All Reviews for Marine Wildlife Encounters

During my first cruise around the Hawaiian Islands, I had to sadly give up on seeing the wild manta rays in Kona due to a lack of time. This time, as a diver, I stayed at the Sheraton Hotel with an ocean view in Keauhou to see the mantas. The meeting point was conveniently just a five-minute walk from the hotel.

I was torn between diving and snorkeling, but choosing snorkeling turned out to be the right decision. However, since mantas can be scared away, fins were prohibited, and we were instructed to wear a float called a noodle around our feet when entering the water from the boat. This meant I had to hold onto a lighted aluminum bar connected to the boat with my left hand while filming with my right hand. The mantas, swirling and gulping down the plankton attracted by the lights, were truly breathtaking. They came so close that I could almost touch them. It was so moving that I went again two days later! I was thrilled to encounter mantas at such a close distance, something every diver dreams of. Although the photos didn’t turn out well due to the darkness and the mantas moving, the videos were perfect. The staff at Sea Paradise were friendly and made the experience even more enjoyable.

The Sea Paradise office is located near the supermarket in the Keauhou Shopping Center. It opens at 7 AM, so I stopped by after breakfast to hand over my coupon, which meant I didn’t have to call at 4 PM to borrow a wetsuit. Other necessary gear was provided once we boarded the boat.

It was November, but it wasn’t cold at all, and it took only about five minutes from the manta site to the port. I changed and had a meal at the restaurant's restroom at the dock. Next time, I want to go with my daughter.

ハワイ諸島を巡るクルーズで初めてコナに行った時は時間がなく泣く泣く諦めた野生マンタ。ダイバーの今回はマンタを見るためにKeauhouにあるシェラトンホテルのオーシャンビューにステイ。集合場所がホテルの直ぐ側で徒歩5分と便利でした。
ダイビングがいいのかシュノーケリングが良いか迷いましたが、シュノーケリングにして大正解でした。但し、マンタが怖がるのでフィンは使用禁止、ボートから海に入るときには足に引っ掛けるヌードルと呼ばれるフローターを足に付けるように指示されるので、実際には左手でボートに繋がっている照明付きのアルミ製のバーに掴まって右手で動画を撮るといった感じです。照明で集まったプランクトンを回転しながら飲み込んでいくマンタ達は圧巻です。顔スレスレに近づいてきます。あまりに感動的で翌々日にもう１回！ダイバー憧れのマンタにこんな至近距離でお目にかかれるとは感激です。写真は照明があっても暗くマンタは動いているのでなかなか上手に撮れませんでしたが動画はバッチリでした。シーパラダイスのスタッフもフレンドリーで楽しさを倍増させてくれました。シーパラダイスのオフィスはKeauhou ショッピングセンター内のスーパーマーケット付近にあります。朝7時からオープンしてるので朝食を食べた帰りに立ち寄りクーポンを渡したので4時に電話する必要もなくウェットスーツを借りて帰りました。その他必要なギア等はボートに乗ってから渡されます。
11月でしたが全く寒くなく、マンタのサイトから港までほんの5分くらいでした。船着場にあるレストランのトイレで着替えて食事をしました。次回は娘と一緒に行きたいと思っています。

Enjoyed the submarine adventure very much. Staff was very helpful and professional. We took the submarine adventure because I love to snorkel but my husband doesn't snorkel. I wanted him to see what I see under water and the submarine adventure surely accomplished that.It was his very first time to be able to see this world under water.

Meeting wild dolphins can be influenced by weather and sea conditions, and sometimes you may not see them at all (in fact, the day before, they hadn't seen any dolphins for the first time in six months), so I was a bit worried while traveling on the bus, even as we listened to various explanations.

Fortunately, the day we participated had wonderful weather and calm seas, and within 30 seconds of boarding, we spotted a pod of dolphins, which was the best possible condition. We were able to see wild dolphins and sea turtles, and it was truly moving. Seeing dozens of dolphins just a few meters away was breathtaking!

Our guide, Su-san, mentioned that dolphins like to play with plastic bags discarded by humans, and I was surprised to actually witness this scene. The dolphins playing were a mother and her baby, which made it an unforgettable moment because they were so adorable.

Afterward, we moved on and were able to see sea turtles and colorful tropical fish. It was heartwarming to see the turtles occasionally poking their heads above the water to breathe.

After snorkeling, we cruised for a while searching for whales, but unfortunately, we couldn't see any. However, we did get to see dozens of dolphins again, and I was satisfied to see them perform spinning jumps multiple times.

Due to the season, it can be cold in the mornings and evenings, and there are jellyfish in the water, so I was glad to have borrowed a wetsuit (for a fee of $10). For those who are not used to swimming or are inexperienced with snorkeling, it might be a little scary to enter the water at first, but the wetsuit helps you float, making it easier to move around in the sea.

Lastly, although it’s called a cruise, this tour involves jumping straight into the sea, so we traveled on a boat-like vessel. Even in calm waters, it rocked a bit, and I felt a little seasick, as did some other participants. I think taking motion sickness medication would help you enjoy the experience 100%.

There is also a dedicated photographer on board, so you can purchase beautiful photos later that you wouldn't be able to capture on your own!

野生のイルカ達に会うのは、天候や海の状況などによって左右され、時には会えない事もあるようなので（実際に前日は、半年ぶりに会えなかったとのこと）バスの移動中、色々説明を聞きながらも心配していました。
幸い私達が参加した日は、素晴らしい天気と穏やかな海、乗船して３０秒でイルカの群れ発見というベストなコンディションに恵まれ、野生のイルカ達やウミガメに会うことが出来、とても感動しました。何十頭ものイルカを何メートルか先で見ることが出来るのは圧巻でした！
ガイドのすーさんからの説明で、イルカが人が捨てたスーパーの袋で遊ぶのが好きという話を聞いていたのですが、実際にその光景を目にする事も出来てビックリしました。その遊んでいたイルカが親子だったのが、本当に可愛かったので忘れられない場面になりました。
その後移動して、ウミガメや色とりどりの熱帯魚にも会うことができました。ウミガメは呼吸をするために、時々水面から首を出す姿が微笑ましかったです。
シュノーケル後、クジラを探して暫くクルージングしましたが、残念ながらクジラは見る事はできませんでしたが、また何十頭ものイルカを見ることができました。回転ジャンプも何度も見れて満足しました。

時期的に、朝晩や海から上がった後は寒く、クラゲも発生しているそうなので、ウエットスーツを貸してもらって良かったです。(有料10ドル）
泳ぎに不慣れな人や、シュノーケリング未経験者の人は、最初は海に入るのが少し怖いかもしれませんが、ウエットスーツが浮くので、海の中でも移動しやすいと思います。

最後に、クルーズといっても、このツアーは海にすぐ飛び込むので、ボートのような船で移動します。穏やかな海でも揺れるので、少し酔いましたし、他の参加者の方も酔われていました。酔い止めを飲んだ方が、100％楽しめると思います。
船専属のカメラマンさんも同行するので、個人では撮りきれない素敵な写真を後で購入できますよ！

I had signed up for the Dolphin Middle School program, but due to boat maintenance on the day, I ended up participating in the Dolphin University program. Overall, it was a very enjoyable tour! Here’s my experience at Dolphin University.

During the bus ride from Waikiki to the west coast, our class representative (guide) gave us a lecture on how to swim to meet the dolphins. Whether or not we would see dolphins depended on luck, as they are wild. There were days when we couldn't see them, and I heard that yesterday the tour was canceled due to strong winds. We received motion sickness medication on the bus, and those who wanted to could pay a $10 fee for a wetsuit.

When we arrived at the port, we enjoyed Leonard's "Masalada," which we had taken out along the way. Although it wasn't freshly made anymore due to the bus ride, I think it’s a good deal if you can eat without waiting in line.

We changed into our swimsuits and set sail! Shortly after departing, we spotted a pod of dolphins. We jumped into the sea from the moving boat! Once in the water, we swam hard to keep up with our guide, eagerly searching for dolphins.

Then, a dolphin swam right in front of us! There were even mother and baby dolphins! At times, dolphins passed directly beneath me. I also frequently heard the mystical sounds of dolphins chirping underwater. Although we were supposed to swim for about 30 minutes, I felt it was long enough as we kept swimming the whole time.

After that, we moved to another location by boat and spent just under an hour snorkeling, kayaking, and paddle surfing. We saw dolphins jumping from the boat during the move, and while snorkeling, I was able to swim alongside sea turtles!

I believe it was a valuable experience to swim together with dolphins while listening to their sounds in the Hawaiian sea! If I come back to Hawaii, I would definitely consider revisiting this tour.

イルカ中学の申し込みをしていましたが、当日ボートのメンテナンスとのことで、イルカ大学への参加となりました。総じてとても楽しいツアーでした！以下、イルカ大学の体験談です。

ワイキキから西側の海岸までバスで移動している間、学級委員(ガイド)さんからイルカに会うための泳ぎ方などのレクチャーを受けました。イルカに会えるかどうかは野生のイルカの為、運次第。会えない日もあったり、昨日は強風でツアー自体が中止になったそうです。バスの中で酔い止めの薬をもらい、また希望者は1人１０ドルのウェットスーツ代を払いました。

港に着くと、途中でテイクアウトしたレナードの「マサラダ」をいただきました。バスの移動時間で出来立てホヤホヤでなくなりますが、並ばずに食べれるとしたらお得だと思います。

予め着てきた水着姿になり、いざ出航！
出航して間もなくイルカの群れを発見。走行中の船から海へ飛び込みました！海に入ってからはガイドさんについて必死に泳ぐ泳ぐ笑
泳いでは目を凝らしてイルカを探しました。

すると目の前をイルカが通り過ぎる！親子イルカも！自分の真下をイルカたちが通り過ぎることもありました。また海中ではイルカのキュイキュイという鳴き声も頻繁に聞こえ神秘的なひと時でした。時間としたら３０分間泳げるそうですが、ずっと泳ぎ続きるので私は充分長く感じることができました。

その後は船で場所を移動し、1時間弱、シュノーケリングやカヤック、パドルサーフィンなどをして過ごしました。移動中の船からイルカジャンプが見れましたし、シュノーケリングではウミガメと一緒に泳ぐこともできました！

ハワイの海でイルカの声を聞きながら一緒に泳ぐことができ、貴重な体験ができたと思います！またハワイに来ることがあれば再訪しようかなと思えるツアーでした。

I wanted to see dolphins up close!! With that feeling, I joined this tour ♪*

On the morning of the day, I received a call in my room, wondering what was going on. They asked if it was okay to change to the university tour because the private dolphin middle school had a shortage of participants. Although the content was slightly different from the middle school and the duration was longer, I didn't have any other plans, so I agreed to the change.

**☆This experience is about my enrollment in the prestigious Dolphin University☆**

I was picked up by bus, and it was fully booked that day. Since it takes time to move, we had a brief lecture on precautions for entering the sea and the rental of snorkeling gear. We also stopped by Leonard's, where the tour company staff bought malasadas for everyone. The weather was nice, but the water was a bit cold, so many people rented wetsuits due to the increased buoyancy.

During three tries, I was able to meet the dolphins twice ♡ And I was moved to hear their sounds!! While waiting for the next try, I saw the dorsal fins of the swimming dolphins (just seeing the fins increased my anticipation☆), and I was able to see baby dolphins jumping about three to four times, born during this season!

Also, dolphins are said to be very curious, and I was surprised to see them swimming right alongside the front of the boat for a long time. I also enjoyed seeing sea turtles and water sports (like kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding), making it an amazing time ♪

By the way, I can't swim at all (I can't do the breaststroke), but I decided to participate because I really wanted to see the dolphins up close. However, there were many staff members, and they helped those who couldn't swim by letting them hold onto floaties and assisting them in searching for dolphins, which made me feel at ease. (It would probably be more fun to swim on my own with my companions, but it can't be helped ^^;)

Since I didn't participate in the dolphin middle school, the content might be different, but if you have the time, I recommend Dolphin University (it seems to be the same tour company) ☆*

イルカを間近で見てみたい！！
そんな気持ちでこのツアーに参加させてもらいました♪*
当日朝、部屋に電話がかかってきて何事かと思っていたところ、
私立イルカ中学2便が人数不足のため、大学に変更でもよろしいですか？とのこと。
中学とは少し内容が違うため、時間が長いとのことでしたが他に予定も入れてなかったので変更してもらいました。


**☆この体験談は名門イルカ大学に入学したことを記載します☆**

バスでのお迎えでしたが、この日は満席でした。
移動に時間がかかるため、海に入る際の注意や貸出のシュノーケルなどの軽いレクチャーと
レナーズに立ち寄り、ツアー会社の方が全員分のマラサダを買って来てくれました。
天気は良かったのですが、海の中は少し寒いことや浮力が増すということで多くの方がウェットスーツを借りていました。
3回のトライで、2回もイルカたちに逢うことができたのです♡
しかも鳴き声も聞こえて感動！！
トライ待ちの移動では、泳ぐイルカたちの背びれや(背びれが見えるだけで期待感UP☆)、
この時期産まれた赤ちゃんイルカのジャンプも３～４回は見れました！
また、イルカは好奇心が旺盛らしく、
船の先頭というかスレスレの所をずーっと一緒に泳いでいたのにはびっくりしました。
その後の海ガメ先生やウォータースポーツ(カヤックやスタンドアップパドルなど）も楽しめ
サイコーの時間を過ごせました♪

ちなみに私、全く泳げない(平泳ぎがﾀﾞﾒ)ですが、
どうしてもイルカを間近で見たくて参加を決めました。
ですがスタッフも多く、泳げない人には浮輪につかまらせてくれて
かかりきりでイルカ探しを手伝ってくれるので安心しました。
(自分で泳げた方が同行者とも一緒に楽しめるんでしょうが。。仕方ない^^;)

今回イルカ中学に参加ではなかったので内容は異なるかもしれませんが、
時間にも余裕があるならイルカ大学(同じツアー会社みたいです)をオススメします☆*

I was able to see whales, dolphins, and sea turtles! I had heard that the sea had been rough for the past few days with high waves and that people weren't able to see dolphins, so I was worried, but fortunately, the waves were calm on this day. Since the morning was very early, I felt like I might doze off, but I made sure to listen carefully to our guide, Sue, as she shared snorkeling tips and important points for spotting dolphins.

I heard the water was 25 to 30 meters deep, and since I had very little snorkeling experience, I was initially anxious. However, I gathered my courage and jumped into the sea, and it was like a dream world! Beautiful shades of blue spread out before my eyes, and dolphins were swimming all around. They were making sounds that were so clear I could hear them without straining my ears. I even got to see a baby dolphin, and later, I successfully encountered a sea turtle! The sea turtle was swimming leisurely at a distance that felt almost within reach.

After swimming a lot, I was quite tired and ended up sleeping soundly on the bus ride back, but it was a satisfying kind of fatigue that filled my heart. This was the best memory of my trip to Hawaii.

クジラもイルカもウミガメも見れました！
ここ数日は海が荒れていて波が高かったりイルカに会えなかったりしたと聞いていて、心配だったのですが、この日は幸いおだやかな波。朝が大変早いのでうつらうつらとしそうなところを、ガイドのスーさんからシュノーケリングのコツやイルカを見るときの注意点などをしっかり聞きます。

水深25〜30mと聞いて、シュノーケリング経験はほとんどなかったため最初は不安だったのですが、意を決して海に飛び込んでみれば、まさに夢のような世界！
美しい水色が視界一面に広がる中、あちこち行き交うイルカたちがそこにいました。
イルカたちはずっとキュウキュウと鳴いていて、耳をすまさなくても聞こえるほどでした。赤ちゃんイルカにも会えたし、その後ウミガメにも遭遇成功！ウミガメはまるで手が届きそうなくらいの距離でゆったり悠々と泳いでいました。

たくさん泳いで結構疲れて帰りのバスでは爆睡してしまったのですが、心が満たされた心地いい疲労でした。
ハワイ旅行で一番の思い出です。

The rocking of the boat while waiting was severe, so those who are prone to seasickness should be cautious. There were many sharks swimming, but they lacked impact and were just diving in and out of the water. After that, I continued to suffer from seasickness, and in the end, it became a trip that only left me feeling nauseous. It's disappointing.

待っている間の船の揺れがひどく、船酔いしやすい人は要注意です。
サメもたくさん泳いでいるのですが、迫力はあまりなく、ただひたすら水の中をもぐっているだけでした。
その後も船酔いに悩まされ、結局気持ち悪さだけが残った旅行になりました。
残念です。

In mid-November, my spouse and I participated in a night snorkeling and manta ray tour. We made our reservation online in Japan before departing, and we joined the tour on the evening of our arrival in Hawaii. Although we were affected by jet lag, we tried hard to adjust to Hawaii's time difference from the very first day. (The guide seemed a bit taken aback, so it might have been a bit too much for us.)

Since we were traveling by rental car, we opted for a local meeting plan, but we mistakenly went to the wrong meeting spot. After some time had passed without us showing up, a Japanese female guide came to look for us and found us. We then headed to the correct meeting place and joined the other participants about five minutes late. After gathering, the guide led us to a rental shop where we could borrow wetsuits and fins for free. After that, we moved to the boat. There were about six Japanese participants and around ten Americans.

We set sail on a small boat just after sunset and traveled for about 45 minutes to an hour to reach the manta point. It seemed to be an unusually windy day, and there were some waves, which made me a bit seasick. But it was another good experience.

By the time we arrived at the point, it was quite dark, and about five or six other tour boats had also arrived. With excitement, we donned our snorkeling masks and fins and entered the water, ready to start. We were in a group of six Japanese participants. Holding onto a pole around a board floating in the water, the guide pulled a rope attached to the board to lead us. It was noted that the waves were unusual for that day. Since it was difficult for the guide to pull us alone, we all kicked our legs to help move to the point. When we arrived and looked into the water, the first thing that came to us was a multitude of fish. And... well, you'll have to see for yourself what else is there!

If I could mention one thing... the manta rays really swim very close to you. Additionally, there was a surprise of, "Wait, they're coming towards us like that!?"

About 40 minutes later, we returned to the boat. The swaying in the water and the rocking of the boat afterward made me feel a bit seasick, but the excitement far outweighed that feeling. As mentioned by others, it gets really cold on the way back, so we dried off and put on our jackets. The warm cocoa we had on the boat was incredibly delicious.

This is truly a tour that you can't experience anywhere else, and it exceeded our expectations!

11月中旬に夫婦でナイトシュノーケル＆マンタツアーに参加しました。出発前に日本国内でネット予約→ハワイ島に到着した日の夕方からの参加でした。体調的に時差の影響がありましたが、無理矢理ハワイの時差に調整しようと当日から頑張ってしまいました。（ガイドさんにも軽く引かれたので、ちょっと無理があったかもですf＾＾）
レンタカーでの移動だったので、現地集合プランで申込みしましたが、集合場所を間違えてしまいました。時間が過ぎても私たちが集合場所に現れなかったので、女性の日本人ガイドさんが私たちを探しに来てくれて、見つけて貰いました。そして集合場所へ。５分ほど遅れて他の参加者の皆さんと合流しました。集合した後はガイドさんに案内され、レンタル屋さんでウエットスーツとフィンを無料で借りれました。その後、船へ移動。参加者は日本人6名、アメリカ人10名くらいでした。
小型の船で夕日が沈んだ直後に出港して、マンタポイントまで45分～1時間くらい進んだと思います。珍しく風が強い日だったようで、波があって少し船酔いしました。これもまた良い経験。。
ポイントに着くころにはだいぶ暗くなっていて、他のツアー船も5、6隻、到着していました。ドキドキしながら、シュノーケルマスクとフィンを装着して海へ入り、いよいよスタート。私たちは日本人だけのグループで６名１グループ。海に浮かべた板の周りの棒につかまり、ガイドさんが板についたひもを引っ張って誘導してくれました。珍しく波があった日とのこと。ガイドさん１人で引っ張るのが難しいので、みんなバタ足で協力してポイントまで移動しました。ポイントに着いて海の中を覗くと、最初に飛び込んで来たのは、たくさんの魚たち。そして、、、あとは、現地で見てのお楽しみですね！
一つだけ書くとすると。。本当に至近距離までマンタが泳いで近づいてきます。それに加えて、「えー、そんな泳ぎ方で近づいてくるの！？」という驚きがありました＞＜

約40分後には船に戻りました。水中で波に揺られ、船に戻ってからの揺れとあいまって船酔いしましたが、それよりも感動の方が各段に大きかったです。
他の方の体験談でもありますが、帰りはすごく寒いので、身体を拭いて上着を着ました。船上でいただいた温かいココアがすごくおいしかったです。

これは本当に他では体験できないツアー、かつ、期待以上です！

On November 22, 2014, I participated in a manta night snorkeling tour. I was able to see many mantas (probably around 10), and the sight of them swimming gracefully in the night sea was breathtaking and very moving. I have some diving experience, but I rarely get to see mantas, and when I do, it's usually just a glimpse from afar. Therefore, I think the combination of the ease of snorkeling and the impressive conditions here is quite rare.

However, there were about 13 participants in total, including the three of us and about 10 others, most of whom were beginners at snorkeling. Unfortunately, there was no explanation on how to prevent the mask from fogging up, nor was there time to apply anti-fog solution or instructions on how to keep hair out of the mask. Additionally, when it came to viewing the mantas, the guide told us to pose like "Superman," but I think more specific instructions, such as relaxing your entire body and keeping your fins at the surface of the water, were necessary. In fact, one person kept their legs bent the whole time, which meant that the mantas only circled around us about twice. Meanwhile, they were constantly circling near others...

There should have been enough time to provide those explanations before we reached the snorkeling point, but the guide's comments, like "I hope we see lots of mantas today!" felt more like something you would say to elementary school students. It would have been appreciated if the explanations were delivered in a more mature tone, considering everyone was an adult.

I also think the procedures for changing clothes and taking showers were poorly organized. They decided who would be positioned where on the light board, but we were not informed about our assigned spots, and in the end, we just entered the water and grabbed onto whatever was available.

I believe more time should be spent on preparation beforehand. Since this is a night activity, there is a possibility of accidents occurring. This is a wonderful tour, and I hope they can improve in these areas.

2014年11月22日にマンタ・ナイトシュノーケリングに参加しました。
マンタにはたくさん会えて（多分10匹くらい）夜の海にたくさんのマンタが翻って泳ぐ様は圧巻で、とても感動できました。ダイビングを何度か経験していますが、なかなかマンタには会えないか会えても遠くからちらっと見える程度だったので、シュノーケルという手軽さでここまでの迫力の条件は中々他ではないのではないかと思いました。
ただ、参加者は私達3人と他10名の計13名ぐらいでしたが、他の人は殆どシュノーケルに対して初心者であったにも関わらず、マスクの曇り止めの説明も曇り止めをする時間もなくマスクに髪が入らないようにという説明もありませんでした。また、マンタを見る時の説明としてガイドの人に「スーパーマンのような格好」と教えられましたが、もう少し具体的に全身の力を抜くとかフィンが海面に来るようにするなどの説明が必要ではなかったかと思いました。現に一人、足を曲げたままでずっといる人が居た為、私達のところでマンタは2回ぐらいしか回ってくれませんでした。隣ではずっと回っていたのに・・・。
そういった説明をする時間はポイントに着くまでに十分あったはずですが、ガイドの女性の「マンタちゃんに今日はい～っぱいいるといいね！」といった小学生に説明するような幼稚な話で終わってしまったことが残念です。全員大人なのでもう少しちゃんとした口調での説明をして頂けると有りがたいです。
また、着替えやシャワーの順番等の手順も悪かったと思いますし、光のボードのどの位置に誰が付くかを決めていましたが、私達はどの場所になるか決めてもらえませんでしたし、結局バラバラと海に入って適当なところにつかまっただけでした。
やはりもう少し事前の準備に時間をかけるべきだと思います。
シュノーケリングとはいえ、夜に行うのですし、事故が起こる可能性もあります。折角すばらしいツアーなので、そこのところを是非改善して頂きたいです。

I signed up for this tour because my mother said she didn't want to wear a swimsuit. I had thought I would see beautiful fish the whole time while diving, so I was disappointed that I could only see them at certain points. The colors were also dull. My family was happy, but I felt disappointed. I rated it as average, balancing my family's satisfaction with my dissatisfaction. There may not be anyone who wants to participate based on my experience, but for those who don't understand English or families with small children, I recommend joining the tour with a Japanese guide.

母が水着を着たくないと言っていたので、水着を着なくていいこのツアーに申し込みました。
潜っている間中、ずっと綺麗な魚が見られると思っていたので、ポイントごとにしか見られなくて残念でした。色も地味でした。家族は喜んでいましたが、私は残念に思いました。
評価は家族の満足と私の不満を平均して普通にしました。
私の体験談で参加したいと思われる方はいらっしゃらないかもしれませんが、英語がわからない方、小さいお子様がいるご家族の方は日本語ガイドの会の乗船をお勧めいたします。

The boat ride from the port took about an hour. There were a few waves, which made the boat ride enjoyable, and it felt like no time at all as we admired the mountains of Hawaii that we usually can't see. However, we were starting to worry about whether we would actually see the dolphins. The captain and crew were restless, and so were the participants.

When we looked at the surface of the water, we saw many sparkling things. It was the dorsal fins of the dolphins! We quickly put on our snorkels, and at the call of our class representative, Su-san, we jumped into the sea. As we desperately followed Su-san, we saw a family of dolphins swimming gracefully beneath us! The dolphins that came one after another were a bit smaller and differently colored than those we see in aquariums, and they were so cute.

Moreover, another group of dolphins arrived, and we were able to swim with them multiple times! Swimming in the ocean, where we couldn't hear any outside sounds and could only hear the voices of the dolphins, was truly mystical and an unforgettable experience.

Satisfied to have encountered the dolphins, we moved to the shallows to enjoy snorkeling freely. We encountered countless fish and even a sea turtle, surrounded by the great nature of Hawaii, and we savored a truly luxurious time.

This experience made me feel like I could work hard again starting tomorrow to see the sea and mountains of Hawaii someday. Thank you very much!

港からボートで約1時間の移動。少し波があったので、ボートに乗っているのも楽しく、普段は見ることができないハワイの山々を眺めながらの移動だったのであっという間でした。
ただ、なかなかイルカ先生の姿が見えず
…。
本当に出逢えるのか、私たち夫婦に不安がよぎった頃でした。
船長とクルーがそわそわ。参加者もそわそわ。
水面を見たら、キラキラしたものがたくさんあったのです。イルカ先生の背びれでした！
急いでシュノーケルを着け、学級委員長のすーさんの声で、一気に海へ。必死にすーさんについて行くと、私たちの下をイルカの家族がすいすい泳いでいました！次から次へと来るイルカは、水族館で見るものより少し小さく、色も違ってとっても可愛かったです。
しかも、また違う群れがやって来て、何度もイルカ達と一緒に泳ぐことができました！
外の音が聞こえない海の中で、イルカの声だけを聞きながら一緒に泳いだのは、本当に神秘的で、忘れられない体験です。

イルカ先生と出逢えて大満足した私たちは、浅瀬に移動して自由にシュノーケリングを楽しみました。数え切れないほどの魚と、ウミガメ先生にも出逢い、ハワイの大自然に囲まれて、とても贅沢な時間を味わいました。

いつかまたハワイの海や山を見るために、明日からまた仕事がんばろうと思えるような体験でした。
ありがとうございました！！

In November, I went to the Big Island with a female friend. Since it was a bit cheaper, I participated in a night snorkeling and manta ray tour for the first time in my life.

It was a meet-up plan, so I scouted the location the day before, but on the day itself, I almost ended up being very late due to a mistake. The meeting place might be a bit hard to find. I was supposed to turn right at the intersection of Honokohau Harbor, but I passed it. Be careful, as there are similar diving tours and delis in the area.

After gathering, we met with a Japanese female guide and a local male captain. I was nervous about my first night snorkeling, but both of them were kind, so I didn't have to worry. We borrowed wetsuits for free and got ready. There were six Japanese participants and three Americans.

Then we set off for the manta ray tour!

We boarded a large rubber boat and headed towards the manta point for about 20 minutes as the sun set. The sunset was beautiful, and it felt great to speed across the ocean, relieving stress! During the ride, we were hit by strong winds and splashes from the waves (especially from the person in front), and the boat rocked quite a bit, so be cautious.

I was anxious about whether we would really see manta rays and what night snorkeling would be like. However, when we arrived at the point, there were many other tour boats with their lights on. It seems that the lights attract plankton, which in turn attracts the manta rays. There were divers as well, but we wore snorkeling masks and fins, floated on a board with a light, and held onto the railing while looking around with our feet up. If you relax, it doesn't take much energy.

The water was a bit cold, but it felt warmer underwater than outside.

When I submerged my face, it was like entering another world! A paradise of fish! The light illuminated the schools of fish, making them sparkle! I was amazed by the number of fish, but more than that, it was the manta rays! I couldn't believe how many there were! The manta rays swam gracefully right next to us. Watching them feed with their mouths wide open was a sight to behold! I thought, "Wow, are we going to collide?" I was truly moved! It was so exciting!

We didn't have an underwater camera, but those moments should definitely be captured in photos! Seeing so many manta rays up close is something you can only experience in the Big Island. It's not something you see often! I really regret not buying an underwater camera to bring along. I wish I had manta ray photos! I highly recommend bringing one!

After about 30 to 40 minutes in the water, we returned to the boat. The movement of the boat and the waves while watching underwater can make you feel seasick. My friend said she felt a bit unwell. If you're prone to seasickness, it might be a good idea to take some medication beforehand.

On the way back, it gets really cold. Your body is wet, and with the wind, a thick bath towel is essential. It would also be good to have a jacket that can get wet. It’s really cold! But they serve warm cocoa and snacks, which helps warm us up a bit as we return to the port. It was pitch dark around us, but looking up at the sky revealed a stunning starry night! That was also moving! It was a tour that made me want to go again and see it again! Definitely worth seeing!

11月に女友達とハワイ島に行きました。少し安くなっていたので、人生で初めてナイトシュノーケル＆マンタツアーに参加しました。

現地集合プランだったので、前日に下見をしましたが当日結局間違えて危うく大遅刻するはめになりそうでした。
集合場所が少しわかりにくいかもしれません。ホノコハウハーバーの交差点を曲がり、一本目を右折するはずが通り過ぎてしまいました。そうすると、同じようなダイビングツアーやDeliがあるので気をつけてください。

さて、集合した後は女性の日本人ガイドさんと、現地の男性キャプテンと合流。初の夜シュノーケルでドキドキしていましたが、お二人とも優しいので心配することはありませんでした。ウエットスーツを無料で借りて装着。
参加者は日本人6名、アメリカ人3名でした。

いざマンタツアーへ出港！

大きなゴムボートに乗り、夕日が沈む中、マンタポイントまで20分くらい進みます。夕日が沈むのはとてもキレイで、大海原を風を切って走るので気持ち良く、ストレス発散！みたいな感じでした。移動中は、ガンガン風や、波しぶき(特に前の人)を浴びます。しかも波で結構揺れますのでご注意を。

本当にマンタに会えるのか、夜のシュノーケルはどんな感じか不安でした。しかし、ポイントに着くと他のツアー船もいっぱいいて、ライトをつけています。その灯りにプランクトンが集まり、餌を食べにマンタが集まるようになっているそうです。ダイビングの人もいましたが、私達はシュノーケルマスクとフィンを装着し、サーフボードにライトが付いたような板を浮かべ、その周囲の手すりにつかまり、みんなで足を浮かせながら眺めるというものでした。リラックスすれば体力もそんな使うことはありません。
水は少し冷たいですが、外より水の中の方が温かく感じるくらいでした。

ちょっと顔を沈めれば、そこは別世界‼︎魚の楽園です‼︎
魚の群れにライトが当たり、キラキラ光って見えます‼︎
こんなに魚が〜！って思いますが、それよりもやっぱりマンタです‼︎
まさかこんなにいるとは思えないくらいの数がいました‼︎
至近距離をマンタが悠遊と泳いでいます。大口を広げながら餌を食べる姿も必見です‼︎うわーっぶつかっちゃうんじゃないのーって思えるくらい！
本当に感動しました‼︎大興奮です‼︎

私達は水中カメラを持っていなかったのですが、あれは絶対写真におさめるべきです‼︎あんな数のマンタ、至近距離で見れるのは、ハワイ島くらいじゃないでしょうか。なかなか見れるものじゃないと思います!
本当に、何で水中カメラ買って持って行かなかったんだ〜と後悔しています。悔しい〜マンタの写真が欲しかった〜〜〜。
ぜひ、持っていくことをお勧めします！

30.40分くらい入ってみた後は船に戻ります。移動の船の揺れや、水中で波に揺られながらずっと見てるので酔いやすいです。友達も、少し気分が悪くなったと言っていました。酔いやすい方は、酔い止め薬を飲んでおいたほがいいかもしれません。

帰りは、めちゃくちゃ寒いです。身体は濡れてるし、風もあたって厚手のバスタオルは必需品です。濡れてもいい上着もあると、尚良いと思います。本当に寒いです！
でも温かいココアやスナック菓子を出してくれます。それで少し温まりながら港に戻ります。辺りは真っ暗ですが、空を見上げれば満天の星空が見えます‼︎あれにも感動しました‼︎
もう一度行きたい！見たい！と思えるツアーでした‼︎
絶対見る価値あり‼︎

You can have a rare experience of interacting directly with dolphins. At first, I wasn't particularly interested, but I participated because my wife wanted to join. Honestly, I felt the price was high, but the experience was worth it. I was able to kiss, touch, and swim with the dolphins. The pool was located a bit away from the facility. Participants are not allowed to take photos, but spectators (for a fee) can take pictures. Since the shooting will be from a bit of a distance, I think a DSLR with a telephoto lens is necessary. By the way, the Royal Dolphin Swim takes place in the pool where the dolphin show is held, and I thought I would try that next.

イルカと直接触れ合える貴重な体験ができます。
最初は特に興味が無く、妻が一緒に参加したいということで参加しました。
正直、料金は高いと感じていましたが、十分に納得できる内容でした。
イルカとキス、触る、泳ぐことができました。
プールは施設から少し離れたところでした。
参加者による撮影はできませんが、見学者（料金必要）による撮影は可能です。
少し遠い場所からの撮影となるので、望遠レンズを付けた一眼レフが必要かと思います。
ちなみに、ロイヤルドルフィンスイムは施設内のイルカショーをするプールで行われており、次はこちらを体験しようと思いました。

This was truly a unique experience that should be done once. It is kind of creepy being out in the open ocean at night, but that is the exciting part and of course the Manta Rays will not disappoint. After about 25 minutes in the water you've seen enough, but definitely a thrilling 25 minutes.

Saw lots of beautiful fish! Great crew! Not quite as much fun as scuba, but SOOO much easier than getting wet! Everyone should see the underwater part of Hawaii!

You must do this!!! Most fun crazy safe experience we have ever done! So happy we did it here in Hawaii and especially with all the kind people here!

I took a taxi to the Careho Shopping Center, borrowed a sweat suit at the office, and put it on over the swimsuit I was wearing. Then, I got back into the waiting taxi and headed to Careho Bay, where the boat was docked. There were only my partner and me, the only Japanese people there. I felt anxious, but looking at the people around me, I realized it would be fine.

Once we got out to sea, we all took the noodles, which are floating devices, and gradually lowered them from under our arms down to our ankles while putting on our snorkels, waiting for the manta rays to come close to the lights. It felt like being a diver inside an aquarium. The manta rays came so close to my face and body; it was incredibly impressive. That sensation was moving and thrilling, and it's definitely worth experiencing at least once!

　ケアホウショッピングセンターへタクシーで乗り付け、スエットスーツを事務所で借り、着ていった水着の上に着込み、待ってもらってたタクシーで船が停泊しているケアホウ湾へ。
日本人は私とカップルだけ。　不安だったけど、周りの人達を見ていると、どうにかなるもの。船で沖出て、海面に浮かべた梯子状になったロープにみんなでヌードルと呼ぶ浮きを、脇の下から、徐々に足首までおろしシュノーケルをつけ、ライトに寄ってくるマンタを待ちます。まるで、水族館の水槽な中のダイバーになった気分でした。顔や体すれすれに近寄ってくるマンタ、迫力満点です。あの感覚は感動的、スリリング、ぜひ一度は経験する価値は十分あります！

The staff spoke Japanese, and when I forgot my contact lenses, they flexibly rented me prescription snorkeling gear. When I got into the sea, I was able to see dolphins and even met a sea turtle, which was very healing. I would love to participate again if I have the chance.

スタッフの方が日本語が話せる方で、コンタクトを忘れたため、落ち込んでいたところ臨機応変に度付きのシュノーケルをレンタルしてくれました(´ω｀)海に出たら、イルカも見れましたし、ウミガメにも会えてとても癒されました(´ω｀)また機会があれば参加したいと思います(´ω｀)

Dolphins are wild, so whether you can swim close to them is a matter of luck. During our visit, we spotted dolphins right after leaving the harbor, but they swam away before we could get close, and we only saw them from a distance for a moment.
I was really impressed that we could swim with the sea turtles so close.
The staff was cheerful and made the experience enjoyable, so we had a great time.

イルカは野生なので、近くで泳げるかどうかは運次第。私たちの時は、港を出てすぐにイルカを発見したのですが、近くまで行く前に離れてしまい、離れたところから一瞬しか見られませんでした。
ウミガメは本当に手の届く場所で泳げるので感激しました。
スタッフが明るくて楽しく盛り上げてくれるので楽しく過ごせました。

It was my first time on a submarine, and I participated at the request of my grandson who is in his first year of university. There were many fish around the reef, and there were turtles as well. However, I was hoping to see more colorful fish. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to take good photos underwater.

潜水艦は初めて、大学1年の孫の希望で参加しました、漁礁には沢山の魚がいました、亀もいました、ただ、もっとカラフルな魚が見えることを期待していました、海中での写真は上手に撮れなかった、残念。

We encountered about ten whales during the cruise. They appeared very close to the boat, which was truly moving. It was a bit disappointing that the Japanese announcements came after the English ones, causing a slight delay in the whale sighting announcements.

クルーズ中に１０頭ほどのクジラに遭遇。船のすぐ近くにも現れて感動ものでした。日本語の案内が英語の後なのでクジラ出現のアナウンスがワンテンポ遅れてしまうのが少し残念。

This was a once in a lifetime experience! The crew was great and very informative. It was so much fun!

I was satisfied that I could go to the western sea, which I couldn't visit on my own, and swim with dolphins. However, the snacks were a bit disappointing. They took a lot of photos, and I thought about purchasing them later, but it was 5,000 yen for email attachment or CD-ROM! They also mentioned that it was a graduation album with about 300 photos of other people included. I didn't really need that many. Everyone else seemed to buy it, though. I would have definitely purchased if they had printed just one photo of the two of us for 20 dollars. Also, the staff's energy was high throughout, so I thought it might be a tour aimed at younger people.

自分では行く事ができない西の海に行けてイルカと泳げたので満足はしてます。ただ軽食がしょぼいかな・・。あと写真をいっぱい撮ってくれていたので後で購入しようと思いましたがメール添付ｏｒＣＤＲＯＭでなんと５千円！！それも卒業アルバムだと名し他の人の写真も入って３００枚ほどあるとの事。そんなにいらないんだよなぁ～と思いました。他の方はみんな買ってましたけどね。二人の写真を１枚プリントしてくれて２０ドルとかなら全然買うのに～と思いました。
また終始スタッフさんのテンションが高いので若い人向けのツアーかなぁ～とも思いました。

Got caught in the "hang loose" spirit of Hawaii. The activity was booked for transporation at 9.45AM. The day before the activity a message was left at the hotelphone that transport fell through and I had to confirm (before 6PM) new transport time of 5.15AM! Of course I got back at my hotel after 12PM and wasn't able to confirm early pick-up. So I decided to go to the meeting point anyway, but no transport. Office opened at 6AM when I could finally phone in. Service level was low, merely a "No transport, sorry, reschedule please" Since that was not an option for me we had to come up with a solution. After a lot of back and forth (cab will cost you 200 one way!!)I decided to go on a citybus for 2.5 hrs which cost me 2.50 dollars and I made it with an hour to spare. Veltra was very service friendly. They contacted me and booked transport money back right away, without me even asking for it. So lesson learned: No pick-up service for shark tour!
I never even got a sorry from the Shark tour operator and the captain didn't know my name I had become a plus one!
The harbour of the tour itself was a bit dingy at best. The public toilet was filthy with bloodstains and glass bottles, but the boat had no changing option, so you have to use it.
The boat is very nice and the boat ride is awesome (unless you have motion sickness, in that case you will get sick, trust me!)The shark cage is not big, but big enough for the six per group that went in. Pay for the DVD, taking pictures yourself is very hard. The life vest will keep you floating and the ocean slams you into the cagebarrier.
The sharks are amazing and worth every bit of inconvenience. The crew is friendly and knowledgeable. They care for your safety and for the ocean wild life. It's not scary at all. When you get back I recomment getting lunch at Halewa Joe's. Just sit there and review your tour. If you can visit North shore or Turtle beach on your way back. The total tour is highly recommendable (without transport)

Since Japanese was okay, I was able to listen to the explanations properly. It was fun to be able to touch the dolphins up close. The stay at Sea Life Park was a bit long, so I was bored until the return bus.

日本語おっけーだったので、説明もしっかり聞くことができました。イルカがとても近くでさわれたので楽しかったです。
シーライフパークの滞在時間がすこし長かったので、帰りのバスまで退屈でした…

My wife & I love Shark Week so this activity was a clear must do. There is so much to talk about for this activity, but I'll just break it down to pros & cons. Pros: the water is really warm and about 80ft of visibility, the crew was nice, the sharks ranged at a decent 10ft to 12ft, the sharks get extremely close to the cage where you can touch a fin (but they tell you don't so beware), and most importantly not even Jaws can get through that cage (super thick bars). Cons: it's a small boat so if your prone to motion sickness you NEED dramamime since your out there for about 2 hours, no food or snacks so bring some because after your 30min dive you will be hungry and its about 1-2 hrs before you get back to Waikiki, and this is a tip from the wife - the bathroom at the dock is a park restroom so no seat covers so byosc ;). Wish I had a photo to share off my phone since it was really cool but its all on the gopro.

The price was somewhat high, so I hesitated a bit when making the reservation, but after participating in the program, I was really glad I booked it and was very satisfied. Since it's an experience that's hard to come by, I think it was a good decision to go for it.

金額がそれなりなので、予約時は少々躊躇しましたが、プログラム参加後は、予約して本当に良かったと大満足です。中々出来ない体験なので思い切って予約したのは良かったと思います。

Amazing experience, this company did a great job.

The weather was nice, and with calm waves, I was able to enjoy myself without getting seasick. The situation where sharks came close enough to reach out and touch was truly thrilling!

天気もよく、うそのように波のない状況で船酔いもせず楽しめました。
サメが手の届きそうなところまでせまってくる状況は、迫力満点！！

I participated with my sons who are 5, 7, and 9 years old. They had never snorkeled in deep water before, so they were really scared. I managed to take them out twice with floating vests, but on the third dive, my son said he didn't want to go and stayed on the boat.

However! On that third attempt, I finally got to see dolphins without them escaping! I wish I had forced him to go...

After that, he didn't want to snorkel anymore, but I somehow got him to come out, and we were able to see a lot of turtles and fish.

I think it's essential to get used to snorkeling before going. We went on the fourth day, so I thought he would be okay, but the sea with dolphins is deep, and it was still scary for him. I think if we had brought a float, he wouldn't have been as scared. (We were able to borrow a float stick, but it seems that wasn't enough to ease his fear.)

5,7,9歳の息子と参加しました。
足の着かないところでのスノーケリングをしたことがなかったので、怖がってしょうがありませんでした。
フローティングベストを
なんとかだましだまし２回は連れて行きましたが、最後３回目のダイブは「行かない」と、とうとう船に残ってしまいました。
でもでも！この３回目にやっとイルカに逃げられずに見ることができたのです！
無理やり連れて行けば良かった。。。

この後のシュノーケリングも行きたがりませんでしたが、なんとか連れだして、カメや魚をたくさん見ることができました。

行く前にスノーケリングに慣れておくことは必須だと思います。
うちも４日目に行ったので、もう大丈夫かと思っていましたが、イルカのいる海は深いのでやっぱり恐怖見たいです。
せめて、浮き輪を持って行けばもうちょっと怖がらなかったかな、と思います。
（浮き棒は貸してもらえました。でも、それだけでは怖かったみたいです。）