All Reviews for Marine Wildlife Encounters

I participated in a tour for my honeymoon. During the day, I saw dolphins at Dolphin High School, then strolled around the town of Kona, and at night, I enrolled directly into Manta University! Since I had rented a car, I joined the group on-site. (The location can be hard to find on the map, so I recommend arriving early.)

There were about three staff members and around 15 customers. The Japanese instructor, Tori, was very cheerful and friendly. There was also an American captain and another American instructor. English-speaking guests were on the same board, heading to the spot while watching the sunset.

Once we arrived at the spot, we held onto a board with blue lights and waited for the manta rays to arrive while snorkeling. At first, they didn't come, and I thought I was getting tired, but then two manta rays appeared right in front of me and started swirling around! We weren't allowed to touch them, but the waves made our bodies sway quite a bit, and I thought I might bump into a manta ray (laughs).

There were also divers at the bottom, shining underwater flashlights to create blue lights. It felt like being in outer space.

I got pretty tired from the swaying, but it was a great experience.

新婚旅行でツアー参加しました。昼間はイルカ高校でイルカを見た後、コナの街でブラブラして、夜はそのままマンタ大学に入学！レンタカー借りていたので、現地合流。（場所は地図では分かりにくいので、早めに行くことをお勧めします）
スタッフは3人、お客さん15名くらいかな。日本人インストラクターのトリさんは非常に明るくてフレンドリーな方。アメリカ人の船長と、もう一名アメリカ人のインストラクターがいます。英語圏のお客さんも同じボードに乗って、夕日を見ながらポイントに向かう。
ポイントに着いたら、ブルー色の照明が積んであるボードに捕まって、スノーケリング状態でマンタの到来を待つ。最初はなかなか来なくて、疲れたなと思ったら、2枚のマンタが目の前に来てぐるぐる回り始めました！手で触ってはいけないのですが、波で体はかなり揺れるので、マンタにぶつかるかと思いました（笑）。
水底にはダイビングの方もいて、水中電灯でブルー色の明かりを照らしていました。宇宙にいるような感覚でした。
揺れで結構疲れましたが、いい体験となりました。

While the activity itself was good and the captain and crew were attentive....the travel arrangements were subpar and caused eight of us to squeeze into vehicles not meant to transport that many people. The other tour participants ranged from families with small children to young adults who called it a "booze cruise" .... I would suggest that the tours be advertised as either "family friendly" or a "party tour", which is one that freely hands out alcohol to young folks who are interested in partying. Having tours designated as such would allow the people seeking the particular type of activity to choose which tour to sign up for, the company can have it both ways. Overall, we enjoyed the activity ... Just not all of our fellow passengers.

One of the best experience of my life !!! Amazing sharks & Incredible crew! Thank you very much for that! I will come back very very soon ;-)

My younger brother, who loves whales, strongly wanted to participate, so our family of five joined in.

We were told that we would likely see them, but unfortunately, due to the bad weather, we weren't able to see any whales, which is quite rare. Even so, the guide did their best to announce flying fish and other marine life.

Additionally, they provided free tickets for another day in case we didn't see anything, so my brother tried again the next day, but unfortunately, he didn't see any whales again.

I think we just had bad luck... but I definitely want to try again!

クジラ好きな弟の強い希望で、家族5人で参加しました。

ほぼ見れるとのことでしたが、あいにくの悪天候の為珍しく見れなかったようです。
それでも、ガイドさんは必死でトビウオ等のアナウンスをしてくださいました。
また、見れなかった場合には別日に無料で乗れる券を配布していたので
翌日弟が再挑戦したのですが、残念ながらまた見れなかったそうです。

運が悪かっただけだと思いますが・・・
またリベンジしたいです！！

I was able to see manta rays (^_^)v. The tour was conducted in Japanese, and my elderly husband and I participated, feeling安心して参加出来ました (able to participate with peace of mind). Thank you, Tori-chan. At first, I was very anxious, but I’m glad I took the plunge and joined; it was really great. I was very satisfied. The starry sky on the way back was beautiful too.

マンタ見れました(^_^)v
ツアー日本語で案内して頂き、年配夫婦で参加しましたが安心して参加出来ました。
トリちゃんお世話になりました。最初はとても不安でしたが、思い切って参加してとても良かったです。大満足でした。帰りの星空も奇麗でした。

I participated in the night ocean tour while nervously anticipating the big manta rays.

We traveled to the spot by boat. Super fast!! While enjoying the beautiful sunset, our Japanese guide, Tori, explained the precautions and the ecology of the manta rays. Each manta has a name, and Tori said she could tell them apart. Amazing!! Incredible!! Also, if you get seasick, you might feel it on the boat. So, the advice was to look far away instead of nearby!

When we arrived at the manta spot, there were lots of boats!

There was a light directed towards the seabed under a surfboard, and we watched the manta rays come to the light while feeding on plankton. We floated, holding onto the rope attached to the surfboard, using only snorkels without fins, waiting for the mantas.

The night ocean was sparkling with plankton, like jewels, creating a very magical atmosphere. Watching the twinkling plankton made time feel slow, as if I had entered another dimension.

As I was daydreaming, a large manta ray came by. It swam so close that I thought it would bump into me as it did a full turn! At first, I was nervous, but I gradually got used to it and thought, "Come on, manta!"

Before I knew it, time flew by as I was completely absorbed in the experience.

When we got back on the boat, it had turned completely dark, even though it was beautiful with the sunset before we left.

Despite wearing a wetsuit, it was still cold.

This tour was wonderful because our guide, Tori, was very kind and lovely. She remembered my name and called me by it, which made me feel a sense of closeness and made me want to come back! Additionally, I learned more about the Big Island, making it a two-for-one tour.

夜の海ツアー＆大きなマンタにビクビクしながら参加しました。

スポットまではボートで移動。
超スピード！！
横目にキレイなサンセットが見ながら、
日本人ガイドのトリちゃんが注意事項やマンタの生態などについて説明してくれ、
各々マンタには名前が付いていて、
トリちゃんは見分けられると言っていました。
驚き！！
すごい！！
そして、ボートの揺れに酔う人は酔うかも。
と言うことで、近くを見ないで、遠くを見ること！と注意事項。

マンタのスポットに着くとボートがいっぱい！

サーフボード？の下に海底に向けてライトがついていて
その光に寄ってきながらプランクトンを食べるマンタを見ます。
フィンなしでシュノーケルのみでサーフボードについている縄を持ちながら
浮かんでマンタを待ちます。

夜の海中はプランクトンがキラキラと宝石のようでとても幻想的。
キラキラ舞うプランクトンを見ていると
時間軸もゆっくりゆっくり。。
別の異次元にきたように感じました。

ぼんやりしていると、大きなマンタが来ました。
大きな体をくるっと一回転して、私の身体にぶつかる！と思うほど
近くを通っていきました。
最初は、ドキドキしましたが、次第に慣れてきて、
マンタ！きて！！と思いました。

夢中になっていると時間はアッと言う間でした。

ボートにあがると、出発前は夕陽でキレイだったのに
真っ暗になっていました。

そしてウエットスーツを着ているにも関わらず寒かったです。

このツアーはガイドのトリちゃんがとても親切でステキな方です。
名前を憶えてくれ、名前で呼んでもらえることで
親近感を持てて嬉しかったし、また来たい！と思いました。
更に、ハワイ島の情報を教えてもらい、一石二鳥のツアーでした。

I visited the Big Island of Hawaii for the first time, and my main goal was to see manta rays! That's why I joined this tour.

First, there was our Japanese female guide, Torichan (sorry, I forgot her full name...). We drove there by rental car, but the place was so vast that we couldn't find the university and ended up going in circles until she kindly approached us. She had a perfect sun-kissed body, was energetic and kind, and made the tour enjoyable.

The tour started with us changing into wetsuits and listening to a brief explanation and safety instructions. Then we set off on a Zodiac boat. The boat had long benches facing away from each other, but we were thrilled to sit facing forward on the cooler at the front! (Once we left the harbor, we got to ride on the edge of the boat like on a banana boat.) It was exhilarating and quite bumpy. My companion gets seasick, so they took medication beforehand, but the rocking was so intense that it was beyond just feeling sick (laughs)...

Once we arrived at the spot, we took turns entering the night sea, holding onto modified surfboards, and waited for the manta rays while snorkeling horizontally. To keep ourselves horizontal, we placed our feet on noodles to float. They would slip off quickly, but if you shouted, "It slipped off!" the guide would help you put your feet back on. The guide did an amazing job in the pitch-black sea. m(_ _)m

Fortunately, we didn't have to wait long, and the manta rays came right away! It was truly incredible! We were so excited to see three to four manta rays gracefully swimming slowly! (This excitement continued in the car ride back and even after returning to the hotel.) After about 20 minutes, the manta rays swam away, and the tour ended safely.

On the way back, we enjoyed the thrill of speeding across the dark sea. I don't get seasick, but there were about 19 people, both Japanese and foreigners, and some of them felt unwell. Since there's a possibility of getting seasick while moving on the boat or floating in the sea, I recommend being in good health and fully prepared to participate. Otherwise, the amazing experience might be diminished.

Actually, we had to change our original reservation date due to bad weather, and I appreciate the courteous handling of the cancellation notice and reservation change over the phone. We were scheduled to move to Oahu the day after, so it was great that we could seize this last chance.

I'm glad I graduated from university after skipping middle and high school!!

今回初めてハワイ島を訪れました。その最大の目的はマンタを見ること！そのためこのツアーに参加しました。
まずは日本人女性ガイドのとりちゃん（すみません、フルネーム忘れました...）。レンタカーで行ったのですが、場所が広すぎて大学が発見できずグルグルしていると、声をかけて頂きました。完璧な日焼けボディで、元気で優しく、ツアーを楽しませてもらいました。
ツアーは、ウェットスーツに着替えて最初簡単な説明と注意事項等を聞き、ゾディアックボートで出発。ボートには背中合わせで横向きに長椅子があるのですが、私たちは先頭のクーラーボックスに正面向きに座らせてもらい感激！（港を出るとボートの淵にバナナボート風に乗せてもらえます。）スピード感あり結構揺れて楽しめます。連れは船酔いするため事前に薬は飲んではいたものの、揺れが激しすぎて酔うどころではなかったと（苦笑）...
さてポイントに到着後、順番に夜の海に入り改造サーフボードにつかまり、身体水平シュノーケリングでマンタを待ちます。水平を保つためヌードルに足の甲をのせて浮かせます。すぐに外れますが「外れたぁ～！」と叫べば、ガイドさんがまた足をのせてくれます。ガイドさん真っ暗な海上で大仕事です。m(_ _)m
この日はそれほど待つこともなく、すぐにマンタやってきました！ほんと、ヤバいです！この日は３～４枚ほどのマンタの優雅でスローな泳ぎに大興奮！！（この興奮は、帰りの車中はもちろん、ホテルへ戻ってからも続いてました。）２０分程でマンタもどこかへ行ってしまって、無事終了。
帰りも真っ暗な海を疾走するボートを楽しめます。
僕は船酔いしないのですが、この日も日本人＋外国人あわせて１９名ほどいらっしゃいましたが、具合を悪くされた方がいらっしゃいました。ボート移動や海に浮かんでいる時など酔われる可能性あるので、体調は整えて準備万端で参加されることをお勧めします。最高の感動が半減しちゃいますからね。
実は私たちは、当初の予約日が荒天のため翌日に変更してもらいました。その際も現地にてお電話で中止連絡頂や予約変更をご丁寧に対応頂き、感謝しております。翌々日はオアフ島へ移動する予定だったので、ラストチャンスを物にでき良かったです。
中・高とばして大学夜学部を無事卒業できてよかったです！！

Thus was an amazing sight, we saw so many sharks, the staff was wonderful. I would highly recommend this.

I participated with my mother. Unfortunately, I ended up just observing, but the beautiful blue sea, great weather, and the sea breeze while riding the boat made it truly the best time. The photos taken by the dedicated photographer are also treasures from this trip.

Next time, I will see dolphins in the water too!

母と参加しました。
残念ながらわたしは見学することになってしまったのですが、青い海といいお天気、潮風に吹かれて船に乗っているだけでも本当に最高の時間でした。
専属カメラマンの方にとっていただいた写真も今回の旅行の宝物です。

次こそわたしも海の中でいるかを見ます！

Glad I decided to do this, it was awesome!!! Best activity on the North Shore!! Saw a ton of sharks, well worth the seasickness I got after. Staff was great and very helpful!! I would recommend this to anyone and can't wait to do it again!

First I was really afraid because I can barely float, I don't swimming if is not at the pool and going short distance. But I decided to have a new experience as a solo traveler in Hawaii as my first visit. The crew were just amazing, the lady at office received me with a big smile and was very friendly. The rest of the crew really made me feels good and my fears went away. When we got to the spot in the sea the first animal I saw was a turtle, and was an amazing feeling. While the crew organizing every scooter the only thing in my mind was "oh please I don't want to be the first one", after the captain told me I will be the next, I ended up being the third person going under. Words can not explain, you really need to go and have this experience where you can actually be close and touch animals under the sea.
I was lucky enough to see turtles, different kind of fish and even an octopus that got stuck on my big helmet for my pictures and video.
By the end of the day I got my photos and video, I've played my video and couldn't believe that the woman was me, they really did a good job, from the beginning to the end
I really recommend BOB's Adventure underwater scooter, specially if you don't swim at all, like me.


PS: I took the bus to get there from downtown, the commute was really easy and you will get so see more.

Great time lots of sharks. Water can be choppy ...I swam with the sharks and my wife fed them unintentionally If you know what I mean. Take meds for motion 4 sure

First time ever swimming with sharks and it was definitely one of the coolest experiences of my life. Naturally, I was pretty nervous but the moment I stepped on the boat and met the owner/boat captain and his two employees I was immediately put at ease. They are all local guys who are extremely knowledgeable about sharks, told us what to expect, and gave very specific instructions. The owner said he has been doing this for 30 years. Plus, they were very kind and personable which added to the experience.The safety swimmer gets in the water before you and is with you the entire time. He will hold your hand if you are nervous. Sharks are misunderstood creatures so put your preconceived notions and fears about them aside and go on this adventure! You won't regret it!

Swimming with sharks was incredible, unforgettable experience! Staff was very well educated and friendly. Time spent in the water was enough to see the sharks. Highly recommend it for anyone! Don't be scared, its completely safe.

First, we watched an explanation video about underwater scooters in an office-like area on the second floor, used the restroom, and those who weren't wearing swimsuits changed. At this point, two different colored paper tapes were wrapped around our wrists.

Everyone boarded the boat, but some groups were given marine shoes (probably based on the color of the paper tape) and were told to leave their belongings on the boat and get off because they would go to the sandbar on a different boat first. The boat to the sandbar went quite fast, which was a bit scary but fun! However, even though it was called a sandbar, the seawater was up to our chests, and when the waves got a bit high, we were splashed over our heads. A female staff member who spoke Japanese taught us how to use the stand-up paddle. You can ride with two people. She said that if you have a smartphone in a waterproof case, she would take pictures for you, and she took a lot of photos. We took turns enjoying it in groups of four, but while others were taking their turns, there wasn't much to do, so I thought it would be nice to have a float. The female staff members were always on floats, though (laughs).

After a while, the first boat we boarded returned, and we joined everyone else to move a bit offshore to use the underwater scooters. The moment we entered the helmet part of the scooter, we submerged in the sea. I didn't operate the scooter at all. When I placed my hands on the handlebars, the diver gestured for me to remove them a few times, and he operated the handlebars himself.

There was a sea turtle, and he pulled the scooter close to it! The scooter had food attached, and when I waved the net with the food, fish came to eat, and I was able to take many pictures from inside the helmet. The water was truly a beautiful blue, and I was moved by it.

While the next person was using the underwater scooter, we borrowed snorkeling gear and enjoyed it, but when we returned to the boat after the scooter, many people said they were cold, and some chose not to snorkel. Snacks and water were available for unlimited consumption, and everyone ate quite a bit. We could decide whether to purchase the photos taken by the diver after seeing them. I didn't purchase either the photos or the videos.

We had time to change and use the restroom until we got on the return vehicle. There were no towels laid on the seats, and since my swimsuit was still a bit wet, I placed a towel I used to dry off on the seat before sitting down.

最初に2階の事務所のようなところで水中スクーターの説明ビデオを見たりトイレに行ったり水着を着てない人は着替えたりしました。ここで色の違う紙テープのようなもの2本が手首に巻かれます。
1度みんな船に乗りましたが、何組かはマリンシューズを渡されて(多分紙テープの色によって)先に別のボートでサンドバーに行くから荷物を置いて船からおりて、と言われました。サンドバーへ行くボートは結構スピードを出して少し怖かったですが楽しかったです！しかしサンドバーといっても海水は胸まであり、少し高い波がくると頭からかぶります。女性の日本語が話せるスタッフがスタンドアップパドルのやり方を教えてくれます。2人で乗ることもできます。防水ケースに入れたスマホを持っていると写真撮ってあげるよ！と言ってくれてたくさん撮ってくれました。4組で交代交代に楽しみましたが他の方がやっている間は特にすることがなく海の中で立っているだけなので浮輪があればいいなと思いました。女性スタッフだけは常に浮輪にのってましたが(笑)
しばらくすると最初に乗った船が来てしてみなさんと合流して少し沖へ移動し水中スクーターをします。スクーターのヘルメット部分に入る瞬間は海に潜ります。 スクーターの操作は全くしていません。ハンドルに手を置いていると手をどけろみたいなジェスチャーを何回かされダイバーがハンドルを操作してなにかしてました。
ウミガメがいたのですぐ近くまでスクーターを引っ張って行ってくれました！スクーターには餌が付いていてその餌の網を振ると魚が食べに来てヘルメットの中から写真をたくさん撮れました。海の中は本当にきれいな青色で感動しました。
シュノーケリングは次の人が水中スクーターをしている間に勝手に道具を借り楽しむ感じでしたが水中スクーターを終えて船に戻ると寒いと言っている人が多くシュノーケリングはやらない人もいました。スナック菓子とお水は食べ飲み放題でみなさん結構食べてました。ダイバーが撮ってくれた写真は見てから購入するか決めれます。動画は見てませんが私はどちらも購入しませんでした。
帰りの車に乗るまで着替えたりトイレに行く時間がありました。座席にタオルなどは敷かれておらず、まだ少し水着が濡れていたので体をふいたタオルを敷いて座りました。

The car in the photo picks you up, but then you switch to a big bus at a different hotel. The scenery on the way is quite beautiful, and I joined the tour because I wanted to swim with dolphins. You can really swim with them, just a little bit... There are about five people at a time, so it's a bit of a conveyor-belt experience interacting with the dolphins, which takes time because there are many pickups. It might be better to go by rental car. I felt that the dolphin shows in Japan are more impressive. You can also eat inside the park, but don't expect too much; it's just average. There aren't many attractions in the park, and taking photos with the parrots is also charged.

　写真の車がお迎えし、っと思いきや、違うホテルででかいバスに乗り換えて行きます。行きの景色はなかなかきれいな景色、イルカとも泳ぎたくてツアーに参加しました。ホントに泳げます　　少しですが・・・　人数が５人ずつくらいで、流れ作業的なイルカとの触れ合い　笑い　ピックアップも沢山いるので時間かかります。レンタカーで行くのがお勧めかも～　日本のイルカShowの方が凄いと感じました。笑　園内での食事もできますが期待しないでください。普通です。園内のアトラクションはけしてたくさんはありません、オウムと写真撮るのも有料ですので・・・

It was an expensive course, but I had a great time interacting with the dolphins. However, other dolphin shows might have a higher quality in Japan. The photos and DVDs are also pricey. It might be unavoidable for the sake of the dolphins.

お高いコースでしたが、イルカにふれあい、とても楽しかったです。ただ、他のイルカショーなどは日本のクオリティのほうが高いかもしれません。写真やDVDもお高いです。イルカのためにはしょうがないかもしれません。

We used this service with our family during the New Year. Unfortunately, we didn't encounter any whales during our trip, so it ended up being just a regular cruise. It's something that can't be helped, but it might be tough for those who can't accept that. The kids were quite disappointed. I wish we had explained beforehand that "there might be times when we won't see any whales."

正月に家族で利用しました。私たちが参加した時は鯨に遭遇出来ませんでした。よってただのクルージングに。こればかりは仕方ないですね。って気持ちで参加できる方でないと厳しいかも。子供たちは結構ガッカリしてました。事前に「クジラには逢えない場合もあるからね」と説明しておけばよかったと、思いました。

I joined because I heard I could meet wild dolphins! On the day of the event, while waiting at the designated spot, a bus with a dolphin illustration arrived, and I thought, "This is it!" As I was taking a photo, it turned out to be the Dolphin University bus, and a lady called out to us, "Dolphin Middle School is over here! We're middle schoolers!" (laughs)

That lady talked enthusiastically about Hawaii, dolphins, and important notes for meeting dolphins while we were on the bus! Listening to her talk about dolphins made me feel her love for them, and I was really glad she was our guide (*^^*).

When we arrived at the port, we checked the size of our fins and changed into wetsuits. It costs $10, so I didn't want to force anyone, but they said the seawater is colder than you think, and it would be sad if we couldn't enjoy it because of the cold... So I borrowed one, and I was glad I did! Before getting wet, it was almost too warm, but once we were in the water and during the boat ride, the strong wind would have made it really cold without the wetsuit.

Finally, we set off! I was worried about not seeing any dolphins since they are wild, but we spotted them sooner than expected! It took about 20 minutes, I think. Diving into the sea while recalling what I learned on the bus, I initially felt anxious about snorkeling, but once I put my face in the water, my worries disappeared!

A pod of dolphins was swimming right below me, and they were everywhere, so I was desperately trying to follow them! Even when I thought they had swum away, they would come back from behind, and I was so moved to see so many of them...!

We moved to another spot where there were turtles and tropical fish. I was surprised to see a super huge turtle swimming right nearby!! Behind it were a medium-sized turtle and a tiny turtle! I learned that dolphins are the teachers and turtles are the professors, so my friend and I got excited, saying, "Look, a big professor!" (laughs)

A small turtle came up close enough to touch, and we could see it really up close! It was actually hard not to touch it (laughs). After seeing the turtles, I thought we were done, but when we returned to the boat, the captain called out, "One more time, dolphins!" and took us back to where the dolphins were!

I could feel the captain's desire to let us enjoy as much as possible, and I was really glad I signed up for this tour! (*^^*) The last dolphins were truly abundant, jumping around the boat even before we got in the water! Once we were in, I saw dolphins swimming right below me, and then there were more in front of me, circling around for a long time. It was truly moving! My friend even got to see a dolphin come up right next to her for a breath!

I remembered the lady on the bus saying, "Dolphins communicate with ultrasound, so they can understand our feelings, and miraculous things can really happen! So talk to them a lot and enjoy!" (*^^*)

When we returned to the boat, we were given warm tea and light snacks, including cheese, granola, and spam rice balls! The spam rice balls were so delicious after all that swimming! We also had sweet pineapple for dessert, which was really tasty!

I had such a fulfilling time (*^^*). When we returned to the bus, there was an announcement about purchasing photos. If you buy the data, a URL is sent via email, and you can download it within a month. If you want a USB, you have to go to the office to pick it up, so I think the data option is more convenient! There were many photos that I couldn't have taken myself, so I was glad I purchased them too!

The only disappointing thing was that the lady who talked to us on the way there was replaced by someone else when we departed. Of course, the other person was very nice too, but I regretted not being able to thank her in person and not being able to take a photo together. I think her name was Julie. She was very energetic and full of love for dolphins, sharing lots of trivia about them

野生のイルカに会えると知り参加しました！
当日、指定の場所で待っているとイルカのイラストが書いてあるバスが来たので、あっこれだ！と思い写真を撮っているとイルカ大学のバスだったようで、「イルカ中学はこっちこっち！うちらは中坊だから！」とお姉さんに呼ばれました(笑)
そのお姉さんはバスの中でもハワイのことからイルカのこと、イルカ会うための注意事項などなど、元気いっぱいにたっくさん話してくれました！イルカについて話を聞いているとお姉さんのイルカ愛が伝わってきて、このお姉さんが担当で良かったなと思いました(*^^*)
港についてフィンのサイズを確認し、ウェットスーツに着替えました。＄10かかるので強制はしたくないんですが、海水は思ってる以上に冷たいから、着た方がいいよ、寒さのせいで楽しめなかったら悲しいから…と言われ、確かにそうだなと思い借りました。結果借りてよかったです！濡れる前は逆に暑いくらいでしたが、濡れてからは海の中ではもちろん、ボートで移動中すごい風を浴びるので着てなければ寒かったと思います。
いよいよ出発！野生のイルカなので会えなかったらどうしよう……と不安もありましたが、予想以上に早くイルカを発見！20分かかったかな？
バスの中で教えてもらったことを思い出しながら海にダイブ！最初はシュノーケルうまくできるかな？と不安でしたが、海に顔をつけたら不安なくなりました！
真下をイルカの群れが泳いでて、あちこちにいるので追うのに必死でした！でも行っちゃった～と思ってもまた後ろから泳いできてくれたり、たくさん見れて感動……！
場所移動して今度はカメや熱帯魚がいるスポットへ。
超～～でっかいカメがすぐそこを泳いでてびっくり！！その後ろに中くらいのカメとちっちゃいカメもいました！
イルカが先生でカメは教授って教わってたので、友人と大教授だー！と盛り上がりました(笑)
小さい子が触れそうなくらい海面まで上がってきてホントに間近で見れました！むしろ触らないようにするのが大変なくらい(笑)
カメも見たしもう終わりかな～と思いながらボートに戻ると、船長さんが「もう一回、イルカ！」と声をかけてくれてまたイルカのいるところへ連れていってくれました！
時間が許す限り楽しませようという気持ちが伝わってきて、このツアーに申し込んでホントに良かったなと思いました！(*^^*)
最後のイルカはもうホントにたくさんいて、海に入る前からボートの周りをたくさんジャンプして姿を見せてくれました！海に入っても、真下泳いでたと思ったら前にもいるし、真下でぐるぐる回って長い間イルカたちがそばにいてくれて、本当に感動しました！友人はすぐ真横にイルカが上がってきて息継ぎ？するところも見れたそうです！
バスでお姉さんが「イルカは超音波で会話するから、私たちの気持ちも分かってくれるし奇跡みたいなことも本当に起こるから！たくさん話しかけて楽しんで♪」って言ってたのを思い出しました(*^^*)
ボートに戻ると暖かいお茶と軽食をいただきました。チーズとグラノーラとスパムおにぎりも！たくさん泳いだ後のスパムおにぎりとっても美味しかった！デザートにパイナップルもいただきましたが、これが甘くてこれまた美味しかったです！
とっても充実した時間を過ごせました(*^^*)
バスに戻って写真の購入の案内がありました。
データで購入する場合はURLがメールで送られてきて１ヶ月以内にダウンロードする感じでした。USBだと事務所？まで取りに行かないといけないのでデータが便利だと思います！自分では撮れないような写真がたくさんだったので、これも購入してよかったです♪
ひとつだけ残念だったことは、行きのバスの中で話してくれたお姉さんが、何かあったのか出発するときに違う方に代わったことです。もちろん他の方もとても良い方でしたが、最後にお礼を言えなかったことと一緒に写真が撮れなかったことが心残りでした。
お名前ジュリさんって方だったと思います。とても元気でイルカ愛に溢れてて、イルカの豆知識やどうしたらイルカが怖がらないかなどたくさん教えてくれました。フィンはゆっくり大きく水面は蹴らないようになどなど、本当にためになりました！
直接お礼を言えなかったのでこちらで失礼します。
今度参加する機会があればぜひジュリさんと一緒に泳ぎたいです(*^^*)
本当にありがとうございました！！

This was my first time snorkeling, but after seeing the experiences and photos here, I wanted to swim with dolphins and sea turtles, so I decided to participate.

After 6 AM, I got on the shuttle bus to leave Waikiki, feeling a bit dazed due to my low blood pressure and my struggle with mornings. There were about 20 participants, ranging from energetic seniors, mainly young couples, to small children. During the ride to the West Coast, where we could see dolphins, we had a fun lesson about dolphins, learning about their ecology and safety tips in the water.

Upon arrival at the spot, those who wanted to could rent a wetsuit for $10. Almost everyone, both men and women, rented one that day. Given the temperature and water temperature in mid-September, I don't think it would feel particularly cold without one, but wearing it can provide peace of mind for those who are unsure about swimming since it helps you float in the water.

Once we boarded the motorized rubber boat, the guide assigned us seating positions to balance the weight evenly. After that, we put on our fins and masks to check the sizes, and once we were ready, off we went!!

In just about 15 minutes of running, we arrived right next to a pod of dolphins! (It seemed we were quite lucky that day, as there are days when you might not encounter them for about an hour.) Before meeting the dolphins, we all entered the water for a practice swim. Then we approached the pod again by boat and watched the surface closely. When we spotted the black dorsal fins, we finally found the dolphins we had been longing to see! I had hoped to swim at the same level as the dolphins, but with the life jacket and wetsuit making me float, I ended up looking down at the dolphins swimming below me. Still, I was thrilled to see a baby dolphin jump right in front of me; it was so cute!

Next, we moved to a point where we could see sea turtles and beautiful fish. After taking off our life jackets and diving into the water, I was surrounded by colorful fish in shades of yellow and light blue, swirling around me like a treasure chest, which felt incredibly luxurious. I could only see the sea turtles from the boat, but the underwater world I experienced for the first time was amazing.

Lastly, regarding photos, you can purchase those taken by the accompanying photographer for $50. It includes not only shots of the participants and underwater scenes but also a collection of past best shots featuring the adorable dolphins and sea turtles. Although it’s a bit pricey, you’re guaranteed to get better photos than if you took them yourself.

The cheerful staff provided detailed support, making it a tour that can be enjoyed by both adults and children, so I highly recommend it.

シュノーケリングは初めてでしたが、こちらの体験談や写真を見てイルカやウミガメと一緒に
泳いでみたくて参加しました。

朝６時過ぎ、低血圧でとにかく朝が苦手なのでボーっとしながら迎えのバスに乗り込みワイキキを出発。参加者は20名程度でしたが、若いご夫婦を中心に元気いっぱいのシニアの方々から小さなお子さんまで様々でした。
イルカが見られるウエストコーストへ向かう車内ではイルカに関する授業が行われ、イルカの生態や海の中での注意事項まで楽しく学べます。

ポイントへ到着すると、希望者は10＄でウエットスーツを借りられます。この日は男女共ほぼ全員が借りていました。９月中旬のこの日の気温・水温では、なくても特別寒さは感じないと思いますが、着ると水中で体が勝手に浮くので泳ぎが不安な方は着ておくと安心でしょう。

エンジン付きのゴムボートに乗り込むと、ガイドさんによりボートの上で体重が均等になるよう座る位置を振り分けられます。その後、フィンやマスクを装着してサイズを確認し、準備が整ったらいざ出発！！

そして走ることわずか15分ほどでイルカの群れがいるすぐそばまで到着！（この日はかなりラッキーだったようで、1時間ぐらい出会えない日もあるとのこと）
まずイルカと対面する前に一度全員で海に入り、泳ぎの練習を行います。
そこから再度ボートで群れに近づき、水面をじっと見守ります。
黒い背びれが見えたらついに念願のイルカ発見！！
イルカと同じ目線で泳げることを期待していましたが、ライフジャケットとウエットスーツで身体が浮いてしまうので、実際は群れになって泳ぐイルカたちを上から見下ろすような格好になります。それでも、小さな赤ちゃんイルカが目の前でくるんとジャンプする瞬間が見れ、その可愛さにキュンとしました☆

そこから今度はウミガメやきれいな魚たちが見られるポイントへ移動。
ライフジャケットを脱いで水の中へ潜ると、黄色や淡いブルーなど色とりどりの魚たちが自分の周りをグルグルと行き交ってる様子がまるで宝石箱のようで最高に贅沢な気分でした☆☆
肝心のウミガメはボートの上からしか見られませんでしたが、初めて見る海の中の世界は素晴らしいものでした。

最後に写真についてですが、同行するカメラマンが取ってくれたものを50＄で購入することが出来ます。参加メンバーや水中の様子はもちろん、イルカやウミガメのかわいい姿が見られる
過去のベストショット集までついているので、値は張りますが自分で撮るより確実にいい写真が
手に入ります。

明るいスタッフの方々がきめ細かくサポートしてくださり、大人から子供まで幅広く楽しめるツアーですので、ぜひおすすめします。

I participated in this tour because I wanted to see wild mantas, which you have a high chance of encountering. Since I had rented a car, I opted for a meeting point, but it was a bit difficult to find. The meeting place is at Honokohau Harbor, not Honokohau Marina (you need to take the first right after entering the side road from the highway), and I wandered around the area for a while.

The tour had a mixed team of foreigners and Japanese, and there was a Japanese-speaking guide as well. After departing, we headed to the manta spot on a high-speed boat while enjoying a very beautiful sunset. The 20-minute journey was thrilling at high speed. Although I usually don’t get seasick, I felt a bit queasy.

Once we arrived, we put on our snorkeling gear and floated on the surface, waiting for the mantas to come. It was exhilarating to see the mantas swimming close by, coming to eat the plankton in the water. I had never seen such a sight, with their mouths wide open.

However, the mantas weren't always in sight; in fact, we spent more time waiting while floating on the surface. It seems that this tendency is more pronounced on bright full moon nights.

All in all, it was a very impressive and extraordinary experience that is hard to come by.

一度は見てみたかった野生のマンタに高確率で遭遇できるとのことで、こちらのツアーに参加しました。
レンタカーを借りていたので現地集合にしましたが、集合場所はやや分かりにくいです。ホノコハウマリーナではなくホノコハウハーバー(ハイウェイから脇道に入って一つ目の分岐を右)の最も奥が集合場所で、しばらく付近をさ迷ってしまいました。
ツアーは外国の方と日本人の混成チームで、日本語のガイドの方もいらっしゃいます。
出航後は、非常に美しい夕日を見ながら高速ボートでマンタスポットまで向かいます。20分程の道のりは、ハイスピードでスリル満点。盛り上がりましたが、普段乗り物酔いしない私でもやや船酔いしました。
到着後は、シュノーケルを装置して海面に浮かび、マンタがやって来るのを待ちます。海中のプランクトンを食べにやって来たマンタが至近距離をグルグルと泳ぐ姿は美しく、非常に興奮しました。マンタの口の中まで丸見えで、あのような光景は見たことがありませんでした。
ただ、ずっとマンタが視界にいる訳ではなく、寧ろ海面に浮きながら待機する時間の方が長いです。満月の明るい夜はそのような傾向があるとのことです。
何はともあれ、なかなかできない非日常な体験ができ、非常に印象的でした。

First, when we arrived at the harbor and headed to the meeting point, the staff member, Tori-chan, greeted us very cheerfully and friendly! On that day, there were two couples, my husband and I, and a newlywed couple, along with four Japanese staff members from Honolulu participating.

Despite the small number of people, we got to ride on a large rubber boat! The edge of the rubber boat was designed like a banana boat, allowing us to enjoy activities while watching the beautiful sunset. As soon as we arrived, the sun began to set, and we all enjoyed the stunning sunset together, taking photos.

Once the sun went down and we looked at the sea, there were manta rays right there!! We quickly got ready and headed into the water! The sight of three manta rays dancing was exhilarating. Without having to wait for the manta rays to come to us, they approached us repeatedly, coming so close that we could almost touch them!!

The thirty minutes flew by, and the other tour guests returned to the boat. Tori-chan and the other staff members were very attentive, providing support and encouragement to me since I couldn't swim, allowing me to enjoy watching the manta rays without any anxiety. The only downside was that my camera didn’t work well, and I couldn’t take any photos underwater.

On the way back, we enjoyed a relaxing time under the full moonlight and the night view of Kona. With the banana boat ride, sunset, full moon, and night view, this tour offered many wonderful experiences beyond just the manta rays!!

At the end of the tour, we received a cute graduation certificate from Manta University. What kind of certificate it is will be a surprise for those who participate in the tour. Thank you so much, Tori-chan, the captain, and all the staff from Honolulu. Such a wonderful and emotional experience is rare! If you come to the Big Island, I definitely think you should join this tour.

まず、ハーバーに着いて集合場所に向かうと、スタッフの鳥ちゃんがとても明るくフレンドリーに話し掛けてくれました！当日は私たち夫婦と新婚さん夫婦の二組、そしてホノルルから来た日本人のスタッフさん４人の参加でした。
少ない人数ながら、大きいゴムボートに‼
ゴムボートの端じっこはバナナボートみたいになっていて、綺麗な夕日を見ながら、アクティビティーを満喫できます。
到着したと同時に、夕日が沈み始め、すごくキレイなサンセットをみんなで観賞したり、写真を撮ったり。
夕日が沈み、海を見ると、もうマンタがすぐそこに!!
早々に準備し、いざ海へ!
３枚のマンタが踊る姿に興奮がとまりません。マンタが来てくれるのを待つこともなく、次々に３枚のマンタが何度も何度も触ってしまう距離まで
来てくれました!!
あっという間の３０分間が終わり、他のツアー客もみんなボートへ。
鳥ちゃんや他のスタッフさんが泳げない私への声掛けやフォローを丁寧にしてくれて、少しの不安もなく、マンタが踊る姿を楽しめました。ただ、カメラがうまく機能せず、海の中の写真が全然取れなかったのだけが残念です・・。
帰りは、満月の月明かりとコナの夜景にうっとりしながら、まったりとした時間を過ごす事ができました。
バナナボートにサンセット、満月に夜景と、このツアーではマンタ以外にもいくつもの感動が味わえました!!
また、ツアーの最後にマンタ大学のかわいい卒業証書がもらえます。どんな卒業証書かは、ツアーに参加してのお楽しみに。
鳥ちゃん、船長さん&ホノルルスタッフのみなさん本当にお世話になりました。こんな素敵な感動体験はめったにできません！
ハワイ島に来たなら、是非参加してみるべきツアーだと思います。

Thank you very much. Thank you very much. Thank you very much. Thank you very much. Thank you very much.

ありがとうございます。
ありがとうございます。ありがとうございます。ありがとうございます。ありがとうございます。

I enjoyed this activity with my wife. I remember
fantastic views under the sea, there were beautiful fishes and turtle. We did snorkel during waiting for undersea bicycling. Thank you for giving us great memory.

This was an awesome thing to do with the kids....the underwater shipwrecks etc. were amazing to see.

I tend to get seasick, so I was a bit worried, but there was no problem at all. It was mystical to see the turtles swimming and the schools of fish. Also, the view of the coastal hotels when returning from the sea was lovely. I think it's a sight you don't get to see often!

船酔いするタイプなので、ちょっと心配でしたが全く問題ありませんでした。
亀が泳ぐ姿や魚の群れが見れて神秘的でした。
また、沖から戻る際に見えた海岸ホテル群の景色が素敵です。なかなか見れない景色だと思いますよ！

This was my third experience, so I didn't have the strong impression I had the first time, but my friends who experienced it for the first time seemed to find it fresh and were very happy. They shared that it was a top-class event during our seven-night stay in Hawaii. As the one who invited them on this trip, I felt very pleased about that. Since it was muddy from the rain, the horses were slipping, which seemed to add to the thrill.

私自身は３度目の体験ですので、最初の時の強い印象はありませんが、今回初めて体験した友人夫婦には新鮮であったようでとても喜んでくれました。今回の７泊のハワイでのイベントのトップクラスと感想を伝えてくれました。その事が、今回の旅行を誘った私としては嬉しく思います。雨でぬかるんでいたため、馬が足を滑らせていたため、余計スリルに溢れていたようです。

When we went on the Waikiki Glass Bottom tour in Hawaii for our 25th anniversary, we were greeted very warmly and we felt very welcomed. Although it was raining, we still felt comfortable because of the crew and were offered free drinks. During the boat ride, we saw coral, tropical fish, and even sea turtles! We took lots of pictures of the stunning scenery of Waikiki and the Diamond Head. The crew also explained the history of Waikiki and made the tour more interesting so that every moment was enjoyable. Next time we come to Hawaii, we will definitely be going on the tour again. We highly recommend this great vacation tour for anyone travelling with friends, family, or as a couple.

We participated in this tour for our honeymoon. We chose a tour that gathered at the meeting point, and although we arrived early at the port by rental car, we got lost because the port was so large (we had received a clear map in advance, but I forgot it at the hotel...) and ended up being over 15 minutes late to meet everyone! I felt really bad for making the tour group wait, but the staff welcomed us with smiles, which made me feel so relieved.

Once everything was ready, we finally set sail! The captain sped the boat up, and when I straddled the edge of the boat, it felt like a thrilling roller coaster ride! (Of course, you can also sit inside the boat). The sunset reflecting on the sparkling sea was incredibly beautiful.

Just as our excitement peaked, we arrived at Manta Point. There were many manta tour boats floating on the water, creating a very magical and beautiful scene. Then, we finally got to go into the water! The seawater was a bit warm, and since they provided us with wetsuits, I didn't feel cold at all.

We took out a small floating boat from the main boat and held onto it. I was a bit worried since I can't swim, but the staff assisted us, so there was no problem at all! We set up our snorkels and waited for the mantas while peering into the water.

And then!!! The long-awaited manta appeared! At first, we saw it swimming just below us, which was exciting enough, but then it turned and spun right in front of us! I was thrilled to see the manta so close that I could see its skeleton and gills! Unfortunately, that was the only time it came so close, but we saw several mantas swimming gracefully.

After getting back on the boat, we sped through the dark sea like a roller coaster again. Unlike the outbound trip, the lights from the land were so beautiful against the dark sea.

I was truly excited until the very end! Next time, I definitely want to join the dolphin tour on the Big Island! The staff were bright and fun, and I was very satisfied! Thank you!

新婚旅行で参加しました。
現地集合をするツアーにしたのですが、レンタカーで集合場所の港には早めについたものの、港が広くて迷ってしまい（ちゃんと分かり易い地図は予め頂いていたのですが、ホテルに忘れてきてしまって・・・）15分以上遅れてやっと合流できました！ツアーの方をみんな待たせてしまっていたので申し訳なさで緊張していたのですが、スタッフの方が笑顔で迎えてくれて、すごくほっとしました。
そして準備が整い、ついに出港！キャプテンが船をビューっと飛ばして、船のふちにまたがれば、まるでジェットコースターみたいにスリル満点！（船の中で座って乗る事ももちろんできます）。サンセットできらめく海がとても綺麗で素敵でした。
テンションが上がりきったところでマンタポイントに到着。
たくさんのマンタツアーのボートが海に浮いていて、とても幻想的で綺麗でうっとり。
そして待ちに待った海の中へ！
海水は少し温かめで、ウェットスーツも貸して頂けたので全く寒くなかったです。
船から小さな浮くボートのようなものをだし、そこにつかまります。私は泳げないので少し心配だったのですが、スタッフの方がアテンドしてくれたので全く問題ないです！
シュノーケルをセットして、水中をのぞきながらマンタを待ちます。
そしてそして！！！念願のマンタが！私達の浮いている下の方を泳いでいるのが最初は見え、それだけでも興奮したのに、次ぎは目の前でくるりと回転してくれたのです！骨格からえらの中まで見れるくらい目の前にいるマンタに大興奮！！残念ながらそこまで近くに来てくれたのはその一回でしたが、何枚かのマンタが優雅に泳いでいるのが見えました。
船に上がって、またジェットコースターのように暗い海を走ります。往路とは違い、暗い海から陸の光がとても綺麗でした。
最後まで本当に大興奮！今度はハワイ島イルカ高校にもぜひ参加したいと思います！
スタッフの方も明るく楽しくて、とても満足です！ありがとうございました！

It was a bit on the expensive side, and I was hesitant, but I decided to sign up since it was a special opportunity. The instructor and the camera person really encouraged us, even though we didn't understand English, and I made friends with the Americans who participated with us. I definitely want to work hard and join again! ♪

ちょっと高めだし、悩んでいたんですけどせっかくだからで申し込みをしました。インストラクターのお姉さんやカメラさんも英語のわからない私たちを盛り上げてくれて、一緒に参加したアメリカ人とも仲良くなりました。　またがんばってぜひ参加したいです♪