All Reviews for Marine Wildlife Encounters

I was worried about whether I would encounter a manta ray, but I did! They were so close! It was surprising! I want to tell my friends about it.

マンタに出会えるか心配でしたが、会えるわ！近いわ！びっくりでした！
友達などにも教えてあげたいです。

I was a bit worried before participating because there was a possibility that we might not see anything after coming all the way to the Big Island and paying money, but... we did see them (^_^). It was thrilling to see them up close. However, I did get seasick... I had never experienced motion sickness or seasickness before, but this time I was really affected (*_*). The boat rocked quite a bit before the manta rays appeared at the spot. I ended up giving up halfway, but the guide was very kind and reassuring throughout the trip. Since you get wet and it can be very cold on the way back, I definitely think you should bring something to wear over yourself!! My husband was shivering too (laughs). If you take motion sickness medication and are well-prepared, it’s a very satisfying tour☆

ハワイ島まで来て、お金も払って、
見られない可能性があるということで参加前は少し心配していましたが、、、見られました(^_^)
間近で見られて感激です。
ただ船酔いが…
今まで乗り物酔い、船酔いとしたことがなかったのですががっつり酔ってしまいました(*_*)
ポイントについてからマンタが現れるまでがかなり揺れます。
途中でギブアップしてしまいましたが、ガイドさんが終始優しく対応してくれて安心しました。
体が濡れて帰りはとても寒いので羽織るものを絶対に持っていった方がいいと思います！！
旦那も震えてました(笑)
酔い止め飲んで装備もしっかりしていけばとても満足なツアーですよ☆

This was a swim of a lifetime! The crew was professional, safe and fun. Extremely educational and inspirational. Go with One Ocean Diving!

We did this as part of our anniversary week in Oahu and all I can say is if you are "thinking" of doing this, stop thinking and just DO IT! It's an experience you will never forget and the fact that we got to pet and swim along a sea turtle in the ocean is simply awesome!! The crew was amazing, the water was warm and it's something we'll never forget, the crew made this a very memorable experience.

It was my second time, but it was my family's first.
From the window, you can see the mysterious underwater scenery.
The explanations are thorough (in English) and really get you excited.
Don't miss the moment when bubbles rise up and you quickly surface.
Make sure to have your smartphone ready.
It's even more fun to capture it on video.

僕は二度目でしたが、家族は初めて。
窓からは不思議な海の底の様子がうかがえます。
説明も丁寧（英語）でテンションを上げてくれます。
浮上の際に泡がぶくぶく上がって海面に急浮上するところはお見逃しなく。
スマホの用意を忘れずに。
動画で撮るとなお面白いです。

I'd do this again in a heartbeat. Worth every penny. Personal attention so that I got maximum experience as guides helped us see the turtles when they came around and did everything possible to draw the fish to us. You could tell the crew was experienced and competent.

My nephew & I took this adventure and enjoyed it very much. My nephew said that he would like to do it again next time he goes to Hawaii.

It was my first time on a submarine.

There were fewer fish than I expected, and most of them were dark-colored, but I was able to see sea turtles and eels.

The staff on the boat were next to me, pointing out things like, "There's a sea turtle over there," and they also congratulated me, saying, "Is it your honeymoon? Congratulations! Wishing you happiness forever." I was really happy about that.

初めての潜水艦でした。

思ったよりも魚は少なく黒っぽい魚ばかりでしたが、海ガメやウツボを見ることができました。

船のスタッフの方が横にいたので「あこに海ガメいるよ」とか教えてくれたり、「ハネムーンですか？おめでとうございます。いつまでもお幸せに。」と言ってくれてうれしかったです。

It was really amazing. The guys were really nice and funny, answering every questions. We stayed really long in the cage and at no time we felt unsecure. We saw many sharks all around the cage and coming close to the boat. If you can, ask for them to take the pictures with a gopro, they'll be a lot and you won't have to worry about it.

This tour turns everything you think you knew about sharks completely on its head. After a short ride out from the harbor, you arrive at your snorkel site. You quickly and quietly get in the water (with no cage!) and voila, you are swimming with 5-8 foot sharks all around. This was a very professionally run and awesome adventure on the North Shore. Highly recommended to anyone with a sense of adventure.

I came to Hawaii for my wife's birthday and participated in this tour.

I felt very relieved because the staff were Japanese. Additionally, there were about ten participants, all travelers from Japan, so we felt very comfortable since we are not good at English.

On the way to our destination, a Japanese female staff member carefully explained the tour's precautions and the attractions of dolphins and sea turtles. She talked non-stop, almost like a bullet (laughs). It takes about an hour to get there, but since she kept talking the whole time, even though it was early in the morning, we didn't have a chance to sleep.

I heard that dolphins can only be found on the west coast of Hawaii. So, they mentioned that you can't see them unless you go to a beach a bit away from Waikiki.

As we were swaying on the bus and listening to her talk, we quickly arrived at the west coast. It felt more like a port than a sandy beach, so at that point, I thought it didn't look that different from other seas.

After using the restroom, we boarded the boat and set sail with several cheerful foreign staff members!!

From there, we headed further north along the west coast. The wind felt nice, and the waves were calm, so I was relieved that I didn't get seasick.

After about 30 minutes on the boat, we finally received information that dolphins were swimming nearby. If you're lucky, you might encounter dolphins in just five minutes, but if you're unlucky, you could drift at sea for about an hour and a half, so I thought we were fortunate this time.

Suddenly, the atmosphere on the boat became hectic, and we jumped into the sea right away.

While we were swimming together, the dolphins quickly swam by us. It seemed that there was a pod of about 50 dolphins swimming a bit apart, and we were able to swim with them multiple times, which was very lucky.

Moreover, the dolphins were in a great mood and were making a lot of sounds. When I put my face in the water, I could hear their calls.

Still buzzing with excitement, we returned to the boat and headed to the next snorkeling point.

Next, we saw many sea turtles and beautiful fish swimming around.

At first, I didn't realize it, but the water here is even clearer than in Waikiki. From the boat, I could see the bottom of the sea clearly, which looked to be more than ten meters deep.

It was truly a beautiful sea. It was amazing!!

I had so much fun.

On the way back, almost everyone was fast asleep on the bus (laughs).

You might get tired from swimming a lot, but I was very satisfied. I really want many people to experience the excitement of meeting wild dolphins!

I would love to participate again when I go back to Hawaii! I am grateful to the staff who supported us!!!

Thank you very much.

妻の誕生日にハワイに来てこのツアーに参加しました。

スタッフは日本人だったのですごく安心しました。
また、ツアー参加者は約10数名、全員日本からの旅行者だったので英語が苦手な私たちはとても安心感がありました。

目的地までは、日本人の女性スタッフがツアーの注意点やイルカやウミガメなどの魅力を丁寧に教えてくれます。
本当に弾丸のごとくしゃべり続けます(笑)
現地まで約1時間弱ありますが、ほとんどしゃべりっぱなしだったので、朝は早いですが、寝る暇はありません。


イルカはハワイでは西海岸にしかいないそうです。
なので、少しワイキキからは離れているビーチじゃないと見れないと言っていました。

バスに揺られながら、話を聞いているうちにあっという間に西海岸に到着。
砂浜ではなく、港みたいな感じなので、この時点では他の海とそんなに変わらないかと思ってました。

トイレを済ませて船へ乗り込み、陽気な外国人スタッフ達数名と海へ出航します！！

そこから西海岸をさらに北上します。
風が気持ちよく、波も穏やかだったので心配していた船酔いは大丈夫でした。

約30分ほど船を走らせると、ようやくイルカが近くを泳いでいるとの情報がありました。
運が良ければ5分でいるかと遭遇なんてこともあるそうですが、運が悪ければ1時間半くらい海を漂うこともあるそうなので、今回はまだマシだったと思います。

そこからは本当に船の上が急に慌ただしくなり、すぐさま海に飛び込みました。

みんなで泳いでいたら、イルカたちはすぐに私たちのそばを泳いでいきました。
今回は約50頭ほどの群れが少し分かれて泳いでいたようで、何度もイルカと泳ぐことが出来たのでとても運が良かったといってました。

しかも、イルカたちはとても機嫌が良かったのがめっちゃ鳴いていました。
海に顔を付けると、鳴き声が聞こえてきます。

興奮冷めやらぬ中、ボートに戻り次のシュノーケルポイントへ向かいます。

次は、ウミガメときれいな魚がたくさん泳いでいました。

初めは分からなかったのですが、こっちの海はワイキキよりもさらに透明度が高いです。
ボートの上からでも10メートル以上はありそうな海の底まできれいに見えました。

本当に綺麗な海です。
最高でした！！

本当に楽しかったです。

帰りのバスはみんなほぼ爆睡(笑)

めっちゃ泳ぐので疲れるかもしれませんが、とても満足でした。
ぜひ、野生のイルカと出会える感動をいろいろな人に味わっていただきたいです！


またハワイに行った時には参加したいです！
サポートしていただいたスタッフに感謝です！！！

ありがとうございました。

While it's common to see interactions with dolphins at aquariums or swimming with them, encountering wild dolphins is quite rare. I was initially not planning to join the dolphin tour that my family asked me to find. However, as I read more about the details of the tour and experiences from others, I became irresistibly drawn to the idea of meeting these wild dolphins, and eventually, I ended up signing up for it myself.

The waters of the West Coast are incredibly clear, and the dolphins swimming, the ocean floor, and even the sunlight filtering through all had an unbelievable sparkle, existing naturally in their own right. I've seen many beautiful things, but it's captivating to witness the raw beauty of the Earth as it is, rather than something prepared for us.

I enjoy participating in various activities, but I usually feel satisfied after doing something once, and it's rare for me to want to see something again. So, I was surprised by how much this experience moved me.

水族館などで触れ合ったり一緒に泳ぐというのはときどき見かけますが、野生のイルカを観るというのはなかなかないのではないでしょうか。
家族に頼まれて探したイルカツアーでしたが、私自身は最初参加するつもりはありませんでした。
ところが、ツアーの詳しい内容を見たり体験談を読んだりしていると、この野生のイルカに会いに行くというところにどうにも惹かれて、ついには一緒に申し込みをしてしまいました。
西海岸の海は本当に澄み切っていて、泳ぐイルカも海底も、差し込む太陽の光でさえも、本当に信じられない煌きをもって飽く迄自然に存在していました。
いろいろな美しいものを見てきたけれど、用意された何かではなくてただそこにあるということのありのままの地球の姿に、こんなにも心奪われるものなのですね。
アクティビティ系は好きでよく参加するのですが、わりと1度やったら満足で、もう1度絶対に観たいと思うものはなかなかないので自分でも驚きました。

The guide, Tori, was bright and kind, a really nice person! I was a bit worried about the night snorkeling since it was my first time, but we just held onto a board with lights and floated, so there was nothing to worry about at all. I was more moved by the manta rays that kept coming right up to us. We were in the water for about 30 minutes, so after getting out, it felt cold, so it's essential to have something to wear. I also think it's a good idea to bring a waterproof camera. You can take photos up close!

ガイドのとりさん明るくて優しい良い方でした!
夜のシュノーケリングは初めてで怖いんじゃないかと少し心配していましたが、
ライト付きの板にみんなでつかまって浮いているだけなので、全く心配なことはありませんでした。それよりも目前まで何度もやってくるマンタに感動しっぱなしでした。
30分ほど水の中にいるので、あがったあとは寒さを感じるので羽織るものは必須です。
あと防水カメラ持っていくといいと思います。間近で撮影できます!

Lots of neat stuff at the bottom, and a very comfy ride.

Eka Canoe provided a great tour. The small group size gave a really good guide/tourist ratio. The fact that the boat sailed from Keauhou Bay meant that we only had a short (about five minutes) ride to the viewpoint. The experience of watching these creatures was fantastic. They are wild animals, so one never knows what to expect. I did not see the "inverted loop" feeding behaviour that is usually shown in promotional videos, but I saw four mantas cruising mid-way between the bottom and the surface. It was a remarkable experience. The crew and guide looked after us well. They were booked up for the remaining evenings that I had on the Big Island or I would have returned for a repeat tour!

First of all crew was great! Our driver and diver Taylor went out of his way to be helpful .
The experience was average . Not much time on actual scooter. A lot of time sitting on boat then back at shop waiting to be driven back while the video and pictures we being pushed. Wouldn't do it again but not unhappy that I did it once.

I was moved by the real submarine experience. It was a thrilling new world for my husband and me, who can't scuba dive, especially since we could go down to a depth of 40 meters. I was satisfied to learn that red light is absorbed underwater and to see a large stingray!

本物の潜水艦で感動しました、水深も40mまでしてくれスクーバも出来ない夫婦には感動の新世界でした、水中では赤色が吸収されて感じないことや大きなスティングレーも見れて満足でした！

Down loading pictures a nightmare everything else was great

Loved the submarine your. Crew was organized and moved the large crowd well into the submarine. Beautiful fish and turtles were awesome to see!

In June, my husband and I participated in this event. The weather that day was clear, and the wind was calm, making for perfect conditions.

We were staying at Embassy Suites and gathered at the Sheraton parking lot at 6:05 AM. Since it was quite early, I recommend securing breakfast the day before and having it in your room. On this day, participants from Dolphin University and Dolphin Middle School shared a large bus. During the ride, there were discussions about dolphin ecology and snorkeling instructions. I recommend staying awake to listen, as there were many interesting and important topics. For a brief moment, we even saw the tree used in the "This Tree, What Tree" commercial from the bus.

After about an hour, we arrived at the port, where those interested could rent wetsuits for $10. Most participants rented them that day. The boat we took from Dolphin Middle School was an open speedboat, and it was quite windy on board, so renting was definitely the right choice. After using the restroom, we finally boarded the boat. We took off our shoes and sat on the edge of the boat. Our belongings were secured in the middle of the boat, tied with ropes to keep them afloat. Since there was no cover, I think it's better to have a bag that closes securely.

That day, we were lucky enough to encounter a pod of dolphins less than ten minutes after departure. At the captain's signal, everyone jumped into the sea together. Since we were wearing life jackets, there was no fear of drowning. I was truly moved by the sight of dolphins gracefully swimming directly below us. After getting back on the boat, we moved to a spot where we could swim with sea turtles. At this point, a few people were feeling seasick, so I think it's essential for those who are prone to motion sickness to take medication beforehand. My husband usually gets very seasick, but thankfully, he didn't feel ill this time, possibly due to the medication. The water was very clear, and there were many sea turtles, allowing us to swim close to them multiple times. We also saw many beautiful tropical fish, making it the most stunning snorkeling experience I've had.

After returning to land, there was an explanation about purchasing photos. A dedicated photographer accompanied us throughout the tour and took over 500 pictures that day. Downloading the photos costs $50, but they were truly professional and captured beautiful images, including underwater shots, so I was glad I purchased them. For those who may not have internet access, it seems you can also buy a USB for $55.

Among the tour participants were a grandmother in her 70s and elementary school students, both of whom seemed quite anxious at first but ended up having a great time. Even if you're not a strong swimmer, the instructors provide excellent support. Regardless of age or experience, you can truly enjoy the beautiful waters of Hawaii, so I highly recommend this experience.

6月に夫と二人で参加しました。この日の天気は快晴、風も落ち着いていて最高のコンディションでした。

エンバシースイーツに泊まっていた私たちは、6時5分にシェラトンの駐車場に集合です。かなり朝早いので、朝食は前日のうちに確保し部屋で済ませてから来たほうが良いと思います。この日は、大型のバスにイルカ大学とイルカ中学の参加者が混乗する形でした。バスの中では、イルカの生態のお話や、シュノーケリングのインストラクションなどがありました。かなり面白い話や大事な話が聞けるので眠らず頑張って起きていることをお勧めします。一瞬ですが車中から、「この木なんの木」のＣＭに使われている木も見れました。

約1時間で港へ到着し、希望者は10ドルでウエットスーツを借りることができます。この日はほとんどの参加者が借りていました。イルカ中学で乗るボートは屋根のないスピードボートで、船上はかなり風を強く感じるので、借りて正解でした。トイレを済まし、いよいよ船に乗り込みます。靴は脱いで、ボートの淵へ腰かけます。荷物は船の真ん中にあるバーに、ロープにくくりつけて宙に浮かせた状態にします。特にカバーなどはしないため、ふたがしまる袋のほうが良いと思います。

この日は運よく出港から10分弱で、イルカの群れに遭遇できました。キャプテンの合図でみんなで一斉に海へ飛び込みます。救命胴衣を着けているので溺れる不安はありません。海の中で真下を優雅に泳ぐイルカの姿に本当に感動しました。再びボートへ乗り込み、次はウミガメと泳げるスポットへ移動します。この時点で数名船酔いしている方がいて、乗り物に弱い人は事前に酔い止め必須だと思いました。夫も普段は非常に乗り物に弱いタイプなのですが、薬が効いたのか酔わずにほっとしました。こちらも海の透明度が高くウミガメが多くいて、何度も間近に泳ぐことができました。きれいな熱帯魚もたくさん見れて、いままでシュノーケルした海の中で一番きれいでした。

陸へ戻った後は写真購入について説明があります。ツアー中ずっと専属のカメラマンがついていて下さり、この日は500枚以上撮影してくれました。ダウンロードには50ドルかかりますが、さすがプロフェッショナル、水中も含め非常に美しい写真を撮ってもらえるので私は購入してよかったです。インターネット環境があまりない人は、55ドルでＵＳＢ入りを購入することもできるようです。

ツアー参加者の中には70代のおばあちゃんや小学生もいて、二人とも初めはかなり不安だったようですが最後はとても楽しんでいました。泳ぎが苦手でもインストラクターの方が手厚くフォローしてくれます。年齢経験問わずハワイの美しい海を堪能できるので、本当にお勧めです。

I purchased this excursion for my dad for Fathers Day....it was the perfect gift. Frankie was a great captain...lots of info and very personable. He let my son drive the boat...which was a highlight not only for my son...but also my dad....a very proud grandpa! I would highly recommend this trip.

The seats inside the submarine were spacious, and I was able to see the underwater scenery through the large windows. The underwater world was darker than I had imagined, and I felt that we were diving deep. I learned that sunken ships and airplanes have become homes for fish, and that marine life is being protected. While I understand that there may be limitations for environmental protection, I think I would have been even more impressed if the underwater and seabed views were clearer.

潜水艦内の座席はゆったりしており、大きな窓からか海中の様子を見ることができました。想像していたより海中は薄暗く、深く潜水しているのだと感じました。沈められた船や飛行機が魚の住み家になり、海の生物が守られていること学びました。環境保護のためにできないかも知れませんが、もう少し海中・海底がはっきり見えると何倍も感動できただろうと思います。

First time to Hawaii I picked this tour. What an awesome experience. Friendly staff and pickup/drop off made it easy. Will do it again with the family.

Had a wonderful time. Got to check-in early and was offered an earlier eight AM ride as they held the boat for us. Turned out to be a blessing as there was fewer patrons and more windows. Guide was friendly and extremely entertaining. A must for anyone visiting the island for something very different.

It's best to buy food in advance since mornings are early. I've heard that being hungry can make you more prone to seasickness.

During the bus ride, we received explanations, and as soon as we arrived at the port, we headed out to sea. According to the guide, if we depart late, we might have to wait if other tours are ahead, which reduces our chances to try again and meet dolphins. In that regard, Dolphin Academy has an advantage because of its smaller group size, allowing for quicker departures compared to the university. On the other hand, families can relax more, so the university is recommended for them.

The weather was clear, and although it was May, we didn't wear wetsuits and it wasn't particularly cold. Not everyone borrowed one this time, but it seemed to be fine. However, it can get chilly when the wind hits you after getting wet, so I recommend having a bag ready with a bath towel and a jacket.

Due to rain the previous night, the water clarity was a bit low, but we were able to see dolphins. About 5-6 dolphins swam about 10 meters away from us. I brought a camera, but it was quite difficult to get good shots. Fortunately, a professional photographer was there, and you can get photos for about $50. In my excitement of seeing the dolphins, I accidentally dropped my wedding ring, and if the photographer hadn't picked it up, it would have been a disaster, so I recommend removing rings and such in advance.

After the dolphins, we moved to a shallow area where we could see turtles and fish. Those who are confident in swimming can remove their life jackets here. Turtles only come up to the surface when they breathe, but we were lucky to see them up close several times that day.

After taking a break, they provided soup, something like a Snickers, and pineapple. The pineapple was especially sweet and delicious, so I recommend it.

Even though it's called snorkeling, you don't need to dive; basically, you just float, so even beginners need not worry. One thing to note is that there are no changing rooms, so it's advisable to bring clothes and pants that you don't mind getting wet.

Overall, it was great to see both dolphins and turtles, and since it ended in the morning, we had the afternoon free for shopping or other activities. Having a Japanese guide made it very reassuring, even for those who don't speak English. Thank you very much.

朝が早いので、ご飯はあらかじめ買っておくのがベスト。空腹だと船酔いしやすくなるそうです。

バスの移動中に説明をされて、港に着いたらすぐに海に出ました。
ガイドさん曰く、出発が遅くなると他のツアーが先にいた場合待っていなくてはいけなかったりして時間を取られる分トライ回数が減ってその分イルカに出会える可能性が減るとのことでした。その点で、イルカ中学は人数が少なくさっと出られるので大学より有利とおっしゃっていました。逆に家族ずれはのんびりできるから大学の方がオススメと言っていました。

天気は快晴だったので５月でしたがウェットスーツは着用しませんでしたが特に寒いこともありませんでした。今回は参加者全員借りていませんでしたが特に問題なかったようです。
ただ、濡れた後に風が当たると寒いので、バスタオルと上着はすぐに出せるかばんを用意することをお勧めします。
昨晩雨が降ったせいで透明度は少し低かったですが、無事イルカを見ることができました。大体5-6匹で10m先を泳いでいました。ただしカメラはもっていきましたが、きれいに映すのはかなりむずかしいです。そこについてはプロのカメラマンがついてくれるので、写真自体は50＄ほどでもらうことが可能です。
イルカを見れた興奮のあまり、気づかない間に結婚指輪を落としてしまいカメラマンさんが拾ってくれなかったら大変なことになっていたので、指輪等はあらかじめ外しておくことをお勧めします。

イルカの後は少し浅瀬に移動してカメやさかなをみられました。こちらは泳ぎに自信がある人はライフジャケットを外してもよいとのことでした。
カメは息を吸うときしか水面に上がってきませんが、この日は運よく何回も間近でカメを見ることができました。

一息ついたところでスープとスニッカーズ的な奴とパイナップルを配ってくれます。特にパイナップルは甘くておいしいのでおすすめ。

シュノーケリングと言っても、潜水などは必要なく基本的に浮いているだけなので未経験者も心配ないです。
注意点としては、更衣室等はないので濡れてもいい上着とパンツを持ってきておくことをおすすめします。

総評としてはイルカもカメも見れて、午前中で終わるので午後は買い物など違うことができるし、日本ガイドなので英語ができなくても安心で非常に良かったです。
ありがとうございました。

The pickup time is at 6 AM. Please gather wearing your swimsuits.

Since we were staying at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, the pickup location was in front of the Ilikai Hotel next to the Hilton. It's easy to find as it's also a trolley stop.

A little earlier than the scheduled time, a small yellow bus, resembling a school bus, arrived. We boarded this bus and headed to the west coast, taking about an hour from Honolulu.

To quickly get out to sea from the harbor, the staff member on the bus provided us with important information and instructions. Although it was early in the morning, there was no time to sleep on the bus.

Regarding equipment, since the water is cold and those who are not good swimmers might find it easier to float in a wetsuit, we rented one for $10. Most of the tour participants rented wetsuits as well.

The dolphins we can see in this area are the Hawaiian spinner dolphins. They are named for their spinning jumps. They are about 1.8 meters long, smaller than the bottlenose dolphins often seen in aquariums, and they have a black coloration from their heads to their backs.

Upon arriving at the harbor, we put on our wetsuits and quickly boarded the Zodiac. After about 10 to 20 minutes of searching for dolphins, we spotted a group of around 30!

We positioned the boat ahead of the direction the pod was swimming and waited. When we saw the dolphins' dorsal fins, we all jumped into the water together at the signal.

This was my first time snorkeling so far out, and I’m not a strong swimmer.

I was really scared before jumping in, but...

It was absolutely fine!!

As long as you listen carefully to the staff and follow their instructions calmly, there's nothing to worry about. The snorkeling gear we used was good, and I didn’t get any water in my eyes or mouth.

When the staff member called out, "Look down!" and I peered below, I could see a group of dolphins swimming beneath us!!

That day, we tried four times and saw dolphins every time. Moreover, the captain skillfully positioned us at a spot with clear water. Truly a legend.

By the fourth time, I was able to see them up close, almost within reach. I didn’t notice it while snorkeling, but later when I reviewed the video from my waterproof camera, I was surprised to find that it even captured the sounds of the dolphins. It was a truly precious experience to get a glimpse into the lives of wild dolphins.

By the way, due to strong winds that day, snorkeling in shallow waters was not possible because the water was murky. If you are mainly considering snorkeling in shallow waters, it might be good to keep in mind that it could be canceled depending on the day.

Finally, we returned to the boat and enjoyed some fruit and warm tea, and we had the remaining snacks (pastries, juice, cheese, granola bars) after getting back on the bus. On the return bus, there was an announcement about the sale of photo data taken by a professional photographer. I purchased some photos, and they beautifully captured the scenes during the briefing and the dolphins we saw that day.

Personally, I would have loved to hear more detailed information about the ecology and population of Hawaiian spinner dolphins, as well as the relationship between Hawaiians and dolphins.

For those who want to swim with dolphins for the first time, I truly think this is a fantastic activity. Thank you for the valuable experience.

ピックアップ時刻は朝6時。水着を着用した上で集合です。

私たちはヒルトン・ハワイアン・ヴイレッジに宿泊していたのでピックアップ場所はヒルトンの側のイリカイホテルの前。
トロリーの停留所にもなっているので、分かりやすいです。

時刻よりやや早く、スクールバスのような黄色い小型のバスが到着。このバスに乗って、ホノルルから1時間程かけて西海岸まで向かいます。

港から素早く海に出れるようにと、バスの中でお姉さんが注意事項などの説明をしてくださいます。朝早いですがバスで寝ている暇はありません。

装備については水が冷たいのと、泳ぎが得意でない方はウェットスーツを来た方が浮きやすいということで$10でレンタルをしました。ツアー利用者のほとんどがレンタルをしていました。

この地域で見られるイルカはハワイアンスピナードルフィンという種。ジャンプするときにスピンすることからこの名前がついているそうです。
サイズは水族館でよくみるバンドウイルカより小さい1.8m程で頭から背中にかけて黒くなっています。

港へ着くとウェットスーツを着て、早速ゾディアックに乗り込みます。
イルカを探しながら進むこと10～20分くらいたったでしょうか、30頭ぐらいのグループを発見！

群れの泳ぐ方向へ先回りして船でスタンバイ。イルカの背鰭が見えてきたら合図と共にみんなで一斉に海へ飛び込みます。

私はシュノーケリングをこんなに沖でやるのは初めて。しかも、泳ぎも不得意。

飛び込む前までは凄く怖かったのですが。。。

全く問題ありませんでした！！

お姉さんの話をよく聞いて落ち着いてその通りに動けば何も心配はいりません。
使ったシュノーケリングの器具もよかったのか、目や口に水が入ってくることもありませんでした。

「真下を見てー！」というお姉さんの声で下を覗きこむと何匹ものイルカの群れが泳いでいるのが見れました！！

この日は4回トライし、4回ともイルカを見ることができました。しかも、水の濁りも少ないポイントで待ち伏せてくれた船長の腕は確かなものです。さすがレジェンド。

4回目にいたっては手が届きそうなほど間近で見ることができました。
シュノーケリング中は気づかなかったのですが、後で防水カメラのムービーを見返したら、なんとイルカの鳴き声まで収録されていてビックリ。
野生のイルカの生活を覗かせてもらうことができた本当に貴重な経験でした。

ちなみに、この日は風が強かったため海が濁っているということで浅瀬でのシュノーケリングは無しでした。
浅瀬でのシュノーケリングをメインで考えられている方は、日によっては無くなるケースがあることも想定しておいた方がいいかもしれません。

最後に船にもどりフルーツと温かい紅茶をいただいて、残りの軽食（菓子パン・ジュース・チーズ・グラノーラバー）はバスに戻ってからいただきました。
帰りのバスでプロの写真の方が撮影した写真データの販売案内があります。写真を購入したのですが、レクチャー中の風景や当日に見たイルカの写真までとってもきれいに獲れていました。

あと、個人的にはハワイアンスピナードルフィンの生態や生息数、ハワイアンとイルカの関わりなどについてもっと詳しい話が聞ければもっと嬉しかったです。

初めてだけどイルカと一緒に泳ぎたいという方には本当にとてもいいアクティビティーだと思います。貴重な経験をありがとうございました。

I highly recommend this experience as you can see sea turtles and tropical fish up close. Since you'll be in the water for quite a while, it's a good idea to bring a hoodie or something to keep warm. There are no lockers available, so you'll need to put your belongings in a box with everyone else's, so I suggest bringing only the essentials like some money (for purchasing DVDs, etc.) and a bath towel.

ウミガメ、熱帯魚が超まじかで見れる貴重な体験ができるのでお勧めです。水につかる時間が結構あるので体が冷えないようにパーカー等を持って行かれることやロッカーがなくボックスに荷物を皆と一か所に入れるので必要最低限のお金(DVD等を購入するため)やバスタオルくらいを携帯することをお勧めします。

I participated with my two daughters. The guides were very kind, and their explanations were easy to understand, which was great. We got close enough to touch the manta rays. It was an emotional experience!!

娘2人と参加しました。ガイドの方々もとても親切で説明もわかりやすくて良かったです。マンタが触れる距離まで近付いてくれました。感動でした！！

At first, I was nervous getting on the scooter, but I quickly got used to it and enjoyed the underwater scenery. I also had a great time with my first stand-up paddle in the shallow waters, making it a fulfilling tour. Next time I visit Hawaii, I want to invite my parents and join again! However, the price for the underwater photos was a bit high... but since it's a memory, I ended up buying them anyway (laughs).

最初はドキドキでスクーターに乗り込みましたが、すぐに慣れ、水中の様子を楽しむことができました。浅瀬での初スタンダップパドルも楽しめて満喫のツアーでした。次回ハワイ訪問時は両親を誘ってまた参加したいです！！ただ、少し水中で撮っていただける写真のお値段が高かったのが…でも思い出なので買ってしまいましたが(笑)

This activity was totally worth it. The guides were very friendly and knowledgeable. The canoe was very cool, too. We saw plenty of manta rays. If you like small groups for night snorkel, then this is your best bet. Hot cocoa was provided after the swim. We had a lot of fun! This is definitely a must-do and I highly recommend Eka Canoe for your reservation!