Waikiki Turtle Canyon Afternoon Snorkel Tour - Three Tiki Sailing Catamaran

Spend the afternoon on the waters of Waikiki on board a trimaran sailing vessel, and get ready for one of the smoothest rides on Oahu before heading in to the water to explore Turtle Canyon, Waikiki's best snorkel location to spot Hawaiian green sea turtles. After your check-in, climb aboard the Hokulani, and while the boat can accommodate 40 passengers, the capacity is limited to 25 guests to ensure the utmost in safety and comfort. Once you arrive at Turtle Canyon, you will have approximately one hour to swim and snorkel, or to just simply relax on the provided floating mats. Afterwards, enjoy sailing past Diamond Head while taking in the amazing Waikiki and Honolulu views. Book now, and don't miss out on this fun and exciting family-friendly Oahu snorkeling tour!

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Why do travelers choose this tour?

Since the Three Tiki Afternoon Snorkel Tour takes place at Turtle Canyon, you will see many Hawaiian green sea turtles in this area. Turtle Canyon is a "cleaning station" for the turtles, and they will come to the reef and rest while fish will come around and clean off their shells. This symbiotic relationship provides wonderful views of these marine creatures for both snorkelers and scuba divers.

The boat used on this turtle snorkeling tour is a trimaran sailing vessel which provides the smoothest sail on the ocean, and makes this a wonderful option on both calm and rough seas. The triple-hull design allows the boat to easily sail over waves for a fantastic sailing experience.

Although the Hokulani is certified for 49 passengers, the capacity of the boat is limited to 25 guests so that participants can avoid the hustle and bustle of crowds, and have a fun and safe snorkeling and sailing experience.

Since this Waikiki turtle snorkeling adventure is BYOB, guests are welcome to bring drinks and snacks to enjoy during the tour. Be sure that the containers are paper, aluminum, or plastic since glass containers are not allowed onto the boat for safety reasons.

Local expert tips

• This activity books up quickly, and we highly suggest booking 2 to 4 weeks in advance, especially during busy seasons like summer and spring break.
• If you are prone to seasickness, please consult your doctor and take your medication before boarding the boat.
• Although the sea turtles are friendly, both the NOAA and DLNR guidelines state that you should stay at least 10 feet (3 meters) away from the Hawaiian green sea turtles both in and out of the water.
• What to bring: Reef-safe sunscreen and a towel are both needed, and although not required, guests are encouraged to bring drinks and snacks to have while on board. Coolers and ice are provided to keep your beverages chilled.
• What to wear: Guests should wear their swimsuit under their clothes, flip-fops or sandals, sunglasses and/or a hat for sun protection, and a hoodie or a light jacket is recommended to wear after you exit the water.
• There are a number of places in the area that you can visit before or after your snorkel tour. Ala Moana Beach Park and Magic Island offer a safe and calm beach experience that is fantastic for all ages, and the Ala Moana Shopping Center is a few blocks away, and has a food court for any after snorkeling dining options, as well as hundreds of different retail stores.

How to get there?

The Ala Wai Boat Harbor is easily accessible from all parts of Oahu, and is located on the edge of Waikiki. Guests staying at Waikiki hotels and resorts can get to the check-in location by public transportation, taxis and ride shares, or driving on your own.

The harbor can be reached by the Honolulu City Bus by taking the #20, #23, or #42 west bound bus, and exiting at Ala Moana Blvd & Hobron Lane.

Guests who are driving can either park at the Ala Wai Boat Harbor paid parking, or there is also valet and self-parking at nearby hotels like the Prince Hotel and the Ilikai. Please note that hotel parking prices are much higher than the harbor parking.

Ala Wai Boat Harbor is approximately a one hour drive from the Ko Olina resort area, and up to a 15 minute drive from most major Waikiki hotels and resorts.

About the snorkel location

Turtle Canyon is a popular Waikiki snorkeling spot on Oahu, and is well-known for being a cleaning station and resting area for the Hawaiian green sea turtles. Located approximately 15 minutes by boat from Waikiki Beach, Turtle Canyon got its name due to the many turtles that can be found by the reefs and underwater rock formations. The Hawaiian green sea turtles, or honu as they are called in Hawaiian, will come to Turtle Canyon and rest along the reef as tropical fish eat the algae off of their shells. Some people have even called this area a turtle car wash! Turtle Canyon extends 30 to 35 feet deep, and depending on the ocean conditions, the visibility will allow you to easily see all the way down to the ocean floor.

Boat Information

The Hokulani, or heaven's star in Hawaiian, is a 41-foot long catamaran certified for up to 49 passengers for private charters. However, for shared tours, only 25 passengers are allowed on board to ensure maximum comfort. The boat's open concept design ensures unobstructed views from anywhere on the boat, and unlike many other sailing vessels in Waikiki, the Hokulani has an oversized 300 square foot covering to provide optimal shade and protection from the Hawaiian sun.

Guests can also go out on the two netted seating areas, relax on the five separate bench seats, and a sit back in a comfortable shaded lounge area known as "the nook". Additionally, the Hokulani is also equipped with two clean restrooms.