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Hawaii Cruises & boat tours

Our most recommended Hawaii Cruises & boat tours

Lahaina: Turtle Town Snorkel and Whale Watching Cruise

1. Lahaina: Turtle Town Snorkel and Whale Watching Cruise

Spot Hawaii's native marine life in its natural habitat on a snorkel cruise to Turtle Town from Lahaina. Swim past green sea turtles, Moorish idols, and even humpback whales. Enjoy an onboard lunch and drinks. Set sail from Lahaina Harbor towards Turtle Town, aka Mala Wharf (if weather conditions allow). See where, in 1992, a powerful hurricane created an artificial reef and sanctuary where corals and other marine life thrive. Spot Moorish idols, green sea turtles, and saddle wrasse while snorkeling here. If snorkel conditions are not ideal at Turtle Town a.k.a. Mala Wharf, cruise to one of the other premier westside snorkel locations such as Honolua Bay, Airport Beach, or Launiupoko. See Hawaiian green sea turtles, brightly colored tropical fish, and beautiful coral reef formations. During the whale season between December to April, observe humpback whales as they enjoy the warm Hawaiian waters (time permitting). Learn from expert narration about the whales and provide a play-by-play commentary of the whales' behavior as you view them.

Lahaina: Maui Channel Whale-Watching Catamaran Cruise

2. Lahaina: Maui Channel Whale-Watching Catamaran Cruise

Travel via high-speed catamaran from Lahaina Harbor to the Maui Channel to see the humpback whales, who return to Hawaii for a few months each year to mate and give birth. Get up close to these creatures in their native environment from comfortable table and chair seating. Keep your eyes peeled for whales slapping the surface with their very long side fins, tails, or the strong muscles attaching the tail to the rest of the body. See them spy-hop, when humpback whales come high out of the water to have a look around at the world above. See the majesty of a breaching whale, if you are lucky. This is when a whale rises completely out of the water and crashes down again. Don’t forget to bring your camera and take memorable photos from the shade of a spacious cabin.

Oahu: Shark Cage Dive on the North Shore

3. Oahu: Shark Cage Dive on the North Shore

Swim with the sharks during this tour that offers you the unique adventure of a shark dive, while ensuring your safety at all times. Discover the wonders of the sea on the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii alongside a certified guide. Bring your own masks and snorkels or use the ones provided on board. Your guide will give you a safety briefing at the start of the tour and will answer all your questions concerning this special adventure. See up to 200 feet (60 meters) in the crystal-clear, cobalt blue water. Depending on the season, you will encounter such magnificent animals as the Hawaiian Green Sea turtles, playful dolphins, and Humpback whales. Admire the sharks from the ship's deck, or experience the rush of entering the shark cage which allows you to be only inches away from sharks that can grow up to 15 feet (5 meters) in length. Capture pictures with your underwater camera of their grace and majesty in the water. Have 20 minutes to marvel at the sharks and cherish this unforgettable moment. Up to 8 people can be in the cage at the same time, so you can experience the sharks with someone you love.

Waikiki: Turtle Canyons Cruise and Snorkel Excursion

4. Waikiki: Turtle Canyons Cruise and Snorkel Excursion

Experience the magical underwater world of sea turtles. Dive under the waves with a snorkel and see the rainbow of tropical fish. Connect with the wide array of stunning marine life on this immersive tour. Start off with a cruise along the coast, where you can potentially spot spinner dolphins and humpback whales during the wither months. Once at the Turtle Canyons, you’ll get a brief lesson on snorkeling and your snorkeling equipment.  Snorkel alongside the sea turtles and tropical sea life under the supervision of a certified lifeguard, returning to the boat whenever you please to relax with complimentary refreshments.

Oahu: Afternoon Glass Bottom Boat Tour in Waikiki

5. Oahu: Afternoon Glass Bottom Boat Tour in Waikiki

If adventure is what you seek, join this daily boat tour. Enjoy the beauty of Hawaii’s South Shore as you head out from the slip in the Kewalo Basin Harbor and head toward Lē’ahi. Discover the underwater world while staying dry with the glass-bottom boat. Aboard the Haleiwa Queen, enjoy the clear view of the Pacific Ocean floor as you cruise over live tropical reefs and one of Hawaii’s shipwrecks. Keep an eye out for honu sea turtles, eels, reef sharks, dolphins, and schools of tropical fish, all from the deck of the vessel through the glass bottom boat viewports. Experience a unique perspective of Honolulu, above and below the surface.

Big Island, Hawaii: Night Manta Ray Snorkel Experience

6. Big Island, Hawaii: Night Manta Ray Snorkel Experience

Snorkeling with manta rays is a must-do while in Hawaii! Enjoy this amazing opportunity to see manta rays up close. Feed and interact with other ocean creatures on this cruise trip. After a safety briefing, gear up with the snorkeling equipment and wet suits provided. Relax and enjoy the cruise with drinks and snacks on board. Bring your underwater camera for photos and capture memories that will last a lifetime.

From Hawaii: Historical Dinner Cruise Tour to Kealakekua Bay

7. From Hawaii: Historical Dinner Cruise Tour to Kealakekua Bay

Step aboard and step back in time. Hop aboard a sunset dinner cruise in Kona for an enchanting Hawaiian history lesson from the experts. This family adventure departs from the Kailua Pier and is narrated by a local historian tour guide, who will reveal secrets, tell stories, and share legends related to the numerous landmarks along the 12 miles of magnificent Kona coastline. Unwind while you admire Captain Cook’s Monument at Historical Kealakekua Bay (only accessible by boat or hiking) with a complimentary cocktail from a fully stocked, premium bar. Begin your delicious dinner starting with an appetizer of Mauna Loa Big Island Macadamia Nuts (Vegan/GF). Then, enjoy a salad starter of Kealaola Farm mixed salad greens, Waimea grape tomatoes, Japanese cucumber, and red onion (Vegan/GF), served with house-made Maui Onion vinaigrette dressing (Vegan/GF). For your main course, choose the Thai coconut curry with Hamakua sweet potatoes, Hawaiian breadfruit, carrots, and bell peppers (Vegan/GF). Or, opt for steamed jasmine rice (Vegan/GF) with Kiawe mango barbecue pork short ribs served with papaya salsa (GF) and island-baked coconut dinner rolls served with butter (Vegetarian). Your dessert is a cheesecake with a local Lilikoi glaze (Vegetarian). Keep an eye out for dolphins, turtles, manta rays, and seasonal humpback whales throughout the evening. Enjoy live music from some of the Big Island's best entertainers performing slack-key Hawaiian Style music. Catch the sunset on the water and make sure to look for the famous Green Flash, a fleeting glimmer of intense emerald light that appears on the horizon just after sunset. Other highlights include the Ahu’ena Heiau, the Holua Slide, and the famous Kuamo’o Battlefield, just to name a few.

Maui: Scenic Sunset Cruise with 4-Course Dinner and Drinks

8. Maui: Scenic Sunset Cruise with 4-Course Dinner and Drinks

Make some unforgettable memories on this once-in-a-lifetime cruise experience, gazing at the colorful Maui sunset from the water while you enjoy a lovely meal at your private outdoor table on the deck, accompanied by your family or friends. All entrees are freshly grilled on board. Dinner includes appetizers, locally grown salad, a choice of entrées, dessert, and an array of drinks and cocktails. Island-style music and open sea views of Maui’s scenic coast add to the ambiance of this memorable experience. Have a peek at the delicious menu waiting for you on the cruise:-Appetizer -Salad: Greens and vegetable salad with mango-passion vinaigrette -Choice of grilled entrée: choose between the lemongrass-curry marinated shrimp with lilikoi butter sauce, the teriyaki boneless chicken breast with Big Island papaya salsa, the chimichurri flat iron steak with wild mushroom demi-glaze, or the grilled portobello mushroom marinated in chimichurri over Molokai purple sweet potato mash. -Dessert: triple chocolate chip brownies with fresh Kula strawberries, Maui coffee, and hot tea.

From Ma'alaea Afternoon Snorkel to Molokini or Coral Gardens

9. From Ma'alaea Afternoon Snorkel to Molokini or Coral Gardens

Explore one of Maui’s most impressive sites on this relaxing afternoon catamaran cruise to Molokini Crater or Coral Gardens. Dive into the rich marine biodiversity of the reefs in this partially submerged volcanic crater. Head to the meeting point at Maalaea Harbor for your check-in before boarding the Malalo catamaran. Set sail and admire the beautiful Pacific coastal views as you cruise towards your snorkel site. Stop at the ideal snorkeling location for that day. Have the option to purchase food and drink aboard. Jump into the pleasant water and look for colorful fish like parrot fish, yellow tang, and cornet fish. Keep your eyes peeled for the elusive spotted eagle ray. Feel free to rent wetsuits, digital underwater cameras, and prescription masks on the day of your activity to enhance your aquatic experience. After your unforgettable swim, relax with a drink (available to purchase) on deck as you return to your boarding point.

From Ma'alaea Harbor: Molokini Snorkeling Adventure

10. From Ma'alaea Harbor: Molokini Snorkeling Adventure

Embark on a half-day snorkeling adventure on a glass-bottomed catamaran, with breakfast, lunch, and a professional crew included. Look out for all types of Pacific marine life, from dolphins to turtles and coral reefs, in 2 snorkeling spots — the Molokini Crater and Turtle Town.  Begin your tour at Maalaea Harbor to board your boat. Join the crew aboard the Calypso, Maui's newest addition to the fleet, where you can even view the ocean from its glass bottom. Calypso is the only 3-deck catamaran in Hawai'i. Benefit from an easy-to-use stairway in and out of the water, lots of shade, and plenty of Jimmy Buffet music.  Start the day off right with a hearty breakfast that includes scrambled eggs, Portuguese sausage and either turkey or chicken and mushroom sausage, mixed muffins, pastries, mixed fruit, coffee, tea, and juice. Next, be dazzled by Molokini Crater, located off the south shore of Kihei. Expect pristine conditions as Molokini is a protected marine preserve and bird sanctuary.  See how the extinct volcanic cone provides a home for native Hawaiian marine life such as manta rays, fish, urchins, and sharks, who all swim around the coral through the clear water year-round. Use the provided snorkeling equipment to explore the underwater world.  Take advantage of the 2 water slides to make it more fun, especially for kids. And fret not— a lifeguard is always in the water watching over the snorkelers to ensure their safety. After leaving Molokini, your second snorkeling spot of the day is Turtle Town, where you will swim with Hawaiian green sea turtles amid the calm water and coral. Then, return to the boat for a relaxing barbecue lunch buffet. Finally, enjoy a fun trivia game for the chance to win a crew T-shirt. Some of the tour’s top amenities include 2 slides, a jumping platform, 2 freshwater showers, use of snorkeling gear, flotation devices, and restrooms on the boat. There are 11 stair points to get into the water for easy and comfortable access. Hire everything you need on the day, with wetsuits, or underwater digital cameras available to rent.

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What people are saying about Hawaii

Overall rating

4.5 / 5

based on 407 reviews

This experience was amazing and I highly recommend it! I’ve told all of my friends and family that this is a must do activity for any vacation to Oahu. Our crew Brandon and Ford were so kind, knowledgeable, helpful, and made the entire experience that much better. They had complimentary water, they took photos, answered questions, and we even got the chance to see a turtle and a mother and baby whale. The boat was clean, safe, and had cool music and lights! It was also my boyfriend’s birthday and the crew made sure to go out of their way to make his day, everyone was so friendly, they even played a birthday song for him. I’m so grateful I booked this sunset cruise and will definitely be back! Thank you Brandon and Ford!

The crew took great care of us from the moment we boarded until we deboarded. Seats and equipment (including graded goggles for us wearing eyeglasses) are more than adequate making everyone enjoy. The captain knows where to position the boat to get great possibility of successfully seeing whales. The whales put on a show, even breaching from the water. Highly recommended!

My daughter and I had a great time snorkeling with sea turtles and looking for dolphins. We did see some whales. We will return another day to see about those dolphins. The crew was fantastic!! Fresh pineapple was a treat! This was probably our best memory from the trip. We highly recommend.

Super experience on board with a fantastic crew and the snorkelling was also amazing! The guide came in the water with us and explained a lot of different things plus showed us many fishes! Highly recommended!

This was a trip my daughter choose. It was so awesome. We actually got to see a breaching whale. The captains of our boat were great and very personable. I would recommend this trip for sure.