Reviewed by: Mr. Anonymous
We had a great time as a family on this cruise. My kids (ages 10 and 13) swim, but I was still nervous about them with snorkeling gear in open water for 1.5 hours. Turns out I had no need to worry. They have these great flotation devices you can buckle around their torsos that gives them about 50% flotation, and my kids enjoyed having these on so they didn't have to expend much energy swimming and could enjoy the fish. I'm a marginal swimmer--ok in pools but little experience in open water, and I had a great time also--put on a flotation device around me and didn't worry a bit. I probably could have continued snorkeling another hour. The kids enjoyed sliding off the boat slides into the bay also. Highly recommend.
Rating: | |
---|---|
Packages: | Test Package |
Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
Posted on: | 2013/01/03 |
Reviewed by: Bonnie
We were looking forward to our first adventure in Hawaii... an official Luau. It was a lot of fun and we enjoyed the history of the story telling. However, one downside was that we were instructed and confirmed to go to one hotel and when we arrived early to check in were told there was no show there that night... after going through channels we were told to go to another hotel and we checked in without issue. The evening was pleasant, we met other families and enjoyed the fun. The food was good but nothing too special but the atmosphere was pleasant, the breeze warm and the mai tai's cold! We enjoyed the experience overall.
Rating: | |
---|---|
Packages: | Test Package |
Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
Posted on: | 2013/01/03 |
Reviewed by: T-2
This is our third trip to the Islands and our second luau. The Island Brezze Luau far surpassed our first experience. Food was great and plenty of it and the entertainment outstanding. If this is your first or last luau make sure it's the Island Breeze Luau.
Rating: | |
---|---|
Packages: | Test Package |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2013/01/03 |
Reviewed by: Mr. Anonymous
A wonderful trip, beautiful snorkelling, well organized by helpful and friendly staff, including a great photographer. We had a great time and can recommend this trip without reservation.
Rating: | |
---|---|
Packages: | Test Package |
Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
Posted on: | 2013/01/03 |
Reviewed by: nnick
The Fairwind crew is the best there is - I highly recommend them to any and all. We had so much fun with our Friday snorkel that we booked another on the following Tuesday. The food was outstanding and the instructions were great. The fish class was lots of fun. Case is a great guy and an excellent speaker to people of all ages. We were only on the Big Island for a week and the Fairwind snorkels were the best memories.......
Rating: | |
---|---|
Packages: | Test Package |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2013/01/03 |
Reviewed by: Mr. Anonymous
We loved our helicopter tour! Our first time in a helicopter and we both had a few hesitations, but the ground crew was very helpful and supportive and Koji, our pilot, was wonderful. He made an effort to circle around each area so that everyone would have a great view of the area. The tour was awesome, we felt like we saw all the highlights on the island and really got a feeling of how the lava flows and how the island has changed over the years. We would definitely recommend this tour. The highlight of our trip to the Big Island.
Rating: | |
---|---|
Packages: | Test Package |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2013/01/03 |
Reviewed by: Tom & Mindy
Totally awesome! Mark was full of interesting information and the trip was beautiful and amazing! We would highly recommend this adventure to anyone!!
Rating: | |
---|---|
Packages: | Test Package |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2013/01/03 |
Reviewed by: Yash
This was the first time that my husband & me tried the snorkelling. The crew was awesome and helpful!!
Rating: | |
---|---|
Packages: | Test Package |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2013/01/03 |
Reviewed by: Bob Sanders
An adventure with. great sights and friendly /helpful staff.
Reccomnend for anyone who loves water and great sight seeing.
Rating: | |
---|---|
Packages: | Test Package |
Attended as: | Friends |
Posted on: | 2013/01/03 |
Reviewed by: Mr. Anonymous
This was an extremely unique experience. Some of the views can only be experienced from a helicopter. Waterfalls, lava flows, flights deep into the valley are just some of the sights on this tour. The pilot/guide is extremely knowledgeable and makes the trip fun as well. Well worth the cost and would highly recommend for any individual or group. I can only imagine that each trip would be different due to environmental conditions such as lava flows and rainfall so it is perfect for first timers and repeat guests.
Rating: | |
---|---|
Packages: | Test Package |
Attended as: | Friends |
Posted on: | 2013/01/03 |
Reviewed by: Amber P.
We were lucky enough to see a bunch of sea turtles and different fish. Our toddlers loved the boat and were able to see everything. The staff was very informative!
Thank you!
Rating: | |
---|---|
Packages: | Test Package |
Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
Posted on: | 2013/01/03 |
Reviewed by: Peter in Sydney
Well worth doing the helicopter ride and the Doors Off Experience is the way to do it. The ride itself is worth it but to then fly over the lava flowing into the ocean and seeing collapsed lava tubes is something else.
Rating: | |
---|---|
Packages: | Test Package |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2013/01/03 |
Reviewed by: Helt Family
When we go to tropical destinations we make a point of booking a snorkel sail sometime during our vacation.
We have gone on a number of them in the Caribbean and Hawaii and have really enjoyed them all.
Our all time favorite was the Holo Holo charter on Kauai that took us over to Napali.
My wife and I, as well as our 3 boys, really like getting out on the ocean in a smooth running catamarran.
The Black Sand Snorkel sail was a blast. We really enjoyed the Sea Smoke and the awesome crew. Kane was very friendly and knowledgeable, and Captain Pat was great as well.
One of the main reasons I booked this particular snorkel sail was that it was close to our condo villiage in the Waikoloa Beach Resort. I think it may have been the only one available in that area since most of the others were out of the Kona area.
The only things I would not comment positively on were the fact that the breakfast offering was not good. All they served were some sliced oranges. Other sails I have been on ha
Rating: | |
---|---|
Packages: | Test Package |
Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
Posted on: | 2013/01/03 |
Reviewed by: Mr. Anonymous
The staff was fantastic - friendly, helpful, and safe. Let alone the views and vistas you get to see - this is the best bang-for-the-buck of helicopter tours, with a full 2 hours in the air. The pilot, Koji, was very knowledgeable of the area and led an incredibly informative and fun talk over the intercom. Koji also provided a very comfortable ride that was much more mellow and safe than I was expecting (I'm afraid of heights and I LOVED IT, so don't let your fear of heights worry you, you'll be fine with these guys). Excellent work from everyone and I'll be back soon : )
Rating: | |
---|---|
Packages: | Test Package |
Attended as: | Friends |
Posted on: | 2013/01/03 |
Reviewed by: Carol
The food was great - the performers were talented and seemed to love what they were doing. We paid for priority seating - it was well worth it. My only complaint - the photographer took only one photo of us and eyes were closed. We did not purchase the photo.Since cameras are digital - a quick check would have eliminated the problem.
Rating: | |
---|---|
Packages: | Test Package |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2013/01/03 |
Reviewed by: Teresa Mackr
Me and my husband had SO much fun yesterday put on the boat. The staff was really friendly, the Captain got us right into the whales, too. We saw 9, 3 of which came right up next to the boat. The man who spoke during the boat rode (sorry I don't remember the name) was really knowledgeable and funny, too! We had a great time! Thank you for an experience we'll never forget.
Rating: | |
---|---|
Packages: | Test Package |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2013/01/03 |
Reviewed by: Roger Reschke
A good show, we were sitting back by the food line and the sound was unclear. Several of us at the table were having difficulty hearing the varoius people on the stage talking, causing some of the dancing questionable such as the cowboy. The dance was very good but we didn't understand how it fit in until I did research.
A very good effort by all your people.
Some hard feelings by those standing for quite a while and then the prefered guest march in and are given the best seats. You need to find a better way to do that.
Rating: | |
---|---|
Packages: | Test Package |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2013/01/03 |
Reviewed by: Mr. Anonymous
Not sure why they dont advertise this, but the crew is smokin' hott! It made it an enjoyable afternoon for me and my girlfriends. Mahalo for the great time :)
Rating: | |
---|---|
Packages: | Test Package |
Attended as: | Families |
Posted on: | 2013/01/03 |
Reviewed by: Jerald Fox
Everyone shoud do this tour in the first few days of vacation. Fantastic experience and the best way to see the island!
Rating: | |
---|---|
Packages: | Test Package |
Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
Posted on: | 2013/01/03 |
Reviewed by: crfolgate
This would be a great trip IF you don't get stuck in the backwards seats. These seats are a total rip off since you don't get to see where you are headed and when there is something cool to see well too bad it's already past. Pilot does a good job of trying to circle around so everyone see's but there's no way for the backward seat folks to see anything really well. If you decide to go I STRONGLY recommend that you get guarantee's that you get a front seat or front looking seats only. My wife and Mom had great seats and enjoyed the views I'm happy about that but I wish I had saved the money and sent them up without me since it was two hours of flying backwards and barely seeing anything. You have been warned. :O
**** Also you should also be aware that the photo's of all the cool lava flows are really old. We saw very little lava and after the flight we found out they use old photo's for advertising. Pretty views are to be had but not much lava.
Rating: | |
---|---|
Packages: | Test Package |
Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
Posted on: | 2013/01/03 |
Reviewed by: Dave & Joanne
Very entertaining evening. Performers were excellent and involved the audience. Food was very good and a there was a variety of foods to fit most diets. For the more adventurous, poke and poy to try.
Enjoyed all the various polynesian dances--a tour of the south pacific without the boat.
We had an excellent evening and would recommend this to anyone.
Rating: | |
---|---|
Packages: | Test Package |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2013/01/03 |
Reviewed by: Mr. Anonymous
Excellent tour. Breakfast enroute to the bay, 2 hours of snorkelling in beautifully clear water, high diving, waterslides and BBQ lunch at the swim site, all accompanied with a great crew. Doesn't get much better!
Rating: | |
---|---|
Packages: | Test Package |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2013/01/03 |
Reviewed by: Dawn
Had a fantastic time! Our guide, Jesse, grew up on the island and was a wealth of information about not just what we saw on the tour, but also about other activities on the island. Word of caution: if you book through a third party like we did, after you receive confirmation, call Paradise to verify your group size. We showed up as scheduled to discover that someone (don't know if it was Paradise or Hawaii Activities) incorrectly entered the size of our group as two instead of three. We couldn't take the tour on our scheduled day because the group was overbooked. Luckily we were able to go the next day and Paradise had availability. They took great care of us once the error was discovered, but if you're on a tight schedule, don't risk missing out. Call ahead! Inconvenience aside, this is something you should do and was well worth the cost!!
Rating: | |
---|---|
Packages: | Test Package |
Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
Posted on: | 2013/01/03 |
Reviewed by: Mary Liz
I flew from Honolulu to Hilo early for trip which was scheduled for 8:30 AM. We were delayed starting by about one hour for other guests who took a later flight. My main reason for this tour was to see the volcano. Because of air quality, the observation area was closed. Because of cloud cover, we could not see the top of the volcano. We were able to visit the National Park Visitors Center which was worthwhile.
The tour guide was just fair. We visited several commercial sites.
He tried to make up for the closing of the observation area by stopping at other volcanoes in the park & a lava tube.
Rating: | |
---|---|
Packages: | Test Package |
Attended as: | Friends |
Posted on: | 2013/01/03 |
Reviewed by: Mr. Anonymous
This is a great activity except if you're prone to motion-sickness then it is not for you. Two hours was way too long for us. I was doing well in the first hour when we were shown the volcanoes and mountains but in the second hour I could not keep my eyes open due to my motion sickness. And that sucked because in the second hour is when he shows you the beautiful valleys and waterfalls! Thank God my husband was able to record it for me but it still wasn't the same. I would recommend a 45-minute-1 hour tour but not the 2 hour tour.
Rating: | |
---|---|
Packages: | Test Package |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2013/01/03 |
Reviewed by: Mr. Anonymous
The staff was great and tour was better than expected. We saw lots of turtles.
Rating: | |
---|---|
Packages: | Test Package |
Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
Posted on: | 2013/01/03 |
Reviewed by: Jim and Tamara
Aloha! We attended Island Breeze Luau, and we had a great time! This was our first Luau, and our 12 and 16 year old was with us. They had a great representation of Hawaiin Foods, as well as American foods for those who didnt want the full experience. The entertainment was great, and it was obvious that they loved their work. The passion for thier culture, and familys was beautifully done. By the time you left, you felt like you were part of their Ohana. The only thing I may suggest is to have more fresh fruits for those on a limited diet and more flower leis for sale, as they ran out the first 25 customers. I would give it a 4 1/2 stars.
Thanks for the memories!!
Rating: | |
---|---|
Packages: | Test Package |
Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
Posted on: | 2013/01/03 |
Reviewed by: Mr. Anonymous
We had a great time. It even rained for a while but we still had fun. A good value. I wish they had asked for audience participation though.
Rating: | |
---|---|
Packages: | Test Package |
Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
Posted on: | 2013/01/03 |
Reviewed by: Aimee and John
John and I wanted to send this email thanking everyone at Paradise for a once in a lifetime experience on our vacation. We took one of your newer trips which flew out of Kona, over the valleys, drop off in Hilo for the day (with paid rental car), then over the Volcanoes, and back to Kona. We really enjoyed the entire day. In fact we hadn't originally thought we would get to visit the Hilo area since the drive from Kona is a couple of hours. So not only did we get to see beautiful valleys, waterfalls, and running lava from air but we got to explore the Rain forest national Zoo, The Volcano national Park, Rainbow Falls, and Akaka Falls all by land as well. Also our pilot Steve was so informative and friendly he really helped make our day just that much more special. I'm sure he flies the same routes every day, yet you couldn't tell. His passion for the land, and surroundings was contagious. Thanks again, we included some of our amazing trip photos.
Rating: | |
---|---|
Packages: | Test Package |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2013/01/03 |
Reviewed by: Mr. Anonymous
Never been to a luau and it had great food and enterment. I do not believe that I looked at my watch once.
Rating: | |
---|---|
Packages: | Test Package |
Attended as: | Families |
Posted on: | 2013/01/03 |
Tips and suggestions
Reply from activity provider
An unexpected error has occurred. Please go back to the previous page and try again, or wait a few minutes and try once again.