Where to see turtles in Waikiki for free + tours (Outrigger Reef beach + Turtle Canyon snorkeling!) Oahu Hawaii travel tips

ALOHA!

If you want a good chance to see turtles when you’re in Waikiki, then one spot you will want to go to is the beach right in front of the Outrigger Reef hotel!

You don’t need to be staying at the Outrigger Reef to go here.

It’s a pretty low-key area, and you can just walk out onto the concrete walkway that’s in front of the beach to look for turtles near the end of the walkway, or really anywhere along the side of it.

I don’t know whether to call this a concrete walkway or pier or jetty… but you get the idea! 🤪 Google maps calls it a “rock jetty.”

Turtles are not always there so there’s no guarantee, but if you’re in the area it’s worth a look! Plus it’s just a nice walk with amazing views.

I’ll show you below where to go and what to do afterwards while you’re in the area!

 

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Have fun looking for turtles, but whether you’re in Waikiki or elsewhere on Oahu, be sure to show ALOHA to the HONU!

honu = turtles!

The people of Hawaii take respecting sea turtles very seriously!

In short, this means be sure to give turtles space, LOOK but don’t touch, and don’t feed the turtles!

Learn more about Hawaii and its sea turtles from the Hawaii Wildlife Fund and State of Hawaii.

 

 

Sometimes the turtles are just swimming around really close to the walkway that’s at the Outrigger Reef hotel beach. It’s easy to miss if you didn’t know to look for them! But now you know!

This means that you don’t even need to get in the water for a chance to see turtles swimming! You can just stand there and watch.

That said, sea turtles are wild so there’s never any guarantee!

 

👆 I was walking on the rock jetty in Waikiki and a turtle popped its head up! There’s Diamond Head in the background!

 

👆 There’s a turtle swimming around the rock jetty!

 

For a much better guarantee of seeing turtles, you need to go to Turtle Canyon in Waikiki. For this, you will need a snorkeling tour though, since this isn’t snorkeling directly from the beach. See the official info and read the reviews.

You can also make it a bigger Hawaiian adventure by making it a kayak, surf, and snorkeling turtle tour! See the official info and read the reviews.

 

If you need an excuse to go to the Outrigger Reef beach so you won’t be too disappointed if you don’t see a turtle, Steak Shack makes for a good excuse. It’s a food spot right at the beach where you can eat a classic Hawaiian plate lunch! The thing to order is a steak and/or chicken plate lunch. I’ve had this twice! (Read the reviews from others.)

Then afterwards, you can go for a walk along the oceanfront Fort DeRussy boardwalk towards the Hilton Hawaiian Village. It’s a 10 minute walk or so.

And this means that if you are staying at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, you can go for an easy morning walk to the Outrigger Reef pier to see if you can spot some turtles every morning!

 

👆 The Fort DeRussy Boardwalk leads from right around the turtle spot to the Hilton Hawaiian Village! It’s about a 10 minute walk (map). Kahanamoku Beach is in front of the Hilton Hawaiian Village. To find the turtle spot at the Outrigger Reef beach, you can look for “rock jetty” on google maps. I’ve also seen reports of people who have seen turtles while snorkeling at the beach in front of the Hilton Hawaiian Village too. (Although I didn’t see any when I went snorkeling there, but maybe you will!)

 

👆 Walk straight out to the end of the concrete walkway from the beach!

 

👆 Look down to see if there are any sea turtles swimming around!

 

👆 Spot the people! That’s the turtle viewing spot. It is possible that waves come crashing over the walkway, so you might want to wear footwear that you don’t mind getting wet! And take care!

 

👆 If you’re coming from further away, there’s a bus stop near the turtle spot too! The exact bus stop may vary based on your route, but it will be a 5 to 10 minute walk! There’s a walkway that leads straight to the beach and rock jetty. Explore the map.

 

 

Quick travel tips when you’re OFF TO WAIKIKI!

The biggest chance to see turtles in Waikiki is to do the Turtle Canyon snorkeling tour! Read the reviews.

For the best chance to see turtles for free in Waikiki, go to the beach out in front of the Outrigger Reef hotel and walk out onto the walkway and look down.

Eat at Steak Shack while you’re here! You can order a steak plate, chicken plate, or a steak and chicken combo plate!

Come back here at night for the Friday night fireworks! This spot to see turtles is the same area that’s my favorite spot to watch the fireworks.

After you’ve (hopefully!) spotted turtles, walk towards the Hilton Hawaiian Village for an oceanfront walk along the Fort DeRussy boardwalk! (It’s like 10 minutes to get there.) The Hilton Hawaiian Village is as seen on Hawaii Five-0. If you want to see more as seen on TV sights, there is the Hawaii Five-0 tour!

For a fun Hawaii experience that comes with a chance to see turtles and dolphins, you will also want to consider the glass bottom boat tour! There is not the BEST chance, but even if you don’t see turtles, it comes with time out on the water! Read the reviews.

 

Happy seeing turtles in Waikiki!