Reviewed by: Lana
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 😊
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| Packages: | Waikoloa Sunset Sail |
| Attended as: | Families |
| Weather: | Sunny |
| Posted on: | 2025/08/05 |
| Activity Date: | 2025/08/03 |
Reviewed by: In your face manta experience
Really cool experience for the family. Adult kids of 23,21,18 really enjoyed it as well. Very friendly staff, manta rays got within inches of your face and even brushed up against you on occasion. Definitely an excursion that doesn’t take up a whole day or afternoon and you can squeeze in if your looking for something to do after dark
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| Packages: | Night Manta Discovery Adventure |
| Attended as: | Families |
| Posted on: | 2025/08/05 |
| Activity Date: | 2025/08/03 |
Reviewed by: ポコポコ
My wife was initially scared to board, but it wasn't too bumpy, and while receiving explanations in Japanese, we were able to see various mountains, volcanic craters, and waterfalls from the helicopter, which was moving. The price was a bit high, but we created wonderful memories that were worth it.
家内は最初乗車するのが怖がっていましたが、
たいして揺れることもなく、日本語での説明をしてもらいながら
色々な山や火口付近・滝などをヘリコプターから見られて
感動しました。
お値段はちょっと高額ですが、それ以上に良い思い出が出来ました。
Be careful of battery drain when filming videos on your smartphone! (I ran out of battery.) I was surprised that there was no turbulence at all during takeoff and landing. I find jet planes scarier.
スマートフォンで動画を撮影するときは電池切れに注意!(私は切れてしまいました)
離陸&着陸時全然揺れずビックリしました。ジェット機の方が怖いです。
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| Packages: | 基本プラン |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Weather: | Sunny |
| Posted on: | 2025/08/03 |
| Activity Date: | 2025/08/02 |
Reviewed by: Ryu
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。
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| Packages: | 14:00出港(シュノーケル1.5時間) |
| Attended as: | Families |
| Weather: | Sunny |
| Posted on: | 2025/08/02 |
| Activity Date: | 2025/07/29 |
Reviewed by: ラブレ
The horses were beautiful and cute, and the female guide was very friendly, speaking slowly and kindly, which made it a lot of fun. I participated again this year, just like last year. It was truly enjoyable, just like before. There were also flush toilets, and they had a good selection of rental items like windbreakers, which was helpful. Additionally, the pet dogs and cats were unbelievably friendly, and they brought me a lot of comfort.
馬も綺麗で可愛くガイドの女性も非常にフレンドリーでゆっくり丁寧に話してくれて、とても楽しかったので、昨年に続き参加しました。前回同様本当に楽しかったです。水洗トイレもあり、ウインドブレーカーなど貸し出し用グッツもそろっていて助かりました。またペットの犬猫達も信じられない位人懐っこい性格で、彼らにも癒されました。
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| Packages: | 1.5時間プラン |
| Attended as: | Families |
| Weather: | Cloudy |
| Posted on: | 2025/08/02 |
| Activity Date: | 2025/07/28 |
Reviewed by: Mama Bear
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!
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| Packages: | From Kona & Waikoloa - Solar Viewing & Stargazing with Dinner |
| Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
| Weather: | Rainy |
| Posted on: | 2025/08/01 |
| Activity Date: | 2025/07/31 |
Reviewed by: Shelli
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
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| Packages: | 30-Minute Waikoloa Glass Bottom Boat Cruise |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Weather: | Sunny |
| Posted on: | 2025/07/28 |
| Activity Date: | 2025/07/26 |
Reviewed by: Yuki
Participating as a family of four was truly a courageous choice, especially considering the impact of the exchange rate, but I'm so glad we decided to go for it! It was my first time on a helicopter, and thanks to the thoughtful care of the staff and pilot, I was able to enjoy it without any worries. I wanted to see the Kilauea volcano erupting magma, and I was able to capture that on video to show my elderly mother who was waiting back in Japan. Additionally, we chose a tour that included a stop at a waterfall, and that turned out to be a fantastic decision! It allowed us to truly experience the lush nature of the Big Island. The view of the mountains and valleys from the sea, the green landscape, the blue coral reef waters, and the brown-black of the volcano and lava were all so vibrant and unforgettable. Plus, we were greeted by a cute dog! I wholeheartedly recommend this tour.
為替レートの影響もあり、家族4人で参加するのは本当に勇気がいる選択でしたが、思い切って参加してよかったです!人生初のヘリコプターも、スタッフとパイロットの細やかな心遣いで心配せず、心から楽しむことができました。キラウェア火山がマグマを噴き上げている様子を見たくて参加したのですが、その動画も撮って、日本で待っていた年老いた母にも見せることができました。また、せっかくならば・・・と滝に寄るツアーにしたのですが、これが大正解!自然豊かなハワイ島を感じる内容となりました。海から見る山や谷の緑とサンゴ礁の海の青、火山や溶岩の茶黒。カラフルで自然の姿をしっかりと目に焼き付けることができました。そして、アイドル犬が出迎えてくれます。とってもキュートですよ。心からお薦めのツアーです。
The UV rays are strong. My eyes are sensitive to UV light, so I wore sunglasses. You can only bring sunglasses and one bottle of water (which is provided for free), so it's best to prepare sunblock an
紫外線が強いです。私は目が紫外線に弱いので、サングラスをしていきました。サングラス、水1本(無料配布)以外は持ち込みできないので、日焼け止めクリームなどの日焼け対策は事前にしっかりとした方がよいです。
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| Attended as: | Families |
| Weather: | Sunny |
| Posted on: | 2025/07/28 |
| Activity Date: | 2025/07/09 |
Reviewed by: Yuki
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。
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| Packages: | プレミアムシート |
| Attended as: | Families |
| Weather: | Sunny |
| Posted on: | 2025/07/27 |
| Activity Date: | 2025/07/04 |
Reviewed by: jeri
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)
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| Packages: | 30-Minute Deluxe Encounter - Ages 10 & Up |
| Attended as: | Friends |
| Weather: | Sunny |
| Posted on: | 2025/07/26 |
| Activity Date: | 2025/07/24 |
Reviewed by: John
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!
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| Packages: | Waipio Valley Shuttle & Off-Road Tour Package |
| Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
| Weather: | Cloudy |
| Posted on: | 2025/07/25 |
| Activity Date: | 2025/07/22 |
Reviewed by: Shana and Steve
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.
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| Packages: | Snorkel Sail |
| Attended as: | Friends |
| Weather: | Sunny |
| Posted on: | 2025/07/24 |
| Activity Date: | 2025/07/22 |
Reviewed by: Shana and Steve
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.
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| Packages: | Waipio Valley Shuttle & Off-Road Tour Package |
| Attended as: | Friends |
| Weather: | Cloudy |
| Posted on: | 2025/07/24 |
| Activity Date: | 2025/07/23 |
Reviewed by: Holly & Dan
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!!
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| Packages: | Morning Dolphins Kayak Tour |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Weather: | Cloudy |
| Posted on: | 2025/07/23 |
| Activity Date: | 2025/07/21 |
Reviewed by: Rebecca
We’ve been with family. Children 12 and 10 years old. All of us were so excited and totally happy with this experience!
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| Packages: | Swim with Mantas |
| Attended as: | Families |
| Posted on: | 2025/07/23 |
| Activity Date: | 2025/07/21 |
Reviewed by: Jamie
We had an amazing time on the water kayaking, exploring caves, and snorkeling! Our guide Ryan was super helpful, patient, and very knowledgeable.
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| Packages: | Dolphin Watch Kayak & Snorkel Sea Cave Tour [4 hours] |
| Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
| Weather: | Sunny |
| Posted on: | 2025/07/23 |
| Activity Date: | 2025/07/21 |
Reviewed by: Maria
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!
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| Packages: | Dinner Cruise |
| Attended as: | Families |
| Weather: | Cloudy |
| Posted on: | 2025/07/22 |
| Activity Date: | 2025/07/20 |
Reviewed by: う~りん
I can't catch even a mahi-mahi, let alone a marlin. Wouldn't it be better to move the boat closer to where the baitfish are? Am I watching too much of "Ooma's Tuna Fishing" on TV? (laughs)
カジキどころかシイラすら釣れん
もっとナブラしてる付近に船移動させたら釣れるんと違うの?
“おおまのマグロ漁”TV見過ぎかな(笑)
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| Packages: | 【混載ツアー】4時間 |
| Attended as: | Families |
| Posted on: | 2025/07/22 |
| Activity Date: | 2025/07/20 |
Reviewed by: Mook10
This was by far the most memorable thing our family did on the Big Island, it’s got to be one of the most amazing things we’ve ever done together. Stop reading this review and go book your trip now. You won’t regret it.
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| Packages: | Night Manta Discovery Adventure |
| Attended as: | Families |
| Weather: | Sunny |
| Posted on: | 2025/07/21 |
| Activity Date: | 2025/07/19 |
Reviewed by: Steph
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.
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| Packages: | From Hilo - Rainbow Falls, Kaumana Caves, Solar Viewing & Stargazing with Dinner |
| Attended as: | Families |
| Weather: | Cloudy |
| Posted on: | 2025/07/20 |
| Activity Date: | 2025/07/18 |
Reviewed by: AJH
Pros: pig roast being done onsite, got to witness uncovering and presentation of the pig. (my son hated this portion!). menu and performances were both great! I liked different island nations being represented in music and dance and a little bit of story telling/history to tie it together. performance was good length and sunset was gorgeous! desserts and beverages were also delicious.
Cons: attempted to check in entire luau at one time slot. made for a lot of time waisted waiting in hotel lobby check in line. check in inside and then second check in outside felt redundant. we arrived at 5:22, email confirmation had suggested 5:30 check in, but spent several (20+ minutes) waiting to check in. by the time we arrived in luau area, we missed the 'activities' portion of the luau. we also missed the royal entrance of the luau show. we did however have great seats so first-come-first-seated wasn't an issue.
brief meet and greet with performers after the show felt rushed -- they were spread along exit sidewalk and available for a quick picture but were ushering us along immediately, without any chit chat -- which is a huge difference compared to other luaus.
professional photography of your party was an additional $25 for digital download. fresh lei's were an additional $10 each, which in my opinion were reasonably priced but I've had digital photography and leis included at other similarly-priced luaus.
having dined at this marriott the night before and spoken to several guests in the week it seems this particular marriott has become quite overpriced for the level of service and age of property it's become. it has an outstanding location, but is overpriced for the level of service or hospitality i've experienced at other similarly priced marriotts in the islands. pool and restaurants were crowded and bonvoy perks were lacking/zero. kids meals were reasonable, but got charged $10 each for kids scoop of vanilla icecream.
go earlier than confirmation email suggests if pre-show activities or royal entrance are important.
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| Packages: | Ohana Package |
| Attended as: | Families |
| Weather: | Cloudy |
| Posted on: | 2025/07/19 |
| Activity Date: | 2025/07/15 |
Reviewed by: AJH
Captain and crew of Ocean Encounters 1 dove in ahead of guests, made a plan, and navigated us there. Honestly, we had a great viewing spot and several other boats' guests were eager to move into our spot upon our exiting. Boats are staggered and have a neighborly way of communicating where/when/how each group will be staggered but I would have been disappointed to be in one of the peripheral groups. These are wild animals, so no telling what each evening will look like, but was glad to have a captain who led the charge.
Tips: It is a bit of a rough ride for 20 mins out and approx 20 minutes back. If you are someone who suffers from carsickness or seasickness, highly recommend treating for that before you leave. We had 2 of 30 guests puking over the sides. I gave my carsick kiddo dramamine about an hour before-- no issues.
Do have inexperienced family members practice snorkeling ahead of tour so that they can spend the entire 45 minutes head down in the water enjoying the fish and rays and the learning is done in a pool or bay ahead of time. There were zero swimming skills necessary on this trip but knowing how to calmly enjoy breathing through a snorkel for an extended period was the difference between guests who really enjoyed and guests who didn't. There was a surfboard with handles that the group held on to, which was pulled into position by the guides.
Do warn your kiddos that these rays are HUGE. My youngest expected small 3-4 foot rays like we have in our aquarium and was initially very surprised (terrified) by the 12-15 wingspan on some of these beautiful creatures. They got right up in our personal bubble/faces/immediately underneath bellies and legs so do be ready for up-close amazing experience.
Do not bring a bunch of stuff/items as they end up dripped on and/or in the way. If the weather is warm all you need is shoes that are okay getting wet/dripped on, and a towel. They provided water and light packaged snacks on the return trip.
Take more pictures and consider taking and sharing photos with fellow tour guests.
| Rating: | |
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| Packages: | Standard Package: Sunset Manta Snorkel |
| Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
| Weather: | Sunny |
| Posted on: | 2025/07/19 |
| Activity Date: | 2025/07/16 |
Reviewed by: DanMar
Just got back from our tour, but if you're questioning of splurging, take these into consideration: these are based on my experience tonight.
1) liking the convenience of a tour guide driving to the summit. But if the sunset view is what you’re after- you can drive to the summit yourself. Everyone follows the rule of leaving the observatory after sunset. Totally understandable. STUNNNNING views. Keep in mind it’s gravel paved and quite treacherous at night- but doable.
2) huge upset: if stargazing is what you’re after- like me. I was disappointed that they only show THREE views through telescope. Three. That’s it. First was a cluster of random stars. Second, after math of a super nova. Third was millions of stars what believed to be pulled in by a black hole. Amazing stuff, but that’s all you get. I was reading other previous reviews and they seem to enjoy more bang for their buck. The tour guide did go over the constellations using a laser and showed some stars in the sky without needing the telescope- but if you’re wanting to see planets, stars up close, we were limited to three.
3) food was okay- salty lasagna. Just save some few bucks and bring your own food.
4) bundle up-long sleeve and pants, close toe shoes is a must. It gets cold at night. They do offer parkas and gloves.
Would I want to do this again? Not after tonight. It was overpriced for what they offer.
| Rating: | |
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| Packages: | Mauna Kea Sunset & Stargazing Tour with Dinner |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Weather: | Sunny |
| Posted on: | 2025/07/15 |
| Activity Date: | 2025/07/14 |
Reviewed by: Duncan Miller
Sam was fantastic - really gave us all an exceptional tour of the night sky and was very knowledgable and great with the kids too!
| Rating: | |
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| Packages: | From Kona & Waikoloa - Solar Viewing & Stargazing with Dinner |
| Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
| Weather: | Sunny |
| Posted on: | 2025/07/15 |
| Activity Date: | 2025/07/13 |
Reviewed by: Kara
Watching these huge sized manta rays glide beneath us was surreal! Best experience hands down.
| Rating: | |
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| Packages: | Manta Ray Night Snorkel with Sunset Cruise |
| Attended as: | Families |
| Posted on: | 2025/07/14 |
| Activity Date: | 2025/06/11 |
Reviewed by: Rained out
Of course you can’t predict rain in Hawaii but you can have spots to seek cover. The event did pass out rain plastic but only once at the beginning and we did not get any.
Once the rain passed there was no attempt to wipe chairs so even if the rain stopped you were still soaked.
The hurried the show to see a quick fire dancer set but that was not that good.
Even without the rain you couldn’t see. The tables in rows made it difficult. The food was ok. The drinks didn’t not taste like any alcohol was in them just super sweet drinks. Overall I was not happy with the event.
Look for a smaller venue.
| Rating: | |
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| Packages: | Royal Kona Resort - Standard Luau Package |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Weather: | Rainy |
| Posted on: | 2025/07/12 |
| Activity Date: | 2025/06/18 |
Reviewed by: LK
Zip line over 250 foot waterfall. Great fun. Mirabell & Calista were fantastic guides, made our day.
| Rating: | |
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| Packages: | Zipline Adventure |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2025/07/12 |
| Activity Date: | 2025/07/10 |
Reviewed by: Kara
Highlights included walking through Volcanoes National Park, seeing steam vents and lava fields up close, the stunning black sand beach at Punaluʻu, and panoramic views over Waipiʻo Valley.
| Rating: | |
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| Packages: | Grand Circle Island & Volcanoes National Park |
| Attended as: | Families |
| Posted on: | 2025/06/30 |
| Activity Date: | 2025/05/31 |
Reviewed by: Kara
It’s a long day, but absolutely packed with jaw-dropping sights and well-paced stops.
| Rating: | |
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| Packages: | Grand Circle Island & Volcanoes National Park |
| Attended as: | Families |
| Posted on: | 2025/06/30 |
| Activity Date: | 2025/05/31 |
Reviewed by: Slcude
We usually skip tours and try to experience places through the locals, soaking in real culture over curated stops. But this tour into Waipio Valley with Forrest changed everything.
From the start, it was clear this wasn’t a typical tour. Forrest’s love for the valley, his deep knowledge of its history and sacredness, and his powerful storytelling made us feel connected to every inch of this land. He didn’t just drive us through—he invited us in.
The peace we felt in Waipio was unreal. Waterfalls, wild horses, taro fields… all of it wrapped in a stillness that felt spiritual. We walked away with more than photos—we walked away with perspective and gratitude.
If you get the chance, go. And hope Forrest is your guide. It’s an experience we’ll never forget.
| Rating: | |
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| Packages: | Waipio Valley Shuttle & Off-Road Tour Package |
| Attended as: | Families |
| Weather: | Sunny |
| Posted on: | 2025/06/30 |
| Activity Date: | 2025/06/28 |
Tips and suggestions
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No need to bring a lot. Your not on the boat long so towels and such can stay at the car even