All Reviews for Sightseeing / Guided Tours

I have been to the North Shore before and enjoyed this trip the most. We enjoyed the Waimia Falls park more due to the guides suggestions. he was very knowledgeable and interesting. I especially enjoyed the turtles. I would recommend it for the young and hardy or an old folk like me. Great fun!

I participated in a whale watching cruise on the large cruise ship Star of Honolulu, with about 200 people on board, including around 20 Japanese passengers.

I thought it would be a group activity with Japanese staff, but there were no Japanese staff on board. The staff explanation about the activities in the cabin before departure was only in English. After departure, we went out on deck to wait for the humpback whales while enjoying the view of the sea and Waikiki. During this time, a recorded explanation about whale ecology was played over the speakers, alternating between English and Japanese. It was mentioned that there were staff who understood Japanese on board, but they advised to ask questions individually.

The whale sighting rate is said to be over 90%, but if you happen to be in a direction where whales are not appearing or if the timing doesn't work out, you can self-report if you didn't see any whales, and they will issue a certificate allowing you to board again for free during the season.

I heard that whales appeared about twice during the trip, but I thought they were too far away to see, so I got the certificate. The staff were friendly and accommodating, always smiling.

大型客船スターオブホノルルを利用したホエールウォッチングクルーズで、２００人程度が乗船、日本人は２０人程度でした。

日本語スタッフと一緒のグループアクティビティと思っていたのですが、日本人スタッフは乗船せず、出航前のキャビン内でのアクティビティについてのスタッフ説明は英語のみです。出航後は、甲板に出て海やワイキキを眺めながらザトウの出現を待ちます。その際に鯨の生態についての録音説明がスピーカーから流れ、これが英語と日本語の交互説明というもの。日本語がわかるスタッフも乗船しているとのことですが、そちらは個別に質問してください、ということでした。

鯨出現率は９０％以上、とのことですが、出現方角でないところにいたり、タイミングが合わなかったりと、個人的に見られなかった場合は、自己申告で、シーズン中に無料で再度乗船できる証明書を発行してもらえます。

今回２回ほど出現したそうですが、私にはあまりに遠くで見えないと思ったので、証明書をもらってきました。スタッフの方々は笑顔親切に気持ちよく対応していただけました。

GOOD

It was a large ship, so there was no rocking, and it was a comfortable cruise. At the point where we could see whales, I was nervously staring at the surface of the water when one of the crew shouted, "Whale!" When I looked in the direction he pointed, I saw two whales jumping and showing their tails as they dove. I was thrilled to see "real whales" for the first time.

大きな船だったので揺れもなく、快適なクルーズでした。
クジラの見えるポイントで、ドキドキしながら海面を凝視していたら、クルーの一人が、”ホエール！”と叫んで指差した方向をみると、２頭のクジラが、ジャンプし、潜る際に尾びれも見せてくれました。初めての”リアルクジラ”に感激しました。

I participated in a cruise that departed at 8:45 AM just a few days ago.

On our boat, there were relatively few Japanese people, and most of the participants were foreign families and groups of friends, but I felt very comfortable joining.

There were friendly foreign staff who spoke Japanese, and they helped with anything that was difficult to understand. The whale watching guide was provided in both English and Japanese.

Since it was a plan without meals, coffee and sandwiches were available for an additional charge of $3. Water and hot water were free.

The announcements for whale sightings indicated the direction in terms of clock positions, saying things like "There is a whale at 3 o'clock." When the announcement was made, everyone rushed to the deck to see.

We were only able to see whales twice, but we went quite far out, so the scenery was great and I was very satisfied.

I went to Aloha Tower on my own. While waiting for the bus at the Saratoga bus stop in Waikiki, the bus didn't come as expected. Just as I started to feel anxious, a female taxi driver passed by, and I was able to go from Waikiki for about $16 plus tip.

There is also a hotel pickup option, and after this tour ends, it returns to a hotel in Waikiki, so if you want to go somewhere else from Aloha Tower, I recommend going on your own.

I also easily found Pier 8.

朝8：45出航のクルーズに参加させていただきました。
つい数日前のことです。

私たちの船では、日本人も割と少なめで
外国人のファミリーや友人たちグループの参加が
多かったですが、
とても居心地良く参加できました。

日本語を話せる親切な
外国人スタッフがおり、分かりにくいことは
教えていただきました。
ウオッチングの案内の用紙も
英語、日本語両方の表記になっています。

食事なしのプランなのでコーヒー、サンドイッチのほしい方は
別料金＄3です。
水、お湯は無料です。

クジラのアナウンスも現れる位置が
時計方向の表示になっており
アナウンスが
何時方向にクジラいます。などと
アナウンスがかかります。
かかると一斉にデッキに駆け寄り
見てました。

クジラが2回だけしかみることができませんでしたが
かなり沖まで行っていただけるので
景色もよくとても満足できました。

アロハタワーまでは自分で行きました。
ワイキキのサラトガの
バス停でバスを待っていても
思うような時間に来ません。
焦りはじめたところで
女性ドライバーのタクシーが通りがかり
ワイキキから
＄16ほど＋チップで行くことができました。

ホテル送迎コースもあり、
このツアーが終了すると
またワイキキ方面のホテルに戻るので
アロハタワーから別の場所に遊びに行きたい方は、
自分たちで行く方がお勧めです。

ピア8もすぐ分りました。

This time, we added a window-side seat with a bottle of champagne as an option. Since the surrounding guests were mostly couples, it seemed unusual to have two women, but I recommend a couple's seat since you will be seated at a round table. The meal was luxurious, featuring a whole lobster! We were able to enjoy a wonderful countdown while watching fireworks rising towards Waikiki. Additionally, the hula dance show was impressive, and I wished I could have watched more. Alan.1 offers tours at lower prices compared to other tour companies. They accommodated us at a lower price this time as well due to such circumstances. I have posted an article about the cruise on my blog. I hope it conveys some of the fun we had. Please take a look if you're interested! ♪
http://ameblo.jp/arissa0130/entry-10758802633.html

今回はボトルシャンパン付の窓際席をオプションとして追加しました。
周りはカップルばかりだったので女性2人は珍しいようでしたが、円卓では相席になってしまうのでカップル席をオススメします♪
お料理はロブスター1尾付で豪華です！
ワイキキ方面に上がる花火を見ながら素晴らしいカウントダウンが出来ました。
また、フラダンスショーは見応えがあって、もっと見ていたかったです。
alan.1では他のツアー会社より高いツアーは安くして下さいます。
今回もそのような事情でお安く対応して下さいました。
クルージングの記事をブログに載せています。
少しでも楽しさが伝わるといいです。
良かったら見てみてくださいね♪
http://ameblo.jp/arissa0130/entry-10758802633.html

I participated in whale watching. Right from the start, I could see splashes of water in the distance. I thought it was a motorboat, but the foreigner next to me was pointing and saying something. Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be a whale's breath. Amazing!!

We soon got closer, and I could see the whale's back. Wow, we met one!! I was so moved. For a while, the boat stayed there. Eventually, it started heading towards Diamond Head. Just as we were about to turn back, a whale swam up from the opposite side. Two of them were gracefully swimming together, right next to the boat!! It was so touching!!! Then the boat made a U-turn and followed the whales for a while. I was so happy!!

However, time was running out, and we had to head back. I was really impressed! I'm so glad I participated!!!

ウォエールウォッチングに参加しました。
スタートからすぐに沖のほうから水しぶきが見えました。
モーターボートが走っていると思っていたら、隣の外人が指をさして何か言っています。よーく見ると、クジラのブレスでした。すごーい！！
すぐにちかくになり、クジラの背中がみえてきました。
すごーい、会えた！！大感激です。
しばらく、そこで船は待っててくれます。やがてダイヤモンドヘッドに向かって走り始めました。
そろそろ引き返したとき、クジラが反対側からおよいできました。２頭のつがいで優雅に泳いでゆきます。船のすぐ横を！！感動です！！！そしたら船はUターンして、しばらくクジラを追ってくれました。嬉しい！！
しかし、時間がなくなり戻ることとなりました。
とても感激しましたよ！
参加してよかったです！！！

This was my fourth time whale watching. I got hooked on my first participation when I saw a whale jump, and now I join whale watching every time I go to Hawaii. The last three times, I only saw the back or nothing at all, which was a bit disappointing, but seeing that jump is the best. Since they are wild animals, it can't be helped. This time, I went on an early cruise without a meal, but I was able to participate very cheaply thanks to booking online, so that was great.

今回で、４回目ほどのウォッチングでした。
はじめての参加で、クジラがジャンプする姿を見てはまってしまい、ハワイに行くたびにホエールウォッチングに参加しています。後３回は、見えなかったり、背だけとかで、寂しい思いをしますが、あのジャンプが見えたら最高です。自然の生き物ですから、仕方がないです。
今回は、早めのクルーズで、食事なしでしたが、インターネットでの申込みをしてからの旅行で、とても安く参加する事が出来たので、良かったです。

Everyone should experience this tour sometime during their life. The memorial is a tragic, yet holy and beautiful tribute to our fallen military who died so suddenly on Dec. 7, 1941.

The tour operator was very informative and treated everyone like family. The downtown tour was full of history and tidbits shared by our driver, "Cousin Jerry", a full blooded older Hawaiian gentleman.

Watching the fireworks rising from various locations while counting down from the boat was a great experience. The staff was friendly, and I had a lot of fun.

I felt very rich in spirit.

　何か所からも上がる花火を船から見ながらのカウントダウン
スタッフもフレンドリーだし、楽しかったです。

とってもリッチな気分でした。

While I was moved by seeing the whale's blow and its back and tail for the first time, I didn't get to witness breaching or experience the true size of the whale. The timing in late December might not have been ideal. It might be better to go from late February after they give birth. If you're prone to seasickness, it's better to skip lunch. My wife ended up not eating anything. I think about 10-20% of the people couldn't eat. The buffet itself didn't have much in terms of food either.

初めて見たクジラのブロー（潮吹き）や、クジラの背中や尻尾には感動をしたものの、ブリーチング（ジャンプ）等は見られず、クジラの大きさを体感できるものではなかった。
１２月下旬という時期がいまいちだったかもしれないかな。子供を産んでからの２月下旬からがお勧めかも。。
船に弱い方は、ランチ無しにした方がいいですよ。うちの奥さんは結局何も食べられなかった。１~２割くらいの人が食事できていなかったのではないかなぁ。ブッフェ自体の料理もそうたいした物は無かったですよ。

My husband and I spent our last night in Honolulu on the Star of Honolulu's Three Star Cruise and it is one of our fondest memories. The crew was great, the view incredible, and the food was top notch. Watching the sun set from the top of the Star of Honolulu was an incredible treat! Thank you and I cannot wait to go again!

This tour was fantastic and was the second time we had taken it. The first time was five years ago and we took it again this time with a friend. She thought we would be bored but not at all as we learned even more about the island. Our driver grew up on the island and was able to tell us stories going back generations. This tour is a must see for anyone visiting the island! Aloha!

The shaking was really intense, and it was tough. Also, I was disappointed that I couldn't see any whales.

There are staff members who can explain in Japanese, but they don't translate the other explanations, which I thought was a bit unfriendly, especially since over 60% of the tourists were Japanese. (It might be understandable since it's a foreign country, though.)

たまたまなのか揺れがすごくて大変でした。
また、クジラは見えず、がっかりでした。

日本語で説明してくれるスタッフはいるのですが、
その他の説明部分を翻訳してくれるわけでもなく、
６割以上が日本人観光客であるにもかかわらずちょっと不親切かな、と思いました。
（外国なので仕方がないのかもしれませんが）

I participated in the morning plan of the whale tour that started on the 15th. Since it was the first day, I thought we might not see any whales, but we were able to see them five times! One of those times was a close-up jump. During the times we didn't see any whales, the staff continuously engaged with us, taking photos and making us feel very welcomed. I thought the morning plan was great because the air is clear and cool, allowing us to focus on searching for whales.

15日から始まるホエールツアーの午前プランに参加しました。初日なので見れないのではと思っていたのですが、5回も鯨を見ることができました！うち一回は至近距離でのジャンピングです。
見れない時間、スタッフの人が次々と声をかけてくださり写真を撮ってくださったりとても温かみを感じました。
午前プランですと、空気も澄んでいて涼しいですし、鯨探しに集中できるのでいいなと思いました。

Overall the tour was very good with visits to many points of interest around Honolulu in the morning and then tour the PCC in the afternoon. Dinner was quite nice and the "breath of life" show as wonderful!

However, we wish that the driver would let us know that there would not be any time for lunch once inside the PCC as the activities inside the PCC would be jam packed. The bus driver should gave us 15 to 30 more minutes inside the Dole Plantation Center so that we could get a light lunch before we head off to the PCC.

During my trip to Hawaii for New Year's, I went on a whale watching tour with the Star of Honolulu. I thought it would be great because even if we didn't see any whales, we could still enjoy it as a regular cruise. We did see a mother and baby whale in the distance, but it was disappointing that we couldn't see them up close or witness any jumps. However, I understand that they keep their distance for whale protection. On the boat, there was a lei-making class, which was fun. It's a good idea to take motion sickness medication beforehand.

お正月にハワイに行った時に
スターオブホノルル号のホエールウォッチングに
行きました。
もしクジラが見られなくてもリベンジできるという
ことと普通のクルーズとして楽しめるからと
思ったからです。
クジラは親子クジラが遠くに見えました
あまり近くで見れなかったりジャンプ等は見れなかったので残念ですが、クジラ保護のため
あまり近寄らないとのこと。
船内ではレイ作りのスクールがあったりして楽しかった。酔い止めの薬は飲んでおいた方がいいです

Our group thoroughly enjoyed this excursion. Our tour guide/bus driver, Garfield, was amusing and extremely knowledgeable. The bus was very comfortable.

We recommend this excursion to anyone interested in seeing the WWII sites at Pearl Harbor as well as the Punchbowl Cemetery.

The food wasn't as good as i expected, but i think you are mainly paying for the cruise. the mai tais were great! steak could have been cooked a little more. i dont like crab, but my boyfriend loved it! this is def a great activity for a little romance for couples for a nice evening.

Had a great time. Sam made the trip very enjoyable. Would highly recommend!

Incredible. A nature so vast that it leaves you speechless awaited me. This island, with a completely different nature than Oahu, is definitely worth a visit. There was a bit of rain, but it created a rainbow, producing a magical landscape.

すごい。言葉にならないほどの大自然が待っていた。
オウフとはぜんぜん違う自然を擁するこの島は一度は訪れるべきだろう。若干の雨があったがそれが虹を生み、幻想的な風景を生み出していた。

My husband and I took this tour recently while in Hawaii and it rocked! Our driver was Sam and he was great. Very knowledgable about Hawaii and offered some really interesting tidbits of info. He was laid back, friendly and very engaging. This tour is great because you have the freedom to choose your activities and even traveling in a group you are not forced to select the same options. You can add activities on site which was also a plus. We were dropped in each location for about two hours and were free to eat, wander and otherwise do as we chose. There was a lady in our group that was by herself and she really enjoyed herself as well. Hailewa town was cool to wander around in and my husband even had time to kayak there and join me at the shops. Free water and juice was also a nice bonus. I highly recommend this tour if you are headed to Oahu!

We took the tour on the first day after arriving and it was too much too soon. I am sure we would have enjoyed it more had we been rested but we were worn out.

The tour does go to all of the spots but you get very little time at any of them and the stop at the Dole Plantation is not long enough to do much of anything.

The entertainment on this dinner cruise was exceptional; there is so much culture, talent, and professional attention to detail! I really appreciate how dedicated the dancers and musician were to their crafts!

When I booked this trip I had researched many other companies and chose this one as it concentrated on Pearl Harbor offerring a full day comprehensive tour of this amazing site .
The tour exceeded our expectations, with Wes our informed and humorous bus driver and the amazing guides at various parts of the Pearl Harbor site all contributing to a very positive experience at this awesome harbor. It is an awe inspiring experience to stand at the place where the war commenced for the USA with the horrible loss of precious lives ,and even more spine tingling, standing at the exact spot where the treaty to end the war took place. The experience was enhanced by amazing informative guides and I would strongly recommend this particular tour for anyone going to Pearl Harbor.

This tour was booked as a surprise to me by my husband, Ron, and our daughter on the occasion of my 70th birthday, along with a two-week vacation to Hawaii. I have long wanted to see the USS Arizona Memorial, as my father and stepfather were both in the armed services during World War II. The tour is given by a sharp US Navy crew and the dignity and remembrance of our gallant fighting men of all armed service branches is preserved. There are always some in the tour group, usually under 30, who haven't a clue as to what the horrors of war are; their actions echo their folly. The Royal Star drivers were knowledgeable and humorous when appropriate. The tour on the USS Missouri was given by Marc and you would've thought he was there as he described the battleship's statistics and history. The reality of what war does to people who are in it, no matter what side they are on, was once again brought home. I am so glad this was arranged by my thoughtful family. It took awhile for me to

I chose the canyon course, and we really just went a little way up a "mountain." The ups and downs were quite steep, which kept things interesting. We were able to ride for a solid hour and a half, so I felt very satisfied. The horses were well-trained and smart, allowing even beginners to feel safe and comfortable. My mother, who is in her sixties, seemed very satisfied as well.

The staff only spoke English, so it would have been even more enjoyable if I could speak English... The nuts they showed us with gestures were delicious! Thank you very much!

渓谷コースを選択しましたが、ほんとにちょっと
した「山」を進んでゆきます。
上り下りも結構急で、飽きません。
がっつり１時間半乗馬できるので、満足感があります。
お馬さんはきちんと調教されておりお利口なため、
初心者でも安心して身をゆだねることができました。
一緒に行った還暦の母も大満足だったようです。

ついてくれるスタッフの方は英語のみなので、
英語が出来れば更に楽しかっただろうなぁ。。。
ジェスチャーで教えてくれた木の実、美味しかったです！どうもありがとうございました！

what a fun time we had the food was very good.the show you cant miss this one,the service was excellent ,the sunset awsome.do not let this dinner cruise get away from you.....mahalo al n kathie becker

This time, I visited Kauai Island for the first time. The boat ride to the Fern Grotto was a fun trip filled with singing and laughter. Many of the guides are older, making it a more relaxed tour, so I would recommend it to mature couples rather than young people. The atmosphere along the coastline felt similar to the North Shore of Oahu. It's an early start, but you'll be back by the evening, so it’s not tiring.

今回、初めてカウワイ島に行ってきました。
シダの洞窟に行く際の船の中も、歌あり笑いありの楽しい笑旅行でした。
ガイドさんなどは、お年を召されている方が多く落ち着いたツアーですので、若者よりは熟年カップルにお勧めです。
海岸線の雰囲気などは、オアフ島で言うと、ノースショアに似ている感じがしました。
朝早いですが、夕方には戻ってこられるので疲れません。

Until now, I always made sure to include scuba diving wherever I went, but this time I experienced horseback riding in the canyon with my wife. We went from Honolulu to the North Shore with a tour company guide, who was very knowledgeable. They provided detailed explanations of the famous landmarks we saw along the way, making the journey to our destination enjoyable.

Previously, I had only passed by Hawaii's sacred sites, the school where President Obama attended, the hospital where he was born, and other essential facts that one must know to have a conversation. (I wonder if we just got lucky with the guide and tour company?)

As mentioned in the tour description, after the pickup, we stopped at places like Moanalua Gardens, Dole Plantation, Turtle Beach, and explored Haleiwa Town. I thought we might not have enough time, but once I tried horseback riding, it felt like it was worth it.

When we arrived at Happy Trails (the horseback riding ranch?), the owner, who seemed to be in charge, explained how to ride and control the horse with plenty of humor and gestures. (The explanation was all in English, so it might be difficult for those without language skills.) However, the tour guide explained the basic operating methods in Japanese before we arrived, so there was no need to worry at all. Additionally, the guide was there to assist with the owner's explanations, so I felt reassured.

The horses were well-trained, and the owner selected the horses based on compatibility with the riders. (I wonder if that's true?) After we set off, we rode through the woods and up and down the canyon, experiencing just the right amount of stress and thrill.

== It was so much fun!!! == After passing through the canyon, we reached an open area with a breathtaking view of the ocean below, which was a truly moving moment. == It was really enjoyable!!! == My wife is eager to bring our grandchild (who is in fourth grade) next time to let them experience horseback riding as well.

== This tour really helped me relieve my daily stress, and I am filled with gratitude towards the ranch owner and the tour company. ==

　今まで、どこに行くのでも必ずスキューバダイビングは外せなかったのですが、今回渓谷乗馬を妻とともに体験しました。
　ホノルルからノースショアーへ、ツアー会社のガイドの元行ったのですが、ガイドの人が博学で、途中車窓からの眺められた名所旧跡などの説明を細かく案内してくれ、飽きずに目的地まで着くことができました。
　今までは、単に通り過ぎていたハワイの聖地や、現オバマ大統領の出身校、生まれた病院、アメリカ大統領になるための必須条件ｅｔｃ、まさに知識を取り入れておかなくては話せないような事柄を案内してくれたのです。（ガイド・ツアー会社に当たったのですかね？）
　このツアーは案内説明にもあるようにピックアップ後、モアナルガーデン、ドールプランテーション、海がめビーチ、ハレイワ・タウン散策など途中で立ち寄ります。参加して、ちょっと時間が足らないかなと思いがちでしたが、乗馬体験をしてみるとしょうがないような気がしました。
　ハッピートレイズ（乗馬体験場所の牧場？）に着くとオーナーと思われる人が乗馬のやり方、操り方法をユーモアたっぷりジェスチャーをまじえて説明してくれます。（説明は全て英語です、語学力のない方は無理かな？）・・・・・・・なんて言いません。
　現地に着くまでにツアーガイドの人が日本語で最低限度の操作方法を説明してくれますので、まったく心配ありません
　さらにオーナーの説明に対してもガイドの方がかたわらで説明してくれるので心配ありませんでした。
　馬については調教された馬で、オーナーが乗る人の相性を確かめながら馬を選んでくれているとの事でした。（ほんとかね？）
　出発した後、馬とともに林の中や渓谷を上ったり降りたり適度なストレスとスリルを味わいながら乗馬したのです。
　＝＝とっても楽しいよ！！！＝＝
　途中渓谷を抜けると開けた場所で、眼下に海を望み感動の一場面を得ました。＝＝本当に楽しいよ！！！＝＝
　妻は今度は孫（小４）も連れて来てこの乗馬体験をさせるのだと張りきっています。
　＝＝本当に日ごろのストレスを発散させてもらったツアーで、牧場のオーナーやツアー会社に感謝の気持ちでいっぱいです。＝＝