All Reviews for Top Places to Visit in Hawaii

Cavalos muito bem treinados para essa atividade. Lindos cenários pelo caminho.

The Catamaran ride was very smooth and comfortable. The crew was wonderful and very informative. Once in the water we had seen a large variety of fish and rays. I would highly recommend this adventure.

Great time getting close to beautiful humpback whales ! The tour was well organized, the boat was comfortable and perfect for viewing whales, and the crew was very informative, knowledgeable, and very attentive to everyone’s needs. Really great job !! My wife and I loved it !

The boat sways quite a bit, so at first, it's hard to walk, but during meal times, we anchor offshore, so you can relax. Moreover, at that time, a manta ray and many dolphins gathered around. I think they must have liked the singing. I can't remember the name, but there was a singer with the most beautiful voice singing live the whole time, and songs that felt very Hawaiian, which was truly soothing.
There was also a vegan menu, and the buffet was satisfying.

Most of the participants were from the mainland United States, and they were drinking and making a lot of noise, so even when I was trying to talk about history and the land, I couldn't hear it next to me. But overall, it was the best cruising experience. If you can't speak English, it might feel long and confusing as you won't know what's happening.

It was a bit disappointing that the sunset was partially hidden by clouds, but it was still a beautiful view. People who participated in the previous trip said they didn't encounter anything, so we were really lucky on our trip.

船はかなり揺れるので、最初は歩くのもやっとだけど、食事のときは沖で停泊するので落ち着いていただけます。しかも、この時、マンタが1匹と、イルカもたくさん集まってきました。きっと、歌声が好きだったんじゃないかと思いますお名前は覚えていないけど、最高に美しい声の歌手がずっと生歌を歌っていて、ハワイっぽい曲とか、本当に癒されました。
Veganメニューもあって、ビュッフェも満足でした。

参加者がほぼアメリカ本土から来た人たちばかりで、お酒飲んで大騒ぎするので、せっかく歴史や土地の話をしているのが隣に行っても聞こえないくらいだったけど、とにかく最高のcruisingでした。英語ができないと、何が起こってるか分らなく長く感じるかもしれないけど。

あとは、夕日が少し雲に隠れてしまったのが残念だけど、それでも美しい景色でした。前の便に参加した人たちは、何も出会えなかったそうで、私たちの便は本当に幸運に恵まれました。

We participated as a couple on January 19th. Our guide, Jin, was very friendly and knowledgeable. After being picked up from the hotel, we took a break and had dinner around 4:00 PM at the foot of the mountain (outdoors). The weather was relatively nice, but it felt a bit cold at that point.

The road to the summit was not well maintained, and the car shook quite a bit. It’s better to take motion sickness medication beforehand. After arriving at the summit, we took photos while watching the sunset. I participated wearing Heattech, a T-shirt, a windbreaker, and long pants, and I borrowed a down jacket and pants, which made the temperature feel just right. However, my feet got quite cold. I only wore one pair of socks, and my toes started to hurt. I regretted not wearing two pairs of socks... (Having foot warmers would have been even better.)

Around 7 PM, we did some stargazing. The night sky was overwhelmingly beautiful compared to what I’ve seen in Japan. The explanations about the stars were very detailed, and even as adults, we were satisfied with the content. After that, we descended and were taken back to the hotel after 10 PM. It was a wonderful tour that allowed us to learn more about Hawaii.

1/19夫婦で参加しました。
アテンドしてくれる仁さんはとってもフレンドリーで物知りな素敵な方でした。
ホテルピックアップ後に休憩を挟み、１６：００頃に山の麓（屋外）での夕食を取りました。比較的良いお天気でしたがこの時点で少し寒さを感じました。
その後、山頂までの道は補装されておらずかなり車が揺れます。
酔い止めは飲んで行った方がベターです。
山頂に到着後はサンセットを見ながら撮影しました。
当方、ヒートテック・Tシャツ・ウィンドブレーカー・長ズボン１枚で参加し、ダウン・ズボンをお借りし体感温度は丁度良かったです。
しかし、足元がかなり冷えます。靴下１枚だけしか履いておらず指先が痛くなりました。靴下２枚履いてくれば良かった。。。と反省。（足元カイロがあれば尚よしと言った感じです）
そして１９時頃天体観測をしました。
日本で見る星空よりも圧倒的な綺麗さでした。
かなり詳しく星の説明をしてくださり、大人の私達でも満足できるような内容でした。
その後下山し２２時過ぎにホテルへ送っていただきました。
ハワイの事をより知れた素敵なツアーでした。

From the hotel pickup, we took a break for altitude acclimatization twice, and everyone in the car was in perfect condition. The explanations about the Big Island during the journey included basic information as well as insights that only locals would know, which broadened our perspective for the rest of the itinerary and made it interesting. The lunch at the Onizuka Visitor Center was described as "normal taste for those coming from Japan," but I actually thought it was tastier than the bento I bought yesterday! The highlight was that there was almost no wind, and under the new moon, we got to see an incredibly bright starry sky that exceeded our expectations! If I have the chance to go to the Big Island again, I would definitely want to join this tour once more.

ホテルのお迎えから、二回の高地順応を兼ねての休憩を入れてもらい、車中のメンバー全員が体調万全で行くことができました。
道中のハワイ島の説明も基本情報から、地元の方達しかしらない情報まで話してくださり、ツアー後の日程でも見る視点が広がり面白かったです。
オニツカビジターセンターでのお弁当も「日本からこられた方には普通～の味ですが・・・」と言われてましたが、逆に(昨日、購入したお弁当より美味しいなｗ)と思える味！
一番は風もほとんどなく、新月の中で、想像以上の明るい星空を見れて最高でした！またハワイ島に行くことがあれば、もう一度行きたいと思うツアーでした。

We participated as a couple.
From the hotel pickup, we took a break and headed to the Onizuka Center, where we had dinner and acclimatized as we made our way to the summit.
The sunset was wonderful, and we were able to take various photos.
During the stargazing, we could see many stars while listening to stories about the constellations.
The guide's explanations, various information, and the many photos taken made for a very satisfying tour.
It depends on the weather, but we heard that the summit can only be accessed until the end of February, so we were glad we could go.

夫婦2人で参加しました。
ホテルへのお迎えから休憩を挟んでオニズカセンターに行き夕食を食べ高度に順応しながら山頂へ向かいました。
サンセットは素晴らしく、色んな写真も撮って頂きました。
星空鑑賞も星座の話を聞きながらたくさんの星を見る事ができました。
ガイドさんの説明、色々な案内、写真も一杯取ってもらえた大満足のツアーでした。
天候次第のツアーになりますが山頂に行けるのは2月一杯までとの話もあり行けて良かったです。

My first trip to the Big Island was with my husband, and since we rented a car, we initially thought about going on our own, but I'm so glad we chose a tour instead!!

There are many unpaved roads leading to the summit, making it dangerous for regular passenger cars (it seems the rental car insurance doesn't cover it...), and vehicle access is restricted, so the time to leisurely watch the starry sky is limited to the tour only.

So, we went on the tour with about 10 other people, and our guide, Tomo, was very entertaining and informative! We also had a great time with everyone else, making it a wonderful memory for us, who usually travel just the two of us!

At the summit, we were able to witness a breathtaking sunset, and after the sun went down, the sky was filled with an incredible number of stars!! The explanations about the stars were also very interesting, and I think I’ll start studying astronomy from now on!!

What I especially appreciated about this tour was that the photos taken with a professional DSLR camera are available for free download!!! They took beautiful pictures of the starry sky and sunset that you can't capture with an iPhone, in various locations! It became a great memory!

Also, they provide warm clothing, so it doesn't add to your luggage! The summit is very cold, and it was a relief to borrow a proper down jacket and pants!

I highly recommend this tour when visiting the Big Island!!!

初めてのハワイ島旅行は主人とレンタカーを借りていたので、当初は自分たちで行こうかと思っていたのですが、ツアーにして本当に良かったです！！

山頂までは舗装されていない道が多い為通常の乗用車では危険(レンタカーの保険に適用されないそう・・・)、かつ車両を規制されているそうで、星空をのんびり見る時間はツアーのみに限られているそうです。

そんなわけで約10名の皆様でツアーを回ったのですが、スタッフのともさんのお話はとても面白く情報量も豊か！そして一緒に回った皆様とも楽しく過ごせ、2人だけで旅行してきた私たちにとても素敵な思い出となりました！

山頂では感動のサンセットを見ることが出来、日が沈んでからは圧巻の満点の星空！！こちらも星の解説がとても面白く、これからは星を勉強してみようと思います！！

特にこのツアーでありがたかったのは、
本格的な一眼カメラで撮影して頂いた写真がなんと無料でダウンロードできる点！！！iPhone では撮れない素敵な星空や夕焼けの写真を、いろんなところで撮影してくれます！いい思い出になりました！

そして防寒具を貸して頂けるので荷物にならない！
山頂はとても寒く、本格的なダウンとパンツをお借りでき助かります！


ハワイ島に行く際には是非おすすめのツアーです！！！

I traveled for an hour and a half from Kona. It was my first time horseback riding, and I don't understand much English, but I chose this experience because I read that important points would be explained in Japanese as well.

The guide was friendly, and since we could bring our dog along, it was a comforting experience for our dog-loving family!

I wanted to feel the air of Waipi'o Valley, so the leisurely horseback riding time was the best. I thought it would have been even better if I had understood the explanations more clearly.

Some of the horses were a bit energetic, but it seemed like they assigned them based on the riders' experience levels.

コナから一時間半かけて行きました。
乗馬は初めて、英語もあまりわからないけど、他の方の体験談に重要なとこは日本語でも言ってくれると書いてあったので択びました。

ガイドさんはフレンドリーだし、わんちゃんも一緒に行くので犬好き我が家はそれも癒しでした！

ワイピオ渓谷の谷の空気を感じたかったのでゆったり乗馬しながらの時間は最高でした。
説明がわかったらもっと良かったかなと思いましたが。

馬によってはちょっと、元気な子もいましたが、慣れてる人に充てがわれてたので、経験度を見て選んでくれてるようです。

We participated as a family of four. The crew members were all friendly and attentive, making it a comfortable experience. The sunset was beautiful, and we were thrilled to encounter a pod of dolphins!

家族４人で参加しました。クルーの方々がみんな気さくで気がつき、快適でした。
サンセットも綺麗だったし、イルカの群れに遭遇して、感動しました！

A long-awaited tour with my husband, who has extensive experience in astrophotography, during the new moon! We’re well-prepared for the cold. Thanks to the down jacket and gloves provided by Jin, I have no worries! The bento was traditional Japanese food, a nostalgic taste! The conversations in the car and the explanations about the starry sky were enjoyable and educational! The long journey was comfortable, and the views we experienced were beyond imagination—the blue hue of the Earth's shadow after the sunset, and the service of taking a two-shot against the starry sky created wonderful memories. I want to go see the summer Milky Way again! My dream came true, and I thoroughly enjoyed the beauty of Hawaii. I was introduced to a kind, energetic, and great travel experience.

天体写真歴の長い夫と新月の時期に、念願かなってのツアー！寒さ対策バッチリして行く。仁さんの用意してくれたダウンや、手袋で心配無用！お弁当も和食、懐かしい味！車中のお話も星空解説も愉快、勉強にもなる内容！長い行き帰りも、快適で、見た世界は、想像以上の絶景、夕日が沈んだあとの地球の影の青い色、星空バックのツーショットのサービス、素晴らしい思い出ありがたい。また、夏の天の川を見に行きたい❗夢がかなって、ハワイの良さを堪能しました。親切、元気、いい旅を紹介してもらいました。

I have been to Hawaii many times, but Mauna Kea was a distant place for me. It turned out to be the best experience. The guide was kind and explained everything well, allowing us to enjoy without any worries. I was very happy to have warm drinks and rice ball bento at the chilly Onizuka Center. The sunset from the summit was very romantic, and it made me appreciate the size of the Big Island again. The starry sky after sunset was also incredibly beautiful, and it was a series of moving moments. I was very grateful that they took photos with a high-performance camera, and I could download those pictures after returning home. I couldn't have taken them myself... If you're going to Mauna Kea, I highly recommend this tour!

　ハワイには何度も行っていますが、私には遠かったマウナケア。最高の体験となりました。
　ガイドさんは親切で説明も上手く、何の心配もなく楽しむことができました。気温の低いオニツカセンターでいただいた温かい飲み物、おにぎり弁当、とても嬉しく思いました。山頂から見る夕日はとてもロマンチックでハワイ島の大きさを改めて感じ、日没後に見た星空もとても美しく、感動続きでした。高性能カメラで写真を撮影してくださり、その写真を帰国後にダウンロードできたのはとてもありがたいです。自分では撮れないですから・・・。
　マウナケアに行くのであれば、このツアーをお勧めします！
　

On the day of the activity, the weather was nice, and we started a little earlier than planned at 7 AM. It was my first experience kayaking, but the guide was kind and taught us carefully, so I was able to paddle without any issues. The sunrise was beautiful, and it felt great. We also went to a cave, which was thrilling and a lot of fun. I would love to try it again if I have the chance.

当日、天候も良く、予定より少し早い7時からスタートしました。カヤックは初めての経験でしたが、ガイドさんに優しく丁寧に教えていただき、問題なく漕げました。朝日が綺麗で、気持ち良かった。洞窟にも行けました。そこはスリル満点で楽しかったです。また機会があれば乗ってみたいです。

The waves were high since the day before, so I couldn't meet the manta rays. It's a natural occurrence, so there's nothing I can do about it, but I would like to try again next time.

前日から波が高くてマンタに会うことができなかった。
自然の事なので仕方がないのですが、次回またチャレンジしたいと思います。

We were blessed with great weather and were able to see many breathtaking views. The guide's stories were interesting, and we enjoyed our time on the bus. At the summit of Mauna Kea, we saw incredibly beautiful scenery and took wonderful photos, creating great memories. The stargazing was also enhanced by the guide's easy-to-understand explanations. The photos taken with the starry sky in the background turned out beautifully. Later, we were able to download the photos for free, making it truly the best memory. Thank you very much!

お天気にも恵まれ、たくさんの感動の景色を見ることができました。
ガイドさんのお話もおもしろく、車内の時間も楽しむことが出来ました。
マウナケア山頂では、とても綺麗な景色を見て素敵な写真を撮っていただき、いい思い出になりました。
星空観測もガイドさんの解説がとても分かりやすかったです。星空をバックに撮ってもらった写真も素敵な一枚になりました。
後日、写真は無料でダウンロードすることができ本当に最高の思い出になりました。ありがとうございました

On January 22nd, the second day of our trip to Hawaii Island, my husband and I participated in the Mauna Kea summit and stargazing tour.

We were picked up in front of our hotel at 2:15 PM. During the drive to Mauna Kea, we learned a lot about Hawaii Island.

We took several breaks along the way and had an early meal around 4 PM. It was a relaxing experience to enjoy Japanese food after a long time, including rice, simmered dishes, and fried fish, as we headed towards the summit.

We were advised that deep breathing and staying hydrated are effective for preventing altitude sickness. Thanks to this, we were able to reach the summit without feeling unwell! We were blessed with good weather, and at the summit, we were able to see a beautiful sunset, making it an unforgettable experience. The photos taken by the staff were wonderful, and I could really feel their professionalism.

Additionally, my husband and I were honestly unsure whether to go to the summit or the foothills due to concerns about altitude sickness, but we were glad we chose the summit.

We began stargazing around 7:00 PM. Although we were lent jackets, it was quite cold, so anyone heading to the summit should definitely bring warm outerwear. We were satisfied to see a sky full of stars that we can't see in Japan. The staff's guidance was very detailed and informative.

Overall, thanks to the staff's thoughtful care, we were able to create the best memories of Hawaii Island without any worries. Thank you very much.

1月22日ハワイ島旅行2日目で、私たち夫婦はマウナケア山頂&星空観測に参加しました。

14時15分にホテルの前に迎えに来て頂きました。
マウナケアに向かう道中もハワイ島についてたくさん教えて頂きました

途中、何度か休憩をしながら、16時ごろに早めの食事を頂きました。
ご飯、煮物、魚のフライの久々の日本食でリラックスしながら山頂に向けて、出発できました。

高山病予防のために、深呼吸と水分補給をするのが効果的と教えていただきました。おかげで体調も悪くなることなく登頂まで行くことができました！天候にも恵まれ、山頂では大変綺麗なサンセットが見ることができ忘れられない体験となりました。スタッフの方に撮ってもらった写真が素晴らしくさすがプロだなと感じました。

また、私たち夫婦は、高山病が心配でマウナケア山頂か山麗どちらにするか、正直迷っていましたが、山頂にしてよかったです。

19:00頃から星空観測をしました。上着を貸していただけましたがかなり寒いため、登頂される方は暖かい上着が必須です。
日本では見ることができない満天の星空を見ることができて満足です。スタッフの方のガイドもとても詳しくて勉強になりました。

全体を通して、スタッフの方の心配りのおかげで不安なことなく、ハワイ島最高の思い出を作ることが出来ました。
ありがとうございました。

After the New Year, my wife and I participated in a tour to see manta rays on the Big Island. We set sail from the harbor in Kona in the evening and watched the sunset over the ocean near the airport before entering the water for snorkeling. The light illuminated the dark underwater world, creating a very magical atmosphere as we eagerly waited for the manta rays, but unfortunately, none appeared. Even though we were wearing wetsuits, it was cold at night when we got out, and our fleece jackets were very helpful.

We were informed that if we didn't see any manta rays, we could try again for free, so we later joined a dolphin watching tour on Oahu, where we were able to see dolphins while snorkeling and swim with sea turtles, which was great. Additionally, we were surprised to see two humpback whales breaching multiple times! Next time, I definitely want to see manta rays.

正月明けに、ハワイ島でマンタを見たくて家内と参加しました。
夕方コナのハーバーを出航し、空港の沖で海に沈む夕日を見てからシュノーケリングで海に入りました。暗い水中をライトが照らしてとても幻想的で、ワクワクしながらマンタを待ったのですが、結局一匹も現れませんでした。ウエットスーツを着ていても、上がると夜は寒くてフリースの防寒着が役に立ちました。
一匹も見れなかった時は無料で再チャレンジできるとの事で、私達は後日オアフ島のイルカを見るツアーに参加し、シュノーケリングで!イルカを見たり海亀と泳いだりできたので良かったです。さらにザトウクジラ2匹のブリーチングを何度も見れてビックリ!
次回は是非マンタを見たいですね。

I was really lucky to meet dolphins and whales. However, the waves were rough that day, and I got seasick... I recommend taking motion sickness medication.

イルカやくじらに会うこともできて本当にラッキーでした。
ただその日は波が荒く船酔いに…酔い止めお勧めします

We had a great time on this tour. We were able to see many different places on the island and our tour guide Awana had great knowledge of the island. The tour is a lot of driving but the van is decently comfortable and they have frequent stops to get out and stretch.

Climbing a mountain over 4000 meters for the first time made me anxious, especially since I had heard that the conditions at the summit can be very harsh. However, thanks to the attentive care of our guide, everyone was able to participate without any health issues. I truly felt reassured going with a guide who knows the mountains so well. Unfortunately, due to bad weather, we couldn't see the sunset from the summit, but we were able to enjoy a breathtaking view of the sunset a little lower down, which also gave us a chance to experience the power of nature. It seems that a snowy Mauna Kea is quite rare, so perhaps we were lucky in that regard. The starry sky was like a natural planetarium, and with the interesting explanations of the constellations, I could have gazed at it forever without getting bored. It became a memorable sight. Thank you to everyone at the nature school!

初めて4000m超の山に登ること、山の上はとても過酷な環境と聞いていたこともあり、不安がありましたが、ガイドの方のきめ細やかな心配りのお陰で、誰も体調を崩すことなく、参加することができました。やはり、山のことを知り尽くしているガイドさんと行くのが安心だなぁと思いました。残念ながら今回は悪天候のため、頂上では夕陽は見られませんでしたが、少し降りたところで夕焼けの絶景を見られましたし、自然の威力を体感する機会にもなりました。雪景色のマウナケア山はとても珍しいそうなので、逆にラッキーだったのかもしれません。星空はまさに天然のプラネタリウムで、面白い星座解説と共に、いつまで眺めていても飽きることがなく、思い出に残る風景となりました。ネイチャースクールの皆さま、ありがとうございました！

Unforgettable experience. Amazing views. Excellent services.

I learned how to surf in English and was able to catch waves right away, which was fun. They also took photos of me.
I recommend wearing a long-sleeve rash guard. I wore a short-sleeve one and ended up getting sunburned.

I signed a waiver at the office and learned about paddling and how to stand up.

Since we were supposed to travel to the lesson location individually, I was thinking of calling a taxi, but a family from LA who was participating in the lesson with me offered me a ride. They seemed to like Japan, and the dad was wearing a T-shirt with Japanese writing on it. I was lucky!

サーフィンを英語で教えてもらいながらしました。すぐ波に乗れて楽しかったです。写真も撮ってくれました。
ラッシュガードは長袖をおすすめします。私は半袖だったので、日焼けしてしまいました。

オフィスで誓約書にサインしたり、パドリングや立ち方を教わりました。

レッスン場所までの移動は各々でということだったので、TAXiを呼ぼうと思ったら、一緒にレッスンに参加していたLAのアメリカ人の御家族が乗せてくれました。日本のことが好きみたいで、パパさんは日本語が書かれていたTシャツを来てました。運が良かった！

The guide picked us up in the order of Kona → Waikoloa → Hapuna Beach, and since we were staying in Waikoloa, our meeting time was 1:45 PM. We arrived early at Hapuna Beach, so we spontaneously decided to go whale watching from the shore. We were able to see the whales spouting from a distance. Without the guide's assistance, we definitely wouldn't have noticed them. Even with the last-minute change, they were impressive.

After all 13 participants gathered, we set off for Mauna Kea Park. We were told that it was okay to sleep during the first half since we needed to stay awake for altitude sickness prevention later, but thanks to the lively conversation, I was too excited to sleep at all in the car. We arrived at Mauna Kea Park at 3:30 PM. It was at an elevation of 2,000 meters, and Mauna Kea towered high above us. The temperature had dropped, and it was a bit chilly.

After a restroom break, we set off again and arrived at the Onizuka Visitor Center at an elevation of 2,800 meters around 4 PM. Here, we had an early lunch and another restroom break. The lunch consisted of a traditional Japanese bento with fried fish and karaage, and even though we had just eaten, we finished it all. The warm miso soup was delicious. As it gets colder as we ascend, I borrowed ski pants to complete my gear (it seems they make it hard to breathe at high altitudes). Normally, they stay for about an hour, but due to the rare good weather and snow at the summit, many people were heading up, so we departed after 4:30 PM to secure a spot for the sunset. By the way, snow at the summit is usually only present until January or February, and during that time, the weather can be unpredictable, making it difficult to reach the summit, which is why a guide who was off-duty also visited that day.

After leaving the Onizuka Visitor Center, we drove on a steep gravel road. Switching to four-wheel drive, the vehicle moved steadily forward. It would be impossible to reach this place by rental car on your own. As we continued, the vegetation gradually disappeared, the clouds came into view below us, and I felt as if the sun was getting closer.

We got out of the car at 3,800 meters, above the height of Mount Fuji. The first thing that caught our eyes was a vast expanse of snow. It felt surreal to have been at a hot beach in the morning and now be in a silver world. There was even a snowman that had arrived before us, and all the participants were thrilled. We rushed over to the snow, but being at high altitude, I quickly became out of breath and felt dizzy. I had to take deep breaths and try to move slowly. That said, there were some foreigners snowboarding and taking pictures in swimsuits...

After a while, we finally headed to the summit. Many people had already arrived at the top, but we managed to secure a position to view the sunset. It was quite cold, so I borrowed a ski jacket and gloves and put on the neck warmer I had brought. Until sunset, the guide took various photos for us.

Then came the sunset. Before the sun went down, the entire area was bathed in orange, and after it set, the sky transformed into a gradient of orange, green, and blue—a sight that words cannot describe. I felt it was a scene I would never see again, and I made sure to imprint it in my memory.

After the sunset, we had to descend from the summit, so we drove down to 3,500 meters for stargazing. Even after sunset, it was still bright for a while, and we could only see Venus. As night deepened, we began to see the first magnitude stars in order. After that, we were able to observe stars and the Milky Way that we could never see in the city. The guide was knowledgeable about constellations and explained them clearly. We took commemorative photos with the Milky Way and Orion in the background, and the stargazing session came to an end.

On the way back, we stopped at Mauna Kea Park for a restroom break and to collect our cold-weather gear. They dropped us off at our hotel, and we arri

ガイドさんがコナ→ワイコロア→ハプナビーチの順に迎えに来てくださって、ワイコロアに宿泊していた私たちは13時45分の集合でした。
ハプナビーチに早く到着したため、急遽陸からホエールウォッチングをすることに。遠めからですが、クジラの潮吹きを見ることができました。ガイドさんの案内なしだったら絶対に気づきませんでした。急遽な対応でもさすがです。

その後、参加者13名全員揃って、まずはマウナケアパークに向けて出発。
後半は高山病対策のため起きている必要はあるので前半は寝ていても構わないとのことでしたが、軽快なトークのおかげでまったく寝ることはなく車の中でワクワクしていました。
マウナケアパークには15時30分に到着。ここは標高2,000mでマウナケアが高くそびえ立っていました。気温も下がっていて若干ひんやり。

トイレ休憩後、再度出発し16時過ぎに標高2,800mのオニヅカビジターセンターへ到着。
ここでは少し早めのお弁当とトイレ休憩。お弁当は日本人が作った魚のフライ、唐揚げなどが入っているザ・日本のお弁当。お昼とったばかりなのに完食でした。温かいお味噌汁も美味しかったです。山頂に行くにつれて寒くなるため、スキー用のズボンを貸してもらい装備完了（高地で履くと息があがってしまうらしいです）。
通常は1時間くらい滞在するらしいのですが、この日は久しぶりの好天&山頂に雪があるということで山頂に向かう人が多くサンセットの場所確保のために16時30分すぎに出発しました。
ちなみに山頂に雪があるのは1月、2月くらいまでで、かつその時期は天候不順で山頂に登れないことも多いらしいので、この日は非番のガイドさんもプライベートで訪れていました。

オニヅカビジターセンターを出た後は、急角度の砂利道。四駆に切り替えて車はグングンと進んでいきます。レンタカーで自力で向かうのは絶対無理です。。
その後もグイグイ進み、次第に植物の姿が見えなくなり、雲も下に見るようになり、心なしか太陽も近くに感じるようになりました。

そして富士山越えの3,800mで下車。
日本のすばるを含め各国の天文台よりも先に目に入ってきたのは一面の雪景色。午前中は暑いビーチにいたのが嘘のような銀世界でした。
先に到着した雪ダルマもあり、参加者全員が大興奮。思わず雪のもとへと駆け寄りましたが、そこは高地。あっという間に息が切れて頭がクラクラしてきました。深呼吸してなるべく体をゆっくり動かさないといけないです。といいながら、スノボしたり水着で記念撮影している外国の方もいましたが、、、

しばらくしてから、ついに山頂へ向かいます。
すでに山頂は多くの人が到着していましたが、なんとか夕陽の見えるポジションを確保できました。かなり寒いのでスキー用の上着と手袋を借り、持ってきたネックウォーマーを装着。
日没まではガイドさんが色んな写真を撮ってくれました。

そしてサンセット。日が沈む前はあたり一面がオレンジ色に染まり、日が沈んだあとはオレンジと緑と青のグラデーションで言葉で説明できない光景でした。二度と見れない光景と思い、じっくりと目に焼きつけました。

サンセット後は山頂から降りないといけないため、3,500mまで車で下山して星空観察。
日没後もまだしばらく明るく、見えるのは金星くらい。夜が深くなってくるにつれ一等星から順に見えてきました。その後は都会では見ることができない星や天の川を観察することができました。
ガイドさんは星座のことも詳しく、分かりやすく説明してくれました。天の川やオリオン座をバックに記念撮影をして星空観察は終了。

帰りはマウナケアパークに立ち寄りトイレ休憩と防寒具の回収。ホテルまで送って下さり、22時前に到着しました。あっという間の8時間でした。

マウナケアの山頂に登れるようになったのは昨年末で、また3月には行けなくなるとのこと。ハワイ島に来たなら絶対に行くべきツアーだと思います。

My husband and I booked the Deluxe Circle Island Tour with Kailani Tours online @hawaiiactivities.com a few weeks before we left for our 20th anniversary on the Big Island. We loved our driver/tour guide Alana from the beginning...she was so personable, caring and knowledgeable (a former teacher). The Mercedes van was very comfortable for the 7 people on our tour and we were well provided for with plenty of water and snacks (even with my gluten free limitations). The tour was fabulous, from the Kona Joe coffee farm, lunch/tour at Volcanoes Natl Park, amazing Punalu'u Black Sand Beach, all the way to Rainbow Falls (yes, we saw a rainbow there) and beautiful Akaka Falls! It was great to see the highlights of the island at the beginning of our vacation to get the "lei" of the land so to speak, on the Big Island. This way the remainder of our trip could be spent leisurely exploring the Kohala Coast where we were staying. We highly recommend it to everyone!

Great crew! Great boat! Great time! A fun time! Thanks so much!

It was really great! I heard that the mountains were closed due to bad weather for about a week, so I was worried about the weather, but the sunset and stars were incredibly beautiful!

There was still snow on the mountain, and it seems that being able to enter the mountain in this condition is rare, making it a very valuable experience.

At the summit, it was snowing, and I couldn't see much of the observatory, but when I descended a bit, I was able to see a beautiful sunset.

After the sun went down, many stars came out, and the explanation about the stars was interesting. I was able to see many more stars than I could from the hotel. I'm glad I joined the tour!

I was worried about restrooms and altitude sickness, but there were breaks about once an hour, and they took measures against altitude sickness, which was reassuring.

I thought it was strange to need warm clothing in Hawaii, but I realized that the warm clothing provided with the tour is essential. If you're not good with the cold, hand warmers and other cold weather measures are a must.

I brought my camera thinking I might take some photos of the stars, but I regretted not properly preparing and bringing a tripod.

Next time I participate, I will make sure to prepare my camera properly.

Thank you to the guides. I had a lot of fun. The choice of music in the car was excellent!

すごく良かったです！
1週間ほど悪天候で山がcloseと聞いて天候が不安でしたが、サンセットも星もすごく綺麗に見えました！

山には雪が残っていて、この状態で山に入れるのは珍しいことらしく、とっても貴重な体験でした。

山頂はふぶいていて、天文台はあまり見ることができませんでしたが、少し降りると綺麗なサンセットが見れました。

日が暮れたあと、星もいっぱい出て、星の説明も面白かったです。
ホテルで見るよりすごくたくさんの星を見ることができました。
ツアーに参加して良かったです！

お手洗いや高山病を心配していましたが、１時間に1回ほど休憩があり、高山病対策もしてくださるので安心でした。

ハワイで防寒着なんてと思っていましたが、ツアーに付いている防寒着必須だなと思いました。
寒いのが苦手ならカイロとか防寒対策必須です。

星の写真を撮れたなら〜ぐらいでカメラを持って行ったのですが、ちゃんと事前準備と三脚を用意しておけば良かったと、反省。

次回参加するときはちゃんとカメラを準備しよーと思います。

ガイドの方々、ありがとうございました。
とても楽しかったです。
車内の曲のチョイス最高でした☆

There weren't many fish, and the colors were not very vibrant, which was a bit disappointing, but I had a good experience. Thank you.

魚があまりいなく、色もカラフルでなく若干残念でしたが、良い体験はできました。ありがとうございました・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・

It seems that the weather is usually calm, but there happened to be strong winds, and the boat was rocking quite a bit, which made me feel seasick (I'm prone to motion sickness, and I had taken medication for it...). Everyone else seemed to be fine, though.

The sea breeze was very refreshing, and once we got further out, we could see the beautiful view of Mauna Kea. At first, we could only see it from a distance, but just before we returned, a whale came close to us, and it was an emotional moment. A foreign staff member was sending some kind of signal underwater to attract the whales. It was a precious experience!

普段は穏やからしいですが、たまたま風が強く、結構船が揺れて酔ってしまいました（私は酔いやすい方で酔い止めは飲んでいたのですが…）。他は皆さん大丈夫そうでした。
とても気持ちいい海風で、沖へ出ると、マウナケアの山の景色がきれいに見れました。
初めは少し遠目にしか見れませんでしたが、帰り間際に至近距離でクジラが来てくれて、感動しました。外国人スタッフの方が、クジラを呼び寄せる信号？みたいなのを海中で送ってくれてました。貴重な体験でした！

It was a participation of two mothers and two two-year-old boys! Perhaps because both of them took motion sickness medication, they fell asleep and we couldn't see the good parts, but the mothers were able to catch glimpses even while being unable to move! The staff were also kind, bringing us drinks while we couldn't move.

Since it was early in the morning, we brought rice balls with us. The boat only had granola, so it was great to be able to eat the rice balls we brought during the waiting time. It gets really bumpy once we set off, so I think it's best to eat during the waiting time before boarding the boat.

母二人、二歳の男の子二人での参加でした！
二人とも酔い止めを飲んでいたせいか、寝てしまい、ちょうどいいところで見れませんでしたが、母達は動けない中でもちらっと見ることが出来ました！
スタッフの方も、動けない私たちに飲み物を持ってきてくれたりと親切でした。

朝早くだったので、おにぎりを持参していきました。
船上はグラノーラだけでしたので、待ち時間に持参したおにぎりを食べれて良かったです。
出発するとすごく揺れるので、集合してから船乗するまでの待ち時間に食するとベストだと思います。

I participated with a friend. We were the only Japanese people there, along with a Chinese couple and about ten American passengers. The guidance was conducted entirely in English. There were also floatation devices and life vests available for rent, so I think it's an activity that anyone who is unsure about swimming can enjoy with peace of mind.

After departing, we were first taken to a snorkeling spot to encounter dolphins. We stayed there for about an hour. Right after we arrived, we were able to encounter a large pod of dolphins, which was very moving. After snorkeling, there is a possibility of getting cold, so I recommend bringing a beach towel and a jacket that can get wet. Some people were wearing wetsuits.

After that, we moved to Masic Sands Beach and enjoyed another 30 minutes of snorkeling in a different atmosphere. There were some people who got seasick due to the waves and the boat's rocking, so I recommend taking motion sickness medication and getting plenty of sleep beforehand.

友人と2人で参加しました。
日本人は私たち2人だけで、他は中国系カップルと10人弱のアメリカ人の乗客とご一緒でした。
ガイダンスは全て英語での実施でした。
浮具やライフベストの貸し出しもあったので、泳ぎに不安のある方でも安心して楽しめるアクティビティかと思います。
出港後まずはイルカ遭遇のシュノーケリングスポットに連れて行っていただきました。
そこでの滞在時間はおおよそ1時間程度。
到着後直ぐに大きなイルカの群れと遭遇でき、とても感動的でした。
シュノーケリング後、体が冷える可能性もあるので、ビーチタオル、濡れても良い上着など持参するのをお勧めします。ウェットスーツを着ていらっしゃる方もいました。
その後は、Masic Sands Beach辺りに移動し、また違った雰囲気のシュノーケリングを30分程楽しめました。
波やボートの揺れで船酔いをしている方もいましたので、事前に酔い止め、十分な睡眠をお勧めします。