All Reviews for Toddler-Friendly (Ages 2-4)

We were very lucky to sail on a lovely evening with lots of whales surrounding us and they were quite active. The crew were great, we enjoyed the snacks and drinks. It was just about perfect, loved the boat, could have stayed out on the water for hours if allowed. Definitely will do again and recommend this cruise.

Although this is now the only way that you can visit the Waipio Valley it is so worth taking the guided tour. Our guide was so knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the history and culture of the valley, and shared loads of local insights and stories which made this one of the best tours we have ever experienced

Decided to try this luau after researching luau options on the big island, and unfortunately it fell short of expectations.
There are three main areas I judge in a luau, and I'll expand on each category for this place; location/setting, food/drinks, and entertainment.
First the location setting. Although located at the Fairmont orchid resort, a beautiful and well kept property, the luau itself was "makeshift" utilizing cheap plastic chairs and tables and placed between the golf course and tennis courts, over a mile away from the coast with no sunset or real ocean view. Most other luau's I've been to are more like restaurants with permanent structures set right on the coast.
I had read rave reviews about the food, and while it too fell short of expectations - it wasn't all bad. I'll definitely give it credit for a large selection and variety, but the food was overall "meh." The poke, fish, shrimp and chicken were good but the beef and pork were awful. There was no actual hog roast; the pulled pork they served was clearly not from a recently dug up roasted pig - and it tasted disgusting; this was the biggest let down as you expect amazing pulled pork when you goto a luau. They lacked variety in drinks, so not much to choose from in terms of wine (only "red" or "white") or beers (a few cheap varieties in cans, no IPAs), and the mixed drinks were also limited in ingredients (for example, they couldn't make me an old fashion), but they had the basics to make most decent cocktails. My biggest complaint with the drinks is that the line was long and clearly a bottleneck only having 2 bartenders making drinks for the entire group. Other luaus I'd attended always had the basic drinks ready to go so you could grab a basic drink at anytime if you wanted.
As for the entertainment; also very meh. Not a big production (again, due to the "makeshift" nature of this luau), but it contained all the basic elements to not fall completely short.

Henry is a wonderful tour guide. He told us so many interesting things about Big Island culture, history, plants, geology, stars. He was great with the kids and took a good care of us all. The Rainbow fall was beautiful and the banyan tree nearby was insane! The star gazing was great even though the conditions were not the best (bright moon). For me the best experience of the tour was getting deep inside the cave - it was amazing, I had never seen anything like it.

I previously participated in whale watching on Oahu, but I hardly saw any whales at that time. This time, however, I was able to see them one after another from early on. On the way back, dolphins came around the boat and even showed us some jumps, making it the best whale watching experience ever.

以前にオアフ島でホエールウォッチングに参加しましたが、その時はほとんどクジラに会えなかったですが、今回は早い時間帯から次ぐから次に見ることができました。
帰りには、船の周りをイルカが来て、ジャンプまで見せてくれて、最高のホエールウォッチングになりました。

One of the best and most impressive tour we ever made!

Had a great day on the water. Right out of the bay we experience whales breaching the water. Staff was well trained, everyone had their job and was on it. They were very helpful in and out of the water. Very knowledgable about the history of the bay and Capt. Cook. Breakfast and lunch was very good and served efficiently. Saw lots of species of fish on the coral reef at the Capt. Cook Monument. To finish the day we were entertained by Spinner Dolphins jumping out of the water. Highly recommend!

Great trip with Tyler being our pilot. Not only was he a great pilot he was very knowledgable about the Big Island and about things a vacationer would not know. Saw many whales and spinner dolphins.. Circle Island tour was a great experience! Support staff was great and gave us all the information needed to make the trip great, but also safe!

This boat was by far the best option for whale watching. We took my 3 year old son for his birthday, so glad we chose this one. Our captain was determined to have everyone witness all of the amazing sights of whales in their natural habitat including, breaching, Mom and baby, whale tail waves, even the smell of anchovy whale breath! Will definitely be doing this one again! This was the highlight of our trip, an unforgettable experience! Mahalo Hawaii Nautical!

We had a private experience for just the two of us, and although we didn't get to see any dolphins, we had a great time learning about the Big Island. Thank you, Noni!

夫婦2人貸し切りで、ハワイ島の説明していただきなから、イルカには会えなかったけど、良い体験が出来ました。ノニさんありがとうございました。

A great time at Umauma Falls Zipline Tour & Waterfall Swim Adventure / 9 Zipline Tour.

Although it rained, it was a great time with my visiting friends. Our group had about seven total members, and we all felt included and enjoyed the adventure together. When the weather turned into rain, and the wind made the rain even more interesting... We all decided to make the most of it and enjoy the unique experience. Our Guides were friendly, informative, and humorous. They take safety seriously but they take the time to make sure you are having fun while being safe. Safety tip... "Keep your head and face to one side of the tether, or you'll get a knuckle sandwich." We will return on a sunny day to enjoy the waterfalls, but it was a great time for all, and the guides made it extra memorable.

Such an enjoyable experience!! Nearly all the food items were gluten free ( I have Celiac disease). The only suggestion I would make is to not put the gluten free dessert on the same plate as the glutinous items as there is chance of cross contamination. The wait staff were phenomenal. Our waiter Geno was on top of all our needs. The performers were out do this world and the musicians with equal talent. Loved the experience and encourage others to attend.

Four years ago, I visited Waipi'o Valley and took photos from the observation deck. I joined this tour because it allows you to drive down to places that ordinary people can't access! The slope was steeper than I expected, and the driving was very slow and cautious. The guide spoke entirely in English, so I didn't understand anything, but the other foreign guests in the car were laughing and asking questions, so I think it was a good guide. It was fun to drive into the river and cross it; it felt like an attraction!

４年前に来た時は展望台から眺めて写真を撮ったワイピオ渓谷。こちらのツアーでは普通の人が行けない場所まで車で下って行けるとの事で参加しました！
思ってた以上に急斜面で、かなりゆっくり慎重に運転されてました。ガイドは完全に英語でしたので、私は全くわからずでしたが、車内の他の外国人の方は笑ったり質問したりしていたので、良いガイドさんだったと思います^_^河に車で入って横切ったりと、アトラクション的な感じもあったので、楽しかったです！

We’ve been to Waipio Valley several times but have never taken a guide-led tour, and it made a huge difference. The guide was charming, knowledgeable and experienced. We saw parts of the valley that we wouldn’t have been able to in the past, and certainly now that the valley is closed to non-residents. Highly recommend!

A most enjoyable experience! Once we spotted a spout in the distance, we motored to it for a wonderful mother-baby whale show! Only recommendation would be to improve the directions to get to the check-in location on the beach.

We arrived early to check in, secured our seats, and waited for the show while enjoying Mai Tais. The atmosphere at our table was very friendly and lively. We had a great time celebrating honeymoon couples and birthdays, and even got to go on stage for a dance lesson. The buffet was well-managed by the staff, making the flow smooth, and the food was delicious. The Hawaiian dance was elegant and wonderful, and it seemed like the host's talk was well-received. The ocean beyond the stage and the sunset were spectacular.

早めに受付をして、席を確保し、マイタイを飲みながら、開演を待ちました。同じテーブルの人たちと和気藹々。とても楽しかったです。ハネムーンカップルや、お誕生日の人などをお祝いしたり、ステージに上がってダンスをレクチャーされたり、とても楽しい時間を過ごしました。ブッフェスタイルでしたが、取りに行く流れをちゃんとスタッフの方がコントロールしていて、スムーズでしたし、とても美味しかったです。ハワイアンダンスは優雅で素晴らしく、司会のトークも受けていたようです。ステージの向こうの海、そして夕陽が素晴らしかったです。

Unfortunately, it rained. The rain got heavier and raincoats were distributed. The temperature dropped, and the food got soaked and was almost inedible, with only two drinks consumed. While I was concerned about the weak yen prices, I made the reservation to boost my Hawaiian spirit, but it turned out to be a poor value. I hadn't considered the bad weather. Those making reservations should not forget to check the weather. The fire show was impressive.

あいにくの雨でした。どんどん雨脚が強くなりレインコートが配られ、気温も下がり、食事もずぶ濡れでほとんど食べられず、飲み物も2杯飲んだ程度。円安料金が気になりつつもハワイ気分を盛り上げようと予約しましたがコスパの悪い結果となりました。悪天候については気が回っていなかった。予約される方は天気のチェックをお忘れなく。ファイアーショーは見応えありました。

My whole family enjoyed this experience! There were plenty of whales breaching and splashing all around us, they gave us a great show. The entire crew was friendly and knowledgeable about the whales and the catamaran too. I would recommend this trip to anyone during the whale season! We will do it again on our next trip. Thank you for such a wonderful experience.

My wife and I took this tour with our three young kids. We had a very knowledgeable guide for our tour—Ray. He is a native of Waipo Valley and he had a lot of good information to tell us both about Waipo Valley and Hawaiian history in general. Beyond this, the valley itself is breathtakingly beautiful! All of us thoroughly enjoyed this tour.

Overall, this was an excellent tour!

The explanation in English only: The whales' spouts and dorsal fins were only visible a few times from a distance, and contrary to expectations, the satisfaction level was somewhat lacking. However, the view from the boat was excellent.

英語のみの解説、鯨は潮吹きと背びれが数回遥か彼方にしか見えず、期待に反して満足度はもう一つでした。船上からの眺めは最高でした。　

I HIGHLY recommend this experience to everyone. My crew enjoyed a shuttle ride down to Waipio Valley with the most knowledgeable and engaging guide. We learned so much about history, culture, farming, and geography of the valley.

Five Stars.

Only authorized vehicles can enter down to the valley, so it's worth going. Basically, you receive explanations while remaining in the car, but it's not an ordinary drive as you cross rivers and navigate steep slopes. This time, I had elderly parents with me, and it was great that we could enjoy the sightseeing without any strain. It's also recommended for those with small children or anyone who may have some concerns about their physical stamina. We went there by rental car, and it was easy to arrive by setting the destination in the GPS.

渓谷の下までは許可された車両しか入れないので行く価値が有ります。基本的には車に乗ったままで説明を受けますが、川を車で渡ったり、急な坂道を登り降りするので普通のドライブではありません。今回は高齢の両親がいたのですが、無理なく観光できたので良かったです。小さなお子さんもそうですが、体力に少し不安のある方はおすすめです。レンタカーで現地に行きましたが、目的地に設定していけば簡単に到着しましたよー

The meeting point was in a remote area. The view of Waipi'o Valley was amazing, but the directions to the meeting place were a bit unclear. However, I managed to search for the address and arrived just in time for check-in.

This tour takes you to places that are inaccessible to regular travelers, going down a steep slope in a four-wheel drive vehicle and driving through the river—an experience you can't have in Japan. Unfortunately, due to the rain, we could only see part of the waterfall, but I was overwhelmed by the magnificent nature. I created wonderful memories. The local driver was cheerful, and although the entire tour was conducted in English, I hardly noticed it and he treated us kindly, which was great. Thank you very much.

現地集合でしたが、辺境地でした。
ワイピオバレーの景色は最高でしたが、集合場所の案内が少し分かりづらかったですが、住所を検索して、なんとか時間に間に合って、チェックイン。

一般旅行者は通行止めでも、現地の方しか行けないところに入るツアーで、急な下り坂を四輪駆動車で降りて行き、川の中を突き進んで行くとても日本では体験できないツアーでした。
残念ながら滝は雨の為、一部だけしか見られなかったですが、壮大な自然に圧倒されました。
とても最高の思い出ができました。
現地のドライバーさんも陽気で、もちろん終始英語での案内でしたが、ほとんど気にすることなく、優しく接してくださり、良かったです。
ありがとうございました。

I was overwhelmed by the magnificent scenery. The location of the steep entrance in the rugged canyon, along with abundant water sources, is said to have once been the capital. Although it suffered damage from tsunamis twice, it is believed that everyone was safe due to the powerful mana (spiritual power) that protects it. We descended to the valley floor in a four-wheel drive vehicle, crossing four to five small streams. We got off at a riverbed further in to take a break, and it felt like a mysterious and sacred place. My wife wanted to explore on horseback, but due to my weight limit, we had to settle for the four-wheel drive course.

雄大な景色に圧倒されました。切り立った渓谷で急勾配の出入り口の立地、豊富な水源で、かつては首都となっていたそうです。2回、津波による被害を受けましたが、全員無事だったのは、強力なマナ（霊力）によって守られていると信じられています。四輪駆動車で谷底までおり、４～５の小川を渡っていきます。奥の河原で下りて休憩しましたが、神秘的で神聖な場所と感じ取れます。妻は、乗馬で散策するコースを希望していましたが、私の体重制限で断念して、四輪駆動車のコースとなりました。

The trip was fantastic and Ray was super informative. It was a beautiful night and we got to see a lot of stars and planets and the moon rising as well. It was spectacular and a must try for everyone! We thoroughly enjoyed it and I highly recommend it!! Also loved the hot chocolate touch at the end because it was quite cold on the slopes. The pickup and drop off was on time. The one thing that could have been better in my opinion was the food options and I also wished we had stopped somewhere to see the spectacular sunset. Apart from that, we really enjoyed it

There was a bit of swell until we reached the snorkeling point, but since it was a catamaran, we were able to go without much rocking. The crew was also friendly, and we had a great time.

シュノーケルポイントまで、うねりが少しありましたが、双胴船だったから揺れずにいけました。クルーも親切で楽しい時間を過ごせました。

We had a wonderful time on our Waipio Shuttle experience with an exceptional guide, timely service, and of course, incredible scenery. Looking back on our family vacation to the Big Island, this was one of my favorite activities we got to share! Highly recommend, and look forward to returning.

A must do experience on the big island. The tour guide did a great job of driving the very steep and very bumpy road and explaining the history of the valley. If you get car sick or can't handle a really bumpy ride, you may want to wait til a hiking trail is made. At this time, this is the only way to see the valley. We finished our tour with a Hawaiian lunch at the food truck down the road and a fruit stand. It was a perfect day.

An absolute must see. The tour guides are from Waipio, so it's a great opportunity to really learn and experience the history and beauty of the land.

An absolutely fabulous experience, feeling the wind while the endless lava fields pass by below our feet. Photos without glare, a dream!
High safety, perfect pax care, highly recommended to anyone.
Many thanks!