All Reviews for Dolphin Watching & Snorkel Cruises

I participated alone, but I had so much fun from start to finish. Since it was nature, I thought it would be lucky to see dolphins, but I was amazed to see over 100 of them!!! I also got to see a whale breach and swim with sea turtles.

In the morning, I enjoyed freshly made malasadas from Leonard's, and for lunch, I had a cheeseburger, juice, and snacks, so I never felt hungry♪

Above all, the staff were absolutely fantastic. Sue kept talking to us, which made me feel at ease, and they took great photos of me while I was playing in the ocean. When I thought it was cold, they brought out warm tea, and they promptly collected any trash, so they really took care of everything.

"They say swimming with dolphins is a once-in-a-lifetime dream, right? Today is that day! Since they are wild dolphins, there's no guarantee, but all of us staff want you to fulfill your dreams! You won't get this chance many times in your life!"

It was a precious day during my trip. Their warm words and actions from our perspective were very touching♡

I will definitely participate again! Dolphin University is the best!!!!

一人で参加したのですが、最初から最後までとっても楽しかったです。
自然相手なのでイルカに会えたらラッキーとは思っていましたがまさかの100頭越え!!!
クジラのブリーチも見れて、ウミガメとも泳ぐ事が出来ました。

朝はレナーズの出来たてマラサダを頂き、お昼にはチーズバーガーとジュースとスナックも頂いたので空腹になる事がありませんでした♪

何よりもスタッフの方が最高に良かったです。
スーさんがひたすら話してくれていたので安心感がありましたし、海で遊んでいる自分の写真もイイ感じに撮って頂けます。寒いな~と思った時には温かいお茶を出していただけたり、ゴミもすぐに回収しに来てくれるので至れり尽くせりです。


「イルカと泳ぎたな～って一生に一度は思う夢の事だよね？
今日はまさにその時！野生のイルカだから100％は無いけど、私達スタッフは皆さんに夢を叶えて欲しいと思ってるんだよ～！こんなチャンス一生に何回もないでしょ？」

って。旅行できた貴重な一日。私達の目線で発してくれる言動がとても温かかったです♡


絶対また参加しますね！イルカ大学最高ですよ～！！！！

The staffs were nice and the activity itself was priceless. But motion sickness can really get to you... most of the people on our boat were feeling sick after half an hour.. I was puking from the beginning to the end although I had preventive patch on me. So be sure to be in the best physical condition as possible in order to truly enjoy what the ocean has got to offer!!!!

I participated because I heard there would be dolphins and SUP.
...There were dolphins, but the sea was murky, so I couldn't see them well (tears).
Moreover, SUP was canceled due to the poor sea conditions.
I was fine, but there were many people on their honeymoon, and it was quite unfortunate to see that a significant number of them were getting seasick.
There were also people from Dolphin Junior High nearby, and it seemed that the first discoverer was from Dolphin Junior High, so they were able to enjoy the experience much closer and for a longer time than we could.

イルカとSUPもあるというので参加しました。
・・・がいるにはいましたが、海が濁っていてよく見えない（涙）
おまけに海の状態が悪いからとSUPは中止。
私は何ともありませんでしたが、
ハネムーンで来ていた方が多く、
かなりの確率で船酔いしていたのが見ていて気の毒でした。
近くにイルカ中学の方達もいたのですが、
第一発見者の方がイルカ中学の方で、
私達よりは、はるかに近く時間もたっぷりと堪能できたようです。

I was able to see dolphins and sea turtles up close! It was truly moving. They were really close, almost within reach. I want to go again.

イルカもウミガメもこれでもかといくぐらい観れました!!
感動します。
ホント触れそうな距離にいます。
また行きたいです。

The weather was truly wonderful!
I was able to see a large group of dolphins up close!
I also saw whales and sea turtles!
The waves were strong, so we couldn't do any marine sports, but we were able to snorkel a lot, and the fish were really beautiful!
The boat swayed a lot, so it's better to take motion sickness medication! The guide really made it an unforgettable experience!!!

天気に恵まれてほんとに素晴らしかったです！
イルカの大群が真近でみれました！
クジラもみれたしウミガメめみれました！
波がつよく、マリンスポーツはできなかったけどシュノーケリングたくさん出来て魚たちがほんとに綺麗でした！
船はすごく揺れるので酔い止めは飲んだ方が良いです！ガイドさんが盛り上げてくれてほんとに最高の思い出になりました！！！

I participated in an activity with friends for my first trip to Hawaii! After checking online reviews, I enrolled in Dolphin University.

Since it was an early morning, it was definitely a good decision to avoid the day after I arrived! On the bus, there were mostly safety instructions, and I was a bit worried if it would really be fun...

But starting from the malasada, I gradually felt more refreshed, and once we got on the boat, my excitement was through the roof!

We even got to see a mother and baby whale, which was truly moving for everyone! After that, we swam with dolphins and even encountered a sea turtle.

You should be cautious about your stamina and seasickness, but I think it's a tour I can recommend!

初ハワイで友達と何かアクティビティーに参加しよう！ということでネットの評判を見てイルカ大学へ入学しました♪

朝はやいので、着いた日の次の日は避けて正解でした！バスの中では注意事項などばかりでほんとに楽しいかなぁ〜って少し不安に…

でもマラサダあたりからだんだん頭もスッキリしてきて、船に乗ってからはテンションめっちゃあがること間違いなしです笑

さらにクジラの親子に会えたのでみんなで感動‼︎ その後もイルカとも泳げましたし、ウミガメにも会えました♪

体力と船酔いには注意ですが、おすすめできるツアーだと思います！

I felt安心 (at ease) participating since I had used it before. I didn't get seasick last time, but for some reason, despite taking motion sickness medication this time, I ended up feeling nauseous (+_+). However, I encountered a group of about 30 cute dolphins, and I saw plenty of turtles, so I was very satisfied! I want to go to Hawaii to swim with dolphins using Dolphin Academy again in the future☆ Next time, I will definitely take stronger motion sickness medication!

以前にも利用したことがあったので安心して参加しました。
以前はボートで酔わなかったのですが、酔い止め飲んだにも関わらず今回はなぜか酔ってしまいました(+_+)
でもかわいいイルカ30頭くらいの群れに遭遇できたし、
カメもいっぱい見れたので大満足！
今後もイルカ中学を利用してイルカと泳ぎにハワイに行きたいです☆
次回は強めの酔い止め必須で行きます！

It was a good experience, recommend wet suit, and don't go too early, and take lots of anti nausea...

I participated with my daughter and wife. The instructor mentioned that there have been days recently when they haven't been able to see dolphins, and many days have been canceled due to bad weather (high waves), but today the weather was nice, which was great.

Indeed, the weather was good on the day of our visit, with a clear blue sky that made the sun feel quite intense on our skin. However, it was still windy and cold, so I received advice to wear a wetsuit, and I had my daughter and wife put them on. I didn't wear one myself, but I brought enough clothing to stay warm, and I made sure to put on a jacket as soon as I got on the boat, so I was fine. In the end, my daughter and wife appreciated that I was easy to spot when we entered the water.

Of course, we were lucky enough to see both dolphins and turtles. We also spotted whales a few times... although I turned around and they were already gone.

In any case, make sure to prepare for the cold when you participate.

娘と妻と3人で参加しました。
インストラクターの方から最近イルカに会えてない日があったり、天気が悪くて（波が高くて）キャンセルになっている日が多いんですけど、今日は天気が良くてよかったですねと言われました。
確かに当日は天気が良くて、日があたっていると肌にジリジリ感じるくらいの青空でしたが、
それでも風が強くて寒いのでウェットスーツを着た方がいいですよとアドバイスをいただいて娘と妻には着用させました。自分は着なかったんですが寒くならない程度に着衣を持っていき、ボートに上がった時はすぐ羽織るようにしたので大丈夫でした。結果的には、海に入ったとき自分を見つけやすくてよかったよと言われ娘と妻には好評でした。

もちろん運よくイルカもカメとも会うことができました。
クジラも数回見ることができましたよ・・・自分は振り向いたらもういなかったですけど。

とにかく寒さ対策をしてご参加を。

I had such a great time last time that this time I participated with my parents and my sister's family. While we were in the sea, the staff took care of my 2-year-old child, allowing us to enjoy ourselves to the fullest. My parents also said they had a great time.

前回がとても楽しかったので、今回は父母と妹家族と一緒に参加しました。海に入っている時は、スタッフの方に２歳の子どもを預かっていただき、思いっきり楽しめました。父母も楽しかったと言っていました。

The staff were all high-energy and friendly! There were so many handsome guys, which made it worth participating just for that. (laughs) On the day of the tour, the sea was rough, and it took a while to find the dolphins, but I was moved to be able to swim with them. However, since we had to jump off the boat into the open sea, it was a bit tough for someone like me who isn't a strong swimmer.

スタッフの方がハイテンションで元気よく良い人ばかりでした！
イケメンばかりで、それだけでも参加した価値あり。笑
当日は海が荒れていてイルカを探すのに時間がかかったけど、無事イルカと泳げて感動しました。
でも沖に出て船から飛び込むので、泳げなに自分には少しきついツアーでした。

After taking a bus to the coast and boarding a boat, just three minutes later, we were lucky enough to encounter a pod of dolphins! I was really happy because I had heard that sometimes you have to search for wild dolphins. The guides were also very enthusiastic and made the experience so much fun!

バスで海のほうまで移動しボートに乗って三分後！幸運なことにすぐにイルカの群れに遭遇することができました！
野生のイルカだから探しまわるときもあると言われていたのでホントに嬉しかったです。ガイドさんたちもテンション高く盛り上げてくれてとっても楽しかったです！

it was a great day, the boat was really nice, we sat up the front with our legs dangling off the boat. we had two snorkel spots, both great, the water was a little murky but still saw a lot of pretty fish and some turtles. good equipment, nice friendly staff. the lunch was good. I have also been snorkelling at Waikiki but this was far superior. good eqipment, great day, highly recommend.

I participated in November. After confirming the reservation, I was contacted about changing the date due to a boat inspection or upgrading to a university for free. Since my child is only 4 years old, I hesitated about the change to the university, but since changing the date was not possible, I reluctantly decided to switch to the university and participate. As a result, it was a great decision. It was my husband who took him, and contrary to my worries, he came back overjoyed. Even now, after some time has passed, he often talks about wanting to go again and says it was the most fun he’s ever had before bed. We are going to Honolulu this month, so I plan to let him participate again, of course at the university. This time, at his request, we intend to participate twice during our stay.

11月に参加しました。
予約確定後にボートの点検の為日にちの変更か無料で大学へランクアップするように連絡がありました。
子供がまだ4歳なので大学への変更は躊躇しましたが日にちの変更は無理だったので仕方なく大学へ変更して参加しました。
結果、大正解でした。
私ではなく主人が連れて行ったのですが私の心配とは裏腹に大喜びで帰ってきました。
時間が経った今でももう一回行きたい、今までで一番楽しかったと寝る前にしょっちゅう話してくれます。
今月ホノルルへ行くのでまた参加させてあげようと思います。勿論大学へ。
今度は息子の希望もあって滞在中に２回参加するつもりです。

We visited Hawaii for our honeymoon and signed up for this tour to create wonderful memories.

We boarded the bus at 6 AM while it was still dark. Inside the bus, our guide Minako kindly explained the highlights of Oahu, the types of dolphins, precautions, and how to use the equipment. For those prone to motion sickness, they provided ginger tablets. They also inquired about renting wetsuits. The rental fee is $10, but I think it's a good idea to rent one for comfort and safety.

After an hour, we finally began boarding to meet the dolphins! The weather was good on the day we participated, but the wind was strong, and we were heading to a different spot than usual.

With some anxiety about whether we would see any dolphins, we set off on our dolphin search! As we scanned the area, we heard our guide shout, "There they are!!" and we all quickly put on our fins and entered the water. We approached quietly to avoid splashing and scaring the dolphins away. Struggling with the unfamiliar fins, we couldn't see them up close this time… and we got back on the boat.

After a few minutes of moving, we encountered a large group of dolphins again! Waiting for the signal, we entered the water. It was hard to keep up, and I thought we might miss them again, but then we heard our guide say, "Look down!" When I looked down, I saw a graceful school of dolphins swimming below! From then on, we were able to swim alongside the dolphins up close, and it was truly moving.

Swimming with the dolphins marked the end of our first hour. Next, we moved to encounter turtles (the second hour). During the move, we encountered several groups of dolphins, which was a lot of fun.

When we arrived at the spot, everyone snorkeled around, searching in their own way. There were many small fish swimming around, and while we were enjoying the search, suddenly a turtle appeared right in front of us! It was of medium size, but very cute, and I was moved to see it up close, almost within reach.

The staff and guides were all very friendly, making the tour enjoyable. On the way back on the bus, we could purchase photos taken by the photographer, so we could relax and fully enjoy the experience without worrying about taking pictures ourselves.

I participated in several tours, but this was the most memorable one during our trip! I highly recommend it for anyone traveling to Hawaii.

新婚旅行でハワイを訪れ、素敵な思い出を作りたくてこちらのツアーに申し込みました。

まだ暗い、朝6時にバスに乗り込み出発です。
バスの中では、ガイドのミナコさんがオアフ島の見所や、イルカの種類や注意事項、用具の使用方法など丁寧に説明してくれます。
酔いやすい方用にジンジャーの酔い止めも下さいました。
ウェットスーツのレンタル希望もこちらで聞かれます。
レンタル料は10ドルですが、借りておくと、寒く無く安全で安心出来るので良いと思います。

1時間後いよいよ、イルカに会いに乗船開始！
私達が参加した日は天候は良かったのですが、風が強くいつもと違うスポットに向かうとの事。

会えるか不安の中、いざイルカ探しの旅へ！
居ないなぁ〜とあたりを見渡すと…ガイドさんのいたー!!という声と合図と共に一斉にフィンをつけて海の中へ。
イルカが逃げてしまうとの事で極力水しぶきを挙げないように近づきます。
慣れないフィンに苦戦し、この時は間近で見られず…再び乗船。

移動する事数分、又してもイルカの大群が！
合図をまって海の中へ。なかなか追いつけず、又ダメかぁ〜と思っていたら、下見て！のガイドさんの声！
下を見ると、優雅に泳ぐイルカの大群が！
それからは間近にイルカ達と一緒に泳ぐ事も出来、本当に感激しました。

イルカと一緒に泳ぐ。ここでイルカ中学1時間目が終了です。
次は亀と出会うべく移動です(2時間目)
移動中も何頭何十頭とイルカの大群に出会い、大変楽しめました。

スポットにつくと、皆思い思いに辺り周辺をシュノーケリングしながら、探します。
小さい魚も沢山泳いでいて、楽しみながらさがしていると、突然目の前に亀先生が！
中位の大きさでしたが、とても可愛いく、手で触れそうな程近くで見る事が出来て感動しました。

スタッフさん、ガイドさん、皆さんとても気さくな方達で楽しくツアーに参加出来ました。
帰りのバスの中で、カメラマンさんが撮った写真も購入する事が出来ますので、写真を取らなきゃと慌てず思い切り楽しめます。

いくつかツアーに参加しましたが、旅行中で一番心に残ったツアーでした！
ハワイ旅行の際には是非☆お勧めです。

Four days ago, my family graduated from Dolphin Junior High. I had heard that the sea was very cold, so I wore a rash guard. We gathered early in the morning, around 6 AM, and after about an hour on the bus, we arrived at the port. We also borrowed wetsuits and set off. Within just 5 to 10 minutes on the boat, we spotted the dolphins.

Under the guidance of the class representative, we started snorkeling and quickly encountered dozens of dolphins. It was so exciting to see baby dolphins as well. I couldn't believe how many dolphins we were able to see...

In the second hour, we also saw many sea turtles. When they came up for air, I could reach out and almost touch them (though of course, I didn't).

At the end, we were even able to see a whale from the boat. It was such an exhilarating experience. The class representative's explanations were interesting, and I purchased a DVD of the photos taken for $50, which I don't think is expensive at all. The quality is beautiful, and it's hard to capture those moments on my own.

We arrived at the hotel by lunchtime, so while waking up early was tough, we made great use of our time. I highly recommend it. My family of three is still buzzing with excitement. Next time, we're aiming for Dolphin University!

４日前に家族でイルカ中学を卒業してきました。
海が非常に冷たいと口コミであったので、ラッシュガードも着用して臨みました。
朝が早く６時過ぎに集合。眠いなか、約１時間バスに揺られて港に到着。スウェットスーツも借りて、いざ出港。　　ボートに揺られてわずか５～１０分でイルカ先生発見。
すぐに学級委員の指示のもと、シュノーケリング開始。　すぐに数十匹のイルカ先生に会えました。
子供のイルカも見れて、とても興奮。
こんなにイルカがたくさん見れるなんて・・・
さらに２時間目にはホヌにもたくさん会えました。
呼吸するために上にあがってくるホヌに手を伸ばしたら触れるくらいでした。
（もちろん触ってはいませんが）
最後は船内でなんとクジラを見ることができたのです。
すごく興奮した授業でした。
学級委員の説明も面白く、また写真を撮ってもらったものを５０ドルでDVDを購入しましたが、わたしは決して高くないと思います。きれいな仕上がりで、なかなか自分では撮れません。お昼にはホテルに到着するので、早起きはつらいけどもとても時間も有効に使えます。是非おすすめです。
家族３人いまだに興奮が冷めない状態です。　　次回はイルカ大学入学だ！

I participated in the evening event in late December. It was a bit chilly.

I got seasick, possibly due to the rain the day before. Even those who usually don't get seasick might feel more comfortable bringing medication.

There was a Japanese instructor who provided explanations, so even though the surroundings were filled with Westerners, I had a great time. I snorkeled with a few dolphins offshore, which became a memorable experience in Hawaii.

I couldn't eat at all because of the seasickness, but I was a little disappointed that they didn't allow us to take food home.

12月下旬夕方の会に参加しました。少し肌寒い。

前日が雨の影響か船酔いしました。普段酔わない方も薬持っていた方が安心かも。


日本人のインストラクターの
方もいて説明などもしていただけたので、周囲は欧米人ばかりでしたが楽しめました。
イルカ数匹と沖合でのシュノーケリング。ハワイの思い出になりました。

船酔いのせいでご飯は全く食べれませんでしたが、持ち帰りとかさせてくれればよかったのにとそこだけ少し残念でした。

I participated with my 73-year-old mother.
First of all, I was surprised that we were the only two people on a large bus for an hour's ride from Waikiki (laughs).
It was farther than I had imagined, but the driver pointed out landmarks along the way, like "There’s Pearl Harbor," "Moanalua Gardens, Hitachi," and "Outlet," so we enjoyed it (even though it was in English).

When the tour started, we were the only two Japanese participants, and since the staff were locals, I was a bit worried. However, there was one person who spoke fluent Japanese, and they explained things clearly, so I felt at ease.
We moved to a spot to see dolphins, and we were able to see their cute figures.
After that, we moved to another point and started snorkeling. My elderly mother also got into the water and enjoyed it for a little while.
However, due to the current, it was difficult to return to the boat quickly. My mother, who wasn't used to fins, seemed scared and was peering into the water while holding onto the boat.
Even so, the water was beautiful and clear, and we could see many fish, which was enjoyable.
After snorkeling, we took a warm shower and had meal time.
We savored hamburgers and fruits.
On the way back to the harbor, we were lucky enough to see a whale, which made us very happy.

What I thought after participating in this tour is that it is not particularly aimed at elderly people.
I wouldn't recommend it if there are small children.
Since it’s not a tour specifically for Japanese people (it’s not overly accommodating; you need to take the initiative to enjoy it, like asking questions), I thought there might be some who wouldn’t enjoy it.
But we had plenty of fun.
Thank you very much.

73歳の母と参加しました。
まず最初にワイキキからの送迎で、大型バスに2人だけで一時間の距離を移動したのには驚きました（笑）
想像してたより遠かったのですが、
ドライバーさんが「あそこ、パールハーバー」とか「モアナルナガーデン、日立」「アウトレット」などと途中で通る名所を教えてくれたので（英語ですが）楽しめました。

ツアーが始まり、日本人は私達2人だけでスタッフも現地の方なので心配しましたが、
お一人日本語ペラペラの方がいて説明や注意など分かりやすく教えて貰い不安は無かったです。
沖に出てドルフィンを見るスポットに移動して、可愛らしい姿を見ることが出来ました。
その後ポイントを移動しシュノーケル開始。
高齢の母も海に入り、少しの時間ですが楽しんでいました。
ですが、水流の関係か直ぐに流されて船に戻るのが大変でした。
フィンに慣れていない母は怖かったらしく、船に掴まりながら水中を覗いてました。
それでも水が綺麗で透明で魚がたくさん観れて楽しんでいました。
シュノーケル後は暖かいシャワーを浴び、ご飯タイム。
ハンバーガーとフルーツを堪能しました。
ハーバーに戻る途中にラッキーなことに鯨も見ることが出来て嬉しかったです。

今回のツアーに参加して思ったのは、どちらかといえば高齢者向けのツアーでは無いこと。
小さい子供がいたらお勧めはしないこと。
日本人向けのツアー（至れり尽くせりでは無い、楽しむためには自分から動く（質問したりとか）ことが必要）では無いので、
楽しめない人もいるかもなぁと思いました。
でも、私達は充分楽しかったです。
ありがとうございました。

The tour was somehow carried out despite the strong winds before Christmas in December. In a review, it mentioned that "the one-hour journey to the port was filled with various videos and explanations about dolphin ecology from the lively tour guide, leaving no time to sleep!" I thought this would be beneficial for the kids, so I chose this tour instead of just snorkeling.

However, it might depend on the guide for the day or perhaps due to the small number of participants and the use of a minivan, there weren't any detailed lessons, and most people ended up sleeping. Inside the vehicle, there was only an explanation about the $10 rental fee for wetsuits and a reminder to use the restroom before gathering. Of course, the only place to change is the restroom, so I recommend being fully prepared in advance.

The boat was a larger rubber boat! Depending on the location, your belongings might get wet and roll around. Once you sit down, it’s difficult to move or retrieve anything from your bag, so make sure to prepare sunscreen and sunglasses perfectly!

You have to straddle the edge of the boat like a rodeo, and the speed and impact are quite significant, so I wouldn’t recommend it for small children, elderly people, or those who lack physical confidence. Once we reached the open water, we put on snorkels, fins, and simple life jackets, then jumped straight off the edge of the rubber boat to go snorkeling!

According to the tour guide that day, there were "very friendly dolphins in great conditions," but perhaps due to the rain the day before, the visibility wasn't great. We chased a few dolphins drifting below and could see them from above… maybe. The guide gave us a description that it was the best, but I think moving around on a larger boat from a major company might have better points to explore. Alternatively, if you're looking for a guaranteed close encounter with dolphins, a park might provide a more fulfilling experience.

We snorkeled in two different locations for about 10 minutes each! The second time was for fish and coral viewing, but the spots weren't that impressive, so if you're hoping to see many colorful fish in a beautiful blue sea, I recommend shallow, clear waters suitable for snorkeling, like Hanauma Bay.

On the way back, it was extremely cold, and on top of that, there was a $50 charge for the photos taken by the accompanying photographer (optional), as well as tips for the crew. The tour lasted about two hours, and there were no showers or changing facilities, making it difficult to stop anywhere else on the way back, so you would need to return to the hotel to change. Considering the costs and time commitment, I wonder if it’s worth it?

Well, if this is your first time experiencing activities in Hawaii, it might be a good memory to go at least once… Honestly, it seemed a bit lacking for high school-aged kids.

12月のクリスマス前の強風の元、どうにか決行されました。
書き込みで、「港までの約一時間のみちのりは、ノリのよい添乗員さんのイルカの生態など様々なビデオや説明に寝る暇もない！」とあり、ただのシュノーケリングだけでなく、その様なことも子供にはありがたいと思い、こちらのツアーを選びました。
ただ、たぶんその日の担当にもよるのか、はたまた人数が少なくて、ミニバンだったためか、詳しい授業などなく、ほとんどの方が寝ていました。
車内では、ウェットスーツのレンタル代
10ドルの説明とトイレを済ませて、集合とのことくらい。もちろん着替える場所は、トイレくらいなので事前に準備万端にしていくことをお薦めします。
ボートはゴムボートの大きめのもの！
荷物も場所によっては、濡れるし、転がります。一度座ると場所を動くことも荷物の中からなにかを取り出すことも困難なので、日焼け止めやサングラスなども完璧に準備をしましょう！
ボートのヘリにロデオのように跨ぎ、スピードも衝撃もかなりあるので、小さいお子さんや年配の方や体力に自信がないかたにはお薦めしません。
沖に着いたらシュノーケルと足ヒレと簡易なライフジャケットをつけ、いきなりゴムボートのヘリから飛び込み、シュノーケリング！
その日は、添乗員さんいわく「とてもいい状況にとてもフレンドリーなイルカ」とのことでしたが、前日の雨のせいか透明度は今一つ、下に漂っているイルカを何頭か追いかけ、上からみれた！…かな…てきな感じでした。
添乗員さんからは、最高！のような説明も受けましたが、やはり大手の大きめなボートで動き回り、他の最良のポイントも有りかな？
もしくは、イルカとの間近での確実な出会いやふれあいを求めるならパークなどの方が充実感があるように感じました。
シュノーケリングも場所を代えて約10分位を2回！２回目はお魚や珊瑚鑑賞でしたが、やはりポイントしては今一つなので、青い海で沢山のカラフルな魚達をご希望のかたは、浅瀬の綺麗な海(シュノーケリングに適したハナウマなど)をお薦めします。
帰りはとにかく寒くて、おまけに最後に同行したカメラマンの撮ってくださったお写真50ドル(希望者のみ)、とクルーへのチップがいります。
約二時間位のツアーで、シャワーも着替えるところもなく、帰りに他に立ち寄るには厳しい状況なので一度ホテルに帰り着替えなくてはならないので、かなり費用と拘束時間を考えるといかがなものでしょうか？
まあ、ハワイやその様なこともアクティビティーが、はじめてなら１度行かれるても良い思い出になるかと思われますが…
正直なところ高校生くらいの若い子達には物足りなかったようです。

In mid-December, I participated in the afternoon dolphin watching and snorkeling cruise.

While there are many tours aimed at Japanese people that consist solely of Japanese participants, this tour had only three Japanese groups and about six or seven groups of foreigners. My husband and I, who are not very good at English, didn't really interact with the other foreign guests, but since we were overseas, we were happy to feel more like we were abroad rather than being surrounded by only Japanese people.

There were about four staff members accompanying us. The staff seemed to genuinely enjoy guiding the tour, creating a very pleasant atmosphere. One male staff member spoke Japanese, which allowed us to understand the safety instructions and the flow of the cruise clearly. I brought my camera, but a female staff member dedicated to photography took plenty of pictures during the cruise, so we could focus on enjoying the tour without worrying about taking photos. The photos taken can be purchased at the end of the cruise on a USB memory stick. Although $40 is a bit pricey, it includes pictures taken while snorkeling in the sea, so I felt it was worth it.

During the cruise, a light jacket was sufficient. The scenery on the way to the dolphin viewing spot was beautiful, with not only the ocean but also the mountains visible from the sea, which was very satisfying.

The boat stopped once at the dolphin spot, and after a while, two dolphins came to play near the boat. Unlike at an aquarium, seeing wild dolphins so close that they seemed within reach, playing with the boat and catching fish, was truly moving! After enjoying dolphin watching at a leisurely pace, the boat moved to the snorkeling spot.

After being exposed to the sea breeze for a while, it got a bit chilly, but there were warm coffee, juice, alcoholic drinks, and delicious muffins available on board for us to enjoy freely. The warm coffee was very welcome for our chilled bodies. There were also chairs and tables, so it was nice to relax there until we reached the spot. The boat had a restroom as well, so we felt comfortable drinking fluids.

Before snorkeling, they provided explanations about safety and how to use the equipment in Japanese. I was initially hesitant to get into the water because I was feeling cold, but once I got in, the water wasn't as cold as I expected and was bearable. However, I couldn't endure snorkeling for a long time due to the cold, so I recommend wearing a wetsuit for those going in winter.

The sea was deeper than I thought, but wearing an inflatable life jacket made it easy to enjoy. Underwater, I saw many beautiful fish and corals. I also encountered a sea turtle, which is a rare experience to swim with! I got out early because I couldn't stand the cold, but the boat had a warm shower, which helped warm me up. That was a big relief.

After about 30 minutes of snorkeling, when the boat returned to shore, a buffet was prepared to satisfy our hunger. The buffet wasn't particularly delicious, but I thought it was good for a buffet included in this kind of tour. While we were eating, photos taken by the staff were shown on a screen inside the boat, so it would be great to decide whether to purchase them after seeing them.

They mentioned to bring a large towel, but since there was no place to change after getting in the sea, having an extra face towel to sit on would be convenient.

Regarding the content of the cruise and the staff's service, it was a highly satisfying tour, and I was glad I participated!

However, in our case, the date we had booked fell below the minimum number of participants, and we were informed the day before that we needed to change the date. We were told to call the Hawaiian tour company directly for possible date changes (which was difficult due to the time difference when contacting from Japan), and of course, the call had to be in English, which was quite challenging. In the end, the Japanese tour company contacted th

12月の半ばに、イルカウォッチング＆シュノーケリングクルーズの
午後の部に参加しました。

ツアーには、日本人を対象とした日本人ばかりのツアーも多いですが
このツアーでは、日本人は３組のみであと６,７組は外国の方でした。
英語が苦手な私たち夫婦はこれといってほかの外国人の方と
接点を持つことは有りませんでしたが、せっかく海外に来ているので、
日本人ばかりよりは海外に来ている感じがして嬉しかったです。

同行するスタッフの方は４名程度です。
スタッフのみなさん自身が本当に楽しそうにツアー案内をされているので、
雰囲気がとてもいいです♪
１名の男性スタッフの方が日本語を話せるので、
船での注意事項やクルージングの流れなど、きちんと理解することができました。
カメラは持って行きましたが、カメラ専属の女性スタッフの方が
クルージング中の写真をまんべんなく撮ってくれるので
写真を撮ることに気をまわさず、ツアーを楽しむことに集中できます。
撮ってもらった写真は、クルージングの最後にＵＳＢメモリーとして
購入することができます。
４０ドルと、高い値段ではありますが、
海のなかでのシュノーケリング中の写真とかも入っているので、
購入して良かったと思います。
　
クルージング中は一枚上着を羽織る程度で大丈夫でした。
イルカが見えるスポットに行くまでの景色は
海はもちろんのこと、海から見える山々もとてもキレイで
それだけでも満足度が高いです。

イルカスポットで一度船は停まり、
しばらくすると二頭のイルカが船のそばまで遊びに来てくれました。
水族館とは違い、野生のイルカが手が届きそうなくらいまじかで
あんなに船にじゃれたり、魚を捕獲するところを見れて、
本当に感激しました！！
ゆっくりとイルカウォッチングを楽しんだあと、
船はシュノーケリングスポットへと移動しました。

ずっと潮風にあたっていると、少し肌寒くなってきましたが、
船内に温かいコーヒーやジュース、アルコールドリンクといった飲み物、
それに美味しいマフィンが用意してあり
自由に飲食することが出来ます。
温かいコーヒーは冷えた体にはとても嬉しいです。
イスと机もあるので、スポットに着くまで
そこでゆっくり楽しむのも有りかと思います。
船内にはトイレも設置されているので、水分をとっても安心です。

シュノーケリングスの前には、注意事項や器具の使い方などを
日本語でも説明してくれます。
私は体が冷えてきていたので、海に入るのに最初抵抗ありましたが
入ってみると、思ったほど海の中は冷たくなく耐えられる程度でした。
でも、長時間のシュノーケリングはやはり寒さに堪えきれず、
冬場に行かれる方は、ウェットスーツを着られるのをおすすめします。

海は思ったよりも深いですが、空気の入った胴衣を着ているので、
安心して楽しむことが出来ます。
海の中では、たくさんのきれいな魚やサンゴを見ることが出来ます。
また、ウミガメにも出会うことができました。
ウミガメと一緒に泳げることはあまりないので貴重な体験が出来ました！
寒さに耐えられず早めに上がりましたが、船には温水シャワーがついていて、
冷めた体を温めることが出来ます。これはだいぶ助かりました。

３０分程度のシュノーケリングを終え、船が陸地に戻るときに
ビュッフェが用意され、お腹を満たしてくれました。
ビュッフェは特別美味しいというわけではありませんが、
こういったツアーに含まれるビュッフェにしては美味しいと思います。
食べている間に、船内のスクリーンにスタッフの方が撮ってくれた写真が
流されるので、この時に見たうえで、
購入するかどうか決められるといいと思います。

持ち物に大きめのタオル一枚とありますが、海に入ったあとは着替えるところもないので
座る際に敷くフェイスタオルがもう一枚あると便利かと思います。

クルーズの内容やスタッフの方の対応に関しては、
とても満足度の高いツアーで、参加して良かったと思いました！

ただ、私たちの場合、今回予約していた日程が最少人数を下回り
前日に日時変更のお願いを日本のベルトラを管理されているところから言われ、
可能な変更日時を直接ハワイのツアー会社に電話してください、
と言われ（日本からは連絡するにも時差があるので難しいとのことで）、
現地への電話はもちろん英語なので、大変困りました。
結局は、日本のツアー方が（ＦＡＸかメールかで）連絡は入れて下さったので
その日の夕方のクルーズから日中のクルーズに
無事変更し参加することができました。

Ocean Joy Snorkel & Sunset Dinner Cruise was worth every penny!!!! As Kamaaina, my husband and I enjoy participating in various so called "tourist" activities. Not everyone who lives in Hawaii has a boat...so activites that offer ocean fun is very appealing. The trip started with a very comfortable pick up and ride aboard a full sized air conditioned bus. The driver was even early for pick-up. Ocean Joy fulfilled our every need from the moment we arrived at the check-in location to the time we departed the boat. The staff were very attentive and informative. The food was plentiful and the bar was flowing. We experienced one of the best views of our local sunset and even got to see a whale breach off the side of the boat. I would definitely recommend this tour to anyone visiting Hawaii and other "Locals" who are looking for new things to do.

I participated in this tour for my honeymoon, and I discovered it while I was pondering what marine sports to try in Japan! We departed from the resort area of Ko Olina, and it took about 40 minutes by bus from Waikiki. The view of Oahu's cityscape from the bus was also a highlight. When we arrived at the departure point, there were only a few Japanese people, and most of the participants were foreigners. (I was a bit worried at first, but it turned out to be one of the reasons we enjoyed it.) It really felt like we were in a foreign land rather than a tour with many Japanese participants, and everyone had a great time joking and laughing in a Western style.

Once the cruise started and snorkeling began, everyone was really excited like children, and we were able to enjoy ourselves without feeling embarrassed. While snorkeling, we saw the sun setting on the horizon... such a beautiful scene. It's a sunset that you rarely see in Japan. After the sun went down, we enjoyed a simple buffet and beer for dinner. We ate well as a couple! (laughs) Just when we thought it was over and we were heading back to the marina, something unusual happened. There was a young couple from overseas among the participants, and they seemed to be having a fight, creating a strange atmosphere. On the way back, the boyfriend ended up getting violent with one of the crew members and was restrained, which felt like a scene from a foreign drama... and there were several police waiting on land to take care of the situation. While they were being questioned, everyone was held up for a bit... Despite all that, the crew members were friendly and cheerful, making it a really great tour. I don't think such unusual incidents happen often, so I highly recommend it!

今回は新婚旅行で参加しました、日本にいる時からどんなマリーンスポーツをしようか悩んでた時に発見！
リゾート地のコオリナからの出発、
ワイキキからバスで40分程でしたが、そのバスの中から見るオアフ島の街並みもまた見所でした、出発地に到着すると日本人は数人で外国の方々の方が多かった。（初めは心配でしたが（笑））ですがこれがまた、楽しめた一つの要因ではないかと思います、日本人が多いツアーよりは異国の地に来てる感じはすごくして、さらに欧米スタイルでみんなジョークとか笑いとかには事欠かなかったですね。クルーズがスタートしてシュノーケリングが始まるとみんな本当に子供みたいにはしゃいでいて、僕たちも恥ずかしくもなくはしゃいで楽しむことができました。シュノーケリングをしていると水平線には沈んでいく太陽が…すごく素敵な風景です。日本ではまず見る事の無いサンセットです。日も沈み少しすると簡単なビュッフェとビールを楽しみながらディナー。夫婦でしっかりたべました（笑）そしてそのままマリーナへ戻り終わりと思いきや、実を言うと参加者の中に海外の若いカップルがいて、喧嘩をしたのか変な空気の二人、帰り際にその彼氏の方が船のクルーに暴力を振るい取り押さえられるという珍事、海外ドラマのワンシーン…そして陸にはポリスが数名待ち構えておりそのまま御用となりました、その取り調べ中みんな足止めを食らいましたが…そんなこんなですがクルーの皆さんも気さくで明るくさ楽しませてくれるすごく良いツアーに参加しました。僕達のような珍事が起きることは早々ないと思います、
是非オススメします！

In mid-November, I participated with my family of four. We have a 10-year-old and a 7-year-old. This was the second time for my 10-year-old daughter and me, as we participated four years ago. We repeated it because we had such wonderful memories.

On the morning of the event, we took a bus from a hotel near our accommodation to the west coast. As soon as we arrived, we ate malasadas and boarded the boat. After a while, the captain spotted a pod of dolphins, so we stopped the boat, put on wetsuits and life jackets, and everyone dove in. We were able to see a pod of dolphins gracefully swimming just a few meters below us. There were several pods, so each time we discovered one, we swam close to them. My 7-year-old son was greatly helped by the staff, who used something like a float to stay with him the whole time. Thanks to that, I was able to concentrate.

We were able to see the dolphins quite closely, and even after getting back on the boat, there were mother and baby dolphins around the boat, jumping and playing, allowing us to see many wild dolphins. That memory continues to energize me even now that I am back in Japan.

At the very end, when most people had already gotten back on the boat, a sea turtle swam by, and those who were still in the water got to see it right in front of them, which was disappointing for me since I had already come up. We also got to experience canoeing and stand-up paddleboarding, and the content was packed, so I was very satisfied this time as well! Thank you very much!!

11月半ばに、家族四人で参加しました。
10歳と7歳の子連れです。
10歳の長女と私の二人は、四年前にも参加したので、２度目でした。
とても楽しい思い出だったために、リピートしました。

当日の朝、宿泊先の近くのホテルから、バスに乗り西海岸まで移動しました。
到着してすぐに、マラサダを食べ、ボートに乗り込みました。
しばらくして、船長がイルカの群れを発見、とのことで、ボートを停めて、ウェットスーツにライフジャケットを着けて、みんなでダイブ。
数メートル下を優雅に泳ぐイルカの群れを見ることが出来ました。
いくつかのイルカの群れがあったので、発見する度に、群れの近くまで泳ぎました。
７歳の息子は、スタッフの方が浮き輪のような物を使い、ずっと一緒にいてくれたので、とっても助かりました。
お陰様で、集中することが出来ました。
かなり近くで、イルカを見ることが出来、またボートに上がってからも、ボートの周りでイルカの親子がいたり、ジャンプしていたり、と沢山の野生のイルカを見ることが出来、その思い出が、日本に帰ってきた今でも、活力になっています。

ほとんどの人がボートに上がってしまった最後の最後に、海亀が一匹泳いできて、まだ海の中にいた人達は、
目の前で見られ、先に上がってしまった私は、残念でした。
カヌーやサップも体験できたり、盛り沢山の内容で、今回も大満足でした！
どうもありがとうございました!!

The evening cruise on December 6th was wonderful. There was no need to worry about it being a bit dark and chilly for snorkeling. Additionally, Jin, who grew up in Japan, explained the safety points on the boat and underwater in fluent Japanese, so there were no language concerns. The Ko Olina area on the west coast of Oahu looked beautiful in the setting sun, but after heading north along the coast for about 40 minutes, we had to give up without spotting any dolphins and quickly started snorkeling. Under the watchful eye of the crew, even children around five years old were having fun at a depth of about 5 meters. Colorful fish in blue and yellow gathered close enough to touch, and we even had a surprise visit from a turtle, making for a very enjoyable time where we lost track of time. After snorkeling, we had light snacks and some alcohol while watching the sunset over the ocean, allowing us to experience a bit of a sunset cruise atmosphere.

This was my third snorkeling tour in Hawaii, and it was the clearest water I've experienced, with many fish visible up close. However, I was disappointed not to see any dolphins, so I would like to try again.

12月6日の夕方クルーズ、シュノーケリングには少々暗くて肌寒い、という心配は全く無用でした。また、日本育ちのJIN君が流暢な日本語で船内と水中での注意点を丁寧に説明してくれ、言葉の心配もありませんでした。船上から見えたオアフ島西海岸のコオリナ地区は西日に映えて奇麗だったですが、40分ほど海岸沿いを北上しても、目的のイルカは発見できないまま断念、早速シュノーケリング開始。クルー監視の中、水深5mほどでも、５歳前後の子供も楽しんでいました。目の前を青、黄、などの魚が手の届くとこまで集まり、亀のサプライズ訪問もあって、時間を忘れて、とても楽しい時間を過ごしました。シュノーケリング後の軽食はアルコールも出て、海に沈む夕日を見ながら、ちょっとしたサンセットクルーズの雰囲気を味わうことができました。
ハワイでのシュノーケリングツアーは3回目、今回が一番水がきれいで、真近に沢山の魚を見られました。ただ、イルカに会えなかったのが残念なので、もう一度挑戦したいです。

This was the most memorable experience I've had in Hawaii, offering value beyond its price and being the best experience overall. Having taken cruises in Hawaii multiple times, I considered canceling the day before, but looking back now, I realize I would have regretted not participating.

First, we set off on the cruise, and even though I usually get seasick, I didn't feel any rocking at all and enjoyed the ocean. The scenery was wonderful. Just enjoying the sea on the cruise was enough to satisfy me. The staff were all friendly and greeted us with smiles, making it easy to chat with them. After that, they explained the diving precautions in clear English, and since there were Japanese staff members, they also provided explanations in Japanese for those who might not understand English. Their thorough explanations made me feel at ease, even though I had never experienced watching before.

When I experienced the watching, I was moved by the beauty of the various fish. I was able to see everything up close that I had only seen in aquariums before. It was even more beautiful than an aquarium. The staff also worked hard to take great photos, allowing me to preserve that excitement forever. Additionally, witnessing the sunset gradually descend over the ocean was an extraordinary experience that I won't forget. Finally, just as I was getting hungry, they prepared a delicious dinner, allowing us to enjoy various drinks and fruits while looking at the beautiful sea. This is an experience that can only be had here in Hawaii, so I highly recommend it.

今までハワイで体験したものの中、一番思い出になり、値段以上の価値があり、最高の経験でした。ハワイで何度もクルーズを乗っていましたので、前日の時、キャンセルしようかを思いましたが、今振り返ってみたら、参加し無ければ、悔になるかもしれません。
まず、クルーズで出発し、船酔いの私でも全く揺れを感じなく、海を楽しんできました。風景は素晴
らしかったです。クルーズで海を楽しむだけで十分満足でした。スタッフも誰でも笑顔でフレンドリーで接してくれまして気軽にしゃべることもできました。その後、ダイビングの注意事項を分かりやすい英語で説明しましたが、英語で分からなくても日本人スタッフなので、日本語で説明してくれます。丁寧な説明でウォッチングを体験したことがなくても安心できます。ウォッチングを体験して、いろんな魚は綺麗過ぎで感動しました。今まで水族館でしか見られないものを全部自分の目で身近で見ることができました。水族館以上綺麗でした。スタッフも一生懸命良い写真を撮ってくれましたので、その感動を一生保存することができます。また、sunsetも海と接して徐々に落ちることを目の前にあって、なかなか無い感動が味わいました。最後に、ちょうどお腹空いたところ、美味しい夕食を用意してくれまして、綺麗な海をみながらいろいろなお酒や果物を味わうことができました。ハワイのここでしか体験できないものなので、強くおすすめします。

I really wanted to swim with dolphins, and since my return flight was later in the day, I participated on my last day in Hawaii. During the trip there, I received a thorough explanation from the Japanese staff, allowing us to board the boat without wasting much time. While we were searching for dolphins, there were additional necessary explanations, which made it easy for us to get into the water smoothly.

We encountered a pod of spinner dolphins, and there were baby dolphins among them. The pod swam back and forth, allowing us to see the dolphins up close multiple times. Some even performed spin jumps for us. We were lucky enough to see a turtle as well.

I had packed my schedule too tightly, and I only had the last day available, but I managed to squeeze it in and created wonderful memories at the very end. I wouldn't recommend going on the last day due to luggage concerns, but I do recommend it as you can have a fulfilling half-day experience.

The names "Junior High" and "University" made it feel very friendly, almost like a school. It seemed like the age range for participation was broad, from children to adults. They also provide life jackets for safety, and I hope to come back with my mother next time.

イルカとどうしても泳ぎたくて、帰国日の便が遅めだったので、ハワイ最終日に参加しました。
行きの移動中、日本人スタッフから丁寧な説明を受け、時間をほとんど無駄にすることなく船に乗せてもらえました。乗船してイルカを探しに行っている間にも、さらに必要な説明がありました。そのためスムーズに海に入ることが出来ました。
ハシナガイルカの群れに会い、子供のイルカがいました。群れは行ったり来たりしてくれて、何度もイルカを近くで見ることが出来ました。中にはスピンジャンプしてくれるのもいました。運良くカメにも会えました。
予定を詰めすぎて、最終日しか空いておらず、無理に入れましたが最後の最後に良い思い出が出来ました。荷物のこともあるので、最終日に行くのはオススメしないですが、半日でかなり充実した時間を過ごせるのでオススメします。
中学、大学という名前がついていて、学校のようですごく親しみやすかったです。参加できる年齢の幅は子供から大人まで広いように感じました。救命のための胴衣も貸してくれますし、今度は母とも来れたら良いなと思いました。

It was an early morning pick-up. I thought I would sleep on the bus, but I couldn't because the guide gave an explanation about the tour. (laughs)
On the bus, they ask if you want to rent a wetsuit. I think almost everyone rented one this time. It costs $10, but I didn't feel cold, and it gave me a sense of security.
When we arrived at the port, we put on our wetsuits and set off. They keep anything that might get wet in a case. You can leave your waterproof camera, drinks, and towel on the seat, but I was worried they might blow away in the wind, and since I wasn't cold, I didn't use my towel during the tour. It felt nice to dip my feet off the boat.
If there are dolphins, you jump off the boat and swim towards them, following the guide's call. It's quite intense.
When entering the sea from the boat, I was anxious because I can't swim and was entering deep water where I couldn't touch the bottom, but they provide a long float for those who aren't confident in swimming, and the guide is attentive, which made me feel safe.
It's quite tiring, so I thought, "That's enough, I'll just rest on the boat," but since I participated, I recommend going into the water multiple times to swim with the dolphins!
I felt more comfortable in the water than on the stationary boat, even though I took motion sickness medication, I didn't get seasick.
When we returned to the port to change, there were no changing rooms, so all the women changed in the restroom. It would be cold to go home just wearing a swimsuit, so I think it's better to change.
I had some anxiety before participating in the tour, but once I did it, it was no big deal.
I had a lot of fun! (^_^)

朝早くのお迎えです。バスの中で寝ようと思ってましたがガイドのお姉さんのツアーの説明があり眠れず。。（笑）
バスの中でウエットスーツを借りるか借りないか聞かれます。今回ほとんどみんな借りていたと思います。10ドルかかりますが寒さも感じなかったし、安心感もあります。
港についてウエットスーツを着て出発、濡れたら困る物はケースに入れて預かってくれます。カメラ(防水)と飲み物、タオルはイスの上に置いておけますが風で飛ばされそうだし寒くなかったので私はツアー中タオルは使いませんでした。船から足を出して乗るのが気持ちよかったです。
イルカが居たら船から飛び込んでイルカの方に泳いで行きます。ガイドさんがこっちでーす!と呼ぶ方へ。かなりハードです。
船から海に入る時、私は泳げないし足のつかない深い海に入るのが不安だったのですが、ライフジャケットの他に泳ぎに自信の無い人用に長細い浮くやつを貸して貰えますしガイドさんも気にしてくれるので安心でした。
かなり疲れるので、もういいや~船で休んでよう。。と思っちゃいますが、せっかく参加したのだから何度も海に入ってイルカと泳ぐのがオススメです!
船酔いも止まってる船にいるよりも、海に入ってた方が楽な気がします。
私は酔い止めも飲みましたが、船酔いはしませんでした。
港に戻って着替えるのですが更衣室などは無いので女性はみんなトイレで着替えてました。水着の上に羽織って帰るのは寒いし着替えた方が良いと思います。
ツアーに参加する前は不安もありましたが、やってみたらナンて事ないです。
とっても楽しかったです!(^_^)

Last year, I watched dolphins from a boat, and this summer, I saw sea turtles basking on the northern coast. I thought that someday I would like to swim with them in the ocean, so my husband and I enrolled in this tour. Even though Hawaii is known for its warm weather, the temperatures aren't very high at this time of year, so we received information beforehand that the water would be cold. Thanks to that, wearing wetsuits for snorkeling was definitely the right choice. The sea was calm with no waves, and the visibility was clear down to the seabed. The excitement of encountering a large group of dolphins in that environment was something only students of this school could experience. With appropriate guidance from Julie and the other instructors, the dolphins felt safe enough to approach and swim with us.

Additionally, we saw three sea turtles sleeping on the seabed, but when we entered the classroom (the ocean), they woke up and gracefully showcased their swimming skills. Watching their elegant movements, we, who initially struggled with swimming using fins, naturally began to swim like the dolphins with a dolphin kick!?

The reason we were able to have such a meaningful class was that Julie and the instructors created a fun atmosphere on the boat while ensuring safety measures were in place. This allowed the students to unite and adhere to the rules. I hope to have the opportunity to return again in the summer and would love to retake the course.

昨年、イルカを船上からウォッチし、今夏はノースの海岸で甲羅干しをしていたウミガメを見て、いつかは海の中で一緒に泳ぎたいと思い、このツアーに夫婦で入学しました。常夏のハワイと言っても、今の時期は気温もそんなに高くならないので、海中は冷たいとの情報を事前に頂いていたおかげで、ウエットスーツを着用してシュノーケリングをしたのは大正解でした。波もなく、穏やかな海の中で海底まで透き通って見え、その中でのイルカの大群に出会えた時の感激はこの学校の生徒でなければ味わえないものでした。授業を進めるジュリーさんはじめ、インストラクターの方々の適切な指示によって、イルカ先生も安心して近づいて一緒に泳いでくれました。
また、ウミガメ大先生も３匹も海底で寝ていましたが、私たち生徒が教室（海中）に入っていくとお目覚めとなって、優雅な泳ぎを披露してくました。その優雅な泳ぎを見て、フィンを付けての泳ぎに最初はぎこちなかった私たちも自然とイルカ先生と同じようにドルフィンキックで泳げるようになった！？
今回、非常に有意義な授業を受けることができたのは、ジュリーさんはじめインストラクターの方々が楽しく船上を盛り上げ且つ安全対策をしっかり講じてくれていたからこそ、生徒が団結でき学則？をしっかり守ることができたからだと思います。夏季に再び行く機会があるので、是非再履修したいと思います。

There were two changes to the meeting location after making the reservation. I couldn't check my email for the second change, so I received a call in English from the hotel. I only caught the part about the sunset cruise, but since I didn't intend to book a sunset cruise, I said I didn't understand and hung up. After that, I received a message in Japanese and was able to confirm the change in the meeting location, which was good.

I joined the tour because I wanted to see wild dolphins, so I asked the staff if we would see dolphins soon. They told me that it would be lucky to see dolphins on the evening cruise, which was disappointing. The morning tour is brighter, making it easier to spot dorsal fins, and since many other boats are out, the chances of seeing dolphins are about 95%. If we don't see any, we can participate again.

On the day of the tour, it was very cold, but the water at the snorkeling point was warm, and the beautiful blue gradient of the sea with white sand was stunning. I saw a lot of fish, so I was satisfied with the snorkeling. Although the temperature was cold, the boat had hot water showers, which was very nice.

In the end, I didn't see any dolphins, but I was able to catch a glimpse of a whale's dorsal fin for a moment. There were also Japanese staff members, and I think I would have been very satisfied if I had participated in the sunset cruise.

予約をしてから2回の集合場所の変更がありました。2回目の変更はメールの確認が出来る状況でなかったので、ホテルに英語で連絡がきました。
サンセットクルーズだけ聞き取れたのですが、サンセットクルーズを予約したつもりがなかったので分らないと言って電話を切りました。その後、日本語で連絡をもらって集合場所の変更を確認できたのでよかったです。
野生のイルカを見たくて参加のツアーでしたので、早々にイルカを見れるのかをスタッフの方に聞いてみると夕方のクルーズはイルカが見れたらラッキーだといわれてガッカリ。
午前中のツアーは明るいので背びれを見つけやすく、他の船が沢山出ているのでイルカにあえる確立は95％くらいで見られなかったらもう一回参加できるそうです。
当日は、すごく寒かったのですがシュノーケルポイントの海水は暖かく白い砂とブルーのグラデーションの海の中はとてもキレイでした。魚も沢山見れたのでシュノーケルは満足です。
気温が寒かったですが、船には温水シャワーが付いていたのでとても良かったです。
結局、イルカは見れなかったのですがクジラの背びれを一瞬だけ見ることができました。
日本人のスタッフの方もいて、サンセットクルーズとして参加していれば大満足だったと思います。

I was recommended by a friend and participated as a monitor! We boarded the bus at 6 AM while it was still dark, and received explanations about the dolphins from our humorous class representative, Sue, as well as information about snorkeling. I was excited to hear that dolphins can understand our feelings!

The sea began to come into view from the bus, calm and with perfect weather! My mood was already at its peak from inside the bus (laughs). We received ginger anti-nausea tablets for free, and everyone in our class took them. (I actually didn’t feel nauseous!)

The water was warm, but the wind felt very cold on our bodies after being splashed with seawater, so I rented a wetsuit for $10. After the experience, I strongly felt it was worth it to rent one. In fact, even those who are sensitive to the cold might find it chilly even while wearing a wetsuit!

When we arrived at the site and got off the bus, we were greeted by a gentle sea breeze and the sunrise. We stretched in the refreshing weather and then boarded the boat! We rode on a boat that looked like two banana boats stuck together, speeding off in search of dolphins! Along the way, we also saw a sea turtle floating comfortably.

We were able to see the mountain scenery known as the "Hand of God." After about 30 minutes on the boat, the captain signaled that dolphins had been spotted!! We hurriedly put on our fins and masks, and with the signal to go, we jumped into the sea! (Those who are afraid of the sea might hesitate here... but if you don’t jump in quickly, you won’t see the dolphins.)

We all swam hard after the fast Sue, moving away from the boat. When Sue said, "Look down!" and we looked down, there were dolphins swimming happily below us!! There were about 20 of them. There were baby dolphins too, and I almost lost it from their cuteness (laughs).

After that, we returned to the boat and were told we could dive in again! We were able to see even more dolphins up close this time—so adorable! In our class, there was a 5-year-old boy who was scared and didn’t go into the water the first time, but he joined us for dolphin watching with the adults the second time (^^).

And surprisingly, we had another chance to dive! Those who were tired could take a break, but we all went together. Then we could hear the voices of the dolphins!! It was moving!! They were chattering away, giving me goosebumps! After the third snorkeling session, we were served warm tea on the boat.

However, snorkeling uses quite a bit of energy, so I recommend that those who lack stamina or aren’t confident in swimming enjoy at their own pace. (You can definitely get through it with excitement, though (laughs)).

In the second session, we moved to a snorkeling spot to meet the sea turtles, but the sea turtle was unexpectedly absent (laughs). I thought it couldn’t be helped since it’s nature, and I leisurely watched the fish. I had brought an underwater camera, so I took a lot of pictures here. During the dolphin session, I was too focused on swimming and taking it all in, so I think it’s best to watch without anything in hand.

Sue and the cameraman dove down to get sea urchins and other mysterious creatures (laughs), which was quite interesting! After returning to the boat, we enjoyed some Danish and cheese snacks. Sweet food is the best for a tired body!

On the way back, the boat felt a bit cold again. A wetsuit is definitely essential. I heard that if we were lucky, we might see a whale, but we didn’t see one—what a shame!

When we returned to the dock, we took photos together and changed clothes in the restroom to wrap up the day. The group photo was emailed to us later—so nice! We also received eco-bags as graduation souvenirs! Apparently, the title is "Junior High School Graduate" (laughs).

On the bus ride back, everyone was fast asleep (laughs). I made such wonderful memories! Next time, I want to visit Dolphin University or meet the manta rays (^^). I truly made fantastic

友人にお勧めされ、モニターで参加してきました!まだ暗い朝6時にバスに乗り込み、ユーモアたっぷり学級委員長のスーさんによるイルカ先生の説明や、シュノーケルについての説明を受けました。
イルカは私たちの気持ちがわかるということを聞いてワクワク感が高まりました！
バスから見えはじめた海は穏やかで、天気も抜群！バスの中からすでに気分は最高潮でした(笑)
ジンジャーでできた酔い止めを無料で頂いて、私たちのクラスの人はみんな飲んでいました。
(実際に酔いませんでした！)
海の中は温かいけど、海水を浴びた体に風が当たると非常に寒いとのことで、ウェットスーツを10ドルでレンタルしました。体験後、借りてよかったと強く思いました。むしろ寒がりの人はウェットスーツ着ていても寒いぐらいです！
現地についてバスを降りると穏やかな海風と日の出がお出迎え。
すがすがしい天気の中ストレッチをして、いざ乗船！
バナナボートを2つくっつけたような船に乗り、結構なスピードでイルカ探し！
途中でウミガメ先生が気持ちよさそうにプカプカ浮いている姿も見ることができました。
神の手？とよばれている山の景色も見ることができました。
そして30分くらい船に乗った後、船長からイルカ発見！！との合図。
急いでフィンをつけて、マスクをつけ、GO!の合図で海にドボン！(海が怖い人は、ここですこし戸惑ってしまうかも…でもすぐ入らないとイルカ先生は見られません)
泳ぎの速いスーさんのあとにみんなで一生懸命ついていき、船から離れます。
スーさんの「下見て！」の合図で下を向くと、そこには気持ちよさそうに泳ぐイルカ先生が！！
ざっと20匹ぐらいいました。子供イルカもいて、あまりの可愛さにおもわず発狂しかけました(笑)
そのあと一回船に戻り、もう1度見られるということで海にダイブ！
1回目よりも多くのイルカを近くで見られました～本当にかわいい！
同じクラスには5歳の男の子がいて、1回目は怖がって海には入らなかったのですが、2回目には大人に交じってみんなでイルカウォッチングできました（＾＾）
そしてなんと、もう1回潜れるチャンスがあるとのこと！
疲れた人は休憩でOKなのですが、みんなで行きました。
するとイルカ先生の声が聞けました～！！感動！！キューキューおしゃべりしていて、鳥肌モノです！
3回目のシュノーケルの後には温かいお茶を船上でふるまってくれました。
ただ、1回のシュノーケルで結構な体力を使うので、体力がなくて泳ぎに自信がない方は自分のペースで楽しむことをお勧めします。(結構テンションで乗り切れる感じもしますが(笑))
2時限目にはウミガメ先生に会いにシュノーケルスポットを移動したのですが、ウミガメ先生はまさかの無断欠勤(笑)
こればっかりは自然のことなので、しょうがないかなと思いつつお魚さんたちをゆったりとウォッチングしました。
水中カメラを持って行っていたので、私はここで写真をたくさん撮りました。イルカ先生のときは泳ぐのと目に焼き付けるのに必死すぎて、手ぶらで見るのが1番だと思います。
スーさんやカメラマンさんがウニやよくわからない生物(笑)を潜ってとってきてくれてなかなかおもしろかったです！
船に戻り、デニッシュとチーズの軽食を頂きました。疲れた体には甘い食べ物が1番ですね！
帰りの船はやはり少し寒く感じました。やっぱりウェットスーツは必須ですね。
運が良ければ、クジラ大先生も見られるとの話でしたが見られませんでした～残念！
船着き場に戻ってみんなで写真を撮ってトイレでお着替えをして終了です。
みんなでの写真は後日メールで送られてきました～うれしい！
そして卒業記念品にエコバッグ頂きました！肩書きは「中卒」らしいです(笑)
帰りのバスではみんな爆睡(笑)とっても素敵な思い出ができました！
今度はイルカ大学か、マンタ先生にもお会いしたいな～（＾＾）
本当に素敵な思い出ができました！また絶対イルカ先生に会いに行きます☆