All Reviews for Oahu Snorkeling Tours

Before moving to Waianae Harbor, there was an explanation (in English and Japanese), and I signed a consent form on an iPad. There was enough time to take a nap during the transfer.

The reason I booked this tour was because it was described as "a healing tour to swim with wild dolphins in the sea!" However, in reality, diving was prohibited. It was more of a dolphin watching experience while snorkeling. The life jackets were the type that hang around the neck and were mandatory (you could deflate them). On December 13th, the water quality was poor and murky, possibly due to high waves. The dolphins were mostly deep down and only faintly visible (the staff would say, "Look down!!"). They didn't come close at all, and it ended quickly. After that, we moved to the snorkeling point where we could enjoy SUP, sea kayaking, and a slide. However, the snorkeling point we went to had nothing. There were no corals, no turtles, and only a few fish were spotted. I later heard that the captain decides which snorkeling points to go to, but this was just too disappointing.

For lunch, we had a pre-made cheeseburger with taro buns wrapped in foil. The buns were a bit sweet, so preferences may vary. There were also chips. Drinks included free water and lemonade on board (on December 13th, there was warm tea, possibly because it was cold). There were also restrooms available. If you're worried about seasickness, it's better to take something (three people vomited and were down). On the way back to the harbor, there was hula and ukulele performance, and the staff's effort to entertain was nice. Some people bought a USB with photos and videos during the ride, as there was a $5 discount, but it's important to think carefully about whether you'll see dolphins, whether you might get seasick, or whether the weather might prevent you from getting good photos before purchasing in advance. The eco bags were probably only for those who purchased the USB. I didn't receive anything. Honestly, I didn't feel that the service was worth the tour fee of $156.

I understand that it's wild and natural, but I was disappointed by the discrepancies between the description and the actual experience.

ワイアナエハーバーに移動するまでに説明(英語&日本語)があり、ipadで同意書？に記入します。移動には仮眠できるほどの時間があります。
今回こちらのツアーを予約したのは説明文にある＂海で野生のイルカと一緒に泳ぐ癒しのツアー！＂と記載されていたからです。実際は潜る潜水行為禁止。イルカウォッチングをシュノーケルしながらの形になります。ライフジャケットは首からさげるタイプで着用義務(エアーは抜くことができます)。12/13は波が高かったのもあるのか水質は悪く濁っていました。イルカはずっと下の方に居てうっすらと見える程度(スタッフが＂Look down!!＂と教えてくれます)。近くに寄って来てくれることもなく。あっという間に終了。その後シュノーケルポイントに移動しSUPやシーカヤック、滑り台などを楽しめます。しかし、行ったシュノーケルポイントはなんにもない所でした。珊瑚もなければ亀は居ない、魚は数匹みかけた程度。後から聞いた話ではいくつかあるシュノーケルポイントをキャプテンの判断で決めるそうですが、これが、あまりに酷すぎでした。その後お昼ご飯は事前に作られホイルで包まれたタロイモのバンズでできたチーズバーガー。バンズは少し甘めで好みがあると思います。おまけにチップス。飲み物は船内に自由に飲めるお水とレモネードがあります(12/13は寒かった為か暖かいお茶もありました)。トイレも完備されています。船酔いを心配されている方は飲んだ方がいいです(3名嘔吐してダウンしてました)。ハーバーまでの帰り道にフラやウクレレ演奏があり、スタッフの楽しませようとしてくれる雰囲気は良かったです。行きの車内で写真と動画のUSBを購入すると$5割引になる為購入している方がいましたが、イルカに会えるかもわからない、船酔いしてダウンするかもしれない、天気が悪く良い写真が撮れていないかもしれない事をよく考えた上で事前購入しましょう。エコバッグはおそらくUSB購入者だけです。何ももらえませんでした。正直私はツアー代金$156の見合ったサービスを受けられたとは思いませんでした。
野生と自然相手なので仕方ないですが、説明文と食い違う内容にはがっかりしました。

We boarded the Holokai Catamaran and quickly arrived at a point where we could see the beachside hotels of Waikiki. During the ride, we received explanations in English and were given life jackets. When I asked if wearing a life jacket was mandatory, I was told it wasn't required, but it was at our own risk. There was no worry about not seeing sea turtles, as they were coming up to the surface to breathe all around us. There was also a tour company nearby doing scuba diving. One slight disappointment was that there weren't many colorful tropical fish or coral at this point. However, there was plenty of time to enjoy snorkeling. After getting back on the boat, we were offered chips and chocolate (free), and drinks like guava juice and beer (for a fee) as we slowly began sailing. Since it was December, we went whale watching and saw a few in the distance. Given the price, the service was good, and I was satisfied with the experience. I highly recommend it!

ホロカイ・カタマラン号に乗り込み、しばらく走るのかと思いきや、ワイキキのビーチサイドホテルが目視できるポイントにすぐ到着。走っている最中に説明(英語)を受けライフジャケットを受け取ります。ライフジャケットの着用は義務か聞くと無しでもOKしかし、自己責任。ウミガメがあちこちで水面に呼吸しに来るので会えない見られないという心配はないと思います。すぐ側でスキューバダイビングをしているツアー会社も居ました。少し残念なのはカラフルな熱帯魚や珊瑚はあまりいないポイントでした。シュノーケリングを楽しむには十分な時間が設けられています。船にあがりチップスやチョコを頂き(無料)飲み物はグアバジュースやビール(有料)ゆっくりとセーリング開始。12月だったためホエールウォッチング。遠目に少しだけ見れました。お値段の割にサービスも良く、内容にも満足です。おススメです!!

We had very exciting time. We were kind of scared since that was our first time and we are not good swimmers. But it was very safe and we enjoyed very much. Chieko and Dan, they are very professional and they led us to a sea turtle!
We definitely are coming back again!

It had rained, so the waves were high and the sea was murky, but I was glad to meet a sea turtle! Next time, I want to go when the weather is nice!

雨が降った後だったので波も高く海が濁っていたのですが、ウミガメに会えて良かったです！
次は天気のいい時にやりたいです！

The weather on the day we went was a bit disappointing, and it was cold when we went into the sea (laughs), but we were able to see sea turtles, and snorkeling was really fun with so many fish! The ocean was truly beautiful! The hamburgers we ate on the boat were also delicious!!

行った日の天気が少し残念で、海に入るとき寒かったですが(笑)ウミガメも見れましたし、シュノーケリングも本当に魚がたくさんでとても楽しかったです！
海が本当にキレイでした！
船の上で食べるハンバーガーも美味しかったです！！

I've been curious about Heaven's Sea for a long time, and I finally participated. It was a chilly day, making me hesitant to wear a swimsuit, but they provided all participants with wetsuits for free.

When I was asked to sign a waiver on the bus, I felt a bit anxious, but upon arriving at the dock and receiving the pre-tour briefing, a fun-loving local man from Okinawa eased my nerves with his reassuring words.

The captain and all the staff were women, and the tour was kind, thorough, and enjoyable while ensuring safety.

After enjoying a walk in the shallow sea, we had a snorkeling lesson. I even got to see a sea turtle. At one point, I cramped up, but the staff quickly came to my aid. Thank you very much.

The delicious snacks and lunch were also greatly appreciated. I plan to join again in the summer!

天国の海、ずーっと前から気になっていて、やっと参加しました。この時期は肌寒く、水着になるのもためらう日でしたが、参加者全員にウェットスーツを無料で貸してくれました。

バスの中で誓約書を書かされた時は不安になりましたが、船着き場に到着していざ事前の説明を受けると楽しい沖縄人の男性の方が緊張を和らげてくれる言い回しで安心しました。

船長もスタッフも全員女性の方で、親切丁寧、そして楽しく安全なツアーでした。

浅い海でウォーキングを楽しんだ後、シュノーケリングレッスン。海ガメも見れました。途中、私は足がつってしまいましたが、すぐ、スタッフの方が助けてくれました。ありがとうございました。

おいしい軽食、昼食もごちそうさまでした。
今度は、夏に参加します！

I participated in December! As expected, it’s a bit cool in Hawaii during winter! I would love to take photos in my swimsuit, but I think it’s best to rent a wetsuit to avoid catching a cold! Especially when the tide is high, the water level can reach up to your waist, so it might be different from the photo you have in mind (^_^;) If you really want to achieve the photo image, I think you should aim to book on a low tide day ^_^ However, the staff members are very friendly and kind, so you can definitely have a great time! I think having reef shoes will make it more comfortable to play!

12月に参加しました！やはりHawaiiも冬なので少し涼しいです！水着姿で写真に残したい感じはありますが…風邪をひかない為にもウエットスーツを借りて楽しんだ方がベストだと思いました！特にタイドがハイの場合は腰近くまで水位があるので、写真のイメージとは異なると思います(^_^;)
本当に写真のイメージで行きたいならロータイドの日を狙って予約するしかないと思います^_^
ただ、スタッフの方々はとても気さくで優しいので楽しめる事は間違いないです！
リーフシューズは有ると安心して遊べると思います！

I woke up early, swayed by the bus, and headed to the dock while rubbing my sleepy eyes. After offering a prayer to the sea, we set sail on our long-awaited dolphin search journey. Unfortunately, we couldn't see dolphins up close during the two dives, but we did see them jumping from the boat, and most importantly, we were lucky enough to witness the whale's courtship dance multiple times, which was satisfying! The instructors were very cheerful and really energized everyone, making it a lot of fun! I want to go again when I come back to Hawaii! I hope to see dolphins up close next time! ♫

朝早起きしてバスに揺られ、眠い目をこすりながら船着場へ向かいました。
海にお祈りを捧げて、念願のイルカ探しの旅へ出航です。
残念ながら二回のダイブではイルカを間近で見ることは出来なかったけれど、船からイルカが跳ねているところは見られたし、何より偶然にもクジラの求愛のダンスを何回も見られて満足です！
インストラクターの方々もとても明るくみんなを盛り上げてくれてとても楽しかったです！
またハワイに来たら行きたいです！次回はイルカを間近で見られるといいな♫

what a wonderful tour. snorkeling for a beginner or someone with a little experience. our tour guide made us feel safe and made sure we saw lots of fish and turtles as he knew where they were often seen. going without a guide, I don't think I would have ventured as far from shore as I did.

My first time in Hawaii, and thanks to the support of our guide, all five of us were able to enjoy snorkeling, especially my friend who was trying it for the first time. We were able to see sea turtles twice, which I believe was thanks to our guide's assistance. The comfort of being able to speak in Japanese and the information about local shops that we received were also great. If I ever go to Hawaii again, I would love to request the guide again.

Hanauma Bay was filled with cats, almost like a cat island, which was perfect for me as a cat lover.

初めてのハワイ、シュノーケリング初体験の友人にずっとサポートしてくださり5人全員で楽しむ事が出来ました。ウミガメに2度も会うことが出来たのも、ガイドさんに案内していただいたからこそだと思います。日本語で話せる安心感、教えていただいた現地のお店の情報も良かったです。ハワイに行くことがあったら、またガイドをお願いしたいです。
ハナウマ湾が、まるで猫の島みたいに猫ちゃんだらけだったのも、猫好きな私には最高でした。

The tour schedule itself was quite fulfilling. However, on the day I participated, I was unfortunate as the tides were high and the waves were strong, resulting in about 1 meter of water on the sandbar. The shallowest part was up to my chest (I am 158 cm tall). It was colder than the scenery I had seen in photos, but I told myself it couldn't be helped. The snorkeling and sea turtle watching afterward were beyond my expectations. I was able to see many sea turtles, and it was my first time seeing such a large coral reef. The water level on the sandbar changes depending on the day, but I believe it's worth participating.

ツアー自体のスケジュールはかなり充実していました。ただ、私の参加した日は運が悪く、潮の満ち引きが大きく波が高かったため、サンドバーの水浸が1mほどありました。一番浅くて私の胸まで海に浸かっている状態です。(身長158cm)写真で見ていた風景とは異なり寒かったですが、それは仕方ないと言い聞かせました。そのあとのシュノーケリング、ウミガメウォッチングは想像以上のものでした。ウミガメもたくさん見ることができましたし、あれほど大きなサンゴ礁をみたのも初めてでした。日によってサンドバーの水浸が変わりますが、参加して損はないと思います。

It was sunny, but there was some wind and it was occasionally cloudy, so I was a bit hesitant to go into the sea. The sandbar was deep enough to reach my knees. Everyone was enjoying beach volleyball and taking photos there. I was glad that I didn't get wet up to my shoulders at that time. After getting back on the boat, it was cold and I was shivering. The BBQ lunch on the boat was delicious. We also saw sea turtles and were able to see fish while snorkeling. However, the strong wind made it difficult to swim as I had hoped.

晴れてはいたんですが風があったり時々曇ったり、海に入るにはちょっと抵抗がありました。サンドバーは膝上まで浸かるほどでした。そこでみんなはビーチバレーや写真を撮ったり楽しんでました。その時は肩まで濡れなくてよかったと思います。船に上がったあと寒くて震えます。船上でのBBQランチは美味しかったです。ウミガメも見れたし、スノーケリングでも魚も見れました。ただ、風が強いのでなかなか思ったように泳げませんでした。

I participated alone, but there was one other Japanese person, and I had a great time. The snorkeling was amazing, as I encountered not only fish but also many sea turtles, and it was thrilling to swim alongside them! The male crew members were kind, cheerful, and fun. I would love to join again.

一人で参加しましたが日本人も一人でしたが十分楽しめた。
シュノーケリングは魚だけでなく、ホヌも沢山遭遇し、間近で一緒に泳げるので感動的です❗クルーの男性も親切で明るく楽しい。また参加したい。

I went in November.
We took a bus to the location, and the scenery was enjoyable along the way.
After arriving at the port, we took a short restroom break before departing.

The sandbar had water up to my knees, and we practiced snorkeling and took photos.
The guide took some pictures for us, which became great memories.

The hamburger for lunch was substantial and very delicious.

After lunch, we swam for about an hour at the snorkeling spot.
It seems some people got stung by jellyfish, but the fish and corals were beautiful, and I was very satisfied.

I previously participated in a dolphin tour, but this tour offered more freedom, allowing us to relax and enjoy ourselves.

11月に行ってきました。
バスで現地まで向かうのですが、楽しく景色を案内していただきました。
港についてからは、少しトイレ休憩して出発します。

サンドバーは膝程度の海面で
シュノーケリングの練習をしたり写真をとったりしました。
ガイドのお姉さんに写真を撮っていただきとてもいい記念になりました。

またランチのハンバーガーはボリュームがあり
とても美味しかったです。

ランチ後はシュノーケリングスポットで1時間ほど泳ぎます。
クラゲに刺された方もいるようですが
お魚もサンゴも綺麗で大変満足しました。

以前はイルカツアーに参加しましたが
こちらのツアーのほうが自由度が高く
のんびりとすることができて楽しかったです。

This was a great family friendly experience with helpful friendly staff.

The best experience ever! The crew were very professional and nice and I don’t swim but they were so kind in helping me and guiding me through this amazing experience! In addition they gave complimentary equipment that you can borrow to snorkel freely! If you want an amazing adventure, this is one of them!

The female instructor was very energetic. I was a bit surprised by her high energy in the morning. However, she worked hard to find dolphins, and we were able to see wild dolphins. The snorkeling was also very beautiful.

女性のインストラクターのテンションが高かったです。
朝からテンションが高くて少しびっくりしてしまいました。
でも、イルカを一生懸命探してくれ、野生のイルカを見ることができました。
シュノーケリングもとてもきれいでした。

FAMILY FRIENDLY STAFF, amazing boat, very clean. A once in a life time experience I would recommend to anyone in Hawaii.

At 5:55 AM, we were picked up from various hotels in the dim light. About 30 people participated. We went snorkeling at a relatively calm spot about an hour west using the highway from Waikiki. However, on that day, a cold wave hit Oahu, making it feel like early autumn in Japan, so we paid $10 to wear wetsuits. Thanks to that, I wasn't cold while in the water, but returning to the boat, I was hit by the wind and felt quite chilly.

We sang a song to thank the sea god of Hawaii and prayed for safety, then it was time for our first dive! Everyone headed to the point where wild spinner dolphins were likely resting. The four instructors found the dolphins and shouted, "Swim towards the mountains!" Everyone submerged their faces in the water to search. About ten dolphins swam gracefully beneath us. It was breathtaking!

After returning to the boat and taking a short break, we tried for our second dive! Once again, a group of dolphins passed below us. It was brief, but I got to swim alongside a dolphin about five meters away.

Unfortunately, we didn't encounter any sea turtles or whales, but it was a valuable experience.

*The rating isn't great because this tour requires you to swim actively. In winter, the waves can make you prone to seasickness, and although the website mentioned that "the second floor of the boat is recommended for easier dolphin watching," we were on a regular snorkeling boat with only one level, which swayed a lot due to the waves and wind. Since it was a monitor tour, we had an early morning departure, but if it had been during the day, it might have been warmer and more enjoyable. I don't think I'll participate again.

早朝５：５５　薄暗い中　各ホテルピックアップ。
約３０名近くが参加。
ワイキキから高速道路を利用して西に約1時間の比較的波静かな場所でのシュノーケリングです。
しかし、当日はオワフ島にも寒波が来ており、日本でいうと初秋のような肌寒さがあり、１０ドルを支払いウエットスーツを着用。
おかげさまで、海に入っている時は寒くはありませんでしたが　船に戻ると風をまともに受け、震えるほど寒かったです。
ハワイに伝わる海の神様に感謝と安全をお祈りする歌を歌い、いざ、１本目海へダイブ！
野生のハシナガイルカが休憩しているだろうポイントへ皆でGO！
インストラクター４名が、イルカのいる場所を見つけ「山の方向へ泳げー！」との声に　皆一斉に海面に顔を浸け捜索。
約１０匹ほどのイルカが私たちの下を悠々と泳いでいました。
感動です！

その後、船に戻りしばし休憩後、２本目にトライ！
またまた下の方にイルカの群れが通過。
一瞬でしたが５ｍ程先のイルカと一緒に泳げました。

あいにく、ウミガメやクジラには出会えませんでしたが、貴重な体験をしました。

※評価が良くないのは、ガッツリ自分で泳がないとダメなツアー。
冬の時期は、波があるので船酔いをしやすい点と、HPでは「イルカウォッチングをするならボートの２階が発見しやすくておすすめ。」との記載があり申込みましたが、１階しかない普通のシュノーケリングボートなので波と風を受け、とても揺れます。
モニターツアーなので早朝出発でしたが、日中出発ならもう少し暖かくて楽しめていたかもしれません。
次は参加しないと思います。

After being picked up at the hotel, we traveled by van to the destination with dolphins. During the journey, they provided detailed explanations about the dolphins' ecology, which was very enjoyable. Even for those who are not good swimmers, they lend life jackets, so it's reassuring. We encountered many dolphins and were moved by the sight of them swimming gracefully.

ホテルでピックアップ後、イルカのいる目的地までバンで移動しました。到着までの間もイルカの生態など、詳しく説明してくださりとても楽しかったです。泳ぎが苦手な方でもライフジャケットを貸して頂けるので安心です。たくさんのイルカに遭遇し、優雅に泳いでいる姿を見ることが出来、感動しました。

On the day, I knew that the tide would be high and the sandbar wouldn't appear. However, since I had some free time, I signed up anyway, and it turned out to be great. I think I enjoyed the areas other than the sandbar more. Besides snorkeling with sea turtles, I also had fun paddleboarding.

当日は、潮位が高く、サンドバーが現れないことは分かっていました。
しかし、予定が余ったため、とりあえず申し込んだところとてもよかったです。サンドバー以外のところの方が楽しめると思います。ウミガメとシュノーケルの他、ﾊﾟドルボードにも乗れて楽しかった。

I participated in December, and it was a bit cold, but the sea was beautiful and the scenery was amazing. I was able to see sea turtles, and it was great to see many small fish while snorkeling. It was just a bit cold since it was December.

12月参加で、ちょっと寒かったですがなんと言っても海がキレイで景色が最高でした。海ガメもみれて、シュノーケリングでは小魚もたくさん見れて良かったです。ただ12月だったのでちょっと寒かったです。

We wanted to snorkel with sea turtles and we were not disappointed. Great crew who were very helpful getting us to the right location and then finding the turtles for us. We saw about 8 turtles in all. A wonderful experience.

I'm really glad I participated; it was truly a worthwhile optional tour. I joined with my wife's parents, and I felt a bit anxious on the bus ride to the boat since most of the participants were in their twenties. However, thanks to the consistently kind staff, I realized my worries were unnecessary. I was a bit disappointed to hear during the trip that swimming with dolphins in Hawaii is not allowed (I hadn't gathered this information beforehand), but when we actually spotted dolphins and entered the water, I was able to fully enjoy watching many dolphins swimming gracefully below me. I was very satisfied. The boat was large (it seemed to accommodate over 30 people), and it was comfortable with little rocking. From the moment we spotted the dolphins to the dive, we were guided in an orderly manner without any rush, so I think it's a tour that's reassuring even for beginners.

参加して良かった、本当にそう思えるオプショナルツアーでした。妻の両親と一緒に参加したのですが、参加者が20代で占めている状況に乗船までのバス内では一抹の不安がありました。しかし、終始親切なスタッフの皆様のお陰で無用な心配だと実感できました。ハワイは海中に潜ってイルカと泳ぐのは不可だと道中に聞かされ（事前に情報入手していなかったこともあり）少し残念でしたが、実際にイルカを見つけて海に入ったときには、たくさんのイルカが眼下で気持ち良さそうにゆっくり泳いでいるのを思う存分に愉しむことができたので、大満足でした。船は（30人以上乗船できそうな）大きな船で、揺れも少なく快適でした。イルカ発見からダイブするまでも、慌てることなく順番に案内してもらえたので、初心者でも安心なツアーだと思います。

I experienced this on December 4th. The guide was incredibly nice. It had been raining in Hawaii for a long time, and finally, it cleared up on this day. We were told that it was cold and the chances of seeing a sea turtle were low, so my family and I had given up on that idea, thinking it would be fine just to see various fish. However, miraculously, we were able to encounter one sea turtle! It was truly wonderful. Overall, I was very satisfied because the guide was such a great person!

12月4日に体験しました。
とーっても感じの良いガイドさんでした。
ハワイはずーっと雨が降って居て、この日にやっと晴れてくれました。寒いしウミガメに会える確率は低いよー。と言われ、いろんなお魚に出会えるだけでいっか。なんて家族で断念していましたが、奇跡的に１匹だけ出会うことができました。
ほんとうに、素敵でした。
とにかくガイドさんがとても良い方だったので大満足でした！

The should have better explained the process. An example would have been better. Also, they should have been more encouraging to those who were uneasy in the water and refunded part of the cost if someone was unable to participate, especially since the water was very rough and it was raining.

Unfortunately, it was cold due to the rain and wind, but the fun stories from the crew and the sea turtle that came to greet us at the end made for great memories. Although we could only snorkel on the way there, it was nice that a small sea turtle came as close as 20 centimeters, allowing us to capture it on camera. It would have been perfect if the timing of the low tide had been arranged better. Thank you very much! I would love to participate again if I have the chance!

残念ながら雨と風で寒かったのですが、クルーの方々の楽しいお話や最後にウミガメが挨拶に来てくれたのでいい思い出になりました。
シュノーケリングも往路だけで残念でしたが途中小さなウミガメが20センチまで近づいて来てくれてカメラに収められたのもよかったです。
干潮の時間が上手く合うように組んでもらえたら最高だったかもです。ほんとうにありがとうございました。また機会があればまた参加したいです！

Swimming with dolphins was amazing! I was moved to see a pod of dolphins swimming right below me! I was also glad to meet a sea turtle while snorkeling! The crew members were all fun, and we enjoyed dancing the hula together.

イルカと泳げて最高‼️真下にイルカの群れが泳いでいて感動でした‼️シュノーケルでは海ガメにも会えて良かったです‼️クルーの皆さんも楽しい方ばかりで皆でフラを踊ったり楽しかったです(^O^)

Thank you for your assistance this time.

I felt reassured because I was attended to by Japanese staff.

I was very satisfied as I got to see many dolphins and there were sea turtles as well.

Unfortunately, it was rainy and very cold in the second half, but

that too is a good memory.

I look forward to working with you again.

この度はお世話になりました。

日本人スタッフが対応していただいたので安心しました。

イルカもたくさん見れて、ウミガメもいたので大満足です。

あいにくの雨で後半、すごく寒かったけど

それもまたいい思い出です。

またよろしくお願い致します。

I chose this tour after reading the other reviews and we were definitely not disappointed. The good reviews are all true. Dan is very experienced and friendly. He is very patient and kind with beginners and answered all our questions. The hour long snorkel is definitely enough time. This is a excellent tour for both beginners and experienced snorkelers. We saw so a huge variety of fish and the whole experience met and exceeded our expectations. Thank you Dan for a great day. We recommend you and your company without any hesitation.