Oahu Dolphin Tours:
Everything You Need to Know

Oahu dolphin watching & snorkel tour with sea turtles – Waikiki and Ko Olina pickup available.
See wild spinner dolphins, snorkel with sea turtles, and enjoy a waterslide, Hawaiian culture, and lunch on a west coast cruise.

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Looking for the ultimate dolphin experience? Visit the Dolphins and You Official Brand Site for in-depth stories and videos.

Oahu Dolphin Watching Tour Overview

Dolphins and You is one of Oahu’s most popular ocean boat tours, featuring wild dolphin watching and turtle snorkeling along the island’s scenic west coast. Departing from Waianae Harbor, guests can observe Hawaiian spinner dolphins in their natural habitat and snorkel among sea turtles, tropical fish, and vibrant reef life.

Designed for families, couples, and ocean lovers, this guided cruise also includes authentic Hawaiian cultural experiences and a complimentary lunch, making it a well-rounded and memorable Oahu adventure.

What to Expect on Your Oahu Dolphin Tour

Here’s what you can expect on the Dolphins and You tour:

Seasonal Whale Sightings (December–March)

From December through March, humpback whales migrate to Hawaiian waters.
While sightings are not guaranteed, winter dolphin tours may offer an additional chance to see these majestic whales in the wild.

What's Included in the Oahu Dolphin Tour

Tour Itinerary (Oahu Dolphin Tour)

Below is a general timeline of the Dolphins and You tour, from Waikiki pick-up to return. Exact times may vary slightly depending on the ocean conditions and group size.

  • Morning Tour: 8:00AM Departure
  • Afternoon Tour: 12:00 PM Departure

Click an itinerary item to see details.

Dolphins and You tour bus

Our shuttle picks you up from Waikiki or Ko Olina for a relaxing drive to Waianae Harbor. Enjoy onboard commentary or take a quick nap before your ocean adventure begins. Please know that it takes an hour from Waikiki to the harbor 

See the pick-up locations for the Dolphin watching tour.

Dolphins and You E homai

Check in, meet the crew, and join in a traditional hawaiian chant asking the sea gods for a safe and joyful voyage.

Dolphin watching

Spot playful spinner dolphins from the boat as they leap, spin, and surf along the waves. Experience responsible wildlife viewing from the deck, respecting federal laws protecting wild dolphins

Turtle canyon snorkeling in Oahu Dolphin watching tour Water slide

Gear up for snorkeling among sea turtles, colorful fish, and vibrant reefs. Try our water slide, stand-up paddle board, and kayak for extra fun!

Dolphins and You LunchDolphins and You Tattoo

After a fun-filled day in the ocean, relax on the boat with a complimentary lunch, and take home a special gift: our exclusive Polynesian-style dolphin tattoo, only available on this tour.

※Our meals cannot accommodate allergies. Since we do not prepare the meals ourselves, we are unable to customize them. For your safety, please bring your food if you have any dietary restrictions.

Dolphins and You Hula entertainment

Sit back, relax, and enjoy the crew’s Hula Show. At the end, please join us as we dance together to spread Aloha and give thanks.

Dolphins and You group photo

Wrap up your day with the crew’s farewell.

Changing rooms are available at the harbor, so you can change out of your wet clothes comfortably.

Dolphins and You Transportation

A Hui Ho”! Until We Meet Again! Thank you for joining us today on a fun-filled adventure on the ocean! We’ll drive you back to Waikiki. Please don’t forget about all the dolphins and sea creatures you’ve met on this adventure!

Learn about our 30-year legacy of responsible wildlife watching. Read Our Story

Tour Location Map (Waikiki / Waianae Harbor)

Important Info for Your Oahu Dolphin Tour

Please review the following important information before booking your tour:

  • Wild dolphin encounters are observation-only. Swimming with dolphins is prohibited by law.
  • A minimum of 10 passengers is required for the tour to operate.
  • Complimentary meals are provided; however, food allergies or special dietary or medical needs cannot be accommodated. Guests with special requirements are welcome to bring their own meal.
  • Shoes are not allowed on the boat for safety. Storage is provided onboard. Clean reef shoes and grip socks are permitted.
  • Tours operate rain or shine and may be modified or canceled due to ocean conditions.
  • Our boat and buses are NOT wheelchair accessible.
  • If you’d like to enjoy alcoholic beverages, please be prepared to show your ID.
  • Complimentary round-trip transportation is available from select Waikiki and Ko Olina locations.

Cancellation Policy

Cancellations or changes made at least 48 hours prior to the tour’s departure time are eligible for a full refund. Cancellations made within 48 hours of departure are non-refundable.

For added peace of mind, Trip Protection is available for purchase at the time of booking, allowing changes or cancellations up to 1 hour before departure.

Oahu Dolphin Tour FAQ (Dolphins and You)

Q: Can I swim with dolphins on this tour?
A: No. Swimming with dolphins is not permitted by law. Our tour offers respectful dolphin watching from the boat.

Q: Do you offer Waikiki or Ko Olina pickup?
A: This tour includes transportation from Waikiki or Ko Olina. Please check the meeting locations here.

Q: Does the tour operate in bad weather?
A: Tours operate rain or shine. If the tour is canceled due to ocean conditions at the captain’s discretion, guests will be offered a free reschedule or a full refund.
Q: What should I wear and bring on the tour?
A: For your Oahu dolphin watching tour, we recommend wearing swimwear, reef-safe sunscreen, a towel, and bringing a light jacket. Snorkel gear is provided, but feel free to bring your own if preferred. (*Reef-safe sunscreen is available for purchase during the tour.)

Q: Is there anything I shouldn’t bring on the dolphin watching trip?
A: Please do not bring valuable items, glass containers, or any illegal substances. We also recommend leaving large bags or unnecessary electronics at your hotel. Snorkel gear (mask, fins, and life jackets) is provided on the tour, so you do not need to bring your own.

Q: Will I need a wetsuit?
A: Wetsuits are not required for this dolphin watching and snorkeling tour. The ocean temperature in Hawaii typically ranges from 75–82°F (24–28°C) and is comfortable for swimming year-round. However, if you tend to get cold easily, you are welcome to bring your wetsuit. We also offer wetsuit rentals for an additional $5.
Q: Is this tour family-friendly?
A: Yes, the Dolphins and You tour is a great activity for families and children aged 2 and up. The experience is designed to be safe, fun, and educational for all ages. Our friendly crew is experienced in working with guests of all backgrounds, including families with young kids. (Infants under 2 are not permitted due to safety reasons.)

Q: Do I need to know how to swim to join this tour?
A: No. Non-swimmers are welcome on the Dolphins and You tour. Our friendly crew will give you easy-to-follow safety instructions, so even if it’s your first time snorkeling, you’ll feel comfortable. Everyone also wears a life vest for extra safety.
Q: Is lunch included, and can dietary restrictions be accommodated?
A: Yes. A  sandwich, water, and chips are included. Guests can choose from a Turkey sandwich, a PBJ sandwich, or a vegetarian wrap. *Please note: Meals are not prepared by our staff and cannot be customized. If you have food allergies or pre-existing medical conditions, we strongly recommend bringing your own meal for your safety.

Q: Do you offer vegetarian meals?
A: Yes. Please request at the time of booking.
Q: Are dolphin sightings guaranteed?
A: While Dolphins and You has a dolphin sighting rate of over 90%, wild dolphin sightings are not guaranteed, as we respect their natural environment.

Q: Can I book a private charter?
A: Yes, dolphins and you offers private dolphin cruise charters in Oahu, perfect for birthdays, weddings, or company outings seeking an exclusive experience. For more details, please contact us at (808)696-4414.

See why thousands of guests love Dolphins and You. Visit Brand Site for Guest Stories.

Reviews

Mykalah Long
Mykalah Long
Dolphins and You
Tyler is the man with the camera !! You go bio man !!! MAhea my driver thank you for getting us here safely and back home 🙂 Dani the cap .. a1!! You let my baby drive the boat thank you a million times !!! Tita .. I meant to leave my Daughter with you !!! Ingrid .. welcome back auntie so lovely to see you again ! I hope your health and spirit keeps rising forever !! Kai’Noa — you found the starfish !!! And my god son has your name — you are forever !!! (5/9/2026)
The Menu Man
The Menu Man
Dolphins and You
It was fantastic! Saw so many dolphins and turtles and sea life it was awesome.Would do it again. Started out with meeting Manny, Tyler and Ryuki on the bus. They were very friendly and helpful. Tyler did a fantastic job explaining everything. It was nice having a very smooth bus driver also the guy knows how to drive. Once we got onto the boat everyone was so awesome. Spoke with the captain Dani for a while and she was so personable. Tita was hilarious and super friendly. She made the safety instructions not feel like a drag. Ben and Kainoa were great! Was joking around with them and it was awesome. Felt like one of the crew. Ryuki was super nice and gave us some of the best recommendations for food on our trip. We did the photo package and we were extremely glad we did. Tyler did a phenomenal job and we were super happy with how the pictures turned out. He was everywhere at once it seemed and got great pictures. The slide does go 5000 miles per hour. (5/5/2026)
 Ivy Hangyeol Park
Ivy Hangyeol Park
Dolphins and You
I was able to see both dolphins and sea turtles, and all of the crew members on the boat were very kind. Among them, a guide named Tyler took great care of us from the bus to the boat, and he was especially kind even to those who didn’t speak English. I absolutely loved the photos he took for us. Purchasing the additional photo package was definitely worth it. All of the other guides also contributed to making my trip even more enjoyable. (April 2026)
James Zeller
James Zeller
Dolphins and You
What an amazing experience. To start off, Mahea got us there safely and back to our hotels! Captain Jerry was amazing, hilarious and made the trip so much fun! Brandon and Flo were very helpful and made sure everyone was safe in the water! Faavae and Cyre were very helpful handing out safety gear and snorkeling equipment as well as made sure everyone was safe in the water. The hula show put on by tje staff was amazing as well! Tyler was awesome! He took amazing photos and made sure he explained every single detail about the tour. The staff made they day when they found us dolphins and to top it off, they took us to an amazing snorkeling spot. Highly recommend doing this tour!
Melissa Kramer
Melissa Kramer
Dolphins and You
Dolphins and You was the absolute highlight of our Hawaii trip! The shuttle picked us up right from our hotel, and the ride to the marina was smooth and comfortable. From the moment we arrived, everything was well organized and welcoming. Toshi was an amazing host, and the crew made the entire experience so much fun, especially Tita, who brought such great energy to the boat! The boat was spacious and comfortable, and even the lunch wrap was delicious. We were lucky enough to see dolphins, whales, sea turtles, and colourful fish 🐠 the slide was a blast! An unforgettable experience from start to finish. Mahalo for such a beautiful adventure! 🌺🌴❤️🙏
Elizabeth Ludwig
Elizabeth Ludwig
Dolphins and You
Pickup at the designated spot was seamless. Keely was great as a guide at providing information but not applying too much pressure for the additional cost options. Captain Dani was amazing (safe, humorous, and knowledgeable). We saw a lot of whales during our time. We finally saw a few bottlenose dolphins on our ride back. They almost called our tour "Whales and You". I loved the slide (tried it 3 times) and my friend and I used the SUP to paddle around. The turkey sandwich was better than I expected for a tour.
Marshy
Marshy
Dolphins and You
Had such a blast everyone of the crew was awesome and polite and didnt get annoyed when I ask a question more than once the sandwiches were also really good the person I went with had the last comic galaxy drink but other than that awesome time would recommend and come again but unfortunately I live in idaho
Tyson Bascombe
Tyson Bascombe
Dolphins and You
My family and I had a wonderful time seeing a whole pod of spinner dolphins and sea turtles not just in the ocean but on land too. The bus ride to the boat was smooth thanks to Mahea. Also, special thanks to Capatain Zach, Tyler, Xy, Brandon, Ben and Kainoa for making this tour a one to remember. From the shaking their hoola hips to giving comentary about the wildlife and the land.
Carmen Halonen
Carmen Halonen
Dolphins and You
Fantastic experience! We drove to the marina with plans to stay in the area after the tour. We went on the morning tour. Great humor, weather and crew! We saw whales, turtles, tuna, something spinning and jumping across the water, along with the anticipated dolphins. Snorkeled, went down the waterslide, jumped off the boat, paddle boarded, and simply enjoyed the sun. Will be recommending this to family and friends!
marina felipe
marina felipe
Dolphins and You
Such an amazing experience to see so many dolphins in their natural habitat! FYI, you don’t actually swim with them. But we did get to see dozens of them up close while we were on the boat, including a lot baby dolphins. They took us to a snorkeling spot that had some coral reed and fish. We also saw a turtle! Our tour guide was Keely and he was so nice and helpful. The boat crew was aaaamazing! We had Cyre as our MC, Fa-abae, Flo, and captain Jerry. They made us feel safe, taken care of, and mare sure we all had a good time! Thank you so much for making my experience in Hawaii unforgettable ♥️
Irais Elizarraraz
Irais Elizarraraz
Dolphins and You
LOVED this boat experience. We saw two types of dolphins and appreciated the team respecting the wild life by not being invasive and overall respectful to the ocean life. Captain Dani, Cyre, Brandon, Ben, Keely, and Bernard were amazing! Snorkeling, kayaking, and slide time was sufficient. Bring extra snacks if you plan to swim a lot with that taking a lot of energy but the ticket does include a meal.
amit patel
amit patel
Dolphins and You
We had an amazing dolphin and whale watching tour! From pickup to drop-off, everything was smooth and well organized. Driver Maheya did a great job, and a big shoutout to Captain Dani, Fava, Ben, Brandon, and especially Tyler for making the experience unforgettable. We saw so many dolphins and even whales, which was incredible. My daughter absolutely loved the slide, and it was one of the highlights of the trip for her. Tyler took tons of great photos, and choosing the photo package was 100% worth it. Highly recommend this tour for families—fun, professional, and truly memorable!
Kevin
Kevin
Dolphins and You
The crew did an incredible job showing us the gorgeous views of Hawaii from the ocean! We even spotted four whales and a whole bunch of playful spinner dolphins! Captain Zack, Megan, and Ryan were absolutely amazing!
Shehzad Bhinder
Shehzad Bhinder
Dolphins and You
We had an absolutely amazing time on our dolphin and snorkeling adventure! From start to finish, the experience was fun, memorable, and truly unforgettable. Kainoa and Tyler were incredible hosts , friendly, cheerful, and full of positive energy. They made everyone feel welcome and comfortable right away. They were also extremely informative, sharing great insights about the ocean, the dolphins, and the snorkeling spots, which made the whole trip even more enjoyable. Their passion for what they do really shows, and it made the experience feel personal and special. Today is my birthday, and I honestly couldn’t have asked for a better way to spend it. Seeing beautiful dolphins up close, snorkeling in stunning water, and being guided by such amazing hosts made this birthday one I’ll never forget. Highly recommend this tour! If you get the chance to go out with Kainoa and Tyler, you’re in for an unforgettable adventure! 🌊🐬✨
satvik gundre
satvik gundre
Dolphins and You
Our family had such a wonderful time on the Dolphins and you tour. From the bus ride to the boat ride and the ride back, the staff was very friendly and helped out every time we asked. Our staff was Captain Jerry, Cyre, Ben, Kainoa, Faavae and Keely. Everyone was very fun to be around and very helpful in any questions we had. The tour itself was amazing. We got to see dolphins, turtles, and fish. In addition, we got to kayak, snorkel, ride the slide, and swim in the ocean for a while. We also purchased the photography package and our photographer, Keely, was very good in getting the best shots and coming over whenever we asked for a photo. He was super friendly and his Japanese was also impressive. Overall, we would highly recommend this tour for anyone coming to Hawaii to see some wildlife.

More Information on Dolphin Watching & Snorkeling in Oahu

Learn more about the experience, best seasons, and helpful tips before your tour.

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