Where to Find the Best Snorkeling Tours in Oahu: Our Top Picks
Snorkeling is one of the most exciting activities to engage in while you are in Hawaii. In a single snorkeling session, you’ll get to experience the underwater world through a different spectacle. Now, since the island is so big, it can be pretty difficult to pick the right place and the right tour so that you can see the best underwater sights. As you read further, you can select from the tours we’ve mentioned which are our top picks.
Our Top 11 Tour Picks For Snorkeling In Oahu
When you snorkel in Oahu, you can see lots of beautiful and colorful coral reefs, schools of fish, the famous Hawaiian green sea turtles, and many more. But let me tell you, even though the island is surrounded by beaches and water, it can be difficult to spot the aquatic creatures. For this, you need some professional help to guide you through the best snorkeling location. Here, we have listed the best 11 snorkeling Oahu tours so you can easily get a great view of the marine life while also having fun.
Oahu Original Private Island Tour With Snorkeling
- Entry Using: Printed or Mobile Voucher
- Duration: 9 Hours
- Free Cancellation – 72 Hrs Notice
Introductory Diving
- Entry Using: Printed or Mobile Voucher
- Duration: 3-4 Hours
- Free Cancellation – 72 Hrs Notice
Wreck and Reef Dive
- Entry Using: Printed or Mobile Voucher
- Duration: 3 Hours
- Free Cancellation – 72 Hrs Notice
Two Shallow Reefs Tour
- Entry Using: Printed or Mobile Voucher
- Duration: 3 Hours
- Free Cancellation – 72 Hrs Notice
Wild Dolphins and Turtle Watching With Snorkeling Experience
- Entry Using: Printed or Mobile Voucher
- Duration: 3 Hours
- Free Cancellation – 72 Hrs Notice
Kaneohe Bay Sandbar and Snorkeling Adventure
- Entry Using: Printed or Mobile Voucher
- Duration: 4 Hours
- Free Cancellation – 72 Hrs Notice
Certified and Beginners Scuba Diving - 2 Tank Boat Dive
- Entry Using: Printed or Mobile Voucher
- Duration: 4 Hours
- Free Cancellation – 72 Hrs Notice
Shark Adventures - Cage Tours
- Entry Using: Printed or Mobile Voucher
- Duration: 2 Hours
- Free Cancellation – 72 Hrs Notice
Turtle Canyon Snorkeling Adventure
- Entry Using: Printed or Mobile Voucher
- Duration: 3 Hours
- Free Cancellation – 72 Hrs Notice
Turtle Canyon Snorkeling with Lunch
- Entry Using: Printed or Mobile Voucher
- Duration: 3 Hours
- Free Cancellation – 72 Hrs Notice
Hanauma Bay Snorkeling
- Entry Using: Printed or Mobile Voucher
- Duration: 5 Hours
- Free Cancellation – 72 Hrs Notice
#1- Oahu Original Private Island Tour With Snorkeling (Starting at $1399)
Tour Schedule
Entry: Printed or Mobile Voucher
Tour Duration: 9 Hours from 7:30 AM
Free Cancellation: 72 Hours Prior Notice
Discover Oahu’s wildlife privately with your friends and family on this custom private tour designed just for you! We can accommodate groups of 2 to 24 people on this tour, which allows you to explore the island at your own pace. If you like, in between, we can also add activities like kayaking along with snorkeling sea turtles.
Do you feel like just relaxing on the beach? We’ve got you covered! We’ll create just the perfect itinerary for you. If you’re lucky, you might even spot Hawaii’s famous green sea turtles. We’ll take you around iconic spots like Hanauma Bay (except Tuesday), the famous North Shore on the northern coast of Oahu, Pearl Harbor, Haleiwa Town, and other hidden places that we’re sure you’ll enjoy.
One of the best things about this tour is you get to choose the stops and how long to stay. Plus, you’ll also get to experience local food and stories along the way, so you don’t just appreciate the beauty around you but also the history and culture of the place.
#2- Introductory Diving (Starting at $249)
Tour Schedule
Entry: Printed or Mobile Voucher
Tour Duration: 3-4 Hours
Free Cancellation: 72 Hours Prior Notice
Want to experience the sea life, but you’re scared to do so? Don’t worry; this tour is the perfect option for you. On this Introductory Diving tour, you get to explore the Hawaiian waters even if you are new to diving.
Before getting to the fun diving part, you’ll personally be trained by a PADI professional to learn all the safety skills you need. After the session, we’ll go on a guided reef tour where you can see turtles, eels, reef sharks, and vibrant fish.
If you have any friends or family who want to snorkel or ride along, you can bring them too so they can see you go under the clear waters! Anyone aged ten and up can have this amazing experience. You’ll get snacks and refreshments on board. Also, if you want your memories to be professionally captured, you can hire a photographer.
#3- Wreck and Reef Dive (Starting at $229)
Tour Schedule
Entry: Printed or Mobile Voucher
Tour Duration: 3 Hours
Free Cancellation: 72 Hours Prior Notice
Are you a morning person? Then, join us for a morning dive on the south shore of Oahu! With our certified divers, you can explore one of Hawaii’s famous wrecks, Sea Tigers, YO-257, San Pedro, and many more. We also have experienced PADI guides who will guide you through the journey.
You can then enjoy a second dive at a stunning reef site and spot amazing marine life like turtles, sharks, eels, rays, octopuses, and even dolphins! Our boat has all the comforts you need, with a sun deck, shaded areas, and a restroom on board. We also provide all premium dive gear and refreshments for a smooth and fun experience.
#4- Two Shallow Reefs Tour (Starting at $229)
Tour Schedule
Entry: Printed or Mobile Voucher
Tour Duration: 3 Hours
Free Cancellation: 72 Hours Prior Notice
If you are planning to dive deep into the calm waters of Hawaii to explore the underwater life, this tour is a must-try! The Two Shallow Reefs Tour with Turtle Canyons and Kaiser’s on the list caters to all those divers who have years of experience and are just beginning.
On this tour, you’ll get to explore two of Hawaii’s beautiful reefs, guided by a PADI-certified instructor who’ll point out amazing marine life like sharks, turtles, eels, rays, octopus, and tropical fish. Our certified instructors give personal training sessions before the tour, which is great for those who have never dived before. You can also hire a photographer or rent a GoPro to document the sights you see.
#5- Wild Dolphins and Turtle Watching With Snorkeling Experience (Starting at $189)
Tour Schedule
Entry: Printed or Mobile Voucher
Tour Duration: 3 Hours
Free Cancellation: 72 Hours Prior Notice
Get ready to experience an unforgettable adventure on the Hawaiian islands along Oahu’s pristine west coast. On this tour, you’ll enjoy dolphin-watching, snorkeling with turtles on some of the best snorkeling spots, and a bunch of other fun activities like kayaking, paddleboarding, and waterslide, along with a delicious lunch.
Start the day with a relaxing shuttle ride, then board the Ariya—a two-deck boat with all the amenities. Keep your eyes peeled for acrobatic spinner dolphins, and then dive into the water to snorkel among tropical fish and honu turtles.
To top it off, the crew entertains with a hula show, spreading the Aloha spirit before you head back to Waikiki with memories of dolphins, turtles, and ocean fun!
#6- Kaneohe Bay Sandbar and Snorkeling Adventure (Starting at $173)
Entry: Printed or Mobile Voucher
Tour Duration: 4 Hours
Free Cancellation: 72 Hours Prior Notice
Explore the Kaneohe Bay’s famous sandbar, Ahu O Laka, where you’ll be surrounded by the stunning Ko’olau Mountains. On this tour, you’ll have the chance to snorkel, play sandbar volleyball, watch the turtles, and have a BBQ lunch grilled fresh on our spacious catamaran. We’ll take you to two awesome snorkeling destinations where you can swim with a variety of fish species and spot the Honu. Plus, you’ll also get the best views of Gilligan’s Island and Chinaman’s Hat!
#7- Certified and Beginners Scuba Diving - 2 Tank Boat Dive (Starting at $159)
Entry: Printed or Mobile Voucher
Tour Duration: 4 Hours
Free Cancellation: 72 Hours Prior Notice
If you want to have a fun yet safe adventure with your family, book this exciting tour! On this tour, you will dive into the shallow waters near Waikiki Beach, making it perfect for divers of all skill levels. Before the dive, you’ll be instructed by our PADI instructors to make your dive even more comfortable.
We’ll take you to two coral reefs to experience the vibrant sea life of Hawaii. You’ll see Hawaiian fish, turtles, and octopuses as you explore the reef! We visit top dive spots like Angler Reef, Nautilus Reef, and Kewalo Pipe/Horseshoe Reef. If you feel like capturing the adventure, you can ask about renting a GoPro9 from our dive shop!
#8- Shark Adventures - Cage Tours (Starting at $135)
Entry: Printed or Mobile Voucher
Tour Duration: 2 Hours
Free Cancellation: 72 Hours Prior Notice
Want to amp up your Hawaiian vacation, then get ready for this exhilarating, adrenaline-pumping shark adventures tour where you’ll be up with the majestic predators in their natural habitat. You’ll be inside a transparent cage, and due to the clear waters, you’ll be able to see these creatures clearly.
Be attentive under the water as you might even get a chance to spot many fish species around you, along with the Honu, dolphins, and even humpback whales (November to May). We’ll give you all the required gear so you can have great fun on the tour. Make sure to book this tour as early as possible, as the waters are calm in the morning.
#9-Turtle Canyon Snorkeling Adventure (Starting at $129)
Entry: Printed or Mobile Voucher
Tour Duration: 3 Hours
Free Cancellation: 72 Hours Prior Notice
Have an amazing snorkeling adventure where you’ll swim alongside Hawaii’s most loved Honu and explore life underwater through Waikiki’s clear waters! This tour is perfect for snorkelers of all levels. We will also have our guides in the water with you, pointing out all the fascinating wildlife, including tropical fish found only in Hawaii.
There’s also an option to ride along on the boat, so if you have anyone who doesn’t want to go into the water but wants to experience the vibrant sea life, you can tag them along with you. Highlights of this dive include visiting turtle cleaning stations and seeing a wide variety of fish unique to the islands.
#10- Turtle Canyon Snorkeling with Lunch (Starting at $125)
Entry: Printed or Mobile Voucher
Tour Duration: 3 Hours
Free Cancellation: 72 Hours Prior Notice
Get a chance to swim with the Honu and be around the unique Hawaiian fishes. You’ll be boarding on our double-decker boat to take in the beautiful views of the Waikiki coast and the Diamond Head. Apart from the beautiful views, you’ll also get to experience the Hawaiian tradition on board.
From a delicious lunch to unique adult beverages, you’ll get everything on our boat. But be attentive as you sail, as you might spot other aquatic creatures, such as Hawaiian spinner dolphins or humpback whales, especially during the winter months.
#11-Hanauma Bay Snorkeling (Starting at $55)
Entry: Printed or Mobile Voucher
Tour Duration: 5 Hours
Free Cancellation: 72 Hours Prior Notice
Hanauma Bay is a must-visit for anyone looking to experience the best of Oahu’s natural beauty! This marine conservation area and underwater park offers the perfect spot to swim through calm waters and explore a vibrant coral reef teeming with over 450 species of tropical fish—many of which are native to Hawaii.
This tour offers a perfect mix of fun and education, complete with a short Nature Conservancy video before entering the bay. For the best experience, we recommend booking the 6 AM shuttle to beat the crowds. Hanauma Bay is closed on Mondays, Tuesdays, and state holidays, so plan your trip accordingly.
Let's Talk About The Price
Each tour we’ve mentioned here offers a range of experiences across various price points and activities. The most experienced one, The Oahu Original Private Island Tour, is the most exclusive. At $1,399, it provides a fully customizable adventure with options like snorkeling, kayaking, and sightseeing for groups of up to 24 people. The lowest on this list can be done down to $55, which is The Hanauma Bay Snorkeling, the most affordable option. It allows guests to explore a marine conservation area rich with aquatic life. Whatever tour you choose from the list, each will give you a different perspective of the Hawaiian island.
Cancellation Policy
If you cancel at least 72 hours in advance, you’ll get a full refund. You’ll also be refunded in full if we have to cancel due to weather or unexpected events. However, if you cancel late or don’t show up, you’ll be charged the full amount. Same-day bookings are final—no cancellations or refunds are allowed.
Conclusion
In Oahu, Honolulu offers a wide range of snorkeling tours that are perfect for experienced snorkelers as well as beginners. Due to its sheltered waters, it’s a great snorkeling spot for everyone. Each tour provides a unique way to experience Hawaii’s underwater beauty, from vibrant coral reefs to encounters with sea turtles, dolphins, and tropical fish. No matter which one you choose, you’re sure to create unforgettable memories in the beautiful Hawaiian waters.
FAQs
Oahu is home to several fantastic snorkeling locations, with some ideal spots being Shark’s Cove, Hanauma Bay, Waikiki Beach, Kuilima Cove, Makaha Beach Park, Lanikai Beach, and Ko Olina Lagoons.
Snorkeling is great year-round, but the best visibility and calm waters are typically in the summer months or between April and October. During winter months, some areas may have rougher surf.
Yes! Green sea turtles are often spotted in Oahu’s waters, especially at sites like Hanauma Bay and Laniakea Beach. Remember to respect their space and avoid touching or chasing them.
Basic swimming skills are essential for snorkeling. You should feel comfortable in the water and be able to float or swim to safety if necessary.
Some locations, like Hanauma Bay, require an entrance fee, while others, like public beaches, do not. Check the specific site for current fees and regulations.