Swimming with sharks has always been on my bucket list and I'm so glad that I was able to check…read morethat off with Ocean Outfitters Hawaii. We booked their 9:30am dive and on the spot, added their photo package. You can check out their ocean photographer's instagram @culliem - he takes great shots! Directions to where exactly they are located at the Haleiwa harbor was super clear. Lucky for us, we found parking right next to the boat! Staff was super clear in all of their instructions and made us all feel very safe. To be honest, I wasn't very nervous at all thanks to how safe the staff made me feel! I brought my own gear (fins, mask, and snorkel) but they provide all of that and defogger for your mask. They main things you need to bring is a towel (maybe even 2 per person), sunscreen, sunglasses etc. Hat might fly off but if you can secure it, bring it. And water! The boat ride is about 15 mins. It's less choppy in the early morning, so be sure to book the earliest ride if you get seasick. I was feeling pretty seasick on the ride back but then they played "Hawaiian Rollercoaster ride" on the speaker and that brought me back to life. We saw 2 galapagos sharks. They are attracted to the sound of the boat, and come up when they hear the motor. It was such an amazing experience to get to freedive with these creatures.

This is now my fourth time going shark diving but my first time with Ocean Outfitters and it did…read morenot disappoint! This boat is so fun to ride on and so fast. (If you get motion sickness/seasick I highly recommend NOT going. There was a family on our trip that all took Dramamine yet still had a horrible time) We saw so many Galapagos sharks & even dolphins on the way back The crew was awesome, especially the captain Kevin. They were all very friendly and good at preparing everyone to get into the water safely. It was the perfect mix of freedom and safety while in the water. You don't need to hold on to a rope/stay right next to the boat like with other shark tours, but the crew keeps everyone safe the whole time. Soooo sick & I highly recommend taking a tour with Ocean Outfitters!!

father and son were great. Made the experience even better. Could not ask for a nicer crew and…read moreseeing sharks is wild

Took my two kids 11 and seven years old respectively. I couldn't have asked for a better trip for…read morethem. My seven-year-old did not want to get into the cage initially, but decided to get in on two different occasions thanks to how the captain and his crewmate made him feel. I wouldn't hesitate to book with the captain and, Kama in the future. Not only did we get an opportunity to talk a little bit of Wrestling, but they created such a fun environment for everyone on board!

My wife and I had a fantastic whale watching experience with Taylor and Brewski, and I highly…read morerecommend checking them out if you're looking for a crew with a deep knowledgeable of the local whale pods. The catamaran is the way to see the whales (IMHO) because you sit on an unobstructed mesh net between the hulls or on the hulls, and can see everything without any blockages. Our trip was about 2 hours with another couple on the boat. When we were about 10 minutes into the voyage, we spotted the first whale pod of a baby whale, the mom and another adult. It was magical to get so close to them (100 yards by law), hear them blow the water and flop around in the ocean. Taylor and Brewski couldn't have been nicer locals and great hosts on the boat. Highly recommend!

My friends and I had the best experience watching whales ! I practically sat on every corner of the…read moreboat and appreciated the freedom and comfort of laying on the net and sitting up at higher parts of the boat to spot the whales We went mid-day and saw about 10 whales. Ya never know what you'll get but we were BLESSED by a close up experience with a Mama and her curious Calf. Perfect birthday expedition, thank you Captain and first mate Lauren!

I booked a private boat tour today 8/24 to scatter the remainder of my dad's ashes. I had plans to…read morestop in Chinatown to pick up some flower petals and we lost track of time. I have two young kids and getting them out of the house is a struggle. We had to drop them off at my mother's house on the way to Haleiwa. We couldn't make it to Chinatown which I was really bummed about because I really wanted to honor my dad and do a nice final send-off. I called Jared because we got lost, and he was very helpful in guiding where the boat is and the name of it. We arrived about 10 mins early and were greeted by Captain Alex on the Flyer. The boat used today was a deep-sea fishing boat and a little larger than the Banzai one they use per Jared. That actually made me feel better because all 3 of us (myself, husband, and bestfriend) get seasick. Captain Alex shook each of our hand and introduced himself to us and had rose petals and plumerias for me to use. I was soooo relieved and so thankful he went and did that. The extra kindness and gesture goes a long way! The ride was good, and we didn't really feel sick at all. It was a BEAUTIFUL day and I believe dad loved it! The music was like old school local and matched the vibes. After scattering, my husband and bestfriend let Captain Alex know we can go back. Our trip was actually short which I didn't expect to stay until 11am as it was also really hot and only the 3 of us. It was nice and intimate and just what I envisioned. Anyway, I would highly recommend Banzai Adventures! I was debating between this company and Oahu Ash Scattering. I read the reviews and I'm so glad I didn't go with them. Also, I believe the companies usually charge you if you wanted a bag of loose petals but Captain Alex had generously offered them to us. To me, I think that is great service...especially how I felt earlier when I was rushing and couldn't get them beforehand. I'm really happy I could give dad this. Thank you!!

Thank you so much to the boat captain, Hailey, and to Banzai Adventures for helping my family grant…read moremy brother's final wish to scatter his ashes off his beloved Shark's Cove on June 25th, the anniversary of his passing. We took a photo from Ke Iki Beach the next day and a double rainbow appeared at the spot where we scattered his ashes. Hailey was wonderful, friendly, and thoughtful. She made the ride to Shark's Cove as comfortable as possible, and was so kind to ask about my brother's life. Ka'imi moved from Honolulu to Pupukea 20 years ago where he made lasting friendships, helped sponsor young surfers, and volunteered with Mālama Pūpūkea-Waimea to support the environment. My son, younger brother, and I had a great conversation with Hailey. E ho'omana'o mau makou i kou lokomaika'i We will remember your kindness forever.

Absolutely 10/10 experience. This is my second time coming with the company and it was…read moreunforgettable. I have seen sand bar sharks, Galapagos sharks and even a pregnant tiger shark! I've never felt so safe in open water but the people who run the dives do an amazing job at educating & making sure everyone in their group feels safe. They go the extra miles to ensure an amazing experience and I am so beyond grateful to experience something so beautiful. If you are interested or even slightly hesitating this is your sign to DO IT!!

I highly recommend Islandview Hawaii for shark diving! They are one of the few, if not the only…read morelocally owned shark diving companies on the North Shore. We had an incredible experience, the crew was friendly and extremely competent. They also send you your underwater photos and videos immediately after the trip is complete for free. We'll definitely be back!

Captain Porter and the entire North Shore Sailing Adventures team was fantastic! My family of four…read more(with two tween boys) did a snorkeling adventure in June 2025. From booking the reservation, to the instructions on when/where to meet up, to the recommendation on getting to Hale'iwa early in the morning to rent snorkel gear, it was a very smooth process. Captain Porter and his deckhand were laid back, informative, and fun to be around. There wasn't a focus on time and it was a very casual, relaxing experience. They gave us clear instructions aboard the boat to keep us safe. We anchored in Waimea Bay and got to swim with dolphins! Captain Porter's wife even made us sandwiches for lunch! Love that they keep it private to one family. Really helps make it special and exclusive. This was the highlight of our trip to O'ahu! Highly recommend! It's worth the price.

Simply put our favorite thing to do on Oahu. Captain Porter and his crew are always the best.read more

Just did a cageless shark dive with Go Adventure Hawaii and wow... what an unforgettable…read moreexperience! I'll be honest it was the scariest thing I've ever done. At one point, I refused to even look down into the ocean but then my son tapped me and pointed... and there it was a shark swimming right toward us. I almost passed out! Even though I was terrified, it turned into such an amazing memory. My son had the best time and is already asking to come back again. That alone made it all worth it. Huge appreciation to the staff they were professional, supportive and made us feel safe the whole time. Plus, we got some really cool pictures to remember it by! If you're looking for something thrilling and unforgettable, this is it.

This was my first time shark diving, and I chose to do it for my birthday was my best decision…read moreever! From start to finish, the experience was incredible, safe, and beyond epic. Our boat had an amazing crew of three who made everything perfect: Michelle, our lovely photographer, captured stunning moments I'll cherish forever; Mauri, our safety instructor, was calm, knowledgeable, and made us feel completely at ease the entire time; and Captain Maddy navigated with confidence and professionalism, making the whole trip smooth and fun. We saw 13 sharks, up close, in their natural environment, and at no point did I feel unsafe. The crew clearly prioritizes safety while still delivering an adrenaline-filled, once-in-a-lifetime experience. If you're nervous but curious..do it! If you're looking for something unforgettable..this is it! I couldn't have asked for a better birthday experience and would 100% recommend this to anyone visiting or celebrating something special.

Amazing experience with Darrin and JC! Came out for a quick trip with our family and just happened…read moreacross Hawaii Boat Tours by chance. I looked into a number of different fishing charters, but none seemed to offer the experience I was hoping for (very touristy and large group numbers) and then we found Hawaii Boat Tours. Darrin and CJ welcomed us onto their boat like we were part of their family. Darrin was incredibly professional as our Captain and made us all feel at ease and extremely safe, while CJ made sure everyone had an amazing experiencing bringing home some fish. These guys had a great sense of humor and kept us all laughing and smiling the entire trip. Will definitely be recommending booking an experience with these guys to all our friends and family. Till next time guys! Hopefully February for whale watching AND more fishing!

From the owner: Hawaii Boat Tours is a locally-owned and operated company dedicated to sharing the unparalleled…read morebeauty of the North Shore with adventure seekers from around the world. Our passionate team, Captain by Darrin Whittaker and Jacy Shimahara, is committed to providing unforgettable experiences while preserving and respecting the pristine environment that makes Hawaii so unique.

The best whale watching experience of our lives! Knowledgeable and friendly guide (Zach), private…read moreboat for our 6 people group. We got to see whales, sharks and even heard the whales through the special microphone our guide put in the water. Next time we come to Hawaii, we want to book a shark diving expedition with Deep Blue Eco Tours.

I wish I had pictures to share but I was living so much in the moment that all I have are the…read moreamazing memories. The feeling of being surrounded by these creatures in open water was unlike anything I've ever experienced before in my life. The crew was kind and knowledgeable. Especially Finn! He was a great guide and did an excellent job at showing us the perfect spot for viewing sharks and keeping us safe. We even got to hear the humpback whales singing under the water which was so magical. I can't wait to come back here next time I'm in Hawaii!!

Adding the Shark Dive to our trip right before heading to the island was the best decision we made…read more This was the most incredible experience I have ever experienced. We arrived a little more than 30 minutes prior to our charter time, unfortunately the captain missed us at check in and we joined a later charter which worked out really well for us. Captain Ken was our boat captain and he was very kind & knowledgeable, he provided us alot of information prior to us taking off and while we were out on the water. He also had floating camera handles he allowed us to use - thanks Ken - we didn't even think about this. The First Mate & crew on our charter were great and very informative. It was whale season in Hawaii while we were there so we were able to see sprays from the whales on the trip out to the shark encounter area. We were able to see whales breaching the water in the distance, we also saw alot of sharks. The charter takes us 3 miles off shore & then hooks up to the shark cages that are tethered out in the open water while charters go to and from. It is about a 20 minute boat ride out to the shark cages & 20 minutes back. Each group gets so spend roughly 20 minutes in the shark cage, getting up close and personal with these majestic creatures. Captain Ken took some video footage from a pole camera and we were able to be in the background in the cage, the video provided by the captain was clear and a great perspective. I am so glad that we added this to our trip because this was hands down one of the coolest experiences of my life! I would definitely do this again, on our next trip to Hawaii.

First, the trip started a little late. They were about 15 minutes late to pick us up since the last…read morecharter had run over. No big deal, but we wish they could have at least told us since we had to show up 30 minutes early, we were standing around for almost an hour with no real communication about them being late. Because they were late to pick us up, they seemed a little rushed, telling us we needed to make sure we were quick and rushing us into the water. I get that they were behind but it wasn't our fault. The water was very, very rough. Which is not the boat's fault either, but just a warning to others. I have heard sometimes it's super calm so I am sure it's likely time of year, but when we went it was bad. Almost every single person got seasick. Also, when you go in the cage, it's almost worse for the seasickness. You are getting tossed around badly inside that thing. We actually had to hold on pretty hard. We were given some cool facts about the sharks and the waters, but it was like 5 minutes worth. We wish they would have talked with us a little bit more. Also, they were very thorough with instructions regarding safety of the cage, which is great. They gave no instructions about the mask and snorkel. I guess they just assumed everyone understood, but we had one guy get in the water and asked how to use the snorkel. I guess overall, when compared to other boat tours we had went on in Hawai'i, this one just doesn't compare. They provide no drinks or snacks (which again is okay, but for the same cost on another boat we were given them). Seeing the sharks was super cool; I just don't know if it was worth it.