Things to do in Oahu › Oahu tours and activities › Whale watching and dolphin tours › Wild Dolphin Watching and Snorkel Safari off the West Coast of Oahu
Wild Dolphin Watching and Snorkel Safari off the West Coast of Oahu
★ #6 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
Dolphin Excursions Hawaii takes you dolphin watching and snorkeling off Waianae with marine biologists and naturalists. The 3-hour trip costs from $193.88 per adult with lunch. Departures run at 7 or 10:30 a.m. on select dates. Bookings here include hotel pickup for the 7 a.m. departure only. The 16-guest raft sits low to the water, though underwater dolphin encounters aren't promised.
Our check
Wild Dolphin Watching and Snorkel Safari off the West Coast of Oahu at a glance
| Duration | 3 hours aboard, plus any transfers |
| Price | from $193.88 per adult |
| Departures | 7 or 10:30 a.m., select dates |
| Pickup | Waikiki and Ko Olina hotels for the 7 a.m. departure only |
| Meeting point | Waianae Boat Harbor, next to Spinners Cafe |
| Boat | Rigid inflatable raft, up to 16 guests |
| Water time | Reef snorkeling, possible underwater dolphin viewing |
| Ages | 4 and up |
| Main trade-off | No toilet aboard |
| 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 . Children pay less.
What's included
- Dolphin viewing
- Seasonal Humpback whale viewing (winter months only)
- Snorkel gear: mask (prescription masks available), snorkel, fins and a life vest
- Hotel transportation for the 7 a.m. departure
- Lunch
What's not included
- Gratuities
- Wet suits available to rent for $10
- GoPro Rental $40.00, you keep the SD card.
Options
Which option to book
Both departures include lunch and snorkeling. The 7 a.m. boat offers hotel transport, while the 10:30 a.m. boat requires you to meet at the harbor.
| Option | Departures |
|---|---|
| Departure | 7 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. |
The catch: Pickup must be arranged before 4 p.m. the day before, or you'll need to reach Waianae yourself.
The day
How does the day work?
The raft follows the Waianae coast for dolphin viewing and snorkeling with marine biologists and naturalists.
- 1
Meet at Waianae
The crew meets you beside Spinners Cafe before boarding the raft. The trip follows the island's west coast.
- 2
Dolphin search
You watch dolphins from seats close to the water. An underwater view depends on animal behavior and sea conditions, so it isn't promised.
- 3
Reef snorkeling
A separate snorkel gives you a chance to look for turtles and reef fish. Weather can prevent this part of the trip.
The 3-hour outing ends where you boarded at Waianae Boat Harbor. That time covers the dolphin search and any snorkeling. Pickup and the ride back to your hotel add road time.
Pickup and meeting point
- Harbor check-in: Check in beside Spinners Cafe at your booked time, 7 or 10:30 a.m. The boat leaves 30 minutes later. The meeting address is 85-491 Farrington Highway in Waianae.
- Hotel coverage: The 7 a.m. departure serves hotels in Waikiki and Ko Olina. If the van can't reach your hotel, a nearby pickup point takes its place.
- Pickup deadline: Hotel arrangements need to be made by 4 p.m. the previous day. Later bookings require your own ride, and the 10:30 a.m. departure has no hotel shuttle.
- Navigation: Your map search needs Waianae or ZIP code 96792. Oahu has two Farrington Highways, and the wrong one takes you away from the boat.
Before you book
- Choose this trip for children aged 4 and up. Younger children can't join the shared boat.
Fit
Is this tour right for you?
The 16-guest raft suits wildlife watchers who value time with marine biologists and naturalists. You're close to the water. Families can join from age 4 if everyone can manage without a toilet aboard. A dolphin swim isn't the promised outcome.
For fewer people, Aloha Ocean takes six guests at most from $200 per adult. For children aged 2 or 3, Dolphins and You offers dolphin watching and a turtle snorkel from $183 per adult.
Who it's not for
- Children younger than 4
- Travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health
- Anyone needing a toilet during the cruise
Good to know
Know before you go
The minimum age is 4, with child tickets covering ages 4 to 12. The raft trip isn't recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health. Your party must include an adult.
Prescription masks are available with the supplied snorkel gear. Wetsuits and cameras can be rented separately. You get a sandwich lunch with chips, and nonalcoholic drinks are kept in a cooler aboard.
Only the 7 a.m. sailing includes hotel pickup for this option. Arrange your ride before 4 p.m. on the previous day. The later departure requires your own transport to Waianae Harbor.
Bookings made more than 3 days ahead receive immediate acceptance. Within 3 days, operator approval follows your booking. A mobile reservation takes 1 to 9 travelers, while the raft carries up to 16 guests.
Snorkeling happens only when weather permits, and the cruise itself can be canceled for poor conditions. Your underwater dolphin encounter isn't promised. The wildlife search is led by marine biologists and naturalists.
You receive a full refund when you cancel at least 24 hours before departure. The standard terms don't refund later cancellations. Insufficient passenger numbers can also cancel a sailing, even after you've booked.
Reviews
How is it rated?
Alternatives
Which tour to choose instead
Fewer guests on the boat
Swim With Dolphins and Turtles in West Oahu (Semi-Private Tours)Aloha Ocean's shared powerboat costs from $200 per adult with a six-guest cap. Your own harbor transport is required.
★ 4.9 · 244 reviews · from $200 per adult
A dolphin outing with younger children
Oahu Dolphin and Snorkel Tour with Waikiki Pickup and LunchDolphins and You accepts children from age 2 and costs from $183 per adult. Selected hotel pickup and lunch are included.
★ 4.5 · 1,792 reviews · from $183 per adult
Offshore exploring with a smaller group
Small-Group Dolphin Turtle and Whale Safari w/ Marine BiologistsWild Side costs from $245 per person with ten guests at most. Biologists and naturalists guide the search offshore.
★ 5.0 · 79 reviews · from $245 per person
All 14 tours in the list “Whale watching and dolphin tours” · Oahu tours and activities by category
Questions
People also ask
- What is included in Dolphin Excursions Hawaii's price?
The safari starts from $193.88 per adult with lunch and snorkeling equipment included. You spend 3 hours on the raft. Hotel transport is included for the 7 a.m. departure, while optional wetsuit and camera rentals cost extra.
- Does Dolphin Excursions Hawaii have a toilet aboard?
No, the raft has no onboard toilet. Plan your bathroom stop before the 3-hour trip begins. You meet beside Spinners Cafe at Waianae Harbor, with check-in at your booked time, 30 minutes before the boat leaves.
- What happens if Dolphin Excursions Hawaii finds no dolphins?
You can return free if no dolphins are seen during your tour. The 3-hour trip focuses on watching wild animals from the raft. That repeat offer doesn't promise underwater dolphin encounters during the weather-dependent snorkel portion.
- Can you book Dolphin Excursions Hawaii at the last minute?
Yes, but a booking within 3 days of departure needs subsequent operator approval. Your request isn't final until the operator accepts it. Book more than 3 days ahead if you want immediate acceptance when you reserve.
- Does the later Dolphin Excursions Hawaii tour include pickup?
No, the 10:30 a.m. option is for guests meeting at the harbor. You check in at 10:30 a.m., and the boat leaves 30 minutes later. The 7 a.m. option is the one with selected Waikiki or Ko Olina hotel transportation.
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.