All Reviews for Snorkeling Cruises & Tours

I personally used this during my long stay in Honolulu for school. With a departure around 6 AM, I was back at the hotel by just after 10 AM, which allowed me to make good use of my morning. There were only a few people, which added to the private feel, and that was great!

In the morning, we snorkeled in shallow areas due to low tide, but the water was very clear, and I was able to see various fish! According to the guide, it seems that in the afternoon, when the tide is high, we can go further out, but the visibility might decrease a bit. The morning is early, but it seems to be less crowded compared to the afternoon. Both morning and afternoon have their pros and cons.

The guide was also kind and provided helpful advice on how to use the wetsuits and life jackets, as well as how to put on the masks. There are showers and restrooms available on-site.

スクールでホノルル長期滞在時の間に個人的に利用しました。午前6時過ぎ出発で10時過ぎにはホテルに戻られるので朝活の時間の有効活用ができます。人数も数名程度でプライベート感もあり良かったです！
午前の朝は引潮で浅い場所でのシュノーケルとなりますが、海の透明は高く色々なお魚を見ることができました！ガイドさんいわく、午後は満潮になるので沖には出れるみたいですが、透明度は若干下がるみたいです。午前は朝早いですが、午後に比べて空いてるみたいです。午前も午後も一長一短あるみたいです。
ガイドさんも親切でウエットスーツやライフジャケット使用方法、マスク付け方等を親切にアドバイス頂けました。
現地にシャワー、トイレもあります。

Participating as a family of four was truly a courageous choice, especially considering the impact of the exchange rate, but I'm so glad we decided to go for it! It was my first time on a helicopter, and thanks to the thoughtful care of the staff and pilot, I was able to enjoy it without any worries. I wanted to see the Kilauea volcano erupting magma, and I was able to capture that on video to show my elderly mother who was waiting back in Japan. Additionally, we chose a tour that included a stop at a waterfall, and that turned out to be a fantastic decision! It allowed us to truly experience the lush nature of the Big Island. The view of the mountains and valleys from the sea, the green landscape, the blue coral reef waters, and the brown-black of the volcano and lava were all so vibrant and unforgettable. Plus, we were greeted by a cute dog! I wholeheartedly recommend this tour.

為替レートの影響もあり、家族4人で参加するのは本当に勇気がいる選択でしたが、思い切って参加してよかったです！人生初のヘリコプターも、スタッフとパイロットの細やかな心遣いで心配せず、心から楽しむことができました。キラウェア火山がマグマを噴き上げている様子を見たくて参加したのですが、その動画も撮って、日本で待っていた年老いた母にも見せることができました。また、せっかくならば･･･と滝に寄るツアーにしたのですが、これが大正解！自然豊かなハワイ島を感じる内容となりました。海から見る山や谷の緑とサンゴ礁の海の青、火山や溶岩の茶黒。カラフルで自然の姿をしっかりと目に焼き付けることができました。そして、アイドル犬が出迎えてくれます。とってもキュートですよ。心からお薦めのツアーです。

I used this tour company for a family trip (my kids are in 8th and 6th grade). This is my third experience at the sandbar, but I choose this tour company every time. The reasons are that the staff is cheerful and fun, the boat is large and has a roof, you can enjoy light snacks, the live music is exciting, and you can enjoy marine sports. This time, I signed up for the banana boat experience. During the banana boat ride, we spotted a sea turtle, so they stopped the boat for us. They also respond to music requests. Overall, there seems to be a lot of American participants, but there are Japanese staff members guiding us. Other staff members also communicate in broken Japanese. I plan to use this tour again.

家族旅行で利用しました。（子供は中2、小6）
サンドバーは3回目の体験ですが、毎回このツアー会社を選んでいます。
理由は、スタッフが陽気で楽しいこと、船が大きく屋根が付いていること、軽食が楽しめること、音楽生演奏が盛り上がること、マリンスポーツが楽しめることなどです。
今回はバナナボート付きで申し込みました。
バナナボート体験中、途中で海亀を発見したので船を停めてくれました。
音楽はリクエストにも応えてくれます。
全体的にアメリカの参加者が多いイメージですが、日本人スタッフが案内してくれます。他のスタッフも片言の日本語でコミュニケーションしてくれます。
またこのツアーを利用しようと思います。

I was hesitant because I saw other reviews mentioning that there was no sandy beach, but after checking the tide schedule, I found that the tour time coincided perfectly with low tide, so I decided to participate. Just as I imagined, it was exactly the right time to see the sandy beach, and I was able to witness something precious. The weather was great, and it was the best experience!

I think adults can understand the value of this, but my 6-year-old daughter obviously didn’t grasp it. She seemed to enjoy seeing the turtles and playing with various goods like SAP.

By the way, we also participated in a dolphin swimming tour the day before, but it seemed very scary for her at 6 years old. She was quite nervous when joining this tour, but there were many smaller kids than her, which gave her a sense of security. It turned out to be a fun memory without turning the ocean into a trauma, which was really great.

他の口コミで砂浜は見れなかったなどの書き込みがあったので迷いましたが、潮見表で旅程を確認すると、ツアー時間と干潮がうまく重なっていたので参加してみました。想像していた通り、砂浜が出ている時間ピッタリで、貴重なものが実際に見れて天気も良く最高でした！
大人にはその貴重さが理解できると思いますが、6歳の娘は当然分からず、亀を見れた事や、SAPなど色々なグッズで遊べたことが楽しかったようでした。
ちなみに前々日にイルカと泳ぐツアーにも参加しましたが、6歳にはそちらはとても怖かったようで、かなりビビりながらこちらのツアーに参加しましたが、自分より小さい子も沢山いて安心感があり、海がトラウマにならずに楽しい思い出になりとてもよかったです。

We had the most amazing time was so much fun. Struggling was great. The sandbar was relaxing. They were able to paddle boat too. The crew was incredibly nice and helpful.

This was my first time but the host was an absolute doll while kayaking she was giving us a bit of history of certain things, she was very informative very helpful and wonderful all together. If I come back and do this again I would definitely choose them to have her and her amazing personality. Thank you for showing us a good time.

The staff were all very friendly, but most of the people around were native speakers, and announcements and services were only in English, so those who prefer service in Japanese might find it inconvenient. Inside, there are long benches and long tables, and they guide you according to your group.

The activities were plentiful; my husband enjoyed beach volleyball, and our first-grade child was thrilled to see tropical fish with the floaties and goggles we brought, as well as a life jacket that was available for rent. It seems you can walk in the coral areas, so I think it's essential for children to have beach shoes (that can be worn in the water) to prevent injuries. Adults would also feel more secure having them.

After snorkeling, I spent a relaxing time on a boat with my daughter, enjoying the beautiful sea while riding on a SUP (you don't have to stand). On the way back, everyone was happily dancing to live music, and we were all healed by the aloha music at the end, creating a special memory.

As for snacks, there weren't any meals like sandwiches, and only donuts were provided (which ran out early due to competition), so it's better to bring your own if you think you'll need more. Coffee is made by getting the grounds and adding hot water yourself. Alcohol is available for a fee. There are two toilets, but they don't have automatic flushing, so you have to use the water from the bottle inside the toilet to flush it yourself.

スタッフの方は皆さんとてもフレンドリーでしたが、周りはネイティブの方がほとんどでアナウンスやサービスも英語のみなので日本語でサービスをご希望の方には不便に感じるかもしれません。中は長ベンチと長テーブルの席になっていてグループごとに案内してくれます。

アクティビティは充実しており、夫はビーチバレーを楽しみ、小学校一年生の子供は持参した浮き輪、水中眼鏡と貸し出しがあったライフジャケットでトロピカルなお魚たちを大興奮で見ていました。珊瑚の所は歩けるみたいなので、怪我防止に子供のビーチシューズ(海中で履ける)は必須だと思いました。大人もあった方が安心です。

私はシュノーケリングの後、娘と好きなようにSUPに乗ったり(立たなくていい)綺麗な海を見ながら船でのんびり過ごしました。帰りはライブミュージックでみんな楽しくダンスしていて最後はアロハミュージックに癒されて特別な思い出になりました。

軽食ですが、サンドウィッチなど食事になるものはなく、ドーナツしか用意がなかったので(争奪戦で前半になくなる)足りない人は持参した方が良いです。コーヒーは粉をもらって自分でお湯を入れます。お酒は有料です。
トイレは２つありますが、自動洗浄はなくトイレの中に置いてある水ボトルの水を自分で流します。

30 years ago i swam with the dolphins and remember it well. our morning at dolphin quest was just as delightful! the staff was amazing and our three girl dolphins were an absolute delight. learning about these magnificent creatures and then actually interacting with them made this a five star experience.

I had a great time with the cheerful crew who spoke broken Japanese. They were always there to help when I had trouble while canoeing in the sea. The banana boat ride was short but very enjoyable, and I was glad I signed up for it. It was a luxury to listen to live music while eating donuts on the boat. Overall, it was a very satisfying tour.

カタコトの日本語を話せる陽気なクルーと楽しい時間を過ごせました。海でカヌーをした際、困ったときはいつも助けてくれました。
バンパーチューブは短時間でしたがとても楽しく、申し込んで正解でした。
船の中ではドーナツを食べながら生歌を聴けて贅沢でした。
総じて大満足のツアーでした。

The whole staff was so friendly and was so helpful for first timers. It was high tide and we did snorkeling first, the kids loved it learning for the first time. I tried paddle boarding and it was hard for me but still fun. The kids did the banana boat and it was fast and my three year old granddaughter had to ride on the boat instead, but she still had a blast. The band played Island music and it was perfect. We were there at the sandbar for three hours and it was exhausting but still fun. We would love to come here again next year.

I participated with my spouse and our 10-year-old son. The staff were cheerful and kind, and the Japanese staff member, Tamae, provided thorough explanations in advance. The descriptions from Trevor, Diego, and Scott on the way to the point were enjoyable, and we arrived at the point in no time.

Once we reached the point and entered the water, we immediately encountered manta rays. In fact, we saw three large manta rays! Watching the manta rays gracefully swim through the darkness was mystical and incredibly moving.

Although we are not allowed to touch them (as the bacteria from humans can cause illness in manta rays), they came so close that we could almost touch them. Being able to see manta rays up close was truly a rare experience.

After getting back on the boat and during our return to the port, we enjoyed hot cocoa and snacks, and the cocoa was delicious and warmed up our chilled bodies.

As we were leaving, a Japanese staff member gave me a sticker, saying, "I had fun today too." I also had a great time, and I really appreciated how much they cared about my wife, who got seasick. It became a wonderful memory. I heard that there's a 20% discount for the next visit, so I definitely want to come back!

夫婦と10歳の息子と参加しました。スタッフの方は明るく親切で、日本人スタッフのタマエさんも事前に丁寧に説明してくれます。
ポイントに着くまでのTrevor,Diego,Scottさん達の説明も楽しく、あっという間にポイントに到着しました。
ポイントに着いて海に入ったらすぐにマンタに会えました。しかも大きなマンタが3枚も！
暗闇の中を優雅に泳ぐマンタは神秘的でとても感動しました。
マンタには触ってはいけないのですが(人間の持っているバクテリアがマンタの体に付くと病気になってしまう可能性があるため)、触れそうなくらい近くまで来てくれて、こんなに近くでマンタを見れたのは本当に貴重な経験でした。
ボートに上がってから港に帰るまでの間にホットココアとスナックをいただき、ココアは冷えた体を温めてくれてとても美味しかったです。
帰り際に、日本人スタッフの方から「私も今日は楽しかったから」とステッカーを頂きました。こちらこそとても楽しかったですし、船酔いした妻のこともとても気にかけていただいたので、本当によい思い出になりました。次は20%オフとのことなので、ぜひまた来たいです。

I participated in July. From the shuttle bus stage, I felt at ease with the Japanese guide, Fuko. There was also a restroom break at the port upon arrival.
The boat was clean, had a roof, and was comfortable. Many spinner dolphins came around the boat. Although the time spent searching for dolphins offshore was long, the snorkeling time was short, but I was able to swim with a turtle.
Lastly, even though the course I chose was one that could not be changed or canceled, thank you for accommodating my schedule change.

7月に参加してきました。送迎バスの段階から日本人ガイドのふうこさんと一緒で安心。到着した港では一旦トイレ休憩もあります。
船は清潔で屋根があって過ごしやすいです。たくさんのスピナードルフィンが船の周りに来てくれました。沖までイルカを探しに行く時間が長かったので、シュノーケリングの時間が短かったですが、亀と泳ぐことができました。
最後に私が選んだコースは日程の変更やキャンセルができないものだったにも関わらず、日程変更にご対応いただき、ありがとうございました。

Arrived at the port by bus from the hotel! I packed my change of clothes in a large plastic box and off we went to the sea. The captain explained everything in English, while the Japanese guide provided detailed explanations! We played in the shallow sea for about an hour and saw fish and turtles while snorkeling. I got a bit separated while chasing the turtles and fish, but they quickly brought me back. I couldn't take any photos, but I was glad to see so many fish and turtles.

ホテルからバス送迎で港に到着！着替えなどは、プラスチック製の大きな箱に入れていざ海へ細かな説明を英語でキャプテン、日本語ガイドさんが丁寧に説明！遠浅の海で1時間ぐらい遊び、シュノーケリングで魚や亀をみました。亀や魚を追いかけて離れてしまったけどすぐに、連れ戻してくれました。写真が撮れなかったけどたくさんの魚や亀に会えて良かったです。

Mantas came close to me multiple times, and I was extremely excited. They swam so close that it was almost surprising we didn't bump into each other.

マンタが何度も何枚も近づいてきてくれて大興奮でした。
ぶつからないのが不思議なくらいの距離まで何度も泳いでくれます。

The staff were welcoming, informative and helpful. The boat ride was enjoyable. The location where we snorkeled was underwhelming. We did see tiny, colorful fish, and some corals, but nothing else of note.

I was able to see a total of three turtles! I think it's definitely a spot where you can see them. The guide was a foreigner, and when I participated, there were no Japanese participants, so I was a bit anxious, but there was nothing to worry about. I think it's a good idea to take motion sickness medication, as I experienced seasickness and nausea from the waves.

合計で3匹のカメを見ることができました！
多分スポット的には絶対見られるポイントなのだと思います。
ガイドさんは外人で私が参加した時は日本人の参加者はいなかったので少し不安でしたが、困るようなことはなかったです。
船酔いと波酔いをしたので酔い止めは飲んでおくといいと思います。

We had a great morning kayak trip and Olivia was wonderful!! We loved her stories about the history of the area and learning more about Hawaii in general. Thanks especially for your breakfast tip on the Coffee Shack, what an awesome spot! It all made for a perfect morning, thank you Olivia!!

We’ve been with family. Children 12 and 10 years old. All of us were so excited and totally happy with this experience!

Loved the quick boat ride out! Felt like most of the time was spent waiting for people to arrive- didn't get a ton of time out on the sand bar

This was by far the most memorable thing our family did on the Big Island, it’s got to be one of the most amazing things we’ve ever done together. Stop reading this review and go book your trip now. You won’t regret it.

You can also see turtles from the boat, and during the one-hour snorkeling experience, you can spot them as well. The service is excellent, and during the free time after the experience, you can relax and enjoy some juice. For those who want to have an intense experience with marine life, the duration might feel short, but I recommend it for those who want a quick taste of Hawaii.

船からも亀さんを見ることもできますし、1時間のシュノーケリング体験の間でも見れます。サービスもすごく良くて、体験後の楽しみの自由時間ではジュースを飲んだり、まったりできます。もしかしたら、ガンガン海の生き物と楽しみたいという方には体験が短いと感じるかもしれませんが、サクッとハワイを体験したい人にはおすすめです。

Playing volleyball, stand-up paddleboarding, and tag in the ocean! Plus, I encountered sea turtles while snorkeling!

Have you ever done anything like that? It was amazing! Highly recommended!

海の中でバレーボール、sup、鬼ごっこ！それに海亀と出会えたシュノーケル！

そんなことしたことある？
最高でしたよ(^^)やるべきオススメポイント！

Iruka Junior High is truly amazing. We went out to sea on a boat to search for dolphins. The boat was more thrilling and faster than a banana boat, making it the best attraction!

Being on the boat allowed us to get really close to the dolphins, and it was an emotional experience swimming alongside so many of them.

With snorkeling, I was able to swim with rays and sea turtles!

イルカ中学はほんとにすごいです。
ボートでイルカを探しに沖まで行きます。
バナナボートよりも迫力があるボートで早いスピードで沖まで行くのがまずサイコーのアトラクションでした!

ボートだからすごくイルカに近くまで寄ってくれて、たくさんのイルカと一緒に泳げて感動の体験でした。

シュノーケルではエイやウミガメと一緒に泳ぐことができました!

Every time I come to Hawaii, I want to go to the sandbar! This time, the afternoon tour was a bit less crowded and it was so much fun. The bumper tubes were also a great addition!

ハワイに来たら毎回サンドバーに行きたくなります！今回は午後ツアーで少し空いていてとても楽しかったです。バンパーチューブもつけて最高でした！

Captain and crew of Ocean Encounters 1 dove in ahead of guests, made a plan, and navigated us there. Honestly, we had a great viewing spot and several other boats' guests were eager to move into our spot upon our exiting. Boats are staggered and have a neighborly way of communicating where/when/how each group will be staggered but I would have been disappointed to be in one of the peripheral groups. These are wild animals, so no telling what each evening will look like, but was glad to have a captain who led the charge.

Tips: It is a bit of a rough ride for 20 mins out and approx 20 minutes back. If you are someone who suffers from carsickness or seasickness, highly recommend treating for that before you leave. We had 2 of 30 guests puking over the sides. I gave my carsick kiddo dramamine about an hour before-- no issues.

Do have inexperienced family members practice snorkeling ahead of tour so that they can spend the entire 45 minutes head down in the water enjoying the fish and rays and the learning is done in a pool or bay ahead of time. There were zero swimming skills necessary on this trip but knowing how to calmly enjoy breathing through a snorkel for an extended period was the difference between guests who really enjoyed and guests who didn't. There was a surfboard with handles that the group held on to, which was pulled into position by the guides.

Do warn your kiddos that these rays are HUGE. My youngest expected small 3-4 foot rays like we have in our aquarium and was initially very surprised (terrified) by the 12-15 wingspan on some of these beautiful creatures. They got right up in our personal bubble/faces/immediately underneath bellies and legs so do be ready for up-close amazing experience.

Do not bring a bunch of stuff/items as they end up dripped on and/or in the way. If the weather is warm all you need is shoes that are okay getting wet/dripped on, and a towel. They provided water and light packaged snacks on the return trip.

Amazing private experience and would recommend to anyone! Our captain was extremely knowledgeable and friendly.

We had a blast. We signed up for the banana boat add on…it was so much fun. The water was clear and waist deep. We saw turtles and lots of fish. Live music is interactive and the boat provides plenty of shade for when you need a break out of the sun.

I was anxious about the ticket scramble, so I used this service. I received reminder emails multiple times until the day of the event, and they picked me up at the hotel at 5:30 AM. The ride was shared and everything was in English, with no other Japanese passengers. However, they provided a printed sheet in Japanese that included the prohibited items and the pickup time, so there were no issues. It gets quite cold in Hanauma Bay until the sun rises. I think especially Japanese people might find it chilly. Considering the water and air temperature, I believe it's better to go around noon. There was plenty of time, and it was more relaxed compared to the plan with a Japanese instructor. I participated in both, but I think it depends on your purpose. I was able to relax so much that I took a nap for about 30 minutes. We returned to the hotel around 1 PM. If I plan to go to Hanauma Bay again, I will definitely use this service. It was fun.

チケット争奪戦に不安があったので、こちらを利用しました。当日まで何度もリマインドメールがあり、当日早朝5:30ホテルまで迎えに来てくれました。乗合いで全て英語、同乗者も日本人は居ませんでした。ですが日本語のプリントも渡してくれて、禁止事項や迎えの時間場合が書かれていて問題無しでした。ハナウマ湾は太陽が昇るまで結構寒いです。特に日本人は寒いと思います。水温や気温を考えたら昼頃からが良いと思います。時間にはゆとりもあり、日本人インストラクター付きプランよりゆっくり出来ます。どちらも参加しましたが、目的別だと思います。あまりにゆっくり出来て30分程昼寝してました。帰りは13時頃ホテルです。次回ハナウマ湾予定があれば、またお願いします。楽しかった。

We participated with two adults and four children (ages 2 to 13). We were a bit anxious because it was slightly cheaper than other tours and only had English-speaking staff, but I thought communication would be fine as long as we could manage simple conversations. The boat was more luxurious than we expected, and we had a comfortable time.

During the snorkeling, we saw about 5 to 6 sea turtles from a distance for around 40 to 50 minutes. One of the local staff members was snorkeling and pointed out where the turtles were, but he wasn't very proactive, so we ended up diving and searching for them ourselves. However, we were thrilled to see one up close! If I have the chance to go again, I would love to participate.

大人2人、子ども4人(2〜13歳)で参加しました。
他のツアーに比べ少し安かったことと、英語のスタッフのみということで、少し不安はありましたが、簡単な会話ができる程度であれば、全くコミュニケーションは問題ないと思いました。
船も予想以上に豪華で快適に過ごせました。

ウミガメは約4〜50分間シュノーケル中に、5〜6頭遠くに見えました。
1人、現地のスタッフの方がシュノーケルをしながらウミガメのいる場所を教えてくれるのですが、あまり積極的でなかったため、自分たちで潜って探す感じでしたが、1頭至近距離で見れて感動しました！
また行く機会があったら参加したいです。

I was able to use it with peace of mind, without any trouble. Thank you very much. I would like to use it again next time.

特にトラブルもなく、安心して利用できました。ありがとうございました。また、次回も利用したいと思います。。