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.
From initial contact to request a private charter, to communication after the trip about photos, we had nothing but amazing communication and experience with every person we met at Wild Side. Tori was very helpful, responsive and friendly in our conversations to set up the excursion and helped him answer my questions due to the recent storms. The day of the excursion our guides were Bethany and Mickie and our captain was Kim. Bethany and Mickie had so much knowledge to share about the dolphins and whales and other wildlife in the area, and made sure to point out anything they so we wouldn’t miss anything. Even though the conditions weren’t perfect, we were able to get in the water. My daughter and niece had dolphin swim right past them close to the surface while I saw a small family about 10 feet below me. It was such a special experience! On board the crew did their utmost to make sure we were as comfortable as possible and had plenty of snacks and drinks and comfort items for anyone feeling seasick. Cannot recommend them enough for an experience that is more than a snorkeling excursion. It was immersive and educational as well, and I definitely looked forward to joining them for another excursion sometime!
Tracy Perry
April 2, 2026
From initial contact to request a private charter, to communication after the trip about photos, we had nothing but amazing communication and experience with every person we met at Wild Side. Tori was very helpful, responsive and friendly in our conversations to set up the excursion and helped him answer my questions due to the recent storms. The day of the excursion our guides were Bethany and Mickie and our captain was Kim. Bethany and Mickie had so much knowledge to share about the dolphins and whales and other wildlife in the area, and made sure to point out anything they so we wouldn’t miss anything. Even though the conditions weren’t perfect, we were able to get in the water. My daughter and niece had dolphin swim right past them close to the surface while I saw a small family about 10 feet below me. It was such a special experience! On board the crew did their utmost to make sure we were as comfortable as possible and had plenty of snacks and drinks and comfort items for anyone feeling seasick. Cannot recommend them enough for an experience that is more than a snorkeling excursion. It was immersive and educational as well, and I definitely looked forward to joining them for another excursion sometime!
Tracy Perry
April 2, 2026