Things to do in Oahu › Oahu tours and activities › Whale watching and dolphin tours › Small-Group Dolphin Turtle and Whale Safari w/ Marine Biologists
Small-Group Dolphin Turtle and Whale Safari w/ Marine Biologists
★ #14 of 14 in our list “Whale watching and dolphin tours” Picked from the 46 whale watching and dolphin tours 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
Wild Side Specialty Tours takes you offshore from Waianae to search for dolphins with biologists and naturalists. Humpback whales are part of the search from November to May. The 3.25-hour safari costs from $245 per person. You meet at Waianae Small Boat Harbor's Pier A for 7 or 11:15 a.m. departures on select dates. Ten guests share the boat at most. The route follows wildlife, so snorkeling isn't promised when sea conditions prevent it.
Our check
Small-Group Dolphin Turtle and Whale Safari w/ Marine Biologists at a glance
| Duration | 3.25 hours |
| Price | from $245 per person |
| Departures | 7 or 11:15 a.m., select dates |
| Meeting point | Waianae Small Boat Harbor, Pier A gate |
| Boat | Power catamaran, up to ten guests |
| Water time | Offshore wildlife search with snorkeling when conditions allow |
| Fitness | Moderate fitness required |
| Food | Snacks and local juices |
| Main trade-off | Route and swimming dependent on wildlife and sea conditions |
| Guide languages | English |
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
- Snacks
- Use of snorkeling equipment
- Local juices
What's not included
- Gratuities
- Towels and Refillable Water Bottle
Options
Which option to book
One safari option runs on select dates. The 7 and 11:15 a.m. departures both follow wildlife conditions instead of a fixed route.
| Option | Departures |
|---|---|
| Wild Dolphin Swim, Turtle, Whale Safari with Guided Snorkeling | 7 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. |
The catch: The 3.25-hour safari doesn't promise a swim, even though snorkel gear is part of the price.
The day
How does the day work?
Wild Side heads into deeper water off west Oahu on a route shaped by wildlife and sea conditions.
- 1
Meet at Pier A
Your group gathers at the Pier A gate in Waianae Small Boat Harbor. The outing focuses on offshore marine life.
- 2
Offshore search
Biologists and naturalists explain the animals you encounter. Dolphins are a focus, with other offshore species possible as the crew adjusts the route.
- 3
Possible snorkeling
Water entries depend on conditions and animal behavior. You may see turtles over the reef, though the day doesn't promise any particular encounter.
- 4
Back to Waianae
The return brings you to Waianae after the offshore outing. The route isn't fixed, so the day's wildlife and your group's interests shape the trip.
The safari lasts 3 hours and 15 minutes and returns to Waianae Small Boat Harbor. Your time at each wildlife encounter depends on the day. Shore travel is separate.
Pickup and meeting point
- Pier meeting: Your meeting place is the A Pier gate at Waianae Small Boat Harbor. The booking starts there, so hotel transportation is your responsibility.
- Parking: Parking at the harbor is free. You still need to make your way from the car to the Pier A gate to meet the crew.
- Travel with infants: Keep infants in carriers or slings aboard. They must also sit on an adult's lap, so your family needs the carrier for the trip.
Before you book
- Keep the rest of your group comfortable with an offshore trip. Medical care beyond first aid can be out of reach for extended periods.
Fit
Is this tour right for you?
The 3.25-hour safari suits wildlife watchers who want marine biologists to explain what they encounter. Your group stays small at ten guests. You need moderate fitness for offshore waters. It isn't a fit if your day depends on a set swim plan.
For hotel transport and lunch, Dolphin Excursions offers its early trip from $193.88 per adult. For fewer fellow guests, Aloha Ocean costs from $200 per adult with a six-person limit and your own ride to Waianae.
Who it's not for
- Travelers unable to manage moderate physical activity
- Guests needing ready access to medical care beyond first aid
- Anyone counting on a fixed route or guaranteed swim
Good to know
Know before you go
You need moderate fitness for this offshore trip. Infants must stay on an adult's lap in a carrier or sling. The route can take you away from medical care beyond the crew's first aid.
Bring a towel and a refillable water bottle. Snorkel equipment is supplied, with snacks and local juices aboard. Spray sunscreen isn't allowed on the boat, so choose another form of sun protection.
You meet at the Pier A gate at Waianae Small Boat Harbor. Car parking is free, but the long trailer stalls aren't for your rental car. The crew meets you at the gate rather than in the lot.
Sea conditions and the animals determine the day's route. You may snorkel when conditions allow, but neither a swim nor a sighting is guaranteed. The biologists and naturalists adapt the outing as it runs.
A mobile reservation accepts 1 to 8 travelers, while the tour carries up to 10 guests. Minimum passenger numbers also apply. If they're not reached, you're offered an alternative or a full refund.
You can receive a full refund by canceling at least 24 hours before departure. Later cancellations fall outside the standard refund window. Poor weather can also stop the offshore trip from going ahead.
Reviews
How is it rated?
Alternatives
Which tour to choose instead
Wildlife guides with hotel pickup
Wild Dolphin Watching and Snorkel Safari off the West Coast of OahuDolphin Excursions costs from $193.88 per adult with marine biologists and a 16-guest limit. The 7 a.m. departure offers selected hotel pickup.
★ 4.9 · 879 reviews · from $193.88 per adult
A smaller shared dolphin boat
Swim With Dolphins and Turtles in West Oahu (Semi-Private Tours)Aloha Ocean's six-guest powerboat costs from $200 per adult for a dolphin search. You don't get hotel transport.
★ 4.9 · 244 reviews · from $200 per adult
Reef snorkeling and a hot meal
Luxury Snorkel Cruise with Dolphin Watch and Hawaiian MealOcean Joy's Ko Olina cruise costs from $174 per adult without hotel transport. Your reef swim comes with warm showers and a hot Hawaiian meal.
★ 4.7 · 1,513 reviews · from $174 per adult
All 14 tours in the list “Whale watching and dolphin tours” · Oahu tours and activities by category
Questions
People also ask
- How much does Wild Side's west Oahu wildlife tour cost?
The tour starts from $245 per person for 3 hours and 15 minutes. Snorkeling gear and snacks are included, with local juices aboard. Your own towel and refillable bottle are separate supplies, and hotel transport isn't part of the trip.
- How many people can book Wild Side Specialty Tours together?
One reservation accepts up to 8 travelers, while the tour's overall limit is 10 guests. Those are different limits on the same shared outing. Your party can share the boat with other travelers even when it fills a single booking.
- Does Wild Side guarantee swimming with dolphins off Oahu?
No. Within 2 nautical miles of shore, federal law keeps swimmers 50 yards from spinner dolphins, so those are watched from the boat. Snorkeling over the reef with turtles happens when conditions allow, and no animal encounter is promised.
- Can infants join Wild Side's Waianae wildlife tour?
Yes, infants can join the 3-hour-and-15-minute trip in a carrier or sling on an adult's lap. Older participants need moderate fitness. The offshore route can limit access to medical care beyond the crew's first aid during your outing.
- Where is the Wild Side meeting point at Waianae Harbor?
You meet at the gate marked Pier A for the 7 a.m. or 11:15 a.m. departure on select dates. Parking is free in car spaces. Keep clear of the long trailer stalls and go to the gate for your crew.
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.