All Reviews for Kailua-Kona

The sky was cloudy during the journey, so I was worried about the conditions at the summit, but by the time we arrived, it was clear and we could see the observatory clearly. The moment of sunset was also wonderful. On the way back, the sky was filled with stars, and the guide provided a detailed explanation of the night sky, which was moving. It was truly a unique experience that is hard to come by. Thank you very much.

道中曇り空だった為、頂上の状態が心配でしたが、到着した時間には快晴となり天文台ははっきり見え、日没の瞬間も素晴らしかったです。
帰路途中も満天の星で、ガイドさんが星空を詳しく説明して下さり感動しました。なかなか体験の出来ない非日常の一日で、本当に有難うございました。

First off The Two outstanding parts to this tour was Jeff; The Tour Guide and The Stars. Tour Guide Jeff, detailed intellect to the stars was fun and educational without being obnoxious. Felt very fortunate to have him as our guide. Even though the clouds didn’t corporate fully that evening the Sunset was astounding even at nine thousand foot elevation.
The Rudeness of One Local Park Ranger that evening was disappointing to witness by all in the group. He made a big deal to our Tour Guide to move the company van by honking his horn repeatedly when all he had to do was ask politely Not Nice. The other disappointment was The Gift Shop closing very early and while they were closing the gift shop personnel Didn’t allow access to the Restroom for the many guess that were present at the time. Gift shop took about 15 minutes to close up shop and during that time could’ve allowed access to Restrooms. Thank You Jeff !!! for saving our visit

First off, big thanks to Jeff for being an entertaining and super knowledgeable guide. Great customer service as well. They called us early on in the morning to let us know, to our dismay, that we wouldn’t be able to get up to the summit for our particular trip (due to many weather related circumstances that were out of their control). It was a huge bummer, but like I said, still 100% worth it to attend the abbreviated version of this excursion. I’m more of a street smarts kinda guy if you know what I mean, Jeff made everything so easy to understand and so interesting to everyone attending the trip. He was able to answer every single question we had. I swear the guys a living encyclopedia. Long story short there should be no hesitation on your part to take this once in a lifetime trip. Set aside the funds you need to experience this NO. MATTER. WHAT.

It was the best experience!
The guide instructed us to get into the water when the dolphins arrived, so we were able to see them up close!
While we were on the boat, the guide also helped us look for marine life, and we got to see:
whales,
manta rays,
whale sharks!
I truly feel lucky.
Thank you so much for such a wonderful experience!

最高の一言です。
イルカが来るタイミングで海に降りるよう指示を出してくれるので、近くで見ることができました！
船に乗ってる間も、ガイドさんが生き物をさがしてくれて、
クジラ
マンタ
ジンベイザメ
を見れちゃいました！！
本当に幸運だったと思います。
こんなにステキな体験をさせていただきありがとうございました！

The primary purpose of this trip to Hawaii was to go to the summit of Mauna Kea and take sunset photos. However, despite the clear weather, the temperature was low, causing the roads to freeze. Ultimately, the road closure was not lifted, and we couldn't reach the summit. When I inquired, I learned that there had only been two occasions this February when people were able to go to the summit. The tour regulations state that access to the summit may be restricted due to weather conditions, but I felt that promoting sunset viewing at the summit when the chances of going there are less than 10% is, in a sense, misleading. I do not recommend the sunset viewing at the summit of Mauna Kea during winter.

今回のハワイ旅行の第一の目的はマウナケア山頂に行き夕陽撮影を行う事。ところが、天気が快晴にもかかわらず気温が低かったため道路が凍結。最終的に道路の通行止めが解除にならず、山頂には行けなかった。聞いてみると今年の2月は、2回ほど山頂に行っただけとの事。ツアー規約には、天候により山頂には行けない旨の記載があるが、山頂に行ける確率が１０％にもないのに、山頂夕陽鑑賞を募集するのは、ある意味詐欺と感じた。冬季のマウナケア山頂夕陽鑑賞は、おすすめはしない。

I participated in this tour because it allows you to get close to whales on a small boat during whale watching. There were four Japanese participants, including my mother and me. The rest were all travelers from the mainland United States, including some small children. The captain's guidance and announcements were all in English, but he entertained us with his cheerful demeanor and acrobatic maneuvers.

The boat sped out to sea faster than I had imagined. Passengers clung to the ropes attached to the boat, and the small children were held by their mothers. The first sighting was a pod of dolphins. Their synchronized swimming was very soothing. Additionally, we were fortunate enough to encounter a group of manta rays, which seems to be rare. As for the whales, at first, we could only see them blowing water from a distance, but in the end, we saw one diving right next to the boat. It was thrilling to see it swim directly beneath us.

We had a juice and snack break on board, and on the way back, we encountered another pod of dolphins. The captain created round waves on the surface with his acrobatic steering, and the dolphins joyfully jumped in, which was incredibly cute! It was a thoroughly satisfying tour.

However, I forgot to take motion sickness medication and ended up feeling a bit groggy, so I definitely recommend taking it. Also, since the boat moves at quite a high speed, it might be a bit dangerous for those who are not confident in their ability to hold on or for elderly individuals. I highly recommend this tour for those who love thrill rides or want to see marine animals up close!

ホエールウォッチングの中でも小さな船でクジラに近付けるということで、こちらのツアーに参加しました。日本人参加者は私と母を含めて4人。ほかは全員アメリカ本土からの旅行者で、中には小さなお子さんも。船長のガイドやアナウンスはすべて英語ですが、ノリのよさとアクロバティックな操縦で楽しませてくれました。

船は想像していた以上のハイスピードで沖へ。乗客は船についているロープにしがみつき、小さなお子さんはお母さまが抱いていらっしゃいました。最初に現れたのはイルカの群れ。規則的にグループで泳ぐ姿にとても癒されました。また、これは珍しいようですがマンタの群れにも遭遇することができました。そして肝心のクジラですが、最初は遠くのほうで潮を吹いている姿しか見られなかったものの、最後には船のすぐそばで潜水。そのまま船の下を通っていく姿を間近でしっかりと見られて感動しました。

船上でのジュース＆お菓子タイムを挟みつつ、帰り道にはまたもイルカの群れに遭遇。すると船長がアクロバティックな操縦で水面にまあるい波を起こし、そこにイルカたちが楽しそうに飛び込んできてとてもかわいかったです...！最後まで大満足のツアーでした。

ただ酔い止めを飲み忘れてしまいグロッキーになったので笑、必ず酔い止めは飲んだほうがいいです。また船はかなりのハイスピードで進むので、つかまる力に自信がない方やお年寄りには少し危ないかもしれません。絶叫マシンが好きな方や海の動物を近くで見たい方にはとってもおススメです！

I was really able to swim with dolphins. The experience was incredibly moving! Looking back now, I'm glad I was able to make a reservation!

Although I had no snorkeling experience and went out into the ocean, thanks to the support and advice from the swim instructor, I was ultimately able to see the dolphins up close, and I'm really glad I went!

The captain loves the ocean, dolphins, and whales more than anything, and I realized that because of that love, there is so much he can understand and teach us. His love for the animals was overflowing, and that's why we were able to have such an amazing experience. He also assessed the spots from a professional perspective, making for a very satisfying time.

I would love to participate again once I can snorkel! Thank you very much!!!

本当にイルカと泳げました。感動はかなり大きかったです！
今思えば予約がとれてよかった！と思っております。
シュノーケリング未経験で沖に出てしまった私ですが、スイムインストラクターの方のサポートやアドバイスで最終的にはイルカを間近で見ることができて本当に行ってよかった！です。
船長さんが何よりも海、イルカ、クジラなどのことが大好きで、大好きだからこそわかること、教えられることがたくさんあるんだなと思います。動物たちへの愛が溢れていて、だからこそ私たちの体験が得られたんだなと思います。ポイントもプロの目線で見極めてくれてかなり満足な時間でした。
またシュノーケルできるようになって参加したいものです！ありがとうございました！！！

We got to spend a lot of time watching the Spinner Dolphins swim under and around us as we were in the water. Captain Nick and Trevor were great guides!

This time, we couldn't reach the summit or observe the starry sky due to bad weather. It's really disappointing since it's not an easily accessible place. Given the cost, we should have considered the timing (especially in winter) more carefully. As for the guide, I would have preferred more information about the attractions and charm of the Big Island rather than personal stories.

今回は悪天候のため山頂と星空観測が出来ませんでした。
簡単に行ける所ではないので、本当に残念でなりません。
金額もそれなりにするので、時期（特に冬場）もしっかり考慮すべきでした。
ガイドに関しては、個人的な話よりも、もっとハワイ島の事、魅力を話してもらいたかった。

The captain and the swim guide were both Japanese with blue eyes, and their love for the sea radiated from them.

Perhaps we were lucky with the timing, as we were fortunate enough to see whales, which got everyone on board very excited.

The dolphins we aimed to see were not at an easily accessible spot, but they knew the locations where we could feel closer to them. If I have the chance to come back to the Big Island, I would love to participate again.

船長、スイムガイド共に青い目をした日本人で、海が好きな感じが
全身からあふれ出ていました。

参加したタイミングが良かったのかクジラも運良く見ることができ、
船内一同大盛り上がりでした。

目当てのイルカも安易に見られるポイントではなく、より近くに感じられる
ポイントを熟知しており、次回ハワイ島に来る機会があったら、また参加
させてもらいたいと思います。

Since it's nature, we can't predict the weather until the reservation date. I climbed up to 2,800 meters, but it started to rain along the way. We take some time for altitude acclimatization, but due to the rain, we eat cold boxed lunches in the car. Beyond that point, the road was closed due to snow and ice. We changed our plans and headed to the west coast to watch the sunset. I was looking forward to seeing the sunset and stargazing from the summit, but... here too, the clouds obscured everything. I've seen the sunset every day for five days, so maybe it's okay.

自然相手なので予約日の天候までわかりません。
2,800mまで登ったけど途中から雨。
高地順応とかで時間を置きますが、雨のため車内で冷たい給食弁当を食べます。
それ以上先は雪と凍結で通行止めとなりました。
予定を変えてサンセットを観るため西海岸まで行きます。
山頂から見るサンセットと星空観測なのに、、。
ここも雲で何も見えず。
5日間毎日サンセットは観てるからもういいか。

Dolphins are wild creatures, so there's no guarantee that you'll see them, but this tour offers a high probability of encountering them. The reason for this is that the instructor drives the boat and selects snorkeling points based on the dolphins' behavior that day. They also provide detailed instructions to help you see the dolphins up close. When the dolphins appeared right in front of us, I was very excited. I believe this is the only tour where you can see wild dolphins up close with such a high probability. I had a really great time participating. Thank you!

イルカは野生の生き物なので必ず会えると言う保証はありませんがこのツアーは、ほとんどの確率で会えます。
それは何故かと言うと、インストラクターの方が船を運転してその日のイルカの調子でポイントを選んでシュノーケリングをするからです。
またイルカを間近で見るために細かい指示をしてくれます。
今回イルカがの前に現れて、とても興奮しました。これだけ高い確率で野生のイルカを間近に見ることができるツアーはここのツアーだけだと思います。
参加できてほんとに楽しかったです。
ありがとうございます。

We participated as a family of four (all adults). Among the three staff members, the female staff member was fluent in Japanese, so we had no trouble understanding the explanations before snorkeling. The snorkeling lasted about 40 minutes. We were instructed to keep our bodies horizontal and look into the water, but it wasn't difficult to maintain that position since we had a foam-like stick to hold near our knees. The manta rays came close enough to touch. They are large and incredibly impressive! We were able to see at least five manta rays. The staff were very considerate, making our experience comfortable. Additionally, we received a tote bag with a manta ray design on our way back.

I was worried about seasickness, and while my wife experienced some mild symptoms, it wasn't serious, and it seemed that no other participants had issues with seasickness. However, I think it depends on the wave conditions of the day. Also, it might be wise to rent a wetsuit for an additional fee ($10 each).

家族4人で参加しました。（全員大人）
スタッフ3名のうち女性のスタッフの方は日本語が堪能なので、シュノーケリング前の説明等も問題なく理解できました。シュノーケリングは約40分間。
体を水平にして海中を覗き込むように言われましたが、発泡スチロールのような棒状のものを膝の辺りに当てるので体を水平に維持するのは疲れもせず難しくなかったです。
マンタは体に触れるくらいまで近くに来てくれます。
マンタは大きく凄い迫力です！　確認できただけでも５枚のマンタを見ることができました。
スタッフの皆さんもいろいろと気遣いしてくれて快適でした。
それと、帰りにマンタの絵が描かれたトートバッグをいただきました。

船酔いが心配でしたが、妻に少し船酔いの症状が出たものの大事には至らず、他の参加者にも船酔いした人はいなかったようです。ただ、船酔いに関してはその日の波の状況にもよると思います。
それと別料金（1着10㌦）になりますがウエットスーツは借りたほうが賢明ではないでしょうか。

This tour provided a great overview of the island. The stops were timed well for bathroom/stretch purposes. We made a couple unscheduled fun stops/detours which was great. Nate had a lot of info to share amd was very knowledgable. Food was very yummy and Nate even found an orchid shopnfor us to eat at while it was pouring outside. Overall great experience.

The summit of Mauna Kea was cold at minus 2 degrees with strong winds, and I didn't have the luxury to take photos. I experienced mild altitude sickness and felt a bit unsteady, followed by a headache later, but I was able to enjoy the experience until the end. (There were three portable toilets at the summit, but no tissues.)

By the way, the stars were amazing!! I will never forget this experience and will definitely participate again.

Lastly, the miso soup in the bento was incredibly delicious. I bought stickers and playing cards as souvenirs at the Onizuka Visitor Center. Thank you for your hospitality. Thank you very much.

マウナケア山頂はマイナス2度の強風で寒くて写真を撮りたくてもそんな余裕がありませんでした。軽い高山病か足元ふらふらで後から頭痛がしてきましたが無事に最後までたのしく終わる事が出来ました。(山頂には簡易トイレが3つありました。ティッシュ無し。)
ちなみに星が凄い!!一生忘れる事はないでしょうまた必ず参加します。

最後にお弁当のお味噌汁が凄い美味しかったです。自分のお土産にオニヅカビジターセンターでスッテカーとトランプを買いました。
お世話になりました。ありがとうございました。

Jim Carey is an outstanding and knowledgeable guide who wove Hawaiian folklore, geology and local current events into an experience that we (ages 12 to 72) all enjoyed. We had a nice small group (just seven of us) which allowed Jim to go a little off script and pack a lot of experiences into our day. The transportation van was comfortable but be ready for a long drive because Jim really covers the Big Island. From the lava flows in Kona to Hilo to Kilauea, there was a lot of ground covered. The gourmet dinner of organic and locally grown steaks, fish and produce was exceptional. Don't even get me started on the dessert. We are still talking about it. The stargazing was a spectacular finish to the day.
Thank you Jim for an unforgettable experience.

I was truly impressed by Captain Daisuke's feelings of closeness to the dolphins and whales, as well as his desire to entertain us participants. Thanks to Swim Guide Ray's accurate advice, we were able to swim among the pods of dolphins. It was a deeply moving experience for me. I will definitely return to the Big Island next year during whale season!

船長ダイスケさんのイルカやクジラに寄り添う気持ちと、参加している私達を楽しませたい、という気持ちにとても感服しました。
またスイムガイド・レイさんの的確なアドバイスでイルカちゃん達の群れの中にお邪魔させてもらい泳ぐことができました。
初めての体験に心から感動でした。
また来年クジラの季節にハワイ島で
リピートさせて頂きます！

It takes about 10 minutes by car from the town of Kailua-Kona to the office. There were no other Japanese tourists besides us; most of the participants were from the mainland United States. Instead of a cruise ship, we boarded a boat to head out to sea. Along the way, we encountered a pod of dolphins and saw many whales up close! We got soaked on the boat, but that was also a fun memory. Snacks and water were provided during the trip. I would love to participate again if I visit the Big Island during the season.

カイルアコナの町から車で10分くらいでオフィスに着きます。
ツアー客は私達のほかに日本人はおらずアメリカ本土から来ている人がほとんどでした。
クルーズ船というよりもボートに乗り込み沖まで行きます。
途中イルカの群れにも会え、クジラにも沢山、そして間近で見る事が出来ました！！
ボートで沖まで行くのでびしょ濡れになりましたが、それも楽しい思い出です。
途中スナックと水を貰えます。
またシーズンにハワイ島に行けば参加したいです。

I was thrilled to see the whales jump multiple times. The boat rocked, but I was so focused on searching for the whales that I didn't feel seasick and enjoyed myself.

クジラのジャンプを何回も見ることができて感激しました。船は揺れましたが、クジラを探すことに夢中になっていたため船酔いもなく楽しめました。

It was moving! I felt like I made eye contact with a dolphin! I was able to swim right next to a pod of dolphins! I want to swim with Daisuke again! I will keep in touch with everyone I was with, and starting tomorrow, I will work hard dreaming of the day I can swim with the dolphins and all of you again! I hope Daisuke can swim with the blue whale too!

感動です！イルカと目が合った気がしました！イルカちゃん達の群れのすぐ横で一緒に泳げました！だいすけさんとまた泳ぎたい！ご一緒させて頂いた皆さんとも連絡取り合って、またいつかイルカとみなさんと泳げる日を夢見て明日から頑張ります！だいすけさんもシロナガスクジラと一緒に泳げますように

Great morning of Kayaking and saw plenty of fish, 2 reef sharks and an eel. Recommend Morning your before all the boats come in. Jay was great guide.

The most moving experience among my past tour experiences.
1. Visiting the observation deck with the Subaru telescope at the summit of Mauna Kea.
2. Experiencing the freezing cold of minus 10 degrees Celsius at an altitude of 4000 meters in Hawaii.
3. Being moved by the sunset at the highest point over the Pacific Ocean.
4. Being overwhelmed by the starry sky at an altitude of 3000 meters.

I was truly impressed by Shin's talk and constellation explanations as a tour professional. Thank you very much.

過去のツアー体験の中で一番の感動体験。
　①マウナケア山頂のスバル望遠鏡が設置された展望台を訪れた事・
　②標高4000ｍの氷点下10度の寒さをハワイで体験できた事。
　③太平洋上での最高地点でのサンセットに感動。
　④標高3000ｍ地点での満天の星空に圧倒された。
　
　ツアー案内のShinさんのトークと星座説明は、さすがツアープロ
　としての姿に感銘を受けました。本当にありがとうございました。

Since my accommodation was in Kailua-Kona, I had to make my way to the meeting point on foot. However, the public parking was difficult to find, which made me quite anxious, so it's necessary to check in advance. The tour exceeded my expectations as I was able to see whales up close, which was fantastic. However, the boat does rock quite a bit, so I think those who are prone to seasickness should prepare accordingly.

滞在先がカイルアコナだったので地力で集合
場所まで行かなければならなかったですが
パブリックパーキングが判り辛く、かなり焦り
ましたので事前のチェックが必要です。
ツアーの内容は予想以上に近くでクジラを
見る事が出来て大変良かったです。
ただし、船はかなり揺れますので、船酔いの
心配な方はそれなりに準備した方が良いと思います。

I was able to see whales from a distance. Watching the whales swimming leisurely as a couple was soothing, and I definitely want to participate again!

遠目でしたが、鯨を見ることが出来ました。ユッタリとカップルで泳ぐ鯨達を見て癒やされました、ぜひもう一度参加したい！

I made a reservation while I was in Japan, but since I had planned to participate alone in the early morning, the reservation couldn't be confirmed unless there were at least two people. So, I gave up on the early morning option and changed to a lunchtime slot, which was immediately confirmed.
(My husband was hesitant since he isn't very good at swimming) (laughs)
It took about 20 minutes by car from the Kamehameha Hotel where we were staying.
The guide who was waiting for us spoke Japanese fluently, which was a relief for my husband and me since we don't speak much English.
First, we received a lecture on how to ride a sea kayak on land, and then we boarded!
They provided solid support while we got in, and once we started paddling, one of the guides in a single kayak went ahead and checked for safety, so we felt very secure.
As we paddled hard, we realized we had made it out to the open sea, and taking breaks on the kayak was very easy.
There was a bottle of mineral water for each of us, which helped us stay hydrated under the shining sun.
Even though it was November, being out on the open sea with no shade means sunscreen and hats are essential. I wore a hat and a parka, so my shoulders and face were fine, but my lower legs, which I thought I had applied sunscreen on, turned a bit red and got sunburned (sweat). Even in November, don't underestimate the sun on the Big Island! (^◇^;)

After enjoying kayaking for a while, we returned to the starting point to enjoy snorkeling.
Originally, we could have gotten off the kayak and snorkeled further out, but since my husband doesn't swim well, we returned to the departure dock and snorkeled in the bay.
My husband stayed in his life jacket, but the guide quickly noticed his anxiety and lent him a kickboard, which was very thoughtful and made us happy.
I grew up by the sea, so snorkeling is second nature to me. I was really thrilled to be able to take off my life jacket and dive freely!
Actually, during a previous snorkeling tour in Okinawa, I was told not to take off the life jacket, so I was very dissatisfied as I could only put my face in the water.
Being able to dive to the bottom of the bay and swim with the fish was truly enjoyable!
However, I had bought a waterproof case for my smartphone to take pictures of the fish while diving, but for some reason, I couldn't take good photos, which was disappointing. The guide ended up sending me a ton of photos taken underwater!
The photos I attached were all taken by the guide's camera, so even those without a camera can have wonderful memories captured and sent to them!

I was told that the morning tour encountered a pod of dolphins, but I'll save that for next time (laughs).
I don't know if I'll be able to go back to the Big Island (laughs), but I truly had a wonderful time. Thank you very much!

日本に居る時に予約したのですが　早朝に私一人で参加という形態にしていたところ、2名以上からでなければ予約が成立しなかったので　早朝は諦めて主人も巻き込んでお昼の便に変更したところ　即！予約確定しました。
（主人は　あまり泳ぎが得意ではないので二の足を踏んでいたんです）(笑)
泊まっていたカメハメハホテルからは車で20分程度で着きました。
待っていてくださったガイドさんは　とても日本語が流暢で　あまり英語が喋れない私たち夫婦はホッとしました。
まずは　陸上でシーカヤックの乗り方をレクチャーして頂き、いざ！！乗船♪
乗り込む時もしっかりサポートしてくださり　漕ぎ出してからはガイドさんの一人乗りカヤックが　前になり横になって安全を確認してくださいますのでとても安心して乗っていることが出来ました。
一生懸命漕いでるうちに　気が付いたら沖の方まで出ることが出来、カヤックの上での休憩の仕方もとっても楽でした。
ミネラルウォーターも一人一本用意があって　燦燦と輝く太陽の元でのどを潤すことが出来ました。
11月とはいえ　遮るものがない海の上ですから日焼け止めクリームや帽子などは必須です。帽子とパーカーを着てたので肩と顔は大丈夫でしたが　日焼け止めを塗ったはずの膝から下は　ちょっと赤くなって日焼けしちゃいました（汗）11月とはいえハワイ島の太陽を侮るなかれ！！でした（^◇^;）

暫くカヤックを楽しんだ後、出発した場所まで戻ってシュノーケリングを楽しみました。
本来なら　沖の方でカヤックから降りてシュノーケリングも出来るということだったのですが　あまり泳げない主人のために出発した船着き場の方に戻って湾の中でのシュノーケリングとなったわけです。
っで、主人はライフジャケットのままでしたが　それでも不安だったのをガイドさんがすぐに気が付いてビート板を貸してくださって　その心遣いがとても嬉しかったです。
私は　海育ちなのでシュノーケリングはお手の物です。フィンを付け、ライフジャケットを脱ぎ捨てて　好きなように潜らせて貰えたのが本当に嬉しかった！！
実は以前、沖縄でシュノーケリングのツアーに行った時は　ライフジャケットは脱がないようにと言われていたので　潜るというよりも顔を付けるだけでとても不満だったのです。
思う存分　湾の中で海の底まで潜って魚たちと泳げたのは本当に楽しかったです♪
ただ、潜って魚の撮影をするつもりで　スマホの防水ケースを購入して持って行ったのですが　何故かうまく撮影出来ずにガッカリしていたら　ガイドさんが海の中の写真まで大量に送って下さいました！
貼らせていただいた写真は、全てガイドさんのカメラで撮影して送って下さったものですので　カメラをお持ちではない人も素敵な思い出をガイドさんが撮って送って下さいますよ♪

朝のツアーではイルカの群れと出会えたよって教えていただきましたが　まぁそれは次回までのお預けとしておきます(笑)
またハワイ島に行けるかどうかは判りませんが(笑)
本当に気持ちの良い時間を過ごさせていただきました。ありがとうございました！

February 5

On my first overseas trip to Hawaii, I was greeted by Daisuke, a staff member with a bright smile. From the moment we started moving, he shared his love for dolphins and the charm of the Big Island, which got me excited. The fact that there are many whales too made me even more thrilled.

There were 11 Japanese participants, including repeat visitors, and everyone except us was from the Kansai region, making for a lively group.

With Captain Jesse at the helm, we felt the sea breeze and sped through the ocean, which was already an attraction in itself (laughs). Along the way, we encountered manta rays and whales while listening to Daisuke's stories about dolphins, and finally arrived at the dolphin point. We donned fins and snorkels (and wetsuits and floatation devices for those who needed them) and headed into the sea! Looking down, I could clearly see the ocean floor about 15 meters below, illuminated by the sunlight. What a beautiful world.

Following Daisuke's call, I swam toward him and saw many spinner dolphins swimming right beside us, which was such a close encounter! Just as I was soaking in that excitement, the dolphins suddenly made a U-turn and sped off in the opposite direction. After waiting a bit, three bottlenose dolphins appeared. According to Daisuke, the spinner dolphins fled when the "giant" dolphins arrived.

To my surprise, the bottlenose dolphins stayed at the ocean floor, seemingly playing with each other, allowing us to watch them slowly. Daisuke mentioned that such a sight is truly rare in Hawaiian waters. It was an amazing experience to have such a rare encounter.

I highly recommend this tour if you come to the Big Island. One thing to note is that practicing snorkeling in advance can enhance your enjoyment even more.

I will definitely repeat this experience!

２月５日

初めての海外とハワイ旅行、スタッフである朝晴れやかな笑顔のだいすけさんに迎えに来てもらえ、移動中からイルカ大好き&ハワイ島の魅力を教えてもらえ、ワクワク。
クジラも沢山いるね～ってことで更にワクワク。

リピーターを含めた11名の日本人、僕ら以外が全員関西の方だったので賑やかなメンバーとなりました。

船長のジェシーの運転で、海風を浴び、爽快に海を突き進む、もうこれだけでアトラクション(笑)
途中にマンタや鯨に出会いながら、だいすけさんのイルカの話を聞きながら、いよいよイルカポイントに到着。
フィンとシュノーケル(必要な人はウエットスーツと浮具)を纏いいざ海へ！
下を除くと15mくらいの海の底がはっきり見え、ふりそそぐ太陽の光。
なんて美しい世界。

こっちだよ～ だいすけさんの呼ぶ方へついていってみると、沢山のハシナガイルカが何頭も自分たちの横をすり抜けていく、こんな近くに来てくれるんだ～♪くらいに。そんな感動に浸っていると急にイルカがUターン。
ものすごいスピードで反対方向に向かっていきました。
少し待っていると、三頭のバンドウイルカ、だいすけさん曰く、ジャイアンイルカ、ハシナガイルカはジャイアンが来たら逃げていったんだそう。

そのバンドウイルカがなんと、海の底に留まって休憩、お互いにじゃれているように見えましたが、ゆっくりイルカの姿を眺めることができました｡
ハワイの海では本当に珍しい奇跡のようなことだそう。
こんなレア体験ができて最高でした。

ハワイ島に来たらこのツアーをオススメします。
注意点としては、シュノーケルを事前に練習しておけると、より楽しむことができると思います☺️

またリピートするぞ！

Unfortunately, we couldn't reach the summit due to an unexpected wildfire...

However, our guide Ishikawa-san worked hard to find a spot where we could see the stars, and I was really grateful for that!

If I have the chance, I definitely want to go to the summit next time!

まさかの山火事で山頂にあがれませんでした…

でもガイドのイシカワさんが一生懸命に星の見えるところとか探してくれてありがたかったです！

もし機会があったら次こそは山頂に行きたいです！

The sight of three manta rays gracefully rising from the seabed and swirling around in a mesmerizing dance under the fantastical light was truly beautiful and moving. They came up close to us repeatedly, creating an unforgettable experience.

The rental for wetsuits was $10 for adults and $5 for children. I was honestly worried that it might be too cold to endure during this winter season in Hawaii, but thanks to the wetsuits, it wasn't as cold as I expected, and the 40 minutes flew by.

We participated as a family of five across three generations: my mother (68), my husband (44), myself (40), my daughter (16), and my son (10), and everyone was extremely satisfied! The sunset and starry sky before and after snorkeling were also spectacular. Unlike regular snorkeling, this experience involved simply holding onto a board and floating while observing, so even small children, older adults, and those who are not good swimmers can enjoy it without worry.

幻想的な光の中を3枚のマンタが海底から優雅に上がってきて、グルグルと大きく踊るように回る様子は本当に美しく、感動的な光景でした。
身体に触れる近さで何度も何度も上がってきてくれて、一生忘れられない体験になりました。
ウェットスーツは大人10ドル、子ども5ドルで貸出でした。ハワイでも冬のこの時期、正直寒すぎて耐えられないのではないかと不安だったのですが、ウェットスーツのお陰で思ったよりも寒くなく、あっという間の40分でした。
3世代、母（68歳）、主人（44歳）、私（40歳）、娘（16歳）、息子（10歳）の5人で参加しましたが、全員大満足！
シュノーケリング前後の夕日や星空も見応え満点です。普通のシュノーケリングと違い、ボードに捕まって浮かぶだけの観察なので、小さい子も年配の方も、泳ぎが苦手な方も心配なく楽しめます。

My husband and I participated together. Although we didn't encounter the bridging we were expecting (it seems the encounter rate is not very high), we did see a mother and calf whale! (I wonder if they are more commonly seen around Maui??)

The transportation was smooth, and we were able to experience an activity early in the morning, which allowed us to make the most of the rest of the day. I think it was a great schedule. Everyone on board was calling out, "Which direction are they?" as we spotted the whales, enjoying the spouts and tail slaps. The tour captain explained the whales' ecology (in English) and answered various questions from the passengers, which was very educational. I would love to participate again someday and hopefully see the bridging!

夫と二人で参加しました。期待していたブリッジングには遭遇できませんでしたが（ただ遭遇率はあまり高くないとのこと）、親子クジラに出会えました！（マウイ島のほうがみられるんでしょうか？？）

送迎はスムーズで、朝一にひとつアクティビティを体験でき、そのあとの一日をたっぷり使えますしよいスケジュールだと思います。乗客みんなで「何時方向にいる！」と見つけあい、潮吹きやしっぽたたきを楽しみました。ツアー船長が（英語ですが）クジラの生態について説明してくれました。乗客のいろいろな質問にも答えてくれて、学びになりました。いつかまた参加して、ぜひブリッジングを見てみたいです！

I was initially anxious about going to a mountain higher than Mount Fuji, but gradually acclimating my body and the fun guidance from Shin made it possible for me to reach the summit safely. At the top, I experienced the sun sinking into the clouds, the gradient after sunset, and a series of first-time experiences. After the sunset, we went stargazing at a location chosen based on the outside temperature and the night sky conditions. The moment I got out of the van, countless stars welcomed me. It was completely different from any night sky I had seen before. It was extremely cold, but the experience was so incredible that I forgot about the chill. Additionally, the photos taken by the guides are available for free download, which is great for capturing those challenging night sky shots. The miso soup in the bento was absolutely delicious!

富士山よりも高い山に行くことがまず不安でしたが、徐々に身体を慣らしていく行程、ガイドのＳｈｉｎさんの楽しいガイドもあって無事に山頂まで行くことができました。山頂では雲に沈む太陽、太陽が沈んだ後のグラデーションと初体験の連続。サンセットの後は外気温とその日の夜空の状況を考慮した星空観測場所での星空観測。バンから降りた瞬間、無数の星たちがお出迎え。今まで見てきた夜空とは全くの別物でした。とーっても寒かったけど、そんな寒さも忘れられるくらいの体験ができました。また、ガイドのみなさんが撮影してくれた写真も無料でダウンロードできるので難しい星空写真も手に入るのもいいですね。お弁当のお味噌汁は最高におしかったです！