The Living Ocean Tours Waikiki snorkel cruise is a 2.5-hour trip from Kewalo Basin to a reef off Diamond Head, with a waterslide and water trampoline, in-water guides and snacks for about $106. It suits families and first-time snorkelers. The biggest drawback: the harbor lot fills up, and the cheaper fare is non-refundable.
Highlights
2.5-hour cruise from Kewalo Basin along Waikiki and Diamond Head to the operator's snorkel site, with a two-story waterslide, water trampoline and lily pad at anchor (Greetwell listing, October 2026).
Two fares on Greetwell: $106.09 non-refundable or $117.67 with free cancellation up to 48 hours before departure.
Snorkel gear, flotation vests, in-water guides, light snacks, sodas and juice are included; alcohol is sold on board.
Rated 5.0 from 7 reviews on VELTRA (hawaiiactivities.com) as of October 2026; the Greetwell listing displays a 5.0 from 8.5K reviews, a figure we could not verify.
Ages 3 and up; full-face snorkel masks are not permitted.
What to Expect
You check in at Pier B, Kewalo Basin Boat Harbor, 30 minutes before departure; 1 of the 7 VELTRA reviews we read advises taking a taxi or rideshare because the harbor parking is crowded.
The boat cruises along the Waikiki shoreline toward Diamond Head while the crew watches for turtles, dolphins and, from December through April, humpback whales.
At the reef the boat anchors and the crew gives a snorkeling briefing; 2 of the 7 reviewers say 3 to 5 crew members were in the water helping novices.
You snorkel over the reef where 5 of the 7 reviewers report multiple green sea turtles, and use the waterslide, trampoline and lily pad as you like.
On the return cruise the crew serves snacks and soft drinks; alcohol is available for purchase.
The boat is back at Kewalo Basin about 2.5 hours after departure.
What's Included
Snorkel mask, snorkel, fins and flotation vests
In-water snorkel guides and instruction
Two-story waterslide, water trampoline and lily pad
Light snacks, sodas and juice
What's Not Included
Alcoholic drinks (sold on board)
Parking at Kewalo Basin
Gratuities
What to Bring
Swimwear, towel and reef-safe sunscreen
Hat, sunglasses and a camera
Cash or card for drinks and tips
Motion-sickness medication taken before boarding if you are prone to seasickness
Restrictions and Requirements
Minimum age 3
Full-face snorkel masks not allowed
Late arrivals and no-shows are not refunded or rescheduled
Cancellation Policy
Refundable fare ($117.67): full refund if you cancel at least 48 hours before departure; bookings made within 48 hours are non-refundable. Non-refundable fare ($106.09): no refund at any time. Full refund if the operator cancels. Checked October 2026 on Greetwell.
Pier B, Kewalo Basin Boat Harbor, 1125 Ala Moana Blvd, Slip B1, Honolulu, HI 96814
Check-In
30 minutes before departure at the boat
Parking and Getting There
Paid public parking at Kewalo Basin, not included; 1 of 7 VELTRA reviewers found the lot crowded and recommends rideshare
Ratings from every source we could find
VELTRA
5.0
7 reviews
Google Maps — Summarized by Our Team
General Waikiki daytime snorkel cruise sentiment applies.
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 7 reviews of Living Ocean Tours' daytime Waikiki snorkel cruise on VELTRA (hawaiiactivities.com), dated December 2021 to August 2023, collected October 2026. The page shows an overall 5.0 but no per-review star rating. We found no 1-2 star reviews, so the complaints below are the critical remarks inside those positive reviews.
What Reviewers Praise
Several crew members in the water with beginners(4 of 7 reviews we read on VELTRA)
Four reviews describe a crew of 3 to 5 people, several of them in the water, giving thorough snorkel instruction and leading novices to the turtles. Two name individual crew members.
— VELTRA, 5★ overall rating, August 2023: three or four crew in the water helped a group of first-time snorkelers feel safe.
Reliable turtle sightings(5 of 7 reviews we read on VELTRA)
Five reviewers saw multiple green sea turtles, one within about 10 feet; one group also saw a dolphin pod near the reef and another saw a whale in March.
— VELTRA, 5★ overall rating, February 2022: multiple turtles and a pod of dolphins near the reef on a family trip with mixed ages.
Good value for a family trip(2 of 7 reviews we read on VELTRA)
Two reviews chose the trip for its price and said it exceeded expectations, with snacks and drinks included and staff attentive to children.
— VELTRA, 5★ overall rating, December 2021: booked for the price and found the instruction and guiding better than expected.
What Reviewers Complain About
Afternoon current can be strong for weaker swimmers(1 of 7 reviews we read on VELTRA (safety-related, so reported) · outside operator's control · most recent: March 2022)
One reviewer on an afternoon departure found the current at the snorkel site a little strong; the same review was otherwise positive about the crew and the whale sighting.
— VELTRA, 5★ overall rating, March 2022: the current was "a little strong" in the afternoon.
Harbor parking is crowded and not included(1 of 7 reviews we read on VELTRA, plus the Greetwell listing · outside operator's control · most recent: August 2023)
One reviewer warns that parking at Kewalo Basin is hard to find and suggests a taxi or rideshare; the Greetwell listing confirms parking is excluded.
— VELTRA, 5★ overall rating, August 2023: parking at the harbor was crowded; take a rideshare instead.
Cheaper fare has no refund at all(Greetwell listing terms, not a review · operator issue · most recent: October 2026)
The $106.09 fare cannot be refunded for any reason, and late arrivals are not rescheduled; the $117.67 fare adds 48-hour free cancellation for about $12 more.
About the Operator in General
The same operator's BYOB sunset cruise also carries a 5.0 from 7 reviews on VELTRA as of October 2026, and several of the snorkel reviewers describe Living Ocean Tours as family-owned.
Our Verdict
Tripreviewall's Take
At about $106, this cruise is a reasonable pick for families and first-time snorkelers who want hands-on crew support and guaranteed activity for kids, judging by the 7 reviews we read. Confident snorkelers who only want reef time may find the waterslide-and-trampoline format and the 2.5-hour length limiting. Pay the extra $12 for the refundable fare unless your plans are fixed.
Book This Tour If…
You are traveling with children aged 3 and up or with adults who have never snorkeled
You want crew in the water with you; 4 of 7 reviews we read mention this
You are visiting December through April and want a chance at whale sightings on the way out
You can arrive 30 minutes early by taxi or rideshare
Skip This Tour If…
You are an experienced snorkeler looking for a quieter reef without a party-boat setup
You use a full-face snorkel mask, which is not permitted
You may need to cancel inside 48 hours; the cheaper fare refunds nothing
You get seasick easily and have not taken medication before boarding
Tips From Reviewers and Operator Notes
Choose the $117.67 refundable fare if your flight or weather could change your plans; the $106.09 fare has no refund.
Take a rideshare to Pier B; 1 of 7 reviewers found parking at Kewalo Basin crowded.
Ask about the morning departure; 1 of 7 reviewers suggests boarding early to snorkel before the site gets busy, and 1 found the afternoon current strong.
Bring cash or a card if you want alcohol, which is sold on board and not included.
Assessed by the Tripreviewall editorial team, last reviewed October 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the Living Ocean Tours Waikiki snorkel cruise?
The Living Ocean Tours Waikiki snorkel cruise lasts 2.5 hours from departure at Kewalo Basin, with check-in 30 minutes earlier, according to the Greetwell listing checked in October 2026. The time splits between the coastal cruise, snorkeling at the reef with the waterslide and trampoline, and the return.
What is included in the Waikiki snorkel cruise price?
The cruise price covers snorkel gear, flotation vests, in-water guides, use of the waterslide, water trampoline and lily pad, plus light snacks, sodas and juice. Alcohol is sold separately on board, and parking at Kewalo Basin and gratuities are not included.
Will I see turtles on the Waikiki snorkel cruise?
Turtle sightings are common but not guaranteed. In 5 of the 7 VELTRA reviews we read, guests saw multiple green sea turtles at the snorkel site, one within about 10 feet. Dolphins and, from December through April, humpback whales are sometimes spotted during the cruise.
Can young children join the snorkel cruise?
Children aged 3 and older can join the Living Ocean Tours snorkel cruise. Reviewers describe the crew helping mixed-age family groups and kids using the waterslide and trampoline. Full-face snorkel masks are banned for all ages, and flotation vests are provided for anyone who wants one.
Where does the Waikiki snorkel cruise depart from?
The cruise departs from Pier B at Kewalo Basin Boat Harbor, 1125 Ala Moana Blvd, Slip B1, between Waikiki and Ala Moana. Parking is not included and 1 of the 7 reviews we read calls the lot crowded, so a taxi or rideshare is the simpler option.
What is the cancellation policy for the snorkel cruise?
The cancellation policy depends on the fare. The refundable fare ($117.67 on Greetwell) allows a full refund up to 48 hours before departure; the non-refundable fare ($106.09) cannot be refunded. Late arrivals and no-shows are not rescheduled, and the operator refunds in full if it cancels.
Contact
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