The Adventure Boat's Waikiki semi-private snorkel cruise is a 1.5-hour trip for up to 12 guests on a 30-foot inflatable from Ala Wai Harbor, $109.40 per person with gear included. It suits couples and solo travelers who want a small boat at a per-person price. The drawbacks are short water time and a minimum head count that can force a reschedule.
Highlights
1.5 hours for $109.40 per person on Greetwell, against $706.81 per boat for the operator's private 2-hour charter.
Capped at 12 guests; the captain picks the snorkel site each day based on conditions, according to Greetwell and HawaiiGuide.
Snorkel gear, flotation equipment, captain and guide, an iced cooler and sparkling water are included.
Tours need a combined minimum number of travelers; if it is not met you can reschedule or get a full refund.
Same operator-wide 5.0 rating from 213 Google reviews shown on Greetwell as of October 2026.
What to Expect
You meet at The Adventure Boat loading dock at Ala Wai Harbor and sign a waiver before boarding the open RHIB with up to 11 other guests.
The boat runs along the Waikiki shoreline toward Diamond Head, with the crew pointing out turtles and any dolphins.
At the day's chosen reef you snorkel from the boat with the supplied mask, snorkel and fins, with flotation available for weaker swimmers.
The crew keeps drinks and any snacks you brought chilled in the cooler; there is no restroom on board.
You return to the same dock about 1.5 hours after departure; start times may be adjusted or tours consolidated to meet the minimum head count.
What's Included
Snorkeling gear
Safety and flotation equipment
Captain and guide
Cooler with ice
Sparkling water
Sound system
What's Not Included
Food and other drinks (you may bring your own)
Gratuity
Harbor parking
Hotel pickup
What to Bring
Drinks or light snacks in non-glass containers
Clothes that can get wet; pack only what you need
Camera and a hat with a strap
Seasickness prevention (Dramamine, Bonine or ginger candy), per the listing FAQ
Restrictions and Requirements
Not suitable for pregnant travelers or people with mobility impairments
Personal coolers not allowed; onboard storage is limited
Minimum combined traveler count required for departure
Cancellation Policy
Full refund with 48 hours' notice; no refund for no-shows. If the operator cancels for weather or the minimum head count is not reached, you can reschedule or receive a full refund. Checked October 2026 on Greetwell.
The Adventure Boat loading dock, Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor, 1651 Ala Moana Blvd, Honolulu, HI 96815
Check-In
Not stated on the listing; the operator's other products check in 5 minutes before departure
Parking and Getting There
Paid public parking at Ala Wai Harbor; taxi or rideshare recommended
Ratings from every source we could find
Google
5.0
213 reviews
Google Maps — Summarized by Our Team
General semi-private snorkel boat sentiment favors smaller groups for more personalized crew attention.
Last checked 2026-09-15
Ratings and review counts are checked periodically and may not reflect same-day changes on each platform.
What the Reviews Say
We read 1 full review (Greetwell/Google, April 2026) and the platform's summary of a 3-star review and several 5-star reviews on Greetwell's Adventure Boat listings. The reviews are operator-wide and not labeled by product. Collected October 2026.
What Reviewers Praise
Turtles and dolphins seen close to Waikiki(1 of 1 review we read, plus the platform summary)
The April 2026 review lists sea turtles, dolphins and possible whales within sight of Diamond Head; the summary names spinner dolphins and humpbacks as recurring sightings.
— Greetwell (Google), 5★, April 2026: a family of four saw turtles and dolphins and rated the snorkeling highly.
Small-boat crew is personable(1 of 1 review we read, plus the platform summary)
The reviewer named both guides, and the platform summary describes the captain as knowledgeable and the crew as friendly, with one mention of the crew collecting ocean trash.
— Greetwell (Google), 5★, April 2026: guides Chris and Jeff were singled out and the small-boat format recommended over crowded catamarans.
What Reviewers Complain About
Rough snorkel site, seasickness and low visibility(1 report (3★ review summarized on Greetwell) · outside operator's control · most recent: date not shown)
One family was taken to a choppy spot off Waikiki Beach, got seasick and saw little underwater. On an open inflatable with no shelter this is the main weather risk.
— Greetwell (Google), 3★, undated: choppy water, poor visibility and a price that felt unjustified.
Captain seemed distant(1 report (3★ review summarized on Greetwell) · operator issue · most recent: date not shown)
The same reviewer felt the captain was not engaged, which contrasts with the named-crew praise in the 5-star reviews. With 209 of 213 reviews at five stars we treat this as isolated.
About the Operator in General
The Adventure Boat's Greetwell listings share one 5.0 score across 213 Google reviews for all six of its products, so none of the reviews we read is confirmed to be from the semi-private cruise specifically.
Our Verdict
Tripreviewall's Take
At $109.40 for 1.5 hours this is the cheapest way onto The Adventure Boat's RHIBs and the right pick for couples or solo travelers who want a 12-person boat rather than a 49-passenger catamaran. The short duration means one snorkel site, so divers and experienced snorkelers who want two reefs should book the private 4-hour charter. The minimum head count is the practical risk: book early in your stay so a consolidated or rescheduled departure does not cost you the trip.
Book This Tour If…
You are 1–3 people and the $706.81 private boat price does not make sense
You want a maximum of 12 guests on board
You are happy with one snorkel site chosen by the captain on the day
You can be flexible on start time in case tours are consolidated
Skip This Tour If…
You want 2 or more snorkel stops; 1.5 hours allows one
You are pregnant or have a mobility impairment
You get seasick on small boats; 1 reviewer reported rough water and there is no restroom aboard
You need a guaranteed departure time for a cruise ship or flight
Tips From Reviewers and Operator Notes
Book early in your trip; the listing warns tours can be consolidated or rescheduled if the minimum head count is not met.
Take ginger candy or Bonine before boarding; the listing FAQ recommends it and 1 reviewer reported seasickness.
Bring only a small bag; personal coolers are banned and dry storage is limited.
Use the harbor restrooms before departure.
Compare with the operator's private 2-hour charter if your group reaches 6; at $706.81 it is $117.80 each for 30 extra minutes and a private boat.
Assessed by the Tripreviewall editorial team, last reviewed October 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the Waikiki semi-private snorkel cruise cost?
The Adventure Boat's semi-private snorkeling cruise costs $109.40 per person on Greetwell as of October 2026, for a 1.5-hour trip. Snorkel gear, flotation equipment, an iced cooler and sparkling water are included; gratuity, food, harbor parking and hotel pickup are not.
How many people are on the semi-private snorkel boat?
The semi-private cruise carries a maximum of 12 guests plus the captain and guide on a 30-foot rigid-hull inflatable boat. The listing also states a combined minimum number of travelers is required, and if it is not reached the operator offers a reschedule or a full refund.
Where does the semi-private snorkel cruise leave from?
The cruise leaves from The Adventure Boat loading dock at Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor, 1651 Ala Moana Blvd in Waikiki, Honolulu. Paid parking is available at the harbor, and the operator recommends taxi or rideshare. There are restrooms at the harbor but none on the boat.
Can I cancel the Adventure Boat semi-private cruise?
You can cancel the semi-private cruise for a full refund with at least 48 hours' notice when booked through Greetwell. No-shows receive no refund. If the operator cancels for weather or because the minimum traveler count is not met, you can reschedule or get a full refund. Checked October 2026 on Greetwell.
Is the semi-private snorkel cruise good for beginners?
The semi-private cruise works for beginner snorkelers because flotation equipment and a guide are included and the group is capped at 12. However, you snorkel from a boat in open water rather than from a beach, and one 3-star reviewer reported a choppy site with poor visibility, so nervous swimmers should ask the crew for a float.
What should I bring on the Waikiki snorkel cruise?
Bring a swimsuit, towel, reef-safe sunscreen, a hat with a strap, a camera, and any drinks or light snacks in non-glass containers, which the crew keeps chilled in the cooler. The listing FAQ also recommends seasickness prevention such as Dramamine, Bonine or ginger candy. Pack only what you need, since storage is limited.
Contact
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TripReviewAll is an independent review site and does not operate this tour. For changes to an existing booking, contact The Adventure Boat directly.
