The short answer
Honolulu Snorkel Company's Hanauma Bay tour starts at $65 per person and takes children from 2 years old. Waikiki Marine Sports' turtle snorkeling tour starts at $49 per person, but it requires children to be at least 12 years old. Your child's age, swimming ability and how long you want to be in the water decide the rest of the choice.
Who does it suit, and who should skip it?
Match the tour to your youngest child's minimum age, since each operator sets its own. Hawaii Glass Bottom Boats' North Shore tour also starts at 3 years. Snorkel and Dive Hawaii's adaptive snorkeling tour and Wildside Specialty Tours' safari both start at 5 years. If your child is younger than 10, skip Island Water Sports Hawaii, which sets a 10-year minimum. If your child is younger than 12, skip the Waikiki Marine Sports turtle tour and the Oahu Ocean Adventures Waikiki tour, which both set a 12-year minimum.
How do you choose?
Age is the first filter, since each operator sets its own minimum. The Kaimana Tours Hanauma Bay tour starts at $50.99 per person and includes equipment and transportation. If you want a short outing, The Adventure Boat's semi-private tour runs 1.5 hours.
What does it cost, and what is included?
Prices vary by operator, and some tours are priced per group instead of per person. The Honolulu Snorkel Company Hanauma Bay tour starts at $65 per person and includes a mask, fins, a snorkel, and child and adult lifejackets. Snorkel and Dive Hawaii's adaptive tour and its snorkeling adventure both start at $125 per person. Island Water Sports Hawaii's SeaBob tour starts at $242 per person. At the higher end, you pay for a smaller group and better gear. Wildside Specialty Tours starts at $215 per person and includes a small group guarantee, premium masks, and light snacks and lunch. For a group that wants its own boat, Hawaii Ocean Charters' private catamaran starts at $649 per group and includes a snorkel guide, flotation gear and soft drinks.
What should you expect: how long it lasts and where it starts?
Plan an early start for the Kaimana Tours Hanauma Bay tour, which departs at 5:40 AM. The Honolulu Snorkel Company Hanauma Bay tour meets at Hanauma Bay State Park. Hawaii Glass Bottom Boats' North Shore tour meets in Haleiwa and runs 2 hours.
What are the tours to book?
These five tours cover different ages and budgets.
- Hawaii Glass Bottom Boats, North Shore snorkeling tour: from $110, 2 hours, for children from 3 years.
- Indigo Ocean Hawaii, dolphin, whale watching and turtle snorkeling tour: from $139 per person, with a round-trip shuttle, for children from 3 years.
How do booking, cancellation and weather work?
Refund terms depend on the operator, so the notice window decides how late you can change plans. Best Oahu Tours gives a full refund or credit with 48 hours notice. Hawaii Glass Bottom Boats needs 24 hours notice for a full refund. Snorkel and Dive Hawaii offers no refunds, and it allows rescheduling only up to 48 hours after booking.
Frequently asked questions
Where to take kids on Oahu?
For young children, the Honolulu Snorkel Company Hanauma Bay tour accepts children from 2 years. Its meeting point is Hanauma Bay State Park. The Hawaii Glass Bottom Boats North Shore tour accepts 3 years and up.
How long does snorkeling on Oahu take?
Snorkel and Dive Hawaii's adaptive snorkeling tour runs 3 hours.
Prices last checked October 2026.
