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Oahu’s wildlife trips centre on green sea turtles. The Turtle Canyon Snorkel runs three hours off Waikiki to a reef with a 95% turtle-sighting record, at $131 per snorkeler, with ride-along tickets for non-swimmers. The Nature & Turtle Kayak Tour is a 90-minute flat-water paddle up the Anahulu River at Haleiwa, from $140.
For a private group, the Ko Olina Wildlife Snorkel is a two-hour charter for up to six from Ko Olina Marina, where spinner dolphins, turtles and rays are often seen, at $995. Our guide to where to swim with sea turtles compares every island.
A two-hour private charter for up to six from Ko Olina Marina — West Oahu's calm waters with spinner dolphins,...
A three-hour boat snorkel at Turtle Canyon off Waikiki — the fish cleaning stations where endangered honu gath...
Stay well back from turtles in the water and on the sand, and at least 50 yards from spinner dolphins. Never touch or chase wildlife.
Mornings are usually calmer on the water, which makes snorkelling easier for beginners.
Turtle Canyon’s ride-along tickets let family members who do not swim come on the boat.
Hawaii bans sunscreens with oxybenzone and octinoxate. Apply a reef-safe formula before you board.
The Turtle Canyon Snorkel off Waikiki ($131), the Nature & Turtle Kayak Tour at Haleiwa (from $140) and the private Ko Olina Wildlife Snorkel charter ($995 for up to six).
Turtle Canyon, a reef a short boat ride off Waikiki, reports turtle sightings on about 95% of trips. On the North Shore, turtles are often seen in the Anahulu River at Haleiwa.
Yes. Turtle Canyon sells ride-along tickets for guests who stay on the boat, and the Anahulu River paddle is on flat water.
The west side off Ko Olina is where spinner dolphins are most often seen. The private Ko Olina charter visits those waters with a marine naturalist aboard.
No. Green sea turtles and spinner dolphins are protected, and federal rules require keeping at least 50 yards from spinner dolphins.
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