Wild Side Hawaii welcomes you aboard a boutique catamaran for an intimate sea-safari off Oʻahu’s rugged west coast. Capped at just eight guests, each voyage is led by published marine biologists and naturalists who turn every sigh...
This tour delivers something genuinely special: a chance to encounter wild marine life while supporting a crew that actually cares about conservation. The team, frequently mentioned by name (Connor, Bethany, Captain Flow, Captain Dave, and others), aren't just running a business—they're marine biologists and ecologists conducting real research. Guests consistently praise how knowledgeable and passionate the staff is, and that enthusiasm is contagious. You'll feel like part of their mission rather than just a tourist checking boxes. The wildlife encounters are impressive and varied. Most groups see multiple dolphin species (spinners, spotted, bottlenose, and even pygmy killer whales), plus green sea turtles are practically guaranteed. One lucky group even swam with a whale shark. What sets this apart is the ethical approach: the crew knows animal behavior well enough to facilitate meaningful encounters without harassing wildlife. They'll stay out longer if needed to deliver on the experience, and they genuinely get excited alongside you when something rare appears. The small group size makes everything feel personal and intimate rather than like a cattle call. The only minor critique from one reviewer mentioned the snorkeling reef being somewhat average, but that seems like an outlier when most people are raving about sea turtles, eagle rays, and the overall underwater experience. Lunch is included and gets positive mentions too. If you want an ocean tour that's both thrilling and responsible, this crew earns its stellar reputation.
This is was truly one of the best experiences ever! We passed several other boats with 15 and 20+ people on them for the same price as our excursion and we felt privileged to be on a boat of 6 people with a personalized experience. Connor, Bethany, and Captain Jake were amazing. A couple of us were not good swimmers and had anxiety about being first time snorkelers, but when in the water, Connor and Bethany were by our sides at so times and catered to all of our needs. They were incredibly kind and went out of their way to help my oldest daughter get back in the water after she felt a bit nauseated. Captain Jake steered the boat to just the right spots for anticipated dolphin areas. The fresh pineapple, Hawaiian drinks and snacks were perfect. The crew knew a ton about marine life and the dolphin species and they took us to ask amazing shoreline snorkel area. We would book with them again in a heartbeat!
Arliss Indreboe
May 25, 2025
This is was truly one of the best experiences ever! We passed several other boats with 15 and 20+ people on them for the same price as our excursion and we felt privileged to be on a boat of 6 people with a personalized experience. Connor, Bethany, and Captain Jake were amazing. A couple of us were not good swimmers and had anxiety about being first time snorkelers, but when in the water, Connor and Bethany were by our sides at so times and catered to all of our needs. They were incredibly kind and went out of their way to help my oldest daughter get back in the water after she felt a bit nauseated. Captain Jake steered the boat to just the right spots for anticipated dolphin areas. The fresh pineapple, Hawaiian drinks and snacks were perfect. The crew knew a ton about marine life and the dolphin species and they took us to ask amazing shoreline snorkel area. We would book with them again in a heartbeat!
Arliss Indreboe
May 25, 2025