Pros:
-Fun, knowledgeable guides
-Comfortable boat
-Saw 8+ different whales, 16+ different sightings
Cons:
-Whales were pretty far away (200+ yds)
Overall:
-Highly recommend for first time whale watching.
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Attended as: | Couples |
Activity Date: | 2018/01/03 |
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初めての乗馬体験でしたが、安心して体験できました!
英語もほとんど話さないのですが、馬も良く教育されており簡単に乗馬することができました。
とても楽しかったです。
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Attended as: | Couples |
Activity Date: | 2018/01/26 |
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海は、本当にきれいでした。
英語は、単語しか聞き取れなかったけど、何とかなりました。
乗組員は、声をかけてくれ、気配りができていました。
12月末だったので、水は、とても冷たく、
午後の部でしたが、30分もシュノーケルしていたら寒くなってしましました。
飲み物と食べ物がもう少し様々なものがあったら、星5つです。
(ジュース、ポテトチップス。あられ、オレンジ、パイナップル)
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Attended as: | Families |
Activity Date: | 2017/12/30 |
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ヒルトンホテルにルアウ専用スペースが設けられてます。結論から先に行ってしまうと、他の場所で観たルアウショーとあまり違っていませんが、ファミリーが多いホテルならではの演出と、舞台すぐ目の前には小さいお子様用にマットがしかれており、多数のクッションが置いてあり、目の前で繰り広げられるダンスにお子様たちもダンサーのマネをして一緒に踊ったりして楽しんでいました。とても微笑ましかったです。プレミアムシートで予約した甲斐があり、テーブルの一番前の席に案内してもらえました。お料理も先に取りにいけました。予約前はちょっと迷っていたけれど、観に行ってよかったです。
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Attended as: | Families |
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Awesome catamaran, great staff and naturalist on board! Unbelievable whale watching from every angle. Delicious beer on tap as well!
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Attended as: | Friends |
Activity Date: | 2018/01/20 |
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From the amazing sunset to seeing lava jumping in the caldera to the unexpected rainbow at sunset, all of the scenery was beautiful. Our tour guide, Brett, was outstanding. He had fantastic knowledge of the island, answered everyone's questions, and was really funny/entertaining. His stories of Hawaiian folklore while driving between stops were great. Overall, the day was great! I would definitely recommend booking this tour.
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Attended as: | Couples |
Activity Date: | 2018/01/12 |
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Excellent diving with the manta rays, really enjoyed it and was one of the highlights of my holiday.
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Attended as: | Solo Travelers |
Activity Date: | 2017/12/24 |
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クジラはほぼ90%以上の確率で見れるそうです。それ以上に良かったのは船からのハワイ島の眺め。綺麗で雄大で最高でした。船の設備も食事飲み物トイレ付きと至れりつくせり。
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Attended as: | Couples |
Activity Date: | 2017/12/28 |
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ツアー集合場所から4WDで谷の下まで降りて、谷の中を馬車でゆっくり周ります。谷に降りる道は急で非常に狭いので繁忙期は時間がかかります。ゆったりめのスケジュールを見込んでおいた方が良いです。天気が良ければワイピオ渓谷遊覧はとても綺麗で楽しめます。
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Attended as: | Couples |
Activity Date: | 2017/12/26 |
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Our flight was late, actually all of the flights were late that evening and yet a woman was there with a sign with my name, she welcomed us ,gave us a shell lei and let us know where the shuttle and driver was. He was lovely and drove us to our destination. Went like clock work.
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Attended as: | Couples |
Activity Date: | 2017/12/29 |
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This was my second Manta experience and I was disappointed not to see a manta. There were a lot of boats out looking, I counted 15 at one time and it was just before dusk. On a previous Manta experience it was later so I wonder if they prefer to feed later when it's completely dark? I felt like I got to the party early and the cool kids showed up after I left. There was no lack of plankton however, so we were amused by the fish that gathered; an entire school under our light. I've gotten used to the 'entertainment' boat staff provides which makes an excursion more fun. This excursion was rather perfunctory. Go out, hop in the water, no manta, ok, go back. Everyone was rather disappointed not to see Mantas, so I'm not sure if that made going back seem rather glum. I realize these are wild creatures but my last excursion (with another company) there were quite a few Manta, like 6-8? It was an incredible experience that I wanted to repeat with my husband and was disappointed.
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Attended as: | Couples |
Activity Date: | 2017/12/29 |
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Great time from Kawaihae!! Captain and crew along with biologist kept us up to date with all you want to know about humpbacks . Had whales all around.
Highly recommend this trip.
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Attended as: | Couples |
Activity Date: | 2018/01/15 |
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We had an experience beyond description. After watching the whale sufficiently, when the sailor turned on the music for a small party, the captain shouted for me to look for the noon direction and I saw a wonderful scene. Music was playing on the boat, a group of dolphins came from two o'clock, and a humpback whale made a wonderful vertical jump on the horizon. At that moment my friend and I felt we were in a dream. It was a fascinating and beautiful experience.
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Attended as: | Friends |
Activity Date: | 2017/12/24 |
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This trip was a really fun experience as a contrast to the normal beach and ocean explorations that a visit to Hawaii normally includes.
The guide was very informative and the trip was planned well. The van was very comfortable (big Mercedes).
Climbing above the clouds made it feel like we were going to another world. The sunset from the top amongst all the observatory domes was incredibly colorful and the photography was cool with the domes.
The second part when we went down the mountain and set up the telescopes was fun too. The guide had an excellent presentation and mastery of the topics.
I highly recommend-it was out of the ordinary and visually spectacular.
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Attended as: | Couples |
Activity Date: | 2018/01/12 |
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My first whale watch was a total success. It was a beautiful day. The staff was more than helpful and friendly. The information from the naturalist was engaging and helpful. We were fortunate enough to see spouts of water, breeching and a few beautiful tails. I would definitely do this again.
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Attended as: | Couples |
Activity Date: | 2018/01/09 |
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This was easily the highlight of our trip. Trevor and the staff were very friendly and accommodating, and they got us into a pod of 200+ dolphins. We left with amazing photos and an amazing experience. We will definitely be back next time we're on the island. Don't hesitate to book this trip!
Aloha! Thank you for participating our dolphin tour! We are really happy that you enjoyed our tour!!
We are looking forward to see you in this beautiful ocean again!!
Mahalo!
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Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
Activity Date: | 2018/01/12 |
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家族へのサプライズとして、3人分のサービスをお願いしました。
空港の出口で、すぐにスタッフの方がみつかり、レイをかけてもらい家族はとても喜んでいました。
また、その後タクシーを拾う際にも、タクシーにこえを掛けてくれ、サービスの良さを感じました。
・・・が、一点残念なのは、レイをかけてくれる女性が、ホームページの写真とはあまりにかけ離れていてとてもがっかりしました。費用をかけ、サービスを提供してもらう側としてはこの点は非常に不満です。
もしこのようなことが事前にわかっていたら申し込まなかったかもしれませんので改善を希望します。
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Attended as: | Families |
Activity Date: | 2017/12/24 |
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Everything was as advertised! Flight arrival time had changed and I forgot to notify. I was worried the greeting would not happen. It did! Great job and thanks. My wife was surprised and thrilled with the beautiful lei.
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Attended as: | Couples |
Activity Date: | 2017/12/19 |
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My granddaughter and I had a wonderful day! The guide was funny and knowledgeable and we enjoyed learning about the valley and the people that live there! What a great way to learn the history of the valley and the people that live there. I had no idea how tara was grown and the diversity that exists in the valley!!
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Attended as: | Families |
Activity Date: | 2017/12/22 |
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Very happy with the service, all the staff very friendly, the bus very comfortable and the couple of times I used the service they always on time!!! Thank you!!!
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Attended as: | Solo Travelers |
Activity Date: | 2017/12/23 |
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Excellent service, very friendly, always on time. Transportation buses really comfortable.
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Attended as: | Solo Travelers |
Activity Date: | 2017/12/19 |
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常夏のハワイ、とは言え真冬おまけに生憎の雨で寒い中、屋根ひとつないところでウェットスーツに身を包み沖へ出るとかなりのうねりが!
われわれ日本人の感覚からすれば、こんな、悪天候の時に出航するのかと思ってしまう条件の中でのスタートとなりました。
案の定寒さと、うねりにより体力に自信のない女房は早々に船上に。
心配で同行した私も、デッキで滑り転倒して脇腹を痛める始末。
肝心のマンタは海の底辺りに2尾だけ現れたのを確認できたのみで、ハワイ島初日にすこしがっかりのツアーでした。
英語がわからなくても、勢いで大丈夫っていった書き込みを信じての参加でしたが、やはり費用が割高でも日本語でのツアーの方が安全面のためにも良いのではと思います。
ただ、双胴船のため、揺れは少ない方だと思いました、好条件の時ににリベンジしたいと思います。
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Attended as: | Families |
Activity Date: | 2017/12/20 |
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日本人は私たちだけでしたが、クルーの方々は親切で快適に過ごせました。
出航してすぐにクジラが見れました。その後も何回も見ることが出来ました!
小学生の息子はとても感動していました。
朝のクルーズは爽快で、ハワイ島の景色も楽しむことが出来ました。
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Attended as: | Families |
Activity Date: | 2018/01/10 |
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初めてのハワイ島で初めてのシュノーケリングツアーでした。日本人は私たち家族ともう1組だけ・・・。受付や説明はすべて英語ですが、日本語の注意書きもあり、スタッフが親切なので安心して参加できました。モーニングクルーズなのでまずおいしいパンやフルーツが出てきて、あっという間にポイントに到着。美しい湾で波も穏やか、魚もたくさん見られて大満足!!浮き輪や浮き具なども豊富なので、不安なく海に入れます。
昼食はスタッフ手作りのハンバーグで、自分でハンバーガーを作ります。美味しかったー!!船にはトイレもついていて安心。ハワイ島の大自然を満喫できる、素敵なシュノーケリングでした。
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Attended as: | Families |
Activity Date: | 2018/01/07 |
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My most favorite experience on Big Island with Sea Paradise! A great crew and we were taken care of from start to finish. You start by checking in at the shopping center, drive 5 minutes to Keauhou Bay to park your vehicle, get fitted for your wet suit, and get on the boat. The sunset on along the Kona Coast was beautiful. The crew were extremely helpful, very knowledgeable about the history of the manta rays, humorous and went out of their way to make sure we spent the most time with the manta rays. We were one of the first boats in and last to leave. Plus, we were given fresh pineapple, juices/sodas and hot chocolate.
I do not know how to swim but the guides took extra care to make sure I made it on and off the boat with flotation devices. I would definitely recommend Sea Paradise!
Aloha and Mahalo for taking the time to review your experience. We are delighted to hear you had such a wonderful time. We look forward to serving you in the future. A Hoi Hou.
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Attended as: | Couples |
Activity Date: | 2018/01/10 |
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Our guides were Arthur and Justin. Both are funny and knowledgeable. This tour surprised us in so many ways. It is crazy that you can go from beach weather to freezing winds in a matter of hours. The parkas definitely help. I would recommend some layers of clothes, jeans, and good shoes. Bring a scarf or beanie. For those who live in the country, you do not realize how fortunate you are to not have light pollution. The stars that we saw were amazing. Your eyes adjust and focus so well on all the bright twinkles because there's no surrounding light. It's hard to explain but you feel like a child who's just seen something new and cool. Light pollution is real. On a good night in the city, I can probably see maybe 10 stars. Here, the volume is overwhelming. The location of Hawaii lets you see a lot more. Not only do you see the stars, but you can see distant galaxies as well our own milky way. Primitive, primal, natural are some other ways to describe experience.
The sunset on Mauna Kea was also a fantastic experience. Arthur and Justin are safe and excellent drivers. You see rental cars driving up the volcano on unpaved roads when they shouldn't. It's better to have the experts take you to the summit.
We attended this tour January 3, 2018. This gave us the rare opportunity to see the wolf moon and all the stars. I never knew how much light the moon provided at night.
I would do this again and recommend it to anybody who visits the Big Island.
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Attended as: | Couples |
Activity Date: | 2018/01/03 |
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Bambi (captain) and Steven (dive guide) both are very friendly and knowledgeable. More importantly, in case that you do not see any manta ray, they arrange you another trip for free. In our case, the giants took a day off on Sunday and then came back on Monday. So try to book it at least 2 days before the end of your trip.
Mahalo for taking the time to submit a review of your sunset/manta tour(s) with Kona Ocean Experience. We're so glad you had the opportunity to rejoin us for a second evening after the mantas took a "night -off", so that you could enjoy seeing their majestic moves. Thank you for acknowledging our "manta guarantee"! Hope to have you aboard again sometime, to perhaps join us for a morning Dolphin & Kealakekua Bay adventure. Aloha!
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Attended as: | Solo Travelers |
Activity Date: | 2018/01/07 |
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天気にも恵まれ、生まれて初めてのホエールワッチングに興奮しました!
ただ英語のガイドだったので、意味がよく分からず少しだけ残念でした。
クジラはそんなにアクティブではありませんでしたが、数回ジャンプを見ることができ、それだけで満足です!
主人は少し船酔いしてしまいましたが、また来たいと思います!
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Attended as: | Couples |
Activity Date: | 2018/01/04 |
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高校生・中学生の息子たちが参加、船酔いが心配だったので眠くならない薬を飲んで参加しましたが特に問題なく空の旅を満喫出来ました。
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Attended as: | Families |
Activity Date: | 2017/12/31 |
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Guides were great fantastic experience loved it all
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Attended as: | Couples |
Activity Date: | 2018/01/04 |
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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.
Aloha, Thank you for coming out with us on the Manta Ray swim. I'm sorry that the Manta Rays did not cooperate that evening. Wahine Charters is one of the few tour companies that will take you out again for free if you don't see the Manta Rays. I hope you will take us up on that offer. We offer two Manta Ray tour departure times; the Sunset Manta tour and a later Moonlit Manta tour. Sometimes we see more Mantas on the Sunset tour and sometimes we see more on the moonlit tour, and occasionally we don't see any. There are two Manta Ray snorkel locations and we will take you to the location we believe will have the best show. We hope to see you again.
Captain Tim