All Reviews for Dolphin Watching & Snorkel Cruises

My daughter, who loves the ocean, wanted to participate in a snorkeling experience with dolphins! I read reviews and didn't expect much when they said you swim with dolphins, as I thought they would just pass by below while snorkeling. However, I was amazed because I saw them clearly three times when I jumped in! They swam close to the boat, and I could also see them jumping in the distance, which was great! We were lucky to spot something that looked like a whale on the way there too!

When I asked my husband, who usually doesn't get very emotional, what he enjoyed the most in Hawaii, he said, "I got a bit tired from swimming, but it was probably the dolphins..." so I think he really enjoyed it. Just keep in mind that even though it's called snorkeling, you have to chase after the dolphins when they come, so it can be tough for those who aren't good swimmers, and if you fall behind, you might miss seeing them. If you can swim normally, you'll be fine. If we get the chance to go back to Hawaii, I would love to join this tour again! (*^^*)

海が大好きな娘の希望でイルカとシュノーケルに参加しました！
口コミを見てイルカと泳ぐ・・・と言ってもシュノーケルしてる下の方をイルカが一瞬で通り過ぎるだけそれほど期待してはいなかったけど３度飛び込んで３度とも見えたし下の方でしたがはっきり見えたので感動でした！
ボートのそばを泳いでくらたり遠くではジャンプする姿も見え良かったです♪
行く途中で鯨らしき物も見えたのでラッキーでした！
普段あまり感動しない旦那さんに『ハワイで何が一番楽しかった？』と聞いたら『泳ぐのにちょっと疲れたけどイルカかな・・・』と言っていたのでよほど楽しかったと思います。
ただシュノーケルと言ってもイルカが来たら追いかけるように着いていかなければいけないので泳ぎの得意ではない人は大変だし遅れると見えない事もあります。
ふつうに泳げるなら大丈夫です。
もしまたハワイに行けることがあれば参加したいツアーです。(*^^*)

This was my first time in Hawaii for our honeymoon. My husband wanted to go snorkeling, so we chose this tour where we could swim with dolphins and enjoy snorkeling as well.

First, we were given flowers and had a touching moment of prayer together as we faced the sea. The main dolphin watching part was a bit intense; as soon as we arrived at the spot, we had to jump into the cold water without any warm-up or getting used to it, which made me a bit worried about having a heart attack! The experience of swimming with dolphins was different from what I imagined; instead of leisurely swimming alongside them, it felt more like a hurried attempt to catch a glimpse of the dolphins swimming below us while snorkeling. Since the dolphins are wild animals, it wasn't the relaxing experience I had hoped for.

The dolphin watching was over in an instant, and since some people didn't get to see them, we had a total of two watching sessions, but it felt like we were only in the water for about five minutes, which honestly left me wanting more. After that, we returned to the boat, but it was quite cold with the sea breeze, making it really uncomfortable until we reached the next snorkeling spot. I highly recommend wearing a thick hoodie and bringing a large towel.

The snorkeling afterward was satisfying because we got to see sea turtles up close, which was different from the main dolphin watching. However, the snorkeling time was relatively short, and it felt like it was over before we knew it. It wasn't a leisurely experience but more of a quick taste of it. After returning to the boat, we had a lunch that was labeled as BBQ, which turned out to be cheeseburgers. I had seen reviews about this beforehand, so I was prepared, but those expecting a BBQ might feel a bit misled. The taste was good, though.

Afterward, we enjoyed dancing the hula and taking photos, which was fun. However, in the covered area at the back, the deck leading to the second floor obstructed the view, and there was a noticeable difference in enthusiasm between the guests in front and those behind. Since we were seated at the back, I think some adjustments could be made for better visibility for everyone.

▼ Points of Concern
- The BBQ was misleading since I had an image of grilled meat; the cheeseburger label could cause confusion.
- Water was leaking from the air conditioning in the shuttle bus, soaking some guests.
- The photo data was quite expensive.
- The small boat made it feel like we had to be considerate of others during the move, and depending on the seat, the stairs blocked the view and sound of staff explanations and dances.
- There were no napkins or tissues provided for wiping hands after eating burgers and chips, which made things a bit difficult and the seats tended to get dirty.
- There was little consideration for those feeling cold or seasick; it would have been nice to have some towels or something prepared.

▼ Positive Aspects
- The moment of throwing flowers during the prayer was romantic.
- We got to see sea turtles up close.
- The music on the boat was lively.
- The temporary tattoo stickers were a nice touch.

For those who have participated in other tours or are of a more mature age, you might notice some issues with the facilities, timing, and service. If this were a monitor tour price, I would be satisfied, but at the regular price, I would like to see a bit more in terms of quality and time allocation.

I may have been a bit critical, but I’m really glad I was able to participate.

ハネムーンで初のハワイでした。旦那さんがシュノーケリングをしたいとの事で、イルカと泳げてシュノーケルも楽しめるこちらのツアーにしました。
まずお花を配られて海に向かって皆でのお祈りの時間は感動しました♪
メインのイルカウォッチングは、イルカがいる地点に着くと「今からすぐ行くよ！」という感じでそれまで一切準備運動や水に触れる事なくイキナリ冷たい海に飛び込まないといけないので、ちょっと心臓発作にならないか心配になりました；
メインのイルカと泳ぐツアーは少し想像と違っていて、イルカと泳ぐというよりはシュノーケルで真下を泳ぐイルカを急いで見る！みたいな少しせわしないものでした笑
イルカは野生で自然の生き物ですから、ゆっくり横で見れる～という感じではないのでもともとの私のイメージが少し期待しすぎたかもしれません＾＾；
イルカウォッチングは一瞬で終わってしまい、見れない方がいたので合計2回のウォッチングとなりましたが、海にいたのはものの5分程度？と思う程短かったので1回だけでは正直かなり物足りなかった気がします。。
その後船に戻りましたが、海風もあってかなり寒く……。次のシュノーケルの地点まで本当に寒くてツライ位でした；
参加される方はしっかり厚手のパーカと大き目のバスタオルは必須です。

その後のシュノーケリングは、メインのイルカウォッチングと違って海ガメを近くで見ながら泳ぐ事が出来て満足です♪
ただ、こちらもシュノーケルの時間が割と短く、もう終わりか～という感じでした。
ゆっくり楽しんだ！という時間ではなく、ちょっと体験！みたいな時間ですね。
船に戻ってからは、ＢＢＱという名のチーズバーガーの昼食時間。
ＢＢＱの件は事前に口コミを見ていたので、了承済みですがＢＢＱと思って参加される方は「これだけ？」となると思いますので少し過大表記しすぎかと…。
味はおいしいです。

その後は帰りまでフラを踊ったり、写真を撮ったりと盛り上げてくれるのは楽しかったです。
が、奥の屋根付きの所だと二階へのデッキが邪魔で全然見えず、前の客と後の客の温度差が…笑
こちらも奥の座席だったのでちょっと、もう少し皆がみやすい様に工夫が必要かと思います。

▼気になった点
・ＢＢＱは、焼き肉のイメージを持つのでチーズバーガーという表記が誤解がないのでは？
・送迎バスのクーラーから水が漏れていて、お客さんにすごい水掛かっていた
・写真データがあまりに高い
・小ぶりの船で、移動には他の人に気を使う感じだったのと、席によっては階段が邪魔でスタッフの説明やダンスなどが見えない＆聞こえない
・ハンバーガーやポテトチップスを食べるが手をふくものやティッシュもなく（数人に配ったら途中でなくなっちゃった、ごめんね～という感じ）ちょっと大変＆席が汚れがち
・さむがっている人や酔っている人には特に配慮がない（数枚でもタオルや何か用意していてもいいかな）

▼よかった点
・お祈りの時間で花を投げたのがロマンチック
・海ガメが近くで見れた
・海での音楽で盛り上がった
・タトゥーシールがちょっとうれしい

他のツアーなどに参加された経験のある方や割と大人の年齢の方だと設備面や時間、対応などが少し目につく所があると思います。モニターツアーでの価格なら納得♪ですが、正規の料金だともう少し充実度（時間の幅取り）がほしいかなと思います。

少し辛口でしたが、参加できたことはすごく良かったです。

I was so excited about my first trip to Hawaii that I forgot to call the dolphin desk after arriving at the hotel, but I managed to get in touch the night before and was able to join the tour without any issues.

The meeting time was 6 AM. It was still dark, with the sun not yet risen, when we were picked up by a bright yellow bus. I was quite sleepy and thought I would take a nap on the way, but the student council president (the guide) gave a detailed and entertaining explanation about the port we were heading to, the types of dolphins we might see, important notes, and equipment, all while incorporating some impersonations. As a result, I didn’t get a second of sleep during the approximately one-hour ride to the port.

We boarded a high-speed boat to search for dolphins, and it was so much fun! The boat sped along just above the water's surface, bouncing over large waves, making me forget for a moment that we were searching for dolphins. We got splashed with water, so it was cold regardless of the water temperature. I rented a wetsuit for $10, so I didn’t feel the chill, but my husband, without a wetsuit, seemed to be quite cold.

The boat went all the way from Waianae to beyond Ko Olina, but we didn’t find any dolphins. We returned to Waianae, but still no dolphins. The student council president's face started to look more and more worried. As the tour was nearing its end without anyone having entered the water, and just when everyone was starting to give up, the student council president made a surprising suggestion.

After checking the participants' plans, and since no one was in a hurry to return, we decided to continue searching for dolphins! This time, we headed north to Makua Beach. There, we found dolphins! We immediately jumped into the water and were able to swim with seven dolphins.

After that, we enjoyed snorkeling with sea turtles at another spot before returning to the port, where we were taken back to the hotel. We arrived an hour later than scheduled, but I was really glad to have been able to swim with the dolphins.

In a typical tour, I think it would have ended with, "We didn’t see any this time. It can’t be helped since they are wild dolphins." But Dolphin Middle School was different.

I am truly grateful to the student council president and the crew for not giving up and continuing to search for dolphins until the end.

初めてのハワイ旅行にすっかり舞い上がり、ホテル到着後イルカデスクに電話連絡することを忘れてしまいましたが、前日の夜に連絡をとることができ、無事ツアーに参加できました。
集合は朝6時。まだ朝日も昇っておらず暗い中、鮮やかな黄色いバスでピックアップ。かなり眠たかったので、行きのバスで仮眠を…と思っていましたが、生徒会長（＝ガイドさん）より、これから行く港の場所や、見られるイルカの種類、諸注意、装備につい等々、モノマネを交えながら面白く細かく説明されるため、港に到着するまでの約１時間、寝る時間は１秒もありませんでした。

港から高速船に乗ってイルカを探すのですが、この船が楽しい！海面スレスレをビュンビュン飛ばして進み、大波を越える時は大きくバウンドして、イルカを探していることを一瞬忘れます。水しぶきを浴びながら進むので、水温に関係なく寒いです。私は＄１０でウェットスーツを借りていたので感じませんでしたが、ウェットスーツなしの主人はかなり寒かったようです。

船はワイアナエからコオリナの先まで進みましたが、イルカ発見ならず。ワイアナエまで戻るも、やはりイルカはいない。生徒会長の顔もだんだん曇ってきます。一度も海に入ることなくツアー終了の時間が近づき、誰もが諦めかけたとき、生徒会長からの意外な提案が。
ツアー参加者にこの後の予定を確認し、特に急いで帰りたい人がいなかったため、イルカ探しを続行することに！今度は北へ船を進ませマクアビーチへ。そこでイルカ発見！すぐさま海へ入り、７頭のイルカと一緒に泳ぐことができました。
その後、別のポイントでウミガメとシュノーケリングを楽しんでから帰港し、ホテルへと送迎してもらいました。予定より１時間も遅れての到着となりましたが、イルカと一緒に泳ぐことができたので本当に良かったです。

普通のツアーなら「今回は見られませんでした。野生のイルカだから仕方ないですね。」で終了だと思いますが、イルカ中学は違いました。

最後まで諦めずにイルカを探してくれた生徒会長やクルーの皆さんに感謝、感謝です。

I was able to swim with wild dolphins. It was an early morning tour with mostly shy Japanese participants, but the staff worked hard to keep the energy up, thank you! While meeting the dolphins was important, I think just experiencing the breathtaking beauty of the West Coast, which I rarely get to visit, made the tour worthwhile. By the way, the cheeseburger was delicious; I wanted to say, "I'll have another!"

野生のイルカと泳ぐことができました、朝早いうえに内気な日本人ばかりのツアー、スタッフの方々は頑張って盛り上げてくださいましたありがとうございます、イルカと出会えるのも大切ですがなかなか訪れることのない西海岸の息をのむ美しい景色に出会えただけでツアーに参加した価値があると思います、それにしてもチーズバーガーおいしかったな、”おかわり！と言いたかった。

Booking with VELTRA was really easy and fast, I gave them my information and they took care of the rest for me.

Dolphin Excursions Hawaii was also great! I had no problems with my pick up and
the boat crew was kind, friendly and helpful, they took many incredible pictures during the tour.

The West Side of the Island is beautiful. Snorkeling was amaaazing, we spotted so many dolphins, turtles and different species of fish. After the tour we had lunch at the Spinners Cafe, the food was very tasty.

I love marine life, especially dolphins, they are incredible animals! I had a lot of fun! This tour was the highlight of my trip.

This activity was a highlight of our trip! The crew was great & we had a blast snorkeling/Snuba-ing! We highly suggest doing the SNUBA! Ross was our guide, and helped make us feel comfortable with everything and helped make our experience great! Food and Drinks were an added bonus. Didn't see any Dolphins, but plenty of beautiful fish, starfish, & turtles. Would do this again in a heartbeat!

Thoroughly enjoyed the tour. The crew were great and everything went well.

Saw Dolphins/ turtles and plenty of marine life.

Snorkelling was great. Also upgraded to snuba which was really good and definitely worth it.

We were picked up at 5 AM, and after an 8-hour tour, we arrived at the hotel around 1:30 PM. The program was well-structured, and we had a very fulfilling time. It became a wonderful memory, and I highly recommend it.

First, we were greeted by the bus, where a cheerful Japanese crew member and a beautiful foreign photographer explained the day's itinerary. They also offered us the chance to purchase a USB with photos for $60. It wasn't a hard sell, so you could decline, and since I brought my underwater digital camera, I opted out. However, it seemed that quite a few people ended up purchasing it. Those who bought the USB received a wristband and were prioritized for photos, but the crew also took plenty of pictures of those who didn't buy it, so the USB was filled with photos of other participants. This was a bit embarrassing for those who didn't purchase it, and I wish they would reconsider that practice. By the way, the crew also took photos with my own underwater camera while on the boat. Wet suits are available for rent at $10, and you can get a refund if you don't end up wearing it, which is a nice system. I didn't rent one and just wore a long-sleeve rash guard on top. It was October, but it wasn't cold.

Onboard, the cheerful crew provided great hospitality, allowing everyone to enjoy a fun atmosphere. While cruising, we admired the mountains of West Oahu, spotted rainbows, and found dolphins that jumped in one after another. The water was quite deep and there were waves, but we followed the crew closely and were able to see many dolphins. It was a wonderful experience to see wild dolphins swimming freely in the coral reef waters. There were dozens of dolphins, swimming in groups of 5 to 10, and they came close to us repeatedly.

I felt satisfied when we returned to the boat, but a few people were seasick. I took anti-nausea medication before boarding, but even those who usually don’t get seasick might find it essential. For those prone to seasickness, sitting on the open deck of the boat seems to be a better option. At this time, we were given pineapple.

After that, we enjoyed three hula dance performances (the professional hula dancer was cute and wonderful), and we snorkeled for just under an hour at the turtle spot. We saw three sea turtles and many fish, making it a very enjoyable snorkeling experience. You can also kayak and slide into the sea from the boat. It was a return to childhood fun. Later, we had cheeseburgers (with purple taro buns) and Maui chips while enjoying the fantastic views from the boat. The burger was delicious against the backdrop of the beautiful scenery. Finally, we took a group photo with the crew and all participants, which they sent to us for free via email. By the way, water and lemonade were available for unlimited drinks on the boat.

Perhaps due to the large number of participants, there was no announcement for the hula lesson.

After getting off the boat, we went to the port's restroom (which is spacious and clean), and I recommend changing there quickly.

Overall, the tour was well-structured, and we got to see both dolphins and sea turtles perfectly. It was a highly satisfying experience, and I would love to participate again.

朝5時台にお迎え、ホテルについたのは13時半ごろの8時間長のツアーでしたが、よく練られたプログラム構成で、とても充実した時間でした。素晴らしい思い出となりました。お勧めします。
まず、バスのお迎えがあり、日本人クルーの元気なお姉さんと美人な外国人のカメラマンさんが車中、本日の行程について説明してくれ、写真が入ったＵＳＢ（60ドル）を購入するか、案内があります。決して押し売りではないので断ることもできますし、私は水中デジカメを持参したので断りましたが、かなりの人が購入しているようでした。ＵＳＢを購入する人はリストバンドをもらい、重点的に撮ってもらえるシステムのようですが、購入しない私たちの写真もバシバシ撮っていたので、ＵＳＢにはほかの参加者の写真が満載です。。これは、特に購入しないものにとっては、恥ずかしいし、やめてほしいと思いました。ちなみに船上では持参の水中デジカメでも、クルー自ら写真を撮ってくれました。ウエットスーツは10ドルでレンタルできますし、借りたけど実際に着なければ返金されるとのことで親切なシステムでした。私は借りずに上のみ長袖ラッシュガードを来ていました。10月でしたが寒くはなかったです。
船上では陽気なクルーがホスピタリティーをもってもてなしてくれ、みんなで楽しい気分で時間を過ごすことができました。クルージングをしながら西オアフの山々を眺め、虹をみつけ、イルカがみつかり、次々に飛び込みます。かなり深いですし、波もありますが、ここは必死でクルーについていき、たくさんのイルカをみることができました。サンゴ礁の海の中で自由に泳いでいる野生のイルカをみるのは、なんとも素敵な体験でした。イルカは数十頭いて、5-10頭で固まって泳いでいて、次々に近くにきました。
満足した気分で船にあがりましたが、何人かが船酔い・波酔いではいてました。私も吐き気止めを飲んで乗船しましたが、普段酔わない人でも、吐き気止めは必須かと思います。また、酔いやすい人は、船の中でもオープンな甲板に座るほうがよさそうです。このタイミングでパイナップルをもらいました。
その後、3曲フラダンスを踊ってくれ（プロのフラダンサーの女の子でかわいくて素敵でした）、ウミガメスポットで1時間弱シュノーケルしました。ウミガメは3匹、魚もたくさんいて、とても楽しいシュノーケルでした。また、カヤックや滑り台（船の上から海にとびこみます）もできます。童心にかえり、遊びました。その後、船上でチーズバーガー（タロイモの紫のパンズ）とマウイチップスを食べました。船上の素晴らしい景色を見ながらのバーガーはとてもおいしかったです。最後にクルーと参加者全員で写真をとり、これはメールで無料で送ってくれます。ちなみに船上では水とレモネードが飲み放題です。
参加者が多かったからか、フラレッスンは案内がありませんでした。
　船からおりたら港のトイレ（ひろくてきれいです）にいきますが、ここでササっと着替えることをお勧めします。
上記の流れになりますが、よく練られた構成で、イルカもウミガメもばっちり見えましたり、大満足のツアーでした。ぜひもう一度参加したいです。

It was a very fulfilling day, even though I was exhausted after jumping into the sea five times! I want to go again! Next time, I hope to meet Professor Whale.

5回も海に飛び込んでヘトヘトながらもとっても充実した1日でした！
また行きたいです！
こんどはクジラ大教授にも会いたいな。

I had a hard time finding them and searched by boat, but I'm glad I was able to reach the westernmost sea! When we saw them, they were swimming quickly, so we couldn't watch for long, but we were able to see the dolphins up close and even heard their ultrasonic conversations, which was amazing! The staff and guides were also very lively, making it a truly enjoyable memory! When I go to Hawaii again, I definitely want to enroll again!

なかなか出会えず船で探しましたが、最西端の海にいけたのでよかったです！
私たちがみたときは泳ぐスピードが速くて長くは見れませんでしたが、イルカも近くで見れて超音波の会話？まで聞こえて感動しました！
スタッフ、ガイドさんもノリがよくとても楽しい思い出になりました！
またハワイに行ったときは必ずまた入学したいです！

My husband and I participated in the tour.

Due to the large number of participants, we departed in two groups, but it turned out to be very lucky for us to be in a smaller group!

The explanations were incredibly thorough, and I don't think there are many tours in Japan that provide such detailed information.

The staff were all friendly and created a wonderful atmosphere (^_^).

When we finally saw dolphins, it was truly moving! Although they were a bit far away, seeing a pod of dozens of them was breathtaking! It was thanks to the captain and the staff's keen eyes (T ^ T).

And miraculously, we spotted a whale! It disappeared in an instant, but I believe it was a miracle to see one at this time of year.

The most thrilling moment was swimming with sea turtles, which had been a dream of mine! Being able to see them up close and having several appear was absolutely amazing! I'm already hooked.

I am filled with gratitude for all the staff! Thank you very much. I believe this tour is worth more than the price.

主人と利用させていただきました。
1便が人数が多いため２便での出発になりましたが、少人数で逆にとてもラッキーでした！

説明が本当に丁寧で、日本でもここまで説明してくれるツアーはそうないと思います。

スタッフの皆さんも和気あいあいでとてもいい雰囲気でした(^_^)

念願のイルカを見れた時は本当に感動！！
少し遠かったですが、数十頭の群れをなす姿は圧巻
でした！
船長やスタッフさんの千里眼のおかけです(T ^ T)

そして、奇跡的にクジラの姿を目撃しました！
一瞬でいなくなってしまいましたが、この時期に見れたのは奇跡だと思います。


そして1番の感激は 夢だった海ガメと泳げたこと！
あんなに間近で見られて、何頭も現れてくれて本当に最高でした！
もうやみつきです。

全てスタッフさんのおかげで、感謝でいっぱいです！
ありがとうございます。
お値段以上のツアーだと思います。

I signed up with my two daughters. We didn't see any dolphins at all... I understand it's wild, but I was really looking forward to it, so it was very disappointing. We did manage to spot a sea turtle from the moving boat, but they didn't slow down for us, and there was no explanation from the guide! As for the light snack? Just one piece of cheese and a paper cup of tea! We had brought our own bottled drinks!

I heard we could retry for half price, but spending nearly 70,000 yen for the three of us to see dolphins... Everyone's spirits dropped, and it turned into a very quiet tour. I regret not signing up for a different tour.

娘達と3人で申し込みました。
イルカには全然会えず……野生なのでしょうがないのでしょうが楽しみにしていただけにとても残念でした。しかも海ガメは走っているボートから自力でなんとか見つけ見ることができましたがスピードを落としてくれるわけでもないし ガイドさんからの説明もなし！軽食？……チーズ1本、紙コップ1杯のお茶！自分達はしっかりペットボトルを持ち込んで飲んでいました！
半額でリトライできるとの事でしたが3人でイルカを見るために7万近いお金は……
皆テンションガタ落ちですごーく静かなツアーとなりました。他のツアーに申し込めば良かったと後悔してます。

I participated alone while everyone else was in groups, but I never felt lonely at all. I was able to enjoy myself, focusing solely on the dolphins and sea turtles. I was very satisfied to not only see the dolphins but also hear their voices, and I got to see the sea turtle professor as well. I want to participate again!

女子1人での参加で他はみなさん複数人で参加でしたが、1人で寂しい思いをする事は全くなく、イルカとウミガメの事だけを考えて楽しく過ごせました。実際イルカはもちろん、イルカの声も聞けて、ウミガメ教授も見る事ができて大満足でした。
また参加したい！

This time, I participated in an activity at the prestigious Dolphin University for the first time. I had never experienced snorkeling before, so I was anxious about keeping up with everyone, but thanks to the fun instructors' guidance, I was able to see wild spinner dolphins right from the start. Since they were wild, I learned various things, such as the cute sounds of the dolphins, the scars they have from surviving in nature (like from battles with sharks), and how the pods move.

However, not everyone was able to observe the spinner dolphins, so we tried multiple times, and finally, on the third attempt, everyone succeeded. I had signed up for stand-up paddleboarding because I wanted to experience it, but due to time constraints, we were unable to do it. I was quite disappointed about that. However, I felt a strong sense of unity with my classmates as we all aimed for success, which was very moving.

During snorkeling, I was able to see many fish, but the guide was feeding them with bread or something, so if we were focused on wild dolphins and wild sea turtles, I wish they had also emphasized keeping it wild in that aspect. Nevertheless, the tour at the prestigious Dolphin University was overall very enjoyable, and I was able to encounter the dolphins I was aiming for, so I am very satisfied.

今回、初めて名門イルカ大学さんのアクティビティーに参加させて頂きました。私は、今までシュノーケリングなどを経験したことがなかったので、周りついていけるか不安でしたが、楽しいインストラクターの方々の誘導により、一発目から野生のスピナードルフィンをみることができました。野生だったので、可愛いイルカの声や、自然界を生き抜いていることによる傷跡(サメ等と戦った後)、そして群れがどのように動いていくのか等と、様々なことを知ることができました。
ただ、全員がスピナードルフィンを観測できたわけではなかったので、何度もトライをし、ついに三回目で全員成功となりました。
スタンドアップパドルを体験したく、こちらの名門イルカ大学さんに申し込みを入れましたが、時間がおした関係で、スタンドアップパドルをする事ができなくなってしまいました。今回、その点はとても残念でした。しかし、クラスメイト全員で成功をさせよう！という団結力も久しぶりに味わい、なんだかとっても感動いたしました。

また、シュノーケリングの際にはたくさんのお魚をみる事が出来ましたが、ガイドの方がパン？か何かで魚に餌付けをしていたので、野生のイルカや野生のウミガメなどにこだわっていたのならば、
そこも野生にこだわって欲しかったなぁと思います。
ですが、今回の名門イルカ大学さんのツアーは
全体的にとても楽しく、目当てのイルカにもしっかりと遭遇する事が出来たため、
とても満足しています。

On the second day of arriving in Hawaii, I finally went on the long-awaited dolphin tour. Swimming with dolphins has been my dream since I was young. I boarded the yellow school bus of Dolphin Academy and went to meet the dolphins. The blue sky and blue sea of Hawaii provided a dreamlike experience. It felt as if I were swimming in an aquarium, like being in a painting. The color of the sea was wonderfully clear, leaving me speechless. I was able to feel a sense of unity with the beautiful dolphins that I love so much.

The tour was set up like a school, and even though it was only half a day, I felt like a student again. Our guide, Minako, was full of smiles and explained everything clearly, creating a fantastic classroom atmosphere from start to finish. Next, I am considering participating in the Manta University on the Big Island. Thank you for providing such a valuable experience.

At the end, I did get a bit seasick, but I appreciate how kind everyone was. I recommend that those who are not confident about seasickness bring motion sickness medication. It would be a shame for such a precious time to be ruined... *sigh*

ハワイに到着し2日目 待ちに待ったイルカツアー
昔からイルカと泳ぐのが私の夢。
いざ、イルカ中学の黄色いスクールバスに乗り込み
イルカに会いに行ってきました。
ハワイの青い空に青い海
夢のような体験ができました。
まるで絵画の世界にいるような、水族館の中を泳いでいるかのよう。海の色も素晴らしく透明で、言葉になりません。
イルカの美しさ 大好きなイルカと
一体感を感じる事ができました。
ツアーの設定も、学校のようで、半日でしたが、学生に戻れました。ガイドのミナコさんも笑顔が満開で、話が分かりやすく、最初から最後まで
教室の雰囲気は最高でした。
次は、ハワイ島のマンタ大学に是非参加してみたいと考えています。大変貴重な体験をさせて頂き
ありがとうございました。
また、最後は船酔いになりましたが、皆さん優しく接して頂いて感謝しています。
船酔いに自信の無い方は、酔い止めを持参される事をお勧めします。せっかくの貴重な時間が、残念な事になってしまいます、、、苦笑

Great crew as it was full service. Food and drinks were good and plenty to go around. Water was very clear. We saw a white tip shark, turtle, plenty of colorful fish and an amazing starfish which was like a spider. Ross was our personal Snubba coach and he was top professional. Yes we would do it again.

Reccomend this activity for those who can swim and in good shape. I've always wanted to scuba dive and this was a great solution without buy equipment.Ross was the instructor who took great care for our safety. Fish, starfish, urchins, shark and a huge turtle were seen. Fabulous experience.

Ah Man! What an amazing trip. I was a bit weary on the afternoon of since the weather report was not promising any sun. But the sunset was probably the most beautiful I have ever seen. The colors that crusted the clouds were just tear jerking. The crew was so friendly and laid back, food was healthy and tasty, beer was cold, the coastline was misty, water dark blue ... it felt so good to be there at that moment. Cheers to Ocean Joy and VELTRA for making this short trip back to the islands so much fun.

This sail packs in so much in the perfect amount of time. Not only do you get to sail along the west coast of Oahu, but you get to visit a great snorkel spot, eat your fill of delicious food and guzzle down lots of drinks!

I have done a lot of regular dinner cruises in Hawaii and in other states, but this one is definitely the most unique and you totally get a great bang for your buck. Since you are on the west side, you are literally right there as the sun dips below the horizon, and with a steady stream of drinks and as much food as you can eat, there isn't anything better!!!

The drive is like 40 minutes from Waikiki, but the transportation was comfortable and on-time. Great option if you don't want to drive and definitely a "must do" if everyone in your party is planning on knocking back a few.

Be sure to bring some cash to buy the photos that they take of you. The photographer is fantastic and takes TONS of pictures throughout the cruise, both in and out of the water. They put it on a USB drive for you and that way you don't have to worry about snapping shots and can just focus on having fun ^_^

Best. Dinner. Snorkel. Sunset. Cruise. EVAR!

This was my first time participating, and since it was our honeymoon in Hawaii, I decided to join because I heard there was a place to swim with dolphins. I had been to Hawaii a few times before, but this was a special occasion.

Swimming with dolphins has been a dream of mine since childhood, and I was nervous the day before, but once I got on the bus, the powerful staff's stories were so entertaining that my sleepiness and anxiety disappeared!

Since the dolphins are wild, there’s no guarantee you’ll see them, so I was excited as we boarded the boat. Just five minutes after boarding, we suddenly encountered a pod of dolphins. The clear sea and the dolphins swimming together were truly mystical, and I experienced emotions like never before. I was overwhelmed to have this experience three times!

The program was already more than enough, but during the snorkeling afterward, I was able to see many turtles and Hawaiian fish, and I even got to try paddle surfing, which I had always wanted to do. I was very satisfied!

The hamburger for lunch was also very delicious! It was impressive how everyone came together for the final hula dance, creating a lively atmosphere.

I want to bring my children here someday! It became a wonderful memory!

今回初めての参加でした、新婚旅行でのハワイ、ハワイには何回かは行っていたのですがイルカと泳げる所があると言うことで新婚旅行だったので初めて参加しようと決めました。
小さい頃からの夢、イルカと泳ぐ事が出来ると前日から緊張していたのですが、バスに入ったらパワフルなスタッフの方の話がとても面白く眠さと緊張も吹き飛びました!!

イルカは野生なので100%出会えるわけではないと言うことでドキドキしながらボートに乗船、乗船してから5分後いきなりイルカに出会える事が出来ました、透き通る海にイルカの群れがなんとも神秘的で今までにない感動を味わいました、それも三回も味わう事が出来て感無量でした。

これまでのプログラムでも充分でしたが、その後のシュノーケルでは亀やハワイの魚と沢山見るとことができ、一度やってみたかったパドルサーフィンにもチャレンジ出来て大満足でした!!

ランチのハンバーガーもとてもおいしく!!最後みんなでやるフラダンスで一致団結して盛り上がったのも印象的でした。

子供が出来たら連れていきたいと思います!!とてもよい思い出になりました！

Best snorkel cruise I've been on! The crew were great and you can tell they enjoy their jobs. They were all friendly and personable. They made the experience what is was. Unfortunately I am bad with names, but the crew member who spoke all the different languages was fantastic and so was our photographer (local girl).

I had been searching for a tour where I could see and swim with dolphins in the ocean, and I finally found one. I was truly moved when I spotted a pod of dolphins swimming. Moreover, I was able to hear their calls, which was a very precious experience.

The underwater world was amazing, but the view of the mountains, landscapes, and sky from the surface was also incredibly beautiful. I was able to fully immerse myself in nature by diving and floating on my back.

After dolphin watching, there was free time for snorkeling, stand-up paddleboarding, and canoeing, allowing everyone to enjoy their time in the ocean. I was thrilled to swim alongside a sea turtle, and it was so cute.

Unfortunately, there was a sudden issue with another guest that required us to return to the port, so I was disappointed that I couldn't enjoy the anticipated BBQ on the boat or the hula lesson. However, I felt reassured by the crew's quick response and believe this is a tour I can participate in with confidence.

I would love to join again if the opportunity arises. The taro burger was also delicious.

海の中でイルカを見たり、泳げたり出来るツアーをずっと探していてやっと出会えたツアーです。
イルカの群れを見つけ泳ぐ姿を目にした時は本当に感動しました。
しかもイルカの鳴き声も聞くことが出来て、とても貴重な体験をさせていただきました。
水の中の世界も素晴らしかったけど、水面から見える山や、風景、空の景色も最高にきれいで、もぐったり、仰向けで浮かんだりと大自然を身体いっぱいに感じることが出来ました。
イルカウォッチングの後にはフリーのシュノーケルの時間やサップ、カヌー等のアクティビティもあり、海あそびをそれぞれが思い思いに、楽しむ時間もあり楽しかったです。
その時にウミガメも真横で一緒に泳ぐことが出来てうれしかったし、とてもかわいかったです。
途中他のお客さんにトラブルがあり急遽港に戻ることになったので、楽しみにしていた船上ＢＢＱやフラレッスンが楽しめなかったのがとても残念でしたが、その時のクルーの人達の迅速な対応を見て安心して参加出来るツアーだと思いました。
また機会があれば参加したいと思います。
タロイモバーガーも美味しかったです。

I participated in a tour at the prestigious Dolphin University with a friend. The tour guide was very energetic and cheerful from start to finish. It was mentioned that it might take some time to find wild dolphins depending on the day, but just about five minutes after getting on the boat, we spotted dolphins! When I jumped off the boat to see them, I was moved to see a large group of about 30 dolphins swimming gracefully. Just when I thought it was over, the guide suggested we search a bit more. So, we got back on the boat and, while looking for dolphins again, we found them once more! The boat was brought close, and when I jumped in, they were really close!! It felt like I was swimming alongside the dolphins. I believe we were able to see the dolphins up close thanks to the guide who drove the boat ahead of the dolphins and gave us directions. Even after getting back on the boat, we continued to look for dolphins, and they swam close to the boat. I was constantly excited, as they were within reach if I stretched out my hand.

Next was the sea turtle exploration!
As an amateur, I had a hard time spotting where the sea turtles were, but when the guide pointed one out, I confirmed it was really swimming there. When I jumped in again, I was able to get close enough to touch it. Additionally, I saw colorful fish while snorkeling, making it a packed snorkeling experience. The fun didn’t stop there; we also got to experience kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding as part of the physical education class. For lunch, we had cheeseburgers, and we wrapped up with a hula dance, making it an incredibly full and amazing tour. I would love to participate again when I come back to Hawaii.

友達と2人で名門イルカ大学に参加させていただぎした。ツアーガイドのお姉さんは初めから最後までとても元気で明るく対応してくださいました。野生のイルカのため日によっては見つかるまでに時間がかかるということでしたが、船に乗って5分ほどしたところでイルカ発見！船から飛び降り中を見ると30頭ほどのイルカの大群が優雅に泳いでおりとても感動しました。ここで終わりかと思いきやもう少し探しましょう。とのことで再度、船の上にあがりイルカを探しているとまた発見！近くまで船を近づけてもらい飛び降りるとほんとに近い！！イルカの群れと一緒に泳いでるという感覚でした。イルカが泳ぐさきを先回りで船を運転し、指示をくれるガイドさんがいるおかげでこんなに近くでイルカが見れたのだと思います。また船に上がってもイルカを探し、船の近くにイルカがよってきて泳いでいました。ほんとに手を伸ばせば届く距離の位置で常にテンションが上がりっぱなしでした。

次に海亀散策！
素人目ではどこに海亀がいるのかなかなか見つけられませんでしたが、ガイドさんがいるー！とのことで確認すると、ほんとに泳いでました。また飛び込むとこれもほんとに触れる位置まで近づくことができました。その他にもカラフルな魚をシュノーケルしながら見れ盛りだくさんのシュノーケルでした。まだまだ終わらず体育の授業とこのとでカヤックとスタンドアップパドルも経験でき、お昼ご飯チーズバーガーがでて、最後はフラダンスでしめるというほんとに盛りだくさんのツアーで最高のツアーだったと思います。またハワイに来る時は参加したいと思いました。

On the third day in Hawaii, I participated in a tour. I joined hoping to see dolphins, but unfortunately, I couldn't see any today... It seems quite difficult to encounter wild dolphins. I think it's better to be prepared for that when you sign up. However, I was able to see a sea turtle while snorkeling, which was great. We snorkeled in fairly deep water. I'm not very good at swimming, so I was a bit scared at first, but it was fine since we were in a group. I think it's reassuring that the staff keeps a close watch on us. There was also a photographer who took pictures both on the boat and in the water. However, it costs about $60 to purchase the USB. The boat to the dolphin viewing area rocks quite a bit, so if you're prone to seasickness, it's best to take some motion sickness medication beforehand. Lastly, you can enjoy a cheeseburger made by the captain, which was delicious. They also perform hula dancing. I was really disappointed not to see dolphins, but I had fun seeing the sea turtles and fish.

ハワイ3日目にツアーに参加しました。
イルカを見たくて参加したのですが、今日は運悪く見ることができませんでした…
自然のイルカに会うことは中々難しいみたいです…
お申し込みの際はそれを覚悟の上で申し込みされた方がいいと思います。
でも、シュノーケルの時にウミガメが見れたのでよかったです。
結構、深いところでシュノーケルをしました。
あまり泳ぎが得意ではないので最初は少し怖かったですが、団体で行動するので大丈夫でした。
スタッフの方もしっかり見ていてくれるので安心だと思います。
カメラマンの方もいらっしゃるので船の上や海の中も撮影してくれます。
でも、USBを購入するのに$60ぐらいかかります。
イルカを見る場所に行くまでのボートがかなり揺れますので、酔いやすい方は事前に酔い止めを飲んでおいた方がいいです。
最後に、キャプテンが作るチーズバーガーが食べれます。
おいしかったです。
フラダンスを踊ってくれたりもします。
イルカが見れなくて本当に残念でしたが、ウミガメや魚が見られて楽しかったです。

On this tour, we went in search of the common dolphin. It seems that encountering bottlenose dolphins, which appear in aquarium shows, is quite difficult. However, it turned out to be a lucky day for us, as we were able to see not only common dolphins but also bottlenose dolphins.

このツアーではハシナガイルカを探しに行きます。水族館のショーに登場するバンドウイルカはなかなか遭遇することが難しいとのことでした。私たちが行った日は当たりだったようでハシナガイルカだけでなく、バンドウイルカにも会うことがでいました。

I participated on September 26th. The weather was very nice.

It was an early morning, but the guide was very energetic, so it's better to prepare yourself for not being able to sleep on the bus (I slept like a log on the way back).

We were able to see a lot of dolphins, including baby dolphins, which was incredibly moving. It was my first time seeing them up close. At first, I wasn't used to snorkeling and swimming in the ocean, and I could barely keep up with the guide, but I gradually got the hang of it.

The guide would call out things like "Look down!" so I think it would be easy to spot the dolphins when they appear.

After seeing the dolphins, we swam in another location to see turtles. That place had crystal-clear water and many tropical fish, making it very beautiful.

I was told not to touch the turtles, but since they swam towards me, I was desperately trying to avoid them. I was moved to see a turtle taking a breath at the surface right in front of me.

While moving by boat, I felt lucky to encounter a pod of dolphins.

Regarding what to bring when participating, I think it's best to take only the essentials. Since water splashes into the boat, it's a good idea to keep your belongings in a waterproof bag.

Also, I recommend taking motion sickness medication (a few people felt unwell on the way back).

Of course, meeting the dolphins was amazing, but I was really glad I participated because I got to snorkel in such beautiful waters.

9 月 26 日に参加してきました。天候もとてもよかったです。
朝早かったですが、ガイドの人がとても元気いっぱいで、行きのバスの中で寝ることはできないと考えておいたほうが良いです(帰りは爆睡でした)。
イルカはたくさん見ることができました。赤ちゃんイルカもいてすごく感動しました。あんなに近くで見たのは初めてでした。最初はシュノーケルと海で泳ぐことになれておらず、ガイドの人についていくのが精いっぱいでしたが、段々と慣れてきました。
ガイドの方が「下みて～」などの声かけをしてくれるので、イルカが出現したら見ることは簡単だと思います。
イルカを見た後に、亀を見るために別の場所で泳ぎました。その場所は水も透き通っていて、熱帯魚もたくさんいてとてもきれいでした。
亀には触れないようにと言われましたが、亀が自分の方に泳いでくるので、よけるので必死でした。海面で息継ぎをする亀を、目の前でみられて感動しました。
ボートで移動中にも、イルカの群れに遭遇できて得をした気分でした。
参加するときの荷物についてですが、必要最低限のものを持って行ったほうがいいと思います。船の中に水しぶきが入ってくるので、防水の袋に入れておいたほうがいいです。　　　　
あと、酔い止めは飲んでおいた方が良いと思います(帰りの船で数名気分が悪くなっていたので）。
イルカに会えるのももちろんですが、きれいな海でシュノーケルができたので、参加して本当に良かったと思いました。

I participated in a tour of the prestigious Dolphin University with a friend! I was excited because we were supposed to swim with wild dolphins and turtles!

In the morning, I was a bit anxious because the meeting time was early! But I was relieved that we arrived on time! However, since there were explanations on the bus, I stayed awake and listened seriously to the information!

Although I was feeling a bit dazed on the way, everyone on the boat was cheerful!! The staff were really energetic!!

We were able to meet the dolphins in less than five minutes!! They were so close that I felt like I could reach out and touch them, which was very moving!

At the end, they taught us how to do the hula on the boat, and it was so much fun d(^_^o) It was a very friendly tour with everyone! Just be careful not to play too much, as you'll need to conserve your energy to enjoy it fully! ☻

友達と2人で名門イルカ大学のツアーに参加させてもらいました！
野生のイルカとカメと泳げると言う事だったので楽しみでした！

朝、集合時間が早かったので不安でした！
でも時間通りに行けたので一安心！
ただ行きのバスで説明事項などあるので
向かうバスは寝ずに話を真剣に聞きました！

意識朦朧と向かったのですが、
船の上はみんな和気あいあいでした！！
スタッフさんたちがまず元気！！

イルカさん達には5分もかからず会う事が出来ました！！
手が届いちゃうんじゃないかってとこまで近くにいてとても感動しました！

最後の船上でフラを教えてくれるのですが、とても楽しかったですd(^_^o)
みんなで和気あいあいしたツアーでした！
ただ遊びすぎて体力は温存して挑まないと
辛いと思います！☻

It wasn't nearby, but I was able to see dolphins. There are also plenty of hula and water activities, so I think it's great for when you want to enjoy a variety of things. But what about when you're specifically aiming to see just the dolphins???

近くではありませんでしたがイルカさん見れました
フラやウォーターアクティビティーも充実しているので、いろいろ楽しみたい時にはいいと思います
イルカちゃんだけが狙いの時はどうでしょうか？？？

The beautiful, clear sea allowed me to see the dolphins swimming right below me! The sea turtle professor swims slowly, so I could see it up close!

綺麗な海で透き通っているので、イルカ先生が泳いでいくのを自分が泳いでいる真下で見ることができました！！
ウミガメ大教授はゆっくり泳いでいるのですごく近くで見れます!

Someone asked me today what my favorite activity was in Hawaii and I told them hands down the Dolphin and Snorkel Catamaran trip was the best and most memorable. We got to see a large pod of Hawaiian Spinner Dolphins and then snorkeling saw some Sea Turtles and many varieties of tropical fish. The wind picked up enough on our way back that the crew put the beautiful sails up and we sailed back .The food and drink were great and the crew were beyond helpful and so much fun. This is the one activity I would be sure to do again when we come back to Oahu!