North Shore Sailing Adventures

This was definitely a great small group activity which was perfect for us due to my significant…read moreother's disabilities! I researched other snorkel activities and most had groups of 35 or more, so 19 is about as good as it gets without paying someone for a private snorkel tour! I wish there would have been a water lounger for him to use to get him into the water, but he enjoyed his conversation on the boat with the Captain which still gave me the opportunity to snorkel. The 3 women crew were confident and capable from the Captain to her first mates! We motored out to Shark's Cove, and saw a huge pod of spinner dolphins on the way! Once the anchor was dropped, we snorkeled where we saw plenty of coral, fish, and two sea turtles! We loaded back onto the Cat for lunch with drinks and a sail back to the dock with our 3 women crew really showing their skills by unfurling the sails! They were well organized from having sandwiches nicely displayed after the snorkel to the shoes being displayed on dock after the excursion! They had every detail well thought out and planned which kept things running smoothly! Be sure to use the restrooms at the dock before boarding; otherwise, you're contributing to the toxins in the sea during the snorkel! ‍

My husband and I just went on the snorkeling tour and it was fantastic! Captain Taylor and crew…read moremember Madison were super! We snorkeled at Sharks Cove and saw lots of critters including a turtle. Madison snorkeled with us and was very knowledgeable about the marine life. On the way back we got to see many dolphins up close. It was amazing! There were sodas and water, plus a light lunch. It was a perfect morning and we will use this company again next time.

Magnificent sunset!

See all

North Shore Sailboat Charter

5.0(2 reviews)

Our family trip to O'ahu with five adults and one child was magical in so many ways, but arranging…read morea sunset sail was definitely a highlight that made us feel like we were in a different tax bracket even though it was reasonably priced. My husband and mother-in-law have sailed Hobie Cats and other small boats before but to have this Gulfstream 32 footer to ourselves was such a cool experience. Our captain was gracious and entertaining and we've already told everyone who might be planning a North Shore O'ahu trip to make sure to book a charter with this crew.

My family had a wonderful time sailing around Haleiwa. The view of the coast from offshore is…read moreawesome. We saw rainbows and Humpback whales. A special day for all of us. Get out there and have some fun. Easy no brainer, we will be back.

Let's go sailing

Peace and serenity

See all

Shaka

Go Adventure Hawaii

4.7(47 reviews)

Certified professionals

Locally owned & operated

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 a most amazing experience. I was very nervous about diving with sharks, especially without…read morea cage, but Rachel and Parker went above and beyond to make me feel safe and comfortable. Their instructions were clear (even if the water wasn't so much) and they made it all look so easy! To see sharks up close like that was exhilarating! Definitely worth the early wake up to get the best experience. As the photographer, Rachel was super encouraging and took some truly stunning photos. Thank you for helping me add and then check off something on my bucket list!! Highly recommend!!

See all

Hawaii Ocean Adventure Tours

4.5(70 reviews)

Established in 2016

Family-owned & operated

We went out with the team and had an amazing time! You could almost say it went swimmingly…read more After a 15 minute boat ride out, the captain and his crew tied us off and started calling in the sharks with underwater noisemakers (jars with something inside to shake and rattle). While the sharks are very wild, they are trained to come to the sound of the rattle due to decades of Hawaiian crabbers fishing in that area. We were in the water about 30-45 minutes and had sharks swimming around us the entire time. In total we had 4-5 Galapagos Sharks and 1 blacktip shark. The sharks were all around us and swam up to almost within touching distance ( I recommend that you don't pet the sea puppies i.e. sharks). My underwater camera isn't as nice as the ones they own but you can see how close and pretty the sharks were. I highly recommend going out with Hawaii Ocean Adventure Teams to swim with the sharks if you're feeling brave enough!!

I saw two or three boats come in with cages on the back of their boats and several each boat. It…read moreoccurred to me that they had gone out for a shark adventure, albeit from a cage. it is best to get up close these amazing creatures. The crew was gracious, accommodating, and provided a great and educational experience, us deeper appreciation for the need for oceanic and environmental conservation. And along the way, swimming with 15 to 18 sharks bonus.

See all

Snorkeling with sharks

Captain Bruce

4.7(113 reviews)

21.6 mi

We had a fantastic time exploring and playing. We had so much fun doing water activities and…read moreviewing underwater creatures. Captain and the crew were very attentive and ensured safety. They ensured everyone got to see turtles and in fact they headed a participant back just when we were being called back to the boat after discovering he didn't get to see turtles. There was plenty of snacks and drinks. Gears were complete - eye gear (with or without prescription which was helpful to those who wear glasses), and mouth pieces. The attention to detail was superb and attention to safety and ensuring everyone had fun was commendable!

We had such a great time on this excursion! We were led by Captain Robin and Jamie and Keani. We…read moresaw lots of turtles, both on the boat ride out and while we were snorkeling. My son had a broken hand and they made him feel totally comfortable while doing all the activities. We did SUP and floated around and my son had a super soaker battle with some of the other boat passengers. The snorkeling was great....we saw multiple turtles and fish and an octopus! We have snorkled many times, but they gave us very good instructions on how to put on equipment. I appreciated the anti-fog spritz which we have never gotten on any other snorkel tour. They also had lots of good snacks (chips, fruit, drinks, spam musubi), and even a bucket of fresh water for a post-snorkel shower! The sandbar was incredible. I have been coming to Oahu my whole life and didn't even know this place existed. Total magic!

Complimentary Snacks

Waikiki's sunset on a private cruise

See all

Cheers at the sandbar.

North Shore Shark Adventures

4.7(1.1k reviews)

0.1 mi

If you are a thrill seeker or know one in your life then the North Shore Shark Adventures is a…read moreperfect place to experience diving with sharks in a safe and exhilarating way. Booking the experience was extremely easy. We were rescheduled due to Hurricane Lala and they made that easy for us as well. Our outing was set for 6am so we arrived 30 minutes prior. There was ample parking and restrooms at the dock. We loaded up and were promptly out at 6am. The captain and first mate explained all the safety rules and where we were heading out to and the types of sharks we may see as well as stopping for dolphins. They took us out about 3 miles from the dock. Snorkeling equipment was provided if you do not have your own. They also offer to film your dive for you for an extra $75. The videos are given to you to add to your phone as soon as you are heading back too. You are able to walk around the boat at one point to take photos and if you are feeling seasick they do explain what you can do going and coming back. We were down in the cage for a good 20 minutes and then we made the trip back. At the dock you can purchase additional souvenir shirts and hats. All in all this experience was so amazing and would love to go again.

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.

Swimming with sharks in cage- Hawaii

See all

Rainbow Watersports

5.0(336 reviews)

0.5 mi

Jared is a rockstar! Great guy. He was super fun, kind and great with our 10 year old kid. We…read morepaddle boarded and had a blast. He told us lots of fun stories and facts along the way. God bless him and his family. Wonderful aloha spirit

Niki took me and my two boys (6&8) out stand up paddle boarding. She took her time to teach us how…read moreto paddle and position ourselves. Niki pointed out all the wildlife and took pictures of us too! The kids loved seeing the turtles. It was a great experience and we hope to be back in the future!

Night time paddle board

See all

Kualoa Ranch

Did a movie set tour with my wife while we were in Honolulu, and I honestly expected a simple tour…read morewith a few cool photo ops. I was completely wrong. The tour was incredible, the scenery was absolutely stunning, and Jeremy may be the best tour guide I've ever had. He was hilarious, informative, kept everyone engaged, and even went out of his way to take great photos of everyone throughout the tour. If you're doing this tour, ask for Jeremy. He's the man! Highly recommend.

I wrote a review of Kualoa Ranch over a decade ago, and it's STILL one of my favorite places to…read morevisit on Oahu! I've taken my daughter twice now and it's one of those places where it's easy for everyone to have an amazing time. She absolutely loved the Ocean Voyage and Jurassic Adventure Tour! I can't wait to bring her back when she reach the minimum age for the others like ATV and horseback riding. Tips: Book early because popular tours fill up! Bring mosquito spray for the greener areas, too. And be sure to check the age requirements before booking.

Zip On!

1 or 2 hour ATV tours

See all

A Hawaiian Village

Kailua Beach Adventures

4.8(1.9k reviews)

27.6 mi

My family had a great time on a kayaking trip with Avery our guide. She explained everything well…read moreand was patient with our crew of 5. We did the trip to Moku Popoia which was perfect for getting to experience being out on the water as well as learning about the area. KBA had everything we needed for the trip from wet bags to a shop to snag any gear that we may have forgotten. The area is a great spot to experience a cool part of the island with solid food options close by and having beach access.

We book the guided Kayak excursion to The Mokes on every trip to Oahu. We enjoy the exercise,…read moreviews, and different experiences with the different guides on every trip. Even though we have done this excursion many times, there's always a twist. On our latest adventure, we got to see five monk seals, with two of them playing in the ocean like little puppies. We had a good group and had time to do extra things on this trip. Our guide, Tupre, made it a fun and interesting tour, throwing in historical and additional wildlife information. This experience solidified our decision to book Kailua Beach Adventures on our next trip to Oahu.

Looking over Kailua from Popoi'a island

See all

View at the Mokes

Why does Yelp recommend reviews?

Hundreds of millions of reviews are posted on Yelp, and our automated recommendation software works in the background to showcase the reviews that it …

6 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Katelyn B.

0

1

0

3 years ago

Thank you to Captain Porter and Chad for a spectacular once in a life time experience! We booked a private sail so it was 5 of us with this very skilled and passionate team enjoying this authentic sailing adventure; very safe yet with an element of excitement that a sail boat in deep ocean waves creates. Using their extensive knowledge, passion & skill, before long, the crew had located humpback whales and dolphins, and maneuvered the boat so smoothly and skillfully providing us an authentic experience while respecting that we were in the whales' space. What we witnessed for the four hours we were out was SPECTACULAR! We saw and learned so much. A must do North Shore activity!!! read more

Jen K.

0

2

0

5 years ago

If you want something more special than your typical commercial sail, this is your outfit! It is like taking a sail with your (very knowledgable and experienced) friend Captain Porter. He and Will were wonderful with my kids, teaching them to tie knots and sharing sea stories and some Hawaiian history. Milly was wonderful and sent us photos from our sunset sail. We had dolphins swim at the bow. And we SAILED the whole time, not just motored. It was magical. This was a highlight of our trip, i would highly, highly recommend sailing with Captain Porter! read more

Alex R.

0

1

0

5 years ago

We vacationed in Hawaii for 7 days and this was probably the best experience we had. We sailed with Captain Porter and Captain Chad for over five hours and there was never a dull moment. We saw a huge pod of dolphins and got to swim in a beautiful bay. 10/10 would recommend to anyone seeking an adventure! read more

Robert L.

0

1

0

4 years ago

What a great experience! Cap't Porter and Chad are friendly and warm and provided a truly memorable day. Dolphins, snorkeling, and sailing in the most beautiful environment imaginable. We loved it so much we're going again. read more

Mariana W.

0

2

1

5 years ago

great experience ! Dolphin watch and the most beautiful sunset if you travel to Hawai and are looking for A personalized trip, this is the perfect one. not crowded, safe and full of nice stories told by Captain Porter ! read more

natalie j.

0

2

1

3 years ago

Absolutely incredible experience. Highly recommend captain Porter. This experience did not disappoint.

North Shore Sailing Adventures - sailing - Updated September 2026

People who viewed North Shore Sailing Adventures also viewed

MANA Cruises & Charters

5.0

(125 reviews)

Absolutely must do if you're looking for an excursion on the island. The boats are beautiful, the…read moreviews are insane, and the food and drinks are fire. We had Masa and Lia as our crew on board and we LOVED hanging out with them. They were constantly answering all of our questions and serving up the best drinks. Their service truly made our experience. This company has high reviews for a reason. Highly highly recommend booking.

We were so very pleased with our experience with Mana cruises and charter, from the first person…read morewho took our call to the captain of the boat. Everyone was so friendly and professional and kind. The boat is absolutely beautiful and it was perfect for our family who chartered it in order to do an ash scattering. The weather was gorgeous and we even got to see some dolphins on our way back. Overall, it was a perfect experience and I'll definitely recommend them to anyone who would love to splurge a bit and go out on the water in a beautiful boat. I hope to someday get to rent with them again.

Ocean Outfitters Hawaii

(141 reviews)

I like to find an adventurous thing to do for each decade of my birthday. In my 20's it was…read moreskydiving, and my 30's, it's shark diving. I had such a fun experience with Ocean Outfitters! We lucked out with perfect wind, water, and sky conditions, which made the whole trip incredible. The ride out was 10-15 min? Getting into the water was easy. Water was great! Though there weren't many, we did manage to dive next to a Galapagos shark, a jellyfish, turtle, and eagle ray (this guy was in port tho). Lilly and the entire team were so helpful and accommodating the whole time. They were fantastic about answering all of our questions and really made the process of getting in and out of the boat less stressful. I will say: you will need to have decent strength to hoist yourself out of the water from a small solo step on the boat (they help but keep in mind for my fellow limited bodied folks). On windier conditions, you will have to be a decent swimmer, too. So those not familiar with the ocean, practice at like Waikiki or hanauma bay first. We had someone swallow water on our boat and we had calmer conditions, too. I honestly wish we could have been in the water for longer, but I'm just looking at it as a great excuse to book another trip and head out again! My favorite part was actually the ride back in: the crew picked up some speed and took some fun turns, which I really enjoyed. Everything was set up to be convenient, too. They provided all the snorkel gear, including flippers and masks, and there is a cubby under the seat to keep your items safe, dry, and out of the way. Parking is readily available, so you don't have to worry about that. Just a heads up on the media side of things: they do offer professional photo packages, which run about $80 to $100. You are allowed to bring your own GoPro, but they are pretty specific about which models you can bring due to concerns about radio wave interference, so it's worth double-checking with them beforehand. Overall, it was a fantastic day out on the water with a good crew.

We had an epic time exploring and seeing different kinds of sharks…read more We felt safe the entire time. We got the help we needed when our hears needed replacement. We had floats until we were comfortable enough to let go. Crew was fantastic! They offer photos and videos with sharks to purchase.

Sail Honu Hawaii

5.0

(68 reviews)

If I could give more than 5 stars on Yelp, I would! Our 2-hour private charter experience with Sail…read moreHonu Hawaii was FANTASTIC! Every step from booking to sailing was clear, concise, and time-efficient. BEFORE THE SAIL: About a week prior to our trip from mainland to Oahu, I contacted Kiah to schedule a sailing excursion. Communication via phone, text, and email made the process easy and time-efficient. She was prompt in responding and the reservation was set quickly. With the busy-ness of traveling, I appreciated the reminder texts and emails! DAY OF: We arrived at Kewalo Basin Harbor,Pier C (at the end of the parking area) and called Sail Honu as instructed. We entered through the gate, walked to the end of the pier, and met our friendly sailing crew of 2: Kiah and Natalie. *It was a special treat to see a honu (turtle) floating in the water nearby! After some brief instructions, we left the dock for our 2-hour sail. Once anchored at sea, you can snorkel (equipment provided), sit in the ocean in a floating chair (tethered to the boat), or relax on the boat netting. *Natalie was out in the water and found a big starfish! Both Kiah and Natalie are the BEST! They are friendly, knowledgable, and very accommodating. We were in good hands with them in charge of the sail. HIGHLY RECOMMEND SAIL HONU!!!

Spectacular An…read moreafternoon sail and swim could not have been more perfect. The experience Kiah creates is above and beyond. She is a phenomenal captain and her first mate (and crew, per all of Sail Honu reviews on Google and here on Yelp) are top notch, have high EQ, and actually care about the guest experience, the coral reef, honu, sea life, teaching, and more. They work hard to understand weather patterns so you aren't out on the water ending up in a predicament. Anything can happen, of course, but if it can knowingly be prevented for your protection, they will ensure safety! Outside of the technical aspect, SO MUCH FUN! These ladies have amazing senses of humor, great taste in music, and treat you well by ensuring you have everything you need. It's BYOB and they will serve what you bring, and ask if you need refills throughout the time together. We had four in our group and expected to have a great time, but it really was the best time...better than anticipated because of Kiah and Malia. Everything for parking, directions, rules, what to bring, wear, etc., is sent in advance, along with reminder texts and emails. I typically use rideshare, so that too was easy to provide to the driver. I have booked other catamaran tours here on Oahu... this is my go-to from now on!!!

Dolphin Excursions Hawaii

4.9

(814 reviews)

We had such an incredible experience with Dolphin Excursions in O'ahu! From start to finish, the…read moreentire crew was friendly, professional, and clearly passionate about what they do. They made everyone feel comfortable and excited before we even got in the water. Seeing dolphins in their natural habitat was absolutely unforgettable. The guides were knowledgeable and respectful of the animals, which made the experience feel even more special and responsible. We never felt rushed, and they made sure everyone had a chance to enjoy the moment. The boat was clean, well-organized, and the overall vibe was fun and relaxed. They also pointed out other marine life along the way, which was such a bonus. If you're visiting O'ahu, this is a must-do experience. It was easily one of the highlights of our trip, and we would do it again in a heartbeat!

Amazing experience! Highly recommend! We visited in 2024 and 2026 and had great experiences seeing…read moredolphins and other wildlife both times! This time (Aug 2026) we got a real treat and were able to swim with pilot whales and pygmy killer whales who came close to check us out! Here's some screenshots from our videos!

Kaneohe Bay Private Charters

(30 reviews)

Simply an amazing and beautiful day on Kaneohe Bay! Scheduling was easy via phone and email with…read moreKyle. Met him at the harbor- he helped us load the boat with all our stuff bentos, wine, towels, snacks, purses, snorkel gear. Turns out, he had a cooler full of water and juice and snorkel gear for us. Such a laid back, friendly and knowledgeable guy, Kyle made us feel like we were just a bunch of friends hanging out on his boat for the day. Was gift for my mom when she was visiting from NJ. She loved it. Saw coconut island with hundreds of fish, then walked around sandbar, then saw about 20 turtles maybe more and then lunch stop at secret beach (or was it called island) and then past china mans hat. Very special excursion, away from tourists, and I plan on recommending this to all my mainland guests. Made me wish I had a boat but then again I don't know the first thing about maintenance, rules on boating (is that a verb) etc. will just have to make sure to become a regular patron of this business.

Excellent trip. Need to try and book ahead if possible since it is not everyday…read more Go see the amazing sandbar and shoreline with an experienced guide who grew up there and loves it. A great trip for a family or friends group. I took 9 people total with us, and all loved it. Highly recommended. Mike

Ko Olina Ocean Adventures

(806 reviews)

It was a very delightful sunset sail! The captains and the…read morerest of the crew were so wonderful! The food and drinks were delish! We spotted a family of dolphins along the way. We had a great time!

Our family had a great time sailing and snorkeling. Jake and the rest of the crew were so friendly…read more The food and drinks were delicious. We bought the fish food and it was worth it. We saw lots of fish and pods of dolphins.

Diamond Head Cruises

(147 reviews)

Zoe and Caleb were awesome! Will definitely come back and recommend to everyone! Love how intimate…read morethe tour was and we even saw dolphins!

Very knowledgeable and attentive. We felt very safe and very well taken care off. Captain Peter was…read morevery kind and attentive to all of our needs. His partner (I am so sorry that her name escapes my aged mind right now) was amazing and made sure we got real cool videos of the majestic turtles swimming nearby. I 100% recommend them.

Ruckus Sportfishing and Diving