~ Basic Tour Facts ~
“No aquarium, no tank in a marine land, however spacious it may be, can begin to duplicate the conditions of the sea. And no dolphin or whale that inhabits one of those aquariums or one of those marine lands can be considered normal,” Jacques Yves Cousteau
Morning Wildlife Cruise | Best of the West | Sunset Charters | Full-day or Multi-day Trips |
Our signature "Morning Wildlife Cruise" 8am departure  :
All in one Adventure!
Dolphin Sightings and Encounters
• Swimming with Dolphins - if both safe and sane to do so (for dolphins and you). Includes pre-encounter briefings on dolphin behavior and dolphin "wet-iquette".
• Whale Watching - winter season
• Snorkeling with Turtles and Coral Reef Fish Includes pre-encounter briefings on turtle behavior and coral reef "wet-iquette".
• 1/2 (or less) of the USCG documented vessel's capacity (certified to hold 36)- never more than 20, usually 8 - 16 passengers! Roam freely around the boat, lay on trampolines and be almost touching to dolphins riding the bow (you might get "spit" on!), sit and talk to captain in the shade, ample dry storage in cabin, private bathroom with plenty of room to change clothes, etc.
Tour also includes:
• Continental breakfast consisting of; muffins, bagels with
cream cheese, and fresh pineapple, unlimited granola bars all day.
• Bottled water,
juice, iced cappuccino, and sodas
• Snorkel gear, instruction, flotation devices
- assures you an enjoyable, safe, comfortable and family friendly snorkeling experience.
 Easy-off, easy-on boat, both from the dock and in and out of the water.
Hydrophone to listen to whales and dolphins...
Expert, educated crew
Tour
time:
• Three+ hours on the water
• Departure time 8:00 am
• Check-in time 7:30 am (must be at the boat by this time)
Tour price:
• $115 per person
•Ages 7 and up recommended, 3+ yrs required
Driving
Directions (transportation not provided) 
"Best of the West" 8:30 am
The intimacy of the most sensitive, year-round whale, dolphin and turtle snorkel tour available in Hawaii, because you care - and if its worth doing, its worth doing right - 6 people max per cruise - the least expensive private cruise for your group in Hawaii, or immediate friendships among fellow travelers. Our self-imposed six passenger limit (on a boat built for 12) virtually guarantees successful wildlife interaction - making magic happen.
Be part of the cause - participate in wildlife sightings; help determine species, count the number sighted, contribute photos to our photo identification catalogs, etc. Cruise highlights include:
Newest Yacht on Oahu! - twin hulls glide over the ocean, if there's animals out there, we find em - in style. Impeccable track record, 100% marine mammal sighting rates. Dare we say sightings guaranteed?
• Dolphin Encounters
• Swimming with Dolphins (due to high impact, swimming with spinner dolphins will only be by request, and only if both safe and sane to do so - for dolphins and you). Includes pre-encounter briefings on dolphin behavior and "wet-iquette".
•Year round Whale Watching on Oahu!
• Snorkel with Sea Turtles in habitats rivaling a National Geographic episode. Includes pre-encounter briefings on turtle behavior and "wet-iquette".
• Submerge with tropical reef fish endemic to the Hawaii Islands. See white tip reef sharks (no cage  required)!Includes pre-encounter briefings on reef fish behavior and coral "wet-iquette".
•Perfect for novice snorkelers' with the personal attention offered within a small group
• Great for advanced snorkelers' - without large-group limits
• Expert Educated Crew -Hosted by Wild Side's marine wildlife biologist founders. These long-term residents of the coastline posses innate local knowledge, humor and Aloha. Constantly in search of the "Perfect Day" of new finds, premium snorkeling, and optimal encounters - unparalleled quality is ensured.
Tours musically accompanied by the sounds of the whales or dolphins in real time, or by use of state of the art hydrophone, broadcast over built-in stereo system
(Wild Side Best of the West review by John Fischer - About.com)
Day-cruise includes:
•Lunch - Local First, Organic Whenever Possible, with Aloha Always
• Assortment of drinks on ice, water, soda, iced cappuccino, juice etc.
• Snorkel gear, one-on-one instruction, flotation devices
• Elite 6 passenger maximum (inquire if your group is slightly larger)
Give back! Data gathered underway may go to Cascadia Research Collective, Wild Dolphin Foundation, REEF and/or the Coral Reef Monitoring Project.
Tour
time:
•3 1/2 + hours on the water
• Departure time 8:30 am
• Check-in time 8:00 am (must be at the boat by this time)
Tour price:
• $195 per person
•Ages 12 and up welcome
Please be aware that relative to the ease of the larger catamaran used for the Morning Wildlife Cruise, the Best of the West adventure may be difficult to board (both from the dock or from in the water) for people who have impaired mobility. Please consider this upon booking.
Driving
Directions (transportation not provided)
What is the difference between the Best of the West and the Morning Wildlife Cruise?
Ocean Trekker Expeditions - Adventures at Sea
In collaboration with the Wild Dolphin Foundation our Ocean Trekker Expeditions offer wildlife intensive adventures both above and under Hawaii's ocean world, with a marine biologist crew.
Booking full or multi-day journey's aboard our ocean-going yacht, "Nautilus", allow the "mainstream" attraction of "dolphins, whales and turtles" with time to go offshore (or inter-island) into the less explored but more wondrous remote habitats of rare and unique wildlife, some endemic to Hawaii, some yet to even be listed in reference or guidebooks.
While the Morning Wildlife Cruise affords smaller - more intimate - groups on a stable roomy vessel; and the Best of the West goes drastically one-on-one with six passengers, our Ocean Trekker Expeditions give an unhurried full (or more) day - so you don't have to make choices between our wide range of activities or sites - or amount of time  spent, you can explore them all on your own time frame.
- Departure from Kewalo Basin Harbor - between Waikiki and Honolulu
- $325 per person for 8 - 10 hours (full day)
- $695 per person for two days / overnighter - this getaway gives you a chance to experience the magic of the islands, without straining your schedule!
- $1195 per person for three days / two nights
- SeaEscapes $1500 4 day cruises with a porpoise!
Oahu's "Wild Side" 6 Passenger Dolphin Adventure Overnighter - All Year Long!
Sunset - Full Moon or
Stargazing Sails:
There is nothing more tranquil and romantic
than a Hawaii sunset cruise. Enjoy
 the soft symphony of hues painting a Hawaii sunset. Unwind, re-invigorate,
and catch a kiss or two on the Pacific.
Depart one hour before sunset, 2 1/2 hour duration, see our sunset
charter page for specific full moon, stargazing or meteor shower, eclipse dates. Although
we may very well view marine life, we remain onboard during night sails.
$95 per person.
Includes:
Dinner and non-alcoholic drinks (BYOB).
Driving
Directions
Private Yacht Cruises - Comfort no matter where the day takes you -  "Money can't buy you happiness, but it can buy you a yacht big enough to pull right up along side it" David Lee Roth
Offshore treks for large dolphin, whales, oceanic sharks and pelagic birds encounters, year round!
•Delicious, balanced meals - local grown, caught, seasonal.
• Snorkel gear, instruction, flotation devices
Reserve the 34 ft. yacht Alaka'i for your group of up to six people. For details on our best journey, exclusive to Wild Side, click on the Private Yacht Cruise above.
Half Day Adventures $1495 (for up to six passengers)
"We are committed to integrity and quality, leading in environmental stewardship and creating unforgettable memories for our guests."
Notice: Wild Side (complete terms and agreements) reserves the right to substitute vessels, and to seasonally modify departure and arrival times. Due to our popularity and limited group sizes, cancellations with less than 10 day notice and "No Shows" are subject to full charge. Prices quoted do not include state tax, harbor fees or fuel surcharge.
Although our sighting rates are at 90+% we cannot guarantee sightings, interaction with wild
dolphins whales, snorkeling,
nor ideal weather conditions. We reserve the right to not facilitate
in-water OR shipboard encounters which we feel may compromise
the well-being of our guests or ocean wildlife. All passengers are required to wear flotation devices.
Hawaii Smart Travel Tips
Reservation Office hours: 8-4 (Hawaii Standard TIme) Mon.- Fri.
For specific details on each possibility, please click on the links
below. Snorkeling on morning charters weather dependant during winter
months.
Dolphin
Tour l Whale Watching l Sea Turtle Travels l Night Sails l Hawaii Snorkeling l Small Ship Cruising |Rates, Prices l Online Booking l Hawaii Wildlife PHOTOs l Volunteer Vacation Package l About
Us
Frequently Asked Questions
Wild
Side Specialty Tours on the island of Oahu:
Waianae Boat Harbor
Waianae Oahu 96792 (near Ko Olina Resort)
TEL (808) 306-7273
FAX (808) 668-4075
email: mailto:reservations@sailhawaii.com
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