All Reviews for Snorkeling Cruises & Tours

Counted on this boat tour for good snorkeling and did not get it at all even though waters were calm at the time of day we snorkeled. Co-captain agreed that captain could have picked a better spot for snorkeling. Decently long boat ride to get to Na Pali Coast. Boat tour was cut short by almost an hour (not sure why, but honestly it would have dragged on if it wasn't cut short). Other than those things, it was nice seeing the scenic coast and we saw turtles and dancing dolphins.

I was able to rent a long-sleeved wetsuit and long pants, so I didn't have to worry about sunburn or the cold. I was able to swim quite a distance. It would have been tough to go on my own, so I'm glad I joined a tour.

長袖長ズボンのウエットスーツをレンタルできたので、日焼けも寒さも気にならなかったです。 結構な距離を泳ぐことができました。 個人で行くのは大変なのでツアーに参加してよかったです

The meeting place was hard to find, and it took 20 minutes after the meeting time for the guide to finally show up. The guide only provided explanations in English, with no simple Japanese at all. I struggled to get used to putting on the snorkel and couldn't get into the water for a while. The guide mentioned that they couldn't take responsibility for those who couldn't swim, so they advised us not to swim. I think it would have been helpful to have a brief lecture on tips for breathing with the snorkel. Once we set sail, everything went smoothly, and we were able to see sea turtles coming up to the surface multiple times, which was amazing.

集合場所がわかりづらく、集合時間から20分経ってようやくガイドさんが出てきました。
ガイドは英語の説明のみで、簡単な日本語も一切無し。
シュノーケルの付け方に慣れず、なかなか海に入れないでいたら、泳げない人は責任が取れないから泳がないでほしい、と言った話をされましたが、シュノーケルの呼吸の仕方のコツなど簡単なレクチャーがあってもいいと思います。
出航してからの手際はよく、ウミガメは海面付近に何度も出てきたので間近で見れました。

We had a blast and seeing the manta rays was amazing. We also saw a bristle worm, which was cool too. The team was fabulous and knowledgeable. We will do again next time we swing into Kona. We recommend this excursion 100%. You won’t be sorry. If you get seasick, take the anti nausea medicine first. It can be a bit harder on your stomach in the dark.

The sea was beautiful, the staff was cheerful and kind, there was live music, and the activities were a lot of fun!

This time, I participated in two consecutive tours to different sandbars, so I will compare based on my experiences.
- Boat size (this tour had a larger boat. The restroom was also fairly decent. Since there were many passengers, the atmosphere may vary depending on the participants. When we joined, there were relatively many families and three generations participating, which created a friendly vibe.)
- Activities (if you want to try banana boating or bumper tubing, this is the tour for you. Both snorkeling and SUP were enjoyable on either tour.)
- Live music (when we participated in this tour, the songs were mainly famous ones from Japan and Disney.)
- Provided snacks (the donuts here were American-sized and sweet.)
- Boat docking location (it was a bit far from the shallowest part of the sandbar. Due to tidal conditions, there were places where children around 120 cm tall could not touch the bottom at all... although life jackets were provided, it might be a bit challenging for children who are not good at swimming.)
- Japanese guide (it may vary by day, but on the days we participated, the guides provided detailed explanations in Japanese, which was reassuring.)
- Changing clothes, etc. (I think it's better to prepare something to wear over your swimsuit and plan to get on the bus as is. There are restrooms at the port, but they are limited, and the women's restroom has a long line. It is recommended to keep wearing aqua shoes. If you want to take videos or photos, don't forget a waterproof phone case!)

海は美しく、スタッフも陽気で親切、ライブ演奏もあり、アクティビティも大変楽しかったです！

今回2日連続でサンドバーが目的地の異なるツアーに参加したので、体験した範囲で比較してみます。
・ボートのサイズ（こちらのツアーの方が大きかったです。お手洗いもそれなりにしっかりしたものがあります。乗船人数が多いので、参加者によって雰囲気が左右されると思います。私たちが参加したときは親子連れや三世代参加が比較的多く和やかでした）
・アクティビティ（バナナボート、バンパーチューブにトライしたい場合はこちら。シュノーケリングやSUPはどちらでも楽しめました）
・ライブ演奏（私たちがこちらのツアーに参加したときは、日本でも有名な曲やディズニー中心でした）
・提供される軽食（こちらのドーナツはアメリカンなサイズと甘さでした）
・ボートの係留場所（サンドバーの一番の浅瀬からは少し離れた場所でした。潮位の条件もあって身長120㎝程の子供は全く足が着かない場所もあり…ライフジャケット着用ですが、泳ぐのが苦手な子にはややハードルが高いかもしれません）
・日本人ガイド（日によると思いますが、どちらのツアーも参加した日は日本語で細々とした点まで説明してくださって安心感がありました）
・着替えなど（どちらも水着の上に羽織れるものを用意して、そのままバスに乗る前提でいたほうがいいと思います。港にお手洗いがありますが、数が少なく女子トイレは長蛇の列になります。足もとはアクアシューズを履きっぱなしにするのがおすすめです。動画や写真を撮りたい方は防水スマホケースをお忘れなく！）

I was worried about seasickness since we would be on the boat for nearly three hours, but after taking motion sickness medication, I had no problems. There were some people who were vomiting, so I recommend taking motion sickness medication.

As soon as we set sail, we encountered dolphins and were able to see them jumping and spinning up close. The sights during snorkeling were breathtakingly beautiful. I will never forget it. There were also plenty of activities like stand-up paddleboarding, canoeing, and a slide attached to the boat, which my 6-year-old son enjoyed thoroughly.

3時間近く乗船するとのことで、とにかく船酔いが心配でしたが、酔い止めを服用したところ問題ありませんでした。嘔吐している方もいましたので、酔い止めをおすすめします。


出向してすぐにイルカに遭遇し、ジャンプしたりスピンしたりしているイルカを間近で見ることができました。、
その後のシュノーケリングで見た光景は、息を飲む美しさでした。一生忘れられません。サップやカヌー、船に取り付けた滑り台などのアクティビティも豊富で、息子は6歳でしたが充分楽しむことができました。

overall experience was amazing! Great boat with a net to sit in and get wet! Boat crew were lovely, funny and super helpful with facts about the turtles! Loved every second of this tour, would 100% go again!

I experienced two types of snorkeling tours with my wife, one at Hanauma Bay and the other at Sandbar, but the Sandbar tour was somewhat disappointing. The reason is that the water clarity is inferior compared to Hanauma Bay, and there were hardly any fish, which was unfortunate. Additionally, unlike the guide at Hanauma Bay, you have to take your own photos and videos, which brings the risk of losing or damaging your smartphone and adds extra hassle. On the positive side, it is easy to encounter sea turtles, and there are activities other than snorkeling, which was a nice aspect.

私は妻とシュノーケリングツアーを2種類それぞれハナウマ湾とサンドバーを体験させていただきましたがこちらのサンドバーツアーはいまいちでした。
理由としては海の透明感がハナウマ湾に比べ劣っている事や魚が全然居ないので残念です。
また、ハナウマ湾のガイドと違い写真や動画はご自身で撮らないといけないのでスマホの紛失や故障のリスクもつきまとったり手間がかかる点も残念ポイントです。
良い点としては海亀に会いやすい事やシュノーケリング以外の遊びがあるのでそれは良いポイントでした。

Thank you for a truly wonderful time! The driver's explanations during the trip were clear in Japanese, and the vehicle was cool and comfortable. Once we arrived, I just took care of the restroom (they even pointed out the cleaner one) and off we went!

On the way to the points in a larger boat, we saw turtles and were shown a spot where the sea looks heart-shaped! The water's clarity was amazing, and the staff's teamwork in providing explanations in both English and Japanese, sticking to the schedule, and their overall hospitality was outstanding. The snorkeling was taught kindly to me, who struggles with swimming, and I was able to participate successfully, and guess what! I even got to swim with turtles! Thank you so much.

At one point, someone dropped their GoPro, and the staff worked hard to dive and search for it (which they later found), and they took photos for us on the boat. Everything was just perfect. If I were richer, I would have loved to give even more tips!!! I look forward to doing this again.

本当に素敵な時間をありがとうございました！行き帰りの運転手さんの説明も途中日本語で分かりやすく、移動車の中も涼しくて快適。着いたらおトイレだけ済ませて(これも綺麗な方のトイレを教えていただいた)レッツゴー！
大きめのボートでポイントに行く途中、亀が見れて、ハート形に海の中が見えるスポットも教えてもらいました！
水の透明度は素晴らしく、またスタッフの方々の連携プレーで英語、日本語での説明、スケジュール通りの進行、ホスピタリティ全てが素晴らしかったです。シュノーケリングは泳ぎの苦手な私に優しく教えてくださり、無事参加することができ、なんと！亀と泳ぐことも出来ました！本当にありがとうございました。
途中goproを落とした方がいて、その方のために一生懸命スタッフの方が潜って探されていたり(のちに見つかった)、ボート上で写真を撮ってくれたりなど、本当にどれをとっても最高でした。私がもっとリッチならもっともっとチップを渡したかったです！！！またよろしくお願いします。

The sandbar is a must-see!
The snorkeling isn't in very clear water, so it's a bit difficult to see the fish.

サンドバーは必見です！
シュノーケリングは、あまり透明度が高いところではないので、少しお魚が見にくいです。

The people in the boat was very friendly, the trip was amazing ! I really recommend the experience!!
Thank you guys for the amazing day !$

With a small group of up to five people, the transportation arrived on time, and communication was stress-free as we could converse only in Japanese. Although it was mid-September, there was a long line from the morning. The training went smoothly, and we were able to snorkel. Since it's difficult to make individual reservations locally, a tour that includes reservations is definitely the way to go. Additionally, snorkeling on Wednesdays is recommended because entry is prohibited until the day before, making it less crowded and beautiful. In the early morning, the water temperature is low, so wearing a wetsuit is more comfortable for Japanese people. It was so beautiful that I wished I could stay in longer; it was the best experience.

5人までの少人数で、送迎は時間通りに来てくれるし、日本語だけで意思疎通できるのでノンストレスでした。
9月中旬でしたが、朝から大行列。スムーズに講習を受けシュノーケルできるし、個人のネット予約は地元でも難しいので予約込みのツアーが絶対にいいです。
また、水曜日のシュノーケルは前日まで入場禁止のため綺麗でおすすめですし、早朝は水温が低いのでウェットスーツを着用した方が日本人には快適です。
もう少し長く入っていたいぐらい綺麗で最高でした。

The crews of the tour were very professional, helped us enjoy the snorkeling around the coral reef.

We arrived at the sandbar in about 15 minutes by boat. The seawater is a bit cold. While enjoying the transparent sea, we leisurely played for about 45 minutes with SUP (one per group), snorkeling, and floaties. During that time, we had snacks like drinks, Spam rolls (one per person), and chips on the boat, and we were able to enjoy cola, which we hesitated to buy due to the weak yen.

They took us to the snorkeling point, where we could see plenty of fish up close. Unfortunately, we didn't see any turtles, but it was beautiful and fun. There was a woman who spoke Japanese, so we had no trouble communicating. We went in the afternoon, but we were able to return around 4 PM, which allows for some evening fun around Waikiki, making it worthwhile whether you go in the morning or afternoon.

船で15分ほどでサンドバーへ到着。
少し海水は冷たいです。
透き通る海に感動しながらSUP(1組にひとつ)シュノーケル、浮き輪などのんびり45分ほど遊びます。その間船ではドリンクやスパム巻き(1人ひとつ)ポテチ等のスナックが食べられ、円安で躊躇していたコーラなど堪能できました。
シュノーケルポイントまで連れて行ってくれ、手に触れるほどに魚がたくさん見れます。亀は残念ながら見れませんでしたが、綺麗で楽しいです。
日本語の話せる女性がおり、困ることはありません。午後の部で行きましたが4時ころには帰れるので夜もワイキキ周辺で遊べて時間的にも午前でも午後でも有意義で良いと思います。

I participated thinking I could land on a sandbar and enjoy snorkeling in the shallow waters, as mentioned in the guidebook and tour advertisement.

However, on the day of my visit, the sandbar was underwater, at a depth of 1.2 meters, likely due to high tide. I wore a life jacket and enjoyed snorkeling, but unfortunately, I didn't encounter any fish.

I would have appreciated it if the tour advertisement had mentioned that the sandbar might not be visible depending on the tides. I recommend that those planning to participate check the high tide times in advance before signing up.

ガイドブックやツアー募集にあるようなサンドバー（砂州）に、上陸して浅瀬でシュノーケリングを楽しめるかと思い参加致しました。

参加日は満ち潮だったのか、サンドバーは海の下、水深1.2m下にありました。
ライフジャケット着用しシュノーケリングは楽しみましたが、魚には遭遇出来ず残念に終わりました。

ツアー募集に潮の満ち引きによっては、サンドバーが海面に出ていない状況になる事がある旨記載して頂きたかったです。
これから参加される方は、事前に満潮時間を確認の上申込される事をお勧めします。

Honestly an experience of a lifetime! Would do again! Highlight of my trip to Hawaii!

We booked a plan with a banana boat and a paddle tube for the family. It was an exhilarating experience in the thrilling waters of Hawaii, almost feeling like we were going to be thrown off. We could enjoy snorkeling, kayaking, and SUP as we pleased.

The guide spoke fluent Japanese, so there were no issues. A light lunch was provided before swimming, which was just the right amount. We enjoyed live music on the boat, and there was a bottle to put tips in on the way back, which seemed optional.

Since it wasn't during a high tide, we could stand, but the water still reached up to our necks. Floating while gazing at the beautiful sea, fish, and the towering mountains felt uniquely Hawaiian. Even if it rained, it was just a passing shower. It gets cold when you come out of the water, so a jacket is essential. Having a waterproof phone case would have made it even better.

家族でパンパーチューブ、バナナボート付きのプランを申し込み。振り落とされそうなくらいスリル満点ハワイの海を体験。シュノーケリングにカヤック、SUPどれも好きなように楽しめます。
ガイドの方は流暢に日本語を話すので問題ありません。軽いランチも泳ぐ前には適量です。
船上ライブを聴きながら盛り上がり帰りに瓶があるのでチップを入れます。任意の様です。
大潮ではなかったので足はついても首まで海水がありました。きれいな海と魚、高山の山々を眺めながら浮かぶ気分はハワイならではと思います。雨が降っても通り雨。海から上がると寒いので上着は必須です。防水携帯ケースを持ってればもっと最高でした。

Crew was wonderful! Trip was amazing! Would love to come back and do it again

Need to know…wearing a spf shirt would have been a good idea! Having salty crackers for upset stomach would have helped.

The captain surprised us by taking the boat into a small area so that we could see the entirety of amazing cave. Very cool!

The speed of the speedboat was absolutely thrilling! I was desperately holding on during the ride. The sea breeze was pleasant, and it felt like an amusement park attraction. Although it was only in English, I had no worries. I highly recommend this for those looking for a unique snorkeling tour.

とにかく高速ボ－トのスピードが迫力満点！走行中は必死につかまってる状態でしたよ〜。海風が心地よく遊園地のアトラクション気分で楽しめました。英語ガイドだけでしたが不安はありませんでした。ひと味違うシュノ－ケリングツアーを求める方に是非おすすめします。

The water was about waist-deep, and I thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful sea. The ocean at Waikiki is also lovely, with waves and a lively crowd, but the sea at the sandbar was quiet, calm, and refreshing, with only tour participants around, making it truly wonderful!

The staff took many photos for us, and we enjoyed playing beach volleyball and having a hamburger lunch. After lunch, we went to see sea turtles and snorkeled around the coral reefs, enjoying plenty of activities. Many people brought waterproof bags to use their smartphones underwater, which is recommended for taking underwater photos. However, there was a girl who lost her credit card and room key because her bag was open, and her smartphone got submerged (it seemed to be waterproof), so please be careful.

水深は腰くらいあったけと、とても美しい海を堪能しました。ワイキキの海もきれいで波があり人もにぎわっていますが、サンドバーの海はツアーの人しかいなくて静かで穏やかで爽快な素敵な海でとても素晴らしかったです！！
写真もスタッフの方がたくさん撮ってくださったり、ビーチバレーを楽しんだり、ハンバーガーランチを楽しんだり。ランチの後も、ウミガメを見に行ったり、サンゴ礁周りをシュノーケリングしたり、たくさんアクティビティを楽しめました。水中でスマホを使える防水袋を持ってきている方がたくさんおられ、水中写真が撮れてお勧めです。ただ袋が空いて、クレジットカードとルームカードキーを無くされ、スマホが水没された女の子がいたので（防水仕様で大丈夫だったようです）、要注意してください。

Absolutely give it a go, had an amazing time. Compared to the outrageously expensive chartered cruises you can take to the sand bar this is by far the best way to do it. Just paddle out and take everything at your own pace. We ended up floating around with several turtles whilst on the sand bar and had an amazing four hours. Definitely the way to do it if you can handle the 40-minute paddle out there.

Truly an incredible experience; managed to see a pod of dolphins on the way there, and multiple turtles once we got to Turtle Canyon, its basically like swimming in an aquarium. The boat isn't the largest of ones you see going out there but it allowed for us to hang our legs off the side into the water as it sailed out, just totally absorbing the vibes of it all. Great price for an amazing experience.

Kayaking out to the sandbar was one of my absolute favorite things I have done on Oahu! It wasn't too far to paddle, you get plenty of time out on the sandbar, the instructions and checkin/checkout was easy - something I will certainly do again!

The experience was a great time! The crew was friendly and knowledgeable. The water was a bit choppy at first but there was a lot of help with that, especially since we had my 14 month old and 3 year old. The girls had a great time.

This is my child's favorite tour, so we use it every time we go to Hawaii (about the 6th time?). This time, there were no restroom breaks or turtle watching on the way there. Maybe that meant we had more time to play? It was our first time going on a Saturday, so that might be why.

Overall, we enjoyed it as usual! (*^^*)

子供がお気に入りのツアーなので、ハワイに行くたびに利用させて頂いてます、(6回目くらい？)
今回いつもと違ったのが行きのトイレ休憩と亀ウォッチングがありませんでした。
その分遊ぶ時間が長かったのかな？
土曜日に行ったのは初めてだったのでそのためかもしれません。

全体的にはいつも通りに楽しめました(*^^*)

Had a wonderful time kayaking and snorkeling with family. Saw lots of fish. Enjoyed the water. Entertainment was a plus. Will definitely recommend to friends.

結論から言うと参加して良かったです！！
サンドバーは浅く小さな子どもも楽しめる海で、とても楽しみにしていました。当日は天気があまり良くなく、8月のお盆の夏真っ盛りなのに海の水がかなり冷たい！！シュノーケリングは魚もいっぱいいて、海の透明度も高く良かったですが、長く海に浸かってるのは冷たすぎるので難しかったです。
なので、サップやカヤックがとても楽しめました！！スタッフのお兄さんたちは皆さん陽気で優しくとても親切でした！

I went on my honeymoon.
There were many people from overseas around, and I was anxious because I couldn't speak English, but there was a friendly Japanese guide, which made me feel at ease and enjoy the experience.
While the tour explanations were in English, the Japanese guide provided clear explanations separately.
When we arrived at the sandbar, I was surprised by how beautiful the sea was, even more than I had imagined. It was my first time snorkeling, and the water's clarity was amazing, allowing us to see the fish and coral reefs clearly, which was a lot of fun!
The hamburgers we ate on the boat were exceptional!
When boarding the boat, we secured our luggage and seating, but it felt nice to place our things outside during the ride with the refreshing wind. The restroom is inside the boat, so it's not very clean, but it can't be helped.
Of course, you'll get sunburned, so it's best to take proper precautions.
It became a wonderful memory of my trip, and I would love to go again if I visit Hawaii!

ハネムーンで行きました。
周りは、海外の方が多く、英語もできないので不安もありましたが、日本人の気さくなガイドさんがいて、安心して楽しめました。
英語でツアーの説明がある中、別で日本人のガイドさんが分かりやすく説明してくださいました。
サンドバーに着くと、想像していたより海がとても綺麗で驚きました。初めてのシュノーケリングでしたが、海の透明度がすごいので魚やサンゴ礁がはっきりと見えて楽しかったです！
船の上で食べるハンバーガーも格別でした！
船に乗ると自分たちが荷物を置く場所や座る場所を確保するのですが、船の中ではなく、外に置くと移動中風が気持ち良いです。トイレは船の中なので、綺麗とは言えませんが、仕方ないですね
日焼けももちろんするので、しっかり対策した方がいいです。
旅行中の素敵な思い出になりました、またハワイに行ったら行きたいと思います！

I requested a shuttle from the Hilton in Waikiki. With a schedule of departing at 8 AM and returning at 4 PM, it was perfect for leisurely sightseeing in Kailua and then enjoying more time in Waikiki. The driver on the day was very kind, as was the Japanese staff member at the Kailua shop who assisted us. Kailua Beach, just a 3-minute walk from the shop, and Lanikai Beach, a 20-30 minute walk from there, were both as wonderful as the reviews suggested, and they are fantastic beaches not too far from Waikiki. When we returned to the shop, it was just past 12:30 PM, but the staff kindly offered to take us to Kailua Town at 1:30 PM, allowing us to stay in town for an hour and a half. Thanks to their flexible scheduling, we were able to enjoy both the beach and the town. Although we were cutting it close, the four types of beer from Lanikai Brewing were delicious. The shop was clean, and I appreciated being able to use it for lunch and change in the changing room inside. I highly recommend this for anyone wanting to enjoy Kailua with a shuttle service.

ワイキキのヒルトンからの送迎をお願いしました。8時出発、16時帰着というスケジュールで、ゆったりとカイルアを観光し、戻ってワイキキでもうひと楽しみするなら、最適と思います。当日のドライバーさんも、現地カイルアのショップで対応して下さった日本人スタッフさんもとても親切でした。ショップから徒歩3分のカイルアビーチ、そこから、20-30分歩いてのラニカイビーチはどちらも評判通りで、ワイキキからそう遠くない素晴らしいビーチでした。ショップに戻ったら、12時30分過ぎになっていたのですが、そこで、スタッフさんから1時30分にカイルアタウンへ送って下さり、タウンに1時間半滞在、という提案をいただき、その柔軟なスケジュール調整のおかげで、ビーチとタウンを両方楽しめました。時間ギリギリでしたが、ラニカイブリュワリーのビール4種類も美味しかったです。ショップはきれいで、そこを昼食に使わせてもらえたのも、ショップ内の更衣室で着替えができたのもありがたかったです。送迎でカイルアを楽しみたい方にはお勧めします。

I booked this activity by myself for my birthday. All I wanted was to see a turtle and it definitely did not disappoint! The crew were amazing and were very helpful when we were snorkeling. The food was good and the experience was amazing. I’ll definitely book again next time I’m on the island! Thank you to the crew for making it the best experience.