Waikiki's Most Affordable Turtle Snorkel Boat Tour - Mana Kai Catamaran
Overall Rating
4.76
Sunny!
Reviewed by: Kara, 2024/01/28Fun, but it gets hot out in the sun! Just be sure to bring tons of screen(reef safe!)
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| Attended as: | Friends |
| Activity Date: | 2023/10/20 |
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Great easy tour
Reviewed by: Lisa, 2024/01/21The guys that operate the boat were easy going, friendly and informative with a splash of humour.
The trip delivers as promised. They sail you to turtle canyon, you snorkel and enjoy a lovely sailing journey back.
It doesn’t have frills like food or drink ( you can take your own goodies, no problem), but that’s not what this trip is about. It caters perfectly to the people that put simply just want to catch a ride to the perfect spot to see turtles.
I would absolutely use them again. They are professional and good value for money. I recommend them A+++.
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| Attended as: | Families |
| Activity Date: | 2024/01/19 |
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Good Option
Reviewed by: J Krieger , 2022/10/15I booked the morning turtle snorkel tour hoping that time would ensure we saw turtles and we did! There were 5 turtles and occasionally 1 would surface near us and then swim back down. Great experience seeing them up close.
This tour was the best price I found and since it's a short sail, glad I did.
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| Attended as: | Couples |
| Activity Date: | 2022/09/23 |
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This tour is definitely worth doing!
Reviewed by: Michelle, 2022/09/24I've been to Oahu many times. I brought my fiance this time since he's never been. I wanted him to try out snorkeling and see things other than fish, so the turtle tour was a perfect fit. Honestly the crew did a great job. Even the people we had on the boat with us doing the tour was a wonderful group. The only few downsides were: it rained. And I mean it poured! Not for very long and I'm sure the people in the water didn't notice it much, but I was sitting on the boat at the time and I was trying to cover our backpack and towels, since we would need them to dry off later, and it was coming down like pellets. But it didn't last more than 10-15 min and was more or less over. But the sky stayed dark making it hard to see through the already dark water. The turtles became less visible and it made our whole group decide to get out of the water and come back onto the boat to head back in. We were out there for a good amount of time but not the full time. The other problem we had was it got very crowded in the water looking at the turtles. 4 other boats full of passengers were doing other turtle tours as well. There was just a lot of people bumping into each other. I tried to stay away from most people and still saw a ton of turtles, but my fiance on the other hand had a harder time. It was also scary when I'd look up and not see him through all these other people. The last problem was that there were a few people who didn't know how to swim or snorkel. So it took a long time to explain how to use the snorkel equipment and pass out floaties. The positives were the boat was smooth sailing. Everyone was on time and nice. The turtles were wonderful. Hard to see them when they get super deep but they were big and beautiful and did not disappoint. Lots of fish to see too. The couple who run the boat are wonderful and so are there family who came and helped out as well. For the price I would definitely recommend this and probably do it again when we go back!
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| Attended as: | Couples |
| Activity Date: | 2022/09/03 |
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Easy and fun snorkel trip
Reviewed by: Paola, 2022/07/29Super easy and fun. Short boat trip with essentials provided to jump in, snorkel, and see some turtles. Crew was friendly and accommodating. Bring your own snacks, towel and fins too (only snorkel, mask, and floaty provided). Snorkel spot was a bit crowded with other tours but seeing honus did not disappoint. We say 7-8 turtles at one point, Amazing!
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| Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
| Activity Date: | 2022/07/20 |
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No frills catamaran sail in Waikiki, lots of Turtles
Reviewed by: Yes to Hawaii, 2022/01/17With this cruise, we were provided with snorkels and snorkel vests. However, no fins are included. I'd recommend finding some fin rentals as it can be pretty exhausting to snorkel without them. Saw lots of turtles and fish! This catamaran is also a beach catamaran so the boat comes right up on the sand. It's right across from Duke's Statue (not to be confused with Duke's Waikiki restaurant). If you'd like a short activity in Waikiki to get out on the water, this is perfect! We did the AM cruise and visibility was perfect.
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| Attended as: | Friends |
| Activity Date: | 2021/08/25 |
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Turtle canyon snorkel tour
Reviewed by: Sheila, 2021/09/05We had a great time. Staff was helpful and kind. Waves were choppy but didn't stop us from getting it done!
When you get to the Duke statue look for the rainbow umbrella on the beach. The catamaran is tied up in the water waiting for you. The sail was not up so didn't see the rainbow sail on the catamaran. Check in with the folks at the umbrella and wait patiently for the late comers. We had approx 25 people on our tour and it was just right. Not over crowded but not spacious either.
They took us out about 15 mins off Waikiki shore to a place called Turtle Canyon. There were several other boats and craft out there doing the same thing. But it did not interfere with us.
We saw plenty of fish and 1 turtle. Fun was had by all. For the price you can't beat this tour. I am a frequent visitor to Oahu and would bring more friends on this tour again. Coming back next year with a different group and will suggest it again for them. Great for beginners and intermediate snorkelers.
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| Attended as: | Friends |
| Activity Date: | 2021/09/03 |
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Fun snorkeling for the first time
Reviewed by: Michelle, 2021/08/302nd time being in hawaii and haven’t gone snorkeling until now. The experience was very exciting especially seeing the fishes and sea turtles. The life guards and the kids were very helpful ! Such a fun couple of hours spent at waikiki beach. I decided to buy my own snorkel gear for sanitary reasons. I want to try it again some time when i get the opportunity too.
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| Attended as: | Friends |
| Activity Date: | 2021/08/28 |
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Snorkel
Reviewed by: Rodney, 2021/06/26The boat and the ride was fun. The current in the water was a little strong so it was hard to go snorkeling. The kids really struggled and so did the majority of the adults. Most of the kids held on to a rope or to the boat itself. Would have been nicer in calmer waters. The cost was on the low end. So for the boat ride we enjoyed ourselves
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| Attended as: | Couples |
| Activity Date: | 2021/06/06 |
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Something fun and different! We saw about 5 turtles at the canyon and several on the ride out there. Recommend; the crew was so nice and easy going! My kids had a blast. Thank you Mana Kai!
Reviewed by: Kate, 2020/02/18We had a great time on the tour. The boat was easy to find. We signed a waiver and picked a spot to sit until it was time to leave. The crew were friendly and told us where to sit if we want a splash (my kids did) and where to stay dry. They even kept our bag somewhere safe from the waves. My kids loved laying on the net and riding out to turtle canyon. We were one of the first boats out there. They went over some simple instructions and handed out snorkeling equipment. I liked the life vests they used-it was an aqua lung type instead of a basic life jacket so you could choose how much air to have. I had brought a life jacket for my toddler and 5yr old, but they also had life vests for some other kids on our tour.
I had a 10, 5, and 22mo old with me. The crew was helpful handing out stuff and trying to find a mask to fit my 5yr old. She is actually a pretty good snorkel-er but unfortunately it was hard finding a mask and snorkel that fit her. They kept filling with water. I wish I had known and I would have brought hers. If you have a set you like-my tip is to bring it. They did not provide fins either which was ok but I can get my kids and I around easier with fins. The masks and snorkels were pretty basic. Mine fogged up every couple minutes but luckily I am experienced and can clear it. That’s the only draw-back about the trip is I would have rather had our own stuff that we have properly cleaned and fit better. It’s February and kind of a windy/rainy day but it was still warm enough to be comfortable In the water. There were lots of waves and the water was cloudy so it was difficult to see. Soon there were tons of boats and people. We mostly interacted with Matt. He was out in the water life guarding. He helped us find the turtles and was so nice letting my kids hold onto his surfboard when needed. He even helped me carry my middle daughter to the beach since I had my hands full. Thank you! He definitely made the tour great!
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| Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
| Activity Date: | 2020/02/17 |
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Had a lovely time
Reviewed by: DanGold, 2019/01/13Great hosts, gorgeous weather and lovely location. We saw plenty of turtles and catamaran wasn't crowded which was nice. Our children used their own goggles which wasn't a problem, but if we didn't have them the provided snorkles would not have fit, but all in all a lovely time. Would recommend.
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| Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
| Activity Date: | 2019/01/10 |
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Lots of turtles!
Reviewed by: Ryan, 2018/12/30My wife and I really enjoyed our trip. The boat was easy to get on and off and the snorkel destination is close by. We went at the end of December and there were at least 5 turtles swimming with us. Lots of fun for a quick and easy adventure. The views of waikiki on he way home were a plus!
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| Attended as: | Couples |
| Activity Date: | 2018/12/27 |
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