Waikiki: Catamaran Turtle Snorkel & Water Sports Day Trip

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Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/26

Duration3h

GroupUp to 38

LanguagesEN · KO

PickupAt your hotel

Snorkeling with turtles in Waikiki plus kayaking & sea scooters

You’ll float above Waikiki’s reefs with turtles below you, try paddleboarding or kayaking if you want, and snack on muffins while chatting with locals on deck. This isn’t just about ticking off activities — it’s about salty hair, ocean air, and those small moments you’ll remember when you’re far from Oahu.

Step-by-step itinerary

Catamaran water sports and snorkeling

Board luxury catamaran in Waikiki
Sail on Oahu's waters
Snorkel with turtles and marine life
Use sea scooters and dive
Kayak and stand-up paddleboard
Watch for dolphins and whales

The Experience

“You ever tried to put on a snorkel mask with salty hair?” That’s what I asked our guide, Keoni, after the first splash off the catamaran. He just grinned and handed me a muffin — apparently that’s his trick for nerves. We’d left Waikiki behind about half an hour earlier, still shaking sand from our flip-flops, and now it was just blue water everywhere and the sound of someone laughing (maybe me) as I tried to balance on a paddleboard for the first time. The main reason I booked this day trip was the promise of seeing turtles up close — not in some aquarium but right here in Oahu’s wild water.

The catamaran itself felt like a floating living room, honestly. There were two bathrooms (which I didn’t expect), plenty of space to flop down between activities, and always someone from the crew ready with hot coffee or Tang — yeah, Tang! Keoni pointed out Diamond Head in the distance while another guest spotted what might’ve been dolphins off the port side. The highlight though? Floating face-down with my heart thumping as a green turtle drifted past. Its shell looked almost ancient up close. Sometimes you could hear nothing but your own breath through the snorkel and distant splashes from people trying out those sea scooters (I wiped out twice; no regrets).

I liked that nobody rushed us — we could swap between snorkeling, kayaking, or just sitting at the bow watching clouds change shape over Honolulu. At one point I sat next to a local auntie who told me how “the turtles always come back here,” like they’re regulars at their favorite café. Lunch was simple: Cup Noodles and muffins that tasted better than they should’ve after all that saltwater. If you get seasick easy, maybe bring something for it — one guy did look a little green by hour two but mostly everyone was too busy laughing or taking blurry photos of each other.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup and drop-off from your hotel area in Waikiki, all snorkeling gear and life vests you’ll need (no need to pack your own), access to two restrooms onboard the spacious catamaran, plus snacks like muffins and Cup Noodles along with hot or cold drinks — so you can focus on spotting turtles instead of worrying about logistics.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditionsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Blue Ocean Snorkeling