All Reviews for Top Places to Visit in Hawaii

The sunset at the summit was a fantastic experience, slowly sinking below the cloud horizon among the observatories. It felt like a scene from Mars, and I spent a precious time that I couldn't find anywhere else. Thank you!
At Masashi Nature School, I caught a cold, so they accommodated my schedule change and pickup location, which was a great help. There were only two of us, but S, a second-generation Japanese, explained everything well, which was nice.
The starry sky on the new moon was somewhat obstructed by the light from the rental car tire repair in the parking lot, which was a disappointing accident. However, I was able to see some stars.

山頂サンセットは天文台群の間、雲平線にゆっくりと沈んで行く、幻想的な素晴らしい体験が出来ました。火星のような景色でもあり、他では得られない貴重な時間を過ごしました。有難う！
まさしネイチャースクールでは風邪引いたので日程変更、ピックアップ場所変更応じてくれて、助かりました。2人だけでしたが、日本人は2世のS君がバランスよく説明してくれたので、良かったです。
新月だった星空は、駐車場でレンタカーパンク修理のライトが邪魔で、残念なアクシデントでした。星はそこそこ見る事が出来ました。

I participated alone during my stay in Hilo. It was great to find a Mauna Kea tour departing from Hilo, as they are not easy to come by. The scenery while driving through Mauna Kea felt like I had arrived in another world. The sunset and the evening glow were wonderful. The starry sky was also breathtaking, with the Scorpius and the Southern Cross clearly visible. I'm not good at English, so I listened to the guide's talk while translating it with a translation app. It was a tour that nature lovers would absolutely enjoy.

ヒロに滞在中に一人で参加しました。
ヒロ発のマウナケアのツアーがなかなかなくて、
見つけられて良かったです。
マウナケアの懐を走っている時の景色は、
地球外に来たのではないかと思ってしまうような異空間でした。
また、サンセット、からの夕焼けは素晴らしかったです。
そして星空も、さそり座や南十字星が綺麗に見えて感動しました。
英語が苦手で、ガイドさんのトークは翻訳アプリで翻訳しながら聞いていました。
自然好きにはたまらないツアーでした。

This was my second time doing this and it was amazing both times! This time I took my 3-year-old grandson. He was excited up until it was time to get in the water. He started crying and wanting mommy and though she was there she wasn’t planning to get in the pool (I hadn’t paid for her). Anyways, the trainer saw how upset he was and asked him if he wanted to hear the dolphin fart. He stopped crying and watched as she proceeded to make the dolphin make a fart sound. She then offered to let him do it and he did which made him laugh. He then decided the dolphin was pretty cool and ended up petting her and feeding her too. It was so fun spending that time with him and I can’t wait to do it again when my granddaughter is old enough.

It feels like you can enjoy your meal while watching. The variety and amount of food and drinks are just right. With Alii Seat, you get priority entry and can grab the buffet first, and the staff at your table quickly ask for your drink orders and bring them to you. The show isn't flashy, but you can enjoy it casually while eating and drinking. If you don't understand English, you'll just have to enjoy the atmosphere.

食べながら見るという感じですが食べ物、飲み物の種類と量もちょうど良い感じです。
Alii Seatだと優先的に入れてブッフェも先に取れるし飲み物もテーブル担当の方が直ぐに聞いて持って来てくれます。
ショーは派手さはないですけど飲み食いしながら気楽に楽しめる感じです。
英語がわからなければ雰囲気で楽しむしかないですけど。

It was a great experience, all the employees were very informative and friendly. The dolphins are very well cared for. I this was the highlight of my trip. I highly recommend this adventure and I will definitely do this again!

Food was OK, performance not so good, singing was awful. Nice that there is a space for children to run around

At the departure point in Kona, there were many clouds, and it rained along the way, which was concerning, but at the summit, it was above the clouds and the weather was nice. The sunset reflected beautifully off the clouds above. The starry sky was also wonderful. The guide was supposed to speak in English, but they communicated clearly in Japanese for the Japanese participants. The sandwiches were very delicious, and the cold weather preparations were good. I brought a knit hat, gloves, and a down jacket, so combined with the ski wear they lent me, I didn't feel too cold. I think this is one of the tours you should definitely take if you go to the Big Island.

コナ出発時点では、雲が多く、途中雨も降ったりで心配でしたが、山頂は雲の上で、良い天気でした。サンセットも丁度その上の雲に反射してとても綺麗でした。星空も素晴らしかったです。ガイドは英語で、との事でしたが、日本人には日本語でわかりやすく対応してくれました。サンドウィッチもとても美味しく、防寒対策も良かったです。ニット帽と手袋、ダウンは持参したので、それプラス貸してくれたスキーウェアでさほど寒さは感じませんでした。ハワイ島に行くなら、一度は行くべきツアーの一つだと思いました。

The explanation about handling the paddle was good. For those who are not accustomed to handling the board, it is difficult to climb back up and stand after sinking in the sea, so I would have liked more time for thorough explanations and demonstrations in shallow areas where one can stand. I believe that practicing the basics before going out to sea would make better use of the time. I thought the price was high for the content of the activity.

パドルの取り扱いについての説明は良かったのです。
ボードの扱いが慣れていない人は、海に沈したあと這い上がるのも立ち上がるのも難しいので、足がつく浅瀬などで十分な説明と手本を見て反復練習する時間が欲しかったです。
基本の練習をしてから海上に出れば時間が有効に使えると思います。
アクティビティの内容に対して料金が高いと思いました。

I was worried about the English guide, but the explanations in Japanese were clear and polite, making it very enjoyable to participate.

It was great that the guide took photos with a DSLR camera of each group against the backdrop of the sunset and the starry sky at the summit of Mauna Kea. In particular, seeing the Southern Cross clearly, which can only be seen in the Northern Hemisphere at this time of year, was amazing.

Additionally, the service of delivering the photos immediately to my smartphone was very appreciated.

If I have the opportunity, I would definitely like to participate again next time.

英語ガイドで心配していましたが、日本語でもわかりやすく丁寧に説明をしてくれたので、とても楽しく参加出来ました。

マウナケア山頂サンセット及び星空観測時に参加グループ毎にガイドさんが一眼レフでサンセット・星空をバックに写真を撮ってくれたのが良かったです。
特に、北半球では今の時期しか見られない南十字星をくっきりと見えたのは最高でした。
また、撮っていただいた写真をスマホを利用して直ぐに届けていただくサービスは、とても有難かったです。

機会があれば、次回も是非参加したいです。

We attended the 9pm experience and it was absolutely worth every cent as well as the late hour. We were completely surrounded by manta rays, there were at least a dozen feeding within inches of the group. There were bottlenose dolphin hunting at the edges of the lighted area and we were even visited by a small shark. Everything a Hawaiian night snorkel should be!

The guides were professional and knowledgeable and truly provided an outstanding experience.

I would recommend a light jacket for the 20 minute boat ride to and from the dive sight if you get cold easily. I was in swim trunks and a long sleeve rash guard and I was fine, but my wife was a bit chilly on the trip back.

We would 100% do this experience again!

The sunset view at 4000 meters was so beautiful that it will be unforgettable for the rest of my life. The guide explained everything in polite Japanese, which was excellent. I was also very satisfied that the guide shared the photos he took for free. Hawaii Island is the best!

4000mのサンセットの景色は、私の人生で忘れられない程、美しかったです。
ガイドさんは、丁寧な日本語でも説明してくれて、最高でした。
ガイドさんが撮影した写真も無料でシェアしてくれて、大満足です。
ハワイ島最高ですね。

We were impressed by the tour guides knowledge of the Valley and the breathtaking beauty of an unspoiled and barely populated part of the island. We saw wild Mustangs, countless birds, streams and experienced seeing the valley upclose. Just seeing the valley from a lookout point doesn’t compare to going down into the valley. Don’t miss out on this shuttle experience, it will leave you impressed!

I inquired several times about the meeting place, but I was worried as the date approached without any clear information. I finally received a notice just before the event, which put my mind at ease. The instructor, Allen, provided precise guidance, and I had a great time. I was thrilled that we were able to buy local fruits at the farmers' market, and they even prepared wet towels for us. If I had been more fluent in English, it would have been even better. I'll do my best for next time.

集合場所など、問合せを何回かしましたが、分からないまま日程が過ぎて心配でした。
直前にお知らせをもらって、やっと安心できました。
インストラクターのアレンが、的確に指導してくれたこともあり、楽しい時間を過ごせました。
ファーマーズマーケットで、特産の果物を買ってくださり、おしぼりまで用意してもらい、感激です。
私が英語堪能だったら、もっともっと最高でした。
次に向けてガンパリます。

I could really feel Tad's strong passion for the stars. He answered all my questions clearly, and it became a wonderful memory. I want to go again!

担当してくださった、タッドさんの星への強い思い入れが気持ち良く感じられました。質問したことには、全部分かりやすく答えてくださり、良い思い出になりました。
また行きたいです‼️

It was my first time participating, and I'm glad I went. I have a hobby of photography, but I didn't have enough time to take pictures of the stars. I wish I had about another hour.

初めて参加でしたが、行ってよかった。
カメラ撮り趣味ですが、星撮る時間は足りませんでした。もう少し1時間くらい欲しかった。

Very informative happy for the presentation given. Was really nice to stop and get out at sights for pictures and to explore. Very welcoming

When you descend into the gorge, you feel a mystical sensation. Even now, there are people living in the gorge, creating an indescribable atmosphere. From a Japanese perspective, you can feel the presence of gods in the river, mountains, and land. When I shared this with the guide, they said, "This is a special place." There was no Japanese guide available, so I couldn't understand the detailed explanations, but I enjoyed it enough. The quiet atmosphere brings a sense of calm, allowing you to become one with nature and the gods.

溪谷に降りると、神秘的な感覚を覚えます。今も、溪谷で暮らしている方々もいらっしゃって、何とも言えない雰囲気です。
日本人感覚としては、川、山、土地に、神様が居るのを感じます。
ガイドさんに、それを伝えると、「ここは、特別な場所。」と
日本語ガイド無いので、細かい説明は、分かりませんでしたが、充分楽しめます。
静かな雰囲気が、落ちつき、自然と神様達と一体になれます。

I heard that the only place in the world where you can definitely see them is on the Big Island, so I signed up for the tour. Four manta rays swam around us, coming very close. It was my first experience being near such large creatures. Also, being in the quiet ocean at night with the mantas and fish gave me a sense of unity as a living being on Earth, creating a mystical feeling. I highly recommend it. Next time I go to the Big Island, I think I will ask for this again.

世界中で、確実に会えるのは、ハワイ島だけだと聞いてツアーに申し込みました。
4匹のマンタが入れ替わり、すぐ近くを回遊してくれました。そんな大きな生き物の近くにいるのが初めての経験でした。
また、夜の静かな海中で、マンタや魚達といると、地球生物として一体感を感じられ、神秘的な感覚になります。
圧倒的におすすめです。
次回、ハワイ島に行くなら、再度お願いしようかと思います。

We participated with two adults and two children aged 10 and 9. We set sail on two boats in pairs of adults and children. It was fulfilling to see the caves made of volcanic rock and to go snorkeling in the coral reefs. I would like to try it again.

大人2人と子供10才9才で参加しました。大人子供のペアーで2隻で出航。火山岩でできた洞窟をみたり、珊瑚礁でのシュノーケリングをしたりと充実していました。またトライしたいと思っています。

Made so many memories with my family first visit here we will be back

Great experience. Our tour guide Grant is top notch. His knowledge on the everything the big island and particularly the volcanoes was impressive and he makes it so much fun. Highly recommend if never have explored the big island before.

My Wife and I have visited Pearl Harbor in the past, but it was not as complete as this tour. Our Brother-in-Law had visited the other 49 states, and this completed his bucket list you might say. We all enjoyed it very much, and as usual it was very moving. Thank you very much Veltra.

I had the best memories from my first experience at Mauna Kea! Since it was a full moon, I was worried about whether we would be able to see the stars or reach the summit due to the rain forecast, but the weather on the day was perfect with no wind and no clouds. We were the only Japanese participants, but the guide spoke fluent Japanese, which made me feel at ease. The detailed explanations of the constellations, the observation of the full moon, and especially the sunset at the summit were unforgettable experiences. I will participate again.

初めてのマウナケア体験で、最高の思い出ができました！
満月だったので星が見えるか、雨の予報だったので山頂まで行けるか不安でしたが、当日は風もなく雲もなく最高のお天気でした。
参加者の中で日本人は私たちだけでしたが、ガイドさんは日本語も流暢で安心しました。
丁寧な星座の説明や満月の観測、何よりも山頂での夕日は忘れられない経験です。また参加します。

I made a reservation the night before, but they handled it smoothly. The Japanese staff supported us, so we felt at ease participating. Also, we were thrilled when wild manta rays came close to us! At the end of the tour, I was happy to receive videos of the boat and the manta rays from that day.

I highly recommend this to anyone visiting the Big Island! I hesitated to participate due to the weak yen, but I'm really glad I did. Thank you very much.

急遽前日の夜に予約しましたが、スムーズに対応していただけました。
日本人スタッフの方が、私たち日本人のサポートをしてくださったので安心して参加できました。
そして、野生のマンタが近くまで来てくれて大興奮でした！
ツアー最後に当日の船やマンタの動画もシェアしていただき嬉しかったです。

ハワイ島に行かれた方は是非お勧めしたいです！
円安の影響で参加を躊躇ってしまっていましたが、参加できて本当に良かったです。
ありがとうございました。

During this season, they appear in various places, so we were able to see them from all directions on the boat. Along the way, they submerged a microphone in the water, allowing us to hear the whales' calls.

Baby whales frequently jump, so if you can identify the area where they seem to be, you can stand by and catch a glimpse of them jumping. However, for safety reasons, they maintain a certain distance, so you can only see them from relatively far away. It would be good to have binoculars; I brought a 10x pair and was able to see quite well.

To board the boat, you take a small boat from the sandy beach and transfer to a larger boat a little offshore. Flip-flops or going barefoot is recommended. On the boat, you can get drinks (canned juice or Mai Tai) and snacks (chips). There is no shade on the boat, so make sure to take precautions against sunburn. The interior of the boat isn't very spacious, so it's best to keep your luggage to a minimum. Most people were nearly empty-handed except for their smartphones.

時期的にあちこちで出現しますので、船の全方向で見ることが出来ました。
途中、マイクを海中に沈め、クジラの鳴き声も聞かせてくれます。

子鯨が頻繁にジャンプしますので、大体あの辺にいそう、というのを見極めてスタンバイしてるとジャンプなど見れます
ただ、安全のため一定の距離は取っているので比較的遠くでしか見ることはできません
望遠鏡などあると良いと思います。私は10倍のものですが、持参してよく見ることが出来ました。

船の乗船は砂浜から小さなボートにのり、少し沖にある船に乗り換えます。
ビーサン、裸足がオススメです。
船ではドリンク（缶ジュースか、マイタイ）、スナック（チップス）がもらえます。
船上は日除無いので日焼け対策はしっかりしましょう。
船内もそんなに広く無いので荷物は最小限にした方がいいです。
みなさんスマホ以外ほぼ手ぶらでした。

After getting accustomed to the body, we enjoyed watching the sunset at the summit. The sea of clouds stretched as far as the eye could see, changing from white to orange as the sun set. It was a calm and peaceful scene with no wind.

Then, we descended a bit to enjoy stargazing. There were explanations about the Southern Cross and various constellations, but what surprised me the most was seeing artificial satellites with the naked eye. We also spotted a few shooting stars.

The guide took photos with their own camera and sent them to us, and when they captured us, a shooting star happened to be in the frame, which was moving. The guide was fluent in Japanese and showed great attention to detail, making us feel very well taken care of. Thank you very much!

身体を慣らしてから、山頂でのサンセット見学。見渡す限りの雲海が白からオレンジ色に染まって行き、太陽は沈んでいきました。
風もなく、静かで穏やかな景色でした。
それから少し山を降りて、星空鑑賞。南十字星やいろいろな星座の説明もありましたが、1番驚いたのは、人工衛星が肉眼で見えたことです。流れ星も何個か見れました。
ガイドさんがご自身のカメラで写真を撮影し、送ってくださったのですが、私達を撮影した時、偶然、流れ星も写っていて感動でした。
ガイドさんは日本語堪能で日本人という感じの細かな心配りをしてくださいました。本当にありがとうございました。

First, we watched the sunset sinking into the sea from the boat before entering the water. That alone is worth seeing.
Then, when I actually jumped into the sea and held onto the float, I saw a manta ray swimming gracefully. With its mouth wide open... it was truly moving!
I was initially warned not to touch them, but there were moments when they passed so close that I was scared I might accidentally touch one. Although manta rays are not always visible, I was healed by watching them swim slowly with their bodies larger than mine.

まず、海に入る前に船上から海に沈む夕日を見学しました。それだけでも見る価値があります。
そして実際に海に飛び込み、フロートを握りしめていると‥マンタが悠々と泳いでいます。口を大きく開けて‥それは感動物です！！
触らないように、と最初に注意事項を説明されたのですが、本当に目の前ギリギリを通ることもあり触ってしまいそうで怖かったです。常にマンタが見える訳ではありませんが、自分より大きな身体をゆっくり動かし泳ぐマンタに癒されました。

Our captain was awesome so was our server Faith… captain Michael!

I participated in a night snorkeling tour with manta rays at Manta University, with transportation provided from Hilton and Kingsland. There was no Japanese interpreter, so I had to rely on observation to navigate the night sea. At first, the water was murky and I couldn't see anything, and it was cold, but I was thrilled when the manta rays appeared, illuminated by the lights. I managed to check in for the tour, snorkel in the night sea, and handle video streaming after disembarking, all through gestures, and I had a great experience even at over 60 years old.

ヒルトン、キンクスランドから送迎付きで、マンタ大学夜学部、野生野マンタナイトシュノーケリングツァーに参加。日本語通訳おらず、見よう見まねで夜の海へ。最初は水が濁って何も見えず、寒かったが、ライトに照らされたマンタの出現で感激。ツアーのチェックイン、夜の海でのシュノーケリング、下船後の動画配信等身振り手振りでなんとかこなし60過ぎていい体験をしました。

Everyone is posting only positive things, so I would like to share a negative experience. My wife and I, a couple in our 60s, participated in this trip. Both of us enjoy mountain climbing back home and climb mountains close to 3,000 meters every year, so we thought we would be fine at Mauna Kea, which is 4,205 meters high. However, after staying at the summit, my wife's condition quickly worsened; she began to experience numbness in her hands and feet and her complexion became poor. Fortunately, with oxygen provided by the staff, she improved, but she still felt the effects until the following morning.

Since we are climbing a significantly high mountain, I recommend considering the risk of altitude sickness before participating.

皆さん、良い事ばかりを投稿していますのであえてネガティブな投稿をさせていただきます。
家内と二人で参加した60代の夫婦です。二人とも本国では登山が趣味なため3,000メートル近い山に毎年登っており、今回のマウナケア4,205メートルでも大丈夫だと思っていました。ところが、頂上に滞在後家内の体調がみるみる悪くなり手足に痺れが出始め顔色も悪くなりました。幸いスタッフの方による酸素投与で良くなりましたが翌日の午前まではダメージがありました。
　かなり高度な山に登りますので高山病のリスクが必ずある事を考えて参加する事をお勧めします。