!?" Along the way, we encountered wild horses, and our guide even decorated our hair with flowers, making it thrilling and very enjoyable. The ranch dogs accompanying us on the tour were also incredibly adorable.

毎年恒例のハワイ家族旅行。今回は、夫婦２人で参加しました。乗馬はハワイでの恒例オプショナル。今回はナアラパ・ステープルズを初めて利用しました。乗馬は、たいていお利口さんなよく人に慣れた馬が１列になって黙々と…というのが常な印象でしたが、このコースはおもしろい！！チョロチョロと流れる川を横切るだけでなく、「川って、ここを行くのっ！？」と馬の腹まで浸かるほどの水深をジャブジャブ。途中で野生の馬に遭遇したり、ガイドさんが花を髪に飾ってくれたりと、スリリングでとてもおもしろかったです。牧場の番犬たちが、一緒にツアーコースを回ってくれたのも何とも愛らしいです。

This year's annual family trip to Hawaii was our third visit to the Big Island. We invited our friends, a couple who were visiting Hawaii for the first time, so we wanted to make it a memorable experience! We booked Masashi's tour again, as we always do for Mauna Kea. This being our third time using his services, I was amazed at how much it has evolved each time. About five years ago, the tour provided a disposable packed lunch, but this time we received a plastic lunch box with plastic chopsticks like those found in a cafeteria. I was impressed by the environmentally friendly evolution. The warm miso soup and hot chocolate were also gentle on the body. Of course, our friends were thrilled and exclaimed that they would definitely come back again!

毎年恒例のハワイ家族旅行。今回は３回目のハワイ島です。今年はお友達ご夫婦も誘っての旅行でした。お友達は初ハワイなので、素晴らしい感動を！と今回もマサシのツアーを申し込みました。マウナケアは毎回マサシのツアーを利用しています。今回３回目の利用にあたり、毎回の進化ぶりに驚きました。５年位前のツアーで出されたお弁当は、容器使い捨てのパック弁当。今回はプラスチックのお弁当箱に、食堂にあるようなプラスチックのお箸。環境に配慮した進化ぶりにも感動しました。温かいみそ汁やアツアツのホットチョコレートも体に優しい。もちろん、お友達ご夫婦も大感動で、絶対にまた来る！！と、大興奮でした。

I participated with my daughter. There were 10 foreign participants and only the two of us from Japan. I wasn't very confident in my English, so I was quite anxious, but I received a Japanese printout at the reception, which helped me understand the general flow of the event, so I was glad to participate.

The rubber boat was very bumpy, and I was desperately holding on, but my daughter was having a great time and was very excited. On the way back, the boat rocked violently from side to side and turned, making it feel like we were on a roller coaster at an amusement park. There were some elderly participants, but they seemed to enjoy themselves, so I think age shouldn't be a concern.

In Kealakekua Bay, we were able to see colorful fish, which became a wonderful memory. We borrowed flotation devices to wear around our bodies and snorkeled, so my daughter, who isn't a strong swimmer, felt safe. The captain shared various stories, and everyone had a friendly atmosphere as the tour concluded.

We were also lucky enough to see whales during the trip, which made us very happy. Since the sun is quite strong, I recommend reapplying sunscreen several times. Hats can be blown away by the wind, so if you're concerned about sunburn on your head, it might be a good idea to wear a hood and secure it with a string. After snorkeling, it gets chilly, so having a hoodie or a large bath towel would be helpful.

娘と2人で参加しました。参加者は外国人の方10名と日本人は私達2人だけでした。
英語が得意ではないので、かなり不安でしたが、受付で日本語のプリントをいただいたので、大体の流れを把握した上で参加できて良かったです。
前日に予約確認が必要でしたが、ホテルの方にお願いして電話してもらいました。

ゴムボートはとにかく、揺れが激しく私は掴まっているのに必死でしたが、娘はとにかく楽しく大興奮していました。帰り道では、ボートを激しく左右に動かしたり、旋回したりと
まるで、遊園地のジェットコースターに乗っている気分でした。
参加者の中にはかなり高齢の方もいらっしゃいまいしたが、楽しく参加されていたので、
ご年齢は気になさらなくても大丈夫だと思います。

ケアラケクア湾では、色とりどりの魚たちを見ることができて、最高の思い出になりました。身体に巻く浮き具を借りて、スノーケルをしたので、泳ぎの得意でない娘も安心でした。
キャプテンが色々なお話をしてくれて、皆さん和気あいあいとしていい雰囲気でツアーは
終了しました。
移動中には、鯨を見ることもできて、嬉しかったです。
かなり日差しが強いので、日焼け止めクリームを何度か塗り直す方がいいと思います。
帽子は風で飛んでしまうので、頭の日焼けが気になる方は、フードをかぶり紐で止めるといいかもしれません。スノーケル後は冷えるので、パーカーや大きめのバスタオルがあると
いいと思います。

A 5-night, 7-day tour of the Big Island in late March. This was the tour I was most looking forward to on my first trip to Hawaii. Unfortunately, we couldn't see the sunset, but the starry sky was amazing. Above all, the guides, a Japanese person and an American (?), were very kind and wonderful people. They were among the friendliest I've encountered in past overseas tours, and they even provided oxygen for my son when he felt a bit unwell, showing concern until the very end. It truly became a great memory. I definitely want to see the sunset next time. Until we meet again on the Big Island!

３月下旬５泊７日のハワイ島ツアー。初ハワイで一番期待していたツアーです。
サンセットは残念ながら見えなかったですが、星空は最高。それと何よりガイドさん
日本人とアメリカ人（？）のお二人でとても親切で良い人でした。過去の海外ＯＰツアー
の中でも屈指のフレンドリーで且つ、少し気分が悪くなった息子に酸素吸入と、最後まで
心配をしていただき、本当に良い思い出になりました。
今後は是非夕日も観たい。またいつの日かハワイ島に！

I participated in this tour during the summer. Even though it's summer in Hawaii, the ocean at night can be quite chilly. I wore two long-sleeved rash guards, so I was relatively okay until the end, but I think it's better to borrow a wetsuit as it gets extremely cold towards the end and on the way back. I heard that there were none the day before, but on this day, they appeared in large numbers, and no matter how much I tried to avoid them, they kept bumping into me (apparently, they seem to like the lights of the boat). You can easily see manta rays just by holding onto a large buoy and looking down. I will definitely repeat this when I go to the Big Island next time. As for the guide, she was a smart and humorous woman. I think you can’t go wrong with her. She was the most considerate guide I’ve ever met. The male guide was a completely different type, but he was an interesting person once you started talking to him.

夏にこちらのツアーに参加しました。夏のハワイとはいえ夜の海。
長袖のラッシュガード２枚着で参加したのでわりと私は最後まで平気でしたが、
最後あたりと帰りの船が極寒となりますのでウェットを借りた方がいいと思います。
前日は全くでなかったと聞いていましたが、この日は大量に現れてくれまして、避けても避けても体当たりしてくるぐらいでした。（どうやらこの船のライトをお気に召しているらしい）大きな浮きみたいなものにつかまって下をのぞくだけでマンタが見れますので楽チンです。
こんどハワイ島に行ってもリピートします。
ガイドさんですが、女性の聡明なユーモアのある方です。こちらの方なら間違いないかと。
私が今まで会ったガイドさんでNO.1の気遣いができる人でした。
男性ガイドさんの方は全く違うタイプですが、話せば面白い人でした。

We participated as a family of three.
During snorkeling, I touched a long, blue fish that swam right next to me! I was thrilled to see many colorful and beautiful fish in the shallow area to the left as we headed toward Kealakekua Bay. Diving a few meters deep was also interesting as it brought me closer to the fish.
The sandwiches for lunch were very delicious! They were a bit small for the men, but it seemed there were some leftovers, so we could have seconds. There were also snacks and drinks available, which made me satisfied.
On the way back, we enjoyed dolphin and whale watching. There were moments when the dolphins swam alongside the boat without being scared or avoiding it! The dolphins put on a great show, jumping and twisting in the water. It was fascinating to see them do that without being taught.
The whales were dynamic, spouting water and slapping their tails. The highlight was when one repeatedly raised its pectoral fins and slapped the water's surface, almost as if it was saying, "Goodbye!" I was amazed to see a whale up so close.
It was an incredibly valuable experience. Thank you to all the staff!

家族３人で参加しました。
シュノーケルでは、すぐ近くに泳いで来た青くて細長い魚にタッチ！
ケアラケクア湾の岸に向かって左手の浅いところには、色とりどりの綺麗な魚がたくさんいて感激しました。深いところで数メートル潜ってみるのも、魚たちに近付く感じがおもしろかったです。
昼食のサンドイッチは、とてもおいしかった！ 男性にはちょっと少なめでしたが、いくつか余ったらしく、おかわりもできました。スナックやドリンクもあったので、満足でした。
帰りは、イルカ＆ホエールウォッチング三昧。ボートを怖がることも避けることもなく、中には並走する場面も！
イルカは、ジャンプしたり、ひねり技を見せてくれたり、大サービスでした。教えられたわけでもないでしょうに、どうしてそうするのか、不思議でした。
クジラは、ダイナミックに潮を噴き上げたり、尾びれを打ちつけたり…。最高だったのは、胸びれを何度も上げては水面を叩く様子。まるで「バイバイ！」って言っているようでした。クジラをあんなに間近で見られるなんて、感激しました。
すごく貴重な体験でした。スタッフの皆さん、ありがとうございました。

On March 28, 2014, I participated with my two sons, one a university student and the other soon to be a high school student. The office staff were very kind and responded cheerfully to my limited English.

First, we took a boat for about an hour to Kealakekua Bay. By the time we arrived, my backside was a bit sore from the rough ride. We borrowed snorkeling gear, including masks and fins, and jumped into the sea from the edge of the boat. Near the Captain Cook monument, the water was shallow enough to touch, and beautiful fish swam close by. After thoroughly enjoying the underwater show, we got back on the boat for a sandwich lunch, which included drinks, snacks, and pineapple. Everything was delicious! My energetic sons continued to enjoy snorkeling before we headed back.

On the return trip, we went even faster! Driving along the coastline was thrilling! We saw cliffs that looked like the sleeping form of the volcano goddess "Pele," and we almost bumped into coastal caves, which felt like a theme park attraction and was quite exciting.

Suddenly slowing down made me wonder what was happening, and then we spotted a pod of dolphins swimming right next to the boat. They not only jumped but even twisted in the air! I was amazed at how skilled they were, wondering who trained them.

Moreover, out in the distance, we spotted a whale! As soon as we saw it, it approached at an incredible speed, allowing us to do some close whale watching! The way it raised and lowered its pectoral fins looked just like it was waving at us. It was my first time seeing a whale, and it was truly moving.

When we arrived at Honokohau Marina, we were greeted by dolphins and turtles! We had fun right up until the very end. Thank you to everyone on the Captain Zodiac for the wonderful memories.

【Tips for a Comfortable Experience】
The wind can be strong while the boat is moving. Having a larger bath towel and a light hoodie can be comforting.
You might get splashed, so having a plastic bag or ziplock can be handy.
You will be in the sun for a long time, so it's a good idea to bring sunscreen for peace of mind.
The water can be quite cool, so wearing a rash guard is comfortable.
There will be plenty of photo opportunities, so bringing a camera that can record video is recommended.

2014年３月28日、大学生ともうすぐ高校生の息子2人と参加しました。Officeの方もスタッフもとっても親切。拙い英語にも快く答えてくれました。
まずは、１時間ほどボートに乗ってケアラケクア湾へ。激しい揺れにちょっとお尻が痛くなった頃、到着しました。シュノーケル＆水中眼鏡、フィンを借りて、いざ海へ！ボートの淵からザブンと飛び入りました。キャプテンクックのモニュメント付近が浅くなっていて、さわれる程ちかくを綺麗な魚たちが泳いでいした。海中ショーをしっかり堪能した頃、ボートに上がってサンドイッチの昼食。飲み物とスナック、パイナップルつきでした。どれも美味しかった！ 元気な息子たちは、その後もシュノーケルを楽しみ、帰路に着着ました。
帰りは、さらに高速！ 海岸線を走るのでスリル満点！ 火山の神『ペレ』の寝姿？みたいに見える絶壁を見せてくれたり、海岸洞窟みたいな絶壁にぶつかりそうに入ったり、遊園地のアトラクションみたいでドキドキしました。
急に減速したので、？と思ったら、ボートのすぐそばをイルカの群れが遊泳中。ジャンプばかりか、ツイストまで見せてくれました。誰が仕込んでるの？って思うくらい芸達者で、びっくり…。
さらに、沖の方には、なんと！クジラが！ 見つけるや否やものすごいスピードで近づき、間近でホエールウォッチング！ 胸びれを上げ下げしているのが、まるで手を振っているみたいでした。初めて見たクジラ！ 感動でした。
ホノウコウマリーナに到着すると、イルカとカメがお出迎え！ 最後の最後までしっかり楽しませてもらいました。
キャプテンゾディアック号の皆さん、素敵な思い出をありがとうございました。
【快適に過ごすために】
ボート走行中は風が強いです。大きめのバスタオルと薄いパーカーなどあると、ほっとできます。
水しぶきがかかります。ビニール袋やジップロックなどがあると、便利です。
日差しを浴び続けます。日焼け止めは持って行った方が安心です。
海中は結構冷えます。ラッシュガードを着ていると楽です。
シャッターチャンスがいっぱいあります。動画の撮れるカメラを持っていくといいです。

It was amazing. Once you're in the ocean, words are unnecessary. Kevin's personality was kind and attentive, which I really appreciated.

There is no shade on the water, so sunscreen is a must.

最高です。海の中にはいったらもう言葉はいりません。
ケビンさんの人柄も親切丁寧でありがたかったです。

海上は日陰がないので日焼け止め必須です。

The guide had a condescending tone throughout. Everything was in a commanding manner. It was the worst. I felt bad when they said that Japanese people are gloomy and therefore get drunk. If they are Japanese themselves, I wonder if they realize how their comments can heighten feelings of tension and anxiety in an unfamiliar place.

They also pressured us for tips, saying it should be over $10 per person. At first, they said tips were just a gesture, but is that not acceptable?

I was moved by the manta rays, but you have to rely on your own strength to float, which requires a lot of stamina.

It was stated that they would lend life jackets, but we only received fins and snorkels. The wetsuits were an extra charge, and it was different from what was detailed.

It's really disappointing, especially since the manta rays were so wonderful.

ガイドの方か、とにかく上から口調でした。
すべてが命令口調。最悪です。
日本人は、暗い・だから酔うなど言われ　気分が悪かったです。本人も日本人なら　慣れない土地にて緊張する気持ちや不安な気持ちをあおる発言はどうなのかな？と思います。

チップの強要も　一人10ドル以上でといわれるし。
はじめはチップは気持ちだからと言われたのに　それでは駄目なのでしょうか？

マンタは感動しましたが、自分の腕の力で浮いていなければならない為、体力いります。

救命胴衣を貸してくれると書いてあったのに、ﾌｨﾝとシュノーケルだけでした。
ウエットスーツは有料でしたし、詳細に書いてあることと違っていました。

マンタが素敵なだけに　本当残念でした。

EXCELLANT SHOW...GREATFOOD ...WOULD RECOMMEND TO ALL..MAHALO ONE SUGGESTION: BETTER SIGNS TO DIRECT PEOPLE TO LOCATION OF LUAU WOULD BE HELPFUL...

The horses were very well kept, and decent training. Wrangler gave very good riding instructions (we are both experienced riders & recognized this). The valley is beautiful, but this ride basically just followed the road, so not the "trail ride" experience we were hoping for since were dodging vehicles (not lots, but it would have been nice to be off the road & in the woods).

I participated with a group of six for our graduation trip. On the way to the dolphin spot, a whale approached our boat, and everyone was so excited! I watched the video on Facebook. I can't believe the dolphins swam so close to us! Thank you for the amazing tour.

卒業旅行で6人で参加させてもらいました。イルカのスポットに行く途中にクジラが船に接近してきて、みんなで大興奮！Facebookで動画見させて頂きました。イルカもあんな近くを泳いでくれるなんて♡
最高のツアーをありがとうございました。

I went with a friend who is also learning hula.
I understand English, so it's fun, but it might be a bit challenging if you don't.
Even if you don't understand, the atmosphere and the dance are enjoyable,
the food is delicious, and you can eat a lot!!
You can fully enjoy Hawaiian culture and cuisine!!!
It's a show that I want to recommend to others☆
Thank you for the wonderful memories!

フラを一緒に習ってる友達を行きました
私は、英語がわかるので楽しいけど、わからないとちょっと大変かもしれないけど、
わからなくても雰囲気やダンスが楽しいし、
料理もおいしいし、たくさん食べられる！！
ハワイの文化や食事を満喫できる！！！
人にも薦めたくなるショーです☆
素敵な思い出をありがとうございましたぁ！

Despite the clear blue sky with not a cloud in sight, I was a bit disappointed to hear that the gate to the summit was closed. However, when the gate finally opened just before sunset, my spirits were already lifted. As we welcomed the sunset, I was even more moved by the breathtaking scenery! And then… I lost track of time under the starry sky filled with shooting stars, despite the strong winds and bitter cold. The participants shared constellations with us, and everyone sang "Happy Birthday" for my husband, who would be celebrating his birthday two days later, creating unforgettable memories for us in our 60s. The tour was incredibly satisfying thanks to the staff's efforts in explaining the scenery on the way to the summit, stopping at the lava flow for photos, providing warm bento boxes, and bringing in telescopes for observing Jupiter. The service was exceptional! I also appreciated the ability to download the photos taken by the staff later. Thank you, Konno-san!

雲ひとつない快晴なのに山頂行きのゲートがクローズとのこと。少しがっかりした分、ゲートが日没ギリギリに開いた時には既に気分が高揚です。サンセットを迎えて、その光景にさらに感動！そして…降るような星空と流れ星に、強風と酷寒にもかかわらず時を忘れてしまいました。参加者の星座を教えていただいたり、二日後に誕生を迎える夫のために皆さんで「ハッピー・バースデー」を歌ってくださったりと、６０代の私たちに、忘れがたい思い出が増えました。山頂に向かう途中の風景の説明や溶岩流での下車、写真撮影、温かいお弁当、天体望遠鏡を持ち込んでの木星観察…とスタッフが全力で頑張って「おもてなし」をしてくださった事で大満足のツァーとなりました。スタッフが撮ってくれた写真を後日にダウンロード出来るのも嬉しいサービスです。今野さんありがとう！

Check-in at the office near Kailua Pier should be done 30 minutes before boarding time. If you check in too early during the hot daytime, there isn't much shade near the boarding area at the pier, so you'll need to find somewhere to escape the sun. They take group photos when you board, and at the end, they sell a CD with the photos on the boat for about $20.

After a few minutes on the boat from Kailua Pier, you transfer to a waiting submarine offshore. The real submarine was quite interesting. You can see plankton that looks like baby whales drifting in the seawater outside the window. The coral reefs are more colorful in Miyako Island, Okinawa, but the scenery of coral growing on the rugged lava is unique to the Big Island of Hawaii. I couldn't hear the Japanese guide at all, but there was a volume adjustment available. I still enjoyed it even without hearing anything.

On the way back to Kailua Pier, I was thrilled to encounter a pod of dolphins by chance.

乗船時間の３０分前までに、カイルア桟橋近くの事務所でチェックイン
昼間暑い時間だと、あまり早くにチェックインしてしまうと
桟橋の乗船場近くにはあまり日影がないので
どこかで日差しを退避することになります。
乗船するときにグループごとに写真を撮ってくれるのですが
最後に写真にCDを付けたものを船内で販売します。２０ドルだったかな？

カイルア桟橋から船に乗って数分、沖合で待機している潜水艦へ移動して乗り換えます。
本物の潜水艦はそれなりに面白かったです。
窓の向こうの海水にクジラの赤ちゃん？みたいなプランクトンとか
肉眼で漂っているのがわかります。
サンゴ礁は、沖縄の宮古島のほうが色とりどりですが
溶岩のごつごつした上に生えるサンゴの風景は、ハワイ島ならではと思います。
日本語ガイドは全く聴こえなかったのですが、
ボリュームを調整するところがあったのですね。
聴こえなくても楽しめました。

船に乗ってカイルア桟橋に戻るときに、たまたまイルカの群れに出会えて感動しました。

A must-see in winter on the Big Island of Hawaii!
You can definitely see a large group of humpback whales if you join a tour.
However, if you don't go on a Japanese tour, there will be no explanations in English, and there was no consideration for Japanese speakers as they spoke very quickly.
There is no transportation provided outside of the Waikoloa area.
Just a heads up.

冬のハワイ島で必見！
座頭鯨の大群、
ツアーに参加すれば必ず見れます。
但し、
日本語ツアーに行かないと
全く英語での説明、
しかも全く早口日本人に対する配慮はありませんでした。
ワイコロア地域以外は送迎はありません。
念のため。

A must for anyone even slightly intrigued by the world of SUP. If you do go make sure to ask for George as your instructor, he was the best and most knowledgeable.

I participated on my honeymoon. I never expected to swim with so many dolphins!

In addition to the dolphins, there was also a bonus whale watching! The hospitality of Captain and swim guide Daisuke was wonderful, and I had an amazing time. Thank you!

ハネムーンで参加しました。
まさかあんなにたくさんのイルカと泳げるとは思いませんでした！

さらにイルカだけではなく、ホエールウォッチグのおまけつき！
キャプテンとスイムガイドのダイスケさんのホスピタリティも素晴らしく、とても素晴らしい時間を過ごせました。
ありがとうございました！