Best Snorkel Tours in Oahu

It is not only the valleys and beaches of Hawaii that are home to amazing nature. Under its crystalline waters there is a whole paradise of coral reefs, craters and lava tubes where turtles, fish and manta rays live waiting for you to pay them a visit.

Isabel Catalán

Isabel Catalán

9 min read

Best Snorkel Tours in Oahu

Sunset over the waters of Oahu | ©Ryan Pernofski

Because of its underwater topography, Oahu is the perfect place for beginners and experienced divers to enjoy an unforgettable day of snorkeling exploring the waters of this Pacific Ocean island. This is one of the most exciting experiences you can have on Oahu, so don't hesitate and join a snorkeling tour.

1. Take a catamaran ride to dive and snorkel in the middle of the ocean

Enjoy the view of Waikiki from your catamaran| ©Daniel Ramirez
Enjoy the view of Waikiki from your catamaran| ©Daniel Ramirez

With this 3-hour excursion you will sail along the coast of Oahu aboard a luxury catamaran to Turtle Canyon, the best place on the island to see green sea turtles.

Along the way you will be able to take in the magnificent views of Waikiki and Diamond Head from the water while listening to music and sunbathing on deck enjoying a refreshing drink. Pay attention because you might spot spinner dolphins and migrating whales!

After a few minutes you will arrive at Turtle Canyon where the captain will moor the "Honi Olani" for the dive in the water. Before diving into the sea all participants in the excursion will receive a safety briefing and then you will be able to dive in the water to snorkel for about an hour and a half.

During this time you will have the opportunity to see, together with your snorkeling guide, beautiful coral reefs as well as colorful fish and huge green turtles that you will be able to swim with up close.

For this Turtle Canyon catamaran tour you can choose between a 2-hour morning tour or a 3-hour midday tour with lunch on board. I recommend you to choose the midday tour because you will have more time to sail the boat, snorkel and after the activity, have a snack before returning to shore which is always good to recover your energy.

Recommended... if you are a beginner diver. In this tour the guides help you with the snorkeling equipment so you can focus on enjoying the activity and the marine life.

Compare the best snorkeling activities

2. Snorkel with turtles after island tour

Snorkel with turtles| ©David Siu
Snorkel with turtles| ©David Siu

With this 8-hour tour of Oahu you will have the opportunity to explore some of the highlights of the island (Dole Plantation, Diamond Head, Halona Blowhole, Kualoa Point, Makapu'u Beach...) as well as take a trip to Waimanalo (a town known as "turtle town") to snorkel and see the beautiful Hawaiian green turtles in their natural habitat.

Thanks to this full day tour of Oahu, you will discover much of the island's nature and a beautiful variety of jaw-dropping landscapes, not only on the surface but also underwater! You will even have time to see a pineapple plantation and a family farm where macadamia nuts are grown. These are two very typical Hawaiian products that you will be able to taste.

This tour is done in a minibus with a small group of 20 people (or less) and a local guide making the experience much more exclusive and personalized.

Recommended... If you are looking to get an overview of the island of Oahu and its lush nature by land and sea. This tour has a lot of stops to see incredible landscapes and sites.

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3. Sail aboard a catamaran to observe the marine fauna and snorkel

Watch whales while relaxing on deck| ©Sue Salisbury
Watch whales while relaxing on deck| ©Sue Salisbury

Another excursion you can opt for if you want to live a memorable adventure in the waters of Hawaii is this catamaran tour with snorkeling and Hawaiian buffet where you will spend 3 and a half hours to learn about the nature and fauna of Oahu.

A bus will pick you up at your hotel in Waikiki to take you to the port, where you will board the catamaran "Kai OliOli" on a trip north along the west coast of Oahu to see dolphins and whales while listening to the crew's stories about Hawaii and the Waianae coast.

When the time comes, the captain will stop the ship so you can jump in the water and snorkel. You won't need to bring anything, not even sunscreen, as all the snorkeling equipment is provided by them.

During the activity you will be accompanied by guides and also by a professional photographer who will take pictures of you underwater, swimming with the fish and turtles. Afterwards, upon returning to the boat, you will enjoy a delicious Hawaiian buffet with drinks, the perfect finishing touch to an incredible day!

I like it because it is a very flexible excursion as you can choose between three available times (morning, afternoon or sunset) and adapt this outing to the rest of your schedule if you plan to do other things during the day.

Recommended... If you want to go on an excursion in Hawaii to explore unspoiled landscapes, away from the most touristy places, and snorkel in a unique and peaceful environment.

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4. Take an all-inclusive boat tour to see cetaceans and snorkel

Snorkel in some of the most beautiful waters in the world.| ©Marco Assmann
Snorkel in some of the most beautiful waters in the world.| ©Marco Assmann

The smaller the group you go on an excursion with, the more premium and personalized the experience becomes.

If there is one thing that makes this snorkeling tour in Oahu worthwhile, it is that only a maximum of 6 people participate, which makes it a practically private excursion. In addition, you will sail away from the crowds, you will have a closer contact with the guides of the activity and you will enjoy nature in an exclusive way.

But that's not all. This boat tour also includes food and drinks, so you won't need to carry any snacks in your backpack to replenish your strength after the activity.

Enjoy a 2-hour cruise along the coast of Waikiki to see dolphins, whales and swim in the crystal clear waters of Oahu with tropical fish and green turtles, a magical experience not to be missed in Hawaii!

Recommended... If you want to take a cruise in Oahu without the cost of renting a private boat, this is the best option to take a cruise in Oahu. This is the best option to take an intimate ride on the waters of Hawaii in very small groups.

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5. Snorkel with dolphins and turtles

Sail along the Leeward coastline with dolphins| ©Mariam Marie
Sail along the Leeward coastline with dolphins| ©Mariam Marie

Watching wild dolphins in their natural habitat is a thrilling experience. Take advantage of your trip to Hawaii to take this 3-hour catamaran cruise along the coast of Leeward on Oahu, famous for its picturesque villages and beautiful pristine beaches, where you can also snorkel to see dolphins, humpback whales, fish, turtles and other marine species.

In addition, this cruise includes breakfast and lunch and beverage that you can take on the way to and from the shore while you rest and observe the beautiful scenery around you.

The captain will choose a quiet spot off the coast of Leeward to moor the ship and start the dive. Before the dive, the crew will give you some basic notions of snorkeling and the necessary equipment. During the activity, you will have the help of a guide with whom you will be able to swim among schools of tropical fish and beautiful coral reefs.

Recommended... If you would like to see dolphins up close and you feel like joining a quiet and familiar plan to enjoy nature.

Compare the best snorkeling activities

6. Take a comfortable cruise off the coast of Oahu to see dolphins, whales and snorkel.

View of Diamond Head from the cruise ship| ©Brent Storm
View of Diamond Head from the cruise ship| ©Brent Storm

If you want to see dolphins at sea and are looking for the convenience of cruising Oahu in a small group, this tour of the Waianae coast is perfect for you as you will share the boat with a maximum of 10 people.

Besides, you won't have to worry about anything as the crew will take you directly to the shallow and calm place to snorkel. During the 3 hours of the activity you will have time to spot dolphins, green turtles and humpback whales as well as to snorkel (you will be provided with the necessary equipment on the boat) in the crystal clear waters of Hawaii and among coral reefs.

At the end of the activity you will return to Waianae harbor for lunch. Lunch includes hot dishes, sandwiches and a selection of drinks - the best way to end a fun-filled day on a high note!

Recommended... If you want to join a small tour, away from the crowded boat trips, where you can enjoy the connection with nature and wildlife to the fullest.

Compare the best snorkeling activities

7. The best tours of the island, with aquatic activities and snorkeling

Eternity Beach| ©David Mulder
Eternity Beach| ©David Mulder

Bring out your adventurous spirit with this 8-hour snorkeling tour of the island of Oahu to discover by land and sea this idyllic place in Polynesia.

During this activity you will see some of the most beautiful corners of Hawaii such as Diamond Head, Kahala, Halona Blowhole, Eternity Beach, Sandy Beach or the viewpoint of Makapu'u Point, among many other spectacular sites. You will also stop at the spectacular Haleiwa Alii Beach to snorkel and swim among fish, turtles and other sea creatures.

This tour of the island of Oahu also includes a visit to Dole Plantation and Kahuku Farms, where you can taste several of the typical products produced there, such as pineapples and macadamia nuts. DoleWhip ice cream and Kona coffee are two classics not to be missed!

In addition, this tour will bring out your funniest side as the guides will sing typical songs, play the ukulele and tell curious stories about the island and the culture of Hawaii. If you are traveling with your family, the kids will have a blast.

Recommended... If you are looking for dreamlike landscapes to take fantastic pictures of your trip, delve into the local culture and live an exciting experience on a boat sailing through Hawaiian waters.

Compare the best activities with snorkeling

How much does a snorkeling tour in Oahu cost?

Live a unique experience| ©Patrick Jansen
Live a unique experience| ©Patrick Jansen

The offer is very varied and in general the price depends on factors such as the type of boat, the number of people on board, the duration of the activity, the number of places to be visited during the activity or whether lunch is included or not.

To give you an idea, if you want to spend a whole day snorkeling in Oahu the price can be around 100 euros but if you are looking for something more economical you will also find options for 70 or 80 euros.

Whatever your budget is, you will surely find the option that best suits your trip. In Hellotickets you can compare prices, schedules, availability of tickets and guided tours.

Where to snorkel in Oahu: best snorkeling sites

View of Waimea Bay| ©Ernie Murphy
View of Waimea Bay| ©Ernie Murphy

Some of the best places to snorkel in Oahu are Hanauma Bay, Turtle Bay Beach, Waikiki Beach, the Waianae coast, Turtle Canyon or Waimea Bay.

Snorkeling to see dolphins in Oahu

See dolphins while snorkeling in Oahu| ©ericdalecreative
See dolphins while snorkeling in Oahu| ©ericdalecreative

Swimming with dolphins is one of the favorite activities for tourists to do in Hawaii - an encounter with these friendly animals is always an unforgettable memory!

The best way to see them in their natural habitat is by joining a snorkeling excursion along the coast of Oahu, as the crew knows the best places on the island to enjoy their company, such as Turtle Canyon, Waikiki or the Waianae coast, among others.

Snorkeling in Hanauma Bay

Hanauma Bay| ©Daniel Ramirez
Hanauma Bay| ©Daniel Ramirez

Hanauma Bay Nature Reserve, southeast of Oahu, is considered one of the best places to snorkel in Hawaii because its shallow waters are suitable for all ages and it is home to a diverse marine life, unique in the world.

Did you know that Hanauma Bay is the caldera of an ancient extinct volcano? When one of its sides collapsed due to erosion by the sea, the water broke through and filled the caldera, creating a perfect ecosystem, home to hundreds of species of fish, turtles and corals.

Being such a popular site, to ensure its protection and conservation, the government declared it a natural reserve and regulated the entry of tourists, so that to enter Hanauma Bay you must pay an entrance fee of $ 25.

Snorkeling cruises

The best waters for snorkeling| ©Maggie Collins
The best waters for snorkeling| ©Maggie Collins

These are some of the best snorkeling cruises in Oahu but if you are looking for more options, in Hellotickets you can find more ideas to enjoy the underwater paradise that the waters of Hawaii treasure.

Frequently asked questions

  • Is it safe to snorkel around Oahu?

    Hawaii has the most incredible but deadly waves in the world, so it's important to consider both your swimming ability and the beach conditions when swimming and doing any water activities. That said, there are many places around Oahu that are perfect for diving, including Kuilima Cove, Makaha Bay and Turtle Canyon.

  • What is the difference between a snorkeling cruise and normal snorkeling?

    Most snorkeling cruises take you offshore, so you can dive among the marine life and see live coral.

  • What can I see while snorkeling around Oahu?

    Some of the most popular species on Oahu are dolphins and green sea turtles, but you'll also see plenty of fish, squid and, if you're lucky, octopus.