Luxury Snorkel Cruise, Local Buffet with Whale & Dolphin Watch
Overview
Available languages
3 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
Head to the country side of Oahu's West coast on a safe, comfortable Custom Catamaran, with a one of a kind Hot Hawaiian Buffet and beverages on board after snorkeling. With years of minimal development and mostly untouched waters, the Waianae Coast has maintained a flourishing abundance of marine life, coral reefs, and clear water. We visit areas frequented by pods of dolphins and turtles and many other sea life. From November through April, Humpback whales migrate here from Alaska during our winter months putting on a show for our guests. Snorkel in the warm, crystal clear blue waters that make unforgettable memories with our TOP RATED crew!
Additional Info
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
We can accept collapsible wheelchairs and small umbrella strollers but they will be stored at the marina during the cruise. Wheelchair guests must be able to walk up a short flight of steps onto the bus and boat.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Ocean Joy Cruises
Head north along the pristine western coast of Oahu to look for dolphins, whales (when in season), flying fish, green sea turtles and more. When your captain locates a pod of dolphins or whales, your boat stops to allow you to get an excellent view of the mighty mammals from the spacious deck. Afterward, your captain steers the boat into a special spot for snorkeling. Put on the provided gear and receive detailed safety and snorkeling instruction. Then hop in the water to marvel at colorful corals and a multitude of fish. Enjoy an hour of snorkeling in the clear tropical waters, with guides available to assist you with fish identification. Back on the boat, you can rinse off in one of the boat’s six warm, freshwater showers. Two changing rooms and restrooms are also available. A beautiful Hawaiian, Luau style Buffet and drinks are served! Please enjoy a scrumptious meal and look over the pictures our professional photographer on board took during your snorkel session and boat cruise.
What‘s Included
Local guide
Use of snorkels, masks, fins, flotation vests, flotation noodles
Reef Safe Sunscreen lotion, ginger pills
Hawaiian meal- Please notify Ocean Joy Cruises with any dietary concerns.
Hot Freshwater Showers
Restroom on board
Beverages (both alcoholic and nonalcoholic)
Optional Roundtrip Transportation from Waikiki
Gratuities
Pickup points
Hale Koa Hotel
2055 Kalia Road, Honolulu United States
The Ambassador Hotel of Waikiki, Tapestry Collection by Hilton
2040 Kuhio Ave, Honolulu United States
Hilton Grand Vacations Club Hokulani Waikiki Honolulu
2181 Kalakaua Avenue Honolulu United States
The Kahala Hotel & Resort
5000 Kahala Avenue Honolulu United States
Waikiki Resort Hotel
2460 Koa Avenue Honolulu United States
Ala Moana Honolulu by Mantra
410 Atkinson Drive Honolulu United States
Prince Waikiki
100 Holomoana Street Honolulu United States
Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa
2552 Kalakaua Avenue, Honolulu United States
Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort And Spa
2424 Kalakaua Avenue Honolulu United States
Options
Afternoon Cruise w/ Transport
Afternoon Cruise w/ Transport: Roundtrip transportation from select Waikiki hotels. Please contact [email protected] for pickup information.
Pickup included
Sunset Snorkel w/ Trans Winter
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes: Sunset Snorkel Cruise Winter is offered yearly from October 1st- March 31st and is 2 1/2 hours long due to the sunset time.
Roundtrip Trans Included: Roundtrip transportation from select Waikiki hotels. Please contact [email protected] for pickup information.
Pickup included
Sunset Snorkel Winter No Trans
Sunset Snorkel Cruise Winter: Transport yourself to Ko Olina Marina 92-100 Waipahe Place Kapolei, HI 96707 Check-in by 3:45 pm for 4:15 pm departure.
Morning Cruise - No Transport
Morning Calm Cruise: Transport yourself to the Ko Olina Marina, 92-100 Waipahe Place, Kapolei, HI 96707 Check-in by 7:30 am for 8 am departure.
Sunset Snorkel w/ Trans Summer
Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes: Sunset Snorkel Cruise Summer is offered yearly starting on April 1st - September 30th and is 3 1/2 hours long.
Roundtrip Trans Included: Roundtrip transportation from select Waikiki hotels. Please contact [email protected] for pickup information.
Pickup included
Morning Cruise w/ Transport
Includes Transportation: Roundtrip transportation from select Waikiki hotels. Please contact [email protected] for pickup information.
Pickup included
Afternoon Cruise -No Transport
Afternoon Adventure Cruise: Transport yourself to Ko Olina Marina, 92-100 Waipahe Place, Kapolei, HI 96707 Check-in by 11:45 am for 12:15 pm departure.
Sunset Snorkel Summer No Trans
Sunset Snorkel Cruise Summer : Summer months include April- September and are 3 1/2 hours long. Transport yourself checkin by 3:45 pm for 4:15 pm departure
Reviews
1,336 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Great excursion got to do everything
jasoncQ8949NG,,Feb 13, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00I would rate it a five we got to see whales, dolphins lots of fish and their food was great, Jase the photographer was fantastic and all the bartenders and everybody on the boat were awesome
Top excursion I’ve ever done (and I travel a lot)
Karieanne E,,Feb 11, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Easily the best excursion we have ever done. Crew was amazing, food was awesome. We saw whales and 2 types of dolphins and that wasn’t even the snorkel part! The told us to get back on the boat but in that moment they saw an eagle ray and told me to get back in the water. I’ve never had a tour care as much about our experience. I cannot recommend enough. Get the photos!!! Tip the crew and book this excursion!
Great tour
K4708RCbrendab,,Feb 6, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great tour, guides were very helpful! I was worried to not be able to see being I need my glasses to see. They had goggles prescription strength and they helped me find the best fit. Very helpful giving first time snorkelers many tips.
Great crew and vessel and scenic cruise.
DorrisWelch,,Feb 2, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Fantastic for the crew and vessel, but not the snorkeling. The crew was exception on January 18th. All young locals with authentic knowledge of the local waters. They truly cared about the environment and wanted to share their home waters with us. Lots of fun and a lovely boat. Having our lovely underwater snorkeling guide free dive way down to the bottom to bring up a big octopus and share with us at the surface was the highlight! What a water woman mermaid she is! A large sea turtle swam by which added to the experience. I would like to suggest the snorkel first, then the whale watch search, before the winds come up. Also, be aware we snorkel in deep water - about 20-30 feet so unless you are a free diver it's not possible to view much marine life and sadly the coral is not very healthy. We also saw several whales but no dolphins, as they are not always present. The crew were the reason I give this trip a five star rating. And the octopus!
Amazing Whale Watching & Snorkeling Adventure
511jennc,,Jan 30, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Words cannot do justice to this experience. The crew of our trip with Ocean Joy Cruises provided an excellent adventure. We saw whales, snorkeled with beautiful fish & sea turtles. The photographer Adam did a fabulous job of capturing the experience. This is a MUST if you’re looking for an up close and personal sea adventure!
Great tour and crew!
344carip,,Jan 28, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was a very fun tour. The crew was wonderful (friendly and helpful) and did a great job. We did not find many whales but that was not their fault - we would see them in the distance, head over to see them closer, and they would not come up again. We did see quite a few dolphins, the local types are smaller and quite cute. The snorkeling was great - lots of different fish and a very clingy octopus which we could hold if we liked. At the end, a photography package was offered by the photographer who had been busy taking them from the start to the finish, even in the water with us. Food and drinks were good and plentiful. I am happy to recommend this company and our crew. Thank you!
Outstanding crew and great nature experience
SoonersfromHouston,,Jan 28, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Once again, Captain Pat and crew delivered an exceptional outing. We’ve sailed with Ocean Joy several times out of Ko’Olina. This was our first January sailing, and we were not disappointed, seeing multiple whales. As always, while snorkeling the fish were plentiful and vibrant. And there were multiple sea turtles.
Great views, nice crew, and turtles!
Tim N,,Jan 27, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This was a fun trip. We were spoiled by Maui, so we were a bit down on not seeing a ton of whales, but as soon as we got in the water, we saw so many fish and turtles. The ride was great and the crew were so nice! The food even turned out to be really good! I would definitely book this again.
Best snorkel tour!
kaylacE4659IS,,Jan 27, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great experience we did the morning cruise and in true fashion we were a little late and they were so nice. We got taro bread pudding as a snack breakfast that was really good and the lunch was great. Chicken and pork and rice and fresh pineapple it was great. The crew was super knowledgeable and very catering. Captain garret and his crew were so nice and eagle eyes. Spotting a whale, dolphins, and turtles. Great time would go again and again.
THE BEST!!!!! Had an amazing day!!!!! I highly recommend! The crew is amazing! Got to see whales and turtles.
5rachelr,,Jan 23, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00THE BEST!!!!! What an amazing day! Driver locked up at hotel and was awesome! Loved hearing about the sights on the way to the dock. The entire crew was incredible!! So nice, so fun and helpful!!!! Beautiful boat ride- saw amazing whales, I snorkeled for the first time and saw sea turtles! Loved that there was a crew photographer that captured everything- including the whales and turtles! To top it off- the lunch served was so good!!!!! An amazing day in Hawaii!!!!! I highly recommend!
From US$174.00
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Operated by Ocean Joy Cruises - Oahu