All Reviews for Kailua-Kona

I participated with my middle school daughter. Both of us were a bit tired on the fifth day in Hawaii. The weather was nice, and we could see the sunset, the moon, and the stars clearly. I regretted that we couldn't see the Milky Way because the moon was so bright. We could also see the glow of the Kilauea volcano faintly. The scenery of the Big Island along the way was beautiful, and the various guide explanations were interesting. Matt's chatter was enjoyable too. I wondered if he was okay talking so much in such thin oxygen. I appreciated his effort to entertain us. The down jacket and pants we borrowed were incredibly warm. The miso soup we had in the cold was very delicious!

中学生の娘と参加。私も娘も、やや疲れ気味のハワイ5日目。お天気もよくて夕日、月、星共によく見えました。月が明るくて天の川が見えなかったのが心残り。キラウエアの火山のあかりもボンヤリとみえました。途中のハワイ島の景色も良かったし、色々なガイド説明も興味深かった。まっちゃんのおしゃべりも楽しかったです。酸素が薄い中、あんなに、話し続けて、大丈夫かな？私たちを楽しませてくれようとする気持ちがありがたかったです。借りたダウンとズボンは凄く暖かかった。寒い中で食べる味噌汁はとてもおいしかった！

Husband and I throughly enjoyed the excursion! Our guide blew us away with his well rounded knowledge of the island, its geography and history. The coffee farm and meal were a special treat before an evening of stargazing.

It was a wonderful tour.

The summit of Mauna Kea was above the clouds, and I thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful sunset and stargazing, as well as photographing the night sky. I was also amazed to see the phenomenon of Kilauea's lava illuminating the sky in red from the summit.

The guide's explanations and guidance were of a high level, and they were very knowledgeable in various fields. The atmosphere, environment, and taste of the dining location were also impeccable.

全てが素晴らしいツアーでした。

マウナケア山頂は雲の上であり、とても美しいサンセットと星空観賞、星空撮影を満喫できました。キラウエアの溶岩が空を赤く照らす現象も山頂から眺められたことに驚きました。

ガイドの説明や案内のレベルも高く、様々な分野にとても詳しい方でした。
食事場所の雰囲気や環境、味も文句なしです。

The tour guide Herald was very nice, friendly and knowledgeble on native hawaiian's culture, ecology and astronomy. We got to see a "natural planetarium" in the mountain including Mars, Jupiter, Saturn and Venus. Coming from a big city we don't see stars in the sky, so the view was just breath taking and we were soooo glad we participated in the tour. I guess you can go to the summit and see stars on your own but I'd strongly recommend this tour. Because I think it will give you a whole new experience and view on the island and their culture.
Dinner was tasty too. I was expecting a lot less.

This was our second time, but since it was my niece's first time on the Big Island, we participated. My sister, who is not good with heights, felt unwell, but our guides, Shin and Matsuzaki, were very kind and supportive. (She used oxygen a couple of times, but she said she really enjoyed it.) My niece, who was participating for the first time, was thrilled and felt it was great to join. Matsuzaki's storytelling was very enjoyable, and during the stargazing, we forgot about the cold and shortness of breath, laughing a lot while enjoying the stars. Next time, I would like to join another tour with a different Masashi Nature School.

私たちは2度目でしたが、ハワイ島初めての姪っ子がいたので、参加しました。
高所が不得意な姉が気分を悪くしましたが、ガイドのシンさんや、松崎さんが優しく対応してくださり、（2回ほど酸素吸入しましたが）、姉もとても楽しめたと言っていました。初参加の姪は、大はしゃぎで参加してよかったと思っています。
松崎さんのおしゃべりはとても楽しく、星空観察の際は、寒さや息苦しさも忘れて大笑いをしながら星空を楽しめました。
次回は、また別のマサシネーチャースクールのツアーに参加したいと思います。

Great crew very attentive kind and funny what a great way to see Dolphins in the wild you can stay with the group or get outside by yourself must do trip you and your family will love it. Bill

Since it was my first time on the Big Island, I really wanted to go to Mauna Kea, so I joined the tour!

The guide was a lot of fun, and we were laughing so much in the car. Before I knew it, we arrived at the Onizuka Center. We had an early dinner there, and the bento with miso soup was delicious—it had been a while since I had Japanese food.

The weather was really nice that day, and both the sunset and the starry sky were beyond words in their beauty!

Depending on the weather, I definitely recommend this tour.

初ハワイ島だったのでぜひマウナケアに行きたいと思い参加しました！

ガイドさんがとっても楽しい方で車の中は大爆笑。あっと言う間にオニヅカセンターへ。そこで早めの夕飯を食べましたが、お弁当に味噌汁付きで久しぶりの日本食が美味しかったです。

当日はとても天気が良かったこともあり、サンセットも星空も言葉では言い表せない素晴らしさでした！

天気にもよりますが、ぜひお勧めしたいツアーです。

I was lucky to have great weather. The starry sky changed my perspective on life. I saw two big shooting stars, and the view of the red glow from Kilauea Volcano reflecting on the clouds was magical. They also took commemorative photos with a high-sensitivity camera, and I'm looking forward to downloading them.
They provided information on how to cope with the thin air at high altitudes, and there are oxygen tanks available for those who feel unwell, which is reassuring.
Seeing is believing.

天気に恵まれてラッキーでした。満天の星空は、人生観が変わります。大きな流れ星も、２つ見え、キラウェア火山の赤が雲に映る景色も幻想的でした。高感度カメラで記念写真も撮ってくれて、ダウンロードするのが楽しみです。
酸素が薄い高地での対処方法も教えて下さるし、具合の悪い方用酸素ボンベもあり、安心です。
百聞は一見にしかずです。

We thoroughly enjoyed the Manta Ray excursion. The tour guide was great with telling us about the history of this tour and details about the behavior and nature of these Manta Rays. My daughter was most impressed. Although she’s 9yo and a good swimmer, she was still a little nervous about snorkeling at night and meeting these Manta Rays that could come inches to your face. However, the tour guide has made everyone felt safe and she was able to enjoy the magnificence of these gentle sea creatures. Highly recommended

The tour that day consisted of just two people, including myself, who had snorkeling experience. I'm grateful they held the tour with the minimum number of participants.

First, we searched for dolphins off the coast of Kailua-Kona. There were many tour boats gathering around a pod of dolphins, and the sea was already filled with people! The waters off Kailua-Kona were as crowded as Takeshita Street! Amidst all this, Captain K skillfully predicted the dolphins' movements and dropped us in an area with fewer people.

By repeating the process of moving the boat, dropping us, surfacing, and moving again, we were able to chase the pod of dolphins more dynamically, doubling our chances! Dolphins surfaced right in front of us to breathe and passed by!

According to our guide, "Dolphins will avoid people if they're in a bad mood," but today we were lucky, and the dolphins didn't seem to mind people. It was a lucky day! I had a fantastic time on the tour! When I visit the Big Island again, I will definitely join another tour! Mahalo!

当日のツアーはシュノーケル経験のある方と私の２名でした。
ツアー最小挙行人数で開催してくれて感謝です。

まずはドルフィンを探してカイルアコナの沖へ
ポイントには沢山のツアーボートがドルフィンの群れを
追い集結しており、海には沢山の人が既にいる状態！
カイルアコナ沖が竹下通りのごとく人人人！
そん中船長のKさんうまくドルフィンの動きを予想して
あまり人混みのない海域で私たちをドロップさせてくれました。

船移動→ドロップ→上がってまた移動→ドロップ
と繰り返すことで機動的にドルフィンの群れを追うことで
チャンスが倍増！
すぐ目の前をドルフィンたちがブローのため浮上して通過して行く！

ガイドさん曰く「ドルフィンも機嫌が悪いと人を極端に避ける」そうで
今日は運が良くドルフィンたちも人を嫌がらない
ラッキーデイだね！と言っていただき
大満足なツアーを過ごせました！
またハワイ島を訪れる時はまたツアーに参加します！
Mahalo!

They booked me a spot I wasn't able to book directly through the company; and at a cheaper pricer!!

First of all, this activity is a test of physical strength and mental stamina. It's not recommended for those who are prone to motion sickness.

Regular motion sickness medication may not be effective, so it's best to take a stronger anti-nausea medication in advance.

Additionally, a wetsuit (10 dollars) is essential. It gets very cold on the water, and the 40-minute manta ray viewing can be quite tough. The return trip is especially challenging. The water is extremely cold after sunset, and even in summer, a wet body can feel freezing.

In addition to drying off, it's necessary to bring a towel for warmth, so make sure to take a thick one.

That said, you don't need to worry about not seeing manta rays; they come quite close and swim around, providing a thrilling manta ray show.

Moreover, it seems that other tour companies are watching from a distance, likely due to the equipment of this tour, so they aren't very close. If you want to enjoy the closest manta rays, I recommend this tour.

The guide, Alicia, speaks Japanese, which I thought was very good.

Lastly, I want to emphasize again that managing your health and body temperature, as well as maintaining your physical and mental stamina, is essential. I do not recommend bringing children. The family next to us had to leave because their child couldn't handle it.

When we returned to the boat, we had a hard time getting the raft close, and our stamina was running low; it felt like we were about to get lost. The sea might have been rough, but it was quite dangerous. My wife was on the verge of getting lost or drowning.

Also, after the tour, the area around the parking lot is pitch dark, and there are no facilities like showers. The only thing available is a dimly lit restroom.

Changing clothes is impossible, so it's best to head back as you are. It's scary even without considering safety concerns.

まず、このアクティビティは体力と気力勝負です。
乗り物酔いする方にもお勧めできません。

車の酔い止め程度では効きませんので
ちょっと強めの酔い止めを事前に飲んでおきましょう

更に、ウェットスーツ（10ドル）は必須です。
洋上は非常に寒く、40分間の海の上でのマンタ見学も
かなり辛いものになります。
特に辛いのは帰りです。日の落ちた洋上は非常に寒く
濡れた身体は、夏でも凍えるほどです。

身体を拭くのとは別に保温用としてのタオルは必須で
厚手のものを持って行きましょう

さて、だからと言ってマンタが見れなかった訳では
ありませんのでご安心を、かなり近くまでマンタが
寄ってきて回遊しますので、迫力あるマンタショーが
体験できました。

しかも他社のツアーは、このツアーの設備目当てに
周りで見ているようなので、あまり近くに居ないようです。
最接近のマンタを楽しみたいなら、このツアーをお勧めします。

ガイドはアリシアちゃんが日本語を喋れるので
非常に良かったと思います。

最後にもう一度だけ言っておくと
体調と体温の管理、体力と気力の保持は必須です。
お子様も連れて行くのはお勧めしません。
隣の家族は途中で子供が根を上げて、帰ってしまったようでした。

我々も船に帰る際になかなかイカダが船が近づけず
体力もキツくなってきて、それはもう遭難しそうでした
海が荒れていたのかも知れませんが、かなり危なかったです。
妻はもう遭難か溺れる寸前でした。

あと、終わると駐車場周辺は真っ暗闇で、シャワーも何も設備はありません。
あるのはうす暗いトイレのみです。

着替えるのは無理なので、そのまま帰りましょう
治安とか考えなくても怖いですよ

I couldn't believe I could meet manta rays so close. I was moved to see five manta rays. It was a wonderful tour.

こんなに近くでマンタに会うことができるなんて信じられないくらいでした。
五羽のマンタに会え感動しました。素晴らしいツアーでした。

This company was professional and went out of their way to make sure that everything was in place to make our trip first class. From calling the day before to confirm with us on meeting location and time to hot brownies at the end of the tour. Everything was great and the guide took the time to get to know us so she could make our experience the best it could be.

I would highly recommend this company.

We participated as a couple. We were worried about altitude sickness, but we were completely fine. We wore jackets, long pants, and knit hats for warmth. Additionally, we wore borrowed cold-weather gear, so we weren't cold at the summit. The sunset at the top was incredibly beautiful and moving. The stargazing was also amazing, and it was the first time I took photos with the starry sky as a backdrop. After returning to Japan, I downloaded the photos and was pleased with how well they turned out. It was the best memory. Thank you very much.

　夫婦２名の参加です。高山病の心配をしていましたが、全然平気でした。
寒さ対策にジャケットと長ズボン、ニット帽を着用。それに借りた防寒着を着たので、頂上でも寒くはありませんでした。頂上では、サンセットがとても綺麗で感動しました。星空観測も星がとても綺麗で、星空をバックにした写真を撮ったのは初めてでした。日本に帰ってからダウンロードした写真を見ましたが、とても良く撮れていて良かったです。最高の思い出です。ありがとうございました。

Mauna Kea, where various astronomical telescopes from different countries, including the Subaru Telescope, are installed. Since it's quite rare to tour the interior of the Subaru Telescope, I booked this tour.

The vehicle, which can accommodate about 14 people, was full. To ensure everyone had a good view from the windows, the guide kindly arranged seat changes at each rest stop, making sure everyone was treated fairly.

After enjoying a lunch at the Onizuka Center on Mauna Kea, we ascended an unpaved road with a steep incline, and the scenery from there was like being on the moon, with a landscape entirely of brown soil, creating a different world.

The sunset viewed from the various observatories on Mauna Kea was truly magnificent. After the sunset, we descended a bit to stargaze. I was amazed by the countless stars, and under the stunning night sky, we learned about the Southern Cross and various other stars that cannot be seen in Japan. It was a truly wonderful experience. I was very satisfied with the tour.

スバル望遠鏡等の様々な国の天体望遠鏡が設置されているマウナケア山。なかなかスバル望遠鏡の内部見学はできないため、このツアーを予約しました。
14名程度が乗れる車は満席でした。窓からの景色が良く見えるようにと、ガイドさんが休憩場所ごとに席替えをし、皆さんが公平になるように配慮してくださいました。
マウナケア山のオニヅカセンターでお弁当を頂いた後、急勾配の舗装されていない道を上っていくのですが、そこから見える景色はまるで月にいるような茶色の土一色で、別世界でした。
マウナケア山の各国の天文台付近から見たサンセットは本当に素晴らしかったです。
また、サンセットの後、少し下った場所で星空を見学しました。こんなに星があったのか、と驚くほどの満天の星空の下、日本では見ることのできない南十字星や様々な星の解説をしてくださり、とても素晴らしい時間を過ごすことができました。大満足のツアーでした。

Excelllent trip. Microphone would of been nice. Hard to hear everything. I would still recommend this tour!

I participated on the first night after arriving on the Big Island. Even though the encounter rate is 99%, I was worried that I might not see any... but that was not the case!! A total of nearly six manta rays appeared, showing their bellies while feeding. They came so close that it felt like I could touch them, and it was an amazing sight. The guide was also very kind and attentive, and I had a truly wonderful time. Next time I come to the Big Island, I would like to participate in the manta ray experience again.

ハワイ島に到着した初日の夜に参加しました。
遭遇率99%といえど、もしかしたら会えないかも…と心配していましたか、なんのその!!
合計6羽近くのマンタが現れ、お腹を見せてご飯を食べてくれました。
触れてしまいそうな距離まで来てくれ、圧巻の光景でした。
ガイドのお姉さんも親切丁寧に対応してくれ、とても素晴らしい時間を過ごさせていただきました。
次回ハワイ島に来るときは、またマンタ大学に参加したいと思います。

We only had one day on the big island and wanted to see as much as possible. This tour takes you all the way around with multiple, although brief stops and several locations. Could omit the coffee tasting and spend more time on the black beach or at the falls.

Our guide, Keith, was full of history, folk lore and traditional information which was a big bonus.
If you want history and a good whirlwind tour of the island, this tour is for you.
Of note, lunch was provided and this service has its own chef who prepares the meals. Very healthy sampling of the typical fare at area restaurants, however, when it’s served in lieu of a cold sandwich and a picturesque park, it suddenly becomes one of the best meals of the vacation.

One of the coolest things we’ve done. The Manta rays would get so close and were so graceful and gentle.

The crew, including Capt Mike Morgan, was awesome and ensured we had a fabulous time. I would rate this as a MUST DO on the big island! Experience of a lifetime!

Unfortunately, it was raining down below, and when we had an early dinner, we ate our bento in the drizzle, but the teriyaki chicken and the miso soup we were given were very delicious. When we reached the summit, the wind was very strong, and the warm clothing we borrowed was very helpful.

During the stargazing, what impressed me the most was seeing the Ocean Entry glowing red. The Southern Cross was also clearly visible. It's a shame that we couldn't see many stars due to the weather, but I was thrilled just to witness the beautiful sunset. Thank you very much. Later, when I took a helicopter tour over Kīlauea Volcano, seeing the incredible steam rising from Ocean Entry made me feel even more moved, realizing that I had seen this from Mauna Kea. I appreciate the guide from Okinawa. It was a lot of fun.

下界は生憎雨が降っていて、早めの夕食取るときは霧雨の中お弁当食べましたが、照り焼きチキンと入れていただいた味噌汁がとてもおいしかったです。山頂に登るととても風が強く、貸していただいた防寒着がとても役立ちました。
星空観察時に何と言ってもオーシャンエントリーが赤く見えたことが印象的でした。南十字星もはっきり見えました。天候のせいで星がたくさん見れなかったことが残念ですが、美しいサンセット見れただけで感激です。ありがとうございました。後日ヘリツアーでキラウエア火山の上空見たときにオーシャンエントリーの立ち上るものすごい水蒸気みて、マウナケア山からこれが見れたんだなーと感激ひとしおでした。沖縄出身のガイドさんお世話になりました。楽しかったです。

I have done dolphin snorkeling in places like Honolulu, Guam, and the Ogasawara Islands, but this was the first time I encountered so many dolphins. In the early morning, the water was very clear, and I could see dolphins from a distance, but after a while, the water became murky, making it a bit difficult to find them even when they said, "There are dolphins!" However, I got to see baby dolphins and a lot of dolphin jumps, which made me very satisfied. There was someone in the tour who was free diving, and I was really envious of them. When we were leaving, the captain sped off at an incredible speed, so be careful! (laughs)

ホノルルやグァム、小笠原などでイルカシュノーケルをしたことがありますが、
こんなにたくさんのイルカと会えたのは初めてです。
朝一番は海も透明度が高く遠くのイルカもたくさん見えましたが
少し時間がたつと海が濁ってきて「イルカいるよー」と言われても潜ってしまうとちょっと探しづらかったです。
でも赤ちゃんイルカも見れたし、イルカジャンプもたくさん見れて大満足でした。
ツアーの中で一人巣潜りされてる方がいらして本当に羨ましかったです。
帰る時、船長さんが恐ろしいスピードでぶっ飛ばすので要注意です（笑）

Since it was a special trip to Hawaii, I thought I would ask for a proper welcome. I made the reservation secretly for my wife, so I was a bit worried, but as we passed through the immigration gate, we saw a typical Hawaiian lady standing there with a sign.

Since I had requested it in my wife's name in advance, she was surprised to see it. "My name is written on it!?" The surprise was a success.

It seems that this kind of service has become rare in recent years, as we were the only ones requesting it. They kindly took our commemorative photos, and we are grateful for the warm welcome.

Additionally, they drove us to the rental car waiting area since we were unfamiliar with the location. I tried to give a tip, but unfortunately, they wouldn’t accept it. (Both of us are very thankful.)

This service, which includes receiving fresh flowers, is not expensive at all. I absolutely recommend it for anyone considering a surprise. The satisfaction exceeds the price. I returned the lei to the ocean on our last day. (If you sprinkle some water on it, it lasts quite a while.)

せっかくのハワイ旅行なので、ちゃんと歓迎をしてもらおうと思いお願いしました。
妻には内緒で予約しておいたので、何かあったら心配でしたが、入管ゲートをうんざりしながら抜けて
前に進むといかにもなハワイアンマダムがプレートを持って立っていました。

あらかじめ妻の名前でお願いしていたので、気づいた妻はビックリ
「私の名前が書いてある！？」
サプライズ成功です。

近年では珍しくなってしまったようで、我々しかサービスを依頼していないようでしたが
記念写真も快く受けてくれ、歓待していただき感謝しています。

また、その後に場所に不慣れな我々のために、レンタカーの待合所まで送ってもらいました。
チップをお渡ししたのですが、残念ながら受け取ってくれませんでした。（夫婦共々感謝しています）

このサービス、生花を貰えることもあり、高いとは思いません。
サプライズをお考えの方には、絶対にオススメです。価格以上の満足です。
頂いたレイは最終日に海へお返ししました。（水をかけてあげれば結構長持ちします）

Even though I was sea sick, my husband and daughter had the time of their life that they described as surreal like a dream. The mantas were inches away from their faces doing rolls. An experience they will never forgot and well worth it. The captain and crew were very nice and sympathetic to my condition.

The meeting is at 15:30, and it takes about four hours in a relaxed manner. I didn't expect much from the food, and it turned out as I anticipated. However, if you can have a normal conversation in English, it might actually be quite interesting. We encountered dolphins, or rather, there was a dolphin show happening around the boat in a certain area of the sea.

15:30集合からダラダラと四時間程度かかります。食事も期待しないで行きましたが、やはり予想通りでした。ただ、英語で普通に会話出来れば案外面白いかも。
イルカには遭遇というか、航路上のある海域で、船のまわりでイルカショー状態でした。

The weather can be unpredictable, but we were lucky enough to see a beautiful sunset and the Milky Way at the right time. We were able to take plenty of photos, which we received for free. The volcanic eruption added to the experience, making it truly wonderful.

天候に左右されますが、タイミングよく綺麗なサンセット、天の川を見ることが出来ました。
写真をいっぱい撮ってもらえました、無料で貰えます。
火山の噴火もかさなり、素晴らしい体験が出来ました。

During my second visit to the Big Island, I participated in the manta night snorkeling that I had wanted to join for a long time. At first, I was a bit anxious because we couldn't see them, but towards the end, the mantas came multiple times, making it the best day ever! I was truly moved to see that they really exist! The ocean around the Big Island is wonderful! In June, the water wasn't too cold, but the return trip on the rubber boat was uncomfortable and made me feel sick. Also, I arrived by rental car, but I panicked because I couldn't find the landmark sign. Has the sign changed? Please check for the sake of future visitors.

二度目のハワイ島訪問で、前からずっと参加したかったマンタのナイトシュノーケリングに参加しました。
始めはなかなか見れなく少し焦りましたが、最後の方にはマンタが何度も来て最高の日になりました！
本当に実在しているんだぁと感動！！
ハワイ島の海は素晴らしいですね！
6月の海では寒さはあまり気になりませんでしたが、帰りのゴムボートが気持ち悪くてしんどかったです（ ; ; ）
あと、レンタカーで現地集合したのですが、目印の看板が見つからず焦りました。看板変わっていませんか。
今後の方のためにも確認をお願いします。

I was scared because the speed of the boat felt like it was going to fly away! It was more amazing than a banana boat! But even though I couldn't swim, it was good that there was a life jacket.

ボートのスピードに飛んでしまいそうで怖かったです！バナナボートよりすごかった！
でも、およげなくても、ライフジャケットがあるので、よかったです。

I was very satisfied with this trip. The tour guide was very friendly, and despite my initial fear of water, the guide's efforts allowed me to enjoy the dolphin tour up close. I highly recommend this trip!!

此次的行程非常滿意，導遊人員非常親切，原本怕水的我，因導遊非盡力的導引之下，也讓我能近距離的享受海豚之旅。 此行程大大大推！！

You will board the submarine after going a little offshore from the dock. The interior of the submarine has two rows, both of which are by the windows, allowing you to observe the underwater scenery without any stress. My 4-year-old grandchild who accompanied me was also very excited. All the staff members are young and friendly. I especially recommend this experience for families with small children.

船着き場よりやや沖にでてから潜水艦に乗り込みます。潜水艦の内部は２列ですがいずれも窓側でそれぞれの窓からストレスなく海中（海底）の様子がうかがえます。同行した４歳の孫も大興奮でした。スタッフの皆さんもみな若くてフレンドリー。特にご小さいお子さんを連れたご家族の方におすすめできます。