Oahu
Since it was my first winter trip to Hawaii in a while, I signed up for whale watching. Although I didn't see any whales, I did see rainbows twice. I was also moved to encounter a large pod of dolphins. I believe it was likely due to the tour company's consideration that they changed the course for us.
久しぶりの冬のハワイ旅行だったのでホエールウォッチングに申し込みました。
ホエールは見れなかったのですが、レインボーが2回。
あとイルカの大群に会え感動しました。
恐らくツアー会社の方の計らいでコースを変更してくださったのではないかと思っています。
Thank you very much for joining our cruise.
We are sorry that you were unable to observe any whales.
Please do come back and try again.
All of our staff are looking forward to welcoming you.
Star of Honolulu
この度は私共のクルーズにお越し頂き、誠に有難うございました。
鯨は観測いただけず、残念に思います。
是非またチャレンジしにいらして下さい。
スタッフ一同お待ち申し上げております。
スターオブホノルル
I was really looking forward to my first whale watching experience, but I was a bit disappointed that we didn't see much. I understand it's nature, so it's unavoidable... However, the staff were very focused on taking photos for sale and occupied the best viewing spots. With so many people on the boat, if you miss out on a good spot, it feels like you're just sitting on the boat for hours without seeing anything. It was just cold, so I recommend being well-prepared for the cold weather.
ホエールウォッチングに初参加で楽しみにしていたのですが、
こんなにも見れないのかと少しガッカリでした。自然の生き物なので仕方がないですが…。
ただ、スタッフの方々は、販売用の写真を撮るのに必死で一番見やすい場所を陣取っているし、
船に乗っている人数も多いので、場所取りに失敗すると、何もせずにただ何時間も船に乗っているだけという感じでした。
ただただ寒く、防寒対策は万全にしていくのがおススメです。
I couldn't see any whales, but that's just how nature is, so there's nothing to be done about it. However, they said they would distribute tickets for the next time, yet there was no further information provided. It feels bad to get the impression that they think, "They're just tourists, so they won't come back." If that's the case, they shouldn't have said anything from the beginning.
Alternatively, they need to come up with some creative pricing strategies for cruises, like the icebreaker boats in Hokkaido, otherwise, it gives off a feeling of being left hanging because it's a foreign country. I wanted to see whales, but I should have gone to Okinawa instead. What a shame. The tour company really needs to think this through.
鯨に会えなかったの自然任せだからしょうがないけど、次回のチケット配ると言いながら、何も案内なし。
「旅行客だから、もう来ないだろう」みたいな感じが気分悪い。
それなら、初めから言わなきゃいいのに。
または北海道の流氷船みたいに、クルーズの場合の料金設定をする等の工夫しないと、異国だから的なやりっぱなし感広がるよ。
鯨見たかったけど、沖縄にすればよかった。
残念。
ツアー会社も考えなきゃダメよ。
Thank you very much for joining our cruise.
We are very sorry that you were unable to observe whales this time.
Regarding the reboarding ticket, we do announce on board in cases where observations are not made, but we sincerely apologize that this information did not reach you.
We will share your comments internally and strive for improvements in the future.
Thank you for your valuable feedback.
Star of Honolulu
この度は私共のクルーズにお越し頂き誠に有難うございました。
今回鯨を観測頂けなかった事、大変残念に思います。
再乗船券に付きましては、観測できなかった場合、船上でアナウンスをいたしておりますが、
ご案内が伝わず、大変申し訳ございません。
頂きましたコメントは社内で共有させて頂き、今後の改善に努めさせて頂きます。
貴重なご意見有難うございました。
スターオブホノルル
Unfortunately, it was cold weather for snorkeling though tour itself was well coordinated.
And my image of sandbar was less water like land.
I want to try it again in warmer season.
We boarded with six family members. The weather was great, and we were impressed by the view of Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head from the sea! Unfortunately, we didn't see any whales, but the cruise was enjoyable. If whales don't appear, those who want to try again can receive a free reboarding ticket. If you have the time, it might be nice to go again!
家族6人で乗船しました。
お天気も良くて、海から見るワイキキビーチとダイヤモンドベッドに感激しました!
残念ながらクジラは見られませんでしたがクルーズは楽しかったです。
クジラが現れず、もう一度トライしたい方は、無料で再乗船のチケットがもらえます。
時間がある方はまた乗ってみても良いかもです!
The weather was great on the day, and I was able to see whales about 10 times! There weren't too many people, so I was able to relax and enjoy it to the fullest!
当日は天気も良く10回程度クジラを見ることが出来ました!また人もそこまで多くなく、ゆったり過ごせたので最高でした!!
This time, we were unable to encounter any whales. Our schedule was packed during this trip, so we couldn't take advantage of the reboarding guarantee. Our next trip is planned for October, which is the off-season, but if we have another opportunity, we'll try again!
今回は、クジラに遭遇することが出来ませんでした。
今回の旅行では、日程も詰まっていたので、再乗船の保証も利用できず、次回の予定は10月なので、シーズンオフ、また機会があれば再挑戦!
Thank you very much for joining our cruise. We are very sorry that you were unable to observe any whales this time and that you did not have the opportunity to use your reboarding ticket. We hope you will come back and try again. All of our staff are looking forward to welcoming you back.
Star of Honolulu
この度は私共のクルーズにお越し頂き、誠に有難うございました。
今回は鯨を観測いただけず、また再乗船券をお使い頂く、機会もなかったとの事、大変残念に思います。
是非またチャレンジしにいらして下さい。
スタッフ一同お待ち申し上げております。
スターオブホノルル
I participated in an early morning tour. On the bus ride there, the instructions were explained very clearly and cheerfully, and they taught us pressure points for motion sickness, which made the journey enjoyable. I tend to get motion sickness easily, so even with the pressure points and medication, I still felt sick. However, I was lucky that day to see both dolphins and sea turtles! Although we were told not to chase the dolphins, they actually approached us, and we had to move aside (laughs). Even when the dolphins were out of sight, I could hear their calls when I put my ears to the water, which felt quite mysterious. The sea turtles were far away, but I was still moved to see them. I couldn't eat the hamburger at the time because I was feeling sick, but it was delicious when I had it after returning home. I didn't bring much money, so I was disappointed that I couldn't order the photo data. Overall, it was a satisfying experience, and if I have the chance, I would like to participate again while enduring the motion sickness.
朝早いツアーに参加しました。
行きのバスの中では注意事項などとても明るくわかりやすく説明していただき、酔い止めのツボなど教えていただき楽しく移動できました。
私はとても酔いやすいのでツボを押しても、酔い止めを飲んでも酔ってしまいましたが、その日は幸運でイルカもウミガメも会うことができました!
イルカは追っかけてはいけないとのことでしたが、イルカの方から近づいてきてくれてこちらがよけるほどでした(笑)イルカの姿が見えなくても耳を海面に入れると近い時には鳴き声が聞こえていることがわかり不思議な感じでした。
ウミガメは遠かったですがちゃんとみれて感動しました。
ハンバーガーは酔っていたのでその時は食べられませんでしたが、帰宅してから食べたらおいしかったです。
お金をほとんど持って行かなかったので、写真のデータを申し込むことが出来ず残念でした。
トータルで満足できる内容で機会があれば船酔いに耐えながらまた参加したいです。
Due to heavy snow in Narita, my trip to Hawaii was cut short by one day. It was a pretty intense two days, but I think I was able to enjoy my time in Hawaii. I had actually booked a sunset cruise for the first day, but unfortunately, due to the flight cancellation and delays, I couldn't change it, and it was treated as a cancellation without any refund, which was really disappointing. It felt like my excitement was taken away.
And finally, I enrolled in Dolphin University! I heard there might be times when we can't meet the dolphins, which made me a bit anxious.
Now, we're on the boat! Departure! Shortly after we set sail, we spotted a whale spouting water, and then we got a message from the dolphin watching crew: "There they are! So many dolphins!" I think there were over 30 of them! They kept diving into the sea, and I was able to swim with them! It was so exciting! There were also mother and baby dolphins! We swam for quite a long time!
Next, we quickly found dolphins again, so we went snorkeling! The sea was beautiful! Wow! The turtle swam among us without being scared and popped up for air to say hello. I heard that touching it would incur a $70 fine!
What could have been a disastrous trip to Hawaii turned into an exhilarating experience, and I'm so grateful for that! You absolutely have to go! I highly recommend it!
成田大雪の為欠航になり、1日少ないハワイ旅行となりました。
かなりハードな2日間でしたがハワイ旅行満喫出来たかな〜
本当は初日サンセットクルージングも予約していたのですが残念ながら欠航遅延で変更も出来ずキャンセル扱いにもならず勿論返金も無くガッカリでした。
楽しみが奪われる〜〜
そしていよいよイルカ大学に入学‼️
イルカに逢えない事もあると聞きまた不安がー
いよいよ船上❗️出航
出航間もなくクジラ潮吹いているー次にはイルカウォッチングクルーから連絡‼️いた〜イルカいっぱい❗️あれは30以上いたかなー
次々海にダイブイルカ一緒に泳げたよ‼️大興奮‼️親子イルカもいたよー!かなり永い時間泳げたよ❗️さあ次はイルカが直ぐに見つける事が出来たのでシュノーケリング‼️海綺麗❗️ワォ‼️カメちゃん人を怖がらず人の間を泳ぎ息継ぎこんにちは
触ったら70ドルの罰金だとか!
散々なハワイ旅行✈️になる所大興奮なハワイにしてくれて感謝‼️
絶対行ってみて❗️おすすめですよ。
Aloha, Anko,
Thank you for participating in Dolphin University! We are all very happy that you were able to have the experience of meeting Dr. Whale, Dr. Dolphin, and Professor Turtle, which is not something you can easily do in Japan. The weather was great, and we are grateful that you could enjoy the beauty of the ocean!
You can also swim with manta rays on the Big Island! If you have the opportunity, please try another new experience.
Mahalo, Dolphin Office
Aloha, あんこ様
この度はイルカ大学にご参加いただきありがとうございました!
クジラ大先生、イルカ先生、カメ大教授にも会えるという
日本ではなかなか体験できない経験をしていただけて、スタッフ一同嬉しい限りです^^/
天気も良く、海の綺麗さも感じていただけて我々も感謝です!!
ハワイ島ではマンタと泳ぐこともできますよ!
機会があればぜひまた新たな経験をしてみてください♩
Mahalo イルカオフィス
The weather wasn't very good, and we couldn't see any whales at all. The constant chatter in English became increasingly annoying, and when it was clear there were no whales, they even started making up false claims like "Look, something at 5 o'clock!" It turned into the worst way to pass the time. While it's understandable since we are dealing with nature, it was truly disappointing! I was really let down.
お天気もあまり良くなく全くクジラは観ることができませんでした。
しゃべりっぱなしの英語の声がだんだん煩わしく耳障りになり、クジラがいないとわかるとわざと5時の方向に何かが!みたいな嘘の煽りまでする始末で最悪の時間つぶしになりました。自然が相手なので仕方ないとはいえ本当に残念!がっかりでした。
Thank you very much for joining our cruise.
We are very sorry that you were unable to observe any whales this time.
We will share your comments regarding the naturalist's announcements internally and use them to improve in the future.
Thank you for your valuable feedback.
Star of Honolulu
この度は私共のクルーズにお越し頂き、誠に有難うございました。
今回、鯨を観測いただけませんでした事、大変残念に思います。
ナチュラリストのアナウンスに付きまして頂きましたコメントは社内で共有させて頂き、
今後の改善に役立たせて頂きます。
貴重なご意見有難うございました。
スターオブホノルル
It was a stylish large cruise ship with little rocking, and even with a one-year-old, we were comfortable without any seasickness. Most importantly, I was thrilled to see the spouting, body, and tail perfectly.
オシャレな船内の大きな客船で、揺れも少なく、1歳児連れでしたが船酔いもなく快適でした。
そして何より、潮吹きも体も尻尾もバッチリ見れて感激しました
This time, since there were four of us, we didn't use the shuttle service and took a taxi instead. It was just a little over $15, maybe not even $20.
I've participated before, but this time I was able to see it up close. I enjoyed being able to view Waikiki Beach from the sea, and it felt like a mix of whale watching and cruising. We even saw a rainbow, which was amazing.
今回は友人と4人だったので、送迎付きにせずタクシーで向かいました。
15$ちょっとだったかな?20$もかからないです。
以前にも参加したことがあるのですが、今回は間近で見れました。
ワイキキビーチを海から眺めることができて、ホエールウォッチングとクルージングみたいな感じで楽しめました。虹も見れて最高でした。
Thank you very much for boarding with us. We are very pleased to hear that you enjoyed your experience. We sincerely look forward to welcoming you aboard again when you visit Hawaii.
この度はご乗船頂きまして、誠に有難うございます。楽しめて頂けたご様子で、私共も大変嬉しく思っております。またハワイにお越しの際には、ご乗船頂けますよう、スタッフ一同心よりお待ち申し上げます。
Onboard, I enjoyed a buffet with roast beef and was able to relax on the sofa while watching several whales. The air conditioning was a bit strong, so it might be cold if you're wearing short sleeves and shorts. I would love to board again if I have the chance.
快適な船内で、ローストビーフなどのブッフェが楽しめて、ソファでくつろぎながらクジラが何頭も見れました。冷房が少し強いので、半袖短パンだと寒いかもしれないです。
また機会があれば乗船したいです。
The sandbar, which was also used for filming Pirates of the Caribbean, is a place I wanted to visit in the best condition! I predicted the tidal conditions in Kaneohe Bay, hoping that the sandbar might appear, and decided to join the trip with that expectation.
The result was a complete disappointment. Not only was there no sandbar, but I was a bit disheartened to find the water up to my thighs.
However, there’s no doubt that the sea was beautiful, and the strange sensation of being in shallow water despite being offshore was nice.
I didn’t join without doing any research; I had considered the worst-case scenario, so while I was disappointed, I still had a good time.
Just a note, January in Hawaii can get cold when the sun goes behind the clouds! I was shivering while wrapped in a towel on the boat.
The hamburger for lunch tasted especially good, probably because I had it on the boat.
For those thinking of participating, I believe you’ll be satisfied if you join with the mindset of just wanting to see the beautiful sea, without too much expectation.
パイレーツオブカリビアンの撮影にも使用されたというサンドバー。最高の状態で行ってみたい!と思い、カネオヘ湾の潮の状態を予測し、もしかしたらサンドバーが現れるかも!と期待して参加しました。
結果は、惨敗でした。サンドバーどころか、太ももまで漬かるレベルで少しガッカリ。
でも、綺麗な海である事は間違いなく、沖合いにも関わらず浅瀬という不思議な感覚は、良かったと思っています。
何も調べずに参加した訳ではなく、最悪のケースも想定して行ったので、ガッカリではありますが充分楽しめました。
ただ、1月のハワイは太陽が陰ると寒い!ブルブル震えながら船の上でタオルに包まれてました。
ランチのハンバーガーは、船の上で頂いたからか、とても美味しく感じました。
これから参加しようと思っている方は、期待しずぎず、綺麗な海を見に行く感覚で参加されたら満足されると思います。
I participated in a tour on the morning of January 22.
The flow of the tour is simply as follows:
1. Sandbar walk
We got off the boat at a spot where the water was waist-deep and walked. During this season, it can be cold if the sun isn't shining, and the sea doesn't look very beautiful when it's cloudy.
2. Light meal
A buffet on the boat with bread, salad, and fruits. The taste was average.
3. Snorkeling
After a lecture on how to wear the mask, how to breathe, and precautions about the coral, we swam for about 20 minutes. We saw beautiful fish and coral, but there were no turtles.
4. Free time
Time to play freely using bodyboards and floaties. However, it was cold, and many people went back up to the boat. Those who didn't participate in snorkeling were taken on a cruise during this time.
Overall assessment:
- The staff's response was top-notch.
- When it's cloudy, the sea is not beautiful at all and it's cold.
Considering the price, tips, and the season, it felt about right.
1/22の朝からのツアーに参加してきました。
ツアーの流れは、簡単には以下の通り。
①サンドバーウォーク
腰の高さの位置までの場所で船から降り、歩く。この時期だと陽が当たらないと寒く、曇りだと対して海が綺麗に見えない。
②軽食
船の上でパン、サラダ、フルーツなどのブッフェ。味は普通。
③シュノーケル
マスクの付け方、呼吸の仕方、サンゴの注意点などのレクチャーの後、20分程度平泳ぎ。綺麗な魚とサンゴが見れました。亀はいませんでした。
④フリータイム
ボディーボード、浮き輪などを使って自由に遊ぶ時間。ただ、寒くて船の上に上がる人が多い。シュノーケルに参加してない人は、ここでクルーズに連れて行ってもらえた。
総評
・スタッフの対応は最高レベル
・曇りだと、海が全然綺麗じゃない&寒い
価格とチップ、時期を考えると、こんなもんかなぁという感じでした。
Aloha! Thank you very much for uploading the detailed report about the Captain Bruce's Paradise of the Sea tour. It's really unfortunate that the weather wasn't perfect this time. Please come back again! We will be waiting with the sea turtles. Mahalo!
アロハ!キャプテンブルース天国の海ツアーです。詳細なレポートをアップして頂き本当にありがとうございます。
今回はお天気がパーフェクトでなくて本当に残念でしたね。またぜひ!遊びにいらして下さいね。ウミガメと共にお待ちしております。マハロ!
I went on the shuttle bus knowing that the bay was beautiful from above. Quick however thorough instructions on the equipment. Once you get used to it the beauty you find in the clear waters are amazing. After this outing everything was stress free for me. All I can say is if you can swim you had not miss this.
We had a thoroughly delightful evening. We had the all you can eat crab and purchased 1 bottle of wine.
The show was lovely and enthusiastically done. The tour and the meal was very well organized. This is a must do in Honolulu...
Staff is great! Food is good and grilled on the boat. Bring water with you.
We wanted to save time but not transfer hotels so we booked a day trip to Kona from Oahu. It was an excellent overall experience. We were picked up on time but I'm not sure why it was so early because we waited a couple hours before the flight. Unfortunately, after boarding we had to board another plane due to mechanical problems. This made us too late to keep the 9 am helicopter appointment. We were able to rebook for 3:30 but this meant that we missed the last part of the land tour. The lunch was nice and we didn't mind missing the hike into the back country. Our driver was okay but a little irritable. The helicopter tour was exciting and gave us an entirely different perspective of the island. Once back at the airport we had to wait more than 2 hours for the flight. Not sure why these day trips are set up this way. It makes for a longer day than should be necessary.
We participated as a pair, and since it was written that if we wrote a review of over 200 characters after the experience during the campaign period, one person would be free, we decided immediately!!
The bus arrived quite late compared to the meeting time, but it was good that we reached the destination early! When driving on the highway, it suddenly appears in an area that looks like a construction site (laughs). When we arrived, there was a guide who provided Japanese explanations on the bus, which was reassuring◎
Although it was a holiday, it was relatively empty compared to large pool facilities in Japan, so we were able to enjoy all the attractions!! The slide where you slide down on a mat was particularly thrilling and fun, and it felt like something that wouldn't be made in Japan because it seems dangerous! I think those who are not good with roller coasters should be prepared (laughs).
We chose a plan that included drinks, but the available drinks were mainly carbonated, along with some that were like syrup for shaved ice. Honestly, since bringing bottled water was allowed, it might have been fine not to have the drink plan.
In any case, it was a lot of fun, so I would like to participate in the tour again when I go to Hawaii!
2人で参加させていただいたのですが、キャンペーン期間で体験後に200文字以上のレビューをしたら1人分無料と書いてあったので、即決めました!!
バスは集合時間よりかなり遅くつきましたが目的地には早くついたので良かったです!高速道路走ってると造成地みたいなところに急に現れます(笑)
着いたら、バスで日本語案内してくれるガイドの方がいらっしゃったので安心しました◎
祝日だったのですが、日本の大きなプール施設に比べるとかなり空いている方で全部のアトラクションを楽しむことが出来ました!!
特にマットで滑る滑り台がかなり迫力があって楽しかったのと、日本じゃ危なくてこんなの作らないだろうなーという感じでした!絶叫マシーンが苦手な人は覚悟した方がいいと思います笑
今回ドリンク付きのプランにしたのですが、選べる飲み物は主に炭酸系で、後はかき氷のシロップみたいな飲み物とかでした。ペットボトルの水は持ち込みOKだったので、ドリンク付きじゃなくても良かったのかなっていうのが正直なところです。
なんにせよ、とっても楽しかったのでハワイに行ったらまたツアーに参加させていただきたいと思いました!
It was amazing to see a whale first, then a dolphin, and next a sea turtle! It would have been even better if I could have gone diving in that beautiful ocean! I thought I would like to dive if I have the opportunity to go to Hawaii next time.
最初にクジラに会えて、次にイルカ、その次に海亀に会えて最高だった!
あとはあの綺麗な海に潜ることができればもっと最高だった!」
今度ハワイに行く機会があれば潜りたいと思いました。
Aloha!! Yonecchi,
Thank you for participating in the prestigious Dolphin University tour. We are all very pleased that you were able to experience something that is hard to come by in Japan. There are also manta tours available on the Big Island that you won't find on Oahu, so we look forward to your next participation.
Mahalo!!
Dolphin Office
Aloha!! よねっち様
この度は名門イルカ大学のツアーにご参加頂き、ありがとうございました。
日本では中々経験できない体験をして頂けて、スタッフ一同嬉しい限りです。
ハワイ島にはオアフ島にはないマンタツアーなどもございますので、またのご参加を心待ちにしております。
Mahalo!!
イルカオフィス
It was fully booked on the day, and everyone was turned away. The Sicilian cuisine was very delicious. I would like to go again next time. The prices were reasonable, and the atmosphere was nice as well.
当日満席で皆さん断られていました。シチリアン料理でとても美味しくいただけました。また次回も行きたいと思います。値段もリーズナブルで雰囲気も良かったです。
At first, I considered going on my own, but I found this plan and decided to go with the shuttle service. Climbing the stairs for the water slide consumed more energy than I expected, so choosing the shuttle plan was the right decision!
For the coin lockers, you can't choose your preferred location; instead, you first use the machine to make a payment and set a PIN, which then reveals the locker number you can use. Also, the display on the machine is quite hard to read, making it difficult to operate. Since there were many Japanese participants on the tour, it was easy to ask questions with Japanese staff nearby.
Thanks to the off-season, there were no wait times for the attractions, and I had a great time. However, it was a bit disappointing that the lazy river was only open for two hours. Personally, I recommend the Tornado. You never know where you're going, so it keeps you on edge until you stop.
I think it's important to be cautious about injuries from friction on exposed skin areas like your ankles, knees, and elbows while wearing a swimsuit on all attractions. Especially for the Island Racer, I recommend being mindful to keep your feet and arms as much as possible inside the bodyboard. You might be too scared to think about it, but it would be a shame to get injured and not be able to enter the pool...
The park opened at 10:30, and we gathered at 15:00, which made me worried about having enough time, but I was able to enjoy it thoroughly.
最初は自力で行くことも考えましたが、こちらのプランを見つけたので送迎プランにしました。ウォータースライダーでの階段の上りは、思った以上に体力を消耗していたので、送迎プランで正解でした!
コインロッカーは自分の好きな位置を選ぶのではなく、最初に機械を使って支払いと暗証番号を決めることで始めて使えるロッカー番号がわかります。また、機械の表示がとても見にくいので操作しづらいです。ツアーで参加した日本人が多いからか、日本人スタッフが近くにいたので質問しやすいです。
アトラクションはシーズンオフのおかげで待ち時間もなく、楽しめました。ただ、流れるプールが2時間限定の解放で少し残念でした。個人的にオススメはトルネードです。どこに行くかわからないので止まるまでドキドキし続けます。
すべてのアトラクションで、くるぶしや膝、肘など水着で肌が出ている箇所が摩擦によってケガをしないように注意したほうが良いと思います。特にアイランドレーサーは出来るだけボディボードから足や腕が出ないように意識することをオススメします。怖くてそれどころではないかもしれませんが、怪我をしてしまうとプールに入れないのは残念なので…。
10時半開園の15時集合でしたが、時間が足りないかと不安でしたが、充分楽しむことが出来ました。
We participated with three seniors. It was helpful that transportation was included. We were satisfied to see whales. The lunch was also delicious. It became a wonderful memory of our trip to Hawaii.
シニア世代3人で参加しました。送迎付きでお願いしたので助かりました。クジラも見れて満足です。ランチもおいしくいただけました。ハワイ旅行の楽しい思い出となりました。
We participated with three seniors. It was helpful that we requested transportation. We were satisfied to see whales. We also enjoyed a delicious lunch. It became a wonderful memory of our trip to Hawaii.
シニア世代3人で参加しました。送迎付きでお願いしたので助かりました。クジラも見れて満足です。ランチもおいしくいただけました。ハワイ旅行の楽しい思い出となりました。
Swimming with dolphins was amazing.
I recommend taking measures to stay warm on the return boat, as my wet body got cold.
I was advised to buy the photo data from the tour company, but I'm not sure about it. Most of the photos didn't have me in them, and they weren't great for memories.
イルカと一緒に泳げるなんて 最高でした。
帰りのボートは濡れた体が冷えて寒かったので対策して行かれることをお薦めします。
写真のデーターを催行会社から勧められて買いましたがこれは?マークです。 自分の写ってるのはほとんどなく変な顔や記念にはなりませんでした
Aloha!! Ms. Himawari,
Thank you for participating in the prestigious Dolphin University tour. We are all very pleased that you were able to experience something that is hard to come by in Japan. Your valuable feedback will be utilized to improve future tours. There are also manta tours available on the Big Island that are not offered on Oahu, so we look forward to your next participation.
Mahalo!!
Dolphin Office
Aloha!! ひまわり様
この度は名門イルカ大学のツアーにご参加頂き、ありがとうございました。
日本では中々経験できない体験をして頂けて、スタッフ一同嬉しい限りです。
お客様の貴重なご意見は、今後のツアーの向上に役立てていかせて頂きたいと思います。
ハワイ島にはオアフ島にはないマンタツアーなどもございますので、またのご参加を心待ちにしております。
Mahalo!!
イルカオフィス
Before participating, I was worried about whether I would be able to see whales, but once I saw them, I was able to see them multiple times with some intervals in between, totaling about eight times. I was able to see the whale's tail, body, head, and spouting. I really feel like I was lucky. The whales came close to the boat, so while I was chatting with my kids and family inside the boat over fruits and coffee, someone would shout, "Ah!" and at that signal, we could rush to the window and see the whales up close. I took photos and videos with my smartphone, but the excitement of seeing the whales with my own eyes was truly exceptional.
参加前はクジラ、見られるかな?と心配していましたが、一度見られると間隔を空けて何度も見られ、合計8回程、クジラの尾っぽや体、頭や潮吹きを見られました。本当に運が良かったと思います。クジラから船に近づいて来てくれたので、船内でフルーツやコーヒーを頂きながら子供達や家族と談笑していても、「あーっ‼︎」と誰かが大きな声を出してくれて、その声を合図に窓側へ駆け寄れば間近でクジラを見ることが出来ました。スマホやビデオで写真や動画をとれましたが、やはり肉眼でクジラを見た感動は格別です。
On the morning of the day I had a reservation, I received a message from the staff at VELTRA saying, "The waves are too high today, and the tour cannot proceed..." They explained the refund and rescheduling process, and I was able to reschedule for the next day. Their response was very professional, and I had no worries at all. I was a bit anxious the next day, but since I didn’t receive a call, I thought everything was fine and headed to the pickup location. However, it turned out to be the day of an annual parade, and the roads were heavily congested. After waiting for the bus for an hour... (I wondered if this could have been anticipated since it happens every year, but all the other tours and buses heading to the airport were also delayed, so I thought it might just be something you have to accept in Hawaii with a big heart, haha). It seemed that the street where we were supposed to be picked up was particularly congested, so the bus stopped on a larger road, and two staff members (one of whom was Japanese) ran to greet us. A large, beautiful bus came to pick us up. Once on the bus, they began with an apology for the delay, introduced the staff, and explained the schedule and important notes in English followed by Japanese. There was also information about purchasing a USB for photos and videos taken on the trip, as well as renting wetsuits. Those who purchased the photo/video package on the way to the destination received a wristband as a gift (one for each participant) and a $5 discount. It seems that if you stay close to the photographer, you might get more photos taken. Upon arriving at the harbor, we used the restroom and borrowed fins and goggles. (We also tried on the wetsuits we rented on the bus here.) Once we found the right size, we boarded the boat. After boarding, we set off to look for dolphins, and during that time, there was another explanation, and we sang a Hawaiian song to show respect for the ocean and its creatures while offering flowers. The cheerful Hawaiian staff jumped into the sea as soon as we reached the dolphin spot and swam to the location of the dolphins. Unfortunately, we didn’t encounter any turtles or whales, but we did meet dolphins, which was an emotional experience that allowed us to feel connected to nature. After that, we moved to another location where we had free time to enjoy snorkeling and kayaking. On the way back to the harbor, we enjoyed taro cheese burgers, bite-sized pineapple, and a small bag of chips each. The staff also performed hula dancing, and everyone participated in dancing together. It was a fun time throughout, and my whole family was very satisfied. Since we purchased the USB, we went to pick it up at an office near DFS in Waikiki that evening, and the Japanese man at the office was very friendly and approachable. You can also receive an eco-bag at this office. I definitely want to participate again the next time I go to Hawaii. If you have children, I think the 11 AM departure plan would be better to avoid putting too much strain on them. Even if you usually don’t get motion sickness, I think it’s wise to take motion sickness medication as a precaution.
予約をしていた日の朝、VELTRAさんのスタッフの方から「本日は波が高く催行不可能となりました…」と連絡があり、返金・振り替えなどの説明があり、翌日へ振り替えてもらいました。もちろんきちんとした対応で、何の心配もありませんでした。次の日も心配でしたが、電話が来なかったので大丈夫なんだなと思いピックアップ場所へ。しかしその日は年に一度のパレードの日だったらしく道路は大渋滞。バスを待つこと1時間…。(毎年の事なので事前に予測できないのかな?とは思いましたが、他のツアーも、空港へ向かう予約のバスもどれもこれも全てが遅れていたのでハワイでは仕方がないのかな?と思う大きな心が必要です(笑))我が家のピックアップ場所の通りが特に渋滞していたようなので大きい道路にバスを停めスタッフの方が2人(1人は日本人)で走って迎えに来てくれました。大きい素敵なバスがお迎えに来てくれていました。バスに乗るとまず、遅れたお詫びから始まりスタッフの紹介、今日のスケジュールや注意事項などを英語に続き日本語で説明してくれます。バスの中で写真や動画を収めたUSBの購入、ウエットスーツのレンタルなどについても説明があります。行きのバスで写真・動画のセットを購入した人はリストバンドのプレゼント(参加人数分)、5㌦の割引がありました。カメラマンの方の近くにいると多めに撮ってもらえるような気がします。ハーバーに着くと、トイレを済ませフィン・ゴーグルを借ります。(バスの中でレンタルしたウエットスーツもここで試着してみます)サイズを合わせて、OKであれば船に乗り込みます。乗船後、イルカを探しに行きますがその間、再度説明があり、海や生き物に敬意を表すためのハワイの歌を歌って花を捧げます。陽気なハワイアンのスタッフ、イルカのポイントに着いたらすぐに海へ飛び込みイルカの場所まで泳いでいきます。残念ながらかめ、くじらには会えませんでしたが、イルカに出会え自然を感じられ感動でした。そのあとは別の場所へ移動し、シュノーケリングやカヤックなどで遊ぶ自由時間があります。ハーバーまで帰港する際にタロイモのチーズバーガー、パイナップル1口サイズを1つ小袋のチップスを一人一袋食べながら帰っていきます。スタッフがフラダンスも踊ってくれ、参加者皆で踊ったりもします。終始楽しい時間で家族みんな大満足です。我が家はUSBを購入したので、その日の夕方ワイキキのDFS近くにあるオフィスへ取りに行きオフィスにいた日本人の男性もとても気さくで感じのいいかたでした。エコバックはこのオフィスでもらえます。次回ハワイへ行った際には是非また参加したいです。お子さんがいらっしゃる場合は、11時出航プランにした方が子供の負担にならないと思います。普段酔わなくても酔い止めは予防として飲むべきだと思います。
Staff are nice. Lunch was simple but tasty. When we went there, sandbar was not very low tide and we had rain. So most people stayed at the boat as it was too cold being in the water. Snorkel was nice. It was nice that the staff are watching us for safety when we were in the water. We had to wait for return shuttle for 30 min as there was some misunderstanding between the transportation company and the tour company. While waiting for our shuttle, We saw puffer fish at the marina where boat launch/stay. It was nice surprise.
It was a slightly chilly day and there was a downpour, but there were many different water slides, and I had a lot of fun. I would definitely like to go again if I have the chance!
少し肌寒い日でスコールも来ましたが、色々なウォータースライダーが沢山あってとても楽しめました。また、機会があれば是非行ってみたいです!