Hawaii Thanksgiving Family Activities: Dolphins, Turtles, and Whales
Thanksgiving in Hawaii looks a little different. No snow, no traffic, no waiting for the oven. Just warm Pacific air, calm blue water, and the kind of day your family will talk about for years.
If you are looking for Hawaii Thanksgiving family activities that work for everyone, from toddlers to grandparents, getting out on the water is one of the best choices you can make. Most businesses in Hawaii close for the holiday, but Dolphins and You runs tours on Thanksgiving Day. While the rest of Oahu quiets down, you can be out on the Pacific watching wild dolphins, sea turtles, and humpback whales with your family.
Because right now, in late November, something rare happens off Oahu’s west coast. Three of Hawaii’s most iconic marine animals are out there at the same time, and one dolphin tour gives you a real chance of seeing all three.
If you are still putting together your Oahu itinerary, our Oahu travel guide is a good place to start.
Three marine animals. One tour.
Most of the year, a Dolphins and You tour means wild spinner dolphins and green sea turtles. Both are incredible on their own. But late November marks the beginning of humpback whale season in Hawaii, and that changes everything.
Wild spinner dolphins
live off Oahu’s Waianae Coast year-round. They return nearshore each morning after hunting through the night, and our guests spot them on the vast majority of tours. Watching a pod of spinners leap alongside the boat is the kind of moment that stops a conversation cold.
Hawaiian green sea turtles
known as honu, are a fixture of these waters. We regularly see them gliding through the reef during the snorkel portion of the tour. For kids especially, that first close-up look at a turtle moving through clear Pacific water tends to be the highlight of the trip.
Humpback whales
Begin arriving in Hawaiian waters in November, and by late in the month, sightings start becoming a real possibility on the west side. No wildlife encounter is ever guaranteed, but late November through early December is when the season quietly begins, and some of our most memorable whale moments have happened before the season officially peaks.
Three species. One tour. All wild, all in their natural habitat.
→ Learn more about the marine life you can see on the west side of Oahu
Why a dolphin tour is the perfect Thanksgiving activity for families
Thanksgiving is one of the most popular weeks of the year in Hawaii, and finding Hawaii Thanksgiving family activities that genuinely work for everyone is harder than it sounds. This tour works for all of them.
- Minimum age is 2 years old. Toddlers and young children are welcome on board.
- Snorkeling is optional and supervised. Non-swimmers stay on the boat and still see everything.
- Life jackets and all snorkel gear are provided. Wetsuits are available to rent $10 ($5 for children).
- Free pickup from Waikiki and Ko Olina is included. No rental car or west side navigation required.
- The 8:00 AM departure wraps up before early afternoon, leaving plenty of time for a Thanksgiving meal. For families who prefer a relaxed start to the day, or those with young children, the 12:00 PM departure is a popular choice. Waikiki pickup for the midday tour is around 10:00 AM.
For more on what to expect from start to finish, → See our complete Oahu dolphin tour guide.
Departure times
Dolphins and You runs two departures daily: 8:00 AM and 12:00 PM. Both tours visit the same waters and offer the same opportunity to see dolphins, turtles, and whales.
The 8:00 AM departure is a great fit for early risers who want to make the most of Thanksgiving day. The 12:00 PM departure, with Waikiki pickup around 10:00 AM, works well for families with young children or anyone who prefers a relaxed holiday morning. Choose whichever time fits your family best.
Thanksgiving week fills quickly. We recommend booking early to secure the departure time you want. And unlike most attractions and businesses in Hawaii, we are open on Thanksgiving Day itself, so if the holiday falls on the date you want to go out on the water, we will be there.
A day off the Waianae Coast
While much of the mainland is bundling up for chilly November weather, Hawaii’s ocean is still warm enough for snorkeling. With water temperatures typically around 77 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit (25 to 27 degrees Celsius), Thanksgiving is a wonderful time to trade sweaters for swimsuits and enjoy the Pacific with your family.
Dolphins and You departs from Waianae Boat Harbor, on the west side of Oahu where Oahu’s spinner dolphins gather every morning. Free pickup runs from Waikiki and Ko Olina, so you do not need a rental car or a complicated plan. Just show up at your pickup location and we take care of the rest.
On the water, you will have time to watch dolphins from the boat, snorkel over the reef with turtles and tropical fish, and enjoy open-ocean views that make you remember why Hawaii is worth the flight. Lunch is included, as is all snorkel gear, life jackets, and 35 years of our crew’s experience reading these waters.
Black Friday and Cyber Monday: 30% off
For a limited time, Dolphins and You is offering 30% off as part of our Black Friday and Cyber Monday promotion.
Adults: $189 $132 · Kids: $146 $102 Book November 3 through December 7 for any tour date with code BFCM30.
*This discount does not apply to private charters.
This is one of the best times of year to lock in your Thanksgiving tour at a lower price. For more on what late November through March looks like on the water, see our guide to humpback whale season in Hawaii.
Departs from Waianae Boat Harbor, West Oahu. Free pickup from Waikiki or Ko Olina included. 8:00 AM and 12:00 PM departures daily.
Whale watching tour option
If your family wants to focus entirely on humpback whales, our partner tour Whales and You runs a dedicated whale watching experience from Waikiki during whale season (December through March).