All Reviews for Top Places to Visit in Hawaii

I would not pass up the opportunity to go tubing! It was such a fun and unique experience. The tour guides were funny and very knowledgeable. Do not miss out on this!

This was our first luau, but we really enjoyed the experience. We went with the Alii seating package and were very satisfied with the servers, seating and pictures! They told the story of Hawaii and put on a great show with an awesome dinner!

If you're looking for entertainment, a variety of activities (snorkeling, volleyball, SUP, and kayaking), this is the way to go! It's perfect for families. We have gone both in the morning and afternoon due to the morning being booked. If possible, I recommend going in the morning due to the lower tide.

However, the staff were all extremely professional, safe, and fun. The live music was awesome and our two young daughters (3&6) have enjoyed their time they've gone out there.

Book!

It is located in a private area with a gate. You will need a passcode to open the gate, which will be sent to you via email.

It takes longer to reach the location than what is shown on Google Maps after entering the private area.

Horseback riding is suitable for beginners. There will be a simple lecture at the beginning, all in English, but it's okay if you're not proficient in English.

You will pass through hilly areas and arrive at an open spot where you can see the ocean. They took pictures there.

At the end, you can feed your horse by hand.

The horses have names inspired by Hawaii. The horse that my family rode was named Aloha.

現地プライベート地区にあり、ゲートがあります。ゲートを開けるのに暗証番号が必要になります。番号はメールに来ます。

プライベート地区に入ってから現地に着くまで、Googleマップに表示されてるより、時間がかかります。

乗馬は初心者でも大丈夫です。初めに簡単なレクチャーがあります、全部英語ですが、英語が得意で無くても問題ありません。

アップダウンある所を通り、海が見える開けた場所にでます。そこで写真を撮ってくれました。

最後は自分の乗った馬に手でフードをあげる事が出来ます。

馬の名前はハワイにちなんだ名前が付いてます。家族の乗った馬はアロハでした。

An hour before boarding, I was worried about the downpour, but it stopped.

We were the only non-Westerners, but there were no particular issues. Drinks, both alcoholic and soft drinks, were unlimited.

We set sail from Waikiki with lively music.

The view of Diamond Head from offshore Waikiki was different from what I usually see.

I had a wonderful time.

乗船1時間前スコールが降って来てどうなるかなと心配でしたが、止んでくれました。

ワタシ達以外は欧米人でしたが、特に問題はありませんでした。ドリンクはアルコール・ソフトドリンク飲み放題です。

ノリノリの音楽と共にワイキキを出航です。

ワイキキ沖から観るダイヤモンドヘッドはいつも観る形と違っていました。

とても素敵な時間が過ごせました。

Since the number of participants had not been reached, the captain arranged for the boat to go out, resulting in a super private tour with just two groups, including ourselves. It was reassuring to have a Japanese staff member on board when Japanese people were present. The Japanese staff were very engaging, allowing us to enjoy activities like sliding and stand-up paddleboarding, and they took plenty of photos while playing with us. We were able to see many whale jumps and also spotted a pod of dolphins. During snorkeling time, we even encountered sea turtles, which was a lot of fun.

催行人数に達していなかったところを、船長の計らいで船が出ることになったので、自分たち含め2組での参加で超プライベートツアーでした。
日本人が乗る際には日本人スタッフが同乗してくれるので、安心しました。
船のアクティビティ、スライダーやサップもやらせてもらって、写真も撮ってくれて沢山遊んでくれた日本人スタッフさんでした。
クジラのジャンプは沢山見ることができたし、イルカの群れも見ることができました。
シュノーケルタイムには海亀もいてとても楽しかったです。

The local guides were also very kind. The water was so clear that we could see various fish. There were whales further out, and we could see them a little. After diving, we could also see the boat going down for the next group to take their turn.

現地ガイドの人たちも親切でした。
海の透明度が高いので色々な魚を見ることができました。
沖の方には鯨がいて少し見えました。潜水後は次の人たちと交代するため、船が潜水していく様子も見られます。

I had a fulfilling evening with a show after the buffet!

It was helpful that the food was also written in Japanese! The vanilla ice cream was very delicious, and I want to eat it again!

ビュッフェの後にショーだったので充実した夕方を過ごせました！

ご飯は日本語でも書かれていたので助かりました！
バニラアイスがとても美味しくて、また食べたい！

My first Cirque du Soleil!
I saw it in Hawaii and was very satisfied!

The theme was Hawaii with many highlights, and since I wouldn't have the opportunity to see it in Japan, I decided to book it! The seats were around the middle, and the experience was truly impressive!

初めてのシルクドソレイユ！
ハワイで見てとても大満足でした！

テーマがハワイで見どころも多く、
日本にいても見る機会がないのでどうせなら！と申し込み、座席も真ん中あたりで大迫力でした！

I went alone, but I enjoyed it to some extent. However, there was a bit of time before the jump, and I had no one to talk to, so I was bored. The pre-jump explanation lasted about 30 seconds, but I managed to jump and I'm alive. It probably depends on your partner. Please be careful about drooling during free fall. I understood why the tandem instructors were wearing full-face helmets after it was over.

1人で行きましたが　それなりに楽しめました。
ただ飛ぶまでの間、少し時間があるのですが話し相手もおらず暇でした。
事前の説明は30秒ほどで終わりましたが無事に飛べたし生きています。
一緒に飛ぶパートナーによると思います。
フリーフォール中はよだれの飛散に気をつけてください。
一緒に飛ぶトレーなナーたちがフルフェイスのヘルメットをつけている理由が終わった後に理解できました。

Hanauma Bay has become reservation-only after COVID, and while it's great to have guaranteed entry, I think the early morning schedule and the rental/transportation prices are high. Is there a way to make it cheaper if you only need transportation without the rental? (Entry is possible if you wait in line, so it might be possible to go by Uber, but it could be difficult to enter on the day without a guide from a service.)

ハナウマ湾がコロナ後予約制になり、個人での予約が難しい中、確実に入れるのはありがたいが、朝が早くレンタル/送迎の値段としては高いと思う。レンタル不要で送迎のみでもっと安くならないか？（入場は並べば良いので、自分でウーバーで行く事も可能かもだが、業者同行がないと当日入場は難しいかも？）

Very chill. Lots of history on trip. Great dinner.

We saw so many whales. So happy to tick this off my bucket list ❤️

We had a great time parasailing as a family of four.

My eldest son has autism. While he understands what is being said, he struggles to express his thoughts and feelings verbally, and he is classified as having a severe disability. However, he loves feeling the wind and cutting through it, so I decided to take the plunge and sign him up for this first experience.

When I informed the receptionist that we wanted a no splash experience, she kindly agreed and assured me that she would definitely communicate this to the captain. When we boarded the boat, the captain confirmed again whether my son was the one with a disability and if it was okay to avoid splashes. The assistant also encouraged my son, who seemed anxious, with phrases like "It's so much fun! It feels great! You'll be fine!" in simple Japanese.

Putting on the harness was not straightforward. My son, unsure of what to do, kept putting his feet in and out of the harness. The assistant remained patient and never showed any signs of frustration, asking him if he wanted to take a step back or if he wanted to come back to it later, waiting for his timing multiple times. I was truly grateful for that. Thanks to the kind assistant, my son began to trust him and accepted the assistant touching the harness without resistance.

The captain also made sure not to burden my son, frequently checking in with him and praising him with "Good job!" just for putting on the harness. Before we took off, both of them encouraged me, saying, "Don't worry, Mom! Just enjoy!" I was on the verge of tears. My son, who had been stiff and unresponsive on the boat, responded to my encouragement at 150 meters in the air, saying it felt nice and that the view was beautiful. Of course, we returned to the boat without any splashes as requested. My son looked relieved and refreshed, with a bright expression.

The parasailing was the highlight of our trip to Hawaii! Despite my son's challenges, he had a wonderful time soaring through the sky. I am extremely satisfied that he was able to have such a fantastic experience, thanks to the kind-hearted captain, the assistant, and the receptionists. Thank you very much!

パラセイリングを家族4人でお世話になりました。

長男は自閉症で、言っている事は分かりますが、自分の考えや思いを言葉で伝えてる事が難しく手帳も最重度です。
しかし風を感じる事や風を切る事が大好きなので、初体験させてみようと意を決して申込みしました。

NOスプラッシュでと受付のお姉さんに伝えると、快くokして下さり、必ずキャプテンに伝えますと言って下さいました。
いざ乗り込むと、キャプテン(船長さん)からハンディがあるのは彼か？スプラッシュは辞めるでOKか、など再度確認して下さいました。アシスタントの方も、めっちゃ楽しい！気持ちいい！大丈夫！と片言の日本語で不安そうな長男を元気づけてくれました。
ハーネスを付けるのも一筋縄ではいきませんでした。
ハーネスをどうするのか、見通しが立たない長男は足をハーネスに入れたり抜いたり。
そんな長男にアシスタントの方は嫌そうな表情を全くせず、後にする？カムバックしてこようか？と、長男のタイミングを何度も待ってくれました。本当に有り難かったです。
そんな優しいアシスタントさんのおかげで長男も心を許し、アシスタントさんがハーネスを触る事に抵抗無く受け入れていました。

キャプテンも長男の負担にならないように、何度も声かけしてくれたり、ハーネスを付けただけなのにグッジョブ！と褒めて下さったり。飛ぶ前、ママ大丈夫だから楽しんで！とお2人からの声かけに、私が泣きそうでした。
船の上で顔も体も固まっていて声かけに反応薄かった長男は、上空150メートルで気持ち良いね！キレイな景色だね！など私からの声かけにキレイや気持ち良いと返事してくれました。
もちろんお願い通りスプラッシュせずに船に戻ってきました。長男は少しホッとした感じと爽快感で清々しい表情をしている様に見えました。

今回のハワイ旅行で1番のメインイベントのパラセイリング！障がいを抱えた長男でしたが、楽しく空中散歩できました。
本当に優しい心遣いできるキャプテンやアシスタントの方を始め、受付のお姉さん達のおかげでステキな体験を長男にさせてあげる事ができ大満足です。
ありがとうございました！

The check-in location was easy to find, and signing the agreement was very smooth. The boat I participated in had only my family and foreign guests, but it was very lively and fun! There was a lady with some mobility issues, but she was able to enjoy herself without any problems! We didn't get wet at all (if you want to get wet, it's okay to go deeper). It was a very valuable experience! The check-in staff, captain, and assistants all spoke English, but the conversations weren't too difficult, so it was fine! The agreement was in Japanese!

チェックイン場所もすぐに分かって、同意書のサインなどとてもスムーズでした。私の参加したボートは私達家族以外は外国の方だったけど、とても盛り上がり楽しかったです！足が少し不自由なマダムもいらっしゃいましたが、全然支障なく楽しんでいらっしゃいました！水に濡れることもなかったです（濡れたい場合は深刻すればOK）とても貴重な体験でした！チェックインの方、キャプテン、アシスタントしてくださる方みなさん英語ですが、そんなに難しい会話はないので大丈夫！
同意書は日本語でした！

The guides were very kind, cheerful, and lively, and the tour itself was enjoyable!

However, the reason I gave it 4 stars is that I wish I could have enjoyed snorkeling a bit more. About 10 years ago, when I participated in a snorkeling tour in Hawaii, I was amazed to see many colorful fish up close under the guidance. But this time, the dolphins, turtles, and fish were all at a distance... It was disappointing because I couldn't distinguish their colors.

Points to note:
- Even with two long-sleeved rash guards, it was still cold...! It would be good to prepare long pants or consider a wetsuit.

- I read that I should bring just enough money to buy a little food, so I went empty-handed, but at the end, there was a tipping situation, which made it really awkward. Including the tip, it has definitely become much more expensive compared to 10 years ago…!

- For those who are prone to motion sickness, taking motion sickness medication is a must. There were kids sitting there looking unwell the whole time, and it was sad to see.

ガイドの皆さんとても優しくて明るくてノリノリで、ツアー自体は楽しかったです！！

ただ、⭐︎4にした理由は、もう少しシュノーケリングを楽しめたらよかったなぁと思ったからです。
10年前くらいにハワイでシュノーケリングツアーに参加した時は、案内のもとたくさんのカラフルなお魚を間近に見られて感動したものです。
だけど今回はイルカもカメもお魚も遠目で…
色は判別できない距離感だったので残念に思ってしまいました。

注意点
・上は長袖ラッシュガード2枚重ねても寒かったです…！下も長いものを用意するとか、ウェットスーツおすすめ。

・持ち物のお金は少し食べ物が買えるくらいと書いてあったので手ぶらで行ったら、最後チップを払う流れになったのですごく気まずかったです。
チップ含めると、10年前よりかなり高くなりましたよね…！

・酔いやすい人は酔い止め必須です。ずっと気分悪そうに座ってる子達がいて可哀想でした。

The tide was high, so it was hard to fully enjoy the sandbar, but I had a great time playing with activities and meeting sea turtles. There were floaties prepared for small children who can't snorkel, as well as for adults, so even those who aren't good swimmers will be fine.

潮位が高く、サンドバーは堪能できたとはいいがたいですが、アクティビティで遊んだりウミガメに会えたり、とても楽しかったです。
シュノーケルができない、小さな子供用の浮き輪や大人用にも浮具が準備されていたので、泳ぎが苦手でも大丈夫です。

First of all, I want to express my gratitude to the guide; I truly had a fulfilling day. They took us to breathtaking spots that weren't included in the tour, provided detailed explanations about shops and buildings while we moved around, and taught us a variety of things without any time to rest.

When I mentioned that I wanted to try a loco moco burger, they honestly advised me on which places were delicious and which weren't, making it easy to choose a restaurant.

The pickup time was accurate, and the service was kind and attentive. My mother was also satisfied; thank you very much.

まず初めにガイドの方に感謝の気持ちを伝えたいほど、本当に充実した1日を過ごさせていただきました。ツアー内容に入っていない絶景スポットに寄ってくれたり、店や建物の説明をとにかく詳しくしてもらいながら移動したり、寝る間のないほど様々なことを教えていただきました。
ロコモコバーガーが食べたい旨を話すと、正直レビューで美味しい、美味しくないをアドバイスしてくれて、店選びをスムーズに行うことが出来ました。
ピックアップ時間も正確で、親切、丁寧な対応でした。母も満足しておりました、ありがとうございました。

The sea was calm, and I didn't experience any seasickness at all. Snorkeling in the beautiful water felt great, but it was a bit cold for the season. The snorkeling area is somewhat limited, so if you're looking to swim more vigorously or dive deeper, you might want to consider other locations. On the other hand, it's a safe spot where even children and beginners can enjoy snorkeling without the risk of drowning, so I think you can relax and have fun. In the second half, you can freely use canoes and stand-up paddleboards. There’s no formal instruction, but it's something anyone can easily do, so overall, it feels very accessible for participation.

海は穏やかで船酔いも全く無かったです。
シュノーケルもキレイな海でいい気持でしたが、時期的に少し寒かったです。
シュノーケルはある程度決められた範囲内なので、もっとガッツリ泳ぎたかったり、潜りたい人は他の場所の方がいいかもしれません。
逆に子供でも初心者でもシュノーケルで溺れる様な場所ではないので、安心して楽しめる都思います。
後半はカヌーやサップを自由に使えて、指導とかはないですが、これも誰でも簡単に出来るので、全体を通して気軽に参加出来るイメージです。

I previously participated in a similar tour in the Maldives, and while it might have been the timing, I had a hard time seeing sea turtles. However, on this tour in late March, I was able to see over 10 sea turtles. In fact, I found two before boarding the boat at the port.

The crew was also former residents of Japan and spoke fluent Japanese, which surprised me with how fluent they were. They were all very nice, and even my shy daughter seemed to open up to them.

Thank you for providing an experience that allowed my children to snorkel with sea turtles and tropical fish, and play at the sandbar—an experience we couldn't have in Japan.

以前モルジブで同じようなツアーに参加しましたが、時期もあるかもしれませんが、ウミガメになかなか会えず大変でしたが、このツアーは三月下旬での参加でしたが、10匹以上のウミガメさんに会えました。なんなら、船に乗る前に港ですで2匹見つけました。
クルーも元日本在住で、日本語ペラペラで、流暢すぎてビックリしました。
いい人ばかりで、人見知りの娘も、心を打ち解けているようでした。
参加して、子供達にウミガメや熱帯魚とのシュノーケリング、サンドバーで遊んだりした日本では味わえない経験をさせていただき、ありがとうございました。

The world of Cirque du Soleil!
The charm that captivates the audience is the best!
If the schedule fits, I definitely recommend it! 🤩

世界のシルク・ドゥ・ソレイユ！
見る人を惹き付ける魅力は最高です！
スケジュールがはまれば、是非、おすすめです❗🤩

About 20 minutes up in the sky on a Cessna!
In no time, we were above the clouds.
The view from the airplane has a different kind of impact. 😭
As the divers were pushed out one after another, it was finally my turn...
There was no time to be scared as I dove into the air! ❗
Once you fall, the fear disappears, and you can enjoy it. 😅
It's an experience you won't regret having at least once in your life!

セスナに乗って上空へ、約20分！
あっという間に雲の上の景色へ。
飛行機から見る景色とはまた違う迫力があります😭
どんどん押し出されていくダイバー達に、ついに自分の番が…
怖がる暇もなく空中にダイブ❗
落ちてしまえば、恐怖はなく、楽しめると思います😅
人生で1度は体験して損はない！

It's a small theater... that's my impression upon entering.

Our seats were in the second row from the front, on the side, but once it started, there were performances overflowing beyond the stage, making it hard to know where to look. The entire theater became the stage.

小さな劇場だな…
入場時の印象です。

私たちの席は前から2列目、サイド側にかかったところでしたが、はじまると舞台以外にもパフォーマンスが溢れどこを見ていいかわからないくらい。劇場全体が舞台になりました。

I used it for two days, and it was convenient and amazing! I plan to use it again from the morning tomorrow! It's great to be able to sightsee by bus.

2日利用しましたが便利で最高でした！明日もまた朝から利用するつもりでおります！バスで観光ができるのは最高です。

I thought that a two-hour horseback riding experience wouldn't cover much distance or time, but to my surprise, it was a perfectly ample amount of both! It was an activity where I could enjoy the most breathtaking views while glancing at other tour groups. (I also experienced zip-lining on the same day.) I don't think there are many horseback riding experiences in Japan that allow for such a generous amount of time. I highly recommend giving it a try!

乗馬2時間、といってもさほどの距離や時間はないだろう、と思っていたら、なんとなんと！きっちりたっぷりの時間と距離で、他のツアーの人を横目に見ながら1番絶景を拝めるアクティビティだったのでは？思います（同日にジップラインも経験）
こんなにたっぷり時間を取れる乗馬体験は日本ではあまりないのではないかな、と。
是非チャレンジしてください。

I had a faint hope that there might be Japanese-speaking staff, but as indicated in the prior information, it was English only. However, the staff used gestures and the few words they knew to provide guidance (though it was just a small part), so I encourage you not to hesitate and to give it a try.

There probably isn't another place in Japan where you can enjoy seven zip lines of this length, scale, and breathtaking views. If you go to Oahu, definitely check it out! Of course, there are risks involved, but I wholeheartedly recommend it.

もしかしたら日本語対応スタッフがいるだろう、という淡い期待を持っていましたが、事前の案内通り英語オンリーでした。ただ、スタッフもジェスチャーや知ってる単語を使いながらレクチャーしてくださるので（と、言ってもごくごく一部）、是非、尻込みせずチャレンジいただきたいな、と思います。
おそらく日本でこれだけの長さ、規模、絶景の７本のジップラインを楽しめる場所はありません。
オアフ島に行ったら是非！もちろんリスクは伴いますが、心からオススメします。

This was my first time doing the Friday night fireworks on the ocean on the ke kai. This was sooo worth it. It's rare to see locals on the boats but this even the locals come out for. Lots of date night couples on this one. Pictures are available if you wish for a nominal charge. Music was playing. Plenty of seats. It's shoes off you board right at the beach very convenient. Fireworks were beautiful. Everyone is carded young and old bring your id for complimentary drinks.

It was more fun than I imagined. I experienced it with my 8-year-old child. When you reach the top, all you can hear is the sound of the wind and the voices of people flying; it's just a few minutes to enjoy the scenery. I didn't wear a hat because it might fly away, but I had no problem keeping my sunglasses on. They also check how much you want your feet to touch the water, so it's fine if you don't want to at all, or if you just want your toes or up to your backside. The staff also communicate well with gestures and broken Japanese, so there's no problem even if you don't speak Japanese. After it was over, it's a 3-minute walk to Whole Foods.

想像以上の楽しさでした。8歳の子供と体験しました。一番上まで上がると風の音と一緒に飛んでいる人の声しか聞こえない、とにかく景色を楽しむ数分間です。帽子は飛びそうだったので被りませんでしたが、サングラスは着けたままでも問題なかったです。途中で足を着水する程度も聞いてくれるので、なしでも良いし、足先だけかおしりまでなのか伝えれば大丈夫。お兄さんたちも英語が分からなくてもカタコトの日本語とジェスチャーで対応してくれるので問題ないです。
終わったあとホールフーズまで歩いて3分です。

This is a tour where you dive about 100 feet deep to observe fish and other marine life. You board a boat from the port of Waikiki and then switch to a submarine for the dive.

At first, there isn’t much to see and there are few fish, but as you get closer to a sunken airplane or ship, you encounter large schools of fish! After viewing one side, the submarine turns around to show the guests on the opposite side as well. Along the way, we also saw sharks and sea turtles swimming.

The guide's explanations are in English. I should have downloaded the Japanese guide in advance, but I forgot. However, the English explanations provide real-time descriptions of the situation, so I’m not sure if the Japanese explanations follow that. I think it’s better to try to listen to the English.

Before boarding the boat, they take photos which they develop and sell by the return trip. You can also download the data via QR code later, but that is also paid. I believe the experience of seeing the fish in person is more valuable than the photos, especially since you can see them without diving.

100ftほどの水深に潜り魚などを観察するツアー。ワイキキの港から船に乗り、海上で潜水艦に乗り換えて潜ります。

潜った当初は何もなく魚も少ないですが、沈んだ飛行機や沈没船の近くに来ると魚の大群が！片側が見た後は旋回して逆側のお客さんにも見せてもらえます。
途中、サメや海ガメが泳ぐ姿も見られました。

ガイドさんの説明は英語。事前に日本語のガイドをダウンロードすれば良かったのですが、忘れてました。ただ、英語の説明はリアルタイムの状況説明なので、日本語の説明がそれにならっているかは分かりません。頑張って英語を聞いた方が良いかと思います。

船に乗る前に撮影した写真を帰りまでに現像して売りに来ます。データはQRコードで後日でもダウンロードできますが、そちらも有料。
写真よりも実際に見る魚たちの方が貴重な体験だと思います。ダイビングせずとも見られるんですから。

Booking through Veltra was easy, and simple. No issues with transportation or arriving at your destination. Everyone was so kind and knowledgeable it was absolutely beautiful and a must. I would 1000 percent do it again, but a different tour option at the ranch since they had so many choices. Either way I absolutely recommend booking with Veltra I shopped around and glad I chose them. UTV is a must. Veltra was even great as I had to switch hotels and pick/drop off and they made it so easy to do. Thanks!