Quick Details
General
(4+ years old)
$80
$ 68
Infant
(0-3 years old)
Private Charter
Call to book (see Private Charters tab for more information)
$ 3,400
Turtle Canyon Snorkel
Waikiki’s Top-Rated Turtle Snorkel & Beach-Boarding Sail
Experience why our Turtle Canyon snorkel Waikiki tour is the most unforgettable way to explore Oahu’s underwater world. Located just minutes offshore from Waikiki Beach, Turtle Canyon is Oahu’s most famous natural feeding and cleaning ground for Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles — known locally as Honu. When you snorkel Waikiki Beach with Holokai, you’re not just taking a boat ride. You’re boarding a luxury catamaran directly from the sand, sailing to one of the most magical snorkel sites in the Hawaiian Islands, and returning with memories that last a lifetime.
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What Is Turtle Canyon?
Turtle Canyon is a shallow reef system sitting just offshore from Waikiki, on the south shore of Oahu. The warm, protected waters and abundant reef fish make it a perfect feeding and resting area for Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles year-round. Unlike many snorkel destinations that require long drives or crowded harbor check-ins, Turtle Canyon is remarkably accessible – which is exactly why a Waikiki turtle snorkel tour with Holokai Catamaran is one of the most popular activities on the island.
On any given morning or afternoon at Turtle Canyon, guests commonly encounter multiple Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles – surfacing for air, gliding over the reef, or resting on the sandy bottom. You may also spot colorful tropical reef fish, octopus (tako), and a vibrant coral ecosystem teeming with life.
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Why Choose Holokai for Your Waikiki Beach Adventure?
There are several operators offering snorkeling on Oahu, so what makes Holokai different? A lot, actually.
Direct Beach Boarding – No Harbor Hassles
Most snorkel tours on Oahu depart from Kewalo Basin Harbor, requiring guests to take a shuttle or bus from Waikiki, check in at a crowded pier, and wait on a dock. With Holokai, you check in just steps from your hotel and board our catamaran directly from the beach. No shuttles. No industrial harbor. No bus rides. It’s the most convenient turtle canyon snorkel Waikiki experience available – and it’s the way a Waikiki beach adventure should feel.
A Luxury Catamaran, Not a Powerboat
The Holokai is a beautiful, custom-designed, handcrafted 49-passenger beach catamaran – not a cramped powerboat. With spacious seating, a shaded upper deck, and our famous netted splash area where you can hang over the water as we sail, there’s simply no comparison. Our honu snorkel catamaran experience combines the thrill of sailing with the magic of snorkeling. After your time in the water, relax on the nets with a drink as we sail the Waikiki coastline toward Diamond Head.
Expert Marine Life Guides
Our captains and crew are experts in Hawaiian marine life behavior. They know where the turtles are, how to approach them safely and respectfully, and how to help first-time snorkelers feel confident in the water. We’ll help you identify Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles (Honu), octopus (Tako), and a colorful variety of tropical reef fish on your Waikiki snorkeling with turtles Oahu experience. This is also the best snorkeling for kids in Waikiki – our crew goes out of their way to make younger guests feel safe, included, and amazed.
Everything Included
Your Turtle Canyon snorkel tour includes professional-grade snorkeling equipment (fins, dive mask, snorkel, and snorkel vest), a professional snorkel guide in the water with you, reef-safe sunscreen, motion sickness aid, complimentary snacks, and non-alcoholic beverages. Alcoholic beverages are available for cash purchase onboard. We’ve thought of everything so you can focus on the experience.
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The Holokai departs from the beach for all of our sails, so be sure to bring footwear that you can easily slip on and off! The specific beach for arrival and departure changes depending on the tides to ensure a safe boarding, so keep in mind that the departure spot may change and might not always be right outside the check in location at the Outrigger Reef Hotel (2169 Kalia Rd). The walk down to the beach may take from 5 to 10 minutes, a maximum of 0.3 miles down to the boat.
Any guests with mobility issues or are a slower walker: please call us at (808) 922-2210 to let us know after or before you book, so we can make the appropriate accommodations for your group, mahalo!
For large parties of 16 or more, please call our reservations line to book.
Includes:
- 2.5 Hour Trip Total || 1.15 Hour Snorkel || 1.15 Hour Sail
- Fins, Dive Mask, Snorkel, Snorkel Vest
- Complimentary Snacks and Non-Alcoholic Beverages (water, juice, soda)
- Professional Snorkel Guide
- Motion Sickness Aid (Lavender Essential Oil)
- Reef Safe Sunscreen
- Alcoholic Beverages Available For Cash Purchase.
- Validated Parking at Embassy Suites Hotel ($15 for 4 hours)
- Dry Storage
- Bathroom
Things to Bring:
- Sunglasses/Eyewear
- Camera
- Towel
- Longsleeve (weather dependent)
- Hat
- ID (21 and over)
- Submit Online Pre-Arrival Waiver
All guests boarding the Holokai Catamaran must complete an online waiver form prior to check-in. Guests will not be permitted to board without a signed waiver. All guests 17 years of age and younger must have a waiver completed by a parent or guardian over the age of 18. Guests 17 years of age and younger must be accompanied by a parent or guardian over the age of 18 on all tours.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
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A: Turtle Canyon is a protected marine life conservation area located just off Waikiki Beach in Honolulu, Oahu. It’s one of Hawaii’s premier snorkeling destinations, known for its crystal-clear waters and large population of Hawaiian green sea turtles (honu). The area gets its name from the dozens of sea turtles that call this underwater sanctuary home. During our Turtle Canyon snorkel tours, guests have an excellent chance of swimming alongside these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat.
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A: Our Turtle Canyon catamaran adventure is a 2.5-hour experience from Waikiki Beach. This includes approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes of snorkeling time at Turtle Canyon, followed by 1 hour and 15 minutes of scenic sailing around Diamond Head. We provide two daily departures: 9:00 AM – 11:30 AM and 12:00 PM – 2:30 PM.
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A: We offer two departure times daily:
– Morning Tour: 9:00 AM – 11:30 AM (check-in at 8:30 AM)
– Afternoon Tour: 12:00 PM – 2:30 PM (check-in at 11:30 AM)All tours depart directly from Waikiki Beach. Please check in 30 minutes before your scheduled departure time. The specific beach location may vary based on tide conditions for safe boarding.
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A: Our Turtle Canyon snorkel tour welcomes snorkelers with various experience levels. We provide professional snorkel guides, comprehensive instruction, and all necessary equipment including snorkel vests for added safety and buoyancy. However, guests should be comfortable in ocean water as the snorkel site is approximately 30 feet deep. Our crew is experienced in helping first-time snorkelers feel confident and safe in the water.
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A: Your Turtle Canyon adventure includes:
– 2.5-hour catamaran sail and snorkel experience
– Premium snorkeling equipment (mask, fins, snorkel, vest)
– Professional snorkel guide
– Complimentary snacks and non-alcoholic beverages
– Reef-safe sunscreen
– Motion sickness support (lavender essential oil)
– Onboard bathroom and dry storage
– Validated parking at Embassy Suites Hotel ($15 for 4 hours)
– Alcoholic beverages available for cash purchase -
A: While we cannot guarantee wildlife sightings as these are wild animals in their natural habitat, Turtle Canyon has one of the highest turtle encounter rates in Waikiki. The vast majority of our guests see multiple Hawaiian green sea turtles during their snorkel. Our experienced guides know the best spots and will help you locate turtles, tropical fish, and other marine life throughout your Turtle Canyon snorkeling adventure.
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A: We depart directly from Waikiki Beach for all Turtle Canyon tours. The specific beach location varies based on tide conditions to ensure safe boarding. This may be anywhere along Waikiki Beach, typically near major hotels. The walk from our check-in point to the departure beach is approximately 5-10 minutes (maximum 0.3 miles). Guests with mobility concerns should contact us in advance so we can make appropriate accommodations.
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A: We recommend bringing:
– Swimsuit (wear under clothes)
– Towel
– Reef-safe sunscreen (we also provide this)
– Waterproof camera or GoPro
– Sunglasses and hat
– Light jacket or cover-up (weather dependent)
– Cash for alcoholic beverages (optional)
– Valid ID if purchasing alcohol (21+)All snorkeling equipment is provided. Please leave valuables at your hotel as storage space is limited.
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A: Turtle Canyon is located just offshore from Waikiki Beach, making it one of the most accessible snorkel sites in Oahu. The catamaran ride from Waikiki to Turtle Canyon takes approximately 10-15 minutes, allowing you to maximize your time snorkeling with Hawaiian sea turtles rather than traveling long distances.
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A: Yes! Children ages 4 and up are welcome on our Turtle Canyon catamaran adventures. Infants 0-3 years old can come aboard free of charge but cannot snorkel. All guests 17 years and younger must be accompanied by a parent or guardian 18 years or older. Children should be comfortable in ocean water, and parents should assess whether their child can handle snorkeling at a 30-foot-deep site with ocean conditions.
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A: Both our morning (9:00 AM) and afternoon (12:00 PM) Turtle Canyon tours offer excellent turtle encounters. Morning tours often have calmer water conditions and better visibility. Afternoon tours provide warmer water temperatures and are great for families. Turtles are active throughout the day at Turtle Canyon, so both time slots offer fantastic Waikiki snorkeling experiences.
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A: Yes! Our Turtle Canyon snorkeling and catamaran sail operates daily, year-round. Hawaiian green sea turtles reside at Turtle Canyon throughout the year, making it a consistent destination for incredible turtle encounters. During winter months (December-April), you may also spot humpback whales during the sailing portion of your tour!