# Waikiki Adventure Guide

> The local's guide to the best things to do in Waikiki and around Oʻahu: parasailing over Diamond Head, the North Shore shark snorkel, Turtle Canyon snorkel cruises, swimming with wild dolphins on the west side, kayaking to the Mokulua Islands, a Waikiki sunset sail and a North Shore ATV ride. Honest breakdowns, real prices, what to expect, and where to book. Written in Honolulu by locals who work on the water. One operator per activity, chosen on verified reviews, safety and the experience itself. Prices are "from" rates before tax and booking fees and are rechecked every few weeks. A full Japanese edition lives at https://waikikiadventureguide.com/ja/.

## Facts worth citing

- Waikiki is on Oʻahu's sheltered south shore; its water is calm nearly year round. Kewalo Basin Harbor (1125 Ala Moana Blvd, Honolulu) is the departure point for parasailing and the Turtle Canyon snorkel cruise, about 10 minutes from Waikiki hotels.
- The North Shore (Haleʻiwa, Waimea Bay, Sunset Beach) is about an hour's drive from Waikiki. It has the world's most famous big-wave surf from roughly November to March and is calm and snorkelable from about May to September. Shark snorkel boats leave from Haleʻiwa Small Boat Harbor, 3 miles offshore.
- Humpback whales are off Oʻahu from about December through April, peaking January to March; the whales pass the south and west shores and are often seen from parasail boats and the sunset sail.
- Spinner dolphins rest in the calm bays of the leeward (west) coast off Waiʻanae most mornings; tours leave Waiʻanae Boat Harbor around 7 am, an hour's drive from Waikiki.
- Kailua Beach and Lanikai Beach are on the windward side, 35 to 40 minutes from Waikiki over the Pali Highway; the Mokulua Islands (the "Mokes") are a permitted kayak landing about a mile offshore.
- Hanauma Bay requires an online reservation and is closed Mondays and Tuesdays; the best shore snorkeling on Oʻahu.
- Waikiki Parasailing: Fly up to 1,200 feet over Māmala Bay with Diamond Head, Waikiki and the whole Honolulu skyline laid out below you. Dry takeoff and landing from the boat deck, no swimming required, ages 5 and up, ten minutes from your hotel. From $75, About 1 hour on the boat, season Daily, year round, hourly 8 am to 5 pm, ages 5 and up. Rated 4.9/5 from 8209 reviews.
- North Shore Shark Snorkel: Two hours three miles off the North Shore in open blue water, swimming with Galapagos and sandbar sharks without a cage, a safety diver beside you the whole time and six guests per boat. The one trip people talk about for the rest of their lives. From $100, 2 hours, season Year round; calmest May to October, ages 12 to 75 (cage option from age 5). Rated 5/5 from 1067 reviews.
- Turtle Canyon Snorkel Excursion: Two hours from Kewalo Basin to Turtle Canyon, the reef off Waikiki where green sea turtles come to be cleaned. Snorkel guides in the water with you, all gear, snacks and drinks, ages 3 and up. A perfect 5.0 across more than 9,000 reviews. From $79, About 2 hours, season Daily, year round, ages 3 and up. Rated 5/5 from 9122 reviews.
- West Oʻahu Dolphin & Turtle Safari: Three hours on an eight-guest boat along the wild west coast with marine naturalists: wild spinner dolphins in the morning bays, guided snorkeling with turtles on the reef, and humpback whales in winter. The dolphin trip the island's biologists book. From $215, 3+ hours, season Year round; whales December to April, ages 10 and up suggested. Rated 4.9/5 from 1898 reviews.
- Kailua Kayak to the Mokulua Islands: Paddle from Kailua Beach across the bluest water on Oʻahu to the Mokulua Islands, land on Moku Nui with a permitted guide, snorkel the reef and eat a picnic lunch on the beach. Five and a half hours, eight guests, the day people come back to Kailua for. From $249, 5.5 hours, season Year round; calmest April to October, ages 13 and up (teens with a parent in a double kayak). Rated 4.9/5 from 4354 reviews.
- Waikiki Sunset Catamaran Sail: Walk down the beach, wade to the catamaran, and sail out past Diamond Head as the sun drops and the Waikiki skyline lights up behind you. Ninety minutes, open bar, no harbor and no bus. The easiest great evening in Waikiki. From $80, 1.5 hours, season Every evening, year round, ages All ages (21+ for the bar). Rated 4.9/5 from 968 reviews.
- North Shore Beachfront ATV: Drive your own ATV along the North Shore coastline on an 80-acre beachfront farm in Waialua: shoreline trails, a restored native dune, a real track, farm animals to meet and a native plant you put in the ground yourself. The only ATV ride on Oʻahu, and a 4.9 across 7,000 reviews. From $75, 1 hour (45 minutes of riding), season Year round, rain or shine, ages 8 and up (see the booking page for who may drive). Rated 4.9/5 from 7046 reviews.

## Top-rated things to do (one page each, with prices, restrictions, check-in details and FAQ)

- [Waikiki Parasailing: 1,200 Feet Over Diamond Head From Kewalo Basin](https://waikikiadventureguide.com/waikiki-parasailing/): The best parasailing in Waikiki: Waikiki Beach Parasail flies from Kewalo Basin Harbor, ten minutes from your hotel, with dry boat-deck takeoff and landing, flights up to 1,200 feet, tandem and triple harnesses, ages 5 and up, from $75 per flyer. Hourly departures every day, year round.
- [North Shore Shark Snorkel: Swim With Sharks, No Cage, Off Haleʻiwa](https://waikikiadventureguide.com/north-shore-shark-snorkel/): The best shark tour on Oʻahu: a two-hour cageless shark snorkel three miles off Haleʻiwa on the North Shore, six guests per boat, a trained safety diver in the water with you, Galapagos, sandbar and (sometimes) tiger sharks. Ages 12 and up, from $100. A cage option for younger kids from $90.
- [Waikiki Turtle Canyon Snorkel: The Top-Rated Turtle Trip From Kewalo Basin](https://waikikiadventureguide.com/waikiki-turtle-snorkel/): The best turtle snorkel in Waikiki: a two-hour Turtle Canyon excursion from Kewalo Basin with in-water snorkel guides, all gear, snacks and drinks, and green sea turtles on most trips. Ages 3 and up, from $79, daily, ten minutes from your hotel. Rated 5.0 across more than 9,000 reviews.
- [West Oʻahu Dolphin Safari: Swim With Wild Spinner Dolphins, Snorkel With Turtles](https://waikikiadventureguide.com/oahu-dolphin-snorkel-tour/): The best dolphin tour on Oʻahu: a three-hour small-boat safari from Waiʻanae Boat Harbor on the leeward coast with naturalist guides, wild spinner dolphins most mornings, guided turtle snorkeling, and humpback whales December to April. Eight guests, ages 10 and up suggested, from $215.
- [Kailua Kayak Tour to the Mokulua Islands: Guided Paddle, Snorkel and Picnic](https://waikikiadventureguide.com/kailua-kayak-mokulua-islands/): The best kayak tour on Oʻahu: a guided 5.5-hour paddle from Kailua Beach to the Mokulua Islands, landing on Moku Nui with one of the few permitted operators, snorkeling over the reef and turtle grounds, with a picnic lunch and gear included. Eight guests, ages 13 and up, from $249.
- [Waikiki Sunset Sail: Catamaran Off the Sand With an Open Bar](https://waikikiadventureguide.com/waikiki-sunset-sail/): The best sunset cruise in Waikiki: a 90-minute catamaran sail that loads straight off the sand in front of the Outrigger Reef, with an open bar, Diamond Head turning gold and the Waikiki lights coming on behind you. No harbor, no shuttle, walk from your hotel. From $80, every evening, year round.
- [North Shore ATV Ride: Beachfront Trails, Farm Animals and a Native Plant to Put in the Ground](https://waikikiadventureguide.com/north-shore-atv-tour/): The only ATV ride on Oʻahu: drive your own four-wheeler across 80 acres of beachfront farm in Waialua on the North Shore, along the shoreline, through a restored native dune and around a purpose-built track, with farm animals to feed and a native plant to put in the ground. One hour, ages 8 and up, from $75.

## Planning guides

- [Best Beaches on Oʻahu: 12 Beaches by Shore, With the Safety Notes That Matter](https://waikikiadventureguide.com/blog/best-beaches-on-oahu/): The best beaches on Oʻahu by shore: Waikiki, Ala Moana, Hanauma Bay, Sandy Beach and Makapuʻu on the south; Lanikai, Kailua and Waimānalo on the windward side; Waimea Bay, Sharks Cove and Sunset Beach on the North Shore; Ko Olina and Mākaha on the west side. With lifeguards, parking and when the surf is dangerous.
- [Best Time to Visit Waikiki and Oʻahu: Month by Month, From People Who Work on the Water](https://waikikiadventureguide.com/blog/best-time-to-visit-oahu/): When to visit Waikiki and Oʻahu for calm seas, whales, North Shore surf, warm water, low prices or small crowds. Month-by-month weather, water temperature, swell, rain, hurricane season, crowds, and which tours suit each season.
- [Things to Do in Waikiki: The Local's List, From the Beach to the North Shore](https://waikikiadventureguide.com/blog/things-to-do-in-waikiki/): What to actually do in Waikiki and the day trips worth leaving for: parasailing and turtle snorkeling from Kewalo Basin, the sunset sail off the beach, Diamond Head, Hanauma Bay, Pearl Harbor, the North Shore shark boats and ATVs, Kailua's kayaks and the west-side dolphins, with drive times, prices and the order to do them in.
- [Oʻahu map and where to stay](https://waikikiadventureguide.com/oahu-areas/): How the island is laid out, drive times from Waikiki, and which tours leave from where.
- [All adventures, ranked](https://waikikiadventureguide.com/adventures/)

## 日本語版 (Japanese edition)

- [ワイキキ パラセーリング：ケワロ・ベイスン発、ダイヤモンドヘッド上空1,200フィートへ](https://waikikiadventureguide.com/ja/waikiki-parasailing/): ワイキキから車で約10分のケワロ・ベイスン港から出航するパラセーリング。ボートのデッキから濡れずに離着陸でき、最高1,200フィート（約365m）の高さからダイヤモンドヘッドとホノルルの街並みを一望。2〜3人同時フライトも可能で5歳から参加OK、1人$75〜。毎日毎時出発、年中無休です。
- [ノースショア シャークスノーケル：ケージなしでサメと泳ぐ、ハレイワ沖](https://waikikiadventureguide.com/ja/north-shore-shark-snorkel/): オアフ島で一番のシャークツアー。ノースショアのハレイワ沖約3マイル（約5km）で、ケージなしでサメと泳ぐ2時間のスノーケル。1艇6人限定、訓練を受けたセーフティダイバーが一緒に海に入り、ガラパゴスザメやサンドバーシャーク、ときにはイタチザメも。12歳以上、$100〜。小さなお子さん向けのケージ付きツアーは$90〜。
- [ワイキキ タートルキャニオン・スノーケル：ケワロ・ベイスン発、最高評価のウミガメツアー](https://waikikiadventureguide.com/ja/waikiki-turtle-snorkel/): ワイキキで一番おすすめのウミガメ・シュノーケル。ケワロ・ベイスン発、約2時間のタートルキャニオン・ツアー。ガイドが一緒に海に入り、器材・軽食・ドリンク付き。ほとんどの回でアオウミガメに会えます。3歳から参加OK、$79〜。9,000件以上のレビューで評価5.0。
- [西オアフ・ドルフィンサファリ：野生のハシナガイルカに会い、ウミガメとシュノーケル](https://waikikiadventureguide.com/ja/oahu-dolphin-snorkel-tour/): オアフ島で一番のイルカツアー。リーワード（西）海岸のワイアナエ小型船ハーバーから出る約3時間の少人数ボートサファリで、ナチュラリストガイドが同行。朝はほぼ毎日野生のハシナガイルカに出会え、ガイド付きのウミガメシュノーケルも楽しめます。12月〜4月はザトウクジラも登場。定員8名、10歳以上推奨、$215〜。
- [カイルア発モクルア島カヤックツアー：ガイド付きパドル、シュノーケル、島でのピクニック](https://waikikiadventureguide.com/ja/kailua-kayak-mokulua-islands/): オアフ島で一番のカヤックツアー。カイルア・ビーチからモクルア島へ漕ぎ出す約5.5時間のガイド付きツアーで、上陸許可を持つ数少ない会社と一緒にモクヌイ島に上陸。リーフとウミガメの餌場でシュノーケルを楽しみ、ピクニックランチと器材もすべて込み。定員8名、13歳以上、$249〜。
- [ワイキキ・サンセットセイル：ビーチから直接乗船、オープンバー付きのカタマラン](https://waikikiadventureguide.com/ja/waikiki-sunset-sail/): ワイキキで一番のサンセットクルーズ。アウトリガー・リーフ前の砂浜から直接乗り込む約90分のカタマランセイルで、オープンバー付き。黄金色に染まるダイヤモンドヘッドと、背後に灯り始めるワイキキの夜景を海の上から。ハーバーもシャトルも不要、ホテルから歩いて行けます。毎晩催行、通年、$80〜。
- [ノースショアATVライド：海沿いのトレイル、牧場の動物たち、そして自分の手で植えるハワイ固有の植物](https://waikikiadventureguide.com/ja/north-shore-atv-tour/): オアフ島で唯一のATVライド。ノースショアのワイアルアにある80エーカー（約32ヘクタール）の海沿いの牧場で、自分専用の四輪バギーを運転。海岸線沿いのトレイル、再生されたハワイ固有の砂丘、専用コースを走り、牧場の動物に餌やりをして、固有植物を自分の手で植えます。約1時間、8歳以上、$75〜。
- [ワイキキ・アドベンチャーガイド トップ](https://waikikiadventureguide.com/ja/)

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