Shark Diving Hawaii Tours – Experience the Rush

Sharks are one of the most fascinating creatures on the planet. Yet for 99% of us, the closest we’ll ever get is jaw-dropping YouTube videos, terrifying news stories, or captivating images.

And for 99% of us that is good enough. However, if you’ve got a little daredevil inside you. If you’re a risk taker. If you love stepping out of your comfort zone and experiencing the thrill of adventure. Then a shark diving tour in Oahu is just what the doctor ordered.

Coming face to face with one of the most dangerous creatures known to man is something very few people in this world can say. You are feet, if not inches away from the sharks at any given moment. Luckily, sharks get a bad rap and pose no real threat as they glide effortlessly through the ocean water.

CRUISE

DETAILS

So, before we dive in, here’s six reasons why you should embark on a cage diving adventure:

So, now that you’ve decided to embark on this once-in-a-lifetime cage-diving adventure. What can you expect?

Our Favorite Shark Tours in Hawaii

There are plenty of different shark tours to choose from, but we recommend two, based on customer reviews, pricing, and the likelihood of seeing the most sharks as possible. In fact, the best thing about both of these tours is that you’re guaranteed to see sharks! If you don’t, you get a full 100% refund. So, there’s no risk on your end.

Here’s a brief overview of how the tours compare to each other.

TOUR #1: SHARK ADVENTURES – Cage Diving Tour in Hawaii

This tour takes you three miles off the North Shore of Oahu for some wild North Shore shark adventures. On your way out to sea, don’t be surprised if you encounter sea turtles, dolphins, and occasionally the Humpback whale. Once you’re out there, the experienced and knowledgeable crew will educate you on Hawaiian sharks and safety precautions.

After all safety instructions have been given, the real fun begins. You get into the shark cage off Oahu’s north shore with up to 8 other people (perfect for large groups or families). This is where the rubber meets the road and your adrenaline hits levels you didn’t even know were possible.

Equipped with your mask and snorkel, you’re able to peer out into the clear blue sea and finally see the sharks up close and personal like never before. Expect to see Galapagos, Sandbar, and Tiger sharks. This activity is truly breathtaking and a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

The great thing about this tour is it’s not rushed. It’s 2-hours of north shore shark adventures, so you’ll have plenty of time to marvel at not only the sharks but other sea life as well such as whales (whale watching is seasonal) and barracudas.

If you’re feeling nervous, that’s perfectly normal. After all, we’re still talking about sharks here! However, the crew is great at making you feel comfortable and relaxed throughout the trip.

One thing to note though is that many people experience motion sickness on the three-mile boat ride out to the destination. The water can be quite choppy at times, so we definitely recommend taking some Dramamine to avoid getting sick. But, even if you do get sick, you’ll still have an amazing time as one reviewer noted.

To really make the trip last a lifetime, we suggest bringing your own underwater camera for your Hawaii shark encounters, or getting the addon and having the tour company film a video for you. This way you can enjoy the experience as you swim with sharks and relive the moment over and over again.

What to Bring With You

Make sure to bring a change of clothes, towels, hat, swimwear, sunglasses, or any other beach items you find necessary. A snorkel, mask, and drinking water are provided by the host, but be sure you bring some suntan lotion and snacks.

To quickly recap, here are the pros and cons of the Shark Encounter tour:

TOUR #2: SHARK ENCOUNTER – Poly Glass Shark Diving Tour

The Shark Encounter tour is virtually identical to the Shark Adventures tour. Same duration of 2 hours. You travel 3 miles off of North Shore Oahu. Amazing crew and educational info are given. And of course, you’ll see sharks up close and personal!

The main difference is that with this tour, there are poly glass windows instead of a shark cage protecting you. With the cage, you’re able to reach out and touch the sharks (although not recommended!). With the poly glass you’re still inches away, but there’s an added layer of safety as they can’t get to you, and you can’t get to them. This is great if you want to see the shark swimming along with other marine life, but don’t want the added fear that shark cage tours present.

So, if you want an adventure but with a little bit more safety added on, this is the tour for you. This tour is only $115.50 vs. $120, but we doubt $5 is going to sway you either way. Just depends on if you want to experience the sharks in a cage or through the poly glass. Everything else is virtually identical.

This tour also has received outstanding reviews.

“Amazing boat ride with a great, friendly, and knowledgeable crew. Gopro footage was amazing and well worth the $$$” – Review of the Shark Encounter

To quickly recap, here are the pros and cons of the Shark Encounter tour:

TOUR #3: SHARK RESEARCH SNORKEL – Best Educational Shark Diving Tour

This is a tour that’ll take you about three miles off Oahu’s North Shore for some wild adventure and a close encounter with various types of sharks such as Sandbar, Galapagos and Tiger sharks. That’s not all; you should expect to encounter dolphins, sea turtles, and if you get really lucky, the Humpback whale. This tour offers a 100% guarantee that you’ll come across as many sharks as permissible by the weather. As with the other tours, there’s a 100% refund if you don’t see any sharks at all.

Compared to the other two tours, this shark tour is more concentrated on the education and research aspects. While you’re out at sea, you’ll learn about the physiology, biology, as well as behavior of these majestic creatures.

The other major difference with this tour is that you get to snorkel with the sharks! Whereas with the others, you’re in a cage, protected from the sharks, with this one, you’re out in the wild, face to face with sharks and other marine life.

So, if you’re an adrenaline junkie, this is definitely the tour for you. Even though you’re swimming in the open though, your safety is their #1 priority. They’re so good at safety that they’ve had ZERO incidents, with a 100% safety record since they began doing tours.

What to Bring

Although they provide you with various diving gadgets such as masks, snorkels, fins, and rash guards, it’s important to bring with you two towels, sunglasses, biodegradable sunscreen, a GoPro or water camera, some clothes to change if you want to, as well as any other equipment that you may find necessary. For instance, many guests choose to carry snacks, a wet suit, and drinking water.

Overall this is an awesome tour and perfect for those who want to swim next to the sharks in open water. While a bit riskier, it’s definitely worth it for those looking to get the true out-in-the-wild experience.

To recap, here are the pros and cons of the Shark Research Snorkel tour:

TOUR #3: SHARK RESEARCH SNORKEL – Best Educational Shark Diving Tour

This is a tour that’ll take you about three miles off Oahu’s North Shore for some wild adventure and a close encounter with various types of sharks such as Sandbar, Galapagos and Tiger sharks. That’s not all; you should expect to encounter dolphins, sea turtles, and if you get really lucky, the Humpback whale. This tour offers a 100% guarantee that you’ll come across as many sharks as permissible by the weather. As with the other tours, there’s a 100% refund if you don’t see any sharks at all.

Compared to the other two tours, this shark tour is more concentrated on the education and research aspects. While you’re out at sea, you’ll learn about the physiology, biology, as well as behavior of these majestic creatures.

The other major difference with this tour is that you get to snorkel with the sharks! Whereas with the others, you’re in a cage, protected from the sharks, with this one, you’re out in the wild, face to face with sharks and other marine life.

So, if you’re an adrenaline junkie, this is definitely the tour for you. Even though you’re swimming in the open though, your safety is their #1 priority. They’re so good at safety that they’ve had ZERO incidents, with a 100% safety record since they began doing tours.

What to Bring

Although they provide you with various diving gadgets such as masks, snorkels, fins and rash guards, it’s important to bring with you two towels, sunglasses, biodegradable sunscreen, a GoPro or water camera, some clothes to change if you want to, as well as any other equipment that you may find necessary. For instance, many guests choose to carry snacks, a wet suit and drinking water.

Overall this is an awesome tour and perfect for those who want to swim next to the sharks in open water. While a bit riskier, it’s definitely worth it for those looking to get the true out-in-the-wild experience.

To recap, here are the pros and cons of the Shark Research Snorkel tour:

Final Thoughts

You only get one life. Many people coast through life without pushing the limits or overcoming their fears. Do you want to look back on your vacation 20 years from now and say what if? Or, do you want to take part in something that takes you out of your comfort zone and gives you an experience most people only dream of. These are ranked among the top tours on Oahu for a reason.

Drinking pina coladas on the beach is great. Going out to dinner with your friends and family is a blast. But diving with sharks? That’s something you can sit around the table and relive for years to come. Telling everyone about that one time you decided to let the daredevil inside of you out. If you do. You won’t regret it.