Reviewed by: David
This was better than I could imagine. After leaving the shore on a small boat (three crew and four passengers), we passed manta village and went south a bit more to see some historic land with wild goats on it and sat there while the sun set. We had a platter of sushi and grapes, which was delicious.
When the sun set, we went back up and joined the rest of the boats at manta village, and got into the water where we all held a surf board and had floaties under our stomachs. It was all very comfortable, besides the cold, which we had full or short sleeve wetsuits for. The surf board had a nice light on it which attracted plenty of plankton.
We saw two manta rays, Amanda, and I forget the name of the other one. Amanda actually brushed up against my wife twice! (Don't intentionally touch them as I've heard it's a $5000 fine).
After plenty of time in the water, and repeated visits by both manta rays, we headed back to the boat and had some ginger ale on the way back to the dock.
Overall wonderful experience!
Oh, if you're on your honeymoon, make sure your ring fits tightly enough not to fall off in the water! And insure it if it's valuable! Mine slipped off, but thankfully I didn't loose a bunch of money.
Rating: | |
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Packages: | Sunset Cruise with Appetizers & Night Manta Ray Snorkel [90 mins] |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2018/04/29 |
Activity Date: | 2018/02/26 |
Reviewed by: Kay
Watching rays swoop in from the darkness was amazing.
Our dive master was well informed and even gave us a great recommendation for a beach to hit the next day.
If I had any quibbles with the excursion is that from the time we left the dock until the time we went back to the dock we were only out for about 1hr and 15 minutes.
We were aware that the excursion had a max time of 2 hrs+ but would have loved to spend more time in the water after sunset and the Rays actually came out.
The excursion was still great though and it’s certainly a recent highlight of wild animal viewing.
Thank you for submitting a review on behalf of Kona Ocean Experience. We're happy to hear that our dive guide provided great information to you regarding the manta rays (as well as a beach recommendation) and that you had an amazing time watching the mantas "in action"! Just so that you (and others) know, our KOEX Sunset/Manta Snorkeling tour is advertised as a 1.5 hour trip (not "2+ hrs") as verified on our website: www.konaoceanx.com. Although a bit shorter than you'd expected, we're glad you felt it was a great excursion and a wild animal viewing "highlight"!
Rating: | |
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Packages: | Sunset Cruise with Appetizers & Night Manta Ray Snorkel [90 mins] |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2018/04/29 |
Activity Date: | 2018/02/10 |
Reviewed by: Kathy
Exceptional service! Met us upon exiting plane, helped with baggage, and delivered us to our hotel quickly.
Rating: | |
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Packages: | [Departure] Hotel to Airport - Shared Service |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2018/04/28 |
Activity Date: | 2018/04/24 |
Reviewed by: yuki
まずはサーフィンは楽しかったです。が、確認不足がありました。
現地集合の意味です。
まずオフィスに集合とありますので、オフィスが現地集合の場所と解釈しておりました。
なので、支払いが終わりレンタル品のサイズ合わせが終わり、じゃあここにきてね!と言われた時にはびっくりしました。
サーフショップから海へは連れて行ってもらえると思っていましたから。
結局、母にレンタカーで迎えにきてもらい送迎してもらいましたが、うっかり停めた場所で駐車違反をとられました。
すぐそばに無料の駐車場もあったのに、そういう事は教えてもらえなかったです。
サーフィンは楽しかっただけに残念でした。
Rating: | |
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Packages: | グループレッスン |
Attended as: | Friends |
Posted on: | 2018/04/27 |
Activity Date: | 2018/03/27 |
Reviewed by: Tom
Food was great...nice variety. Small cast did an excellent job with a demanding variety of dances from wide variety of island cultures. We enjoyed it a lot!
Rating: | |
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Packages: | Ohana Package |
Attended as: | Families |
Posted on: | 2018/04/27 |
Activity Date: | 2018/04/24 |
Reviewed by: はるママ
宿泊したホテル内でのアクティビティでしたので、移動は楽でした。イルカに接して賢さを改めて感じました。あっと言う間に時間が過ぎた感じがして、お値段的には高いと感じましたが、子供達が喜んでいたので、よかったです。
料金設定があり、うちは高いので申し込みましたが、周りの人との違いはよくわかりませんでした。
Aloha,
Thank you for choosing Dolphin Quest! We are happy to hear your children had a fun time and that you had an inspiring experience with us! We hope to have your family back again on your next trip to Hawaii.
Mahalo from Dolphin Quest Hawaii!
Rating: | |
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Packages: | イルカと泳ぐ!エンカウンター<20分> |
Attended as: | Families |
Posted on: | 2018/04/25 |
Activity Date: | 2018/03/26 |
Reviewed by: ボゴです!
イルカと泳ぎたくて、他のツアーをいろいろ調べて検討してたんですが、足の届かない深い海にライフジャケットとシュノーケルで浮かんでることが怖くて躊躇してました。
そんな時に見つけたのがこのツアーです!
これならずーっと地面に足をつけたままなので安心だし、確実にイルカと触れ合うことも出来るので、即決しました!!
写真もたくさん撮ってもらえるし、(別料金ですが)イルカと触れ合ってる瞬間がしっかり写真に残せて、とても良かったと思います。
Aloha,
Thank you for choosing Dolphin Quest! We are so happy to hear you had a fun time in a safe environment to touch and feed a dolphin! We hope to have you back again for another experience on your next trip to Hawaii!
Mahalo from Dolphin Quest Hawaii!
Rating: | |
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Packages: | イルカと泳ぐ!エンカウンター<20分> |
Attended as: | Families |
Posted on: | 2018/04/25 |
Activity Date: | 2018/02/17 |
Reviewed by: ガンバ
ハワイアンと言うよりも タヒチアンかなって 感じでしたが、
皆楽しんでいたから 細かなことは言うのはやめましょう。
料理はもう少し種類があるかなと思っていましたので 少々期待はずれ。
Rating: | |
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Packages: | プレミアムシート |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2018/04/24 |
Activity Date: | 2018/03/30 |
Reviewed by: イルカもかわいい
船上は快適でした。
クジラには会えませんでしたが、頑張って探してくれていたと思います。
クルーの方も、一緒に写真を撮ってくれたり、クルーズ自体を楽しませようと頑張ってくれました。
最後はイルカに会えるポイントに寄ってくれて、たくさんのイルカと並んでクルーズできました。クジラは見れませんでしたが、満足できるツアーでした。
Rating: | |
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Packages: | 8:00発/ワイコロア港 |
Attended as: | Friends |
Posted on: | 2018/04/22 |
Activity Date: | 2018/03/31 |
Reviewed by: Mari
Our tour guide Grant was amazing and very knowledgeable! He made the experience so great! The tour was great you get to see a lot of the big island. I love waterfalls and the rainbow falls was breathtaking. The volcano view at night was so awesome I would totally do it again. Worth the money!
Rating: | |
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Packages: | Route #1 - Rainbow Falls, Hilo Town & Volcano |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2018/04/21 |
Activity Date: | 2018/04/18 |
Reviewed by: Jennifer Harriette
1st time in a helicopter. 1 more bucket list item checked off. The views were spectacular and we were very fortunate to have the weather & Mother Nature in general on our side that day. Our captain/pilot was great and very knowledgeable. He encouraged us to ask questions & answered them very well. I personally think the whole experience was worth every penny but then again, we were a party of 2. Either way, I would highly recommend Bule Hawaiian and this flight package in particular. Got to see everything they advertised. Aloha!
Rating: | |
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Packages: | Standard Flight [50 mins] |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2018/04/20 |
Activity Date: | 2018/04/17 |
Reviewed by: Bex
A beautiful 3 mile kayak with an amazing snorkeling experience! My advice- wear sunscreen even if it doesn’t feel like it’s sunny...Ouch! Lesson learned. For the dare devil jump off a 30 ft cliff into the gorgeous blue waters. For the pansies jump off a 3 ft mini cliff!! Lol. Wonderful personalized experience. Would highly recommend! Brian was a lot of fun!
Rating: | |
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Packages: | Standard Package |
Attended as: | Friends |
Posted on: | 2018/04/18 |
Activity Date: | 2018/04/15 |
Reviewed by: ハワイカイ
一人で参加しました、周りを見ると日本人は私一人でした、私は観光船のつもりで乗船しましたので船上からの景色、カイルワ、その後方の山稜線はとっても美しい景色でした、船はイルカを求めてカイルワ湾を?岬の先まで行きUターンをして蛇行しながら船長が一生懸命イルカを探していましたそのかいがあり、突然イルカ6~10頭現れ船の周りを数分遊泳していました、野生のイルカを間近で見れ大変興奮しました、シュノーケルポイントまでは30分程度、ポイントでは2時間程度のシュノーケルと昼食の時間が有りました、その後カイルワ湾をイルカを求めてのクルージングでした、私は英語は話せませんが乗組員が大変親切(日本語の説明書で解説等)フレンドリーでした。
Rating: | |
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Packages: | Test Package |
Attended as: | Solo Travelers |
Posted on: | 2018/04/17 |
Activity Date: | 2017/12/15 |
Reviewed by: Craig M
For my first flight in a helicopter, wasn't sure what to expect... but wow what a smooth & quiet aircraft the Eco-Star is! The crew at Blue Hawaiian were courteous & professional and our Pilot Patrick was great - who was always checking to make sure everyone was comfortable during the trip and had ample opportunity to see & photograph each viewing site.
Rating: | |
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Packages: | Standard Flight [50 mins] |
Attended as: | Solo Travelers |
Posted on: | 2018/04/16 |
Activity Date: | 2018/03/18 |
Reviewed by: Elaine
The trip starts early so you can be the first on the water and the first to snorkel before the crowds show up. The paddle over to the Cook Monument was easy. We stopped for a history and a geology lesson which were interesting. Once the Kayaks were landed we walked to the Monument where we donned our snorkel gear and jumped into the water. Everywhere on the Big Island is difficult to enter the water. This was just an easy jump.
The fish were a wide variety with lots of groups of yellow butterfly fish. They come here for the waters which are a mix of fresh from the lad and salt water. The blurry effect of the waters mixing is fun. This place lets the fish clean themselves of irritants. The coral was fine but some was quite damaged.
The park only allows a limited number of snorkelers at this location. They should dial the numbers back as it became crowded quickly when five boats showed up about fifteen minutes after our snorkel started.
The paddle back was easy and it was still morning.
Rating: | |
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Packages: | Morning Tour |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2018/04/15 |
Activity Date: | 2018/04/10 |
Reviewed by: グラナダ
インストラクターの方々もとても親切で和やかな雰囲気で楽しむことが出来ました。日本人も少なく、英語主体での参加になりますが、それはそれで楽しかったです。ジップラインの高さもあり、とても雄大な感じを受けながら、楽しめました。お勧めですね。
Rating: | |
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Packages: | 基本プラン |
Attended as: | Families |
Posted on: | 2018/04/14 |
Activity Date: | 2018/03/22 |
Reviewed by: Corly
Overall, very satisfied with the value of this trip. I have ziplined in Mexico and in Belize City, and this trip was very comparable in terms of value, excitement, and thrill.
The Hawaii zipline consisted of 7 lines, the first few were relatively short. Although short, breathtaking views. The last three were much longer, more scenic, and best of all, amazing view of a BEAUTIFUL waterfall! The day I went was very gloomy and did have some slight visibility issues due to fog, but the experience was amazing.
This was more expensive than my foreign ziplines, but as I mentioned, it was a great value for the experience relative to the other ziplines I have done.
Thinking back on what I could have paid for other Big Island adventures, no regrets on this trip and would ABSOLUTELY do this one again.
Lastly, the staff were great! Very expeditious, always safety first, and very friendly.
Rating: | |
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Packages: | Zipline Tour (7-Line Course) |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2018/04/14 |
Activity Date: | 2018/03/25 |
Reviewed by: アリエル
本場の料理とダンスで大変満足しました。海辺の会場で波の音を聞きながら、ショーを見られたのはとても素敵でした。
Rating: | |
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Packages: | Test Package |
Attended as: | Families |
Posted on: | 2018/04/14 |
Activity Date: | 2018/03/22 |
Reviewed by: 碧生パパママ
期待した程の感動は無かった。又迎えの時間が45分遅れ、
車から馬車への乗り換えに約40分も待ち、当日の予定が
全て狂ってしまった。最悪のツアーでした。
Rating: | |
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Packages: | 混載ツアー |
Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
Posted on: | 2018/04/13 |
Activity Date: | 2018/03/23 |
Reviewed by: Cheonga kim
I had a really wonderful time! Mantaray was really huge...
Glad you had a wonderful time. Aloha!
Rating: | |
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Packages: | Manta Ray Night Snorkeling [Early Evening Tour] |
Attended as: | Solo Travelers |
Posted on: | 2018/04/12 |
Activity Date: | 2018/04/08 |
Reviewed by: Monica
Not like other cheaper speed boats, it was a smooth sailing catamaran. Even a pregnant woman was on the board. They offer a breakfast such as 3 kinds of bread, fruits and drinks. For lunch, I enjoyed make-my-own delicious sandwiches and chips. After snorkeling, they offered some cookies and hot drinks. Most of all, the staffs was so cheerful and helpful. On the way to the snorkeling spot, captain Morgan caught a huge ono. I specially want to thank Joey for teaching me how to snorkel. Thanks to her, I could enjoy the beautiful underwater. She made my day!
I highly recommand this fun trip to everyone.
Choose this tour with well-trained staffs.
This is the best tour ever!!!
Mahalo for taking the time to review your tour. We are so happy to know you had a good time and the crew took care of you.
Aloha!
Rating: | |
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Packages: | Deluxe Morning Snorkel Cruise with 2 Snorkel Stops, Breakfast & Lunch [4.5 hrs] |
Attended as: | Solo Travelers |
Posted on: | 2018/04/11 |
Activity Date: | 2018/03/31 |
Reviewed by: しゅがー
ここで口コミを見て、予約しました。
シェラトンホテルに泊まっていました。そこから車で5分のショッピングセンターに寄ったお昼ごろに、お店に立ち寄りチェックインをしました。夕方5:45に指定の場所に来たら、この車が止まっているからたずねてね、というようなことを英語で説明されました。正直、何を話しているかわからなかったですが、何となく身振り手振りで伝わりました。
レンタカーで、指定の場所に5:30ごろに行くと、先ほどの車が止まっていて、ウェットスーツの貸し出しを駐車場で行っていました。すぐに着てみて、無理そうだったらサイズ交換といった感じですので、水着は着用してから行く必要があります。港の駐車場は狭いので、私たちはぎりぎり駐車できましたが、駐車できなかった人は、路上の端に駐車していました。
ウェットスーツを着て、船上で待つように言われました。船上では、スナック菓子やフルーツが食べられますが、正直、日が沈むまで待つ時間、波に揺られ酔ってしまい、それどころではありませんでした。つめたいジュースなども頼めば出してくれます。トイレも船の中にありました。
暖かい飲み物は、身体が温まってから水に入ると寒いから、最後に出されるといった説明がありました。
入り方は、ヌードルと言われるウキを足首にひっかけて、身体を水平にして入るようにと言われました。何となくしか英語がわかりませんでしたが、身振り手振りや、他のお客さんを見ているとわかります。日本人は私たちだけでした。
いざ、ライトをつけて海に入りました。入った瞬間から、目の前をマンタが通り過ぎました。マンタにさわってはいけませんが、本当にすれすれのところをくるくるとまわって餌を食べていました。こんなに間近で見られるなんて、本当に感動しました。
結局5匹ほどのマンタが近くで泳いでいました。右で泳いでいるマンタを見ていると、左から迫ってきたマンタに気づかず、思わずぶつかりそうになりました。目の前で優雅に泳ぐマンタたちを見ていると、船酔いも忘れてしまいました。
45分ほど入水していますが、マンタが見られなかった時間は5分ほどだけでした。ただ、3月下旬でしたが、ものすごく寒くて、最後の10分ほどは手がかじかんで、感覚がなくなっていました。
浮いているだけなので、寒さと船酔いはつらかったです。
ただ、私はラッシュガードと水着のレギンスの上からウェットスーツを着ていたからか、最後のほうだけ寒さがつらかったですが、旦那は水着にウェットスーツ(全て半そで半ズボン丈)だけだったので開始10分後から震えが止まらないようでした。
時間が来たので船に上がり、スナック菓子や暖かい飲み物をいただきました。ココアが配られましたが、私は船酔いがひどかったので暖かい緑茶をいただきました。船上で体を乾かすと、だいぶ温まり気分がよくなりました。船上でシュノーケルとウェットスーツを返し、港についたら、そのまま流れ解散です。
ハワイ島に来たら、絶対にこのツアーに行くべきだと思いました。英語ができなくても、問題ないと思いますが、不安な方は日本語のツアーの方が安心かなと思いました。わたしたちはせっかくハワイに来たのだから、と思いこのツアーに申し込みました。ここにしてよかったと思います。
アドバイスとしては、水の中でとれるカメラと水中の懐中電灯があるといいです。
Mahalo for taking the time to review your manta tour and thank you for joining us.
Aloha!
Rating: | |
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Packages: | サンセットプラン |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2018/04/11 |
Activity Date: | 2018/03/26 |
Reviewed by: けんけん
せっかくのハワイなので、中学生の息子と大学生の娘に初めてサーフィンレッスンを受けさせてみました。ホテルからすぐ近くの受付所に行き、簡単な指導を受け、ラッシュガードとシーソックスをかり、案内された通り自分で現地に向かいました。グループレッスンでしたが、自分の子供たち以外に参加者がおらず、実質のプライベートレッスンとなりました。海に出て1時間位指導してもらいましたが、初心者にちょうど良い波で、かつちょうど疲れるくらいで終了し、参加した子供たちも見ている我々も、ほどいい感じで楽しめました。
Mahalo for joining us.
Rating: | |
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Packages: | グループレッスン |
Attended as: | Families |
Posted on: | 2018/04/11 |
Activity Date: | 2018/03/16 |
Reviewed by: Lvklysnatour
My son was so thrilled so he decided to do it again. And he did
Awesome photo! Thank you guys again for joining us. Keep it up, looking good out there!
Rating: | |
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Packages: | Child Private Lesson (Age 3-9) |
Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
Posted on: | 2018/04/09 |
Activity Date: | 2018/04/04 |
Reviewed by: Lvklysnatour
The kids had fun. However, next day they wanted to try on their own and could not time the waves. I would add a focus on teaching the kids when to start peddling. But average it was good for the first timers.
Aloha All,
Thank you for the review, glad to hear the kids had fun. And happy to hear the kids wanted to try on their own. Learning how to read the ocean and time the waves for most takes years of experience in the ocean. We tell novice surfers who are serious about learning how to surf and become avid surfers, do not get discouraged- keep at it. It takes time to develop the skills to read and feel the ocean and develop the instincts to really hone in on. But keep at it, that's what our Hawaiian lifeguards and avid watermen are there to provide for everyone and we appreciate you all joining us! We are born and raised in the islands and live and breathe the amidst the ocean to share that experience with as many people as we can- it is not something you can learn rapidly- but we encourage surfers to keep at it and remember you will progress with the more time you put into it.
Rating: | |
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Packages: | Group Lesson |
Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
Posted on: | 2018/04/09 |
Activity Date: | 2018/04/04 |
Reviewed by: Lvklysnatour
We all had a great time. My kids mentioned that it was a good ending to our trip with food and activities.
Rating: | |
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Packages: | Ohana Package |
Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
Posted on: | 2018/04/08 |
Activity Date: | 2018/04/05 |
Reviewed by: ロビン
送迎とアクティビティの会社間の連携が悪いです。
一緒だった人の機転で間に合いましたが、自分たちだけなら、置いてきぼりになった可能性がありました。
アクティビティそのものは良かったです
Rating: | |
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Packages: | ワイコロア地区送迎 |
Attended as: | Families |
Posted on: | 2018/04/07 |
Activity Date: | 2018/04/04 |
Reviewed by: otan123
初めてヘリコプターに乗りました。前日、ヒロ空港に着くと同時に、予約の再確認とチェックイン場所確認でロビー2に行きましたが、そこで体重測定等一部チェックインできました。当日は10分ぐらいのインストラクションの後、ヘリポートへ。スタッフも丁寧で、手際が良かったです。乗り物酔いするかと思いましたが、操縦が上手なのかとても快適でした。上空はやはり寒く、風と相まって小雨も混じってきたので、上着は必須です。しかし、火口の熱気や、タプタプ波打つ赤いlavaが見られて、こんなに簡単に自然を感じられるものか!?と感動しました。英語は丁寧にポイントごとに説明してくれて、ヘッドセットをつけていて全員でおしゃべりできるので、グループで体験すれば意味わかった人が日本語で話すことでみんなで共有出来て良いと思います。最初はいろんな意味で緊張しましたが、ヒロの街を一望出来て、いろいろな年代の溶岩の流れた跡を一目で確認できて、地上からは感じられないハワイ島の自然を体感できたような気がします。
Rating: | |
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Packages: | 基本プラン |
Attended as: | Families |
Posted on: | 2018/04/05 |
Activity Date: | 2018/03/30 |
Reviewed by: The Ertl Family
Such a great trip seeing the dolphins and another stop that was likes swimming in an aquarium! Thank you for a great day!
Aloha. the Ertl Family!
Thank you for join our tour!!
We are very glad that you had great experience with us!!!
We are looking forward to see you soon!!
Mahalo
Iruka office
Rating: | |
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Packages: | Dolphin Swim & Snorkel (No Transportation) (until 2018/03/31) |
Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
Posted on: | 2018/04/04 |
Activity Date: | 2018/03/31 |
Reviewed by: もっちー
ヘッドホンで日本語の解説があるということでしたがほとんど聞こえなかったです。
お魚も思っていたほどは見られず 私たち夫婦にはちょっと残念な感想でした。
Rating: | |
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Packages: | ワイコロア地区送迎 |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2018/04/04 |
Activity Date: | 2018/03/29 |
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Thank you for letting us know about your Sunset/Manta Snorkeling tour with Kona Ocean Experience! We're pleased that you appreciated the small group atmosphere, and enjoyed the sushi and fruit platter. We appreciate you taking the time to write your descriptive review as this lets other folks know what they might expect when going out on our tour. We're especially glad to hear that you had wonderful experience and super close encounters with the mantas, while being mindfully careful not to touch them! Thank you for your warning to others to remove loose jewelry... and although not expensive it's still a "bummer" that you lost your wedding ring. Mahalo again for joining us aboard. Hope you might be able to return for another adventure with KOEX in the future! Aloha!