Oahu Turtle Canyon: Small Group Snorkel Tour & Fast Boat

4.88

(704 reviews)

What’s the experience like?

I almost missed the dock because I got distracted by a street vendor selling malasadas—should’ve known sugar before snorkeling isn’t the best idea. Anyway, I made it just in time to meet our guide, Keoni, who greeted us with that easy local smile and handed out snorkel gear like he’d done it a thousand times. There were only five of us plus Keoni, which felt weirdly intimate for something so close to busy Waikiki. The boat itself looked like it could outrun half the jet skis in the harbor.

The ride out to Turtle Canyon was quick but wild—the kind where your hair gets whipped into knots and you taste salt on your lips before you even hit the water. Keoni pointed out Diamond Head off to our left, and I tried to snap a photo but my phone nearly went flying (lesson learned). When we finally stopped, everything got quiet except for the slap of waves against the inflatable sides. You could see straight down into this blue-green world—like someone had cranked up the color saturation just for us.

Getting in was colder than I expected (I yelped, not gonna lie), but then there they were: two sea turtles gliding past like they owned the place. One popped up right next to me—I swear it looked me in the eye before drifting off. I heard someone laugh through their snorkel and realized it was me. We floated there for what felt like ages, watching fish dart around coral heads and trying not to kick each other by accident. At one point Keoni dove down and waved at a third turtle; he told us later its Hawaiian name but I absolutely butchered repeating it back—he just grinned.

I didn’t want to get back in the boat, honestly. But we did, dripping everywhere while Keoni passed around pineapple juice and some snacks (I still had sugar on my mind). Heading back toward Honolulu, sunburn already starting on my shoulders, I caught myself thinking about that slow-motion moment underwater—a kind of hush you don’t get on land. So yeah, if you’re looking for a day trip from Waikiki that’s more than just ticking boxes…this is probably it.