North Shore
It was a very enjoyable experience for me. Wouldn't have done it anywhere else and their expertise has really given me confidence and comfort about the whole experience.
I participated this time because I wanted to experience horseback riding.
For beginners, there might be some anxieties like, "Will I be able to ride by myself?" or "What if I can't ride well and disturb others?!"
However, the horses used for this activity are well-trained for polo, and even someone like me, who is a beginner and not very confident in my athletic abilities, was able to enjoy it immensely.
All the necessary precautions regarding horseback riding are explained clearly in Japanese by the guide, so even those who are anxious about their English can participate with peace of mind.
Additionally, during the ride, the ranch staff provide fun support in very simple English, making the hour feel very short and giving a great sense of security.
The great thing about the mountain course is that you can enjoy the ups and downs of a course that you wouldn't typically find in Japan while feeling a pleasant breeze. Also, the view of the North Shore from the top of the mountain was fantastic.
Beyond the horseback riding experience, I think the guiding skills of this activity are worth experiencing. They make sure you enjoy everything on the way to and from the ranch, including Dole Plantation, turtle watching at Turtle Beach, and lunch at a non-frozen shrimp stand. Moreover, they can drop you off at your desired shopping area (DFS, Ala Moana) on the way back, allowing you to make the most of your day.
I participated alone this time and had some anxieties, but the guide provided excellent follow-up, so I was able to enjoy it very much.
今回は乗馬の体験をしたくて参加しました。
乗馬初心者の方は、
”自分一人で乗れるだろうか?”
”上手く乗れなくて他の方に迷惑をかけてしまうのではないか?!”
などの不安を多少なりともお持ちかと思います。
しかし、このアクティビティで使用される馬はポロ用にしっかり調教されており、初心者でかつあまり運動神経に自信がない私でも非常に楽しむことが出来ました。
乗馬に関する各注意事項は、ガイドの方がしっかり日本語で説明してくださるので、英語に不安を覚える方でも安心して参加することが出来ます。
また、乗馬中は牧場の方が非常に簡単な英語で楽しくフォローしてくれるので一時間がとても短く感じますし、安心感も非常にありました。
山コースの良いところは、日本では考えられないアップダウンがあるコースを気持ちがいい風を浴びながら楽しめるところです。
また、山の上からノースショアを一望できて最高でした。
乗馬体験以外にも、このアクティビティのガイド力は一度体験してみる価値はあると思います。
ドールプランテーション、亀海岸での亀ウォッチング、冷凍ではないシュリンプ屋台での昼食等、牧場までの行き帰り全てを無駄なく満喫させてくれます。
また、帰りは希望のショッピングエリア(DFS、アラモアナ)で車を下してもらうという希望にもこたえて頂けるので一日を無駄なく満喫することができます。
今回は一人参加で不安もありましたが、ガイドの方がしっかりフォローアップしてくれるので非常に楽しむことができました。
Horseback riding was amazing. I was able to ride for a long time, and instead of flat terrain, we went up and down mountains, which was a rare experience that I can't have in Japan.
At the turtle beach, I didn't see any turtles basking on the shore that day, but I discovered some turtles in the water! My excitement shot up instantly.
The shrimp I had for lunch was delicious. My sister, who was with me, said it was "the best" during her stay in Hawaii.
乗馬は最高でした。長時間乗れて、歩くのも平地ではなく山の登り降りがあり、日本では体験できない様な貴重な経験が出来ました。
海がめのビーチではこの日は甲羅干しをしているカメは見られませんでしたが、海の中にいるカメを発見!テンションが一気にあがりました。
お昼に食べた海老は美味しかった。一緒にいった妹はハワイ滞在中で『一番だった』と言ってました。
and i did! it was great, met my expectations and more. the crew was great and made sure i came back in one piece! i would definitely do this again
I sank a cage offshore and jumped in... At first, I was anxious, but if you try, you can do it! It was September, but the water temperature was a bit low. Also, since the waves were rough offshore, it might be better not to eat too much before participating. Two out of six people got seasick.
Still, it was an invaluable experience. After returning home, my PC crashed, and I lost the photos of the sharks, which made me weep. I want to participate again.
沖合に檻を沈めてそこにどぼん、、、最初は不安でしたがなせばなる!9月でしたが水温は若干低め。あと沖合で波が荒いので、参加する前にはあまりものを食べすぎない方がいいかも。酔ってはいた人2人/6人。
それでも得難い経験です。帰国後PCがクラッシュして、サメの写真が消えてしまいむせび泣きました。また参加したい。
This was the most fun we had on Oahu. Captain Dave and Crewman Chris are very professional, knowledgeable and entertaining. We felt safe in their capable hands...which was especially important, given the fact that this is an incredibly thrilling activity! Sooooo scary....being in the water, surrounded by numerous sharks of varying size (basically bigger than you, and much faster too!) certainly makes the adrenaline pump!
We bought the DVD of our experience, and we appreciate the fact that it is your choice to have your experience taped or not, and is therefore more personal and not 'pushed' at you for purchase. Just got home last night, and immediately watched it!
We recommend this activity to all but the faint of heart!
I thought I was going to be scared, but they made sure I was at ease. We go in a little deep, and the reality hits you when you see the cage. It was windy that day, and we got some waves. Once you get into the cage, and you get up close with these sharks, you see how amazing they are. I would highly recommend this to everyone!! Very cool!!!!
What an outstanding adventure! My wife and I had a great time. Captain JR and Chris created one of the best overall experiences we had in Hawai'i. They were funny, and knowledgeable about what we saw off the North Shore. Compared to other trips we took around O'ahu, they were the most reasonably priced as well. We're glad we bought the DVD to show how many sharks we saw, and the pictures impressed all our family... Highly recommended.
As experienced horseback riders, this was our first time riding by the seaside, and it was refreshing and a lot of fun! However, unlike in the canyon, the ride was only 45 minutes, which was a bit disappointing. If I could wish for anything, I would have liked to enjoy it a bit longer. The guide was a local Japanese person who shared a lot of detailed information about Hawaii. I think this is a recommended plan for beginners!
乗馬経験者の私たちでしたが、海辺での乗馬は初めてでしたので、新鮮で大変楽しめました♪
ただし、渓谷と違い、45分と短い時間だったのが残念です。欲を言えば、もう少し堪能したかったです。
ガイドの方は現地の日本人の方で、ハワイについてとても詳しく話してくれました。
初心者の方にはお薦めのプランだと思いますよ♪
I wanted to let you know how much we enjoyed our ride. We were a group of five, Joe Shonkwiler (wife Donna), Charlie Johnson, Jeff Goorsky and myself. Sarah and Heidi were our guides. We had an awesome time!!! The ride was fantastic, the views great, the lunch delicious, the horses perfect, Sarah and Heidi outstanding! It couldn't get any better than that. The girls got a kick out of my husband since he had never ridden before as well as being allergic to horses. He did great! Just enough breeze was blowing to keep the allergies at bay and his horse was the perfect babysitter. Thank you again!
Gunstock Ranch is terrific in every way. The scenery is spectacular and the trail guides are fantastic.
Myself and a close friend were visiting Oahu for 5 days, and she decided that we should take the time to go 'swimming with sharks.'
Now, keep in mind that I have a tremendous fear of drowning and also am not too keen on the idea of swimming with sharks, but I was convinced to 'live a little,' and I signed us up for the North Shore Shark Adventure- and I am SO GLAD that I did.
The staff were EXTREMELY helpful, witty, and sarcastic in the right places. They put everyone's fears to rest at the beginning of the tour, and were extremely knowledgeable about everything regarding the tour and more. (Who knew that specific sharks will just bump you with their noses and then leave you alone because they have taste buds on the outside of their bodies?)
For our tour, the wind was really picking up and the seas were a bit choppy, so there was a little bit more salt water swallowed than I care for and 1/2 our party got seasick..* (they recommend buying dramamine at the beginning of the to
Thank you for such a fantastic trail ride! Our guide, Brittany was great and it was so nice to have options for canter. Out of all the holiday riding experiences we have had, this has been the best by far. I can definitely say that if it wasn't for the 21 hour flight from the UK, we would be there every weekend!
The Beach on the North Shore tour was beautiful, very clean, and a refreshing change from Waikiki Beach. The waves were much stronger and had great surfing beaches along the way for those interested in that. Really enjoyed watching folks on that diving rock there. The ride was long, but the driver was very friendly, helpful and knowledgeable and relayed lots of information about Hawaii. The stroll through the small, older town with shops and eateries was unique. Loved the music provided by that musical family that lives there and entertains the tourists. A relief to see more enjoyable aspects of Oahu without the hassle of driving.
What a great excursion! The most challenging part of the experience is getting in and out of the boat -- which really is not that hard. It is so great to see sharks up close. I highly recommend this adventure. My boyfriend was freaked out that I had booked this excursion...and now all he does is brag about it. He has no regrets and both of us would do it again in a heart beat. Don't miss out on this treat.
I have been to Oahu several times and this has been my favorite tour so far!
We did this "tour" on our second trip to Hawaii. It is a great opportunity to experience the North Shore on your own but still get the guided tour experience. This is a "tour" you could take multiple times and have a new experience every time. We loved the options and being able to choose our adventure once we got there.
This was an outstanding activity that we will talk about for years to come. What an experience. I would do it again. The staff was outstanding to the details.
Definitely a must do when visiting Oahu! It is a once in a lifetime experience! Definitely buy the DVD that is offered so you can enjoy the adventure without having to worry about taking pictures! There were a lot of swells the day we went out & even though I normally never get seasick, I was slightly nauseous by the end of the ride. There were a lot of sharks that day & the boat crew really made the experience worth while! GO DO IT!! You will not regret it!
We had a great time on this tour. The staff was great and it was a very laid back atmosphere. The weather even cooperated with us. We would defintely recommend it to others.
I really had a great time...I was looking for snorkeling and that was the best part of the day. Then we also saw the turtles beach and the Haleiwa town...really a lot of fun! I'd do it again if I will ever go back to Hawaii :)
I wanted to go to the North Shore to see the big waves and the surfing scenes, but instead, I joined a shark tour.
I get seasick, I don't like water, and I can't swim. I've been scared of sharks since middle school, so I usually avoid the ocean. However, I’m glad I went, even though I got seasick, dislike water, and can't swim!
Even if you're just observing, it's perfectly fine, so if you're not comfortable wearing a swimsuit, that's okay. You can enjoy seeing the fins and large shapes from the boat.
I recommend bringing an underwater camera, which you can find at ABC Stores; they sell them for around $13, while on the boat, they cost $15.
Once you're on the boat, all conversations are in English, haha. Even if you don't understand everything, please pay attention to the safety instructions. They will give you a booklet with instructions in Japanese, so make sure to read it.
The staff, both the older man and the younger guy, are really friendly. You’ll go into the water for 20 minutes at a time, and there are safety instructions for that, so be sure to check. They provide snorkeling gear, but I thought just the goggles would be enough for me since I’ve never used them before and found them cumbersome.
My friend is a very good swimmer, and after diving, he said he was close enough to the sharks that he thought about reaching out to touch them. There were definitely sharks that were over 3 meters long swimming around. They were calmly attacking the bait thrown by the staff.
Despite being someone who struggles with everything, I had a lot of fun. I was clinging to the cage because I was scared, so my arms are incredibly sore now. I’m thinking of booking this tour again when I go to Hawaii. I don’t think there are many tours like this in Japan, so I highly recommend it.
The ocean is incredibly beautiful, the scenery is great, and the sharks are huge. It was a really good experience.
I would advise against bringing small children. The same goes for anyone with heart issues; the water is cold, and seeing the sharks might be shocking. The boat moves quite fast, so if you're going during a cooler season, I recommend bringing a thick jacket.
Next time I go, I plan to practice getting used to the cold water.
It might be hard to see, but I’ll leave some photos here.
ノースショアに行きたかったのは、高波とサーフィンの情景をを見に・・・思っていたのですが、サメツアーに参加です。
私は船酔いするし水が嫌い、もちろん泳げないし中学以来サメが怖いから海に行かない奴なんですが、これは!船酔いしても水が嫌いでも泳げなくても行って良かったです。
見学だけでもOKですので、水着はどうも嫌と思う方でも大丈夫、船の上からヒレや大きな姿が存分に楽しめます。
ABCストアなどに水中用カメラが売っているので御持参されることをお勧めします、船内15ドル・ABC13ドル前後。
船に乗ったら会話はすべて英語w
分からないなりにも注意事項はよく聞いていてください、日本語の注意事項冊子を渡されるので読んで下さい。
スタッフのおじさんとお兄さんは凄くフレンドリーです。
1回20分海に入ります、入る時の注意事項もあるので要チェック。シュノーケルは貸してくれますが、私は水中眼鏡だけでいいなと思いました。使った事無いので邪魔で邪魔で。
友人は泳ぎがかなり上手いため潜水したあと、「手を伸ばして触ろうかと思った」ほど近くまでサメがよってきています。 本当に3mはゆうにある子達がウヨウヨ。
おじさんが投げる餌に悠然と襲い掛かってました。
何もかも苦手な私がなんかとっても楽しかった、確かに苦手だったので檻にしがみ付いていた為、腕が物凄く筋肉痛です。ハワイに行くときはまた予約しようかなと思います。
日本ではなかなかこういったツアーは無いと思うのでお勧めです。
海が物凄くきれい、景色も良い、サメもでかい
とてもいい経験でした。
小さいお子さんは止めた方がいいでしょう。
心臓が悪い方も同様、水が冷たいしサメ見たらショックかも。
船がかなり高速で動くので気温が低い時期は厚手の上着を持参された方がいいと思います。
今度行く時は冷たい水につかる練習して行こうと思います。
分かりづらいですが、写真おいておきます。
This was my third time to Oahu. I was looking for a North Shore tour that offered a visit to Haleiwa and Waimea Falls, this was the only tour that offered both!! The tour was fantastic and I would definitely partake again. Cheers : )
I participated in a seaside horseback riding plan with my mother on January 20th.
On this day, there were four participants in total: the two of us at the seaside and two in the valley.
Unfortunately, we couldn't stop by Moanalua Gardens as it was under construction, but we made a special stop at the Healing Stones in Wahiawa before heading to Dole Plantation. We had a good amount of time there, allowing us to leisurely enjoy the famous Dole Whip pineapple soft serve.
We also tried our hand at turtle watching on the North Shore beach, but the waves were high that day, and no turtles came ashore.
At 11 AM, we had lunch in Haleiwa. Our guide took us to the restaurant we wanted, and we had garlic shrimp at MACKY'S. The lemon pepper flavor was refreshing and highly recommended.
At noon, we dropped off the two participants from the valley horseback riding plan at Happy Trails, and we headed to Turtle Bay Resort, the seaside horseback riding point. Luckily, we spotted a whale from the car window during our drive!
Our horseback riding experience started at 12:30 PM, and during this time, it was just the two of us. We were lucky! I have some riding experience, but it was my mother's first time, so we decided to join this beginner-friendly plan. However, I found it a bit lacking for experienced riders since we weren't allowed to canter. Still, the scenery was beautiful with both bush and seaside views, so we could enjoy the atmosphere.
The ride was conducted at a walk to a brisk walk, which I think would be perfectly fine for beginners or those with little experience, and I was very satisfied with the content. There were some ups and downs along the way. The horses seemed well-trained, making them very easy to ride.
For the seaside horseback riding, the riding instructions were briefly explained by our guide/driver in the car, and there were none at the site. We were immediately assigned our horses and got on. Because of this, we had a solid 45 minutes of riding!
I think it was a great tour in terms of being able to enjoy horseback riding casually.
As a side note, one of the participants in the valley horseback riding fell off while dismounting and ended up muddy when we went to pick them up. For those going in the future, please enjoy yourselves without letting your guard down until the end!
母と2人で海辺乗馬プランに参加(1/20)しました。
この日の参加者は私たち海辺2人+渓谷2人の計4人。
残念ながらモアナルアガーデンは工事中ということで立ち寄ることができず、今回は特別にワヒアワのヒーリングストーンに寄って、ドールプランテーションへ。しっかり滞在時間を取ってくださったので、名物のパイナップルソフトクリームのドールホイップをゆっくり食べることができました。
ノースショアのビーチでウミガメウォッチングにもチャレンジしましたが、この日は波が高くて浜辺に上がってくる奇亀はいませんでした。。
11時にハレイワでランチ。希望のお店に連れて行ってくださったので、MACKY’Sでガーリックシュリンプを食べました。レモンペッパー味がさっぱりでおすすめです。
12時に渓谷乗馬プランの2人をハッピートレイルズで降ろして、私たちは海岸乗馬ポイントであるタートルベイリゾートへ。移動中、運よく車窓からクジラが観測できました!
12時30分から乗馬体験。この時間帯は私たち2人の貸し切りでした。ラッキーです☆
私は乗馬経験者ですが、母は初体験でしたので、今回はこの初心者向けのプランに参加することにしたわけですが、やはりどーしても経験者には物足りないです。。駈歩はやらせてもらえませんからね。が、ブッシュあり海辺ありで、景色はとても良いので雰囲気だけは楽しめます。
常歩~速歩程度で行われるので、初めての人や経験の少ない人には問題なく、大満足の内容になってると思いました。わりとアップダウンはあります。馬はよく調教されているようでしたので、とても乗りやすかったです。
なお、海辺乗馬の場合は、乗馬の注意事項は車内でガイド兼運転手さんから簡単に説明があっただけで、現地ではまったくなし。いきなり馬がセレクトされ、騎乗する流れでした。その分、45分しっかり乗れます!!
気軽に乗馬が楽しめる点においては、とても良いツアーだったと思います。
余談ですが、渓谷乗馬の1人が下馬する時に落ちてしまったそうで、迎えに行った時に泥んこになってました。これから行かれる方は最後まで気を抜かずに楽しんで来てください。
This way a great way to explore the North Shore without having to do the driving. The driver, Keoki, was great! He showed much aloha which made this trip very special. Thanks again Keoki!
The story performed, Breath of Life, was a perfect show for Christmas. For a short time I forgot I was in Hawaii in the warmth and back home in snow and the true meaning of Christmas --- thank you to all for your hard work.
This time, I participated in this tour for horseback riding. It includes sightseeing at "This Tree, What Tree" and the North Shore, so it feels like a good deal. On the day of the tour, there were three groups with eight people, all of whom went horseback riding in the valley. It was a homey tour, and we were able to bond with the other participants.
Now, let me comment on the main horseback riding experience. It was our first time riding. I was a bit anxious because it was mentioned in the previous posts that the riding lecture would be in English. Happy Train is a small ranch run by a couple, and they explained everything with great enthusiasm using gestures, so it was easy to understand. In fact, the horses were well-trained, and we didn't need to give any commands at all.
We rode along a hilly mountain path, with the ranch's wife leading the way in a single file. The husband followed at the back. The ranch's dog (a Border Collie) also came along. It was mostly in the forest, and surprisingly, it wasn't too hot. There were a couple of spots where the view opened up, and we could see the sea of the North Shore. Since the horses are polo-style, we held the reins with one hand, allowing us to take photos (with a compact camera) with the other hand. The ranch staff also took photos for us along the way, so definitely bring a camera. I brought a waist pouch, but you can also borrow one.
The horses were really well-trained and walked in a straight line. They stopped automatically when the horse in front stopped, which made it quite easy. My wife's horse was unique, as it tended to walk on the edges and even pushed into the bushes at times... but that was quite funny.
I think even a six-year-old would be fine with this. However, since they are animals, one must not let their guard down, and we had to sign a waiver.
An hour and a half passed in no time. The ranch's wife shared various stories about the trees and nature while we were riding, and I really wished I could speak more English.
So, while experienced riders might find it a bit lacking, I believe it is a fantastic activity for beginners or those like us trying it for the first time. Both my wife and I consider this the number one memory of our trip to Hawaii.
今回、乗馬目的でこのツアーに参加しました。「この木なんの木」やノースショアの観光もついているのでお得感はあります。当日の参加者は3グループ8人で、全員渓谷での乗馬でした。アットホームなツアーで参加者で打ち解けることができました。
メインの乗馬についてコメントします。わたしたちにとって初めての乗馬です。あらかじめこちらの書き込みで乗馬のレクチャーは英語でと書かれていたので不安もありました。ハッピートレインは夫婦でやっておられる小さい牧場なのですが、夫婦が一生懸命に手振り身振りを交えながらレクチャーしてくださるのでよくわかりました。というより、馬がよく調教されていて、こちらが指示する必要がまったくなかったです。
アップダウンが結構ある山道を牧場の奥さんを先頭に一列になって進んでいきます。旦那さんが最後尾で付いてくれます。牧場の犬(ボーダーコリー)もついて来ていました。ほとんど森林の中で思ったより暑くなかったです。2か所ほど視界が開けていてノースショアの海が見えました。ポロスタイルの馬ですので片手で手綱を持ちますのでもう片方の手で写真(コンパクトカメラで)を撮ることができます。また牧場の方が途中で写真を撮ってくれますので是非カメラを持参してください。わたしはウエストポーチを持って行きましたが、貸してももらえます。
本当によく調教されていて一列できっちり歩いてくれます。前が止まると勝手に止まってくれますし、ちょっと物足りないくらい楽でした。妻の馬だけユニークな馬で、はしっこばかり歩いたり、ブッシュに突っ込んでいくとかありましたが…。それはそれで大笑いでした。
これなら、6歳の子でも大丈夫だと思います。しかし、動物のことですので油断は禁物ですし誓約書も書かされます。
1時間半あっというまに時間が経ちました。牧場の奥さんが乗馬中も色々と木や自然の話をしてくださるので、もっと英語が話せたらよかったとつくづく思いました。
ということで乗馬の経験者の方には少し物足りないと思いますが、わたしたちのような初挑戦や、初心者の方には大満足のアクティビティだと思います。妻も私も今回のハワイ旅行の思い出ナンバー1です。
This was an amazing experience. The whole family enjoyed it so much, we can't wait to do it again next year.
We had a great time on this tour. The group was small, so the guide could be flexible and give individual attention to each participant. There was a range of activities so you could choose how active you wanted to be. We did the Wailea Falls hike and stand-up paddling. We had lunch at the cafe at Wailea Falls, very good Hawaiian-style food. We were glad we paid the extra for an instructor on the paddling as it was challenging. I would only recommend doing it on your own if you are experienced. I highly recommend this tour if you are interested in learning more about the North Shore.
I finally went on the Shark Adventure. There were three groups, including us, but the others seemed cramped as they entered in groups of four at the same time. We had more than enough time, I think it was about 15 to 20 minutes, and they let us stay until we said we were done. Our hands and feet were sticking out of the cage, which added to the tension. The staff handled everything in a calm manner, so those who want to enjoy themselves won't have any issues. I was concerned about seasickness, but I drank two strong ones from Japan, so it wasn't too bad. We drove from Waikiki, and the route was comfortable without getting lost, but on the way back, I was definitely sleepy and tired, so please be careful.
念願のシャークアドベンチャーにいきました。外国の方と我々も含めて3組でしたが、他の方は4人同時に入ったりで狭そうでした。時間は十分すぎるほどあり15分から20分くらいだったと思いますが、こちらからもう結構だと言うまでさせてくれます。檻から手足ははみ出るし緊迫感はあります。スタッフは淡々とこなしている感じですので自分たちで楽しむ方は問題ありません。懸念された船酔いも日本から強力なのを2本飲みましたので差ほどではありませんでした。レンタカーでワイキキから行きましたが道も迷うことなく快適でしたが帰りはさすがに眠く疲れますので気をつけてください。