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Snorkeling reef flats of Hanauma Bay seen from the overlook

Waikīkī · Hanauma Bay

Oʻahu Snorkel Tours, Compared

Green sea turtles off Waikīkī, or the reef at Hanauma Bay. Here’s how to do either without the scramble.

See our picks Compare all 6
  • 6 tours compared
  • 5 with free cancellation
  • Live prices from Viator

Most of the snorkel boats here head to Turtle Canyon, a reef off Waikīkī where green sea turtles (honu) are often seen. Boats leave from docks along Ala Moana Boulevard in Honolulu or straight off Waikīkī Beach, and the trip takes a morning or afternoon.

Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve is the other big draw, and it’s run on reservations: non-residents pay $25, book admission exactly two days ahead at 7 a.m., and must watch the preserve’s video on every visit. It’s closed every Monday and Tuesday, reopened Aug. 19, 2026 after sewer work, and expects another temporary closure in early 2027.

NOAA asks you to stay at least 10 feet from sea turtles; touching or chasing one is illegal. Use a mineral sunscreen.

Our picks

The right tour for how you travel

We compared every listing on itinerary, group size, reviews, and price. These are the ones we’d book.

Turtle Canyon Guided Snorkel (tour photo) Our pick 2 hours

Living Ocean Tours

Turtle Canyon Guided Snorkel

4.83(4,983 reviews)

Living Ocean Tours, Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu

Free cancellation

From$62.30
Check availability

Booked securely on Viator

Why: Guides get in the water with you at Turtle Canyon, and if your group sees no turtle you can come back free within a year.

Small-Group Turtle Canyon Snorkel (tour photo) Smaller boat 2 hours

Charter Oahu

Small-Group Turtle Canyon Snorkel

4.88(3,985 reviews)

Charter Oahu, Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu

Free cancellation

From$61.43
Check availability

Booked securely on Viator

Why: Capped at 20 guests, suitable for all skill levels per the operator, and BYOB.

Hanauma Bay Snorkel Shuttle from Waikīkī (tour photo) Best for Hanauma Bay 5 hours

Kaimana Tours

Hanauma Bay Snorkel Shuttle from Waikīkī

4.40(1,389 reviews)

Queen Kapiʻolani Hotel and Waikīkī hotel pickup

Free cancellation

From$55.99
Check availability

Booked securely on Viator

Why: A 5:40 a.m. Waikīkī shuttle with snorkel gear, timed for opening. Entry isn’t included — the operator says to bring cash for the walk-in line rather than prebuying.

Side by side

Turtle Snorkel & Hanauma Bay Tours: every option side by side

  • Our pick

    Turtle Canyon Guided Snorkel

    Living Ocean Tours

    Length
    2 hours
    Rating
    ★ 4.83
    From
    $62.30

    First-time snorkelers who want a guide in the water

    Check dates
  • Smaller boat

    Small-Group Turtle Canyon Snorkel

    Charter Oahu

    Length
    2 hours
    Rating
    ★ 4.88
    From
    $61.43

    Groups who want a smaller, relaxed boat and can bring their own drinks

    Check dates

  • Turtle Snorkel Catamaran Tour

    Oahu Catamarans LLC

    Length
    2 hours
    Rating
    ★ 4.88
    From
    $49.99

    Budget-minded families who want an easy first snorkel

    Check dates

  • Waikīkī Turtle Snorkel & Sail on the Hawea Catamaran

    Waikiki Sailing Company

    Length
    2.5 hours
    Rating
    ★ 4.78
    From
    $89.56

    Waikīkī guests who want to walk to the boat and add a sail

    Check dates
  • Best for Hanauma Bay

    Hanauma Bay Snorkel Shuttle from Waikīkī

    Kaimana Tours

    Length
    5 hours
    Rating
    ★ 4.40
    From
    $55.99

    Independent snorkelers who want Hanauma Bay without the parking hassle

    Check dates

  • Hanauma Bay Guided Snorkel Tour

    Go Hanauma

    Length
    4 hours
    Rating
    ★ 4.92
    From
    $115

    Nervous or first-time snorkelers who want a guide and a very small group

    Check dates

Ratings, review counts, and from-prices are live from Viator and refresh daily. Prices are per person unless the listing says otherwise and change with the date you pick. Booking links go to Viator, where availability and cancellation terms are shown before you pay. We may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you. Affiliate disclosure.

Ratings across review sites

How each tour rates on Viator and Tripadvisor

Viator lists reviews from its own travelers and from Tripadvisor. Here they are separately, so one site can’t hide a weak score on the other.

Tour ratings by review site
TourViatorTripadvisorAll reviews
Turtle Canyon Guided SnorkelLiving Ocean Tours4.843,381 reviews4.821,602 reviews4.834,983 reviews
Small-Group Turtle Canyon SnorkelCharter Oahu4.851,046 reviews4.892,939 reviews4.883,985 reviews
Turtle Snorkel Catamaran TourOahu Catamarans LLC4.901,135 reviews4.85680 reviews4.881,815 reviews
Waikīkī Turtle Snorkel & Sail on the Hawea CatamaranWaikiki Sailing Company4.761,049 reviews4.80738 reviews4.781,787 reviews
Hanauma Bay Snorkel Shuttle from WaikīkīKaimana Tours4.391,034 reviews4.42355 reviews4.401,389 reviews
Hanauma Bay Guided Snorkel TourGo Hanauma4.94164 reviews4.8767 reviews4.92231 reviews

Figures from Viator’s partner API, refreshed daily. Google reviews aren’t included.

More options

Also worth a look

Turtle Snorkel Catamaran Tour (tour photo) 2 hours

Oahu Catamarans LLC

Turtle Snorkel Catamaran Tour

4.88(1,815 reviews)

Oahu Catamarans dock, Honolulu

Free cancellation

From$49.99
Check availability

Booked securely on Viator

Waikīkī Turtle Snorkel & Sail on the Hawea Catamaran (tour photo) 2.5 hours

Waikiki Sailing Company

Waikīkī Turtle Snorkel & Sail on the Hawea Catamaran

4.78(1,787 reviews)

Beach by the Duke Kahanamoku statue, Waikīkī

Free cancellation

From$89.56
Check availability

Booked securely on Viator

Hanauma Bay Guided Snorkel Tour (tour photo) 4 hours

Go Hanauma

Hanauma Bay Guided Snorkel Tour

4.92(231 reviews)

Waikīkī and Kāhala hotel pickup to Hanauma Bay

From$115
Check availability

Booked securely on Viator

Turtle Canyon boat or Hanauma Bay?

  • Turtle Canyon boats (Living Ocean Tours, Charter Oahu, Oahu Catamarans, Waikiki Sailing Company) need no park reservation. Oahu Catamarans promises a turtle or a full refund; Living Ocean offers a free return trip instead.
  • Hanauma Bay is a protected bay where the best snorkeling is in shallow sandy pockets inside the reef. You need entry (admission-only bookings two days ahead, Roberts Hawaiʻi packages with transport up to a month ahead, or the walk-in line from 6:45 a.m.), $3 cash parking if you drive, and a Wednesday-to-Sunday date.
  • A guided Hanauma visit (Go Hanauma, groups of up to 5) adds a guide in the water; it’s all sales final on Viator, and entry is extra.

Hotels in Waikiki

Hotels, surf lessons and Lēʻahi on the skyline

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FAQ

Questions people ask before booking

Do I need a reservation for Hanauma Bay?

Non-residents book admission online exactly two days ahead from 7 a.m. Hawaiʻi time, or buy a transport package up to a month ahead. About a quarter of entry is kept for walk-ins from 6:45 a.m. The bay is closed Mondays and Tuesdays.

Where can you snorkel with turtles on Oʻahu?

Turtle Canyon off Waikīkī is the usual boat site. Keep at least 10 feet away; it’s illegal to touch or chase honu.

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Photo: Prayitno via Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.0

Turtle Canyon Guided Snorkel

From $62.30

Check availability