10 Incredible Oahu Boat Tours Worth Booking

AAre you looking for fun things to do in Oahu with your family? Keep scrolling for the top Oahu boat tours to book before your trip.

This list of the best Oahu boat tours was written by Hawaii travel expert Marcie Cheung and contains affiliate links which means if you purchase something from one of my affiliate links, I may earn a small commission that goes back into maintaining this blog.

Oahu is a beautiful Hawaiian island full of epic activities and outdoor adventures. It’s the perfect place to visit with family, friends, or as a couple.

If you’re spending time on Oahu and you’d like to get on boat tours to explore the Pacific Ocean while enjoying the gorgeous scenery around you, this is the list you need.

Take a closer look at some of the best Oahu boat tours you can take to make the most of your trip.

You’ll have plenty of options to see several wonderful things while you’re exploring the area and learning a lot more about the island.

Some of these Oahu boat cruises book up weeks in advance, so I strongly suggest you reserve them before your trip.

See my favorite Oahu boat tour option HERE!

Want to skip all the planning and just access my detailed Oahu Itinerary complete with daily schedules, kid-friendly activities, and travel hacks? Click the button below.

Seriously Cool Oahu Boat Cruises for Your Trip

1. Oahu Catamaran Cruise

Take a chartered boat for a cruise along the Pacific Ocean with the Oahu Catamaran Cruise. The ships are spacious enough for guests to travel in large groups while still enjoying themselves.

Both regular and private cruises are also available, so it’s possible to head out on the water with just your family and friends if you’d like. Check latest prices and more information.

The best part about the cruise is that you can decide when you’d like to head out on the water.

You can go on the cruise in the early morning, afternoon, or evening to watch the sunset over the ocean. Pick a date and time to experience the area of Oahu like never before. Click here to see more reviews.

2. Oahu Atlantis Submarine Adventure

If you’d like to experience a trip in the water like none other, the Oahu Atlantis Submarine Adventure is an excellent choice. Instead of riding solely above the water, you’ll get to head 100 feet underneath the surface to explore the sea. 

If you’d like to go on this fantastic adventure, you’ll hop on a boat that takes you to Waikiki to access the submarine. Check latest prices and more information. You can also read our detailed Atlantis Submarine tour review HERE.

Once everyone jumps on the Atlantis submarine, the pilots and captains carefully make the descent. You can see the ocean like never before while watching different fish species and even sharks as they swim nearby.

During your time underwater, you’re going to see stunning sights while learning more about the area. You’ll find out about some of the manufactured coral reefs created and placed in parts of the ocean for several reasons.

If you want to have a learning experience while traveling deep into the sea with family and friends, this is the perfect boat tour for you. Click here to see more reviews.

3. Oahu Shark Dive

Have you ever wanted to see a shark up close to you? If you love the idea of seeing sharks but don’t want to be exposed to them out in the open, the Oahu Shark Dive is a great boat tour for you. 

You can head out on the North Shore in a boat to reach deeper water before putting on a protective wet suit and following a guide’s instructions.

You’ll enter the enclosed shark cage, get your gear ready, and then the attached cage will begin descending into the water.

It’s the perfect chance for you to see sharks of all sizes as they swim around you. Check latest prices and more information.

During this time, you’ll need to keep your hands and feet inside the shark cage. You can take your time to soak in the experience before the cage gets lifted back onto the boat.

It’s a thrilling adventure worth adding to your bucket list. If you want to have such a unique experience, don’t hesitate to make your reservations. Click to see more reviews.

4. Waikiki Sunset Cocktail Cruise

If you’re looking for an awesome Oahu sunset cruise, Waikiki is the place to be! And the perfect boat tour for you is the Waikiki Sunset Cocktail Cruise.

The cruises last for approximately 90 minutes. You can ride on the catamaran during the journey while watching the sun as it starts to set over the horizon. Check latest prices and more information.

You’ll depart from Oahu and glide along the Pacific Ocean, heading over to Diamond Head. Not only do you get to enjoy the stunning views, but you’ll also have access to unlimited cocktails and appetizers.

This Waikiki catamaran sunset cruise is the perfect way to spend a romantic evening with your significant other when traveling in Oahu together.

The catamaran is spacious enough for plenty of guests to sit comfortably. You can choose any spot to sit to get the best view possible. Both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are available on the catamaran Oahu.

You can expect to pass by some popular hot spots in the area, including the Diamond Head State Monument and Waikiki Beach, while on your relaxing cruise. Click to see more reviews.

This is definitely the top sunset cocktail cruise Waikiki has to offer!

5. Waikiki Glass Bottom Boat Cruise

Have you ever experienced riding in a boat with a glass bottom? If not, you’re missing out on one amazing experience.

The Afternoon Waikiki Glass Bottom Boat Cruise is an affordable, family-friendly cruise that takes guests out on the water to see sights and learn lots of valuable information. 

Those who get on the catamaran will get to know about the rich history of Hawaii and what it has become today.

In addition, these Oahu glass-bottom boat tours make it easy for guests to see stunning fish, spinner dolphins, Hawaiian green sea turtles, and other sea life without getting wet. Check latest prices and more information.

You never know what you’re going to see when you’re on the cruise. The canopies attached to the catamaran will keep you shielded from the sun and comfortable while you attempt to see spinner dolphins, whales, and giant sea turtles.

So if you don’t want to go snorkeling but you’d like to see beautiful, colorful tropical fish throughout the Pacific Ocean, this cruise is a must! Click to see more reviews.

6. Polynesian Canoe Sunset Sail

Spend two hours sailing the sea with the Polynesian Canoe Sunset Sail Tour. This is one of the most unique things to do on Oahu and another one of the great sunset cruises to enjoy.

Instead of riding on a large boat with many people, you can have a more intimate experience while riding in a smaller sailboat. Check latest prices and more information.

While sailing along the coastline, a tour guide will provide fun and exciting facts and stories about the area. Food and drinks are available on the sailboat, too.

If you’d rather avoid the large crowds’ other tours sometimes have while making memories with your loved ones watching the sunset, this is an excellent boat tour to take. 

You might even get to see dolphins or humpback whales while you sail! Click to see more reviews.

7. Oahu Whale-Watching Excursion

Head out on a lengthy and exciting whale-watching trip with the Oahu Whale Watching Excursion tour. You can spend roughly two hours in the water while traveling through the sea to spot humpback whales in their natural habitat. This tour takes off from Downtown Honolulu.

It’s an intimate experience that allows you to watch these amazing creatures while they swim close to the boat and even eat food in front of you. Check latest prices and more information.

If you don’t see any humpback whales while you’re on the excursion, you get to return and retake the tour without paying a second time.

Be sure to bring the binoculars with you for this tour. If you have binoculars, it makes it easier for you to spot the whales before heading over in the direction of these giant sea creatures.

You can bring your own food on the boat or enjoy the many snacks provided to guests by the friendly crew. Click to see more reviews.

8. Star Casual Sunset & Show Cruise

Enjoy a two-hour trip on a large cruise ship that departs from Oahu and takes you out into the ocean for incredible views and a relaxing experience during this sunset dinner cruise Honolulu offers.

The Star Casual Sunset & Show Cruise has much to offer its guests. Live Hawaiian entertainment is available on the cruise to keep you excited and in awe over the experience. It’s one of the top Honolulu boat tours and sunset cruises.

You can enjoy a three-course meal consisting of both crab and steak. Check latest prices and more information.

If you decide to take this Waikiki dinner cruise on Friday, you’ll get to spend an additional hour out on the water while watching beautiful fireworks hover over you.

If you’re concerned about travel, don’t worry! You can get picked up at your hotel and dropped back off at night after spending hours in the water on the cruise ship. The round-trip transportation is what makes this quite the family-friendly tour to enjoy. Click to see more reviews.

This is the best sunset cruise Oahu has to offer by far!

9. Turtle Canyon Catamaran Oahu Snorkel Cruise

If you’d like to head out on the water and have the opportunity to go snorkeling, the Turtle Canyon Catamaran Snorkel Cruise is perfect for you.

The tours last up to three hours, giving you plenty of time to explore the sea. The catamaran sails over to an ideal location where you can see plenty of colorful fish and large green sea turtles. Check latest prices and more information.

If you’d love to see what these creatures look like while swimming around in the water, go snorkeling to get the best possible view. You also will get to explore all the live tropical reefs and swim to see other hidden gems on the ocean floor.

Morning trips last for two hours, while midday trips last for three hours. Besides going snorkeling and seeing beautiful marine animals, guests on these Waikiki boat tours receive snacks, drinks, and even lunch on the midday trip.

If you have any concerns because you’ve never snorkeled before, there’s nothing to worry about because the guides are there to help. You’ll have all the gear provided to you before you head out in the water. 

Plus, you are guaranteed to see sea turtles, or else you get another cruise for free, making it one of the best boat tours on the island for snorkeling! Snorkel gear is included with your tour. Click to see more reviews.

10. Kaneohe Sandbar Catamaran Ocean Sports Adventure

For another one of the best boat tours on Oahu, check out this Kaneohe Bay Sandbar Ocean Sports Adventure. Located along the start of North Shore, Kaneohe Bay offers a unique experience with a sandbar only accessible by boat!

Set sail on a catamaran and head to the sandbar. Once you are there, you can relax in a lounge, go kayaking, snorkeling, paddle boarding, and do just about anything you want! Check latest prices and more information.

You might see some manta rays, dolphins, green sea turtles, and other tropical fish on the Pacific Ocean Floor during this tour.

It is the perfect boat tour the entire family can enjoy! Plus, it also offers round-trip transportation from Waikiki. Click to see more reviews.

Oahu Boat Tour FAQs

Best Oahu Boat Tours Wrap Up

If having the time of your life out on the water in Oahu sounds like a fantastic idea, take advantage of the opportunity to get out there via different Oahu boat rides.

Whether you want to see some sharks, hop off the boat to go snorkeling, see some humpback whales, explore Hawaii’s popular shipwrecks, or even enjoy the view from a boat with a glass bottom, you have several great options.

You can even go on a cruise to watch the sunset and have access to live entertainment. With these Waikiki boat cruises and Oahu boat trips, you’re sure to have an epic time!

Looking for more fun things to do on Oahu? Find out the best Oahu luaus, where to go snorkeling on Oahu, the top tours in Honolulu, and where to go kayaking on Oahu!