My morning began at Ala Wai Boat Harbor, tucked right behind the Prince Waikiki Hotel. Which couldn’t have been more convenient with bathrooms right by the dock and plenty of parking close at hand. I chose the easy option, paying about $1 an hour to park near the boat. For those looking to save a few bucks, free parking was available closer to the ocean, about an 8–10 minute walk away.
As soon as we arrived, the crew greeted us with big smiles and warm aloha. It felt less like checking into a tour and more like being welcomed onto a friend’s boat. Guests slowly settled in, some stretching out on the outside benches on the boats main deck, others ducking inside the shaded cabin. I noticed a mother with three very young children find a perfect spot on a cushioned bench by the window. The kids were safe, shaded, and happily looking through the big windows to the outside, it looked like a comfortable choice for families with little ones.
Setting Sail: Laughs, Surfers, and Sea Breezes
Once everyone was aboard, the captain introduced himself along with the crew, Alexio, Seamus, and Kainoa. We all gathered on the cargo nets at the front of the boat for the safety briefing. Normally, these kinds of announcements are dry, but this one had us laughing. The captain joked about how to “properly” fall into the water, which had even the shyest kids giggling.
As we motored out through the Ala Wai Channel, we passed Ala Moana Bowls, one of Waikiki’s most famous surf breaks. The surfers were absolutely ripping, carving waves with style, and the kids on board were cheering every ride.
Here’s a tip: if you have young kids who love action, head straight to the front of the catamaran as it leaves the harbor. That’s when you’re sailing into the wind, which means maximum bounce and splash time. The kids up there were shrieking with joy every time a wave slapped the nets.
The Ride to Turtle Canyon
On the way out, the crew handed out snorkel gear and flotation belts, making sure each mask and belt fit perfectly. They were attentive and patient, checking in with everyone until they were comfortable. The vibe was laid-back but professional, with music drifting over the deck and Diamond Head rising in the distance like a postcard.
It was at that moment I felt the city fall away. Waikiki’s towers were behind us, and the open Pacific stretched ahead. It was liberating like stepping out of the everyday and into something timeless.
Snorkeling with the Honu
Once anchored at Turtle Canyon, Seamus shouted, “The pool’s open!” Anyone geared up could follow him straight into the water. I slipped down the boat’s staircase into warm, clear water.
Within minutes, Seamus was hollering through his snorkel, “Turtle over here!” Sure enough, he was pointing to a massive honu gliding just below the surface.
Every time a turtle dove too deep, Seamus was already searching for the next one. He worked the reef like a guide who truly knew his stuff, leading us from turtle to turtle with infectious enthusiasm.
Some of these turtles were mondo massive. I’m talking four feet long, pushing 300 pounds, moving with the grace of creatures that have been here for centuries. Floating alongside them felt surreal, almost sacred.
At one point, I got close enough to catch a whiff of a turtle burp. Yes, that’s a thing. Imagine rotten seaweed… weirdly gross, but somehow endearing. A memory that’s impossible to forget.
The crew stayed watchful the whole time, scanning the water and making sure everyone was safe. It gave me confidence to fully enjoy the moment without worry.
Bonus Fun: Jumps and Laughter
After snorkeling, the crew let us jump off the side of the catamaran. It turned into an impromptu splash contest—kids cannonballing, one dad pulling off a swan dive, and plenty of laughter from the boat. The water ladder made climbing back up easy, and most of us went for round two (or three). Honestly, it was as much fun as the snorkeling itself.
Sailing Back: Sun-Drunk and Content
On the sail back, the crew passed out complimentary snacks and opened the cash bar. By then, after a morning of salt water, sunshine, and turtle-chasing, I was absolutely ready for a drink. I shuffled downstairs into the cabin where the bar was tucked away, and there was Seamus, now playing bartender, grinning like he’d been waiting for me all along.
“Mai Tai or Blue Hawaiian?” he asked, holding up the bottles like a game show host. He mentioned they rotate their cocktail menu, but today’s lineup was pure tropical cliché—and he highly recommended leaning into it. “If you want to really feel like you’re on vacation,” he said with a wink, “skip the beer. Beer is for people still in denial. Mai Tai’s for the bold. Blue Hawaiian’s for the dreamers.” I laughed, ordered a Mai Tai, and took his advice.
Back on deck, downwind and sun-kissed, the cocktail hit perfectly, fruity, a little ridiculous, and just right for watching the skyline creep back into view. Seamus was right: sipping a tiki drink while stretched out on the cargo nets felt like the only correct ending to a day like this. I lay there with the sun on my face, Diamond Head in the background, blissed out and a little sun-drunk. After swimming with more turtles than I could count, laughing with strangers who now felt like friends, and soaking in the open ocean, I couldn’t help but wonder: Did I just dream all of that? Did it really happen? Or maybe… had I somehow become a turtle myself?
By the time we pulled into Ala Wai Harbor, I was blissed out, smiling, and a little sad it was over. I dropped a $20 in the tip jar without hesitation. After all, anyone who can guide me to turtles and sell me on a Mai Tai has more than earned it.
Final Thoughts: Is the Turtle Canyon Catamaran Snorkel Worth It?
Is it family-friendly? Yes. I saw a mom with three little kids cozy in the shaded cabin, while older kids were loving the splash zone up front and later cannonballing off the boat.
How’s the crew? Top-notch. From the captain’s jokes during the safety briefing to Seamus literally hunting down turtles for us in the water, they kept it safe, fun, and personal.
Do you actually see turtles? Absolutely—big, mondo-sized honu gliding right past us. At one point I even caught a turtle burp (imagine rotten seaweed, unforgettable).
What about the ride itself? On the way out, we cruised past surfers at Ala Moana Bowls with Diamond Head in the distance—pure Waikiki vibes. On the way back, smooth downwind sailing made it easy to sprawl on the nets without getting soaked.
Food and drinks? Complimentary snacks plus a cash bar downstairs. I couldn’t resist Seamus’ pitch for a Mai Tai. He wasn’t wrong; it hit perfectly in the sun.
Worth the price? 100%. It felt more like a day with friends than a tour—laughs, honu, cocktails, and postcard views rolled into one.
For me, this wasn’t just snorkeling. It was a real Waikiki moment, one I’d recommend to anyone visiting Oahu.
