Best Atlantis Submarine Tours in Oahu

There is no doubt that Hawaii's landscapes are a marvel, but beneath the surface, within the Pacific Ocean, lies a mysterious and totally unknown universe.

Isabel Catalán

Isabel Catalán

4 min read

Best Atlantis Submarine Tours in Oahu

Inside Atlantis | Wikipedia

The seabed holds incredible treasures. Discover them by boarding the Atlantis Oahu submarine and feel for a moment like Captain Nemo himself from the novel "Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea".

1. Submarine rides the depths of the island of Oahu

Two turtles sighted from the submarine| ©Amanda
Two turtles sighted from the submarine| ©Amanda

Hawaii's beaches, with their turquoise waters, cliffs and white sand, are like a slice of paradise on earth. A place whose beauty leaves more than one person spellbound and open-mouthed.

Most people are familiar with Oahu's underwater charms while snorkelling, but with this Atlantis Oahu submarine trip you'll discover an exciting new world as you descend 30 metres into the water to see the rich underwater life that inhabits the island's waters and normally remains out of sight.

With the Atlantis Oahu submarine you'll take a tour where you'll see all kinds of coral reefs, green turtles, tropical fish, manta rays and other marine creatures in their natural habitat while a guide explains in detail a lot of curiosities about the flora and fauna that lives on Oahu.

Another reason to take the Atlantis Oahu submarine tour is that it's an exciting adventure that will take you to discover the wrecks of sunken planes and ships as they travel along the seafloor.

If you've never done this kind of tour before, it's definitely something you have to do on Oahu during your holiday. It's a truly amazing experience and it's not every day you get the chance to experience something like this.

If you're travelling with your family, the kids will be amazed as they observe the remains of these ships on which the corals grow and imagine that they are the protagonists of a legendary expedition to the bowels of the planet. They won't forget it!

This is a flexible tour so, depending on availability on selected dates, you can choose standard or premium times and options to suit your tastes or needs.

Book a tour on the Atlantis

How much does it cost to take a submarine tour on Oahu and are there any discounts available?

Passengers boarding the Atlantis| ©Brian Sterling
Passengers boarding the Atlantis| ©Brian Sterling

Submarine tours to see the depths of the ocean cost around 100 euros.

However, if your budget is a little tighter and you just want to see a bit of what's in the water without spending a lot of money, a cheaper option is to go snorkelling. You can find options for 70-80 euros.

For more information, I recommend you take a look at the post Snorkelling in Oahu.

How to book a submarine tour

Depth gauge| ©Andy Blackledge
Depth gauge| ©Andy Blackledge

It's really easy! I recommend that you book your underwater tour online and in advance of your travel date. That way you'll have your spot secured before you leave for Hawaii. These are very popular activities that sell out quickly, especially if you're travelling to Oahu in high season.

To book just choose the date and number of travellers. You will need to pay at the time of booking to secure your place.

Is it worth doing a submarine tour in Oahu?

Submarine starting the dive with Diamond Head in the background| ©Brian Sterling
Submarine starting the dive with Diamond Head in the background| ©Brian Sterling

Absolutely. Unlike snorkelling tours where you dive to observe the underwater life at water level, by joining this Atlantis Oahu submarine tour you will dive into the depths of the ocean (no less than 30 metres!) to see all the flora and fauna that lives there and that normally escapes our sight.

You'll also see planes and sunken ships that are shrouded in a ghostly halo of mystery.

How to do a submarine tour in Oahu?

Surfacing to the surface| ©Viator.com
Surfacing to the surface| ©Viator.com

It's easy! In Hellotickets you can compare prices, schedules as well as availability of tickets and excursions.

What will I see on a submarine tour?

Artificial reef as seen from the submarine| ©Quinn Dombrowski
Artificial reef as seen from the submarine| ©Quinn Dombrowski

The clear waters of the island of Oahu are the perfect setting to enjoy a tour like this.

You'll have the chance to ride a submarine (something that doesn't happen every day) and sail into the depths to see all kinds of tropical fish, green turtles, manta rays, eels, yellow tangs, sharks and beautiful coral reefs in their natural habitat - just as if you were one of them! I recommend you read the article Hawaii's marine life to find out more.

You can also see some aeroplanes and sunken ships on which corals have grown, making them a natural refuge for these creatures and contributing to the conservation of aquatic flora and fauna.

How spacious is the interior of the submarine?

Interior of the Atlantis submarine| ©Amaury Laporte
Interior of the Atlantis submarine| ©Amaury Laporte

That's right, inside the submarine there is enough personal space to be comfortable during the tour and the windows are large so you can see everything without missing any details.

If you've never been on a submarine before, you may be a little wary of the claustrophobic feeling inside the ship, but you'll see that this is not the case. The company that offers this activity has state-of-the-art submarines approved by the Coast Guard and are air-conditioned for the safety and comfort of all passengers, so there's nothing to worry about!

Frequently asked questions

  • How long will I be underwater?

    The submarine experience will consist of a 50-minute underwater ride, while the underwater scooter ride lasts 1 hour.

  • Will I ride a real submarine?

    Yes! You can choose the Oahu Atlantis submarine adventure to ride in a real submarine and see all kinds of fish, coral and other marine life with live narration. You can also ride an underwater scooter to get a closer look at the island's marine life.

  • What do the underwater experiences and tours include?

    The underwater scooter adventure includes wetsuit, snorkelling gear and other necessary equipment, plus drinks and snacks, as well as a catamaran ride to the site where you will dive underwater. The underwater adventure includes a full live professional narration in English and an audio guide available in other languages, plus a boat trip that will transport you to the dive site.