Turtle Canyon snorkel tours from Waikiki: 6 compared
Six Turtle Canyon snorkel tours from Waikiki compared by departure point, boat, group size, turtle guarantee and price, plus what to expect in the water.
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On this page
Turtle Canyon is a shallow reef a short boat ride off Waikiki where green sea turtles come to have their shells cleaned by reef fish. It is the easiest way to see turtles on Oahu if you are staying in Waikiki: no car, no reservation system, and a two-hour trip that fits around breakfast.
The tours are all similar, so the decision comes down to where the boat leaves from, how many people are on it and whether there is a guide in the water with you.
The 6 tours compared
| Tour | Leaves from | Time | Group | From | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided snorkel with turtle guaranteeViator: beginners, turtle guarantee | Waikiki | About 2 h | Guides in the water | $75–85 | Check availability |
| Small-group catamaran snorkelViator: smallest group | Waikiki | About 2 h | About 6 guests | $85 | Check availability |
| 2-hour Turtle Canyon sailViator: sail from the sand | Waikiki beach | 2 h | Sailing catamaran | $81 | Check availability |
| Turtle Canyon snorkeling tourGetYourGuide: walkable from hotels | Hilton lagoon | About 2 h | Boat | $81 | Check availability |
| Turtle Canyons cruise and snorkelGetYourGuide: smoothest ride, drinks | Kewalo Basin | About 2.5 h | Large catamaran | $89 | Check availability |
| All Oahu snorkeling toursViator: every option | Oahu | Varies | Varies | — | See all tours |
Prices are the lowest listed price when we last checked. Check what is included: some trips add drinks, photos or a second snorkel stop.
Where the boats leave from
Waikiki beach catamarans
Central Waikiki
- Entry
- Departure point
- Best months
- Year-round
- Facilities
- Beach facilities
How to get there
Sailing catamarans load directly from the sand in front of the central Waikiki hotels. Expect to wade in up to your knees.
21.276° N, 157.827° WDirections
Hilton Hawaiian Village lagoon
West end of Waikiki
- Entry
- Departure point
- Best months
- Year-round
- Facilities
- Resort area
- Fees and permits
- Paid parking
How to get there
Walk along Waikiki Beach to the Duke Kahanamoku lagoon next to the Hilton Hawaiian Village. Boats board from the beach or the nearby pier.
21.283° N, 157.840° WDirections
Kewalo Basin Harbor
Between Waikiki and downtown Honolulu
- Entry
- Departure point
- Best months
- Year-round
- Facilities
- Restrooms, food
- Fees and permits
- Paid parking
How to get there
Off Ala Moana Boulevard next to Ala Moana Beach Park. About 10 minutes by car or rideshare from central Waikiki.
21.293° N, 157.857° WDirections
If you are staying in central Waikiki, the beach catamarans and the Hilton lagoon are a walk away. Kewalo Basin departures need a short ride but use bigger, more stable boats.
What happens in the water
Turtle Canyon
About a mile off Waikiki
- Level
- 1 of 5
- Entry
- Boat only
- Depth
- 20–35 ft
- Visibility
- Good
- Best months
- Year-round
- Facilities
- On the boat
- Fees and permits
- Included in tour
- What you'll see
- Green sea turtles at cleaning stations, reef fish
How to get there
Boat only. Departures from Waikiki beach, the Hilton Hawaiian Village lagoon and Kewalo Basin.
21.268° N, 157.832° WDirections
- Briefing on the boat: how to use the mask and snorkel, the rules around turtles and where to swim.
- Into the water with a noodle or vest. Guides often swim with a float you can hold.
- Look down. Turtles rest on the reef 20 to 35 feet below and come up to breathe every few minutes, often right next to snorkelers.
- Back on board after 45 to 60 minutes.
How to choose
- Nervous swimmer or kids: pick a trip with guides in the water and a stable catamaran.
- Want space: small-group catamarans take about six guests.
- Seasick easily: choose a large catamaran from Kewalo Basin and a morning time slot.
- Short on time: all of these run about two hours.
Turtle rules
- Stay at least 10 feet (3 meters) away. Turtles are protected under US law.
- Do not touch, chase, ride or block a turtle heading to the surface to breathe.
- Do not feed fish or turtles.
If you are new to snorkeling, a snorkel vest makes deep water much less stressful. For more turtle spots, see best snorkeling on Oahu.
