All Reviews for Kailua-Kona

At an elevation of 4,205 meters, I was drawn to the starry sky closest to space and participated in the tour. The guide was fluent in Japanese, and we were able to enjoy the tour from start to finish. We were able to view both the sunset and the starry sky in the best conditions, and I felt grateful to have come to the Big Island. The tour offered a wonderful experience that I might never have again, such as being able to reach 4,205 meters by car and gaze at the starry sky closest to space. I highly recommend this plan to anyone considering a visit to the Big Island.

標高4205メートル、宇宙に一番近い星空に惹かれ、ツアーに参加させて頂きました。ガイドさんも日本語が堪能な方で、終始楽しくツアーを終えることもでき、夕日も星空もベストなコンディションで鑑賞することができ、ハワイ島へ来て良かったと思いました。また車で4205メートル地点に行けることや宇宙に一番近い星空を眺めることなど、人生で二度とできないかもしれない素晴らしい体験ができるツアーでしたので、ハワイ島観光を検討されている方に是非お勧めしたいプランです。

The tour on the 16th was guided by Mr. Sho Yo. This was my third time at Mauna Kea, but this was the best experience I've had so far. I think I've heard explanations many times before, but this time they were very easy to understand. The guide provided accurate information at great points. I listened in both English and Japanese, which was also good. I saw the most beautiful starry sky for the first time in my life, and I clearly recognized the Milky Way for the first time. The constellations and star names that I've heard many times finally sank into my head and heart!

16日のツアーです。ガイドさんは、翔洋さんでした。
マウナケア、3度目ですが、今回が、これまでで最高の体験でした。これまで何度も説明聞いていたとは思うのですが、説明がとてもわかりやすかった。またいいポイントで的確に教えてくれる。英語と日本語、両方で聞いたので、それも良かった。星は人生で初めて、あんな綺麗なほしぞらをみましたし、天の川を初めてハッキリと認識しました。星座、星の名前、何度も聞いているものが初めて頭、心に入りました！

Crew was fantastic and so were the drinks. The vessel is very spacious and comfortable! Came aboard as part of my Bachelor party and it was an unforgettable and super fun time!

It was the best experience, thanks to James, our guide, who was very attentive, and the favorable weather. The route from the Onizuka Center to the summit was quite off-road, so it was definitely the right decision to join the tour. The outerwear we were provided was very warm. The sandwiches and cocoa for dinner were also delicious.

ガイドのJamesさんのきめ細やかな心配りと、天候にも恵まれ、最高の体験でした。
オニヅカセンターから山頂はかなりオフロードなので、ツアーにして大正解でした。
貸し出していただいたアウターはとても暖かかったです。
夕食のサンドイッチと、ココアも美味しかったです。

The sunset and starry sky were amazing! Shoutaro's Japanese guide was also excellent! It was definitely cold at the summit, but they provided thick jackets and pants, so it wasn't a problem. The explanations about the stars were very easy to understand and enjoyable in Japanese! Thank you very much.

サンセットも星空も最高でした！
しょうたろうの日本語ガイドも最高〜！
頂上はさすがに寒かったです。でも分厚い上着もズボンも貸してくれるので問題なかったです。
星の説明も日本語でとても分かりやすく楽しかった〜！
ありがとうございました。

James's guide was very good, and he made an effort to use Japanese as well. I was very satisfied to see both the Milky Way and shooting stars.

ジェームスのガイドがとても良かったし、頑張って日本語も使ってくれていた。
天の川も流れ星も見れて大満足。

We participated as a family of four. On the day of the event, we were worried because the forecast predicted cloudy weather, but just as the guide explained, the clouds cleared, and we were able to see a magical sunset. The stargazing was breathtaking, and it was a good time of year, so we were able to see many shooting stars. The guide's explanations about the stars were also very good. They served us warm cocoa, which warmed us up and was delicious. I recommend that when you visit the Big Island, you take the time to see the starlit sky and the sunset.

家族4人で参加しました。
当日は曇りの予報で心配していましたが、ガイドさんの説明のとおり雲がはけ、幻想的なサンセットを見ることができました。星空観測は圧巻で、時期も良かったそうで流れ星も多数見ることができました。ガイドさんの星の説明もとても良かったです。温かいココアを出していただき身体も温まり、美味しかったです。
ハワイ島に行かれた際は星空とサンセットを見ていただくことをお勧めします。

I participated in the same tour 10 years ago, signing up without thinking, just wanting to see the starry sky. The weather was perfect, and I was able to take beautiful sunset photos. However, I realized for the first time how bright a full moon can be. It was so bright that it cast shadows. This time, I researched the moon phases and planned a comeback after 10 years. Miraculously, the clouds cleared, and I enjoyed a stunning night sky. I was able to see the Milky Way, shooting stars, and fully enjoy the starry sky. The BLT sandwich and cocoa provided by the tour were delicious, especially in the cold. Thank you, guide Shoyou.

10年前に同じツアーに参加しましたが、何も考えずに星空が見たいと申し込み、天気は最高でサンセットも綺麗な写真が撮れた。ところが、肝心の星空は、、、満月の月があんなに明るいなんて初めて知りました。月明かりで影ができるほど。今回は月の満ち欠けも調べて10年ぶりのリベンジ。奇跡的に雲もなくなり、満点の夜空を満喫。天の川に流れ星とフルコースで星空を楽しめました。ツアーで用意してくれたBLTサンドと寒い中でのココアは美味しかった。ガイドのショウヨウさん、ありがとうございました。

They guided us to several observatories, and the sunset viewed from the summit was very beautiful. We did some stargazing a little below the summit. Unfortunately, it was a full moon, but we were still able to see many stars. They explained the stars and showed us the moon through a small telescope, making it a very good experience.

いくつかの天文台を案内してくれて、また山頂から見たサンセットがとても綺麗でした。
山頂少し降りたところで天体観測をしました。
あいにくの満月でしたが、それでも沢山の星を観ることができました。
星の説明や小さい望遠鏡で月などを見せてくれてとても良い体験となりました。

It was a valuable experience, but it felt too commercialized, and I wasn't moved by it. There were about 40 participants in the tour I joined, and there were many other boats from different companies in the area. Right below us, there was also a group diving. Due to the timing, we could definitely see a lot of manta rays. They appeared one after another and even spun right in front of us.

貴重な体験でしたが、あまりにも商業的な感じがして、感動はありませんでした。私の参加したツアーの参加者は40人くらいで、現地には他社の船もいっぱいでした。私たちの真下では、ダイビングしているグループもいました。時期的なこともあって、確かにマンタはたくさん見ることができます。次から次へと現れて、目の前で回転してくれたりもしました。

The scenery is breathtaking, and you can easily reach mountains over 4,000 meters. They provide excellent cold weather gear. The guide's attention to detail was wonderful! Although the guide was foreign (English-speaking), it wasn't a problem as long as you could understand a little. Instructions were given in Japanese at key points.

Please experience the scenery and highlights for yourself. An impressive landscape and a grand panorama await you. It probably won't come across in photos...

It was almost a full moon, but if there's a next time, I'd like to aim for a new moon!

圧巻の風景で、気軽に4000m以上の山に到達できます。
寒さ対策もバッチリして貰えますし。ガイドさんの気配りが素晴らしかったです！
外国人ガイド(英語)でしたが、少しのヒアリングが出来れば問題無かったです。
要所では日本語で指示して貰えます。

風景や見どころは行ってみて体験してみてください。圧巻の風景と大パノラマが広がります。
写真ではきっと伝わらないでしょう。。。

ほぼ満月の時でしたが、次回あるなら、新月の時を狙いたいです！

I was worried because I hadn't received a confirmation email for the tour (I contacted VELTRA and they followed up for me).

However, on the day of the tour, I was about 20 minutes late for the meeting time, but they kindly said, "It's okay!" and allowed me to join (I did call ahead). After boarding the boat, they provided a briefing on the sizes of the snorkeling equipment and how to use the camera correctly. They also prepared Japanese instructions, so even though my conversational skills are very basic, I felt comfortable participating.

The waves felt a bit high, but they designated a snorkeling area, and during the snorkeling, staff members were patrolling on a paddleboard, which showed they were very attentive to safety. It seemed like the tour was fully booked, but there were plenty of floatation devices and life jackets available. Although I could see to the bottom, there weren't many fish, likely due to the high waves, but we still had a great time as a family!

Since it was a large boat, I didn't experience seasickness, and the cruising to and from was enjoyable. I felt from our conversation that they have a great respect and consideration for the ocean. After getting wet, the cruising felt cold, so I think it would be good to have a separate towel that doesn't get wet. I found the free water a bit difficult to drink. Also, since there were no warm drinks available, if you're worried about getting cold, it's better to bring your own.

The staff were kind, and they were accommodating even with my limited English skills. It was fun!

ツアーまでは、予約確定のメールが来ていなかったりで心配でした（ベルトラさんに問い合わせして、フォローいただきました）。

が、ツアー当日、集合時間から20分ほど遅れてしまったのですが、『大丈夫よ！』と言ってくださり心よく参加させてくださいました（事前に電話はいれました）。
船に乗った後は、シュノーケルの物のサイズや、正しい動画の使い方をレクチャーしてくれます。日本語の案内も用意してくれるので、すごく簡単な会話しかできない私でも安心して参加できました。

波は少し高いように感じましたが、シュノーケルエリアも指定してくださり、シュノーケリング中も職員の方がサップに乗って巡回されていたりして、安全にはすごく気を配っているのが伝わりました。
ツアーは満席だったように思いますが、浮き輪や救命胴衣も十分に用意されてました。
波が高かったからか、底まで見渡せたもののお魚はそんなに多くみられませんでしたが、それでも充分家族で楽しめました！

大きなボートだったので、船酔いもなく、行き帰りのクルージング楽しかったです。
海への敬意や配慮もすごくされているのだとお話しから感じました。
濡れた後のクルージングは寒く感じるので、羽織るタオルは濡れてしまうのと別にあると良いと思いました。
フリーで用意されているお水が少し飲みにくいと感じました。あと、温かい飲み物はないので、冷えてしまうことが心配なら自分で用意して行った方がいいと思います。

スタッフの方も親切ですし、拙い英語力でも対応してくださいます。楽しかったです！

There was a very rare trouble, so I couldn't see the sunset, but I was able to enjoy the beautiful scenery with a gradient from orange to blue after the sun had set. I was worried about the weather for stargazing, but we were blessed with clear skies during the viewing, and I was able to see a sky full of stars, including the Milky Way. The guide's explanations about the history, culture, and nature of the Big Island were very clear and made for a truly enjoyable time. Thank you very much. It was an experience I will remember for a lifetime.

大変レアなトラブルがあり、夕日が沈むところは見れませんでしたが、沈んだあとのオレンジから青のグラデーションかかかった美しい景色をみることができました。
星空も空模様が心配でしたが、観賞時には晴天に恵まれ、満天の星空をみることができ、天の川もみれました。
ガイドの方のお話も、ハワイ島の歴史や文化、自然についてわかりやすく説明いただき大変楽しい時間でした。ありがとうございました。
一生記憶に残る体験ができました。

Sunset and stargazing at the summit of Mauna Kea was amazing. The guide was very thorough in their explanations, and the tour exceeded my expectations. Thank you very much.

マウナケア山頂のサンセット&星空鑑賞
最高でした。ガイドの方も説明が丁寧で
ツアーも想像を超える内容でした。
本当にありがとうございました。

We participated with four adults, including my son and his wife. Since it was a full moon night, I was worried about whether we would be able to see the starry sky, but it turned out to be a great decision. When we were looking at the stars, the moon had not yet risen, and after taking photos of the starry sky, the moon appeared. The sight of the full moon rising above the clouds was magical and just as moving as the starry sky. Since it was an English guide, I couldn't understand everything, but I appreciated that our guide, James, made an effort to use some Japanese.

息子夫婦を含む大人4人で参加しました。
満月の日だったので星空が綺麗に見えるか心配しましたが結果的に大正解でした。星空を見てる時は月はまだ出ておらず、星空を見て写真を撮って頂いた後に月が出てきました。雲の上から満月が出てくる様は幻想的で星空と同じくらい感動しました。英語ガイドなので全て理解する事は出来ませんでしたが、ガイドのジェームズが使える日本語は使おうという努力をしてくれ感謝です。

The sunset at the summit was very moving! Unfortunately, there were many stars that we couldn't see because of the full moon, but I think it's a great memory to have seen such a beautiful full moon! The guide was also kind, and we had a wonderful time!

山頂でのサンセットはとても感動しました！
残念ながら満月で見えない星も多くありましたが、満月をあんなに綺麗に見ることもなかなかできないと思うと良い思い出です！
ガイドさんも優しくて素敵な時間を過ごせました！

I was very satisfied with the explanations of the towns during the round trip, as well as the follow-up for all participants at each photo spot. Thank you very much!

往復の車内での街々のご説明、写真スポット毎での参加者全員のフォロー、大変満足できました、有難うございました！

On the day, there were four of us, including my son. The guide provided instructions in English for the other couple and mixed in some Japanese for me.

Although we were a bit slow at times with the unfamiliar kayaking, they always kept an eye on us and waited. The waves were a bit high, so we couldn't jump from the rocks, but we were able to enter the cave as far as we could while ensuring safety.

They also made sure to allocate enough time for snorkeling, and everyone enjoyed it. It was clear that they really love interacting with Hawaii's nature and people. I definitely recommend this experience.

当日は私と息子を含めて４人。別のカップルと息子には英語で、私には日本語も交えてガイドして下さいました。

慣れないカヤックで途中遅れたりもありましたが、いつも目を配り待っていてくれたり。波が高めで岩からのジャンプは出来ませんでしたが、安全確保をしながら洞窟もギリギリまで入る事が出来ました。

シュノーケルも時間をしっかりとって下さり、みなさん楽しんでいました。ハワイの自然や人と関わる事がとても好きな様子が伝わって来ました。是非オススメします。

Tour guide was informative. Ride was comfortable. BLT bacon was really good. Veggie burger was more filling than the BLT. Stargazing was minimal due to full moon but fun. Best not to go during around full moon time. Download a star app like Night Sky to help enhance the experience. Dress for cold wind. You are going to want to take a lot of pictures so if if your hands get cold easily, bring mitts!

We were greeted near baggage claim by a very friendly professional gentleman. Lovely!

The guide was entirely in English, but since the guide was of Japanese descent, I was very grateful for the simple Japanese explanations provided. I was very satisfied to see the beautiful sunset and starry sky. I rated it one star less because I wouldn't be able to obtain the photos taken unless I posted this review (it seems that posting a review is mandatory when booking through Veltra).

すべて英語でのガイドでしたが、日系のガイドさんだったため簡単な日本語で案内していただき、大変ありがたかったです。
綺麗な夕陽と星空を見ることができ、大変満足でした。
星マイナス1としたのは、この口コミを投稿しなければ、撮影いただいた写真を入手できないためです（ベルトラでの申込の場合は口コミ投稿が必須のようです）。

No doubt of the beauty of Hawaii and God’s Creation. Tour Guide (Francis) was excellent…knowledgeable, fun and caring (we had one participant having trouble with altitude so had to return to welcome center taking about 1 hour of the group’s time to go back and travel back up, however, care extended by Francis is to be commended).
Disappointed in that part of the tour was to look through a telescope (explicitly listed as part of the tour) but that did not happen. Vans were “dated” but did the job. Overpriced in our opinion of what the experience provided.

Really cool experience for the family. Adult kids of 23,21,18 really enjoyed it as well. Very friendly staff, manta rays got within inches of your face and even brushed up against you on occasion. Definitely an excursion that doesn’t take up a whole day or afternoon and you can squeeze in if your looking for something to do after dark

We had a fantastic time on the nighttime stargazing and sunset tour with James! We learned so much and had a memorable night - the sandwiches, sunset and stars were top notch!

I was able to see a lot of fish, and it was a wonderful experience. My son really remembers how delicious the chips we had on the boat were, to the point that he wanted seconds.

Just as we were returning to the port, there was a tsunami due to an earthquake in the Kamchatka Peninsula, which made us a bit anxious, but they safely returned us without any issues. I feel like I want to participate again.

魚もたくさん見られて、とても良い体験をせて頂きました。
息子は、船上で頂いたチップスが美味しくてお代わりしてしまうほどだったことがすごく記憶に残っているようです。

丁度港に帰る頃にカムチャッカ半島の地震の影響で津波が来たタイミングで、多少慌てましたが、問題なく送り返して頂きました。
また参加したいと感じています。

I was disappointed with this tour for lack of hospitality, communication and false advertising. The tour guide is not an astronomer or someone who writes articles for astronomy mazagines or even a local Hawaiian. They are very knowledgeable, patient and friendly guides but also lack communication with the tour company. For instance, we had 10 people in our tour and they were told only 6 so he wasn’t prepared with enough hot chocolate or parkas. It may also be the reason he didn’t offer snacks or water to anyone and tried to get more people to drink coffee at 9 pm! I was also disappointed that we didn’t go to the Kona coffee farm as advertised in the itinerary and confirmed when they called. You also have to select your meal prior to arrival or seeing the options which is undesirable. Finally, when they called to confirm they told me not to bring anything - no water, jacket, hiking boots etc since all would be provided and tennis shoes were enough. First off, I came prepared with everything in my luggage but since they said not to bring a big bag or too many items we were underprepared. My son was freezing because the parkas are huge and they were passed out but left for people to get when they were freezing. Our tennis were covered in dirt and sand because we stopped at a beach and walked the sand. I would have to be informed in advance that we’re going to a beach and not the coffee farm and to have proper attire. The stargazing was nice and we saw a lot of stars and constellations but it was not pleasant because of the lack of preparation. I do not recommend this tour. If you book, don’t listen to their advice and come prepared with attire, water and snacks on top of the exorbitant price you pay. Or you could ask to go with the tour that matches the advertisement but I tried that already. Heed the warning. I didn’t and while we don’t regret it we regret the company.

The air at 4,207 meters was very clear and delicious, and I was able to see a beautiful sunset! A little lower down, I was able to observe the starry sky, and I saw shooting stars and satellites. The cocoa provided was also very tasty, and this was an activity that is hard to experience in Japan, including the environment! The guide was a local person who explained things in both Japanese and English, so I was able to enjoy the tour without any difficulties.

4,207メートルの空気はとても澄んでいておいしく、綺麗な夕日を見ることができました！少し降りたところで星空も観測でき、流れ星や人工衛星を見ることができました。支給されたココアも非常においしく環境も含めてなかなか日本では体験できないアクティビティでした！ガイドさんも現地の方でしたが日本語も交えて説明してくださり何不自由なくツアーを過ごせました。

The summit was very clear, and both the sunset and the starry sky were beautiful, which made me very satisfied. Since it was a crescent moon, it was 70% visible, so I could see it well, but with a full moon, the moonlight makes it harder to see the stars, so it might be good to check the moon's condition. There were eight Japanese participants, so we had a guide who spoke Japanese, which made it stress-free and very enjoyable.

山頂はとても澄んでいてサンセットも星空もとてもきれいで、とても満足しました。三日月だったので70%の見え方だったのでよく見られましたが、満月だと月の光で星はみえにくくなるので、月の状態を確認するのもいいのかも。日本人が8人参加したので、日本語ができるガイドさんで、ストレスがなくとてもよかったです。

Such an amazing experience! Pictures don’t do justice of being up so high above the clouds. The sunset was gorgeous, the sandwich was good, the stars were incredible!

Shoyo was very kind and took great pictures!

I was moved to discover such a beautiful place on Earth. I'm glad I decided to participate.

I had always wanted to climb Mauna Kea, but since it's a difficult place to reach on my own, I joined a tour.

The breathtaking views at Mauna Kea are beyond words, enveloped in a quiet atmosphere that made time feel like it was stretching on, creating a sense of immersion.

The transformation from the blue sky in the afternoon to the sunset and then to the starry sky was magical, and it was so beautiful that it took my breath away.

The tour was conducted in English, but our tour guide, Shoyou, also provided explanations in Japanese, which made it easy to understand.

The light snack sandwiches were served near the summit rather than at the visitor center, and it was delicious to eat while watching the sunset!

The most enjoyable part was the stargazing. With the telescope provided, I was able to see the beautiful moon and stars, and the guide carefully explained how to identify the constellations and their origins, making for a very meaningful and fun experience.

I truly recommend this to anyone who is considering participating! Thank you very much.

地球上にこんな美しい場所があるのかと感動しました。思い切って参加して良かったです。

もともとマウナケアに登ってみたいと思っていましたが、自力で行くのは難しい場所のためツアーに参加しました。

マウナケアは言葉で表現できないくらい美しい絶景を見ることができ、静かな空気に包まれていて時が経つのが長く感じられ、没入感がありました。

午後の青空からサンセット、そして星空へと表情を変えていく様子は幻想的で、ため息が出るほど美しかったです。

ツアーは英語での催行ですが、ツアーガイドのしょうようさんが別途日本語でもご案内をしてくださったので、分かりやすかったです。

あと軽食のサンドイッチは、ビジターセンターではなく山頂付近で提供いただきましたが、夕陽を見ながら食べられて美味しかったです！

特に楽しかったのは天体観測です。ご用意頂いていた望遠鏡で、美しい月や星を見ることができたり、満点の星空に浮かぶ星座の見方や由来を丁寧に説明してくれたりと、とても有意義で楽しい体験ができました。

参加を迷われている方にも本当におすすめします！
ありがとうございました。