Oahu: Private Turtle Canyon Snorkel & Waikiki Cruise

Your boat, your music, your choice of where to drop anchor.

You get a private boat reserved for your group alone, snorkeling with Hawaiian green sea turtles at Turtle Canyon or a shallow reef of your choice. The ninety-minute tour includes snorkel gear, an experienced guide, soft drinks, and a flotation vest. You pick the music and decide where to spend your time in the water.

Step-by-step itinerary

Private snorkel and cruise adventure

• Board private boat in Waikiki
• Choose snorkel site with crew
• Snorkel alongside Hawaiian green sea turtles
• Observe reef fish and marine life
• Watch for spinner dolphins and whales
• Return to boat and relax with beverages
• Enjoy music with Bluetooth speakers onboard

The experience

The boat idles away from the Waikiki dock with nobody else on it but your group. You pick the playlist (Bluetooth speakers, full volume, whatever you want), and the crew asks where you'd rather go: Turtle Canyon to drift alongside the green sea turtles, or one of the shallow reefs where the fish are thick and the water is clear. It's a private snorkel tour on Oahu that actually feels private, not like you're packed shoulder-to-shoulder with thirty strangers on a catamaran. The boat holds up to six passengers maximum, which is the whole point. The crew knows Turtle Canyon well (they've guided hundreds of people through it), and they'll position you so you see the turtles without crowding them. The State protects them, so you keep ten feet back, but that's close enough to watch them graze on the reef.

The snorkel itself runs about an hour and a half total, which includes the ride out, the time in the water, and the ride back. You're not rushed. Once you've had enough of the reef (whether that's thirty minutes or an hour), you climb back on the boat and sit in the sun with complimentary water and soft drinks while the crew points out whatever else is moving in the channel. During whale season, December through April, humpback whales pass through these waters, and spinner dolphins show up year-round. You won't see them every trip, but the crew keeps watch. The boat itself is brand new, built in 2025, so it's stable and clean, and the snorkel gear is included: mask, fins, snorkel, and a flotation vest if you want one.

What makes this different from the standard Waikiki snorkel boat is the control. You're not following a schedule printed on a brochure. The guide asks what you want to see, checks the conditions, and takes you there. If the ocean is rough on one side of the island, you go to the other. If you want to stay longer at one spot, you stay. Bring your own drinks if you like, it's BYOB, or stick with what's on board. The crew handles all the logistics, and you handle the music and the itinerary.

What’s included

Snorkel equipment (mask, fins, snorkel), flotation vests, an experienced snorkel guide and crew, complimentary soft drinks and water, and a private boat reserved exclusively for your group. You choose the snorkel site and the music for the journey.

Information

Lasts 1h 40m, runs every day, 4 start times, from US$ 750 per person, with a live guide in English, as a private tour and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 07:45, 09:45, 12:30 and 14:30

GroupPrivate12 group tours ›

Live guideEnglishOther languages ›

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.6 with pickup ›

Book up to2h before

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Island Splash Tours

Is this one for you?Right for groups or families who want to snorkel Oahu's reefs without sharing a boat with crowds: the six-person limit and private booking are what make that possible. Expect about ninety minutes total, with an hour in the water depending on your pace.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

Can we bring our own alcohol?

Yes, the tour is BYOB. Complimentary soft drinks and water are also provided.

What if the ocean conditions are bad at Turtle Canyon?

The crew will take you to an alternative snorkel site, typically a shallow reef, based on the day's conditions.

How many people can fit on the boat?

Up to six passengers maximum, to keep the experience comfortable and personal.

Is snorkel gear included?

Yes. Mask, fins, snorkel, and flotation vests are all provided.

Will we definitely see sea turtles?

Turtle Canyon is a known habitat, but wildlife sightings are never guaranteed. The crew will position you for the best chance to see them.

Can we touch or ride the turtles?

No. Hawaiian green sea turtles are protected by state and federal law. You must stay at least ten feet away and observe without touching or chasing.

What's included in the price?

Snorkel equipment, flotation vests, an experienced guide and crew, soft drinks, and water.

How long is the tour?

Approximately one hour and forty minutes total, including the boat ride and time in the water.

Is this suitable for beginners?

Yes, but you should have at least moderate physical fitness. The tour is not recommended for pregnant travelers, those with spinal injuries, or poor cardiovascular health.

Do we need to arrange our own transportation to the boat?

Public transportation options are available near the departure point. Confirm the exact pickup location when you book.