Top Oahu Wildlife Encounters in 2026

Experience the thrill of shark cage diving along the north shore of Oahu with this small-group adventure. Meet your guide and board a boat to head out into the ocean. Get up close and personal with sharks in an underwater cage that allows for safe snorkeling in shark-filled waters. See the beauty of a variety of marine life during this tour, run by a company that is owned by Native-Hawaiian watermen.

Go swimming with turtles in Hawaii during this experience in Waikiki. Climb aboard a catamaran and head out with naturalist guides to a snorkeling point. Get in the water to see coral reefs and view a variety of marine life, including turtles. Learn about the animals, the local environment, and what you can do to help with different oceanic issues during the tour.

Experience the thrill of meeting sharks face-to-face in the pristine waters of Oahu on this cage-diving adventure. See Hawaii's majestic hunters — Galapagos and Sandbar sharks in their natural environment — surrounded by the deep blue of Oahu’s North Shore. Observe from the safety of a floating cage. Stay on the surface, then using a mask and snorkel, look through large polyglass windows to watch the sharks as they gracefully glide by.

Set out from Oahu’s scenic North Shore to the depths of the big blue Pacific, where you have the chance to observe wild sharks from inside an underwater shark cage. Thanks to your professional, experienced crew, the Oahu shark dive is completely safe as they know the predators’ behavior, and the underwater cage provides proven safety against all different species of sharks. Whether you’re in the cage with sharks right in front of you or watching from up in the boat, Oahu shark diving is a Hawaii activity you’ll definitely never forget.

Experience the wonder of Hanauma Bay, one of Oahu’s most-loved sights. The volcanic crater is a protected marine-life conservation area with an amazing array of tropical fish and coral reefs. This service takes the stress and hassle out of the experience, with organized transportation and snorkel gear. Because of the sight’s popularity, the parking lot often fills up, halting entrance to the beach.

Leave your preconceptions about sharks at the door and get up close to these sleek creatures on this unique ocean experience. Head out from Haleiwa, on the North Shore of O’ahu, and spend around half an hour swimming with the sharks living in the area. Don’t worry, though: even if you aren’t swimming in a cage, you’re still in safe hands, with a guide on board and a safety diver swimming with each group.

Discover the beauty of Oahu's coastal scenery—and spot its marine life, including pods of dolphins—on this half-day swimming and snorkeling boat tour. Following pickup from your hotel, head to your catamaran and hop aboard. After you set sail, embark on a swimming or snorkeling session to see fish, octopuses, and other marine life in its natural habitat.

See where famous movies such as "Jumanji", "Jurassic Park", "Jurassic World", and "50 First Dates" were filmed. A guide leads you to Hollywood hot spots and provides background on the history of the ranch. Travel by vintage school bus past some of the island’s most stunning natural attractions, such as Mokoli’i Island, Kaneohe Bay, and the Ko’olau Range.

Choose Viator’s most-reviewed Turtle Canyon snorkel tour, with more than 4,800 traveler reviews and an experienced crew focused on a professionally guided in-water experience. Our snorkel guides enter the water with the group, help locate Hawaiian green sea turtles and reef life, and provide hands-on instruction and flotation support for newer snorkelers. Book with confidence with our Turtle Guarantee. If the snorkel group does not see a sea turtle during the in-water portion of the tour, everyone on the trip may return free for another Turtle Canyon tour within 12 months, subject to availability. • 4,800+ traveler reviews — the most-reviewed Turtle Canyon snorkel tour on Viator • Experienced guides stay in the water with the snorkel group • Snorkel instruction, flotation and hands-on support for first-time snorkelers • Turtle Guarantee: if the snorkel group does not see a sea turtle, everyone on the trip may return free within 12 months, subject to availability

Set sail on the Pacific—and see if you can spot whales, dolphins, sea turtles, and other marine life—on this family-friendly catamaran cruise. In the morning, head to the Honolulu waterfront, hop aboard your vessel, and set sail along the Waikiki shore. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the views over the water, all while your guide looks out for migratory humpback whales.

Go beyond the water's surface and experience the vibrant underwater world off the coast of Oahu with this all-inclusive beginner scuba diving adventure. Gear up for your adventure and learn the basics of scuba diving alongside PADI-certified divers. Then, slip into the water and take in the amazing wildlife, from colorful coral reefs to sea turtles and octopuses.

Honey-making is big in Hawaii, but arranging a bee farm visit independently is a hassle most vacationers don't need. Make things easy with this small-group bee farm and honey tasting ecotour near Waialua. Stroll the farm's banana fields, learn about its organic beekeeping, and dress as a beekeeper to visit the hives. View the bees close-up—perhaps even seeing the queen and a bee birth—and hold raw honeycomb frame before sampling some homemade honeys.

Traveling on two wheels lets you go to places big vehicles can't reach and is one of the best ways to explore Hawaii. Honolulu's roads can get congested, though, which means it's all the better to head off the beaten path. This guided bike tour takes you to remote areas, through lush rainforest, far away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Best of all, riding an electric bike requires little effort.

The Honolulu area is fun to explore independently, but getting from point to point on public transportation can be time consuming. Make hitting up the top attractions easy and convenient with a 1-, 4-, or 7-day hop-on hop-off trolly pass. Choose from multiple routes, marveling at Diamond Head on the Blue Line or explore Chinatown on the Red Line, or opt to include all of the lines on your ticket.

Guaranteed to see sea turtles! Our company follows a hands-free, no-touching approach on all snorkel tours. When we enter the ocean, we are guests in the marine animals’ home, and we strive to be respectful and peaceful so as not to disturb their natural behaviors. Touching marine life—including sea turtles, sea urchins, and starfish—is strictly prohibited. You may observe other operators or individuals touching wildlife; however, this practice is harmful and destructive to marine animals and their environment. We are committed to responsible, ethical wildlife interactions that prioritize ocean health. Our vessel is limited to a maximum of six guests, providing a VIP-level experience without the VIP price. With a low guide-to-guest ratio, we offer personalized attention while minimizing stress on wildlife. Safety is a top priority, & all guides are lifeguard certified. Photo and/or video package is available. Our images have been awarded 1st place in Honolulu’s Wildlife Magazine.

Maximize your chances of seeing whales in Hawaii with a Waikiki whale-watching cruise. Cruise along Oahu’s coastline aboard a spacious vessel designed for optimal viewing, while the crew helps you spot humpback whales and provides insights into their behavior, as well as Hawaiian history and culture. Along the way, soak in sweeping ocean and shoreline views.

Sail on a catamaran down Oahu's western coast during this cruise from Ko Olina. Glide through unspoiled waters in search of dolphins and whales, then snorkel in a hidden local spot rich with marine life. Enjoy a Hawaiian buffet with alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, plus convenient hotel pickup. Choose from three daily departure times.

Highlights: • Intimate sunset cruise just minutes from Waikiki • Curated Artisan wine tasting! • Complimentary local samplings from the island of Oahu • Live performances onboard • Optional ocean swim with stunning Diamond Head views • Breathtaking twilight and ocean scenery • Possible wildlife sightings: sea turtles, dolphins, and seasonal whales • Warm, knowledgeable, and welcoming staff and crew family

Swap the typical sightseeing tours for the chance to forge a deeper connection with the ocean and Hawaiian culture. This private, research-style marine expedition aboard a 34-foot (10-meter) catamaran is guided by marine naturalists and cultural interpreters who maximize your chances of seeing dolphins, whales, and sea turtles while sharing stories about the spiritual connections between the ocean and Hawaiian people.

Cruise out in search of turtles on this snorkeling tour from Honolulu. Enjoy views of Oahu’s beautiful coastline and look for spinner dolphins and turtles from the boat. Then don your snorkel gear and observe turtles in their natural habitat at Turtle Canyon. This tour includes hotel pickup and round-trip trolley transportation from Waikiki hotels for added convenience. Note that towels, sunscreen, and swimsuits are not provided, so plan accordingly.

Guided tours of Oahu typically cram tourists onto buses to go to all the same places. Enjoy a more personalized experience with this private tour that can be customized to your own interests. Your guides will tailor the trip for you, whether you want to go snorkeling, surfing, hiking or anything else, and will take you to off-the-beaten track spots that few visitors ever see.

Discover the only ATV tour on Oahu that combines thrilling rides with a delightful petting zoo experience for kids! Our unique offering lets your family explore stunning landscapes on ATVs while also interacting with friendly farm animals. This perfect blend of adventure and hands-on fun sets us apart, making for an unforgettable day that your children will cherish. Don’t miss out on this one-of-a-kind experience—book your adventure with us today!