All Reviews for Top Places to Visit in Hawaii

I wanted to take a bus tour around the area for the first time, but I was disappointed that I didn't have enough time. Next time, I would like to set aside a full day to explore.

初めてで中を廻るバスで廻りたかったのですが時間がなくて残念でした。次はまる１日くらい時間を取って廻りたいです。

The pickup from the hotel was very smooth. Climbing to the summit with a light in hand in the pitch dark and watching the sunrise made me feel refreshed. I've visited Hawaii many times, but I realized there are still places I haven't been to, and it felt like I rediscovered the charm of Hawaii. I encountered sea turtles at various beaches, and visiting the macadamia nut farm and coffee plantation was enjoyable as well. Above all, our guide Jonathan's chatter made it a truly delightful tour. I highly recommend it.

ホテル前からのピックアップはとてもスムーズでした。真っ暗な中ライトを片手に山頂まで登って朝日が上がるのを見られて清々しい気分になりました。
何回もハワイを訪れていますが、行っていない場所がまだまだあったんだなーとハワイの魅力を再発見した気分です。
あちこちの海岸でホヌに出会ってマカダミアナッツファームもコーヒー農園も楽しかったです。何よりガイドのジョナサンのお喋りがとても楽しい気分にさせてくれた最高のツアーでした。おすすめです。

I had the best beach experience in Hawaii! Since it was my first tour in Hawaii, I was a bit nervous, but there were Japanese-speaking guides, which made boarding the bus and entering Hanauma Bay go smoothly! During the shuttle ride, they announced information about the surrounding attractions, so I didn't feel bored on the bus. Also, when renting the snorkeling gear, there was a staff member who spoke Japanese, so I was able to borrow it without any issues! The ocean was incredibly beautiful, and everything I saw was a breathtaking view!

ハワイで最高のビーチ観光をすることができました！
ハワイで初のツアーに参加ということで、緊張していましたが、日本語での案内もあり、スムーズにバスの乗車/ハナウマ湾への入場をすることができました！
送迎のバスの中では、周辺の観光情報をアナウンスしてくれてバスの中も退屈しないと思います。
また、シュノーケリングセットのレンタル時も日本語を話せる店員さんがいらっしゃったので、こちらもスムーズに借りることができました！
海も非常に綺麗で目に映るもの全てが絶景でした！

This was our second family trip to Hawaii, and while we were debating what activities to do, we found this one. After checking with the kids, they seemed excited, so we decided to sign up. Unfortunately, it was cloudy on the day of our activity, but we had a great time nonetheless. My eldest son, who is not fond of heights, said it was a bit scary, but my daughter and younger son, who is in elementary school, loved it and wanted to do it again.

I thought I would feel more scared when going up, but I ascended smoothly and didn't feel scared at all. It was a great opportunity to see Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head from the ocean direction, something I had never experienced before.

We were also lucky enough to see whales from the boat. My eldest son was right above them, so he got to see the whales from the sky.

The staff were kind, and we were able to enjoy the experience thoroughly.

2回目の家族ハワイ旅行であり、今回は何のアクティビティをしようかと悩んでいたところ、こちらを見つけました。子供達に確認をとり、楽しそうということで、申し込みをしました。当日はあいにくの曇りでしたが、とても楽しむことができました。高いところが苦手な長男はちょっと怖かったと言っていましたが、長女、小学生の次男はまたやりたい。ととても気に入っていました。
私も上に上がる時にもっと怖いかと思いましたが、スムーズに上がっていき、全く怖さは感じませんでした。海の方角からのワイキキビーチや、ダイヤモンドヘッドを見る機会は今までなかったため、とても良かったです。
今回運良く、ボートから鯨を見ることもできました。長男はちょうど上にいた為、空から鯨の様子を見れたということです。
スタッフの方も優しく、楽しんで体験することができました。

I came to the Rock-a-Hula show as a first-timer to Hawaii to catch a show with my family. It offers a lively, pre-packaged, easy-to-digest introduction to hula, Hawaiian culture, and local history—mixed with plenty of iconic pop-culture moments that Hawaii has embraced and celebrated over time. The experience is broken into a few different ticket options, and what you pay really affects what you get. Here’s what to know before you go:

1. Ticket options & pricing
You can choose between show-only tickets or a luau buffet paired with the show. Pricing varies quite a bit. I was able to snag a 2-for-1 show-only deal, which came out to about $43 per person, and I also saw a single-ticket promo for around $60. The luau + show packages run $100+ depending on whether you upgrade to VIP. The buffet is definitely better suited for non-vegetarians, but there are some meat-free options.

2. The venue & overall vibe
This is a non-traditional show set in a large, comfortable amphitheater on the top floor of a shopping plaza. The show opens with a short historical video about the land and people of Hawaii set in 1920, which sets the timeline for the rest of the performance. From start to finish, the show runs about 1 hour and 10 minutes—just the right length in my opinion.

3. Show highlights
The pacing starts off a bit slow with traditional hula dancers and singers, then really picks up steam once the show moves into the 1950s. The Elvis segment is the longest and most prominent, and honestly, the performer is impressively spot-on in both voice and movement, covering several of Elvis’s biggest hits.

From there, the show transitions into tributes to the Jackson 5 and Michael Jackson, his dance moves really get the audience excited with high-energy dance numbers. You’ll also see nods to familiar cultural touchstones like Israel Kamakawiwoʻole’s “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” Moana, and finally, a dramatic flaming poi performance honoring the fire goddess.

I came to the Rock-a-Hula show as a first-timer to Hawaii to catch a show with my family. It offers a lively, pre-packaged, easy-to-digest introduction to hula, Hawaiian culture, and local history—mixed with plenty of iconic pop-culture moments that Hawaii has embraced and celebrated over time. The experience is broken into a few different ticket options, and what you pay really affects what you get. Here’s what to know before you go:

1. Ticket options & pricing
You can choose between show-only tickets or a luau buffet paired with the show. Pricing varies quite a bit. I was able to snag a 2-for-1 show-only deal, which came out to about $43 per person, and I also saw a single-ticket promo for around $60. The luau + show packages run $100+ depending on whether you upgrade to VIP. The buffet is definitely better suited for non-vegetarians, but there are some meat-free options.

2. The venue & overall vibe
This is a non-traditional show set in a large, comfortable amphitheater on the top floor of a shopping plaza. The show opens with a short historical video about the land and people of Hawaii set in 1920, which sets the timeline for the rest of the performance. From start to finish, the show runs about 1 hour and 10 minutes—just the right length in my opinion.

3. Show highlights
The pacing starts off a bit slow with traditional hula dancers and singers, then really picks up steam once the show moves into the 1950s. The Elvis segment is the longest and most prominent, and honestly, the performer is impressively spot-on in both voice and movement, covering several of Elvis’s biggest hits.

From there, the show transitions into tributes to the Jackson 5 and Michael Jackson, his dance moves really get the audience excited with high-energy dance numbers. You’ll also see nods to familiar cultural touchstones like Israel Kamakawiwoʻole’s “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” Moana, and finally, a dramatic flaming poi performance honoring the fire goddess.

I was able to show my parents a sky full of stars. It takes about half a day, but I think it's a worthwhile experience. Thank you.

満天の星空を両親に見せることができました、時間は半日くらい掛かりますが、それに見合う体験だと思います、ありがとうございます。

The driver arrived at the pickup location on time and was very kind to us, even though we are Japanese! If you're planning to climb Diamond Head, I definitely recommend going early in the morning. We were able to see a beautiful sunrise! ♪

運転手さんは時間通りに送迎場所に来てくださり、日本人の私たちにも優しく接してくださいました！
ダイヤモンドヘッドに登るなら絶対早朝をおすすめします。
とても綺麗なサンライズを見ることができました♪

Highly recommend. We had a local guide who did a fantastic job educating us about the people and culture of the valley. The views were stunning. Can’t say enough good about it.

The shuttle service was convenient and made things easy. It was reassuring to have Japanese staff on-site.

Unfortunately, the air conditioning on the bus going there was broken, and I thought everyone might suffer from heatstroke, so that was a disappointment.

The tour wasn't as dirty as I had heard from rumors! (The weather was nice, which helped.)

I went in sweatpants, but I thought maybe it wasn't necessary to worry about that? However, it might just be luck, so I can't say for sure!

Anyway, I highly recommend it. It's not a problem even for those who are inexperienced drivers!

送迎もあり、楽ちんでした。
日本語のスタッフさんも現地にいるので安心でした。

行きのバスの空調が壊れていて、みんな熱中症になるかと思うくらいでしたので、そこだけ残念でした。

ツアーは、噂で聞いていたほどは汚れませんでした！(お天気だったこともあり。)

ジャージで行きましたがそこまで気にしなくても良かったかも？と思いましたが、これは運かもしれないのでわかりません！

とにかくオススメです。ペーパードライバーでも問題ないです！

Anyone can climb it. However, to climb Diamond Head, prior application is required, so it might be easier to join a tour like this. If you can apply in advance by yourself, it would be cheaper to get to the trailhead by bus or Uber.

誰でも登れます。但し、ダイヤモンドヘッドを登るには、事前申請が必要なので、このようなツアーで参加するのが楽かも知れません。自分自身で事前申請ができるのであれば、登山口まで、バスやウーバーで行った方が安いでしょう。

The staff was very kind, and they were friendly and funny, which made for a great experience. My 6-year-old child also participated and had a lot of fun. I would like to request their services again when I come next time.

とても親切な対応、優しくて面白いスタッフさん達でとても良い体験ができました。6歳の子供も参加して楽しんでました。また今度も来た時はお願いしたいです。

I was glad to be dropped off at the beach on the North Shore and see authentic surfing. The walk towards the town looked interesting, but unfortunately, most places were closed during the tour's time slot. I returned around noon and saw a few shops, but it would have been great if the tour could have been delayed by another hour. I also enjoyed taking pictures of the mini tour and the Haleiwa sign.

ノースショアの浜辺で降ろしてもらい本場のサーフィンが見れて良かったです。
そこから街の方に歩いて行く道のりみせも面白そうで、ただしツアーの時間帯では殆どが開店前、お昼にもどり何軒かは見ましたが、後一時間ツアーを遅らせてくれるとありがたいです。ミニツアーもハレイワ看板も撮れて良かったです。

The meeting went smoothly, and we were able to comfortably move from Kona to the Onizuka Center at the mid-level. It was New Year's Eve, and although the clouds were thick and it had been raining since the day before, I was glad to see rare snow falling at the summit of Mauna Kea! The sunset was beautiful. The stargazing was a bit disappointing due to the clouds, but overall, I had a great experience participating in this tour.

待ち合わせもスムーズに出来て、コナからも快適に中腹のオニヅカセンターに移動できました。大晦日の日でしたが雲も厚く前日から雨でしたが、マウナケア山頂では珍しく雪が舞っているのを見られて良かったです! サンセットはきれいに見れました 。星空は雲のため少し残念でしたがトータルでとても良いツアーに参加できました。

The price was high, but the seats were in a central and easy-to-see location, which was very good. I was satisfied. I always use Beltora for options.

金額も高かったですが、席も中央で見やすい位置でとても良かったです。満足できました。いつもオプションはベルトラさんを使わせていただいてます。

The Cirque du Soleil performance "Awana" was amazing. I want to see it again. I'm always impressed by the high level of the performers.

シルク・ドゥ・ソレイユの公演『アウアナ』は素晴らしかったです。
また見に行きたいと思います。
パフォーマーのレベルの高さにはいつも感心しています。

It was amazing to see the moment the humpback whale jumped!

It was also fantastic to see a pod of long-finned pilot whales.

During snorkeling, I was able to swim with a green sea turtle, and it was just wonderful.

Our guide, Minako, explained everything clearly in Japanese, which made me feel at ease!

ザトウクジラがジャンプした瞬間も見れて最高です！

ハシナガイルカの群れを見れたのも最高です

シュノーケリングではアオウミガメと泳ぐこともできて、とにかく素敵でした

ガイドのミナコさんも日本語で分かりやすく教えてくれて安心でした！

Convenient, smooth, friendly staff. Easy to book and reserve. Perfect way to start your morning on this sunrise cruise

It was a short course starting from 530. Overall, the portions were generous, and even with just three dishes, I was full and had to take half of the main meat home. All the dishes were lightly seasoned, allowing the natural flavors of the ingredients to shine through. The meat was supposed to be Waimea beef, but I was informed in advance that it wouldn't be available, so it was US beef instead. I would like to create another opportunity to try Waimea beef. The staff were pleasant, and the entire space, including the restaurant and restrooms, had a cohesive and natural feel, creating a stylish atmosphere.

530からのショートコースでした。
全体的に量がたっぷりで、3品でも、お腹が一杯で、メインのお肉は半分持ち帰りました。
全ての料理は味付けがやさしく、材料そのもののお味が楽しめました。お肉はワイメア牛のはずでしたが、事前に用意できないと、連絡があり、US牛でした。又機会をつくって、ワイメア牛をたべてみたいと思いました。スタッフは感じがよく、店内、トイレにいたるところまで、統一感のある自然なかんじ、おしゃれ空間でした。

I am very satisfied. It started to rain halfway through, but I had prepared rain gear. I can't speak English, but I was able to understand somewhat using a translation app. There were also staff members who spoke Japanese on site, and they were very kind and helpful. 😊

とても満足してます。
途中から雨が降り出しましたが、雨具を用意しました。英語は出来ませんが翻訳アプリを使って何となく理解できました。
現地にも日本語を話せるスタッフの方もおられとても親切に対応して頂きました😊

The couple enjoyed canoeing together, and even the wife, who can't swim, had a great time snorkeling in the sea! The tour participants helped each other with getting on and off the canoe and stand-up paddleboarding, creating a lively atmosphere that transcended national borders.

夫婦でカヌーに乗ったり、泳げない妻もシュノーケリングで海を満喫！ツアー者同士でカヌーやサップの乗り降り等で助け合いながら、国を超えて大いに盛り上がりました。

It was a very fulfilling experience to ride horses with my family while exploring the magnificent nature. It was a safe experience, even my daughter, who is in the first year of middle school, could ride alone. I highly recommend it.

家族で乗馬しながら、雄大な自然の中を散策できてとても充実した時間でした。
中学1年生の娘でも1人で乗馬できるくらい安全な体験で、とてもお薦めです。

I participated with my 69-year-old mother at the end of December. I was anxious because I couldn't speak English and it was my first experience with snorkeling, but thanks to the excellent support, I was able to participate in the activities with peace of mind.

First, they were able to confirm reservations and answer inquiries in Japanese over the phone. Additionally, although the boarding staff only provided English guidance that day, a Japanese-speaking staff member came to pick us up since we had requested hotel transportation. That person helped us prepare for boarding, provided us with important information after we boarded, and supported us after we disembarked.

Even though it was the end of December in Hawaii, which made me worry about the cold sea, I followed the staff's recommendation to rent a wetsuit, and I felt comfortable without feeling cold at all. During the activities, there were enough staff members watching over and supporting the participants.

Thanks to this, I had a wonderful experience seeing many manta rays and a beautiful sunset. Even if we hadn't encountered any manta rays, I still think just snorkeling in the waters of Hawaii would have been a fantastic experience. I highly recommend it!

12月末に69歳の母と参加しました。
英語も話せずシュノーケリングも初体験のため不安でしたが、手厚いサポートのおかげで安心してアクティビティに参加することができました。
まず、電話での予約確認や問い合わせに、日本語で対応していただけます。
また、乗船スタッフは英語ガイドのみの日でしたが、ホテルへの送迎を頼んでいたところ日本語スタッフの方が迎えに来てくださいました。
その方に乗船までの準備を手伝っていただいたり、乗船後の注意点も教えていただいたり、下船後のサポートもしていただきました。
ハワイとはいえ12月末の海ということで寒さが不安でしたが、スタッフの方のお勧めに従いウェットスーツを借りたところ、寒さを感じることはなく快適に過ごせました。
アクティビティ中も、参加者に対して十分な人数のスタッフが見守ってサポートしてくれます。
おかげさまでたくさんのマンタと綺麗な夕日を見るという素晴らしい体験ができましたが、もしマンタと遭遇できなかったとしても、ハワイの海でシュノーケリングするというだけでも十分に素敵な経験だったと思います。
とてもおすすめです！

I had a wonderful mini tour with our Japanese guide, Nana, who was kind and fun! The kids were thrilled with the gifts from Nana.

The buffet was at a level that I couldn't believe was the same as what I had ten years ago; it was so delicious that I felt like we didn't have enough time to enjoy the meal.

The evening show was the most impressive I've ever seen, with a spectacular fire dance that was a lot of fun. I felt it was worth more than the price we paid, and I was very satisfied.

日本人ガイドのナナさんの優しくて楽しいガイドで、ミニツアーを楽しみました！子どもたちはナナさんからのプレゼントで大興奮していました。
ブュッフェは10年前に食べたものと同じ内容とは思えないほどレベルが上がっており、食事時間が足りないと感じるほど美味しかったです。
イブニングショーは過去一番迫力があり、ファイヤーダンスも豪華で、とても楽しかったです。お値段以上と感じるほど大満足でした。

I was disappointed that I couldn't understand the English and the explanations, but the scenery was amazing, and I was satisfied with the long buggy ride.

英語が聞き取れず、説明がわからなかったのは残念だけど、景色は最高で、バギー乗車時間が長くて満足でした。

I was able to see sharks swimming slowly around the cage I was in. It was my first experience, and I had a lot of fun. I was worried about getting seasick, but thanks to the motion sickness medication I took, it wasn't a problem at all.

自分が入っているゲージの周りをゆっくり泳ぐサメを見ることが出来ました。初めての体験でとても楽しかったです。心配していた船酔いは、酔い止めを飲んでいたおかげもあって問題なかったです。

I chose a plan without transportation, and I think that was a good decision. With transportation included, I wouldn't be able to go and return at my own timing, so I can make time to go somewhere else right after the tour ends. Since everything—clothes and face—gets covered in dust, I think having a change of clothes would be a good idea.

送迎なしのプランにしたが、それで良かったと思っている。
送迎付きだと自分のタイミングで行ったり、帰ったりできないので、ツアー終了後すぐに別のところに行く時間が作れる。
服、顔全てが砂埃まみれになるので着替えがあるといいと思う。

I participated in a tour from Waikiki by bus for the first time in Hawaii. It was early in the morning, and it took about an hour to reach the beach where we could see dolphins. Fortunately, I was able to swim with the dolphins and even see whales! As an older guy, I was truly moved by the experience.

The guides were all professionals and very friendly. For me and the other Japanese participants who struggled with English, Minako, who could speak Japanese, and Yuya, who handled the photography, were very attentive and humorous in their assistance. Thank you for your hard work from the preparations to after we set sail.

It was a very satisfying tour!

初めてのハワイでワイキキからバスでツアーに参加しました。朝早く、イルカが見れる海岸まで移動距離も1時間ほどかかりました。が運良くイルカと泳げてクジラまで見れました！良い歳のおっさんですが感動しました。
ガイドさんは皆プロフェッショナルで気さくでした。英語が拙い私や他の日本人へ、日本語ができるガイドのミナコさんや撮影のゆうやさんが懇切丁寧に、ユーモア交えて対応頂きました。準備から出航後もハードワークでお疲れ様でした。
大変満足なツアーでした！

I watched from the front row. I participated last year as well, and the powerful show was amazing no matter how many times I see it. Since I was able to see it up close, I could also see the expressions on their faces, which was very nice.

最前列の席で観覧しました。昨年も参加しましたが、迫力のあるショーは何度見ても最高でした。
近くで観ることが出来たので、お顔の様子も観ることができて、とても良かったです。

It was an amazing tour! We were able to see a large group of dolphins, whales, and sea turtles! Everything went very smoothly, and the staff member Minako said, "It's rare to see dolphins, whales, and sea turtles so smoothly!" so this tour was a great success! At first, I was worried about whether we would see them, but within 30 minutes of departure, we encountered dolphins, which was fantastic!

Minako, Travis, Laura, Gaylen, Yuya, and Tim were all excellent staff, and we had a great time until the end!

とても素晴らしいツアーでした！イルカの大群、クジラ、ウミガメを見れる事ができました！とてもスムーズに進んでスタッフのMINAKOさんも｢こんなにスムーズでイルカ、クジラ、ウミガメ見れるなんて中々無いですよ！｣と言われてたので、今回のツアーは大成功でした！最初は会えるか不安でしたが、船が出発して30分しない内にイルカに遭遇したので最高でした！
MINAKO TRAVIS LAURA GAYLEN YUYA TIM
皆最高のスタッフで最後まで楽しく過ごせました！