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.
Quick Answer: Which Oahu Boat Tour Should You Book?
Go to the Kaneohe Sandbar. Seriously, just book that one. You can’t do it on any other island, the water is ridiculously calm, and my kids had more fun there than any other boat tour we’ve done in Hawaii.
If someone in your family refuses to snorkel (hi, my youngest for the first 8 years of his life), do the Atlantis Submarine. If you want a fancy dinner with entertainment, Star of Honolulu is solid. Everything else is optional.
Hawaii boat tour spending: The average family drops $400-800 on boat activities during a week on Oahu. I’m going to help you spend that money on tours that are actually good instead of ones you’ll regret.
Look, I’ve been hauling my two boys to Hawaii since they were tiny.
We’ve been on the amazing boat tours, the mediocre ones, and the ones where I sat there doing math in my head about how much money I just wasted.
After 40+ trips and honestly too much money spent figuring out which tours are worth it, here’s what I actually recommend.
Not the 10+ options that every tourist website lists. Just the five that won’t make you mad you spent the money.
If you’re sitting there overwhelmed trying to figure out which tours to book, where to stay, what order to do everything in – I get it.
That’s literally why I do Hawaii travel consultations. I’ll help you plan the whole thing based on your actual kids, not some imaginary perfect children who don’t whine.
What Actually Matters When Picking a Boat Tour
After way too many boat tours with kids, here’s what I’ve learned:
Two hours is the magic number for most kids. Longer than that and someone’s melting down. Shorter and it feels like you paid $100 to basically just ride on a boat.
Covered areas or a cabin are non-negotiable. The Hawaiian sun will fry your kids faster than you think.
I learned this the hard way when my youngest got so sunburned on an open catamaran that we spent the next day in the hotel room with aloe vera instead of at the beach.
Bathrooms. BATHROOMS. If the boat doesn’t have one and your kid announces they need to go 20 minutes into a 2-hour tour, you’re going to have a bad time.
The tour also needs to be genuinely cool. Kids know when something is boring.
You can’t fake excitement about a slow sunset sail when there’s nothing to do. They need activities, things to see, or at least snacks to keep them happy.
Which Oahu Boat Tour Should You Actually Book?
1. Kaneohe Sandbar Tours (Just Book This One)
Why it’s my top pick: You literally cannot do this anywhere else in Hawaii. Not Maui, not Kauai, not the Big Island. Only Oahu has this.
So the Kaneohe Sandbar is this massive stretch of sand that sits in the middle of Kaneohe Bay.
When the tide’s low, you’re walking around on a beach in the middle of the ocean with water maybe ankle-deep. When it’s high tide, the water’s still only waist-deep and perfect for snorkeling.
My boys spent three hours there and did not want to leave. We had to basically drag them back to the boat.
They were paddleboarding (well, falling off paddleboards), snorkeling in the shallow areas, playing with other kids they met there, eating spam musubi the tour provided. It was chaos in the best way.
The water is protected by the bay so it’s calm. Not like open ocean where waves can knock smaller kids over.
And the Koolau Mountains are right there in the background so every photo looks incredible even if your kids aren’t cooperating.
Here’s what surprised me: it’s not fancy. You’re on a catamaran with like 50-100 other people depending on which company you book.
If you’re looking for an intimate, quiet, romantic experience, this is not it. But if you want your kids to have the absolute time of their lives, book this tour.
Most tours include all the snorkel gear, paddleboards, kayaks, and lunch (usually spam musubi, fruit, chips).
Some companies add banana boat rides and bumper tubes. There’s live Hawaiian music on the boat ride which is like a 15-minute cruise from the harbor to the sandbar.
Cost: $88-158 per person. Book Kaneohe Sandbar tours on Hawaii Activities.
Which company to pick:
I’ve heard good things about all three of these:
- Captain Bruce – Smaller catamaran, fewer people, more personalized
- Kaneohe Bay Ocean Sports – Bigger boat, more activities included in the price
- Captain Bob – Has a BBQ lunch option and apparently gets a more private spot on the sandbar
Honestly they’re all going to give you the same basic experience. Pick based on price and what time works for your schedule.
Who this is perfect for: Families with kids 5 and up, anyone who wants calm water snorkeling, people who want the absolute most unique thing you can do on Oahu
Skip this if: You’re looking for adults-only luxury or you really hate being around other families
2. Atlantis Submarine Waikiki (For Kids Who Won’t Snorkel)
So I’ve done the Atlantis Submarines on Maui, Big Island, and Oahu. They’re all a little different.
The Oahu one goes to see a sunken airplane, two shipwrecks, and these artificial reefs they built specifically to attract fish and turtles.
My boys thought this was cooler than any aquarium we’ve been to.
You’re in an actual Coast Guard-certified submarine (seats 48 people) and you go down 100 feet underwater. The windows are huge so even little kids can see everything clearly.
Here’s what actually happens: You check in at Hilton Hawaiian Village and take a small boat out to where the submarine is waiting. Then you climb down this pretty steep ladder into the sub.
My youngest was nervous about the ladder part. The crew helped him but he had to do it himself (they can’t carry kids down).
Once we were underwater watching sea turtles swim right past our window, he completely forgot about being scared.
The whole thing takes about 90 minutes total. The boat ride out to the sub, the underwater part (45 minutes), and the ride back.
Important stuff to know:
Kids have to be at least 36 inches tall. They’re strict about this. If your kid is 35.5 inches, they’re not getting on.
Everyone climbs the ladder by themselves. No exceptions. It’s not super hard but if your kid freaks out about ladders or heights, this might be a problem.
It’s air-conditioned inside which is nice, but bring a light jacket. My kids got cold after about 30 minutes.
Good news: submarines don’t cause seasickness. So if you or your kids get motion sick on boats, this is perfect.
Cost: Around $125 adults, $55 kids. Book Atlantis Submarine on Viator.
Parking situation: Check-in is at Hilton Hawaiian Village which has the worst parking situation in Waikiki. Get there early (like 30 minutes before your tour time) or just walk if you’re staying nearby.
I wrote a whole detailed review with more photos and exactly what we saw underwater here.
Who needs this tour: Kids who refuse to snorkel, good backup plan for rainy days, families with younger kids, anyone terrified of swimming in the ocean
Skip it if: Your kids are under 36 inches tall or have issues with ladders
3. Star of Honolulu Sunset Dinner Cruise (When You Want to Feel Fancy)
This is Hawaii’s biggest dinner cruise ship. It actually feels like a mini cruise ship, not just a boat. Four decks, elevators, six different dining rooms. It’s a whole thing.
I took my oldest on this when he was pretty jetlagged from the flight. Not the best planning on my part.
He wasn’t super hungry (thanks, time zones) but we still had a good time walking around the different decks and watching the Polynesian show.
Here’s what shocked me: the food is actually good. I’ve been on dinner cruises where the food is clearly sitting under heat lamps looking sad. This is made in their on-board kitchen and it’s legit.
We did the lobster option and it was so tasty! They also accommodate dietary restrictions if you call ahead when you book.
The entertainment is a Polynesian show with fire knife dancing (kids lose their minds over this part), live jazz music before dinner, and on Fridays you stay out an extra hour to watch the Waikiki fireworks.
One thing to know: they have a dress code. “Resort casual” which basically means long pants and closed-toe shoes. No flip flops, no board shorts.
Most families dress up a little since it feels like a nicer evening out.
How long: 2 hours normally, 2.5 hours on Fridays
Cost options:
- Pacific Star Buffet – $128-147 adults, $77-96 kids (this is what I’d recommend, good value)
- Three Star Dinner – $193-212 adults, $116-135 kids (5-course plated meal, fancier dining room)
- Five Star Premium – $255+ adults (top deck with jazz, premium drinks, most expensive)
Book Star of Honolulu on Viator.
Where it leaves from: Aloha Tower Marketplace, not Waikiki. You can add round-trip transportation from Waikiki hotels for $20 per person, or drive yourself and pay $18-30 for parking.
I wrote more about what the food looks like and the show in my full Star of Honolulu review.
Who should book this: Families celebrating something special, anyone who wants dinner + entertainment + sunset all in one shot, people who like feeling fancy
Skip it if: Your kids can’t sit still for a 2-hour dinner, you’re trying to save money, or you want something more active and adventurous
4. Waikiki Catamaran Sunset Sail (If You Just Want Pretty Sunset Photos)
This is your basic Hawaiian sunset cruise. Small catamaran, drinks, light snacks, sunset. Nothing fancy, no big production.
Most of these include drinks (mai tais, beer, wine, soda), some pupus or appetizers, and they time it so you’re out on the water for sunset.
They leave right from Waikiki Beach so you can walk to the boat from basically any Waikiki hotel.
Honestly? They’re all pretty much the same. You’re not going to have some dramatically different experience between operators. Just pick whichever one has availability and fits your budget.
These are fine for adults or couples who want the “sailing off into the Hawaiian sunset” Instagram moment.
But with kids? They’re going to be bored after about 20 minutes. There’s nothing to do except sit there and look at the water.
Cost: $60-80 per adult, kids usually half price. Search Waikiki sunset cruises on GetYourGuide.
Who this is for: Couples, adults-only groups, people who want sunset photos for Instagram, anyone who just wants a chill hour on the water
Skip it if: You have young kids (they’ll be bored), you get motion sick (catamarans rock more than big boats), or you want more than just sailing around
5. Turtle Canyon Snorkel Cruise (If You Can’t Get to Kaneohe)
If you want to snorkel with sea turtles but don’t want to drive 40 minutes to Kaneohe, Turtle Canyon is 15 minutes by boat from Waikiki. That’s the main selling point.
But here’s the difference from Kaneohe Sandbar snorkeling: this is open ocean, not a protected bay. The water can be choppier. It’s deeper (you can’t touch the bottom). You’ll probably see more sea turtles here but less variety of fish.
These tours are short, usually 2-2.5 hours total. Good for families with kids who have shorter attention spans or if you’re not sure if your kids will love snorkeling and don’t want to commit to a longer tour.
About seeing turtles: Not guaranteed but very likely. Hawaiian green sea turtles hang out here because there are underwater caves. I’d say probably 90% of tours see turtles based on what I’ve heard from other families.
Big warning: You need to be a confident swimmer. This isn’t like the Kaneohe Sandbar where kids can stand on the bottom. You’re in deep water. Life jackets are provided but you still need to be comfortable.
Cost: $75-95 per person. Book turtle snorkel tours on Viator.
What’s included: Snorkel gear, instruction, usually some light snacks and drinks
Who should do this: Confident swimmers, turtle fanatics, people staying in Waikiki who don’t want to drive to Kaneohe
Skip it if: You or your kids aren’t comfortable in deep ocean water, you want calmer conditions, or anyone in your family gets seasick easily
Should You Add a Whale Watching Tour?
If you’re visiting between December and March, yes. Humpback whales migrate to Hawaii during winter and it’s honestly incredible to see them in person.
Star of Honolulu does whale watching cruises with a “whale guarantee” (meaning if you don’t see whales, you get to go again free).
Most companies have similar guarantees during whale season because whales are THAT common during peak months (January-February especially).
Search whale watching tours on GetYourGuide.
Tours I Don’t Recommend (And Why I’m Saving You Money)
Glass bottom boat tours – You’ll see way more doing literally any snorkel tour or just taking the submarine. These feel like the tourist trap version of ocean viewing. Pass.
Party boat cruises – Great if you’re 23 and on a bachelor party trip. Not great if you’re trying to have a family vacation. Hard pass with kids.
The expensive “luxury” catamarans – Look, I’m all for treating yourself. But you’re paying like 3x the price for essentially the same catamaran experience as the budget ones. Unless it’s your anniversary or something, save your money.
North Shore snorkel tours in winter – Winter waves on the North Shore are massive. Like, professional surfer massive. Summer months only for North Shore ocean stuff unless you have a death wish.
How to Not Waste Money on Boat Tours
Book online ahead of time. Tours cost more if you just show up or book last minute. Book at least a week out.
Check multiple booking sites. Viator, GetYourGuide, and Hawaii Activities all have the same tours but sometimes prices vary by $20-40. Worth spending five minutes to compare.
Ask about kamaaina rates even if you’re not local. Sometimes if you have any Hawaii connection at all (lived there before, family there, whatever), they’ll give you a discount. Worst they can say is no.
Skip the photo packages. They want to sell you photo packages for like $40-60. Your phone camera is fine. Save the money.
Bring your own snacks. Most tours let you bring food. Pack your own granola bars and fruit instead of buying their overpriced snacks.
Want more ways to save money on your Hawaii trip? I have a free email course that walks through exactly how to do Hawaii on a budget.
When Should You Book Your Tour?
Book it for the first half of your trip. Seriously.
If weather cancels it (this happens more than you’d think), you have time to reschedule. Book it for your last day and it gets rained out? Sorry, you’re just out that money.
Also, boat tours make way better “day 2 or 3” activities when everyone’s still excited and energized. By day 6 of your trip, everyone’s tired and honestly would rather just sleep in and go to the pool.
What to Bring on Any Boat Tour
Reef-safe sunscreen. Hawaii banned the non-reef-safe kind. Bring your own or pay $18 for a tiny bottle on the boat. (Buy reef-safe sunscreen on Amazon)
Dramamine. Even if you don’t think you get seasick. Take one the night before, one the morning of. Way better than throwing up off the side of a boat in front of 50 people. Trust me. (Get Dramamine here)
Water shoes or sandals that actually stay on. Boat decks get wet and slippery. Flip flops that fall off easily are a recipe for losing them in the ocean. (Shop water shoes on Amazon)
Waterproof phone case. Don’t be the person who drops their phone in the ocean. Just don’t. (Get waterproof cases here)
Light jacket. Even in Hawaii, it gets windy on the water after sunset. My kids always get cold.
Cash for tips. Crew gratuity isn’t included in the tour price. Bring $5-10 per person.
Your own snorkel mask if you’re picky. The ones they provide are fine but if you care about fit, bring your own. (Shop snorkel gear on Amazon)
Need Help Planning Your Whole Oahu Trip?
Boat tours are honestly just one tiny piece of planning a Hawaii trip with kids.
If you’re trying to figure out your whole itinerary, grab my Oahu travel guide for families.
It has where to stay, what to do, where to eat, and how to avoid the biggest mistakes tourists make.
Or get my free 7-day email course on planning an Oahu vacation and I’ll walk you through the whole thing step by step.
Doing multiple islands? My Hawaii island hopping guide explains which islands to hit, how much time you need on each, and how inter-island flights actually work.
Questions People Actually Ask About Oahu Boat Tours
Which boat tour is best if my kids are young?
Kaneohe Sandbar for kids 5+. The water’s calm and shallow. For kids under 5 or kids who won’t swim, Atlantis Submarine is your best option since there’s no swimming involved.
Do we need to know how to swim for snorkel tours?
For open ocean tours like Turtle Canyon, yes. Kaneohe Sandbar is more forgiving since it’s shallow, but you should still be okay in water. All tours provide life jackets.
What happens if the weather’s bad and they cancel?
Most companies reschedule you or refund you completely. This is exactly why I tell everyone to book tours early in your trip so you can reschedule if needed.
Can we bring our toddler?
Depends which tour. Star of Honolulu allows all ages. Atlantis Submarine has a strict 36-inch height requirement. Kaneohe Sandbar allows babies but they need to be supervised the whole time in the water. Always check the specific tour’s requirements.
Should we do more than one boat tour?
Only if you’re there for 7+ days. Week-long trip? Pick one and do other Oahu stuff. 10+ days? Sure, do two.
Do we tip the crew?
Yes. Gratuity isn’t included. Usually $5-10 per person, or 15-20% if they were awesome. Bring cash.
What’s the best time of year for boat tours?
May-September has the calmest water. December-March is whale season. Summer (June-August) is when everyone books, so reserve way ahead.
Can we bring our own alcohol?
Depends on the tour. Kaneohe Sandbar tours usually allow BYOB (cans only, no glass). Atlantis Submarine doesn’t allow alcohol at all. Star of Honolulu has a bar so outside drinks aren’t allowed. Check before you pack.
So Which One Should You Actually Book?
If you can only do one boat tour, do the Kaneohe Sandbar. It’s the most unique thing you can do in Hawaii and kids absolutely love it.
If someone won’t snorkel or get in the ocean, do the Atlantis Submarine. It’s the only way to see underwater Hawaii without swimming.
If you want a nice dinner evening out, do the Star of Honolulu.
Still confused about which one to pick? Book a consultation with me and I’ll walk you through exactly which tours make sense for your family based on your kids’ ages and what they actually enjoy doing.
Quick Comparison: Which Tour to Book
| Tour | How Long | Cost | Best For | Age Rules |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kaneohe Sandbar | 3-3.5 hours | $88-158 | Active families, calm water snorkeling | Kids 5+ recommended |
| Atlantis Submarine | 90 min | $125 adult, $55 kid | Non-swimmers, rainy days | Must be 36″ tall |
| Star of Honolulu | 2-2.5 hours | $128-255 | Dinner + show + sunset | All ages ok |
| Waikiki Catamaran | 1.5-2 hours | $60-80 | Sunset photos, adults | All ages but kids get bored |
| Turtle Canyon | 2-2.5 hours | $75-95 | Confident swimmers only | Must swim in deep water |
About Me: I’m Marcie. I’ve been going to Hawaii since I was 10 (that’s 40+ trips now if you’re counting).
I’m a Certified Hawaii Destination Specialist, I’ve been dancing hula for over 20 years, and I have two boys who’ve been my official Hawaii activity testers since they could walk.
My whole job is helping overwhelmed parents plan Hawaii vacations that work for real families.
Not the perfect Pinterest version.
The actual version where someone gets sunburned, someone cries in the hotel room, and it still ends up being the best vacation you’ve ever taken.