Big Island
The performers were beyond amazing.
The table service was excellent.
The food was excellent - so delicious!
The price for premium upgrade- disappointing.
The ambiance could have been more authentic rather than long rows of very crowded tables and unbearable heat for the first 90 minutes before sunset.
Closer to the water maybe? Sail shaped tarps for shade maybe?
Definitely recommend.
Dress light. Bring a hand fan.
Expect some rude people to walk up for a better look & block view
Crew was fantastic and so were the drinks. The vessel is very spacious and comfortable! Came aboard as part of my Bachelor party and it was an unforgettable and super fun time!
It was a valuable experience, but it felt too commercialized, and I wasn't moved by it. There were about 40 participants in the tour I joined, and there were many other boats from different companies in the area. Right below us, there was also a group diving. Due to the timing, we could definitely see a lot of manta rays. They appeared one after another and even spun right in front of us.
貴重な体験でしたが、あまりにも商業的な感じがして、感動はありませんでした。私の参加したツアーの参加者は40人くらいで、現地には他社の船もいっぱいでした。私たちの真下では、ダイビングしているグループもいました。時期的なこともあって、確かにマンタはたくさん見ることができます。次から次へと現れて、目の前で回転してくれたりもしました。
Initially, I applied to a company that offered a small group experience, but it was canceled due to not meeting the minimum number of participants. I changed to Manta University through a recommendati
当初は少人数のグループでで行く会社に申し込みましたが、最少催行人数に満たずキャンセル。Veltra さんの紹介でマンタ大学に変更しました。小さい会社の申し込みには希望日に潜れないリスクもあります。
Worth every second! The trainers make the experience so special and being so close to the dolphins was a once in a lifetime experience. Loved every minute!
I was worried because I hadn't received a confirmation email for the tour (I contacted VELTRA and they followed up for me).
However, on the day of the tour, I was about 20 minutes late for the meeting time, but they kindly said, "It's okay!" and allowed me to join (I did call ahead). After boarding the boat, they provided a briefing on the sizes of the snorkeling equipment and how to use the camera correctly. They also prepared Japanese instructions, so even though my conversational skills are very basic, I felt comfortable participating.
The waves felt a bit high, but they designated a snorkeling area, and during the snorkeling, staff members were patrolling on a paddleboard, which showed they were very attentive to safety. It seemed like the tour was fully booked, but there were plenty of floatation devices and life jackets available. Although I could see to the bottom, there weren't many fish, likely due to the high waves, but we still had a great time as a family!
Since it was a large boat, I didn't experience seasickness, and the cruising to and from was enjoyable. I felt from our conversation that they have a great respect and consideration for the ocean. After getting wet, the cruising felt cold, so I think it would be good to have a separate towel that doesn't get wet. I found the free water a bit difficult to drink. Also, since there were no warm drinks available, if you're worried about getting cold, it's better to bring your own.
The staff were kind, and they were accommodating even with my limited English skills. It was fun!
ツアーまでは、予約確定のメールが来ていなかったりで心配でした(ベルトラさんに問い合わせして、フォローいただきました)。
が、ツアー当日、集合時間から20分ほど遅れてしまったのですが、『大丈夫よ!』と言ってくださり心よく参加させてくださいました(事前に電話はいれました)。
船に乗った後は、シュノーケルの物のサイズや、正しい動画の使い方をレクチャーしてくれます。日本語の案内も用意してくれるので、すごく簡単な会話しかできない私でも安心して参加できました。
波は少し高いように感じましたが、シュノーケルエリアも指定してくださり、シュノーケリング中も職員の方がサップに乗って巡回されていたりして、安全にはすごく気を配っているのが伝わりました。
ツアーは満席だったように思いますが、浮き輪や救命胴衣も十分に用意されてました。
波が高かったからか、底まで見渡せたもののお魚はそんなに多くみられませんでしたが、それでも充分家族で楽しめました!
大きなボートだったので、船酔いもなく、行き帰りのクルージング楽しかったです。
海への敬意や配慮もすごくされているのだとお話しから感じました。
濡れた後のクルージングは寒く感じるので、羽織るタオルは濡れてしまうのと別にあると良いと思いました。
フリーで用意されているお水が少し飲みにくいと感じました。あと、温かい飲み物はないので、冷えてしまうことが心配なら自分で用意して行った方がいいと思います。
スタッフの方も親切ですし、拙い英語力でも対応してくださいます。楽しかったです!
I couldn't use the reef-friendly sunscreen I bought in Japan... However, they provide free sunscreen on the ship that we can use. Be careful when buying sunscreen in Japan.
日本で買って行ったリーフフレンドリーの日焼け止めが使えず…でも、船にフリーで使っていい日焼け止めを用意してくれています。
日本で日焼け止めを買っていく場合は要注意です。
We were traveling with young kids who were not really into snorkeling.. so we were looking inexpensive ways to look at some beautiful marine life. This was perfect for us. 5 minutes walk from our resort. Friendly, knowledgeable and more importantly patient staff. Luckily we kind of got a private tour as there was no one else at the same time as ours.
Kids loved it, we loved it too. Definitely recommended!!
Aloha,
Thanks for taking the time to provide feedback about your Glass Bottom Boat Cruise. We're so happy to read that you and your family enjoyed the trip and your interactions with our crew.
We know there are a lot of ways to experience the ocean while you're on the Big Island, and we're honored you chose to join us onboard and that we've earned your recommendation.
Mahalo and A Hui Hou
It is an experience with my 3.5 year old daughter I will never forget, and I think she will remember forever. The trainer was very informative and great with kids. It’s clear how much they care about the dolphins, and the dolphins love what they do.
Great guide (local), the pick up spot is a neat art gallery with a snackshot. The tour was great, filled with local knowledge and just the right length.
You might want bug spray (we didn't need it) and the wild horses aren't shy so bring apple slices!
On the day, there were four of us, including my son. The guide provided instructions in English for the other couple and mixed in some Japanese for me.
Although we were a bit slow at times with the unfamiliar kayaking, they always kept an eye on us and waited. The waves were a bit high, so we couldn't jump from the rocks, but we were able to enter the cave as far as we could while ensuring safety.
They also made sure to allocate enough time for snorkeling, and everyone enjoyed it. It was clear that they really love interacting with Hawaii's nature and people. I definitely recommend this experience.
当日は私と息子を含めて4人。別のカップルと息子には英語で、私には日本語も交えてガイドして下さいました。
慣れないカヤックで途中遅れたりもありましたが、いつも目を配り待っていてくれたり。波が高めで岩からのジャンプは出来ませんでしたが、安全確保をしながら洞窟もギリギリまで入る事が出来ました。
シュノーケルも時間をしっかりとって下さり、みなさん楽しんでいました。ハワイの自然や人と関わる事がとても好きな様子が伝わって来ました。是非オススメします。
Even if you're not familiar with kayaking, I think they teach you gently, which makes you feel at ease.
カヤックに慣れていなくても、優しく教えてくれて安心できると思います。
This was an incredible experience for my eight year-old grandson for his birthday. Parker was wonderful and even had the dolphins sing happy birthday to my grandson.
The content of the show was excellent! However, the service at the Hilton hotel was disappointing. When I checked in at Hilton's Kingsland, the concierge advised me to arrive early to secure a seat, but when I actually went, I couldn't enter until the scheduled time. Despite having reserved a premium seat, I was made to wait in the general line. There were people who were allowed to enter preferentially, while we were left waiting and then admitted as general attendees. The event was held at a completely different location than what the concierge mentioned. What is the point of having a concierge??? But the show was absolutely fantastic.
ショーの内容は最高でした!
が、現地ヒルトンホテルの対応はいただけない。
ヒルトンのキングスランドにチェックインの際にコンシェルジュに確認したときは早めに行って席を確保したほうがいいといわれたのに実際に行くと時間まで入れずプレミアムシートを予約していたにも関わらず一般の列に並ばされた。
優先的に入っていく人たちもいたのに我々は待たされた挙句一般で入場。
コンシェルジュの言ってた全く違う場所での開催でした。なんのためのコンシェルジュ???
でも、ショーは最高によかったです。
It's better to clearly communicate the details of the ticket.
チケットの内容をきっちりと伝えたほうがいいです。
Love the dolphins. Was a great experience with my animal loving 9 year old and rest of the family.
We had an awesome time on the Spirit of Aloha sunset cruise with Hawaii Naurical. Our crew was fantastic: knowledgeable, helpful and very funny! We enjoyed everything from food and drinks to the amazing views on the coast. Would absolutely do this again and highly recommend to others. Mahalo for the memories 😊
I was able to see a lot of fish, and it was a wonderful experience. My son really remembers how delicious the chips we had on the boat were, to the point that he wanted seconds.
Just as we were returning to the port, there was a tsunami due to an earthquake in the Kamchatka Peninsula, which made us a bit anxious, but they safely returned us without any issues. I feel like I want to participate again.
魚もたくさん見られて、とても良い体験をせて頂きました。
息子は、船上で頂いたチップスが美味しくてお代わりしてしまうほどだったことがすごく記憶に残っているようです。
丁度港に帰る頃にカムチャッカ半島の地震の影響で津波が来たタイミングで、多少慌てましたが、問題なく送り返して頂きました。
また参加したいと感じています。
The ship was larger than I expected, and there were many people participating. Since there was no Japanese support, there were fewer Japanese people, but it was great for us to experience the overseas
思っていたより船が大きくて、たくさんの人が参加されていました。日本語対応ではないので、日本人は少なめでしたが、私たちにとっては海外の感覚を味わえて良かったです。
I was disappointed with this tour for lack of hospitality, communication and false advertising. The tour guide is not an astronomer or someone who writes articles for astronomy mazagines or even a local Hawaiian. They are very knowledgeable, patient and friendly guides but also lack communication with the tour company. For instance, we had 10 people in our tour and they were told only 6 so he wasn’t prepared with enough hot chocolate or parkas. It may also be the reason he didn’t offer snacks or water to anyone and tried to get more people to drink coffee at 9 pm! I was also disappointed that we didn’t go to the Kona coffee farm as advertised in the itinerary and confirmed when they called. You also have to select your meal prior to arrival or seeing the options which is undesirable. Finally, when they called to confirm they told me not to bring anything - no water, jacket, hiking boots etc since all would be provided and tennis shoes were enough. First off, I came prepared with everything in my luggage but since they said not to bring a big bag or too many items we were underprepared. My son was freezing because the parkas are huge and they were passed out but left for people to get when they were freezing. Our tennis were covered in dirt and sand because we stopped at a beach and walked the sand. I would have to be informed in advance that we’re going to a beach and not the coffee farm and to have proper attire. The stargazing was nice and we saw a lot of stars and constellations but it was not pleasant because of the lack of preparation. I do not recommend this tour. If you book, don’t listen to their advice and come prepared with attire, water and snacks on top of the exorbitant price you pay. Or you could ask to go with the tour that matches the advertisement but I tried that already. Heed the warning. I didn’t and while we don’t regret it we regret the company.
All of the above. Confirm, confirm, confirm!
Great experience! Like snorkeling without getting wet. They took us over beautiful reefs with lots of fish. It was fun! The guides were great!
Great for all ages!
Aloha Shelli,
Thanks for taking the time to provide feedback about your Glass Bottom Boat Cruise. We're so happy to read that you enjoyed the trip and your interactions with our crew -- and we appreciate getting to see those photos you took too!
We know there are a lot of activities to choose from when you're on the Big Island and we're honored you chose to join us onboard.
Mahalo and A Hui Hou
We participated as a family of four. The other three members were beginners at horseback riding, but the staff was very attentive, and above all, the horses are smart, which made us feel at ease. The trail for the outdoor ride offers beautiful scenery with views of the sea, forests, hills, and rivers. They also take photos at a stunning viewpoint with the sea in the background, so even if you don't have the time to take pictures yourself, you can relax. During the ride, they provide explanations about the plants and animals. Although it's not a Japanese tour, if you can manage everyday conversation in English, you'll be able to enjoy the conversation fully.
家族4人で参加しました。私以外の3人は乗馬初心者でしたが、スタッフが気配りしてくれるのと、何よりお馬さんが利口なので安心です。外乗するコースは海、林、丘、川辺と景色が豊かで楽しめます。海をバックにした絶景ポイントで写真も撮ってくれるので、自分では写真を撮れる余裕のない方でも安心してください。外乗中は植物や動物についても解説してくれます。日本語ツアーではありませんが、日常会話程度の英語ができる方ならば十分に会話も楽しめます。
Even with the navigation on, it's easy to get lost on how to enter the ranch, so please be careful. We passed it by. Also, helmets are only for those who want them, so hats are a must. Sun protection
ナビをつけていても牧場の入り方が迷いますのでご注意を。我々は通り過ぎました。またヘルメットは希望者のみとのことなので、帽子は必須。日焼け対策も必須です。
A few years ago, I participated and had such a great time that this time I joined with my son and his girlfriend, making it a family of four. Last time it was in April, so the sea was cold and I felt chilly, but this time we were well-prepared for the cold (in July). Once again, many manta rays turned right in front of us, and I almost shouted with excitement. We’re not supposed to touch them, but the other three were so close that they ended up being touched by the manta rays. You can even see inside the manta's mouth. There’s also an explanation about manta ray ecology, which makes you feel like you understand the manta rays in front of you even better. Time really flew by, and it was a tour where I didn’t want to get out of the water. This is definitely something you should participate in.
数年前に参加して、とても楽しかったので、今度は初めて訪れる息子と彼女を伴って家族4人で参加しました。前回は4月だったため海が冷たく体が冷えたのですが、今回は防寒対策もバッチリした上で参加(7月)。今回もたくさんのマンタが目の前でターンしてくれて、声をあげそうになりました。タッチしてはいけないのですが、あまりに近すぎて、私以外の三人はマンタに触られたそうです。マンタの口の中まで見えます。マンタの生態についても説明があるので、目の前のマンタをより理解した気分になります。本当にあっという間に時間がたってしまい、海から上がりたくないと思うツアーです。これは、絶対に参加した方がいいです。
I think it would be good to bring a bathrobe as a way to keep warm after coming out of the sea if the hotel provides one. It will effectively absorb water over your swimsuit during the time it takes t
ホテルにバスローブがあれば、海から上がったあとの防寒対策として持参されるとよいと思います。岸につくまでの時間で水着の上からしっかりと水を吸収してくれます。ウェットスーツは借りた方がよいです。
Some comments mentioned that the food was not great, but all four of us were very satisfied. It's a buffet style where you can pick what you like, and since we had premium seats, we were able to get our food early while it was still available. The staff at our table frequently came to take drink orders. The show was enjoyable from start to finish. There were luaus, hula performances, and Hawaiian songs, allowing us to fully experience Hawaii. Although the exchange rate is poor right now, making it feel expensive, it was still a great way to create family memories.
食事が今一つというコメントもありましたが、我々4人は全員大満足してました。ブッフェスタイルで好きなものを取りにいきますが、プレミアムシートだったので、早めに空いている中で取りにいけました。飲み物はテーブル担当スタッフがこまめにオーダーを取りにきてくれます。ショーは、初めから最後まで楽しむことができます。ルアウもあればフラやハワイアンソングもあり、ハワイをたっぷり感じることができます。今は為替レートが悪いので高額に思いましたが、それでも、家族旅行の思い出作りにはよかったです。
30 years ago i swam with the dolphins and remember it well. our morning at dolphin quest was just as delightful! the staff was amazing and our three girl dolphins were an absolute delight. learning about these magnificent creatures and then actually interacting with them made this a five star experience.
Aloha- Thank you for coming back to visit us and for your feedback. We love to hear that you have had delightful experiences with us. We also find these creatures magnificent and are glad that you were amazed by our team as well. I was also here 30 years ago and am happy that we are still able to touch so many hearts and minds sharing about these beautiful dolphins. Mahalo- a hui hou no (until we meet again)
I participated with my spouse and our 10-year-old son. The staff were cheerful and kind, and the Japanese staff member, Tamae, provided thorough explanations in advance. The descriptions from Trevor, Diego, and Scott on the way to the point were enjoyable, and we arrived at the point in no time.
Once we reached the point and entered the water, we immediately encountered manta rays. In fact, we saw three large manta rays! Watching the manta rays gracefully swim through the darkness was mystical and incredibly moving.
Although we are not allowed to touch them (as the bacteria from humans can cause illness in manta rays), they came so close that we could almost touch them. Being able to see manta rays up close was truly a rare experience.
After getting back on the boat and during our return to the port, we enjoyed hot cocoa and snacks, and the cocoa was delicious and warmed up our chilled bodies.
As we were leaving, a Japanese staff member gave me a sticker, saying, "I had fun today too." I also had a great time, and I really appreciated how much they cared about my wife, who got seasick. It became a wonderful memory. I heard that there's a 20% discount for the next visit, so I definitely want to come back!
夫婦と10歳の息子と参加しました。スタッフの方は明るく親切で、日本人スタッフのタマエさんも事前に丁寧に説明してくれます。
ポイントに着くまでのTrevor,Diego,Scottさん達の説明も楽しく、あっという間にポイントに到着しました。
ポイントに着いて海に入ったらすぐにマンタに会えました。しかも大きなマンタが3枚も!
暗闇の中を優雅に泳ぐマンタは神秘的でとても感動しました。
マンタには触ってはいけないのですが(人間の持っているバクテリアがマンタの体に付くと病気になってしまう可能性があるため)、触れそうなくらい近くまで来てくれて、こんなに近くでマンタを見れたのは本当に貴重な経験でした。
ボートに上がってから港に帰るまでの間にホットココアとスナックをいただき、ココアは冷えた体を温めてくれてとても美味しかったです。
帰り際に、日本人スタッフの方から「私も今日は楽しかったから」とステッカーを頂きました。こちらこそとても楽しかったですし、船酔いした妻のこともとても気にかけていただいたので、本当によい思い出になりました。次は20%オフとのことなので、ぜひまた来たいです。
The boat can be quite rocky, and since it floats on the water, I recommend that those who are prone to motion sickness take anti-nausea medication in advance. Also, surprisingly, it can be cold at nig
ボートは結構揺れますし、水面にずっと浮かんでいるので、乗り物酔いしやすい人は酔い止めを事前に飲んでおくことをお勧めします。また意外とこの時期でも夜は寒いのでウェットスーツがあった方が快適です。
Forest was a superb guide to this stunningly beautiful and magical valley -he was fun and so knowledgeable. The whole family loved the experience, with our girls wanting to return again the next day. We highly recommend!
Mantas came close to me multiple times, and I was extremely excited. They swam so close that it was almost surprising we didn't bump into each other.
マンタが何度も何枚も近づいてきてくれて大興奮でした。
ぶつからないのが不思議なくらいの距離まで何度も泳いでくれます。
There are many places where you can park on the street, which can be a bit of a hassle. It's better to arrive early and park your car.
路駐可能な箇所がいっぱいで困りました。早めに到着して車を停めた方がいいです。
The staff were welcoming, informative and helpful. The boat ride was enjoyable. The location where we snorkeled was underwhelming. We did see tiny, colorful fish, and some corals, but nothing else of note.
Forrest was an excellent guide, full of personal insight into the region as well as its history. He shared with us his experience in the valley, told us about the things and places we were viewing, and explained the challenges the region has and still does face. We loved the views, the animals, and the friendly greetings from the locals.
We had a great morning kayak trip and Olivia was wonderful!! We loved her stories about the history of the area and learning more about Hawaii in general. Thanks especially for your breakfast tip on the Coffee Shack, what an awesome spot! It all made for a perfect morning, thank you Olivia!!
We’ve been with family. Children 12 and 10 years old. All of us were so excited and totally happy with this experience!
We had an amazing time on the water kayaking, exploring caves, and snorkeling! Our guide Ryan was super helpful, patient, and very knowledgeable.
This cruise was outstanding! The crew was polite and attentive. The dinner was excellent! There was live music as well as someone giving us a little history of the island in between songs. I would definitely recommend this to anyone. We also were lucky enough to see the spinner dolphins put on a little chauffeur for us. We saw flying fish. Overall, it was an excellent experience!
We are thrilled that you had a great time! Providing an outstanding experience is exactly what our goals are! Thank you for joining us! We hope to see you again someday soon! Best regards!
We are a family of 4 with 2 teenagers, we had a great time with our guide at the stargazing tour. Our highlights were the lava caves, watching the sunset as well as stargazing. The sky was unbelievable and we learned a ton with our very knowledgeable guide.
Highly recommend.
I would skip the boiling pots when water level is low as there is nothing to see.