All Reviews for Snorkeling Cruises & Tours

We went out to the middle of the sea on a small boat and were able to walk in the shallow water. There was a Japanese guide, so we enjoyed listening to explanations in Japanese. For lunch, we had hamburgers made by the captain, which we assembled ourselves with bread and vegetables, along with boiled beans.

小さい船で海の真ん中まで行って、浅いところで海水に入って歩くこともできました。日本人ガイドさんもいたので、日本語で解説など聞けて楽しめました。ランチは船長さんが焼いてくれたハンバーグをパンと野菜など自分で挟んで食べるハンバーガーと煮豆など。

I went on the 30th of December. My evaluation is... well, not much to say. The sandbar had beautiful scenery and clear water, which was wonderful, but the lunch BBQ was not what I expected. Contrary to my expectations, it was just a single hamburger. At this price, it's quite expensive.

During the trip, it started to rain, and everyone had to run to the bus, which was far away. It was unfortunate for those with children. I wish the bus could come closer. This tour includes tips, but when we got off the boat, they still asked for tips voluntarily, which left me feeling unsatisfied with the tour overall. However, I was satisfied with the sandbar itself.

年末の30日に行きました。評価は・・ん－なんとも。
サンドバーは景色も海も綺麗ですばらしかったのですが、お昼ＢＢＱランチではありません。
予想とは違って、ハンバーガー1個でした。このお値段では高いです。
途中、雨が降ってしまいバスまで皆走って行きましたが、そのバスが遠く子供さん連れの方などお気の毒でした。もっと近くまで来てくれればいいのに。
このツアーはチップも込みなのですが、船を降りるとき任意でチップも要求されあまり満足できないツアーでしたね。サンドバー自体は満足です。

We used it as a family of five and were very impressed. You can experience emotions that exceed the price. I highly recommend it.

家族5人で利用させて頂きましたとても感動しました。価格以上の経験感動を味会えます。是非お勧め致します。

On December 30th, I participated with my family. We joined to see the sandbar, but on the day of the event, the seawater was up to our knees. The weather was sunny then cloudy, but it was definitely cold. I recommend renting a wetsuit at the sandbar (it's free). Many people were shivering in just their swim trunks.

After that, we started snorkeling following a quite thorough lecture. I've snorkeled many times, but the safety management was well organized, which made me feel secure. We were able to see sea turtles. Personally, I had seen sea turtles for three consecutive days, so I wasn't as moved by it this time.

The food afterward was delicious. I had researched the tide schedule for the sandbar in Japan and found out that the afternoon of the day we participated (I joined in the morning) was when the tide would be the lowest. However, it rained heavily that afternoon, and the wind was strong, so we couldn't really fight against the weather.

The staff were very kind, and it was a satisfying experience. Next time, I would like to try the sandbar again when the tide is low. Thank you, everyone.

１２月３０日、家族で参加しました。
サンドバーが見たくて参加しましたが当日は膝上あたりまで海水がありました。
天候は晴れのち曇りといった感じでしたが、さすがに寒い。
サンドバーでもウエットスーツを借りることをお勧めします。（無料です）
海パンひとつで震えている人が多かったです。
その後にシュノーケリング、結構十分すぎるくらいのレクチャーの後にスタートです。
何度もシュノーケリングはしていますが、安全性の管理はキチンとしており、安心でした。
ウミガメも見れました。　ただ個人的には、３日連続ウミガメを見ていたので感動は少なかったですが・・
その後のご飯もおいしかったです。
日本でサンドバーの潮の満ち引きを調べて参加したのですが、本当は私たちの参加した日の午後（私は午前中参加）が一番潮が引くとの事でした。
ただその日の午後は大雨で、さらに風が強かったので、なかなか天候には逆らえません。
スタッフのみなさんは非常に親切で満足な体験でした。
今度は潮の引いているときにサンドバーは再度チャレンジしたいです。
皆さん　ありがとうございました。

Four days ago, my family graduated from Dolphin Junior High. I had heard that the sea was very cold, so I wore a rash guard. We gathered early in the morning, around 6 AM, and after about an hour on the bus, we arrived at the port. We also borrowed wetsuits and set off. Within just 5 to 10 minutes on the boat, we spotted the dolphins.

Under the guidance of the class representative, we started snorkeling and quickly encountered dozens of dolphins. It was so exciting to see baby dolphins as well. I couldn't believe how many dolphins we were able to see...

In the second hour, we also saw many sea turtles. When they came up for air, I could reach out and almost touch them (though of course, I didn't).

At the end, we were even able to see a whale from the boat. It was such an exhilarating experience. The class representative's explanations were interesting, and I purchased a DVD of the photos taken for $50, which I don't think is expensive at all. The quality is beautiful, and it's hard to capture those moments on my own.

We arrived at the hotel by lunchtime, so while waking up early was tough, we made great use of our time. I highly recommend it. My family of three is still buzzing with excitement. Next time, we're aiming for Dolphin University!

４日前に家族でイルカ中学を卒業してきました。
海が非常に冷たいと口コミであったので、ラッシュガードも着用して臨みました。
朝が早く６時過ぎに集合。眠いなか、約１時間バスに揺られて港に到着。スウェットスーツも借りて、いざ出港。　　ボートに揺られてわずか５～１０分でイルカ先生発見。
すぐに学級委員の指示のもと、シュノーケリング開始。　すぐに数十匹のイルカ先生に会えました。
子供のイルカも見れて、とても興奮。
こんなにイルカがたくさん見れるなんて・・・
さらに２時間目にはホヌにもたくさん会えました。
呼吸するために上にあがってくるホヌに手を伸ばしたら触れるくらいでした。
（もちろん触ってはいませんが）
最後は船内でなんとクジラを見ることができたのです。
すごく興奮した授業でした。
学級委員の説明も面白く、また写真を撮ってもらったものを５０ドルでDVDを購入しましたが、わたしは決して高くないと思います。きれいな仕上がりで、なかなか自分では撮れません。お昼にはホテルに到着するので、早起きはつらいけどもとても時間も有効に使えます。是非おすすめです。
家族３人いまだに興奮が冷めない状態です。　　次回はイルカ大学入学だ！

I had been very interested in this tour after seeing its popularity and reviews. The price was a bit high, so I hesitated, but when I checked again at the last minute, I found out they were offering a promotion for one person free, so I decided to sign up!

I was worried, "Isn't the sea cold in December?" Even after reading reviews, I wasn't sure, so I thought I would write about my experience this time!

During the day, it was warm enough to sweat under the strong sunlight. I wondered if it would be okay at night, but it was really cold due to the strong winds. The organizer mentioned, "Today the wind is particularly strong."

I read that those who are prone to seasickness should take motion sickness medication, so I took some. I was really anxious, so instead of the recommended two pills, I took three!

■ One hour from the meeting time to departure
■ One hour from departure to the snorkeling spot
There wasn't any specific information about how long we would wait. I would have liked to know what time we were departing. Also, the driver was not Japanese, so all the instructions along the way were in English.

The wind was cold, the boat rocked a lot, and the height differences were extreme. Without the motion sickness medication, I think I would have been 120% seasick!!

Many people were vomiting on the way there...

When we arrived at the site and the boat stopped, it rocked even more, making it difficult to stand.

Initially, I didn't feel much cold in the water. We all held onto a square fence while snorkeling! The manta rays were incredibly friendly, doing backflips just above us! It was amazing to see their mouths wide open! I even experienced the thrill of feeling like I might get sucked in! Their big, round eyes were so cute! I brought an underwater camera, but it was too dark to capture anything... It's a shame I can't upload any photos, but the experience is firmly etched in my memory!

I think we were in the water for quite a long time! However, after a while, it did get cold. One person who was holding onto the same fence started to feel unwell and had to get out.

Based on information from the reception at our accommodation, I heard it could get "really cold," so I brought an ultra-light down jacket.

After getting back on the boat, I changed into a T-shirt and my ultra-light down jacket in the restroom. During that time, my partner also got sick. He said he felt nauseous watching the manta rays spinning around.

It seems that almost all the Japanese participants were affected. The girl next to me was crying and saying, "I want to go home" while vomiting. If you're participating in the winter season, don't forget to bring warm clothing! I also think motion sickness medication is essential!

P.S. If you're lucky, you might encounter dolphins.

I think it would be amazing to participate on a day with good weather! We also want to join again next time when it's warm and there’s no wind!

【参加日⇒2014．12．27】

人気度やクチコミを見て、とても気になっていたツアーでした。
金額が張るので悩んでいたのですが、ぎりぎりにもう一度覗いたら、モニターがやってて1人分無料になるとのことで申し込みを決意しました(^^)

「12月の海って寒くないのか？」と心配していました。クチコミを見ても、よく分からなかったので、私はこの度書こうと思います！

日中は日焼けするほどの日差しで汗ばむ気温です。夜も平気なのかな？と思ったら、風が強く心底寒かったですw
開催者曰く、「今日は特別風が強い」とのことでした。

船酔い等心配な方は酔い止めをと書いてあったので、飲んで行きました。すごく不安だったので、２錠のところを３錠飲みました(*>_<)

■集合時間から出発まで１時間
■出発からシュノーケリングの場所まで１時間
どれくらい待つとかのお知らせは特にありませんでした。何時発なのか、一言欲しかったです。
また、途中の注意事項等も運転手の方が日本人ではないからか英語のみです。

風が冷たく、船もものすごく揺れ、高低差が半端なかったです。
酔い止めがなければ、１２０％酔っていたと思います！！

行きの船から嘔吐している人多数・・・


現地について、船を止めると、もっと船が揺れ、立つのが困難な程でした。

海中は、はじめはさほど寒さを感じません。
四角い柵のようなものをみんなで持ってシュノーケリングをしました！
マンタはすごく人懐こいのか、お腹すれすれに背面ターンしてくれます！
口の中まで丸見えで感動します！吸い込まれるんじゃないかという迫力も体験できました！！
つぶらな瞳がとてもキュートでしたo(^-^)o
水中カメラを持っていったのですが、真っ暗で何も写っていませんでした…何がいけなかったのだろう…写真をアップできないのは残念ですが、脳裏にしっかり焼きついています♪

結構長い時間海にいたと思います！
しかし、やはり長時間入水していると寒くなってきます。
同じ柵に捕まっていた方が具合が悪くなり、上がることになりました。

宿泊先の受付の方の情報で、「本当に寒い」という事を伺ったので、ウルトラライトダウンを持参しました。

船に上がってから、お手洗いで上半身を脱ぎ、Tシャツとウルトラライトダウンに着替えました。
その間に、彼も吐いていました(^_^;)
マンタがくるくる回転するのを見て酔ってしまったそうです。

日本人？はほぼ全滅だったそうです。
隣の女の子も「早く帰りたい」と泣きながら吐いていました。
冬の季節に参加する際は、防寒グッズを忘れずに☆彡
また、酔い止めも必須だと思います！


P.S.運が良いと、イルカに出会えるそうです。

天気の良い時に参加すれば最高だと思います！
私たちも次は風がなく暖かい時期に参加したいとおもいますW

Unfortunately, it was high tide instead of low tide, but it was still very moving. I was able to see sea turtles up close.

However, it was really cold due to the strong wind, so I recommend bringing something to keep warm, like a windbreaker in addition to a bath towel.

残念ながら干潮ではなく満潮時だったのですが、それでもすごく感動でした。
ウミガメも近くで見ることができました。

ただ風が強くて本当に寒かったので、バスタオルの他にウインドブレーカーなど、暖をとれるものを持って行くことをオススメします。

The warning that the ship might sway didn't apply at all due to the great weather. I wasn't sure what the restroom situation was like, but there was one at the port before departure, and on the sea, there was one on the ship. From there, we could start our walks, meals, and snorkeling, so there was nothing to worry about.

船が揺れるかもしれない、という注意書きは当てはまらない程良い天気。
トイレがどうなっているのか良く分からなかったが、出港前には港にあったし、
海上では船に1箇所あり、ここを起点に散歩・食事・シュノーケルを行うので何も心配する事がなかった。

It was just my daughter and me participating. We were the only Japanese people there. It was not a problem that I didn't understand much English. I was looking for snorkeling without the need to wear a life jacket, so I could dive freely, and the staff was nearby. There were also buoy-like floaties, which should provide reassurance for those who are not confident swimmers. If you're feeling anxious, relaxing on the boat might be a good option as well. The staff also joined us in snorkeling and made it enjoyable. The sailing after snorkeling was fantastic. The view of Waikiki from the sea was a luxurious experience that is hard to come by. I will definitely participate again next time.

娘と二人での参加でした。日本人は私達だけでした。英語があまり理解出来なくても問題はありませんでした。ライフジャケットを着なくても良いシュノーケルを探していましたので、自由に潜れますし、スタッフも近くにいてくれますし、棒のような浮き輪もありますので、泳ぎに自信のない方にも安心なのではないでしょうか。もし不安であれば、船上でゆっくりくつろぐのも良いのでは…。スタッフの方も一緒に潜り楽しませてくれました。シュノーケルの後のセーリングも最高でした。海から眺めるワイキキ、
なかなか体験できない贅沢な時間でした。次回も是非参加します。

What a great trip. These guys are the best. It's a really good deal for the amount of time spent on the water and to have a crew that keeps you this entertained. I highly recommend it.

The sea was murky due to the storm the day before ( ; ; ) and the sky was cloudy. But! A rainbow appeared along the way ✨ and it lifted my spirits ♡ I want to go on a sunny day next time (..◜ᴗ◝..)

前日までの嵐のせいで、海が濁っていました（ ; ; ）空も曇ってました。が！途中から虹がでて✨気分も上がりました♡次こそは晴れた日に行きたいです(..◜ᴗ◝..)

I participated in the evening event in late December. It was a bit chilly.

I got seasick, possibly due to the rain the day before. Even those who usually don't get seasick might feel more comfortable bringing medication.

There was a Japanese instructor who provided explanations, so even though the surroundings were filled with Westerners, I had a great time. I snorkeled with a few dolphins offshore, which became a memorable experience in Hawaii.

I couldn't eat at all because of the seasickness, but I was a little disappointed that they didn't allow us to take food home.

12月下旬夕方の会に参加しました。少し肌寒い。

前日が雨の影響か船酔いしました。普段酔わない方も薬持っていた方が安心かも。


日本人のインストラクターの
方もいて説明などもしていただけたので、周囲は欧米人ばかりでしたが楽しめました。
イルカ数匹と沖合でのシュノーケリング。ハワイの思い出になりました。

船酔いのせいでご飯は全く食べれませんでしたが、持ち帰りとかさせてくれればよかったのにとそこだけ少し残念でした。

I participated with my 73-year-old mother.
First of all, I was surprised that we were the only two people on a large bus for an hour's ride from Waikiki (laughs).
It was farther than I had imagined, but the driver pointed out landmarks along the way, like "There’s Pearl Harbor," "Moanalua Gardens, Hitachi," and "Outlet," so we enjoyed it (even though it was in English).

When the tour started, we were the only two Japanese participants, and since the staff were locals, I was a bit worried. However, there was one person who spoke fluent Japanese, and they explained things clearly, so I felt at ease.
We moved to a spot to see dolphins, and we were able to see their cute figures.
After that, we moved to another point and started snorkeling. My elderly mother also got into the water and enjoyed it for a little while.
However, due to the current, it was difficult to return to the boat quickly. My mother, who wasn't used to fins, seemed scared and was peering into the water while holding onto the boat.
Even so, the water was beautiful and clear, and we could see many fish, which was enjoyable.
After snorkeling, we took a warm shower and had meal time.
We savored hamburgers and fruits.
On the way back to the harbor, we were lucky enough to see a whale, which made us very happy.

What I thought after participating in this tour is that it is not particularly aimed at elderly people.
I wouldn't recommend it if there are small children.
Since it’s not a tour specifically for Japanese people (it’s not overly accommodating; you need to take the initiative to enjoy it, like asking questions), I thought there might be some who wouldn’t enjoy it.
But we had plenty of fun.
Thank you very much.

73歳の母と参加しました。
まず最初にワイキキからの送迎で、大型バスに2人だけで一時間の距離を移動したのには驚きました（笑）
想像してたより遠かったのですが、
ドライバーさんが「あそこ、パールハーバー」とか「モアナルナガーデン、日立」「アウトレット」などと途中で通る名所を教えてくれたので（英語ですが）楽しめました。

ツアーが始まり、日本人は私達2人だけでスタッフも現地の方なので心配しましたが、
お一人日本語ペラペラの方がいて説明や注意など分かりやすく教えて貰い不安は無かったです。
沖に出てドルフィンを見るスポットに移動して、可愛らしい姿を見ることが出来ました。
その後ポイントを移動しシュノーケル開始。
高齢の母も海に入り、少しの時間ですが楽しんでいました。
ですが、水流の関係か直ぐに流されて船に戻るのが大変でした。
フィンに慣れていない母は怖かったらしく、船に掴まりながら水中を覗いてました。
それでも水が綺麗で透明で魚がたくさん観れて楽しんでいました。
シュノーケル後は暖かいシャワーを浴び、ご飯タイム。
ハンバーガーとフルーツを堪能しました。
ハーバーに戻る途中にラッキーなことに鯨も見ることが出来て嬉しかったです。

今回のツアーに参加して思ったのは、どちらかといえば高齢者向けのツアーでは無いこと。
小さい子供がいたらお勧めはしないこと。
日本人向けのツアー（至れり尽くせりでは無い、楽しむためには自分から動く（質問したりとか）ことが必要）では無いので、
楽しめない人もいるかもなぁと思いました。
でも、私達は充分楽しかったです。
ありがとうございました。

It's a amazing experience!!!
We really recommend!!

The tour guides had great attitudes and were very nice especially when working on Christmas day. Only a 5 minute ride to turtle canyon where there were 5-10 turtles as well as a lot of fish. The water was very refreshing and clear. We saw Dolphins adter snorkeling and they literally came within 2 feet of the boat. This tour was extremely worth it. This is a must if you're staying in Waikiki and want to do a fun activity.

Our pick up time was at 6:20am which seemed extremely early at the time but i am glad we went early because we were one of the first people in the water. The scuba instructor was patient with the first time scuba diver in our group and he was very professional and knowledgable. This tour is definitely worth the money

I only remember it being very cold and tough because I went in January. Even though it's Hawaii, I definitely don't recommend going in the middle of winter. I think it would be a lot of fun during warmer times!

１月に行ったためかとても寒く辛かったという記憶しかないです。。ハワイと言えど真冬はやはりお勧めしません。暖かい時期であればとても楽しいと思います！

The tour was somehow carried out despite the strong winds before Christmas in December. In a review, it mentioned that "the one-hour journey to the port was filled with various videos and explanations about dolphin ecology from the lively tour guide, leaving no time to sleep!" I thought this would be beneficial for the kids, so I chose this tour instead of just snorkeling.

However, it might depend on the guide for the day or perhaps due to the small number of participants and the use of a minivan, there weren't any detailed lessons, and most people ended up sleeping. Inside the vehicle, there was only an explanation about the $10 rental fee for wetsuits and a reminder to use the restroom before gathering. Of course, the only place to change is the restroom, so I recommend being fully prepared in advance.

The boat was a larger rubber boat! Depending on the location, your belongings might get wet and roll around. Once you sit down, it’s difficult to move or retrieve anything from your bag, so make sure to prepare sunscreen and sunglasses perfectly!

You have to straddle the edge of the boat like a rodeo, and the speed and impact are quite significant, so I wouldn’t recommend it for small children, elderly people, or those who lack physical confidence. Once we reached the open water, we put on snorkels, fins, and simple life jackets, then jumped straight off the edge of the rubber boat to go snorkeling!

According to the tour guide that day, there were "very friendly dolphins in great conditions," but perhaps due to the rain the day before, the visibility wasn't great. We chased a few dolphins drifting below and could see them from above… maybe. The guide gave us a description that it was the best, but I think moving around on a larger boat from a major company might have better points to explore. Alternatively, if you're looking for a guaranteed close encounter with dolphins, a park might provide a more fulfilling experience.

We snorkeled in two different locations for about 10 minutes each! The second time was for fish and coral viewing, but the spots weren't that impressive, so if you're hoping to see many colorful fish in a beautiful blue sea, I recommend shallow, clear waters suitable for snorkeling, like Hanauma Bay.

On the way back, it was extremely cold, and on top of that, there was a $50 charge for the photos taken by the accompanying photographer (optional), as well as tips for the crew. The tour lasted about two hours, and there were no showers or changing facilities, making it difficult to stop anywhere else on the way back, so you would need to return to the hotel to change. Considering the costs and time commitment, I wonder if it’s worth it?

Well, if this is your first time experiencing activities in Hawaii, it might be a good memory to go at least once… Honestly, it seemed a bit lacking for high school-aged kids.

12月のクリスマス前の強風の元、どうにか決行されました。
書き込みで、「港までの約一時間のみちのりは、ノリのよい添乗員さんのイルカの生態など様々なビデオや説明に寝る暇もない！」とあり、ただのシュノーケリングだけでなく、その様なことも子供にはありがたいと思い、こちらのツアーを選びました。
ただ、たぶんその日の担当にもよるのか、はたまた人数が少なくて、ミニバンだったためか、詳しい授業などなく、ほとんどの方が寝ていました。
車内では、ウェットスーツのレンタル代
10ドルの説明とトイレを済ませて、集合とのことくらい。もちろん着替える場所は、トイレくらいなので事前に準備万端にしていくことをお薦めします。
ボートはゴムボートの大きめのもの！
荷物も場所によっては、濡れるし、転がります。一度座ると場所を動くことも荷物の中からなにかを取り出すことも困難なので、日焼け止めやサングラスなども完璧に準備をしましょう！
ボートのヘリにロデオのように跨ぎ、スピードも衝撃もかなりあるので、小さいお子さんや年配の方や体力に自信がないかたにはお薦めしません。
沖に着いたらシュノーケルと足ヒレと簡易なライフジャケットをつけ、いきなりゴムボートのヘリから飛び込み、シュノーケリング！
その日は、添乗員さんいわく「とてもいい状況にとてもフレンドリーなイルカ」とのことでしたが、前日の雨のせいか透明度は今一つ、下に漂っているイルカを何頭か追いかけ、上からみれた！…かな…てきな感じでした。
添乗員さんからは、最高！のような説明も受けましたが、やはり大手の大きめなボートで動き回り、他の最良のポイントも有りかな？
もしくは、イルカとの間近での確実な出会いやふれあいを求めるならパークなどの方が充実感があるように感じました。
シュノーケリングも場所を代えて約10分位を2回！２回目はお魚や珊瑚鑑賞でしたが、やはりポイントしては今一つなので、青い海で沢山のカラフルな魚達をご希望のかたは、浅瀬の綺麗な海(シュノーケリングに適したハナウマなど)をお薦めします。
帰りはとにかく寒くて、おまけに最後に同行したカメラマンの撮ってくださったお写真50ドル(希望者のみ)、とクルーへのチップがいります。
約二時間位のツアーで、シャワーも着替えるところもなく、帰りに他に立ち寄るには厳しい状況なので一度ホテルに帰り着替えなくてはならないので、かなり費用と拘束時間を考えるといかがなものでしょうか？
まあ、ハワイやその様なこともアクティビティーが、はじめてなら１度行かれるても良い思い出になるかと思われますが…
正直なところ高校生くらいの若い子達には物足りなかったようです。

In mid-December, I participated in the afternoon dolphin watching and snorkeling cruise.

While there are many tours aimed at Japanese people that consist solely of Japanese participants, this tour had only three Japanese groups and about six or seven groups of foreigners. My husband and I, who are not very good at English, didn't really interact with the other foreign guests, but since we were overseas, we were happy to feel more like we were abroad rather than being surrounded by only Japanese people.

There were about four staff members accompanying us. The staff seemed to genuinely enjoy guiding the tour, creating a very pleasant atmosphere. One male staff member spoke Japanese, which allowed us to understand the safety instructions and the flow of the cruise clearly. I brought my camera, but a female staff member dedicated to photography took plenty of pictures during the cruise, so we could focus on enjoying the tour without worrying about taking photos. The photos taken can be purchased at the end of the cruise on a USB memory stick. Although $40 is a bit pricey, it includes pictures taken while snorkeling in the sea, so I felt it was worth it.

During the cruise, a light jacket was sufficient. The scenery on the way to the dolphin viewing spot was beautiful, with not only the ocean but also the mountains visible from the sea, which was very satisfying.

The boat stopped once at the dolphin spot, and after a while, two dolphins came to play near the boat. Unlike at an aquarium, seeing wild dolphins so close that they seemed within reach, playing with the boat and catching fish, was truly moving! After enjoying dolphin watching at a leisurely pace, the boat moved to the snorkeling spot.

After being exposed to the sea breeze for a while, it got a bit chilly, but there were warm coffee, juice, alcoholic drinks, and delicious muffins available on board for us to enjoy freely. The warm coffee was very welcome for our chilled bodies. There were also chairs and tables, so it was nice to relax there until we reached the spot. The boat had a restroom as well, so we felt comfortable drinking fluids.

Before snorkeling, they provided explanations about safety and how to use the equipment in Japanese. I was initially hesitant to get into the water because I was feeling cold, but once I got in, the water wasn't as cold as I expected and was bearable. However, I couldn't endure snorkeling for a long time due to the cold, so I recommend wearing a wetsuit for those going in winter.

The sea was deeper than I thought, but wearing an inflatable life jacket made it easy to enjoy. Underwater, I saw many beautiful fish and corals. I also encountered a sea turtle, which is a rare experience to swim with! I got out early because I couldn't stand the cold, but the boat had a warm shower, which helped warm me up. That was a big relief.

After about 30 minutes of snorkeling, when the boat returned to shore, a buffet was prepared to satisfy our hunger. The buffet wasn't particularly delicious, but I thought it was good for a buffet included in this kind of tour. While we were eating, photos taken by the staff were shown on a screen inside the boat, so it would be great to decide whether to purchase them after seeing them.

They mentioned to bring a large towel, but since there was no place to change after getting in the sea, having an extra face towel to sit on would be convenient.

Regarding the content of the cruise and the staff's service, it was a highly satisfying tour, and I was glad I participated!

However, in our case, the date we had booked fell below the minimum number of participants, and we were informed the day before that we needed to change the date. We were told to call the Hawaiian tour company directly for possible date changes (which was difficult due to the time difference when contacting from Japan), and of course, the call had to be in English, which was quite challenging. In the end, the Japanese tour company contacted th

12月の半ばに、イルカウォッチング＆シュノーケリングクルーズの
午後の部に参加しました。

ツアーには、日本人を対象とした日本人ばかりのツアーも多いですが
このツアーでは、日本人は３組のみであと６,７組は外国の方でした。
英語が苦手な私たち夫婦はこれといってほかの外国人の方と
接点を持つことは有りませんでしたが、せっかく海外に来ているので、
日本人ばかりよりは海外に来ている感じがして嬉しかったです。

同行するスタッフの方は４名程度です。
スタッフのみなさん自身が本当に楽しそうにツアー案内をされているので、
雰囲気がとてもいいです♪
１名の男性スタッフの方が日本語を話せるので、
船での注意事項やクルージングの流れなど、きちんと理解することができました。
カメラは持って行きましたが、カメラ専属の女性スタッフの方が
クルージング中の写真をまんべんなく撮ってくれるので
写真を撮ることに気をまわさず、ツアーを楽しむことに集中できます。
撮ってもらった写真は、クルージングの最後にＵＳＢメモリーとして
購入することができます。
４０ドルと、高い値段ではありますが、
海のなかでのシュノーケリング中の写真とかも入っているので、
購入して良かったと思います。
　
クルージング中は一枚上着を羽織る程度で大丈夫でした。
イルカが見えるスポットに行くまでの景色は
海はもちろんのこと、海から見える山々もとてもキレイで
それだけでも満足度が高いです。

イルカスポットで一度船は停まり、
しばらくすると二頭のイルカが船のそばまで遊びに来てくれました。
水族館とは違い、野生のイルカが手が届きそうなくらいまじかで
あんなに船にじゃれたり、魚を捕獲するところを見れて、
本当に感激しました！！
ゆっくりとイルカウォッチングを楽しんだあと、
船はシュノーケリングスポットへと移動しました。

ずっと潮風にあたっていると、少し肌寒くなってきましたが、
船内に温かいコーヒーやジュース、アルコールドリンクといった飲み物、
それに美味しいマフィンが用意してあり
自由に飲食することが出来ます。
温かいコーヒーは冷えた体にはとても嬉しいです。
イスと机もあるので、スポットに着くまで
そこでゆっくり楽しむのも有りかと思います。
船内にはトイレも設置されているので、水分をとっても安心です。

シュノーケリングスの前には、注意事項や器具の使い方などを
日本語でも説明してくれます。
私は体が冷えてきていたので、海に入るのに最初抵抗ありましたが
入ってみると、思ったほど海の中は冷たくなく耐えられる程度でした。
でも、長時間のシュノーケリングはやはり寒さに堪えきれず、
冬場に行かれる方は、ウェットスーツを着られるのをおすすめします。

海は思ったよりも深いですが、空気の入った胴衣を着ているので、
安心して楽しむことが出来ます。
海の中では、たくさんのきれいな魚やサンゴを見ることが出来ます。
また、ウミガメにも出会うことができました。
ウミガメと一緒に泳げることはあまりないので貴重な体験が出来ました！
寒さに耐えられず早めに上がりましたが、船には温水シャワーがついていて、
冷めた体を温めることが出来ます。これはだいぶ助かりました。

３０分程度のシュノーケリングを終え、船が陸地に戻るときに
ビュッフェが用意され、お腹を満たしてくれました。
ビュッフェは特別美味しいというわけではありませんが、
こういったツアーに含まれるビュッフェにしては美味しいと思います。
食べている間に、船内のスクリーンにスタッフの方が撮ってくれた写真が
流されるので、この時に見たうえで、
購入するかどうか決められるといいと思います。

持ち物に大きめのタオル一枚とありますが、海に入ったあとは着替えるところもないので
座る際に敷くフェイスタオルがもう一枚あると便利かと思います。

クルーズの内容やスタッフの方の対応に関しては、
とても満足度の高いツアーで、参加して良かったと思いました！

ただ、私たちの場合、今回予約していた日程が最少人数を下回り
前日に日時変更のお願いを日本のベルトラを管理されているところから言われ、
可能な変更日時を直接ハワイのツアー会社に電話してください、
と言われ（日本からは連絡するにも時差があるので難しいとのことで）、
現地への電話はもちろん英語なので、大変困りました。
結局は、日本のツアー方が（ＦＡＸかメールかで）連絡は入れて下さったので
その日の夕方のクルーズから日中のクルーズに
無事変更し参加することができました。

The day before, I was thrilled to see Kauai from above on a helicopter tour, where I could take in the breathtaking views of the deep canyons. The next day, I was equally moved to see the dramatic cliffs of the coastline from a cruise ship, experiencing it in a different way. Later, I encountered a pod of Hawaiian dolphins and even went whale watching, which was wonderful.

I had been looking forward to snorkeling, but the moment I jumped into the water, it was so cold that I gave up right away. The schools of fish seemed small as well. Among the foreign guests on board, there was someone who had thoughtfully brought a sweatshirt, so I wish there had been some prior guidance. It was nice that there were no other Japanese people around, but I think it might be boring for those who don't understand English.

The cruise lasted about six and a half hours, and I was very satisfied. Next time, I want to practice snorkeling before boarding.

前日にはヘリコプターツアーでカウアイ島を上空から見て深い峡谷の一望でき大感激でしたが、翌日はクルーズ船で断崖絶壁の海岸線を海上から見ることができ、違った意味で大変感動しました。その後、ハワイイルカの群れに遭遇したり、ホエールウオッチングも出来て、素晴らしかったです。初めての体験で楽しみにしていたシュノーケリングは海に飛び込んだ瞬間、海水が冷たくて、直ぐに諦めてしまいました。魚の群れも小さかったようです。一緒に乗船した外国の方の中には用意周到にスウェットシャツを用意されていた方がいましたので、事前の案内が欲しかったです。日本人が誰もいなかったのは良かったです。英語が分からない方にはつまらないと思いますが。約6時間半のクルージングでしたが、大満足でした。次回はシュノーケリングを練習してから乗船したいと思います。

The tour was outstanding. The staff (Max, Captain Kelly, and Wade) were very professional and provided top-notch service. Their number one priority was ensuring safety of all the passengers. They helped passengers navigate around the boat when needed and made sure all passengers were comfortable throughout the tour. They also made service, including food and drinks, a priority. The 5 1/2 hours on the boat passed quickly. The morning started off with 45 minutes of snorkeling followed by a continental breakfast. The catamaran stopped frequently to view many sightings of whales and pods of dolphins . The staff was very knowledgeable and provided a history of the Napali coast while fielding questions as the passengers took in the breathtaking scenery. The catamaran veered alongside caves and inlets to allow passengers to be sprayed by waterfalls flowing off the 10,000 foot rock formations of the coast. A deli platter lunch followed with soft drinks, wine and beer. The catamaran Leila was well-taken care of with ample seating and standing for all. All in all, a very memorable trip! I would recommend Holo-Holo Charters without hesitation.

We just finished an outstanding Naplai Coast catamaran/snorkel tour with Holo-Holo tours. What a day! The weather was perfect as was the staff and boat. Our crew of Captain Kelly, Matt, and Wade were friendly, personal, and knowledgeable. They briefed us before we departed on everything we needed to know- from safety and motion sickness to snorkeling to whales and dolphins. Then we departed on a terrific 50’ catamaran that, despite being filled to the maximum with 38 people, never felt crowded. We began with a 45 minute snorkeling stop, followed by brief stops to watch pods of dolphins and whales. Then it was on to the magnificent Naplai Coast, where our crew fielded questions and made us feel at home on their boat. This was followed by a great lunch with terrific service and unlimited food and beverages. They took us alongside caves and inlets, always made sure we were comfortable and had something to eat or drink, and clearly enjoyed their work. I will book my future tours with Holo-Holo.

I had been interested in the sandbar for a while and decided to sign up! It was great that there was a pickup near the hotel, but I was confused at first because the person who came to pick me up was a woman, not Captain Bob. After about a 50-minute drive, we arrived at the marina, and it was just a short boat ride from there to the sandbar! Since it’s a bay, there were no waves, and even though I usually get seasick, I was fine this time without any motion sickness medication! We passed by a sea turtle spot on the way to the sandbar and were lucky enough to see sea turtles! I heard that if you're lucky, you can also see a school of manta rays, but we weren't able to encounter them, which was a bit disappointing! Since it was December, I was worried about the cold water, but we were blessed with clear sunny weather and had a great time at the sandbar! I definitely think it's a must-do when you go to Hawaii! Our guide, Yuki, was Japanese, very humorous, and incredibly attentive, which made the experience even better!

サンドバーに前から興味があって申し込みました！ Hotel近くでpickupでよかったのですが、迎えにきた人がキャプテンbobじゃなく女の人だったので 最初わからなかったです。 車で50分ほどでマリーナに
到着して、そこから船で少しいくとすぐ到着しました！ 湾なので波がなく普段 船酔いする自分ですが今回は酔い止め薬が無くて大丈夫でした！ サンドバーまでウミガメスポットを通りバッチリウミガメに逢えました！ 運が良いとマンタの群れにも会えるみたいですが、自分たちは遭遇できなかったです！残念！ 12月ということもあり、海の水が冷たく心配していましたが無事に晴天に晴天に恵まれサンドバーを
満喫できました！ ハワイに
行ったら絶対行ったほうがいいと思います！ ガイドのユキさんが日本人でとてもユーモアたっぷりで 凄く気がきく人で良かったです！

Great day out on the water with a great crew, fantastic experience!

The day before, I was worried about whether the event would take place and if we could even go into the water, as a typhoon was passing near Oahu. However, on the day of the event, the weather was clear after the typhoon, and we just needed to check the sea conditions. There were no cancellation notices, so we headed to the meeting point.

The meeting point was the last bus pickup, but the bus was over 15 minutes late, and there was no communication or tour desk, which made me anxious about whether the event would be canceled. Eventually, when I called the tour company, they said, "The bus will arrive in about 5 minutes." When I shared this with others waiting for the same tour, they seemed relieved. (If delays happen frequently, I hope they can review the schedule, and if there are delays, I wish there was a way to communicate that at the tour desk. It's unsettling to just wait in a foreign country.)

I had prepared for the bus ride by dressing warmly, as I had read in reviews that it could be cold, so it wasn't too chilly. After arriving at the port, we boarded the boat and set sail! The boat was comfortable and didn't rock at all.

Onboard, the crew provided explanations (in both English and Japanese), which was reassuring. First, we arrived at the sandbar and enjoyed the shallow waters. The water was colder than I expected, but after a while, it became fun. Given the season and time, the water was about knee-deep, and it felt more like a shallow area in the ocean rather than a sandbar.

The crew set up a beach volleyball net, but the Japanese participants didn't seem to play much. I think it would be more enjoyable if they did. After that, we had a BBQ on the boat. The captain grilled the BBQ, and it was delicious!

Then, the boat took us to a spot where we could see turtles. Luckily, we were able to see many turtles. According to the crew, this area was a filming location for many movies (like Pirates of the Caribbean and Jurassic Park), which might be exciting for movie fans.

Finally, we went to the snorkeling area. We swam close enough to the coral reef that we could almost reach it (but we shouldn't touch it). After that, we returned to the port and took the bus back to the original meeting point.

It was a very satisfying tour. With a Japanese guide available, I think those who are not confident in English can feel at ease.

前日は、オアフ島のそばを台風が通過し開催そのものや、海の中に入れるか不安でしたが
当日は台風一過というのか、空は快晴であとは海のコンディションだけでしたが、特にキャンセルの連絡もなかったので集合場所へ。
集合場所は、バスのピックアップの最後だったのですが、15分以上バスが遅刻し、特に連絡もツアーデスクもないので開催されないのか、不安でした。
結局ツアー会社に電話したら「あと5分ほどで到着する」と回答。周りに同じツアーに参加する人にも伝えると安心していたようでした。（遅延が毎回なら時間スケジュールの見直しをしてほしいですし、遅延している場合はツアーデスクなどにその連絡ができるようにしてほしいです。外国でただ待たされるのは心細いです。）
事前にバスの中は寒いと体験談にあったので、厚着して準備していたので、そこまで寒くはなかったです。
港に到着後船に乗船。出航！
船は揺れることもなく、快適でした。
船の上ではクルーによる説明がされ（英語チームと日本語チーム）るので安心です。
まずは、サンドバーに到着し浅瀬で楽しみます。水が思ったより冷たいですが、しばらくすると楽しくなります。季節・時間的にひざ下くらいで、サンドバーというよりは沖の中にある浅瀬という感じでした。
クルーはビーチバレーのネットを用意してくれたのですが日本人はあまり遊んでいませんでした。もっと遊んでも楽しいと思います
その後船の上でBBQ。キャプテンが焼いたBBQをおいしくいただきました！
そして、船はカメの見えるスポットへ。ラッキーにもカメはたくさん見ることができました。
クルーの説明によると、このあたりは多くの映画（パイレーツ・オブ・カリビアン、ジェラシックパーク）のロケがあった場所らしく、映画ファンならうれしいかも。
最後は、シュノーケルエリアへ。珊瑚礁が手がのばせば届きそうなくらい近いところで泳ぎました。（触ってはだめです）
そのあと帰港。バスで元の集合場所へ帰りました。
とても満足のツアーでした。
日本語のガイドもあるので、英語が苦手でも安心だと思います。

First, I received a call from the hotel regarding our meeting point. They informed me to refer to the location listed on the Iruka University website (http://www.iruka.com/index.php?itemid=32118) instead of the place shown on the VELTRA map. However, since our rental car had a flat tire, we had to take a taxi at the last minute. The driver seemed to know the general area, and we were safely delivered to our destination. When we got out of the taxi, our guide, Ryoko, was waiting for us, so we didn’t have any trouble meeting up.

On the day we participated, the boat from Manta University (or rather, its parent, Iruka University) was in Oahu, and they had chartered a boat in collaboration with other similar shops. There were three Japanese people, including my spouse and me, and about 15 foreigners. Perhaps because of the large number of participants, we were on a relatively luxurious boat that had a restroom, and we were able to enjoy light snacks like poke, which were prepared on board. We also had warm coffee to help us warm up, so it ended up being quite a lucky experience.

As for the manta rays, as soon as we jumped from the boat, about eight of them swam up from below, which was truly moving. They approached us with their mouths wide open (of course, they didn’t bite us! *laughs*), and it felt like we could see all the way to their ribs. It would have been best if they had stayed there, but the boat owner's family moved to a different spot, thinking it would be better, which didn’t turn out to be the case. At one point, we were just staring into the dark sea with no mantas in sight. Ryoko from Iruka University also seemed unable to change the location due to the joint arrangement with other shops. However, the initial number of mantas we saw was incredible, and later, although the number decreased to one or two, they swam close to us, which was truly moving.

Since it was nighttime, it got quite cold. After getting out of the water, I recommend drying off as quickly as possible and changing into regular clothes if you can. (So, it’s a good idea to bring extra clothes, especially something like a windbreaker!) If you stay in a soaking wet wetsuit while being blown by the night wind, you’ll get cold in no time.

Personally, I never dreamed that I would have the chance to swim with manta rays, so it was a very emotional experience. I think the number of encounters depends on luck, but I can definitely recommend this tour to everyone.

まず、待ち合わせについてホテルに事前にお電話を頂きました。VELTRAの地図に載っている場所ではなくイルカ大学のHPに載っているもの（http://www.iruka.com/index.php?itemid=32118）参考にして下さい、という連絡を頂きました。ただ、私達のレンタカーがパンクしてしまったため、急きょ、タクシーで行くことになり、運転手さんは大体の場所がわかったようで、無事、送り届けてもらえました。タクシーを降りた辺りで、ガイドのリョウコさんが待っていてくださったので、待ち合わせに苦労することはありませんでした。
私達が参加した日はマンタ大学（というか母体のイルカ大学）の船がオアフ島に行っているとのことで他の似たようなショップと合同で船をチャーターされていました。日本人は私達夫婦を含め3人、外国の方が15人位でした。合同で人数も多かったためか、それなりに豪華な船でトイレがあったり、軽食というのもポキなどを船内で調理したものを頂くことができましたし、冷えた体に暖かいコーヒーも頂くことができ、結果的にはラッキーな感じでした。
肝心のマンタですが、船から飛び込むなり、8頭位がウワ～っと下から泳いできてくれて感動しました。口をパカーっと開けてぐいぐい迫ってきて（別にかみつかれたりはもちろんしません・笑）感覚的に口から肋骨あたりまで口の中が見えるような感じでした。そのまま、そこに留まってもらえれば一番良かったのですが、船のオーナー家族が良かれと思う場所に移動してしまい、結果的に「良かれ」というわけにいかず、一時は、マンタも何もいない夜の海をボケーっと覗いているだけ、という時間もありました。イルカ大学のリョウコさんも他のショップと合同ですし、ご自身の采配で場所を変えたりすることはできず、という様子でした。ただ、最初に見た頭数がすごかったのと、その後も数はぐっと減り、１，２頭でしたが、近くを泳いでくれて本当に感動しました。やはり夜なので、結構寒くなります。上がった後はなるべく早く体を拭き、普通の服にできれば着替える方がいいと思います。（なので服は持っていった方がいいです。特にウインドブレーカーのようなもの！）びしょ濡れのウェットスーツを着たまま夜風に吹かれていると、あっという間に体が冷え切ってしまいます。
個人的にはまさか自分がマンタと一緒に泳げる日が来るとは夢にも思わなかったので、とても感動的な体験でした。遭遇数などは運があると思いますが、ぜひ、みなさんにもオススメできるツアーです。

On the day we participated, our swim guide was Mr. Nawata and the boat captain was Mr. Taka. Both of them were experts in the ocean and very reliable.

I have some experience with snorkeling and diving, but my niece, who traveled with me, was doing it for the first time and seemed anxious at first. However, she quickly got used to it and started enjoying herself. Mr. Nawata and Mr. Taka understand the behavior and movements of dolphins very well, so as long as you listen to their advice on what to do in the water, you'll be fine.

In the water, Mr. Nawata pulled my arm, allowing me to see the dolphins up close. Their determination to ensure that participants definitely see dolphins was palpable. We saw dolphins everywhere, both near the surface and close to the seabed. Dolphins are really cute; I found them endearing.

Later, when I talked to various tour guides and restaurant staff about participating in Mr. Nawata's dolphin tour, everyone said, "Mr. Nawata is the best dolphin expert on the Big Island!" I will definitely join Mr. Nawata's tour again next time.

Also, on that day, Captain Taka mentioned that he also does scuba diving, so I spoke with him on the phone after this tour. Unfortunately, our schedules didn't match this time, but I hope to ask Mr. Taka for scuba diving next time.

Thank you, Mr. Nawata and Mr. Taka, for your help. I'm looking forward to next time. Thank you!

私達が参加した日はスイムガイドが縄田さんで
船のキャプテンがタカさんでした。
お二人とも海のエキスパートでとても頼もしかったです。

私はシュノーけリングやダイビングは何回か経験していますが
一緒に旅行した姪っ子は初めてで最初は不安そうでしたが
すぐに慣れて楽しんでいました。
縄田さんもタカさんもイルカの性格や動きをよくわかっていらっしゃるので
海の中でどうすれば良いか等、アドバイスをしっかり聞けば大丈夫です。

海の中では縄田さんが腕を引っ張ってくれ、イルカを間近で見れました。
とにかく参加者にイルカを絶対に見てもらうという姿勢がビシビシ伝わります。
海面近くにも、海底近くにも、あちこちにイルカがいっぱい見れました。
イルカって本当にかわいいですね。愛おしくなりました。

後日、いろんなツアーのガイドさんや、レストランなどでも
縄田さんのイルカのツアーに参加したとお話ししたら皆さん全員、
”縄田さんがハワイ島で一番のイルカのエキスパートだからね！”と
おっしゃっていました。
また次回も絶対に縄田さんのツアーに参加します。

あと、この日キャプテンのタカさんがスキューバダイビングもしていらっしゃるとのことで、こちらのツアーの後にタカさんと電話でお話ししました。
日程が合わず今回は残念でしたが、次回はタカさんにスキューバダイビングをお願いします。

縄田さん、タカさん、お世話になりました。
また次回も楽しみにしています。
ありがとうございました！

Crew was awesome,gave us subway, had great snorkeling gear and saw multiple turtles and a whale...definitely do it again

Ocean Joy Snorkel & Sunset Dinner Cruise was worth every penny!!!! As Kamaaina, my husband and I enjoy participating in various so called "tourist" activities. Not everyone who lives in Hawaii has a boat...so activites that offer ocean fun is very appealing. The trip started with a very comfortable pick up and ride aboard a full sized air conditioned bus. The driver was even early for pick-up. Ocean Joy fulfilled our every need from the moment we arrived at the check-in location to the time we departed the boat. The staff were very attentive and informative. The food was plentiful and the bar was flowing. We experienced one of the best views of our local sunset and even got to see a whale breach off the side of the boat. I would definitely recommend this tour to anyone visiting Hawaii and other "Locals" who are looking for new things to do.

I booked a sandbar day tour on this site! The sandbar had water up to my knees, but since everyone loves the sea, we didn't mind and had a great time♡ Beach volleyball too♡ After that, we went turtle watching! I thought it might be difficult, but there were way more than I expected!! Snorkeling and jumping in were fun too! The staff were polite and friendly! I had a 2-year-old with me, but the staff took care of us, and we were able to fully enjoy snorkeling! Thank you☆ I would like to use this service again.

こちらのサイトでサンドバー1日ツアーを申し込みました！
サンドバーはヒザまで海水だったけど、みんな海が好きなので気にしなかったし楽しめた♡
ビーチバレーも♡
その後にウミガメウォッチング！
難しいかなと思ってたら予想以上にたくさんいました！！
シュノーケルも飛び込みも楽しかった！
スタッフも丁寧で気さくな方々でした！
２歳子供連れでしたけど、スタッフが見てくださり、シュノーケル満喫できました！
ありがとうございます☆
また、こちらで利用したいです。