Things to do in Oahu › Oahu tours and activities › Snorkeling tours and Hanauma Bay › Oahu Catamaran Snorkel Tour: Turtles Guaranteed
Oahu Catamaran Snorkel Tour: Turtles Guaranteed
★ #4 of 14 in our Snorkeling tours and Hanauma Bay list Picked from the 93 snorkeling tours in the Oahu catalogue, the way every tour here gets picked.
Updated the price every day; listing, departure times and pickup notes
Oahu Catamarans runs Kahala Kai to Turtle Canyon for snorkeling off Waikiki. The 2-hour trip costs from $39.99 per adult. You share the catamaran with up to 28 guests and have two restrooms aboard. Daily departures start at 9:15 a.m. from Kewalo Basin's Slip A-0. It's a fit if you want a shared catamaran trip with a turtle sighting guarantee that offers a refund.
Our check
Oahu Catamaran Snorkel Tour: Turtles Guaranteed at a glance
| Reef | Turtle Canyon |
| Duration | 2 hours |
| Price basis | from $39.99 per adult |
| Departures | 9:15 and 11:45 a.m., 2:45 p.m. daily |
| Boat and group | Kahala Kai catamaran, 28 guests maximum |
| Meeting point | Kewalo Basin, Pier A, Slip 0 |
| Facilities | Two onboard restrooms |
| Main trade-off | Paid parking at the harbor |
| Cancellation | Full refund until 24 hours before the start; nothing after |
Read from the operator's listing on the booking page, October 30, 2026. The price is the tour's starting price in U.S. dollars, re-read every day, last on .
What's included
- Two Restrooms on Board
- Snacks
- Water, Soda, Juice
- Premium snorkel equipment
- Oahu Snorkel Tour
- Guaranteed Turtle Sighting (or full refund)
What's not included
- Parking Fees (Available 20 yards/meters from the boat for $2/hour)
- Private Tour
Options
Which option to book
The shared snorkel runs daily at 9:15 and 11:45 a.m. An afternoon departure leaves at 2:45 p.m.
| Option | Departures |
|---|---|
| Oahu Catamaran Snorkel Tour: See Turtles 100% Guaranteed | 9:15 a.m. and 11:45 a.m. and 2:45 p.m., daily |
The catch: Parking costs extra for your 2-hour outing, and check-in requires arrival 15 minutes before departure.
The day
How does the day work?
Kahala Kai heads from Kewalo Basin to Turtle Canyon before continuing its cruise to look for other marine life.
- 1
Board Kahala Kai
The catamaran waits at Pier A's Slip 0. Your captain and crew take the group out toward the reef off Waikiki.
- 2
Snorkel the reef
Your swim focuses on sea turtles and reef fish at Turtle Canyon. The crew provides guidance, and snorkel equipment is supplied.
- 3
Cruise after swimming
The trip continues after the reef swim to look for other marine life. Possible sightings include dolphins or Hawaiian monk seals.
- 4
Rest on deck
Light snacks and soft drinks are available aboard. There are two restrooms for your time on the boat.
The round trip ends at Kewalo Basin after 2 hours. There isn't a separate promised length for the snorkel. Other wildlife sightings aren't guaranteed.
Pickup and meeting point
- Boat location: Kahala Kai boards at Pier A, Slip 0, at 1025 Ala Moana Boulevard. It's along the second row of boats closest to the main road.
- Arrival: Arrive at Kewalo Basin 15 minutes ahead of your sailing. The group meets at the boat, so hotel transport is yours to arrange.
- Parking: Paid parking is near the boat. Your parking charge is separate from the cruise, so leave time to park before reaching Slip 0.
Before you book
- The turtle guarantee offers a full refund if turtles aren't seen. It applies to sightings on your trip.
Fit
Is this tour right for you?
Kahala Kai suits travelers watching their budget who can reach Kewalo Basin themselves. The 2-hour outing starts from $39.99 per adult. You'll share the catamaran with up to 28 guests, with two restrooms available. Parking isn't covered by your ticket.
Charter Oahu costs from $89.04 per person if you'd prefer a 20-guest limit and floating platforms. Hawaii Nautical costs from $169.95 per adult if your plans call for lunch and boarding at the Hilton pier.
Who it's not for
- Travelers expecting exclusive use of the catamaran
- Guests relying on hotel pickup
Good to know
Know before you go
The ticket bands include infants ages 0 to 2 and children ages 3 to 12. Adult tickets begin at 13. Your booking must include an adult.
Bring a towel for the return to the deck. Your snorkeling equipment is supplied aboard Kahala Kai. Swimwear and sun protection belong in your plans for the reef stop.
Bad weather can stop the sailing from running. A trip that runs without a turtle sighting has its own full-refund guarantee. Those are separate reasons for a disrupted outing.
Slip 0 is on Pier A at Kewalo Basin. Your arrival target is 15 minutes before departure, with parking paid separately. The boat lies near the main road.
Your ticket can be canceled for a full refund at least 24 hours before sailing. A later cancellation isn't refundable. That deadline concerns your decision to cancel the outing.
Mobile tickets are used for bookings of 1 to 28 travelers. The maximum group aboard is also 28. A place on this sailing doesn't reserve the catamaran for your party.
Reviews
How is it rated?
Alternatives
Which tour to choose instead
Fewer guests and floating platforms
Waikiki: Turtle Canyon Snorkel Adventure on OahuCharter Oahu combines a 20-guest cap with floating platforms. It's from $89.04 per person if you want somewhere to rest beside the boat.
★ 4.9 · 4,015 reviews · from $89.04 per person
Lunch from the Hilton pier
Waikiki Catamaran Snorkel with Lunch: Turtles GuaranteedHawaii Nautical leaves the Hilton pier with lunch included. Your Turtle Canyon cruise costs from $169.95 per adult and lasts 2 to 3 hours.
★ 4.7 · 2,135 reviews · from $169.95 per adult
Beach boarding and a sail
Waikiki Turtle Snorkel and Sail on the Hawea CatamaranHawea normally boards directly from Waikiki Beach. The snorkel and sail costs from $89.56 per person, with swimming required and a possible boarding change in rough shorebreak.
★ 4.8 · 1,794 reviews · from $89.56 per person
All 14 Snorkeling tours and Hanauma Bay we picked · Oahu tours and activities by category
Good to know
People also ask
- How much does the Kahala Kai snorkel cost?
Kahala Kai starts from $39.99 per adult for the shared snorkeling trip. Your gear and light snacks come with the price, along with soft drinks. Parking adds a separate expense when you drive yourself to the Kewalo Basin meeting point.
- Does Kahala Kai have a bathroom on board?
Yes, Kahala Kai has two onboard restrooms for its 2-hour trip. That gives your group a facility aboard between the harbor and Turtle Canyon. The trip still involves shared space, with a maximum of 28 guests on the catamaran.
- What is Kahala Kai's turtle sighting guarantee?
A trip without turtle sightings qualifies for a full refund under this tour's guarantee. It applies to the 2-hour snorkeling outing. The guarantee concerns seeing turtles, so it doesn't promise that you'll spend any fixed number of minutes beside one.
- When does Kahala Kai leave Kewalo Basin?
The daily departures are 9:15 and 11:45 a.m., plus 2:45 p.m. Each needs arrival at the harbor 15 minutes beforehand. Plan your journey around check-in as well as sailing time, especially if you need to find parking first.
- Can a family book Kahala Kai as a private tour?
This option is shared, with a cap of 28 guests aboard. A family ticket purchase doesn't create exclusive use of the vessel. You'll have the same shared reef stop and deck facilities as other travelers on your departure.
Times and conditions as the booking page listed them on October 30, 2026; the price is re-read every day, last on . Tours book on the booking page at its price; a booking through the button earns this site a commission, and your price is the same.