Lovely crew, delicious Mai Tai, amazing wildlife viewing. I have never seen a humpback whale do a complete breach, and this was just supposed to be a sunset sight cruise! We laughed and truly enjoyed the time. Our plans changed from going to see the stars to this, and I couldn't have been more pleased. Wish I had understood I would be barefoot the whole time (I likely didn't read the memo). Would have changed which shoes I wore to board.
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Attended as: | Couples |
Activity Date: | 2023/02/20 |
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This was such an amazing tour. Forrest was very knowledgeable of the Hawaiian history and legends of the valley. He knew each local resident by name. It felt very special to get to see such a remote, sacred part of the Big Island.
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Attended as: | Families |
Activity Date: | 2023/03/16 |
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海をバックに夕陽が落ちてのハワイアンショーは素敵でした。
屋外なので雨も心配しましたが大丈夫でした。
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Attended as: | Friends |
Activity Date: | 2023/02/20 |
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We arrived slightly late and the crew kindly waited a bit for us. There was only 4 of us which made the experience felt a lot more enjoyable - it was not crowded or noisy! No jostling of people.
Once out there, we got in the water smoothly and saw 2 rays, 3 times. Unfortunately, the ray sightings have reduced in recent years so we considered ourselves lucky! Highly recommend it all round!
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Attended as: | Friends |
Activity Date: | 2023/02/24 |
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This was one the best experiences ever! The guide was fantastic! (Gauge/Gage? My apologies if misspelling your name - he was super knowledgeable about the island and easy to talk to, he was also well organized and thought of everything. The entire journey was super easy to follow and we all got to see some amazing things. Hot chocolate and biscotti? Snow? Wild turkeys and sheep? Binary star system anyone? Gage will make it happen. We also had a great GREAT experience just chatting with you about the Big Island. Thank you Thank you!
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Attended as: | Families |
Activity Date: | 2023/02/22 |
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Everything felt very safe, the instruction on safety and vehicle operation was effective and efficient, and we had a blast. The guides were wonderful, too.There are opportunities to switch drivers a few different spots, so we both had a turn at the wheel. Some gorgeous photo opportunities. Lots of kids were along, and they seemed to have a great time as well. We scared a bunch of feral pigs and chased some cows off the trail - who didn't seem to mind at all. One of the high points of our Hawaii trip.
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Attended as: | Couples |
Activity Date: | 2023/03/10 |
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This was probably hands-down the most fun we've had on a trip. We had excellent guides- Henry and Jerry. Everyone from our driver to the riders made the trip super enjoyable. We saw amazing waterfalls along the northern side of the island cliffs. We worked with the wildlife as they allowed us into their grazing areas. This is a must do. Yes you will get dirty and you will enjoy it!
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Attended as: | Couples |
Activity Date: | 2023/03/02 |
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Just want to say that my husband and I really enjoyed our tour with Zachary he was very knowledgeable and attentive with everyone in our group! Thank you!
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Attended as: | Couples |
Activity Date: | 2023/03/07 |
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Three generations trip and this was a last minute addition.
The staff was amazing, the boat was easy to board and comfortable, and we saw turtles!!
Completely enjoyable and would readily recommend!!
Aloha,
Thanks for taking the time to provide feedback about your Glass Bottom Boat Cruise. We're so happy to read that your whole family enjoyed the trip, the information and service provided by the crew, and most importantly, got a chance to experience our underwater world.
We know there are a lot of activities to choose from when you're on the island and we're honored you chose to spend part of your day with us and that we've earned your recommendation.
Mahalo and A Hui Hou
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Attended as: | Families |
Activity Date: | 2023/03/06 |
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Eka snorkeling with manta rays was amazing. The small, personalized tour is a great way to see the rays. Loved the classic canoe. This was perfect for ray family and I can recommend this tour group highly enough. Kai was great - he is so knowledgeable about the rays and he calmed my 9 y.o.’s fears -he on spectrum and they were very flexible in how we got him into the water and to the board. My son can’t stop talking about how great this experience was-he can’t wait to go again. Book this tour - you won’t regret it. The entire group was accommodating and friendly and made this the best adventure of our Hawaiian trip. Thank you Eka.
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Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
Activity Date: | 2023/03/05 |
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We surprised our friends with a lei greeting at the Kona airport. And surprised they were! We were looking for someone in a special shirt (as per the email) but he was in a plain colored shirt. However, he did have a sign with their names and he did call out their names as people approached the baggage claim. The leis were GORGEOUS! Over the following days, our friends received many compliments about how pretty the flowers were. And they smelled GREAT!
HIGHLY recommend this experience. This is not the first time we've used Veltra for surprise lei greetings and each time the experience is the same....GREAT!
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Attended as: | Friends |
Activity Date: | 2023/02/06 |
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We had an amazing time as the crew was incredibly prepared and accommodating. They were able to fit all of us on board and bring us out without a problem. The guides were very knowledgeable and were helpful in getting in and out of the water. They work together with the other tours in the same space to attract as many rays as possible. We ended up seeing 10 or more rays with a near constant show. We had my 65-year-old mom and dad, my 40-year old self and wife, and our eight and 10-year-old with us, and it was never a problem. A great activity if your kids can stay up a little later and recover the next day.
It's a short boat ride out, but the darkness set off a little of my motion sickness, So if you're prone to that be sure to take some medication ahead of time. I also had a little issue being in the waves and going up and down in the darkness. One of the other participants got fully sick away from the boat but the crew handled it very professionally.
I would absolutely recommend them!
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Attended as: | Families |
Activity Date: | 2023/01/30 |
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We could not see any and also the ride was so bumpy
Aloha Shawn,
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review. We extend our deepest apologies for the experience you had on our tour. We would like to hear more details about it. Could you email us at info@hawaiidolphin.com and elaborate further? We would like to rectify this situation. Thank you.
Best,
Iruka Hawai‘i ‘Ohana
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Attended as: | Couples |
Activity Date: | 2023/02/24 |
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My 10 yo daughter and I did this excursion during a recent trip to the Big Island. It was an incredible and highly memorable evening and I feel privileged to have been able to do this.
We saw humpback whales and dolphins en route to the Manta Ray swim spot, and that made the excursion worthwhile, even before we'd seen the rays.
The crew were knowledgeable and fun and although the activity requires you to jump into the ocean at night without any light, I always felt safe and confident that the crew was looking after us. Having my daughter with me made that essential.
We floated for about 15 mins before we saw the rays, but when we did it was really breathtaking. We had around 30 mins or so floating before we got back on the boat for the ride back to port.
The crew took videos and photos and shared them with us which was a really lovely touch.
Wetsuits were a must as it does get cold. For those with younger children, there was a larger float that they could sit on safely, but older children were able to float in the water alongside adults.
I really couldn't recommend this highly enough. Maybe leave an extra 15 mins to find the dock as we struggled a little as there are quite a few trips leaving from the same marina at similar times.
Aloha! Thank you so much for choosing Iruka Hawaii Dolphin for your Manta Ray snorkel adventure. We are so happy that you and your daughter had such a great experience with us. We hope to see you soon, mahalo
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Attended as: | Families |
Activity Date: | 2023/02/19 |
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We really enjoyed the glass bottom boat cruise. We had a frustrating experience earlier with snorkeling and we were happy to have an opportunity to see the reefs and the fish from the comfort of a boat. We even got to see some sea turtles under the boat! We also thought that the price for the cruise was more reasonable than many of the attractions in Hawaii. After the cruise we went hiking on the beautiful Ala Kahakai Trail which extends north from A-Bay. The glass bottom boat cruise is a can't miss experience on the Big Island!
Aloha,
Thanks for taking the time to provide feedback about your Glass Bottom Boat Cruise and for including those wonderful photos! We're so happy to read that you njoyed the trip and got to see so much marine life.
We know there are a lot of activities to choose from when you're on the island and we're honored you chose to spend part of your morning with us and that we've earned your recommendation.
Mahalo and A Hui Hou
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Attended as: | Couples |
Activity Date: | 2023/02/01 |
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This tour was worth every penny. The sites and culture we experienced were beyond our expectations. The tour guide was so friendly and her knowledge of each and every site visited and of the Hawaiian culture and history was beyond outstanding. This tour has to be the highlight of our visit to the Big Island. If you want an exciting, exhilarating, beautiful, and culturally immersive experience this tour will meet your every expectation.
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Attended as: | Couples |
Activity Date: | 2023/02/22 |
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The crew was friendly, funny and attentive. Thought we were just getting snacks with our drinks, but also got a teriyaki chicken bowl, which was a pleasant surprise. It was a cloudy day, so no sunset. As such, it would have been nice if they had tried to get us closer to the whales we saw in the distance, to make up for the impending lack of a sunset.
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Attended as: | Couples |
Activity Date: | 2023/02/03 |
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Great experience getting to see the whales up and close. The crew was outstanding and very informative. I highly recommend this excursion if you are ever in the area during the whale’s migratory season. The boat size was perfect. Not too big and crowded and not too small to avoid motion sickness.
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Attended as: | Friends |
Activity Date: | 2023/01/28 |
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Kids loved it! Highly recommend. Can't wait to come back :)
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Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
Activity Date: | 2023/01/25 |
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This was an amazing experience—the dolphins were incredible. We got to hug them, touch them all over, and swim next to them with our hand on their back but not holding on to them. Maddie, our guide, was so warm and informative. I would recommend bringing goggles (swimming or snorkeling) so that you can put your head underwater with your eyes open to see the dolphins swimming under you. I’m surprised that isn’t recommended. Digital photos are VERY expensive ($170 for all of the photos they took, or $55 for one digital photo). That said, it’s a once in a life time experience, so you’ll probably want some photos.
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Attended as: | Couples |
Activity Date: | 2023/02/14 |
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This tour was a great way to see the highlights of the entire Big Island. To start off, our tour guide, Christopher, was fantastic. He was exceptionally knowledgeable about the island, interesting to listen to, energetic, and willing to do anything needed to make our tour great. We started out being picked up at our resort in a very comfortable Mercedes van. We visited Kona Joes coffee farm where we had a good lunch. We toured the southern side of the island, and stopped at the Punalu’u Bake Shop to have excellent pastries. Next stop was the black sand beach where we watched the huge surf crashing into the rocky coast, and saw two very lazy green turtles sunning themselves on the beach. After that, we went to the Kilauea volcano crater to see it in the daytime. Wind and rain hampered this visit, so we went to dinner at a great resturant nearby. On the way, we stopped to tour the rain forest and walked through a lava tunnel. Both were great experiences. Finally, to top it all off, we say the lava eruptions at night at the crater. Fantastic experience...
Aloha Mark,
Thank you for your review, very thorough! Christopher is a gem of a guide for sure, we're so happy you enjoyed your day with us, and we hope your trip to the Big Island was great EVERY day.
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Attended as: | Couples |
Activity Date: | 2023/02/09 |
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What a great experience! Kayaking on the ocean, whale watching, entering a cave and wrapping it up with a bit of snorkeling! Jasmine was a great guide and her confidence on the open waters really enhanced our adventure. It’s definitely a morning well spent!
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Attended as: | Couples |
Activity Date: | 2023/02/09 |
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The adventure was awesome! We had a blast even in the rain! Our kids were amazing and made it so fun!! I think you should add a lunch experience at the picnic tables. Our ride was at 12:30 and it was 2.5 hours and we hadn’t had lunch so that addition would be great!
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Attended as: | Friends |
Activity Date: | 2023/02/09 |
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I know, I know, everyone likes to use the words “best” “amazing” “trip of a lifetime” THIS excursion IS absolutely THE best trip you will book! It may seem a little pricey, but the time, care, and knowledge that our tour guide Travis invested in our group was top of the line!
First of all, do not underestimate the “cold” warnings. It was frigid, cold to the bone so, dress appropriately! If you have a beanie, bring it for this trip.
Secondly, be prepared for the potential that the actual road up to the summit may be closed. Our group (along with 15 others) was told the road was closed and we would not be able to drive to the summit. Travis was able to talk with another tour operator (friends are good) and together they got the rangers to open the road for us last minute!! Yay!
Okay, so let’s talk dinner for a second. They served a vegetarian lasagna that was to die for most of my family are hard core meat eaters, so i was surprised at how quickly they snarfed it all down and EVERYONE commented on how “great” it was Make sure to bring your own water bottle (there is fresh water at the first stop) or whatever you want to drink.
Once we hit the road to climb the summit, the road was definitely an “off road” experience. Lots of major bumps but totally fun . The drive up was spectacular, so have your camera ready. The view from the top will blow your mind. Take a lot of pics and enjoy!
Then on to stargazing. Totally over the top and way exceeded my expectations! Travis had his own telescope that was a high end piece of equipment to say the least! He has so much knowledge that he was eager to share. We even got to see the once in a lifetime “green” comet he spent at least an extra hour with us up there when all the other tour operators were leaving. It was truly the most memorable experiences of my life! Mahalo to the entire team that i know has to work hard behind the scenes for this…my entire family is so grateful for the experience
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Attended as: | Families |
Activity Date: | 2023/02/07 |
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Magnificent performance from all involved dealing with the history of the hawaiin islands and the Polynesian empire. The buffet was way too much to take in!!
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Attended as: | Couples |
Activity Date: | 2023/02/05 |
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The entertainment was first rate and the food was surprisingly good. You don’t expect food served to hundreds of people at once to be hot and tasty but they have the logistics well organized and the buffet line moves fast.
The fire stick dancers were excellent, and the whole evening had a very authentic feel.
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Attended as: | Families |
Activity Date: | 2023/01/15 |
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This was our first luau and it was exceptional! The staff was courteous, professional, welcoming, and overall delightful! The food was very well prepared and there was a wide variety of selections. The show was both entertaining as well as informative and all of the performers ( host, dancers, and musicians) were great!!
I would love to do this again some time!
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Attended as: | Couples |
Activity Date: | 2023/02/02 |
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We saw lots of Mantas. I can't wait to come back and do it again.
Aloha Jim,
We are thrilled to hear you enjoyed the company of the manta's. We hope to see you in the near future!
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Attended as: | Families |
Activity Date: | 2021/10/23 |
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Sea Paradise did a great job. We saw six mantas. I thought the boat trip would be a bit longer. Just a short ride out from shore. So it's not about sailing. But the mantas make up for it.
Aloha Jim,
Mahalo for taking the time to leave us a review. We do offer a shorter boat ride for those who are prone to getting sea sick/don't want to be on the boat for too long. We are happy to hear you enjoyed your manta tour.
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Attended as: | Families |
Activity Date: | 2021/11/07 |
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It's not every day you can say you saw new earth being formed in front of your eyes. We loved seeing the glow of lava at night. Not many places you can do this in the world.
Mahalo, Kate!
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Attended as: | Couples |
Activity Date: | 2022/03/22 |
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Reply from activity provider
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Aloha Flora,
Thank you for your review! We appreciate you picked Kailani to tour you around the island. Zachary is amazing, a very humble and knowledgable guide. Thanks again for posting, and we hope you enjoyed your time on the Big Island!