What should you know about snorkeling on Oahu in Waikiki?
Hawaii Nautical (Oahu)'s Waikiki Turtle Snorkel Sail is from $99.95 per person and includes snorkel gear, life jackets, beverages and light snacks.
How to choose a snorkeling tour in Waikiki
Start with how much time you have. Pink Sails Waikiki's Turtle Snorkeling Adventure + Guaranteed Sightings lasts 2 hours. The Waikiki Sunset Snorkeling & Cruise run by TIC Enterprise, LLC lasts 3 hours. Kaimana Tours' Hanauma Bay Snorkeling lasts 5.5 hours.
| Tour | Operator | Price from |
|---|---|---|
| Turtle Snorkeling (Includes Gear + 20' Jump) | E Sea Diver | $49 per person |
| Hanauma Bay Snorkeling | Kaimana Tours | $55.99 per person |
| Turtle Snorkeling Adventure + Guaranteed Sightings | Pink Sails Waikiki | $79 per person |
| Waikiki Turtle Snorkeling | Three Tiki's Sailing | $84 per person |
| Waikiki Turtle Snorkel Sail | Hawaii Nautical - Oahu | $99.95 per person |
| Waikiki Turtle Canyon Snorkeling 6 in 1 | TIC Enterprise,LLC | $110 per person |
| Adaptive Snorkeling Tours | Snorkel and Dive Hawaii | $125 for the group |
| AʻO HAWAIʻI - Dolphin & Seasonal Whale Watching, Turtle Snorkeling Tour | Indigo Ocean Hawaii | $139 per person |
Group size and experience matter too. Snorkel and Dive Hawaii's Adaptive Snorkeling Tours is an exclusive adventure for up to 8 people, with snorkel instruction from a professional. Hawaii Nautical (Oahu)'s Waikiki Turtle Snorkel Sail includes guidance and safety support for beginners.
Prices and what is included
If you want a meal on the boat, look at the lunch options on the tours above.
Wild Side Specialty Tours' Best of the West is from $215 per person and includes light snacks and lunch, plus optical masks for vision correction.
The Ruckus Snorkeling Charter is from $300 per group, not per person, and includes a flotation device, mask, fins and snorkel. If you are traveling as a group, compare that total with the per-person prices above.
What should you expect: how long it lasts and where it starts?
Tour lengths vary a lot. Pink Sails Waikiki's tour lasts 2 hours, Waikiki Sunset Snorkeling & Cruise lasts 3 hours, and Kaimana Tours' Hanauma Bay Snorkeling lasts 5.5 hours. Plan your morning or afternoon around the length you pick.
Start points also differ. The Waikiki Sunset Snorkeling & Cruise meets at Kewalo Harbor, Pier D, Slip #112. Pink Sails Waikiki's tour meets at 1 Holomoana St, Honolulu. Kaimana Tours' Hanauma Bay Snorkeling meets at Queen Kapiolani Hotel if you are not staying at a Waikiki hotel.
Sort out your way to the meeting point before the day starts. The Waikiki Turtle Canyon Snorkeling 6 in 1 includes a sailing experience only "weather permitting."
Who does it suit, and who should skip it?
Indigo Ocean Hawaii's LA HAWAI'I tour takes children from 3 years old. Snorkel and Dive Hawaii's Adaptive Snorkeling Tours requires 5 years, and Wild Side Specialty Tours' Best of the West also requires 5 years. E Sea Diver's Turtle Snorkeling tour requires 12 years, so guests under 12 should choose another tour.
Guests who wear glasses have a choice.
What are the tours to book?
Turtle Snorkeling (Includes Gear + 20' Jump) by E Sea Diver includes free pick-up and drop-off, snorkel equipment, life vests, and water, iced tea and snacks.
Best of the West: Premier Dolphin, Turtle, Whale Safari with Guided Snorkeling, run by Wild Side Specialty Tours, is from $215 per person and includes lunch.
How do booking, cancellation and weather work?
Indigo Ocean Hawaii's LA HAWAI'I tour allows no refunds or rescheduling for any reason less than 48 hours before the bus pick-up time. Kaimana Tours' Hanauma Bay Snorkeling has a 48-hour cancellation window. Read the cancellation terms before you pay, and book the day you are most sure of.
Plan a backup day for your snorkel trip, and keep an afternoon or second morning open in case the sea is rough.
Frequently asked questions
How much does snorkeling on Oahu in Waikiki cost?
The Ruckus Snorkeling Charter is from $300 per group.
How long does snorkeling on Oahu in Waikiki take?
Tour lengths vary.
What is included with snorkeling on Oahu in Waikiki?
Indigo Ocean Hawaii's AʻO HAWAIʻI tour includes round trip shuttle service and a special Hawaiian lunch.
