Wild Dolphin Swim, Turtle, Whale Safari with Guided Snorkeling

Recommended by 98% of travelers

Badge of Excellence

Oahu, USA

Great choice

5+ bookings last month.

3 hours 15 minutes (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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Overview

Leave the crowds behind, and enjoy a deeply personal experience, on a small-group ocean safari. Head out onto the waters off Oahu's west side in a catamaran and explore diverse marine habitats in search of dolphins, turtles, whales, and more. A flexible, customized itinerary ensures the best wildlife encounters, with opportunities to snorkel in crystal-clear waters.

Take part in a respectful wildlife experience—no chasing, no crowding
Your biologist guides shares real science and island storytelling
A small group size ensures an intimate experience you won’t find in larger groups
Enjoy onboard comfort, shade, and bathroom

What's Included

Use of Snorkeling equipment

Use of Snorkelling equipment
Soda/Pop

Local Juices
Snacks

Gratuities
Towels and Refillable Water Bottle

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

Wild Side Specialty Tours - Small Group Whale Watching, Dolphins Oahu Boat Tours
85-491 Farrington Hwy, Waianae, HI 96792, USA
Please meet us a the A Pier gate of the Waianae Small Boat Harbor Free Parking

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Makaha Beach Park

Makua Beach

Ka'ena Point State Park

Yokohama Bay

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Service animals allowed
Near public transportation
Infants must sit on laps

Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
Infants must remain in carriers/slings
Minimum numbers apply. There is a possibility of cancellation after confirmation if there are not enough passengers to meet requirements. In the event of this occurring, you will be offered an alternative or full refund.
You may be in offshore waters and restricted from medical care (beyond first-aid) for extended periods of time
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 10 travelers

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Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Reviews

4.9

based on 40 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

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I highly recommend this...

Jennifer_M, Apr 2026

I highly recommend this safari! The crew were very educational both about wildlife and the landscape and keen to be out looking for wildlife. The small group was great as it was not crowded when swimming and the boat had lots of space and areas to sit. The crew worked to find the best clear water where we were able to jump in and snorkel with a sea turtle. We also got to swim along with Pygmy killer whales once the crew observed behaviour that was okay to get in. Then we ended the tour with dolphins swimming along and out in front of the boat. This tour was amazing and was such a cool experience!

Response from Host, Apr 2026

That sequence—turtles in clear water, a respectful in-water moment with pygmy killer whales, and dolphins closing it out—is about as special as it gets out there. Our crew puts a lot of intention into reading conditions and animal behavior before ever inviting guests in, so hearing that you experienced those moments in a way that felt both exciting and thoughtful means a lot. The small group dynamic is a big part of making that possible—more space, more flexibility, and a more natural pace with the wildlife. We’re really glad the day came together like that for you. Thank you for being part of it—Warmest Aloha

Small group tour with amazing guides!!

Frederick_G, Nov 2025

What an amazing experience!! It was so great to be in a small group, on a clean boat, with knowledgeable and attentive guides. Wild Side is connected to a dolphin research and conservation group, so the information from the guides was very informative about the behavior of the marine life as well as best practices for conservation. They collected photos and behavioral data for the researchers during the trip, which made it feel like we were contributing to the conservation of the dolphins as well as enjoying being so close to them. We swam with dolphins at three locations, as well as with a huge sea turtle closer to shore. The gear was excellent and they had prescription masks for snorkeling (-3 and -5), which were really effective. Overall, I would say it was well worth the extra money. We saw the other tours, which were larger groups and less good boats, and we were very happy to be with Wild Side!

Response from Host, Nov 2025

It means the world to hear that our small-group style, clean and comfy boat, and science-forward approach made your day feel both personal and purposeful. Our crew takes a lot of pride in blending fun with real conservation work, so knowing you enjoyed being part of the research — collecting behavior notes, photos, and contributing to our dolphin partners — truly fills our sails. Three dolphin swim sites and a honu encounter? What a day! And thank you for mentioning the prescription masks — we try to think of the little things that help guests fully immerse in the moment without stress. We’re honored you chose to adventure with us, especially with so many bigger boats out there. Keeping it intimate, respectful, and wildlife-led is really at the heart of what makes Wild Side… Wild Side. Hope to welcome you back aboard for more ocean magic whenever you’re back on Oʻahu. Until then, mahalo for supporting ethical, science-based wildlife experiences!