Wild Dolphin Watching and Snorkel Safari off West Coast of Oahu

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Tour Overview

Spend the day snorkeling with wild marine life on this full-day cruise along the Waianae Coast in west Oahu. During the cruise, watch spinner dolphins and sea turtles riding the ocean waves and look out for migrating humpback whales (January–March). Snorkel in calm waters among the dolphins and coral reef and enjoy a hot or cold lunch after the cruise. Includes snorkel gear and return transportation (select hotels).


  • Tour Name: Wild Dolphin Watching and Snorkel Safari off West Coast of Oahu
  • Availability: 7 Days A Week
  • Duration: 3h
  • Start Time: Check availability

What's Included

  • Snorkel gear: mask (prescription masks available), snorkel, fins and a life vests
  • Dolphin viewing
  • Seasonal Humpback whale viewing (winter months only)
  • Both of our Dolphin Excursion tours include a deli style lunch with a customized sandwich and chips. Assorted non alcoholic beverages are available in a cooler on the boat, easy to access.
  • Hotel transportation included on our Dolphin Excursions.

What’s not included

  • Gratuities
  • Wet suits available to rent for $10
  • GoPro Rental $40.00, you keep the SD card.

What to expect

Get ready to have a whale of a time off the western coast of Oahu. Your meeting point is the Waianae Boat Harbor or you can request a pickup from your Waikiki or Ko Olina hotel. Lifeguard certified naturalists and marine biologists will join you on a USCG vessel.

Head out into the waters in hopes of spotting marine life like dolphins, seabirds, and humpback whales, depending on the season. Because this excursion is both a wildlife viewing tour and a snorkel tour, you have double the opportunity to spot Hawaii’s marine life.

Gear is included, but food isn’t, so bring your own meal if you’d like to enjoy lunch at sea. Dive back into the water one more time in hopes of swimming with tropical fish before heading back to harbor.

Departure and return

Start:Multiple pickup locations offered.

85-639 Farrington Hwy, Waianae, HI 96792, USA
Check in time is 30 minutes before your tour time.

Meet us NEXT TO Spinners Cafe at the Waianae Boat Harbor: 85-491 Farrington Hwy, Waianae, Hawaii 96792.

Make sure you type in “Waianae” or the zip code “96792” so you do not get routed to the wrong Farrington Hwy. There are two on Oahu.

Pickup details
We pick up at most hotels in Waikiki and Ko Olina. If we do not pick up at your hotel in those areas, we will give you one nearby. This is only because some hotels do not have accessibility for our vans.

HOTEL PICK UP must be SET UP before 4:00 pm the day before the activity date. After hour bookings are self drive to the Waianae Boat Harbor only.

Hotel pickup offered
During checkout you will be able to select from the list of included hotels.

End:This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Additional information

  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Not recommended for travellers with back problems
  • No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
  • Most travellers can participate
  • We do not allow children under 4 years old.
  • We will only be able to pick up from hotels on the early morning 7:00 am departure. Later morning 10:30 am departure is meet at harbor only.
  • This experience requires good weather. If it’s cancelled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
  • This experience requires a minimum number of travellers. If it’s cancelled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 16 travellers

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 48 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

Current Progress
Current Progress
Current Progress
Checking Real time availability

Adult$180
Child$135

Current Progress
Current Progress
Current Progress
Checking Real time availability

Adult$180
Child$135

Tour Overview

Spend the day snorkeling with wild marine life on this full-day cruise along the Waianae Coast in west Oahu. During the cruise, watch spinner dolphins and sea turtles riding the ocean waves and look out for migrating humpback whales (January–March). Snorkel in calm waters among the dolphins and coral reef and enjoy a hot or cold lunch after the cruise. Includes snorkel gear and return transportation (select hotels).


  • Tour Name: [acf field="tour_name"]
  • Availability: 7 Days A Week
  • Duration: 3h
  • Start Time: Check availability

What's Included

  • Snorkel gear: mask (prescription masks available), snorkel, fins and a life vests
  • Dolphin viewing
  • Seasonal Humpback whale viewing (winter months only)
  • Both of our Dolphin Excursion tours include a deli style lunch with a customized sandwich and chips. Assorted non alcoholic beverages are available in a cooler on the boat, easy to access.
  • Hotel transportation included on our Dolphin Excursions.

What’s not included

  • Gratuities
  • Wet suits available to rent for $10
  • GoPro Rental $40.00, you keep the SD card.

What to expect

Get ready to have a whale of a time off the western coast of Oahu. Your meeting point is the Waianae Boat Harbor or you can request a pickup from your Waikiki or Ko Olina hotel. Lifeguard certified naturalists and marine biologists will join you on a USCG vessel.

Head out into the waters in hopes of spotting marine life like dolphins, seabirds, and humpback whales, depending on the season. Because this excursion is both a wildlife viewing tour and a snorkel tour, you have double the opportunity to spot Hawaii’s marine life.

Gear is included, but food isn’t, so bring your own meal if you’d like to enjoy lunch at sea. Dive back into the water one more time in hopes of swimming with tropical fish before heading back to harbor.

Departure and return

Start:Multiple pickup locations offered.

85-639 Farrington Hwy, Waianae, HI 96792, USA
Check in time is 30 minutes before your tour time.

Meet us NEXT TO Spinners Cafe at the Waianae Boat Harbor: 85-491 Farrington Hwy, Waianae, Hawaii 96792.

Make sure you type in “Waianae” or the zip code “96792” so you do not get routed to the wrong Farrington Hwy. There are two on Oahu.

Pickup details
We pick up at most hotels in Waikiki and Ko Olina. If we do not pick up at your hotel in those areas, we will give you one nearby. This is only because some hotels do not have accessibility for our vans.

HOTEL PICK UP must be SET UP before 4:00 pm the day before the activity date. After hour bookings are self drive to the Waianae Boat Harbor only.

Hotel pickup offered
During checkout you will be able to select from the list of included hotels.

End:This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Additional information

  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Not recommended for travellers with back problems
  • No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
  • Most travellers can participate
  • We do not allow children under 4 years old.
  • We will only be able to pick up from hotels on the early morning 7:00 am departure. Later morning 10:30 am departure is meet at harbor only.
  • This experience requires good weather. If it’s cancelled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
  • This experience requires a minimum number of travellers. If it’s cancelled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 16 travellers

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 48 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

What others are saying...

golformeca Avatar
golformeca
Surprise, AZ
5 star rating
9/18/2024
Excellent Snorkel Experience, and in the Water with Dolphins! I’ve been snorkeling for years, but never had a chance to swim with dolphins! I jumped at this opportunity, and it was exceptional! Jenna, Ashley and team over-delivered from start to finish. Communication was excellent—when I called to ask a question, I spoke to team members, not an answering service. This is a small boat with a max of 16 —we had a group of just 8 which was great. We were able to move around the boat as we spotted dolphins. Lots of snorkel trips offer Waikiki pickups, but with Dolphin Excursions we were picked up at our hotel-not a small thing at 5:00AM! Once we got to Waianae Harbor, we got our gear and lunches and boarded the RIB.Jenna asked the group what we hoped for from the trip—we were unanimous in wanting to swim with dolphins, so she focused on finding pods of spotted dolphins that seemed amenable to company. What an experience!! We stopped several times—being in the water (3,000 feet deep!) as they swam by was incredible! Also got to hang off the boat as it slowly cruised—it felt like you were swimming along with them! With such a small group, it was easy to ask questions and learn about the animals’ behaviors.We finished up our 3 hour trip with snorkeling off a deserted beach near the NW tip of Oahu. So fun to be in crystal clear water with no other boats in sight!!After we got off the boat we had some time to change and eat our lunches before the drive back to our Waikiki hotels.This was a terrific trip, and it exceeded my expectations. I would highly recommend for experienced snorkelers/swimmers who are comfortable in the ocean. I don’t think it is a good fit for a first timer. I brought a big bag along, but would have been fine with a refillable water bottle, sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, change of clothes and towel. Their gear was great. We stopped and got into the water 5 or 6 times—they have ladders on each side of the boat to climb back in, so you need to be able to manage that—I’m 75, and got in the water at every opportunity. Have to admit I was wiped out at the end of the day.I read a review about a group that went out on this trip three times during their Oahu stay…I get it! I’m planning to do it again next visit!!
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Kristen K. Avatar
Kristen K.
5 star rating
9/17/2024
Best Tour on Oahu! Unbelievable experience seeing spotted dolphins, being able to get in the water and snorkeling with all kinds of fish and seeing a few turtles! Highly recommend. Will be back!
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Maps29299256795 Avatar
Maps29299256795
5 star rating
9/13/2024
Great Snorkeling experience Beautiful experience. We had the chance not only to see dolphins, but also turtles and pilot whales. The crew at Dolphin excursions were great. Always trying to make everyone comfortable and giving us directions of where to look to not miss anything. I would definitely recommend this experience.
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Micha Avatar
Micha
5 star rating
9/08/2024
We went three times in one week! We went three times in one week 'cause it's so much fun and the crew is absolutely awesome. Our captain Jenna always tried her best to show us as many different species as possible and our guide Ashley enlightened us about the animals and kept everyone safe in the water. We saw a pod of spotted dolphins and were able to get in the water with them. They even had babies. It was just fascinating. We also saw spinner dolphins, a monk seal, an eagle ray, turtles and lots of fish. Each day on the water is different and you never know what beautiful things you'll see.We're definately coming back in winter!Ps: the sandwiches you get were delicious too :)
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J B. Avatar
J B.
5 star rating
8/31/2024
Excellent Excursion This trip was fantastic. Jenna and Jaylen were friendly and knowledgeable, and we had a great time on the boat ride, snorkeling with dolphins in the open ocean, and snorkeling around the coral reefs nearer to shore (there were several sea turtles around). This one is worth the money, and we will likely go with this same company if we come back to Hawaii.
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Peter K. Avatar
Peter K.
5 star rating
8/29/2024
Incredible 👌🏼 This was incredible 👌🏼 Professional (and extremely nice) people and the tour was amazing. Can highly recommend it 🤗
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Kristen G. Avatar
Kristen G.
5 star rating
8/16/2024
Unforgettable Experience This was an unforgettable experience allowing us to snorkel with pilot whales, dolphins, and sea turtles. The knowledgeable staff were excellent at pointing out various marine life and knowing where to go for the best chance at sitings. Highly recommend.
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Vanessa B. Avatar
Vanessa B.
Longueuil, QC
5 star rating
8/13/2024
Amazing ! The crew was amazing and answered all our questions. We got lucky and swam with the spotted dolphins and then had the chance to see up close and personal the spinners from the boat. Overall, definitely recommend !
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Dennis P. Avatar
Dennis P.
5 star rating
8/09/2024
Best snorkeling in Hawaii Dolphin Excursions snorkeling and dolphin tour is second to none. All crew and captain are amazing, knowledgeable, and educated marine biologists that keep you safe and informed the entire time. We got to swim along side and see dolphins, pilot whales, sea turtles, colorful fish and even a stingray. Truly amazing experience and we will definitely be back! Love, love, love this company!
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James C. Avatar
James C.
Los Angeles, CA
5 star rating
8/07/2024
A Great Way to Start a Trip! Jenna, Lisa, and Mandy were amazing! They made sure everyone was taken care of during the ride and went to great lengths to make sure we were able to get in the water with dolphins! Their knowledge of the sea life and the surrounding areas made for great conversation en route and during the spotting of dolphins and turtles! We would definitely go again. Our tour consisted of 12 people, 8 of which had already been once before! A great time overall - definitely go in the morning to beat the heat.
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