Boats docked at Harbor during our Oahu boat tour with Glass bottom boat.

11 Best Boat Tours in Oahu (Our Honest Review)

Trysta B Updated on

If you’re looking for a fun way to explore the beautiful island of Oahu, boat tours are the way to go! 

However, with so many different boat tour companies, It can be difficult to figure out which company offers the best value for your money.

But don’t worry! We’ve done the research for you and found the best boat tours in Waikiki and Oahu.

Our list includes affordable and high-end options to help you find the ideal boat tour for any event. These tours offer skilled captains, breathtaking landscapes, and numerous opportunities for photo ops!

These tours also provide a chance for you to witness some wildlife. If you’re fortunate enough to schedule your visit between December and May, you may be able to catch a glimpse of some humpback whales!

Why should you trust us? We’ve spent several hours researching and gathering consumer feedback on the best boat tours on the island of Oahu. Most importantly, we’ve tested most of the tours ourselves, so you can be sure that the recommendations are reliable and accurate.

We know all about the pros and cons of each tour, so you can make an informed decision when selecting the best boat tour for your needs.

This Travel Dream contains affiliate links. We may receive compensation at no extra cost to you if you purchase using one of these links. You can read my disclaimer for more information.

Don’t have time to read about all the boat tours on this list? No worries—we have shortlisted our three favorite tours on Oahu here to make things easy for you:

Star Casual Sunset and Show Cruise

  • Dinner cruise in Waikiki with a three-course menu
  • Overall amazing experience
  • Offers a luxury feel at a great price
  • Kid and adult friendly 

Small Group Yacht Sunset Cruise from Oahu

  • Luxury experience
  • Maximum of six people
  • Dinner cruise in Ko Olina with a tasting menu
  • Perfect for couples or small groups

Turtle Canyon Snorkel Excursion from Waikiki, Hawaii

  • Kid and adult friendly 
  • Top-rated snorkeling tour in Oahu
  • Takes you to “Turtle Canyon,” a great place to snorkel in Oahu
  • Budget-friendly 
Cody on the Glass Bottom Boat Tour in Waikiki Oahu enjoying the views of the Waikiki Skyline and Diamond Head.
Glass Bottom Boat Waikiki
Me on the BYOB Sunset Boat Cruise in Oahu taking Titanic style photos with Diamond Head in the background.
BYOB Sunset Boat Cruise

Expectations During a Boat Tour

Before we begin, we wanted to address the following:

The tour companies cannot control mother nature. You can expect a great experience, but there is no guarantee that wildlife or perfect weather will be encountered daily.

We must remember that turtles, whales, dolphins, etc., are wild animals, and no one can control where and when they will appear. You have to be patient and make the best of the situation.

We have been on many boat tours in Hawaii, and the experience varies depending on many factors. However, the crew will do their best to ensure you have a great time.

Also, we have been lucky enough to experience beautiful weather and sunsets and have spotted more wild animals than we could have imagined.

However, we also had a few tours that failed not because of the crew’s fault but because of unfavorable weather conditions and the unpredictability of nature.

We don’t consider these as a failure because the boat ride was still enjoyable with fantastic views. For example, we went on a sunset cruise, and unfortunately, it was overcast. But the crew tried to find whales to compensate, and luckily we spotted two whales on the tour!

Without further ado, let’s dive into the best boat tours in Oahu!

Two boats on the water in Waikiki during a boat tour with a view of the Waikiki Skyline.

1. Star Casual Sunset and Show Cruise

Operated by: Star of Honolulu Cruises and Events

Duration: 2 hours (approx.)

Meeting Point: Pier 8, Aloha Tower Marketplace, 1 Aloha Tower Dr, Honolulu, HI 96813

Star Casual Sunset and Show Cruise is arguably one of the best dinner sunset cruises on the island of Oahu. This tour takes you on a beautiful voyage along the Waikiki coastline, with gorgeous views of Diamond Head and the Honolulu skyline.

Aboard the catamaran, guests will experience an unforgettable evening with live Hawaiian entertainment, a three-course dinner featuring crab, steak, and chicken, and a complimentary mai tai.

The Star of Honolulu Sunset Cruise ship in Waikiki Oahu taken after our tour.

Spend two hours with your loved ones enjoying all that Waikiki offers, including the beautiful sunset.

What’s included:

Why we love this tour: From the moment we stepped onto the ship, we were surrounded by pleasant staff and live entertainment. We were in awe of the stunning sunset views highlighting the sparkling Waikiki skyline, complete with the iconic Diamond Head in the background.

We also loved the delicious crab, steak, and chicken dinner. It was a pleasant surprise, given most tours do not offer this option. The ship was also quite nice, allowing us room to spread out and explore different parts of the boat.

My plate of food from the Star Casual Sunset Cruise with crabs, steak mashed potatoes and vegetables.

Cons: If your group is too small to occupy an entire dining table, you may have to share the experience with other passengers. We shared our table with a family of four since our group was only two. We didn’t mind too much, but it’s worth noting. Outside the dinner setting, the ship had plenty of room to walk around and relax.