Things to do in Oahu › Oahu tours and activities › Snorkeling tours and Hanauma Bay › Waikiki: Small Group Turtle Canyon Snorkel Boat Tour
Waikiki: Small Group Turtle Canyon Snorkel Boat Tour
★ #13 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
Hawaii Ocean Charters takes Big Kahuna to Turtle Canyon for guided snorkeling off Waikiki. The 2-hour trip costs from $85 per person. You meet at Kewalo Basin's Pier A for daily departures from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. This 54-foot powerboat carries up to 20 guests. There's a shaded cabin for your break after swimming, while a separate six-guest catamaran option costs more.
Our check
Waikiki: Small Group Turtle Canyon Snorkel Boat Tour at a glance
| Reef | Turtle Canyon |
| Duration | 2 hours |
| Price basis | from $85 per person |
| Selected departures | Big Kahuna daily at 8 and 10:30 a.m., 1 and 3:30 p.m. |
| Selected boat | 54-foot Big Kahuna powerboat, 20 guests maximum |
| Meeting points | Pier A for Big Kahuna, Pier C for the six-guest catamaran at Kewalo Basin |
| Swimming and ages | Basic swimming ability, stated ages 7 to 70 |
| Facilities | Shaded cabin and marine bathroom |
| Main trade-off | Younger child tickets conflict with the stated minimum age |
| Guide languages | English |
| 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
- Hands on snorkel instruction
- Bottled water
- Marine Bathroom
- Use of snorkeling equipment
- Shaded Cabin
What's not included
- Parking Fees ($2 per hour - do not park in reserved stalls)
- Hotel pick-up and drop off
- Towels
- Prescription snorkel mask (Can be rented at near by shops in the harbor)
Options
Which option to book
Big Kahuna carries 20 guests from Pier A. The six-guest Keanuenue power catamaran leaves from Pier C on a different daily schedule and costs more.
| Option | Departures |
|---|---|
| Turtle Snorkel (20 people max) | 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m., daily |
| Turtle Snorkel (6 people Max) | 7:15 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. and 11:45 a.m. and 2 p.m., daily |
The catch: Child tickets start at age 5 while the participation rule starts at 7, so younger children's eligibility needs resolving.
The day
How does the day work?
Your boat leaves Kewalo Basin for a guided Turtle Canyon swim with a coastal cruise around the reef visit.
- 1
Board the selected boat
Big Kahuna meets its group at Pier A. The six-guest Keanuenue catamaran uses Pier C, so the boarding gate depends on your option.
- 2
Prepare to snorkel
The crew provides a briefing and snorkel equipment before the swim. You'll need basic swimming ability despite the flotation support.
- 3
Explore Turtle Canyon
Guides help you find sea turtles and reef fish off Waikiki. The outing also includes information about Hawaii's marine wildlife.
- 4
Cruise the coastline
Your boat follows the Waikiki coast as part of the trip. It returns to Kewalo Basin when the outing ends.
Both boat options run for 2 hours and finish at their original Kewalo Basin meeting points. The schedule doesn't assign a separate length to your swim.
Pickup and meeting point
- Pick the gate: The 20-guest Big Kahuna boards at Kewalo Basin's Pier A gate. Your six-guest catamaran booking uses Pier C, so a general harbor address won't settle the final meeting point.
- Boarding time: Arrive before boarding starts 15 minutes ahead of departure. The tour meets at the harbor without collecting you from your hotel.
- Reservation details: The guide checks the lead traveler's name at arrival. Your reservation details should be ready in case the crew needs to match the booking to the boat.
Before you book
- Check the boat name on your booking before heading to the harbor. The six-guest catamaran doesn't board at Big Kahuna's Pier A gate.
Fit
Is this tour right for you?
Big Kahuna suits swimmers wanting a 20-guest limit with cabin shade and a bathroom aboard. Your group shares a 54-foot powerboat. The participation rule covers ages 7 to 70. It isn't enough to rely on the younger child ticket band when booking.
Charter Oahu costs from $89.04 per person if you'd like floating platforms with the same 20-guest limit. Captain Max costs from $109 per person if a six-guest speedboat and a 90-minute trip suit you better.
Who it's not for
- Non-swimmers
- Families booking ages 5 or 6 without resolving eligibility
- Travelers older than the stated maximum age of 70
- Pregnant travelers
Good to know
Know before you go
Participation is stated for swimmers ages 7 to 70, and snorkeling is physically strenuous. Younger ticket bands don't override that rule. The trip isn't recommended during pregnancy or with spinal or cardiovascular problems.
Your towel needs to come with you. Prescription snorkel masks aren't supplied, though nearby harbor shops offer rentals. Check that arrangement ahead if an ordinary mask won't suit your vision.
The trip can be canceled for weather or too few travelers. Big Kahuna's 20-guest cap doesn't reveal the departure minimum. The turtle reride offer applies to a trip that runs without sightings.
Big Kahuna boards at Pier A, with boarding 15 minutes before departure. Your lead traveler's name identifies the reservation. Reserved parking stalls aren't available for your rental car.
Canceling at least 24 hours before departure gives you a full refund. Later cancellation doesn't qualify. Your choice of boat doesn't remove the need to meet that deadline.
Mobile bookings accept 1 to 6 travelers and require an adult. The selected Big Kahuna boat holds 20 guests. A six-person booking limit isn't the capacity of this selected vessel.
Reviews
How is it rated?
Alternatives
Which tour to choose instead
Platforms for resting beside the boat
Waikiki: Turtle Canyon Snorkel Adventure on OahuCharter Oahu carries up to 20 guests with floating platforms. Your trip costs from $89.04 per person and starts at Kewalo Basin.
★ 4.9 · 4,015 reviews · from $89.04 per person
A smaller group on a speedboat
Turtle Canyon Snorkel: Semi Private Boat TourCaptain Max's 90-minute trip takes only six guests. It's from $109 per person, with a bumpy ride that doesn't suit pregnancy or back problems.
★ 4.9 · 745 reviews · from $109 per person
A catamaran with two restrooms
Oahu Catamaran Snorkel Tour: Turtles GuaranteedKahala Kai has two restrooms for its 28-guest group. The Turtle Canyon trip costs from $39.99 per adult and lasts 2 hours.
★ 4.9 · 1,830 reviews · from $39.99 per adult
All 14 Snorkeling tours and Hanauma Bay we picked · Oahu tours and activities by category
Good to know
People also ask
- What does Hawaii Ocean Charters' Big Kahuna trip cost?
The tour starts from $85 per person, with Big Kahuna as the selected boat. Snorkeling equipment and bottled water are covered. Your towel and harbor transport aren't included, while the separate six-guest catamaran option carries a higher tour price.
- How many guests does Hawaii Ocean Charters take?
Big Kahuna takes up to 20 guests on the selected shared departure. The other option uses a six-guest catamaran from a different pier. Choose by the boat option itself, since the booking form's six-person limit applies to the reservation size.
- Can children ages 5 or 6 snorkel from Big Kahuna?
The Big Kahuna tour starts at age 7, despite younger child ticket bands on the overall booking page. Those bands don't establish access to this boat. Your child's eligibility needs settling for the exact option before you pay for a place.
- Does Big Kahuna have a bathroom and shade?
Yes, the selected 54-foot powerboat has a marine bathroom and a shaded cabin. Those facilities are available during the 2-hour outing. Your group shares them with the other guests, and the cabin gives you cover between the swim and harbor return.
- Where do Hawaii Ocean Charters' boats depart?
Big Kahuna uses Pier A at Kewalo Basin, while the six-guest catamaran uses Pier C. Boarding starts 15 minutes before departure. Keep your selected boat name with the reservation details so you head to the right gate when you arrive.
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.