Head to Oahu's sunny west side to see wild Hawaiian spinner dolphins in their home waters. This 3-hour tour pairs dolphin watching with reef snorkeling, a water slide, kayaks, paddleboards, lunch, and a live hula, and a round-trip shuttle picks you up near the hostel so there is no need to drive.
Adults 12+ $189, Children 2 to 11 $146. Round-trip Waikiki shuttle included.
This is a half-day escape to Oahu's sunny west side to see wild Hawaiian spinner dolphins in their home waters. A round-trip shuttle picks you up near the hostel and drives you out to Waianae Boat Harbor, where the Ariya I heads out along the calm Leeward coast. The dolphins here are wild and free, so the crew watches them from the boat and follows NOAA guidelines, in the Hawaiian spirit of Malama, caring for the ocean and the animals in it.
Once you are out on the water there is plenty to do. Snorkel over the reef with gear and a life vest provided, take a turn on the water slide off the boat, or paddle around on a kayak or stand-up paddleboard. No snorkeling experience is needed, and the CPR-certified crew gives a full briefing and helps first-timers get comfortable. Keep an eye out for Hawaiian green sea turtles and tropical fish while you are in the water, and from about December through April you might spot humpback whales passing by.
Back on board there is a sandwich lunch with chips and a drink, a live hula performance, and a dolphin tattoo to take home. It is an easy, full morning or midday out for just about anyone, with two departures a day at 8 AM and noon. Bring your swimsuit, a towel, and reef-safe sunscreen, and let the shuttle handle the drive.
Two departures daily at 8:00 AM and 12:00 PM. Pickup times are approximate and depend on your location, so check your confirmation. The order of activities can shift with the ocean and the weather.
Come in your swimsuit and bring a towel, reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses. Mornings and winter days can be cool, so pack a light jacket, and bring a little cash or a card for the optional photo package or upgrades.
There is no need to drive on this one. A round-trip shuttle is included and picks you up near Waikiki Beachside Hostel, then drives you out to Waianae Boat Harbor on Oahu's west side, about an hour up the coast. Pickups begin around 6:10 AM for the morning tour and 10:10 AM for the midday tour, so be ready at your pickup point on time. The map below shows the harbor where the boat departs.
The ocean tour is about 3 hours. With the round-trip Waikiki shuttle included, plan for most of your morning or midday.
The boat leaves from Waianae Boat Harbor on Oahu's west side, about an hour from Waikiki. A round-trip shuttle is included, with pickup near the hostel beginning around 6:10 AM for the morning tour and 10:10 AM for the midday tour. Ask the front desk to confirm your pickup.
Sightings of wild spinner dolphins are very common along the Waianae Coast, but nature makes no promises. The dolphins are wild, so the crew observes them respectfully from the boat rather than swimming with them.
No. Snorkel gear and life vests are provided, and the CPR-certified crew gives instruction and a safety briefing, so first-timers are welcome.
The round-trip Waikiki shuttle, snorkel gear, a sandwich lunch with a drink, a water slide, kayaks and paddleboards, a live hula performance, and a dolphin tattoo souvenir. A professional photo package is available to buy on board.
Adults ages 12 and up are $189, and children ages 2 to 11 are $146. Ask the front desk about booking.
Yes. The tour welcomes children ages 2 and up. Adults are 12 and older, and children are ages 2 to 11.
Any cancellations or amendments, including tour date and time, must be made at least 48 hours before the departure time on your reservation date for a full refund. Reservations made within 48 hours of departure are final sale, and we do not provide refunds for no-shows or late arrivals.
