Oahu: Dolphin Watch Cruise with Waterslide & Snorkeling

4.83

(147 reviews)

What’s the experience like?

We stepped onto the Poseidon just as someone was finishing a soft chant — our guide called it an “Oli” for safe travels. The boat had this salty smell, mixed with sunscreen and coffee from someone’s thermos. I didn’t expect to see dolphins so soon, but there they were — Spinner dolphins flipping in the distance while everyone pointed and whispered (like we’d scare them off if we talked too loud). Our guide, Kimo, knew all their names or at least acted like he did. He told us to keep our eyes out for Bottlenose and Pan Tropical Spotted dolphins too — I tried to remember which was which but mostly just watched the water flicker in the sun.

After that first rush, we drifted along Oahu’s west coast for a bit before heading toward Makaha. The water there is this unreal blue, almost fake-looking. Snorkeling was… honestly a little awkward at first (I always forget how weird fins feel), but then it turned into something peaceful — floating above sea turtles and these neon fish darting around coral. My mask fogged up so I missed part of what Kimo was pointing at, but I caught enough. Lunch was a turkey sandwich (they’d packed veggie wraps too), chips, and green tea that tasted kind of sweet after all that saltwater.

The 21-foot waterslide looked huge from the top deck — my nephew dared me to go first so I did (screamed halfway down). There was also a floating mat where some kids played king-of-the-hill and a couple of people tried stand-up paddleboarding without much luck. The sun felt good on my shoulders by then. Someone handed out hot cocoa when we got chilly after swimming — not sure why hot chocolate on a boat hit so different but it did.

I still think about that moment floating quiet above the reef, just hearing my own breath and the distant laughter from the boat. It wasn’t perfect — my mask leaked, I got sunburned on my knees somehow — but it felt real in a way you can’t plan for. On the ride back toward Waikiki, Kimo told us stories about growing up here; he laughed when I tried to say “mahalo” right (I probably butchered it). So yeah… if you’re looking for an Oahu dolphin watching cruise that feels lively but not forced, this is probably it.