Set Adrift on Sustainable Bliss

"Best of the West," Check-in @ boat 8am - return to harbor 12+pm, Six passenger limit $195 per person

"My husband and I have snorkeled all over the Caribbean, Hawaii and Florida and this was by far the BEST snorkel trip we have ever experienced. The Wild Side Team provided a safe environment for the dolphins, turtles and fish as well as for us." TripAdvisor Review

• Our premier - "do it your way" 1/2 day charter, tailormade semi-private or private cruise experience - at small group rates
• Whale, Dolphin, Turtle, Snorkel Cruise - expertly guided both in and out of the water
• Six people max per cruise - ages 12+
• 99.9% marine mammal sighting rate
• Expert Educated Crew - of marine wildlife biologists.
• Blue Water Wildlife Encounters - Uncommon Access to 18 species of toothed dolphins, 6 baleen whales, and 22 species of seabirds in Hawaii- including rare species..
• Nearshore Swimming with Wild Dolphins Longest dolphin tine of any dolphin tour on the water - safe and sane for both dolphins and you. Includes pre-encounter briefings on dolphin behavior and "wet-iquette (how to swim with wild dolphins)".
• Year-round whale watching - hydrophone broadcast over built-in stereo system (our own ears lose 30 decibels of sound when underwater!)
• Guided Snorkeling Tour with sea turtles and,tropical reef fish, many endemic to Hawaii
• Great for both novice and advanced snorkelers; snorkel gear and flotation devices provided
• Give back: help sight and identify species, record numbers present, contribute your photos to Cascadia Research Collective's Hawaii marine mammal ID catalogs
• Roam freely around the boat, get close enough to (almost) touch dolphins riding the bow (you might get "spit" on!), sea the view from the covered upper-level flybridge, lounge in the airy shaded cabin between activities, or warm in the sun of the roomy deck. Ample dry storage areas and a private bathroom with plenty of room to change clothes.
• Narration on cultural sites and living aloha. Please inquire if interested - we have knowledge and passion about both the marine ecosystems, and the onshore communities we operate in. As eager as we are to share, we equally respect needs for quiet and time with your loved ones.

*While the nearshore dolphin, whale and turtle reef snorkeling are included, the Best of the West (see independent reviews here), can add exclusive bluewater journeys to experience the various other year-round dolphin and whale species that inhabit Hawaii’s waters. Wild Side adheres to the IWC's General Principles for Whale watching to minimize the risks of adverse impacts of whalewatching on whales and dolphins.

*Onboard this tour, you not only have less passengers to compete with, you usually have no other boats. The DEPARTuRE TIMES ARE SPECIFICALLY PLANNED to slip you in between other tours - those that pile up in the snorkeling and wildlife areas in the early morning, and then again in the late morning.

*While promising an exceptionally stable, unintrusive, vessel; the Alaka'i has the flexibility (3 1/2 + hours) - with no following charter rush to get back to dock, with speed to leave impacted areas behind and go to where magic happens. With so much to do and wildlife to see, we often hear the desire to stay out even longer and go even further. Therefore, we now offer full and multi-day (live-aboard!) cruises on our Untamed Expeditions

*With all cruises, a portion of proceeds and/or boat space is dedicated to the Wild Dolphin Foundation.

Read a review of Wild Side's Best of the West by John Fischer, About.com


Give back! Data gathered underway may go to Cascadia Research Collective, Wild Dolphin Foundation, REEF and/or the Coral Reef Monitoring Project.

Important Tour Information

• Six passengers max, at least four to "set sail" (inquire if your group is larger than six)
• Check-in time 8:00 am - return 12:00+
• Ages 12 and up welcome
• $195 per person
• Includes Lunch - Local when possible, with Aloha Always
• Assortment of granola bars, and drinks always available and included in price: water, soda, iced cappuccino, juice, etc.
• Reservations for holiday peaks, winter and summer seasons are recommended to be made at least two weeks ahead of time. Though we will take 'last minute' ones if we have space, your chances are much better to bock ahead of time.
• Need transportation?

*While the nearshore dolphin and whale encounters and turtle reef snorkeling are still included, the Best of the West (see independent reviews here), will add exclusive bluewater offshore journeys to experience the various other year-round dolphin and whale species that inhabit Hawaii’s waters. Wild Side adheres to the IWC's General Principles for Whale watching to minimize the risks of adverse impacts of whalewatching on whales and dolphins.

*Onboard this tour, you not only have less passengers to compete with, you usually have no other boats. The DEPARTuRE TIMES ARE SPECIFICALLY PLANNED to slip you in between other tours - those that pile up in the snorkeling and wildlife areas in the early morning, and then again in the late morning.

*While promising an exceptionally stable, unintrusive, vessel; the Alaka'i has the flexibility (3 1/2 + hours) - with no following charter rush to get back to dock, with speed to leave impacted areas behind and go to where magic happens. With so much to do and wildlife to see, we often hear the desire to stay out even longer and go even further. Therefore, we now offer full and multi-day (live-aboard!) cruises on our Untamed Expeditions

*With all cruises, a portion of proceeds and/or boat space is dedicated to the Wild Dolphin Foundation.

Notice: Wild Side (complete terms and agreements) reserves the right to seasonally modify departure and arrival times, with notice. Due to our popularity and limited group sizes, cancellations with less than 10 days 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 95+% 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 locator/flotation devices. We do not offer transportation to the boat harbors.

Reservation Office hours: 8-4 (Hawaii Standard TIme)