All Reviews for Kailua-Kona

The staff was kind, and the starry sky was amazing. I really appreciated the thorough explanations. Although we couldn't reach the summit due to bad weather, it was a satisfying tour. One issue was that there were too many participants, which made the car feel cramped. We were seated together as a parent and child, but newlyweds were seated in front and behind us, and I felt a bit sorry for them as they were holding hands during the journey. I hope they consider not only increasing productivity but also the feelings of the participants.

スタッフも親切で、星空も最高でした。
丁寧な説明はhとても評価できます。
天候が悪く山頂までは行けませんでしたが、満足できるツアーでした。
課題としては、参加人数が多すぎて、車にすし詰状態なのには不満を感じました。
私達は親子で並び席でしたが、新婚の方が前後に座られ
せめてもと道中手を握られてるのが少し不憫に感じました。
生産性を上げる事〜だけでなくて、参加者の思いも汲んであげて欲しいです。

We had a great time! Staff was friendly and very interactive with guest, food was great and plentiful, entertainment was great, historical guide was informative and great to talk too! The boat wasn't packed with people like the other boats leaving the dock. We would definitely do the dinner cruise again. You get some spectacular sites from the cruise, even a dolphin side show. The captain stopped the Boat for dinner and we watched the spectacular sunset while eating. It was a great experience! I would highly recommend this dinner cruise.

I'll be honest, overall I didn't have a great time on this trip. We sailed off late and missed the sunset which we were supposed to enjoy, and then spent 15 minutes "sailing" in a circle getting tossed about in the waves in the boat which was very unenjoyable. I wouldn't call it snorkeling either. After an hour of getting tossed around in the waves, you get in your wet suit and get your snorkel mask and get in the water to hold on to a long float, getting beat up by the waves (some more) while playing footsie with your neighbor. Meanwhile, your float is drifting in the current towards the plethera of other boats in the surrounding area leaving you wondering if you're going to get run over or not. Seriously, our floating group ended up almost tangled in another boats anchor line. It was incredibly unsafe.

Why am I rating it a 3 with the description being very negative? Well it's because it's the most incredible thing to see Manta's swimming INCHES from you. We had quite a few come by and it was spectacular to witness for those few seconds.

From the moment the guide picked us up at the hotel, I had a feeling it was going to be a fun tour because of their incredibly high energy. They even arrived five minutes early for the pickup.

We were visiting the Big Island for our honeymoon and wanted to do something memorable, which is why we chose this tour. Our guide, Matsuzaki, was not only entertaining but also very attentive, making it a truly enjoyable experience.

We got to take a lot of wonderful photos. The sunset we saw from the highest point was incredibly beautiful, and the pictures taken with the setting sun in the background were so good that I plan to develop them and display them in our room.

We also did some stargazing a little further down, and the starry sky was astonishingly clear. We could even see artificial satellites with the naked eye. Matsuzaki provided perfect explanations of the constellations, kept us laughing, and used an amazing camera to take pictures of the starry sky with us.

I'm really glad I participated in this tour. Thank you so much, Matsuchan!!

ホテルに迎えに来てくれた時から、ガイドさんのテンションがものすごく高くて楽しいツアーになりそうな予感がありました。お迎えの時間も5分前に来てくれましたよ。
今回は新婚旅行でハワイ島を訪れていたのですが、何か記憶に残ることをしたいと選んだのがこちらのツアーでした。
ガイドの松崎さんは、面白い上にとても気を配ってくださって、本当に楽しいツアーでした。
素敵な写真もたくさん撮って頂きました。
今までで一番高いところから見た夕陽はとても美しく、また沈む夕陽をバックに撮ってもらった写真は現像して部屋に飾る程良い写真でした。
少しだけ下ったところで星空観測をしたのですが、驚くほどの満天の星空です。人工衛星も肉眼で確認出来ました。
松崎さんは星座の説明も完璧、笑いをとることも忘れず、またこちらでもすごいカメラを使って星空と一緒に写真を撮ってくれました。
本当にツアーに参加して良かったです。
まっちゃん、ほんとありがとー！！

I had heard that there was a 99% chance of encountering manta rays, but I boarded the boat with a bit of anxiety. The boat sped along for about 20 minutes. Along the way, the sunset was incredibly beautiful, and I couldn't stop feeling excited about the possibility of seeing manta rays.

When we arrived at the spot where the manta rays come, it was just getting dark, and we were finally ready with our wetsuits and snorkels. The guide and the captain threw a floating ring with blue lights into the water, and we jumped in.

Eight of us held onto the ring, stretching our arms and legs while looking into the water. Soon, manta rays approached us, drawn to the plankton attracted by the blue lights. The size of the manta ray's mouth was larger than I had imagined, and it felt like it could suck me in—it was an intense experience that was initially quite frightening. However, as the manta rays kept coming closer, my fear disappeared, and I was overwhelmed with emotion.

The tour was titled "Swim with Manta Rays!" but it would be more accurate to say that we watched them swim up close. I never expected to see them so closely, and I was beyond excited and completely satisfied!

After about 30 minutes of enjoyment, the boat sped back. The guide prepared snacks and warm cocoa for us. The cocoa was delicious and warmed my chilled body. With the boat's lights turned off, the sea was pitch dark, and the lights of Kona in the distance were beautiful.

Since "Swim with Manta Rays!" was the last activity on the Big Island, I left feeling very satisfied with my experience.

９９％の確率でマンタに遭えると聞いていましたが少し不安な気持ちでボートに乗り込みました。20分位全速力でボートは進みました。途中サンセットがすごく綺麗で感動しながらマンタに遭えるワクワクが止まりません。

マンタがやってくる所に着くとちょうどあたりも暗くなりいよいよスウェットスーツとシュノーケルをつけて準備オッケイです。ガイドさんと船長さんがブルーライトが付いた手すりつきの浮き輪を海に投げ入れて私たちは海に飛び込みました。

浮き輪には8人が手すりにつかまり腕と足をぴんと伸ばして海の中を見ています。ほどなくマンタがブルーライトに寄ってくるプランクトンをめがけて私たちに近づいてきます。
マンタの口が想像以上にデカく吸い込まれそうで大迫力の接近戦で最初は恐ろしいほどでした。
何回もマンタが寄ってくるうちに怖さもなくなり感動感動の連続でした。
ツアーのタイトルが「マンタと泳ぐ！」とありますが一緒に泳ぐわけでなく泳ぐのを間近で見ているといった方が正解ですね。あんなに近くで見られるとは思っていなかったので大興奮！大満足！でした。

30分ほどのお楽しみが終わりボートは全速力で戻っていきます。ガイドさんがスナック菓子とあったかいココアを淹れてくれます。冷え切った体にココアがしみ込んでとても美味しかったです。ボートの明かりを消しているので海は真っ暗、向こうに見えるコナの街の明かりが綺麗でした。

ハワイ島での最後のアクティビティーが「マンタと泳ぐ！」だったので大満足のハワイ島でした。

I participated in my long-awaited first surfing experience. The weather was so nice that the waves were calm. There were only two participants, including myself, and with two instructors, it felt like a "private lesson."

Before heading to the beach, during the explanation, I was told, "I'll make sure you can ride the waves!" I wondered if I really could, and after about 15 minutes of indoor instruction, we headed to the beach!

Thanks to the instructors' teaching, I managed to ride the waves for a few meters on my first try! On the second try, I rode for several dozen meters! The instructor said, "Perfect! Now, let's wait for some good waves!" I felt like a surfer!

However, the weather was really too nice, and it was very hot while waiting for the waves. Of course, I got sunburned. I had a great time thanks to instructors Jacob and Jeff. I would love to request these two again next time!

念願だった初めてのサーフィンに参加しました。
当日は天気もよすぎたせいか、波が穏やかでした。
参加者は我々2人だけで、インストラクターは2名だったので、「個人レッスン」のように
教えて頂きました。
実際にビーチに行く前の説明では、「確実に波に乗れるように、教えるよ！」と言われ、ホントに乗れるかなと思いいつつ、約15分の室内での説明が終わり、いざ、ビーチへ！
インストラクターの教え方がよかったのか、1本目ではほんの数メートルでしたが、ホントに乗れました！！2本目では数十メートル！！
インストラクターからは、「完璧だね！さ～いい波を待とう！」と言われ、気分はサーファーです！！
ただ、天気が本当によすぎて、波を待つ間はすごく暑かったです。もちろん焼けました。
インストラクターのJACOBさんとJEFFさんのおかげで、ホントに楽しかったです。
次もこの2人を指名したいくらいです。

The snorkeling point had quite high waves, so families with small children seemed to have a tough time. After about three attempts, we encountered a lot of dolphins! It was truly moving ♡ While in the water, I could even hear the dolphins' calls, and I was very satisfied!! For those who get seasick, I think it's essential to take motion sickness medication. Also, since we were snorkeling in a place where we couldn't touch the bottom, they provided floaties for those who couldn't swim. I wouldn't recommend it for those who feel anxious.

結構波が高いポイントでシュノーケルだったので、小さなお子さん連れていたご家族は大変そうでした。
3回くらいアタックして、沢山のイルカに出会えました！とっても感激♡
海の中にいるとイルカの鳴き声も聞こえて、大満足でした！！
船酔いする方は必ず酔い止め必要かと思います。
あと、足がつかない場所でシュノーケルするので泳げない方には浮き輪貸してくれてました。不安な方にはオススメしないです。

As mentioned in other experiences, our guide Macchan was a great character, and we had a truly enjoyable time. I was impressed by Macchan's thorough and fun explanations, as well as his ability to take photos with any camera.

At the summit, it was so calm that I doubted we were at 4000 meters! Unfortunately, the sunset wasn't very clear, but the starry sky and the views of Saturn and the moon through the telescope were breathtaking.

Additionally, we were lucky enough to see a "moonbow" on the way back! I can't believe we were so fortunate. I had wanted to stay on the Big Island for a long time, and I would love to visit Macchan again.

他の体験談にあるように、ガイドまっちゃんがいいキャラで実に楽しい時間を過ごすことができました。まっちゃんの丁寧で楽しい説明と、どんなカメラでも写真を撮ってくれる対応力に脱帽。
山頂はここが4000ｍ？と疑うほど無風でラッキーでした。残念ながら夕日はスッキリとはいきませんでしたが、星空や望遠鏡からのぞく土星や月は感動。
そして、今回ラッキーなことに帰りに「ムーンボウ」まで見ることができました！！こんなにラッキーでいいのかな？
以前より滞在したかったハワイ島。また、まっちゃんに会いに行きたいです。

My wife and I participated together. Before joining, I heard great things about Daisuke, and I thought if I was going to swim with dolphins, it had to be with him. After the tour, we all agreed it was "the best!" and it became a wonderful memory.

Before departure, they mentioned it would take about 40 to 50 minutes to reach the dolphin encounter point, but luckily, we encountered a pod of dolphins just 5 minutes after setting off! We quickly dove in and had the best time with the dolphins. Throughout the experience, I was very satisfied to feel Daisuke's passion for dolphins and his energy to share their charm! When I go to Hawaii again, I will definitely participate again!

嫁と二人で参加したました。
参加前にダイスケさんの評判を知りイルカと泳ぐならダイスケさんだと思い、
申し込みましたがツアーが終わった後には口を揃えて「最高だった！」と言える程、
素敵な思い出になりました。

出発前には「イルカと出会えるポイントまで40～50分程度」と言っていましたが、ラッキーなことに出発して5分でイルカの群れに遭遇！早速潜ってイルカとの最高の時間を過ごすことができました。終始ダイスケさんのイルカに対する想いと、その魅力を伝えたいというエネルギーに触れられ大満足です！ハワイに行く際には、また参加します！

I signed up based on a recommendation from an acquaintance. It was enjoyable to hear many stories about the Big Island and explanations of the scenery even before we reached Mauna Kea. Not only were the stories fun, but there was also advice on altitude sickness, which was very kind.

At Mauna Kea, I was moved by the sunset and the starry sky!! I was able to take wonderful photos, creating memories for a lifetime. The guide's wealth of knowledge, thoughtfulness, and hospitality were outstanding in every situation. Thank you so much, Konno! I will confidently recommend this to acquaintances who are going to the Big Island in the future!

知人からおすすめされて申し込みました。マウナケアに着くまでもハワイ島のお話しをたくさんしてくださったり景色の説明をしてくださって楽しかったです。楽しいお話しだけでなく高山病のアドバイスもあり親切でした。
マウナケアでは夕日と満点の星空に感動しました！！素敵な写真も撮ってもらえて一生の思い出になりました。どんな場面においてもとにかくガイドさんの知識量。気遣い、ホスピタリティが素晴らしかったです。コンノさん本当にありがとうございました！これからハワイ島に行く知人にも自信をもっておすすめさせていただきます♪

We participated as a couple. Neither of us is good at English, but we thought we could manage with snorkeling and enjoying the scenery, so we decided to join. When we arrived at the office for check-in on the day of the tour, they provided us with a Japanese explanation sheet detailing the day's precautions and points of interest, which was very helpful. Additionally, there was a Japanese family of three with us, which made us feel a bit more at ease. The tour included nine people in total (five Japanese and four Americans), along with two American women, the captain, and a crew member.

We were excited about the thrilling rafting and the chance to encounter dolphins. The captain sped us out to sea, which was thrilling and fun, but unfortunately, we didn't see a single dolphin that day, which was very disappointing.

The snorkeling at Kealakekua Bay was fantastic; the water was clear, and we could see beautiful corals and various fish. For those who are not confident swimmers, they provide floatation devices, which I think is reassuring.

It was great to see the Captain Cook monument, which can only be accessed by trekking from land, while snorkeling. When we got a bit tired of snorkeling at Kealakekua Bay, they provided light snacks, sandwiches, and drinks, followed by a fruit service with pineapple and oranges, allowing us to refuel before snorkeling again. I think we stayed anchored for quite a long time.

After that, we got close to the cave cliffs (where they also offered a bit of snorkeling service) and visited a spot that resembles the sleeping form of the fire goddess Pele. The five-hour tour flew by in no time.

On the return boat ride, they also provided snacks and drinks, which was nice. One thing to note is that the boat does not have a restroom, and there is no roof, so you will be directly exposed to the sun. The sunlight can be intense, so be careful of sunburn (especially on your ears, lips, and the backs of your thighs) and make sure to apply sunscreen frequently, as you can get burned in just a few hours.

夫婦二人で参加です。
二人共英語はだめですが、シュノーケルと景色を見るなら大丈夫と思い参加しました。でも当日受付をする事務所に行くと、その日の注意事項や行くポイントについて書かれた日本語の説明書をくれたので凄く助かりました、それにこの日は、親子三人の日本の方もご一緒だったのでちょっと安心しました、アメリカの女性二名とキャプテンとサブの方含め9人(日本人5人・アメリカ人4人)でのツアーでした。
スリル満点のラフティングとイルカ遭遇に期待しました、キャプテンが沖の方にスピードをかけて走ってくれたのは、スリルあり面白かった、でも、この日は運悪く一匹のイルカにも会うことが出来ず凄く残念でした。
ケアラケクア湾でのシュノーケルは、水も綺麗でサンゴや色々な魚も見ることが出来凄く良かったです。泳ぎに自信のない方には、浮き棒を貸してくれますので安心だと思います。
陸からならトレッキングでしか行けないキャプテン・クックの記念碑をシュノーケルをしながら見ることが出来良かったです。
ケアラケリア湾でのシュノーケルに飽きた頃に軽食のサンドイッチとドリンクの提供もあり、その後、パイナップルとオレンジのフルーツサービスもありちょっと腹ごしらえをして又シュノーケルも出来、結構長い時間停泊してくれていたと思います。
その後、洞窟の岸壁に近寄ったり(ここでもちょっとだけシュノーケルのサービスをしてくれた)火の神ペレの寝姿に見える場所に寄ってくれたり5時間のツアーは、あっと言う間に過ぎました。
帰りのボートでも、スナック菓子やドリンクのサービスもあり良かったです。
注意するのは、ボートはトイレがないのとボートには屋根がないので直に日差しが当たります、日差しがきついので日焼けには(耳や唇・太ももの裏等)注意してこまめに日焼け止めを塗らないと数時間でしっかり焼けます。

I was worried about whether I would encounter dolphins due to the bad weather the day before, but according to our guide Daisuke, we encountered around 200 dolphins. Every time I looked into the water, I saw dolphins. It became the best memory of my life!

It's a good idea to bring water when you board the boat.

前日が悪天候だったので、イルカに出会えるか心配でしたがガイドのダイスケさんがおっしゃるには２００頭ぐらいのイルカに出会えたとのことでした。
本当に海の中を覗く度にイルカたちに出会えました。
人生で最高の思い出になりました！

ボートに乗り込む時には水を持っていった方がいいです。

I was worried because the weather was cloudy, but as I waited, the clouds gradually cleared, and I was able to see a beautiful sunset. The sunset reflected on the clouds was also wonderful and moving!

On the day of the tour, a high-energy guide came to pick us up in the early afternoon. I was a bit worried at first (laughs), but throughout the journey, they shared fun stories and showed great consideration, making it a very enjoyable experience.

The lunch and warm miso soup at the Onizuka Center were also very delicious. It was a pity that there were many clouds and not many stars were visible, but I want to save that for the next time.

Thank you, guide M, for the fun tour!

曇りがちな天気だったので心配しましたが、待っていたら少しずつ雲が晴れとても素敵な夕日を見ることができました。雲に映し出される夕日もとても素晴らしく感動しました！
当日は、お昼過ぎにハイテンションのガイドさんが迎えに来て下さり、若干心配(?)したりもしたのですが(笑)、道中ずっと楽しいお話や気遣いをして頂いて、とても楽しく過ごせました。
オニヅカセンターでのお弁当や温かいお味噌汁もとても美味しかったです。
雲が多く星があまり見えなかったのが残念でしたが、また次回のお楽しみにとっておきたいと思います。
ガイドのMさん、楽しいツアーをありがとうございました！

I am a complete beginner at snorkeling, but I was really immersed in it. I was amazed by the clarity of the water and the number of fish. There were a few moments of anxiety, but it was such a wonderful experience that it made up for everything.

I participated with my child. My child seemed a bit anxious and was looking around, wondering if there were any Japanese people, but there were quite a few Chinese people, and we were the only two Japanese. Everything was in English, so I couldn't understand anything and just followed the movements of those around me. Well, once you're in the water, there are no problems at all (*^-^*).

One little issue was that I made the reservation on my smartphone while traveling, but I had to bring a printed reservation instead of just showing the smartphone screen. I managed to get it printed at the hotel front desk, thanks to a kind front desk staff member who understood a little Japanese.

Also, regarding the snorkeling at Kealakekua Bay, please make sure not to confuse the meeting point, which is at Keauhou Bay.

シュノーケルは超初心者ですが、すごい夢中になってシュノーケルしていました。水の透明度、魚の数にびっくりでした。少し不安な所がありましたが、それを全てチャラにするくらい素敵な経験をさせてもらいました。
子供と二人で参加しました。子供は心細かったみたいで｢日本人いないかなぁ｣とキヨロキヨロ周りを捜していましたが、中国の人は結構おられましたが、日本人は私たち二人だけでした。全て英語だったので、何も理解できませんでしたので、周りの人の動きを見ながら行動してました。まぁ海に入ればなんの問題もありませんが(*^-^*)
ちよっと困ったのは、旅行に出てからスマホで予約したのですが、スマホ画面ではなく、予約票を印刷して持って行かなければなりませんでした。ホテルのフロントでなんとかプリントして貰う事ができましたが、少し日本語が通じる親切なフロントマンのおかげです。
あと、ケアラケクア湾シュノーケルですが、集合はケアウホウ湾なので、つい間違わないようにして下さい。

The guide and his team was awesome. They took care of us very well. It was almost an hour kayak on the wavy sea to the cliff. We also saw dolphins. We did a cliff jumping which was very awesome! Overall, recommended!

This snorkeling trip was outstanding! Everything was provided and the crew was great! They made sure we all had a great time.

First luau and a great one to attend. The performers were fantastic and the food was outstanding! Due to weather this one was held indoors and the show was great even in the closed in area.

Fantastic! Beautiful place to snorkel! Crew was outstanding. We loved that everything was provided and the crew made sure we had an excellent time.

The clarity of the ocean was outstanding, and there were plenty of fish, which made it very enjoyable. Since it was a plan without transportation, I thought the directions to the parking lot and from the parking lot to the boat were a bit unclear, but it was manageable.

The explanations were in English, but they provided written instructions in Japanese regarding snorkeling precautions, so that was also manageable. The meeting point before the boat departs only has one restroom, so there might be a bit of a wait, but there is a restroom on the boat as well, so it's fine.

Once on the boat, you need to secure your preferred seating early if you want to enjoy your meal comfortably, so be cautious about that. In the morning, the muffins were delicious, and the lunch burgers were tasty too.

The explanation regarding the vests and floaties for snorkeling was, "Feel free to use what you like according to your level." In a previous tour I took in Oahu, wearing a life vest was mandatory, which made swimming difficult, so I appreciated this flexibility. I think if you're accustomed to snorkeling, a vest isn't necessary. If you wear fins, your body will float.

There was about an hour of free time upon arrival. Even with lunch in between, we had plenty of time to enjoy snorkeling, which was great. Before heading back, I was able to take a freshwater shower at the right timing, but if you miss that opportunity, there are no shower facilities nearby, so you have to go back to the hotel as is.

Still, I can truly recommend this for those who want to swim in a highly transparent ocean.

海の透明度が抜群で、魚も沢山いて、とても楽しめました。
送迎無しのプランでしたので、駐車場の場所と、駐車場から船までの場所の案内が、少しわかりづらかったかなとも思いましたが、まあ、何とかなります。
説明は英語のみですが、シュノーケリングの注意事項等は、日本語で書いた説明文を見せてくれますので、これも、何とかなります。
船が出るまでの待ち合わせ場所になっている所には、トイレが１つあるだけですので、ちょっと並んだりもしますが、船にもトイレはありますから、大丈夫。
船に乗ったら、自分たちの座りたい席は、早めにキープしないと、ゆっくり座って食事が出来なくなりますので、注意が必要です。
朝は、マフィンが美味しかった。ランチのハンバーガーも美味しかったです。
シュノーケリングの時のベストや浮き輪は、「自分のレベルに合わせて、好きな物を使って下さいね」という程度の説明。以前、オアフで利用したツアーは、ライフベスト必ず着用でしたので、泳ぎにくくて辛かったので、これは私達にはありがたいなと思いました。
シュノーケリングに慣れている人ならば、ベストは必要無いと思いました。フィンを付けていれば、身体は浮くので。
到着して１時間程度のフリータイム。ランチをはさんでもう１時間程度、たっぷりシュノーケリングが楽しめて、良かったです。
帰る前の船に上がるタイミングで真水のシャワーを浴びる事が出来ましたが、そのタイミングを逃すと、戻っても近くにシャワーの設備等がありませんので、そのままホテルまで戻るしかありません。
それでも、透明度の高い海で泳ぎたい方には、本当におすすめできます。

This was one of the best activities we did on our two month holiday. The experience was incredible and unforgettable, and the company was easy to book with and great tour guides. Would definitely recommend this to anyone going to Hawaii!

I participated with my first grader, and the large boat provided stability, complete with restrooms, fruit service, and hamburger service, so my child ended up sleeping on the way back. They had fins and goggles available in child sizes, and although we brought our own, I felt we didn't really need them.

We saw dolphins swimming alongside the boat, and the snorkeling was at a different location from the dolphin point. However, it was a relaxed experience, unlike the frantic rush to see dolphins, allowing my child to play comfortably. They provided floats for kids, making it enjoyable even for those who can't dive.

If you're in the mood, you can dive into the sea from the second floor or slide down the slide (which ends at the first floor, giving a feeling of falling for the rest), and we stayed at the points until the afternoon, really enjoying a leisurely time.

Actually, I previously participated in a dolphin swimming tour on a small boat, and we were quite frantic moving from point to point to achieve our goal, which left me exhausted and seasick. This time, I intentionally chose a different type of tour, and considering the longer duration, lunch included, and nearly unlimited drinks, the price wasn't much different, making it highly recommended.

The explanation before diving is entirely in English, but somehow the important points get across. Enjoy!

小学一年生を連れての参加でしたが、大きな船で安定感もあり、トイレ完備、フルーツサービスあり、ハンバーガーサービスありで、すっかり帰りは寝ていました。
フィンもゴーグルも子供サイズが揃っており、自前で持っていきましたが「要らなかったな」という感想です。
イルカは船と並走してるのを見て、シュノーケルはイルカポイントとは別の場所でした。だけど、必死でイルカに会うために移動を続けるのとは違って、気持ちに余裕も あって、子供も安心して遊んでました。
子供用にフロートを出してくれたり、潜れない人でも充分楽しめます。
気分が乗れば、二階から海にダイブしたり、滑り台(一階までで切れてて、残りは落ちる感がありますが)でダイブしたり、昼過ぎまでポイントにいて、本当にゆっくり楽しめました。

実は以前、小型ボートでイルカと泳ごうツアーに参加したんですが、目的達成のために結構必死でポイントを移動したのでぐったり疲れてしまったのと、酔ってしまった思い出があって、今回は敢えて違うタイプに参加したのですが、所要時間の長さとお昼つき、ドリンクもほぼ自由でお値段もたいして変わらないので、かなりのお薦めとなりました。

潜る前の説明は思い切り英語ですが、何となく重要な事は伝わります。。楽しんでください！

Title a bit misleading as we saw no Dolphins (they did point out some movement in the water on the trip out that might have been Dolphins but who knows).

I wanted to go snorkeling at Kealakekua Bay, and I was drawn to this tour because of its packed itinerary. My husband, our two daughters (in 6th and 4th grade), and I participated as a family of four. We brought our own snorkeling gear from Japan. The kids were nervous about their first rafting boat ride, so they put on their life jackets before boarding and chose seats at the back where the rocking was relatively mild. However, as soon as we set sail, we encountered dolphins, and we were thrilled to see a pod of seven or eight swimming around the boat. When the staff invited us to move to the front, we eagerly did so. The staff supported our daughters from behind as they squealed with joy at the bouncing of the boat and the splashes of water. Once they got used to it, the boat made turns and created G-forces, making it feel like an amusement park ride! We even encountered a rare mother and baby whale during the summer. They came so close that we could almost touch them, which was moving.

The long-awaited Kealakekua Bay had high transparency, and we were able to swim to our heart's content among the coral and tropical fish. The kids were very happy to take off their life jackets and dive into the water during the middle of the snorkeling time (something that wouldn’t be allowed on tours in Japan), and they borrowed noodles (floating sticks) to play with, looking very satisfied. After snorkeling, while we were leisurely cruising in the bay, we encountered a pod of dozens of dolphins. A baby dolphin performed a beautiful spin jump right next to the boat, and everyone on board applauded! There were 12 passengers in total, and we were the only Japanese family; the others were from various places like New York and Australia. The friendly atmosphere provided a great stimulus for my daughters, who hardly understood any English. The view of the lava cliffs from the sea on the way back was incredibly impressive.

When it came time to tip the captain, I noticed that foreign guests were giving about $10 each, totaling around $40 for our group of four. Unfamiliar with the tipping customs and unsure of the going rate, I regretted that my tip might have been a bit low. The staff's hospitality was outstanding, which made me feel even more that way. My daughters had the biggest smiles, exclaiming, "We had so much fun!!" While there are tour coupon tickets available at the airport and other locations, they only accept phone reservations and do not accommodate Japanese speakers, so I would like to rely on VELTRA, which allows for reservations from Japan, for the next opportunity. I definitely want to participate again!

ケアラケクア湾でシュノーケルがしたくて、盛り沢山の内容に惹かれてこのツアーに参加しました。夫と私、小6と小４の娘の家族4人での参加。日本から自分たちのシュノーケルの道具を持参しました。子供たちは初めてのラフティングボートに緊張の様子で、乗船前からマイライフジャケットを装着し、揺れが比較的小さいという船尾に陣取りました。が、いざ出航してすぐイルカに遭遇し、７，８頭の群れがいくつもボートを取り囲むように泳ぐ姿に大興奮で、スタッフが「前においで」と誘ってくれるまま、船首に移動。船のバウンドとかかる波しぶきにキャーキャー喜ぶ娘たちをスタッフの方が後ろからサポートしてくださいました。慣れてきたころには、船を旋回してGをかけてくれたり、遊園地のアトラクションばりの面白さ！夏には珍しいクジラの親子にも遭遇しました。手を伸ばせば触れそうな距離まで近寄ってきてくれ、感動しました。待望のケアラケクア湾は透明度が高く、珊瑚と熱帯魚たちと心ゆくまで泳ぐことができました。子供たちもシュノーケルタイム中盤からはライフジャケットを外して海の中に潜ったり（コレは日本のツアーではさせてくれないことなので、とても喜んでました。）、ヌードル（浮き棒）を借りて遊んだり、大満足の様子でした。シュノーケル後、ゆっくり湾の中をクルージングしているとき、何十頭ものイルカの群れに遭遇しました。その中でベイビーイルカが船の横で華麗に回転ジャンプを披露してくれ、船内一同拍手！12名の同乗者、日本人は私たち家族だけで、他の方はニューヨークやオーストラリア、さまざまな場所からの参加でした。終始フレンドリーな雰囲気で英語がほとんど分からない娘たちにもすごくいい刺激になりました。帰りの海から見る溶岩の断崖はすごい迫力でした。最後にキャプテンにチップを渡すとき、外国の方は一人当たり１０＄、4人組で４０＄ほど渡していました。チップの習慣に不慣れで、チップの相場に疎い私は自分のチップはちょっと少なかったかなと、後悔。スタッフさんのホスピタリティが素晴らしかったので、余計にそう思いました。「すごく楽しかった！！」と娘たちは最高の笑顔。現地に行けば、空港等にツアーのクーポン券などもありますが、電話予約オンリーで日本語NGなので、日本で予約できる安心のVELTRAさんに次の機会もお願いしたいと思います。また、ぜひ参加したいです。

This was truly one of the more amazing ventures we have done. The guides were knowledgeable and professional. We learned about the various international observatories, saw a phenomenal sunset above the clouds at nearly 14,000 feet and then were treated to astrological viewing that was incredible. Just a spectacular evening.

The only negative comment I have is the seating in the vans, particular if you are 6' or taller is very tight. That said, it is still a very worthwhile adventure.

This time, I participated with my mother. Last year, I went to Oahu with my friends and saw wild dolphins for the first time. I wanted my mother to experience that excitement too, so I joined this tour, hoping to be guided by Daisuke, based on everyone's reviews! Just as the reviews said, Daisuke's love for dolphins and his strong desire for us to see them really came through, and I couldn't stop feeling excited from the car ride there! In reality, we encountered many dolphins, including a newborn dolphin that Daisuke said he had never seen before, which was incredibly thrilling! If I have the chance to go to Hawaii Island again, I would definitely want to join this tour. The boat was very rocky until we got out to sea, so I think it's safer for those who are prone to seasickness to take motion sickness medication. For those participating in the tour, please enjoy it with peace of mind!

今回、母と2人で参加しました。
去年、友達とオアフ島に行き野生のイルカを初めてみました。母にもあの感動を味わってもらいたくて、初のハワイ島で皆さんの口コミを参考にぜひダイスケさんに案内してもらいたくこちらのツアーに参加させて頂きました！
口コミ通り、ダイスケさんのイルカに対する愛や、わたし達に絶対イルカを見てもらいたいという想いが物凄く伝わってきて行きの車中からワクワクが止まらなかったです！実際、たくさんのイルカや、ダイスケさんも初めて見たと言ってた産まれたてのイルカの赤ちゃんにも遭遇でき物凄く興奮しました！またハワイ島に行く機会があれば必ず参加したいツアーです。沖に出るまでの船がとても揺れる為、船酔いしやすい方は酔い止めを内服された方が安心だと思います。ツアーに参加される方、安心して楽しんできてくださいね。

I joined this tour because my husband wanted to see the sunset and the starry sky. First, we picked up participants from the hotel one by one. On this day, there were 13 participants in total, filling one bus (4 individuals, 4 couples, and 1 solo traveler). Since the Big Island of Hawaii is large, it took some time for pickups, but we stopped by a small shop along the way to pass the time (about 20 minutes). The guide provided very thorough explanations and shared various information about the Big Island.

Since the elevation is higher than Mount Fuji, we had an early dinner (around 4 PM) to acclimatize our bodies and took a restroom break. I was worried about altitude sickness, but the guide kept reminding us to drink water every 10 minutes, take deep breaths, and absolutely not to sleep!!! I only felt a slight headache, so I was okay. When we got off partway up the mountain, it was my first experience feeling the thin air and physical strain.

By the time we reached the summit, my body had acclimatized. Unfortunately, there were many clouds that day, and it rained on and off, but I was deeply moved and felt a sense of mystery as we barely managed to see the sunset. A little below the summit, we began our star observation! Due to the clouds, the guide had us wait in the car for a while until the clouds cleared. I believe the guides were considerate to ensure we could see the stars in the best possible conditions.

The moment we got out of the car, it felt like the stars were falling right above us!!!! After a while, the clouds covered the sky again, so we moved to another spot to observe the stars. There was some wind, and even when the clouds obscured our view, if we waited a bit, we saw even more stars than before!!!! We could even see the Milky Way clearly!!! Looking sideways, there were stars, and it made me realize that the Earth is round.

Additionally, the guide explained the constellations with a super laser beam, making it feel like an impromptu lecture, which was fun!

What was great about this tour was that it included warm clothing, which is not offered by other tours. Even though we waited outside for a long time without seeing stars, thanks to the warm clothing, I didn’t feel cold at all and enjoyed snacks and drinks. I heard that other tours leave if the stars aren’t visible (in fact, there were no other tour groups around).

Moreover, the guide took photos with a high-quality camera that he purchased out of his own pocket, and we could download them for free! Normally, they would charge for this, but he said, “Memories over records,” and provided this as a service. I deducted one star because it was cloudy and not all stars were visible, which was disappointing.

If you come to the Big Island, I wholeheartedly recommend Masashi Nature School!!! Thank you for everything!!!

主人が、夕日と星空を見たいと言っていたのでこのツアーに参加しました。
まず、順々にホテルから参加者をピックアップしていきます。
この日は、１台のバス満員で１３人参加でした。
（４人参加、カップル参加４組、１人参加）
ハワイ島は広いので、ピックアップに時間かかりますが、途中ちょっとしたお店に寄り、時間を潰したりしました。（約20分）
ガイドさんがとても丁寧に説明して下さり、ハワイ島についての情報など色々教えて頂きました。
富士山よりも標高が高いので、身体を慣れさすために、途中で早めの（16時ぐらい）夕食（お弁当）を取り、トイレに行ったりしました。
高山病を心配しましたが、ガイドさんが登ってる間、水を１０分おきにとること、深呼吸をしっかりすること、絶対に寝ない事！！！ずーっとおっしゃってくれていたので、じゃっかん頭痛を感じたぐらいで、大丈夫でした。山頂の途中で降りた時は、身体がしんどく空気が薄いと感じた初めての体験でした。

山頂に着くと、身体も慣れてきてきました。この日は、あいにく雲が多く雨が降ったり止んだりでしたが、夕日はかろうじて見れて大変感動し、神秘的でした。
山頂から少し下ったところで、いざ★の観察！雲が多く、ガイドさんが雲が履けるまでしばらく車の中で待機していました。
おそらく感動してもらう為に、一番いい状態で見てもらう為にガイドさん達が配慮してくれたのだと思います。
車からでた瞬間、頭上に★が降ってくるかのようでした！！！！
しばらくすると、雲で覆われてしまい、場所を移動しそこで★を観察。風もあったので、
雲がかかって見えなくなっても、しばらく待っているとさっきよりも★が沢山★★★！！！！
なんと天の川もくっきりみえました！！！
真横にみても★があり、地球は丸いんだなーと感じさせられました。
また、ガイドさんが、超レイザービームで星座の説明をして頂き、即席講座みたいな感じで楽しかったです♪

このツアーで良かったのは、他のツアーにはない、防寒具が付いていること。
★が見えなくてかなり外で待っていましたが、防寒具のお陰で、全然寒くなく飲み物お菓子など頂きました。他のツアーだと星がみえないと帰ってしまうそうです。
（実際、他のツアーの方はいませんでした）
また何より、ガイドさんが自腹で購入した超高画質カメラで、写真を撮って頂き、無料でダウンロードできるところ！本来お金を取られるとこですが、”記憶より記録”と言って、サービスだそうです。
★を一個減らしたのは、曇りで全部★というわけではなかったので、残念な気持ちで減らしました。
ハワイ島にきたら、是非、マサシネイチャースクール、心からお勧めします！！！！！
色々ありがとうございました！！！！！

I participated with my parents.

The location of the shop was a bit hard to find, and we got lost, but the staff were very kind, which made us feel at ease. The rafting boat was faster and more thrilling than I imagined, but it felt great and was a lot of fun! We stopped at a point where we could see dolphins, and they explained the history of Hawaii (in English). The snorkeling spot was also wonderfully beautiful, and we thoroughly enjoyed the tour. My mother, who said she would wait on the boat, ended up enjoying snorkeling as well, and our whole family was very satisfied!

For lunch, we had turkey sandwiches on the boat, and afterwards, they cut up fresh pineapple right there, which was a big hit with all the guests. After snorkeling, on our way back to the port, we stopped by some lava cliffs to take pictures.

Since you can get quite sunburned, it's better to apply sunscreen frequently. Our family got so caught up in snorkeling that our backs got completely burned (laughs).

Since we met at the location, I wish there was a more helpful map for the meeting point; otherwise, it was such a wonderful experience that I would give it a perfect score. I want to go again!!

親と三人で参加してきました。

ちょっとお店の場所が分かりづらくて、迷いましたがスタッフさんがとても言い方で安心しました。
ラフティングボートは想像以上に速くてスリリングでしたが、すごく気持ちが良くて楽しかったです！
イルカに会えるポイントで停まったり、ハワイの歴史を説明してくれたり（英語）、シュノーケリングスポットも素晴らしくキレイでツアーを堪能できました。
ボートで待っていると言っていた母もすっかりシュノーケリングを楽しみ家族全員大満足です！
ランチはボートの上でターキーサンドを頂いて、そのあとにパイナップルをその場で切ってくれてお客さん皆から大好評。
シュノーケリングが終わって、港に戻る途中で溶岩の岸壁にいくつか立ち寄り写真を撮ってくれました。

かなり焼けるので、日焼け止めはこまめに塗った方がいいです。うっかりシュノーケリングに夢中になった我が家は背中が丸焼けになりました（笑）

現地集合な分、集合場所の地図がもっと親切にあれば大満足をつけたいところなくらい素敵な体験をしました。また行きたいです！！

The weather was probably nice, which allowed us to see quite a few dolphins up close. The tour guide, Daisuke, was very polite, kind, and full of energy. I consider myself someone who doesn't get easily moved, but I genuinely want to go on this tour again.

おそらく日もよかったのでしょうが、かなりのイルカを近くでみることができました。
ツアーガイドのダイスケさんも非常に丁寧、親切で、またエネルギーを感じる方でした。
そんなに簡単には感動しないタイプだと自己評価していますが、このツアーはまた行きたいと純水に思います。

I participated with my sister. At first, there were no manta rays at all, and I was worried about what would happen if it ended like this, but in the last 30 minutes, a lot of them gathered, and we were able to see them quite up close!! When we entered the water, we were handed floats, but I didn't understand the English instructions well and only figured it out by watching the people around me. It might be a bit tough if you're participating alone and don't understand English. Even though it was a reasonably priced tour, I was glad to see the manta rays. It seems like they gather due to the lights from the boat, and the other boats were much brighter, attracting a lot more manta rays. I might want to try that one next time.

妹と二人で参加しました。最初、マンタは全く現れず、このまま終わったらどうしようと不安になりましたが、最後30分くらいでいっぱい集まってきて、かなり間近で見れました!!海に入る際にフロートを渡されたのですが、英語がよくわからず、回りの人をみてやっと理解。。一人参加で英語がわからないとちょっとツラいかもです。リーズナブルなツアーでも、マンタを見れたのでよかったですが、船の明かりでマンタを集める仕組みのようで、他の船の方がものすごく明るくてマンタもよく集まってるみたいでした。次回はそっち乗りたいかも。。

We loved being greeted at the airport with these beautiful flower Leis. We were excited to get in the spirit of being in Hawaii.