Oahu
Waikiki Snorkel & Sailing Tour to Turtle Canyon
Highlights
- Snorkel with turtles and other marine life in their natural habitat
- Picturesque views of the Waikiki coastline
- Spacious, comfortable, and stable trimaran sailing vessel
- Convenient departure location in Waikiki
- Private charters available (snorkel, whale watch, and/or sunset)
Overview
A trip to Hawaii wouldn’t be complete without heading out on the warm turquoise waters that beckon off of Waikiki. Accessible only by boat, popular Turtle Canyon is the most convenient location for discovering the underwater world, with schools of tropical fish often approaching within feet and a friendly turtle sighting almost guaranteed! You may get lucky and also observe a large pod of dolphins (or even swim with them), and whale sightings are common Dec-April. Even those not into snorkeling enjoy the amazing coastal views of Waikiki with the mountains as a backdrop, as well as the relaxing vibes sailing while listening to music and being taken care of by the friendly crew.
Shared Cruise Time:
11 am - 1 pm, or sometimes 2 - 4 pm as shown upon entering checkout. If you prefer the afternoon time and it's not showing, we can often accommodate; just make a note with your booking, or feel free to contact us to check before booking.
TIP: We suggest booking early in your trip since it's sometimes cancelled due to ocean conditions, and in that case you would be more able to reschedule (than just cancel/refund).
The Shared Charter (up to 30 people, usually much less) shows real-time availability and has instant confirmation. The Private Charter option (up to 45), however, is more of a request subject to availability based on your preferred time of day. If you prefer, feel free to email us before submitting a private charter request, especially for a date within the next few weeks when private charter availability may be more limited.
TravelShack's Choice
Why This Tour Stands Out
- Most convenient departure point for those staying in Waikiki. Ala Wai Boat Harbor is the only harbor right in Waikiki and is walking distance from many Waikiki lodgings. This also makes it the shortest boat ride to get to Turtle Canyon.
- The 41 foot sailing vessel is spacious and takes no more than 20-30 passengers (often less) for a more intimate and comfortable cruise, even though licensed for 45 people
- The boat is a trimaran, which means it has three hulls and is the most stable type of vessel for reducing the risk of any seasickness
- With the 300 square foot Sunbrella bimini, there is plenty of shaded comfortable seating, all open-air for nice breezes and unobstructed views (other vessels often only have shaded seating in an indoor cabin)
- 2 netted seating areas for a fun & relaxing way to cruise the waters
- 2 spacious restrooms onboard
- Although the boat motors out to the site, it usually sails back (pending conditions)
- In the event Turtle Canyon has unusually poor conditions or is overly crowded, tour has access to a private mooring near Diamond Head for a more secluded snorkeling destination
- During whale season (Dec-March), the tour deploys a high quality hydrophone so you can hear the underwater whale songs
A second video with more shots of the boat is included at the very bottom of this page
Key Details
Traveler Reviews
Customer Rating:
5 out of 5 stars
Also rated on :
Guidebook Reviews
Oahu Revealed guidebook:
Hawaii features a dazzling variety of fish. We can't conceive of a trip to Hawai'i without snorkeling at least once.
Location
FAQ
What is the parking situation?
If driving, there is harbor parking for $1/hour.
Will we definitely see turtles?
Turtle Canyon is one of the most reliable places to see turtles on Oahu. The turtles are attracted to the intricate coral formations, which serve as a “cleaning station” as their shells are cleaned by small fish.
While it would be rare to not see turtles, it cannot be guaranteed because they are wild creatures.
What physical abilities are required?
Guests need to be reasonably fit to participate in the snorkeling portion of the cruise, which takes place in the ocean (note: the current and conditions can vary, although if it's not safe or suitable on a given day the cruise will go to a secondary location or reschedule the cruise). Guests should be able to get themselves in and especially out of the water, using the wide ladder on the boat. The crew can assist as needed but they are not equipped to lift guests out of the water and cannot be fully relied on due to liability issues.
Guests who may not be a good fit for the snorkeling portion can skip getting in the water and book at the lower "ride along" rate.
Will I get sea sick?
For those prone to seasickness, this is one of the best options for getting out on the water. First, the boat ride to the snorkeling site is only 10 minutes. [note: it usually motors to the site, but if conditions allow it will sail back more leisurely] Second, the trimaran design (with 3 hulls) makes it extremely stable to greatly reduce the chances of seasickness.
If you are still concerned about seasickness, you may want to take an over-the-counter medicine (e.g., Dramamine, Bonine) at least 30-60 minutes before the boat departure.
Gallery
Video
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