All Reviews for Marine Wildlife Encounters

I was really looking forward to it, but there was less interaction with the dolphins than I expected, which was a bit disappointing. Next time, I would like to participate in the plan to swim with the other dolphins.

すごく楽しみにしてましたが、思ったよりいるかとのふれあいが少なくものたりない。
次回はもう一つのイルカと泳ぐプランに参加したいとおもいました。

I apologize for the late post, but I participated in the Dolphin Middle School tour in April. Last year, I joined the Dolphin University tour, which was a fulfilling experience, but this time I decided to try Dolphin Middle School based on a friend's recommendation that "the boat is thrilling and fun."

To sum it up, it was an incredibly enjoyable and satisfying time. First of all, we saw so many dolphins. By quietly approaching as instructed by the captain and never chasing them, we were able to have them come back to us multiple times. It felt unreal to actually experience "swimming with a pod of dolphins."

Additionally, I was able to see many of my favorite sea turtles. It seems that it's not common for so many to gather, but we were able to slowly observe a family of about five or six turtles, and they came right up to the surface for air, coming very close to us.

Moreover, from the boat, we were lucky enough to see an out-of-season whale and a rare seal. I believe whether you encounter dolphins, sea turtles, or whales depends on luck that day, but I highly recommend this tour. I definitely want to participate again when I go to Hawaii.

投稿が遅くなってしまいましたが、4月にイルカ中学のツアーに参加させていただきました。
去年はイルカ大学に参加して充実したツアーだったのですが、今回は友人から「イルカ中学のボートもスリルがあって楽しいよ」という薦めでイルカ中学に初参加してみました。
結論から言うと、とっても楽しい大満足の時間でした。
まず、イルカがとにかくたくさん見られました。
船長さんの指示どおりに静かに近づき、決して追いかけず、警戒させないようにすれば、何度も私たちのところに戻ってきてきてくれました。
こんなに「イルカの群れと一緒に泳いでいる」と実感できるなんて、現実じゃないようでした。
また、大好きなウミガメもたくさん見ることができました。
普段はこんなに集まっていることはあまりないそうですが、５～６頭の家族のようなウミガメたちをゆっくり見れて、しかも息継ぎのために海面に上がってくる度に顔のすぐ目の前に来てくれました。
その他にも、ボートの上から季節外れのクジラや、貴重なアザラシも見ることができて、とてもラッキーでした。
イルカやウミガメ、クジラに会えるかどうかはその日の運によると思いますが、とてもお勧めできるツアーです。
ハワイに行く時は必ず参加したいと思います。

We didn't swim with the dolphins because my daughter is small.
However, it was still a lot of fun!
The dolphin show was really enjoyable♪
Even though we got soaked from a sudden downpour, it was fun lol.
The commemorative photo looks quite edited, but it's a memory♪
There were a lot of birds at the food booth, and my daughter was crying and screaming lol.
But since it was outdoors, it can't be helped.

娘が小さい為イルカと一緒に泳ぐことは
しませんでした。
ですがとっても楽しめます！
イルカのショーなどはとっても楽しいですよ♪
途中スコールでびしょ濡れになっても
楽しいｗ記念写真はいかにも合成ですが
思い出♪飲食ブースで鳥がたくさんいて
娘は泣き叫んでいましたがｗｗ
屋外なのでしょうがないですね。

It felt more like just touching the dolphins rather than playing with them. Considering the cost, I think participants would be more satisfied if they had more time to interact with the dolphins. I was just observing, and my impression was, "Is this it?" My wife, who participated, mentioned that she got cold because the time spent in the water was long, but the interaction time was short.

イルカと遊ぶと言うか、触るだけという感じでした。代金から言えば、もう少しイルカと触れ合える時間を多くしていただけると参加された方々は満足すると思います。
私は、見学してましたが、これだけ？と言う感想です。
水の中に入っている時間が長く、触れ合える時間が短いため、身体が冷えたと参加した妻が言っていました。

I usually don't do reviews because there wasn't enough "wow" or it's special, but not worth my time to "write" about it: This activity is exceptionally the case for shouting about. Think about how in the world could you go underwater, be AMONG fish, not learn the intricacies of diving, not wear heavy equipment on your back (even if weight is not an issue underwater), or hold your breath for an extended period of time, and still be able to wear your personal prescription glasses. This is a great activity to partake in especially for those curious about underwater activities.
When you get underwater on these vehicles, a personal diver will be assigned to you to make certain that you're doing OK and to mitigate any problems that may arise---even if you decide to cancel the activity. The hosts were all professional and serious about instructing the group on what to expect while in the water, and I felt comfortable and appreciatead their attention to safety. We rode out to the edge of this bay in the south eastern part of Oahu and proceeded with the adventure in the BOBs plus snorkeling around the boat that brought us out there. One of the divers had a camera to take pictures while we were underwater so there will be pictorial memories to look back at and thoughts about what to do in the future to optimize my excursions beneath the ocean. This activity is great!I was underwater for the very first time in my life, and I'm back to write about how great a time I had! If diving is not for you, try this for your shorter "bucket" list!

I participated in Taka's tour on May 9th. It was a smooth and friendly tour.

Although I hadn't requested it, they provided a morning call, allowing me to arrive at the meeting place on time. On the way to the port by car, we had a mini sightseeing tour and listened to Taka's extensive knowledge, and before I knew it, we arrived in about 40 minutes.

Once we got on the boat, we soon encountered a pod of dolphins!!! Everyone was worried about whether they would get to see dolphins, but we were able to swim with many dolphins and had big smiles on our faces. There was even a baby dolphin. We could hear the dolphins' calls as well.

This alone was satisfying, but then we moved to a spot to see sea turtles.

We quickly found the sea turtles, and after a while, one came to the surface for air, allowing us to see it right in front of us. It was a precious experience.

We were blessed with good weather, and I’m really glad I participated.

Captain Sisters were all warm, and every participant successfully graduated from Dolphin Middle School!!

Even those who are not good at swimming received assistance, so I felt it was a tour where I could participate with peace of mind. Although it was an early morning and I was sleepy, it was a fulfilling day. Thank you very much.

I would definitely love to participate again if the opportunity arises.

5月9日タカさんのツアーに参加しました。進行がスムーズでフレンドリーなツアーでした。

お願いしていなかったのですが、モーニングコールをしてくださり時間通り集合場所へ行けました。
車で港まで向かう途中、プチ観光&タカさんの豊富な知識を聞きながら約40分あっという間に着きました。

ボートに乗りしばらくするとイルカの群れが!!!
みんなイルカに会えるのか心配していたのですが沢山のイルカと一緒に泳げ笑顔に♪赤ちゃんイルカもいました。イルカの鳴き声も聴こえました。
これだけでも満足ですが、その後海亀のスポットへ移動。

海亀もすぐ見つかり、しばらくするとい息継ぎのために海面まで来たので目の前で見る事ができました。
貴重な体験をする事ができました。

お天気にも恵まれ参加して本当に良かったです。

船長 sistersみんな暖かく参加者全員無事にイルカ中学校を卒業できました!!

泳ぎの苦手な方もアシストして下さいますし、安心して参加できるツアーだと感じました。
朝が早いので眠かったですが充実した1日でした。
ありがとうございました。

また是非機会があれば参加させていただきます。

THE BEST WAY FOR US ALL TO SEE THE SAME THING WITHOUT LEARNING TO SCUBA! THE KIDS EVEN GOT SOME VERY NICE PICTURES! COULD HAVE BEEN BETTER!

Woke up at 6:00 AM, gathered at 6:30.
It feels a bit early, but it's necessary.
Waking up early is essential to meet the dolphins.

Once we boarded the bus, the morning homeroom led by the student council president, "Akao-chan," began.
The homeroom covered our plans and safety precautions for the ocean.
I was sleepy, but it seemed important, so I listened seriously. (It really is important, so I think it's better to pay attention.)

After about an hour's drive, we arrived at the West Coast.
We quickly boarded the boat.

The boat for Dolphin Junior High was smaller than that of Dolphin University, so it swayed quite a bit.
But the scenery around us was amazing!!
Especially the legendary spot where the Hawaiian music god IZ rests, "???" (Sorry, I forgot the name) was breathtaking. I wanted to land there. Is that possible?

After about 30 minutes of being rocked by the boat, we finally arrived at the dolphin point.
Jumping into the sea was the key point here. By the way, I jumped in wearing just swim trunks and it was extremely cold... (Don’t underestimate the ocean.)

After a while, I heard Akao-chan shout, "Look down, look down!"
When I looked down as instructed, I spotted a pod of dolphins!! There were probably around 50 of them.
It was lucky to find them so quickly.
After that, friendly dolphins were playing just 5 meters away, spinning around, giving us a truly precious experience.

That's all for the dolphin experience.

Personally, I also found the sea turtle observation tour quite enjoyable.
I couldn't see any turtles because I got tired, but I encountered a giant stingray and swam alongside it.

Overall, it felt very active, so it seems geared towards younger people.
Also, since the boat sways quite a bit, if you’re prone to seasickness, it might be a good idea to take some motion sickness medication.

Thank you, Akao-chan.

Kinoko Man

朝6：00起床、6:30集合。
ちょっと早いような気がしますが、これでいいんです。
イルカに会うためには早起きが必要なんです。

バスに乗り込むと『あかおちゃん』こと生徒会会長による朝のホームルームが始まる。
ホームルームの内容は、これからのプラン及び海での注意事項。
眠いが重要そうなので真面目に聞きました。(実際重要なので真面目に聞いたほうがいいと思います)

1時間ほどの運転で西海岸に到着。
早速船に乗り込む。

イルカ中学はイルカ大学より船が小さいためかなり揺れました。
でも周りの景色は最高！！
特に伝説のハワイアンミュージックの神様IZが眠る「???」(すみません、名前忘れてしまいました)は絶景中の絶景でした。上陸したかったです。できませんかね？

船に揺られること30分、ついのイルカポイントに到着。
海に飛び込む。ここでのポイントはウェットスーツ借りること。ちなみに私は海パンいっちょで飛び込んで非常に寒い思いをしました。。海をなめたらあかん。)

しばらくするとあかおちゃんの「下見て、下見て」の掛け声。
言われた通り下を見るとイルカの群れを発見！！ざっと50匹ぐらいはいたのではないでしょうか。
こんなにも早く見つかるなんてラッキーでした。
その後も人懐こいイルカがほんの5m先でくるくる回りながら遊んでいたり、大変貴重な経験をさせて頂きました。

イルカ体験談はここまで。

個人的にはウミガメ観察ツアーもなかなか楽しかったです。
私はヘタってしまったため、ウミガメは見れませんでしたが巨大なエイに遭遇して並走ならぬ並泳しました。

全体的に非常にアクティブなので若い人向けの様な気がします。
あと、かなり船が揺れますので船酔いしそうな方は酔い止めを飲んでおくといいもしれません。

あかおちゃん、有難うございました。

きのこマン

I experienced the wonderful opportunity to navigate in a submarine and observe various marine creatures and structures. The guide was also fluent in Japanese, and the explanations were enjoyable with some jokes mixed in. We participated as a family, and my grandchild was excitedly saying, "There's Nemo! Oh, a turtle!"

実際に潜水艦で航行して 海中の様々な生物や構築物を見学出来るすばらしさを体験しました。
案内役の方も日本語が上手で、ジョークを交えた説明で楽しく見学出来ました。
ファミリーで参加したのですが、孫も「ニモがいる。あ・亀だ」などと興奮していました。

First of all, the inside of the ship is too cold. It's better to bring a jacket.
Also, everything on the ship is in English only.
I was able to see a whale in the distance, but it was much farther away than I had imagined, so I could only see it briefly and it looked small.
After that, there was nothing to do but wait to return, so I spent a lot of time just passing the time. There was too much free time, and it would have been nice if there were some events or activities.
I wouldn't really recommend it.

まず、船内が寒すぎ。羽織物を持参した方がよい。
また、船内は全て英語オンリーです。
遠くの方で鯨がみれましたが、想像していたのよりだいぶ離れているので小さくしかみえず一瞬でした。
後は帰るのみなので時間をかなり弄びました。フリー時間がありすぎるので何かイベント的なものがあればよいのに。。
あまりおすすめしません。

On April 23, 2014, with clear skies and an early morning departure, we stayed at The Kahala Hotel & Resort, and on that day, we were picked up from our hotel. During the ride to the meeting point in Waikiki, our representative, Yuriko, shared stories about environmental protection in Hawaii and the healing power of dolphins, which made me feel very relaxed despite the early hour. When she smiled and said, "I hope you get to see many dolphins," I felt optimistic about our chances.

During the drive from Waikiki to the boarding location, our guide, Takao, explained various sightseeing spots like "The Tree of Life" and "Pearl Harbor." Although I had done snorkeling before, I was a bit anxious about going into the deep ocean for the first time. The guide thoroughly explained the safety precautions for the tour, saying, "I may have to use strict words regarding safety, but it's important that everyone experiences the tour without any accidents, so please understand." This reassured me greatly.

In April, the water temperature is still low, so as someone who gets cold easily, I borrowed a wetsuit. As the guide mentioned, it gets really cold when you’re on the boat and the wind hits you, so I think it’s especially advisable for children and women to wear one. Of course, we also wore life jackets and were fully prepared.

When we arrived at the point, we entered the water following the guide's upbeat instructions, who loudly pointed out the direction of the dolphins. When he shouted, "Look down! Look down!" and I did, I was amazed to see a pod of dolphins swimming right below us! The excitement of seeing wild dolphins up close for the first time is beyond words. The guide remarked, "It’s amazing that in such a vast ocean, they choose to swim right underneath us; dolphins are curious and come close to us... it’s truly a mystery," and it really felt mystical.

Listening closely, I could hear the dolphins making sounds like "ee-ee," and seeing them swim in the crystal-clear blue water, always together with their families, made me question, "Is this real?" Just watching them was healing for both my body and soul, and it felt like they were teaching me something important.

We were very lucky that day, encountering pods of dolphins multiple times. When we entered the water at the second point, it felt like we were surrounded by dolphins. While I was swimming away from my husband (with no one else nearby), a dolphin swam right in front of me, and our eyes met... I was so overwhelmed with joy that I shouted, "Yay!" As it swam by, about four dolphins swam together towards the ocean floor, and even now, it feels like a dream.

According to the guide, we were fortunate to encounter over 150 dolphins that day. I had heard that there are days when you might not see any dolphins due to their wild nature, so I was truly grateful and moved. After that, we moved to another point and got to see turtles and many beautiful fish, which made me very satisfied!

I brought a waterproof camera, but there was a photographer who took pictures for us, and we could purchase them, making for a wonderful keepsake. Throughout the boat ride and while swimming, the guide kept an eye on each of us, checking, "Are you okay?" which made me feel very safe.

It was a fantastic tour swimming with dolphins at a power spot, and I was particularly impressed by the guide's thorough safety management. Next time, I definitely want to experience manta ray diving on the Big Island. Thank you, Yuriko, Takao, and the captain for taking us to such great spots and providing a wonderful experience!

２０１４／４／２３晴天・早朝出発・私たちはカハラ宿泊でしたので、当日は宿泊ホテルまで迎えに来て頂きました。迎えにいらした代表yurikoさんからワイキキ集合場所までの間「ハワイでの環境保護のお話」や「イルカから与えられる癒し」のお話し頂き、早朝にも関わらずとてもリラックスした気分になりました。素敵な笑顔で「沢山のイルカに会えると良いですね」と言われると沢山会える気がしてきます。ワイキキから乗船場所までの車中はガイドのtakaoさんから「日立の木」や「パールハーバー」など観光名所も説明して頂けます。私はシュノーケルはしていましたが、沖で深い海に入ることが初めてだったので少々不安がありました。ガイドさんがツアーにおける安全面での注意事項をしっかり説明して下さり「安全に関しては私も厳しい言葉で注意してしまうかもしれませんが、何より皆さんが無事故でツアーを体験して頂ける大事なことなのでご容赦下さい」との言葉にとても安心しました。４月の海はまだ水温が低いため寒がりの私はウエットスーツを借りました。ガイドさんの説明通り海に入っている時より船に上がって風に吹かれると本当に寒くなるので特にお子さんや女性は借りた方が良いと思います。もちろんライフジャケットも着用し準備万端です。いざポイントにつくとガイドさんのテンポ良い指示で海へ入り、イルカのいる方向を大きな声で教えて頂けます。「下見て！下見て！」という声で下を見ると本当にイルカの群れが泳いでいます！初めて野生のイルカを間近で見た時の感動は言葉では言い表せません。ガイドさんが「あんなに広い海なのにどうしてわざわざ自分たちのいる真下を通って泳いで来てくれるのか、イルカも興味を持って近づいて来てくれる・・・本当に不思議です」とおっしゃってましたが、本当に神秘的です。耳を澄ますと「キューキュー」とイルカの鳴き声が・・・真っ青で透き通った海に泳ぐイルカ・・家族といつも一緒にいるイルカ・・・「現実なんだろうか」と不思議な感覚になり、見ているだけで身体も心も癒され感動しますし、大切な何かを教えてくれる気がします。この日はとてもラッキーでイルカの群れに何度も会い、２回目のポイントで海に入った時はイルカの群れに囲まれるような感じでした。私は主人と離れて泳いでいた時に（近くに誰もいなかった）目の前をイルカが横切り、イルカと目が会い・・・あまりの感激で「ぎゃ～！」と喜び叫んでしまいました。横切りながら４頭位のイルカがまとまって海の底の方に向かって泳いでいったのですが、今思い出しても夢みたいでした。この日はガイドさんいわく合計１５０頭以上のイルカと遭遇出来たラッキーな日だったとのこと。野生のため、残念ながらイルカに会えない日もあると聞いていたので本当に感謝感激でした。その後、また別のポイントへ移動し、カメと沢山の美しい魚たちに会えましたので大満足です！防水カメラを持参しましたが、カメラマンさんが同行して写真を撮って下さり、写真も購入出来たのでとても記念になりました。乗船中も、泳いでいる最中もガイドさんが一人一人に目を配り「大丈夫？」と安全確認してくださるのには本当に安心しました。パワースポットでイルカと泳ぐという素晴らしいツアーでしたし、何より安全管理をキチンとされるガイドさんに感心しました。次回はぜひハワイ島でマンタ大学も体験したいと思います。yurikoさんtakaoさん、良いポイントへ連れて行って下さった船長さん、素敵な体験をありがとうございました。

I participated with a friend. On the day of the event, there were various people including friends, couples, and solo travelers.

When we arrived at the port with the boat, we immediately enjoyed some malasadas. I had heard from others that they were "really delicious!" but personally, I felt that one was enough. (laughs)

After departure, we all sang a song for safety and to hope for dolphin sightings. You can rent wetsuits for an additional fee, and during my visit, almost everyone borrowed one. I went in April, and even in Hawaii's waters, it was a bit chilly, so renting one turned out to be a great decision. You can rent it on the spot for $10.

To reach the spot where we could see the dolphins well, we all sat on the edge of the boat, enjoying the marine attraction. The boat rocked a lot, which was quite thrilling.

Once we spotted dolphins, we all dove in immediately! Even if you can't swim, the staff will pull you along, so there's no need to worry. The water was incredibly clear, and we could see the dolphins swimming distinctly, making it feel like we were in an aquarium. After that, we also went snorkeling and experienced many things that we couldn't have done on our own!

By the way, the boat rocks quite a bit, so if you are prone to motion sickness, taking anti-nausea medication is a must. However, even if you do get sick and end up vomiting, the staff will respond kindly without any unpleasant expressions, so you can feel at ease!

友達と2人で参加しました。当日は友達、カップル、ひとりの方など、さまざま方とご一緒でした。

船のある港に着くと、すぐにマラサダをいただきます。
周りから、「すごく美味しいよー！」と聞いていましたが、個人的に1回食べれば良いかんじ。笑

出航後は、安全祈願とイルカに会えますようにと、みんなで歌をうたいます。
追加料金でウエットスーツを貸し出してもらえますが、わたしの時はほぼ全員借りていました。4月に行きましたが、ハワイの海でも少し肌寒かったので結果として借りて大正解でした。その場で10ドルでかりられます。

イルカが良く見えるスポットまでは、みんなで船の縁に座り、マリンアトラクション♪船はすごく揺れるので、すごい迫力です。

イルカを発見したら、すぐにみんなでダイビング！泳げないか方でも、スタッフの方が引っ張っていってくれるので安心です。
水がすごくきれいで、イルカが泳いでいるのがはっきり見え、水族館で泳いでいる感覚になります。
その後も、シュノーケリングをしたりと、自分たちだけではできないようなことをたくさん経験させていただきました！

ちなみに、船はかなり揺れるので、酔いやすい方は酔いどめ必須です。
でも、酔ってリバースしてしまっても、スタッフの方はいやな顔ひとつせず優しく対応して下さりますので、安心して下さいね！

We had such an awesome time under the water and we could wear our glasses so we could really see the fish clearly!

I participated with my sister.

Although we had an early morning gathering, the president of the Dolphin Junior High School cheered up the participants, who were still waking up and feeling low-energy. From the car windows, we were able to see "This Tree, What Tree," Pearl Harbor, and the Disney Hotel, which gave us a bit of a sightseeing experience.

I was a bit anxious after hearing that there were two days the previous week when we couldn't see dolphins, but after about 10 minutes of departing from the port, we dove right into the sea! When the captain shouted, "Look down!!" I desperately peered into the water, and there they were—the dolphins I had longed to see! Not only did I get to see them, but I was truly moved to hear their "kyu-kyu" sounds.

After that, we moved to a tropical fish and honu spot. When we had food, aggressive tropical fish swarmed around us (laughs). We also managed to meet a honu that was napping.

Originally, this was supposed to be the end, but because we found the dolphins early, we were given a special second dolphin dive! We were able to see an even larger group of dolphins than the first time, which was incredibly exciting!

Actually, my sister had been feeling a bit unwell since the morning, but she completely recovered without realizing it. It seemed like the dolphins had healed her.

Thank you to everyone at Dolphin Junior High for the fun lesson! ^^

姉妹で参加させていただきました。

早朝の集合でしたが、
車内では寝起きでテンション低めの参加者達をイルカ中学会長さんが盛り上げてくださり、
車窓からは「この木なんの木」やパールハーバー、ディズニーホテルなどを見ることできて
ちょっとした観光気分を味わうことができました。

前週に２日イルカに会えない日があったと聞いて若干不安でしたが、
港を出発して10分程ですぐに海へダイブ！
船長さんの「シタヲミテー！！」の言葉で必死に海中を覗くと、
念願のイルカが！！
姿を見ることができたのはもちろんのこと、
「キューキュー」という鳴き声を聞くことができたのには本当に感動しました。

その後は熱帯魚＆ホヌスポットへ移動。
餌を持っていると、わらわらと群がってくるアグレッシブな熱帯魚たち(笑)
お昼寝中だったホヌにも何とか会うことができました。

本来はこれで終了らしいのですが、
イルカの発見が早かったからとのことで、
特別に2回目のイルカダイブ！
1回目よりもさらに大群のイルカ達を見ることができて大感動！！

実は朝から若干体調が悪かった妹ですが、
知らぬ間にすっかり回復。
イルカ達に癒されたようでした。

イルカ中学のみなさん、楽しい授業をありがとうございました^^

My daughter participated in the Royal Swim. The very friendly dolphin was super cute! However, it would be nicer if the price were a bit lower.

娘がロイヤルスイムに参加しました。
とても人懐っこいイルカは、超可愛かったですよ^^
でも、出来れば値段がもう少し安いと懐にも優しいな。。

Wish we could have seen more underwater sites. But its the next best thing to snorkeling for those who haven't done it.

I booked Dolphin Adventure. I was moved to touch a dolphin for the first time and swim with it. The time we had to interact was very short, but it became a lifelong memory.
Afterward, I watched the dolphin show. Here, there are dolphin and whale calves, called wolphins. I was surprised to learn about wolphins during the show, as I had never seen them in Japan, and it was truly moving.

ドルフィンアドベンチャーを予約しましま。初めてイルカに触れ、また一緒に泳げたので感動しました。触れ合える時間はすごく短いですが、一生の思い出になりました。
終わった後に、イルカのショーを見ました。ここには、イルカとクジラの子供、ウォルフィンがいます。私はショーの時に初めてウォルフィンがいるのを知って、ビックリしました‼︎日本では見ることができないので、すごく感動しました。

Amazing experience to see such beautiful creatures up close! Highly recommend to everyone!!!

This was an incredible activity. There were quite a few sharks and we were right there with them. It was crazy. We even saw a whale on our way out to the cage. While we were in the cage we could hear the whale singing. It was an awesome activity. The crew was very nice and helpful. We had a great time!

天気も良く、ホエールウォッチング日和でした。
本当にクジラが見れるのか心配でしたが、何頭ものクジラが見れて興奮と感動でした。
食事は、それなりに美味しかったです。
船の中では、自由行動だったので過ごしやすかったです。
お勧めです。

In the morning, I spotted a whale in the distance, and since it was far away, I was able to participate for free in the afternoon as well. In the afternoon, I was able to see the whale up close, which was amazing!! The crew was kind, and at the end, I could buy photos of the whales we saw today. I couldn't take good pictures with my own camera, so it became a nice memento. The food was delicious, but when you're engrossed in watching the whales, you don't have the chance to eat. I definitely want to participate again next time.

午前中、遠くの方にクジラを発見したのですが、遠かったということで、午後も無料で参加することができました。午後は近くでクジラを見ることができて最高でした！！
クルーの方も親切だったし、最後に今日見たクジラの写真を買うこともできます。
自分のカメラでは上手く撮れなかったので、いい記念になりました。
ご飯は美味しかったのですが、クジラに夢中になると食べる余裕がなくなっちゃいますね。
次回もまた参加したいです。

I signed up for this experience because my companion, who was visiting Hawaii for the first time, wanted to go on a boat, see whales, and dance the hula—all in one package. Although the wind was strong, the boat was large enough that I felt comfortable. We saw the whales' tails twice. The activities were divided into three parts: hula, ukulele, and lei-making. My friend was thrilled to finally dance as she had always wanted. The staff was also very friendly. Next time, I want to go when the whales are more active.

ハワイが初めての同行者が希望した、船に乗りたい・クジラを見たい・フラダンスを踊りたいがまとめて叶うので、申し込みました。風が強かったですが、船が大きいので、弱い私も大丈夫でした。クジラは尾だけ２回見られました。フラとウクレレとレイ作りの３つに分かれて教えてくれました。友人は念願かなって楽しそうに踊っていました。スタッフも親切でした。今度はクジラが活発な時期に行ってみたいです。

I saw a whale. However, I couldn't take a good photo. I also saw a dolphin, maybe? It would have been better if the whale had made bolder movements.

クジラが、見えました。　でも、写真がうまく撮れませんでした。　イルカ？　かなー？もみれましたよ。もう少し、クジラさんの大胆な動きがあったら、よかったです。

The scenery was absolutely stunning, so I thought it was okay if I didn't get to see any whales. I was worried about getting seasick, but it was actually very comfortable and I didn't feel sick at all.

The whales surfaced several times, spouting water, and when they dove, I could see their large tails. Right after we set off, we saw a sea turtle, and on the way back, we were able to see a lot of flying fish. I'm glad I took the Navatek.

とにかく景色が素晴らしかったので、クジラに会えなくても仕方ないかと思ったくらいです。船酔いが心配だったのですが、実に快適で全く酔うこともありませんでした。
クジラは何度も海面まで上昇し潮吹きし、潜る時には大きな尾ビレが並んで見えました。出発してすぐにウミガメを、帰りにはたくさんのトビウオを見ることができました。ナバテック号に乗って良かったです。

It was the last chance day. I finally got to see the whales that I had wanted to see for a long time. Thank you very much. Next time, I might be okay without a meal... because there were only a few options for food...

最後のチャンス日でした。以前から見たかったクジラさん達。今回のオプショナルツアーでやっと叶うことができました。ありがとうございました。次回は食事なしでもいいかな。。。と思いました。食事の種類がわずかだったので・・・。

We participated as a couple. We left early in the morning and drove for an hour to the West Coast, a place not often visited by tours. During the drive, our enthusiastic guide shared a wealth of information about the tour, Hawaii, personal introductions, and safety instructions, keeping the conversation lively until we reached our destination.

After using the restroom, we changed into wetsuits, which were available for a voluntary fee of $10. They even had sizes for my larger frame. It was a good decision to rent one since the water was still cold. We encountered dolphins shortly after setting sail. Following the captain's and the guide's instructions, we entered the water. There were a lot of dolphins! I never expected to see them so soon; it felt like a natural aquarium. We were treated to numerous dolphin jumps and even spotted sea turtles, along with octopuses and various tropical fish. The weather was perfect, with no wind, making for the best conditions. For my wife, who is not a strong swimmer, they provided something like a floatation device. Normally, life jackets are available, so it's not necessary, but those who feel scared might want to borrow one.

夫婦で参加しました。早朝に出発し車で１時間、あまりツアーで行かない西海岸へ行きます。
車の中でテンションの高いガイドさんから、おもしろおかしくツアーのこと、ハワイのこと、自己紹介、注意事項など盛りだくさんのお話があります。沈黙することなく目的地に到着。
トイレを済ませ、ウェットスーツに着替えます。任意で１０ドルです。太目の私のサイズもありました。海の中はまだ寒いので借りてよかったです。出航してすぐにイルカに遭遇。キャプテンと学級委員（ガイド）の指示で海に入ります。大量のイルカです。こんなに早くお目にかかるとは！天然の水族館です。イルカのジャンプを何度も見せてくれました。ウミガメも見ることができました。他にもタコやいろんな熱帯魚。当日は風もなく天候にも恵まれ最高のコンディションでした。泳ぎの苦手な妻には浮輪のようなものを貸してくださいました。本来はライフジャケットがあるので必要ありません。それでも怖いひとは借りておくとよいでしょう。

It was very fun watching the whales and having excellent drinks! Very awesome experience!

☆Private Dolphin Middle School☆
We were picked up at 6:25 AM, and although we were worried about the cloudy weather in Waikiki, we arrived at Waianae Harbor on the West Coast in about an hour, and the sun started to shine. The dolphin watching was conducted in a classroom format with a tour guide. Mr. TAKAO's explanations (he looked a lot like Tetsuya Takeda) prioritized the safety of the participants, and he prayed in the morning for everyone to encounter dolphins.

Before we reached the point, our feelings and prayers were answered, and we encountered a pod of bottlenose dolphins. Feeling optimistic, we first went snorkeling at a spot with sea turtles and fish to get accustomed to the water. There was an explanation that those who are sensitive to the cold water temperature could rent a wetsuit for $10, and many people took advantage of that. I was fine in the water with my long-sleeved rash guard, but the wind after getting back on the boat was tough; I managed to cope with my towel.

With the keen eyes of our dolphin-finding captain, we changed locations a few times and jumped into the water!

At first, everyone was so eager to see the dolphins that we struggled to communicate with them, and they seemed to swim away. However, after a few attempts and relaxing a bit, we could hear the dolphins' sounds up close, like "kyurukyuru."

With the captain's visual spotting from the boat and Mr. TAKAO's accurate guidance, we heard the call to "look down, look down." A few dolphins swam really close to us. It was such a joy to meet wild dolphins freely moving in the vast ocean!

I definitely want to join this tour again, and next time I want to participate in Dolphin University as well. I'm a little proud of the eco bag we received as a graduation certificate!

☆私立イルカ中学☆
早朝６：２５ピックアップ、ワイキキの曇天を気にしてたけれどウエスト・コーストのワイアナエ港に約一時間で到着どんどん晴れてきて。イルカウオッチングをバスの中から授業形態にしてのツアーガイド。ＴＡＫＡＯさんの説明（武田鉄矢に超似てました）参加者さんたちの安全第一、皆がイルカと遭遇できるように朝一でお祈りしてきてくれました。
　
皆の気持ちと祈りが通じてポイントに到着前に、ハンドウイルカの群れと遭遇。幸先の良さを感じつつ、この日は先にウミガメやお魚たちのいるポイントでシュノーケルの身体慣らし。バスの中から水温が低くて寒いの苦手な方は１０ドルでウエットスーツ借りられる説明があり、何人もの方が借りてました。私は長袖のラッシュガードで水中は全く大丈夫でしたが船に上がってからの風が堪えました、持参のバスタオルでどうにかしのげましたが。
イルカ探しの名人キャプテンの目で数回場所を変えながら、水中にイン！

最初は皆のイルカだイルカと気持ちが先走り上手くイルカさんたちとのコミュニケーションが取れず、逃げられちゃってる感じでしたが数回のチャレンジで気負いが取れてリラックスしたせいか「キュルキュル」とイルカさんたちの声まで聞こえる近さに。

キャプテンの船上からの目視とガイドのＴＡＫＡＯさんの的確な判断で「下観て、下観て」の声が。ほんとに近くを数頭が泳いでくるんです。大海原を自由に動き回ってる野生のイルカとの対面うれしかったぁ～＾＾

また参加したいツアーだし、今度はイルカ大学にも参加したいです。卒業証書としていただいたエコバックちょっと自慢です＾＾；

From March 24, 2014, for one week, my family took our first trip to Hawaii (Maui). Since we weren't interested in package tours, I researched and chose one of the option tours myself. I was skeptical about whether we could really see whales so close to the port, but... it seemed like three whales were swimming together, possibly a mother and her calf? To my great fortune, one of the whales jumped out of the water! I couldn't help but let out a joyful shout. The boat searched around for spots where the whales might surface. Nearby, small boats seemed to gather, perhaps aware of the sonar capabilities of the Star of Honolulu. At the end of the enjoyable cruise, we were also able to see a pod of about ten dolphins, making it a truly satisfying whale watching experience.

２０１４年３月２４日から１週間、家族で初めてのハワイ（マウイ島）旅行でした。パッケージツアーに興味がないので、自分であれこれ調べてオプションツアーの一つとしてチョイスしました。港からそんなに遠くない範囲で本当にクジラを見ることができるのか半信半疑だったのですが・・・３頭が一緒に回遊していたようですが、親子でしょうか？なんと幸運にもそのうちの１頭のクジラが海中からジャンプしたのです。歓喜の叫び声が思わず漏れてしまいました。船はクジラ達が海面に出てきそうな場所を探して探し回ります。近くにはスターオブホノルル号のおそらくソナーの性能を知ってか小さなボートも群がってきますね。楽しいクルーズの最後には１０数頭の群れをなすイルカも見ることができて本当に満足のいくホエールウォッチングになりました。

I wanted to show my 5-year-old child a whale, but they got bored staring at the ocean for too long and were in a bit of a mood. However, they seemed to enjoy the buffet and ate a lot. We also had a great time making leis after the meal!

5歳の子供にクジラを見せてあげたかったのですが、ずっと海を眺めているのに退屈してしまい、ご機嫌ナナメ。でも、ビュッフェは楽しかったようで、モリモリ食べてくれました。また、食後のレイ作りも楽しかったです！