Top Oahu Nature and Wildlife Tours

Every year during the winter months, humpback whales travel to the warmer waters of the Pacific to give birth to their calves. Rather than straining to catch sight of them from the shore, embark on a whale-watching tour from Honolulu for your best chance of seeing the gentle giants. You can also see other wildlife such as dolphins and green sea turtles while you sail.

Combine seamless access to Diamond Head with the freedom to explore independently. This Diamond Head shuttle service provides round-trip transportation from Waikiki with hotel pickup, saving you time and energy, as well as entry tickets. Once you arrive at the trailhead, all that’s left for you to do is enjoy the hike, snap stunning photos, and create lasting memories.

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.

Kualoa Ranch is the lush, verdant setting for films like Jurassic Park and Pearl Harbor. Visiting this Northeast Shore location by horseback will take you farther into the valley and give you an authentic ranch experience. 1- or 2-hour options give you the flexibility to fit this tour into your busy schedule, and expert horse wranglers will ensure you a safe, fun ride through the Ka'a'awa Valley.

Experience the natural beauty of Kualoa Ranch on this exhilarating UTV tour through Oahu's Ka’a’awa Valley. Meet your guide and the rest of the group at Kualoa Ranch and learn about UTV safety before setting off on this unforgettable adventure. This excursion provides a unique opportunity to discover the hidden gems of Oahu beyond the typical resort and beach scenes. Next, follow your knowledgeable guide through a lush paradise, visiting iconic filming locations from Hollywood movies like *Jurassic Park*, where you'll conquer streams and muddy terrain to access remote areas. You'll feel like you're in your own adventure film as you journey along picturesque trails and wild hills. After a day of thrills, you'll return to the starting location. UTVs can accommodate groups of two to six people, depending on the number of children in your party.

The lush Manoa Valley Rainforest, home to a 150-foot (45-meter) waterfall, is a star attraction on Oahu, having been featured in movies such as 'Jurassic Park.' Getting there independently can be tricky, so join this guided tour that takes you there along an easy trail while introducing you to interesting Hawaiian cultural facts and history. Includes a healthy lunch made with local, organic products.

Oahu's North Shore is a picturesque location mainly known for its surfing. Join a small group and take a relaxing horseback ride along mountain trails just as the sun is beginning to set. While you ride, enjoy peeks of the ocean below and stop at a scenic lookout for panoramic views.

Enjoy one of Hawaii's most magical experiences on this small-group snorkeling tour in Turtle Canyon. Board a powerful catamaran in Waikiki and head for the protected waters where turtles gather. Cruise the coastline watching for spinner dolphins and humpback whales in season, and learn fascinating facts about Hawaii’s marine wildlife. Jump off board to swim around sea turtles and tropical fish—and if you don't see turtles, you can take a second tour at no additional cost.

Go snorkeling in Oahu with a boating excursion in Turtle Canyon and Waikiki Beach. Climb aboard a boat and set out on a scenic ride before getting in the water. See angelfish darting in and out of caverns underwater and keep an eye out for large sea turtles. After snorkeling, relax in the sun on floating platforms designed for lounging. All snorkel gear plus flotation devices are provided.

Spend a day exploring the highlights of Oahu without the hassle of driving on this full-day island tour. As you circumnavigate the island, you'll stop at key landmarks like Diamond Head, Makapu’u Point, and the Dole Plantation. While you drive, take in the beautiful scenery of white sand beaches, lush valleys, sacred Hawaiian grounds, and the waves of the Pacific Ocean.

Exchange Waikiki for Oahu’s North Shore on a day trip aboard the Surf Bus. Hop off at all the hot spots including the surfing beaches of Pipeline, Sunset Beach, and Waimea Bay. Choose from one activity and lunch or two activities like snorkeling, bike riding, a waterfall swim, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding (SUP), learning to surf, or relaxing on the beach. A guide points out the green sea turtles, and you have time to explore Haleiwa Town.

With just one day, you can see 16 of Oahu’s greatest sights and still have time for snorkeling—if you hop on this tour. Across one whirlwind day, you’ll witness Diamond Head State Monument, the Halona Blowhole, the Dole Plantation, and so much more. You’ll capture fantastic photos, learn all about the island’s history, and go snorkeling, topping off the day surrounded by Oahu’s colorful marine life.

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.

Pack the best of Oahu into just one day on this small-group tour from Waikiki. Visit a local coffee farm and learn about the cultivation of 100 percent Hawaiian coffee; head to the North Shore to check out the surf beaches, historic town of Haleiwa and Waimea Falls; take in panoramic views from the Pali and Makapuu lookouts; and explore cultural sites including the Byodo-In Temple.

Experience Oahu’s wildlife from amongst the trees on a half zipline tour. The airborne activity can be enjoyed by couples, friends, and even families. Children weighing between 40-60 pounds can ride tandem with an adult. Zip across three lines ranging 300 to 1,000 feet in length. No experience is necessary and you can feel secure with a guide on hand and a modern braking system for each line.

Experience the natural beauty of the Oahu’s North Shore countryside during a 1.5-hour horseback ride from a ranch near Laie and Kahuku. Your guide matches you with a suitable horse, then leads you along a scenic mountain trail with ocean views. Stop for photo ops at a lookout point and learn about the life of the paniolo (Hawaiian cowboys) on this family-friendly tour.

Turtle Canyon sits just off the Waikiki coastline and is one of the most reliable spots on Oahu to snorkel alongside Hawaiian green sea turtles—but reaching it requires a boat. This catamaran tour departs from Waikiki, with a guide leading the snorkeling session and a light snack included on board.

Make your Oahu visit even more magical with this 45-minute scenic helicopter ride. Experience the island like you’ve never seen it before, flying above island landmarks including Sacred Falls, Diamond Head, Maunalua Bay, the Ko'olau Mountains, Ka'a'awa Valley, Pearl Harbor, and more. Trips includes a choice of ‘doors on’ or ‘doors off’ flights.

Feel the adrenaline rush of soaring from the top of Oahu’s longest ziplines on this guided tour. Start with a short ATV ride to the top of a mountain. Then enjoy spectacular panoramic ocean and mountain views of Oahu's famous North Shore from long, high and extra-quiet ziplines ranging from 500 to 2,400 feet. Along the way, encounter rappels, sky bridges, scenic boardwalks, and a couple of surprises for some fun activities that challenge in a safe and controlled way.

Swap the crowds of Waikiki Beach for a relaxed Hawaiian sunset experience on this small-group cruise. Relax with a cold beverage and included snacks as you cruise along the Waikiki coastline toward Diamond Head while the sun dips into the ocean. Look out for pods of dolphins and large Hawaiian green sea turtles that frequent the surface.

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.

Oahu's most visited spots are significantly quieter in the early morning—but coordinating a pre-dawn departure and a route that covers the Windward coast, Buddhist temples, and Banzai Pipeline independently takes considerable planning. This guided tour handles the logistics, with stops to watch the sun rise over the Windward coast, search for green turtles, and watch surfers at Banzai Pipeline.