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

The tour was OK. There was a lot of bus riding just picking folks up and dropping them off. I think were the only folks staying in Hilo. There were a couple of stops at commercial sites that could be left off the tour. The guide was good and knew a lot about the area. This tour could be streamlined and only take half a day.

We participated as a couple with a 6-year-old child (kindergarten age).

We were able to see them properly! I think there were about 10 of them. It's definitely different from an aquarium! It’s magical, but some people might feel a bit scared because it’s quite dark.

We held onto a raft with downward-facing lights while waiting for the manta rays. You can float on your stomach with your feet on the float, so it’s easy and you don’t have to kick or tread water.

It seemed like they were coming closer to the brightest spot. Other tour rafts and divers were brighter, so they didn’t come too close, but we enjoyed it enough.

Since our child can’t swim yet, we used a jacket that we brought with us that inflates with air. They generally don’t use jackets, so if you need one, you should ask for it.

Also, it’s quite cold. Even people who usually handle the cold well were feeling chilly. Wearing two wetsuits keeps you warm, so it might be a good idea to ask if you can rent two when you get there.

I think it would be great to have a waterproof camera that can record video. For still images, you really need a big camera.

夫婦+6歳児（年長）での参加でした。

ちゃんと見られました！
10匹弱いたと思います。やっぱ水族館とは違いますよ！
幻想的ですが、真っ暗でちょっと恐怖感を感じる人もいるかもしれませんね。

下向きのライトが付いたイカダに掴まってマンタを待ちます。
うつ伏せで足をフローターに乗せて浮かんでいられるのでキックや立ち泳ぎすることもなく楽ちんです。

一番明るい場所に寄ってきているようでした。別のツアーイカダやダイバーの方が明るかったのであまり近くには来てくれませんでしたが十分楽しめました。

子供はまだ泳げないので持参した空気を入れて使うジャケットを装着して入りました。基本的にジャケットは使用しないようなので必要な方は言わないと出てこないと思います。

それとかなり寒いです。
寒さに強い印象の白人さんもかなり寒がってました。
ウエット二枚重ねると暖かいのでレンタルの時に二枚借りられるか聞いてみるといいかもしれません。

防水の動画が撮れるコンデジがあるといいと思います。
静止画はどでかいカメラじゃないと無理ですね。

Swimming with dolphins has been a dream of mine for many years, perhaps influenced by the show "Flipper" I watched as a child.

I never expected to swim with so many dolphins...

As I entered the water at the call of Mr. Nawata, I found myself surrounded by a pod of dolphins.

The dolphins were swimming in a playful cluster, some were with their young, and when I was focused on the ocean floor, they would suddenly appear right in front of me.

I could even hear the sounds the dolphins made and clearly see their droppings!

Changing spots, I jumped back in at the command of "Okay, go down," and to my surprise, there was even a manta ray! I was so captivated by the manta ray that I completely forgot about the waterproof camera I had bought for this day.

I tried to dive like Leo, who was with us, but unfortunately had to give up due to the weight of the fat on my body.

When I returned to the boat and learned that Leo was a national record holder in freediving and had connections with Jack Mayol, I was astonished...

After enjoying another round of swimming with the dolphins, I felt completely satisfied.

I apologize for any unpleasantness caused by my seasickness during the trip... but it was such an amazing experience that I forgot all about it. I never imagined I would be able to swim with dolphins at such a close distance!!

Next time, I definitely plan to join a manta ray tour. Thank you, Mr. Nawata and Leo. I look forward to seeing you again!

子供の頃に見た「わんぱくフリッパー」の影響からか、
いるかと泳ぐことは、長年の夢でした。（歳がばればれ）

それが、まさか、こんなにもたくさんのいるか達と泳げるとは・・・

縄田さんの掛け声のもと海に入ると、
そこは　もう　いるかの群れの中。

いるか達がだんご状態になって泳いでいたり、
親子連れだったり、
海の底ばかり見ていると、目の前に現れたり。

いるかの発する音や　うんち（！）まではっきりと見えました。

ﾎﾟｲﾝﾄを変えて、
「はい、降りて。」の声のもと再び飛び込むと、
そこには、なんと、マンタまで！！
この日の為に購入した防水デジカメそっちのけで、
マンタに釘付け。

同行されたレオさんを真似て潜ってみようとチャレンジしましたが、身体に背負った脂肪のせいか、あえなく断念。

ボートに戻って伺ったら、なんとレオさん、フリーダイビングの全米記録保持者で、
あのｼﾞｬｯｸ・ﾏｲﾖｰﾙとも親交があったとは・・・

その後、もう一度いるか達との泳ぎを満喫し、
満腹気分で終了となりました。


途中、船酔いのためお見苦しいところをお見せして申し訳ありませんせした・・・
が、船酔いなんて忘れるくらい素晴らしい体験でした。
まさか、いるかが手に届く距離で一緒に泳げるとは思ってもみませんでした！！

次回は、ぜひマンタのツアーに参加しようと思っています。
縄田さん、レオさん、ありがとうございました。
そして、またよろしくお願いいたします。

This was a great experiance for our whole family. This was Mine and my wife's second Laua but the first for my two kids who are 7 and 12. I was a little worried about the kids experiance. They both had a wonderful time and cant wait to go back. The service was great and very entertaining. The food was excellant. As far as the entertainment, it was top notch. We learned alot about the differant cultures and were amazed by the talent of the dancers, who also added some good humor to the show. This is definitly a Laua we will be back to.

It was a very enjoyable luau & location was beautiful!

Show was great! Everything we expected coming to Hawaii! Family was impressed. Food was OK, but the table arrangement was poor. Difficult to get around and everyone.had to watch at a 90 degree angle. The slope did not help matters any either. But we all did enjoy ourselves!

Since it was just the two of us ladies participating, it had been decades since I last entered the ocean, and I was really worried about my physical stamina. However, once we joined, it turned out to be just us and the instructors, Kevin and Noni, so we could truly relax and float in the vast sea.

I was also concerned about my first experience with snorkeling, but somehow I managed to do it well and got to see beautiful fish. We took a lot of photos, which were sent to us via email.

It was truly a wonderful view and a fun experience, creating great memories. Additionally, I was relieved to spend time talking in Japanese with Kevin and Noni, as it was hard to communicate in Hawaii. Thank you very much! (^O^)／ (Participated on 2012/5/13)

おばさん二人での参加だったので、まず海に入ることも何十年振りで、体力的にもとても不安だったけど、いざ参加してみるとインストラクターのケビンさんとノニさんと私たちだけだったので本当に気兼ねなくのんびりと大海原にプカリプカリ。
シュノーケルも初体験に等しく出来るか心配だったけど、何とかうまく出来てきれいな魚たちも見ることが出来ました。
写真もたくさん撮って頂き、メールで送って頂きました。
本当に素晴らしい景色と楽しい体験が出来てとても良い思い出ができました。そして、ケビンさんとノニさんの気さくなお人柄となかなか日本語が通じないハワイ島で唯一日本語でお話出来てホッとした時間が過ごせました！
ありがとうございました(^O^)／　（2012/5/13　参加）

Although it was the main highlight of my trip that I was looking forward to, unfortunately, it rained heavily.

Usually, there is a performance where King Kamehameha arrives by boat, followed by a dinner show under the starry sky, but it was suddenly changed to an indoor show.

We had to wait about an hour in the hotel lobby for the setup, but during that time, the MC kept us entertained with jokes and ukulele performances. Chatting with other foreign tourists also became a nice memory.

We moved to a banquet-like area inside the hotel for the show to begin. The performances of singing and dancing, along with audience participation during the cha-cha dance time, were wonderfully entertaining, and I was very satisfied.

The food featured traditional Hawaiian dishes as the main course. It was quite filling, and while tastes may vary, I enjoyed it very much.

We also had plenty of fun with participatory activities like hula lessons, but the hotel hallway felt a bit cramped. I wished we could have done it outside under the sky on the grass. However, it was such a fulfilling show program that I definitely want to participate again on a day with better weather!

I clearly remember the words, "For those visiting Hawaii for the first time, welcome; for those returning, you are friends (aikane); and for those coming for the third time or more, you are all family (ohana)," which warmed my heart.

旅のメインと楽しみにしていたのに生憎の大雨。


通常はキングカメハメハがボートに乗ってやってくるパフォーマンスと星空の下でのディナーショーなのですが、急きょ室内でのショーに変更になりました。


セッティングのためホテルロビーにて１時間ほど待たされたのですが、その間も客を飽きさせないようＭＣの方が冗談を飛ばしたりウクレレ演奏があったり。ほかの外国人観光客たちとの立ち話もいい思い出となりました。


ホテル内の宴会場のような場所に移動して、ショーの開始。
歌や踊りのパフォーマンス、観客を巻き込んでのチークダンスタイムなど素敵な演出が盛りだくさんで大満足でした。


料理はハワイの伝統食がメイン。ボリューム満点で好みは分かれるかとも思いますが、私は美味しく頂きました。


フラレッスンなどの参加型アクティビティも十分楽しめたのですが、やはりホテルの廊下では少し狭く、空の下、芝生の上でやりたかったなあという印象。しかし次こそは天候に恵まれた日にまたぜひ参加したい！と思える充実したショープログラムでした。



「一度目のHawaiiのひとは初めまして、
　二度目のひとは友達（aikane）、
三度目以上の人はみんな家族（ohana）」
という言葉に心がほっこりしたのをよく覚えています♪

I can tell you that we were totally satisfied and happy with the helicopter tour. The weather was great and so the pilot could show us fantastic views. The pilot and the whole crew was friendly and helpful and we felt safe and happy. Five stars for everything. Thank you again

We booked this cruise in particular because it was wheelchair accessible. We were traveling with a friend who is in a wheelchair and we wanted to be able to get her out on the ocean. The crew was fantastic! The ramp was easy and we sat in the front of the boat.
On this cruise to Ke'alakekua, not only was there a wonderful bartender, but also a fabulous array of appetizers and a yummy dinner. AND there was a historian, named Boyd, who was able to tell us the history of the areas we were cruising by. Kudos to Boyd! IN ADDITION to all of this, we were suprised to find out the crew had fishing lines out and caught three large fish! Very exciting for us and also the crew.
This is just a great company with a great crew wo do hospitality right. Loved it all!

Since I booked the Royal Kona Luau online in January 2012, I expected that my seating would have been closer to the stage. Those who book the earliest deserve to have better seating. To me, that would be fair.

The setting for the luau was ideal with ocean waves as a backdrop and the view of a perfect Pacific sunset. Master of Ceremonies and hula dancers were very entertaining.

It was my first time boarding a submarine, and the staff were kind and very helpful. The seabed, which we descended to 100 feet, was naturally filled with fish swimming freely, giving a different impression compared to an aquarium. I highly recommend this activity.

初めての潜水艦への乗船でしたが、スタッフの方が親切でとても良かったです。100ftまで潜った海底は、当然のことながら魚が自由に動き回っていて、水族館とはまた違ったイメージに感じました。このアクティビティは、お薦めです。

The meal was delicious, and the show was enjoyable, but at the beginning, we felt awkward because we didn't understand when the attendees were supposed to stand, so we were the only ones sitting. If you're not good at English conversation, it's okay to just follow what everyone else is doing. The sunset was incredibly beautiful, so I felt like we got more than just the show.

食事美味しく、ショーも楽しかったのですが初めのほうで参列者の起立が分からず私たちだけ椅子に座ったままで気まずい思いをしました。英会話が苦手な人は周りに合わせて行動すればＯＫです。サンセットがすごく綺麗でしたので、ショーの他に得した気分でした。

I participated on May 4th.

I had a great time meeting so many dolphins!

I dove into the area where the dolphins were swimming, and I was surprised when a pod came towards me?!

I was able to see many dolphins. There were dolphins jumping and spinning like in a show, playful dolphins, and mother-and-baby dolphins as well.

I felt surrounded, as if I was swimming with them.

I love the sound of dolphins, so being enveloped by their voices made me very happy.

Please be sure to experience it.

I highly recommend it!!

Thanks to Mr. Nawata. I would love to repeat this if I can go back to the Big Island.

5/4に参加させていただきました。

たくさんのイルカに会えてとても楽しかったです！

イルカが泳いでる所にダイブするんですが、イルカの群れが自分に向かってくる？！ってびっくり。

たくさんのイルカを見ることができました。
ショーのようにジャンプして回転してるイルカや
遊び好きなイルカ、親子イルカもいました。

囲まれてまるで一緒に泳いでるような気分になれました。

イルカの声が好きなので、声に包まれる感じでとても幸せでした。

ぜひ体験してみて下さい。

おすすめです！！

縄田さんに感謝。
ハワイ島にまたいけたらリピートしたいと思います

I participated in late July, but unfortunately, I couldn't see any manta rays. However, I was told that if I didn't see them, I could join again, so I tried again, but I still didn't see any that day. It's disappointing, but since it's nature, there's nothing that can be done. I would like to participate again if I have the chance, as I don't think there are many places where you can easily see manta rays like this.

The staff were friendly, which was great. The sunset from the port was also very beautiful. I had no trouble getting to the meeting place because I followed the comments from previous posts.

７月下旬に参加したんですが、残念ながらマンタには会えませんでした。
ただ、見えなければもう１回参加できるとの事で再挑戦しましたが、この日も会えませんでした。
こんな事もあるんですね。すっごく残念ですが自然のものなので仕方ないですね。
でもまた機会があれば参加したいです。こんなに簡単にマンタに会える場所はそうそう無いと思うので。

スタッフの方もフレンドリーでよかったです。港からの夕陽もとってもキレイでした。
集合場所も前に投稿されてた方のコメントを見て行ったので問題なく行けました。

During our 3-night, 5-day trip to Hawaii, we found and participated in this early morning tour (a sea kayaking and snorkeling tour) despite our limited time.

Since there were only the two of us participating, it was our first time sea kayaking, but it was great that we could go at our own pace.

I can't swim, so I was scared of snorkeling even with a life jacket, but thanks to Kevin holding my hand and guiding me, I was able to enjoy it with peace of mind.

Both Kevin and Noni were very considerate, always keeping an eye on us during the tour, which made for a pleasant experience. If I have the chance to go to the Big Island again, I would like to try the cave tour next time.

Thank you very much.

３泊５日のハワイ旅行で、時間に限りがある中、こちらの早朝のツアー（シーカヤックとシュノーケリングのツアー）を見つけ参加させていただきました。

参加者は私たち二人だけだったので、シーカヤックは初めてだったのですが、自分たちのペースに合わせていただけたので良かったです。

私は泳げないため、ライフジャケットを着ていてもシュノーケリングが怖かったのですが、ケビンさんが手を取って誘導してくれたおかげで、安心して楽しむこともできました。

ケビンさんもノニさんも細やかな気遣いをされる方だったのでツアー中、常に私達を気にかけてくれ、気持ちよく参加することができました。
また、ハワイ島に行くことがあれば、今度は洞窟のツアーにも参加してみたいです。

ありがとうございました。

I encountered a large group of dolphins and swam with them, feeling as if I had become a dolphin myself. Since they are wild, we shouldn't touch them. Although we participated as a family, out of six people, everyone except one child got quite seasick due to the boat and the waves. That said, it was still a very enjoyable experience overall!

イルカの大群に遭遇していっしょに泳ぎ、まるで自分がイルカになったかのような気分。野生なので触ってはいけません。ただ、ファミリーでの参加でしたが、船と海の揺れで6人中子供1人を除いてみんな相当な船酔いしました。それもやむなしで、トータルとても楽しかったです！

Although my favorite island is Kauai, my husband and I always take a side trip over to the big island, just because I have to snorkel at Kealakekua Bay! The first time we did it we took the Zodiac boat which was lots of fun, fast, wet, and bouncy. With that said the last three times we have chosen the Fair Wind! This large catamaran provides a wonderful relaxing ride over to the bay and they cook you a wonderful barbecue lunch in addition to a continental breakfast. There is lots of time to snorkel which is totally amazing! The coral and fish are beautiful. My favorite area is around the coral on the monument side. You will see lots of different fish and be sure and go back and snorkel some more after lunch! The catamaran does have slides and high platforms to jump off of, but the best part is snorkeling. They do offer snuba too, if you enjoy that. I highly recommend this tour. It is the best! Don't forget your underwater camera. Enjoy the attached pics.

I participated in the early morning plan because I was scheduled to join another optional tour in the afternoon.

Since I was staying at the Sheraton Hotel, it was easy to reach the meeting point in front of the hotel sign in just 2-3 minutes on foot. When I arrived, the guide Kevin was already waiting for us and greeted us warmly. When my friend was a bit late and tried to run, Kevin showed a thoughtful concern typical of Japanese people, saying, "Don't run! It's okay."

I learned that he had lived in Japan for over 20 years, and throughout the activity, I felt that his humility and kind, polite demeanor were even more Japanese than many Japanese people. The other guide, Noni, I believe is Japanese as well, and both of them can speak Japanese, so those who are worried about their English can participate with peace of mind!

This was my first experience with kayaking and snorkeling, and my friend had only tried it once before, so we were both beginners. After receiving a simple explanation, we quickly headed out to sea for a bit of practice before setting off! At first, I was a bit tense, but with constant advice from the guides, I gradually got used to it and was able to paddle along comfortably and enjoyably.

When we reached the snorkeling point, after a brief explanation of the snorkels, masks, and fins, we started snorkeling! When my friend was scared, Kevin took her hand and swam with her, and we both had a great time. It was fun to see schools of beautiful yellow fish, but since I have poor eyesight and usually wear glasses, I thought it would be nice to have a mask (goggles?) for people with bad vision, but I still enjoyed it thoroughly!

Both guides answered our questions and made it easy to enjoy casual conversations. Kevin's love for nature and gentle personality really shone through, while Noni was calm and composed, providing solid support, which left a strong impression on me.

While the content of the activities is important, the wonderful personalities of the two guides allowed us to spend a relaxing and healing time. If I come back to the Big Island, I definitely want to participate in their activities again.

I highly recommend it to everyone!!

　午後から他のオプショナルツアーに参加予定だったので早朝プランに参加しました。

　シェラトンホテルに滞在していたので徒歩２~３分で集合場所のホテル看板前に着くことができ、楽でした。到着するとすでにガイドのケビンさんが待っていてくれて、やさしく出迎えてくれました。彼女が少し遅れて走って来ようとすると「走らないで！大丈夫ですよ」とケビンさんが日本人のような細やかな気遣いをみせてくれました。
　話を聞くと日本に２０数年住まわれていたそうで腰の低さや親切丁寧な対応は日本人よりも日本人らしい人だなとアクティビティ中終始感じました。
　もう１人のガイドのノニさんは日本人だと思いますが、お二人とも日本語が話せるので英語に不安のある方も安心して参加することが出来ます！

　私はカヤックとシュノーケルは初体験で、彼女も一度体験しただけのほとんど素人でしたが、簡単な説明を受けた後すぐに海に出て少し練習し、いざ海原へ出発！　最初は力が入りすぎたりしていましたが、逐一アドバイスもしてもらえ、徐々に慣れてゆったりと楽しみながら漕ぎ進むことができました。

　シュノーケルのポイントに着くとシュノーケルやマスク、フィンの説明後、いざシュノーケル開始！彼女が怖がっているとケビンさんが手を取って一緒に泳いでくれ、二人とも楽しむことができました。黄色いきれいな魚の群れが見れたりして楽しかったのですが、私は視力が悪く普段はメガネをかけているので目が悪い人用のマスク（ゴーグル？）があれば良いなと思いましたが、それでも十分楽しむことが出来ました！

　ガイドのお二人はこちらの質問にも色々答えてくれたりで気楽に会話も楽しむことができ、ケビンさんの自然が大好きでやさしい人柄が伝わってきたり、ノニさんは穏やかで落ちついていてしっかりとサポートしている姿が印象的でした。

　アクティビティの内容も大事ですが、ガイドお二人の人柄が素晴らしく、ゆったりと癒しの時間を過ごすことが出来ました。またハワイ島に来ることがあったら、お二人のアクティビティに必ず参加したいと思います。

皆さんにお勧めです！！

After reading the reviews, I signed up for the early morning tour, but since the schedule didn't work out, I couldn't give up and rebooked for the afternoon through HIS after arriving on-site.

I wanted to explore the underwater caves, so I opted for the ambitious plan (kayaking/snorkeling/stand-up paddleboarding) at Keauhou Bay.

I thought it would be a group activity with multiple participants, but it turned out to be just the two of us. They mentioned that they used to have larger groups for tours, but due to the difficulty in keeping an eye on everyone and the waiting times that reduced the actual activity time, they now prefer smaller groups.

I was quite anxious about the ocean activities since I can hardly swim and was worried about the language barrier, but Noni, who has an Asian appearance (possibly of Japanese descent?), spoke Japanese, and Kevin was also fluent in Japanese, which put me at ease.

There were four of us in total: the guide Kevin (male), Noni (female), and the two of us, each in our own kayak (one for the guide team and one for us).

Even though we usually don't exercise at all (a man in his late 40s and a woman in her late 30s), we had a great time.

Unfortunately, the weather was cloudy that day, but we monopolized the Pacific Ocean while kayaking. During snorkeling, I used my life jacket as a kickboard and enjoyed the underwater scenery without realizing how much time had passed until I was called back. Honestly, I had no expectations for the stand-up paddleboarding, but it turned out to be surprisingly fun. (My companion encountered a sea turtle just as they lost their balance and fell in!)

The two hours flew by. It might not be enough for those who want to take their time with each activity, but I highly recommend it for anyone looking to experience some fun in the ocean.

こちらの口コミを拝見して、早朝ツアーを申し込んだところ、スケジュールがあわず、
あきらめきれずに、現地到着後、HIS経由で午後の時間に再度申し込みをしました。

海中洞窟探検をしたかったのですが、
欲張りプラン（カヤック／シュノーケル／スタンドアップ・パドル・ボード）をケアウホウ湾で。

複数グループのアクティビティかと思っていましたが、私たち２人だけ。
以前はもう少し大人数でツアーをしていたが、目が届かないことと、待ち時間ができてしまって本来の時間が減ってしまうので少人数にしていますとのこと。

私はほとんど泳げないので海のアクティビティは言葉が通じないと不安だと思っていましたが、
ノニさんがアジア顔（日系？）で日本語、ケビンさんも日本語が堪能で安心できました。

ガイドのケビンさん（男性）とノニさん（女性）と４人で２艘のカヤック（ガイドチームと私たちで１艘ずつ）。

普段まったく運動をしていない私たち（40代後半男性、30代後半女性）でも十分楽しめました。

当日はあいにくの曇天でしたが、カヤックで太平洋独り占め、
シュノーケルではライフジャケットをビート板代わりにして、呼ばれるまで気づかず、海の様子を楽しみました。
スタンドアップパドルボードは正直全く期待してなかったのですが、やってみたら意外と楽しくて、
（連れはちょうどバランスを崩して落ちた時にウミガメに遭遇していました！）
あっという間の２時間でした。

それぞれじっくりやりたい方には物足りないかもしれませんが、とりあえず海遊びを体験したいという方にはオススメです。

We saved the best for last , attended the night before we flew home . Everybody said it was the best time they had in the 2 weeks we spent on the big island. We loved it!!!!

I participated in an afternoon cruise. I drove a rental car to the meeting point for the tour. The weather was nice, and the boat didn't rock much, but while I was fiddling with my camera and looking for my belongings, I started to feel a bit queasy. Since it takes time to get to Kealakekua Bay, I think it's better to take it slow and enjoy the view outside for a while after boarding.

The sea was very beautiful, and I could see all the way to the bottom. There were also many small fish. The boat was equipped not only with snorkeling sets but also with floaties and some kind of tool that allows you to look into the water without putting your face in it.

Only the consent form for the first tour was available in Japanese, but everything on the boat was in English. Since they also discuss safety precautions, I wouldn't recommend it for someone who doesn't understand English at all.

On the way back, we encountered dolphins, and they swam alongside the boat for a while, so we were able to enjoy some dolphin watching. It was a very satisfying tour.

アフタヌーンクルーズに参加しました。ツアーの集合地点まではレンタカーで。天気は良く船も揺れなかったのですが、カメラをいじったり荷物を探したりしていたら少し酔いそうになりました。ケアラケクア湾へは時間がかかるので乗ってしばらくはゆっくり外を眺めていた方が良いと思います。
海はとても綺麗で底の方まで見渡せました。小さな魚もたくさんいます。船にはシュノーケリングセットだけでなく浮き輪や、顔を水につけずに水を覗き込める道具（？）等も準備されていました。
最初のツアーへの参加同意書のみ日本語の紙も用意されていましたが、船の中では全て英語です。注意事項等も話されるのでまったく英語がわからない人にはおすすめできないと思います。
帰りにはイルカに遭遇し、しばらく船と一緒に泳いでくれたのでイルカウォッチングまで楽しめました。とても満足のいくツアーでした。

I was assisted by a very kind person named Kevin, who is fluent in Japanese. We started our adventure from the port near the Sheraton Hotel, setting off on a sea kayak. After about 30 minutes, we arrived at a cave known as "Dragon's Throat," where an impressive sight awaited us. Next, we went to a spot with a water depth of about 5 to 8 meters, filled with coral and many fish, and began snorkeling. We were able to see fish, and on that day, we even spotted a sea turtle! Additionally, we could jump off the rocks, lie down on warm lava rock formations, and enjoy some light snacks that were prepared for us. The chilled pineapple was delicious! If you are prone to seasickness, I recommend taking medication beforehand.

ケビンさんという日本語の大変上手で優しい方が担当してくれました。最初はシェラントンホテルの傍にある港からシーカヤックで出発。３０分程度で竜の喉？と呼ばれる洞窟に到着し、この中は大迫力の光景が広がっています．次に水深5~8mくらいある珊瑚と魚がたくさんいるスポットに行き、シュノーケリング開始．魚を見たり、この日はウミガメも見る事が出来ました！他にも岩場から飛び込んだり、温かい溶岩の岩盤に寝転んだり、軽食を準備してくれているので食事したりできます．冷えたパイナップル美味しかった！海なので酔いやすい方は薬を飲んでおくのがオススメします．

I did this helicopter ride with my husband and 12 yr old son. It was fantastic! We got lucky and had a sunny day, and the views of the island were amazing. We saw some lava flows, we saw waterfalls, and the pilot shared lots of information. We saw a house that had recently been destroyed by lava flow, and all that was left was a bit of roof. We had never done a helicopter ride, and I was a bit nervous about it. We rode with the doors on. It was very smooth, and the views made me forget to be nervous. I felt very safe actually. Our pilot (Aaron) was completely competent and friendly and knowledgeable. I got to sit in the front, next to the pilot. My husband and son sat behind us and they had a great time. Its expensive, but its worth doing at least once. You'll get a view of the island that you can't see any other way.

We participated as a family. Thank you for preparing prescription goggles for my nearsighted son. We had the precious experience of being surrounded by dolphins. It was an indescribable emotion. The staff were very kind and their work was professional! When I called the day before, they properly informed me about the meeting place and precautions, which was very helpful. Not only did we see dolphins, but we also spotted manta rays and whales. I felt the beauty of nature on the Big Island, as well as the warmth of the people. The other families who participated were also very friendly, making it a fun time. I absolutely recommend this tour!

家族で参加させていただきました。
近視の息子の為に、度付きのゴーグルまで用意していただいてありがとうございました。
イルカに囲まれるという貴重な体験が出来ました。
これは、言葉では言い表せない感動でした。
スタッフの方は、とても親切で、そして、仕事はプロフェッショナル！前日に電話した時も、きちんと集合場所や注意事項をおしえてくれたので、とても助かりました。
なんと、イルカだけでなく、マンタ、クジラまで見れました。
ハワイ島の自然の素晴らしさだけでなく、人々の温かさも感じました。一緒に参加したご家族の方も、とてもフレンドリーで、楽しいひと時でした。
このツアー、絶対お勧めです！

I participated in the afternoon tour. I received a reservation confirmation email that mentioned to call for confirmation the day before, but it might be a bit challenging for those who can't speak English.

I drove to the location with a rental car. The parking lot was far from the office and hard to find, so having a map in advance would be helpful.

The boat was fairly large, and I didn't feel seasick at all. We encountered dolphins along the way. There were light snacks and drinks available on board.

The sea was incredibly beautiful, and I was able to see many fish, coral reefs, and sea urchins. There was also a slide, which was fun.

I was surprised to see an elderly woman, who looked to be over 80 years old and bent over, entering the water! Of course, she had someone accompanying her.

Since it wasn't summer, it was cold when we got out of the water.

アフタヌーンツアーに参加。
前日に確認の電話を！と予約確認メールであり電話しましたが、英語なのでしゃべれない人はちょっと大変かも。
レンタカーで現地へ。駐車場が事務所から離れていて分かりにくかったので、あらかじめ地図などあると助かります。
船はまぁまぁ大きく全く酔いませんでした。途中イルカに遭遇。
船内では軽いスナックと飲み物あり。
海はすごく綺麗で沢山の魚やサンゴ礁ウニなど観ることができました。滑り台もあり楽しめました。
また、もう80才以上ではないかと思われる腰の曲がったおばあさんが海に入っていたのにはビックリです！！もちろん1人付き添っていましたが。
夏ではないので、海から上がった時は寒かったです。

It was phenominal. Incredible views and good commentary from the pilot. I would definitely recommend a wind breaker if going with the doors off.

Overall, it was an incredibly exciting experience. It was a fun time.

On the last day of my stay, it became an even better memory. I want to see it again!

とにかく、最高に盛り上がれる。
楽しい時間でした。

滞在最終日にしてさらにいい思い出になりました。
また観たい！

My husband and I were first time visitors to Hawaii. Going to a luah was one activity we chose. We took advantage of the preferred seating and felt it was worth the money. We were seated right in the front, were able to go first to the buffet and received $5 off our picture and paid only $5 for parking. The entertainment was truly amazing. The food was o.k but we didn't expect a whole lot. The dancers even stood at the exit so you could get a picture with them.

On March 4, 2012, I participated in a tour with Aloha Kona Tours for my honeymoon. During this time, if you're lucky, you can see not only dolphins but also whales.

We were fortunate enough to encounter whales. Moreover, we were much closer than typical whale watching experiences (within 10 meters). In fact, they were swimming right under the boat. On our way back after swimming with the dolphins, a whale jumped right in front of us. I was so excited that I couldn't say anything other than "Wow!" (It was the same for Mr. Nawata from Aloha Kona Tours, right? lol)

There are various discussions about Japan's whaling practices, but I think this experience is one that everyone should have if possible. It had a significant impact on my personal perspective.

There were also plenty of dolphins. I was able to swim while dolphins were right in front of me. Experiencing "swimming with a pod of dolphins" is something you definitely can't do in Japan. Dolphins are just so cute, and there were even mother and baby pairs. I was able to swim multiple times by anticipating the movement of the pod. I got so excited that I swam too much.

As for what to bring, in addition to swimwear, it's a good idea to have a waterproof digital camera. I'll post some photos as well.

Thanks to Mr. Nawata and Ms. Tsuyako from Aloha Kona Tours, I had a safe and incredibly fun experience. (In fact, they were enjoying it with us, too! lol) Honestly, if you're going to the Big Island, you should definitely join this tour.

2012年3月4日にハネムーンでAloha Kona Toursのツアーに参加しました。
この時期は運が良ければイルカだけでなく、クジラも見ることが出来ます。

私たちは正にそれで、クジラと遭遇できました。
しかも、よくあるホエールウォッチングとは比較にならない近さでした。(10m以内)
というかボートの下を通ってました。
また、イルカと泳いだ帰りにも目の前でクジラがジャンプしました。
興奮しすぎて「すげぇ！」以外の言葉が出てこなかったです。
(Aloha Kona Tours縄田さんもでしたよねw）

日本人は調査捕鯨の話などでいろいろありますが、この体験は出来ればした方がいいと思いました。
私個人の考え方にとてもインパクトを与えました。

イルカもたくさん居ました。
目の前にイルカが居る状態で泳げました。
「イルカの群れと泳ぐ」なんて体験は絶対に日本では出来ません。
イルカはとにかくカワイイです。親子連れとかも居ました。
群れの移動に先回りして何回も泳ぐことが出来ました。
テンション上がり過ぎて泳ぎ過ぎました。

持ち物としては水着等以外にも防水タイプのデジカメがあった方がいいです。
写真も投稿しておきます。

Aloha Kona Tours縄田さん・つやこさんのおかげで、安全にとても楽しい体験が出来ました。
(むしろ一緒になって楽しんでましたね(笑)）
お世辞抜きにハワイ島へ行くならこのツアーに参加すべきです。