Snorkeling Oahu: Circle Island Tour with Green Sea Turtles

Circle the island and snorkel alongside honu in their natural habitat.

A full-day circle island tour of Oahu departing from Waikiki hotels with a live guide, air-conditioned minibus transport and a dozen stops around the island. The defining feature is 90 minutes of snorkeling on the North Shore where you have the chance to see and swim near Hawaiian green sea turtles in their natural setting, with snorkel gear provided. The group stays under 24 passengers, smaller than typical island coach tours. Lunch at a local farm and stops at Diamond Head, Halona Blowhole, Mokolii Island, Tropical Farms macadamia nut shop, Sunset Beach and Dole Plantation round out the day.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each9 stops

1. Waikiki40m
2. Diamond Head10m
3. Halona Blowhole15m
4. Makapuu Lighthousepassing by
5. Tropical Farms Macadamia Nut Farm25m
6. Mokolii Island15m
7. North Shore1h
8. Dole Plantation30m
9. Sandy Beach Parkpassing by

Full-day Oahu island circle tour

• Pickup from Waikiki hotels
• Visit Amelia Earhart Lookout at Diamond Head
• See Halona Blowhole lava tube
• View Waimanalo sea cliffs and Manana Island
• Stop at Tropical Farms Macadamia Nut Farm
• Visit Chinaman’s Hat (Mokolii Island)
• Lunch at local Hawaiian farm with shrimp dishes
• Shop at North Shore tropical fruit stands
• Relax at Sunset Beach on North Shore
• Snorkel with Hawaiian green sea turtles
• Pass pineapple, coffee, and agricultural fields
• Visit Dole Plantation for pineapple treats
• Return to Waikiki hotels

The experience

The minibus picks you up at your Waikiki hotel around 7:20am. The exact time depends on which hotel you're staying at and gets assigned when you book. From there, the day moves in a loop around the island. Your guide walks you through what you're seeing: the Amelia Earhart Lookout on the eastern side of Diamond Head, where on clear days you can see as far as Maui; the Halona Blowhole, where lava tubes from Koko Head crater meet the ocean and create a natural geyser when the surf is right; the dramatic sea cliffs of Waimanalo and Mokolii Island (also called Chinaman's Hat) near the Kualoa Valley, which you'll recognize from Jurassic Park and other films.

The snorkeling happens on the North Shore and lasts about 90 minutes. You'll be looking for honu (the Hawaiian name for green sea turtles), which often rest on the sand in the sun. Snorkel gear is included, so you just bring a swimsuit, towel and sunscreen. The turtles are wild animals and unpredictable, so sightings aren't guaranteed, but the beaches here are where they're most likely to appear. Between the water and the shore, you'll have the chance to swim alongside them if they're there. Before snorkeling, you'll stop at a local farm on the North Shore where lunch is served. The menu includes garlic shrimp, coconut shrimp and kalua pork, with vegetarian options available. Bring cash for lunch. After eating, there's a stop at tropical fruit stands for coconut drinks and fresh mango, then Sunset Beach on the North Shore, which is calmer in summer but sees 30- to 40-foot swells in winter.

The route wraps up with stops at the Dole Plantation (famous for pineapple ice cream and souvenirs), and Sandy Beach on the south shore, known for bodyboarding and bodysurfing. Hotel drop-off in Waikiki happens at the end of the day. The whole tour runs about eight hours. Wear clothes that dry quickly and bring a change of dry clothes in a small day bag. The minibus is air-conditioned, and the tour operates in all weather, so dress for the conditions you'll be in.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in Waikiki.
• air-conditioned minibus transport around the island.
• a professional guide in English.
• snorkel gear for the North Shore snorkeling session.
• stops at Diamond Head, Halona Blowhole, Mokolii Island, Tropical Farms macadamia nut shop, Sunset Beach, Dole Plantation and Sandy Beach.

Information

Lasts 8h, runs every day at 07:20, from US$ 149 per person, with a live guide in English and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:20Another time? ›

GroupUp to 281 private ›

Live guideEnglishOther languages ›

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 14 pickup points.

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (4 to 12 years) · Infant (under 4): free

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Hawaii Turtle Tours

Is this one for you?Pick this if you're based in Waikiki without a car: hotel pickup and drop-off mean you skip the rental hassle, and the minibus handles navigation while you see the whole island in one day.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 12 years); Infant (under 4): free.

What are the chances of seeing Hawaiian green sea turtles while snorkeling?

Green sea turtles frequent the North Shore beaches where you'll spend 90 minutes snorkeling, and the tour prioritizes beaches with the highest sightings. However, they are wild animals and their presence depends on weather and sea conditions, so sightings are not guaranteed. The operator cannot control whether they appear on any given day.

Is lunch included in the price, or do I need to pay separately?

Lunch at the local North Shore farm is not included in the tour price. You'll need to bring cash to order from the restaurant menu, which offers garlic shrimp, coconut shrimp, kalua pork and vegetarian options.

Do I need to bring my own snorkel gear or is it provided?

Snorkel gear is included in the tour price. You just need to bring a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen and a change of dry clothes in a small day bag.

What time does the tour start and when will I be back at my hotel?

Hotel pickup in Waikiki begins around 7:20am, with exact times assigned based on your hotel location when you book. The full tour runs about eight hours, so you'll return to your hotel in the afternoon. Drop-off is included at select Waikiki hotels.

How many people are typically on this tour?

The minibus is limited to 24 passengers, which is smaller than typical island coach tours. This keeps the group more manageable while still sharing the cost across multiple people.

What happens if the weather is bad or the turtles don't show up?

The tour operates in all weather: dress appropriately for the conditions. If sea conditions or weather prevent snorkeling or turtle sightings, the tour still visits all the other stops around the island. The operator cannot guarantee turtle appearances since they are wild animals and sometimes unpredictable.