All Reviews for Marine Wildlife Encounters

The people in the morning said they saw a lot, but we saw a smaller number. The captain and the crew worked hard to find the whales, which were quite elusive.

午前中の方たちはたくさん見られたと仰っていましたが、私たちは小さめで見られました。なかなか出てこないクジラを船長さんたちが一生懸命探してくれました。

Great time and food, staff were very friendly and attentive. Made us feel welcomed and we enjoyed all their knowledge

I participated in the event that started at 11:30. We headed to the port in a car with about 20 people, and we were going quite fast. It seems that participants from Dolphin University and Dolphin Junior High were mixed together.

Once we arrived at the port, we waited for about 30 minutes for the boat to arrive. There were many Japanese participants in the morning, but at this time, we were the only ones. However, a Japanese instructor named Kai, who is a university student, also participated, so we were able to join without any inconvenience. He was very kind and nice.

None of the others rented wetsuits, but I was glad I did for protection against jellyfish and the cold. There were only a few jellyfish present. Since we had experienced snorkeling at Hanauma Bay the day before, we knew how to use the snorkels, but it seemed there was no practice time for those using them for the first time. I think it would be more reassuring to participate in snorkeling somewhere else first.

As for the dolphins, we dove four times, but we only saw a glimpse of them during the first dive. We could see them up close from the boat, but they were far away underwater. After that, due to murky water, snorkeling in the shallow area was canceled, and we ended up watching sea turtles from the boat and having a light snack before finishing.

After getting off the boat, we only had time for a restroom break before getting back in the car to head home. Although we didn't see many dolphins underwater, snorkeling in the wide ocean while on the boat was enjoyable.

11:30開始に参加しました。
20人ほど乗った車で港まで向かいますが、結構スピード出します。（イルカ大学とイルカ中学の参加者が混ざっているようです）
港についてから、船が来るまで30分ほど待ちました。
日本人の参加者は朝の時間に多いようで、この時間の日本人は私たちのみですが、大学生の日本人インストラクターのカイさんも参加されていて不便なく参加できます。とても親切で良い方でした。
私たち以外ウェットスーツをレンタルしていなかったのですが、クラゲや寒さ対策にレンタルしてよかったです。クラゲは少しだけいました。
私たちは前日にハナウマ湾でシュノーケリングを体験していたため、シュノーケルの使い方を分かっていたのですが、初めて使用する方の練習時間はないように思えたので、違うところでシュノーケルに参加してからの方が安心かと思います。
肝心なイルカは、四回ダイブしましたが、一回目に少しだけ見れたのみでした。船の上からは至近距離で見れたのですが、水中では遠かったです。
その後、海が濁っているとのことで浅瀬でのシュノーケリングは中止してウミガメを船の上から見て、軽食を取り終了となりました。
船から降りた後はトイレの時間のみ用意され、すぐに車に乗り帰宅となります。
水中でイルカをあまり見られませんでしたが、船に乗って広い海でのシュノーケリングは楽しかったです。

I found this tour while searching for one with a Japanese guide because I can't speak English. The translation was very clear, not in broken Japanese, which was great. I was able to swim with dolphins and see sea turtles too!!

英語が出来ないため日本語ガイドが居るツアーを探していたところ出会いました。
カタコトの分かりづらい日本語では無く分かりやすい日本人の翻訳でとても良かったです。イルカとも泳げ、ウミガメも見ることができました！！

Our family of 5 had a great experience with the staff. We were running late because of a parade shutting roads down and we communicated with them effortlessly about the delay. They were so accommodating and understanding - we didn’t arrive until after the boat had left but they shuttled us out on another boat so we didn’t miss the experience. Once there we were able to snorkel and enjoy the water and views while we waited for our turn with the scooters. Thank you for allowing us to have a great experience with unforgettable photos, it could have ended in disaster but they gave us the time of our life!!

We had a great time on our snorkeling trip to Lanai. Great crew, beautiful day, lots of dolphins, great snorkel spot - some of clearest water we have ever snorkeled in. Thanks!

We moved by boat to board the submarine that was anchored offshore. The staff seemed very friendly, but they didn't understand English... We were able to see a lot of fish, but perhaps our expectations were too high, as we found it a bit lacking.

沖合に停泊している潜水艦まで船で移動して乗船します。スタッフの方はとてもフレンドリーな感じでしたが、英語がわからないので…。魚もたくさん見ることができました。が、期待値が高すぎたのか私たちには物足りなかったです。

I participated in Dolphin Exploration. Since my husband and I were the only participants that day, we were able to enjoy plenty of time interacting with the dolphins, making it a very special experience. The instructor spoke a little Japanese, but there was a staff member nearby who could communicate in Japanese, so I felt comfortable participating.

The program was very fulfilling, as we swam with the dolphins, fed them, and signaled them to perform, which left us very satisfied. There were two staff members who spoke Japanese in the facility, and they actively engaged with us, not only guiding us around the facility but also sharing various recommendations for food in Hawaii, making for a very enjoyable time.

It was my first experience, but the kindness of the staff made it easy to relax and have fun, so I highly recommend it for anyone who wants to have a close interaction with dolphins.

ドルフィン・エキスプロレーションに参加しました。
当日は参加者が私たち夫婦だけだったため、イルカと触れ合う時間をたっぷり楽しむことができ、とても特別な体験になりました。
インストラクターの方は簡単な日本語を話せる程度でしたが、近くで日本語対応のできるスタッフさんが付き添ってくださったので、安心して参加できました。
プログラムでは、イルカと一緒に泳いだり、餌やりをしたり、合図を出してパフォーマンスを見せてもらったりと、内容がとても充実していて大満足でした。
園内には日本語を話せるスタッフさんが2人いて、積極的に声をかけてくださり、施設内の案内だけでなく、ハワイのおすすめの食べ物などいろいろなお話もできて、とても楽しい時間を過ごせました。
初めての体験でしたが、スタッフの皆さんが親切で安心して楽しめたので、イルカとしっかり触れ合いたい方におすすめです。

First of all, I want to recommend this tour because it was really great! Some of the staff are Japanese, and they kindly provide English announcements in Japanese right next to you. They taught us about dolphins, other marine life, and Hawaiian culture, making the experience enjoyable!

As for the dolphins, we were able to spot them in about 20 to 30 minutes. Depending on the day, it can take as little as 5 minutes or as long as an hour, and unfortunately, there are times when you might not see them at all. This time, we encountered a rare species called the false killer whale, which we only see about twice a month.

We predicted the direction the pod was moving, jumped into the water ahead of them, and waited to observe them up close. We were able to see about 20 dolphins swimming right under our feet! During the snorkeling afterward, we also got to see sea turtles up close, but I think the experience with the dolphins is truly unique.

Some participants had joined multiple times, and I can understand why. If you're interested, I definitely think you should experience it at least once!

まず初めに、とても良かったのでお勧めしたいツアーです！
スタッフの中には日本人の方もいて、英語アナウンスを隣で日本語で丁寧に伝えてくれます。
イルカや他の生物について、ハワイの文化についてなど教えていただき、楽しく過ごすことができました！
イルカについては、２０〜３０分程度で見つけることができたでしょうか、日によりけりで５分で見つかることもあれば１時間かかることもあったり、残念ながら出会えないこともあるそうです。
今回はコビレゴンドウという月に２回程度会える低頻度の種に出会うことができました。
群れが進む方向を予測し、先回りして海に飛び込んで待機し近くで観察するという形でしたが、水面を泳いでくるイルカが自分たちの足の下の水中を泳いでいく姿を、２０頭くらい近距離で見ることができました！
その後のシュノーケリングではウミガメを間近で見ることができましたが、イルカとの経験が唯一無二のものかと思います。
参加者の中には複数回参加している方もいて、気持ちがわかります。
ご興味あればぜひ一度経験してみると良いと思います！

I was expecting something like a glass-bottom boat, but it turned out to be more like a submarine than I thought. The underwater experience is exciting and piques your intellectual curiosity. There weren't any turtles underwater, but there were plenty on the surface. Dive in, why don't you?

That said, it was an interesting experience. I won't spoil anything, so it's something to enjoy after you experience it yourself!

グラスボートに毛が生えたようなものを想定していたら、思った以上に潜水艦でした。
水中体験はワクワクしますし、知的好奇心をくすぐります。
亀は水中にはいませんでしたが、水上にたくさんいました。潜りやがれよ。

とはいえ、面白い体験でした。
ネタバレはしないので、体験してからのお楽しみですかね？

Before boarding, we were informed that the sea conditions were poor, and it would likely not be possible to see fish or the reef through the glass bottom. The boat would also be very rocky. They assured us that those who wished to cancel would receive a refund, which was a sincere response. Additionally, although it was originally supposed to be in English only, we were fortunate that the staff included Japanese speakers, so there were no inconveniences, and we had a comfortable time.

By the way, on the day of the trip, not a single person chose to cancel; everyone, including babies and the elderly, opted to board.

乗船前の説明で、本日は海のコンディションが悪く グラスボトムで魚を見たり魚礁を見ることがおそらくできません。船もすごく揺れます。ですので キャンセルされる方は返金致します、と誠実な対応がありました。それと、もとは英語のみのはずでしたが、運がいい事に日本人含むスタッフだったので 不便なことは全くなく快適な時間を過ごせました。
ちなみに当日はキャンセルする方は一人もおらず、赤ちゃんや高齢者含め 全員乗船を選択しました。

Today, my experience at Dolphin Middle School became a special day like no other. I boarded a boat heading to the sea in the morning, filled with excitement. The view over the ocean was beautiful, with the sky and sea stretching out, creating a sense of freedom. However, as the boat moved on, the waves became a bit higher, and I started to feel a little seasick. I felt a bit unwell, but I pushed through with the thought of wanting to enjoy this experience since I had come all this way.

After that, I actually entered the sea and had the experience of swimming with dolphins. Seeing the dolphins up close was incredibly cute, and they seemed much smarter than I had imagined, showing signs of being accustomed to people. While swimming, a dolphin came very close to me, and it was truly moving. The sight of the dolphin swimming vigorously in the water was powerful, and I felt a charm that was completely different from what I had seen on TV or in photos. Watching the dolphins swim happily together made me realize that there are bonds in the animal world as well.

After the experience, we had lunch. After moving around a lot in the sea, the food tasted especially delicious. Eating also helped calm my seasickness a bit. It was enjoyable to share our experiences from the day while eating, creating great memories.

Through this experience at Dolphin Middle School, I was able to truly feel the cuteness of dolphins and the beauty of the ocean's nature. It also prompted me to think about the importance of protecting the marine environment, not just the joy of being active in nature. Although I did feel a bit seasick, there were many more enjoyable and moving moments, and I would love to participate again if given the chance.

今日参加したイルカ中学の体験は、今まで経験したことのない特別な一日になりました。朝から海へ向かう船に乗り、最初はわくわくした気持ちでいっぱいでした。海の上は景色がとてもきれいで、空と海が広がっていて開放感がありました。しかし、船が進むにつれて波が少し高くなり、途中でやや船酔いをしてしまいました。少し気分が悪くなりましたが、「せっかく来たから楽しみたい」という気持ちで頑張りました。

その後、実際に海へ入り、イルカと一緒に泳ぐ体験をしました。近くで見るイルカはとてもかわいく、想像していた以上に賢そうで、人に慣れている様子が印象的でした。泳いでいると、イルカがすぐ近くまで来てくれて、とても感動しました。水の中でイルカが勢いよく泳ぐ姿は迫力があり、テレビや写真で見るのとは全く違う魅力を感じました。また、イルカ同士で仲良く泳いでいる様子を見て、動物の世界にも絆があるのだと感じました。

体験が終わった後はランチを食べました。海でたくさん動いた後だったので、とてもおいしく感じました。特に食事を食べたことで、船酔いしていた気分も少し落ち着きました。みんなで今日の体験について話しながら食べる時間も楽しく、良い思い出になりました。

今回のイルカ中学の体験を通して、イルカのかわいさや海の自然の素晴らしさを実際に感じることができました。また、自然の中で活動する楽しさだけでなく、海の環境を守ることの大切さについても考えるきっかけになりました。少し船酔いはしてしまいましたが、それ以上に楽しいことや感動したことが多く、また機会があればぜひ参加したいと思える体験でした。

I chose this experience to fulfill my mother's wish to see tropical fish without having to enter the ocean. It turned out to be a great decision. The cruise in the Hawaiian waters before boarding the submarine and the transfer to the submarine offshore was also a valuable experience. Once we boarded, I believe there was an element of luck involved that day, but we were able to see many fish. We even got to see manta rays swimming gracefully.

海には入りたくないが熱帯魚を見たいという母の願いを叶えるために選びました。結果は大正解です。潜水艦に乗るまでのハワイの海のクルージング、沖での潜水艦への乗り換えも貴重な体験です。いざ乗り込んでからは当日の運要素もあると思いますが、たくさんの魚を観ることができました。優雅に泳ぐマンタも観られました。

I participated with my son. The official website of Dolphin Junior High mentioned that an intermediate level of swimming is required. I was a bit anxious and inquired about it, and they said it would be fine as long as we could swim normally, so we decided to join. By the way, my son and I can only do freestyle and breaststroke.

I had plans the night before, so I was worried about the early morning schedule and had booked the 11:30 am trip. However, since the number of participants did not reach the required amount, we changed to the 7:30 am trip and participated. Although our hotel was not on the pickup list, we were lucky that it was very close by.

I was worried about seasickness ruining the experience, so I took motion sickness medication the night before and on the morning of the trip. The rental wetsuit was a half wetsuit, so I brought my own full-length half-sleeve wetsuit. By the way, my son and I are sensitive to the cold.

During the ride to the destination, Mito-san provided a thorough and enjoyable explanation about the dolphins, and we had a great time.

The Japanese staff member, Ken-san, was very friendly, kind, and accurately supported the three Japanese participants. There were about three Japanese speakers and around eight to ten English speakers. In any case, all the staff were wonderful, and we had a pleasant time. As soon as we set sail, we quickly spotted dolphins. When we jumped into the water, we were surrounded by a blue world with dolphins, which was truly moving.

We also got to snorkel in a spot where only small boats can enter, and we saw three baby honu (sea turtles), which were very beautiful. We even got to see a reef shark! If the sun had been out more, the light would have reached the ocean and made it even more beautiful.

Weather and ecology are natural phenomena that we can't control, but we were blessed with everything and were extremely satisfied! I'm so glad we decided to participate.

息子と一緒に参加しました。
イルカ中学のオフィシャルホームページに中級程度の泳ぎ〜と書いてありました。
不安に思い問い合わせると、普通に泳げれば大丈夫とのことでしたので、参加を決めました。ちなみに、私と息子が出来るのはクロールと平泳ぎです。
前日の夜に予定があったので、朝早いのが不安で11:30の便を予約していたのですが、遂行人数に達しないということで、7:30の便に変更して参加しました。
送迎対象のホテルでは無かったのですが、すぐ近くでラッキーでした。
船酔いで楽しめないのは残念なので、前日の夜と当日の朝に酔い止めを飲み参加しました。レンタルのウェットはハーフウェットなので、フルレングスハーフスリーブのウェットを持参しました。ちなみに、私と息子は寒がりです。

往路の車内ではMitoさんが丁寧に楽しくイルカの説明をしてくださり、楽しい時間を過ごせました。

warriorの日本語スタッフはKenさんで、とっても気さくで、優しく、適確に3名の日本人参加者をサポートしてくれました。日本語speakerは3名で英語speakerは8〜10人くらいだったでしょうか。
とにかくスタッフみんなが素敵で気持ち良い時間を過ごせましたし、出航してあっと言う間にイルカを発見、海に飛び込むと、青い世界にイルカがいて、感動そのものでした。

小型船しか入れないスポットでのシュノーケリングもホヌの子どもを3匹も観れて、とても美しかったですし、なんとリーフシャークまで拝めました。
もっと太陽が出ていたら、陽が海中に届いてもっと綺麗だったかもしれません。

天候や生態は、自然のことなので、どうにもなりませんが、全てに恵まれて大満足！！思い切って参加して心から良かったです。

I was a bit confused because there were supposed to be Japanese staff, but they were not present. It might have been part of the performance on the way to the location by boat, but it was quite intense, and my wife injured her finger on the boat. I also ended up with a whiplash-like pain in my neck and back. On the water, a female staff member was very helpful. We were able to see the manta rays rolling, but if the position of the lights had been adjusted a bit more, I think we could have observed them up close without clustering in one spot.

居るはずの日本語のスタッフがいなかったので少し戸惑った。ボートで現地に行く途中パフォーマンスかもしれないが激しかったので妻が船上で指をケガした、自分も首と腰がムチ打ちのようになった、
海上では女性の方が丁寧に補助してくれた。肝心のマンタのローリングはよく見れたが、照らすライトの位置をもっと工夫したら、1ヶ所に片寄らず近くで観察出来たと思う。

Guides were friendly, approachable and experienced in their craft. All questions and concerns were answered technically and thoughtfully. Would go again! 😃

Truly beautiful sunset cruise. The crew was friendly, the ride was perfect for relaxing and soaking in the sights. One of my favorite parts of our entire trip to Hawaii.

Great team of experts! This was my first time out in the ocean and it was a blast. They know what they’re doing and will make sure you’re safe the whole time. Will definitely check them out again in the future!

We got to see plenty of tropical fish and even a sea turtle up close, which was the highlight. As well, the crew was friendly teaching the ropes to the scooters!

The cage was secure and the guides stayed nearby the entire time to ensure everyone was comfortable. We saw several sharks circling which made the experience even more incredible.

The breakfast and open bar were a great bonus, and everything was well presented and enjoyable. The boat was comfortable with plenty of space to move around and take photos. The morning conditions were calm, making a smooth sail.

The catamaran was comfortable and offered space for viewing and photos. The morning timing was perfect with calm waters and beautiful scenery along the Maui coastline

The crew was friendly, knowledgeable, and made the entire tour relaxing and enjoyable and we were lucky to see several whales

We saw colorful tropical fish, coral reefs, shipwrecks, and sunken airplanes!

The boat on the way there was quite rocky, but the submarine was steady and very beautiful. Since we went on the day of arrival, I got a bit sleepy along the way, but it was fun!

行きの船がかなり揺れたけど潜水艦は揺れもなくとても綺麗でした。到着日に行ったので途中眠くなったけど楽しかったです！

I wanted to have a Hawaiian experience that even children could enjoy, so I signed up for the Dolphin Encounter. The program lasts about 30 minutes, during which participants take turns touching the dolphins, feeding fish, and taking commemorative photos. The experience of being so close to the dolphins in the same pool is rare, and my 6-year-old child and my wife both had a wonderful time.

After the program, we explored the park and fed the turtles and birds. The park itself isn't very large and has fewer activities, but the relaxed atmosphere was very pleasant.

On the day of our visit, there were at least two staff members who spoke Japanese, and they not only explained the dolphin interaction program but also greeted us every time we crossed paths in the park, creating a homely atmosphere. During the program, the explanations were given in English by specialized staff, but I believe that children would not have any trouble if they just watched the staff's gestures.

子どもでも楽しめるハワイ体験をしたいと思い、ドルフィン・エンカウンターに申し込みました。プログラムは30分間ほどで、参加者が順番にイルカに触ったりお魚をあげたり記念撮影をしたりすることができます。同じプールでイルカと触れ合える距離で過ごすという体験は貴重で、6歳になる子どもも妻もとても楽しく過ごすことができました。
プログラム後は園内を見て回り、カメや鳥の餌やりをしました。パーク自体はそれほど広くなくアクティビティは少なめですが、のんびりとした雰囲気が心地よかったです。

私たちの訪問日には日本語を話せるスタッフの方が少なくとも2名おられ、イルカとのふれあいプログラムの説明だけでなく、その後園内で顔を合わせるたびに声をかけてくださりアットホームな雰囲気でした。プログラムの最中は専門スタッフによる英語での説明だけになりますが、スタッフの方のジェスチャーを見ていれば子どもでも困ることはないと思います。

Took the family and everyone had a good time. Fairly standard aquarium. Would go again.

I was very satisfied to be able to interact so closely with the dolphins and also have photos taken. The staff were kind, and I had a great time.

イルカとこんなに身近に触れ合えて、かつ写真も撮ってもらえて大満足です。
スタッフの方も親切ですごく楽しめました。

What started out as a rainy morning ended up changing our destination for snorkeling. The crew was fantastic and had a plan to pivot so that we could still get in some snorkeling. By the time we arrived at our new snorkeling spot of Molokini Crater, the rain had stopped and the sun came out for a brief appearance. Due to it being whale season around the islands, dolphins are few and far between per the ship's captain. Whales were a fine alternative to spot and follow for a while on our cruise back towards Maui and during lunch. The grilled lunch options were good and hit the spot after some snorkeling.

Hawaii is in its rainy season, and indeed, it rained the day before, but the weather was nice and calm on the day of our trip. During the shuttle trolley ride from Waikiki to the port, we were warned that the boat is small and the restroom is really only for emergencies, so it's best to use the facilities at the port. The public restrooms at the port have a very old-fashioned feel, so if you're concerned, it might be a good idea to bring some flushable tissues.

As soon as we set sail, we spotted about three dolphins jumping in the distance, as if they were sending us off. There were no Japanese announcements on board, but judging from the shuttle trolley, I think there were a few other Japanese guests besides us.

Now, regarding the whales, we saw their backs breaking the surface of the water several times. According to the captain's explanation, it seems that a baby whale was practicing swimming.

Oh, and about the snacks on board, hot coffee was very popular. When we boarded, they had just run out, and since it would take time to brew more and we were about to set sail, I gave up on that. The donuts? Malasadas? They were almost sold out, likely because there were many families with children. We were told that there was a water dispenser over there for self-service, so I just drank water. In other words, unless you can get to the port early and board on your own, I wouldn't expect much in terms of snacks.

Back to the whales, they tried putting a microphone underwater to see if we could hear the whales' voices, and it seemed like it was quite a hit since many similar boats gathered around. However, the engine noise from those boats was louder, so it seemed we missed out on that. We did see some jumps, but capturing them in photos was difficult. The shape of a whale's tail fin is said to differ from individual to individual, like fingerprints, so the captain explained that if you send a photo of the tail fin to the appropriate site, they can identify the whale.

On our way back, they mentioned that we were running a bit late and would be returning to the port at full speed, which made me think they were really trying hard. All the staff were very efficient in their movements, yet they were friendly and approachable, which made for a pleasant experience.

ハワイは雨季だそうで、実際前日は雨でしたが、当日は穏やかな天気で良かったです。
ワイキキから港までの送迎トロリーの中で、船は小さくてトイレは本当に緊急時用なので、港で必ず行っといて、のように注意されるのですが、港の公衆トイレは昔ながらの公衆トイレ、という感じなので、気になる方は水に流せるティッシュを用意しておくといいかも。
出港すると早速、少し遠くの方でイルカが3頭ほどジャンプして、私たちを送り出してくれたようにも見えました。船内で日本語の案内は一切ありませんでしたが、送迎のトロリーの様子から推察すると、私たち以外にも数組、日本人客はいたと思います。
そして肝心のクジラですが、ちょっと水面に背中が出てきたり、というのは何度も見ました。船長さんの説明によると、赤ちゃんクジラが泳ぎの練習中なのでしょうと。
そうそう、船内でのおやつですが、ホットコーヒーは大人気で、私たちが乗船したタイミングではちょうどなくなったところで、また沸かすまで時間かかるしもうすぐ出港するからと言われたので諦めました。ドーナツ? マラサダ? も、家族連れの子供たちが多かったせいか、ほぼ売り切れ状態だったので、水ならウォーターサーバーがあそこにあるからセルフサービスでどうぞ、のように言われて、私は水だけ飲んでました。つまり、自力で港に行けて早めに乗船できない限り、期待しないほうがいいと思います。
で、クジラの話に戻ると、この日は水中にマイク(?)を入れて、クジラの声が聞けるかな? というのを試してくれたのですが、どうやらかなりの大当たりだったらしく、周りに同じような船がたくさん集まっていて、そういう船のエンジン音の方が響くからということで、こちらは空振りだったようです。でも一応ジャンプするのは見えました。ただ写真に収めるのは難しいです。クジラの尾ヒレの形状は、指紋のように個体ごとに異なるそうなので、然るべきサイトに尾ひれの写真を送ると、クジラの個体を特定してくれる、という説明も船長さんから聞きました。予定よりちょっと遅れてしまったので全速力で港に戻ります、のようなことを帰り際に言っていたので、すごく頑張ってくださったのだなと思いました。スタッフの皆さん、全員キビキビ動いていて、でも私たちには気さくに接してくださって気持ちよかったです。