All Reviews for Marine Wildlife Encounters

I made this booking at the last minute because my best friend from Ukraine was visiting Honolulu.

The reservation was made late at night and confirmed promptly by 8AM the following morning.

The 3 man boat crew was very polite and friendly which was fantastic. The boat and the head were clean. No complaints there.

I had made the booking with the obvious intention of viewing whales. But Mother Nature had other plans. We spent the full duration of the ride seeing just blue water, small fish and the occasional airplane flying overhead. Relaxing, but not what we had come to see.

I was very pleased that the company which provides this service has a policy regarding cruises that do not encounter any whales. Because we did not see any whales, the boat captain provided us with a voucher allowing us to take another whale watching cruise with the company at no charge. I will certainly be seeing them again soon.

In mid-November, I participated with my family of four. We have a 10-year-old and a 7-year-old. This was the second time for my 10-year-old daughter and me, as we participated four years ago. We repeated it because we had such wonderful memories.

On the morning of the event, we took a bus from a hotel near our accommodation to the west coast. As soon as we arrived, we ate malasadas and boarded the boat. After a while, the captain spotted a pod of dolphins, so we stopped the boat, put on wetsuits and life jackets, and everyone dove in. We were able to see a pod of dolphins gracefully swimming just a few meters below us. There were several pods, so each time we discovered one, we swam close to them. My 7-year-old son was greatly helped by the staff, who used something like a float to stay with him the whole time. Thanks to that, I was able to concentrate.

We were able to see the dolphins quite closely, and even after getting back on the boat, there were mother and baby dolphins around the boat, jumping and playing, allowing us to see many wild dolphins. That memory continues to energize me even now that I am back in Japan.

At the very end, when most people had already gotten back on the boat, a sea turtle swam by, and those who were still in the water got to see it right in front of them, which was disappointing for me since I had already come up. We also got to experience canoeing and stand-up paddleboarding, and the content was packed, so I was very satisfied this time as well! Thank you very much!!

11月半ばに、家族四人で参加しました。
10歳と7歳の子連れです。
10歳の長女と私の二人は、四年前にも参加したので、２度目でした。
とても楽しい思い出だったために、リピートしました。

当日の朝、宿泊先の近くのホテルから、バスに乗り西海岸まで移動しました。
到着してすぐに、マラサダを食べ、ボートに乗り込みました。
しばらくして、船長がイルカの群れを発見、とのことで、ボートを停めて、ウェットスーツにライフジャケットを着けて、みんなでダイブ。
数メートル下を優雅に泳ぐイルカの群れを見ることが出来ました。
いくつかのイルカの群れがあったので、発見する度に、群れの近くまで泳ぎました。
７歳の息子は、スタッフの方が浮き輪のような物を使い、ずっと一緒にいてくれたので、とっても助かりました。
お陰様で、集中することが出来ました。
かなり近くで、イルカを見ることが出来、またボートに上がってからも、ボートの周りでイルカの親子がいたり、ジャンプしていたり、と沢山の野生のイルカを見ることが出来、その思い出が、日本に帰ってきた今でも、活力になっています。

ほとんどの人がボートに上がってしまった最後の最後に、海亀が一匹泳いできて、まだ海の中にいた人達は、
目の前で見られ、先に上がってしまった私は、残念でした。
カヌーやサップも体験できたり、盛り沢山の内容で、今回も大満足でした！
どうもありがとうございました!!

I participated in the early morning tour. Compared to my last visit in February, I was a bit worried that the number of whales visible from the hotel I stayed at was significantly lower, suggesting it might still be early in the season, but I was able to see plenty of whales without any issues.

This was my first time joining the early morning tour, and cruising while watching the beautiful sunrise was amazing! You can see the islands gradually becoming more vibrant as the light brightens. Since we return around 9:30, it allows for a productive day, and I highly recommend it.

早朝の回に参加しました。前回参加したとき（２月）に比べて、滞在していたホテルから見られるクジラの数がかなり少なかったので、まだ季節的に早かったかと少し心配していましたが、まったく問題なくたくさんのクジラを見ることができました。
今回初めて早朝の回に参加したのですが、美しい朝日を見ながらのクルージングは最高でした！島々が明るくなるにつれ、だんだんと濃い色になっていくのを見ることができます。帰港するのは9:30頃なので一日を有効に使うことが出来、とてもオススメです。

I really wanted to swim with dolphins, and since my return flight was later in the day, I participated on my last day in Hawaii. During the trip there, I received a thorough explanation from the Japanese staff, allowing us to board the boat without wasting much time. While we were searching for dolphins, there were additional necessary explanations, which made it easy for us to get into the water smoothly.

We encountered a pod of spinner dolphins, and there were baby dolphins among them. The pod swam back and forth, allowing us to see the dolphins up close multiple times. Some even performed spin jumps for us. We were lucky enough to see a turtle as well.

I had packed my schedule too tightly, and I only had the last day available, but I managed to squeeze it in and created wonderful memories at the very end. I wouldn't recommend going on the last day due to luggage concerns, but I do recommend it as you can have a fulfilling half-day experience.

The names "Junior High" and "University" made it feel very friendly, almost like a school. It seemed like the age range for participation was broad, from children to adults. They also provide life jackets for safety, and I hope to come back with my mother next time.

イルカとどうしても泳ぎたくて、帰国日の便が遅めだったので、ハワイ最終日に参加しました。
行きの移動中、日本人スタッフから丁寧な説明を受け、時間をほとんど無駄にすることなく船に乗せてもらえました。乗船してイルカを探しに行っている間にも、さらに必要な説明がありました。そのためスムーズに海に入ることが出来ました。
ハシナガイルカの群れに会い、子供のイルカがいました。群れは行ったり来たりしてくれて、何度もイルカを近くで見ることが出来ました。中にはスピンジャンプしてくれるのもいました。運良くカメにも会えました。
予定を詰めすぎて、最終日しか空いておらず、無理に入れましたが最後の最後に良い思い出が出来ました。荷物のこともあるので、最終日に行くのはオススメしないですが、半日でかなり充実した時間を過ごせるのでオススメします。
中学、大学という名前がついていて、学校のようですごく親しみやすかったです。参加できる年齢の幅は子供から大人まで広いように感じました。救命のための胴衣も貸してくれますし、今度は母とも来れたら良いなと思いました。

It was an early morning pick-up. I thought I would sleep on the bus, but I couldn't because the guide gave an explanation about the tour. (laughs)
On the bus, they ask if you want to rent a wetsuit. I think almost everyone rented one this time. It costs $10, but I didn't feel cold, and it gave me a sense of security.
When we arrived at the port, we put on our wetsuits and set off. They keep anything that might get wet in a case. You can leave your waterproof camera, drinks, and towel on the seat, but I was worried they might blow away in the wind, and since I wasn't cold, I didn't use my towel during the tour. It felt nice to dip my feet off the boat.
If there are dolphins, you jump off the boat and swim towards them, following the guide's call. It's quite intense.
When entering the sea from the boat, I was anxious because I can't swim and was entering deep water where I couldn't touch the bottom, but they provide a long float for those who aren't confident in swimming, and the guide is attentive, which made me feel safe.
It's quite tiring, so I thought, "That's enough, I'll just rest on the boat," but since I participated, I recommend going into the water multiple times to swim with the dolphins!
I felt more comfortable in the water than on the stationary boat, even though I took motion sickness medication, I didn't get seasick.
When we returned to the port to change, there were no changing rooms, so all the women changed in the restroom. It would be cold to go home just wearing a swimsuit, so I think it's better to change.
I had some anxiety before participating in the tour, but once I did it, it was no big deal.
I had a lot of fun! (^_^)

朝早くのお迎えです。バスの中で寝ようと思ってましたがガイドのお姉さんのツアーの説明があり眠れず。。（笑）
バスの中でウエットスーツを借りるか借りないか聞かれます。今回ほとんどみんな借りていたと思います。10ドルかかりますが寒さも感じなかったし、安心感もあります。
港についてウエットスーツを着て出発、濡れたら困る物はケースに入れて預かってくれます。カメラ(防水)と飲み物、タオルはイスの上に置いておけますが風で飛ばされそうだし寒くなかったので私はツアー中タオルは使いませんでした。船から足を出して乗るのが気持ちよかったです。
イルカが居たら船から飛び込んでイルカの方に泳いで行きます。ガイドさんがこっちでーす!と呼ぶ方へ。かなりハードです。
船から海に入る時、私は泳げないし足のつかない深い海に入るのが不安だったのですが、ライフジャケットの他に泳ぎに自信の無い人用に長細い浮くやつを貸して貰えますしガイドさんも気にしてくれるので安心でした。
かなり疲れるので、もういいや~船で休んでよう。。と思っちゃいますが、せっかく参加したのだから何度も海に入ってイルカと泳ぐのがオススメです!
船酔いも止まってる船にいるよりも、海に入ってた方が楽な気がします。
私は酔い止めも飲みましたが、船酔いはしませんでした。
港に戻って着替えるのですが更衣室などは無いので女性はみんなトイレで着替えてました。水着の上に羽織って帰るのは寒いし着替えた方が良いと思います。
ツアーに参加する前は不安もありましたが、やってみたらナンて事ないです。
とっても楽しかったです!(^_^)

Last year, I watched dolphins from a boat, and this summer, I saw sea turtles basking on the northern coast. I thought that someday I would like to swim with them in the ocean, so my husband and I enrolled in this tour. Even though Hawaii is known for its warm weather, the temperatures aren't very high at this time of year, so we received information beforehand that the water would be cold. Thanks to that, wearing wetsuits for snorkeling was definitely the right choice. The sea was calm with no waves, and the visibility was clear down to the seabed. The excitement of encountering a large group of dolphins in that environment was something only students of this school could experience. With appropriate guidance from Julie and the other instructors, the dolphins felt safe enough to approach and swim with us.

Additionally, we saw three sea turtles sleeping on the seabed, but when we entered the classroom (the ocean), they woke up and gracefully showcased their swimming skills. Watching their elegant movements, we, who initially struggled with swimming using fins, naturally began to swim like the dolphins with a dolphin kick!?

The reason we were able to have such a meaningful class was that Julie and the instructors created a fun atmosphere on the boat while ensuring safety measures were in place. This allowed the students to unite and adhere to the rules. I hope to have the opportunity to return again in the summer and would love to retake the course.

昨年、イルカを船上からウォッチし、今夏はノースの海岸で甲羅干しをしていたウミガメを見て、いつかは海の中で一緒に泳ぎたいと思い、このツアーに夫婦で入学しました。常夏のハワイと言っても、今の時期は気温もそんなに高くならないので、海中は冷たいとの情報を事前に頂いていたおかげで、ウエットスーツを着用してシュノーケリングをしたのは大正解でした。波もなく、穏やかな海の中で海底まで透き通って見え、その中でのイルカの大群に出会えた時の感激はこの学校の生徒でなければ味わえないものでした。授業を進めるジュリーさんはじめ、インストラクターの方々の適切な指示によって、イルカ先生も安心して近づいて一緒に泳いでくれました。
また、ウミガメ大先生も３匹も海底で寝ていましたが、私たち生徒が教室（海中）に入っていくとお目覚めとなって、優雅な泳ぎを披露してくました。その優雅な泳ぎを見て、フィンを付けての泳ぎに最初はぎこちなかった私たちも自然とイルカ先生と同じようにドルフィンキックで泳げるようになった！？
今回、非常に有意義な授業を受けることができたのは、ジュリーさんはじめインストラクターの方々が楽しく船上を盛り上げ且つ安全対策をしっかり講じてくれていたからこそ、生徒が団結でき学則？をしっかり守ることができたからだと思います。夏季に再び行く機会があるので、是非再履修したいと思います。

I was recommended by a friend and participated as a monitor! We boarded the bus at 6 AM while it was still dark, and received explanations about the dolphins from our humorous class representative, Sue, as well as information about snorkeling. I was excited to hear that dolphins can understand our feelings!

The sea began to come into view from the bus, calm and with perfect weather! My mood was already at its peak from inside the bus (laughs). We received ginger anti-nausea tablets for free, and everyone in our class took them. (I actually didn’t feel nauseous!)

The water was warm, but the wind felt very cold on our bodies after being splashed with seawater, so I rented a wetsuit for $10. After the experience, I strongly felt it was worth it to rent one. In fact, even those who are sensitive to the cold might find it chilly even while wearing a wetsuit!

When we arrived at the site and got off the bus, we were greeted by a gentle sea breeze and the sunrise. We stretched in the refreshing weather and then boarded the boat! We rode on a boat that looked like two banana boats stuck together, speeding off in search of dolphins! Along the way, we also saw a sea turtle floating comfortably.

We were able to see the mountain scenery known as the "Hand of God." After about 30 minutes on the boat, the captain signaled that dolphins had been spotted!! We hurriedly put on our fins and masks, and with the signal to go, we jumped into the sea! (Those who are afraid of the sea might hesitate here... but if you don’t jump in quickly, you won’t see the dolphins.)

We all swam hard after the fast Sue, moving away from the boat. When Sue said, "Look down!" and we looked down, there were dolphins swimming happily below us!! There were about 20 of them. There were baby dolphins too, and I almost lost it from their cuteness (laughs).

After that, we returned to the boat and were told we could dive in again! We were able to see even more dolphins up close this time—so adorable! In our class, there was a 5-year-old boy who was scared and didn’t go into the water the first time, but he joined us for dolphin watching with the adults the second time (^^).

And surprisingly, we had another chance to dive! Those who were tired could take a break, but we all went together. Then we could hear the voices of the dolphins!! It was moving!! They were chattering away, giving me goosebumps! After the third snorkeling session, we were served warm tea on the boat.

However, snorkeling uses quite a bit of energy, so I recommend that those who lack stamina or aren’t confident in swimming enjoy at their own pace. (You can definitely get through it with excitement, though (laughs)).

In the second session, we moved to a snorkeling spot to meet the sea turtles, but the sea turtle was unexpectedly absent (laughs). I thought it couldn’t be helped since it’s nature, and I leisurely watched the fish. I had brought an underwater camera, so I took a lot of pictures here. During the dolphin session, I was too focused on swimming and taking it all in, so I think it’s best to watch without anything in hand.

Sue and the cameraman dove down to get sea urchins and other mysterious creatures (laughs), which was quite interesting! After returning to the boat, we enjoyed some Danish and cheese snacks. Sweet food is the best for a tired body!

On the way back, the boat felt a bit cold again. A wetsuit is definitely essential. I heard that if we were lucky, we might see a whale, but we didn’t see one—what a shame!

When we returned to the dock, we took photos together and changed clothes in the restroom to wrap up the day. The group photo was emailed to us later—so nice! We also received eco-bags as graduation souvenirs! Apparently, the title is "Junior High School Graduate" (laughs).

On the bus ride back, everyone was fast asleep (laughs). I made such wonderful memories! Next time, I want to visit Dolphin University or meet the manta rays (^^). I truly made fantastic

友人にお勧めされ、モニターで参加してきました!まだ暗い朝6時にバスに乗り込み、ユーモアたっぷり学級委員長のスーさんによるイルカ先生の説明や、シュノーケルについての説明を受けました。
イルカは私たちの気持ちがわかるということを聞いてワクワク感が高まりました！
バスから見えはじめた海は穏やかで、天気も抜群！バスの中からすでに気分は最高潮でした(笑)
ジンジャーでできた酔い止めを無料で頂いて、私たちのクラスの人はみんな飲んでいました。
(実際に酔いませんでした！)
海の中は温かいけど、海水を浴びた体に風が当たると非常に寒いとのことで、ウェットスーツを10ドルでレンタルしました。体験後、借りてよかったと強く思いました。むしろ寒がりの人はウェットスーツ着ていても寒いぐらいです！
現地についてバスを降りると穏やかな海風と日の出がお出迎え。
すがすがしい天気の中ストレッチをして、いざ乗船！
バナナボートを2つくっつけたような船に乗り、結構なスピードでイルカ探し！
途中でウミガメ先生が気持ちよさそうにプカプカ浮いている姿も見ることができました。
神の手？とよばれている山の景色も見ることができました。
そして30分くらい船に乗った後、船長からイルカ発見！！との合図。
急いでフィンをつけて、マスクをつけ、GO!の合図で海にドボン！(海が怖い人は、ここですこし戸惑ってしまうかも…でもすぐ入らないとイルカ先生は見られません)
泳ぎの速いスーさんのあとにみんなで一生懸命ついていき、船から離れます。
スーさんの「下見て！」の合図で下を向くと、そこには気持ちよさそうに泳ぐイルカ先生が！！
ざっと20匹ぐらいいました。子供イルカもいて、あまりの可愛さにおもわず発狂しかけました(笑)
そのあと一回船に戻り、もう1度見られるということで海にダイブ！
1回目よりも多くのイルカを近くで見られました～本当にかわいい！
同じクラスには5歳の男の子がいて、1回目は怖がって海には入らなかったのですが、2回目には大人に交じってみんなでイルカウォッチングできました（＾＾）
そしてなんと、もう1回潜れるチャンスがあるとのこと！
疲れた人は休憩でOKなのですが、みんなで行きました。
するとイルカ先生の声が聞けました～！！感動！！キューキューおしゃべりしていて、鳥肌モノです！
3回目のシュノーケルの後には温かいお茶を船上でふるまってくれました。
ただ、1回のシュノーケルで結構な体力を使うので、体力がなくて泳ぎに自信がない方は自分のペースで楽しむことをお勧めします。(結構テンションで乗り切れる感じもしますが(笑))
2時限目にはウミガメ先生に会いにシュノーケルスポットを移動したのですが、ウミガメ先生はまさかの無断欠勤(笑)
こればっかりは自然のことなので、しょうがないかなと思いつつお魚さんたちをゆったりとウォッチングしました。
水中カメラを持って行っていたので、私はここで写真をたくさん撮りました。イルカ先生のときは泳ぐのと目に焼き付けるのに必死すぎて、手ぶらで見るのが1番だと思います。
スーさんやカメラマンさんがウニやよくわからない生物(笑)を潜ってとってきてくれてなかなかおもしろかったです！
船に戻り、デニッシュとチーズの軽食を頂きました。疲れた体には甘い食べ物が1番ですね！
帰りの船はやはり少し寒く感じました。やっぱりウェットスーツは必須ですね。
運が良ければ、クジラ大先生も見られるとの話でしたが見られませんでした～残念！
船着き場に戻ってみんなで写真を撮ってトイレでお着替えをして終了です。
みんなでの写真は後日メールで送られてきました～うれしい！
そして卒業記念品にエコバッグ頂きました！肩書きは「中卒」らしいです(笑)
帰りのバスではみんな爆睡(笑)とっても素敵な思い出ができました！
今度はイルカ大学か、マンタ先生にもお会いしたいな～（＾＾）
本当に素敵な思い出ができました！また絶対イルカ先生に会いに行きます☆

I was looking forward to the whale watching. On the day of the tour, we were blessed with clear skies and headed to the pickup location with high expectations. When we arrived, the person who greeted us was a woman who couldn't speak Japanese, but when I communicated that I couldn't speak English, she explained everything multiple times using gestures and slow pronunciation. We headed to the port in one car with another Western couple. As a result, there were only four of us on this day’s optional tour. It was quite nerve-wracking to be the only Japanese people, just my husband and I, among the staff and participants, but the staff was very friendly and quickly eased our worries. As soon as we set sail, they served us drinks and light snacks. With the clear weather, I was first moved by the blue sea and sky, the horizon stretching endlessly, and when I looked back, I could see Honolulu across the sea, which was breathtaking. Along the way, a pod of dolphins swam alongside the boat for a while, and we took lots of photos and videos. Since it was just the beginning of the whale watching season, we didn’t encounter any whales, but the private feel of the cruising experience was more than worth the cost of the optional tour. (Of course, they also provided us with a re-boarding ticket for the same season.) During the cruise, they kindly lent me a jacket when they saw I was cold from the wind, took photos for us, and offered us drinks before we even finished the previous ones. Their attentive service was truly exceptional.

楽しみにしていたホエールウォッチング。当日は快晴に恵まれて期待してピックアップ場所に向かいました。ピックアップ場所に現れたのは日本語が伝わらない女性でしたが、こちらも英語が話せないことを伝えると、身振り手振りとゆっくりとした発音で何度も説明してくれました。港へは別の西洋人カップル？と一台の車で向かいました。結果、この日のオプショナルツアー体験者はこの四人だけでした。スタッフも体験者も含めて日本人が私達夫婦二人だけという大変不安な船出でしたが、スタッフの方も大変気さくに話してくださりすぐに不安も無くなりました。出港するとすぐに飲み物と軽食を出してくれました。快晴ということもあり、青い海と空にまず感動、海の先はどこまでも続く水平線、後ろをみると海越しのホノルル、それだけでも感動でした。途中、イルカの群れがしばらく船と一緒に泳いでくれて写真や動画をとりまくりました。ホエールウォッチングのシーズンが始まったばかりということもあり、ホエールには出会うことができませんでしたが、プライベート感抜群のクルージングだけでオプショナルツアー代金以上の感動でした。（もちろん同シーズンの再乗船券はくれました）クルーズ中、風で寒がっている私を見て上着を貸してくれたり、写真を撮ってくれたり飲み物が飲み終わらないうちに次の飲み物をすすめてくれたり本当に手厚い対応をしてくださいました。

Short and accurate recommendation...my wife said "that was totally worth getting seasick for!"

Take dramamine and have a great trip.

I had a reservation at 8 o'clock, but I was informed that it was changed to 11 o'clock. However, when they contacted me again, I couldn't answer the phone. When I called back, they said they didn't understand Japanese... Although I was a bit flustered, I managed to understand that the pickup time had changed, and I was able to participate in the tour without any issues!

There were only my husband and me as Japanese participants, so I felt a bit anxious, but the staff were friendly, and the language barrier didn't matter at all! Unfortunately, we couldn't see the whales, but we were able to see sea turtles and a pod of dolphins!! They mentioned that if we didn't see any whales, we could try again, but this time the schedule didn't match.

However, I definitely want to see whales someday, so if I have the opportunity to go to Hawaii again, I will definitely sign up for the same tour. Even though we couldn't see the whales, I really enjoyed the cruise, so it was very worthwhile!

8時に予約していたのですが、あちらから、11時に変更になったと連絡がありました。しかし、再度あちらから連絡があった際、電話に出ることが出来ず。かけ直すと、日本語はわからないとのこと…ちょっと焦りながらも、どうにかピックアップ時間が変更になったことを聞き取れることができ、ツアーに無事参加することが出来ました！
ツアー参加の日本人は、私と主人だけだったので、少し不安でしたが、スタッフの皆さんフレンドリーで言葉の壁なんて関係ありませんでした！
残念ながら、肝心のホエールは見れませんでしたが、ウミガメとイルカの群れを見ることが出来ました！！
見れなかったら再度チャレンジ！ってことだったのですが、今回は日程が合いませんでした。
でも、いつか絶対ホエールを見たいので、ハワイに行く機会があれば、必ずまた同じツアーに申し込みたいと思います。
ホエールを見れなくても、クルーズを楽しめたので凄く価値がありました！

This time, I challenged myself to night snorkeling for the first time! I was worried about panicking in the dark ocean, but those worries were completely unnecessary! After the crew (the captain and two assistants) explained everything in English, a Japanese guide kindly interpreted, which made me feel really safe and secure!

We were able to take lots of photos before departure, and during sunset, we captured some beautiful shots of the sunset! As for the main attraction, the manta rays, we were able to see nearly ten of them! They came close enough to swim right by us, and we even saw them doing flips while feeding! The manta rays, with their large mouths wide open, came within about five centimeters of us, and it was truly an impressive sight.

After snorkeling, snacks (ahi poke, tako poke, Ritz crackers, chocolate, gummies, etc.) and drinks (hot cocoa, coffee, cola, etc.) were served on the boat!

Additionally, on the way back, we even received a graduation certificate from Manta University! I enjoyed every moment from start to finish! I highly recommend this tour!

今回、初めてナイトシュノーケリングに挑戦しました！
暗い夜の海の中ではパニックにならないかと不安でしたが、そんな心配は無用の長物！！
クルー（船のキャプテンとアシスタント2名）の方が英語で説明された後、日本人ガイドさんが丁寧に通訳してくれたのでほんとに安心安全でした！
出港前から写真もたくさん撮れましたし、日没の時間帯には夕焼けショットも！
メインのマンタですが、、
なんと！！10枚近くも見ることができました。
至近距離まで遊泳に来てくれ、餌を食べながらくるりと宙返りする姿も見れました！
大きい口をぱっくり開けて、目の前5センチくらいまで近寄ってくるマンタは、本当にすごい迫力でした。

シュノーケリングの後には、船内でスナック（アヒポキ、たこポキ、
リッツ、チョコレート、グミなど）とドリンク（ホットココア、
コーヒー、コーラなど）が配られました！

また、帰りにはマンタ大学の卒業証書までもらえました！
最初から最後までどっぷり満喫できました！
とってもおすすめのツアーです！

I could clearly see that the staff is committed to safe operations. If you're going to board, it might be better to choose a time in Japanese. I think discussions about fish names and history are better in Japanese than in English. It was interesting to see sea turtles, rays, and sharks under the sunken ship. Unlike an aquarium, you can truly enjoy the depth of the ocean.

安全運行をスタッフが心がけているのが良くわかりました。
搭乗するなら、日本語の時間帯が良いかも。魚の名前や歴史の話など英語よりも日本語がいいと思います。
ウミガメやエイ、沈没船の下にいる鮫など面白かったです。
水族館と違い、奥行きのある海の中が堪能できます。

They did a great job with my young kids. Everyone got in the water and had fun. When the 5 year old was ready to get back on the boat, they took her and let the adults stay in the water. Professional and fun.

I participated with a friend. We signed up for a members-only monitor tour. Since we used this service during our last trip to Hawaii, we decided to go with them again this time. The printed voucher mentioned that we should contact the tour company for final confirmation of our reservation by 5 PM the day before, so I called (I don't remember needing to contact them during our last visit, so it might just be for the monitor tour).

We had a reservation for the second session at 10:30, but the staff member who answered the phone said, "Due to the availability of reservations, we will have to move you to the first session." I thought it was understandable since it was a monitor tour, but I would have appreciated at least a hint of consideration for our schedule (laughs).

On the day of participation, we gathered at the entrance of the Hyatt Hotel. It seemed like the Hyatt entrance was a meeting point for various tours, as there were many people. The vehicle for Dolphin Junior was a flashy yellow school bus, so we boarded without getting lost. Since it was an early morning tour, I was honestly quite sleepy, but the instructor was very good at explaining! I was able to enjoy listening to her explanations. On the way to our destination on the west coast, we passed by a park famous for the tree from the song "This Tree, What Tree," and the instructor pointed out good photo opportunities (laughs).

After arriving at our destination, we rented wetsuits (for a fee of $10) and headed out to sea by boat. The wind was quite strong that day, creating whitecaps. The boat was rocking a lot, and a few participants were feeling unwell. I was initially worried about whether we would be able to see dolphins with such waves, but after about 10 minutes, we spotted them! We were able to see a group of about 20 dolphins. We then repeatedly swam with the dolphins by jumping into the sea ahead of their path, and we were able to swim with them a total of three times!

After swimming with the dolphins, we went snorkeling to look for fish and turtles. The water was murky, likely due to the high waves, so we couldn't see the fish clearly. I saw turtles come up to the surface to breathe twice from the boat. During my last participation, I was able to swim with two turtles while snorkeling, so I think it just depends on luck.

That said, I was very satisfied to have swum with the main attraction, the dolphins, three times! The staff on the boat were all very kind and friendly. I definitely want to use this service again next time.

友人と二人で参加。
会員限定モニターツアーに申し込みました。前回のハワイ旅行でも利用させていただいたので、今回もこちらで。
印刷したバウチャーに、予約前日の17時までにツアー会社に予約内容最終確認のため連絡するよう書いてあったので電話しました(前回利用時には連絡した覚えがなかったので、モニターツアーだけかもしれません)。
二部の10:30からの予約だったのですが、電話に出たスタッフさんが「予約の空き状況の都合上、一部での参加にさせていただきます」と一言。モニターツアーですし仕方ないかなとは思いましたが、こちらの予定を伺う素振りくらいは見せて欲しかったです（笑）
参加当日、ハイアットホテルの玄関に集合。ハイアット玄関口はいろんなツアーの集合場所になっているみたいで、たくさん人がいました。イルカ中学は黄色いスクールバスのような派手な車だったので、迷うことなく乗車。朝早いツアーだったので、正直かなり眠かったのですが、インストラクターのお姉さんのお話がとても上手！楽しく説明を聞くことができました。目的地の西海岸に向かう途中に「♩このー木なんの木」で有名な木がある公園近くを通るので、お姉さんがシャッターチャンスも教えてくれます（笑）
目的地到着後、ウェットスーツを借りて(有料10ドル)、ボートで海へ。この日は結構風が強く、白波が立ってました。ボートの揺れが激しく、一緒に参加された方でダウンしている人も何人かいました。
こんなに波があってイルカちゃんが見えるのか…？と最初不安になりましたが、10分ほどでイルカ発見。20頭ほどの群れを見ることができました〜。その後もイルカが通る道を先回りして、海に飛び込んで、を繰り返して、合計3回イルカと泳ぐことができました！
イルカと泳いだ後は、魚とカメを探してシュノーケル。波が高いせいか水中が濁り、魚もはっきりとは見れませんでした。カメはボート上で呼吸をしに水面に上がってきたのを2回見ました。
前回参加時はシュノーケル中にカメ2匹と泳げたので、こればかりは運だと思います。
とはいえ、メインのイルカと3回も一緒に泳げたので大満足です！
船に乗っていたスタッフさんも皆さん優しかったですし、とてもフレンドリーでした。
次回も是非利用したいです。

We gathered at 9 AM and took a bus for about 30 minutes to the port. During the bus ride, they provided detailed explanations about the types of dolphins, precautions, and how to use the equipment. If you are prone to motion sickness, it’s a good idea to take some medication on the bus!

Once we arrived at the port, those who needed it could rent a wetsuit for $10. When I participated, everyone, both men and women, rented one. The water was a bit cold during this time.

And off we go to meet the dolphins! Just when I thought, "They’re not coming out," I spotted a dolphin's fin! With the guide's excited shout of "There it is!", we quickly got our gear ready and jumped into the sea from the boat. I was truly thrilled to see a pod of dolphins up close!

Next, we moved to meet the turtles. While we could see the dolphins very closely, the turtles were so close that we could almost reach out to them! (Please do not touch them.) We were able to see about 4 to 5 turtles and had a wonderful time.

The staff and guides were very friendly, making the tour enjoyable. I initially hesitated to join, but it turned out to be the best tour I participated in during my trip to Hawaii!

朝9時集合、バスに30分程乗り港へ向かいます。
バスの中では、イルカの種類や注意事項、用具の使用方法など丁寧に説明してくれます◎
酔いやすい方は、バスの中で酔い止めを飲んでおくと良いかと！
港についてから、必要な方は１０ドルでウェットスーツを借りることができます。
私が参加した際は男女全員借りてました。この時期は少し水か冷たい＞＜

いざ！イルカ先生にあいに！
「なかなかでてこないなー」と思っていると、イルカの背びれが！
ガイドさんの「いたー！」という声とともに、すぐに装備を完璧にしてボートから海に飛び込みます。間近にイルカの群れを見ることができ、本当に感激しました！！

次はカメにあいに移動をします。
イルカも本当に間近で見ることができましたが、カメは手に届くほどの近さで見ることができました！（※触ってはいけません）
4.5匹ほど見ることができ、とても素敵な時間を過ごすことが出来ました。

スタッフさん、ガイドさんもとても気さくな方達で楽しくツアーに参加出来ました。
はじめは参加を悩んでいましたが、ハワイ旅行の中で一番参加してよかったと思えたツアーでした！！

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!