This 49-passenger boat is capped at just 20 guests — under half capacity — for a roomier deck and far more attention from the crew than a packed tour.
What's included
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Snorkel gear — mask, snorkel and fins
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Flotation vests for every guest
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Friendly in-water guides
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Safety briefing and instruction
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100% turtle sighting guarantee (free rebook)
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Reef-safe, eco-conscious operation
About this tour
Jump into an underwater adventure at Turtle Canyon, Waikiki's famous reef where Hawaiian green sea turtles gather to be cleaned by reef fish. It's one of Oahu's most reliable spots to see honu in the wild — and it's only reachable by boat, so you'll leave the beach crowds behind.
This is a shared tour aboard the Big Kahuna, our 54-foot power boat. Although she's licensed for 49 passengers, we intentionally cap this trip at just 20 guests, so there's plenty of room on deck and far more attention from the crew than a full boat would allow.
Best of all, our experienced guides are hands-on the whole way through — in the water with you, pointing out turtles and reef life, and making sure every guest, from first-timers and families to confident swimmers, feels comfortable and has a great time. Capping the group at 20 is what lets the crew give that kind of personal attention. Snorkel gear, flotation and in-water guides are all included — and with two full hours on the water, there's no rushing, just real time to enjoy it.
From the quality of our gear to the duration, the small group size and the focus of the tour, every part of this trip is intentionally designed to be an awesome time for guests of every level. We can't wait to show you an amazing time on the water.
Frequently asked questions
Are turtle sightings guaranteed?
Yes. We offer a 100% turtle sighting guarantee on our snorkel tours — if we don't spot a sea turtle during your trip, you're welcome to rebook another tour for free.
What makes your guiding different?
Our guides are experienced and hands-on — in the water with you throughout, pointing out turtles and reef life and helping everyone, from first-timers to strong swimmers, feel comfortable. Because we cap the group at 20 (on a boat licensed for 49), they can give real, personal attention rather than managing a crowd.
Does the tour feel rushed?
Not at all — the tour runs a full 2 hours on the water, so there's real time to snorkel and enjoy the experience rather than rushing from one thing to the next.
Do I need snorkeling experience?
No. Every guest gets a flotation vest, gear and a briefing before getting in the water, and our guides stay with the group throughout. Most of our guests are first-timers.
What should I bring or wear?
A swimsuit you can move in, reef-safe sunscreen (applied before you board), a towel and a change of clothes for after. We provide all snorkel gear. Note we keep a barefoot policy on all our boats, so you'll go shoeless onboard unless you need to keep shoes on for medical reasons.
Where do we depart from?
This tour runs aboard the Big Kahuna and departs from Pier A at Kewalo Basin Harbor, 1125 Ala Moana Blvd, Honolulu — just minutes from Waikiki with easy parking nearby. We depart from two piers depending on your boat, so please confirm your exact pier and meeting point in your booking confirmation.
Additional details & policies
Cancellation Policy
Customers will receive a full refund or credit with 48 hours' notice of cancellation. Customers will also receive a full refund or credit in case of operator cancellation due to weather, minimum seats not being filled or other unforeseen circumstances. Contact us by phone to cancel or inquire about a cancellation. No-shows will be charged the full price.
Departure Time / Late Arrivals
Out of respect to our guests we attempt to leave on time for every trip. If you are running late and do not arrive at the boat prior to the start of the passenger safety briefing your ticket will be forfeited. Refunds cannot be processed for no-shows or late arrivals, so please plan ahead and arrive on time.
Weather Cancellation
In the event of unsafe weather or heavy rain we will cancel the tour. We will notify guests via email and text message (if a text message-capable phone number has been provided) as soon as the cancellation is made. If you purchased your ticket directly through Hawaii Ocean Charters you'll have the option of rescheduling (based on availability) or a full refund. If your ticket was purchased through a 3rd party you'll have the option of rescheduling (based on availability). As we do not control the refunds of 3rd parties or daily deal sites, please refer to the refund policy of the business you purchased your ticket through in the event of a cancellation.
Parking
Parking is available at Kewalo Basin Boat Harbor for $2 per hour. Pay machines accept cash and credit cards. Please refer to the Kewalo Basin Boat Harbor map in your confirmation email for parking areas and our boat's location. Please arrange your own transportation to the boat, located at Kewalo Basin, 1125 Ala Moana Blvd, Pier A, Honolulu, HI 96814.
Sea Sickness
Generally the ocean is calm near Waikiki, but if you are prone to sea sickness or are not accustomed to being aboard ocean-going boats we suggest you consult your doctor or pharmacist about taking preventative measures prior to your trip.
