Waikiki Turtle Canyon Snorkel Tour & Sea Turtle Swim

Summary

Swim with sea turtles at turtle canyon waikiki with guides

You’ll float above vibrant reefs at Turtle Canyon in Waikiki, swimming alongside Hawaiian green sea turtles while local guides share stories and tips. Enjoy snacks and cold drinks on deck after snorkeling with tropical fish and soaking up views of Diamond Head. It’s an easygoing way to connect with Hawaii’s marine life — and those calm moments underwater will stay with you.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed was the salty breeze — it hit me as soon as we stepped onto the boat in Waikiki, and honestly, I felt a little nervous. Our guide, Keoni, handed out snorkel masks and cracked a joke about turtle selfies (he said the turtles always look better than us). The boat ride out to Turtle Canyon was maybe 20 minutes? Hard to keep track because Diamond Head just kept pulling my eyes. There were families and solo folks like me, everyone a bit quiet at first except for one kid who kept asking if sharks liked pineapple.

When we finally stopped, Keoni explained how the “cleaning station” worked — apparently fish nibble algae off the turtles’ shells. I didn’t expect to see so many fish darting around under the surface; they looked almost neon against the reef. Getting into the water was colder than I thought (even in Hawaii), but after a minute I forgot about it. Suddenly there was this huge green turtle gliding right below me — slow and totally unbothered by us floating above. I tried not to squeal through my snorkel. At one point Keoni pointed out a parrotfish chomping on coral — you could actually hear it clicking underwater if you listened close.

Back on deck, someone passed around cold juice and chips while we dried off in the sun. My hair smelled like salt for hours after (not complaining). People swapped stories about what they’d seen — someone swore they spotted an eel but nobody else backed him up. The crew told us that every ticket helps support local ocean conservation, which made me feel weirdly proud of being part of it all for a morning. I still think about how peaceful those turtles looked gliding over the reef — makes you want to move slower sometimes, you know?

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Snorkel with turtles at Turtle Canyon

• Set sail from Waikiki
• Receive snorkeling gear and safety tips
• Snorkel among Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles
• Visit the Turtle Cleaning Station
• Enjoy guided snorkeling tour
• Relax on deck with cold drinks
• Take in views of Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head

Top questions

How long is the Turtle Canyon snorkel tour from Waikiki?

The tour lasts about 2 hours from start to finish.

Is snorkeling gear included on the Turtle Canyon excursion?

Yes, all snorkeling equipment is provided as part of the tour.

Are there guides in the water during the snorkel?

Yes, professional in-water guides are included for safety and assistance.

Does this tour include snacks or drinks?

Light refreshments such as snacks and cold drinks are included on board.

What is the minimum age for this Waikiki snorkel tour?

The minimum age required is 3 years old.

Do I need to be an experienced swimmer?

You need basic swimming ability but don’t have to be experienced.

Is hotel pickup included for this tour?

No, hotel pickup is not included; you meet at the departure point in Waikiki.

Does each ticket help support ocean conservation?

Yes, $1 from each ticket goes to the Hawaii Ocean Stewardship Fund.

What’s included

Your day includes a guided Turtle Canyon snorkel excursion from Waikiki with all snorkeling equipment provided, professional crew in and out of the water, plus light refreshments like snacks and cold drinks while you relax on deck after your swim.