The Adventure Boat's Waikiki private snorkel charter puts up to 6 people on a 30-foot rigid-hull inflatable from Ala Wai Harbor for 2 to 4 hours of reef snorkeling and dolphin spotting. It suits families and small groups who want the boat to themselves. The drawback is the cost, from $706.81 per boat, plus one 3-star report of a choppy site.
Highlights
Private 30-foot RHIB (rigid-hull inflatable) for 1–6 people, with a captain and guide; larger groups up to 12 pay $1,020.94 or $1,335.08 (VELTRA).
2-hour charter from $706.81 per boat on VELTRA; 4-hour custom charter $1,099.48 per boat on Greetwell, as of October 2026.
Snorkel gear, flotation equipment, iced cooler, soft drinks and water are included; you may bring your own food and alcohol (no glass).
Captain picks the snorkel site and route; wildlife watching covers turtles, spinner dolphins and, in season, humpback whales along the south shore.
5.0 rating from 213 Google-sourced reviews shown on Greetwell, with 209 five-star and 1 one-star.
What to Expect
You check in at the loading dock at Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor (1651 Ala Moana Blvd) 5 minutes before departure and sign a liability waiver; a guardian signs for minors.
The boat runs fast along the Waikiki coastline toward Diamond Head, with the captain commenting on the shoreline and scanning for dolphins and turtles.
At a reef chosen for that day's conditions, you snorkel from the boat using the supplied mask, snorkel and fins, climbing back in by ladder.
On the 4-hour version the group can add a second snorkel site, a swim stop or a longer coastal ride; the itinerary is set with the captain on the day.
Soft drinks and water from the onboard cooler are available throughout; there is no restroom on the boat, so use the harbor facilities first.
You return to the same dock after 2 or 4 hours depending on the charter booked.
What's Included
Private boat with captain and guide
Snorkel mask, snorkel and fins
Safety and flotation equipment
Cooler with ice
Soft drinks and water (Greetwell lists sparkling water)
Sound system
What's Not Included
Gratuity
Food and extra drinks (bring your own; no glass containers)
Harbor parking fee
Hotel pickup (not offered)
Optional GoPro rental
What to Bring
Swimsuit worn under clothes and a towel
Reef-safe sunscreen, brimmed hat and sunglasses (limited shade)
Clothing that can get wet from spray
Motion-sickness medication taken 1 hour before departure if you are prone to seasickness
Own snacks and drinks in non-glass containers; pack light, dry storage is limited
Restrictions and Requirements
Not permitted for pregnant guests or anyone with neck, back or joint problems
Not wheelchair accessible; no restroom on board
Guests must be able to climb a ladder in and out of the water
No glass containers; personal coolers not allowed
Captain may refuse service for attire, behavior or fitness
Cancellation Policy
On Greetwell: full refund with at least 48 hours' notice, full refund if the operator cancels for weather, and no refund for no-shows. On VELTRA the window is stricter: cancellations or changes after 8:00 am HST 3 business days before the charter are charged 100%. Checked October 2026 on Greetwell and VELTRA (hawaiiactivities.com).
Options available
Standard
4-Hour Custom Adventure
Choose your option and see its price on the booking page.
The Adventure Boat loading dock, Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor, 1651 Ala Moana Blvd, Honolulu, HI 96815 (look for the yellow booth or Adventure Boat signs)
Check-In
5 minutes before departure (VELTRA sample: 7:55 am for an 8:00 am charter); sign waiver at the dock
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
Viator
5.0
88 reviews
Google Maps — Summarized by Our Team
General flexible/multi-activity boat tour sentiment favors operators who clearly itemize planned activities in advance.
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, plus 1 undated Viator review fragment on Powertraveller. Collected October 2026.
What Reviewers Praise
Frequent wildlife sightings on the ride(2 of 2 reviews we read)
Both reviews describe dolphins; the April 2026 review also lists sea turtles and possible whale activity off Diamond Head. The Greetwell summary cites spinner dolphins, humpbacks and turtles as recurring sightings.
— Greetwell (Google), 5★, April 2026: a family of four saw turtles, dolphins and what they believed were whales mating, with Diamond Head in view.
Captain and crew named and praised(2 of 2 reviews we read)
The April 2026 reviewer named the two guides and recommended the private format for the lack of crowds; the Viator fragment calls the crew excellent. The Greetwell summary repeats praise for the captain's knowledge.
— Viator (via Powertraveller), undated: "The guys were excellent" while snorkeling with many dolphins.
What Reviewers Complain About
Choppy snorkel spot caused seasickness and poor visibility(1 report (3★ review summarized on Greetwell) · outside operator's control · most recent: date not shown)
One family was taken to a rough snorkel site off Waikiki Beach, became seasick and could not see much. Conditions are weather-driven, but the site choice is the captain's.
— Greetwell (Google), 3★, undated: the snorkel spot was choppy, visibility poor and the family felt the price was not justified.
Captain felt distant(1 report (3★ review summarized on Greetwell) · operator issue · most recent: date not shown)
The same 3-star reviewer described the captain as distant, in contrast to the named, friendly crew in the 5-star reviews. With 209 of 213 reviews at five stars this appears to be an exception rather than a pattern.
About the Operator in General
The Adventure Boat (Live Casually Inc) runs 30-foot RHIBs from Ala Wai Harbor and sells six products through FareHarbor, Greetwell, VELTRA and Viator; Greetwell shows the same 5.0 rating across 213 Google reviews for every product, so the score is operator-wide rather than tour-specific.
Our Verdict
Tripreviewall's Take
This charter is worth it for a group of 4–6 who want a fast, private boat and a captain who adapts the route to that day's dolphin and turtle sightings; at $706.81 per boat the 2-hour trip works out to $118 each for 6 people. Solo travelers or couples pay the same boat rate and should compare the operator's $109.40 semi-private snorkel cruise instead. The one 3-star report of a choppy, low-visibility site is a reminder that an inflatable boat offers little shelter when the trade winds pick up.
Book This Tour If…
You are a group of 4–6 who can split the $706.81 (2 hr) or $1,099.48 (4 hr) boat price
You want the captain to choose the snorkel site on the day rather than a fixed reef
You want to bring your own food and drinks, including alcohol, in non-glass containers
Everyone in your party can climb a boat ladder from the water
Skip This Tour If…
You are 1–2 people; the semi-private cruise at $109.40 per person is far cheaper
You are pregnant or have neck, back or joint problems; the RHIB ride is excluded for these
You get seasick easily; one reviewer reported rough water at the snorkel site and there is no restroom aboard
You need shade or a wheelchair-accessible boat
Tips From Reviewers and Operator Notes
Take motion-sickness medication an hour before departure; both VELTRA and Greetwell listings recommend it and 1 reviewer reported seasickness.
Book through Greetwell if you want the 48-hour refund window; VELTRA's cutoff is 3 business days before the charter.
Use the harbor restrooms before boarding; the boat has none.
Bring polarized sunglasses and a hat with a strap; the open boat has limited shade and runs at speed.
Ask the captain for a calmer, lee-side reef if the wind is up; the 3-star report came from a choppy spot off Waikiki Beach.
Assessed by the Tripreviewall editorial team, last reviewed October 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is The Adventure Boat private snorkel charter in Waikiki?
The Adventure Boat's private snorkel charter is priced per boat, not per person: $706.81 for 1–6 people, $1,020.94 for 7–9 and $1,335.08 for 10–12 on VELTRA for the 2-hour trip, and $1,099.48 for up to 6 people on the 4-hour version on Greetwell, as of October 2026. Gratuity is extra.
Where does the Waikiki private snorkel charter depart from?
The charter departs from The Adventure Boat loading dock at Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor, 1651 Ala Moana Blvd, Honolulu, marked by a yellow booth. Check-in is 5 minutes before departure, waivers are signed at the dock, and paid parking is available at the harbor; the operator does not offer hotel pickup.
What is included on The Adventure Boat snorkel charter?
The charter includes the private boat with captain and guide, snorkel mask, snorkel and fins, flotation equipment, an iced cooler, soft drinks and water, and a sound system. Food, gratuity, parking and optional GoPro rental are not included, but you may bring your own snacks and drinks in non-glass containers.
Is the Adventure Boat charter suitable for children or non-swimmers?
Children of all ages may join the charter with a guardian-signed waiver, and life vests are provided. Everyone who snorkels must be able to climb a ladder back into the boat. The ride is not permitted for pregnant guests or people with neck, back or joint problems, and the boat is not wheelchair accessible.
What is the cancellation policy for the private snorkel charter?
The cancellation policy depends on where you book. Greetwell gives a full refund with 48 hours' notice and charges no-shows in full. VELTRA charges 100% for cancellations or changes made after 8:00 am HST three business days before the charter. Both refund in full if the operator cancels for weather. Checked October 2026.
Will I see dolphins on the Waikiki snorkel charter?
Dolphin sightings are common but not guaranteed on this charter. Both reviews we read mention dolphins, and the Greetwell review summary lists spinner dolphins, sea turtles and seasonal humpback whales (roughly December to April) as recurring sightings along Oahu's south shore. The captain adjusts the route to conditions and sightings.
Contact
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