Things to do in Oahu › Oahu tours and activities › Snorkeling tours and Hanauma Bay › Turtle Canyon Snorkel: Semi Private Boat Tour
Turtle Canyon Snorkel: Semi Private Boat Tour
★ #9 of 14 in our list “Snorkeling tours and Hanauma Bay” Picked from the 93 snorkeling 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
Captain Max Boat Tours takes a shared speedboat to Turtle Canyon for snorkeling. The 90-minute trip costs from $109 per person. You meet at the Kewalo Basin office opposite Pier F for departures daily from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. It's limited to six guests on board. That suits a couple wanting a small group, provided you're comfortable with a bumpy ride.
Our check
Turtle Canyon Snorkel: Semi Private Boat Tour at a glance
| Reef | Turtle Canyon |
| Duration | 90 minutes |
| Price basis | from $109 per person |
| Departures | Daily at 7, 9:30 and 11:30 a.m., 3:30 p.m. |
| Boat and group | Shared adventure speedboat, six guests maximum |
| Meeting point | Kewalo Basin office opposite Pier F |
| Ages | 5 and up |
| Main trade-off | Bumpy ride unsuitable during pregnancy or with back problems |
| Guide languages | English, Spanish, Japanese, Portuguese |
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
- Bottled water
- Snacks
- Use of snorkeling equipment
- Carbonated beverages
What's not included
- Hotel pick-up and drop off
- Parking at the harbor ($2 per hour)
- Recommended to Bring: Swimsuit, Towel, Sunscreen, Sunglasses
Options
Which option to book
One shared speedboat option runs daily from 7 a.m. through 3:30 p.m. The six-guest limit applies to every departure.
| Option | Departures |
|---|---|
| Turtle Canyon Snorkel: Semi Private Boat Tour | 7 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., daily |
The catch: The 90-minute speedboat ride isn't recommended during pregnancy or for guests with back or neck problems.
Route
How does the day work?
A crew member walks you from the office to the speedboat for a reef trip off Waikiki.
- 60 min
1. Turtle Canyon
The boat heads to Turtle Canyon for your snorkel with reef fish and sea turtles. Waikiki remains in the background while you're at the site.
The itinerary gives Turtle Canyon 60 minutes within the 90-minute round trip. You finish back at Kewalo Basin. The reef stop isn't a promise of continuous swimming for that whole hour.
Pickup and meeting point
- Office meeting: The Captain Max office faces Pier F at Kewalo Basin. The crew walks your group to the boat.
- Arrival window: Arrive 30 minutes early to find the harbor office. Office check-in begins 10 minutes before sailing, so your parking and walk need to happen first.
- Own transport: Your Waikiki hotel ride isn't provided, and harbor parking is paid. A late arrival can mean missing the boat without a refund, so leave room for delays.
Before you book
- Plan to reach the harbor 30 minutes early and check in at the office 10 minutes before departure. Late arrival can cost you the ticket without a refund.
Fit
Is this tour right for you?
Captain Max suits a couple or small party wanting a six-guest boat for a 90-minute outing. You'll need to accept the bumpy ride. The ticket buys a place on a shared trip. It isn't a private charter for your party.
Big Kahuna costs from $85 per person if you want a shaded cabin and a boat capped at 20 guests. Diamond Head Cruises costs from $145 per person if you want six guests on the 2-hour Snorkel & Swim option.
Who it's not for
- Pregnant travelers
- Guests with back or neck problems
- Children under 5
- Wheelchair users needing an accessible boat
Good to know
Know before you go
The trip is intended for ages 5 and older with moderate fitness. The speedboat isn't wheelchair accessible. Pregnancy or back and neck problems make the bumpy ride unsuitable.
Your own swimwear and towel are needed for the outing. Bring sunscreen and sunglasses for the exposed parts of the ride. Snorkel equipment and life vests come with the activity.
Weather or low enrollment can prevent the speedboat from departing. If weather cancels it, you're offered a new date or a full refund. If the boat sails and you don't see turtles, you can ride again free.
Arrive at Kewalo Basin 30 minutes before sailing. The office opposite Pier F handles check-in 10 minutes before departure, then a crew member walks you to the boat. Harbor parking costs extra.
A cancellation at least 24 hours ahead earns a full refund. Later cancellations don't qualify. Late arrival may also forfeit your ticket without a refund if you miss the boat.
A booking accepts 1 to 6 travelers on mobile tickets. That's also the boat's maximum guest count. The shared ticket still allows other parties aboard when your group doesn't fill it.
Reviews
How is it rated?
Alternatives
Which tour to choose instead
Shade aboard a larger boat
Waikiki: Small Group Turtle Canyon Snorkel Boat TourBig Kahuna carries a maximum of 20 guests. It's from $85 per person, with a shaded cabin and marine bathroom.
★ 5.0 · 518 reviews · from $85 per person
Six guests with a longer outing
Turtle Canyon Snorkel Adventure, Small Group 6 PassengersDiamond Head Cruises' Snorkel & Swim option lasts 2 hours. It costs from $145 per person for a six-guest adventure raft without an onboard toilet.
★ 4.7 · 732 reviews · from $145 per person
A small group entering from shore
Hanauma Bay Guided Snorkeling Tour with TransportationGo Hanauma takes five guests snorkeling from the preserve's shore. Your tour costs from $115 per person with Waikiki transport, while admission costs extra and the booking is nonrefundable.
★ 4.9 · 237 reviews · from $115 per person
All 14 tours in the list “Snorkeling tours and Hanauma Bay” · Oahu tours and activities by category
Questions
People also ask
- How much is Captain Max's Turtle Canyon speedboat trip?
The trip starts from $109 per person, with snorkeling equipment and life vests supplied. Water and snacks are included aboard. You'll need your own ride to Kewalo Basin, and parking is a separate expense if you're bringing a rental car.
- Is Captain Max's six-guest trip private?
No, the 6-guest limit describes a shared speedboat departure. Your party may travel alongside other booked guests. The small group gives you fewer fellow passengers, but buying a place doesn't reserve the whole boat for a couple or family.
- How much of Captain Max's trip is at Turtle Canyon?
The itinerary allocates 60 minutes to the Turtle Canyon stop within a 90-minute outing. That stop isn't a promise of continuous personal swimming time. You also need to board the boat and travel between the reef and Kewalo Basin during the trip.
- What if Captain Max's group doesn't see turtles?
The turtle guarantee gives your group another ride if turtles aren't seen on the 90-minute trip. It doesn't promise that a turtle will appear on cue. A return visit needs another place in your plans, so the offer has limited use on your final day.
- Can children join Captain Max's snorkel boat?
The ticket starts at age 5, and younger children aren't recommended for this ride. Your child still needs to manage the boat outing and snorkeling activity. Check suitability for the bumpy speedboat journey before treating the small group as the deciding feature.
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.