-
January 2024 by Sarah E.
This company is a scam, don't book!! We paid in full and when we showed up for the tour they no showed! No call or email. Apparently this is common with this wretched company. Had to dispute our credit card charge. Again, do NOT book with them!
-
January 2024 by Harvey B.
We set up a kayak snorkeling trip to Captain Cook. We arrived 20 minutes early, waited 2 1/2 hours. NO SHOW by the company proprietors. In addition they took our credit card money and we are having to go through our credit card to get our money back.We later found out that this tour operator commonly does not show up!!!!!DO NOT schedule with them!!!!
-
January 2024 by Jessica Applebaum
Booked a kayak/snorkel tour for our honeymoon and was cancelled on an hour prior via text message. They said the reason was due to a big swell affecting the area, making conditions unsafe. They wanted to rebook us to the following week, but unfortunately we would not be in the area any longer so I asked for a refund. No reply. Asked again. No reply. I called the next day, and the guy on the phone said he'd do it later and that he hadn't had time to get to the credit card machine yet. I kept trying to get in touch to get our money back with no reply over the next week without success, so finally filed a credit card dispute to get my money back. I wanted to give them the benefit of the doubt and totally understood the safety concern. I would not want to go out in bad conditions either, but the lack of attention to the refund was disappointing. The unfortunate part was that I could not find any info about a bad swell in the area, and lots of other companies were still going out. We were able to book with another company last minute and did not experience any swell or safety issue. There were lots of people at the bay on kayaks and swimming. It turned out to be a wonderful day, and I highly recommend a snorkel trip at Kealakekua bay, but not with this company because they are unreliable. I feel bad leaving a bad review because maybe they are swamped and just trying their best, but I do feel the urge to warn people to use caution if booking with and trusting these guys.
-
January 2024 by Harvey Bonner
We booked and did an online payment for a kayak snorkel to Captain Cook monument reef. We were told to show up between 12:30 & 1:30. We arrived at 12:20 and no one was anywhere to be found. We waited until 1:45 and no one showed up. While waiting we read Goggle reviews — what a mistake. WE WERE STOOD UP! We should have known by the junk filled disaster of their location. Later we also found out this is a common occurrence.January 2, 2024.
-
December 2023 by Ellen P.
You will be stood up and have to go through the hassle of disputing the Aloha Kayak charge with your bank/credit card company. We paid $200+ for two adult 5-hour kayak rental and tours out of Captain Cook and got to the Aloha Kayak facility exactly as instructed, but no one was there and no one replied to our calls, texts, or emails. Despite the numerous reminder emails they sent us, when we got to the facility, there was a sign on the door saying something along the lines of "no rentals today." I could understand if there was an emergency and they had to cancel last minute, but that clearly was not the case given that even now--a month later--no one from Aloha Kayak has responded to our inquiries. Very frustrating. We had to revise our itinerary so that we could still make it to Kealakekua Bay by hiking down Captain Cook Monument Trail (after waiting around for Aloha Kayak for an hour!) and getting our own snorkel gear. Save your time, money, and energy by going with another company (or hiking down). Would leave zero stars if I could.
-
December 2023 by Nick K.
Stood up, no one showed up for our tour. No answer from the tour company either. Don't waste your time. Read all the reviews on google this is a scam of a company.
-
December 2023 by Randy Hy
WARNING: We booked a morning kayak tour for 3 and got STOOD UP, as many others have similarly experienced. The front door was unlocked but no one was there. Aloha Kayak didn’t respond to calls or text messages as we waited on the porch of the business. We were fortunately able to find kayaks available for rent from another business, but wasted our time and stressed out over Aloha Kayak. We filed a chargeback with the credit card company. And on top of it all, there was a poor dog chained in the backyard. It didn’t look healthy, was not very responsive, and its food and water bowls were overturned. Whatever the reasons are, ALOHA KAYAK NEEDS TO GET ITS ACT TOGETHER!
-
December 2023 by Kayla Harold
WARNING: for the sake of your family vacation do not book your manta ray night snorkelling with this company. We were scheduled to go on Dec. 1st at 6:30, they took our money, we got the confirmation email and the reminder email, sounds good, right? WRONG. For peace of mind we tried but could not reach them via phone or text to verify everything was a go before making the 2 hour round trip to the meeting location, only to be NO SHOWED. No messages, no phone calls, no emails, just 6 unhappy family members watching group after group go on their planned excursions. Waited 45 minutes before giving up and going home. So unprofessional.
-
November 2023 by ovidiuz29
We had a manta-ray snorkeling tour booked for 6:30pm, but there was no one from their party at the pier. In talking to the other operators, we learned most operators had cancelled due to fears of a stormy weather, despite the fact that the bay was actually surprisingly calm at that time.
We got no phone call, no email, and we couldn’t reach them via phone. All we were getting - that night and the next morning, was their prerecorded message, and their mailbox was full.
Now I’ve just received the automated “Thanks for joining us on 11/24/2023!” email, which shows they haven’t processed the refund. I need to file a complaint with the bank too, to dispute the transaction. What a hassle!
-
November 2023 by Jason A
We had a wonderful trip!!!! We loved the interesting history of the area and attention to details regarding safety and enjoyment. We will be back again :)
-
November 2023 by Quentin Lerichomme
We've booked a manta ray night snorkeling tour, the guide never showed up and Aloha Kayak doesn't refund us.We received a cancellation email 40min before the tour, we were already on site and I didn't check my mail at this time. We walked all around, asking everyone if they know where to meet our guide. I tried to text and call the number of Aloha Kayak, no answer.After this situation, I read all the bad reviews on Google, unfortunately after.I will edit my comment if Aloha Kayak gives my money back.I do not recommend this company except if you like bad surprises.
-
November 2023 by Sharon Nadeem
We went on a 3.5 hours snorkelling tour and had the best time! We loved how passionate and knowledgeable Iwa was about Hawaiin history and culture. Iwa made sure we were safe and comfortable the whole time. Would highly recommend!
-
November 2023 by Quentin82
We've booked a manta ray night snorkeling tour, the guide never showed up and Aloha Kayak doesn't refund us.
We received a cancellation email 40min before the tour, we were already on site and I didn't check my mail at this time. We walked all around, asking everyone if they know where to meet our guide. I tried to text and call the number of Aloha Kayak, no answer.
After this situation, I read all the bad reviews about their no show, unfortunately after.
I will edit my comment if Aloha Kayak gives my money back.
I do not recommend this company except if you like bad surprises.
-
November 2023 by Emily C
We did the 3.5 hour kayak and snorkel with Iwa and couldn’t have asked for a better tour guide, local historian, proud Hawaiian storyteller, and safety expert. It is so incredibly special that Aloha Kayak Co has the approval to bring their groups ashore at the Captain Cook Monument, and we felt informed and safe the entire time. Iwa is a powerhouse team of one, wrangling a handful of couples on tandem kayaks, getting us in and out and in and out of the kayaks safely, educating us about the history and culture so we can appreciate the splendor (and the way that history played out), not to mention his wealth of knowledge about local flora and fauna. We wholeheartedly would recommend Aloha Kayak Co and Iwa especially to anyone looking for a hands-on and memorable way to experience the Captain Cook Memorial and Kealakekua Bay. In fact, as Iwa was sharing his knowledge about the site it’s history and the local wildlife, we noticed other tourists (not with our paddle group) lurking about, enthralled by his storytelling and insights!
-
November 2023 by Peggy H
We enjoyed this tour very much! We had a nice Kayak paddle to the Captain Cook Monument. Iwa (owner/guide) gave us much information about Hawaiian history, plants, etc… As a native Hawaiian Iwa was also able to give us additional insight to the Hawaiian experience. We had lunch & two snorkeling sessions at the monument. The snorkeling was wonderful - very clear water and many different fish. Additionally we were lucky to see many dolphins swimming nearby. I appreciated the great care Iwa gave to our safety when entering and exiting our Kayaks. I would recommend this tour - had a fun time!
