Oahu tours start from $31.41 per person for the Popoia Island kayak tour, and a private deep sea fishing charter starts from $3,000 per group. For a short ocean outing, the Whale Watching + Marine Life Tour from Ocean Outfitters Hawaii runs 1.5 hours and starts at $99 per person.
What should you know before you book Oahu tours?
Price per person and price per group work very differently, so compare like with like. The Grand Circle Island private tour starts from $1,199.99 per group.
If time is short, pick a tour that takes a few hours. The Dive Oahu Shallow Reefs Tour runs about 3.5 hours, and the Hawaii Nautical West Oahu sail runs 3 hours.
Age limits matter for families. The Dolphins and You tour accepts guests from age 2, while the Twin Islands kayak tour starts at age 13.
How much does it cost, and what is included?
Prices and inclusions differ from tour to tour, so match the tour to what you need. The Popoia Island kayak tour starts at $31.41 per person and includes kayak rentals, water and snacks. The Twin Islands kayak tour starts at $249 per person and includes lunch, drinks, snorkel gear and a certified tour guide.
| Tour | Operator | Price from | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Popoia Island & Kailua Bay Guided Kayak Tour- Full Day | Active Oahu Tours | $31.41 per person | - |
| Pearl Harbor City Tour / USS Arizona Memorial | Aloha Hawaii Tours | $69 per person | 5 hours |
| Pearl Harbor City - from Waikiki | E Noa Corporation | $69 per person | 5 hours |
| Shallow Reefs Tour | Dive Oahu | $99 per person | 3.5 hours |
| Whale Watching + Marine Life Tour | Ocean Outfitters Hawaii | $99 per person | 1.5 hours |
| Back Section | Queens Waikiki Luau | $109 per person | - |
| Sights & Bites Circle Island Tour | Aloha Hawaii Tours | $149 per person | - |
| West Oahu Dolphin Watch and Turtle Snorkel Sail w/ Lunch | Hawaii Nautical - Oahu | $149.95 per person | 3 hours |
The higher-priced options add food and gear. The Sights & Bites Circle Island Tour starts at $149 per person and includes lunch at Shrimp Truck. The Hawaii Nautical West Oahu sail starts at $149.95 per person and adds a sandwich lunch and guided snorkeling with sea turtles.
The price fact for the Mokulua tour is a from-price, so the number you see is the starting point.
What should you expect: how long it lasts and where it starts?
The Haleiwa whale watching tour leaves from Haleiwa Harbor, and the Kewalo Harbor fishing charter leaves from Ala Moana Boulevard in Honolulu. The Pearl Harbor tour from Aloha Hawaii Tours picks up from Waikiki and Honolulu hotels only.
Plan your arrival around the start point. The Active Oahu Mokulua tour meets at its Kailua storefront, a 5-hour trip that includes e-bike and kayak rentals, life vests, dry bags and snorkel gear. Private Waikiki departures are set between 7 AM and 8 AM, so plan your morning around that start.
Bring reef-safe sunscreen and a swimsuit for any snorkel or kayak tour, since the snorkel and kayak tours include the gear but not your own clothes.
Who does it suit, and who should skip it?
The Mokulua tour suits teens and adults, since the minimum age is 16. The Shallow Reefs dive tour starts at age 8. The Divemaster program is for adults only, starting at age 18, and it costs $1,999 from.
Skip the World War II Heroes Deluxe Pearl Harbor Tour with Lunch if you want a short outing, because it runs 9.5 hours. Skip the Twin Islands kayak tour if you have a child under 13, since the operator sets 13 as the minimum.
Families with small children have more choice on the water. Dolphins and You accepts guests from age 2 and includes a complimentary lunch.
What are the tours to book?
For a cultural evening, the Queen's Waikiki Luau Back Section starts at $109 per person and includes a farm-to-table dinner and a 45-minute show.
For a day on the water with lunch, the West Oahu Dolphin Watch and Turtle Snorkel Sail runs 3 hours from $149.95 per person.
For a full day of history, the Pearl Harbor City Tour / USS Arizona Memorial from Aloha Hawaii Tours runs 5 hours from $69 per person, with Memorial tickets included.
How do booking, cancellation and weather work?
Active Oahu Tours refunds 100% if you notify it more than 48 hours in advance. Aloha Hawaii Tours offers a full refund for cancellations at least 48 hours before pickup. The Whale Watching tour requires 24 hours' notice for a full refund.
Frequently asked questions
How long does an Oahu tour take?
The Pearl Harbor tour from Waikiki runs 5 hours. The Whale Watching + Marine Life Tour runs 1.5 hours.
What is included with an Oahu tour?
The Pearl Harbor tour includes transportation to and from Pearl Harbor and Memorial tickets.
Where does an Oahu tour start?
The Haleiwa whale watching tour starts at Haleiwa Harbor, and the Pearl Harbor tour picks up at Waikiki and Honolulu hotels.
