The 15 Best Dolphin Watching Tours in Hawaiʻi You Can Book

1.Maui Eco-Raft Tour: Eye-Level Whale or Dolphin Watching – Lahaina

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,482 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $85Our pick

From Lahaina, ride a low-water zodiac raft for close views of humpback whales from December through April, or dolphins and coastal scenery in summer. Marine naturalists such as Captain Jack, Captain Mark, and Olivia explain animal behavior, while a hydrophone lets you hear whale songs. Expect spray, sun, and a small-group ride.

“Great tour. Convenient and easy. Zach and Jess were great guides. Highly recommend. Whales guaranteed.”

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2.Oahu Dolphin and Snorkel Tour with Waikiki Pickup & Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,687 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $164

From Waikiki, ride to Waianae Harbor for a morning cruise led by a lively crew including Captain Dani and photographer Tyler. Look for spinner dolphins, snorkel near Hawaiian green sea turtles, then use the slide, kayaks, and paddle boards. Lunch, gear, and hotel transport are included, but wildlife sightings are never guaranteed.

“Loved our experience! Captain and crew were great. Saw whales, dolphins and turtles as promised. They were very entertaining but informative. Taught us to be respectful to sea life.”

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3.Kona Snorkel Tour: Captain Cook Reef Snorkel, Dolphin & Sea Caves

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,411 reviews · 2 hours 45 minutes (approx.) · from $71Best value

You’ll ride a Navy-style Zodiac with a small group from Kailua-Kona to Kealakekua Bay, stopping at Captain Cook Monument for reef snorkeling. Guides such as David, Chip, Sage, and Danielle share island history and point out sea caves, lava tubes, dolphins, and whales when nature cooperates. Bring sunscreen, a towel, and motion-sickness medicine if needed.

“The tour was amazing. Our family was well taken care of. The boat ride was exciting and the stories along the way were captivating. Captain Cook bay was beautiful. The weather started to pour right after we left which was a blessing. The coral and fishes were beautiful and we learned it’s an ancient burial and hide out ground for Hawaiian royalties. Highly recommend this tour to others.”

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4.Luxury Snorkel Cruise, Local Buffet with Whale & Dolphin Watch

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,334 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $174

Spend about 3.5 hours aboard the 61-foot Kai OliOli catamaran, watching for dolphins, seasonal humpback whales, turtles, and flying fish before snorkeling over coral and tropical fish. Your crew supplies gear, instruction, showers, drinks, and a Hawaiian buffet. Waikiki pickup is optional.

“Fantastic food and a very comfortable boat. Great experience seeing spinner dolphins, Turtles and fish Crew was very nice and helpful”

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5.Swim with Dolphins on the West Coast

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,112 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $187

Set out from Waiʻanae on a half-day catamaran trip with Indigo Ocean Hawaii. You may swim near bottlenose or spotted dolphins, snorkel with turtles and tropical fish, and spot whales, octopuses, or seals. Crew members such as Captain JB, Nicole, John, and Sasha help with safety, photography, and ocean etiquette.

“If you are thinking about booking with someone else, don’t. JB and his crew are truly the best, they will give you a once in a lifetime experience and make you feel a part of their family. From the moment you are picked up to the moment you are dropped off, you feel like you are out with old friends, learning and experiencing the beauties of the west side!”

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6.Ultimate 4 Hour Lanai Snorkel and Dolphin Encounter

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 927 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $175

Set out from Lahaina with captains and guides such as Jill, Casey, Lexi, and Chad for two snorkeling stops near Lanai and Maui. Expect reef fish, turtles, dolphins, and possible whales from December through April. The boat carries up to 26 people, with gear, flotation aids, snacks, drinks, and reef-safe sunscreen included.

“So fun and Casey and Jill are so knowledgeable! The coral reef was gorgeous and SO MANY turtles!”

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7.Deluxe Snorkel & Dolphin Watch Aboard a Luxury Catamaran from Kailua-Kona

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 797 reviews · 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $183

Cruise from Kailua Pier along Kona’s Gold Coast aboard Body Glove’s roomy catamaran. You’ll get breakfast, lunch, gear, reef-safe sunscreen, about two hours at Red Hill, and access to a 20-foot slide and 15-foot jump platform. Dolphins and whales are possible, but snorkeling conditions can vary.

“My wife got sick before the trip and I canceled ahead of time. They did not offer a refund despite my advanced notice. As a Hawaii resident, I’ll never book with them again.”

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8.Wild Dolphin Watching and Snorkel Safari Off West Coast of Oahu

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 795 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $193

Cruise West Oahu aboard a 32-foot USCG boat limited to about 15 guests, with marine biologists and lifeguard-certified crew. Look for spinner dolphins, winter humpback whales, turtles, and reef fish, then snorkel with included gear. Hotel pickup is available from Waikiki and Ko Olina on the 7:00 am departure.

“Fun boat ride but didn’t get to snorkel with dolphins. Saw them from the boat for a couple seconds and then never saw them again. Unlucky I guess but wouldn’t try again at this price.”

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9.Dolphin Swim and Turtle Snorkel Excursion in Waianae

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 590 reviews · 3 hours · from $193

Ride a 32-foot boat from Waianae to seek wild dolphins, whales, turtles, and reef fish. Marine biologists or naturalists explain the animals and guide your snorkel stop. Hotel pickup, lunch, drinks, gear, and free parking are included. Dolphin sightings are guaranteed, but swimming with them depends on species, behavior, water conditions, and your ability.

“Everything was great ! We saw dolphins and turtles right away ! Thank you so much”

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10.West Oahu Dolphin Watch and Snorkel Sail with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 320 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $125

Sail the Leeward Coast aboard a catamaran with Hawaii Nautical, looking for spinner dolphins, turtles, and seasonal humpback whales. Captain Jessie, Ian, Nick, and other crew members have earned praise for friendly help, while the trip includes snorkel gear, breakfast, lunch, drinks, shaded seating, and optional hotel pickup.

“Ian, Caden and Bronson were wonderful! The only bummer was an issue with our breakfast and lunch but they made up for it! Would totally do it again, as it was all of our favorite adventure of the trip! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️”

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11.Eco-Raft Tour: Maui-Lanai Snorkel / Dolphin Watch (Semi-Private)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 259 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $96

Take a semi-private raft from Lahaina toward Lanai for snorkeling, dolphin watching, marine education, and Hawaiian stories. Certified lifeguards provide gear and instruction, while guides such as Captain Jack, Jill, Jess, and Val help you spot turtles, spinner dolphins, fish, and coral. The small boat holds no more than 15 people, but the ride can be bumpy.

“10/10 experience! Jill and Lexi were the best crew ever! We were able to see dolphins and turtles! They were very knowledgeable and took good care of us!”

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12.Lanai Snorkel and Dolphin Watch from Maalaea

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 235 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $183

Sail from Maalaea Harbor to Lanai aboard a 65-foot Pacific Whale Foundation catamaran. Look for spinner and bottlenose dolphins, snorkel a Lanai reef for about 90 minutes, and enjoy breakfast, lunch, drinks, flotation gear, and marine education. The crew may change the destination if wind or weather makes the crossing unsafe.

“Checkin was terrible. Didn’t receive full checkin info from pacwhale or third party booking website and we missed the boat.”

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13.Dolphin, Sea Cave & Captain Cook Snorkel Combo in Kealakekua Bay

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 220 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $83

You’ll ride a small Zodiac RIB from Kailua-Kona or Keauhou to Kealakekua Bay, snorkel coral reef near Captain Cook Monument, and explore sea caves when conditions allow. Guides such as Danielle, Chip, Dave, and Patty share local history and wildlife facts. Pineapple, water, gear, and flotation devices are included.

“David and Jasmine were great and friendly. Safely guided us to the great experience. I would highly recommend everyone signs up for their excellent tours!”

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14.Wild Dolphins Swim Turtle Snorkel Tour & Waterslide

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 83 reviews · 3h 30m · from $199

Iruka Hawaii Dolphin takes you along Oahu’s Waianae coast for fast-paced wild dolphin swims, then to Makaha for turtle snorkeling. Captain Stef and the crew provide gear, lunch, paddleboards, a kayak, a floating mat, and a 21-foot waterslide. Hotel pickup is available from selected Waikiki and Ko Olina properties.

“The staff were friendly and caring. They all made sure that everyone had a good time and were safe.”

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15.Dolphin Watching & Turtle Snorkeling with Waterslide

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 73 reviews · from $190

Cruise Oahu’s west coast to watch wild spinner dolphins, then snorkel with fish and honu before trying a 20-foot waterslide, kayaks, or paddleboards. Your three-hour outing includes lunch, hula, gear, water, and lemonade. Shuttle pickup serves Waikiki and Ko Olina, or drive to Waianae Harbor for free parking.

“Amazing group of guides that enjoyed the kids and the guests. My 9 years old son said this was his favorite excursion out of the entire trip!”

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