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Beyond Oahu

Waikiki, Hawaii: Turtle Canyon Snorkel Excursion

Recommended by 96% of travelers
Oahu, USA
Viator Experience Award
Very popular!
5+ bookings in the past 6 hours.
  • 2 hours (approx.)
  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: English

Why travelers loved this

4.8
·
· Charles_R ·
May 2026
We had a great time. It’s a simple trip to get to the spot. You can literally see Waikiki from the place. Plenty of fish and plenty of turtles. One got pretty close even. The crew were great. I highly recommend.
· Kaylynn_V ·
May 2026
It was great!! Saw 2 turtles, lots of fish, and was very friendly for beginners! Great crew! Would definitely recommend doing this!

Overview

Share the warm Hawaiian waters with green sea turtles, tropical fish, and more on a 2-hour snorkel excursion from Waikiki. No need to wear your flippers and mask on the plane, as all necessary gear is provided. Under the careful guidance of a tour leader, discover the vibrant sea life of Turtle Canyons. Above water wildlife sightings may include spinner dolphins, flying fish, and - in winter months - humpback whales.
  • Discover sea life in its natural environment
  • Visit Waikiki’s top snorkeling site
  • Enjoy complimentary refreshments on the boat
  • Escape the hustle and bustle for a relaxing ocean adventure

What's Included

  • 2hr Turtle Canyon Snorkel Excursion
  • Use of Snorkeling equipment
  • Light refreshments
  • Snacks
  • Professional guide
  • Hotel pick-up and drop off
  • Gratuities

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

  • Living Ocean Tours
    1125 Ala Moana Blvd Slip B-01, Honolulu, HI 96814, USA

    Please meet us at the boat "Coral Kai" located in Kewalo Basin Boat Harbor, Slip B-1. Complete your online waiver prior to arrival and arrive at the boat 15 minutes early as the boat departs at your scheduled time. Parking is limited so we suggest arriving extra early to find a spot or take a taxi.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Snorkel with Hawaiian green sea turtles on this group tour from Waikiki, where all the logistics are planned for you so you just need to concentrate on having a good time.

You’ll be taken to Waikiki’s Turtle Canyons, where you’ll be sure to swim with those green beauties. Plus, there are all sorts of colorful fish that swim near the reef.

Before you get into the water, your guide will give you a snorkel demo, answer any questions you may have, and make sure you feel secure in the water. You can use provided snorkel gear, so you don’t need to bring that separately.

Snacks will also be provided, which will be welcome after some serious snorkeling with sea turtles.
1

Living Ocean Tours

2

Waikiki Beach

3

Diamond Head Crater

Additional Info

  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Minimum age is 3 years
  • Dress code is swim wear
  • Most travelers can participate
  • Requires Basic Swimming Ability
  • Consider taking sea sickness medication if you are prone to motion sickness or are not accustomed to being on boats
  • Please bring a towel
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 40 travelers

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)

Featured review

Sue_S
This was an awesome experience. It was one of the best snorkeling trips I have taken. The staff were phenomenal. Professional, supportive & very knowledgeable. We saw many turtles, varieties of Hawaiian fish. We even saw a little pod of dolphins & a seal! We would highly recommend Living Ocean Tours.

Reviews

4.8
based on 4,820 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Sort by: Most insightful

Good turtle snorkeling experience.

Brandon_F, Jul 2026
Lucy was our guide and kept us on track of where the turtles were. The ride out was smooth and sitting in beanbag chairs on the bow feeling the breeze was nice. Would recommend this snorkeling tour.

Response from Host, Jul 2026

Thank you for sharing your experience with us. We are so happy to hear that you had a smooth ride and enjoyed relaxing on the beanbags on the bow. It is wonderful to know that Lucy provided helpful guidance to help you spot the turtles. We truly appreciate your recommendation and look forward to seeing you again soon for another adventure.

Awesome!

Tera_S, Jul 2026
This was an excellent excursion! I will definitely do it again in the future. The crew was super friendly & very knowledgeable.

Response from Host, Jul 2026

Thank you for the wonderful review. We are thrilled to hear you had such an excellent time on your excursion. It is fantastic to know that you enjoyed our friendly and knowledgeable crew. We look forward to welcoming you back for another adventure soon.

Must do in Oahu

James_A, Jul 2026
Great Experience. Like swimming in an aquarium. If you are not used to the ocean, please take the necessary precautions. I am not used to the ocean and got sick. Also it was a lot more physical then me an my family expected. It's not a float around type of excursion. It will tire you out if you aren't in shape. I am not in shape. With that said, we are very happy we did this. The staff was amazing and very informative

Response from Host, Jul 2026

Thank you for sharing your experience. We are glad you enjoyed the tour and felt like you were swimming in an aquarium. We appreciate your honest feedback about the physical nature of the excursion and the seasickness; we know that can be challenging for those not accustomed to the ocean, and we appreciate you letting others know to prepare accordingly. It is wonderful to hear that our staff made such a positive impact on your trip, and we hope you take home great memories of the turtles.

Wonderful Waikiki experience

Rachel_H, Jul 2026
The crew and the captain were wonderful. They helped you get to see a lot of turtles and experiencing the beauty of the Hawai’i ocean. I do have one slight concern when we had so many companies that were in the same area at the same time but that isn’t so much of the company but when the state is giving permits.

Response from Host, Jul 2026

Thank you for the wonderful review. We are delighted to hear that our crew and captain provided such a great experience and helped you see so many turtles in the beautiful waters of Hawaii. We appreciate your feedback regarding the congestion in the area; balancing popularity with a peaceful environment is certainly a challenge, and we value your thoughtful perspective on this. We hope to have the pleasure of hosting you again for another ocean adventure.

Best snorkel trip EVER!

Mowman_J, Jul 2026
Great informed guides! The guides talked about the turtles and were great at controlling the group together

Response from Host, Jul 2026

Thank you for the wonderful review. We are so glad to hear that you had the best snorkel trip ever. Our team takes great pride in sharing knowledge about the turtles and ensuring everyone has a safe, well-coordinated experience in the water. We truly appreciate your feedback and hope to see you again soon for another adventure.

Saw 10 turtles, a leopard...

Carrie_Q, Jul 2026
Saw 10 turtles, a leopard shark, and a ton of fish. Extremely friendly and helpful class, even did a quick “snorkel school” for inexperienced

Response from Host, Jul 2026

Thank you for sharing your experience with us! We are thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the snorkeling tour and saw so many turtles, a leopard shark, and plenty of fish. Our crew loves helping guests feel comfortable and confident, so we are glad you found the snorkel school helpful. We hope to see you again soon for another ocean adventure!

Ocean lives

Abdul_M, Jul 2026
Overall Awesome! Recommend it 1000%. Great tour, info, and team. Team is highly knowledgeable and helpful

Response from Host, Jul 2026

Ocean lives Viator review: Waikiki, Hawaii: Turtle Canyon Snorkel Excursion Overall Awesome! Recommend it 1000%. Great tour, info, and team. Team is highly knowledgeable and helpful

Very physical...

DINAH_G, Jul 2026
Very physical activity..... but so much fun! The crew was so helpful for us first timers and made it such a memorable experience. Would definitely recommend this excursion!

Response from Host, Jul 2026

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience with us. We are thrilled to hear that you had such a memorable time and that our crew was able to help you feel comfortable as first-time snorkelers. We agree that our tours can be quite active, and we are glad that you enjoyed the physical nature of the excursion. We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you back for another adventure soon.

Boat company not at fault.

Ed_S, Jul 2026
Never got to do a tivity due to rideshares ha ing issues. Although we tried to leave and arrive early we could not. The 3rd party operator (not boat) did not try to help us reschedule or anything, pretty much told us you're out of luck and out $255. I won't be using Viator again, my advice book direct.

Response from Host, Jul 2026

Thank you for sharing your experience with us. I am so sorry to hear about the trouble you had with your transportation and the frustration you faced regarding your booking. We understand how disappointing it is to miss out on a planned adventure, especially when you made every effort to arrive on time. While third-party booking platforms have their own policies that we are required to follow, we truly wish there was more we could have done in the moment to assist with a rescheduling or refund solution. We appreciate your kind words in recognizing that our team was not at fault, and we hope that if your travels bring you back to Waikiki, you will consider booking with us directly for your next excursion so we can better assist you from start to finish.

Amazing trip!!

isabell_b, Jul 2026
It was amazing we saw so many turtles N fish. The instructors were amazing too everyone was super nice and informative

Response from Host, Jul 2026

Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We are delighted to hear that you had an amazing time and enjoyed seeing so many turtles and fish. Our instructors strive to be friendly and informative, and it makes our day to know they made such a positive impact on your experience. We truly appreciate your kind words and hope to welcome you back for another adventure soon.

Turtle heaven

Gabriela_S, Jul 2026
Amazingly clear water, so warm and we saw so many turtles . The guides were so helpful and took us to the best places to see fish and where the turtles would come up for air so we could see them up close.

Response from Host, Jul 2026

Thank you so much for your wonderful review. We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed the clear, warm water and that our guides were able to help you find the best spots to see the fish and turtles up close. Providing a memorable experience with our local marine life is what we love to do, and we appreciate you sharing your thoughts. We hope to welcome you back for another adventure soon.

What sets this tour apart...

Rachel_S, Jul 2026
What sets this tour apart from others is the guided snorkelling experience. The staff were knowledgeable about where to go and what to look for. They were very clear on safety and helped manage the group whilst in the water around numerous other water craft and snorkelling groups. Easy to get to the meeting place on the 42 bus.

Response from Host, Jul 2026

Thank you for sharing your experience. We are delighted to hear that our guided snorkeling approach and knowledgeable staff made such a positive impression on you. Keeping our guests safe and ensuring they get the most out of their time in the water is our top priority, so it is wonderful to know that you felt well-managed and informed. We are also happy to hear that the location was easy to reach by public transportation. We appreciate your recommendation and look forward to welcoming you back for another adventure soon.

We had a great time...

Marla_K, Jul 2026
We had a great time snorkeling with the turtles. We saw beautiful fish, and the crew was attentive and fun.

Response from Host, Jul 2026

Thank you for sharing your experience with us. We are so happy to hear that you had a great time snorkeling with the turtles and saw such beautiful fish. Our crew strives to be attentive and fun for all our guests, and it is wonderful to know they made a positive impact on your trip. We appreciate your kind words and hope to welcome you back for another adventure soon.

Nice crew

Candi_S, Jul 2026
Nice crew. Good amount of turtles although if you’re willing to drive find a nice beach to snorkel on this trip really isn’t necessary.

Response from Host, Jul 2026

Thank you for sharing your feedback with us. We are glad to hear that you enjoyed your time with our crew and had the opportunity to see several sea turtles during your trip. We understand that for some, exploring local beaches is a preferred way to snorkel. However, we strive to provide a convenient, guided experience that includes all the necessary gear and access to offshore sites that might be otherwise inaccessible from the shore. We appreciate your honest input and hope that if you return to the area, you will consider joining us for another adventure.

Snorkeling off Waikiki

Brandon_M, Jul 2026
It was fun and the crew was insightful. Very neat to see the ocean like that. We did not get to see any turtles while we were out, but a lot of other life.

Response from Host, Jul 2026

Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with us. We are so glad to hear that you had fun and that our crew provided some insightful information during your trip. While we always hope for turtle sightings, nature is unpredictable, and we are happy that you still enjoyed the abundance of other marine life in our waters. We hope to welcome you back for another adventure soon.

We saw a lot of turtles, fish, Eagle Ray and octopus!!

Ursula_S, Jul 2026
Awesome experience!! I’ve snorkeled 4 times in my life, and this was my Nieces first time. We both thoroughly enjoyed this excursion! We were able to www numerous turtles, hundred of fish, an Eagle Ray, and an octopus that we actually got to touch! The entire crew were great, they made sure everyone had a great time!! I would definitely recommend this turtle excursion!

Response from Host, Jul 2026

Thank you for sharing your experience. We are so glad to hear that both you and your niece had such a wonderful time on our snorkel excursion. It is fantastic that you were able to see so many turtles, hundreds of fish, an eagle ray, and even interact with an octopus. We strive to provide a memorable adventure for all our guests, and we truly appreciate your recommendation. We hope to see you back for another tour soon.

Great time!

Tena_B, Jul 2026
The group was great with beginner snorkeling. Has my 16, 10,11,12 year old grand children and they loved it!!!

Response from Host, Jul 2026

That’s wonderful to hear! 😊 We’re so glad your grandkids had such a great time and felt comfortable as beginners—that’s exactly the kind of experience we aim for. Sounds like the whole family really got to enjoy the ocean together, which makes it even more special. We’d love to have you all back out with us again anytime for another fun day on the water 🌊🐢

Must do!

Diana_C, Jun 2026
Amazing experience! Friendly and knowledgeable crew, very welcoming and informative! Seen a lot of wonderful fish and 5

Response from Host, Jul 2026

We’re really glad to hear that the crew took great care of you and that you enjoyed your trip! Thank you for joining us and sharing your experience—it means a lot. Hope to welcome you back on the water again soon 🌊

Fun for family

Mike_D, Jun 2026
The employees were all super great, friendly and fun. I have an active family so I can say this was an activity we could do, but if the water is choppy, I would say you want to be a strong swimmer or stay close to the boat to turn around.

Response from Host, Jun 2026

Thank you for sharing your feedback with us. We are so happy to hear that your family had a fun time and that you found our employees to be great, friendly, and fun. We appreciate your honest advice regarding swimming ability, especially when conditions can be a bit choppy. Safety is our top priority, and we always encourage guests to be comfortable in the water and to stay close to the boat when needed. We would love to have your active family join us again for another adventure in the future.

Two thumbs up

Kathryn_W, Jun 2026
Very friendly, attentive and informed crew. They made sure we had a great experience and saw a Variety of marine life

Response from Host, Jun 2026

found our crew to be friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable. Our goal is always to ensure every guest has a great experience and discovers the wonderful variety of marine life we have here. We appreciate your kind feedback and hope to welcome you back for another adventure soon.

The crew was fantastic!...

Liz_B, Jun 2026
The crew was fantastic! They were very friendly and knowledgeable and knew right where to check for dolphin sightings along the way. The snorkeling was amazing - lots of fish, turtles and even an eel! 10/10 would do again!

Response from Host, Jun 2026

Thank you so much for the fantastic review! We are delighted to hear that our crew provided such a friendly and knowledgeable experience. It is wonderful that you enjoyed the snorkeling and were able to spot dolphins, fish, turtles, and even an eel. We appreciate your 10/10 rating and hope to welcome you back for another amazing adventure soon!

Deep open water

Shelby_F, Jun 2026
We’ve snorkeled before on other vacations with many reefs. This one was a bit different. No coral reefs to snorkel near. Basically deep open water. Did see lots of fish & one turtle, which was cool. Most staff were super knowledgeable & friendly (shout out to Aaron, Lucy, & Chase). You do not venture off on your own much for this excursion. Guides try to keep you all together in a group & give you information on what they see underwater. Depending upon what type of adventure you are looking for this could be a positive or negative.

Response from Host, Jun 2026

Thank you for your honest feedback regarding your time with us. We are pleased to hear that you enjoyed the marine life and found our staff, especially Aaron, Lucy, and Chase, to be knowledgeable and friendly. We appreciate you sharing your perspective on the snorkeling location and the group-focused nature of the tour. We aim to prioritize safety while ensuring everyone gets the most out of their time in the water, and we understand that different guests have different preferences for how they like to explore. Your input is valuable as we continue to refine our guest experience. We hope to welcome you back for another adventure in the future.

The guides were excellent...

Andy_O, Jun 2026
The guides were excellent working with all levels of swimmers with patience. If you have sea sickness be ready to take medication. The day we went out was very beautiful but the waves were challenging

Response from Host, Jun 2026

Thank you so much for sharing your feedback with us. We are pleased to hear that our guides provided excellent and patient service, regardless of your swimming experience level. We strive to create a supportive environment for everyone on board, and it is wonderful to know that our team made a positive impact on your trip. We also appreciate your honest input regarding the ocean conditions. While we do our best to plan for beautiful days, the sea can sometimes be unpredictable. We agree that it is always a good idea for guests who are prone to motion sickness to take appropriate precautions before departure, as the waves can indeed be challenging even on clear days. We hope you will join us again for another adventure in the future.

10/10 Experience

Soohyung_N, Jun 2026
Great experience, easy for beginners, would definitely recommend! Never been to the 10:30 tour but 8:30 was great

Response from Host, Jun 2026

Thank you so much for the 10/10 rating and for taking the time to share your experience with us. We are thrilled to hear that you had such a great time on our 8:30 tour and found it to be easy and enjoyable for beginners. We truly appreciate your recommendation and would love to welcome you back for another snorkel excursion in the future.

Okay first and foremost...

Jessica_M, Jun 2026
Okay first and foremost let’s talk about sea sickness. I’ve been on many types of boats and have snorkeled two other times in the past and have never gotten sick before until this tour. The boat goes pretty far out to sea and the waves rock the boat badly. 1/3 the group was sick. So take something before you go even if you’ve never experienced sea sickness before. The other complaint I had was you have an inflatable vest not a true life jacket. It didn’t seem like it would float but it does I just hope one never gets torn while someone’s wearing it if they aren’t a strong swimmer. They felt a bit unsafe to be honest. I suggest you be a decent swimmer for this tour because this is a bit more legit snorkeling than I’ve done in the past (walked directly into a shallow bay from a beach in Puerto Rico and road a boat into still water around a crater in Maui). Otherwise, the snorkeling was great! We saw two sea turtles and lots of pretty fish. Another part of our group saw a reef shark. The guides were really kind and helpful.

Response from Host, Jun 2026

Thank you for sharing your feedback with us. I am so glad to hear that you enjoyed the snorkeling and had the chance to see the sea turtles, fish, and a reef shark! Our team works hard to provide a kind and helpful experience, and it is wonderful to hear that they made a positive impact on your trip. I am sorry to hear that some guests in your group experienced seasickness. We understand how uncomfortable that can be. Because ocean conditions can change, we always recommend that guests who are prone to motion sickness take appropriate preventative medication well in advance of their trip, as we are unable to provide it on board. Regarding the equipment, we take safety very seriously. The vests we provide are designed specifically for snorkeling to allow for comfortable movement in the water while providing the necessary buoyancy. Our crew is trained to assist all guests, including those who may be less comfortable in the water, to ensure everyone has a safe and enjoyable time. Mahalo!

The crew for Living...

Andrea_H, Jun 2026
The crew for Living Oceans was friendly, fun, and knowledgeable. We had a tour guide in the water, and a lifeguard. Our daughter started to get a headache and they were very accommodating and let us swim back to the boat early. We saw sea turtles on the way there as well.

Response from Host, Jun 2026

Thank you for your review. We are so glad to hear that you found our crew to be friendly, fun, and knowledgeable during your excursion. Our team is trained to prioritize safety and comfort above all else, and I am very happy to know that they were able to accommodate your daughter so quickly when she wasn't feeling well. We want every guest to have a positive experience, regardless of the circumstances. It is great that you enjoyed the sea turtles on the way to the site as well. We appreciate your feedback and hope to see you again for a future trip.

2 Turtles & 3 bean bags

Brandon_S, Jun 2026
The boat ride w/ the bean bags was the highlight. Most of the crew were friendly and helpful. I would book again to ride the boat but not for 79$ 🙂

Response from Host, Jun 2026

Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We are glad to hear that you enjoyed the boat ride and our bean bags, and that you found our crew to be friendly and helpful. We appreciate your honest input regarding the pricing and hope you might consider joining us again in the future.

What a great experience...

WmRyan_S, Jun 2026
What a great experience with wonderful staff! They are very accommodating to your skill levels and treated us just like family.

Response from Host, Jun 2026

Thank you so much for sharing your feedback. We are thrilled to hear that you had such a wonderful experience and felt well taken care of by our staff. It is our goal to make everyone feel comfortable, regardless of their skill level, and we are so happy you felt like family during your time with us. We appreciate your kind words and hope to welcome you back for another adventure soon.

Friendly staff

Rob_S, Jun 2026
Great experience, very nice staff, very helpful and attentive to make sure you are safe and having a great time.

Response from Host, Jun 2026

Thank you for the wonderful review. We are so happy to hear that you had a great experience and that our staff helped you feel safe and taken care of during your time with us. We truly appreciate your feedback and hope to welcome you back for another adventure soon.

Had a blast—highly recommend!

Juan_C, Jun 2026
My wife and I had an absolute blast on the Turtle Canyon Snorkel Excursion! This was our first time snorkeling, and the Living Oceans Tours team was truly awesome. They were so patient and took their time to make sure we felt safe and comfortable in the water. We got to see so many turtles and big fish! It was an amazing experience from start to finish. We’d highly recommend this tour and will definitely be back!

From $79.00

per person

up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)

Book ahead!
On average, this is booked 20 days in advance.

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