All Reviews for Marine Wildlife Encounters

I'm glad I chose this place, even though there were many similar activities available. After just five minutes on the boat, I was able to swim with the dolphins, and I also had the chance to watch them swim alongside the boat for a while, which was very satisfying. I was also able to see the turtles up close. It would be even better if they could sell only the photos that include us.

似たようなアクティブたくさんありましたが、ここにしてよかったと思います。
イルカは船に乗って5分後には一緒に泳ぐこともできましたし、そのあとも船の横を並んで泳ぐのをじっくり見れたりと、とても満足出来ました。
亀もじっくり見ることができました。
写真は自分たちの写っているのだけを売っていただけると、なおいいかと。

If you want to see sharks up close, this is the place to be. Up on the North shore, wich in my opinion is the nicest part of the island. My brother and I had a great time. I still can't believe how big the sharks were. Crew was great !

I was able to see a lot of dolphins from the boat!
There were baby dolphins doing spinning jumps everywhere. Even when I watched the video later, I was very moved.

Next was snorkeling.
It was my first time snorkeling. On top of that, I can only swim dog paddle, but thanks to the buoyancy, even though my position was unstable, I was able to see dolphins, sea turtles, and rays in the ocean.
I think those with snorkeling experience or who can swim will enjoy it even more!

ボートからたくさんのイルカたちが見れました‼
あちこちで子イルカ達が回転ジャンプをしていていました。
動画で撮ったものを後から見ても、とても感激します。

次はシュノーケル。
私はシュノーケルは始めて。おまけに泳ぎは犬かきのみですが、浮力で体勢が不安定ながら海の中でもイルカとウミガメ、エイを見る事ができました。
シュノーケル経験者や泳げる方は、もっともっと楽しめると思います

Picked up near the hotel just after 6 AM. It took about an hour to reach the harbor, and during the bus ride, our cute and fun guide, who looked like a half-model, explained various things to us. According to the guide, the weather is starting to get colder, so everyone borrowed wetsuits. This choice turned out to be a good one… it also helps prevent sunburn.

When we arrived at the harbor, we put on our wetsuits and set off! Unexpectedly, we encountered a pod of dolphins right away and started snorkeling. It was overwhelming to see wild dolphins up close for the first time… we were really lucky to meet so many dolphins so quickly! The staff were also moved by the experience.

Since we didn’t spend much time searching for dolphins, we had a longer snorkeling session at another location afterward. Here, we were able to see many sea turtles and vibrant tropical fish, which was also amazing! Actually, I was so impressed by the snorkeling on the previous moon tour that this experience felt even more special… (>_<) Even with a decent number of participants, the snorkeling points at Dolphin School are spacious, so it doesn’t feel crowded, and the water clarity and number of fish were significantly better.

There seems to be a full-day Dolphin University tour as well, but I think it was a good choice to go with this one since it’s less physically demanding. It also seemed like there were fewer people here. There were a couple of girls who were down due to seasickness or fatigue, so for those who are worried, taking motion sickness medication is a must.

A friend who enjoys diving was also impressed. It’s a highly satisfying tour! I recommend it!!

朝６時過ぎに宿泊ホテル近くでピックアップ。
片道１時間くらいかけてハーバーまで向かいましたが、行きのバスの中では
ハーフモデルのような可愛くて楽しいガイドさんがいろいろ解説をしてくれました。
ガイドさんによると、そろそろ寒くなってくる季節とのことで全員がウェットスーツを借りました。
この選択は正解だったなあ…日焼け防止にもなるし。

ハーバーに着くと、ウェットスーツを着て出発！
予想外にもすぐにイルカの群れに遭遇し、シュノーケリング開始。生まれて初めて間近で見る野生のイルカたちに感無量…とってもラッキーだったみたいで、こんなにたくさんのイルカたちにすぐに会えるなんて！とスタッフさんたちも皆感動。

イルカ探しに時間がかからなかったので、その後の別の場所でのシュノーケリング時間が長くなりました。
ここでも、沢山のウミガメと鮮やかな熱帯魚を見ることができてまたも感動！
実は、このツアーの前に参加していた月のツアーでのシュノーケリングがあんまりよくなったので感動もひとしおで…(>_<)
イルカ中学は、参加人数がある程度いてもシュノーケリングポイントが広いのでごちゃごちゃしないし、海の透明度も魚の数も格段に上でした。
１日がかりのイルカ大学もあるようですが、結構体力を消耗するのでこちらにしてよかったと思っています。人数もこちらの方が少なそうだし。
船酔いか疲れたのかダウンしていた女の子が２，３人いたので、心配な人は酔い止め薬必須かも。

ダイビングが趣味の友人も感動していました。かなり満足度の高いツアーです(^^)おすすめ！！

We saw manta rays shortly after heading out to sea. It was quite an interesting experience. The light snacks were also quite delicious. I tend to forget the custom of tipping (about $10 for each of the three people), so I recommend bringing extra money.

海に出て早々にマンタが見れました。なかなか面白い体験でした。軽食もなかなか美味しくいただきました。チップ（10ドルx3名分程度）をあげる習慣を忘れがちなので、お金は余分に持って行くことをオススメします。

I participated with my 1 year and 9 month old son and my family of three.
We had a great time.
I only brought $50 because I wanted to avoid theft.
It was definitely not enough!!
If I wanted to buy photos and videos for the family, I thought I would need at least $100 or a credit card.

1歳9ヶ月の息子と家族3人で参加。
楽しめました。
持ち物に少量のお金とあったので$50だけ持っていきました。（盗難にあうのも嫌だったので）
全然足りません！！
撮ってくれる写真やムービーを家族分買おう思うと、最低$100かクレジットカードは必要だと思いました。

it was a greats experience. At a certain point you have to realize that you have real sharks around you. This is something that I will definitely try again at my next visit in the area? be aware that the sea is not all the time calm and waves can bring you a different experience... Gravel could be mandatory
A must to do... Great

There were a lot of dolphins, and I was able to see sea turtles and go whale watching too! I was truly moved when I got to swim with the dolphins.

イルカもいっぱいいて、ウミガメも見られたし、ホエールウォッチングもできました！本当にイルカと泳げたときは感動しました。

Unique Fun way to see underwater!!! My husband and are not fans of water above our knees so this was a perfect way to enjoy under the sea!! :)

I joined the tour just to pass the time, but it was the most moving experience. As a diver, I've explored many seas, but I've never encountered so many dolphins and sea turtles.

暇つぶしで参加したツアーですが一番感動しました。私はダイバーなので色んな海を潜りましたが、こんなたくさんのイルカや海亀に出会えたことがありません。

It was pretty cool being in submarine, but we were a little disappointed in how many fish and marine life we saw. I guess that's due to luck. But nonetheless still a pretty cool activity.

On that day, the dolphins were swimming very fast, and I couldn't see them much.

Everyone was concerned and asked if I saw them, but even though I hadn't, I ended up giving a typical Japanese response of "I saw them." So, my time with the dolphins came to an end. I should have honestly said that I didn't see them much.

I was glad to see two turtles up close, though.

イルカがこの日はとても早く泳いでおり、あまり見れませんでした。

みなさん見れましたか？と気を使ってくれるのですが、見れてないのに「見れました」と日本人らしい回答をしてしまい、イルカとの時間は終了。
正直にあまり見れなかったといえばよかった。

亀は2匹も間近でみれてよかったです。

I went on this ride several years ago and it was even better than I remembered. We got to see a sunken ship. We saw several different kinds of fish as well as a few sharks. We had a really good time. You can tell that the people who do this for a living really love their jobs! If you are going to Maui and do nothing else this is the one thing you ABSOLUTELY must take part in!

Had a good time. Dissapointed that the scooter had to be moved around with a diver assisting.

We were divided into three groups, but the waves in the North were high, and by the time we got to the last group, it was impossible to enjoy the experience due to seasickness! Several people were vomiting. Unfortunately, some had to withdraw. I cannot recommend this for anyone who is prone to seasickness!

３グループに分かれて参加するのですが、ノースの波は高く最後のグループになると
船酔いで鑑賞どころではありません！！
数人が吐きまくりでした。
かわいそうに棄権した方もおられました。
少しでも船酔いされる方にはオススメ出来ません！！

I was able to meet many dolphins in the clear, deep blue sea! As soon as I entered the water, I could hear the dolphins communicating, and it was truly moving!! There was even a family with a baby (^^). I also got to see a large sea turtle, and it was really a wonderful experience. The guide was kind and seemed very experienced, so I felt safe participating. Thank you very much♪

透明度の高い真っ青な海でたくさんのイルカ達に会える事ができました！
海に入ったとたん、イルカ達の会話が聞こえて大感動!!
赤ちゃん連れの家族もいましたよ(^^)
大きな海ガメも見られたし、本当にステキな体験をさせていただきました。
ガイドさんは親切で、ベテランらしく安心して参加できました。
ありがとうございました♪

You could rent a wetsuit for $10, and almost everyone did. Those who didn't looked really cold, so I thought it would be better to include that cost in the overall fee. It's a hassle to carry cash. When we went, we encountered a rare pod of dolphins, which was a once-in-a-year experience! The dolphins approached us!! We could even hear their sounds, and it was very moving!! After that, we seemed to have some extra time, so we headed out to look for other types of dolphins... Luckily, we encountered another pod, and the dolphins swam around the boat and jumped, which was amazing!! The snorkeling afterward was also great, as we got to see sea turtles. It was a very satisfying tour.

ウエットスーツが10ドルで借りられてほとんどの人が借りていました
借りてない人はすごく寒そうだったので
料金の中に組み込んでしまえばいいのにと思いました。
お金を持っていくのが面倒です。
私たちが行ったときは1年にあるかないかのイルカの大群に出会え
イルカの方から近づいてきてくれました!!
イルカの声も聴こえてとても感動しました!!
そのあと時間が余ったみたいで沖に出て他の種類のイルカを探しに・・・
これも運よくイルカの大群に出会え船の周りをイルカが泳いだり
ジャンプをして見せてくれたりすごかったです!!
そのあとのシュノーケリングもウミガメに出会え
大満足のツアーでした

I thought I would see a lot of fish since it was a submarine, but there were no fish at all, and I was just looking at the seabed. It's better not to expect any fish.

潜水艦だったのでたくさんの魚が見れると思ったのですが
全く魚がおらずただただ海底を見ているだけでした
魚は期待しないほうがいいです。

I took a couple of my students out there and it was amazing. The entire crew were professional and patient. It was the first time for some of the participants and some of them couldn't swim, but the divers were with us the entire time during the B.O.B. and assisting us while we snorkeled. If you get a chance, you have to check these guys out.

To conclude, it was the worst tour I've ever experienced. First, the meeting point was unclear. The voucher only said "Honokohau Harbor," and I had no idea where to go in the harbor. When I called for clarification, the response was off the mark. Ultimately, I ended up in the wrong place. On top of that, on this day, the manta rays didn't show up, and I was told, "It only happens about three times a year." While I understand that it's a natural occurrence, I was very frustrated when they said, "With that kind of probability, it's actually lucky!" Furthermore, they kept emphasizing that "you must give tips to the captain and staff," which, although a cultural difference, I couldn't accept. I don't mind tipping, but the way they said it was unacceptable. Lastly, there was an attempt to show consideration by offering a gift for not seeing the manta rays, but this backfired. It was a postcard of a manta ray. Not only did it feel patronizing, but there weren't enough cards for the number of participants—just one per group. When I complained, they said, "It's originally a paid card, so please understand." While I get that it's a natural occurrence, considering that customers are paying for the experience, if there's even a 1% chance of failure, there should be some recovery measures in place as a business. I believe there should be alternative points, merchandise provided when things go wrong (in terms of quality and quantity), and at least a formal apology.

結論から申し上げて、過去に体験したことのないひどいツアーでした。まずは分かりにくい集合場所。バウチャーに「ホノウコウハーバー」としか書いておらず、ハーバーのどこに行けばいいのか全く分からなかった。電話で問い合わせたところ、的を射ない回答。結果的に間違っていたし。そしてこの日は運の悪いことにマンタは現れず、「年に3回くらいしかない」と説明を受け、自然のことなのでしょうが無いとは思いつつも、「そのくらいの確率だから、逆にラッキー！」とか言われて非常に腹が立った。その上「船長とスタッフにはチップを必ずあげてくれ」とひたすら強調していたのも、文化の違いとは言え納得できない。チップは払うが、その言い方はない。そして最後に「マンタに会えなかったからギフトを」という心遣いがあったがこれが逆効果。マンタのポストカード。気持ちが逆撫でされただけでなく、参加人数に対して枚数が足りず、1グループ1枚。文句を言うと「元々有料のカードなんだから、勘弁して」とのこと。自然のこととは言え、体験に対してカネを払っている顧客のことを考えれば、1％でも失敗の可能性があるのであれば、その際のリカバリー策はビジネスとしていくつか用意しておくべき。違うポイント、ダメだったときのグッズ提供（質・量とも）、一応の謝罪、あって然るべきと思う。

I expected it to be bigger & have more to it but the experience was still really nice & you get to see some really interesting species along with a hammerhead shark, turtles & the tunnel where they fish, stingrays & sharks swim all around you.

I participated alone in August. I was told to confirm by phone at 4 PM on the day of the event, so I called, but it seemed that it wasn't particularly necessary, which surprised me. It seems that it's not needed unless the weather is particularly dangerous.

After going to the office and completing the check-in, they lend you a wetsuit in the next room without saying anything. After that, you go to the place where the boat departs on your own. The directions are simple, but I ended up getting lost unexpectedly. In fact, there were people who got lost and couldn't make it in time, so I think those who lack confidence should allow themselves plenty of time to get there.

The entire process is in English, but there aren't any detailed instructions, so if you have the guts, you'll be fine. It's a valuable experience. By the way, there were participants who couldn't swim and children as well.

After getting in the water, your body gets quite cold, so a towel and something to wear over yourself are essential. Even in August, my teeth were chattering.

８月に１人で参加しました。
当日の４時に電話で確認をとのことだったので、電話してみましたが、特に必要じゃないようで、かえってビックリされました。特に天候が危ない感じとかじゃなければ必要なさそうです。
事務所に行って、受付を済ますと、何も言わなくても隣の部屋でウエットスーツを貸してくれます。その後、自分で船が出る場所まで行きます。道順は簡単なのですが、あっけなく迷いました。実際、道に迷って間に合わず参加できなかった人たちもいたので、自信が無い人は余裕をもって行ったほうがいいと思います。
全行程英語ですが、特に細かい指示もないので、度胸があれば大丈夫です。価値のある経験ができます。
ちなみに、泳げない人や子供の参加していました。
水につかった後はかなり体が冷えるのでタオルと羽織るものは欠かせません。８月でも歯がカタカタいいました。

I participated without understanding much English. I went by car, and the parking was free! At the dolphin swim check-in counter, there were Japanese staff who guided us with "Yes, this way! Yes, like this!" The instructor also gave instructions in broken Japanese. It's a shame that the photos are quite expensive >_< We took about five different types of photos, but each one costs $16, so if you want them all... Plus, they also filmed a video, and I want the DVD too... Well, it can't be helped! My son was very satisfied (^_^)

英語が、殆ど分からないで参加しました。車でいきました。駐車場は無料でした！ドルフィンスイムのチェックインカウンターには日本人もいて、「はい、こっち！はい、こうして！」と誘導してくれました。インストラクターも片言ですが、日本語で指示してくれます。写真がやはり高いのが残念>_<５パターン位写真を撮りましたが、一枚16ドルなので、全部となると…しかも、ムービーを撮ってくれているの、ＤＶＤも欲しいし…。まぁ、しょうがないですけどね！息子は、大満足していました(^_^)

I participated at the request of my elementary school child who loves dolphins. The park was an hour away by large bus, but the scenery from the window was wonderful, so I didn't mind the long travel time at all.

During the interaction time with the dolphins, there was a Japanese instructor assigned to each group who provided careful explanations, allowing us to enjoy the experience with peace of mind. We got to see the cute dolphins up close, pet them, and shake hands. My child, as well as I, who was just accompanying them, were very satisfied.

One thing that concerned me was that at the start of the program's pre-explanation, we were suddenly asked to sign a liability waiver (essentially stating that the park is not responsible for any accidents, and that insurance is also waived, etc.). It would be appreciated if we could be informed in advance (at the time of booking) if a signature on the liability waiver is required. I think some people might have reservations about this, but at the same time, we couldn't participate without signing it...

Aside from that point, it was a satisfying program.

イルカが大好きな小学生の子供のリクエストで参加しました。
パークまで大型バスで１時間と長い距離でしたが、途中の車窓が素晴らしく、時間の長さはまったく気になりませんでした。

イルカとの触れ合いの時間は、グループに一人、日本人のインストラクターの方がついて丁寧な説明をしてくださるので安心して楽しむことができました。かわいいイルカを間近で見て、なでなでしたり、握手をしたり、子供はもちろんのこと、付き添い気分だった私も大満足でした。

一点気になったのは、プログラムの事前説明開始時に突然、保険免責の書類（要は何か事故があってもパークには責任はありません、保険も免責になります云々・・）に同意の署名を求められたことです。保険免責の同意書に署名が必要な場合は、事前に（予約時に）周知しておいていただけたらありがたいです。それに抵抗がある方もいらっしゃると思いますし、かと言って、それに署名をしないことには参加させてもらえないのですし・・・。

その点以外は満足できるプログラムでした。

When my friend asked me to do this with him, I was a bit hesitant. Not knowing what to expect, my imagination relived several scenes in "Jaws". After doing some research and coming to the realization that North Shore does this on a daily basis without people loosing limbs, I agreed. It turned out to be an absolutely phenomenal experience. We arranged for the hotel pickup and once in the van, took the 45 minute ride to the North Shore area of Oahu. Once at the marina, it's about a 20-30 minute ride out to the cage. The Captain went over all the safety instructions thoroughly and describes what types of sharks we would be seeing. His shark lecture was very informative and wasn't stumped when questions were asked. Once at the site, the cage is secured to the side of the boat and after the 8-10 passengers get in, the cage is allowed to float away about 20 feet. Observing the sharks was a thing of beauty and simply can't be described in words. I would do this again in a heartbeat.

I strongly recommend this experience! The crew were helpful, down to earth and nice which made the experience even better. I recommend purchasing the video of yourself under water with the sharks - it will be a lifelong memory.

Great experience. I was a nervous at first, but when I was under the water, I had a wonder experience.

I participated with my children (ages 13 and 10). Since it was a night activity, I was worried about bringing them along, but there were no issues at all. The size of the manta rays and their impressive presence right in front of us were incredible. We were very excited. The kids were also very satisfied. We would like to participate again next time. However, there is no detailed description of the meeting place (landmarks), so those gathering on-site need to be cautious. A truck towing a boat comes near the public restroom, but the tour name is not displayed, so you have to ask for information yourself. Additionally, while the tour description mentions drinks and snacks, none were provided. This needs to be corrected.

子供（13歳、10歳）を連れて参加しました。夜のアクティビティーだったので、子連れでは心配だったのですが、全く問題ありませんでした。
マンタの大きさと目の前に迫ってくる迫力は凄いの一言。とても興奮しました。
子供達も大満足。また、次回参加したいです。
ただ、集合場所が詳細（目印）の記載がないので、現地集合の人は注意が必要です。
公衆トイレ近くにボートを牽引したトラックが来ますが、ツアーの名称は表記されないので自分から声かけて聞くしか方法がありません。
また、ツアー内容に飲料、軽食の記載がありますが、提供はありませんでした。修正が必要ですね。

Interacting with the dolphins was so much fun. Their adorable swimming and the way they swam while being held was incredibly soothing. However, I accidentally ended up in an English explanation session, which was a bit disappointing because I couldn't understand much. But I still enjoyed it on the vibe!!

イルカとのふれあい、とても楽しかったです。イルカの可愛い泳ぎやつかまって泳ぐことで、すご～く癒されました。ただ、何故か英語での説明の会に入ってしまい、あまり、意味が通じなかったのが残念でした。でも、ノリで楽しんでしまいました！！

I participated with my husband and our 9-year-old daughter. Since my husband speaks English, we decided on this affordable tour, but I think it’s fine even if you can’t speak difficult English, especially if you have snorkeling experience. However, we had to move to the port by ourselves from the tour reception desk.

My daughter, who gets motion sickness easily, took some anti-nausea medication beforehand, and thankfully, she didn’t get seasick. However, it was quite cold floating in the night sea (we participated in August). Even though she wore a long rash guard top and bottom, after floating for nearly 20 minutes and only seeing one manta ray in the distance, she started saying, “I’m cold; I want to get out!” While I was trying to calm her down, a group of five giant manta rays appeared! We forgot about the cold and were just captivated. It felt like we were floating in space. They swirled around us within reach. The staff were friendly and fun, and we had a wonderful experience unique to the Big Island of Hawaii.

夫と９歳の娘と３人で参加しました。夫が英語を話せるので、安いこちらのツアーに決めましたが、シュノーケル経験者の方なら特に難しい英語が話せなくても大丈夫だと思います。ただしツアー受付デスクからは自分達で港まで移動しなければいけません。
酔いやすい娘は、事前に酔い止めを飲ませまた効果か、船酔いはしませんでしたが、とにかく夜の海にずっと浮いてるために冷えます。（８月の参加で）上下ロングラッシュガードを着込んだにもかかわらず、20分近く浮いて、まだ１匹遠くにマンタを見ただけで、「寒くてもうあがりたい〜」と言い出す始末・・・。なんとかなだめていると、そこへ５匹の巨大マンタの群れが〜！！寒さも忘れてただただ見入ってしまいました。まるで宇宙に浮いてる感じです。クルクルと手の届くような位置で回ってくれました。スタッフも気さくで楽しくて、ハワイ島ならではのとてもいい経験が出来ました。