15 Sea Turtle Tours in the USA, Ranked by What You Get

1.Oahu’s Ultimate Tour: Dole, Turtle Snorkel, Pali Lookout & More

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 5,461 reviews · 10 to 12 hours (approx.) · from $108Our pick

This 10 to 12-hour Oahu circle-island tour links Diamond Head Lookout, Halona Blowhole, Nuʻuanu Pali, North Shore beaches, turtle snorkeling, Dole Plantation, and local food stops. Guides such as Kap, Dirk, and Rob lead the day in English. Pickup, snorkel gear, drinks, snacks, and Pali fees are included, but weather and traffic can change the plan.

“Fun trip with a fun tour guide, Kap?, and group. Saw many places and many beaches. I wouldn’t waste my time on the Dole Train next time. Saw many plants, but too long with the return trip useless. We had to hurry to the train, and then buy Dole Whip. No time to look in shop or around grounds. Our snorkeling beach was too rocky to really enjoy the beach.”

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2.Oahu Circle Island Tour with Turtle Snorkeling— Small-Groups

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5,214 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $149Top rated

Spend about eight hours seeing Oahu by air-conditioned minibus, with a group of 28 or fewer and a local guide such as Nevin, Raul, Justin, or Mike. You’ll visit Diamond Head, Halona Blowhole, Kualoa Point, the North Shore, and Dole Plantation, with snorkeling gear provided for a chance to see green sea turtles.

“Great trip with excellent info provided. Thank you Nevin, Stone, and Mole. And the shrimp lunch was excellent. I really liked all the Hawaiian history provided. Seeing turtles was great too!”

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3.Waikiki, Hawaii: Turtle Canyon Snorkel Excursion

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4,656 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $79Best value

From Living Ocean Tours, you’ll take a two-hour boat trip to Waikiki’s Turtle Canyon for guided snorkeling with Hawaiian green sea turtles and reef fish. Gear, instruction, snacks, and drinks are included. Guides such as Chance and Aaron have been praised for making first-time snorkelers feel safe and helping families spot sea life.

“Lots of folks snorkeling in the same area. Still plenty of great views of fish and, if lucky, turtles.”

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4.Turtle Canyon Snorkel Adventure in Waikiki, Oahu

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3,197 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $85

From Charter Oahu’s marina, you’ll cruise toward Turtle Canyon with certified water guides and a small group of up to 20. Snorkel among green sea turtles and reef fish, then relax on floating platforms with juice and snacks. A swim step and flotation gear help first-timers and non-swimmers enjoy the outing.

“Excellent experience. I saw some turtles at beginning and one in the middle. People is very friendly.”

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5.Maui Snorkeling Adventure to Molokini and Turtle Town

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,221 reviews · 5 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $159

Meet at Maalaea Harbor before sunrise for a five-and-a-half-hour catamaran trip to Molokini Crater and a second stop at Turtle Town or Coral Gardens. Malolo Charters provides gear, flotation aids, breakfast, lunch, narration, restrooms, and crew support. Sea turtles and whales are possible, but never guaranteed.

“We all had an amazing time. Saw multiple kinds of fish, sea turtles and even some whales while traveling to the sites. Pictures were great. The staff were very kind, friendly, helpful and knowledgeable.”

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6.Waikiki Catamaran Snorkel Sail with Lunch: Turtles Guaranteed

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,109 reviews · 2 to 3 hours (approx.) · from $134

From Kewalo Basin, you cruise past Waikiki and Diamond Head to Turtle Canyon for guided snorkeling with green sea turtles. The midday trip includes lunch, beer, wine, and cocktails, while the morning sailing offers soft drinks. The crew, including guides such as Chris, Natalie, Greta, and Joey, provides gear and water safety help.

“Bathroom before departing is far from the slip. Better to park near restrooms under the tree if you’re driving. Parking was cheap and easy. The trip was awesome. Captain and crew were so friendly answered all of our questions and saw 6 or 7 turtles.”

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7.Turtle Town Snorkel with Photo and Video

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,916 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $129

Swim from Makena Landing into Maui’s Turtle Town with a group of no more than 10. Guides such as Joe and Robbie provide gear, instruction, life jackets, photos, and raw video clips. Expect about one hour in the water, plenty of swimming, and a good chance to see turtles, fish, urchins, octopus, and other sea life.

“We had a great time seeing turtles and we also got to hold a sea urchin and starfish. Robbie was a great guide! We definitely recommend this experience.”

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8.Maui Snorkel Adventure: Molokini Crater and Turtle Cove

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,433 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $198

Set out from Maalaea Harbor at 8 a.m. aboard Maui Reef Adventures’ custom Super Raft with guides such as Esteban, Jade, and Brad. Snorkel fish-filled Molokini Crater, then search for Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles at a smaller cove. Gear, flotation, lunch, snacks, and drinks are included.

“It is fun trip today. We saw the dolphins and humpback whales when were snorkeling. It is beautiful weather and impressive view of the sea creatures and turtles. We will do it again next time.”

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9.Molokini and Turtle Town Snorkeling aboard Pride of Maui

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,124 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $203

Join Pride of Maui from Maalaea Harbor for a five-hour catamaran trip to Molokini Crater and Turtle Town. You get snorkel gear, breakfast, a hot lunch, drinks, and an open bar after swimming. Crew members, including captains Pat, Jason, Matt, and Justin, bring decades of Maui ocean experience. SNUBA costs extra.

“Excellent captain & staff Professional crew Kind/caring crew Knowledgeable crew Safe procedures and directions Delicious food and treats”

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10.South Maui: Molokini & Turtle Town Snorkeling Tour with Meal

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 838 reviews · 5h 30m · from $159

Spend about five and a half hours aboard a Malolo catamaran from Maalaea Harbor, with breakfast, lunch, snorkel gear, and lifeguards in the water. You’ll visit Molokini and Turtle Town, often called Maluaka Beach, with crew such as Captain Steve and guides who help first-time snorkelers feel at ease.

“The guides were actually amazing, Sebastian was working over time and absolutely killing it. He made our (delicious) sandwiches and kept us safe. The captain (Steve) and the other guide (Brandon?) were hilarious and really informative about the area and the animals we were seeing. We saw lots of fishies and turtles, but honestly the best part about the actual snorkeling was the coral. It was absolutely beautiful and like I’ve never seen before. Also the water was so salty that I was able to float super easily without a floaty. I would definitely recommend this trip, but if you don’t want to ingest gallons of salt water, I suggest…”

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11.Molokini Crater and Turtle Town Snorkeling From Kihei

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 765 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $179

Leave from Kihei at 7 a.m. for a three-hour boat trip to Molokini Crater and Turtle Town. You’ll get fitted with snorkel gear, swim among fish and Hawaiian green sea turtles, and enjoy sandwiches, fruit juice, water, and snacks. Crews led by captains such as Matt or Alex keep the group small, with no hotel transport included.

“Awesome snorkeling trip. Saw dozens of turtles, as well as sharks, rays, eels, and other beautiful marine life. Captain Matt and Lucia were great.”

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12.Dolphin Swim and Turtle Snorkel Excursion in Waianae

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 590 reviews · 3 hours · from $193

Ride a 32-foot boat from Waianae with a marine biologist or naturalist guide, searching for wild dolphins and winter humpback whales before snorkeling near turtles and reef fish. Hotel pickup, gear, drinks, and a custom sandwich lunch are included. Swimming with dolphins depends on animal behavior and sea conditions.

“Saw two different species of dolphins and even some pilot whales, was amazing to get into the water with them. The sandwich provided was great and met some other lovely solo travellers. Also big kudos to the captain and guide, thanks ladies!”

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13.Eco-Friendly Molokini & Turtle Town Tour with Meals

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 464 reviews · 5 hours · from $199

Cruise from Maalaea Harbor to Molokini and Turtle Arches with PWF Eco Adventures. You get snorkel instruction, optical masks, flotation gear, breakfast, grilled lunch, and marine naturalists who explain the reef. The family-friendly trip also includes a Junior Naturalist Program and a chance to spot turtles, octopi, eels, and seasonal whales.

“Every thing was great from the skipper to the deckhands”

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14.Turtle Canyon Snorkeling Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 382 reviews · 2 hours · from $85

Cruise from Honolulu to Turtle Canyon with Charter Oahu, where a captain and trained crew help you spot green sea turtles, fish, coral, dolphins, and sometimes whales. You get quality snorkel gear, floatation equipment, snacks, fruit, juice, and water. The crew, including guides such as Nina, Lucy, and Angela on some outings, keeps a close eye on swimmers.

“the guides were lovely, the boat ride was quick to the destination site for the turtles, and the experience was absolutely lovely. the team was well equipped to help both confident swimmers and those not as comfortable in the water. I swam around with a deflatable life vest, diving at my own pleasure for approx 1.5 hours in total. the turtles were fascinating, alot larger than expected. would definitely recommend this tour group for the activity. I went early morning at 8am so it wasn't too hot, and the water was super clear and a good temperature! great experience if you love the beauty of nature”

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15.From Waikiki: Turtle Canyon Snorkeling Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 351 reviews · 1h 30m · from $81

From Waikiki, take a short boat ride to Turtle Canyon for 50 minutes of guided snorkeling with Hawaiian green sea turtles. Island Splash Tours limits tours to 28 people, supplies gear and flotation vests, and keeps two lifeguard-certified guides in the water. Alex, Maddie, Elle, and other crew members are known for patient help and sharp wildlife spotting.

“⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ What an incredible turtle snorkelling tour! The staff were absolutely amazing — friendly, knowledgeable, and genuinely passionate about marine life. They took their time along the way to spot wildlife, which made the whole experience feel special and not rushed at all. We were lucky enough to see turtles, a manta ray, dolphins and even whales. The boat was spotless, the equipment was in excellent condition, and the instructions were clear and easy to follow, making everyone feel safe and confident in the water. We went with our 13 and 16-year-old daughters, and they absolutely loved it — it was one of the highlights of our trip for all…”

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