Illustration.
Kewalo · Ala Wai · Waikiki Beach
Snorkel with Turtles in Waikiki
Picked up at your Waikiki hotel and back four hours later: snorkel with green sea turtles at Turtle Canyon, then kayaks and paddleboards off the boat, with a lifeguard on board and flotation for beginners.
- 4.8 / 5 129+ Reviews
- 4 hours Duration
- 10 ft The recommended distance from a honu, in the water and on the sand
- 3.7 km By road from Kalakaua Avenue to Kewalo Basin Harbor
- Free Cancellation
The Experience
What the Turtle Snorkel Covers
About three hours at Turtle Canyon off Waikiki, with the ride from your hotel and back.
Highlights
- Free pickup from 12 points in Waikiki
- About three hours at Turtle Canyon
- Kayaks, paddleboards and sea chairs after the snorkel
- A certified lifeguard on board
- A free return trip if no turtles are spotted
What's Included
- Pickup and drop-off in Waikiki
- About three hours on the water at Turtle Canyon
- Snorkel gear and flotation gear
- Kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, sea-chair floats
- Light snacks and drinks on the boat
- A shaded roof on the boat
Good to know: Free pickup at 12 points in Waikiki; the snorkel site is about 20 minutes away by boat. · Flotation gear and help in the water for beginners, children and people who are not confident swimmers. · If no turtles are spotted, you can come back on another tour free. · GoPro rental and tips are extra. · Bring swimwear, a towel and sunscreen. Touching marine life is not allowed. · Not Included: Go-Pro Camera Rental (optional), Gratuities
How the Morning Runs
Pickup in Waikiki, a short boat ride, the turtles, then the water toys, and back to your hotel.
Pickup in Waikiki
A van collects you at one of 12 pickup points around Waikiki and takes you to the boat, so there is no harbor to find and no parking to pay.
Out to Turtle Canyon
About 20 minutes by boat along the shore to the snorkel site. The crew hands out mask, snorkel, fins and flotation gear and helps anyone who is new to snorkeling.
The Honu, Then the Water Toys
You snorkel over the reef looking for green sea turtles, with a certified lifeguard on board. Then the kayaks, stand-up paddleboards and floating sea chairs come out, with light snacks on the boat.
Back to Your Hotel
About four hours after pickup you are back in Waikiki. If no turtles are spotted, you can come back on another tour free.
Photo Gallery
Turtle Canyon and the Boat
Photos from the snorkel's listing: the turtles, the reef and the day on the water.
Book Your Experience
Check Availability & Prices
Select your preferred date and time. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure.
Plan the Snorkel
From Waikiki to the Turtles
Where the boats leave from, hotel pickup, the turtle guarantees, trips for non-swimmers and kids, and turtles from the beach.
Prices are each page's featured tour: GetYourGuide checked November 2026. Listing prices are per person, adult fare.
Four Ways Out to the Turtles from Waikiki
Hotel pickup, a harbor boat from Kewalo Basin, a catamaran that boards on the sand and a six-seat boat from the Ala Wai. Prices from the listings, with the month they were checked.
| Feature | THIS PAGE Hotel pickup | Kewalo Basin, guides in the water | Boards on Waikiki Beach | Ala Wai, six guests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| What You Pay | From $107 per person (checked November 2026) | From $62 per person in current promotion (usually $89) (checked November 2026) | From $85 per person (checked November 2026) | From $104 per person (checked November 2026) |
| Where You Start | One of 12 pickup points in Waikiki | Kewalo Basin Harbor, slip B-1 | Outrigger Reef hotel, 2169 Kalia Road | Ala Wai harbor, Dock X |
| Paid on the Day | Tips; GoPro rental if you want one | Parking or a ride to the harbor; tips | $15 validated parking if you drive | Parking $1 an hour; photo package |
| Time | About 4 hours with the ride | 2 hours | 2.5 hours | 90 minutes |
| No Turtles? | Come back free | Everyone may come back free within 12 months | No turtle promise | Turtles guaranteed; terms on booking |
| Swimming | Flotation and help for weak swimmers | Basic swimming ability | Snorkel vest; a short walk on sand | A swim of 10 to 20 yards to the spot |
| Best For | Families and first-timers | Newer snorkelers who want a guide close | Staying near the beach, no harbor trip | A small group |
| Check dates | See the guided snorkel | See the beach sail | See the six-seat boat |
Other Boats from Waikiki
More Turtle Snorkels from Waikiki
Guided boats from Kewalo Basin, catamarans that board on the sand, small boats from the Ala Wai harbor and a lunch sail from the Hilton pier.
FROM KEWALO BASINTurtle Canyon Guided Snorkel with a Turtle Guarantee
Living Ocean Tours' two-hour boat snorkel from Kewalo Basin Harbor on the Coral Kai, slip B-1, to Turtle Canyon: snorkel guides get in the water with the group to find the green sea turtles and help newer snorkelers, with mask, snorkel, fins and flotation, light snacks, soft drinks and a restroom on board. If the group sees no turtle in the water, everyone on the trip may come back free within 12 months, subject to space. Basic swimming ability is required; from age 3. Hotel pickup is not included.
FROM THE HILTON LAGOONTurtle Canyon Boat Snorkel from the Hilton Lagoon
Island Splash Tours' 90-minute boat snorkel from beside the Hilton Lagoon in Waikiki, a few minutes from Turtle Canyon: three lifeguard-certified guides in the water with you, snorkel gear and flotation devices, then soft drinks and water back on board. If your group sees no turtle in the water, you can join another Turtle Canyon trip free. Bring your own towel. Not for children under 5, pregnant women or people over 65.
FROM WAIKIKI BEACHTurtle Snorkel and Sail from Waikiki Beach on Hāwea
Waikiki Sailing Company's two and a half hours from the sand of Waikiki Beach, behind the Duke Kahanamoku statue, on Hāwea, a 50-foot catamaran its owner built, to Turtle Canyon for a snorkel with the green sea turtles and reef fish, with mask, snorkel, fins and a flotation belt and soft drinks; the 8:30 am and 11:45 am sails add cold brew coffee and granola bars. You need to be able to swim.
FROM THE ALA WAI HARBORTwo-Hour Turtle Canyon Snorkel from the Ala Wai Harbor
Pink Sails Waikiki's two hours from the Ala Wai harbor at 1 Holomoana Street, beside the Prince Waikiki hotel, on a 55-foot open catamaran or a 50-foot double-decker: a 10 to 15 minute ride to Turtle Canyon, then 30 to 45 minutes in the water in small groups with a guide and gear. Basic swimming skill is required; from age 7. Refreshments are sold on board; bring a towel.
A REFUND IF NO TURTLETurtle Canyon Catamaran Snorkel from Kewalo Harbor
Oahu Catamarans' two-hour snorkel from Kewalo Harbor, Pier A, on the Kahala Kai, a catamaran that takes about half of its Coast Guard capacity of 49: a snorkel with the green sea turtles and reef fish, with premium gear, water, soda, juice and light snacks and two restrooms, then a cruise looking for dolphins, monk seals and, in season, whales. If you see no turtle, you get a full refund. Parking beside the boat is $2 an hour.
LUNCH, ALL AGESTurtle Canyon Catamaran Snorkel with Lunch from the Hilton Pier
Hawaii Nautical's catamaran snorkel with lunch from the Hilton Hawaiian Village: you check in at the Waikiki Beach Activities kiosk at the beach end of Paoa Place, by the walkway to the Hilton pier, and sail on a 65-foot catamaran to Turtle Canyon. Life jackets are provided for everyone, the crew gives snorkel gear and flotation, and lunch, soft drinks, local beer, cocktails and wine are on board. If you see no turtles you may ride again free on a trip of the same or lesser value; there are no refunds for that. It is a barefoot cruise, family friendly for all ages.
The Guide
From Your Waikiki Hotel to the Turtles
Where each boat leaves from, what its turtle guarantee says, which ones suit non-swimmers and children, and what they cost.
From Waikiki you snorkel with green sea turtles, honu, from a boat. The boats go to a reef off the shore that they call Turtle Canyon, a ride of 10 to 20 minutes, and they leave from four kinds of place: Kewalo Basin Harbor on Ala Moana Boulevard, the Ala Wai harbor beside the Prince Waikiki, the Hilton Hawaiian Village pier and lagoon, and the sand of Waikiki Beach itself. A few pick you up at your hotel. Most promise a free return trip or a refund if you see no turtle, and several take children and people who cannot swim well. Wherever you start, the honu is protected: you watch from 10 feet away and never touch.
The short answer
If you want the least planning, book Oceanstar’s Turtle Canyon snorkel with pickup, sold on GetYourGuide as Waikiki: 4-Hour 6-Activity Turtle Canyon Snorkel with Pickup. A van collects you at one of 12 points in Waikiki, the boat takes about 20 minutes to the site, and you get about three hours on the water: the turtles first, then kayaks, stand-up paddleboards and floating sea chairs. A certified lifeguard is on board, and the crew gives flotation gear and help to children and anyone who is not a confident swimmer. If no turtles are spotted, you can come back on another tour free. It costs from $107 in current promotion (usually $120) a person, with 129 reviews (checked November 2026).
Check dates for the turtle snorkel
Pick your boat
Turtle Canyon Snorkel with Waikiki Hotel Pickup
Oceanstar's four hours from Waikiki: the turtles at Turtle Canyon, then kayaks and paddleboards, with a lifeguard on board and flotation for beginners.
Check dates →Turtle Canyon Guided Snorkel with a Turtle Guarantee
Living Ocean Tours' two hours from Kewalo Basin: guides swim with the group, and everyone may come back free within 12 months if no turtle is seen.
See the guided snorkel →Two-Hour Turtle Canyon Snorkel from the Ala Wai Harbor
Pink Sails Waikiki's catamaran from beside the Prince Waikiki: a 10 to 15 minute ride, then 30 to 45 minutes in the water in small groups.
See the Ala Wai boat →Turtle Canyon Semi-Private Snorkel Boat, Six Guests
Captain Max Boat Tours' 90 minutes on a fast boat for no more than six, with life vests, and a free ride again if no turtles.
See the six-seat boat →Prices, ratings and review counts from the listings (GetYourGuide checked November 2026; Viator checked November 2026). Operators price by date and season, so treat the figures as the shape of the market, not a quote.
Where the boats leave from
| Where you start | From central Waikiki | Boats that leave here |
|---|---|---|
| Kewalo Basin Harbor, Ala Moana Boulevard | about 3.7 km (2.3 mi) by road; a taxi, a ride-share or a trip with pickup | Living Ocean Tours, Oahu Catamarans, Hawaii Ocean Charters, Blue Ocean Snorkeling |
| Ala Wai harbor, 1 Holomoana Street | Beside the Prince Waikiki, at the west end of Waikiki | Pink Sails Waikiki, Three Tiki Sailing, Hawaii Apex Charters |
| Hilton Hawaiian Village pier and lagoon | Inside Waikiki, at the beach end of Paoa Place | Island Splash Tours, Hawaii Nautical |
| The sand of Waikiki Beach | Board on the beach by the Outrigger Reef, by Duke’s or behind the Duke Kahanamoku statue | Holokai Catamaran, Waikiki Sailing Company (Hāwea), Aloha Boats (Ke Kai) |
| Your hotel | Pickup at set points around Waikiki | Oceanstar, Blue Ocean Snorkeling (pickup option) |
The departure points guide gives the exact pier, slip or check-in desk for each boat and what parking costs there, and the hotel pickup guide covers the trips that collect you.
What happens if you see no turtle
No one controls a wild animal, so the boats write their own terms, and they are not the same:
| Boat | If no turtle is seen |
|---|---|
| Oceanstar | Come back on another tour free |
| Living Ocean Tours | Everyone on the trip may come back free within 12 months, subject to space |
| Oahu Catamarans | A full refund |
| Hawaii Nautical | A free re-ride on a trip of the same or lesser value; no refunds |
| Holokai Catamaran | No turtle promise |
The turtle guarantees compared puts every boat’s terms side by side.
Not a strong swimmer, or bringing children?
You can still go, on the right boat. Oceanstar gives flotation and help in the water to beginners and children, Blue Ocean Snorkeling uses life jackets and flotation boards, and Charter Oahu has a swim step where a non-swimmer can sit with their feet in the water. Others ask for basic swimming ability, among them Living Ocean Tours, Pink Sails and the Hāwea catamaran. For children, Hawaii Nautical’s lunch catamaran is family friendly for all ages with life jackets for everyone, while Pink Sails and Hawaii Ocean Charters start at 7. See non-swimmers and kids.
Whatever you book, take the flotation the crew offers. Snorkeling is the activity most often involved in ocean drownings in Hawaii, and on the shore from the Hilton Hawaiian Village to Kapahulu, 41 of the 50 people who drowned between 2009 and 2018 were not Hawaii residents, according to Hawaii’s health department.
What it costs
| Trip | Listing price | Not included |
|---|---|---|
| Catamaran snorkel from Kewalo Harbor (Oahu Catamarans) | From $60 | Parking, $2 an hour |
| Guided snorkel from Kewalo Basin (Living Ocean Tours) | From $62 in current promotion (usually $89) | Hotel pickup, tips |
| Boat snorkel from the Hilton lagoon (Island Splash Tours) | From $73 in current promotion (usually $81) | Towels: bring your own |
| Turtle snorkel with hotel pickup and water toys (Oceanstar) | From $107 in current promotion (usually $120) | GoPro rental, tips |
| Six-seat boat (Captain Max Boat Tours) | From $109 | Harbor parking, $2 an hour |
| Catamaran with lunch from the Hilton pier (Hawaii Nautical) | From $170 | Towel, gratuity |
Listing prices: GetYourGuide checked November 2026; Viator checked November 2026. Adult fares per person.
The turtle you meet, and the rules
The turtle at Turtle Canyon is the green sea turtle, honu in Hawaiian. Hawaii’s green turtles are a population found nowhere else, listed as threatened under the federal Endangered Species Act and Hawaii state law. Adults grow to 3 to 4 feet in shell length, graze on limu, seaweed, and come up to breathe every 15 to 30 minutes, which is when snorkelers and the people left on deck see them rise.
- Keep 10 feet (3 meters) away, in the water and on the beach: that is NOAA’s and the state’s recommended distance. It is guidance, not a legal line, but harassing a turtle is illegal.
- Never touch, chase, ride or feed a turtle. Hawaii’s natural-resources department, DLNR, says touching or feeding a turtle in any way is a disturbance and illegal; under state law a first offence is a misdemeanor, with a fine of at least $250, up to a year in jail, or both.
- If a turtle swims toward you, stay still and let it pass.
- Sunscreen: since January 1, 2021, Hawaii has banned the sale of sunscreens containing oxybenzone or octinoxate without a prescription.
No state or federal page describes Turtle Canyon itself: the name, and the reef, are the boats’. Closer in, the Waikiki Marine Life Conservation District covers the shore from the Kapahulu groin to the Natatorium, where taking or injuring any marine life is banned. See turtles from the beach.
Who should look beyond Waikiki
- You want to see turtles resting on the sand without getting wet, or snorkel Hanauma Bay: snorkelingwithturtlesoahu.com covers the rest of the island, from Laniakea Beach on the North Shore to the west-side boats from Ko Olina.
- You are staying at Ko Olina or on the west side: the boats from Waikiki are a long drive away; a west-side boat is closer.
Snorkel with the Honu from Waikiki
Oceanstar's four hours with hotel pickup: the turtles at Turtle Canyon, kayaks and paddleboards, and a lifeguard on board. Starting from $107 per person in current promotion (usually $120).
See datesMore Trips with Open Dates
More Waikiki Snorkel Trips with Open Dates
Turtle snorkels, catamarans and boat trips with live availability. Times and cancellation terms are on each listing.
Snorkeling with Turtles from Waikiki: Questions
Where the boats leave from, pickup, the turtle guarantees, swimming, kids, touching and the beach.
Yes, mostly from a boat. The Waikiki turtle snorkels go to a site off the shore that the boats call Turtle Canyon, a short ride out. They leave from Kewalo Basin Harbor, the Ala Wai harbor, the Hilton Hawaiian Village pier and lagoon, and the sand of Waikiki Beach itself, and most take 90 minutes to two and a half hours. Some pick you up at your hotel. See where each boat leaves from.
A Turtle Canyon boat of 90 minutes to two hours costs from $60 to $109 a person; Oceanstar's four hours with hotel pickup cost from $107 (Viator checked November 2026; GetYourGuide checked November 2026). A catamaran with lunch from the Hilton pier costs from $170. If you drive, harbor parking runs $1 to $3 an hour.
Four kinds of place. Kewalo Basin Harbor on Ala Moana Boulevard, about 3.7 km (2.3 miles) by road from Kalakaua Avenue, is home to several of the boats; the Ala Wai harbor beside the Prince Waikiki is next door to Waikiki; Hawaii Nautical's catamaran leaves from the Hilton Hawaiian Village pier, and Island Splash Tours from beside the Hilton lagoon; and a few catamarans board on the sand, by the Outrigger Reef and by Duke's. See the departure points.
Oceanstar ($107), Blue Ocean Snorkeling ($90) and YOLO Hawaii ($84) include pickup from set points in Waikiki (GetYourGuide checked November 2026; Viator checked November 2026). The others meet you at the harbor or on the beach. See turtle snorkels with hotel pickup.
No one controls a wild turtle, but most boats promise you something if you miss them, and the promises differ. Oceanstar, Island Splash Tours and Hawaii Ocean Charters let you come back free; Living Ocean Tours lets everyone on the trip come back free within 12 months, subject to space; Oahu Catamarans gives a full refund; Hawaii Nautical gives a free re-ride on a trip of the same or lesser value and no refund. See the turtle guarantees compared.
On some boats. Oceanstar gives flotation and help in the water to people who are not confident swimmers, Blue Ocean Snorkeling uses life jackets and flotation boards, Charter Oahu has a swim step where a non-swimmer can sit with their feet in the water, and Dive Oahu takes non-swimmers along as riders. Living Ocean Tours, Pink Sails, Hawaii Ocean Charters and the Hāwea catamaran ask you to swim. See turtle snorkels for non-swimmers.
It ranges from any age to 7. Hawaii Nautical's lunch catamaran is family friendly for all ages, with life jackets for everyone; Living Ocean Tours takes children from 3; Captain Max from 5; Pink Sails and Hawaii Ocean Charters from 7. Island Splash Tours' GetYourGuide listing is not for children under 5. See turtle snorkels with kids.
Sometimes, but nobody can tell you where or when. Hawaii's state parks division says sea turtles can be seen wherever people snorkel, and from the shore when they come up to breathe, but no state or city page names a Waikiki beach where they turn up. The boats go to a reef offshore that turtles visit. See turtles from the beach.
No. Hawaii's green sea turtles are listed as threatened under federal and state law, and Hawaii's natural-resources department, DLNR, says touching or feeding a turtle in any way is a disturbance and illegal. NOAA and the state recommend staying at least 10 feet (3 meters) away; if a turtle swims toward you, stay still and let it pass.
Some is. Since January 1, 2021, Hawaii has banned the sale of sunscreens containing oxybenzone or octinoxate without a prescription. 'Reef safe' is not a regulated label, so read the ingredients, or wear a rash guard and use less. Holokai Catamaran's sail includes reef-safe sunscreen on board.
Still have questions? Email us at info@snorkelwithturtleswaikiki.com