Adventure Collective
Wild Side Specialty Tours’ Full Day Wildlife Boat Expedition in Waianae - Honolulu

Wild Side Specialty Tours’ Full Day Wildlife Boat Expedition in Waianae

Waianaemoderate

Difficulty

moderate

Duration

6 hours

Fitness Level

Guests should be comfortable sitting for extended periods and able to handle mild boat motion.

Overview

Join Wild Side Specialty Tours for an unforgettable six-hour boat journey off Oahu’s Waianae coast, discovering dolphins, whales, and sea turtles in their natural habitat. Perfect for wildlife lovers seeking a deep connection with Hawaii’s marine life.

Waianae, Hawaii

Wildlife in Depth - Shared Charter

Oahu's True Natural Gem • 6 Hours on the Water • 4-8 Guests Max • Ages 10+

Select participants and date

About This Adventure

Embark on an unforgettable six-hour adventure exploring Oahu's stunning coastlines and vibrant marine life. With expert guides, witness dolphins, whales, and sea turtles in their natural habitat. Enjoy personalized attention in small groups, and capture breathtaking underwater moments while savoring delicious meals. Experience the wild side of Hawaii like never before!

Stunning Sceneries and Wildlife

Our Deepest Ocean Connections NOTE: Our small groups sell out quickly, reserve early and avoid missing out.

Overview

  • Seasonally custom designed tours into the wild blue yonder
  • Eight guest max, 4 guest minimum on shared charters (call/email us if you are a smaller party and we'll try to mix and match you with others)
  • Outstanding sceneries and diverse wildlife - both above and underwater
  • Trusted naturalist/biologist/photographer guides – blend science, conservation and technique
  • Sunrise (golden and blue light!) to midday hours (~ 6 hours)
  • Lunch –Signature chicken-salad sandwiches (incl. walnuts), fresh pineapple, chips, mac-nut cookies. Snacks and drinks. NOTE: Do please give us at least 24h notice to prepare vegan, vegetarian, pescatarian or gluten-free sandwiches. If food allergies, please advise us of severity and do consider bringing your own food and EpiPens .

Details

The ultimate six hours on the water in the most wildlife rich area of Oahu. This fascinating side of the island offers a wealth of stunning scenery, with rugged coastlines, idyllic ranges and beaches providing a visual feast for every traveler. The beautiful landscape is also home to some of Hawaii's most iconic wildlife, whales, dolphins and pelagic seabirds - with behaviors narrated through the eyes of marine experts.

Calmer, summer weather has everyone excited to include the remote offshore areas of seamounts and upwelling, where the more elusive wildlife is found feeding, From planktonic larvae to bait balls and on up the food chain to the largest predators. Nearshore visibility is at a peak for underwater photography of green sea turtles over tamer coral reefs.

What will we do?

Oahu’s calmer leeward "wild" side will get you up close with Hawaii's most iconic sealife - dolphins, whales and sea turtles.

In private or semi-private groups, explore FAD’s (Fish Aggregation Devices) underwater ocean ledges, and seamounts. These attractions act as feeding and prime action photography grounds for a variety of whales, dolphins, seabirds, sharks, rays, mola mola, and whale sharks.

If swimming with dolphins, whales or other marine life is on your bucket list - this charter's small group size and experience with the wildlife give the best odds of fulfillment over any other tour in Hawaii.

Nearshore, in shallow waters coral reefs are alive with tropical fish and giant green sea turtles. Exclusive viewing of sea turtle cleaning stations, resident schools of pudgy pufferfish, or sunken artifacts such as a World War II biplane or tank.

You Should Know

  • All snorkeling is subject to wildlife behavior and ocean conditions
  • Reservations are subject to availability, weather and vessel operations.
  • Due to our popularity and limited space, cancellations with less than 10 day notice and “No Shows” are subject to full charge.
  • Although not in any way necessary, if you have a good day on the water, tipping of the crew is appropriate. (10% to 15% is standard)

Adventure Tips

Bring essentials for sea conditions

Wear waterproof clothing and bring sunglasses to stay comfortable during your boat trip.

Camera gear recommended

A zoom lens and waterproof camera will help capture close-up shots of marine animals.

Sun protection advised

Apply reef-safe sunscreen, wear a hat and sunglasses, especially on sunny days.

Book in advance

Seats are limited; booking ahead ensures availability for this popular tour.

Local Insights

Wildlife

  • Humpback whales (winter)
  • Green sea turtles

History

Waianae’s coastline has historically been vital for local fishing communities, and many traditional practices still influence the region today.

Conservation

Wild Side Specialty Tours emphasizes eco-friendly practices, aiming to protect marine habitats while providing educational insight into sustainability efforts.

Select participants and date

Adventure Hotspots in Honolulu

Frequently Asked Questions

Recommended Gear

Sunscreen

Essential

Helps prevent sunburn during prolonged exposure under Hawaii’s strong sun.

summer specific

Polarized sunglasses

Essential

Reduces glare from water, making wildlife spotting easier.

spring,summer,fall,winter specific

Light rain jacket

Useful if weather turns damp or windy during winter trips.

winter specific

Waterproof camera

Capture high-quality photos of marine life in dynamic conditions.