Small-group Dolphin Turtle & Whale Safari W/ Marine Biologists

My wife and I went on a wildside ocean safari and had an amazing time! It was really nice that they take out a smaller group so we got in to the water quicker and got more time getting to observe the animals up close in their natural environment. We saw a huge pod of spotted dolphins and dropped in with them 3 times. Our guides Mickey, Alex and Captain Matt were wonderful. They were clearly passionate about what they do. They also were very patient and made sure everyone got a special experience even if that meant spending some extra time on the water as we also stopped to observe the spinner dolphins on the way into the harbor. I highly recommend the experience!

Excellent dolphin excursion which far exceeded my expectations. We saw many dophins. turtles and fish and got to snorkel near the dolphins which was fantastic. Loved learning from the guides.

Best snorkeling tour ever! It was priceless to have a marine biologist and an experienced diver with us. We saw 3 types of dolphins, pigmy whales (even swam with them), turtles and many fishes. This experience will stay with us as a forever memory!

They are a small, family owned company. One boat, one captain, two guides for snorkeling, marine life spotting, answering questions. There were only 5 passengers on our tour (2 small groups) and we all agreed that we wanted to see whales even though it wasn’t whale season. We literally found sperm whales first thing when we reached the open ocean! We had an opportunity to swim with spotted dolphins and watch them from the water. We passed up reef snorkeling (it was two days post storm and the water was cloudy near shore) to watch spinner dolphins (so MANY little performing show offs!!) for a long time and then found some mating green sea turtles to cap off the trip. The Hawaiian snacks were so good that we went to the bakery to buy more on our way back to Honolulu. We took advantage of the offer to purchase their professional shots of the animals we saw (I take trash photos and was way too busy watching the whales to run back down for my phone) and they are really spectacular. Truly a wonderful tour and the highlight of our time on Oahu.

The captain and the two ladies on the boat were the kindest and most outstanding we had on our whole trip. They went out of their way to make sure you had anything you needed. They took photos for us and brought us homemade purple bread with cream cheese frosting plus snacks and a cooler full of juice drinks ect. Lots of fun animal information during down time. We had a snorkel with turtles stop first which was great so we could spend the rest of the time looking for dolphins. We were able to do two jumps in the the spotted dolphins then headed over and watched spinner dolphins on the boat and even saw a monk seal. We had a great time and all agree it was one of our top activities we did on Oahu.

We had an incredible time with Captain Matt, Alex and Bethany. We had amazing encounters with lots of marine life, including swimming with dolphins, pilot whales, sea turtles, and more. The crew was accommodating, knowledgeable, and fun. They demonstrated great respect for the wildlife while getting us up close incredible experiences. A must do adventure for anyone visiting Oahu.

We had an amazing morning with the crew. We saw turtles, tons of dolphins (including baby dolphins), one reef shark, and an eagle ray. The waters were some of the clearest waters we've ever swam/snorkeled in. Absolutely beautiful and totally worth it. The team and captain were friendly, knowledgeable, and fun to be with. 5/5.

This was an AMAZING once-in-a-lifetime experience! The crew we had was awesome - Mickie, Bethany, and Captain Matt - all made sure we had the best time possible and were so knowledgeable and generous in sharing their expertise. We saw bottlenose and spotted dolphins, birds, fish on the reef, and turtles. The best part was our several interactions with pilot whales (including a tiny baby!) - we were moved to tears. Just stunning and the best vibes. I will do this every time I come to Oahu, can’t wait!

Was so fun! snacks, good music, and a very cool experience. would recommend if you are staying in hawaii

Great experience! Loved that the group was small and the crew was great.

Since we joined the first tour of the day, there were very few passengers on board; it felt almost like having a private charter. The entire crew was enthusiastic, friendly and attentive from start to finish. After snorkeling, I felt a bit seasick. Before I even had to ask, the crew immediately brought me a ginger beer treat and checked on me frequently to ensure I was feeling better. Their genuine care and thoughtfulness really warmed my heart, and I felt incredibly well looked after. There were three crew members on board, and every one of them provided exceptional service. Plus, a variety of snacks 、fruit 、desserts and drinks were provided for free throughout the trip. When it came time to snorkel, two wonderful ladies even got into the water with me; they helped me relax and took photos to capture the moment. Their friendliness and professionalism made the experience truly special. Without a doubt, the highlight of the trip was the dolphins! Two years ago, I went on a dolphin watching tour on the Big Island of Hawaii and saw only a handful of them. On this trip, however, we were surrounded by a massive pod,I’d estimate there were more than 50 dolphins! It was the first time in my life I’d seen so many dolphins swimming right around me. The sight was absolutely breathtaking and magical. I highly recommend this WILD SIDE tour to anyone visiting Hawaii. If you’re looking for an unforgettable dolphin,l watching and snorkeling adventure with a top notch crew, this is the perfect choice!

Wonderfull. Very knowledgeable

We had an amazing Best of the West tour with the amazing crew of Captain Matt, Conner and both Bethanys! We got lucky enough to swim with not only spotted dolphins but also rough toothed dolphins and pilot whales! Captain Matt put us in the perfect spot in the water multiple times so we were able to observe them without causing any stress to them or scare them away. We got super lucky on how long they stayed in the area while we were in the water and didn’t get spooked off. The crew took great care with beginners and experienced snorkelers and explained so much about each species. You can tell this company truly cares about the animals, environment and conservation efforts. We booked it for the small party size and positive reviews and weren’t disappointed. If you are reading this stop thinking about booking and just go for it!

What an amazing morning we had! We book with Wild Side because of their small group sizes and their respect for the animals. We hoped to get to swim with dolphins. We dreamed too small. We ended up with a beautiful whale shark!! We all were beyond excited including the crew Conner, Bethany and Captain Mark! She hung around at the surface for an unusually long time. They allowed us to stay and swim with her as long as we wanted provided she did not appear stressed. To top it off, today was my birthday. Could not have had a better gift! Thank you Mark, Conner and Bethany!

Connor, Bethany, and Captain Mark were hands down the best tour guides! My family and I truly felt like their top priority from start to finish, and we always felt safe and well cared for. Neither of my kids (ages 10 and 12) had ever been snorkeling before, but Connor and Bethany took the time to work with them, showing incredible patience and encouragement. Thanks to them, both kids had an amazing first snorkeling experience. The crew also did a fantastic job locating the dolphins, giving us the unforgettable opportunity to get in the water and swim with them. Even though I (Mom) wasn't feeling my best during the trip, the crew continually checked on me while also making sure my husband and kids were still having a wonderful time. If we ever make it back to Hawaii, I would 100% book with them again. Thank you for making this such a memorable experience for our family!

We had a wonderful experience with Wild Side! It was clear that the crew members truly care about the animals, environment, ocean and guests. They were attentive in keeping us informed and the safety protocols were clear and easy to follow. They coached us every step of the way and made everyone feel safe and included. They prioritize ethical and safe viewing. We were able to experience the beauty of the sea, two amazing pods of dolphins, a monk seal enjoying a fish, and a sea turtle. Wild Side and Viator helped fulfill a lifelong dream of being with dolphins in their own habitat without commercialism. If we return to Oahu, we would book this experience again in a heartbeat. Highly recommend!!

What a unforgettable experience! The crew was so kind to my 80 year old mom who was just along for the ride. They really got her involved and helped her in the front of boat for the best views! We were very fortunate to dive with so many dolphins! It was really incredible how many dolphins we saw outside the water as well. The few turtles at the end were a bonus. Micky, Alex and Max were wonderful and we all learned so much from their knowledge.

This was a PHENOMENAL experience. We did the extended trip which was a half day (six hours) and all the folks were amazing. Everyone was knowledgeable, friendly, and helpful. We saw and swam with some incredible wild life in a way that was safe and respectful. We felt totally comfortable the entire time. Highly recommend!

Super professional tour that cares about the wildlife and the ocean. Great to see. Had an amazing tour. Got to swim with dolphins and turtles, sample hawaiian snacks and drinks, and had the best time. The crew were awesome. Highly recommend!

Matt Bethany Alex and Micky were beyond incredible. We got to swim with dolphins as well as snorkel a beautiful reef. I recommend for both tourists or locals!

We chose to do the Wild Dolphin Swin, Turtle, Whale Safari with Guided Snorkeling with Wild Side Specialty Tours, LLC for our visit to Oahu. I selected this tour as it specializes in small groups and marine biologist leading the way. I was EXTEREMLY happy I did. Connor, Bethany and the captain were wonderful and truly treated our group of 6 as family. They talked a lot about the wildlife in the ocean, showed us pictures of what we would be seeing and really understood the ocean. They were very safety conscious. They helped the seasoned and the unease snorkelers. There is no doubt they are passionate about the wildlife and their safety as well as ours. Our captain stayed in contact with other boats to share where sightings were. Bethany took pictures above and below the water that I can't wait to see (we just did the tour so takes a few days). It made us excited to see the crew excited to find very rare pod of pygmy killer whales!!! Then to get to swim with them!! Turtles and dolphins too! What a perfect tour! Don't hesitate to book with this company!!

I highly recommend this safari! The crew were very educational both about wildlife and the landscape and keen to be out looking for wildlife. The small group was great as it was not crowded when swimming and the boat had lots of space and areas to sit. The crew worked to find the best clear water where we were able to jump in and snorkel with a sea turtle. We also got to swim along with Pygmy killer whales once the crew observed behaviour that was okay to get in. Then we ended the tour with dolphins swimming along and out in front of the boat. This tour was amazing and was such a cool experience!

Rachel was great! Wonderful day, saw dolphins and turtle and reef!

Rachel and Matt were excellent, friendly and educational! You can absolutely tell they love their jobs. Even when the dolphins were a bit evasive, they did everything they could to make our trip one we would never forget.

We've used this company for two tours already and we will book with them again. The staff is extremely knowledgeable and can teach guests about the wildlife they are actively seeing. A great boat, we experienced great snorkeling both times. It's and wonderful experience for families.

Took the 7am tour on 5 April and had a fabulous time. Mat and Conner make a great team and really got us in good position to see as much as we could. Pilot wales, spotted dolphins, and of course the reef fish/turtles. Highly recommend.

We spent an incredible day on the water with a group of friends. 4 adults and 4 children (Ages between 9 and 12). The crew was very knowledgeable and great with the kids. Very informative! We were able to see whales, 2 species of dolphins, turtles and even a hammerhead shark. It was one of the most memorable water adventures we have experienced. Thank you Wildside! The Russell’s

We had an amazing adventure with Wild Side Specialty Tours! First Mate Mickey and Captain Matt were wonderful, kind and informative guides! It is a small boat (only 4 people on our trip) and Mickey and Matt tailored the trip to focus on what we were most interested in experiencing. We saw many, many, humpback whales, a green turtle, spinner dolphins, and snorkeled with beautiful fish, an octopus and a Spotted Eagle Ray! My husband is a bird watcher and Matt very thoughtfully took us to see a nesting sanctuary for Albatrosses (where we also saw a Brown Booby and a Shearwater). Mickey was one of the best guides we’ve had. She fostered community among the group, answered all our questions and explained everything with knowledge and enthusiasm. She even used a Hydrophone- a microphone under the water- so we could hear the whales singing. It was incredible! Delicious snacks, a shaded canopy, a proper bathroom, what more could you want? We had rainy and chilly conditions so don’t be deterred if the weather doesn’t cooperate! Thank you Mickey and Matt for an outstanding experience!!

Great tour! Saw the trifecta whales, spinner dolphins, and fish and turtles! Nice to have a photographer on board! Thank you Mickey, Bethany and Captain Matt!

My experience with Wild Side Specialty Tours LLC was truly exceptional. Their whale watching and snorkeling tour exceeded every expectation and took the entire experience to another level. Mickey and Conner were absolutely phenomenal. Their knowledge of marine life and the local ecosystem was impressive, and what stood out most was their genuine passion for sharing that knowledge. They welcomed every question with patience and enthusiasm, creating an engaging and educational experience that felt personal and meaningful. Although I discovered that I’m more prone to seasickness than I realized, the care and compassion shown by the crew made all the difference. At no point did they make me feel uncomfortable or embarrassed. In fact, they responded with such kindness, attentiveness, and understanding that I felt truly cared for. They were incredibly well-prepared to assist with seasickness, and their support turned what could have been a negative experience into one I will always remember with gratitude. As for the tour itself — it was pure magic. We saw whales, dolphins, stunning tropical fish, and even a sea turtle. Every moment felt special. What makes this company even more remarkable is their deep commitment to marine conservation. They are true advocates for ocean life and clearly operate with respect and care for the environment. Their passion for protecting these beautiful creatures shines through in everything they do. If you’re considering a whale watching or snorkeling tour, look no further. This team delivers not just an excursion, but an unforgettable experience filled with knowledge, heart, and integrity. I cannot recommend them highly enough.

What a wonderful cruise we had, much time was given to anybody with questions about wildlife. Nothing was to much and the two guides Niki and Connor (I will probably misspell this) were excellent. They had everybody always under guidance and were helping where necessary. Special attention for our little girl of 8y old was given when shortly needed, they were really calm and listening. Thank you so much for an adventure we will never forget

My Best of the West tour was amazing! Inclement weather caused my first booking to be cancelled, but the WildSide team got me booked on another day and it did not disappoint. The captain and crew were welcoming, friendly, engaging and knowledgeable. We saw humpbacks, turtles and lots of fish - plenty of snorkeling time in the water. I would have been happy to spend the entire day out on and in the water with them!

We had an excellent time whale and spinner dolphin watching. At one point the whales unexpectedly swam right underneath the boat so we immediately stopped to let them pass. It was so exciting! We weren’t prepared to swim/snorkel, but Connor encouraged us to just jump in clothes and all, so we did. My 6 year old granddaughter has been very sad and stressed lately with her mom’s health issues so this was such a blessing for her to experience this relaxing and exciting moment to lift her little spirits. Mickey was so kind and helpful with her. She took her time listening to her chattering. The captain did an excellent job on the wavy waters. They provided snacks, drinks, and delicious fruit on the way back. I’m so grateful for WSST for their exceptional hospitality. We will definitely bring back the rest of the family! Mahalo!

I love doing water snorkeling adventures and seeing whales, dolphins and turtles. This trip did not disappoint. I actually did two half tours in a row because the full day adventure was not available that day. We were so lucky that the first time out we saw humpbacks! It was incredible. Remember that wildlife is wild and there are no prescheduled shows. It is up to the wildlife if they will be there or not. All one can do is to look for them and cross your fingers! That first time we saw a lot whale action and one even came close to the boat! We tried to swim with the dolphins but that wasn’t too successful. However, we had such a good time with the whales! The second time I went the same day the whales were hiding but the dolphins were really out and about! We jumped in the first time but we were not quick enough but the second time, wow! I had my go pro with me but I am not accomplished at using it yet. I thought I had gotten a video of me swimming along side a group of dolphins but I may have messed that up. However, I have that great memory! We even got to see two turtles on our back to the harbor. I have been on many whale watching tours but what was so nice about this one is that they have a limited number of people on board. There is no crowding which is enchanting! BTW-Oahu was coming off a big storm and even through it had passed the waters were still a bit rough at times. We had been disappointed that our other water adventures (two different companies) were canceled on Monday and Tuesday. It would have been crazy and unsafe. Also, if you go right after a storm the water is still too clouded to see properly as we found out with another vendor doing Turtle Canyon tours. We couldn’t see anything and the waves were too strong. Remember, if tours cancel for weather it is good that they do cancel as you would not be able to see anything and cross your fingers for positive energy that the wildlife will come out of hiding to see you!!!! I am having trouble loading photos.

This was such an incredible experience. The crew on board were such a pleasure to be around and so generous with time in the water. We saw so many dolphins, whales, and a turtle. The landscapes are beautiful throughout and it was so intimate and felt different to other whale watching tours. Would definitely recommend!!

I can honestly say our tour with Wild Side was life changing! They took the time to educate us and even spent extra time to make sure we saw incredible things. We snorkeled with fish and turtles, they found a pod of dolphins that swam along side the boat and communicated with us by flapping their fins and at the end we saw whales in the distance and we drove over and saw two whales breaching right in front of the boat! Thanks to the tour guides and their excellent customer service we had an incredible day for my husbands birthday! They were so accommodating and so much fun to hang out with. Hands down I will be booking with Wild Side again! Thank you!

One of the best experiences of our lives. Bethany and Mickey were fabulous guides and so informative. Seeing the whales and listening to their songs through the underwater microphone was something we will never forget. Cannot recommend highly enough.

We live on O'ahu and have been on several snorkel tours in Hawaii and this is one of the best. Everyone on board is extremely knowledgeable (some are even marine biologists) and all are very capable. The captain is also a pro and really nice. They are safe and explain everything well. Their snacks on board are great and the crowd size is perfect. Definitely worth the price.

We had the best time! The guides and boat captains were the best! They knew the answers to all our questions (there were tons), pointed out all the things, and you could tell they were having as much fun as we were. I loved the small groups of this company, we had 8 in our group! I can not ever tell you all the different things we saw, I will be back to visit them again.

The trip was amazing! The staff were very helpful and professional. We highly recommend the experience. This was our second trip with them and we’re scheduling again.

I loved being on a smaller boat than other snorkel sails I’ve taken. The dolphins were right under my feet as I stood at the front of the boat. And a whale surfaced about as close as it could diagonally to the right in front of where I was standing. A turtle surfaced very close as well. Many great whale sitings including baby and breaching whales. In the small boat it felt intimate with the wildlife. I got answers to some pelagic bird identifications I’d been seeking too. It was a very cold morning. So when the 20 foot high swells kept us from snorkeling it was less of a disappointment than if it had been warm. But overall I felt very content and grateful for the many sitings we had and the fun of riding those big swells in a small boat.

We had a wonderful sunset cruise, looking for humpback whales. Our crew was so knowledgeable and made it an interesting evening on the water. We were able to see spotted dolphins, and one bottlenose dolphin.

My family and I had a great experience. Staff was very nice and knowledgeable and paid close attention to safety requirements.

Great adventure! Got to see many Whales breaching, and Dolphins were swimming around our boat and jumping and spinning in the air! Had a wonderful time!

We were on the sunset tour 11/27/25. Had a delightful, beautiful trip seeing dolphins turtles, and snorkling. Captain Kim and her female crew were the BEST, even handling a minor health related emergency with haste and efficiency. No lasting problems. We all would love to sail with them again!

What an amazing experience!! It was so great to be in a small group, on a clean boat, with knowledgeable and attentive guides. Wild Side is connected to a dolphin research and conservation group, so the information from the guides was very informative about the behavior of the marine life as well as best practices for conservation. They collected photos and behavioral data for the researchers during the trip, which made it feel like we were contributing to the conservation of the dolphins as well as enjoying being so close to them. We swam with dolphins at three locations, as well as with a huge sea turtle closer to shore. The gear was excellent and they had prescription masks for snorkeling (-3 and -5), which were really effective. Overall, I would say it was well worth the extra money. We saw the other tours, which were larger groups and less good boats, and we were very happy to be with Wild Side!

Loved it! These guys are the real deals. It’s about nature and not like the other clowns who tend to chase dolphins just to appease their guest. Friendly, knowledgeable help full. In short they are small but great in service. I cannot give them high enough praise.

Wonderful day on the water! Felt like a personalized experience with only 8 guests, 2 crew and the captain. Boat had enough room for everyone without feeling crowded. They worked hard to create a memorable experience for us and we were able to get into the water twice with Spotted Dolphins. Magical to see them swim off the bow and a baby was part of the pod! Saw a suspected pod of Bottlenose Dolphins from afar, but they were elusive. Flying fish put on a show, with Tuna jumping to try and catch a snack. Got a bit of reef time for some fish and a turtle. Our kids loved it and we look forward to the next opportunity to tour with Wild Side again. Appreciated their ethical approach to the animals and super knowledgeable & educated crew. Highly recommend!

This was the most amazing tour! Felt like we were on a wildlife expedition! Saw spotted dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, false killer whales, and of course turtles and reef fish. Had the opportunity to be in the water with one of the dolphin groups as they cruised by, which was so surreal! The crew (Flo, Bethany and Conner) were fabulous! So much knowledge to share about the marine mammals in the area, so friendly and genuinely happy to be there. We so much appreciated their perspective, and the great enthusiasm they had for what they were doing. If you are looking for a booze cruise party boat, this is not the tour for you… If what you want is an intimate, small group experience, seeing some amazing things with people who have incredible in-depth knowledge and experience, and a truly appreciative respect for the ocean and the environment, then these are your people! Hands down one of the best experiences on a Hawaiian boat tour we have ever had. Highly recommend them! It’s worth the drive out to the West shore just for this. Thanks so much for a memorable experience!!!