SNORKELING · OAHU
Turtle Canyon is a short catamaran ride from Waikiki and the turtles are close to a certainty. The 15 below compare sail time, how many stops you get and which run a guide in the water with you.
Leave from Living Ocean Tours near Ala Moana and ride to Waikiki’s Turtle Canyon for a guided snorkel with Hawaiian green sea turtles and reef fish. Guides such as Chance and Aaron are known for patient instruction, while dolphins, flying fish, and winter whales may appear from the boat.
“Amazing experience, knowledgable staff, cool boat, loads of turtles, dolphins, colourful fish and a whale!”
Board Charter Oahu at Ala Moana Harbor for a two-hour Turtle Canyon trip with certified staff, premium snorkel gear, flotation aids, snacks, and juice. Look for green sea turtles, angelfish, and reef fish, then relax on floating platforms. Captain Chris and crew members such as Lily and Sophia have earned warm praise for safety and care.
“Great experience. Saw many turtles and on our way to turtle cove we saw a whale and dolphins. Staff were great”
Sail from Kewalo Basin aboard the 40-passenger Honu Lani to Turtle Canyon, where a guide helps you snorkel beside green sea turtles. The midday trip includes a deli lunch, local drinks, and views of Diamond Head. Crews may include Chris, Natalie, Greta, Joey, or Whitney.
“This was an absolutely wonderful experience. The size of the catamaran was great so you don’t feel crowded, plus they limit the amount of people snorkeling so you get personal attention I would highly recommend this trip and this company.”
Meet at the Duke Paoa Kahanamoku Statue for a 2.5-hour Hawea catamaran trip to Turtle Canyon. Snorkel with green sea turtles, tropical fish, octopuses, and reef life, then enjoy a coastal sail with snacks, soda, tea, and complimentary ARVO cold brew.
“Excellent staff and accommodating to our group of 8. The staff paid extra attention to my 78yo dad who got a little overwhelmed in the water and they helped him back on board safely. A memorable experience for the whole family”
Join Oahu Catamarans for a two-hour Waikiki cruise to Turtle Canyon, where crew members such as Lucy, Shannon, and Captain Krash guide you toward green sea turtles and tropical fish. Gear, snacks, drinks, and a lifeguard in the water are included. Sushi the dog may join the crew.
“Loved this tour ! All staff was super kind and helpful. They have the cutest co-captain and her name is sushi! Everything about this experience was amazing. 10/10”
Sail from Ko Olina aboard the 61-foot Kai OliOli catamaran. Your captain and crew search for dolphins, seasonal humpback whales, turtles, and flying fish before stopping for guided snorkeling. Gear, showers, a Hawaiian buffet, drinks, and optional Waikiki pickup are included.
“There is no snorkeling, we didn’t see any whales or dolphins. We were very disappointed. I would not recommend this trip.”
Paddle from Kailua Beach to Popoia or the Mokulua Islands, snorkel near Lanikai, explore a bird sanctuary, and enjoy lunch. Choose a self-guided outing or a small guided group of up to eight. Guides such as Mike, Evelyn, Alex, and Tupre have earned strong praise for safety and local insight.
“Unfortunately, it was a really windy day.But also, you have to walk your kayak.All the way down a long walk to the beach and back on a cart.No real beach service guy helped us steady.The kayak in the water.But that's it.The neat little area lunch was okay.I'm glad they had vegan option.A really windy day, which made it hard for kayaking and snorkeling.So mother nature didn't cooperate, but if I would have known.We had to walk that far with the kayak.I would have never did it”
Board Pink Sails’ catamaran near Prince Waikiki for a short sail to Turtle Canyon. Crew members such as Jamie, Mo, Alex, John, and Tyler guide basic snorkelers through 30 to 45 minutes in the water, with sea turtles, tropical fish, and occasional whale or dolphin sightings possible.
“The experience was great! We saw many turtles and some surfaced really close to us. It’s a double decker, the tour guides were more relaxed than other guides around us.”
Take an early shuttle from Waikiki to Hanauma Bay with Kaimana Tours, then snorkel among tropical fish and coral in shallow water. Guides such as Felipe, Philippe, Luiz, and Diogo help with transport, entry, and gear. Expect 6 to 7 hours, a $25 cash park fee, and possible rental charges.
“I would do this experience over and over. Our guide was great and showed us beautiful places. The snorkeling was one of our favorite things of the trip! I’m so glad we booked through here because they took us straight in and we didn’t have to wait in line.”
Swim at Turtle Canyon with Hawaiian green sea turtles, reef fish, and possible dolphins or whales. Island Splash Tours supplies gear, flotation vests, drinks, and guides. The 28-person boat leaves from Ala Moana, stays about 50 minutes at the reef, and returns in roughly 1 hour 40 minutes.
“We went to the 9am tour, many turtles were seen and we got our photos taken with a turtle with the photo package. Emma the photographer was super nice and helped us get the right poses in the water. I would recommend taking an earlier tour since turtle canyon gets kinda crazy fast with multiple tour groups (no fault to our tour group, they were trying to keep a safe distance from the turtles and other groups)”
Sail from Kewalo Harbor to Turtle Canyon for a 2.5-hour guided snorkel with sea turtles, tropical fish, and possible dolphins. Moana provides gear, lifeguards, restrooms, cushioned seating, and a secured raft. Early departures can bring calmer water, sunrise views, and more turtle activity.
“It was amazing. The staff was so kind and accommodating. We saw some turtles and some beautiful fish.”
From Kewalo Basin, Living Ocean Tours takes you by boat to Turtle Canyon for about 90 minutes of guided snorkeling. Expect a beginner lesson, certified lifeguard support, turtles and tropical fish, plus snacks and drinks. Winter sailings may spot humpback whales.
“Was a great way to spend the afternoon guides were great”
Cruise west Oahu with a small crew of lifeguard-certified naturalists and marine biologists. You may see spinner dolphins, winter humpback whales, turtles, reef fish, and seabirds, then snorkel from a 32-foot boat. Hotel pickup, lunch, drinks, and gear are included on the early tour.
“Alexa and Jalan worked hard to find us dolphins. I was thrilled to be in the middle of a big bunch of dolphins!”
Board a 28-foot speedboat at Kewalo Basin Harbor for a 1-hour-45-minute Turtle Canyon snorkel trip limited to six people. Guides such as Paul, Brittany, Zoe, and Jason provide gear help, turtle spotting, safety support, and fun facts. Snacks and bottled water are included.
“Jason and Hannah were awesome! Super chill, easy to talk to, and they sure knew their stuff. The wind and waves were much rougher than the weather report was telling, so we ended up having to cut the snorkel short, but it was a ton of fun. Would love to reschedule for the rest, or even just to cruise around- but even if that isn’t possible it was a great time and they were absolutely wonderful.”
Take a fast zodiac from Honolulu to Turtle Canyon with a maximum of six people. Guides such as Max, Sofia, Santiago, and Chris provide gear, safety help, and turtle spotting. Plan for a wet, active 90-minute outing, with fish, dolphins, and monk seals possible.
“Not for the beginner snorkeler. Visibility is not clear as so many other people. The boat is quick. Saw 2 turtles but everyone chases them away. Not worth the money”
By the animal, the hull, or the kind of coast.
