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Hawaii
After researching several options, we chose the Ultimate Hawaii Circle Island Sightseeing tour from Veltra for our mid-April 2026 trip, and it did not disappoint. Our guide, Marcus, was total pro, wWith 15 years of experience, his knowledge and storytelling made the 10-hour journey fly by.
The Highlights:
1) Coffee Farm: Stunning views and a great tasting session in the gift shop.
2) Punaluu Black Sand Beach: We were lucky enough to see sea turtles basking on the sand!
3) Volcanoes National Park: Seeing the steam vents and the scale of the active volcano was easily the highlight of the day.
4) Rainbow Falls: The best panoramic view is actually from the side of the park; the hike to the top isn't strictly necessary for the best photos.
5) Waipio Valley Lookout: Absolutely breathtaking photo opportunities.
The logistics were seamless with a prompt pickup at 7:20 am from the Fairmont Orchid. While it is a long day covering 2/3 of the island, Marcus kept us entertained throughout. Lunch, dinner, snacks, and water were all provided, making for a stress-free experience. Highly recommended!
• Wear runners for hikes & lots of walking
• No need to bring water as the tour provides plenty.
Wow just wow, Shane was our pilot and boy he had a lot of knowledge of the island and for him to give a good answer to everyone's questions was exceptional. The ride was smooth, we felt safe and it was longer than I expected. The views are amazing and beautiful. My grandkids and I truly loved this experience. Shane even let Liam shut the helicopter down once we landed.
Terrific experience! Derek was a wonderful guide! Knowledgeable, friendly, and professional! Gave a preview of events, a timeline, and kept to the schedule.
The tour took us to places we probably wouldn't have gone to on our own. We saw turtles on the beautiful black sand beach, enjoyed a walk around the coffee farm with delicious samples. Spent time at Rainbow Falls. Enjoyed cookies at a local bakery. Plenty of opportunities along the way to pickup meaningful, local souvenirs.
But my favorite stops were in Volcano National Park. The caldera was amazing. No spouting lava but lots of smoking vents. The steam vents were amazing as well. Lunch at the cafe was well organized and tasty. The view from the restaurant was great. Beautiful vistas along the route. What more could you ask for???
Good for everyone, including kids. Plenty of stops along the way. Great overview of many sites.
We had an awesome experience with Blue Hawaiian. We weren't able to experience the complete experience because of poor weather over Volcano National Park but Blue Hawaiian did an excellent job of working with us to create an alternative tour for us. Dale was great as our pilot and tour guide.
If you can, book the the volcanoes and waterfall tour
Unfortunately, the weather on the day was not great, and we couldn't do the planned flight over the volcano, which was disappointing. However, the alternative suggested was a landing plan at the waterfall. When I signed up, I thought it was a bit pricey, so I didn't include the waterfall landing, but adding that option turned out to be a great decision!
The view of the waterfall from above and the experience of landing right next to it are completely different in terms of impact. Walking through the tropical rainforest after descending was refreshing, and it was fascinating to see various fruits along the way. Since we could land in places that only a helicopter can reach, I highly recommend the waterfall landing!
We had the helicopter to ourselves as there were five of us in the family. The seating arrangement is determined by weight, so those who got to sit in the front row or on the ends were lucky.
当日はあいにくのお天気で予定していた火山上空へのフライトは出来ず残念でしたが、代わりに提案いただいたのが滝の着陸プラン。
申し込んだときはちょっとお高いので滝への着陸はつけていなかったのですが、オプション付けて大正解！！
上から見たと滝と着陸して間近に見る滝とでは迫力が全然違うし、滝を降りての熱帯雨林のお散歩は気持ちよく、様々なフルーツも見れてとても興味深かったです。ヘリじゃなくちゃいけないところに着陸できるので、滝の着陸、おススメ！！
家族5人で乗ったので貸しきりでした。
体重などによって乗る場所が決まるので、最前列や両端に載れた人はラッキー。
Definitely the waterfall option!
滝オプションぜひ！
Translated by OpenAI
The tour was super well organized, with a guide who shared interesting insights along the way!
Loved this tour - our tour guide was very accommodating and knowledgeable and we saw some beautiful spots of the island. Definitely recommend this trip as you get to see a lot in one day. My favourite places were the black sand beach with the sea turtles and the Volcanoes National Park (but to be honest, I loved all the sites).
Loved this tour! We saw so much of the Big Island in a single day. And the guide shared really interesting facts along the way.
A fantastic way to see the islands highlights in one day like the Volcanoes National Park, Waipio Valley (our favorite), black sand beaches, and gorgeous waterfalls.
The tour guide was super knowledgeable and kept a smooth pace, making it easy to enjoy every stop. Highly recommend for a comprehensive island experience.
Such a great day - from the black sand beach to the Waipio Valley lookout and multiple waterfalls, of course with visiting Volcanoes National Park as the standout!!
Saw everything from volcanos to waterfalls and both sides of the island
The good: Black Sand Beach and Volcanoes National Park are as good as they can be. Halema'uma'u Crater is amazing.
The average: The Coffee Farm we visited is a small one. We saw the coffee plants, but didn't see much about how the coffee is produced as the machines are taken apart and stored. Food is ok-ish, lunch is fast-food bento, dinner is at a small restaurant.
The unfortunate: We didn't see any star due to the cloudy weather. If you want to do stargazing, join a stargazing group as they will have better planning and equipment.
So many gorgeous stops along this tour, and the guides are so funny and make a long day seem like a breeze.
My wife was initially scared to board, but it wasn't too bumpy, and while receiving explanations in Japanese, we were able to see various mountains, volcanic craters, and waterfalls from the helicopter, which was moving. The price was a bit high, but we created wonderful memories that were worth it.
家内は最初乗車するのが怖がっていましたが、
たいして揺れることもなく、日本語での説明をしてもらいながら
色々な山や火口付近・滝などをヘリコプターから見られて
感動しました。
お値段はちょっと高額ですが、それ以上に良い思い出が出来ました。
Be careful of battery drain when filming videos on your smartphone! (I ran out of battery.) I was surprised that there was no turbulence at all during takeoff and landing. I find jet planes scarier.
スマートフォンで動画を撮影するときは電池切れに注意！（私は切れてしまいました）
離陸＆着陸時全然揺れずビックリしました。ジェット機の方が怖いです。
Translated by OpenAI
We were really lucky with our tour because Kilauea started erupting in the morning of our tour day and we had a helicopter tour at 9:00 AM. We were able to see unbelievable sights from the helicopter as we were flying over the caldera.
The downside of it was that everyone else also knew about the eruption and wanted to get to the volcano park so we were stuck in the traffic for hours with others queuing to get into the park. This affected slightly the schedule of our tour, but we still managed to see the main things, and as I had visited the park before, it didn't matter so much to me. The thing I hoped and expected from the tour most was seeing lava spouting up in the air, and that came true!
Just as a reminder, you don't always get to see lava flowing, but the sights overall are still amazing and definitely worth the trip.
Participating as a family of four was truly a courageous choice, especially considering the impact of the exchange rate, but I'm so glad we decided to go for it! It was my first time on a helicopter, and thanks to the thoughtful care of the staff and pilot, I was able to enjoy it without any worries. I wanted to see the Kilauea volcano erupting magma, and I was able to capture that on video to show my elderly mother who was waiting back in Japan. Additionally, we chose a tour that included a stop at a waterfall, and that turned out to be a fantastic decision! It allowed us to truly experience the lush nature of the Big Island. The view of the mountains and valleys from the sea, the green landscape, the blue coral reef waters, and the brown-black of the volcano and lava were all so vibrant and unforgettable. Plus, we were greeted by a cute dog! I wholeheartedly recommend this tour.
為替レートの影響もあり、家族4人で参加するのは本当に勇気がいる選択でしたが、思い切って参加してよかったです！人生初のヘリコプターも、スタッフとパイロットの細やかな心遣いで心配せず、心から楽しむことができました。キラウェア火山がマグマを噴き上げている様子を見たくて参加したのですが、その動画も撮って、日本で待っていた年老いた母にも見せることができました。また、せっかくならば･･･と滝に寄るツアーにしたのですが、これが大正解！自然豊かなハワイ島を感じる内容となりました。海から見る山や谷の緑とサンゴ礁の海の青、火山や溶岩の茶黒。カラフルで自然の姿をしっかりと目に焼き付けることができました。そして、アイドル犬が出迎えてくれます。とってもキュートですよ。心からお薦めのツアーです。
The UV rays are strong. My eyes are sensitive to UV light, so I wore sunglasses. You can only bring sunglasses and one bottle of water (which is provided for free), so it's best to prepare sunblock an
紫外線が強いです。私は目が紫外線に弱いので、サングラスをしていきました。サングラス、水1本（無料配布）以外は持ち込みできないので、日焼け止めクリームなどの日焼け対策は事前にしっかりとした方がよいです。
Translated by OpenAI
Highlights included walking through Volcanoes National Park, seeing steam vents and lava fields up close, the stunning black sand beach at Punaluʻu, and panoramic views over Waipiʻo Valley.
It’s a long day, but absolutely packed with jaw-dropping sights and well-paced stops.
We enjoyed a great day learning and exploring the Volcanos, Craters, Lava Tubes. The bus was clean and on time, the tour guide (Torrie) was really good and informative. The lunch was really good as was the dinner. Overall it was a great experience. I would definitively recommend this company and tour.
Good walking shoes and light jacket.
I splurged on a helicopter ride, thinking I might never come back to the Big Island again. I was moved by the breathtaking scenery that can only be seen from a helicopter, such as valleys, cliffs, and the traces of flowing lava. It was also great that I could ask questions and talk with the pilot through the microphone.
もう2度とハワイ島まで来られないだろうと、奮発して搭乗しました。
普通では見られない渓谷や岸壁、溶岩が流れた跡など、ヘリコプターならではの風景に感動しました。パイロットさんとマイクを通して質問したりお話し出来たのも良かったです。
If I had splurged a little more and taken the passenger seat, it might have been even more fun. I took so many photos and videos that before I knew it, my smartphone ran out of battery. Let's be caref
あともう少し奮発して助手席にすればもっと楽しかったかも。
写真やビデオを撮りすぎて気づいたらスマホの電源が切れてしまいました、気をつけましょう！
Translated by OpenAI
Shawn is super polite and well educated in many topics regarding the lava, plant life, history and sites on the islands. He was particularly helpful in suggesting to us to change the itinerary so we could see the active eruption and we are so happy he made the suggestion. 100% well worth the private tour. We changed things up and kinda called audibles throughout the day and Shawn was all about it. We had a great dinner and the day was a total success. Thank you.
If you don’t want to be herded in a tour bus and would like the ability to customize, book this!!
Aloha Monika,
Mahalo for taking the time to share your experience with us! One of my favorite parts of just doing private tours is the ability to call those audibles and customize our itinerary based on our guests desires, or in this case the Volcano. Happy that we were able to get to the Volcanoes NP, see the eruption before it stopped, still be able to take you to the other locations we had planned, and enjoy a great dinner! Thanks again!!
Mahalo,
Shawn
This tour was mind blowing especially because of tour guide Felix! He showed us all the best spots and gave so much interesting history and facts without making you want to fall asleep LOL. First time in Hawaii and I’m so grateful to have been on this excursion! Amazing food, views and so much more. Thank you wasabi tours and even bigger thank you to Felix!! ❤️❤️
This is an ALL day trip be prepared to have nothing else planned but a great time!
I experienced it on May 7, 2025.
1. I was very satisfied with the location, the pilot, and the staff. I highly recommend it. 100 points.
2. Since my seat was on the left side, all the highlights were on the right side of the journey. The aircraft blocked my view, and I couldn't take the photos I wanted, which was disappointing. I requested the pilot to make a turn, but it was only accommodated once. Minus 40 points.
2025年5月7日体験しました。
1、体感は、ロケーション、パイロット、スタッフのみなさんには大満足でした。
おすすめです。100点
2、席が左サイドだった為、見所は全行程右サイドで、隣りの人越し、機体が邪魔になり、せっかくのロケーションが写真も思うように撮れず、心が折れましたよ
パイロットに旋回をリクエストしたがその1回切りの対応でした。
マイナス40点。
The front row seats are the best!
前例の席が最高ですよ。
Translated by OpenAI
Kilauea was just amazing, I could go every day if it was possible!
The guide was very enthusiastic and knowledgeable. It was a fulfilling day. It was really good. However, all the participants were Americans, and perhaps because they all had knowledge about Hawaii, the topics discussed were quite difficult. Things like how to buy land and rumors about Captain Cook. If you have prior knowledge and are fluent in English, it would be very enjoyable, but if your level is just average, you might feel a bit left out.
ガイドさんがとても熱心ないい方で、知識も豊富。充実感のある一日でした。とても良かったです。ただ参加者はアメリカ人の方ばかりで、またハワイに着いても知識がある方ばかりだったからか、話の内容がなかなか難しいものでした。土地の買い方やキャプテンクックの噂話など。事前知識があったり、おそらく英語がペラペラだととっても楽しいかと、ただそれなりレベルだとポツン悲しい思いをしてしまうかも。
It's quite tough if you can't understand English well! Also, the lunch bento is somewhat disappointing for Japanese people, so those who are particular about food might want to bring their own. The ta
かなり英語を聞き取れないと厳しい！あとお昼のお弁当は日本人にはなかなか残念な内容なので、食にこだわりのある方はご自身で持って行かれるといいかもしれません。味は不味くはありません。
Translated by OpenAI
The tour guide was great. We really enjoyed ourselves
One important thing to note when you arrive at Hilo Airport is to head to the Bus Loading Zone pickup area at the end of the Baggage Claim Terminal. Walk outside of the Baggage Claim area on the first floor, turn right, and proceed toward the restrooms at the west end of the terminal, where a Polynesian Adventure vehicle will pick you up.
Our tour guide, Dexter, was incredibly knowledgeable, as he was born and raised on the Big Island. He was a wonderful gentleman, showing great respect, kindness, and compassion for everyone. A lunch was provided, which included a turkey wrap, kettle-cooked chips, a chocolate chip cookie, and a refillable metal water container. We also made a stop at Big Island Candies for some sweet treats. While we didn't need to wear pants or jackets, wearing hiking boots for ankle support is highly recommended due to the rough and slippery terrain.
Our Blue Hawaiian Helicopters pilot, David (nicknamed "Chewy"), was also very knowledgeable. He videotaped our entire flight upon request, and we even had our photo taken, which was uploaded onto the USB thumb drive. Remember to bring your photo ID. You will also need to view a safety video.
Overall, it was an excellent experience and well worth the money.
Aloha Marjie,
Mahalo for your wonderful review!
We’re so glad you had an excellent experience from start to finish, and we appreciate you sharing those helpful arrival details for future guests. It’s fantastic to hear that both Dexter and David (aka “Chewy”) made such a lasting impression with their knowledge, kindness, and genuine aloha spirit. We’ll be sure to pass along your kind words to them—they’ll be thrilled!
We’re also glad you enjoyed the lunch and special stop at Big Island Candies, and we agree—good footwear is a must for Big Island’s diverse terrain. Thank you for choosing Polynesian Adventure; we’re honored to have been part of your Hawaiian journey and hope to welcome you back for another unforgettable adventure soon!
Warmest aloha,
The Polynesian Adventure ʻOhana
The guide was very kind, and there were many services that weren't mentioned when I signed up! In cold areas, they lent us windbreakers and jackets, and they also checked our meal preferences in advance and placed orders for us. There were several occasions where they provided Hawaiian juice and bottled water as well.
I mainly signed up for the volcano tour, but they also drove us around to other places while giving detailed explanations the whole time. The guide was English-speaking, but they spoke to us in the Japanese they had learned, which made it feel very homey and enjoyable.
My kids challenged themselves to speak in English, and the guide responded kindly, which made me very happy as a parent to see their growth during this tour. The weather was great, we got to see sea turtles, and we witnessed both daytime and nighttime lava flows. Additionally, we were able to observe an incredible number of stars in the night sky that I had never seen before. It was an unexpectedly amazing tour filled with good luck!
ガイドさんがとても親切で申込む時に書いてないサービスが沢山ありました！寒い地域ではウィンドブレーカーやジャンバーを貸してくれ、食事も事前に希望を確認して注文してくれたり、ハワイのジュースやペットボトル水の提供も数回ありました
ボルケーノツアーメインで申込みましたが、その他の場所も細かい説明をずっとしながら運転してくれました
英語ガイドさんでしたが、覚えた日本語で話しかけてくれたりしてアットホームで楽しかったです
子供達は習った英語で話すことに挑戦しましたが優しく対応してくれて、このツアーで子供達の成長した姿がみれて親としてとても嬉しかったです
天気も良く、ウミガメにも会い、昼と夜の溶岩流もみれて、更に見たことのない数の満天の星空観測も出来、幸運続きの想像以上に最高のツアーでした!!
I highly recommend Wasabi Tours for a tour of the Big Island! The guide spoke English, but other groups had guides who could speak Japanese as well. The tour was rich in content and exceeded my expect
ハワイ島のツアーはワサビツアーズをオススメします！英語ガイドさんですが、他のグループは日本語が話せるガイドさんもいました
内容が濃く盛り沢山のツアーで期待以上です❣️
Translated by OpenAI
Our family loved it, as we love the e-bikes to keep the speed up, but get around the park at a good pace!
