What we saw from our own boat
Not long ago we took a group of 6 out on our private snorkel charter. Two hours, a 45-foot catamaran, a captain, a snorkel guide, and nobody else on board. When we pulled up to the turtle spot off Waikiki, the big shared snorkel boats were there too, each one packed with around 50 people lining the rails and jumping in at the same time.
Later we did the math on what that group would have paid to ride one of those boats. For six people on a shared snorkel cruise with lunch, the tickets add up to about the same as the private charter. That's the part most visitors don't realize: once your group hits five or six, "private" stops being the splurge option.
Private charter vs. shared snorkel tour, side by side
| Private turtle snorkel charter | Shared, basic turtle snorkel | Shared, deluxe with lunch | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,000 for the boat, plus tax | $68 to $79 per person | $156 to $174 per adult |
| Total for 6 | $1,000 (about $167 each) | $408 to $474 | $939 to $1,044 |
| Who's on board | Only your group, up to 6 guests | Holokai's catamaran carries up to 49 passengers | Bookings up to 42 guests |
| Duration | 2 hours | 2 to 2.5 hours | 2.5 to 3 hours of cruising |
| Boat and crew | 45-ft catamaran, captain + snorkel guide | Shared crew and guides | Shared crew and guides |
| Included | Snorkel gear and drinks, bring your own food | Snorkel gear (extras vary by boat) | Snorkel gear and lunch |
Shared prices are as listed online in October 2026 by Holokai, Living Ocean Tours, Waikiki Snorkel Company and Hawaii Nautical (via hawaiiactivities.com), before any extra fees. Some are sale prices, and kids' rates are lower. The private charter is per boat, plus tax.
Where the shared boats win
We'll be straight with you: if it's just the two of you, a shared boat is the better deal. A basic turtle snorkel on Holokai, Living Ocean Tours or Waikiki Snorkel Company is $68 to $79 a person for about two hours, and those trips are a lot of fun. You'll meet people, the crews know the reef, and you'll be back by lunch. Even for a family of four, the basic shared trips come out well under the private charter.
Where the private charter wins
The math flips when you're 5 or 6 people, or when you were already looking at the deluxe cruises with lunch. Here's what the same money gets you on your own boat:
- No crowd in the water. On a boat with 40 or 50 snorkelers, everyone splashes in at once. With six, you float near the turtles without a pack of fins around you.
- Your own snorkel guide. One person drives the boat, one gets in the water with your group and shows you where to look. Nervous swimmers get real attention.
- Straight to the turtles. We head to a turtle cleaning station on the reef off Waikiki, where reef fish pick algae off the turtles' shells. The turtles hover calm and slow while they get cleaned, which makes for great up-close viewing.
- Your food, your vibe. Bring your own snacks or lunch. Gear and drinks are on us.
- A quiet sail home. On the way back you can raise the sails, cut the engine, and glide to the harbor on wind alone.
Two hours is the sweet spot: long enough to see turtles and sail, short enough that nobody gets seasick or bored.
Get the boat to yourselves 2 hours, up to 6 guests, $1,000 plus tax. Gear and drinks included. See the private snorkel charter →How to decide
- 2 people, budget first: book a basic shared turtle snorkel.
- 3 or 4 people: shared is still cheaper. Go private if you have a nervous swimmer, little kids, or a special occasion. With 4 it works out to $250 each.
- 5 or 6 people: price the deluxe shared cruise for your whole group, then compare it to $1,000 for your own boat. For most groups this size, private is the easy call.
Turtle etiquette, either way
Sea turtles are protected in Hawaii. Give them about 10 feet of space and never touch them. Turtles are wild, so no one can promise a sighting, but the cleaning station is where they come every day and sightings are very common.
Make it a full day
A two-hour charter still leaves most of your day open. Pair it with a private Oahu tour with your own local guide: snorkel with the turtles, then head out to see the island at your own pace, with just your group in the van. It's the same idea as the boat: no strangers, no big-bus schedule.
Snorkel tour FAQ
How much is a private snorkel charter in Waikiki?
Our private turtle snorkel charter is $1,000 plus tax for the whole boat, up to 6 guests. That's about $167 each with six, or $250 each with four.
How many people are on a shared snorkel boat?
It depends on the boat, but the big ones are big. Holokai's catamaran carries up to 49 passengers, and Hawaii Nautical's lunch cruises take bookings of up to 42 guests.
Is a shared snorkel tour cheaper?
For small groups, yes. Basic shared turtle snorkels are $68 to $79 a person. For 6 people on a deluxe shared cruise with lunch, the total lands around $939 to $1,044, about the same as the private charter.
Do I need to be a strong swimmer?
You should be comfortable in the ocean. On the private charter, your snorkel guide is in the water with you the whole time.
Can we bring food on the private charter?
Yes. Bring your own snacks or lunch. Drinks are included.