All Reviews for Snorkeling Cruises & Tours

I participated in a tour with two friends. Due to the rainy season in October, the sandbar was deeper than I expected (about chest height), but we were able to fully enjoy the beautiful scenery of the white sandy area while playing with floaties. It was my first experience with snorkeling, and I wasn't very good at swimming, which made me anxious. However, wearing a life jacket made me feel safe, and there was a clear pre-lecture, practice time in shallow water, and several guides watching over us, so the support system was sufficient. It was scary to go deeper than I imagined (maybe due to the rainy season?), but while desperately keeping up, I was able to see coral and sea turtles, making it a valuable experience. We encountered sea turtles several times on the way to and from the tour, allowing us to feel the nature of Hawaii. The light snack of spam onigiri was also delicious. I thought the price was a bit high, but I believe it was worth it for the unique experience that only a tour can provide. I highly recommend it as it offers a valuable opportunity to connect with Hawaii's nature.

友人2人とツアーに参加しました。10月雨季だった影響もあり、サンドバーは思っていたより水深は深めでした（胸下あたり）が、浮き輪で遊びながら白い砂地の美しい景色を十分楽しめました。シュノーケリングは初体験で、あまり泳ぎも得意ではなく不安だったのですが、ライフジャケット装着で安心ですし、解りやすく事前にレクチャーあり、浅瀬での練習時間あり、ガイドさんが数名で見守ってくれるのでフォロー体制も十分でした。想像以上に深いところまでいくので怖かったですが（雨季の影響もあるかも？）、必死について行きながら、サンゴやウミガメも見れて貴重な体験ができ満足でした。行きも帰りも何度も船の上からウミガメに会う事ができ、ハワイの自然を感じる事ができました。軽食のスパムおにぎりも美味しかったです。少し値段はお高めかな？と思いましたが、ツアーだからこそ体験できる価値もあり参加してよかったと思っています。ハワイの自然に触れる貴重な体験ができるので、絶対おすすめです。

This was my third time participating. I usually can't see the sandbar. If it's waist-deep, that's better. During the accompanying snorkeling, I was able to see fish, corals, and turtles. The stand-up paddleboarding felt free with two people sharing one board, and I enjoyed it. This time, the weather was nice and not cold, but last time the bus was cold and it was quite uncomfortable. A dry towel and something to wear over are essentials.

3度目の参加でした。いつも基本的にはサンドバーは拝めません。腰丈ならましな方です。付随するシュノーケリングで魚とサンゴ、カメも見れました。SUPは二人ひとつで自由な感じ、楽しめました。今回は天気が良く寒く無かったですが、前回はバスが寒くて辟易としました。乾いたタオルと羽織るものが必需品です。

I was able to see the sea turtles! After playing with the floaties and stand-up paddleboarding, we went snorkeling! I saw the sea turtles multiple times!

ホヌが見れました！
浮き輪やsupで遊んだあと、シュノーケリングでした！
ホヌを何回も見れました！

The meeting place was hard to find, and I was made to wait a long time, which was disappointing, especially since I was treated rudely. However, I managed to make it in time for the start, and once I joined, the instructor who went into the sea with us was very kind and great. There weren't many fish, but the starfish were interesting. I also enjoyed the scenery of Magic Island.

待ち合わせ場所がわかりづらく、長く待たされたうえ、失礼な態度を取られたのが残念でした。何とか開始時間に間に合い，気を取り直して参加したところ、海に一緒に入ってくれたインストラクターはとても親切で良かったです。魚はたくさんではないけど，ヒトデがおもしろかった。マジックアイランドの景色も楽しめました。

Family had a great time and staff was amazing, would recommend !

I only understand a little English, but when it comes to snorkeling, just communicate your fin size in US sizes, and once you're in the water, you can follow the staff without any issues. There were many sea turtles and beautiful fish!

On the boat, just sit back and enjoy without doing anything dangerous! The staff was very kind, providing cold water as a service and being attentive to the passengers, which made the experience very enjoyable.

The meeting place is at the location on Google Maps listed on this site, where you should look for the boat labeled "MOANA." The meeting time is 7:30, and we boarded around 8:00. The staff called out to us near the boat around that time. I highly recommend it!

片言の英語しかわからないのですが、シュノーケルではフィンのUSサイズを伝えることと、海に入ったらスタッフさんについていけば問題ないです。ウミガメやきれいな魚がたくさんいました！
船上では危ないことをせず座って楽しめばOKです！
サービスで冷たいお水を出してくれたり乗客に気配りしてくれたりスタッフさんが優しくとても楽しめました。

集合場所は、このサイトにのってるGoogle Mapの場所に行き、MOANAと書かれた船を見つけましょう。集合時間は7:30で乗船するのは8時頃でした。
8時頃にスタッフさんが船の近くで声をかけてくれました。
とてもおすすめです！

We always felt safe. The support was great. We were there with our 2 sons (4 and 11 years old). Everything worked great and everyone was very attentive. We were able to enjoy it completely as a family. Seeing the manta rays was an unforgettable experience.
Highly recommended!

I participated with my 2-year-old and 4-year-old children. The kids were able to see manta rays while my husband and I took turns. The conditions seemed good, and we were able to see more than five manta rays up close. I took some motion sickness medication just in case, but the kids didn't get seasick at all and had a great time. Thank you for taking photos with the sunset from the boat and for the hot chocolate. I brought warm clothing, so I wasn't cold at all, and everything was fine. I will definitely go again when I visit the Big Island! ♡

２歳と4歳の子供達と一緒に参加しました。
子供達は船上から、私と主人は交代でマンタを見せていただきました。
コンディションも良かったようで、間近に5枚以上のマンタを見る事ができました。
酔い止めは一応飲みましたが、子供達も全く酔う事なく、楽しめました。
船上から夕日と一緒に記念撮影していただいたり、ホットチョコレートをいただいたりありがとうございました。
防寒着も持って行ったので寒くもなく、大丈夫でした(^^)
またハワイ島に行った際には絶対行きますね♡

My fiance and I had an absolutely phenomenal time going out to the sandbar. We did the banana boat and that was an absolute blast. We then did the SUP, and while I was horrible at that, the hosts were very helpful in teaching me how to do it. Next time I come to Oahu, I am absolutely going to book this experience again.

I was able to enjoy the tour with staff members and the captain who spoke Japanese, which made me feel at ease. Both of them were supportive throughout, helping a lot to ensure that my grandmother and my 0-year-old son could have fun.

Thanks to their gentle guidance, my grandmother, who has a chronic illness that makes it difficult for her to move her arms and legs, was able to enjoy activities like snorkeling and stand-up paddleboarding. She said this experience was her best memory. We also encountered many turtles!

In the end, I forgot to give a tip! I'm thinking of ways to somehow give it to them... that's the only regret I have. I'm sorry for not giving it (cry).

I would love to use your services again! Thank you so much for everything!

日本語が話せるスタッフさんとキャプテンとご一緒することができ、安心してツアーを満喫することができました。
お二人とも終始サポーティブで、おばあちゃんや0歳の息子が楽しめるよう、たくさん手伝っていただきました。
特に、持病から手足が動かしづらいおばあちゃんにも優しくガイドしていただいたお陰様で、おばあちゃんもシュノーケリングやサップなどを楽しむことができました。
おばあちゃんは、この体験が一番の思い出だと言っていました。
カメさんにもたくさん遭遇することができました！

最後、チップをお渡しするのを忘れてしまいました！！
どうにかお渡しする方法がないか考えています、、これだけが心残りです、、。お渡しせずにすみませんでした（泣）

また利用させていただきたいです！
この度は本当にありがとうございました！

Excellent customer service + a great band + lots of equipment (snorkel, kayak, SUP, life jackets) + good food = a fantastic time!

You can receive an explanation in advance from the Japanese guide. I chose the rental bicycle option, which was comfortable. I was able to swim in both Ilikai Beach and Lanikai Beach, experiencing the unique qualities of each. The guide also informed us about points where we could see fish and provided a map that included Kailua Town. Lastly, it seems to be customary to give a tip along with the questionnaire.

日本人のガイドさんから事前に説明を聞けます。オプションはレンタサイクルを選びましたが、これが快適でした。イリカイビーチとラニカイビーチ両方の海に入ることができ、それぞれの良さを感じれました。事前にガイドさんから魚が見れるポイントを教えていただいたり、カイルアタウン含めての地図ももらえました。最後にアンケート含めて、チップをお渡しする慣習のようです。

This tour was was a great experience for us as non boaters. Captain Glenn is outstanding and was very knowledgeable and set the expectations very well for the overall conditions. The crew were also amazing, if you get chance go with Aren and Hans they will take great care of you- thanks again guys much mahalo!

I never expected to see manta rays so close, which was a bit scary but also moving. The hot chocolate I had on the boat was also very delicious.

まさかこんなに近くでマンタが見られるとは思っていなかったので、少し怖さもありつつ、感動しました。
船で飲んだホットチョコレートもとても美味しかったです。

Seven years ago, my wife and I participated, but just a week before, I fractured my shoulder bone, so I couldn't join the snorkeling or SUP activities. I was envious watching my wife challenge SUP for the first time and quickly stand up.

This time, I was in perfect health and was able to fully enjoy snorkeling and SUP with my wife, which had been my long-held wish.

Seven years ago, there were few SUP boards available, and we couldn't ride much due to waiting in line, but now there are plenty, allowing us to play freely without waiting.

During snorkeling, I was deeply moved to quietly watch a sea turtle come right up to me.

With the end of COVID, there were more Japanese participants. Over 80% of the bus and boat passengers were Japanese, but there were no Japanese-speaking staff. The entire experience was conducted in English, and I think both the clientele and staff have changed since seven years ago.

Seven years ago, before getting on the return bus, I had time to change into dry clothes in the restroom, so I came prepared to change, but everyone was waiting on the bus in their wet swimsuits, and I felt bad about that.

One more disappointing thing was that previously, a group photo of all participants, including staff, was taken at the sandbar and could be purchased online, but that service has been discontinued. It would be great if they could bring that back, as it makes for wonderful memories.

７年前に一度夫婦で参加しましたが、その１週間前に私が肩の骨を骨折してしまい、シュノーケリングもSUPも参加出来ずに終わりました。
妻がSUPのみチャレンジし、初めてなのに直ぐに立ち上がっているのを見て羨ましく思っていました。

今回は万全の体調で参加出来、念願のシュノーケリングもSUPも夫婦で思いっきり楽しむ事が出来ました。

７年前は遊べるSUPの数が少なく、順番待ちであまり乗れませんでしたが、現在は数も十分確保されており、順番待ち無く心置き無く遊ぶ事が出来ました。

シュノーケリングでも、目の前まで寄って来たホヌを静かに見る事が出来て、大変感動しました。

コロナが収束して日本人の参加者も増えて居ました。
乗って来たバスもボートも８割以上が日本人でしたが、日本語対応のスタッフが居ませんでした。
終始英語のみの進行で、７年前と客層もスタッフも変わっていたんだと思います。

７年前は帰りのバスに乗る前に、トイレで乾いた服に着替える時間があったので、そのつもりで着替えて来たら、皆濡れた水着のままバスに乗って待っており、申し訳ない事をしてしまいました。

あと一つだけ残念だったのは、以前はスタッフも含めた参加者全員のサンドバーでの集合写真を撮って、netで購入出来たのですが、その様なサービスが無くなっっていた事です。
良い思い出になるので、またやってくれると良いですね。

The captain and crew were outstanding and made the trip very enjoyable. The food portions were on the small side. While the tour was advertised as open bar, it was very limited. It also only opened during the last two hours of the trip. I found that to be misleading.

I would definitely shop around a little more the next time.

My sisters and I had an amazing adventure. It was definitely the highlight of our trip. All the staff members were fantastic from beginning to ending. There were bathrooms available on board and our belongs were kept with care as if it was their own. We would do this again with KBOS. This is one activity that cannot be missed.

First, the pickup was confusing and chaotic.
Finally, the shuttle arrived, and we headed to the location, but the air conditioning was too cold.
We boarded the boat and went out to sea; the ocean was indeed beautiful, but the water temperature was low, making it difficult to stay in for long. Moreover, while they provided goggles, there were no fins available, and we couldn't go to areas with coral, so we couldn't see any fish.
Given the strong yen and inflation, it was disappointing that it didn't feel worth the high cost.

まず送迎がわかりづらく混乱。
やっと送迎が来て、現地へ向かったがクーラーが効いてて寒い。
船に乗船して沖に行き、確かに海綺麗なんだけど、海水温が低くて長時間入ってられない。しかもゴーグルは貸してくれるけど足ヒレがなく、サンゴのある所へ行くのはNGのため魚も見れない。
円高＆インフレで高い割に感動がなく残念でした。

The crew was amazing. We loved the music performance inside the boat. The view is spectacular and we really enjoyed the activities. We did SUP, kayaking and snorkeling. Also, we had time to relax in the floating lounge and water. We would do this activity again for sure!

I participated with my daughter. The staff who provided explanations in Japanese before we set sail and those who guided us on the boat were all very kind, making the experience enjoyable from start to finish.

They let us know when we approached the area known as Heart Reef and when the honu appeared.

We played with SUP and other activities in the first half, followed by snorkeling in the second half. There were SUP boards, floaties, and water guns, and we had 45 minutes of fun. Along the way, the staff came around to each participant to take photos, which was a delightful service.

For snorkeling, those who couldn't swim were given something like a float to hold onto, and the staff pulled them along. Even if you can't swim, you can participate safely as long as you wear a life jacket, and the staff stays with you the whole time.

I was moved to swim with the honu.

娘と2人で参加しました。
船で出航前に日本語で説明してくださるスタッフも、
船に乗って、操縦や案内をするスタッフも、みなさん優しくて、
終始、楽しく参加できました。

ホヌが現れたり、ハートリーフと呼ばれる場所に近付くと、教えてくれます。

わたしたちは、前半にSUPなどで遊び、後半にシュノーケリングでした。
SUP、浮き輪、水鉄砲などあり、45分間遊びました。
途中、スタッフの方がそれぞれの参加者のところを回って、
写真を撮ってくれました。
うれしいサービスです。

シュノーケルは、泳げない人は浮き輪（？）のようなものにつかまらせてくれて、
スタッフの方が引っ張ってくれます。
泳げなくても、ライフジャケットを着用し、スタッフの方がずっとついててくれるので、安心して参加できました。

ホヌとも泳げて、感動しました。

Positive points:
- I was able to get a response from Veltra via email before making a reservation.
- Communication in Japanese was completely fine, so it’s not a problem if you can't speak English at all.
- The instructor was very friendly.
- The waiting time for entry was shorter than that of other general customers.
- They provide careful instruction even for those with no snorkeling experience.
- Valuables are kept in a box with a lock, so it feels safe.
- They are well-acquainted with spots where sea turtles can be found, so there’s a high chance of encountering them (I actually encountered one).
- You can save underwater photos from Facebook.
- I requested a wetsuit from Veltra just before the event, and they were able to accommodate me (I participated in early October in the morning, and since the seawater is cold, I think it's better for those who are sensitive to cold to borrow one).
- Even on the day of the event, if you tell the instructor, you can borrow a wetsuit.

Negative points:
- In our case, there was nothing in particular.

Cautions:
- It goes without saying, but punctuality is important, so being late is not accepted (they will wait for a few minutes).
- There is no guidance to the restroom on the way back, so it's better to go at the timing of changing clothes.
- The valuables box is not very large, so it’s better to keep your items compact.

良かった点
・ベルトラさんに予約開始前にメールで問い合わせたところ対応していただけたこと
・日本語が完全に通じるので英語は全く話せなくても問題がない
・インストラクターの方がとてもフレンドリー
・入場の待ち時間が他の一般客よりも少ない
・シュノーケリングの経験がなくても丁寧に教えてくれる
・貴重品はボックスに入れて鍵をかけてくれるので安心
・ウミガメがいるスポットを熟知しているので高い確率で遭遇できる(実際に遭遇できました)
・水中の写真をFacebookから保存できる
・直前にベルトラさんにウェットスーツを依頼したが対応していただけた(10月初旬午前に参加したが、海水は冷たいので寒がりな方は借りた方がいいかなと思います)
・当日でもインストラクターの方に言えばウェットスーツを借りられた

悪かった点
私たちの場合は特に何もありませんでした

注意点
・当たり前ですが、時間厳守なので遅刻は認められません(数分なら待ってくれてます)
・帰りはトイレの案内がないので、着替えのタイミングで行った方がいいです
・貴重品のボックスはそれほど大きくないので、コンパクトにまとめられるようにしておいた方がいいです

Loved the sandbar and have never experienced anything like it. The entire journey, from the ukulele singers on the boat ride to the actual sandbar was very fun. The actual sandbar is like a floating lounge in the middle of the ocean with plenty of paddle boards, snorkel gear and kayaks. We purchased the banana boat and tubing experience, both which were very fun and faster than we thought! Overall a very fun morning in Hawaii.

This was the cherry on top to our visit. The whole staff was welcoming and very helpful. Next time we come to Waikiki, we will definitely be booking again.

They took me to a place with a lot of dolphins, and I was able to swim near them about three times. The sea was really beautiful, and I think it will be a wonderful memory. However, I got extremely seasick and ended up throwing up about twice as many times as I encountered dolphins. Since we went out to sea, during the tour, I could only be on the boat or in the water, and in the second half, I was just thinking about getting back quickly. The chances of seeing dolphins are very high, so I think it's best to participate with a preparedness for seasickness and some countermeasures.

たくさんイルカがいる所に連れて行ってくれて
わたしも3回くらいイルカのそばを泳ぐ事ができました。海も本当に綺麗でとても素敵な思い出になるツアーだと思います。が、私はめちゃくちゃ船酔いし、イルカに遭遇できた倍くらいの回数吐きまくりました。冲に出るのでツアーの時間内は船か海にいるしかなく、後半は早く帰る事だけ考えてました。
イルカに会える可能性はとても高いので、船酔いの覚悟と対策の上参加するのがいいと思います。

It was an amazing trip that I would want to visit every day!! The bus driver's stories were wonderful. It was an emotional experience to swim with the turtles. Thank you very much!

毎日訪れたいほど最高な旅でした！！
バスドライバーさんのお話も素敵でした。
亀と一緒に泳ぐことができ、感動のプランでした。有難うございました！

Hanauma Bay is a beautiful place and the water is so pretty. The day we went, it was unfortunately very windy and the water was pretty choppy. We were able to see some fish, but the water wasn’t very clear due to the waves, but that’s nature for you! The snorkeling gear was very difficult for me. Water kept getting into my mask and it was very uncomfortable. I wish I had my own full face mask. But it was still an enjoyable time and would do it again. Our driver to the location was very friendly and did a great job. It was through kaimana tours.

The boat was one of the best we saw out on the water and made us very happy with our choice of charter. The views were spectacular and the snorkeling was an added cherry on top. Will definitely recommend to others.

It was my first time booking an optional tour, but I felt at ease participating because the guide was fluent in Japanese! They even got out of the car to come find us. At Hanauma Bay, there were long lines for both parking and entry, but since we had made a reservation in advance, and it seemed like the guide had some connections, we were able to enter smoothly. The snorkeling was also satisfying as we got to see various fish!

初めてのオプションツアー予約でしたが、ガイドの方が日本語ペラペラでしたので安心して参加することが出来ました！お迎えも車から降りて探しに来てくれました。ハナウマ湾は駐車場も入場も大行列でしたが、事前予約をしてくれており、かつ顔がきくのか色々優遇されているようでスムーズに入場できました。肝心のシュノーケリングも様々な魚が見れて満足行く内容でした！

I was worried about not being able to communicate in Japanese, but the tourists were separated into different boats for Japanese and foreign guests. There was one Japanese female crew member on our boat who kindly and patiently explained everything, which made me feel very safe and allowed me to enjoy the experience.

The sandbar had waves about knee-high, making it easy to walk around. The emerald green sea was incredibly beautiful, with very little current, and it felt so nice! I took many photos with the stunning scenery in the background, and I am very grateful for that.

We also got to see sea turtles, and when we moved to a spot with coral, I was able to snorkel while wearing a life jacket and see many beautiful fish, creating wonderful memories. (I can't swim, but with the life jacket and fins, I managed to swim alongside my husband.)

The hamburger lunch and drinks, along with the warm cocoa after snorkeling, were also very delicious. Thank you for the wonderful memories!! ♪♪

日本語通じないか不安でしたが、日本人観光客の船と外国の方で船が別れていて、船には日本人女性のクルーの方が一人いて、なんでも優しく丁寧に教えてくれたので、とても安心して楽しむことができました。
サンドバーは膝くらいの波の高さで安心して歩けました。
エメラルドグリーンの海はとても綺麗で、流れもほとんどなく穏やかでとても気持ちよかったです！
絶景をバックに写真もたくさん撮っていただき、大感謝です。
ウミガメも見れて、珊瑚のある場所へ移動してライフジャケットをつけてのシュノーケルも綺麗な魚をたくさん見ながら泳ぐことができ、とても思い出になりました。(私は泳げないですが、ライフジャケットと足ヒレで旦那と一緒でなんとか泳げました。)
ハンバーガーランチとドリンク、シュノーケル後のあったかいココアもとっても美味しかったです。
素敵な思い出をありがとうございました！！♪♪

Would highly recommend this package for the sandbar. The personnel are very experienced and friendly. Live music was great.

There were plenty of activities to choose from, and a perfect amount of time to try everything. The boat took us to a quieter area of the sandbar, so we basically had a private area to ourselves.

I'm glad we booked transportation through the package, as parking was full when we arrived.

Would want to go on this again!