All Reviews for Snorkeling Cruises & Tours

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。。

So glad we did this. Experienced and knowledgeable crew. Had a great time!

KBOS provided lunch, music, and all the water equipment we needed!

The boat itself was very spacious to my surprise, offering plenty of shade! A fantastic way to spend the day on the water.

The snorkeling stop was refreshing- the water was a bit choppy but still plenty of marine life to see, including the friendly dolphins!!

Watching these huge sized manta rays glide beneath us was surreal! Best experience hands down.

Crew on this boat was friendl and knowledgeable sharing fun facts about the coastline and Hawaiian history throughout the tour.

This was our second time doing this sandbar tour with this company. The staff is always very nice and there are beautiful views. The first trip went really well however, this second trip was not so great.
I am aware of high and low tide times which both times were high tide, but this time the water was over my head and windy with a pretty strong current. I am 5’ 1” and it made it near impossible to do anything at all. I know the staff cannot control ocean levels but just something to keep in mind for shorter people or people with kids. I would have been better off just saving the money and walking out into the regular ocean as far as I could before it got too deep.

I participated with the mindset that I might be lucky, but I really got to see sea turtles (there were at least 7 or 8 during the snorkeling), and while I couldn't touch them, they swam and rested right nearby, which made me feel calm.

There were also many fish swimming around, and I had fun trying stand-up paddleboarding in the shallow waters. It was a wonderful day, not only while I was in the ocean but also relaxing on the boat while enjoying the beautiful scenery. Spending a day on this tour during my short stay in Hawaii was definitely the right choice. I highly recommend it.

運がよければ、くらいのつもりで参加しましたが、本当に海亀と出会えて(シュノーケリングの間だけで少なくとも7、8匹はいました)、もちろん触ったりはできませんが、すぐ近くにで泳いだり休んだりしててこちらまで穏やかな気持ちになりました。
他にもたくさんの魚が泳いでいたり、浅瀬でサップの体験もできて楽しい1日でした。自分が海にいる間はもちろん、船上で休みながら綺麗な景色を眺める時間もリラックスできて最高でした。短いハワイ滞在中、1日はこのツアーに時間を使って大正解でした。おすすめです。

The banana boat can accommodate six people in two rows for two families. It was so much fun! You won't get thrown off. Due to the tides, we couldn't reach the sandy beach, but that's understandable. You don't need water shoes at all. Both stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking were enjoyable, and even though we didn't see any turtles, we were happy to see lots of fish. Staying in the water for too long can get chilly, and if you get out while still wet, it gets even colder, so having a dry towel or a dry jacket is necessary. There are cold juices or water on the boat, but you can pay for hot coffee. My daughter and I kept drinking hot water to warm ourselves up. Also, my husband almost caused a commotion when he dropped his phone, which was in a waterproof bag, but the staff found it, and we were really grateful for that. Thank you so much for your help at that time. Next time, I’d like to go when the sandy beach is visible!

バナナボートは2家族の横2列の6人乗り。めっちゃ楽しかったです。振り落とされる事はありません。潮の満ち引きなので仕方ないですが砂浜には出会えませんでした。ウォーターシューズはなくても全然大丈夫。サップもカヤックも楽しかったし、カメには出会えなかったけどたくさんの魚を見られて良かったです。海の中にずっといると冷えるし、上がっても濡れたままだと更に冷えるので、乾いたタオルか乾いた上着が必要です。船上には冷たいジュースか水ですが、お金を払えば暖かいコーヒーがあります。私と娘はお湯をひたすら飲んで身体を温めました。あと、旦那が防水袋に入れたスマホを落としてしまい、大騒ぎになりかけましたが、スタッフが見つけてくれて本当に助かりました。あの時はありがとうございました。次は砂浜が出てる時に行ってみたいですね〜

I had the opportunity to go snorkeling in Okinawa, and this was my second time. I felt secure participating with a Japanese instructor. Although we didn't see any sea turtles, they helped us search for spots where we might find them while considering our stamina.

They took care of everyone's valuables and provided changing areas, showers, and restrooms, but since it was a tour, everything was done efficiently. They also offered wetsuit rentals for a fee, explaining that it would help prevent injuries from coral and keep us warm. They advised us to keep swimming without lifting our heads when we found coral (lifting our heads would cause our feet to drop and hit the coral), so wearing just a swimsuit was fine.

The afternoon session was hot, so I didn't feel cold, but my thighs got sunburned while diving. They laid down mats on the sandy beach to keep things clean, and I appreciated the bottled water and snacks provided.

I wasn't used to the tipping culture and missed the chance to give a tip, so I thought it would have been easier if they had included the tip in the total amount when I paid the $25 entrance fee for Hanauma Bay. The service was excellent, so I recommend it even for those who are anxious about their English skills.

シュノーケリングは沖縄でやったことがあり2回目でしたが、日本語インストラクターで安心して参加できました。
ウミガメは見られませんでしたが、私達の体力を気にしつつ何度かウミガメがいそうな場所を一緒に探して下さいました。
貴重品は皆のをまとめて保管して頂けて、着替える場所やシャワー、トイレはありますが、ツアーなのでテキパキにという感じです。有料でスウェットスーツの貸出もあり、珊瑚で怪我しないようにするのと、寒さ対策できるとの説明はありましたが、珊瑚を見つけたら泳ぎ続けて顔を上げないように(顔を上げると足が下がってぶつかるため)アドバイス頂き水着でも大丈夫でした。また午後の回は暑かったので寒さは感じませんでしたが、潜っていても腿の裏が真っ赤に日焼けしてました。
砂浜で汚れないようにシートを敷いて下さったり、ペットボトルの水やスナック菓子も頂けて有難かったです。
チップ文化に慣れておらず渡しそびれてしまったので、ハナウマ湾の入場料25$をお渡しする際にチップも含んだ金額で仰って頂けたら、チップお渡ししやすかったかなと思いました。サービスは大満足なので英語が不安な方にもオススメです。

Great experience with friendly staff and beautiful scenery with a plethora of activities to choose from!

Our family, including 5 children ages 7 to 20 & 3 seniors took this boating excursion. It was fantastic! I recommend getting the all inclusive package so you can enjoy the banana boat & bumper tube. All the staff were great & the entertainment was good too. The staff keep everyone safe in the water & were constantly looking out for guest safety.

Recently, I participated in a snorkeling tour called "Dolphin Middle School" in Hawaii, where I got to meet dolphins and sea turtles, a dream I've had for a long time! We departed from Waikiki by shuttle bus before 6 AM. I was still a bit sleepy, but just looking at the blue sky lifted my spirits!

🛥️ Setting sail and searching for dolphins

We boarded a boat at Waianae Harbor on the west side of Oahu, where the crew provided explanations in English. Yuji, a member of the crew, personally guided me, which made me feel at ease. The ocean was unbelievably blue and clear! After a while, the crew shouted:

“Dolphins!!”

Several dolphins jumped alongside the boat! Everyone couldn't help but cheer. It was so moving to see wild dolphins so close…

🐬 Swimming with dolphins!

We arrived at the snorkeling point and finally entered the water. It was a bit cold at first, but felt great!

Looking down, I saw a pod of dolphins swimming gracefully, and it truly felt like we were sharing the same ocean.

The crew guided us expertly, making it easy for beginners to feel comfortable. We dove three times to swim with the dolphins. At first, we observed from a distance, but during the second dive, I was able to observe and swim closely with many dolphins, which was incredibly satisfying.

🐢 Next, the sea turtle point

After the dolphins, we moved to the sea turtle spot. The visibility here was also excellent! While swimming among the corals, a large sea turtle suddenly appeared right in front of me.

Its leisurely swimming was truly graceful. We had to maintain a distance to avoid getting too close, but swimming alongside it was part of the rules. The moment our eyes met, it looked as if it was smiling, which was very touching.

It seems that returning participants receive a permanent discount, so I definitely want to join again the next time I visit Hawaii.

先日、ハワイにてずっと夢だったイルカとウミガメに会えるシュノーケルツアー イルカ中学に参加しました！朝6時前に、ワイキキから送迎バスで出発。まだ少し眠いけど、青空を見てるだけでテンションが上がる！

🛥️ 出航からイルカ探し

西オアフのワイアナエ港からボートに乗り込み、クルーが英語で説明してくれました。日本人の私には同クルーのYujiさんが個別で教えていただき、安心感を持って参加できました。
海は信じられないくらい青くて透明！しばらく走ると、

クルー：「Dolphins!!」

イルカが何頭もボートの横をジャンプしながら並走！思わずみんな歓声。野生のイルカが本当にあんなに近くで見られるなんて感動…。

🐬 イルカと一緒に泳ぐ！

シュノーケルポイントに到着し、いよいよ海へ。海に入った瞬間、少し冷たいけど気持ちいい！

下を見ると、イルカの群れがスイスイ泳いでいて、本当に一緒の海を共有してる感覚。

クルーがうまく誘導してくれるので初心者でも安心。イルカとのスイムは計3回ダイブしました。最初は少し遠めでの観察でしたが、2回目は写真の通りたくさんのイルカを直近で観察&一緒にスイムできて大変満足でした。

🐢 次は海亀ポイント

イルカの後は、海亀スポットへ移動。ここでも透明度抜群！サンゴの間を泳いでいたら、突然目の前に大きなウミガメが登場。

ゆったり泳ぐ姿は本当に優雅。近づきすぎないよう距離を保ちながら、一緒に泳ぐのがルール。目が合った瞬間、まるで微笑んでるように見えて感動的でした。

2回目以降の参加は半永久的に割引が適用されるようで次回ハワイに訪れた際にもぜひ参加したいと思いました。

The staff on the boat is very friendly, fun and helpful. We had a great time watching dolphins swim and then snorkeling after that.

The Napali Coast tour on a medium-sized boat is highly recommended. Since the boarding time is long, a small boat lacks a roof and has limited restroom facilities. With a large boat, you can't get close to the cliffs, and the boat speed is slow. A medium-sized boat offers the best of both worlds. We were able to go right under the waterfalls cascading from the cliffs and experience the spray. The captain navigated the boat professionally, and the two female staff members kept the atmosphere lively with their smiles. When we gave tips upon disembarking, all the staff responded with "thank you" in Japanese. We were also very satisfied and enjoyed the long tour with smiles. I highly recommend it.

ナパリコーストは中型船でのツアーがおすすめ。乗船時間が長いので小型船だと屋根がなくトイレも限定的。大型船だと岩壁近くに近寄れず船速も遅い。中型船は良いとこ取りです。岩壁から流れ落ちる滝の真下に入ってくれて滝に打たれることが出来ました。船長はプロフェッショナルな船裁き、女性2名の添乗スタッフも笑顔で適切に盛り上げてくれました。チップを下船時に渡したら、全スタッフから「ありがとう」の日本語が返ってきました。こちらも笑顔で大満足で長いツアーを楽しめました。おすすめです。

Highly recommend! Would do this again. Amazing time, great crew, and unforgettable experience!

Having a Japanese guide with a small group was very reassuring. The explanations were thorough, which I really appreciated as it was my first time!

少人数で日本語ガイドさんが常についてくださっていたので非常に安心でした。説明も丁寧で初めての自分にとってはありがたかったです！

It was our first snorkeling experience as a couple in our 60s and 50s, and we had an amazing time!! The crew was all kind and attentive, which made us feel safe! There were also Japanese staff members, so we felt comfortable even without speaking English! We got to swim with adorable dolphins, and of course, we swam with colorful fish and even a big sea turtle, which was incredibly moving!! The tour was packed with fun activities like water slides and SUP. We were very satisfied! We want to participate again!!

60代と50代の夫婦で初めてのシュノーケリングでしたが、最高に楽しみました！！
クルーの皆さんはみんな親切丁寧で安心！
日本人スタッフもいらっしゃって英語出来なくても安心！
可愛いイルカとも一緒に泳げて、色とりどりのお魚はもちろん、大きなウミガメとも一緒に泳げて大感動でした！！
ウォータースライダーやSUPも楽しめて盛り沢山のツアーでした。
大満足！また参加したいです！！