All Reviews for Kailua-Kona

Whilst reading this activity when planning my vacation to Hawaii I knew that going to the summit and doing some stargazing would be something not to be missed. I'm glad it did not disappoint! The sunset atop Mauna Kea is amazing with only clouds below us, and we were able to view a great deal of objects in the night sky. It does definitely get chilly up there, and even though they supply Parkas and gloves be sure to wear some heavy pants and thick covered in shoes (lest your toes succumb to frostbite!) I have recommended this tour to friends whom I know will be going to Hawaii in the next few years.

First of all, I think you shouldn't expect too much from the meals. Also, my husband and I both didn't understand much English, so we couldn't follow what the host was saying and couldn't keep up with the atmosphere in the venue. Additionally, when we took a dinner cruise later, there was a similar show, so if you are considering participating in both, it might not be necessary. Furthermore, many hotels host similar shows every other day, so you might be able to experience the atmosphere just by passing by without going out of your way to see it.

まず食事はあまり期待しないほうがいいかと思います。
また、私たち夫婦は二人共あまり英語がわからなかったので、司会の人が話されていることは全然理解できず、会場内のノリについていけませんでした。
また、後日ディナークルーズに乗船した際、同じような内容のショーがあったのでもし両方参加を検討されているようでしたら必要ないかと思います。
また、ホテルによっては同じようなショーが隔日くらいのペースで開催されているところも多いので、わざわざ見に行かなくても通りがかり程度で雰囲気は味わえるかもしれません。

This time, I challenged myself to night snorkeling for the first time! I was worried about panicking in the dark ocean, but those worries were completely unnecessary! After the crew (the captain and two assistants) explained everything in English, a Japanese guide kindly interpreted, which made me feel really safe and secure!

We were able to take lots of photos before departure, and during sunset, we captured some beautiful shots of the sunset! As for the main attraction, the manta rays, we were able to see nearly ten of them! They came close enough to swim right by us, and we even saw them doing flips while feeding! The manta rays, with their large mouths wide open, came within about five centimeters of us, and it was truly an impressive sight.

After snorkeling, snacks (ahi poke, tako poke, Ritz crackers, chocolate, gummies, etc.) and drinks (hot cocoa, coffee, cola, etc.) were served on the boat!

Additionally, on the way back, we even received a graduation certificate from Manta University! I enjoyed every moment from start to finish! I highly recommend this tour!

今回、初めてナイトシュノーケリングに挑戦しました！
暗い夜の海の中ではパニックにならないかと不安でしたが、そんな心配は無用の長物！！
クルー（船のキャプテンとアシスタント2名）の方が英語で説明された後、日本人ガイドさんが丁寧に通訳してくれたのでほんとに安心安全でした！
出港前から写真もたくさん撮れましたし、日没の時間帯には夕焼けショットも！
メインのマンタですが、、
なんと！！10枚近くも見ることができました。
至近距離まで遊泳に来てくれ、餌を食べながらくるりと宙返りする姿も見れました！
大きい口をぱっくり開けて、目の前5センチくらいまで近寄ってくるマンタは、本当にすごい迫力でした。

シュノーケリングの後には、船内でスナック（アヒポキ、たこポキ、
リッツ、チョコレート、グミなど）とドリンク（ホットココア、
コーヒー、コーラなど）が配られました！

また、帰りにはマンタ大学の卒業証書までもらえました！
最初から最後までどっぷり満喫できました！
とってもおすすめのツアーです！

My wife and I came to the luau with our 4 children ages 18, 16, 14, and 8. We all enjoyed the activities before the meal. The food was great and lots of it. And the entertainment was informative, interesting, and very lively. If you have never done it, I recommend doing it at least once. I would go back for the food alone!

They did a great job with my young kids. Everyone got in the water and had fun. When the 5 year old was ready to get back on the boat, they took her and let the adults stay in the water. Professional and fun.

Since the Japanese tour was fully booked, I participated in the English tour. I couldn't understand the explanations about the stars clearly, but they let each person look through the telescope and used simple English. The sunset was amazing.

日本語ツアーがいっぱいだったため、英語ツアーで参加しました。
英語がわからなくて星の説明はハッキリわからなかったけれど、望遠鏡で1人1人星をのぞかせてくれたり簡単な英語を使ったりしてくれていました。
サンセットは素晴らしかったです

There was no wind, and we were able to see a beautiful sunset, but unfortunately, the stargazing was disappointing due to high clouds. However, I was impressed by the staff's dedication. I will recommend this to others as well.

風もなく良い夕日を見られたが高空雲のため星空観測は残念ながら期待外れでしたがスタッフの方の一生懸命さに感激しました。　又人にも薦めましょう。

During my first cruise around the Hawaiian Islands, I had to sadly give up on seeing the wild manta rays in Kona due to a lack of time. This time, as a diver, I stayed at the Sheraton Hotel with an ocean view in Keauhou to see the mantas. The meeting point was conveniently just a five-minute walk from the hotel.

I was torn between diving and snorkeling, but choosing snorkeling turned out to be the right decision. However, since mantas can be scared away, fins were prohibited, and we were instructed to wear a float called a noodle around our feet when entering the water from the boat. This meant I had to hold onto a lighted aluminum bar connected to the boat with my left hand while filming with my right hand. The mantas, swirling and gulping down the plankton attracted by the lights, were truly breathtaking. They came so close that I could almost touch them. It was so moving that I went again two days later! I was thrilled to encounter mantas at such a close distance, something every diver dreams of. Although the photos didn’t turn out well due to the darkness and the mantas moving, the videos were perfect. The staff at Sea Paradise were friendly and made the experience even more enjoyable.

The Sea Paradise office is located near the supermarket in the Keauhou Shopping Center. It opens at 7 AM, so I stopped by after breakfast to hand over my coupon, which meant I didn’t have to call at 4 PM to borrow a wetsuit. Other necessary gear was provided once we boarded the boat.

It was November, but it wasn’t cold at all, and it took only about five minutes from the manta site to the port. I changed and had a meal at the restaurant's restroom at the dock. Next time, I want to go with my daughter.

ハワイ諸島を巡るクルーズで初めてコナに行った時は時間がなく泣く泣く諦めた野生マンタ。ダイバーの今回はマンタを見るためにKeauhouにあるシェラトンホテルのオーシャンビューにステイ。集合場所がホテルの直ぐ側で徒歩5分と便利でした。
ダイビングがいいのかシュノーケリングが良いか迷いましたが、シュノーケリングにして大正解でした。但し、マンタが怖がるのでフィンは使用禁止、ボートから海に入るときには足に引っ掛けるヌードルと呼ばれるフローターを足に付けるように指示されるので、実際には左手でボートに繋がっている照明付きのアルミ製のバーに掴まって右手で動画を撮るといった感じです。照明で集まったプランクトンを回転しながら飲み込んでいくマンタ達は圧巻です。顔スレスレに近づいてきます。あまりに感動的で翌々日にもう１回！ダイバー憧れのマンタにこんな至近距離でお目にかかれるとは感激です。写真は照明があっても暗くマンタは動いているのでなかなか上手に撮れませんでしたが動画はバッチリでした。シーパラダイスのスタッフもフレンドリーで楽しさを倍増させてくれました。シーパラダイスのオフィスはKeauhou ショッピングセンター内のスーパーマーケット付近にあります。朝7時からオープンしてるので朝食を食べた帰りに立ち寄りクーポンを渡したので4時に電話する必要もなくウェットスーツを借りて帰りました。その他必要なギア等はボートに乗ってから渡されます。
11月でしたが全く寒くなく、マンタのサイトから港までほんの5分くらいでした。船着場にあるレストランのトイレで着替えて食事をしました。次回は娘と一緒に行きたいと思っています。

We were out in Honolulu on our first trip to Hawaii. My girlfriend and I purchased the Small Group Circle Island, Waipio Valley & Volcanoes National Park out of quite a few similar guided tours around the Big island. It was a fun experience that helped us learn quite a lot about the Big Island, geographic facts, ancient legends, etc. This drive is about 10 hours or so and is on and off the beaten path. Different from Honolulu and Oahu, this mostly rural island has its own culture, farmers’ markets, tropical rain forests, and black, green, and white sand beaches. Our tour guide was awesome (and I totally forgot his name) and a great story teller. He was punctual in picking us up from the Kona airport. Although the weather didn't really cooperate that particular day, it was rain and cold, our tour guide made it fun with providing us all kinds of great information as well as a really smooth ride. It was obvious he loves what he does and where he lives. The sights and landscapes were incredible - black, green and white sand beaches, lava fields, waterfalls, etc. Our approximately 250 miles tour (long but fascinating) touched at first the Parker Ranch in Waimea the bay-side town of Hilo and an orchid nursery. We stopped at the Waipio Valley Lookout, a must see location. The lookout offers sweeping views of the valley, which is breathtakingly beautiful even though the weather was very cloudy and it probably took away from the experience. We stopped at the Mauna Loa a macadamia farm and packaging place for lunch and snacks. We stopped at the Rainbow Falls very close to Hilo. It is a shorter visit with great photo ops. An absolutely fabulous view and yes, we did see a rainbow. At the Volcano National Park we saw smoke but no lava flows from the viewing area but walked through a lava tube. The black sand beach is one that is different to anything else we saw so far. We counted 12 turtles resting on the beach. My girlfriend and I highly recommend this guided tour.

In mid-November, my spouse and I participated in a night snorkeling and manta ray tour. We made our reservation online in Japan before departing, and we joined the tour on the evening of our arrival in Hawaii. Although we were affected by jet lag, we tried hard to adjust to Hawaii's time difference from the very first day. (The guide seemed a bit taken aback, so it might have been a bit too much for us.)

Since we were traveling by rental car, we opted for a local meeting plan, but we mistakenly went to the wrong meeting spot. After some time had passed without us showing up, a Japanese female guide came to look for us and found us. We then headed to the correct meeting place and joined the other participants about five minutes late. After gathering, the guide led us to a rental shop where we could borrow wetsuits and fins for free. After that, we moved to the boat. There were about six Japanese participants and around ten Americans.

We set sail on a small boat just after sunset and traveled for about 45 minutes to an hour to reach the manta point. It seemed to be an unusually windy day, and there were some waves, which made me a bit seasick. But it was another good experience.

By the time we arrived at the point, it was quite dark, and about five or six other tour boats had also arrived. With excitement, we donned our snorkeling masks and fins and entered the water, ready to start. We were in a group of six Japanese participants. Holding onto a pole around a board floating in the water, the guide pulled a rope attached to the board to lead us. It was noted that the waves were unusual for that day. Since it was difficult for the guide to pull us alone, we all kicked our legs to help move to the point. When we arrived and looked into the water, the first thing that came to us was a multitude of fish. And... well, you'll have to see for yourself what else is there!

If I could mention one thing... the manta rays really swim very close to you. Additionally, there was a surprise of, "Wait, they're coming towards us like that!?"

About 40 minutes later, we returned to the boat. The swaying in the water and the rocking of the boat afterward made me feel a bit seasick, but the excitement far outweighed that feeling. As mentioned by others, it gets really cold on the way back, so we dried off and put on our jackets. The warm cocoa we had on the boat was incredibly delicious.

This is truly a tour that you can't experience anywhere else, and it exceeded our expectations!

11月中旬に夫婦でナイトシュノーケル＆マンタツアーに参加しました。出発前に日本国内でネット予約→ハワイ島に到着した日の夕方からの参加でした。体調的に時差の影響がありましたが、無理矢理ハワイの時差に調整しようと当日から頑張ってしまいました。（ガイドさんにも軽く引かれたので、ちょっと無理があったかもですf＾＾）
レンタカーでの移動だったので、現地集合プランで申込みしましたが、集合場所を間違えてしまいました。時間が過ぎても私たちが集合場所に現れなかったので、女性の日本人ガイドさんが私たちを探しに来てくれて、見つけて貰いました。そして集合場所へ。５分ほど遅れて他の参加者の皆さんと合流しました。集合した後はガイドさんに案内され、レンタル屋さんでウエットスーツとフィンを無料で借りれました。その後、船へ移動。参加者は日本人6名、アメリカ人10名くらいでした。
小型の船で夕日が沈んだ直後に出港して、マンタポイントまで45分～1時間くらい進んだと思います。珍しく風が強い日だったようで、波があって少し船酔いしました。これもまた良い経験。。
ポイントに着くころにはだいぶ暗くなっていて、他のツアー船も5、6隻、到着していました。ドキドキしながら、シュノーケルマスクとフィンを装着して海へ入り、いよいよスタート。私たちは日本人だけのグループで６名１グループ。海に浮かべた板の周りの棒につかまり、ガイドさんが板についたひもを引っ張って誘導してくれました。珍しく波があった日とのこと。ガイドさん１人で引っ張るのが難しいので、みんなバタ足で協力してポイントまで移動しました。ポイントに着いて海の中を覗くと、最初に飛び込んで来たのは、たくさんの魚たち。そして、、、あとは、現地で見てのお楽しみですね！
一つだけ書くとすると。。本当に至近距離までマンタが泳いで近づいてきます。それに加えて、「えー、そんな泳ぎ方で近づいてくるの！？」という驚きがありました＞＜

約40分後には船に戻りました。水中で波に揺られ、船に戻ってからの揺れとあいまって船酔いしましたが、それよりも感動の方が各段に大きかったです。
他の方の体験談でもありますが、帰りはすごく寒いので、身体を拭いて上着を着ました。船上でいただいた温かいココアがすごくおいしかったです。

これは本当に他では体験できないツアー、かつ、期待以上です！

That was my first surfing lesson and I had a great time! The coaches were very nice, helpful and tried hard to choose the best waves for us to go on. We were registered to come in the early morning but they called and told us that there was no wind at the time and no good waves for surfing. Instead they suggested to come a bit later. We arrived later in the day when waves were pretty good. The place is really well suited for starters. I really enjoyed the experience and had a wonderful time surfing! I really recommend this surfing lesson because it was beyond my expectation.
My father asked for advanced board and they easily accommodated his request and helped him to advance to the level of driving such a board.

On November 22, 2014, I participated in a manta night snorkeling tour. I was able to see many mantas (probably around 10), and the sight of them swimming gracefully in the night sea was breathtaking and very moving. I have some diving experience, but I rarely get to see mantas, and when I do, it's usually just a glimpse from afar. Therefore, I think the combination of the ease of snorkeling and the impressive conditions here is quite rare.

However, there were about 13 participants in total, including the three of us and about 10 others, most of whom were beginners at snorkeling. Unfortunately, there was no explanation on how to prevent the mask from fogging up, nor was there time to apply anti-fog solution or instructions on how to keep hair out of the mask. Additionally, when it came to viewing the mantas, the guide told us to pose like "Superman," but I think more specific instructions, such as relaxing your entire body and keeping your fins at the surface of the water, were necessary. In fact, one person kept their legs bent the whole time, which meant that the mantas only circled around us about twice. Meanwhile, they were constantly circling near others...

There should have been enough time to provide those explanations before we reached the snorkeling point, but the guide's comments, like "I hope we see lots of mantas today!" felt more like something you would say to elementary school students. It would have been appreciated if the explanations were delivered in a more mature tone, considering everyone was an adult.

I also think the procedures for changing clothes and taking showers were poorly organized. They decided who would be positioned where on the light board, but we were not informed about our assigned spots, and in the end, we just entered the water and grabbed onto whatever was available.

I believe more time should be spent on preparation beforehand. Since this is a night activity, there is a possibility of accidents occurring. This is a wonderful tour, and I hope they can improve in these areas.

2014年11月22日にマンタ・ナイトシュノーケリングに参加しました。
マンタにはたくさん会えて（多分10匹くらい）夜の海にたくさんのマンタが翻って泳ぐ様は圧巻で、とても感動できました。ダイビングを何度か経験していますが、なかなかマンタには会えないか会えても遠くからちらっと見える程度だったので、シュノーケルという手軽さでここまでの迫力の条件は中々他ではないのではないかと思いました。
ただ、参加者は私達3人と他10名の計13名ぐらいでしたが、他の人は殆どシュノーケルに対して初心者であったにも関わらず、マスクの曇り止めの説明も曇り止めをする時間もなくマスクに髪が入らないようにという説明もありませんでした。また、マンタを見る時の説明としてガイドの人に「スーパーマンのような格好」と教えられましたが、もう少し具体的に全身の力を抜くとかフィンが海面に来るようにするなどの説明が必要ではなかったかと思いました。現に一人、足を曲げたままでずっといる人が居た為、私達のところでマンタは2回ぐらいしか回ってくれませんでした。隣ではずっと回っていたのに・・・。
そういった説明をする時間はポイントに着くまでに十分あったはずですが、ガイドの女性の「マンタちゃんに今日はい～っぱいいるといいね！」といった小学生に説明するような幼稚な話で終わってしまったことが残念です。全員大人なのでもう少しちゃんとした口調での説明をして頂けると有りがたいです。
また、着替えやシャワーの順番等の手順も悪かったと思いますし、光のボードのどの位置に誰が付くかを決めていましたが、私達はどの場所になるか決めてもらえませんでしたし、結局バラバラと海に入って適当なところにつかまっただけでした。
やはりもう少し事前の準備に時間をかけるべきだと思います。
シュノーケリングとはいえ、夜に行うのですし、事故が起こる可能性もあります。折角すばらしいツアーなので、そこのところを是非改善して頂きたいです。

This was my children's first introduction to surfing. I really liked how they could have a private instructor who rode the board with them. My son is 5 and my daughter is 7. She has high functioning autism and struggles with anxiety but she really wanted to give it a try. The instructors were really great with both of our kids. The waves were pretty minimal and we had the option to cancel, but the kids would have been so disappointed so we decided to go anyway. Both kids managed to stand up and my daughter did indeed ride a small wave. The pre-lesson on dry land in the office is really useful, especially since they use visuals which really meets my daughter's learning style. We would love to do this again, and next time mom and dad want to give it a try too.

In November, I went to the Big Island with a female friend. Since it was a bit cheaper, I participated in a night snorkeling and manta ray tour for the first time in my life.

It was a meet-up plan, so I scouted the location the day before, but on the day itself, I almost ended up being very late due to a mistake. The meeting place might be a bit hard to find. I was supposed to turn right at the intersection of Honokohau Harbor, but I passed it. Be careful, as there are similar diving tours and delis in the area.

After gathering, we met with a Japanese female guide and a local male captain. I was nervous about my first night snorkeling, but both of them were kind, so I didn't have to worry. We borrowed wetsuits for free and got ready. There were six Japanese participants and three Americans.

Then we set off for the manta ray tour!

We boarded a large rubber boat and headed towards the manta point for about 20 minutes as the sun set. The sunset was beautiful, and it felt great to speed across the ocean, relieving stress! During the ride, we were hit by strong winds and splashes from the waves (especially from the person in front), and the boat rocked quite a bit, so be cautious.

I was anxious about whether we would really see manta rays and what night snorkeling would be like. However, when we arrived at the point, there were many other tour boats with their lights on. It seems that the lights attract plankton, which in turn attracts the manta rays. There were divers as well, but we wore snorkeling masks and fins, floated on a board with a light, and held onto the railing while looking around with our feet up. If you relax, it doesn't take much energy.

The water was a bit cold, but it felt warmer underwater than outside.

When I submerged my face, it was like entering another world! A paradise of fish! The light illuminated the schools of fish, making them sparkle! I was amazed by the number of fish, but more than that, it was the manta rays! I couldn't believe how many there were! The manta rays swam gracefully right next to us. Watching them feed with their mouths wide open was a sight to behold! I thought, "Wow, are we going to collide?" I was truly moved! It was so exciting!

We didn't have an underwater camera, but those moments should definitely be captured in photos! Seeing so many manta rays up close is something you can only experience in the Big Island. It's not something you see often! I really regret not buying an underwater camera to bring along. I wish I had manta ray photos! I highly recommend bringing one!

After about 30 to 40 minutes in the water, we returned to the boat. The movement of the boat and the waves while watching underwater can make you feel seasick. My friend said she felt a bit unwell. If you're prone to seasickness, it might be a good idea to take some medication beforehand.

On the way back, it gets really cold. Your body is wet, and with the wind, a thick bath towel is essential. It would also be good to have a jacket that can get wet. It’s really cold! But they serve warm cocoa and snacks, which helps warm us up a bit as we return to the port. It was pitch dark around us, but looking up at the sky revealed a stunning starry night! That was also moving! It was a tour that made me want to go again and see it again! Definitely worth seeing!

11月に女友達とハワイ島に行きました。少し安くなっていたので、人生で初めてナイトシュノーケル＆マンタツアーに参加しました。

現地集合プランだったので、前日に下見をしましたが当日結局間違えて危うく大遅刻するはめになりそうでした。
集合場所が少しわかりにくいかもしれません。ホノコハウハーバーの交差点を曲がり、一本目を右折するはずが通り過ぎてしまいました。そうすると、同じようなダイビングツアーやDeliがあるので気をつけてください。

さて、集合した後は女性の日本人ガイドさんと、現地の男性キャプテンと合流。初の夜シュノーケルでドキドキしていましたが、お二人とも優しいので心配することはありませんでした。ウエットスーツを無料で借りて装着。
参加者は日本人6名、アメリカ人3名でした。

いざマンタツアーへ出港！

大きなゴムボートに乗り、夕日が沈む中、マンタポイントまで20分くらい進みます。夕日が沈むのはとてもキレイで、大海原を風を切って走るので気持ち良く、ストレス発散！みたいな感じでした。移動中は、ガンガン風や、波しぶき(特に前の人)を浴びます。しかも波で結構揺れますのでご注意を。

本当にマンタに会えるのか、夜のシュノーケルはどんな感じか不安でした。しかし、ポイントに着くと他のツアー船もいっぱいいて、ライトをつけています。その灯りにプランクトンが集まり、餌を食べにマンタが集まるようになっているそうです。ダイビングの人もいましたが、私達はシュノーケルマスクとフィンを装着し、サーフボードにライトが付いたような板を浮かべ、その周囲の手すりにつかまり、みんなで足を浮かせながら眺めるというものでした。リラックスすれば体力もそんな使うことはありません。
水は少し冷たいですが、外より水の中の方が温かく感じるくらいでした。

ちょっと顔を沈めれば、そこは別世界‼︎魚の楽園です‼︎
魚の群れにライトが当たり、キラキラ光って見えます‼︎
こんなに魚が〜！って思いますが、それよりもやっぱりマンタです‼︎
まさかこんなにいるとは思えないくらいの数がいました‼︎
至近距離をマンタが悠遊と泳いでいます。大口を広げながら餌を食べる姿も必見です‼︎うわーっぶつかっちゃうんじゃないのーって思えるくらい！
本当に感動しました‼︎大興奮です‼︎

私達は水中カメラを持っていなかったのですが、あれは絶対写真におさめるべきです‼︎あんな数のマンタ、至近距離で見れるのは、ハワイ島くらいじゃないでしょうか。なかなか見れるものじゃないと思います!
本当に、何で水中カメラ買って持って行かなかったんだ〜と後悔しています。悔しい〜マンタの写真が欲しかった〜〜〜。
ぜひ、持っていくことをお勧めします！

30.40分くらい入ってみた後は船に戻ります。移動の船の揺れや、水中で波に揺られながらずっと見てるので酔いやすいです。友達も、少し気分が悪くなったと言っていました。酔いやすい方は、酔い止め薬を飲んでおいたほがいいかもしれません。

帰りは、めちゃくちゃ寒いです。身体は濡れてるし、風もあたって厚手のバスタオルは必需品です。濡れてもいい上着もあると、尚良いと思います。本当に寒いです！
でも温かいココアやスナック菓子を出してくれます。それで少し温まりながら港に戻ります。辺りは真っ暗ですが、空を見上げれば満天の星空が見えます‼︎あれにも感動しました‼︎
もう一度行きたい！見たい！と思えるツアーでした‼︎
絶対見る価値あり‼︎

Since it was our first time in Hawaii with the whole family, we were looking for activities that we could enjoy all day long. My mother found this activity online and wanted us all (five people) to participate. What she liked about it was that the boat looked fun, we could go snorkeling, and we could see caves!

When we arrived on the day of the activity and went to the office to check in, I thought my mother, who doesn't speak English, would have trouble understanding since it was English only. However, there was a guide paper in Japanese, and they spoke slowly and clearly, which made me feel relieved.

Since we didn't wear swimsuits, we were told to change in the restroom as there were no changing rooms, so I recommend wearing your swimsuit from the hotel. There were only eight people in our group, so the boat felt spacious, and perhaps because of the private atmosphere, everyone felt like friends, taking pictures and looking for dolphins, which was a lot of fun.

For snorkeling, there were life jackets and some kind of floatation aids available, so even those who are not good swimmers could enjoy snorkeling safely, and the kids had a great time too.

One disappointing thing was the cave. I found myself wondering, "Is this it?" Since it was labeled as caving, I had high expectations. However, if you think of it as just a fun activity with dolphin watching and snorkeling, it was a worthwhile experience, and we had a meaningful time.

初めて家族全員でのハワイなので一日中遊べるアクティビティーを探していた所、母がこのアクティビティーを希望し全員(5人)で参加させていただきました。
　母がネットで見て気に入った所は、まずボートが楽しそうでシュノーケリングまで出来て洞窟も観られる！でした。

　当日現地に着いて受付を済ませるためオフィスに行くと英語オンリーでの対応だったので英語の話せない母には理解出来ないだろうなぁ～なんて思っていたら日本語のガイドペーパーがあり、ゆっくり分かりやすく話してくれたので安心しました。
　私達は水着を着ていかなかったので現地で着替える際、更衣室は無くトイレで着替えるよう言われたのでホテルから着込んで行く事をおすすめします。
　私達が参加した回は8人しかおらずボートが大きく感じプライベート感覚の為か船上ではみんな友達の様になって写真を撮り合ったりイルカを探したりしてとても楽しかったです。
　シュノーケリングではライフジャケットをはじめ浮き棒？みたいな補助具が積んであるので泳ぎが不得意な人も安心してシュノーケリングが出来て子供たちも一緒に楽しみました。
　一つ残念だった事は洞窟？これが？って思ってしまう所です。cavingと書いてあるから期待してるだけでボートに乗ってイルカ観てシュノーケリングだと思えば楽しいアクティビティーで、有意義な時間を過ごせました。

This was truly the highlight of the trip. Stunning snorkeling, incredible cliff jumps, awesome paddling and we even cruised along with a pod of dolphins for a little bit.

This was truly a unique experience that should be done once. It is kind of creepy being out in the open ocean at night, but that is the exciting part and of course the Manta Rays will not disappoint. After about 25 minutes in the water you've seen enough, but definitely a thrilling 25 minutes.

Seeing the sun set at the top of mauna kea was a once in a lifetime adventure. However dInner wasn't that great - was handed the food to eat at the visitor center -no where to sit and eat and had to balance dinner plate on my lap. This was not what I expected. As well, food was not very good. No drink included. Astronomy lesson after sunset was interesting. Although overall the trip was ok I did not think it was worth the money.

Saw lots of beautiful fish! Great crew! Not quite as much fun as scuba, but SOOO much easier than getting wet! Everyone should see the underwater part of Hawaii!

We participated as a group of four! It was seriously the best! The guide was really fun and super kind♪ It became the best memory＾＾

There's no doubt this will be the best memory in Hawaii!

4人で参加しました！
マジで最高でした！ガイドさんもとても楽しくて凄く親切♪
最高の思い出になりました＾＾

ハワイのなかで一番の思い出になる事間違いないですよ～

Watching the sunset and stargazing at the summit of Mauna Kea on the Big Island is something I want to experience at least once in my lifetime, so I made the trip from my usual base in Oahu. Since I was the first to be picked up for the tour, I ended up sitting next to Masakazu Matsuzaki, known as "Macchan." His consistent dedication to service was genuine. I could hear him saying, "Oh, this is fun, fun," as if he was reminding himself, almost like a mantra. I felt it was wonderful how he responded to guests' requests and guided us naturally, with his way of life and work in harmony.

When you have a good guide, not only can you enjoy the night sky, star clusters, and shooting stars with their extensive astronomical knowledge, but the entire group can also share a pleasant time together. During our stop at Onizuka Point for lunch, we joined the Yamachan group, and the banter between Macchan and Yamachan was a highlight. Thanks to them, we also got to see the rare silver sword plant! As we approached the summit, the sea of clouds and the scattered observation telescopes from various countries created a mysterious and almost sci-fi movie-like atmosphere. When the orange sunset sank into the clouds, the show of countless stars began. That emotion is something you have to experience at least once... While personal cameras have limitations in skill and performance, the photos taken by the guides can be downloaded after returning home, and their quality and shot composition brought a second wave of excitement. I truly made wonderful memories. Thank you very much. Next year, I will challenge myself with the "sunrise." Macchan, please keep guiding until then...!

　ハワイ島マウナケア山頂でのサンセット＆星空観測、なんて、一生に一度は見たいもの、といつものオアフ島から足をのばしました。　ツアーのピックアップが最初だったから、松崎正君（ただし君とは読まない）、通称”まっちゃん”の横に座ることに．．．、彼の終始一貫した、サービス精神は本物でした。聞いてましたよ、「ああ楽しい、楽しい」とあれは自分に言い聞かせながらだったのか、呪文のように唱えてましたね。　客の要望に応えたり、又は誘導したり、出すぎることなく、自然体で、生き方と仕事が一致してるのって、いいなあ、と感じました。
良いガイドにあたると、豊富な天文の知識で星空、星団や流れ星を楽しめるだけでなく、ツアー全員も和やかに一つの時間を共有できるのです。　途中の鬼塚ポイントでのお弁当、やまちゃんグループと合流、まっちゃん＆やまちゃんのかけ合い漫才も目玉ですよ。　珍しい銀剣草もお蔭で見れました！　頂上が近づくにつれ、雲海や点在する各国の展望鏡など、まるで宇宙ＳＦ映画のような不思議な、それでいて神秘的な気分になっていきます。オレンジ色の夕陽が雲海に落ちていくと、満天の星のショーの始まりです。あの感動は一度は味わわないと．．．個人のカメラでは腕と性能に限りがありますが、ガイドの彼らが撮って下さった写真が帰国後、ダウンロードでき、その出来映えとショットセンスに二度目の感動です。ほんとにいい思い出ができました。ありがとうございました。来年は、”サンライズ”に挑戦します。まっちゃん、それまでやめないでガイド続けててね．．．！

I participated on November 6th. The summit at 4200m was very cold, but the sunset with the sea of clouds was wonderful and very moving. I didn't suffer from altitude sickness, and I was lent proper cold-weather gear. They also provided warm drinks along the way, showing great attention to detail, which allowed me to fully enjoy the stunning scenery. One disappointment was that there were too many clouds to observe the starry sky. Still, I was able to take many photos with the full moon in the background and had a great time. I saw people around 60 years old participating energetically, so I think anyone can enjoy this experience.

11/6に参加しました。4200mの山頂はとても寒かったですが、サンセットは雲海がすばらしくとても感動しました。高山病にもならず、しっかりとした防寒具も貸してもらえ、途中暖かい飲料も頂いたりと細やかに気配り頂いたので、とても素晴らしい景色を堪能することができました。ひとつ残念だったのは、雲が多くて星空観測がほとんどできなかった事です。それでもたくさんフルムーンを背景にたくさん写真を撮ったりして楽しめました。60歳前後の方も元気に参加されていたので、どなたでも楽しめると思いました。

We were blessed with great weather and were moved by the wonderful sunset and starry sky at Mauna Kea. Although we participated as an older group, it seemed that everyone experienced a perspective that made them feel as if their lifespan had been extended. Many had wanted to climb it at least once, and we were impressed by the greatness of the mountain, which didn't feel like 4,200 meters, as well as the guide's storytelling and photographs.

天気にも恵まれマウナケアの素晴らしい夕日と星空に感動でした。
年齢の高いグループで参加しましたがそれぞれが寿命が延びたような世界観を味わえたようです。一度は登ってみたいと思っていた人も多く、４２００Ｍを感じさせない山の偉大さと案内のガイドさんの話術と写真に感動しました。

The weather at the summit on the day was not great (blizzard), which was a bit disappointing, but... we were able to see the starry sky a little lower down. It wasn't quite a full sky, but it was moving. Masashi's tour was enjoyable and very accommodating, and I was very satisfied. However... it was unfortunate that there weren't enough rental outfits for everyone, and my partner ended up without one and looked cold.

当日の山頂の天候がイマイチ（吹雪）でちょっと残念でしたが･･･少し下ったところで星空見れました。満天･･･までとはいかなかったと思うけど感動しました。マサシさんのツアーは楽しくいたれりつくせりで大満足でした。ただ･･･貸し出ししてくれるはずのウェアが人数分なくて足りなくなってしまい、相方があぶれてしまい寒そうだったのは残念だったところ･･･。

Excellent tour. We'll worth the money. More educational than expected. We would have liked to have more time to ask questions but the two guides did a fantastic job trying to see everyone was comfortable and amazed. We would book it again just because it was one of the highlights of our vacation. A job well done.

I participated with a friend. The cold weather gear was sufficient as the reviews said, but my fingertips and toes still got cold.

At the summit, the air was thin, and I was feeling quite high-spirited, but I noticed that the guide was taking the time to remind everyone to be careful. Thanks to that, I didn’t get altitude sickness, which was a relief.

I was looking forward to the starry sky, so I was wondering how the sunset would be. It was probably my first time quietly watching it, and it left a deep impression on me.

There was a man (probably from America) who asked me to take a photo, and he said he had walked for five hours to get there. I felt that this tour is truly appreciated by ordinary people who don’t have such stamina (laughs).

By the time the stars were visible, I felt an indescribable sense of happiness. The wind was cold, but it was a great spot to see the stars, so I managed to endure it. Actually, I had stopped by a restaurant with a planetarium at Haneda Airport, so I was already prepared for the autumn starry sky! When I heard about the first magnitude star of Ursa Minor, I thought, "Oh, that one!" So, I recommend this to those heading from Haneda.

Although my night vision isn’t great, I feel like I saw about five shooting stars. They were visible to the naked eye, which was moving.

For those with a DSLR, it seemed the guide was giving detailed tips on how to take photos, so I’d definitely want to bring one along. As for me, I didn’t have one, so I left it to the guide. In any case, it’s best to leave it to a reliable professional. (Please refer to other people's photos for the starry sky.)

The guides were efficient, and I was satisfied with the photos, food, and conversation. Thank you very much, Macchan and Stefan. It was a wonderful experience that makes me want to go again.

友人と2人で参加しました。
防寒具は口コミ通り十分でしたが、やはり指先と足先は冷えますね。

山頂は空気が薄く、私の場合はテンションがハイになっていましたが、
ガイドさんは合間を見て気を付けることをみなさんに伝えているなと思いました。
おかげで高山病になりませんでした。助かりました。

星空に期待していたので、日の入りはどうかなと思っていましたが、
静かに眺める機会がおそらく初めてだったこともあり、印象深かったです。

写真をお願いと頼んできた男性（おそらくアメリカの）がいたのですが、
5時間かけて歩いて登ってきたのだとか。
そんな体力のない一般の人には、本当にありがたいツアーだなと感じました(笑)

星空が見えるころには何とも言えない幸せな気分でした。
風は冷たかったですが、星がきれいに見えるいい場所なので我慢です。
実は羽田空港で、プラネタリウム付きレストランに立ち寄っていて、
秋の星空の予習済みでした！
こぐま座の１等星と言われて「あれね！」となったので、
羽田から向かう方にはこちらもおすすめです。
夜の目がきかない方ですが、流れ星を５つぐらいは見た気がします。
肉眼で見えるんですね、感動しました。

一眼レフがある方はガイドさんが細かく撮り方のコツを教えていたようですので、
ぜひ持って参加したいですね。
そういう私は持っていませんからガイドさんまかせでしたが。
何にしても信頼できるプロに任せるのが一番ですよね。
（星空の写真は他の方を参考にしてください。）

手際のよいガイドさんたちで、写真もご飯もトークも満足です。
まっちゃんさん、ステファンさん、どうもありがとうございました。
次も行きたいと思える素敵な体験のアシストでした。

Climbing a mountain over 4,000 meters like Mount Fuji might seem daunting. However, you can actually drive to the summit of Mauna Kea. It may sound easy to just rent a car, but beyond the Onizuka Center, the road is unpaved and driving becomes quite difficult. Additionally, the oxygen levels decrease, making it dangerous to drive unless you have considerable climbing experience.

This tour reveals a world you've never seen before. While Japanese people refer to it as "goraikou" (the first sunrise), the gradually darkening sunset is exceptional.

After that, stargazing... A clear world unfolds that you can't see in the city.

富士山を超える４０００ｍ級の登山というと大変そうだと思われるともいます。
なんとマウナケアは山頂まで車で行けるんです。
じゃレンタカーでと簡単に思ってしまいますが、途中の鬼塚センターから先は舗装されておらず、運転がかなり難しい。且つ酸素が薄くなりますから、よほど登山経験でもないと運転は危険です。
このツアーで見たことのない世界が目の前に広がります。
日本人はご来光といいますが、徐々に暗くなるサンセットは格別です。

またその後の星空観察。。都会では見えないクリアーな世界が広がります。

I took a taxi to the Careho Shopping Center, borrowed a sweat suit at the office, and put it on over the swimsuit I was wearing. Then, I got back into the waiting taxi and headed to Careho Bay, where the boat was docked. There were only my partner and me, the only Japanese people there. I felt anxious, but looking at the people around me, I realized it would be fine.

Once we got out to sea, we all took the noodles, which are floating devices, and gradually lowered them from under our arms down to our ankles while putting on our snorkels, waiting for the manta rays to come close to the lights. It felt like being a diver inside an aquarium. The manta rays came so close to my face and body; it was incredibly impressive. That sensation was moving and thrilling, and it's definitely worth experiencing at least once!

　ケアホウショッピングセンターへタクシーで乗り付け、スエットスーツを事務所で借り、着ていった水着の上に着込み、待ってもらってたタクシーで船が停泊しているケアホウ湾へ。
日本人は私とカップルだけ。　不安だったけど、周りの人達を見ていると、どうにかなるもの。船で沖出て、海面に浮かべた梯子状になったロープにみんなでヌードルと呼ぶ浮きを、脇の下から、徐々に足首までおろしシュノーケルをつけ、ライトに寄ってくるマンタを待ちます。まるで、水族館の水槽な中のダイバーになった気分でした。顔や体すれすれに近寄ってくるマンタ、迫力満点です。あの感覚は感動的、スリリング、ぜひ一度は経験する価値は十分あります！

My partner and I love stargazing, and we had high hopes of seeing the stars at the world-renowned Mauna Kea! However, since November is the rainy season, we unfortunately encountered completely cloudy skies and were unable to see almost any stars. Since this was the main highlight of our trip to Hawaii, it turned into a disappointing experience afterward. The guide was very nice and seemed well-studied, which left a good impression. Given that we are dealing with nature, it's understandable, but since the participation fee is not cheap, those planning to join during the rainy season from November should be aware that there may be days when you can't see any stars at all.

夫婦で星空が好きで、世界的に名高いマウナケアで星空が見れる!と大きな期待をしていましたが、11月は雨季ということで運悪く完全に曇ってしまい、殆ど星を見ることができませんでした。今回のハワイ旅行のメインだっただけに、その後残念な旅となってしまいました。ガイドの方はとても良い方で、よく勉強されているように見受けられて好印象でした。自然が相手だけに仕方ありませんが、参加費も安くないので、11月からの雨季に参加される方は全く星が見えない日もあることは承知しておいた方がいいですよ。

In October 2014, as usual, the Japanese tour was fully booked, so I joined this one. The guide's English explanations were at native speed, making it hard to understand, but he answered our questions slowly during meals and bathroom breaks.

While the Japanese tour seems to have meals at the Onizuka Visitor Center at an altitude of 2,800 meters to help acclimatize, this tour had meals at a "certain place" at the foot of the mountain. After a brief rest at a scenic spot, we climbed straight to the summit, so those worried about altitude sickness need to stay hydrated. Each person was given a bottle of water during the meal for this purpose.

The views of the various observatories from around the world, the sunset sinking into the sea of clouds, and the subsequent twilight were absolutely stunning. As the sun set, the cold increased, and the warm clothing provided was appreciated. After it got a bit darker, we moved near the Onizuka Visitor Center for stargazing after a bathroom break. Unlike other tours that observed within the center's grounds, we had our stargazing in a less illuminated area by the roadside.

I can't forget the beauty of the starry sky I saw at a ski resort late at night, and this sky, along with the Milky Way, was equally enjoyable. There was also stargazing with a telescope, and although the moonlight can be a nuisance for stargazing, the crescent moon this time allowed for good observation of craters through the telescope, which was actually a plus.

In this tour, out of 16 participants on one bus, only my spouse and I were Japanese. Another bus (which had the same meal location) had only one couple of newlyweds as Japanese participants. I think the Japanese tour is recommended, but this one is also a good tour overall. However, the "certain place" where we had our meal had a simple toilet, so those who are extremely particular about cleanliness should be prepared for that.

２０１４年１０月、例によって日本語ツアーが満杯でこちらに参加。ガイドさんの英語説明はネイティブスピードでほとんどわからないが、食事やトイレ時のこちらからの質問等にはゆっくり答えてくれた。
また日本語のツアーは標高２８００メートルのオニズカ・ビジターセンターで食事をしながら標高に体をならしていくようだが、こちらのツアーは麓の「とある場所」で食事をし、その後は見晴しの良いところで少し休憩はあるものの、一気に山頂まで登るため、高山病が心配な人には水分を多く取るような注意が必要だ。そのための水は食事の時に１人１ボトル配布された。
山頂での各国の天文台、雲海に沈む夕日、その後の夕焼けは文句なくすばらしかった。
日が沈むと寒さが増し、貸してくれた防寒具がありがたい。さらにすこし暗くなるとトイレの後、星空観測のためオニズカ・ビジターセンター付近に移動。こちらも他のツアーがセンター敷地内での観測になるのに対し、周りの光がより少ない道路脇の空き地での観測だった。
昔、夜中にスキー場で見た星空の素晴らしさが忘れられないが、それに匹敵する星空と天の川が堪能できた。天体望遠鏡での観測もあったが、星空観測には天敵の月の光も今回の三日月程度なら天体望遠鏡でクレーターがよく観察でき、逆によかった。
今回のツアーはバス１台に１６人の参加者中、日本人は我々夫婦２人だけでした。もう１台別のバス（食事だけ同じ場所で）も日本人参加者は１組の新婚さんのご夫婦だけでした。
日本語のツアーの方がおすすめとは思いますが、こちらも総合的に良いツアーです。
ただし、食事をいただいた上記「とある場所」は簡易トイレなので、極端に清潔好きな人はほんの少々ですが覚悟しておいた方がよいでしょう。