All Reviews for Sightseeing / Guided Tours

Since it was a day with strong winds, we took motion sickness medication for both ourselves and the kids. The breakfast selection was limited, but the taste was quite good with sausage, rice, and oranges. For about 45 minutes after boarding, we only saw the whales spouting a couple of times, but then we got to see their tails and fins coming up and down several times, as well as some backflips, which was incredibly exciting through the binoculars from the fourth deck. My husband filmed it, so the kids could watch it later (the kids stayed with their mother on the boat). While on board, they prioritized explanations in Japanese (on the deck, they provided Japanese guidance after the English announcements, but by then the whales had already submerged), and there were several staff members who spoke Japanese, with the captain even playing with our child. I recommend staying on the fourth deck even if you don't understand English, as it's easier to see from above. We were lucky. Thank you, Joy.

風の強い日の参加だったので、子供共々酔い止めを飲んで参加しました。朝食の種類は少ないですが、味はソーセージ、ご飯、オレンジなど結構美味しかった。乗船して４５分くらいは２.３度の鯨の潮吹きだけでしたが、そのうち鯨のしっぽや横向きでヒレを何度も上げ下げしたり背面ジャンプしたりと４階から双眼鏡越しに大興奮。横の主人がビデオ撮影してくれたので後から子供もゆっくり見られました（子供は母と船内で）。船内にいる間日本語での説明を優先してくれたり（デッキにいると英語の後に日本語案内、でもその時には鯨は潜ってしまう）、日本語の話せるスタッフが何人かいらっしゃり、キャプテンはうちの子供と遊んでいてくれていました。英語が分からなくても４階デッキにいることをおすすめします、上から見るほうがわかりやすいので。ラッキーでした。ジョイありがとう。

We participated as a family on January 2nd, and unfortunately, the weather was not great. I have seen whale watching up close in Japan, so it was just okay for me. We did see whales, but because the boat was large, we could only see their backs from a distance. However, the food was better than I expected, and I think it was nice to view Honolulu from the sea, especially since I've been there many times.

1月２日にファミリーで参加、あいにくの天候でした。
ホエールウオッチングは日本でも間近で見ているのでまあまあかな？と言う感じでした。
クジラは見れましたが舟が大きいせいもあり、遠くに背中が少し見える程度でした。でも思っていたより食事はおいしかったし、何度も行っているホノルルを海から眺めるのは良かったとおもいます。

I go to Hawaii every year, and this was my second time participating. My son (11 years old) is really looking forward to the horseback riding here. There are options for valley riding and beach riding, but I think the valley riding is more enjoyable since it lasts for an hour and a half and includes some ups and downs.

During the valley riding, at the end, the instructor takes photos of each person on their horse from a scenic spot with your own camera. Don't forget to bring a digital camera or similar!

毎年ハワイへ行きますが、今回2回目の参加でした。ここの乗馬は、息子（11歳）がとても楽しみにしています。渓谷乗馬と海辺乗馬とありますが、渓谷乗馬の方が乗馬時間も1時間半と長く、アップダウンもあり、楽しめるのではと思います。
渓谷乗馬では、最後に景色の良い所から個々に馬に乗っている状態を手持ちのカメラで乗馬の先生が撮影してくれます。デジカメ等を忘れずに。

It was a 2 to 3-hour cruise, and the weather was great, the scenery was beautiful, and we even saw a rainbow, making it an excellent tour. I wasn't expecting to see many whales, but we saw more than I anticipated, and the kids were thrilled. I didn't think we would see so many. The breakfast was also good. (The air conditioning on the boat was a bit too cold.) I would love to participate again if I have the chance.

２～３時間のクルージングでしたが、天気もよく景色もよく虹も見えて非常にいいツアーでした。
クジラはあまり期待していなかったのですが、期待以上に沢山見ることが出来、子供も喜んでおりました。
あんなにたくさん見れるとはおもいませんでした。
朝食もよかったです。
（船内のエアコンが効きすぎていてちょっと寒かった）
また機会があれば参加したいです。

First time to Hawaii and first time for whale watching. The ship is big and nice, staff are friendly, and we get to see whales multiple times, sometimes at very close range, maybe 60 ft from the ship. Very good experience, and the price for morning shift is only $29.99, unbeatable. Overall very good!

This was an ultimate favorite trip with Hawaii activities. The most interesting part for us was the star sky and our two guides Greg and Chris. They were so impressive good to tell about the stars and volcanoes. So Hawaii activities be sure to keep those two guys as loooong as possible. Worth every penny!

The sunset was beautiful, but I was also impressed by the magnificence of the night sky! The meal was a delicious makunouchi bento, which was a relief for my stomach after eating so much bread. The guide's slightly poignant stories were moving and felt like a cleansing for my heart.

However, those with a slight cold should be cautious! I ended up with acute aerotitis media and had to have my eardrum surgically opened after returning home.

Next time, I would love to see the summer night sky!

夕日もさることながら、夜空の素晴らしさも感激しました！
食事もおいしい幕の内弁当で、パン食続きだった胃にはありがたかったです。
ガイドの方のちょっとしんみりと考えさせられるお話も私的には心が洗い流されるようで感動しました。

ただ、鼻風邪気味の方は要注意！急性航空性中耳炎になってしまい、帰国してから鼓膜を切開しました。

今度は夏の夜空も見てみたいな！と思います。

I participated in the morning activities. I only used Star of Honolulu for the dinner cruise, but I wish there was an afternoon whale watching + sunset dinner cruise.

Considering the cost, it was affordable and I got to see whales, so that's okay?

Last March, I had a lot of fun with a large pod of dolphins, whales, and snorkeling.

Please come up with various plans.

午前中のものに参加しました。スターオブホノルルはディナークルーズでしか、利用しなかったのですが、午後ホエールウオッチ＋サンセットクルーズディナーが、あればいいのにと思いました。

コスト的にはお安く鯨がみえたので、まあいいか？

昨年、３月は、イルカの大群と鯨とシュノーケルで随分楽しみました。

色々な企画を考えてください。

This was one of the highlights of our trip to Oahu. This trip is a must for those who have never been to the island before. You get the taste of the island in this one trip and then you can go off on your own and know where you are and what you will see. Great time

This trip was very informative. We enjoyed the knowledge we gained while there. It was a sad experience but a rewarding one.

We really enjoyed our day. The staff was great and we saw at least 2 pods of wales. Not sure if they are called pods but we saw them. The breakfast was good but the eggs were a bit grainey. It was worth the price we paid.

I went to Hawaii for my honeymoon and participated in the Mauna Kea Sunset & Stargazing Tour.

Before reaching the summit, we saw a beautiful rainbow and took some photos there. It was a fun journey even before we got to the top, taking pictures on the lava!

Then, we observed the sunset near the summit.

It was truly beautiful!! The sunset reflecting off the clouds was also very stunning.

As for the cold, it was indeed cold. I made sure to wear warm clothing, but they also lent us ski pants, jackets, hats, and gloves, which was very appreciated.

During the stargazing, I was amazed by how many stars there were, thinking, "Are there really this many stars?!" It was incredibly beautiful.

Our guide, Mr. Yamamoto, was very interesting and knowledgeable about the Big Island and the stars, making it a wonderful tour! He even taught us how to take photos of the night sky with our own cameras, and we were able to capture some really beautiful pictures!

This time, I couldn't see my constellation because it wasn't the right season, so I want to try again at a different time!

Words can't fully express this experience, so if you ever have the chance to go to the Big Island, I highly recommend participating in this tour!!

Lastly, thank you to our guide Mr. Yamamoto and everyone who joined the tour with us!☆

新婚旅行でハワイへ行き、マウナケア　サンセット＆星空観測ツアーに参加しました。

山頂につく前にも、とってもきれいな虹が出ていて、そこで写真撮影。溶岩の上で写真撮影と、山頂に行くまでも楽しい旅でした＾＾

そして、山頂付近で夕日の観察。

本当にきれいでした！！雲に夕日が反射しているのも、とても綺麗でした。

寒さは、やっぱり寒いです。自分でもしっかり防寒具を着込んでいきましたが、さらにスキー用（？）のズボンと上着と帽子と手袋を貸してくださいますので、とてもありがたかったです。


星空観察は、「こんなに星があったの！？」というくらいたくさんの星が見えて本当に本当にきれいでした。

ガイドさんの山本さんも、とってもおもしろくて、ハワイ島や星たちに詳しくて、とってもよいツアーでした!!
私たちの手持ちカメラでの星空撮影の方法まで教えていただき、とっても綺麗な写真もとれました！！

今回は、私の星座がみれない時期だったので、時期を変えてまたチャレンジしたいです！

言葉では、この感動が伝えきれないので、ぜひぜひハワイ島に行くことがありましたら、ぜひぜひこのツアーに参加してみてください！！

最後に、ガイドの山本さん、一緒に参加したツアーのみなさま、ありがとうございました☆

This might be what a hotel luau is like... Previously, I attended a luau on Maui that was really great, so this might be a gap in comparison... The difference is that the entertainment, like the hula dance, was lacking. I was expecting something more dynamic. The food wasn't bad, but it was just okay. There were few drink options. Maybe Kinkame is in a small space.

ホテルのルアウだとこんなもんなのかもしれない・・・
以前、マウイ島で参加したルアウがすごく良かったので、そのギャップかもしれない・・・何が違うかと言うと、フラダンス等のエンタが寂しい。もっとダイナミックなものを期待していた。食事は悪くはなかったが、まあまあ。飲み物の種類が少なかった。キンカメは場所が狭いのかな。

I thought it would be colder, but the weather was warm and very comfortable on the day.
The view from the top of the 4,200m mountain was amazing at sunset! It felt like being on top of the snow.
And the starry sky was incredible!
I could see the Milky Way, and I was very satisfied!!
I want to go again~ (*^_^*)

もっと寒いかと思いましたが、当日は暖かくとても過ごしやすい陽気でした。
4,200ｍの山の上は、夕日も最高！まるで雪の上にいるような景色でした。
そして、ものすごい星空！
天の川も観られて、とても満足でした!!
また行きた～い（*^_^*）

We participated in a breakfast course with three family members. We saw the tail just once, but our child is only five years old, so we didn't have time to lift them up and see it properly. The breakfast was delicious. Since we ate in the dining room on the first floor, it didn't have the excitement of a 3-star or 5-star cruise. If a whale had appeared, it would have been more lively, but without that, we were just staring at the waves, which became boring. I think snorkeling would be better for families with children.

家族３人で朝食つきコースに参加しました。
一回だけ尻尾がでたのですが、子供はまだ５歳。
もちあげる時間もなく、見ることはできませんでした。
朝食はおいしかったです。
一階の食堂で食べるので、３スターや、５スターのクルーズの楽しさはありません。
くじらが出れば、まわりも盛り上がるのでしょうが、出ないとただ波間を眺めているだけなので、退屈してしまいました。
子供連れの方は、スノーケリングのがいいと思います。

We signed up with my parents, who are celebrating their 60th birthday, and my husband and I, making a group of four. First of all, we were very satisfied with the guide's attentive work and witty explanations of the starry sky, and surprisingly (was that rude?) the bento was delicious.

Since we drove to a place higher than Mount Fuji, I was careful to practice abdominal breathing as instructed to avoid altitude sickness (I experienced drowsiness and a slight headache due to lack of oxygen). However, once we reached the summit, the sunset viewed from a rocky world that felt like another realm made all drowsiness and headaches disappear. The starry sky observation from a little below the summit, accompanied by the guide's humorous commentary, made us forget the cold.

Each participant took turns having their photos taken against the backdrop of the starry sky, and the service to download those photos for free from the blog on the website was incredibly moving, as it was something we couldn't do ourselves. The photo taken with Orion and the Winter Triangle in the background is a wonderful memory for our family. Thank you very much!!

還暦を迎えた両親と私たち夫婦の4人で申し込みました。まずガイドさんの丁寧な仕事ぶりと軽妙な星空解説、そして意外にも(失礼？)美味しかったお弁当に大満足でした。
車で富士山より高い所まで行くので、登りは高山病にならないように教えてもらった腹式呼吸で酸素を取り込むことに気を使っていました(酸素不足による眠気と軽い頭痛を経験しました)。しかし、いったん頂上に着いてしまえば、異世界のような石だらけの世界から見る夕日に眠気も頭痛も吹っ飛び、頂上から少し降りた所から見た星空観測では笑いを交じえた軽妙なガイドに寒さも忘れる程でした。
参加者全員順番に、星空をバックに写真を撮って下さり、それをHPのブログから無料でダウンロードできるサービスは、自分たちではできないことなのでとても感激でした。オリオン座と冬の大三角を背景に撮った写真は家族の素敵な思い出の一枚です。ありがとうございました!!

I was expecting a traditional hula dance show for my first time, but it turned out to be a well-produced performance.

初めての　フラダンスショー　伝統てなものを期待してましたが良くできたショーアップされたものでした　

I participated in the morning tour. I only caught a glimpse of a whale from a very far distance just once. I was looking for spouts and saw something black come up to the surface, but honestly, I couldn't tell if it was a whale or not. After the tour, there was a recheck desk, but I didn't have time, so I got off without receiving a reboarding ticket.
How many whales can you actually see on this tour? Can you see them up close like it says on the website or in guidebooks? From the experiences I've read, it seems like about half of the people see whales and half do not, but if those who saw them only caught a distant glimpse like I did, I don't think it's worth participating. I was able to see whales from a distance later at Kamaole Beach in Maui.
However, since it's quite a nice boat, if you think of it as a cruise, you won't feel too disappointed.

午前中のツアーに参加しました。一度だけすごく遠くから鯨がチラッと見れただけです。水吹きを探して、何か黒いものが水面に上がったのを見ましたが、正直鯨かどうかもわかりませんでした。ツアー終了後Recheckの受付はありましたが、時間がないので、再乗船券をもらわずに降りました。
そもそもこのツアーはどのぐらい鯨が見られるんでしょうか？ホームページやガイドブックに載っているような、すごい近くで見ることができるんでしょうか？体験談を見ると、見れない人と「見た」人半々ぐらいですが、もし「見た」人も私のように遠くから見ただけなら、あまり参加しなくてもいいと思います。その後マウイのカマオレビーチで普通に遠くから鯨が見れましたから。
ただし、結構立派な船なので、クルーズだと思ってしまえば、そんなに損した気分にはならないです。

It was my first time horseback riding, and all three of us were truly satisfied with the smart horses. However, I had prepared under the assumption that we would be able to sightsee in Haleiwa, so it was disappointing that we only passed by and saw it from the car window. This experience is not suitable for those who want to shop or explore in Haleiwa. The taste was not as good as I had hoped, but I was able to enjoy the huli huli chicken and garlic shrimp, and I had a pleasant day overall. The guide was knowledgeable and flexibly took us to points where sea turtles come ashore. Thanks to that, I was able to take a great photo with a large turtle, which became a wonderful memory.

初めての乗馬でしたが、本当に賢い馬ばかりで、参加した３人とも大満足でした。
ただ、ハレイワの街を観光できるものと思い込んで下調べをするなどして準備していたので、車窓から見て通り過ぎるだけだったのは残念でした。
ハレイワで買物や見学をしたい方には不向きです。
味は期待したほどではなかったけれどフリフリチキンやガーリックシュリンプも食べる事ができたし、気持ちのよい一日を過ごす事ができました。
ガイドさんは物知りで、海亀の上陸するポイントなども臨機応変に案内して下さいました。おかげで、大きな亀とのツーショットを撮る事もでき良い思い出になりました。

Great, very enjoyable!!!

I had seen the fireworks from Aloha Tower before, so I wanted to change things up, and I had always wanted to ride the Star of Honolulu, so I decided to participate.

Initially, I imagined that there would be some not-so-great food served, and we would just wait for the fireworks while drinking. However, the food was not only plentiful but also quite tasty, and there was a show to keep us entertained from departure to arrival. I think it lasted just under three hours, and I had a great time.

As for the scenery, the sunset was nice, but the night view of Honolulu was beautiful, and I was satisfied because I could see the fireworks well.

If I had to mention a downside, it would be that it was quite cramped due to the number of people, and most of the participants were Japanese, which made it feel a bit lacking in local charm. The woman sitting next to me seemed to be seasick, so those who are prone to motion sickness might want to be cautious.

アロハタワーからの花火は見たことが有るので趣向を変えてみてみたいと思っていた事と、一度はスターオブホノルルに乗ってみたいと思っていたので参加しました。
当初想像としてはあまりおいしくない食事が少し出て、後は飲み物でも飲みながら花火が上がるまで待つのかなと思っていましたが、料理は量もさることながら味の方もなかなかでしたし、出港から帰港までショーで盛り上げてくれて3時間弱だったと思いますが楽しく過ごせました。

又、景色ですがサンセットもそれなりに綺麗なのでしょうが、夜景のホノルルの町も綺麗で、花火も良く見えた事から満足しています。

難点を言えばかなり詰め込むので窮屈な事と参加のほとんどが日本人であまり風情が無い事でしょうか。私の隣の席にいた女性は船酔いをしている様でしたので乗り物に弱い人も少し注意した方が良いかもしれません。

We participated in a tour on the morning of December 19, just as the season started, as a couple. Although we only got to see a dolphin briefly, it was not a disappointing experience, and we were satisfied with the cruise, which had a different charm from the sunset dinner. If I had to point out a downside, it would be that the background of the photo taken during boarding included an old warehouse and a cargo ship. (However, since it was a keepsake, I ended up purchasing it...) The food was cheap. Since we were returning home the next day, the reboarding ticket seems like it will go to waste, but I was satisfied as it provided a good conversation starter.

今シーズンがスタートしたばかりの12/19の午前中のツアーに夫婦で参加しました。
イルカをちょっと見られただけで、残念な結果ではありましたが、サンセットディナーとは趣の違うクルーズで満足でした。
敢えて苦言を呈するなら、乗船時の写真撮影で、背景に古ぼけた倉庫と貨物船が写っていたこと。（でも、記念なので購入しましたが・・・）。食事がチープ。
翌日帰国だったので、再乗船のチケットは無駄になりそうですが、話のタネとして満足でした。

We participated as a family of eight. With four people over 60 years old, including the oldest at 73, I was worried about whether we could handle climbing a mountain higher than Mount Fuji at 4,200 meters. I thought it would be a more challenging tour, but they provided breaks for altitude adjustment, and everyone was in great shape.

In Kona, the temperature was 20 degrees, while at the summit of Mauna Kea, it was minus 2 degrees, so there was a 22-degree temperature difference. However, the cold weather gear they lent us was perfect.

At the summit of 4,200 meters, watching the sunset was incredibly moving and exciting for everyone. By the time we descended the mountain after the sun had set, it was pitch dark, but we stopped to enjoy the starry sky, which was also incredibly moving and exciting. The sky was filled with stars. It was amazing. Everyone was satisfied with this tour. However, it would be even better if the price were a little lower.

家族総勢8人で参加しました。60歳以上が4人、最高齢73歳と高齢者が多いので4200メートルと富士山よりも高い山に登っても大丈夫かなと心配で、もっと大変なツアーかと思っていたのですが途中で気圧調整の休憩をとってくれて全員絶好調でした。
コナは気温20度、マウナケア山頂はマイナス2度と22度も気温差がありましたが、貸してくれた防寒具でバッチリでした。
また、４２００メートルの山頂で観るサンセットには全員’チョー感動・感激・最高～’でした。太陽が沈んでから山を下るころは真っ暗になりましたが、途中で車を降りて星空観賞、これまた’チョー感動・感激・最高～’です。空全面が☆。すごいですねえ。全員このツアーには満足しました。でも料金がもうちょっと安くなるともっといいんだけどなあ。------


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We booked the early bird whale watching tour in early January. The ship, crew and food were great but we didn't see as many whales as I had hoped. We did find two whales swimming together and the ship was able to follow them for awhile so we got a few good pictures of the whales blowing water up, their backs surfacing and their tails coming out of the water.


It sounds like that was considered a good trip for Honolulu whale watching so I was happy with it. A lady we talked to had gone out on the same tour the day before and she didn't see anything so she came back out with our group the next day.


If you're looking to really see the whales, I would suggest going to Lahaina in Maui if possible. My husband and I booked an island tour of Maui later on in our vacation and we saw more whales in a shorter time period by driving down the coast near Lahaina than we did on our whale watching tour in Honolulu. It's still a good tour for those in Oahu though!

I had never visited Hawaii during the winter season, so I was looking forward to whale watching. The boat was large and more than adequate, but since it carried many passengers, I wished they had made some efforts to gather information about the whales in advance with smaller boats, so that the guests could enjoy the experience more. Because the boat was so big, it couldn't maneuver easily, and while the captain was likely focused on finding the whales, I felt there could have been a bit more creativity in their approach. Additionally, they offered tickets for another trip if we didn't see any whales, but since the validity period was only until March, it limits those who can return to Hawaii soon. I think at least a one-year validity would be more reasonable. I was also told that the only time available for a second trip was the same morning time, but if they truly wanted to provide good service, they should accommodate afternoon times as well. Everyone has their schedules set while in Hawaii, so I believe that kind of flexibility is necessary.

冬の時期にハワイを訪れたことがなかったので、ホエールウォッチングは楽しみにしていました。船は大きく申し分ありませんでしたが、乗船客もたくさん乗せているので、鯨がいくら自然の生き物であっても、先に小さめの船で鯨の情報を集めておくとか、少しでもお客さんが楽しめるように工夫をしてほしかったです。船が大きいために、小回りが利かないし、船長も鯨を求めて操縦しているのでしょうけれども、もう少し工夫ができるのではないかと感じてしまいました。さらに、鯨に会えなかったら、再度乗船できるチケットを配っていましたが、乗船できる期間も3月まででは、もう一度ハワイにすぐ来れる人は限られてしまうので、せめて有効期限は1年間にしてほしいと思います。乗船できる時間も朝の同じ時間しか無理だと言われましたが、本当に再度乗船してほしいというサービス精神があるのならば、午後の時間でも対応してほしいです。みんな、それなりにハワイでのスケジュールが決まっていると思うので、そのくらいの対応は必要だと思います。

On the first day of this tour, we didn't see any whales at all. We were in the afternoon group, but it seems the morning group had the same experience. We just ended up enjoying a leisurely cruise.

このツアーが始まった初日だったせいか、クジラの姿は、全く見られませんでした。私たちは、昼からだったのですが、午前の部も同様だったそうです。ゆったりクルージングを楽しんだだけで終わりました。

Our guide Glenn was really great. Not only was he a excellent driver ( and the mountain driving can be challenging), he was very knowlegable about Maui, Hawaii and talked us through most of the tour. He was very polite, informative and over all was great. We were on time for everything and he kept everyone interested. I'm glad we chose to do this, because being our first time in Hawaii I would not have wanted to drive the mountain in the early hours of the morning. I would definitely go back again. The Haleakala sunrise and crater are a wonder to be seen. Thanks Glenn for making it even more enjoyable.

At the beginning of the tour, I saw a glimpse of a whale's tail, but after that, nothing at all. It started to rain, which was a bit disappointing. Well, since it's nature, I guess there's nothing you can do about it.

ツアーのはじめの方で、クジラのしっぽが少し見えたのですが、その後は全く。雨も降ってきてしまい、ちょっと残念な結果でした。ま、自然相手なので、仕方ないかな、と思います。

I was able to see the whale perfectly. I'm also satisfied with the ray I created. However, I was surprised by how expensive the parking fee was.

くじらは、バッチリ会う事ができました。
レイも作成して、満足です。
ただ、ﾊﾟｰｷﾝｸﾞ代の高いこと、びっくりしました。

It was truly the best tour. As a repeat participant, I definitely want to join again next time. The weather may affect it, but that's part of the experience. I believe the encounters with fellow participants and the coordinator are also valuable travel experiences. If you're going to the Big Island, this tour is highly recommended.

本当に最高のツアーでした。
リピーターとして次回絶対参加したいです。天気に左右されるかもしれませんが、それもまた巡り合わせ。一緒に参加するメンバーの方やコーディネーターの方との出会いも貴重な旅の体験だと思います。ハワイ島に行くなら、絶対おススメのツアーです。