Frequently
asked questions

You do not need to be a strong swimmer. Everyone on the Turtle Canyon trip wears a snorkel vest, which keeps you floating without effort, and a PADI-certified guide is in the water with the group. Most guests float face-down and barely kick. That said, you do need to be comfortable being in deep water — tell the crew if you are nervous and they will stay close. The Afternoon Sail and Sunset Cruise involve no water entry at all.

Check in at the Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort, 2169 Kālia Road. The crew then walks you down to the boarding point on the beach — 5 to 10 minutes, a third of a mile at most. The exact stretch of sand shifts with tides and conditions so we can board you safely, which is why we walk you there rather than send a map pin.

Check-in is 30 minutes before departure, and it is the time you need to be there. The gap covers the waiver check and the walk down to the boat. Boats leave on time — if you arrive at the departure time, you have missed it.

Yes. Every guest must complete the online waiver before check-in; no waiver, no boarding. Guests 17 and under need one signed by a parent or guardian and must be accompanied on board. This is the most common reason people miss a departure.

No, and be sceptical of anyone who promises you will. Turtle Canyon is named for the honu that frequent it and sightings are common, but they are wild animals. What we can promise is that we go to the right reef, twice a day, with guides who know where to look.

NOAA and the State of Hawai‘i recommend staying at least 10 feet away. More importantly, harassing or disturbing a sea turtle — touching, chasing, riding, blocking its path — can be a federal or state violation. Our guides brief this before anyone enters the water.

On the Afternoon Sail and the Sunset Cruise, yes — beer, wine, champagne, hard seltzers, soft drinks, juice, water and the Holokai Hooch, with no drink tickets, no cash bar and no tab at the end. You must be 21 or over and present valid photo ID. On the Turtle Canyon snorkel, snacks and non-alcoholic drinks are complimentary and alcohol is available for cash purchase.

Motion sickness aid is available on board at no charge, but take it before you depart — most of it works far better in advance than once you feel unwell. A catamaran is considerably more stable than a monohull. If you are worried, the morning snorkel is generally the calmest trip of the day, because the trade winds build through the afternoon.

The Turtle Canyon snorkel is ages 4 and up. The Afternoon Sail and Sunset Cruise are all ages, with keiki pricing for 4–12 and infants 0–3 free — except Friday nights on the Sunset Cruise, which are 21 and over.

Validated parking at Embassy Suites, $15 for 4 hours. Most guests walk — check-in is within about 10 minutes of most Waikiki beachfront hotels.

Get in touch before or after booking and we will make arrangements. Boarding off the sand involves a short wade and a few steps, which genuinely does not suit everyone, and we would rather sort it out in advance than on the beach.

Yes. Private charter is $2,250 for the Afternoon Sail and $4,300 for the Sunset Cruise. Groups of 16 or more should contact us to book rather than booking individually.

Swimsuit under your clothes, sandals you can slip off, a towel, sunglasses, a hat, and photo ID if you are 21 or over. Snorkel gear, reef-safe sunscreen and motion sickness aid are provided. There is a fuller list on what to bring.