All Reviews for Marine Wildlife Encounters

I participated in a whale watching tour for the first time. I was surprised by how big the boat was! There were a lot of customers as well. Since it’s a natural occurrence, the whales didn’t show up easily. Just when we were about to give up and head back to the dock, my eldest son shouted loudly, and when I looked over, a whale was just about to jump, which was very moving! It was really just a moment, so I couldn’t take any pictures. But seeing it up close became a wonderful memory. I definitely recommend participating at least once!

初めてホエールウォッチングのツアーに参加しました。
とても大きな船で、びっくりしました！！
お客さんもいっぱいでした。
自然のものなので、なかなか現れず。。諦めて帰ろうと船着場に向かっているときに長男が大声を出したので、そちらを見たらクジラがちょうどJUMPするところでとても感動しました！！
ほんと一瞬だったので、写真はとれず。でも間近で見れてとてもよい思い出になりました。
ぜひ一度参加して見てください。

We went as a family with our 4-year-old daughter. Since we included transportation to and from the hotel, we felt安心 (at ease) during our trip. We were able to see whales three times. The view from the sea was also very beautiful, so we were glad we participated.

４歳娘を連れて家族で行きました。
ホテルまでの送迎も付けたので行き帰りも安心でした。
クジラも３回見られました。
海からの景色もとても綺麗なので、参加して良かったです。

I had a reservation for the last event of the season on April 15, 2024, but due to rain, the boat could not go out. I was contacted and given the option to reschedule for another day or receive a refund. Since I had some flexibility in my itinerary, I requested to reschedule for April 16 if possible, and they agreed to operate the boat on that day as well!

I wanted my 2-year-old son, who loves whales and dolphins, to see these natural creatures, so I rescheduled. On the day of the trip, it was sunny and we were able to set sail, and we saw both whales and dolphins, which was wonderful! The English guide provided thorough information, and it was an interesting experience!

However, be careful as the address for the meeting point provided in the voucher and on the website was incorrect. If you rely on the address, you will end up at the far end of the harbor. The correct meeting point is at Pink Sails Waikiki, which you can find by searching; it’s located just before the harbor, where you turn right at the first road (with hotels on your right and continuing straight past the boats on your left). If you are traveling with small children, it can be quite a hassle, so please be cautious!

今季最後の開催日である2024/4/15に予約をしていましたが、雨天で船が出せないことに。別日に振替か返金かを選べると連絡がありました。
旅程に余裕があったため、可能なら4/16に振り替えたいと連絡すると、予定になかった4/16も船を出してくれることに！
クジラとイルカが好きな2歳の息子に自然の生き物を見せたかったので、振り替えました。当日は無事に晴れて出航できたし、クジラもイルカも見られてとてもよかったです！
英語ガイドも丁寧な内容で、興味深い体験が出来ました！

ただ、バウチャーやべるとら上で事前に連絡されていた集合場所の住所が違っていたので要注意です。
住所を頼りに行くと、ハーバーの一番奥に到着してしまいます。正しい集合場所はピンクセイルズワイキキで検索して出てくる、ハーバーの1番手前の道を右に曲がったところ（右手にホテル郡、左に船を見て真っ直ぐ進んだ先）です。
小さいお子さん連れの場合、かなりの労力を浪費することになるのでご注意ください！

We participated with two adults and four children this time. Fortunately, there was a staff member who spoke Japanese, so the explanations were easy to understand. When putting on the helmet, you have to dive into the sea once to wear it, and then an instructor is assigned to each person, so they handle the scooter for you, and you don’t have to do anything. It might be a bit difficult for small children. It was really fun to interact with the fish up close. They took photos and videos, which you can purchase later. For the meeting point, we took a taxi from the hotel, but the return location was hard to catch a taxi, so we called an Uber. There are also restaurants and cafes nearby, so you can have lunch as well.

今回大人2名子供4名での参加でした。
日本語の対応のスタッフが、たまたまいて対応してくれたので、説明も分かりやすかったです
ヘルメット装着の際は、1度海に潜ってヘルメット被る形になり、後はインストラクターが1人ずつついているので、スクーターも動かしてくれるし、何もやらなくて良かったです。
小さいお子様は少し難しいかもしれません
お魚さんと至近距離で触れ合えて、とても楽しかったです
写真も動画もとってくれて、後で購入する形です
集合場所まで、行きは、ホテルからタクシーで向かったが、帰りがタクシーがつかまらないような場所なので、Uberを呼びました。
周りにレストランやカフェもあるので、お昼も食べれます

I was able to see a pod of dolphins swimming alongside us for a long time. The whales were quite elusive, but we managed to spot one in the distance after continuing to move the boat. It seems that there are significant differences in sightings depending on the day.

Along with sunscreen, motion sickness medication is essential. When heading out to search for whales, the waves can be quite rough, and it can be pretty scary until you get used to it. There were even children who fell inside the boat. The guide was speaking in English and kept cracking quite a few dad jokes. I recommend this for those who aren't afraid of the ocean's swaying!

イルカの群れも並走し長く見ることができました。
鯨はなかなかあらわれずでしたが、
がんばって船を動かしつづけ最後遠くにですが、見ることができました。
日によって見れる時と見れない時の差がはげしいようです。

日焼け止めとともに、
酔い止めは必須です。鯨をさがし沖にむかいつきすすむときは揺れが激しく、
慣れるまではかなり怖いです。中で転んでいる子供もいました。
ガイドのお兄さんは英語ですが、かなりなオヤジギャグを連発でした。
海の揺れが怖くない！って方にはおすすめです。

It was a cool experience. We seen all kinds of fish, turtles, starfish and a shark. Definitely worth the experience the crew was great and knowledgeable. I would definitely go again

I decided to go whale watching at my father's request. After comparing several tours, I chose this one. The whale watching tours offer small, medium, and large boats, and I opted for the large boat this time due to concerns about seasickness. I wondered if I would get seasick, but I didn't at all. I was worried because the guide only spoke English, but even I, who don't understand English at all, was able to enjoy it! There were many whales, and I was moved to see more than I had imagined. The boat has four levels, and I enjoyed the different views from each floor. I also appreciated the shuttle service to the boat.

父の希望でホエールウォッチングに行くことに。
何個かのツアーと比較して、こちらに決定。
ホエールウォッチングのツアーには小型船、中型船、大型船とあり、こちらは大型船のツアー。
今回は船酔いを心配して大型にしました。
船酔いするかな？と思ったけど、全然そんなことありませんでした。
ガイドは英語のみなので心配しましたが、英語をまったく理解出来ない私でも楽しめました！
クジラもたくさん来ていて、想像以上にたくさんのクジラを見ることが出来て感動。
こちらの船は1階から4階まであって、それぞれの階で見たのですが、見え方が違ってそれも楽しめました。
船までの送迎があるのもありがたかったです。

I did get a bit seasick along the way, but I was able to see the seabed, and I was surprised to find fish in such deep waters. If I have the chance again, I would love to do it again.

途中船酔いもしましたが、海底を見ることができて
そんな深いところに魚もいるなんてビックリしました。また機会があったらよろしくお願いします

It was my second time, and I had a great time. I was a bit concerned about the price being on the higher side. The sea was beautiful, and the crew was very kind to us.

2回目でしたが、楽しかったです。
ちょっと値段がお高いのが気になりました。
海は綺麗だし、クルーの方が優しくしてくださいました。

We saw humpback whale was breathing from the upper deck. Captain and the crew did a great job to trace the whale after the first sight. Good experience and learned a lot about humpback whale.

Joined morning whale watching cruise by Star of Honolulu. The cruise started from detailed explanation of naturist, and my sons enjoyed listening to the facts about humpback whales before actually seeing it afterwards.
We saw the whale right after departing the port and captain maneuver the ship very well so that we could chase and see the whale several times. Unfortunately the whale was not so entertaining this time and we couldn’t see live actions like tail slap or bleaching.
Still we’ve enjoyed the whale watching including the hospitality of the clue.
Good to know they will give another chance for free if you cannot see whale during the cruise.
Great experience for winter Hawaii visit!

It was a comfortable cruise, possibly due to the large ship, as my wife, who easily gets seasick even after taking motion sickness medication, didn't feel any nausea at all. There were times when I could feel the ship swaying up and down, but we were so engrossed in searching for whale spouts that it was completely fine. For those who are anxious, I definitely recommend taking motion sickness medication before boarding. During our whale search, although they were far away, we were able to see the spouts, dorsal fins, and parts of the bodies multiple times, which was very satisfying. It was impressive to see them seemingly jump as well. The captain and the female tour guide had such warm personalities that it felt great from the morning greeting. The peppermint rain we received when we got off was so delicious that I wish they would sell it. It was such a fulfilling experience that I even thought about going again the next day. From my husband's perspective, the power of the planes taking off and landing from the nearby airport was incredible, allowing us to enjoy both at once, which was the best. I will definitely go again the next time I come to Hawaii.

まずは酔い止めを飲んでも酔いやすい妻がまったく船酔いしなかったくらい、大型船というのもあったのか快適なクルーズでした。時には上下に揺れてるなという感覚はあるけどクジラの潮吹き探しに夢中になり全然大丈夫だったとのことです。不安な方は酔い止めを飲んでから乗った方がもちろん良いと思います。そのクジラ探しでは遠くではあったものの何度も潮吹きからの尾ビレや一部のボディも見れて大満足でした。ジャンプまでしたように見えたのが印象的でした。キャプテンも添乗員の女性の方も人柄が滲み出ていて朝の挨拶から気持ちよかったです。降りる時にいただいたハッカの雨がとても美味しくて販売して欲しいなとなってます。めちゃくちゃ充実していたので次の日も行こうと思ったくらいです。夫の私的には近くの飛行場から離着陸する飛行機の迫力も凄まじく一度に二つ楽しめて最高でした。次回ハワイに来た時も必ず行かせていただきます。

Although it was from a distance, I was really satisfied to see a whale for the first time.

There were several whale watching boats, but I think it was a good choice to select the Star of Honolulu, as the smaller boats tend to sway quite a bit.

遠目ではありましたが初めてクジラを見れてすごく満足でした


数隻ホエールウォッチングの船がありましたが小さい船は結構揺れるのでスターオブホノルル号を選択して良かったと思いました。

I went in March. I was able to see the small whale's tail and back. Since the boat was not crowded, I could move around freely, and it was comfortable with little rocking, which was great.

3月に行きました。小さい鯨の尾鰭や背中が見れました。船の中では、空いていたこともあり、自由に動き回ることができましたし、揺れも少なく快適で良かったです。

I encountered many whales and even saw a few dolphins, making it a very satisfying tour. When whales or dolphins appear, the staff will guide you on their direction, so I think it's hard to miss them. However, there is only one restroom available, so it's best to take care of that before boarding for peace of mind. Since it's a morning tour, it's also nice that you can schedule activities for the afternoon. (The departure point is near Aloha Tower, so exploring after disembarking is a good idea.)

沢山のクジラと出会えました。また、少しですがイルカも見れて大満足のツアーでした。クジラやイルカが現れた時にはスタッフの方が方角を教えてくれるので、見逃すことも少ないと思います。
ただ、トイレが1箇所しか無いので、乗船前に済ませておいた方が安心です。
午前中のツアーなので、昼からも予定が入れられるのも良いと思います。(発着場所が、アロハタワーの近くですので、下船後に探索するのもいいと思います。)

My first whale watching experience!
I happened to visit Hawaii during the season when whales can be seen, so I thought it was a rare opportunity and joined a tour.
About 20-30 minutes after boarding, we were able to see whales right away! The view is great from the upper deck, but since it's a bit far away, I recommend watching from the lower deck for a closer look. While we couldn't get extremely close, I was very moved to see a whale in person for the first time! The sea breeze was pleasant, and the whole experience of being on the boat was enjoyable.

初のホエールウォッチング！
たまたま鯨を見れる時期にハワイを訪れたので、なかなかない機会だと思いツアーに参加しました。
乗船してから20-30分ぐらいですぐに鯨を見ることができました！上の階だと見晴らしは良いですが、少し距離があるので、下の階でより近くで見るのがおすすめです。かなり近い距離とはいきませんが、生の鯨を初めて見られてとても感動しました！潮風も気持ちよく、乗船自体も楽しかったです。

I was worried about whether I would be able to see anything since I participated in late March, but shortly after we set sail, a whale appeared! It spouted water and I was able to see its tail as well. However, it was a small whale and it was just a brief moment.

After that, there were a couple of brief appearances of small whales in the first half, but they were really just for an instant. In the second half, we didn't see anything at all, which left a feeling of disappointment.

Still, I’m glad I got to see a whale, even if just once in my life. If you imagine a big whale spouting water or slapping its large tail on the surface of the sea, you might end up feeling like, "Is that all there is?"

3月下旬に参加のため、見られるのか心配していたものの、出航して間もなく、くじらが現れてくれました。潮を吹いて、尾っぽも見ることが出来ました。しかし、小さなクジラで一瞬の出来事でした。
その後、前半に2回くらい小さなクジラが一瞬現れてくれたものの、本当に一瞬でした。後半は全く見られず、尻すぼみ感がありました。
それでも、一生に一度でもクジラを見られて良かったです。
大きな鯨が現れて潮を吹いてくれるとか、大きな尻尾を海水面に叩きつけるとか想像を膨らませて参加すると、そんなもんか〜という感想になるかもしれません。

I participated in early March.
I had a great time on a cruise overlooking the coast of Hawaii.
Since you never know where the whales will appear, we only saw them for a moment, but we were able to see a whale's tail and it spouting water. The captain worked hard to adjust the boat's position so we could see the whales.
The boat was large, so I didn't feel much rocking, but I think it would be reassuring to take motion sickness medication. Also, it was windy and cold on the water, so I recommend bringing a long-sleeved jacket. It was chilly in short sleeves.

3月上旬に参加しました。
ハワイの沿岸部を眺めるクルーズで楽しく過ごすことができました。
クジラはどこに出るかわからないので、見えたのは一瞬でしたが、私達はクジラのしっぽと潮吹きしているところを見ることができました。船長ががんばってクジラが見えるように船の位置を調整してくれていました。
船は大きいので、そこまで揺れが強いとは感じませんでしたが、酔い止めを飲んでおくと安心かなと思います。また、海の上は風が強く寒いので、長袖の上着を持っていくのがおすすめです。半袖だと寒かったです。

My experience with the whale watching activity was truly unforgettable. From the moment we boarded the boat, the anticipation and excitement were palpable. The crew was not only knowledgeable but also incredibly passionate about marine life, which enhanced the overall experience.

As we ventured into the open waters, the captain skillfully navigated us to prime whale sighting spots. The vastness of the ocean combined with the breathtaking scenery created a serene atmosphere, perfect for observing these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat.

Witnessing the sheer size and grace of the whales as they surfaced and dove back into the depths left me in awe. It was mesmerizing to see them glide effortlessly through the water, showcasing their majestic beauty.

I have been to Hawaii many times, and this was my second time seeing whales, but my eldest daughter had never had the opportunity, so we decided to participate this time. To be honest, I wasn't expecting much since I didn't see many last time, but perhaps the location was good, as a mother and her three calves appeared alongside the boat.

ハワイは何度も来ていて私はクジラは2度目でしたが長女は機会がなかったので今回参加する事にしました。前回余り見れなかったので正直期待していませんでしたがポイントが良かったのか3頭の親子が船と並走するように現れてくれました。

We had a blast doing the shark dive! The crew was amazing, very knowledgeable and super helpful. Being able to be so close to the sharks was such a cool experience. Highly recommend!
The boat can be a little bit rocky depending on the weather, recommend bringing snacks to help curb seasickness.

We booked the tour in the afternoon but we didn’t see anything. Hope we can see the whale next visit.

My childhood dream was to swim with wild dolphins. Before I knew it, I had progressed in swimming to the point where I could participate in national competitions.

Dolphin University made that dream come true for me. Staff member MAKI provided us beginners with thorough and entertaining explanations, complete with jokes, which brought smiles to the faces of the Japanese participants!

And I underestimated the sea. I experienced seasickness for the first time in my life here.

On the boat, there was unlimited drinking water and hot water, but at that moment when I could barely stand… MAKI brought drinks around, and I was so touched by that perfect timing. Additionally, she shared gum to help with the nausea and regularly checked in on us, providing excellent care that made my seasickness much better, allowing me to enjoy swimming with the dolphins.

Thanks to MAKI and my experience at Dolphin University, I learned so much about the importance of nature, the value of living creatures, and the joy and excitement of the sea. I truly feel lucky.

For participants, you can learn the Japanese joke for free from MAKI.

Thank you for the unforgettable memories. Next time, I will definitely participate again!

私の子供の頃の夢は『野生のイルカと泳ぐこと』
そのために始めたスイミングも気付けば全国大会に出れる程にまでなりました。笑

そんな私の夢を叶えてくれたイルカ大学。
スタッフのMAKIさんが初心者の私たちへの丁寧で面白いギャグ込みの説明をしてくれ日本人参加者たちのお顔も笑顔に！

そしてナメてました海。
船酔いです。
人生初の嘔吐もここで経験させて頂きました

船内には飲み放題のお水やお湯があるのですが、立つことも辛くなってしまったそのとき…MAKIさんが周りに飲み物を持ってきてくれて、そのベストタイミングに感激でした
そしてそれ以外にも（酔いを紛らわす為の）ガムを分けてくださったり、定期的に声をかけてくださったりととても手厚いケアに、船酔いもかなり良くなり楽しくイルカと泳げました

スタッフのMAKIさん、そしてイルカ大学での経験から、自然の大切さや生き物の尊さ、海の楽しさや感動など多くの事を学ばせて頂けた私は本当ラッキーです。

For participant
You can learn the Japanese joke for free from MAKI

忘れられない思い出をありがとうございました。
次も、必ず！絶対！間違いなく参加します。

I participated in the morning session on March 8. There were designated meeting points at nearby hotels, and we took a bus to the port. Most participants were Japanese, and the staff didn't seem to speak Japanese particularly well. There were plenty of Japanese signs and information, so I didn't have much trouble.

As for the whales, we could see their tails and spouts from a distance, but it wasn't satisfying. Also, it was quite windy and cold on the boat, so I felt that a jacket was necessary rather than just a light layer. I wouldn't recommend wearing shorts either.

It seems that this is the tail end of the whale-watching season, so I guess it's understandable that we couldn't see them well, which is my impression after returning.

3/8の午前中の回で参加しました。
近隣のホテルごとに集合場所が設けられ、バスに乗って港まで行きます。
参加者は日本人が多め、スタッフは特に日本語ができる様子はありませんでした。
案内の表示などでは日本語も多くて困ることは少なかったです。
肝心のクジラはというと、少し離れた場所で尻尾が見えたり、潮吹きが見えたりといった感じで満足とは言えないくらいでした。
また、船上は風が強くて寒いので、羽織るもの程度ではなく上着が必要かなと感じました。短パンもお勧めできません。
ホエールウォッチングとしてはギリギリの時期らしいのでしっかり見れなかったのも仕方ないかなというのが帰ってからの感想です。

Fortunately, I was able to encounter a whale. However, I had my video camera ready the whole time but couldn't capture any footage. It's difficult to film with a camera or video. You can enjoy a pleasant cruise while looking at Waikiki from the sea with the beautiful blue ocean. The boat does sway a bit. There were smaller boats around, but for those who are prone to seasickness, a larger boat might be a better option.

幸運にも、クジラに遭遇できました。
ただし、ビデオカメラでずっと構えていましたが映像におさめることはできませんでした。カメラやビデオで撮影するのは難しいですね。ワイキキを青い海とともに洋上から眺めるながら気持ちのよいクルーズを楽しめます。
船はやや揺れます。小型船も周囲に来ていましたが、船酔いの心配がある人は大型船の方がいいのかもしれません。

There were only two of us participating from Japan. Everything was explained in fast-paced English, which I couldn't understand at all, but that was expected, so it wasn't a problem. I was satisfied to see the whale's tail from a distance a few times, which was also within my expectations. However, when snacks were being distributed, they didn't even acknowledge us, and when we were getting off, they kept looking at our hands, probably checking if we would leave a tip? I got off the boat feeling disappointed.

日本人の参加は私達2人だけでした。説明など全て早口の英語で全くわからなかったけど、想定内の事なので問題なし。クジラも遠くに尻尾が見える程度でこれも想定内でしたので､何度か見る事ができたので満足でした。ただ、スナックを配ばる際､私達2人には声もかけてもらえず、降りる時､ずっと手元を見られていて、チップ入れるか確認してたのかな？残念な思いで下船しました。

We had a great time joining Star of Honolulu Whale Watch Cruise. The crews were very professional and friendly. They were informative, so we could learn a lot about whales and dolphins of Hawaii. We could see a mother and baby whales, and dolphins too. We highly recommend this tour, and we are also highly recommend transportation option if you are staying at Wikiki area.

The pickup time was accurate, and the stickers on the chest with the numbers 1 and 2 indicate the bus numbers, making it easy to understand. There are explanations in Japanese on the bus. For the onboard explanations, using a smartphone translation app works well. On the way there, I couldn't see any whales, so I thought, "I'm glad I chose this tour because it's enjoyable even if it's just a cruise," but on the way back, I was thrilled to see whales multiple times! I highly recommend this tour for an extraordinary experience! It can be cold if it's windy, so it's a good idea to bring a jacket. I definitely want my acquaintances going to Hawaii to participate!

ピックアップの時間も正確で、胸に貼るシールに1や2とバスの番号がついているので、わかりやすいです。
バスの中では日本語での説明も有ります。
船内の説明はスマホの翻訳機を使えば大丈夫です。
行きはクジラが会えなかったので、「クルーズと考えても気持ちが良いから、このツァーにしてよかった」とおもっていましたが、帰りには何度もクジラに会えたので感激しました!
非日常な時間を過せるこのツァーはお勧めです!
風が強いと寒いので、上着を持参すると良いですね。
HAWAIIに行く知り合いには、是非！参加してほしいです。

I went without much expectation because I had read reviews saying they couldn't see anything, but I was able to see whales spouting and diving about 5 or 6 times! Their tails were huge, and it was truly moving! I tend to get motion sickness easily, but I didn't feel sick at all without taking any medication. However, since the wind can be strong, it's better to bring a jacket. Inside the boat, you go barefoot, and some people spill drinks due to the wind, so wearing something that can get wet is recommended! Also, the shuttle bus for pick-up only stops on the street and doesn't come to call you. Since there's no company name written on it, it doesn't stand out, and it might depend on the driver, but they don't call out names either, so I think it's best to check when a larger van stops. Additionally, those with a pick-up plan arrive in front of the boat 30 minutes early, so you might have some time to kill. (There's an ice cream shop nearby, so you can pass the time there!)

見れなかったという口コミもあったのであまり期待しないで行きましたが、5,6回くらい潮を吹いて潜っていくクジラを見ることができました！
尾鰭だけですがとっても大きくて感動しました！
自分は乗り物酔いしやすいですが、酔い止めなしでも全く酔いませんでした。
ただ風が強いので上着は持って行ったほうがいいです。
船内は裸足ですし、風でドリンクをこぼしたりする方もいるので濡れてもいい格好がおすすめです！
あと、送迎のシャトルバスは通りに止まるだけで呼びにきてはくれません。
会社名が書いてあるわけでもないので目立ちませんし、ドライバーさんによるかもですが名前を呼ばれたりもしないので大きめのバンが止まったら確認しに行くのが良いと思います。
あと送迎付きのプランの方は30分前に船の前に着くので、少々暇です。
（近くにアイス屋さんがあるので時間は潰せると思います！）

Thanks to the other passengers on board who kept pointing out, "It's over there!" I was able to see it several times. The announcements made by the captain when something is spotted are, of course, only in English, so those who don't understand English will have to rely on the reactions of the surrounding passengers. I imagined it would be as luxurious as a show like "Itte Q," but it was surprisingly underwhelming.

一緒に乗船しているお客さんが見つける度にあっちにいるよ！と声をかけてくれたおかげで何度か見ることができました。船長が見つけた時にかけるアナウンスは当たり前に英語のみなので、英語がわからない人は周りのお客さんの反応を頼りにすることになります。イッテQのような豪華な感じを想像していましたが、案外しょぼかったです。