All Reviews for Marine Wildlife Encounters

Nice time and wonderful people from start to finish.
Unique and fun experience evan for seniors such as myself. My older brother and I had a great time.

I decided to sign up for this tour right away when I planned a trip to Hawaii with my friends. I had heard that if luck wasn't on our side, we might not encounter dolphins, but swimming with my favorite dolphins has been a dream of mine for a long time, so I was filled with anticipation!

The day before, I called to inform them about the hotel and room where I was staying, and I was very relieved to speak with a Japanese woman.

Then came the long-awaited day. I received a call even before the meeting time, and I wondered what it was about. It turned out that there were few participants for Dolphin Junior High, so we were upgraded to Dolphin University for free!!! I was so happy that my friend and I were overjoyed from the morning.

After being picked up from the hotel, we rode the bus for about an hour. We then transferred to a boat to go search for dolphins. The crew members were all cheerful and funny! It was so much fun!

And then we spotted the dolphins we had been longing to see! We all jumped off the boat immediately and approached the dolphins. It seemed that our class was a lucky day that only happens once every two weeks, as a cute pod of dolphins swam close by without leaving us! Watching the dolphins swim gracefully right in front of us was truly healing and moving. I had brought an underwater camera, so I was able to capture great shots of the dolphins swimming! It was truly, truly a wonderful time. I will never forget it.

Thank you so much to everyone at Dolphin Junior High and Dolphin University!

友達とハワイに行くことになり、真っ先に申し込んだこのツアー。運が悪ければイルカに出会えない事もあると聞いていましたが、大好きなイルカと一緒に泳ぐのはずっと昔からの夢だったので期待を込めて！

前日に泊まっているホテルと部屋を連絡する為に電話しましたが、対応して下さったのが日本人の女性の方でとても安心しました。

そして待ちに待った当日。
集合時間より早く電話がかかってきたので何だろう？と思ったら、イルカ中学への参加者が少なかった為、イルカ大学に無料でアップグレードとのこと！！！嬉しすぎて朝から友人と大はしゃぎでした。

ホテルにピックアップが来てからバスに揺られること約一時間。船に乗り換えてイルカを探しにでかけます。乗組員さん達はみんな陽気で面白い方ばかり！とっても楽しいです！

そして念願のイルカを発見！
すぐにみんなで船から飛び降りて、イルカに接近します。私たちの授業は２週間に１度あるかないか位のラッキーデーだったらしく、可愛いイルカの群れがずーっと近くを離れずに泳いでくれていました！目の前で気持ち良さそうに泳ぐイルカは、本当にみていて癒されるし、感動しました。水中カメラを持っていっていたので、泳いでるイルカの姿もばっちり撮影することができました！本当に本当に、素敵な時間でした。一生忘れません。

イルカ中学、イルカ大学のみなさん
本当にありがとうございました！

The endlessly blue sky and the crystal-clear emerald sea where you can see the bottom. Swimming alongside the lively wild dolphins in such a wonderful Hawaiian sea created truly unforgettable memories. As first-time snorkelers, everything was a new experience for us, but thanks to the generous support from the staff, we were able to enjoy it safely. When we signed up, we had concerns about whether we would actually see wild dolphins and if we would feel unwell, but those worries faded away in the face of the stunning scenery and the dolphins that healed us. The staff informed us that wild dolphins live over 20 years longer than those kept in aquariums, and it made sense to me that they would thrive in such a wonderful environment. When sea turtles and tropical fish approached us without any signs of fear, it felt like we were naturally swimming as part of that ocean. There are many tours that are worth experiencing at least once in a lifetime, but I think there are not many that make you want to experience them again. If we come back to Hawaii, we would love to re-enroll in Dolphin School.

どこまでも青い空と底が見えるほど透明度の高いエメラルドの海。元気に泳ぐ野生のイルカ達とそんな素晴らしいハワイの海を一緒に泳げて、本当に最高の思い出が出来ました。シュノーケル初体験の私達は、何から何まで初めて尽くしでしたが、手厚いサポートのスタッフの皆さんのお陰で、無事に体験する事が出来ました。参加を申し込んだ時は、野生のイルカにそんなに都合よく会えるのか？体調不良にならないか？など不安もありましたが、そんな心配や不安は感じる暇もないほど素晴らしい景色とイルカ達に癒されました。スタッフの方に、野生のイルカは水族館に飼育されているイルカに比べて２０年以上長生きすると教わり、なるほどこれだけ素晴らしい環境でのびのび生きられたらそうなるなと納得でした。ウミガメや熱帯魚も人間を警戒する様子もなく、目の前まで近づいてきた時は、自分たちがその海の一員として自然と一体になって泳いでいる様な感覚でした。人生で一度でも体験すれば良いツアーはいっぱいありますが、もう一度体験したいと思えるツアーはそんなに多くないと思います。私たちはまたハワイに来たらイルカ中学に再入学したいと思います。

I went to Hawaii for my wedding and honeymoon. I decided to participate in a dolphin encounter to create lasting memories from my time in Hawaii.

Although the meeting time was early at 6:10 AM, I was able to catch a little sleep on the bus.

I was taken care of by Sue, and I had a really enjoyable time! I listened carefully to the instructions on the bus, and upon arrival, we moved to a spot on the boat where we could see dolphins. It's recommended to keep your belongings in a waterproof bag, like a plastic bag, just in case they get wet.

While there are chances you might not see dolphins, the class I participated in was very lucky, and we encountered a pod of nearly 70 dolphins multiple times, getting to see them up close! From the boat, we could also see dolphins swimming alongside us! Swimming with the dolphins (or rather, seeing them underwater) was a dream come true, and I was extremely satisfied!

Additionally, during the second hour, we were able to see sea turtles up close. It was my first experience seeing sea turtles this close.

However, since you have to swim on your own, it's best to let someone know if you're not comfortable with that.

The weather was great all day, and the water clarity was excellent! Meeting dolphins and sea turtles was the highlight of my trip!

挙式＆ハネムーンでハワイへ行きました。
ハワイでの思い出になるものを、と思いイルカ中学に参加することにしました。

朝は6時10分集合と早いですが、バスの中でも少し眠ることができます。

スーさんにお世話になりましたが、とっても楽しく過ごすことができました！
バスの中で注意事項をきちんと聞き、到着すると船でイルカの出るスポットへ移動です。
荷物は水に濡れても大丈夫なように、ビニールバッグ等に入れておくことがオススメです。

イルカに会えない等もあるようですが、参加したクラスはとっても運が良く、70頭近くのイルカの群れに何度も遭遇し、間近で見ることが出来ました！！
船上からも、並走して泳ぐイルカをみることが出来ました！！
イルカの群れと一緒に泳ぐ(実際には海中で見る)ことは夢のまた夢だったので、大満足です！！

また、二時間目にはウミガメも間近で見ることができました。
こんなにも近くでウミガメを見たのは初めての経験でした。

ただ、自力で泳ぐので、苦手なかったはきちんと申し出た方がいいです。


終日、お天気にも恵まれ、海の透明度も最高！
イルカ・ウミガメにも会えて、最高でした！

I was hoping that Sea Life Park would have a bit more content. However, I was satisfied to be able to play with the dolphins. I wish the playtime could be longer!

シーライフパークはもう少し内容が充実しているかな？と思っていました。
でも、イルカと遊べて満足です。もっと遊べる時間が長いといいのになあー！と思いました。

This was my several times visiting Hawaii, and since there was a whale watching tour available, I signed up with high expectations.

We were able to see the whales spouting water and occasionally showing their tails in a location not far from Honolulu, but there were no jumps or anything like that; it felt more like they were swimming gracefully, which lacked a bit of excitement. So, I was a bit disappointed...

However, the weather was nice, and I didn't have to worry about seasickness. Among the boats around us, the Star of Honolulu was the largest and most stylish!

Next time, I definitely want to see them jump and get my revenge!

何度目かのハワイで、ホエールウォッチングの設定がある時でしたので、期待して申込ました。
ホノルルからさほど離れていない場所で潮を吹くところや尾びれをちらっと見せたりと見ることは出来ましたが、ジャンプするとかは無く優雅に泳いでる感じで迫力に欠けたかなという事で、う～ん！少し残念・・・
でも、お天気も良く船酔いする心配もなく、周りにいた船のなかでは一番大きくてカッコイイスターオブホノルル号でした！
次回はぜひジャンプを身にリベンジしたいです。

Going to Hawaii and meeting dolphins was a completely new experience for me. When I think of Hawaii, I think of the "beautiful ocean," and I had a strong desire to see "wild dolphins" in that stunning, vast sea, so I signed up for this option.

On the way to the harbor, the guide explained the diving location and the types of dolphins we would encounter. They also briefly talked about the city and its tourist attractions. The guide was Japanese, very cheerful, straightforward, and easy to talk to.

Once we arrived at the harbor, to avoid wasting time, a lecture was held on the bus. We learned how to put on life jackets and how to signal in case of an emergency. Thanks to the prior instructions, I was able to smoothly determine what to do upon arrival at the harbor. Additionally, I was asked on the bus whether I wanted to wear a wetsuit, which I learned could also serve as a warm layer, so I decided to wear it. My husband chose not to wear one, but since the weather was nice, he didn't feel cold afterward. There were no issues with sunburn either.

Upon arriving at the harbor and boarding a small boat, there were two staff members: one was a photographer and the other was the captain, both of whom spoke a bit of Japanese and were improving their language skills day by day. After a few minutes of sailing, we reached our destination and witnessed something large jumping out of the water. Yes, it was the dolphins we were looking for.

Not just one, but dozens of dolphins were leaping and showing off their presence while waiting for us. Excited, we immediately jumped into the sea. We had an agreement to always stay close to the guide and to signal immediately if anything happened.

When we dove in, it wasn't the dolphins coming to us; we were the ones going to find them, searching desperately underwater. The guide went ahead to the location where the dolphins were and signaled us, and we swam towards them. When we got close to the guide, we could see a group of dolphins (dozens of them) swimming gracefully. It was difficult to approach them, and we could only observe from about three meters away, swimming alongside them. Some lucky individuals had dolphins come close enough to touch, reaching out their hands.

According to the guide, there are times when the dolphins swim slowly and times when they swim quickly. After all, they are wild dolphins... We had two chances to dive and meet the dolphins! During the first attempt, I could barely keep up with the guide. When we reached the area where the dolphins were, they disappeared quickly, and I couldn't see them well. After returning to the boat and moving to a different location, we had a second chance! By the second attempt, I had gotten used to swimming with the fins on my feet. I was able to reach the guide more easily, increasing the number of times I saw the dolphins and allowing me to swim with them a lot. The dolphins also swam in groups, and we could see five or six at a time. While diving nearby, I could even hear the dolphins making sounds like "kyu-kyu." I was able to swim alongside them, matching their direction, and I was extremely satisfied!

ハワイへ行くこと、イルカに会いに行くこと、全て初めての体験でした。
ハワイと言えば「きれいな海」そんなきれいな広い海で「野生のイルカ」が見てみたいと言う強い気持ちを持ちこのオプションに申し込みました。

港へ行くまでは、バスの中でガイドさんが当日潜る海の場所やイルカの種類の説明。また、市内について(観光名所)を軽く話してくださいました。ガイドさんは日本人の方で、とても明るく、サバサバしていて、とても話しやすかったです。

港に着いてからモタモタし、時間を無駄にしてしまわない為に、バスの中で、レクチャーが行われました。
ライフジャケットの付け方、緊急時に備えてのサインの出し方。事前に教えてくださったお蔭で、港に着いてまずは何をしなくてはいけないのか自分で判断することができスムーズに行動ができました。それと、バスの中でウエットスーツを着るか着ないかを聞かれ、防寒着にもなると言うのも聞いたので私は着用しました。夫の方は着用はしませんでしたが、天気も良かった為もあり、終了後も寒がることなく過ごせました。日焼けの方も問題はなかったです。

港に着き、小型船に乗ると、スタッフさんがあと２人。その方々は外人の方で、１人はカメラマンさんで、もう１人は船長さんでした。片言の日本語を話し、日に日に日本語が上手になっているそうですｗ
船を走らせること、数分後、目的の場所に着くと、何か大きな物体が飛び跳ねるのを目の当たりに。そう、目的のイルカです。
一頭だけではなく数十頭ものイルカが代わる代わる回転しながら飛び跳ね存在感をアピールして私たちを待っていました。
テンションマックスの私たちはすぐさま海へ。
ここでの約束として、常に団体行動としてガイドさんのそばから離れないこと。何かあったらすぐにサインを送ること。を守りながらイルカに会いにいきました。
潜って見ると、イルカが会いに来てくれるのではなく、私たちがイルカに会いに行くというスタンスで、必死に海の中を探し回りました。また、ガイドさんが先にイルカのいる位置まで行ってくれ、私たちに合図をし、私たちはガイドさん目がけて常に泳いでいました。
ガイドさんのそばに行くとイルカの集団(何十頭)が優雅に泳いでいるのを目にできました。近づくことは難しく３メートルぐらい離れた位置で見れて、一緒に泳ぐという形でした。運がよく自分の近くまでイルカが来てくれたという方もいて、その方は手を伸ばせば触れれる距離だったそうです。
ガイドさん曰く、ゆっくり泳いでくれる時と、スピードが早い時があるみたいです。なんせ、野生のイルカなので。。。
イルカに会いに潜れるチャンスは２回！！一回目はガイドさんについていくのがやっと。イルカのいる場所まで行ってイルカが見えたと思ったらすぐにいなくなってしまい、ゆっくり、じっくりと見えませんでした。一度船に上がり、船の位置を移動してから２回目のチャレンジ！！２回目には足についているフィンで泳ぐことにも慣れてきました。すぐにガイドさんの所にも行けるようになり、イルカを見る回数も増え、たくさん一緒に泳ぐことができました。イルカの方も常に団体行動をしており、一回につき５、６頭も見れました。近くで潜っていると、「キュ～キュ～」と言うようなイルカの鳴き声まで耳にできるように。イルカの真上でイルカの泳ぐ向きに合わせ、並走して泳ぐことができ、とってもとっても大満足でした！

I went to Hawaii for my honeymoon.

The tour instructor was very friendly, kind, and cheerful. They congratulated us, saying, "Is it your honeymoon? Congratulations!" and we were able to enjoy ourselves throughout the bus ride.

The captain and the photographer were also very bright and energetic, and we had a truly enjoyable time☆

As for the dolphins, we encountered them surprisingly quickly after boarding. It seems that the dolphins in the area we were guided to tend to swim in groups, and we were able to see nearly 20 dolphins up close! I was really happy and moved because I never expected to see so many dolphins so close.

After that, the captain steered the boat so we could swim with the dolphins again, and we were able to swim near them several times.

Not only that, but I was also able to swim with sea turtles and colorful tropical fish, which made me very satisfied☆

I highly recommend this to everyone going to Hawaii. You will surely have a wonderful experience!

I also want to participate again when I go to Hawaii. Thank you very much.

ハワイにはハネムーンで行きました。

ツアーのインストラクターの方はとても気さくで親切な、明るい方でした。
「ハネムーンですか？おめでとうございます！」とお祝いしてくださり、
バスの移動中も終始楽しく過ごすことが出来ました。

船長さん、カメラマンさんもとても明るく元気な方で本当に楽しい時間を過ごせました☆

肝心のイルカはというと、乗船してから驚くほどすぐに出会うことが出来ました。
案内していただいたエリアに生息するイルカは群れで行動する習慣があるそうで、
なんと20頭近くのイルカを間近で見ることが出来ました！
あんなに近くで、しかもあんなにたくさんのイルカに会えるとは思っていなかったので
本当に嬉しく、感激でした。

その後も、船長さんがイルカと再び泳げるよう舵を取ってくださり、何度か近くで泳ぐことが出来ました。

それだけでなく、ウミガメやカラフルな熱帯魚とも泳げて大満足です☆

ハワイに行かれる皆さんにぜひぜひお勧めしたいです。
きっと素敵な体験ができますよ！

私もまたハワイに行く際には、参加したいと思います。
ありがとうございました。

I was divided into a Japanese group and an English group, and I was able to experience it entirely in Japanese. However, I was unclear about what we were waiting for, as the start time was delayed by about 30 minutes. That was my only complaint. I think the return time is just right for families with children.

日本人グループと英語グループとに分けてくれて、日本語オンリーで体験できました。
ただ、何を待っていたのか不明ですが、始まる時間が３０分ほど遅れました。
それだけが不満でした。
帰りの時間も子連れにはちょうどいいと思います。

Was a good time.. Wish we coulda seen more wildlife but was good

The stingray tank is not very deep or wide. It’s perfectly fine if you can’t swim, as life jackets and snorkel masks are provided. Although the explanation was in English, the staff provided instructions in Japanese during our visit.

When entering the pool, you should do so quietly and slowly; kicking your feet is absolutely not allowed as it scares the stingrays and fish away. You should wait in the shallow area, which is the stingrays' pathway, and you can touch the stingrays' fins, but not their bellies or backs.

The smooth and soft texture of the stingrays was very pleasant. Additionally, the experience of feeding the fish was truly moving. The instructor handed me some romaine lettuce, and as soon as I held it, the fish gathered around and started eating it with incredible enthusiasm. I could feel them poking at my fingers. Even though I was just floating and being poked by the fish, I felt very relaxed and healed. This is a tour that you can't easily experience elsewhere, so I highly recommend it.

Lockers are available for $3, but there are benches in the area accessible only to tour participants, so I think you can just leave your things there.

This time, I participated in an activity that started at 1:20 PM. I took the first Waikiki Trolley and arrived around 10 AM. I was able to see both the dolphin show and the sea lion show, which was a lot of fun. Since there is no shade for either show, it’s a good idea to bring a parasol. I changed slowly, fed the birds, and returned on the 2:50 PM trolley. The last stop on the Blue Line is Kahala Mall, where I transferred to the Green Line to return to Waikiki.

I tried Dippin' Dots for the first time at the shop. It’s a strange dessert. Definitely give it a try!

エイの水槽は深く、広くはありません。ライフジャケットとシュノーケルマスク着用の為
泳げなくても全く問題ありません。英語での説明ですが私たちの時は、スタッフの方が日本語で注意事項の説明をしてくれました。

プールに入る時はスリ足で静かに入る事・エイや魚が怖がって寄ってこなくなるのでバタ足は絶対しない事・浅瀬になっている所がエイの通り道なので、その場所で待つ事・エイのヒレに触り、お腹と背中は触らない事という内容でした。

エイの滑らかでソフトな感触は気持ちの良いものでした。
又、その後の魚へのエサやり体験が感動モノでした。
インストラクターからサニーレタスを渡されましたが、手に持った瞬間から、魚たちが集まり
凄い勢いで食べ始めました。私の指にもツンツン突く感触が、伝わりました。
ただ浮いていて、魚にツンツンされただけなのに、とてもリラックスでき、癒されました。
なかなか他では体験できないツアーなのでお勧めです。

ロッカーは３ドルですが、ツアー参加者のみ入るスペースにベンチがあるので、そこに置けば
必要無いと思います。

今回、１時２０分開始のアクティビティに参加しました。
ワイキキトロリー１便でワイキキを出発し１０時頃着きました。
イルカショーとアシカショーも見られました。アシカショーがとっても楽しかったです。
両方とも日影が無いので日傘を持っていくと良いです。ゆっくり着替えをして、鳥に餌をやり２時５０発のトロリーで帰ってきました。ブルーラインの最終停留所はカハラモールなのでここでグリーンラインに乗り換えて、ワイキキに戻りました。

売店で売られているドッピンドッツを初めて食べました。不思議なスイーツです。
是非試してみてください。

excellent, lot of fun, recommend to everyone, staff is amazing and helpful, will do it again

On December 30, 2013, I participated with my family of six. Whether or not we encounter whales is purely a matter of luck, so there's nothing we can do about that. What we saw were the distant spouts and the tail of a whale. Unfortunately, we couldn't have an experience that we could truly say was "seeing a whale." The weather was nice, so I comforted myself by thinking of it as a cruise. Since it was early in the morning, we opted for a breakfast plan, but given the price, I didn't have high expectations, and it turned out as expected. There was quite a bit of time before we reached the whale watching point, so it might be nice to have a light snack and drink some coffee while passing the time. There weren't too many people, so we didn't have issues seeing the whales, but it would have been great if we had encountered them. What a shame.

2013/12/30に家族6名で参加しました。くじらに巡り合えるかどうか、こればかりは運ですので仕方ありませんが、見えたのは遠～くのくじらの潮吹きとくじらの尾びれでした。
残念ながら”くじらを見た”と言える体験はできませんでした。お天気はよかったので、クルーズをしたと思って自分をなぐさめました。朝早かったので、朝食つきプランにしましたが、まあこの値段ですし期待はしていませんでしたが予想どおり。くじらのポイントまではけっこう時間があったので、軽く食べてコーヒーでも飲みながら時間をつぶすにはいいのではないでしょうか。人が多すぎてクジラがみえないとかそういうことはなかったので、くじらにさえ出会えていればよかったですね。残念。

the hosts were so friendly and informative...they made the extra effort to make sure we saw dolphins...

just a very exciting, pleasant experience :)

It's best to take Premium tour if you want to see. The tour guide was very funny. We enjoued ourselves. We like how colors break down as you descend into ocean floor.

You get a quick instruction on how to get in and get out of the scooter, and they teach you important hand signals. I don't know how to swim and never been underwater so I was extremely nervous. But everyone gets their own instructor so if you're freaking out, they're right there to help you. These guys were nice and never push you past your own comfort zone. I actually freaked out going underwater so my instructor brought me back up for a minute, let me calm down and tried it again. I got to see fish and even a few sea turtles swim by it was awesome!

My main complaint is that the guy taking pictures didn't catch any of this. He didn't take pictures until AFTER the fish swam by. So majority of my pictures that I paid $45 for are just of me in the water with no fish in it. What a waste!!

Now this is a warning for those of you who get motion sickness: I took Dramamine an hour before going out to sea and let me tell you that didn't work. While waiting for other people to have their turn, the boat was moving like crazy and I got seasick. Two other people actually got sick as well.

Overall this was a fun activity and I like that they let you snorkel while waiting for others to have their turn. However, I don't recommend this activity if you are prone to motion sickness.

Tip: Bring your own underwater camera!

On May 7th, I participated with another man. To start with my impressions, it was an absolutely wonderful experience!!

On the day of the event, the sky was overcast from the morning, and I was worried it might rain, but fortunately, by the evening, the sun started to shine, which was a relief. We headed to Honokohau Harbor by rental car. I had been to the harbor before, so I had no issues getting there. However, when I parked next to another car, a woman who seemed to be Japanese approached and asked, "Is this for manta rays?" When I replied "Yes," she told me that I should park on the opposite side instead of where I was. Although the area was spacious, I was instructed to park between the sea and the restroom (in the narrower area). The check-in instructions also mentioned to park between the harbor and the restroom, but when I actually went there, it seemed better to park in the wider area, so caution is needed.

When we arrived at the check-in bench, the woman from earlier informed a foreign captain about us, and he approached me in English. When I mentioned that I couldn't speak English, he greeted me in broken Japanese. He seemed like a kind captain.

After a while, the people for the shuttle service arrived. The driver appeared to be a somewhat flashy Japanese person? (At that point, he was wearing sunglasses and speaking normal Japanese, so I couldn't tell, but he had brown eyes and seemed to be a half-Japanese young man who spoke English fluently. He would be our guide on the boat, and he was really a nice guy. The woman from earlier was no longer around by this time.)

Once all the participants gathered, we adjusted the sizes of our wetsuits and fins. Although it was stated that wetsuits were available for rental upon request, everyone was given one without confirmation on that day. It was mentioned that only those who wanted to could wear fins. Regarding life jackets, there was an explanation later that they would be on the boat, but I think it's better for those who are not confident in swimming to request to wear one at this point.

This time, there were eight Japanese participants, including us, two foreigners, and the captain and guide, making a total of twelve people on a rubber boat-type (though it's a large and sturdy boat, so no worries) speedboat, and we finally set sail. With this number of people, it was spacious enough, but since it was an open type, depending on the wind direction, we might get splashed with water, so it's better to wear clothes that can get wet.

We left the harbor and headed towards a point behind the airport, which is said to be a recent spot. After about 20 minutes of travel, we arrived at the point near the airport and joined another boat. While enjoying the sunset for a while, we received a lecture about manta rays from our guide while waiting for it to get dark. (The information about manta rays at this time was truly fascinating.)

As it started to get dim, we entered the water. The water temperature was about 26°C, so it didn't feel too cold. While holding onto a stick-like buoy, when I reached the board held by the guide, he said, "Mantas are already here!" I hurriedly looked underwater, and there they were, right in front of me!! Excitement and the fact that it had been a while since I last snorkeled made me swallow a bit of water. (Sweat) We were warned beforehand not to touch the mantas, but they were so focused on feeding that they came right up to me without a care. One by one, the mantas increased in number, and at one point, there were six of them right below me at the same time. As I became more comfortable, I started to observe the cute eyes, gills, and the different patterns on their bellies. By this time, the legendary manta "Lefty" also made an appearance.

After enjoying the mantas for a while, the current started to get stronger. Just then, it seemed that the guide was pulling the board for a slight move. Then, what could be called the main event of the day unf

５月７日に男２人で参加してきました。
参加した感想から先に言ってしまえば、大変素晴らしい体験が出来ました！！
当日は朝から雲が厚く、雨が降るのではないかとやきもきしていましたが、幸い夕方頃には光も射してきて一安心。レンタカーでホノコハウハーバーに向かいます。ハーバーには以前行った事が有り、問題無く行かれたのですが、先行者の隣に車を停めたところ日本人らしき女性が近付いて来て、「マンタですか？」と聞かれたので「ハイ」と答えると、車は此処ではなく反対側に停めて下さいとの事。敷地は広々と空いているのですが、海とトイレの間（狭い方）に停めなければならないとの事です。チェックイン場所の案内にもハーバーとトイレの間に停めるよう書いてあるのですが、実際に行ってみると広く空いている方に停めた方が良さそうに思えてしまうので注意が必要ですね。
チェックイン場所のベンチへ行くと、先ほどの女性がキャプテンらしき外人さんに我々の事を伝えてくれ、キャプテンが英語で話掛けてきてくれましたが、英語が出来ない旨伝えると、カタコトの日本語で挨拶をしてくれました。優しそうなキャプテンです。
暫くすると送迎組の人達もやって来ました。送迎の運転手を務めていたのは一見チャラそうな日本人？（この時点ではサングラスを掛け、普通に日本語をしゃべっていたため分からなかったのですが、目は茶色く英語も普通に話すハーフ？だと思われる青年。彼がガイドとして船に乗り込むのですが、実にナイスガイです。先の女性はこの頃には居なくなっていました。）
参加者が揃ったところで、ウエットスーツと足ヒレのサイズを合わせます。ウエットスーツは希望制レンタル…のように書いて有りますが、当日は確認されずに全員に渡されました。足ヒレは希望者のみ装着で構わないとの事。救命胴衣に関しては、後ほど船に積んで有る旨説明は有りますが、泳ぎに自信が無い方は、この時点で装着したいと申し出た方が良いと思います。
今回の参加者は私達含め日本人が８名、外国人２名にキャプテン＆ガイドの計１２名でゴムボートタイプ（ゴムボートと言っても大きくガッチリしているのでご安心を）の高速艇に乗り込み、いよいよ出港です。これぐらいの人数ならゆったり乗れますが、オープンタイプのため風向きによっては水しぶきを被りますので潮水がかかっても良い服を着て行った方が良いでしょう。
港を出て、最近のポイントだという空港裏を目指します。２０分程走り空港裏岸寄りのポイントに着き、先行艇の仲間入り。しばしサンセットを堪能しつつ、ガイドさんにマンタについてのレクチャーを受けながら、暗くなるのを待ちます。（この時のマンタの話が実に興味深いものばかりでした。）
薄暗くなって来たところで入水します。水温は２６℃程だということで、それほど冷たさは感じません。棒状の浮きを抱えながら、ガイドさんの持つボードまで行くと「もうマンタが来てますよ！」と言うガイドさんの声に慌てて水中を覗き込むと、もうマンタが目の前に！！興奮と久しぶりのシュノーケルという事も有り、少し水を飲んでしまいました。（汗）事前にマンタに触れないよう注意を受けるのですが、マンタの方は食事に夢中で、お構いなしに眼前に迫って来ます。一枚二枚とマンタは増えていき、最多では六枚同時に眼下に来てくれました。少し余裕が出てくると、マンタの可愛い目やエラ、お腹の模様の違いなど観察出来る様になってきます。この頃には伝説のマンタ「レフティ」も登場してくれました。
ひとしきりマンタを堪能した頃に潮の流れがきつくなって来ました。と、思ったら、どうやらガイドさんがボードを引張って小移動しているもよう。すると此処で本日のメインイベントともいうべき光景が目の前に広がって来ます。今までの、ボードから下に向かって射していた光とはまったく別の光が広がってきたかと思うと同時に”リアル竜宮城”の世界が広がります。
ここから先を詳しく書いてしまうとネタばれになってしまうので、ここから先は参加してのお楽しみにしておきましょう！（すでに書きすぎの感は有りますが(汗)）この時期なら帰りの船上もそれほど寒くもなかったので、本当にお勧めのアクティビティですね。
自然のマンタナイトシュノーケリングは、今の所ハワイ島でしか楽しめないそうなので、興味の有る方は是非是非物のアクティビティだと思います。
日本に戻っても”あの光景”はなかなか頭を離れません。次回ハワイ島に行く機会が有れば、マンタナイトを優先して予定を組む事でしょう。必ずリピートしたいと思います。それほど素晴らしい体験でした。

I signed up for this experience because my husband wanted to interact with dolphins, and it turned out to be a wonderful experience. They provided a thorough explanation in Japanese about the precautions beforehand, which allowed us to enter the pool without any anxiety. The dolphins even held our hands and gave us kisses, which was incredibly fun. After the interaction time ended, my husband continued to applaud the jumping dolphins and was very satisfied with the photos we purchased. It was clear that the staff cares for the dolphins and values Hawaii's nature, and I learned a lot from this experience, leaving me with a sense of richness.

イルカと触れ合いたいという夫の希望で申し込みましたが、とても良い経験ができました。事前に注意点等について、日本語で丁寧に説明してくれたので、不安もなくプールに入ることができました。イルカは私達おじさんやおばさんとも、手（？）をつないだり、キスしたりしてくれ、すごい楽しかったです。夫はふれあいタイムが終わった後もジャンプするイルカに拍手を送り続け、写真を購入して大満足でした。スタッフがイルカを大切に育てていることやハワイの自然を大事にしていることが伝わり、私もいろいろ学ぶことができ、豊かな気持ちになりました。

I never imagined I could spend such a long time in the sea. I was able to see a pod of 30 to 40 dolphins, and Su-san's storytelling was amazing! If you're going to swim with dolphins, definitely choose Ilchu or Ildai! Thank you very much.

あれだけしっかりと長い時間海に浸かれるなんて思ってもみませんでした。
イルカ先生の群れも30～40頭でしっかり見れたし、スーさん先生の語りが最高！！
イルカと泳ぐなら絶対にイル中、イル大ですね！！！
ありがとうございました。

I come here every year, and I am moved every time I participate!
I highly recommend it!!!
Since we leave early in the morning, it's easy to plan the schedule!!

毎年来ていますが、何回参加しても感動しますよ！
おすすめです！！！
朝早く出発するので、スケジュールも組みやすい！！

It was a great experience for the whole family, great staff, very helpful and informative, we were a bit disapointed because it was cut short.......we realized it after we were off the sub, other than that I recommend it.

Woke up at 6:00 AM, gathered at 6:30.
It feels a bit early, but it's necessary. Waking up early is essential to meet the dolphins.

Once we boarded the bus, the morning homeroom led by the student council president, "Akao-chan," began.
The homeroom covered our upcoming plans and safety precautions for the ocean. I was sleepy, but it seemed important, so I listened seriously. (In fact, I think it's better to pay attention since it is important.)

After about an hour of driving, we arrived at the West Coast.
We quickly boarded the boat.

The boat for Dolphin Junior High was smaller than that of Dolphin University, so it swayed quite a bit.
But the scenery around us was amazing!!
Especially the legendary "???" where the Hawaiian music god IZ rests (I'm sorry, I forgot the name) was breathtaking. I wanted to land there. Is that possible?

After about 30 minutes of being rocked by the boat, we finally arrived at the dolphin point.
I jumped into the sea. The key here is to borrow a wetsuit. By the way, I jumped in wearing just swim trunks and it was extremely cold... Don't underestimate the ocean.

After a while, Akao-chan shouted, "Look down, look down!"
When I looked down as instructed, I spotted a pod of dolphins!! There were probably around 50 of them.
It was lucky to find them so quickly.
After that, friendly dolphins were playing just 5 meters away, spinning around, giving us a very precious experience.

That's all for my dolphin experience.

Personally, I also enjoyed the sea turtle observation tour.
I couldn't see any turtles because I got tired, but I encountered a giant stingray and swam alongside it.

Overall, it felt very active, so I think it's more suited for younger people.
Also, since the boat sways quite a bit, if you are prone to seasickness, it might be a good idea to take some motion sickness medication.

Thank you, Akao-chan.

朝6：00起床、6:30集合。
ちょっと早いような気がしますが、これでいいんです。
イルカに会うためには早起きが必要なんです。

バスに乗り込むと『あかおちゃん』こと生徒会会長による朝のホームルームが始まる。
ホームルームの内容は、これからのプラン及び海での注意事項。
眠いが重要そうなので真面目に聞きました。(実際重要なので真面目に聞いたほうがいいと思います)

1時間ほどの運転で西海岸に到着。
早速船に乗り込む。

イルカ中学はイルカ大学より船が小さいためかなり揺れました。
でも周りの景色は最高！！
特に伝説のハワイアンミュージックの神様IZが眠る「???」(すみません、名前忘れてしまいました)は絶景中の絶景でした。上陸したかったです。できませんかね？

船に揺られること30分、ついのイルカポイントに到着。
海に飛び込む。ここでのポイントはウェットスーツ借りること。ちなみに私は海パンいっちょで飛び込んで非常に寒い思いをしました。。海をなめたらあかん。)

しばらくするとあかおちゃんの「下見て、下見て」の掛け声。
言われた通り下を見るとイルカの群れを発見！！ざっと50匹ぐらいはいたのではないでしょうか。
こんなにも早く見つかるなんてラッキーでした。
その後も人懐こいイルカがほんの5m先でくるくる回りながら遊んでいたり、大変貴重な経験をさせて頂きました。

イルカ体験談はここまで。

個人的にはウミガメ観察ツアーもなかなか楽しかったです。
私はヘタってしまったため、ウミガメは見れませんでしたが巨大なエイに遭遇して並走ならぬ並泳しました。

全体的に非常にアクティブなので若い人向けの様な気がします。
あと、かなり船が揺れますので船酔いしそうな方は酔い止めを飲んでおくといいもしれません。

あかおちゃん、有難うございました。

I was really looking forward to it, but there was less interaction with the dolphins than I expected, which was a bit disappointing. Next time, I would like to participate in the plan to swim with the other dolphins.

すごく楽しみにしてましたが、思ったよりいるかとのふれあいが少なくものたりない。
次回はもう一つのイルカと泳ぐプランに参加したいとおもいました。

I apologize for the late post, but I participated in the Dolphin Middle School tour in April. Last year, I joined the Dolphin University tour, which was a fulfilling experience, but this time I decided to try Dolphin Middle School based on a friend's recommendation that "the boat is thrilling and fun."

To sum it up, it was an incredibly enjoyable and satisfying time. First of all, we saw so many dolphins. By quietly approaching as instructed by the captain and never chasing them, we were able to have them come back to us multiple times. It felt unreal to actually experience "swimming with a pod of dolphins."

Additionally, I was able to see many of my favorite sea turtles. It seems that it's not common for so many to gather, but we were able to slowly observe a family of about five or six turtles, and they came right up to the surface for air, coming very close to us.

Moreover, from the boat, we were lucky enough to see an out-of-season whale and a rare seal. I believe whether you encounter dolphins, sea turtles, or whales depends on luck that day, but I highly recommend this tour. I definitely want to participate again when I go to Hawaii.

投稿が遅くなってしまいましたが、4月にイルカ中学のツアーに参加させていただきました。
去年はイルカ大学に参加して充実したツアーだったのですが、今回は友人から「イルカ中学のボートもスリルがあって楽しいよ」という薦めでイルカ中学に初参加してみました。
結論から言うと、とっても楽しい大満足の時間でした。
まず、イルカがとにかくたくさん見られました。
船長さんの指示どおりに静かに近づき、決して追いかけず、警戒させないようにすれば、何度も私たちのところに戻ってきてきてくれました。
こんなに「イルカの群れと一緒に泳いでいる」と実感できるなんて、現実じゃないようでした。
また、大好きなウミガメもたくさん見ることができました。
普段はこんなに集まっていることはあまりないそうですが、５～６頭の家族のようなウミガメたちをゆっくり見れて、しかも息継ぎのために海面に上がってくる度に顔のすぐ目の前に来てくれました。
その他にも、ボートの上から季節外れのクジラや、貴重なアザラシも見ることができて、とてもラッキーでした。
イルカやウミガメ、クジラに会えるかどうかはその日の運によると思いますが、とてもお勧めできるツアーです。
ハワイに行く時は必ず参加したいと思います。

I took my two children and enjoyed the morning deal. Everyone was moved by the dynamic sights! The nearby free public parking was full by the time we left, so it's better to arrive early.

子供2人連れて、朝一のお得プランでした。ダイナミックな姿が見れてみんな感動です！
近くのフリー（パブリック）パーキングは帰るころにはいっぱいになっていたので早めに行ったほうがいいですね。

I just returned from my dream trip to the Big Island of Hawaii! I stayed for three nights, but it wasn't enough. This time, I participated in a night snorkeling experience swimming with wild manta rays, which was featured on the TV show "Tabi Salad." I think most people have only seen manta rays in aquariums.

I boarded the boat of Manta University’s Night Division, filled with excitement. With the captain and a handsome Nisei staff member, we cruised the Hawaiian waters for about 20 minutes on a high-speed boat to our snorkeling point. While enjoying the sunset, the handsome staff member shared fascinating information about manta rays in fluent Japanese, and my anticipation grew knowing that this unique experience could only be had on the Big Island.

Finally, we changed into our wetsuits, put on fins and snorkels, and entered the water. Within five minutes, a manta ray appeared! I was thrilled to be so close! But what surpassed that excitement was when the manta ray began to flip right in front of me multiple times a few minutes later. Amazing! So cute!

I lost track of time as several manta rays continued to perform flips right before my eyes. On the way back, we cruised through the dark sea, gazing at the beautiful starry sky, still savoring the experience with the manta rays as we returned to the harbor.

If you visit the Big Island, I highly recommend participating in this unique tour that you can only experience here! Thank you to the kind and attentive crew!

憧れのハワイ島に行ってきました！　雄大で活動的なハワイ島
に三泊しましたが物足りませんでした。今回は、テレビ（旅サラダ）で
放映された 野生のマンタと泳ぐ！ナイト・シュノーケリング に参加
しました。ほとんどの方がマンタは水族館でしか見たことがないと思います。
創造を膨らませてマンタ大学夜学部のボートに乗りました。　キャプテンと
日系二世のイケ面君のスッタフで約２０分の高速ボートでハワイの海をクルーズ
ポイントに到着してサンセットを眺める間イケ面君の流暢な日本語でまだ知られ
てないマンタのことを教えてもらい、このハワイ島だけしかこのマンタの体験が
出来ないことに期待が膨らみました。
いよいよウエットスーツに着替えフィンとシュノーケルを付けて海に入りました。
５分もするとマンタが現れました！　手の届くほどの距離に感動！しかしその感動
を数倍超えるものが数分後に、マンタが目の前で何度も宙返りを繰り返します
すごい！カワイイ！
時間を忘れて何枚のマンタが現れ目の前で宙返りを繰り返してくれました。
帰りのボートは真っ暗な海のクルーズ、綺麗な星空を眺めマンタの余韻を
残し帰港。
ハワイ島に行かれたら是非このハワイ島でしか体験できないこのツアーに
参加してみては！
親切丁寧なクルーにありがとうです！

This was my first time on the Big Island, and I wanted to fully enjoy nature, so I joined this tour that a friend had recommended. Since the meeting point was at the port, I was initially quite anxious, but it turned out to be a compact port, and as soon as we entered the parking lot, our guide waved at us enthusiastically, making it easy to meet up without any issues.

Actually, both my spouse and I are quite large, but they provided wetsuits that fit us comfortably, and they were very clean and comfortable to wear. As soon as the boat departed, I imagined we would be quite far offshore, but it was actually a safe spot right along the coast next to the airport, where we could easily swim back to shore. The sun was still up for quite a while, so we got to enjoy some snorkeling and watched a beautiful sunset from the boat.

After that, we received a lecture on manta ray behavior and how to observe them until it got dark, and then it was finally time to get in the water. You might think it would be cold and scary to dive into the ocean at night, but it wasn't scary at all; we just jumped off the boat and held onto something that looked like a surfboard floating nearby. Once we were in the water, a huge manta ray swam right towards us! I was so excited!

We can't touch the manta rays to protect them, but they actually come close to us. They were coming to eat the plankton attracted to the light attached to the surfboard, so there were many completely natural manta rays swimming around without any feeding involved. Other tour boats were anchored nearby, and when I looked into the water, I saw beams of light everywhere, with many giant manta rays swimming gracefully around them. In fact, "flapping" would be a more accurate description. The sight was truly magical, like something out of this world!

After enjoying the experience, we got back on the boat and rinsed off with fresh water, feeling refreshed as we returned to the port. However, it did get cold on the way back. We didn't exert ourselves much while just floating in the water, but it got chilly on the return trip, so bringing a sweatshirt or hoodie that can handle saltwater would make the return much more comfortable. This tour seems to be a unique experience that can only be had on the Big Island, so I highly recommend it! It's sure to impress people of all ages.

今回、初めてのハワイ島でしたので、とことん自然を満喫しようと思い、以前友人が参加してオススメされたこのツアーに参加しました。
集合場所が港だったので、最初は凄い不安だったのですが、コンパクトな港で、しかも我々が港の駐車場に入った途端、ガイドさんが大きく手を振って頂いたので、全く問題無く簡単に合流出来ました。実は夫婦共々かなりの大柄体型なのですが、我々でも余裕で入るサイズのウェットスーツも用意されてあって、非常に清潔で着心地も良かったです。すぐに船が出発すると、相当の沖合と想像していましたが、なんとエアポートのすぐ横の海岸沿いで、泳いでもすぐに岸に辿り着けるような安心した場所でした。結構陽が長かったので、少しシュノーケリングで遊ばせてもらい、船の上で綺麗なサンセットを眺めました。その後、薄暗くなるまでマンタの習性や鑑賞方法などのレクチャーを受け、いよいよ水の中へ。夜に海に潜るのですから、「寒くて怖いのでは？」と思われるかも知れませんが、ドボ〜ンと船から降りて、すぐ横の浮かんでいるサーフボードみたいなものに捕まっているだけなので、全く怖くなかったです。海に入ったらもういきなり巨大なマンタが、我々めがけて泳いで来ました！　もう、大興奮してしまいました！　マンタを保護するために触ってはいけないのですが、マンタの方が触れて来ます。サーフボードに取り付けたライトに寄って来たプランクトンを食べに来ているので、何も餌付けなど一切してない、完全に天然のマンタが沢山泳いで来るのです。他のツアーの船も周囲に停泊しているので、海の中をのぞくと、光の柱があちこちに出来ていてその周りを沢山の巨大マンタが悠々と泳いでいます。というより羽ばたいているという表現の方が正確です。その光景はまさに幻想的で、この世のものとは思えない光景でした！　十分に鑑賞してから船にあがり真水のシャワーをかけてもらい、ある程度スッキリした状態で、港に戻る事が出来ました。ただ、帰りは、やはり寒かったです。水中でじーっとしているので、体力など全く使わないのですが、帰りは寒くなるので、塩水に触っても問題無いようなトレーナーやパーカーを持参すると帰りが凄い楽でしょう。　このツアーはハワイ島でしか体験出来ないらしいので、是非オススメします！　老若男女誰でも感動する事間違いないです。

We didn't swim with the dolphins because my daughter is small.
However, it was still a lot of fun!
The dolphin show was really enjoyable♪
Even though we got soaked from a sudden downpour, it was fun lol.
The commemorative photo looks quite edited, but it's a memory♪
There were a lot of birds at the food booth, and my daughter was crying and screaming lol.
But since it was outdoors, it can't be helped.

娘が小さい為イルカと一緒に泳ぐことは
しませんでした。
ですがとっても楽しめます！
イルカのショーなどはとっても楽しいですよ♪
途中スコールでびしょ濡れになっても
楽しいｗ記念写真はいかにも合成ですが
思い出♪飲食ブースで鳥がたくさんいて
娘は泣き叫んでいましたがｗｗ
屋外なのでしょうがないですね。

It felt more like just touching the dolphins rather than playing with them. Considering the cost, I think participants would be more satisfied if they had more time to interact with the dolphins. I was just observing, and my impression was, "Is this it?" My wife, who participated, mentioned that she got cold because the time spent in the water was long, but the interaction time was short.

イルカと遊ぶと言うか、触るだけという感じでした。代金から言えば、もう少しイルカと触れ合える時間を多くしていただけると参加された方々は満足すると思います。
私は、見学してましたが、これだけ？と言う感想です。
水の中に入っている時間が長く、触れ合える時間が短いため、身体が冷えたと参加した妻が言っていました。

I usually don't do reviews because there wasn't enough "wow" or it's special, but not worth my time to "write" about it: This activity is exceptionally the case for shouting about. Think about how in the world could you go underwater, be AMONG fish, not learn the intricacies of diving, not wear heavy equipment on your back (even if weight is not an issue underwater), or hold your breath for an extended period of time, and still be able to wear your personal prescription glasses. This is a great activity to partake in especially for those curious about underwater activities.
When you get underwater on these vehicles, a personal diver will be assigned to you to make certain that you're doing OK and to mitigate any problems that may arise---even if you decide to cancel the activity. The hosts were all professional and serious about instructing the group on what to expect while in the water, and I felt comfortable and appreciatead their attention to safety. We rode out to the edge of this bay in the south eastern part of Oahu and proceeded with the adventure in the BOBs plus snorkeling around the boat that brought us out there. One of the divers had a camera to take pictures while we were underwater so there will be pictorial memories to look back at and thoughts about what to do in the future to optimize my excursions beneath the ocean. This activity is great!I was underwater for the very first time in my life, and I'm back to write about how great a time I had! If diving is not for you, try this for your shorter "bucket" list!