Things to do in Oahu › Oahu tours and activities › Shark cage diving and shark snorkeling › Oahu: North Shore Shark Cage Diving
Oahu: North Shore Shark Cage Diving
★ #2 of 12 in our list “Shark cage diving and shark snorkeling” Picked from the 13 shark dives in the Oahu catalog, the way every tour here gets picked.
Updated price re-read every day; listing, times and pickup notes reviewed with it
Hawaii Shark Encounters takes you into a floating shark cage off Haleiwa with broad viewing windows. The 2-hour trip costs from $140 per adult for cage entry. Your cage session lasts roughly 20 to 30 minutes. You meet at 66-105 Haleiwa Road 30 minutes before departure. Boats leave hourly from 7 a.m. to noon daily and children can join from age 5.
Our check
Oahu: North Shore Shark Cage Diving at a glance
| Cage | Floating cage with broad viewing windows |
| Duration | 2 hours |
| Price | from $140 per adult |
| Water time | Cage: roughly 20 to 30 minutes, observers stay on deck with no water time |
| Departures | Daily, hourly from 7 a.m. to noon |
| Meet | 66-105 Haleiwa Road, 30 minutes before departure |
| Ages | 5 and up |
| Group | Up to 12 guests |
| Main trade-off | Boat viewing only with the observer ticket |
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 . Children pay less.
What's included
- Use of snorkeling equipment
- Shark Cage Diving
- Expert crew
- Local taxes
What's not included
- Towels, swimwear, suntan lotion
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Food and Beverages
- Gratuities
Options
Which option to book
Shark Cage Dive gets you into the water, while Observer keeps you aboard. Both run hourly from 7 a.m. to noon every day.
| Option | Departures |
|---|---|
| Observer Check in 30min prior | every 60 minutes from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m., daily |
| Shark Cage Dive | every 60 minutes from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m., daily |
The catch: Children under 5 can't join, including those who would stay on the boat.
The day
How does the day work?
A boat ride from Haleiwa leads to a floating cage, followed by the return to the same harbor.
- 1
Boarding at Haleiwa
You board at Haleiwa Harbor after checking in with Hawaii Shark Encounters. Observers remain aboard for the whole trip.
- 2
Cage entry
Your cage stays at the surface. You climb in from above and use a mask and snorkel.
- 3
Shark viewing
Galapagos and sandbar sharks move past the broad viewing windows. You don't need scuba equipment for this view.
- 4
Harbor return
You return to Haleiwa Harbor after everyone has finished viewing. The boat trip ends at the same dock.
Roughly 20 to 30 minutes of the 2-hour trip are spent in the cage. The return ride brings you back to Haleiwa Harbor.
Pickup and meeting point
- Meeting address: Hawaii Shark Encounters meets guests at 66-105 Haleiwa Road. This is your boarding location on the North Shore.
- Arrival time: Check in with the crew 30 minutes before sailing. Your departure time isn't the time to arrive at the harbor.
- Hotel transport: You need to arrange travel to Haleiwa and back. This booking doesn't provide a hotel ride.
Before you book
- Scuba experience isn't required for this surface cage. Your observer ticket doesn't include water time.
Fit
Is this tour right for you?
Families with children aged 5 and up can choose this 2-hour cage trip. Everyone still needs to manage cage entry. Your view is through broad windows. It suits visitors who want a cage and don't need hotel pickup.
For a 90-minute cage outing, North Shore Shark Adventures costs from $130.89 per adult. Swimmers seeking longer water time can choose One Ocean's educational snorkel, from $165.71 per person.
Who it's not for
- Children younger than 5
- Guests seeking a cageless swim
- Travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Good to know
Know before you go
Children must be at least 5 for this tour. You need enough strength to lift your body up the cage ladder. Prior scuba experience isn't required.
Bring a towel and a windbreaker for the return ride. Your cage ticket supplies the mask and snorkel. Food and drinks aren't included, so bring what you need aboard.
Earlier trips on most days get less wind on the North Shore. The boat still rocks while drifting at the cage site. Severe sea conditions can cancel your departure.
A booking can contain up to 12 travelers and needs an adult. That matches the maximum group size. Your reservation can still share the boat with other parties.
Check in 30 minutes before your chosen departure. You risk losing your reservation without a refund if you haven't arrived at least 15 minutes early. Hotel transport isn't part of the ticket.
Cancellation is refundable until 24 hours before departure. After that deadline, you won't receive a refund for canceling. Your admission uses a mobile ticket, with the meeting point at 66-105 Haleiwa Road.
Reviews
How is it rated?
Alternatives
Which tour to choose instead
A shorter cage outing
Oahu Shark Dive on the North ShoreNorth Shore Shark Adventures takes 90 minutes in total. Cage entry costs from $130.89 per adult, with observers able to share the departure.
★ 4.8 · 3,266 reviews · from $130.89 per adult
Longer snorkeling with a biology lesson
Educational Shark tour from Haleiwa, Sharks GuaranteedOne Ocean combines shark biology with open water snorkeling. The trip costs from $165.71 per person for 45 to 60 minutes in the water when conditions allow.
★ 4.9 · 589 reviews · from $165.71 per person
A catamaran with Native Hawaiian ownership
Shark Cage Diving on the North Shore of OahuHaleiwa Shark Tours is owned by Native Hawaiian watermen. Its catamaran cage trip costs from $135 per adult.
★ 4.9 · 322 reviews · from $135 per adult
All 12 tours in the list “Shark cage diving and shark snorkeling” · Oahu tours and activities by category
Questions
People also ask
- What does Hawaii Shark Encounters charge for the cage dive?
The cage option costs from $140 per adult. That covers a 2-hour outing with snorkel equipment for the cage session. Your observer ticket doesn't include cage entry or use of that equipment.
- Do non-swimmers qualify for Hawaii Shark Encounters?
Yes, swimming and scuba experience aren't needed for the surface cage. Guests must be at least 5 and able to climb the ladder. You also need to hold the handrail while inside the cage.
- How much water time does Hawaii Shark Encounters include?
The cage session runs roughly 20 to 30 minutes within the 2-hour trip. The boat ride takes up part of the outing. You stay inside the cage throughout your water session, with broad windows for viewing.
- Which Hawaii Shark Encounters departure suits an early start?
The 7 a.m. trip is the first daily departure. On most days the morning wind is lighter than later in the day. Plan your own ride to Haleiwa around the required check-in time, since hotel pickup isn't included.
- Can Hawaii Shark Encounters observers join their family?
Yes, the observer option lets you travel with family while staying aboard. That ticket keeps you on deck, with no water time. Book matching departure times if your group includes people who want cage entry.
Times and conditions as the booking page listed them on October 30, 2026; the price is re-read every day, last on . Booking happens on the booking page, at its price; a booking through the button earns this site a commission, and your price is the same.