Oahu
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。
It was well beyond my expectations food great views great, fireworks great, hawaiian dancing great. Well worth the money. Staff very friendly
I only remember it being very cold and tough because I went in January. Even though it's Hawaii, I definitely don't recommend going in the middle of winter. I think it would be a lot of fun during warmer times!
1月に行ったためかとても寒く辛かったという記憶しかないです。。ハワイと言えど真冬はやはりお勧めしません。暖かい時期であればとても楽しいと思います!
It is a family-friendly water park!!
My friend and I enjoyed it a lot.
There are various types of water slides.
I wish there were more variety of food!
Everything else was good
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。
Loved it my kids got a chance to see dolphins, flying fish and whales several times!!! Absolutely worth the price and more!!!!
I had been interested in the sandbar for a while and decided to sign up! It was great that there was a pickup near the hotel, but I was confused at first because the person who came to pick me up was a woman, not Captain Bob. After about a 50-minute drive, we arrived at the marina, and it was just a short boat ride from there to the sandbar! Since it’s a bay, there were no waves, and even though I usually get seasick, I was fine this time without any motion sickness medication! We passed by a sea turtle spot on the way to the sandbar and were lucky enough to see sea turtles! I heard that if you're lucky, you can also see a school of manta rays, but we weren't able to encounter them, which was a bit disappointing! Since it was December, I was worried about the cold water, but we were blessed with clear sunny weather and had a great time at the sandbar! I definitely think it's a must-do when you go to Hawaii! Our guide, Yuki, was Japanese, very humorous, and incredibly attentive, which made the experience even better!
サンドバーに前から興味があって申し込みました! Hotel近くでpickupでよかったのですが、迎えにきた人がキャプテンbobじゃなく女の人だったので 最初わからなかったです。 車で50分ほどでマリーナに
到着して、そこから船で少しいくとすぐ到着しました! 湾なので波がなく普段 船酔いする自分ですが今回は酔い止め薬が無くて大丈夫でした! サンドバーまでウミガメスポットを通りバッチリウミガメに逢えました! 運が良いとマンタの群れにも会えるみたいですが、自分たちは遭遇できなかったです!残念! 12月ということもあり、海の水が冷たく心配していましたが無事に晴天に晴天に恵まれサンドバーを
満喫できました! ハワイに
行ったら絶対行ったほうがいいと思います! ガイドのユキさんが日本人でとてもユーモアたっぷりで 凄く気がきく人で良かったです!
I'd like to sorry upfront for my candid feedbacks.
My main objective is to watch the whale; however, there was no whale to watch. The captain tried to raise the expectation of tour participants with somehow false alert such as "01 mile away from whales"... but at the end, no one could sense any whale signals. Even though, the Cruise offered other time to watch the whale, for foreign travellers like me, this is not a genuine gesture - it will be difficult for us to spend another trip to Hawaii for another Whale Watch Cruise. Thus, I suggest it should say that "the Cruise will go around Honolulu in an attempt to find whale, but chance to see whale depends on different factors. If you cannot see whale, take it easy and enjoy the sightseeing..." or something like that.
Lunch will be another area for improvement as the listed dishes are far away from similar one in other normal restaurants.
Other than the above, the trip can be a nice memory when participants can enjoy the beautiful landscape of Honolulu from the Ocean.
The day before, I was worried about whether the event would take place and if we could even go into the water, as a typhoon was passing near Oahu. However, on the day of the event, the weather was clear after the typhoon, and we just needed to check the sea conditions. There were no cancellation notices, so we headed to the meeting point.
The meeting point was the last bus pickup, but the bus was over 15 minutes late, and there was no communication or tour desk, which made me anxious about whether the event would be canceled. Eventually, when I called the tour company, they said, "The bus will arrive in about 5 minutes." When I shared this with others waiting for the same tour, they seemed relieved. (If delays happen frequently, I hope they can review the schedule, and if there are delays, I wish there was a way to communicate that at the tour desk. It's unsettling to just wait in a foreign country.)
I had prepared for the bus ride by dressing warmly, as I had read in reviews that it could be cold, so it wasn't too chilly. After arriving at the port, we boarded the boat and set sail! The boat was comfortable and didn't rock at all.
Onboard, the crew provided explanations (in both English and Japanese), which was reassuring. First, we arrived at the sandbar and enjoyed the shallow waters. The water was colder than I expected, but after a while, it became fun. Given the season and time, the water was about knee-deep, and it felt more like a shallow area in the ocean rather than a sandbar.
The crew set up a beach volleyball net, but the Japanese participants didn't seem to play much. I think it would be more enjoyable if they did. After that, we had a BBQ on the boat. The captain grilled the BBQ, and it was delicious!
Then, the boat took us to a spot where we could see turtles. Luckily, we were able to see many turtles. According to the crew, this area was a filming location for many movies (like Pirates of the Caribbean and Jurassic Park), which might be exciting for movie fans.
Finally, we went to the snorkeling area. We swam close enough to the coral reef that we could almost reach it (but we shouldn't touch it). After that, we returned to the port and took the bus back to the original meeting point.
It was a very satisfying tour. With a Japanese guide available, I think those who are not confident in English can feel at ease.
前日は、オアフ島のそばを台風が通過し開催そのものや、海の中に入れるか不安でしたが
当日は台風一過というのか、空は快晴であとは海のコンディションだけでしたが、特にキャンセルの連絡もなかったので集合場所へ。
集合場所は、バスのピックアップの最後だったのですが、15分以上バスが遅刻し、特に連絡もツアーデスクもないので開催されないのか、不安でした。
結局ツアー会社に電話したら「あと5分ほどで到着する」と回答。周りに同じツアーに参加する人にも伝えると安心していたようでした。(遅延が毎回なら時間スケジュールの見直しをしてほしいですし、遅延している場合はツアーデスクなどにその連絡ができるようにしてほしいです。外国でただ待たされるのは心細いです。)
事前にバスの中は寒いと体験談にあったので、厚着して準備していたので、そこまで寒くはなかったです。
港に到着後船に乗船。出航!
船は揺れることもなく、快適でした。
船の上ではクルーによる説明がされ(英語チームと日本語チーム)るので安心です。
まずは、サンドバーに到着し浅瀬で楽しみます。水が思ったより冷たいですが、しばらくすると楽しくなります。季節・時間的にひざ下くらいで、サンドバーというよりは沖の中にある浅瀬という感じでした。
クルーはビーチバレーのネットを用意してくれたのですが日本人はあまり遊んでいませんでした。もっと遊んでも楽しいと思います
その後船の上でBBQ。キャプテンが焼いたBBQをおいしくいただきました!
そして、船はカメの見えるスポットへ。ラッキーにもカメはたくさん見ることができました。
クルーの説明によると、このあたりは多くの映画(パイレーツ・オブ・カリビアン、ジェラシックパーク)のロケがあった場所らしく、映画ファンならうれしいかも。
最後は、シュノーケルエリアへ。珊瑚礁が手がのばせば届きそうなくらい近いところで泳ぎました。(触ってはだめです)
そのあと帰港。バスで元の集合場所へ帰りました。
とても満足のツアーでした。
日本語のガイドもあるので、英語が苦手でも安心だと思います。
My first luau and it was such fun great food and entertainment I learnt how to do the hula and even got up on stage the chief is so funny too
I suggest getting a deluxe package it's so worth it I went alone and had a great time, staff are very friendly aswell
This was the best way to see Pearl Harbor! Our Driver, Larry, was wonderful... Funny, very knowledgeable, and helpful. I recommend that you purchase the Battleship Missouri ticket with your tour, it was excellent.
I booked a sandbar day tour on this site! The sandbar had water up to my knees, but since everyone loves the sea, we didn't mind and had a great time♡ Beach volleyball too♡ After that, we went turtle watching! I thought it might be difficult, but there were way more than I expected!! Snorkeling and jumping in were fun too! The staff were polite and friendly! I had a 2-year-old with me, but the staff took care of us, and we were able to fully enjoy snorkeling! Thank you☆ I would like to use this service again.
こちらのサイトでサンドバー1日ツアーを申し込みました!
サンドバーはヒザまで海水だったけど、みんな海が好きなので気にしなかったし楽しめた♡
ビーチバレーも♡
その後にウミガメウォッチング!
難しいかなと思ってたら予想以上にたくさんいました!!
シュノーケルも飛び込みも楽しかった!
スタッフも丁寧で気さくな方々でした!
2歳子供連れでしたけど、スタッフが見てくださり、シュノーケル満喫できました!
ありがとうございます☆
また、こちらで利用したいです。
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 December, we went on a trip to Hawaii. Since we wanted to do something special that can only be done at this time of year, we participated in a whale watching tour as a couple. The weather was clear with a beautiful blue sky. We got into the pickup car in front of the hotel and headed to the port. That day, we were the only participants, making it a private cruise. The three staff members were all friendly, allowing us to enjoy the experience with peace of mind. Since the season had just started, there were reportedly very few whales, but shortly after departure, we spotted two whales! Their tails were distinctly whale-shaped, and even from a distance, I was moved to see a whale for the first time. Following the whales, a cute sea turtle appeared in front of the boat. Then, a pod of dolphins showed up! They swam energetically around the boat, having a great time. We were also captivated by the beauty of Honolulu's cityscape and beaches from the sea. It was a very enjoyable cruise. On the boat, there were drinks like juice and alcohol, as well as snacks and fruit, making for a comfortable experience.
12月のハワイ旅行。せっかくならこの時季しかできない事を、ということで夫婦でこのホエールウォッチングに参加しました。当日は快晴の気持ちいい青空。ホテル前から迎えの車に乗り込んで港へと向かいました。その日はちょうど参加者が自分達だけで、まさにプライベートクルーズ。3名のスタッフは皆親切で、安心して楽しむことができました。まだシーズンが始まったばかりだったため、クジラはかなり少ないとのことでしたが、出港してほどなく2匹のクジラが!尾ひれはまさにクジラの形で、遠目でしたが初めて見るクジラに感動しました。クジラに続いて船の前には可愛らしい海亀が登場。さらに、今度はイルカの群れが!しばらく楽しそうに船の周りをバシャバシャと元気に泳いでいました。そして、海から見るホノルルの街並みやビーチの美しさにもしばし感動。とても楽しいクルーズになりました。船では、ジュースやアルコール等の飲物の他、スナックや果物もあり、快適に過ごすことができました。
The Five Star Cruise was a wonderful way to watch the Friday fireworks. The staff were great and the food was superb. It was well worth opting for the 5 star option. A must when you are on holiday, especially on the extended Friday cruise.
I made this booking at the last minute because my best friend from Ukraine was visiting Honolulu.
The reservation was made late at night and confirmed promptly by 8AM the following morning.
The 3 man boat crew was very polite and friendly which was fantastic. The boat and the head were clean. No complaints there.
I had made the booking with the obvious intention of viewing whales. But Mother Nature had other plans. We spent the full duration of the ride seeing just blue water, small fish and the occasional airplane flying overhead. Relaxing, but not what we had come to see.
I was very pleased that the company which provides this service has a policy regarding cruises that do not encounter any whales. Because we did not see any whales, the boat captain provided us with a voucher allowing us to take another whale watching cruise with the company at no charge. I will certainly be seeing them again soon.
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。
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。
Great time! A must do if you visit Hawaii. Chief Cielu is hilarious and the dancers are amazing!
Since it was December, the water was a bit cold when I went in. I saw a sea turtle. For breakfast, I only had a sandwich and taco chips. Considering that, the price was a bit high... Still, I was able to take some beautiful photos with a lovely view, so I’ll give it four stars. Also, I couldn’t see anything while snorkeling. The time was limited as well. I wouldn’t recommend going there for snorkeling purposes.
12月なので、海に入ると若干寒かったです。海がめのみれました。朝食はサンドイッチとタコスチップスのみ。それにしては料金が高めかな…。それでも、素敵な景色と写真が撮れたので、星4つにしておきます。
あと、シュノーケリングは何も見えませんでした。時間もわずか。シュノーケリング目的で行くことはおすすめしません。
I was able to see many sea turtles. However, the weather was unfortunate and it was cold. A hoodie might be essential depending on the situation. It seems that the tide changes depending on the season and time of day. This time, the tide was low up to my knees. The tour guide was lively and pleasant.
神様(ウミガメ)はたくさん見れました。ですが、あいにくの天気で、寒かったです。パーカーは場合によっては必需品でしょう。季節や時間帯によっては潮の引き具合が変わる模様。今回は膝下までの引きでした。ツアコンさんは元気な方で感じ良いです。
It was a beautiful day with great weather and a lovely ocean! There were many high school students, probably on a school trip, having fun playing beach volleyball. We wanted to join in, but... (laughs) However, it was a bit dangerous as we had to dodge the balls around us. My husband actually got hit by one and looked like it hurt^^; But more than that, the ocean was beautiful, we saw turtles while cruising, and snorkeling at the coral reef was wonderful! The BBQ for lunch was also very delicious! It might have been a bit crowded with so many people?? I guess we just happened to be there with the school trip students...
いいお天気で、海も綺麗ですばらしい一日をすごすことが出来ました!!修学旅行中?の高校生もたくさんおり、ビーチバレーをしていて楽しそうでした。私たちも参加したかったですが・・・(笑)でも、ちょっと周囲はボールを避けたりして危なかったですかね?実際主人もボールがあたって痛そうにしてました^^;でも、それ以上に海は綺麗し、クルージング中にカメも見れたし、さんご礁でのシュノケーリングも、ステキでした!お昼のBBQもとっても美味しかったです!!少し人が多いのが大変かな??たまたま修学旅行生と一緒になったのだろうけど・・
Most of the participants were newlyweds and young people, but we older folks had a great time as well. My wife, who is a big fan of the ocean and swimming, was particularly moved, saying, "I swam with a sea turtle!" We will definitely participate again if we have the chance.
新婚さんや若い方の参加者がほとんどでしたが、私たち熟年も十分楽しめました。
特に妻は、海と水泳大好きおばさんなので「ウミガメと一緒に泳いだよ」と感動してました。
また、機会が有れば参加します。
Driver was fantastic. Got us in early which worked out as the tours were shut due to wind after ours. Had a lot to show us around town as well.
This was my first time in Hawaii, and I wanted to see dolphins and sea turtles, so I signed up for an optional tour. The email correspondence and responses leading up to the day were quick, which made us, as first-time participants, feel very reassured and excited.
The meeting place on-site was easy to find, and the bus guide called out our names, so there were no issues until we gathered.
Regarding the tour, we were unable to see any dolphins. We had high expectations of seeing dolphins based on the tour name, but it was just a cruising experience. When I asked the locals, they mentioned that dolphins are rarely seen in the evening because it gets dark, making it difficult to spot them. While this is part of the wild experience, it was a bit disappointing.
The snorkeling was great, as there was a Japanese guide who taught us very thoroughly. We were able to see a lot of fish, which was nice.
As for the food, the variety was limited, and it felt more like a light snack than dinner. I think there are some areas for improvement in the tour content, but the staff from the tour company and the locals were very kind, so I would like to rely on them again when I visit Hawaii next time.
今回初めてのハワイでイルカと海ガメはみたいと思い、オプションツアーに申し込みをしました。
当日までのメールのやり取りや対応は素早く、初めて申し込む私たちは大変安心をして心待ちにしておりました。
現地での集合場所も分かりやすく、バスガイドの方も名前を呼んでくれたため、集合までは特に申し分ありませんでした。
ツアーに関してですが、イルカは見ることはできませんでした。ツアー名からイルカを見れる期待がありましたが、ただクルージングしてるだけでした。現地の方に聞くと夕方はイルカはほとんど見れないみたいです。夕方だと暗くなるので探すのが難しいみたいです。野生ならではでありますが、ちょっと残念でした。
シュノーケリングは、日本人のガイドさんもいて大変丁寧に教えていたたぎました。魚がたくさん見れたので良かったです。
ご飯に関しては種類は少なく、ディナーと言うより軽食でした。
ツアー内容に関しては多少改善していただけるともっといいのになと思うことはありますが、ツアー企画会社の方や現地の方は大変親切でしたので、またハワイに行くときはお世話になりたいなと思います。
I was looking forward to the whale watching. On the day of the tour, we were blessed with clear skies and headed to the pickup location with high expectations. When we arrived, the person who greeted us was a woman who couldn't speak Japanese, but when I communicated that I couldn't speak English, she explained everything multiple times using gestures and slow pronunciation. We headed to the port in one car with another Western couple. As a result, there were only four of us on this day’s optional tour. It was quite nerve-wracking to be the only Japanese people, just my husband and I, among the staff and participants, but the staff was very friendly and quickly eased our worries. As soon as we set sail, they served us drinks and light snacks. With the clear weather, I was first moved by the blue sea and sky, the horizon stretching endlessly, and when I looked back, I could see Honolulu across the sea, which was breathtaking. Along the way, a pod of dolphins swam alongside the boat for a while, and we took lots of photos and videos. Since it was just the beginning of the whale watching season, we didn’t encounter any whales, but the private feel of the cruising experience was more than worth the cost of the optional tour. (Of course, they also provided us with a re-boarding ticket for the same season.) During the cruise, they kindly lent me a jacket when they saw I was cold from the wind, took photos for us, and offered us drinks before we even finished the previous ones. Their attentive service was truly exceptional.
楽しみにしていたホエールウォッチング。当日は快晴に恵まれて期待してピックアップ場所に向かいました。ピックアップ場所に現れたのは日本語が伝わらない女性でしたが、こちらも英語が話せないことを伝えると、身振り手振りとゆっくりとした発音で何度も説明してくれました。港へは別の西洋人カップル?と一台の車で向かいました。結果、この日のオプショナルツアー体験者はこの四人だけでした。スタッフも体験者も含めて日本人が私達夫婦二人だけという大変不安な船出でしたが、スタッフの方も大変気さくに話してくださりすぐに不安も無くなりました。出港するとすぐに飲み物と軽食を出してくれました。快晴ということもあり、青い海と空にまず感動、海の先はどこまでも続く水平線、後ろをみると海越しのホノルル、それだけでも感動でした。途中、イルカの群れがしばらく船と一緒に泳いでくれて写真や動画をとりまくりました。ホエールウォッチングのシーズンが始まったばかりということもあり、ホエールには出会うことができませんでしたが、プライベート感抜群のクルージングだけでオプショナルツアー代金以上の感動でした。(もちろん同シーズンの再乗船券はくれました)クルーズ中、風で寒がっている私を見て上着を貸してくれたり、写真を撮ってくれたり飲み物が飲み終わらないうちに次の飲み物をすすめてくれたり本当に手厚い対応をしてくださいました。
I participated in a lunch tour. It was a bit cold, but luckily I was able to swim with turtles, which made me very satisfied. The sandbar had water up to my knees, but the clarity wasn't that great. The hamburger for lunch was also delicious.
ランチのツアーに参加しました。少し寒かったですが、運良くカメと泳ぐことができ大満足でした。サンドバーは膝くらいの水量でしたが透明度はそこまでではなかったです。ランチのハンバーガーも美味しかった。