Turtles & You
Turtles & You
The best turtle snorkeling Oahu has to offer starts a short boat ride off Waikiki Beach, at a protected reef where Hawaiian green sea turtles feed and rest all year. You do not need experience, you do not need a rental car, and you do not need to guess where to look. We take you straight to them.
Snorkeling with turtles here is calmer than most first-timers expect. The Ariya II, our double-deck powerboat, leaves Kewalo Basin Harbor in Honolulu and reaches the reef in minutes. You float at the surface in a life jacket while the honu move through the water below you, roughly 15 to 25 feet down, and most guests get about 45 minutes out there to swim with sea turtles over the coral.
Every Waikiki turtle snorkeling tour includes the gear, a full safety briefing from our CPR-certified crew, a snack and a cold drink on deck, and live hula on the ride home. The free Turtle Trolley collects you at your Waikiki hotel, so there is no parking to sort out and no driving. Show up in your swimsuit and we handle the rest.
Responsible sea turtle snorkeling matters to us more than a full boat does. We are eco-certified by the Sustainable Tourism Association of Hawaii, we require reef-safe sunscreen, we keep group sizes small, and we brief every guest on honu etiquette before anyone gets in the water. These turtles have been returning to this stretch of coast for generations, and how people behave around them is a large part of why they still do.
Whether it is your first time in a mask or your hundredth, this is the kind of turtle snorkeling Oahu is known for. We run two departures a day out of Honolulu, at 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM, and we hold a 5.0-star Google rating across more than 500 five-star reviews. If you have been looking for a straightforward way to snorkel with turtles without renting gear or driving across the island, this is it. Summer dates fill first.
From turtle snorkeling Oahu tours to waterfall swimming, discover all of the island’s most spectacular experiences with Turtles & You.
The honu are not just an Oahu story. Meet them on Maui, the Big Island, and Kauai with the same eco-minded crews and all gear included.
Our Waikiki turtle snorkeling tour hops aboard a double-decker powerboat and cruises out of Waikiki to a protected reef where Hawaiian green sea turtles gather year-round. Tropical fish and vibrant coral await you just below the surface. Snorkel gear, a fresh snack and drink, a live Hula show and your free Waikiki Hotel Trolley pickup are all included on this eco-certified tour.
It is a protected reef just minutes offshore, where Hawaiian green sea turtles gather year-round. Our tour takes you straight there with free Waikiki hotel trolley pickup, all snorkel gear, a snack and drink, and eco-certified guides included.
The full experience lasts about 2 hours. You will spend roughly 45 minutes snorkeling at the reef, with the remaining time cruising between Kewalo Basin Harbor and the snorkel site. Two daily departures run at 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM.
Your tour includes round-trip Waikiki hotel trolley pickup, all snorkel gear (mask, fins, and life jacket), a complimentary snack and soft drink on deck, a live Hawaiian chant and hula performance, and a temporary Polynesian-style turtle tattoo. An onboard bar is available for additional beverage purchases.
Absolutely. Our CPR-certified crew provides a full safety briefing before you enter the water, and life jackets are available for everyone. The reef sits just 15 to 25 feet below the surface in calm, clear water, making this a great first snorkeling experience for guests of all skill levels.
Wear your swimsuit under casual clothes. Bring a beach towel, sunglasses, a hat, and reef-safe sunscreen. Shoes are not permitted on the boat, so wear sandals you can slip off easily. A light jacket is recommended during winter months for the return cruise.
Yes. Turtles and You is eco-certified by the Sustainable Tourism Association of Hawaii. We keep group sizes small, require reef-safe sunscreen, maintain safe honu distances, and brief every guest on sea turtle etiquette so every trip stays gentle on the reef.
Yes. Our complimentary Turtle Trolley picks up guests at Waikiki hotels before each departure. Morning pickups begin at 8:40 AM and afternoon pickups begin at 11:35 AM. Your booking confirmation will include the specific pickup details for your hotel.
All tours depart from Kewalo Basin Harbor, located at 1125 Ala Moana Blvd, Pier D, Slip 111, Honolulu, HI 96814, about 10 minutes from Waikiki by car or shuttle.
No. Full snorkel gear including mask, fins, and life jacket is provided for every guest at no extra charge. You are welcome to bring your own equipment if you prefer, but it is not required.
Each guest receives a complimentary snack and soft drink on deck. An onboard bar is available with beer, wine, and cocktails for purchase. Guests 21 and older may purchase alcoholic beverages during the cruise.
Our tour heads to a protected reef just offshore from Waikiki, about 10 to 15 minutes by boat. It is one of the most consistent Hawaiian green sea turtle gathering spots on Oahu, where the honu come to rest, feed, and be cleaned by reef fish. The reef sits 15 to 25 feet below the surface with excellent visibility year-round.
Hawaiian green sea turtles are protected under the federal Endangered Species Act and Hawaii state law. Guests are required to maintain a safe distance from the turtles at all times. Our guides brief everyone on proper etiquette before they enter the water and monitor interactions throughout the snorkeling session.
In addition to Hawaiian green sea turtles, guests regularly spot tropical reef fish and vibrant coral formations. Spinner dolphins are occasionally visible from the boat, and during winter and spring, humpback whales can sometimes be seen offshore.
On the rare occasion that no turtles are seen and the captain confirms this for all passengers, we invite you back on a future tour at no charge. The rebooking is valid for three years from your original tour date.
Full refunds are available for cancellations made at least 48 hours before your departure time. Changes made within 48 hours are non-refundable. Trip Protection is available at booking for added flexibility.
We operate in light rain and mild conditions. If ocean conditions require us to cancel, we will notify you in advance and offer the option to reschedule or receive a full refund.
Yes. To protect the coral reef and the turtles, all guests must use reef-safe sunscreen. Regular sunscreen contains chemicals harmful to coral and marine life. Please plan accordingly before your tour.
Children as young as 2 years old are welcome on the tour, and guests ages 2 to 11 receive a discounted rate. All minors must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
Unfortunately, the vessel and hotel shuttle are not wheelchair accessible. Please contact us before booking if you have specific mobility questions and we will do our best to assist.
2025-2026
Turtles & You holds certification from the Sustainable Tourism Association of Hawai‘i. Every tour is thoughtfully designed to protect Hawaii’s beloved Green Sea Turtles, we educate guests, respect wildlife boundaries, and leave the reef better than we found it.
The easiest part of the whole day starts before you ever reach the water. Our complimentary Turtle Trolley picks you up right at your Waikiki hotel and brings you to the harbor, so there is no rental car, no parking, and no stress. For families and visitors without a car, that free round trip pickup is one of the best reasons to book with us.
Once you are aboard, everything is handled for you. All snorkel gear, a full safety briefing from our CPR-certified crew, a complimentary snack and drink, and a live Hawaiian hula performance are included. All you have to do is show up ready to swim with Hawaiian green sea turtles in the calm, clear water just off Waikiki.
Every trip is also built around protecting the very turtles you came to see. As an eco-certified operator, we keep groups small, brief each guest on honu-safe distances before anyone enters the water, and require reef-safe sunscreen to shield the coral. That care is a big part of why the honu keep returning to these Waikiki waters, and why the reef stays healthy enough to share season after season.
Reserve your spot online in minutes, then let the free Waikiki hotel trolley bring you to the harbor. No rental car, no parking, no stress.
Board the boat, meet our CPR-certified crew, and enjoy a short, scenic ride to the reef with Diamond Head and the Waikiki skyline in view.
Slip into calm, clear water for about 45 minutes above the sea turtles, then relax with a snack and a live hula performance on the ride home.
Witness humpback whales breaching in Hawaiian waters during their spectacular annual migration season. One of nature’s most awe-inspiring sights, right off the coast of Oahu.
Spots fill fast, so book the most trusted turtle snorkeling tour on Oahu and make your Hawaii vacation truly unforgettable.
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