Best Boat Tours in Oahu

Oahu is an island paradise with amazing marine life, mesmerising scenery and crystal clear waters. All of these are tourist attractions that you can get to know and explore up close during your visit to this island region. So, wonder no more what to see and do in Oahu. Just check out the guided boat tours available and join one of them.

You can cruise along the coast of Oahu while taking in the scenery and then stop at Waikiki, Turtle Canyon, Ko Olina or Honolulu to dive into the waters and admire the local flora and fauna. You'll also have the opportunity to watch traditional dance performances and enjoy gourmet meals or bentos with Hawaiian food.

On your visit to Oahu you can't miss the west coast of the island, as it hides amazing natural beauties. Hop on a catamaran and, together with a crew of marine experts, learn about the local flora and fauna.

During the cruise you will be able to observe some whales and dolphins in their natural habitat, always keeping a safe distance. Afterwards, you can snorkel in Oahu and explore the marine life, consisting of a variety of tropical fish and coral reefs.

After this experience, you will board the boat to take a shower and wash all the salt water off your body. Afterwards, you will enjoy a buffet of Hawaiian food and drinks as the boat heads back to the starting point at Ko Olina.

Details of interest

• Price: from $157 per person.
• Duration: 3 hours (Approx.)
• Advantages: you will see whales and dolphins, you will enjoy a privileged landscape and you will be very close to some marine species while snorkelling.
• Disadvantages: water, tips and transfer to the hotel are not included.

The beautiful Waikiki Beach is part of the resorts on the island of Oahu and its waters are home to an amazing display of Hawaii's representative marine life, which you can experience on a glass-bottom boat tour.

This is a fun and safe activity of approximately 60 minutes, ideal if you don't know what to do in Oahu with children, as the little ones will be introduced to the marine wildlife. You'll be able to learn about marine life from the boat captain and some of the crew members.

The adventure gets even better when you start to see through the glass holes in the bottom of the boat, migrating whales, green turtles and dolphins moving freely underwater.

Interesting details

• Price: from 40 dollars per person.
• Duration: 60 minutes (approx.)
• Advantages: thanks to the glass-bottomed boat you will be able to see the behaviour of the marine fauna without having to dive.
• Disadvantages: Does not include hotel pick-up, water, gratuity or snack for those who don't have much time.

If you still don't know what to see and do in Oahu in 3 days, you should add a catamaran trip along the coast of Oahu to the famous Turtle Canyon reef system to your list of activities. There you'll be able to see hard corals, fish, turtles, octopus, sharks and other marine life.

This tour usually lasts a maximum of three hours, including the transfer time both there and back. During the trip you will enjoy a breathtaking view of Diamond Head, one of the most iconic volcanic formations in Hawaii's history.

At Turtle Canyon your guide will carefully explain how to use the snorkel and accompany you underwater. You'll get a close-up view of reef fish and green turtles, while keeping away from the white-tip sharks.

Don't miss out on this wonderful catamaran snorkelling experience and be part of the best nature tours on Oahu to discover the amazing marine life.

Details of interest

• Price: from $108 per person.
• Duration: 3 hours (Approx.)
• Advantages: You will see the famous Turtle Canyot reef system and other marine species that inhabit this region.
• Disadvantages: This is not a wheelchair friendly tour.

Enjoying one of the best sunset cruises in Oahu is one of the activities you should not miss.

You'll be mesmerised by the vibrant panoramic view that merges the sky with the sea as the sun sets. In addition, you can enjoy a live DJ or traditional dance show, Hawaiian-style dinner and cocktails.

The cruise usually begins with a dock welcome by Hawaiian dancers, who will dance to traditional hula rhythms. Then it's on to the boat for a party with a live DJ as you cruise along the Oahu coastline and drink in the happy hour.

Alternatively, you can enjoy a different type of tour, which incorporates a delicious dinner, tropical cocktail and live dance show. You'll be amazed by the impressive choreography, colourful costumes and stunning lighting effects.

Whether you board one of the best dinner cruises on Oahu or a party cruise, you'll be treated to a unique view of the sunset. And, if you pay close enough attention, you'll catch a glimpse of the Diamond Head volcanic cone in the distance and the wildlife that inhabits these calm waters.

Details of interest

• Price: from 100 dollars per person.
• Duration: 2 hours (Approx.)
• Advantages: You will experience a unique celebration in the middle of the ocean.
• Disadvantages: any extra cocktails you consume must be paid for separately.

A boat trip on the island of Oahu is a unique experience for any tourist. Especially if the tour incorporates water activities such as snorkelling and kayaking. Join this adventure and have fun in the ocean.

You will be able to see the flying dolphins as the boat moves through the waters of Oahu. You'll also have the opportunity to dive into the sea with snorkelling equipment and an expert guide to observe a variety of colourful fish and green sea turtles.

Before heading back to the harbour, you can slide down the boat's slide, swim in the ocean and hop into a kayak for a little paddle in the calm waters. Or, if you wish, stay on deck and enjoy Hawaiian music and a hula show.

Details of interest

• Price: from $189 per person.
• Duration: 3 hours (Approx.)
• Advantages: you will be able to dive into the water with snorkelling equipment to observe some marine species up close. You will also have the opportunity to kayak.
• Disadvantages: No food or alcoholic beverages are included.

Explore the waters of Waikiki on a cruise that will give you the opportunity to meet the wonderful wildlife of the place. You will enjoy unique landscapes in one of the best beaches of Oahu and you will learn about the millenary traditions of the Hawaiian culture through the practice of Hula.

The tour usually lasts a maximum of two hours and begins with a ceremonial act known as "E Ho Mai", in which the universal power (Mana) is asked to bless the whole place with its wisdom.

Afterwards, you will see the imposing species of humpback whales in their natural habitat, whose length and weight can reach 16 metres and 36,000 kilograms. You will also listen to whale songs and the guide in charge will tell you about these cetaceans.

Before ending the tour and saying "A Hui Ho" or "see you next time", you will learn some Hawaiian songs and some of the movements of the ancient Hula dance. You will enjoy a nice coffee and a special dish with tofu, mushrooms and seaweed.

This is definitely one of the top 10 things to do on Oahu in January or any other month of the year.

Interesting details

• Price: from $108 per person.

• Duration: 2 hours (Approx.)

• Advantages: you will meet new animal species and learn the basic steps of Hula.

• Disadvantages: Tips, water and alcoholic beverages are not included.

If you still don't know what to see and do on Oahu in 4 days, you could add to your list of activities a historic boat ride to the iconic region where the surprise attack on the Pearl Harbor naval base by the Imperial Japanese Navy occurred in 1941.

There you can see the monument to the battleship USS Arizona, one of the two ships sunk in the attack.

Through this tour, you will admire the beautiful seascape of the coast of Oahu and enjoy a privileged view of the city of Honolulu. Upon arrival at Pearl Harbor, you will also see an exact replica of the USS Arizona, which lies sunken beneath the Visitor Centre.

You will be able to get off the ship to access a couple of museums and a screening room where you will see a documentary about this event. You'll also have the opportunity to buy some souvenirs before heading back.

Details of interest

• Price: from $54 per person.
• Duration: 5 hours (Approx.)
• Advantages: you will learn about the surprise attack on the Pearl Harbor naval base and enjoy a privileged landscape.
• Disadvantages: Snacks and transfer to the hotel are not included.

If you want to escape the crowds and enjoy a sunset tour of Oahu's south shore with your family or friends, the best option is to opt for a private tour.

On this tour you'll be able to relax with the panoramic view, enjoy an aperitif and sip a tropical cocktail, while listening to your favourite music through the boat's sound system.

The tour route starts at Kewalo Harbour and takes you along the Waikiki coastline, continuing the tour a few miles past Diamond Head State Monument and finally returning.

Along the way, you'll watch the crystal clear waters and the sun slowly set until it disappears over the horizon. In addition, the captain and crew will tell you about the history of the island and teach you about the marine wildlife. Definitely a good option for you if you don't know what to do in Oahu at night.

Details of interest

• Price: from $749 per person.
• Duration: 2 hours (approx.)
• Pros: Enjoy snacks, music and the captain's commentary as you watch the sunset.
• Disadvantages: Dinner and drinks are not included.

If you're a water sports enthusiast and don't know what to do on Oahu's North Shore, you'll be interested in a boat tour of the North Shore with a diving lesson and professional guidance.

The tour will take you through the calm, paradisiacal waters of North Oahu, where you'll take in the beautiful natural scenery and then dive into the water to snorkel and explore the marine beauty that reigns there:

• Coral reefs.
• Green turtles.
• Dolphins.
• Colourful fish.

You may have little or no diving experience, so a specialised instructor will accompany you during this marine adventure. He will also teach you the basic rules of scuba diving and provide you with the necessary equipment for the dive.

Details of interest

• Price: from 235 dollars.
• Duration: 3 hours (approx.)
• Advantages: You will learn to dive and explore the marine fauna of the region.
• Disadvantages: Snacks are not included.

Boat trips to Oahu can last from 60 minutes to up to 6 hours. It all depends on the route chosen and the additional activities included.

For example, there are short trips along Oahu's coastline where you can admire the scenery while your guide tells you about the history of the marine wildlife. Then there are the two- or three-hour tours where you can enjoy the sunset, dinner, drinks and dancing on the boat under the moonlight.

On the other hand, there are the longer tours, which can be three or even six hours, where you can snorkel, dive, swim, paddle a kayak and even surf.

On this type of Oahu shore excursion you will see humpback whales, dolphins, green turtles, migrating whales, fish, octopus, sharks, hard corals, among other marine species.

You will also enjoy the beautiful scenery with crystal clear waters and, depending on the time of the tour, you may be able to see the island at night. You will also have the unique opportunity to get a close-up view of the legendary battleship USS Arizona at Pearl Harbor.