Book One of The 7 Best Snorkeling Tours on Oahu
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you decide to make a purchase through my links we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. Read about our affiliate policies here.
Oahu is home to some excellent snorkeling, but not all of it is accessible from the beach. Coral reef, vibrant sea life, and viewing the island from the water are some of the things that make these best snorkeling tours on Oahu oh so worth it!
Make enjoying a snorkeling tour a memorable part of your trip. Plus, a knowledgeable guide makes the experience that much better because they can tell you exactly what you’re seeing and help you find some things you might not otherwise see.
But there are so many different snorkeling tours available, it can make it difficult to choose.
We’ve made it our mission to head out on as many snorkeling tours as possible to give you a list of the best. These are the best snorkeling tours on Oahu you should consider joining during your trip.
TLDR; Here are the Best Snorkeling Tours on Oahu:
1. Best snorkel tour from Ko Olina Resorts in West Oahu (near Disney)
2. Turtle Canyon snorkeling with a small group (power boat)
3. Turtle Canyon snorkeling tour on a power raft (1.5-hours long), a good price!
4. Kaneohe Sandbar picnic and snorkeling tour on Windward Oahu
5. Save 10% with a dolphin encounter and sea turtle swim from West Oahu. Code HVG10.
6. Oahu snorkel tour from shore! Great for beginners.
7. Private tour – let a local take you to the best snorkel spot per the conditions that day. It is an all-day adventure full of other island stops.
Are Snorkeling Tours on Oahu Worth It?
I’ll be honest — we love a good snorkeling tour and we do multiple tours every time we visit. Not only are these tours better for reef preservation (so you don’t inadvertently step on the reef), they offer a great experience. On a good tour, you’re going with a knowledgeable team that can ensure you snorkel safely and point out interesting marine life. It’s always fun to learn about the fish you’re looking at!
While we still enjoy shore snorkeling — check out this list of our favorite snorkeling spots on Oahu — these best snorkeling tours on Oahu are some of the most memorable parts of our vacation.
Is Turtle Canyon Snorkeling Worth It?
If you’re staying in Waikiki and want to do an easy tour that is quick where you can see turtles, a Turtle Canyon tour is the way to go. We enjoyed our time in Turtle Canyon and our kids loved snorkeling with sea turtles, but there are some drawbacks. The biggest drawback is that it’s crowded! The secret is out and a lot of people are heading to this spot. We still enjoyed ourselves but we went in with the expectation that we wouldn’t be alone out there.
If you’re looking for a quieter, more secluded tour, the options on the leeward side or to Kaneohe sandbar might be better suited for you.
Related reads:
The 5 Best Turtle Canyon Snorkeling Tours from Waikiki
40 Things to Do on Oahu, Hawaii (we will surprise you!)
The Best 7 Day Oahu, Hawaii Itinerary Without a Rental Car
The 7 Best Snorkeling Tours on Oahu
1. Catamaran from Ko Olina
I cannot emphasize enough what a truly spectacular day out we had on this snorkeling tour. We did the early morning tour aboard the 53’ catamaran. Heading out, we enjoyed the smooth early morning water, came across a pod of spinner dolphins, and enjoyed the scenic ride up the Waianae Coast.
The three-hour tour included 45-60 minutes in the water snorkeling, snorkeling gear, lunch, soft drinks, and three alcoholic drinks. They depart from the Ko Olina Marina, so it’s incredibly convenient for anyone staying in Ko Olina or on the leeward side.
Our whole family came along to this epic snorkel trip. We used to live in Ko Olina, so we love coming back to stay at the resorts, swim in the lagoons, and go snorkeling! Our son loved snorkeling and seeing the dolphins. The crew assisted us in getting him in the water with gear and they kept an eye on us to make sure we didn’t need help (which I appreciated!).
They offer two snorkeling tours per day. But we usually choose the morning tour because it’s cooler!
2. Turtle Canyon Power Boat Tour
If you want your best snorkeling tours on Oahu to include swimming with sea turtles, check out this one and #3.
This was the first tour we did to Turtle Canyon and it was a great one! Turtle Canyon is one of the most popular snorkeling sites on Oahu, accessible only by boat (or kayak as you’ll read below). Our tour left from the Kewalo Basin Harbor, which is just a short drive from Waikiki. Once there, we hopped aboard for a quick 15-minute ride out to Turtle Canyon.
Turtle Canyon is a turtle cleaning station so you have a high chance of seeing, you guessed it, turtles! The reef isn’t spectacular but you will also see fish…and a lot of other snorkelers.
While there were a lot of people in the water, we thoroughly enjoyed our time out with the crew. They had a photographer on board to capture our photos and videos.
They have a few tour options each day and welcome kids of all ages!
3. Turtle Canyon Raft Tour
If you’re looking to head to Turtle Canyon on a small group tour, this raft is an excellent option. This quick 1.5-hour tour only has up to 6 guests on it at a time, so depending on your group size it could feel like (or be) a private tour. They offer five tours per day so you can find an option that works best for your schedule. We prefer morning tours to avoid any waves that may come with the tradewinds.
Turtle Canyon is the spot for the snorkeling tours closest to Waikiki so it makes for an easy trip if you’re staying there.
Unfortunately, under five aren’t allowed to join on the raft. But for visitors 5 and up, this is a fun tour to enjoy!
4. Kaneohe Sandbar Picnic Sail
This is not your standard snorkeling tour. This four-hour windward coast snorkeling tour takes you to the picturesque Kaneohe Sandbar. Kaneohe Sandbar is consistently ranked one of the best snorkeling tours on Oahu.
Your day starts with a 35-minute drive from Waikiki to Kaneohe Bay, where you will board the catamaran. You’ll then enjoy two different stops on the 6-mile-long sandbar. Snorkeling, volleyball, and a BBQ lunch are all on the agenda. You’ll also likely get to see some sea turtles cruising by while you’re snorkeling.
Being in the ocean on this sandbar is pretty surreal and will likely be one of the highlights of your trip.
5. Dolphin Encounter! West Side Oahu Raft Snorkeling Tour (Save 10%!)
This three-hour snorkeling tour leaves from the west side of Oahu, near Ko Olina (the Waianae Boat Harbor). The aptly named Dolphin Encounter takes you in search of dolphins! While snorkeling with dolphins is strictly prohibited, the marine naturalists on board will find some dolphins for you to view while staying a safe distance away.
Save 10% on this tour with promo code HVG10 at checkout!
After some fun dolphin viewing, you have the opportunity to jump in the water for some excellent snorkeling!
This is a power boat raft tour so no kids under 4 are allowed to join. But since it’s a raft, it’s a small group tour with no more than 15 guests per tour.
Remember to use that promo code to save 10%! Promo code HVG10.
6. Snorkeling from the Shore
If you’re headed to Oahu and this is your first time snorkeling, going with a guide is always a good idea. They can give you tips, help you feel more comfortable in the water, and make sure you’re snorkeling safely. Not only that, when you have an expert with you, you get to see and experience more because they know exactly where to take you and what to show you.
Going on a snorkeling tour doesn’t always require getting on a boat. This is a great snorkeling option from the shore. You’ll have an experienced guide take you out in Ala Moana Beach Park and help you learn the basics of snorkeling. You’ll still see plenty of fish and wildlife in this safe area.
This is a small group tour and since there’s no boat required, it’s a great price!
7. Full-Day Adventure Tour: Snorkeling with a Local
If snorkeling is just one thing on your long list of Hawaii bucket list adventures, consider a full-day private tour. This eight-hour tour is customizable to what your group wants to do.
Pick your adventure with a combination of waterfall swims, snorkeling, kayaking, paddle boarding, hiking, good food, and more! This is not a pre-packaged deal where every group gets the same experience, they know the land, the best spots, and where all the fun is. So all you have to do is tell them what you want your day to look like with as much or as little specificity as you like and they take care of the rest.
Their tours are private, so they’re limited to only people in your party. You get your guide(s) plus photos and transportation are included in the price. So really you’re getting a personal guide, photographer, and chauffeur.
Related reads:
23 Best Things to Do on Oahu With Kids (from The Hawaii Vacation Guide mom and dad)
How to Visit Multiple Hawaiian Islands in 2 Weeks (itinerary included)
Which Part of Oahu Should You Stay: Waikiki or Ko Olina or North Shore
Oahu Done For You
Whether you go to Hawaii yearly or have never been to this tropical state, our Oahu Itinerary has everything you need to plan the perfect vacation. For our seasoned Hawaii travelers, add to your traditions and find something new and wonderful. For our newbies, narrow those 1,000 decisions down to a handful with our expert guidance.
It’s hard to have a bad time in Hawaii, but with our itinerary, you’ll get everything you need to plan. Where to stay, the best restaurants, the best beaches, full excursion days, our favorite tours, even where to find free parking (with directions) and what to pack. All in one place. All done for you. (Did I mention it’s only $37? Yeah, that too.)
Get The Oahu Itinerary
The step-by-step itinerary takes you to all the best beaches, snorkeling spots, restaurants, and sights. You’ll get six carefully planned excursion days to help you see the can’t miss stops no matter how limited your time is.
Get all the details on our itinerary and download it for a memorable and easily planned trip to Oahu.