Are you looking for the best things to do in Oahu with kids? Keep scrolling to read my honest review of the Waikiki Atlantis Submarine tour near the Hilton Hawaiian Village.
This Waikiki Atlantis Submarine Tour Review 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.
We did the Atlantis Submarine on Maui when my oldest was little. He wouldn’t shut up about it for months.
So when planning our Oahu trip, I put the Waikiki submarine at the top of our list.
Big mistake assuming they’d be the same experience.
After spending close to $400 for our family of four, I have thoughts. Some good, some not so good. And you need to hear them before you drop that kind of money.
Atlantis has carried over 18 million passengers since 1988. They’re legit. But that doesn’t mean this tour makes sense for your family.
Let’s Start With the Money
Adults: $130-140
Kids: $65-70
Our family of four: about $400 after taxes
Total time: 2 hours (45 minutes actually underwater, rest is boat rides)
Location: Hilton Hawaiian Village, Waikiki
Requirements: Kids must be 36″ tall AND climb a steep ladder alone
What you see: sunken ships, WWII airplane wreckage, Japanese seaweed farms, hopefully fish
Most Waikiki activities cost $70-200 per person. This is on the high end. You’re paying for the submarine ride itself, not for guaranteed amazing underwater views.
The Maui Version Was Completely Different
On Maui, scuba divers swam up to the windows holding sea creatures. My son saw an eel two feet from his face. It was INCREDIBLE.
Waikiki doesn’t do that.
Instead you cruise past shipwrecks and airplane parts on the ocean floor. More like an underwater museum. Less like Finding Nemo.
The Waikiki sub is bigger (world’s largest passenger submarine at 100 feet long, 64 people). Way more headroom, which my husband loved. But my kids kept asking where all the fish were.
We saw some schools of tropical fish. One sea turtle. The shipwreck was cool. But it wasn’t fish everywhere like Maui.
That’s the gamble. Marine life is totally unpredictable down there.
Here’s How the Whole Thing Works
Check-In at Hilton Hawaiian Village
You check in at a little beach station 30 minutes before your tour. There’s a covered waiting area with plenty of seats.
Parking: $4 for 4 hours with validation (get their discount card at check-in). Do NOT use valet – they won’t validate it.
Fun fact: you can watch all the normal Waikiki beach action while you wait. Paddleboarders, swimmers, people trying to surf.
Boat Ride to the Submarine (10-15 minutes)
Waikiki’s too shallow for the submarine near shore. So you take a shuttle boat about a mile out.
This was actually my favorite part. The Diamond Head views from the water are amazing. My kids loved the upper open-air deck.
They show a safety video on the way. There’s a bathroom on the boat.
USE THE BATHROOM. There’s none on the submarine. I cannot stress this enough.
That Ladder (It’s Steep)
The ladder to get into the submarine is almost vertical. You turn around backwards and climb down.
My 4-year-old looked at it and said “no way.”
My husband helped him down (technically not allowed, but the crew was nice). Going back up was easier.
My 7-year-old climbed down no problem.
If your kid is nervous about ladders or heights, think carefully about this. The crew is strict about the safety rules for good reason.
45 Minutes Underwater
Bench seats. Two people per huge circular window. Good views for everyone.
The sub goes down to 100 feet. Air-conditioned. Comfortable. My husband gets seasick on boats but felt fine in the submarine.
What we actually saw:
- One green sea turtle (my younger son screamed with joy)
- Several schools of tropical fish
- The big sunken ship
- WWII airplane wreckage
- Japanese seaweed farms (growing since the 1990s)
The captain turns the sub so both sides see everything. When we hit the shipwreck, he rotated slowly for photos.
My younger kid kept asking about Nemo. We did not find Nemo.
Time went fast. My 7-year-old loved every second. My 4-year-old liked it but wanted more fish.
Back to Shore
Climbing out was easier than climbing in. Even the 4-year-old did fine going up.
Get upstairs on the shuttle boat if you can. You’ll watch the submarine dive for the next tour. Really cool to see from above.
My kids spent the ride back trying to spot our hotel from the water.
What’s the Right Age for This?
Official minimum: 36 inches (usually 3-4 years old)
My opinion: 5 and up works better. They handle the ladder easier, understand what they’re seeing, and don’t get antsy during 45 minutes underwater.
Teenagers and adults appreciate the historical shipwreck aspect. Mixed-age families generally do fine with this.
But if you have a 3-year-old who just barely meets the height requirement? Maybe wait a year or two.
Maui vs Waikiki Submarine: Which One Should You Book?
Since I’ve done both, here’s the real comparison:
| Feature | Waikiki (Oahu) | Lahaina (Maui) |
|---|---|---|
| Submarine Size | 64 passengers (world’s largest) | 48 passengers |
| Getting There | 10-15 min shuttle boat from Hilton | Direct from Lahaina Harbor |
| Main Attractions | Shipwrecks, WWII plane wreckage, artificial reefs | Natural coral + divers bring sea creatures to windows |
| Marine Life | Hit or miss (varies daily) | More consistent with diver interactions |
| Best For | Submarine experience + historical wreckage | Guaranteed close-up sea creature viewing |
| Status | Operating daily | Reopened late 2025, now operating |
Neither is better. They’re totally different experiences.
Waikiki = bigger submarine, cool historical wreckage, unpredictable fish viewing.
Maui = smaller submarine, divers bring creatures right to your window, more reliable marine life.
If you’re island hopping and can only do one, pick based on what matters more to you: history or guaranteed sea creatures.
So Is It Worth $400?
Depends what you want.
Want to see tons of tropical fish and turtles? You’d be better off at the Waikiki Aquarium or Hanauma Bay snorkeling. Cheaper and guaranteed marine life.
Want your kids to ride in a real submarine 100 feet underwater? This delivers. My boys still brag about it to everyone.
The boat rides alone are worth something. Diamond Head from the water is stunning. Watching the submarine dive as you head back is cool.
For us: worth it as a one-time experience. At $400 for our family, it wasn’t cheap. But it also wasn’t the most expensive Hawaii activity we did.
We booked a morning tour. Done by 11am. Had the rest of the day free. That worked perfectly.
Ways to Save Money
- Book online ahead for discounted rates
- Go early morning (usually cheaper, fewer people)
- Skip their photo package (take your own through the windows)
- Bring water for the boat (they have some but it’s nice to have your own)
- Get the parking validation ($4 beats regular Hilton rates)
Some tour sites offer last-minute standby discounts 30 minutes before departure. Hit or miss. Don’t count on it during busy times.
What to Actually Bring
Bring:
- Phone or camera (windows are super clear)
- Sunscreen for boat rides
- Light jacket (sub is cold for some people)
- Cash for crew tips (optional but nice)
Skip:
- Snorkel gear
- Beach toys
- Big bags (limited storage)
- Motion sickness meds (sub is stable)
Other Waikiki Things to Do the Same Day
Morning submarine + afternoon Waikiki Beach works perfectly. You’re done by late morning.
I talk about planning your Waikiki time in my podcast “What Are the Pros and Cons of Staying in Waikiki”.
Easy add-ons:
- Hilton Hawaiian Village beach (you’re already there)
- Duke’s Waikiki for lunch
- International Market Place shopping
- Friday fireworks at the Hilton (if you go on Friday)
Better Options If the Submarine Isn’t Your Thing
Sea Life Park (30 min from Waikiki) – Way more marine life. Easier for little kids. Costs less.
Waikiki Aquarium – Walking distance. Cheaper. Air-conditioned. Educational. Guaranteed fish viewing.
Hanauma Bay – Best snorkeling on Oahu. See hundreds of fish. Guaranteed.
Glass bottom boat tours – Same underwater viewing concept. No ladder required.
Questions People Actually Ask
Is this good for families?
If your kids are 36″ tall and okay with steep ladders, yes. The submarine is spacious and comfortable. Most kids love being underwater in a real sub. Even if they don’t see tons of fish, the experience itself is cool.
How much does it really cost?
Adults: $130-140. Kids: $65-70. Family of four: around $400 with taxes. Book ahead online for better rates.
Will we see sharks?
Maybe. Sharks visit the dive site sometimes. Not guaranteed. Most tours see tropical fish, sometimes turtles, and always the wreckage.
Can toddlers do this?
Only if they’re 36″ tall AND can climb that steep ladder alone. The ladder rule is strict for safety. If your toddler is nervous about heights or ladders, skip it.
How long does it take?
2 hours total. That’s 10-15 min boat ride out, 45 min underwater, 10-15 min boat ride back. Plan for 2-2.5 hours with check-in time.
Is Waikiki better than Maui’s submarine?
Different, not better. Waikiki = bigger sub, historical wreckage, unpredictable fish. Maui = marine life brought to windows by divers. Maui’s temporarily closed right now anyway (2026).
Where do we park?
Hilton Hawaiian Village self-parking garage. Get validation for $4 parking (4 hours). Don’t valet – they don’t validate that.
What if someone gets seasick?
The submarine is surprisingly stable. My husband gets sick on boats but was fine. The shuttle boat rides are short and usually calm in Waikiki’s protected waters.
My Actual Opinion
I’m not going to tell you this is a must-do for every Oahu trip. It’s expensive. It requires ladder skills. You might not see many fish.
But my kids talk about that submarine ride more than most other Hawaii stuff we did. There’s something about being 100 feet underwater in the world’s largest passenger submarine. It’s special.
The boat rides were gorgeous. Watching the sub dive as we headed back was cool. The wreckage was interesting. The one turtle we saw made my 4-year-old’s day.
For families wanting a unique experience and okay with the price? Book it.
For families mainly wanting to see Hawaiian fish? Hit the aquarium or go snorkeling instead. Cheaper and more reliable.
Either way, Waikiki has tons of family-friendly stuff to do. You’ll have fun no matter what you choose.
Book discounted Atlantis Submarine tickets here
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