All Reviews for Snorkeling Cruises & Tours

The ride to Sandbar is very smooth, no waves, no worries on emotion sickness. My 6yr old especially enjoyed the Banana Boat and Bumper Tube rides. Highly recommend. The staff was very nice. They even helped us babysit our 2yr old while the rest of family were on the boat and tube rides. :D

The Snorkel was OK. Not many fishes though. If you are planning your trip primarily for the snorkel, it is likely better to find a snorkel specific place.

Highly recommend this package!
- our boat captain, Cary, shared many interesting facts about all the islands while we were on our way to our snorkeling sites.
- he has great sense of humor and I enjoyed his choice of background music during the trip.
- I was blown away by the number of spinner dolphins and sea turtles we saw!
- Allison, one of the crew, was so friendly and helpful.
- Highly recommend.
Thanks again, Cary!

Captain gave my son a memorable experience as he got to sit behind the wheel. We felt safe the entire time and appreciate the great conversation with staff!

This was our first time participating as a couple over sixty. On the boat, we enjoyed Hawaiian songs, and the staff were very kind, communicating with us in simple Japanese since we couldn't speak English. (It's okay if you can't speak English.) There were drinks and donuts that were soft and delicious. Our main goal was to try SUP! With the staff's explanations while we were in the water, we started SUP. At first, we were nervous, but we soon got used to it and were able to ride comfortably. We had a great time kayaking and snorkeling as well.

When it was time to return, everyone was excited and singing along on the boat, which was a lot of fun! Next time, I want to bring my grandchildren along.

Thank you for your hospitality!

還暦を過ぎた夫婦で初めての参加になります。船の中ではハワイアンソングを聴きながら和気あいあいでスタッフの方も英語が話せない私達に片言の日本語でとても親切に接してくれました。（英語ダメでもOK）飲み物やドーナツが有り柔らかくて美味しかったです。お目当てはSUPです！海の中に居るスタッフさんの説明でSUP開始です。恐々乗ってると時期に慣れて気持ち良く乗る事が出来ました。カヤックをやったりシュノーケリングをやったりと充実した時期を楽しく過ごせました。
時間になり帰りの船の中でも弾き語りで皆さん大盛り上がりでとても楽しかったです！
次回はお孫ちゃん達を連れて来たいと思います。

お世話になりました

There was entertainment through out the journey. The crew gave clear instructions on what to do.
The location where the activity happens is even good.
Overall it was an awesome experience.

Don't forget to carry towels.

What an amazing adventure! The crew was so nice! The boat ride was amazing and the snorkeling was just out of this world! Best day of my entire trip.
The barbecue was perfect. And playing volleyball in the middle of the ocean was just unreal! Thanks again for the memorable experience

I participated with my 6-year-old child. We were able to see sea turtles and fully enjoyed snorkeling. The staff were kind to my child, and even though it was our first time in Hawaii as a parent and child, we had a great time.

6歳の子と2人で参加しました。ウミガメも見れたし、シュノーケルも満喫できました。スタッフの方も子供に親切で、親子2人で初めてのハワイでしたが楽しめました。

Great tour!
They provide all the information you need before hand. The creew is friendly and swimming right next to the turtles is just amaizing. Such an increíble experience!

My family had a great experience. The staff was the absolute best. They were very accommodating and attentive, especially to our young children. I highly recommend Four Winds and would definitely book with them again.

I participated in a sandbar tour that I had wanted to go on for a long time with four friends from university. Since there was a Japanese guide, we didn't have any particular difficulties and had a great time. We had plenty of time to enjoy taking lots of photos both at the sandbar and while snorkeling, and we also saw many sea turtles from the boat! I highly recommend this tour!

ずっと行きたかったサンドバーのツアーに、大学生の友達4人で参加しました。日本人のガイドさんがいたので、特に困ることもなく、楽しく過ごせました。サンドバーでもシュノーケリングでも、写真をたくさん撮って満喫するだけの時間は十分ありましたし、船の上からウミガメもたくさん見れました！とてもおすすめのツアーです！

The sandbar felt better during low tide.

The sea wasn't very clear, possibly due to the rain the day before.

Despite that, I think it was great to encounter a sea turtle.

サンドバーは
もう少し干潮が良かった感じです。

海は前の日に雨が降ったせいか
若干透明度が良くなかったです。

その中でもウミガメに出会えた事は
良かったと思います。

OMG!!! The best experience I ever had. Everyone was so friendly and helpful

First of all the bus that picked us up was old and need some works done. A 45 minute drive turned into a 11/2 hour drive. We picked the sand bar as my husband and I both can’t swim. I was pleased that we got to do some snorkeling together. We did see some turtles as well.
Then it was the deeper sea snorkeling. I was so afraid of the deep sea. So we ended up waiting in the boat for over an hour.
There are actually a few coaches on the boat. If they would Guide us through that would be a lot easier.
We just felt left out from the whole group.
Advice,

This was one of the most popular outings suggested when we researched our trip to Oahu. The online description was completely accurate and the booking was easy. The company communicated very clearly via email and text with great instructions to prepare us for a fun day. Once on the boat we were able to completely relax and enjoy ourselves! The live music was amazing, the crew was friendly and fun, and the whole experience was coordinated and organized very well! There was plenty of time on the sand bar and plenty of equipment for our family of 6 to do everything we wanted to do. I would completely recommend this outing and I would do it again!

I’m not sure if my expectations were too high or what but it wasn’t what I was expecting. I still had a good time and we did see one turtle. The crew was great so no complaints there. As far as the beer and cocktails go….they offer them to you about 10 minutes before you get off the boat so you have time for about one lol!! The day we went there really wasn’t even hardly any fish to see. Plus there were so many other boats in the same exact place it just felt crowded.

The trip was awesome. The whole crew was amazing and very friendly and knowledgeable. Would highly recommend. Also got to see to some turtles at turtle cove and some beautiful fish. After the trip they also have complimentary drinks after you snorkel. I would post pictures that the photographer took, but we haven’t seen them yet.

This was probably the highlight of my week in Maui. The staff good, just not great. One of them seem more interested the women vs everyone. The experience was all that I expected. One negative is the deluxe lunch is burgers and chips. Hardly what I would call deluxe. So keep that in mind if you go.

Sehr schöne Tour, Moana Team nett, kompetent, freundlich. Man sieht viele Schildkröten. Aber, der Spot vor Waikiki ist overcrowded, viele Auslugsboote kommen dorthin, mit ebenso vielen anderen Schnorchlern. Leider sind nicht alle rücksichtvoll und halten sich an die Regeln (dont touch the turtles, keep distance). Wenn das so weitergeht kann man drauf warten, dass der Spot zum Schutz der turtles geschlossen werden wird :-(

My two friends and I had an amazing time. The crew was amazing, friendly, informative, interactive, talked a lot with the participants, very engaging and informative about the wildlife. We’ll do it again for sure! Time flew, it was over before we knew it! ... snorkeling was great, paddle boarding exceptional, and just relaxing on the giant blue floating mat was the best! Will definitely do again!

Overall worth it, the only thing is that the snorkeling site was nothing exciting and you could barely see turtles or any fish. The best part was the volleyball match.

This was a fun time. Well organized and lots of information on sharks. Saw 4 or 5 varieties including 4 tiger sharks within 5 feet of us.

This was my third time participating, but it was the first time I felt so close to the dolphins. Last time, I could only see them from a distance, but this time, the dolphins swam slowly right beneath us, and even the kids who were participating for the first time in Hawaii were thrilled. I think it became a wonderful memory.

３回目の参加でしたが、今回ほどイルカを近くに感じたのは初めてです。前回は遠くに見えただけでしたが、私達の真下をゆっくり泳いでいくイルカに、初ハワイで初参加の子も大感激でした。いい思い出になったと思います。

We recognize that no one can control the weather, the tides, or the water depth on any given day but the company could note on their website that the water level has been so high lately that it's rare that the sandbar is visible. Having pictures on the website that show the sandbar above water is very misleading without any asterisks as to weather conditions, water depths, or tides.

The afternoon we went in mid October 2022, the water over the sandbar was about 4-5' deep. It wasn't until we talked with one of the crew who said the sandbar has only been visible about two days this whole summer. Had we known that, we wouldn't have booked but of course, that's exactly why they don't post anything about the rising ocean on the website because they'd lose money. So instead, they let people think they'll get the experience like the photos show which is pretty misleading and close to false advertising.

Unfortunately, we also got a cloudy afternoon with intermittent rain and pretty choppy water so weren't able to try the standup paddle boards or kayaks.

The two-guy band on the boat was good. They played 3 songs on the short boat ride out to the sandbar and then a couple on the way back. They didn't play during the time at the sandbar.

The turkey croissant lunch was good.

The floating suntanning platform near the sandbar was unusable. It had built-in chairs but if you wanted your towel, you had to hold it above your head to keep it dry and swim, tread, or walk in 4' water from the boat to the platform. It would have been helpful if a crew member took towels, etc. over to the platform on a paddle board or something so they'd be dry.

If you have kids or you're a short adult who doesn't want to have to tread water or wear a life vest for the 3+ hours in the water over the sandbar, this isn't the excursion for you. We had a better sandbar off the beach at the Outrigger hotel in Waikiki. Also, the water on Oahu's north shore isn't as clear as in Waikiki.

The Manta Ray Night Snorkel by Sea Quest is well worth the expense for the unique opportunity to get up close to the beautiful rays. There are a lot of different companies doing this type of tour. Sea Quest really has the entire process dialed in to make the most of the experience and to maximize your viewing time. Very professional and just downright nice. They truly care about delivering. Would highly recommend.

We participated as a couple. We took a shuttle bus to the port and transferred to a boat to the sandbar. The scenery was truly breathtaking. We were blessed with good weather and enjoyed snorkeling and paddleboarding. During snorkeling, we were able to see fish playing around the corals and even spotted a sea turtle up close, which was moving. On the boat while it was anchored, there were plenty of snacks, apples, and drinks, so we didn't have to worry about getting hungry. The staff were all very friendly, which made the tour even more enjoyable. However, this tour had mostly Japanese participants (there were also people from Taiwan and Korea), but the explanations about how to spend time in the sea and safety instructions were only in English. After the English explanation, they asked those who didn't understand to raise their hands, and a Japanese staff member provided explanations in Japanese as a service. On another optional tour, they always provided explanations in Japanese along with the English ones, so that was a bit disappointing. Overall, it was really fun to experience a different side of Hawaii than Honolulu. I definitely recommend participating when you go to Hawaii.

夫婦で参加させていただきました。
送迎バスで港に行き、船に乗り換えサンドバーへ。
まさに絶景でした。
天候にも恵まれシュノーケリング、ボードを楽しみました。
シュノーケリングではサンゴと戯れる魚、そしてウミガメを近くで見ることもでき、感動しました。
係留中の船内にはスナック菓子やりんご、ドリンクがたくさんあり、小腹が空いても安心でした。
スタッフの皆さんもとてもフレンドリーで、よりツアーを楽しめました。
ただ、今回のツアーはほとんどが日本人(台湾・韓国の方もいらっしゃいました)だったのですが、海での過ごし方や注意事項の説明は英語のみでした。
英語説明終了後、「はい、わからなかった人。(船に)残って」と挙手をさせて、日系人スタッフからサービスのように日本語での説明がありました。
別のオプショナルツアーでは、英語説明と一緒に必ず日本語で説明してくれたので、その点だけは残念でした。
総合的にはホノルルとは違ったハワイが味わえ、本当に楽しかったです。
ハワイに行った時は是非参加していただきたいと思います。

really good experience overall! Clean, friendly and worth the money!

The boat was old and had not enough power. On the way there we were passed by many boats of same size. Then the boat wouldn't start at all and we were towed back to port. 3 passengers were very sea sick.
The crew didn't provide any information about the manta reys while we watched. Other boat crews were very informative.
Would not recommend.

I participated with my husband on our honeymoon. Although it was mentioned that masks were required, we brought them just in case but did not wear them.

The boat ride was very smooth, and even though I usually get seasick, I felt completely fine and was able to enjoy snacks without feeling nauseous! Even those who typically get seasick might be okay with this experience.

Before boarding, we had to sign something like a contract, but hardly anyone was dressed as stated in the document; most people were in casual clothing with their arms and legs exposed. So, it might not be as strict as the regulations suggest.

On the boat, they played live Hawaiian music, and we spent our time enjoying snacks like donuts and drinks. Once we arrived, we could swim right away, and there were free rentals for snorkeling and kayaking. There were also paid options like banana boats and jet skis available if there were openings on the day.

We had about two hours to enjoy the sea, which felt quite leisurely. On the return boat, they offered warm tea to help warm us up. The explanations were given in English, Japanese, and Korean, and although they were a bit broken, they were understandable.

Overall, the sea was not as impressive as I had imagined, but perhaps it was just the timing? Regardless, I appreciated the chance to relax, enjoyed the snacks as much as I wanted, and my husband seemed satisfied, so I rated it four stars.

One disappointing aspect was that the location is far from Honolulu, so we requested transportation, but both the outbound and return trips were delayed. In the morning, we were about 20 minutes late, but the return bus also took a long time to depart. The driver eventually returned to inform us that one group of passengers was still eating their snacks, and we couldn't leave until they finished. This was understandably frustrating. Other tourists were also getting impatient, and it seemed that someone went to talk to the couple eating to expedite things. We finally departed about 30 minutes later, which was unacceptable.

I would appreciate it if you could mention in the guidelines that eating is not allowed during the trip, or that transportation will not be provided if passengers choose to eat. The couple was apparently unaware that they would be departing soon, but their assumptions inconvenienced others. I also thought it was rude that they sat down without apologizing.

The staff, atmosphere, and service were good, but the transportation issues before and after really detracted from the experience.

ハネムーンで夫と参加しました。マスク着用とありましたが、私達は念のため持っていきましたが着用はしませんでした。
道中の船はとても静かに進み、いつも薬を飲んでいても船酔いする私がまったくせず、軽食を食べても酔いもせず快適でした！普段船酔いする方でもこれなら大丈夫かもしれません。
事前に契約書？みたいなのにサインするのですが、そこに書かれているような服装の人はほぼおらず、普通にみんな足とか腕とか出た服装でした。だからいろいろ規約に書かれているほど厳しくないのかもしれないです。
船ではハワイアンミュージックを生演奏してくれるのでそれを聞いたり、軽食のドーナツや飲み物を飲んで過ごしました。
着いてからはそのまま泳げますし、シュノーケルやカヤックなども無料で貸し出しがあるのですることができます。有料のバナナボートや水上バイク？も当日空きがあればお金を支払って参加できます。
着いてからは丸々2時間ほどあったのでしょうか？かなりゆっくり海に入っていられた印象です。
帰りのボートでは暖かい紅茶もあるので冷えた身体を温められます。
説明は英語、日本語、韓国語などで片言ですが伝わります。
全体的に想像してたより海は普通で感動はしませんでしたがタイミングなのでしょうか？
とりあえずゆっくりできたこと、軽食は好きなだけ食べれたこと、彼が満足そうだったので、星4にしました。
１つ残念なこととしては場所がホノルルから離れているので送迎をお願いしたのですが、行きも帰りも遅かったこと。朝も20分ほど予定から遅れていましたが、まさかの帰りのバスも待っても待っても出発せず、運転手が戻ってきて告げたのは乗客の1組が現地で軽食を食べている。それが終わらないことには出られないとのこと。勿論イライラ。外人の観光客もしびれをきらしそのご飯中の１組のところへ行って話し合って来てくれたようで、なんとか30分後くらいには出発できましたがあり得なかったです。
申し訳ないですが注意事項に現地での途中飲食は出来ませんとか、途中飲食される場合は送迎致しませんとか書いて下さい。食べていたカップルはそんなにすぐ出発すると思わなかったと言っていたと運転手が言っていましたが、勝手な思い込みは他の人が迷惑です。乗車の際も謝りもせず普通に座って何様なのかと思いました。
スタッフ、雰囲気、サービスは良かっただけにその前後の送迎が足を引っ張った感じがします。

It was different from what I expected.
The sandbar? I was submerged up to my waist and chest, haha.
I couldn't see the sand.
I was a bit disappointed...

思ってたのと違う感じでした。
サンドバー⁇ 腰胸あたりまで浸かってましたw
サンドは見えませんでした。
ちょっとがっかり、、、

The crew, the equipment and the atmosphere were fantastic. But all topped by the giant Manta Rays that we saw on the trip. Once in a life time experience and was one of our favorite things we did while in Kona!