Premium Snorkeling Cruise with Whale and Dolphin Watching

Overview

Available languages

Japanese

English

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‘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

Meeting and Pickup

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

What To Expect

After pickup from your central Waikiki hotel, travel by comfortable air-conditioned coach to the marina where you board the 61-foot (18.5-meter) catamaran for your 3.5-hour cruise. You can choose from three departure times — morning, midday or afternoon — to suit your schedule. 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. Your expert crew can answer any questions that you may have about the animals you see. 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 throughout your exploration. 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. Once the snorkelers return to the boat, the crew serves unlimited non-alcoholic beverages or your choice of beer, wine, mai tai or margarita (up to four alcoholic drinks included). Then tuck into a sumptuous Hawaiian buffet that may include teriyaki chicken, kalua pig (pulled pork), potato-pasta salad, rice and fresh fruit. As you eat inside the cabin, your boat begins a leisurely cruise back to the marina. Throughout the tour, your captain and crew shares the history and legends of the Waianae Coast. A professional photographer takes photos both on the boat and in the water, which you have the option to purchase back at the dock before you're returned to your Waikiki hotel.

Options

Morning Cruise w/ Transport

Includes Transportation: 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.

Private Sunset Charter

Price valid up to 25 people: We can accommodate up to 49 guest. For parties larger than 25 people, please reach out to us directly 808-677-1277.
Transportation Available: Transportation fee $40 per person. For transportation needs please reach out to us directly 808-677-1277.

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

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

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.

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

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.

Reviews

4.72

1,284 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

1091

EASY & FUN
amandamL3828YJ,
Nov 19, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Thank you to the captain and his crew for a wonderful tour. Should explain that it is illegal to swim with Spinner Dolphins.
So fun we went twice!
briannamT183JN,
Nov 19, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We enjoyed this snorkeling trip so much that we actually went in May and again when we were back in November! The crew is friendly, funny, and knowledgeable, ensuring that everyone is taken care of and having a good time. The captain Thorner put us onto a pod of spinner dolphins on both trips and the photographer Adam captures awesome pictures, even of shy little ones
Day was beautiful, ocean was glassy and the crew was amazing! We had a blast!
shellshock808,
Nov 17, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Kai oli’oli is a. Best kept tour secret on Oahu! I am a local and brought family visiting for the first time! The excursion was excellent but the crew! They made it 100%! !
Snorkeling Oahu
Wendy P,
Nov 16, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Beautiful afternoon on the boat. We saw spinner dolphins and a humpback whale while cruising, and turtles while snorkeling. Great buffet and drinks to end the day. Crew was great and engaged!
Lunch cruise and snorkeling
850eagera,
Nov 15, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Spent my husband’s birthday with this place. Saw a whale and dolphin and beautiful sea life. Fun times! This is our second time and still love this cruise! We will be back!
Afternoon Cruise with Ocean Joy Cruises
marypZ1748HZ,
Nov 15, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
I wanted to be out on the ocean for my Birthday with my Neice and my cousin. We had a Great time out on the westside. The day was perfect and made it even more Special for my birthday with a little cake that my niece brought on board. They ALL even sang Happy Birthday!!!! The staff was AWESOME and very much accommodating to everyone on the cruise. The food (buffet style), drinks was perfect also. I would definitely recommend Ocean Joy Cruises for their Morning Calm, Afternoon Cruise and their Sunset Cruise. The scenery on our westside is amazingly beautiful!!! Mahalo to all the staff from reservation to check in, boat staff. The camera guy was great with all his pictures that was take. I love um ALL!!!!
Not as advertised
96mitchella,
Nov 14, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
2.00
***Edit*** Reduced to 2 stars after receiving an email that their guarantee of seeing a dolphin puts you on another cruise if they have an opening. For me, I'm here for a wedding and check out tomorrow. I don't have time for another cruise if they have an opening. What a joke. They are at 1 star now. The cruise and crew was great. Very knowledgeable. We did not see a single dolphin. The advertisement said guaranteed dolphin sighting. We did see a lot of fish but no dolphins
Amazing!!
45carlenen,
Nov 14, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
It was amazing! So much fun and worth every penny. A must do! We had our 10 year old grandson who loved the boat ride and food. We all enjoyed the entire experience.
Family favorite!
Mauri H,
Nov 12, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
We had a small group because of off season, which was perfect! Our photographer was great and really added some personalized photos that were unique to any other snorkel experience we've had. The area we were taken to was great for beginners or those just wanting island time laid back snorkeling. The respect given to the environment and marine life was one of the main reasons we chose Ocean Joy. The food was the best sample of typical Hawaiian cookout type fare.
Such a fun experience!
H138LIheatherw,
Nov 11, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Such a fun trip! We got to see dolphins, several sea turtles, a sea snail and even a white tip shark! The views were great and we saw two rainbows! I did not have one complaint throughout this trip, the crew (Matt, Adam, Zack) were great, snorkeling was a blast, the food we delicious and the views were amazing, HIGHLY recommended!