[ad_1] Situated on Honolulu’s south shore, the world-famous neighborhood of Waikiki has achieved icon status among global travelers. Once a playground for Hawaiian royalty, Waikiki – known in Hawaiian as ‘spouting waters’ – first garnered the world’s attention when its very first hotel, the Moana Surfrider, was constructed on its sandy shores in 1901. Today,
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Situated on Honolulu’s south shore, the world-famous neighborhood of Waikiki has achieved icon status among global travelers. Once a playground for Hawaiian royalty, Waikiki – known in Hawaiian as ‘spouting waters’ – first garnered the world’s attention when its very first hotel, the Moana Surfrider, was constructed on its sandy shores in 1901. Today, Waikiki is Oahu’s main resort destination and a buzzing place for visitors from across the planet.
The upscale neighborhood is best known for its famed white sand beach, high-rise hotels, designer fashion stores lining Kalakaua Avenue, and its excellent nightlife chock-full of waterside cocktail bars, exquisite fine dining, and entertaining Kuhio Beach hula shows, earning it a coveted place on the international tourist map. While it’s one of the most visited locations in Hawaii, offering a ton of beach vacation appeal and high-end amenities, and fun tourist activities on land, the area, has become celebrated for another reason off the shore; it’s one of the best places for snorkeling with turtles in Oahu – and that’s where this amazing Turtle Canyon snorkeling tour comes in.
Offered by one of the best Turtle Canyon snorkel tour operators, this two-to-three-hour sea turtle snorkeling tour from Waikiki takes visitors to the famous Turtle Canyon – a nature preserve and snorkeling site renowned for the large numbers of sea turtles in residence, which float above the reef while colorful fish swim around them and clean their shells. This spot on the reef sees prolific turtle activity, which is all down to the turtle cleaning station situated at the site, as well as the ideal conditions these beautiful but sadly endangered creatures seek out for feeding and resting.
With guaranteed sea turtle sightings, this trip is a no-brainer for those wishing to encounter sea turtles in their natural habitat. Under their experienced guide’s wing, snorkelers get the rare opportunity to swim alongside these majestic turtles, watching them as they glide through the water, feed, rest, and get cleaned of dirt and parasites by resident reef fish. What’s more, spectators relaxing on the boat can even see these fascinating animals as they come up to breathe. Also, it’s not just turtles that guests of this tour can see; other marine life often making an appearance are dolphins, flying fish, and many more amazing aquatic species.
Combining a snorkeling tour and a catamaran cruise, this guided trip truly does deliver the ultimate Hawaiian experience. Travelers have the beauty of choosing between a morning or midday tour, with both options showcasing the same jaw-dropping views and chances of witnessing wonderful wildlife that call Waikiki home, such as turtles, reef fish, dolphins, and whales in the right season – details on seasonal whales below!
The two-hour morning tour and the three-hour midday tour include snacks, beverages, and two alcoholic drinks. Only the midday tour includes lunch on board.
This Turtle canyon catamaran snorkel cruise departs from Kewalo Harbor. Guests hop on board and find a comfortable spot on the ‘Honi Olani’ – a luxury power catamaran that sails along the shore of Oahu towards the famous Turtle Canyon – the island’s best place to spot the resident turtles located just 15 minutes away. Upon arrival at Turtle Canyon, the captain moors the boat, and snorkelers receive a safety briefing. Next, they’re free to slip into the water via the boat’s safe stairway before spending an hour to 90 minutes swimming among the turtles with their knowledgeable snorkel guide.
After enjoying the presence of these gentle creatures in the water, snorkelers climb back on board and can take a freshwater shower or change into dry clothing before enjoying the island sun and fresh sea breeze. When ready, passengers can enter the covered cabin for a deli sandwich buffet (only on the midday tour) and enjoy unlimited non-alcoholic drinks. They can also cash in their two alcoholic drink tickets and trade them for boozy beverages of their choice, be it from the boat’s selection of cocktails, white wines, sparkling wines, or beers. Guests can also hang out on the deck, relax under the sun, and soak up the breathtaking views of the Waikiki skyline, Diamond Head, and the Ko’olau Mountains in the distance. When sailing back to shore, passengers shouldn’t let the sun’s heat and swimmer’s fatigue lull them into a hearty boat post-beer nap, though; they’ll want to keep an eye out for passing marine species, such as spinner dolphins and migrating whales, the latter of which pass through the area between December and April.
The Tour Also Passes By:
Turtle sightings are guaranteed on this trip; if snorkelers don’t get to see any turtles, the tour operators offer a free second cruise – a win-win!
Originally, Turtle Canyon reef formed many thousands of years ago in a time when volcanic activity was rife in and around Oahu – evidenced by the large lava-formed, rock-encrusted fingers rising from the shallow shores of Waikiki in a noticeable south-eastern direction. In between these rocky fingers, there are small rock boulders, coral heads, and plenty of sand, making great homes for various marine species. Whilst this site and its impressive geological formations attract aquatic life; it’s not a place of vibrant corals.
Strong swells come in from the southeast, rendering the place akin to a white desert without much in the way of colorful, soft, and fragile corals, as the seascape is too harsh for them to flourish. However, the real reason people flock to this site – commonly cited as the best snorkeling Oahu (or even the best snorkeling Hawaii) has to offer – is turtle action. These calm, totally chilled-out ocean reptiles, with their laissez-faire attitude, quite literally let divers and snorkelers swim right alongside them, appearing unbothered by human presence without an inkling of care in the world.
Turtle Canyon reef is around 20 to 45 feet deep, which is a little deep for snorkelers; however, the turtles are the stars of the show here, and they come up to the shallows and swim among people seemingly without any fear.
There’s a reason why every ‘best snorkeling in Oahu’ list features Turtle Canyon. The populations of Hawaiian green sea turtles found relaxing, feeding, and being nibbled on by the reef’s cleaner fish make this top Oahu snorkeling site one of the most reliable places to see turtles. Therefore, if swimming side-by-side, face-to-face with some of the most beautiful animals in the world is on one’s bucket list, this Oahu snorkeling tour – with the five-star guest treatment, luxe catamaran cruising, and expert snorkel guides – is undeniably one of the most enjoyable, memorable, and comfortable ways of ticking this experience off that list.
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