All Reviews for Snorkeling Cruises & Tours

Love the dolphins. Was a great experience with my animal loving 9 year old and rest of the family.

The tour wasn't bad, but I was disappointed because the sandbar was "not what I expected‼️" I thought we would be able to land on a sandy beach, but there was none at all... We only stood in shallow water. Even though I could have tolerated water up to my ankles, it was actually deep enough to submerge me to my chest, so it felt like I was dropped into the sea 😭 I wanted to walk on the sandy beach, and to be more specific, I wanted to sit on the beach and eat a hamburger 💧 Eating a hamburger on a crowded boat... 💧 I can't even remember if it was delicious because I was so concerned about my surroundings.

ツアーは悪くは無いのですが、サンドバーが「思ってたんと違う‼️」とガッカリしました。砂の浜に上陸出来ると思っていたけど、砂の浜は皆無で、、、
浅瀬に立っただけでした。浅瀬といっても足首くらいの水なら我慢出来たけど、胸までゆうに浸かる海の中でしたので、海の中に落とされた感じです😭
砂浜で歩きたかったし、もっと言えば砂浜に座ってハンバーガー食べたかった💧
ぎゅうぎゅうづめの船の上でハンバーガー、、、💧周りが気になって美味しかったのかどうかも思い出せませんー

Since I was planning to head towards Kailua in the afternoon, I didn't arrange for a shuttle and used the city bus instead. I obtained a prepaid card called Holo Card, which is exclusive to city buses, before heading to the location. (At ABC, only one-day passes are sold, so it's better to purchase a rechargeable card at places like Seven-Eleven.) The city bus is used frequently during the trip, so it's preferable to get it on the first day. The bus arrived almost on time, but the air conditioning was strong, so a light jacket is necessary. The bus fare is quite reasonable at a daily maximum of $7.50 compared to other transportation options, making it recommended for those looking to save money. I feel that a taxi would cost around $50 to $60? In Hawaii, prices fluctuate significantly based on supply and demand. Route searches can be done easily with Google Maps. I also used an app called DaBus2, but it seemed a bit difficult to use.

At the location, a Japanese guide (a local) provided explanations in Japanese, and although it was somewhat broken, it was understandable. There were a few Japanese tourists as well, so I think it's manageable even if you don't understand everything. You need to bring a copy of the consent form in advance, but even if you forget, they have it prepared there, so you can just head to the location without worry.

The sandbar was deep enough that when an adult (170 cm) stood, the water came up to just above their chest. I think it would be fine if the sun is out, but it can be a bit chilly, so having a rash guard would be reassuring.

During the round trip from He'eia Harbor to the sandbar, there were light snacks (donuts) and drinks (water, orange juice), and the performance by the two male musicians was quite good.

I would definitely like to use this plan again when I visit Hawaii.

午後にカイルア方面へ向かう予定だったため送迎はつけず、市バスを利用した。事前に市バス限定のプリペイド式決済カードのHoloカードを入手し、現地へ向かった。(ABCだと1日乗車券のみの販売だけなので、セブンイレブン等でチャージ式のを購入すると良い)。市バスは旅行中に利用する頻度が高いので、初日に入手が好ましい。バスはほぼ時間通りに到着したが、車内は冷房が効いており羽織るものが必要。バスは1日上限7.5＄と他交通機関と比較するとかなり割安なため、節約したい方にはおすすめ。感覚ですがタクシーでも5〜60＄くらい？ハワイは需供で料金の変動が激しい印象。経路検索はGoogleマップだけで問題なし。DaBus2というアプリも併用したが、やや使いづらい印象。

現地では日本語ガイド(現地の方)が日本語にて説明して下さり、カタコトではあったが十分理解可能。日本人観光客も何組かおり、分からなくてもなんとかなると思います。事前に同意書のコピーを持参する必要があるが、忘れても向こうで用意してあるので最悪そのまま現地に向かえば大丈夫です。
サンドバーは大人(170cm)が立つと胸から上が水面から出る程度の深さでした。日差しがあれば大丈夫だと思うが、やや肌寒いので、ラッシュガードがあれば安心。

ヘエイア港からサンドバーまでの往復の間、軽食(ドーナツ)、水分(水、オレンジジュース)があり、男性2人組の演奏がかなり良かったです。

またハワイに訪れる際には利用したいと思えるプランでした。

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

I participated in the sandbar tour that I had been curious about for a while. There was a slight breeze, but the weather was nice, the waves were calm, and the shallow sea was very beautiful. While snorkeling, I was pleasantly surprised when a sea turtle came close to me. Additionally, most of the staff were women who spoke Japanese well (there were also Japanese people), which made me feel at ease with their bright and friendly demeanor. The snacks and drinks provided were also a delightful service.

前から気になっていたサンドバーのツアーに初めて参加しました。
少し風がありましたが天気は良く波も無く、遠浅の海がとてもキレイでした。
シュノーケリングしている時に、いつの間にかウミガメが近くまで来てくれて、ちょっと感激しました。
また、スタッフのほとんどが日本語が上手(日本人もいました)な女性の方々で、明るく親切なので安心感もありました。
お菓子や飲み物も嬉しいサービスでした。

The shuttle bus was almost full, mostly with Japanese people. There were also Japanese crew members on the boat who provided guidance in both English and Japanese, which made me feel at ease.

When standing on the sandbar, the water was up to my waist. They lend various items like stand-up paddleboards, floaties, and beach balls. First, we played with the equipment, and then we all went snorkeling over the coral reef. There was a note that said you should be able to swim, but I personally can't swim, yet it was fine because I floated with a life jacket. I think those who can swim will be okay with the flotation assistance, but it's at your own risk.

However, it was quite difficult to move forward since there were no fins. I was paddling like a dog, but my husband, who can swim, said, "I can't move at all..."

I was able to see a lot of sea turtles that I wanted to see, and it was so much fun! There were times when they were right in front of me, and since I couldn't move smoothly, I was flustered (laughs).

Including what I saw from the boat, I spotted about five or six turtles! The sea was incredibly beautiful, and even though it was expensive due to the weak yen, I’m really glad I participated.

送迎バスはほぼ満席で日本人がほとんどでした。船のクルーは日本人の人もいて英語と日本語でも案内してくれたので安心できました。
サンドバーの上に立つと腰あたりまで水がありました。sup、浮き輪、ビーチボールなど色んなものを貸してくれます。最初遊具で遊んでその後みんなで珊瑚礁の上をシュノーケリングしに行きます。注意事項に泳げる方とありますが実際私は泳げないのですが、ライフジャケットで浮くので問題ありませんでした。浮く補助があれば泳げる方は大丈夫かと思いますが自己責任で。
ただフィンがないので進むのは結構大変でした。私は犬かきで動き回ってましたが主人は泳げるのに「全然進めない…」と言ってました。
見たかった海亀を沢山見れてすっごく楽しかったです！触れたらいけないのにすぐ目の前にいた時もありスムーズに動けない私はワタワタしました（笑）
船の上から見たのも含めて5、6匹は見れました！
海もめちゃくちゃ綺麗で円安で高かったけど参加して本当に良かったです。

The tsunami stirred up the sand, making the water very murky, but I was able to swim alongside the honu when they surfaced! I saw more than ten of them from the cruise as well. Additionally, due to the murky conditions caused by the tsunami, they even guided us to a free tour that we could join during our stay. Although I couldn't participate this time, the staff's response was excellent, and I would love to join again. They also offered alternative options to participate in a sunset cruise tour besides the honu, showing their flexibility in accommodating us.

津波の影響で砂を舞い上げ、海中はとても濁っていたが、ホヌが顔を出すタイミングで一緒に泳ぐことができた！
クルーズ上からも10匹以上見ることができた。
また、今回は津波の影響で濁っていたこともあり、滞在中に無料で参加できるツアーまで案内してくださった。今回は参加することができなかったが、この件も含めスタッフの対応がとても良く、また参加したいと思いました。
ホヌ以外にも、サンセットクルーズのツアーにも参加可能の代替案を提案してくださり、臨機応変に対応してくださる。

The staff who can speak Japanese will mainly be in charge. At the sandbar, you can have fun with activities like stand-up paddleboarding and taking photos, and you can also return to the boat to enjoy juice, snacks, fruits, and spam onigiri. In the second half, we went snorkeling in deeper waters, where we were able to see sea turtles and many fish! It's one of the recommended activities!

日本語を話せるスタッフの方がメインで担当してくれます。
サンドバーではSUP等で遊んだり写真を撮ったりしながら、途中船に戻ってジュースやお菓子、フルーツ、スパムおにぎりを食べることもできます。
後半は深場でシュノーケリングでしたが、ウミガメやたくさんの魚達に会えるとこができました！
おすすめのアクティビティの1つですよ！

My wife was initially scared to board, but it wasn't too bumpy, and while receiving explanations in Japanese, we were able to see various mountains, volcanic craters, and waterfalls from the helicopter, which was moving. The price was a bit high, but we created wonderful memories that were worth it.

家内は最初乗車するのが怖がっていましたが、
たいして揺れることもなく、日本語での説明をしてもらいながら
色々な山や火口付近・滝などをヘリコプターから見られて
感動しました。
お値段はちょっと高額ですが、それ以上に良い思い出が出来ました。

A group of three friends who have been close for 40 years. We always dreamed of going to Hawaii together, and this year, we made that dream come true as we celebrated our 60th birthdays! Just as we researched, we were able to fully enjoy the amazing "Heavenly Sea" at low tide. We had a great time with sandbar walks, snorkeling, and stand-up paddleboarding, thanks to the staff's friendly advice! Onboard, there were spam rice balls, snacks, mineral water, and hot drinks provided, making for a truly satisfying experience! We're going again!!

４０年来の仲良し３人組。
いつかは３人で行ってみたいと思っていたハワイ、今年還暦を迎え夢を実現させました！
事前のリサーチ通り、潮が引き最高の「天国の海」を堪能できました。
サンドバーウォーク、シュノーケリング、サップ、スタッフの親切なアドバイスで楽しく過ごせました！
船内では、スパムおにぎり、スナック菓子、ミネラルウォーター、温かい飲み物も用意されていて至れり尽くせりで大満足です！
また行くぞー！！

This was one of our favorite activities in Hawaii! The expert crew was awesome, friendly, and very helpful. We will definitely book this tour again on our next trip to O'ahu!

Jenny was very patient and kind with my 10 year old who had anxiety. This was a good beginner snorkel lesson!

The crew was amazing and the sandbar was a cool experience. A fun way to spend an afternoon!

We had a great time kayaking down the river, and then a brief ocean kayak before snorkeling on the beach.
Highly recommend!

My wife & I took our 3 daughters (17, 13, 9) on this excursion and it was amazing. The music was great, and the crew was awesome. Our youngest got a little chilly at times, but plenty of space to chill right off the back of the boat. Snorkeling, paddle boarding, kayaking, etc. lots of fun.

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。

On July 29, there was a tsunami warning, and on July 30, the warning was lifted. However, on the morning of July 30, I received an email about the cancellation of the Hanauma Bay snorkeling shuttle. I imagine the tour company needed to gather information, but the details were unclear.

Since I had registered my mobile number at the time of booking, I received the cancellation email one hour prior, but it came on the morning of the day itself. We discussed as a family that it was understandable given it was the day after the tsunami warning.

After that, I took a chance and exchanged messages with the contact person via SMS, and I found out that there were three spots available for snorkeling at Hanauma Bay the next day, July 31. Becca from Kaimana Tours assisted us. Since all the other tour guests were conversing in English, I felt hesitant to express my gratitude in my limited English. I couldn't confirm if the person who provided the shuttle service that day was Becca. I appreciate Becca's assistance and would be grateful if you could convey my thanks.

7月29日に津波警報があり、7月30日は警報解除になりましたが、7月30日午前のハナウマ湾のシューノーケル送迎の中止のメールが当日朝きました。ツアー会社は情報収集する必要があったと想像していますが、詳細は不明でした。
予約時にスマホ番号登録しているので1時間前ですが当日朝に中止メールが来ました。津波警報の翌日でしたので仕方がないねと家族で話していました。
その後にダメ元で担当者様の連絡先にショートメールでやりとりを行ったところ、翌日の7月31日に空き枠が3名分あるとのことで翌日にハナウマ湾シュノーケリングができました。
Kaimana ToursのBecca様に担当していただきました。他のツアー客が全員、英語で会話していたので、拙い英語に気が引けてお礼を伝えることが出来ませんでした。当日の送迎していただいた方がBecca様かも確認できませんでした。Becca様のご対応に感謝しています。有り難うございましたと伝えていただけたら幸いです。

Entering "Dolphin University" and officially becoming a graduate was the biggest event of the summer of 2025. With a courteous pick-up, we quickly arrived at Waianae Harbor from Ko Olina. We boarded right away, and Captain KURT's jokes eased the tension of the 28 new students, bringing smiles to everyone. Next, we held the solemn "Ehomai Ceremony" (a prayer before entering the sacred place). As time flowed leisurely, we cruised through the magnificent nature of the West Coast. Thanks to our prayers, we encountered many dolphins. Even Minako, a Japanese staff member, said, "Such days are rare." Near the harbor, a family of spinner dolphins came close to the boat, showing us their spinning jumps multiple times. We also encountered a rare pod of false killer whales offshore. It was truly moving. Above all, the crew's "dolphin love" was palpable. In the second class, "snorkeling," my wife had her first experience, and with Minako's support, she said, "It was so much fun. It was really great." We thoroughly enjoyed the magnificent nature. We also encountered sea turtles twice. I would love to participate in this tour again. I highly recommend it.

「イルカ大学」に入学し、晴れて卒業生の仲間入りとなったことは2025年夏の最大のイベントでした。丁寧な送迎でコオリナからはあっという間にワイアナエ港に到着。早速乗船しKURT船長のジョークを交えた挨拶で入学生28名の緊張もほぐれて皆笑顔に。続いて厳粛な「エホマイの儀式（聖地に入る前の祈り）」を行いました。ゆったりとした時が流れる中、雄大な自然が広がる西海岸で、大自然の中をクルーズ。お祈りのおかげ？で、私たちはたくさんのイルカ達と遭遇することができました。日本人スタッフのMinakoさんも「こんな日はめったにないです」というくらい。港の近くではハシナガイルカのファミリーが、ボートのすぐ近くまで寄ってきてくれて、回転ジャンプを何度も見せてくれました。沖合では珍しいユメゴンドウ（鯨）の群れにも出会えました。感激しました。何より船長以下クルーの皆さんの“イルカ・ラブ”がひしひしと伝わってきました。２時間目の授業「スノーケリング」は、妻は初体験でしたが、Minakoさんのサポートで「凄く楽しかった。とても良かった」とのことでした。雄大な自然をたっぷりと満喫させて頂きました。ウミガメさんにも２度出会えました。またこのツアーに参加したいと思いました。お勧めします。

It was my first time at the sandbar, and although I felt a bit anxious with the slight wind, the sun peeked through, and I got to see a honu. I was also fortunate to have the best crew, including the captain, which made for an unforgettable experience.

Thanks to the crew member who provided detailed explanations in Japanese and showed great consideration, I was able to enjoy myself with peace of mind.

This was a tour I definitely want to join again when I come to Hawaii. Thank you very much.

初めてのサンドバーで、風が少し吹いていたので、少し不安もありましたが、晴れ間も見え、ホヌにも会えて、また、キャプテン含め、最高のクルーの方々にも恵まれ、最高の思い出となりました。
特に日本語で丁寧に説明や、気遣いいただいたクルーの方のおかげで、安心して楽しむことができました。
また、ハワイに来た際には、絶対に参加したいと思うツアーでした。
ありがとうございました。

Loved our family trip on the boat out to the sandbar. It was great fun, lots of wonderful music and many memories made with our family.

The sandbar experience was amazing. The staff was so friendly and accommodating. They had food for us to feed the fish. I recommend booking the banana boat ride. The live music was so cool. We did snorkeling, kayaking, paddle boarding. My daughter has not stopped talking about it. It has been her favorite excursion this trip.

The staff was so friendly. From check in to being out in the ocean.
Always checking in on us when we were in the water.
Staff was in great spirits. Love the live music.
Your team went above and beyond when my family and I were a few minutes late.
The boat left us but one of your staff members stay behind to take us in and give us a ride to the main boat.
I felt like a VIP.
Thank you.

I’m writing this review to emphasize how great the workers of this cruise are. Great atmosphere, the banana boat was extremely fun, and the driver was a joy. We also got to do some snorkeling, seeing some beautiful fish. My main point of this review is to talk about how amazing the crew was when hit with a massive change. As we were enjoying our time, it got caught short due to a Tsunami warning. Every crew member was fantastic with this, making everyone feel safe and less nervous. It’s a really great time, just pray that you don’t unexpectedly get a tsunami warning!

It was my first tour, but I got to see so many sea turtles and dolphins. The snorkeling was enjoyable because the ocean was beautiful. The Japanese guide and all the other guides were very energetic, kind, and made it a fun tour. I definitely want to join again when I come to Hawaii. Thank you very much.

初めてのツアーでしたが
海亀とイルカにめっちゃ会えました。
シュノーケリングも海が綺麗なので楽しめます。
そして日本人のガイドや全てのガイドさんの方がテンション高く、優しくて楽しいツアーでした。
ハワイに来たら是非また参加したいです。
ありがとうございました。

I was able to see dolphins perfectly. First, we boarded a small boat to search for dolphins. The boat, powered by two engines, moved at an incredible speed. It felt like riding a banana boat, and it was fun even while we were moving.

After about 15-20 minutes of searching, we spotted dolphins. During the first time we entered the water, we only caught a glimpse of two dolphins diving. We set out again to search for dolphins, and during the second attempt, we were able to see dozens of dolphins in the ocean. After that, we moved to another spot and were also able to see several sea turtles perfectly.

Ken, the Japanese staff member, was very kind, and I felt reassured to participate even with my concerns about speaking English. Since the boat is small, it does sway quite a bit. If you're worried about motion sickness, I think taking anti-nausea medication is essential. It's said that the waters in Hawaii are calmest in the morning, so even though the meeting time is early, I recommend the first tour.

The boat from Dolphin University had a toilet and was well-equipped, but if seeing dolphins and swimming with them is your top priority, it seems that Dolphin Junior is recommended because their boat can maneuver more easily. There was also plenty of time for snorkeling, making it a very satisfying tour.

イルカはバッチリ見れました。
まずは小型のボートに乗り込み、イルカを探しに行きます。船はエンジンを2台のパワーで動くのですごいスピードが出ます。バナナボートに乗っているような感覚で移動中も楽しかったです。
15-20分ほど探したところで、イルカを発見。1回目海に入ったところでは2頭のイルカが潜っていく所を少し見れた程度でした。改めてイルカを探しに船を走らせ、2回目では数十頭のイルカを海の中から見ることができました。その後別のスポットまで移動して、海亀も数匹バッチリ見ることが出来ました。
日本人スタッフのケンさんもとても親切で英語に不安があっても安心して参加できました。
船が小型なので結構揺れます。乗り物酔いが心配な場合は酔い止めの服用は必須かと思います。ハワイの海は朝が1番穏やかとのことで、集合は朝早いですが1番最初のツアーがおすすめです。
イルカ大学の船にはトイレが付いていたり設備が充実していましたが、イルカを見る、イルカと泳ぐことが優先順位1位であればイルカ中学の方が船が小回りきくこともありおすすめだそうです。
シュノーケルの時間もたっぷりあり、大満足なツアーでした。

I made a reservation while checking the tide chart, and I was fortunate with the weather, allowing me to see the sandbar that emerged from the water! The part that actually comes out of the sea has more coral fragments and rocks than sandy beach, so marine shoes are essential.

I took photos with my iPhone, and it was amazing to see the sea turtles (honu) resting right in front of me and swimming close enough to touch, along with many colorful fish! At first, I was considering a tour that lends fins, but it wasn't necessary since we moved slowly along the not-so-long reef while enjoying the view.

In addition to sun protection, it seems there were jellyfish that the honu feed on in some areas, so having a rash guard would provide extra peace of mind.

潮見表を見ながら予約しましたが天候にも恵まれ、ちゃんと水面から出たサンドバーを見る事が出来ました！
実際に海面から出ている部分は砂浜より珊瑚のカケラや岩のような部分が多く、マリンシューズは必須でした。
写真はiPhoneで撮りましたが、目の前で寝ているホヌや、手が届くほどの距離を泳ぐホヌ、色とりどりの魚もたくさん見る事が出来て最高でした！始めは足ヒレを貸してくれるツアーと悩みましたが、さほど長くないリーフ沿いをゆっくりと見ながら進むので不要でした。
日焼け対策もですが、ホヌが餌にしているクラゲが所々にいたようなので、ラッシュガードはあった方が安心です。

I participated in a tour with "Dolphin University" that cruises near the westernmost point of Oahu. There were many Japanese staff members, and their explanations were thorough, allowing me to feel safe and enjoy the experience throughout. On the boat, there were also commentaries about the surrounding islands and scenery, which deepened my understanding of Hawaii's nature and culture. During the cruise, I encountered sea turtles three times and observed a pod of wild dolphins. I was particularly moved by the sight of baby dolphins jumping. After the cruise, I had a snorkeling experience in the deep sea where I couldn't touch the bottom. Swimming with colorful fish gathered around the bait felt like a dream, and it was a highly satisfying tour that allowed me to feel one with nature.

オアフ島最西端付近をクルーズする「イルカ大学」のツアーに参加しました。日本人スタッフが多く、説明も丁寧で終始安心して楽しめました。船上では周囲の島や景色についての解説もあり、ハワイの自然や文化をより深く知ることができました。クルーズ中には3回もウミガメに出会い、野生のイルカの群れも観察。特に子イルカがジャンプする姿には感動しました。クルーズ後は、足のつかないほど深い海でのシュノーケリング体験。餌に集まるカラフルな魚たちと泳ぐのはまさに夢のようで、大自然との一体感を味わえる、非常に満足度の高いツアーでした。

Captain Bob’s Sandbar Snorkeling Tour was hands down one of the highlights of our trip to Oahu! From start to finish, the experience was unforgettable. The crew was absolutely amazing—friendly, knowledgeable, and made sure everyone was safe while still having a blast. They brought such a fun and laid-back energy to the whole day.

The sandbar was stunning, with crystal-clear water and plenty of time to explore, relax, and take photos. The snorkeling was also fantastic—we saw colorful fish and even a sea turtle!

And let me tell you about the food! The BBQ lunch was delicious, fresh, and just what we needed after swimming and snorkeling. Everything was well-organized and the atmosphere on the boat was so much fun.

I highly, highly recommend this tour if you’re visiting Oahu. Whether you’re with family, friends, or traveling solo, this is an experience you don’t want to miss. Mahalo to Captain Bob’s crew for an amazing day!

I was able to have an experience just like the photos. I snorkeled with my child and swam with several sea turtles, which became a wonderful memory. The stand-up paddleboarding I tried during my free time was also fun. The snacks on the boat, including spam onigiri and miso soup, were plentiful, and both my child and I were very satisfied.

写真通りの体験をすることができました。
子供と一緒にシュノーケルをし、何匹ものウミガメと一緒に泳ぐことができ良い思い出になりました。空き時間で挑戦したSUPも楽しかったです。船上での軽食はスパムおにぎりやみそ汁など充実しており、子供ともども大満足でした。

This excursion was absolutely incredible! We got to hang out on the Kaneohe sandbar for a while. Some people played volleyball, some swam and tested out snorkel gear. We go to just relax and enjoy this amazing location. There were sea turtles and rays when we first got there. The crew grilled up some yummy burgers while we played. We then got back on the boat looking for green sea turtles. So many! We snorkeled around a reef and saw so many incredible fish. This was one of my favorite adventures that we did in Oahu and could not have been in a more beautiful location.