It’s no surprise that Oahu is one of the top vacation destinations, considering it looks like a real-life postcard with its white sand beaches and crystal-clear turquoise waters.

While it’s more known for surfing, did you know it’s also one of the best places in the world for snorkeling? With the great visibility and rich marine life right off the shores, you’re practically guaranteed to have an amazing experience!

I’ve gone ahead and detailed the 5 top Oahu snorkeling tours that are sure to be one of the most memorable experiences on your trip! Let’s jump right in!

Be sure to see our other reviews of Sunset Dinner Cruises, Pearl Harbor Tours and Whale Watching Tours.

Best Oahu & Hanauma Bay Snorkeling Tours

	Oahu: Waikiki Turtle Canyons Cruise and Snorkel Excursion	Private Catamaran Cruise and Snorkeling Tour in Honolulu	Oahu: Turtle Canyon Snorkeling Boat Tour
	Best Morning Tour	Best Private Tour	Best Value Tour
Departure:	1125 Ala Moana Blvd Slip B-01, Honolulu	1125 Ala Moana Blvd, Honolulu, HI	Ala Moana Blvd, Honolulu, HI 96814
Start:	9:30 AM, 12:30 & 3:00 PM	7:15 AM, 9:30 AM, 11:45 AM	8:00, 10:00 & 11:00 AM, 12:30 PM, 2:00 PM
Duration:	2 hours	2 hours	2 hours
Includes:	Cruise, snorkeling equipment, light snacks and non-alcoholic drinks	Bottled water, soda, use of snorkeling equipment, Bluetooth sound system	2-hour boat tour, captain and crew, snorkeling gear, juice and water, snacks and fruit
	Tour Information & Booking	Tour Information & Booking	Tour Information & Booking

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Quick Answer: The 7 Best Rated Oahu Snorkel Tours For 2024

1. Best Morning Tour: Oahu: Waikiki Turtle Canyons Cruise and Snorkel Excursion
2. Best Value Tour: Oahu: Turtle Canyon Snorkeling Boat Tour
3. Best Combination Tour: Oahu: Dolphin Swim and Turtle Snorkel Excursion in Waianae
4. Best Private Tour: Private Catamaran Cruise and Snorkeling Tour in Honolulu
5. Best Small Group Tour: Waikiki: Sea Turtle Snorkeling and Sailing Tour Combo
6. Best Tour For Turtles: North Shore Circle Island Adventure Including Snorkeling with the Turtles
7. Best Beginner Tour: Guided Snorkel Tour for Beginners in Honolulu

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If you would like some ideas of other things to do, please see our list of the Top 15 Things To Do In Oahu.

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Oahu Snorkel Tour Reviews

1. Oahu: Waikiki Turtle Canyons Cruise and Snorkel Excursion

If you want to not only take advantage of the beautiful natural landscapes around you, but also experience one of the most beloved Hawaiian sea creatures up-close and personal, look no further.

The Oahu: Waikiki Turtle Canyons Cruise and Snorkel Excursion tour combines the stunning scenery of Oahu’s coastline with the amazing opportunity to snorkel among all kinds of marine life, including the green sea turtle.

The meetup spot was super convenient and with multiple start times available, it was really easy to fit into our schedule. It lasts 2 hours, so it’s ample enough time for a full adventure, while avoiding taking up your entire day. This tour is completely focused on maximizing your time there, getting into the good stuff right away.

After we went through our safety briefing, we headed out for a cruise along the gorgeous coastline, taking photos and soaking it all in. We spotted a few spinner dolphins along the way, before arriving to the legendary snorkel spot, Turtle Canyons.

If you’ve never snorkeled before, there’s no need to be worried as they actually provide snorkel lessons and help you don the snorkeling gear!

We had a certified lifeguard there to watch us and make sure we all stayed safe as we explored underwater, helping us spot all kinds of wonderful sea creatures (we spotted turtles, octopi, and tons of fish)!

Once we were done, we got back onboard, enjoying complimentary snacks and soft drinks. This is the perfect tour for complete newbies who are nervous to try snorkeling with animals!

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

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Other Oahu Experiences You May Enjoy:

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2. Oahu: Turtle Canyon Snorkeling Boat Tour

Are you looking for a fun tour that shows off Hawaii’s natural beauty with a dash of adventure? Then look no further than the 2-hour Oahu: Turtle Canyon Snorkeling Boat Tour. If you’ve ever wanted to see exotic sea life as close as possible with educated local guides there to make sure you’re safe, this is the perfect option for you!

There are many different start times and the meetup point was easy enough to find. Our boat for the day was spacious enough for our small group and perfect for getting in and out of for easy snorkeling! If you’ve never been snorkeling before, there’s no need to worry, because they can help newbies learn, too!

Our guides instructed us on how to put on the included equipment and get into the water, and some of them got in with us. They pointed out different sea creatures, and we even got to see angelfish, turtles, plenty of coral, and other amazing views!

They even had a photographer with us to take photos and videos (this is an extra cost, but worth it!) of our underwater adventures with high-quality shots!

On the way out there and back, we enjoyed plenty of bottled water, fresh juice, snacks, fresh local fruits, and more! They have everything you need for an experience of a lifetime, and it’s such a compact tour that you can fit it in-between other plans you may have!

Just make sure you have at least a basic level of swimming down, and you don’t mind being in deep water!

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

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3. Oahu: Dolphin Swim and Turtle Snorkel Excursion in Waianae

This next tour is just a bit longer and a bit more comprehensive than the previous 2, so if you are seeking a more educational experience, this is it! The Oahu: Dolphin Swim and Turtle Snorkel Excursion in Waianae offers a wonderful few hours out in the ocean!

With beautiful sea animals and professional staff to educate you on their behaviors, the local marine ecosystem, and more, you’re sure to learn and see a ton!

The first thing I loved about this tour was the fact that we didn’t have to head to a mutual meet-up point. Rather, one of the staff members was kind enough to pick us up right from our hotel lobby, saving us time and effort! This is just foreshadowing to the more “VIP” experience you can expect from this amazing tour!

Upon arrival, we boarded a cool 32-foot motorboat which for me looked like something you’d see on an episode of National Geographic or something. It was the perfect size for us to sit around and enjoy the amazing views while still remaining more intimate – a great opportunity for us to chat with the onboard Marine Biologist!

He taught us all about the charming dolphins, fish, turtles, and other marine life we encountered, while we were both in and out of the water.

We saw plenty of dolphins playing around, and even caught sight of humpback whales, thanks to the captain pointing them out! Our snorkeling time was a blast, and the locations we stopped at had tons of vibrant schools of fish, reefs, and other beautiful creatures to see.

I truly appreciated their commitment to responsible wildlife interaction, focusing on eco-friendly practices that don’t disturb the animals who call this ecosystem home.

If you’re looking for a tour that combines thrills, education, and the rare opportunity to swim with dolphins, this is just the ticket.

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

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4. Private Catamaran Cruise and Snorkeling Tour in Honolulu

While all of the tours on this guide are great, unless it’s specifically indicated, none of them are private. While that’s not usually an issue considering the small group size, anyway, if you want the crew, captain, and vessel all to yourself, this is the tour for you.

The Private Catamaran Cruise and Snorkeling Tour in Honolulu takes you and your party out for a cruise exclusively for you, with a kind crew there to help you and share their experience.

I highly recommend this tour for couples looking for an exciting date idea, entire families bringing kids along, or friend groups looking to celebrate something special like a bachelorette, birthday, etc.! This boat comes with a great sound system perfect for having fun on board, with a laidback vibe and a stunning backdrop.

The staff were incredibly accommodating and really cared about us having an amazing time, even taking photos and videos for us! Big boat tours are a lot of fun, but they also are synonymous with crowd on board, which can be a bit of a hassle to deal with.

Getting out and into the water should be an exciting yet relaxing experience, without the noisiness and pushing around of crowds. This private catamaran cruise focuses on sharing experiences, making stops along the way to see dolphins, whales, and turtles!

When they stop, you can choose to jump off the deck and go for a swim or don included snorkeling gear to spot these amazing animals if you wish! Whether you’re going for the animals or want to explore the east coastline like never before, do yourself a favor and check this experience out!

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

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5. Waikiki: Sea Turtle Snorkeling and Sailing Tour Combo

The Waikiki: Sea Turtle Snorkeling and Sailing Tour Combo is the perfect tour is you are with someone who doesn’t want to snorkel. With various start times available, it’s a fantastic way to get a taste of the ocean and its inhabitants, without committing to snorkeling.

This is one of the best experiences I’ve had in Hawaii, with incredibly kind and caring crew there to ensure you have a great time. The boat was perfect for the size of our group – intimate and allowed for us to converse easily with everyone on board.

However, it never felt cramped or like we didn’t have room to move around and see different perspectives. I will say, though, that it can get a bit bumpy and the boat at times moves quite fast, which can soak you!

This is also the perfect tour for you if you’re on a tight budget but still want to see North Shore’s famous surf breaks, dolphins, whales, sharks, rays, and much more! While it’s not a guarantee (depends on the time of year), you may even get lucky and see humpback whales during their migration!

Thanks to the speediness and agility of our boat, we got to check out plenty of remote spots we likely wouldn’t have been able to with a larger vessel.

As we cruised around, the crew shared educational commentary and fun anecdotes about the local culture, animals, and marine ecosystem. With great vibes, great music, and great company, this was a great way to start off our morning!

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

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6. North Shore Circle Island Adventure Including Snorkeling with the Turtles

North Shore is known for many things, like its crystal-clear waters, rich and colorful sea life, and beautiful coral reefs. It makes sense, then, that it’s one of the top spots on Oaho for snorkeling!

In fact, it’s not even unheard of to spot jaw-dropping critters like humpback whales and dolphins, depending on the season!

The North Shore Circle Island Adventure Including Snorkeling with the Turtles tour will allow you to explore Oahu the way it was supposed to, stopping at tons of different hot spots and hidden gems. Starting off at 7:20 in the morning, they really take full advantage of the sunlight so you can make the most of your day.

Start off by taking photos at Diamond Head and Halona Blowhole before making your way to Makapu’u Beach, with stunning views of manmade and natural beauty along the way.

Our guide stopped at a hidden little spot at the beach to take photos before enjoying a traditional Hawaiian plate lunch (don’t miss out on the teriyaki shrimp!) and Tsue’s famous shave ice for dessert!

At Anahulu River, I recommend renting a kayak or paddleboard before exploring a local macadamia farm. It was here that my macadamia coffee addiction started, and after that discovery, we went to take photos at various points before our guided snorkeling trip in Turtle Town! We got to see these beautiful creatures close-up, and it was amazing learning just how long they live!

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

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7. Guided Snorkel Tour for Beginners in Honolulu

I’ll admit that I didn’t try snorkeling for many years, because I was a bit nervous that I wouldn’t be able to use the equipment properly. If you’re like me in that regard, you’ll love the Guided Snorkel Tour for Beginners in Honolulu!

Here, you’ll be learning from the very best, with the confidence of knowing you’re safe and are going to be able to discover this stunning marine life along with everyone else.

As the tour is about 1.5 hours long, it’s just long enough to learn and explore, with tour start times available around the clock to make it as convenient as possible!

Thanks to the expertise and professionalism of our guides, I feel confident recommending this tour as an option for the entire family – even younger kids!

Our guide ensured everyone felt comfortable and even someone who isn’t a great swimmer like me can just relax and have a good time!

Our guide clearly knew the area well, taking us to some of the most incredible reefs with over 20 types of fish to see. He pointed each one out and described the fish to us, so we knew exactly what we were seeing.

What was even better was the fact that at the end, we received a video of our entire experience, serving as a wonderful memento! This was some of the most fun I’d had in all of Hawaii, which is really saying something!

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

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Your Guide For Hanauma Bay & Oahu Snorkeling Tours

Hawaii and Oahu in particular consist of coral reefs that go around the entire island. The coral reefs of Oahu have a variety of marine life that include; fish, dolphins, sharks and turtles. Most of the reefs in Oahu are less than 15 feet deep.

This makes for ideal snorkeling conditions, you will never be very far away from the marine life and coupled with the water visibility makes for the almost perfect conditions for the snorkeler.

The one thing that may people don’t realize about the waters around Hawaii is that the water is not that warm. Typically in the mid to high 70’s the warm will feel cold when entering. For this reason it is recommend to wear a thin wetsuit to keep you warm.

The high season for tourism in Oahu is spring and winter but this is not the best time for snorkeling. The summer is the best time, the water is warmer and calmer. Winter brings sea swells and they can be quite high. In fact the North Shore of Oahu is famous for its huge swells that are so popular with surfers.

Going in the summer brings some other advantages; namely better availability and cheaper prices. The snorkel tours also tend to be smaller giving you a more personal experience.

Oahu Snorkeling For Beginners

Snorkeling is something just about anyone can do whether or not you are in “shape”. You really don’t even need to know how to swim to enjoy snorkeling as you are really not swimming, but floating on the water and moving yourself through the water with your fins.

If you are not a swimmer, I would highly recommend a floatation vest, in fact I would recommend using one for anyone snorkeling. They keep you a little higher in the water and relieve any anxiety about sinking and drowning.

What makes Hawaii idea for snorkeling is water clarity. This is one of the most important factors to the enjoyment of your experience. If you can’t see, it doesn’t matter much what is swimming around you. Hawaii is renowned for its water clarity but also its scenery.

The coral reefs here are among the best in the world. Coral reefs attract marine life, including fish, eels, turtles and shellfish. The coral reef is an entire ecosystem unto itself. Being Hawaii is very isolated, and almost midway between California and Japan there is marine life found here that is completely unique to Hawaii.

Water depth will play a major role in the snorkeling experience. If you are in deep water, the marine life will be too far away to observe. The best conditions for snorkeling are where the visibility is at least 50 feet and in water between 4 and 25 feet.

Much deeper than 25 feet, the marine life will be too far away to be able to see clearly. The very best snorkeling experience will include the following:

• Coral Reefs
• Man-made shipwrecks
• Rocky outcroppings close to shore
• Offshore rocks and formations that reach above the water

Snorkeling Safely

Being a good swimmer is a relative term, just because you can swim several laps in a pool doesn’t necessarily make you a good swimmer. Swimming in the open ocean is a much different experience; the wind and waves make snorkeling here more demanding.

For this reason the best time to snorkel is the summer when the water is warmer and waves are smaller. Although even in the winter and spring there are protected snorkeling areas where the wind and waves are almost none existent.

For this reason going with a reputable snorkel tour operator that knows the best places to go is very important.

Also remember to stay within your limits. Never snorkel in water that you don’t feel comfortable in. Keep in mind the water is cool and after a period of time you could start to cramp up. So don’t stray too far from the boat or shore.

A great day of snorkeling should be relaxing and enjoyable. Since most of the marine life in Oahu is just under the surface, you can for the most part just float around without much swimming at all allowing you to see all the marine life without much effort.

Remember many of the places you will snorkel are protected areas. You should NEVER touch the coral or even worse break off a piece for a souvenir. Be respectful of the surroundings and follow the adage of “do no harm”.

FAQs About Oahu Snorkeling Tours

Where should I go snorkeling on Oahu?

It’s hard to go wrong snorkeling on Oahu, but some of the better ones are Hanauma Bay, Turtle Canyon, Electric Beach and Kaena Point. These reefs have a wide variety of fish, colorful coral and crystal clear water. You may also see dolphins, whales and even small sharks.

What do I need to bring to go snorkeling?

Ideally you will have your own snorkel and mask for sanitary reasons, but almost all tour operators will provide them. Some tours also have fins, life jackets and or flotation vests. I highly recommend some type of flotation device, it will make your day much more enjoyable. You should also bring sunscreen, a towel, water and a change of clothes.

Do I need a guided tour to go snorkeling on Oahu?

No, you don’t have to have a guide but for the best experience and safety but I highly recommend a guided tour. You can snorkel on your own at some of the beach-accessible spots but most of the better locations require a boat to get to. A tour will take you to the best locations, pick you up, provide equipment and help you find and identify marine life. A guide will make sure you follow the rules of the snorkeling sites.

How much does a snorkeling tour cost?

The cost of a snorkeling tour on Oahu depends on how many people are on the tour, duration, the location and the season. Most snorkeling tours range from $100 to $150 per person but if you do a private tour expect to pay at least $200 apiece. You may also need to pay an entrance fee to some of the snorkeling sites like Hanauma Bay.

When is the best time to snorkel on Oahu?

You can go snorkeling on Oahu year-round but the summer months have calm and clear water, warm temperatures and more visibility. The winter usually has rougher water, cooler temps, and less visibility but on the upside you have a chance to see whales and dolphins.

Other Adventures

You will never be bored in Oahu. Its not called adventure island no reason! No matter what you like to do outside you will find it here.

If you would like a birdseye view of Oahu’s beauty while enjoying the rush of high speed, consider a ziplining adventure. As you zoom through the trees seeing the birds, flowers and other natural sights you can enjoy an adrenaline rush!

Before you head out on your snorkel tour, you may want to get a look from above. There is no better way to do that, than with a parasailing adventure.

While floating 500 feet up while pulled pulled behind a boat you can get a birdseye view of where you will be snorkeling. Check out the fish and coral from above and locate the best spots when you go into the water!

If you are into horseback riding, Oahu has some spectacular places for you to go. Whether it a romantic beach ride or through a rainforest, Oahu has it all!

I hope this guide was helpful for finding the best Oahu snorkel tours to fit your needs. If you want to comment or recommend a tour I didn’t include, please use my contact form to get in touch. Remember; be safe, and stay within your limits and most of all enjoy your time in Oahu!