Beyond the Reef on O’ahu

Clients can discover the beauty and help to protect the fragile eco-system of Oʻahu’s shoreline, reefs, and ocean waters with responsible outfitters.

Ocean Joy Cruises, is a STAH-certified operator and they offer a scenic morning, afternoon or sunset cruise and snorkel adventure along the western coast of Oʻahu where clients can enjoy the beautiful island views and watch the water for dolphins and seasonal whales.

Book the Best of the West adventure with Wild Side Specialty Tours for clients that want an intimate experience. Their group or family can enjoy a small group charter off Oʻahu’s West Coast aboard the Alakaʻi, the state-of-the-art catamaran with the crew of biologists/naturalists who provide fascinating information about Hawaiʻi’s waters and the dangers facing local marine life while promoting environmental awareness and stewardship. They may see false killer, pilot, and pygmy killer whales along with spotted, rough-toothed, and bottle nose dolphins. Wild Side also offers near shore snorkeling over the reefs and the opportunity to spot honu (green sea turtles). Research plays a role on every charter and passengers are welcome to volunteer in any of the crew’s activities.

For a deep dive of Oʻahu’s underwater world, clients can go for a unique water adventure with Atlantis Submarines. They have been sharing the magnificence of Hawaiʻi’s undersea world since 1988 using the environmentally safe submarines that are battery powered, emit no pollutants, and quietly move through the water, disturbing no one.

Protect Marinelife: Protect Yourself, Protect the Environment

A few additional reminders for your clients

Reef safe sunscreen: In May 2018, Hawaiʻi became the first state to pass legislation banning sunscreens containing the chemicals which destroy coral reefs. The bill officially went into effect January 1, 2021. If you brought your own bottle of sunscreen, please make sure it’s reef-safe sunscreen before using. Sunscreens containing chemicals oxybenzone and octinoxate are no longer sold in Hawaiʻi because these chemicals have been found to contribute to coral reef bleaching, killing the living system that many marine life depend on. Did you know? Some reefs are even older than old-growth redwood forests. Coral are living creatures, please do not step on coral reefs either as this damages and kills the coral animals that make up the living reef. There are some great local reefsafe sunscreen companies like Kōkua Suncare that have created a high performing zinc sunscreen enriched with 7 Hawaii-grown antioxidant ingredients that support local farms and businesses

Respect marine life from a distance

For their protection and your safety, view from a safe distance. Honu (sea turtles), monk seals, dolphins and whales are wild animals and protected under state and federal laws punishable by fines and jail time.

General rule of thumb guidelines on safe distance from marine animals: Sea turtle – 10 feet on land or water ~ 3 meters
Monk seal – 50 feet ~ 15 meters
Mother seals with pup ~ 150 feet/45 meters
Dolphins – 150 feet ~ 45 meters
Whale – 300 feet / 100 yards ~ 90 meters

Find more information on viewing guidelines here.

You can also find more information on some the protected species you may come across in Hawaiʻi here.