All Reviews for Top Places to Visit in Hawaii

We really enjoyed Stephanie. Knowledgeable, fun and kind.

This was one of my favorite things we have done on the big island the guide was fun and extremely informative this is a must do for anyone visiting.

Yesterday, at the beginning of February, I went on an electric bike tour at Kualoa Ranch. It was an amazing experience. However...

1. Don't be mistaken thinking it's a small tour. They pick you up with two large buses from hotels in Honolulu. I think many people participate because there are various activities. Even though I waited quite early in the lobby at the pickup location, the guide didn't come. It seemed I had to go to the bus. After some time, the bus driver came, possibly having kept other customers waiting. Also, it's important to note that you need an English ID with a photo. Without a passport, you might face strict cancellation. A Japanese driver's license won't work. Since I didn't have one, I managed to get on the bus with just my name and credit card. It feels a bit uneasy to carry a passport, but that's apparently the best option.

2. Even if it's sunny in Honolulu, it started raining quite heavily on the way to Kualoa Ranch in the north. I think the moist sea breeze from the north hits the mountains, making it prone to rain. It was fine at first, but then it turned into a downpour. If I had known, I would have brought rain gear... I got completely soaked and cold, and ended up buying a T-shirt and shorts on the way back. The mud splattered, making my shoes and clothes dirty. When I returned to the hotel, I washed what I was wearing. It's better not to wear nice shirts. Even if it's sunny in Honolulu, make sure to bring a change of clothes.

3. Most people are probably not used to electric bikes. You pedal, and while it's easy on hills with turbo mode, going downhill can get too fast if you don't change the settings. The tires are thick, but there are many gravel paths, making it hard to ride. In fact, someone fell while going downhill. They were covered in blood, but the real injury was a significant wound on their palm. They probably went downhill in turbo mode and got too fast. It looked like a wound that would need stitches at the hospital. They had to retire midway, and a pickup vehicle was needed, leaving everyone waiting in the rain. Careful driving to avoid going too fast is essential! It would be a shame for a trip to go wrong...

4. The magnificent scenery will leave unforgettable memories. Many movies have been filmed here. The staff is also very friendly, and I highly recommend it.

However, don't underestimate it thinking it's just a beginner's bike tour...

昨日、2月初めに、クアロアランチで電動バイクツアーに行ってきました。
最高の体験でした。
ただし・・・　

１．小規模のツアーと思ったら大間違い
大きなバス2台で、ホノルルのホテルを回って連れて行ってくれます。
様々なアクティビティがあるから、たくさんの人が参加するのだと思う。
ずいぶん早くピックアップ場所のロビーで待っていても、ガイドは来てくれませんでした。
バスのところに行かなければならなかったようです。時間がたってから、たまりかねてバスの運転手がやってきて、他のお客さんを待たせたかも。
また、大事なのは、顔写真が映った英語のIDが必要です。
パスポートがないと厳しくキャンセルになるかも。
日本の免許証ではだめ。
持ってなかったので、名前とクレジットカードで何とかバスに乗れた。
パスポートを持っていくのは、気が引けるけど、それが一番らしい。

２．ホノルルが晴れていても、北のクアロア・ランチは、途中からかなり強い雨が降りだした。
湿った北からの海風が山にぶつかってお雨が降りやすいのだと思う。
最初はよかったけれど、途中から土砂降り。わかっていれば、雨具を持っていくけど・・・
ずぶ濡れになって、寒く、帰りにTシャツと半ズボンを購入した。
泥が跳ねて、靴も服も汚れる。ホテルに帰って、来ていたものを洗った。
いいシャツは着ていかないほうがいい。ホノルルが晴れていても、着替えを持っていくこと。

３、電動自転車は、おそらく大部分の人は慣れていない。こぐのだけど、坂道はターボで楽ちんだけど、下りは、設定を変えないとスピードが出すぎる。太いタイヤだけど、砂利道が多く、運転しにくい。
実際、下りで転倒した人がいた。血だらけになっていたが、実際は手掌に結構な傷ができていた。おそらく、ターボのままで下って、スピードが出すぎたのだと思う。病院での縫合が必要そうな傷だった。
途中でリタイヤとなり、迎えの車が必要で、皆雨の中、待機することになった。
スピードを出しすぎない慎重な運転が必要！
せっかくの旅行が・・・

４、雄大な景観は、忘れがたい思い出になります。
たくさんの映画の舞台になっています。
スタッフもとてもフレンドリーで、お勧めです。

ただし、初心者コースの自転車ツアーと思って甘く見ないこと・・・・

The instructor was cheerful and really got everyone excited, which made it a lot of fun. I thought the wind before taking off might be scary, but once I was in the air, it was completely not scary and very enjoyable. I wished I could have flown for a longer time!

インストラクターの方が陽気な方で盛り上げてくれて、とても楽しめました。
飛ぶ前の風が強く感じて怖いかなと思いましたが、飛び上がってしまえば全く怖くなく、楽しかったです。
もっと長時間飛んでいたかったです！

We're an active adult couple, but my husband has some mobility issues and I can at times, experience claustrophobia. We took the chance and signed up for this activity anyway. It was the best experience. Our guide, Noah, was the funniest, kindest person. He took care of us and neither of us experienced any of our issues. I highly recommend this activity, especially those that are wondering if they are too old to enjoy. Just do it!

I originally joined this tour because I love sharks. We took a bus for just under two hours from our hotel in Waikiki to Haleiwa. We gathered at a small shack decorated with shark patterns and set off. There were about 14 or 15 participants, and I was the only Japanese person (the staff were not Japanese either).

The explanations were in English, and the engine noise was loud, so I couldn't understand much, but I managed to get by. Since my eyesight is poor, I borrowed prescription goggles, but they weren't very clear, so I recommend bringing contact lenses if you have vision issues. As others have mentioned, once we arrived at the spot, the waves were high and it was easy to get seasick. I got seasick here too.

However, when we got into the cage, I was so focused on watching the sharks that I forgot about my seasickness. I was very satisfied to see a nearly 3-meter-long tiger shark up close. The shark was calm, and I was moved by its graceful swimming. Unfortunately, I didn't see many other sharks besides that tiger shark. After getting out of the cage, I felt worse and ended up vomiting. There was another person who vomited as well. However, after that, I felt refreshed and was able to enjoy the return trip.

I was a bit anxious about participating alone as a woman, but I had a valuable experience and it was really great! If there are others in a similar situation who are hesitant to join, I encourage you to participate without hesitation!

(February 2025, early February, 9 AM departure, woman in her 20s)

もともとサメが好きでこのツアーに参加しました。ワイキキのホテルからバスで2時間弱かけてハレイワまで向かいました。サメの柄の小さな小屋に集合して出発しました。参加者は14、5人で日本人は私1人だけでした（スタッフの方も日本人ではない）。
説明は英語かつエンジンの音がうるさくあまり理解できませんでしたが、なんとかなりました笑。視力が低いので、度ありのゴーグルを借りましたが、あまり見えやすくはなかったので目がよくない方はコンタクトを持って行くことをおすすめします。他の方も言っている通り、スポットについてからは波が高く酔いやすいです。当方もここで酔いました。
しかし、ケージに入る際はサメを見ることに夢中で酔っていることを忘れました。体長３メートル弱のタイガーシャークを一匹、近くで見ることができとても満足でした。サメは穏やかで、優雅に泳ぐ姿に感動しました。しかしそのタイガーシャーク以外のサメはほとんど見れませんでした。ケージから出た後、酔いが酷くなり吐いてしまいました。私以外にももう1人吐いてる方がいました。しかし、その後はスッキリして帰港を楽しむことができました。
女1人の参加で少し不安でしたが貴重な経験ができてとても良かったです！同じ境遇で参加を迷っている方がいたらぜひ迷わず参加してみてください！！

（2025.2月上旬　9時出発　　20代女）

Since it was a tour involving nature, I thought I wouldn't know if I would see anything until it was over, but in the end, I had a wonderful experience. I understood that we couldn't get too close to the whales and would only be able to see them from a distance, but the whales came close to us, and I was able to see them up very close.

I participated in early February, and there were many whales. I was moved by how many there were. I definitely recommend this tour to anyone whose timing aligns.

自然が相手のツアーなので、見れるかどうか終わってみないとわからないなぁ、と思っていましたが、結果、素晴らしい経験ができました。くじらにはあまり近づけないとのことで、遠くからしか見られないのは仕方ないと思っていましたが、クジラが近づいてきてくれて、ものすごく近くで見ることが出来ました。
参加時期は2月上旬でしたが、クジラはたくさんいました。こんなにたくさんいるんだと感動しました。
是非、タイミングが合う方は参加をお勧めします。

The water was murky because the wind was strong. The explanatory video about the sea that you must watch before entering is only a few minutes long. It's better to wait at the exit. Once you leave, you can immediately take the free shuttle.

風が強かったので水が濁っていた。海に入る前に見る海の説明ビデオは数分ですが必ず見ないといけません。出口で待っていた方が良いです。出たらすぐ送迎の無料トラックに乗ることができます。

We went out to sea in a boat with a few groups and had a little boat riding experience, followed by parasailing in turns. We set up the parachute from the boat and took off from the moving boat. Gradually, the rope is extended, and we float up. The price varies depending on the length of the rope, and I chose the longest one at 150m. However, since we were moving in the boat, I couldn't tell if we actually reached 150m in height, but as you can see in the photos, it was really high. Of course, there’s no sound while flying. The flight lasts a few minutes, but it feels much longer.

As we ascended, my excitement grew, and I felt it was definitely worth it. Since I was holding my smartphone, I had to connect it to my arm with a strap; if I dropped it, I wouldn't be able to retrieve it from the sea. Be careful!

何組か一緒にボートで沖まで行き、ちょっとしたボートの乗船体験もでき、順番にパラセーリングです。船の上からパラシュートをセットして、走るボートの上から飛び立ちます。徐々にロープを伸ばして行きフワッと飛び立ちます。ロープの長さで金額が違いますが、私は1番長い150mを選択。でもボートで走りながらの為高さが150mなのか、斜めに上がる為分かりませんが、、、写真でもわかる様にすごく高いです。勿論飛んでる時は音がしません。数分のフライトですが、すごく長く感じます^_^
上がるとテンションも上がり、やって良かったなと、実感します。スマホを持ちながらなので腕にひもを繋いでないと、落としたら海なので探せません。ご注意を！

We had a great experience and wonderful time. Thank you for helping with all aspects

Waimea Canyon was clearly visible from the viewpoint.

The tour bus was comfortable, and the guide made the talk enjoyable by using videos and sound effects.

However, if I had to point out one area for improvement, it would be the communication regarding the pickup time on the morning of the tour. It was 30 minutes later than the scheduled time, which made me worried. I also tried to contact them on the landline, but I couldn't get through.

ワイメア渓谷は展望台から全体がよく見えました。

観光用のバスは快適でガイドさんもビデオや効果音を使ったりして トークも楽しかったです。

ただ一つ改善点があるとすれば当日朝のお迎えの時間連絡です。連絡時間よりも30分遅くなったため 心配していました。
こちらも固定電話に連絡しましたが通じなかったです。

As we left the shoreline, the captain noticed several whales breaching in the distance. He asked if we wanted to go past the reef to see it and we all said yes, of course. We spent most of the 30 minutes whale watching from a distance. On our return trip, the crew still found time to pass over the reef and explain several interesting details not only about the reef but the animals the call it home. It was a great time and the crew did a great job!

This is a luxurious tour where you can enjoy whale watching, dolphin watching, sea turtle viewing, and snorkeling all on a cruise charter. We participated as a family of six across three generations, and with two staff members accompanying us, one of whom entered the water to provide guidance and support, my 78-year-old mother, who has paralysis on her right side, was truly grateful to be able to snorkel together. After snorkeling, there was a service of tropical fruits, juice, and snacks, which I believe offers great value for the price. I especially recommend private charters for families with small children or elderly individuals.

クルーザーチャーターで、ホエールウオッチングも、イルカウオッチングも、ウミガメかざしも楽しめ、スノーケルも楽しめる贅沢なツアーです。
三世代家族6人で参加しましたが、スタッフが2人付いてくれ、1人が一緒に海に入って指導やサポートをしてくれるので、78歳で右半身に麻痺が残る母も、一緒にスノーケルできたのが本当にありがたかったです。
スノーケル後にはトロピカルフルーツやジュース、スナックのサービスもあり、お値段以上の価値があると思います。
特に小さいお子さんや高齢の方にはプライベートチャーターはお勧めです。

James was a great tour guide, very informative. Didn't care for the sandwich choices. Was nice to have the hot chocolate though. The view was amazing.

It was thrilling, and I definitely want to participate again on my next trip to Hawaii. The instructors and the boat operators were fun people, and I was able to enjoy it without feeling scared!

スリル満点、次回のハワイでも必ず参加したいです、インストラクターの方、船の操縦の方も楽しい方達で恐怖を感じる事なく楽しめました〜

It was amazing!
The clarity of the water, the variety and size of the fish were truly impressive!
I even got to meet a honu and swim with it!

My English is at a basic education level, and that's fine.
The guide speaks slowly to make it easy to understand.
While driving, they introduce recommended shops.
We stopped at a parking area for a location explanation, then had time for a briefing on how to use the snorkel, swimming precautions, and ordering additional rental items.
We rented a boogie board, but other parties rented life jackets.

最高でした
透明度、魚の種類、大きさ本当に見応えがあります！
ホヌとも出会えて一緒に泳ぐことができました！！

英語は義務教育レベルで問題ないです。
ガイドさんがわかりやすいようにゆっくり話してくれます。
運転中はおすすめのお店の紹介。
一旦パーキングに止めてロケーションの説明の後シュノーケルの使い方遊泳時の注意、追加のレンタル品のオーダーの時間がありました。
うちはブギーボードレンタルしましたが、他のパーティはライフジャケットをみんなレンタルしてました。

A Japanese person named Momo guided us through the battleship Missouri. She was very kind and attentive. I was able to deeply feel the history, and it was a great experience.

戦艦ミズーリの中を、日本人のモモさんという方が案内してくれました。とても親切で丁寧でした。
歴史をじっくり感じられ、良い体験をしました。

My first trip to Hawaii and the main event on the Big Island was the Mauna Kea summit sunset and stargazing tour. Until the day before, the weather had been rough for three days, and I heard at the hotel that the tour might not happen, which made me worried. However, the result was clear skies and almost no wind, with a beautiful view of the snow that had fallen until yesterday. The stargazing included not only the positions of the constellations but also explanations of the myths and legends, along with many professional photos taken by the guide. I was very satisfied! ♪

初ハワイ、初ハワイ島でのメインイベントは
このマウナケア山頂サンセット&星空観測ツアーでした。前日までは、三日間天候が荒れてツアー出来ず、と到着したホテルで聞き、
どうなる事か？と心配でした。結果は、快晴、ほぼ無風の中、昨日迄に降った雪化粧の中、素晴らしい光景でした。また、星空観測は、星座の位置だけでなく、神話の言い伝えなどの説明とガイドさんによるプロフェッショナルな写真撮影も多数。大満足でした♪

My husband and I did the side by side tour and it was nothing short of amazing! The views were breathtaking and the tour guide was so knowledgeable about the land and gave fun facts about Hawaii and surrounding areas. At each stop the tour guides made sure everyone got their pictures and were willing to lend a hand in getting the best pictures of your group. Next time we will have to bring our kids and plan to do more activities at the ranch. We could have spend a whole day, or two doing it all. The property was clean and well managed and the air conditioned bathrooms were a plus! We would 10/10 recommend this activity!

The show itself was impressive and satisfying, but I was concerned about the cold indoors. It's better to bring a light long-sleeve shirt, even if you tend to get warm.

ショー自体は迫力満点で満足だったが、室内の寒さが気になった。
熱がりでも薄手の長そでを持って行った方が良い。

Do yourself a favor— book it. I had such a phenomenal experience & really am looking forward to come back! The staff go above & beyond to make sure you’re safe, enjoying your time, and that you feel welcomed. It was one of the highlights of my trip— you won’t regret it :)

Definitely recommend experiencing the 4 course Hawaiian meal and the traditional luau dance! Tim was amazing and make the experience personal for each of us!

We went to Hawaii and we loved it there. Now sandbar Hawaii at another level. Everything is including paddle boards, snorkeling, canoeing and you get live music and food. This was the cherry on top of our trip don’t plan on going without making this trip.

This was a great experience for my family. The rain did not stop us from enjoying the sites and learning about Hawaiin culture. Our tour guide was awesome and knowledgeable!

If it's a round trip tour, there were stops along the way, and we enjoyed a leisurely dinner while watching the sunset, making it an enjoyable experience without any dull moments.

往復長旅となるツアーでしたら、途中立ち寄りがあったりゆっくりとサンセットを楽しみながらの夕食タイムなど飽きることなく楽しめました。

Watching fireworks from the sea. I was worried about the weather due to the heavy rain the day before, but I'm glad it went ahead. From my seat, I couldn't take good photos because people's heads and sails were in the way. They changed the direction of the boat towards the end, but I wish they had done it a bit earlier so that everyone could see equally well. I think that's enough... It's better to watch fireworks from the beach.

海上からの花火鑑賞。
前日の大雨で天候が心配だったけど、決行出来て良かったです。
座ってる席からは人の頭や帆が邪魔をして上手く写真を撮れなかった。
船の向きをほぼ終わり頃に変えてくれたけど、もう少し早く、どの席の人も平等に見えるように変えてほしかったです。
これはもういいかな…
花火は浜辺から見た方がいいです。

Originally, it was scheduled for January 30, but I received a call from Veltra the day before, asking me to change the date due to a warning being issued for the next day. So, I participated on February 1.
When I come to Hawaii, Hanauma Bay is an absolute must-visit and one of my favorite places. Although it was an early morning, I was able to enjoy it while there were fewer people. I encountered many fish and was very satisfied. The weather was great, and the view of Hanauma Bay from near the entrance was amazing!
Of course, I want to go again.

当初は1/30の予定でしたが、前日にベルトラさんから電話を頂き、明日は警報が出ているので日程を変更してくださいとのこと。そして2/1に参加させて頂きました。
ハワイに来たらハナウマ湾は絶対外せない大好きな場所。朝が早いけど人が少ないうちから楽しめました。たくさんの魚にも逢えて大満足でした。天候も良く、入場口付近から見たハナウマ湾は最高です！
勿論、また行きたいです。

Loooooved it! We didnt wanna get off the boat n the crew was awesome with my kids!!!!

At first, I was worried about whether I would be okay with heights, but once I got on the boat and it was our turn, soaring high into the sky, I felt amazing and was thrilled by the view.

最初は高所大丈夫かなと心配でしたが、いざボートに乗り込んで自分達の順番がきて、空高く舞い上がってみると、最高の気分、景色で興奮しました。

As the title suggests, I booked a tour for winter in Hawaii, timed for a new moon at the end of January. The communication and Q&A support leading up to the tour date were very smooth.

The van driver was also the tour guide, and I was surprised by their excellent Japanese. I would have liked to enjoy explanations in English with a more multinational group, but out of 12 participants, 10 were Japanese, so it couldn't be helped.

We departed from the Queens Market in Waikoloa at 3:00 PM. The van was fully booked with 12 people. We stopped at a rest area just before the summit to have sandwiches and water. The air was getting thinner, so we took a break for about 30 minutes to adjust. Here, we borrowed winter clothing.

Soon after, we entered off-road terrain and headed to the summit. With a temperature of 0°C and strong winds, it was quite cold. We were able to observe the sunset despite some clouds. After that, we descended a bit to the observation point. It took a while for the clouds to part, but eventually, we were able to see a few stars. The guide explained the constellations visible with a pointer. Venus can also be seen in Tokyo, haha. We were served hot cocoa, which was a lifesaver in the cold. That was much appreciated.

It was so cold and we couldn't observe much, so we left the site after about 15 minutes. After a short break, we returned to the Queens Market around 8:45 PM.

The tour itself was well-organized and reassuring. It really requires good timing with the season and luck for clear skies without clouds.

As a postscript, two days later, I woke up at 4:00 AM at a friend's house and gazed at the night sky, which was filled with stars. I thought if it had been clear on the mountain, it would have been incredibly moving.

タイトル通り冬のハワイ、1月下旬で月齢0に合わせてツアーを予約。
実施日までの案内やQ&A対応はとてもスムーズ。

バンの運転手がツアーガイドさんですが、日本語上手で驚きました。できれば多国籍な参加者と英語での解説を楽しみたかったのですが、12人中10人日本人とそこはやむなしですね。

ワイコロアのクイーンズマーケット15:00出発。バンは12人乗り満席。
山頂手前で休憩所によりサンドイッチとお水をいただきました。空気が薄くなっているので急激な変化をおさえるため。約30分程度。ここで防寒着をお借りします。

その後すぐにオフロードに入り山頂へ。気温0℃＋強風なのでかなり寒いです。夕日観測は雲はありましたがぎりぎり観れました。その後少しだけ下って観測ポイントへ。なかなか雲の隙間ができず暫く待っていると少しだけ隙間ができてわずかながら見ることができました。ポインタで見れる星座を解説。金星は東京でも観れます笑　寒さに助かるホットココアが配られました。これはありがたい。

あまりにも寒いのとあまり観測できなかったので15分くらいでその場から退散。途中休憩をはさんで20:45頃クイーンズマーケットにて解散となりました。

ツアー自体はよい企画でしっかり運営されているので安心です。
やはり季節選びと雲の無い晴天である運が必要ですね。

後日談
この2日後、現地友人宅4:00AMに起きて夜空を眺めましたが満点の星空でした。山で晴れていれば相当感動できるのだろと思いました。