Best Snorkel Tours in Oahu

With its underwater topography, Oahu is the perfect place for beginners and experienced divers alike to enjoy an unforgettable day of snorkelling exploring the waters of this Pacific Ocean island. This is one of the most exciting experiences you can have on Oahu, so don't hesitate and join a snorkelling tour.

With this 3-hour tour you will sail along the coast of Oahu aboard a luxury catamaran to Turtle Canyon, the best place on the island to see green sea turtles.

Along the way you'll take in the magnificent views of Waikiki and Diamond Head from the water while listening to music and sunbathing on deck with a refreshing drink - watch out for spinner dolphins and migrating whales!

After a few minutes you will arrive at Turtle Canyon where the captain will moor the "Honi Olani" for the dive in the water. Before diving into the sea all participants on the excursion will receive a safety briefing and then you can dive into the water to snorkel for about an hour and a half.

During this time you will have the opportunity to see, together with your snorkelling guide, beautiful coral reefs as well as colourful fish and huge green turtles that you will be able to swim with up close.

For this Turtle Canyon catamaran tour you can choose between a 2 hour morning tour or a 3 hour midday tour with lunch on board. I recommend choosing the midday tour because you'll have more time to sail the boat, snorkel and after the activity, have a snack before heading back to shore which is always good for recharging your batteries.

Recommended... if you are a beginner diver. On this tour the guides will help you with the snorkelling equipment so you can focus on enjoying the activity and the marine life.

With this 8-hour tour of Oahu you will have the opportunity to explore some of the highlights of the island (Dole Plantation, Diamond Head, Halona Blowhole, Kualoa Point, Makapu'u Beach...) as well as take a trip to Waimanalo (a town known as "turtle town") to snorkel and see the beautiful Hawaiian green turtles in their natural habitat.

With this full day tour of Oahu you will discover much of the island's nature and a beautiful variety of jaw-dropping scenery - not only on the surface but underwater as well! You'll even have time to see a pineapple plantation and a family farm where macadamia nuts are grown. These are two very typical Hawaiian products that you'll be able to taste.

This tour takes place in a minibus with a small group of 20 people (or less) and a local guide making the experience much more exclusive and personalised.

Recommended... If you're looking to get an overview of the island of Oahu and its lush wilderness by land and sea. This tour has plenty of stops to see incredible sights and sites.

Another excursion you can opt for if you want to experience a memorable adventure in the waters of Hawaii is this catamaran tour with snorkelling and Hawaiian buffet where you will spend 3 and a half hours getting to know the nature and fauna of Oahu.

A bus will pick you up from your Waikiki hotel and take you to the harbour, where you will board the catamaran "Kai OliOli" for a trip north along the west coast of Oahu to spot dolphins and whales while listening to the crew's stories about Hawaii and the Waianae coast.

When the time comes, the captain will stop the boat so you can jump in the water and snorkel. You won't need to bring anything, not even sunscreen, as all the snorkelling equipment is provided by them.

During the activity you will be accompanied by guides and a professional photographer who will take pictures of you underwater, swimming with the fish and turtles. Afterwards, when you return to the boat, you can enjoy a delicious Hawaiian buffet with drinks - the perfect end to an amazing day!

I like it because it's a very flexible excursion as you can choose from three available times (morning, afternoon or sunset) and fit it into the rest of your schedule if you plan to do other things during the day.

Recommended... If you want to go on an excursion in Hawaii to explore unspoilt landscapes, away from the more touristy places, and snorkel in a unique and peaceful environment.

The smaller the group you go on an excursion with, the more premium and personalised the experience becomes.

If there's one thing that makes this Oahu snorkelling tour worthwhile, it's that only a maximum of 6 people participate, making it a virtually private excursion. In addition, you will sail away from the crowds, have a closer contact with the guides and enjoy nature in an exclusive way.

But that's not all. This boat tour also includes food and drink, so you won't need to carry any snacks in your backpack to replenish your energy after the activity.

Enjoy a 2 hour cruise off the coast of Waikiki to see dolphins, whales and swim in the crystal clear waters of Oahu alongside tropical fish and green turtles - a magical experience not to be missed in Hawaii!

Recommended... If you want to take a cruise on Oahu without breaking the bank, renting a private boat is the best option for a cruise on Oahu. This is the best option for an intimate tour of Hawaii's waters in very small groups.

Seeing wild dolphins in their natural habitat is a thrilling experience. Take advantage of your trip to Hawaii to take this 3-hour catamaran cruise along Oahu's Leeward Coast, famous for its quaint villages and beautiful unspoiled beaches, where you can also snorkel to see dolphins, humpback whales, fish, turtles and other marine life.

In addition, this cruise includes breakfast and lunch with a drink, which you can take on the way to and from the shore while you relax and take in the beautiful scenery around you.

The captain will choose a quiet spot off the coast of Leeward to moor the boat and start the dive. Before the dive the crew will give you some basic snorkelling and equipment. During the activity, you will be accompanied by a guide who will take you through schools of tropical fish and beautiful coral reefs.

Recommended... If you would like to see dolphins up close and you feel like joining in a quiet, family-friendly plan to enjoy nature.

If you want to see dolphins at sea and are looking for the convenience of cruising around Oahu in a small group, this tour of the Waianae coast is perfect for you as you will share the boat with a maximum of 10 people.

Plus, you won't have to worry about a thing as the crew will take you directly to the shallow, calm snorkelling spot. During the 3 hours you'll have time to spot dolphins, green turtles and humpback whales as well as snorkel (you'll be provided with the necessary equipment on the boat) in the crystal clear waters of Hawaii and among the coral reefs.

At the end of the activity you will return to Waianae harbour for lunch. Lunch includes hot dishes, sandwiches and a selection of drinks - the best way to end a fun-filled day on a high note!

Recommended... If you want to join a small tour, away from the crowded boat trips, where you can enjoy the connection with nature and wildlife to the fullest.

Bring out your adventurous spirit with this 8-hour diving tour of the island of Oahu to discover this idyllic Polynesian island by land and sea.

During this activity you will see some of the most beautiful spots in Hawaii such as Diamond Head, Kahala, Halona Blowhole, Eternity Beach, Sandy Beach or the viewpoint of Makapu'u Point, among many other spectacular sites. You will also stop at the spectacular Haleiwa Alii Beach to snorkel and swim among fish, turtles and other sea creatures.

This Oahu island tour also includes a visit to Dole Plantation and Kahuku Farms, where you can sample some of the local produce such as pineapples and macadamia nuts. DoleWhip ice cream and Kona coffee are two classics not to be missed!

Plus, this tour will bring out your funniest side as the guides will sing traditional songs, play the ukulele and tell funny stories about the island and Hawaiian culture. If you're travelling as a family, the kids will have a blast.

Recommended... If you're looking for a dreamlike scenery to take fantastic photographs of your trip, delve into the local culture and experience a thrilling boat ride through Hawaiian waters.

The offer is very varied and in general the price depends on factors such as the type of boat, the number of people on board, the duration of the activity, the number of places visited during the activity or whether lunch is included or not.

To give you an idea, if you want to spend a whole day snorkelling in Oahu, the price can be around 100 euros, but if you are looking for something more economical, you will also find options for 70 or 80 euros.

Whatever your budget, you are sure to find the option that best suits your trip. In Hellotickets you can compare prices, schedules, availability of tickets and guided tours.

Some of the best places to snorkel in Oahu are Hanauma Bay, Turtle Bay Beach, Waikiki Beach, the Waianae Coast, Turtle Canyon or Waimea Bay.

Swimming with dolphins is one of the favourite things to do in Hawaii and an encounter with these friendly animals is always an unforgettable memory!

The best way to see them in their natural habitat is by joining a snorkelling excursion off the coast of Oahu, as the crew knows the best places on the island to enjoy their company such as Turtle Canyon, Waikiki or the Waianae coast, among others.

Hanauma Bay Nature Reserve, southeast of Oahu, is considered one of the best places to snorkel in Hawaii because its shallow waters are suitable for all ages and are home to some of the most diverse marine life in the world.

Did you know that Hanauma Bay is the caldera of an ancient extinct volcano? When one side of the caldera collapsed due to erosion by the sea, water flowed in and filled the caldera, creating a perfect ecosystem, home to hundreds of species of fish, turtles and corals.

Because the site is so popular, to ensure its protection and conservation, the government declared it a nature reserve and regulated the entry of tourists, so there is a $25 entrance fee to enter Hanauma Bay.

These are some of the best snorkelling cruises in Oahu but if you are looking for more options, in Hellotickets you can find more ideas to enjoy the underwater paradise that the waters of Hawaii treasure.