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

Nola Jackson
Nola Jackson
Dolphins and You
Great experience, saw lots of dolphins in their natural habitat, opportunity to swim freely, they had a kayak, paddle board and even slides. And Kiera, who was a trainee was absolutely amazing, ensuring while we were in the water we were safe and ok, and even helped some when they had trouble going to where they wanted or if they weren’t as strong of a swimmer. So even for beginners or people not experienced with water, this tour was great (6/23/2026)
Adam Bogarin
Adam Bogarin
Dolphins and You
Amazing experience! From pick up to drop off! Staff was professional, courteous, helpful, and genuine!!! Captain Danny guided us as we witnessed two different spiecies of Dolphins, experienced great snorkeling 🤿, and even a majestic sea turtle! One pod had over 100 Dolphins swimming leaving the spectators in awe. We had the pleasure of having Kayla serve as a AWESOME translator/host/photographer and even medic(she helped With the purchase of last minute motion sickness bracelets). She caught great action pics, forever thankful! The staff was attentive, outgoing, they supported with all the water sports kayak, paddle boards, history, lunch, and even a super fun slide!!! This crew helped a dream vacation be just that… A DREAM!!! Can’t wait to return! Thank you so much 😊 🫶🏽! 🤙🏼 !!! Bogarin 5! AB (6/18/2026)
 Veggies Foodies
Veggies Foodies
Dolphins and You
Great crew! Kyoka did a great job as did the others. Key points: - Picked up in a large comfy bus. - there is enough cover from the sun on the boat. - snorkeling: I am not a swimmer, and they gave me an extra pool noodle for floatation. After an initial small uncoordinated (mini panic) I was able to straighten out (meaning facing down instead of on my back). After that it was quite comfy and fun. Mouth breathing is not hard and you can stick your head out anytime. Didn't see anything special, all the colourful fishes did not get the memo and were someplace else. Still Saw a few hiding in the corals 15ft below. - we were lucky to see a large pod of dolphins. We spent a good long time amongst them. At times they were right next to the boat. - vegetarian food accommodations were great. Black beans salad wrap with cheese was good. Thankfully they even kept the sweet dressing as a side so we could avoid the sugar - their boat bathroom was clean and good All in all great experience, kudos to the crew.(6/18/2026)
Abigail Guevara
Abigail Guevara
Dolphins and You
My sister and I had the best time on this dolphin tour! It was such a fun way to celebrate the morning of her birthday. We got to see dolphins, snorkel, and even enjoy a quick hula show by two of the crew members, which was such a nice touch. One thing that really stood out was how amazing the crew was. I brought two waterproof cameras and gave one to my sister. When she got back on the boat, the camera slipped off her wrist and sank into the ocean. We thought it was gone for good! Keely immediately jumped in and spent several minutes searching for it. Even when it seemed like all hope was lost, other crew members joined in to help. Somehow, Keely found it! We were so thankful and honestly still can’t believe it. The crew went above and beyond, and their kindness made an already great experience even more memorable. Mahalo to Keely and the entire crew for helping make my sister’s birthday morning so special. 🌺🎉 We had an amazing time and would highly recommend this tour! 🐬🤿🌴☀️🌊 Mahalo! 🤙🏽 💛 (6/16/2026)
 ramvne
ramvne
Dolphins and You
Staff was very welcoming, humorous, and made the most out of the current conditions, even when it was difficult to get a good view of some sealife such as turtles. Ingrid had a great sense of humor, was very kind, and did a good job hosting the tour; Keely was chill and did a great job with photography; Jerry was a great captain with a good sense of humor and would try his best to ensure we could see the dolphins as much as possible (6/15/2026)
Bri Atkins
Bri Atkins
Dolphins and You
Me and my 8 year old son did the Dolphins and you tour. Everyone was so friendly, kind, and really educated on the area around. I would love to do this experience again, can’t wait to see my photos from the photo package. We got to see dolphins a shark. The hula dances were amazing and loved the tattoos. We even got to see a sea turtle right when we arrived on the boat dock. 10/10 recommend thank you turtles and you team Captain Ben Cyre Faavae Tita Kanioa Manny Keely. (6/14/2026)
Andre Cordova
Andre Cordova
Dolphins and You
We had an amazing time on the dolphin sightseeing and snorkeling tour! The crew was friendly, knowledgeable, and made everyone feel safe and welcome throughout the trip. Seeing dolphins in their natural habitat was truly unforgettable, and the snorkeling experience was incredible and we recommend getting the photographer Keely to take pictures for you came out awesome. (6/15/2026)
Paul De ramos
Paul De ramos
Dolphins and You
Today, June 6th, our entire day was overflowing with fun, laughter, and unforgettable moments. From the second we arrived at the Royal Hawaiian Ave meeting spot, everything started on the right foot. Our shuttle pulled up exactly at 6:20am, and that set the tone for how smooth and well-organized the whole experience would be. We were greeted by the sweetest young lady, Yoka, who instantly made us feel welcome. She impressed us right away — switching effortlessly between fluent Japanese and perfect English, making sure every single person felt included. She introduced us to the rest of the amazing crew: Ingrid, Tita, Kinoa, and the best captain we could’ve asked for. Once we boarded, they briefed us on safety and the local laws that protect the wildlife. Even though some of it sounded a little intimidating at first, the crew explained everything with such clarity and reassurance that we knew we were in good hands. And they were right — as long as we followed their guidance, the day was nothing but pure enjoyment. And wow… what a day. We saw multiple dolphins, turtles, and a whole variety of fish I’ve never seen before. The crew was incredibly knowledgeable, professional, and still full of humor and good vibes. They kept us laughing, learning, and enjoying every moment. Special shoutout to Tita and Kinoa — that dance at the end was the perfect cherry on top. We loved it. This tour wasn’t just good — it was memorable, joyful, and full of energy from start to finish. We’ll definitely be recommending this experience and this crew to all our family and friends.(6/6/2026)
Eva Smith
Eva Smith
Dolphins and You
Mahea, capt danni, faavae, cyre, kainoe were such a fantastic crew! They made our third experience feel like the first time! I really loved the interactive Hula dance! A huge shout out to Tyler for capturing our favorite memories and taking the time to get our pics and set us up in pic ready poses! We will definitely be coming back for a 4th visit next time we come to Hawaii! Thank you all again! (5/25/2026)
 Noah Graboys
Noah Graboys
Dolphins and You
Will book this tour again, great time with great people. Ben, Kaena, Cyrae, Keely, and Dani were an amazing crew, learned a lot and the vibe of the whole trip was excellent. It was a joyful way to spend the morning, we saw 3 species of dolphins, swam with turtles, and the waterslide was a ton of fun. Would highly recommend!(5/20/2026)
Paige Erickson
Paige Erickson
Dolphins and You
We loved our Dolphins and You tour!! We were running a bit late but Tyler was great with communicating about getting us on the bus. Our driver Mahea was so flexible with meeting at another pick up location instead so that we were able to come on the tour. The boat crew were amazing and so helpful for anything we needed on the tour. Ingrid was so funny and very informative about Hawaiian culture and history. We were able to see a family of bottlenose dolphins and some sea turtles from the boat due to Captain Ben’s amazing boat driving skills. We also saw lots of fish and two turtles while snorkeling. Crye, Kainoa, and Faavae performed beautiful hula dances for us on the way back. The food was great, the crew was so friendly, and overall the tour was fantastic! Highly recommend taking a tour with this crew! They made the day go so smoothly and we were able to see and learn so much. Mahalo! (5/19/2026)
Eric
Eric
Dolphins and You
Had an amazing experience with Dolphins and You here in Hawaii! Tyler was incredibly enthusiastic and engaging throughout the tour, which made the whole experience even more fun and memorable. Ingrid was a fantastic tour guide — friendly, knowledgeable, and made everyone feel comfortable and welcomed. A shout out to Captain Ben and the rest of the crew. They were amazing and worked hard to make sure everyone had a great time. Highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Hawaii. Definitely a 5-star experience! (5/19/2026)
Crystal Buggy
Crystal Buggy
Dolphins and You
We had such a fabulous time on this dolphin tour! The entire crew made the experience unforgettable. Mahea, our driver, was incredibly safe and smooth the whole ride. Tyler was so knowledgeable and shared so many interesting facts about the island and the animals. Huge thanks as well to Dani, Cyre, and Ben — they were all so fun, patient, and super helpful throughout the tour. The whole team went above and beyond to make sure everyone had an amazing experience. Highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting! (5/13/2026)
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.
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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