Captain Max's Private Waikiki Boat Tour is a daytime private Waikiki boat tour on a rigid inflatable for up to 6 guests, with snorkeling and BYOB, from $774 per boat. It suits families and small groups who want their own crew and in-water guide. The main drawback is the strict 6-person cap, which one family learned about at the dock.
Highlights
Whole boat for your group of up to 6, with the route and snorkel time customized on the day
In-water guide; Greetwell's review summary notes staff attention to children and nervous swimmers
Bring your own drinks (BYOB) on board
Operator rated 4.9 from 829 reviews on Greetwell as of October 2026
Priced from $774 per boat, which is $129 per person for a full group of 6
What to Expect
You meet the crew in the Waikiki/Honolulu harbor area at your booked time; the exact dock is given at booking.
The group of up to 6 boards a rigid inflatable boat and agrees the plan with the captain, who adapts to conditions.
The boat runs along the Waikiki coast looking for turtles, dolphins and, in winter, whales.
At a snorkel site such as Turtle Canyon, a guide enters the water with you; Greetwell's summary says staff take photos and videos that can be bought afterwards.
You return to the harbor after roughly 2 to 3 hours.
What's Included
Private boat and crew for up to 6 guests
Guided snorkeling with an in-water guide
BYOB allowed
What's Not Included
Drinks (bring your own)
Photos and videos taken by the crew, sold separately per Greetwell's review summary
Gratuity
What to Bring
Swimsuit and towel
Your own drinks and snacks
Reef-safe sunscreen
Restrictions and Requirements
Maximum 6 guests per boat; Greetwell's review summary records a family turned away at the dock over capacity
Honolulu/Waikiki harbor area; exact dock confirmed at booking
Ratings from every source we could find
Google
4.9
829 reviews
Google Maps — Summarized by Our Team
See Private Waikiki Sunset Cruise - same operator, similar general sentiment pattern.
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 Google review republished on Greetwell (August 2026, about the operator's Turtle Canyon tour) and Greetwell's summary of the operator's 829 reviews. We have not yet read reviews specific to this private daytime charter. Scores collected October 2026.
What Reviewers Praise
Crew works hard to find wildlife even in poor conditions(1 of the 1 review we read, echoed in Greetwell's review summary)
The review we read described strong wind and poor visibility, with the two guides still finding turtles and fish; the operator-wide summary reports reliable turtle sightings.
— Google via Greetwell, 5★, August 2026: despite strong wind and poor visibility the guides worked hard to find turtles
Small boat and attentive in-water guiding(operator-wide pattern in Greetwell's review summary)
Greetwell's summary says guests value the 6- to 8-passenger rigid inflatable and the crew's attention to children and nervous swimmers in the water.
What Reviewers Complain About
One reported no-show by the operator with no communication(1 report (Greetwell review summary) · operator issue · most recent: not shown)
Greetwell's summary of the operator's reviews mentions one guest whose tour did not run and who received no communication; we could not read the original review or any operator reply.
Family turned away at the dock over the capacity limit(1 report (Greetwell review summary) · operator issue · most recent: not shown)
A family was refused boarding because the boat's capacity limit had not been clearly communicated at booking, according to Greetwell's summary. Confirm your headcount against the 6-guest cap before paying.
About the Operator in General
Captain Max Boat Tours runs small-group and private trips from Waikiki on rigid inflatables capped at 6 to 8 passengers, including a Turtle Canyon snorkel from $127 per person, a whale-watching Zodiac tour from $120 and a Friday fireworks charter at $625; Greetwell notes Korean-speaking staff and recommends booking directly with the operator.
Our Verdict
Tripreviewall's Take
For a full group of 6 this works out at about $129 per person, which is close to the operator's own semi-private Turtle Canyon price, so the private charter is good value for families or friends who fill the boat and want to set their own pace. For couples the $774 flat fee is hard to justify over a semi-private trip. The 4.9 rating across 829 reviews is strong, but the two logistics complaints in Greetwell's summary mean you should confirm headcount and meeting details in writing.
Book This Tour If…
You have 4 to 6 people and want the boat to yourselves at roughly $129 to $194 per person
You have children or nervous swimmers who benefit from an in-water guide and a flexible plan
You want to bring your own drinks and choose how long to snorkel
You prefer a small rigid inflatable to the large Waikiki catamarans
Skip This Tour If…
You are a couple or trio; the semi-private Turtle Canyon tour from $127 per person is far cheaper
Your group is 7 or more; the cap is 6 and families have been turned away
You want shade, a restroom and a bar; this is a small open RIB
You need a published cancellation policy before booking; we could not find one
Tips From Reviewers and Operator Notes
Confirm the exact passenger count with the operator before paying; Greetwell's summary records a family refused at the dock
Ask for written confirmation of the meeting dock and time, given the one no-show report
Bring cash or a card if you want to buy the crew's photos and videos afterwards
Greetwell itself recommends booking directly with Captain Max rather than through a reseller
Assessed by the Tripreviewall editorial team, last reviewed October 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the Captain Max private Waikiki boat tour?
The Captain Max Private Waikiki Boat Tour with Snorkeling was listed from $774 per boat on Greetwell in October 2026, covering up to 6 guests. That is about $129 per person for a full boat or $387 per person for a couple. The operator's sunset version of the private charter was listed at $691.95.
How many people fit on the Captain Max private boat?
Captain Max's private boat tour takes a maximum of 6 guests on a rigid inflatable boat. Greetwell's summary of the operator's reviews includes one family that was turned away at the dock because the capacity limit had not been clearly communicated, so confirm your exact headcount with the operator before booking.
Does the private Waikiki boat tour include snorkeling?
Yes, the Captain Max private Waikiki boat tour includes customizable snorkeling with an in-water guide, typically at the Turtle Canyon reef off Waikiki where green sea turtles are commonly seen. Greetwell's review summary says the crew pays close attention to children and nervous swimmers and takes photos and videos that guests can buy.
Can you bring your own drinks on the Captain Max boat?
Yes, the Captain Max private Waikiki boat tour is listed as BYOB on Greetwell, so you can bring your own drinks and snacks for the roughly 2- to 3-hour charter. No drinks are included in the $774 boat price, and there is no bar on board the small rigid inflatable, so pack a cooler if you want them.
What is Captain Max Boat Tours' rating?
Captain Max Boat Tours held a 4.9-star rating from 829 reviews on Greetwell as of October 2026. Greetwell's summary of those reviews praises the small group sizes and the crew's in-water guiding, while noting one reported no-show with no communication and one family refused boarding over the 6-guest capacity.
Contact
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TripReviewAll is an independent review site and does not operate this tour. For changes to an existing booking, contact Captain Max Boat Tours directly.
