Fantastic trip. We saw lots of turtles and a large pod of dolphins. The crew was great, especially Sara. The fee to go was well worth it. It took 30 minutes to get to snorkeling site. Then we snorkeled for an hour and then 30 minutes again to return to pier. Also enjoyed seeing all the fish!
About Activity
What's Included
Includes
- Local juices and soda too!
- In-water lifeguard certified guides
- Fresh water deck shower
- Top quality Snorkel gear, Fins, Flotation Vest
- Shaded and sunny seating options
Excludes
- Does not included Parking fee ~$5
- Towels (Please bring your own)
- Gratuity (Customary in the service industry, If you had a great time please consider leaving a tip)
- Prescription Mask Lens (Can be rented from Snorkel Bob's)
Departure & Return
Departure Point
- Please wait at the Pier A gate entrance in Kewalo Basin Harbor for check-in 15 minutes before departure. Pier A is located on the Diamond Head side of the harbor near the Jet ski on top of the kiosk. Please type "Hawaii Ocean Charters" into Google or Apple Maps for the meeting location.
Return
- Please wait at the Pier A gate entrance in Kewalo Basin Harbor for check-in 15 minutes before departure. Pier A is located on the Diamond Head side of the harbor near the Jet ski on top of the kiosk. Please type "Hawaii Ocean Charters" into Google or Apple Maps for the meeting location.
Itinerary
Explore one of Oahu's top snorkel spots and experience snorkeling with sea turtles, tropical fish, and all the other creatures that call the reef home on this 2-hour boat excursion. We'll set you up with all the best snorkel gear, instruction, and in-water guides so you can focus on the fun! Keep an eye out for the occasional pod of spinner dolphins and our seasonal humpback whales (Jan - March). - Soak in the beauty of Waikiki from the ocean during the boat ride to and from our reef. Our crew is happy to help you capture the moment, give local knowledge, and share their passion for the water with you. - We run our boat at half of its rated capacity for your comfort onboard and to give you the attention you deserve in the water. - Complimentary waters, local juices, and sodas - Great for first-time snorkelers and seasoned pros!
Language Offered
Additional Info
Cancellation Policy
Reviews
Excellent highly recommended
A fantastic two hour trip. We were well looked after and well instructed, and the snorkelling was easy and very worthwhile. Saw all sorts of fish, an octopus and most importantly many turtles as they swam and came up for air. A lifelong memory.
Our snorkel guides and captain were fantastic! Friendly, informative and helpful :) we had a group of about 19 and it was perfect being a small group tour!
Experience was amazing. Very friendly and knowledgeable crew (shoutout to Laney, Nate and Nick) that made us feel very safe and we got to see so many turtles!!! Definitely recommend
The small group size made this tour feel special. The captain and crew were friendly and knowledgeable. We saw lots of turtles and other sea life. Well worth it!
Great snorkeling tour and the 18 person max was the perfect size. Nick, Nate and Brooke were awesome and we even got to dive and do back flips off the top landing. Highly recommend
Awesome! Amazing crew. Informative and helpful. Frat experience.
Great snorkel trip to turtle canyon. Staff seemed genuinely interested in ensuring passengers had fun while remaining safe. Brooke and Erica were fantastic as was Captain Carlos. I was motion sick during the ride, and the Chimes ginger chews they gave me helped instantly. Would definitely recommend them!
This trip was phenomenal. I have dived and snorkelled for 40 years all around the world and this crew was the most professional I’ve ever seen. Francesco, Ella and Erica were perfect hosts and knew their stuff very well. Incredibly helpful with gear and making sure that everyone was comfortable.
The crew was amazing!!! So worth the money. Girls absolutely loved it and the guides were so knowledgeable and attentive. Highly recommend - saw at least 8 turtles, tons of fish and they even caught a live octopus and our youngest got to pet him!!
We had a wonderful time, the crew was very friendly, knowledgeable and caring.
Such an amazing experience! Good vibes, beautiful snorkelling spots and just pure happines through and through! Would definitely go again <3
Fantastic experience. Organised, totally professional throughout and safety is their top priority. Equipment is of the highest quality and they just know what they are doing. Fab dining recommendation an extra bonus and what a way to finish our trip to the South Pacific. Thank you x
Decided to go on this trip at the last minute it was really fun. The staff was great. The boat was nice. They have free drinks got the sea dolphins turtles octopuses and hundreds and hundreds of fish. They recommend it if you’re in the area and looking for something to do.
The crew for this Turtle Canyon Snorkle Cruise were terrific! Some of us had never snorkled before and were nervous, but they gave us all the help we needed and we felt confident. We saw turtles, spinner dolphins, lots of different kinds of fish, and even whales spouting! Highly recommended.
They have a very nice clean boat and snorkeling equipment. The crew was fantastic and very informative about the sea life. With this tour, you will be able to see a lot of turtles and fish. We would do it again. Enjoy!
The whole crew was amazing. We saw over two dozen turtles and beautiful reef fish. The boat was clean and they offered lots of juices and water. Friendly, professional, and read the group really well. I started to feel a little sick during the trip and a crew member (i believe her name was Ella) knew I wasn’t feeling well before even I knew. She was so kind and helpful. Thank you so much for an awesome experience!!
Great small group excursion. Equipment provided. Beautiful views. Saw multiple turtles. Guides were knowledgeable and friendly!
We had a lovely experience with the crew. Despite the weather not being the best, all attempts were made to allow us to see a few turtles. We felt very well cared for and would happily recommend this company to anyone interested in a sightseeing tour.
HI Ocean Charters was 10/10, and I would recommend to anyone looking for exceptional service and an exception snorkeling experience. We were a group of 10, ranging from 4 to 71 and the crew were amazing with our four kids 7 and under. They catered to our kids and helped them snorkel so the adults/parents could enjoy our own experience. We saw sea turtle, reefs, tropical fish and hump backs all in 2 hours. Gear was comfortable and functional. The small group experience is the way to go vs the large 40+ person boats. Crew were extremely friendly and very accommodating. Would highly recommend!
My family and I had a great time. Saw tons of fish and turtles and the crew was excellent.
Excellent experience with well organised and efficient staff
Andreas, Nick & Francesco were fantastic! They were so kind, helpful & definitely comfortable on/in the water. They made sure everyone was comfortable & had everything they needed. They helped point out different sea life & tell us about them. We saw several turtles, many different kinds of fish, sea urchins, & even several whales on our way back into the harbor. We had beginners & experienced snorkelers on board & they taught all of us new things. I would highly recommend Hawaii Ocean Charters. Plus, their boat was beautiful & new. A great outing!!
We had an amazing experience on the turtle snorkeling tour with the crew aboard Hawaii Ocean Charters in February. Our tour date was shifted a day due to the ocean swells and we ended up with a super small group. The crew treated us like family and were super kind to my little kids from the second we met them. They were super knowledge about the area we were snorkeling in as well as all parts of the island, and answered all of our questions. Not only did they lead us to the turtles that were popping up around us and pointed to the ones on the floor of the ocean, but also led us around the reef area where we saw so many kinds of fish. The main leader in the water held my 5 year old son on her board and took him around and the crew on board the ship helped my 3 year old feel comfortable on the boat (he was scared) and feed the fish (they use acceptable fish food). We lucked out and had clear water conditions and were able to see the reef below. I highly highly recommend this tour and crew- they went beyond expectations to make our time memorable and comfortable for each member of our family. And what an awesome experience swimming with these huge beautiful turtles.
We had a great time. The water was a beautiful colour and there were so many fish of all colours that swam with us and around us. And of course we had close encounters with turtles, as close as allowed. Very cool and the perfect sized boat to avoid being crowded. Recommended
Crew was great - helpful tips on snorkeling comfortable (petroleum gel to ensure mask fits tight on my mustache, ginger chews to settle stomach). Turtles, white-tip reef shark, 100s of fish - super clear water.
Great crew! Very knowledgeable and personable :) we had a blast! Would definitely recommend. We saw so many turtles!!!
We absolutely loved it!!!!! Crystal clear water, lots of sea animals to see, and such knowledgeable and kind crew members!! Would highly recommend as a quick and fun activity while in Hawaii<3
Great guides! Francesco, Ella, & Hailey were amazing guides on our snorkel adventure. They guided us to dolphins on the boat ride to Turtle Canyon & helped us locate over 5 turtles & many spectacular other species. They made everybody feel comfortable despite the varied swimming ability. Great tour!!
The trip was amazing. From when we set sail the staff were incredibly friendly and made us feel confident. We family and I went on the turtle canyon snorkel tour. There were plenty turtle and there were also spinner dolphins that we got to snorkel with. I loved it wasn’t too crowded, there were only 15 people in the whole tour, and we were told not to swim towards the turtles and to maintain distance so we don’t harm them. I recommend 💯
Great tour! Saw whales and a dolphin in addition to a bunch of turtles. The crew was friendly, knowledgeable and very helpful. Would definitely do it again!
I just went on the Turtle Canyon snorkel with Sam & Mossy and the trip was amazing. The boat and equipment were great, the snorkeling spot was a quick drive from Waikiki, and the reef that they brought us to was bustling with fish and turtles. Mossy went snorkeling with us and knew exactly where to go and taught us about the local wildlife. The trip was super relaxing, and the guides were really fun to hang out with - I can’t recommend this tour & company enough.
Yes, we saw turtles and many marine animals. The crew was friendly and gave helpful instructions. The looked after the passengers and helped up to successfully snorkel
Francesco and his crew were amazing!! We had all of our families out for the day for snorkeling and swimming! The day went perfectly. Once we boarded the boat, we immediately felt like we were on the boat of a family friend. In every way, they took care of us and made sure that our day was exactly as we imagined it. Safety seemed a top priority, and they did an excellent job of keeping us safe but not ruining any of the fun. The next time I’m in Hawaii, I will be chartering this boat again for another unforgettable family memory!!
If you're looking for an all-inclusive top-notch snorkeling outfit this is by far one of the best experiences we've had while being here the crew were polite and courteous, knowledgeable, patient and just good people all around. The correspondence before the trip was incredibly clear and accurate of what was to come. The boat was immaculate, organized, and comfortable. I honestly couldn’t even find something wrong with the day or my overall experience with them if I tried. I would highly recommend with confidence booking through Francesco and his fleet of ships. Thanks again for an awesome day that our family will never forget.
It wasn’t ideal conditions but the crew was awesome trying to make it work despite the rain/thunder storm and slightly rough seas. We weren’t able to stay in the water as long as we would have liked, but the crew took great care of us. They were knowledgeable about the sea life and area. When we had to get out due to lightning they found a whale watching ship and went over to investigate and we saw a whale! When I got a bit sea sick they had ginger candy and essential oils which helped.
It was worth the price we paid. The water was very rough and they were extra careful with us. We all got to swim near a turtle having salon treatment! The fish were close and beautiful. They kept this 78 year old safe in the water, and steered me to the turtles!
What a nice experience. The crew were terrific and fun. Sweet boat ride leading to a memorable snorkeling experience. I highly recommend this trip, and would absolutely do it again. Ty!
This was an awesome experience and we saw at least four turtles, which was an incredible experience. The crew was awesome, friendly, professional, courteous, funny. Sam and Ella were the best so much so we booked a private sunset cruise with them for a night later in our trip.
The crew was very friendly, knowledgeable, and our experience could not be any better, definitely recommend this tour!
Great new company. Boat was very clean, good equipment and guides. Would come back again. Highly recommend.
We were very lucky to see the pod of dolphins. And baby one was jumping to show off haha. Girls were very kind to lead us to see turtles and they were very funny and friendly. I will definitely take more friends every time they visit me.
The staffs are very nice, equipments worked properly, the boat was clean and plenty of drinks! Was able to see turtles!
Just did a charter with Hawai‘i Ocean Charters on the Big Kahuna—absolutely incredible experience. The boat was immaculate, the crew was super friendly and attentive, and the sea life we saw was amazing. The sound system on board was top-notch, too. Easily the best boat charter on O‘ahu—highly recommend!
I went on a turtle snorkel tour in Waikiki with Captain Francesco and deckhand Nick, and it was an incredible experience. They were friendly, professional, and made everyone feel safe with a clear safety briefing and attentive support in the water. We saw several honu (sea turtles) up close in stunning water, I highly recommend for a fun and safe ocean adventure!
I highly recommend booking this tour! I have been a handful of times and you’re guaranteed to have a great time. The ride over to the snorkel spot is gorgeous with so many great views of the mountains and ocean, opportunities to see seabirds, whales (if the right season), and dolphins along the way. There are always many turtles and fish to see when snorkeling as well. The boats are in great condition and the crew is super friendly and professional.
An all around amazing experience! The Big Kahuna Turtle Canyon Snorkel Adventure in Waikiki is a must-do. We saw sea turtles, tropical fish, vibrant coral, and DOLPHINS in crystal-clear waters. I had no idea that Waikiki had that kind of sea life! Captain Francesco and the crew were fantastic—super friendly, knowledgeable, and made everything easy, from boarding to puting on our snorkel gear. The boat was easy to access, and they provided plenty of gear. We basically just showed up with sun protection and a towel, they had the rest covered. The crew was always there to help, making the whole experience seamless and enjoyable. If you’re looking for great wildlife viewing, top-notch customer service, and a smooth adventure, this charter is the way to go! Highly recommend it for anyone visiting Waikiki! Mahalo Hawaii Ocean Charters 🫶🫶🫶
We had the most unforgettable experience with Hawaii Ocean Charters on their sunset cruise! From the moment we stepped aboard, Captain Francesco made us feel so welcome and at ease. He was not only incredibly knowledgeable about the ocean and coastline, but also shared fun facts and stories that made the ride even more special. The boat was beautiful, clean, and so comfortable, and we were blown away by the views—watching the sun dip below the horizon with the mountains in the background was pure magic. We even spotted some dolphins! Captain Francesco truly went above and beyond to make it a memorable experience for everyone on board.
Our experience with Hawaii Ocean Charters' Turtle Canyon Snorkel Adventure was absolutely incredible from start to finish. Captain Francesco, who is also the owner, was so knowledgeable and passionate about the ocean. His love for marine life was contagious and made the trip even more special. We saw an amazing variety of marine life, including tons of colorful fish, several majestic sea turtles, and even an octopus that one of the crew members spotted and pointed out to us! It felt like we were swimming in a real-life aquarium. The open ocean can be intimidating, especially for some of our friends who don’t have much ocean experience, but the entire crew made everyone feel completely safe and supported the whole time. Their professionalism, care, and attention to detail really stood out. We will 1000% be booking another snorkel adventure with Hawaii Ocean Charters. It was truly one of the highlights of our trip to Oahu!
Monday through Friday 9 am to 7 pm EST
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