Sea Turtle Snorkeling in Waikiki

Discover the magic of Hawai‘i’s marine life through our Sea Turtle Conservationist Program, a full-day of sea turtle snorkeling in Waikiki that blends education, conservation, and hands-on science. This program connects participants directly with endangered Hawaiian green sea turtles (honu) while providing the knowledge and tools to actively contribute to their protection.

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What You’ll Experience While Snorkeling with Sea Turtles in Waikiki

Educational Session (Morning)

• Introduction to Hawai‘i’s coral reef ecology and the essential role reefs play in marine biodiversity.
• Overview of common coral species and their importance within the ecosystem.
• Insight into local conservation and restoration projects working to protect Hawai‘i’s reefs and marine life.

Conservation Skills Training

• Learn about non-invasive turtle monitoring methods.
• Practice data collection techniques and understand how technology supports conservation:
  • Facial recognition software to identify individual turtles.
  • Photogrammetry for assessing reef substrate composition.

Sea Turtle Snorkeling in Waikiki – Sea Turtle Conservation Day

In the calm waters off Waikīkī, participants join our conservation team for a guided sea turtle snorkeling experience focused on long-term monitoring:

• Photograph wild sea turtles and contribute images to our identification database.
• Help identify new turtles and assist in naming them for population tracking.
• Learn about sea turtle ecology, threats to their survival, and the importance of community science in protecting honu.

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Why It Matters

Hawaiian green sea turtles are a threatened species. By documenting individual turtles, we can monitor population health, track behavior and habitat use, and adapt conservation strategies as ocean conditions change. Each participant’s contribution supports long-term research and directly aids in safeguarding these iconic marine animals.

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Full-Day Schedule

• 10:30 AM – Welcome and Sea Turtle Ecology Presenation.
• 11:30 AM – Boat Departure
• 11:30 AM – 1 PM – Snorkeling and Sea Turtle Imagery / Data Colleciton at Turtle Canyons in Waikiki
• 1 PM – 1:30 PM – Pattern Recognition of Sea Turtle Images and Naming of New Individuals
• 1:30 PM – End of Program

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Program Includes

• All snorkeling gear.
• Instruction and guidance by trained marine biologists and conservation divers.
• Educational materials and access to collected turtle data.
• Take-home photos and the chance to leave a legacy by helping name a newly identified turtle.

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Join Us in Waikīkī

Our Sea Turtle Conservationist Snorkeling Program in Waikīkī offers more than just an unforgettable day in the ocean—it’s an opportunity to be part of Hawai‘i’s conservation story. By participating, you’ll gain a deeper connection to the honu, the coral reefs they depend on, and the community working tirelessly to protect them for future generations.

Other Ways to Get Involved

Our Sea Turtle Conservationist Snorkeling Program is just one way to support marine conservation in Hawai‘i. Ocean Alliance Project offers a variety of programs designed to connect people with the ocean, build conservation skills, and directly contribute to protecting coral reefs and marine life:

• Ecological Monitoring Programs (4-Day)
  Gain hands-on experience in fish surveys, invertebrate monitoring, coral health assessments, and reef mapping while contributing to long-term conservation research.
• Marine Research Internships (6-Week)
  Dive deeper into coral reef ecology, photogrammetry, and advanced survey methods. Interns conduct independent research projects and present findings to the community.
• Scientific Divemaster Internship (8-Week)
  A professional pathway that combines dive leadership training with advanced ecological monitoring and reef restoration skills. Graduates receive PADI Divemaster and Conservation Diver certifications.

Whether you’re here for a day or several weeks, our programs provide meaningful ways to learn, explore, and protect Hawai‘i’s reefs and marine life.

👉 Explore All Programs or consider giving a donation for us to continue this work!

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FAQ