On the Water
2 hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this reservation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Recommended by 96% of travelers
96% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
from
$150
per adult
Island View Hawaii
Island View Hawaii
5
Scuba & SnorkellingShark DivingSwim with DolphinsBoat ToursDolphin & Whale Watching
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About
The Original Hawaiian Shark Tour. We are a family owned and operated boat tour company out of Hale'iwa Harbor. We have pioneered the Shark Tour industry in Hawai'i to teach respect for our culture, the ocean, and its inhabitants. Here at Island View Hawai'i, we continue to share, receive knowledge, and perpetuate our lifestyle in the ocean for future generations. Come aboard the Mo'o with our crew and let us show you a piece of our Hawai'i.
Haleiwa, Hawaii
Meets animal welfare guidelines
Awards
Travelers' Choice
2024
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Extreme Sports
2 hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this reservation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Recommended by 97% of travelers
97% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
from
$150
$135
per adult
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
1,091 reviews
Excellent
1,034
Very good
34
Average
11
Poor
5
Terrible
7
LJC
London, UK23 contributions
Jan 2020
I had the great privilege of spending a morning with the guys at Island View and I'd recommend to anyone who is thinking of doing this - DO IT!
I grew up with a fear of open water and a result, never swim in the ocean. That paired with a completely irrational fear of sharks, which was really only based on Hollywood's portrayal of them as killers, made everyone think I was completely nuts when I decided to book this dive.
I was quietly anxious in the run up to the Thursday morning trip and didn't say a word in the car on the 50 minute drive from Honolulu to Haleiwa! Once I got to the boat and met the guys, their warm demeanour and cracking jokes immediately put me at ease. The team went through a safety briefing and told us what kind of sharks we might encounter and how to behave in the water. They also asked that we leave any ideas, or anything we think we might know (or fear!) about sharks on the shore and go out with a completely open mind.
A quick ride out to the water, which included the treat of seeing some humpbacks breaching the water, and we were ready to hit the water. I'll admit I had a flash of "I cant do this" before adrenaline kicked in and I threw myself off the boat and into the warm water of the Pacific along with the other 4 divers!
Before long, we were joined by a Galapagos Shark, and then another. They came quite close but oddly, I never worried, I actually found the whole thing quite peaceful (once I managed to kind of regulate my breathing!). We had the added bonus of being able to hear the whales singing underwater which was absolutely magical! There were also lots of little fish swimming around, jellyfish and other translucent creatures. After about 25 minutes in the water and the captain told us we had about 3 minutes left, a small crab tried to make my face its new home and that was my cue to be done! I got back onto the boat feeling like I had a new lease of life! I had looked my fears in the eye and ploughed right through them. It felt amazing!
A quick boat ride back to the harbour and we had the opportunity to purchase the photos they had taken, which of course everyone did!
That is honestly a day that will stay with me for the rest of my life and I cannot thank the guys at Island View enough for the experience. It was thoroughly enjoyable and in the interest of honesty, the guys are really easy on the eye so that helps!!
Just book the dive, you wont regret it!
I grew up with a fear of open water and a result, never swim in the ocean. That paired with a completely irrational fear of sharks, which was really only based on Hollywood's portrayal of them as killers, made everyone think I was completely nuts when I decided to book this dive.
I was quietly anxious in the run up to the Thursday morning trip and didn't say a word in the car on the 50 minute drive from Honolulu to Haleiwa! Once I got to the boat and met the guys, their warm demeanour and cracking jokes immediately put me at ease. The team went through a safety briefing and told us what kind of sharks we might encounter and how to behave in the water. They also asked that we leave any ideas, or anything we think we might know (or fear!) about sharks on the shore and go out with a completely open mind.
A quick ride out to the water, which included the treat of seeing some humpbacks breaching the water, and we were ready to hit the water. I'll admit I had a flash of "I cant do this" before adrenaline kicked in and I threw myself off the boat and into the warm water of the Pacific along with the other 4 divers!
Before long, we were joined by a Galapagos Shark, and then another. They came quite close but oddly, I never worried, I actually found the whole thing quite peaceful (once I managed to kind of regulate my breathing!). We had the added bonus of being able to hear the whales singing underwater which was absolutely magical! There were also lots of little fish swimming around, jellyfish and other translucent creatures. After about 25 minutes in the water and the captain told us we had about 3 minutes left, a small crab tried to make my face its new home and that was my cue to be done! I got back onto the boat feeling like I had a new lease of life! I had looked my fears in the eye and ploughed right through them. It felt amazing!
A quick boat ride back to the harbour and we had the opportunity to purchase the photos they had taken, which of course everyone did!
That is honestly a day that will stay with me for the rest of my life and I cannot thank the guys at Island View enough for the experience. It was thoroughly enjoyable and in the interest of honesty, the guys are really easy on the eye so that helps!!
Just book the dive, you wont regret it!
Written February 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Elizabeth H
3 contributions
Oct 2021
After months of researching companies I decided to book with Island View (first found on Instagram), and they did not disappoint! I was pretty nervous about shark sightings since we didn't go at the peak of shark season, but as our guide told us right before we hopped in, "the waters were looking sharky" that day. We saw MULTIPLE Galapagos and sandbar sharks. We even got to see two hammerhead sharks! One of the safety divers mentioned how rare it was to see them, so that was cool. On our way in, we saw multiple spinner dolphins jumping out of the water. I didn't spot them at first, but the guides slowed down so we could see them!
The staff was excellent as well. They were all very personable and comfortable with our group, which was great! I didn't feel like I was with a big company who just wanted my money. I really felt like they wanted us to see the sharks and learn about them. which is exactly what I wanted for this excursion.
On our trip, we received hundreds of photos and a good amount of videos with great resolution of us diving with sharks. They AirDropped all the media to us immediately, and we did not have to pay for the photos at this time, so I had everything I wanted before I even left the boat.
If we find ourselves in Oahu in the future, I will be booking with this company again. We loved every minute of this experience and it truly is all thanks to Island View Hawaii!
The staff was excellent as well. They were all very personable and comfortable with our group, which was great! I didn't feel like I was with a big company who just wanted my money. I really felt like they wanted us to see the sharks and learn about them. which is exactly what I wanted for this excursion.
On our trip, we received hundreds of photos and a good amount of videos with great resolution of us diving with sharks. They AirDropped all the media to us immediately, and we did not have to pay for the photos at this time, so I had everything I wanted before I even left the boat.
If we find ourselves in Oahu in the future, I will be booking with this company again. We loved every minute of this experience and it truly is all thanks to Island View Hawaii!
Written October 28, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kait808
Ewa Beach, HI1 contribution
Dec 2021
The crew is incredibly kind and created a safe atmosphere for everyone on the boat. As a marine biologist, I wanted to highlight that the crew's explanation of shark behavior was perfect. I was really proud and filled with joy to see the crew explain, the harmful and negative picture the media has given sharks over the decades. By the end of the tour people were talking about coming back and bringing their friends. I really admire Island View Hawaii for their education and shark outreach!!
Anyone curious about sharks should give this tour a chance. The crew is well trained and will makes your feel safe. I promise by the end of the tour any negative perceptions of sharks will be gone.
Anyone curious about sharks should give this tour a chance. The crew is well trained and will makes your feel safe. I promise by the end of the tour any negative perceptions of sharks will be gone.
Written December 20, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dwayne C
3 contributions
Feb 2020
The guys were very professional and focused on getting us all in the best situation to see sharks!
They worked hard to educate us on what to expect, focus our attention in the water and capture a lot of candid photos so we could focus on how amazing it was to swim with a graceful shark. Thanks so much.
Dwayne
They worked hard to educate us on what to expect, focus our attention in the water and capture a lot of candid photos so we could focus on how amazing it was to swim with a graceful shark. Thanks so much.
Dwayne
Written February 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ShannonDunne
1 contribution
Feb 2022
From the confirmation email we knew we were in good hands- clear directions on where to go was important (as we struggled with that on other activities). The boat allowed for a small group, max 8 people so the crew could pay attention to all divers equally. I felt well prepared and safe with the equipment they provided. Although cameras were not allowed in the water- they take photos for you and aridrop/send them for free after! I booked because of a friend's recommendation who had gone a couple months prior, and I will continue to recommend Island View to my friends as well!
Written March 1, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mireas97
1 contribution
May 2022 • Family
This was our first time in Oahu and it was really one of our first times snorkeling in the deep/drop off. The boat captain and head diver were so knowledgeable about the Hawaiian philosophy about the sea and nature as well as how to navigate this scary but exhilarating experience. It was much better being in a more intimate setting vs a group dive with 40 participants - I felt safer and more secure that if something were to happen, I would be ok.
They gave us free ocean photos of our dive and videos of the sharks we encountered - I still can't believe that we did this but now we have the proof! Thank you for such an amazing experience IslandView Hawaii!
They gave us free ocean photos of our dive and videos of the sharks we encountered - I still can't believe that we did this but now we have the proof! Thank you for such an amazing experience IslandView Hawaii!
Written May 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
wsavage666
1 contribution
Mar 2020 • Family
This charter is a smaller boat (no large crowd) making the experience Quaint and personal. The crew was amazing. my 12 year old son had never snorkeled before and I wasn't going to let him get in the water. The dive master assured me that they could give him the attention he needed to swim with the sharks with us. the whole crew were amazing and I will be going again when I get back to the island!
Written March 27, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marie V
2 contributions
Sep 2021
Such a cool experience! The guys do a great job of explaining everything that is going to happen, putting your mind at ease before you step in the water. They keep a close eye on everybody while in the water and are happy to make accommodations to keep everybody comfortable. It's even cooler that they give you a ton of pictures at the end of your experience! Would recommend anybody visiting the north shore take time to visit the sharks with this crew!
Written September 13, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andrew D
2 contributions
Aug 2021 • Family
I have done a few different excursions with sharks before, but this one was by far the best. The crew was great and there were a ton of sharks. It was very peaceful to view these magnificent animals in their own environment without a cage. With our experienced crew, none of us ever felt concerned for our safety. The next time I am in Hawaii, I will definitely do this again with Island View Hawaii.
Written August 26, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sharri
Hillsboro, OR5 contributions
Jan 2024
Braxton, Pono, and Sam took us on our dive in the open sea with sharks. They were thorough, clear, fun, and extremely capable leading us on this incredible adventure, and air dropped us gorgeous pics free of charge at the end of our time. We love that this is the original, long-standing, family-run company and highly recommend them!
Written January 22, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
My 11 year old daughter wants to do this. How strong of a swimmer do you need to be? Floatation devices ok?
Written February 18, 2019
Ps: the dolphines come out every morning no need for tour its so amazing!!!
Written February 18, 2019
Has there been any attacks, how can they ensure your safety thank yoy
Written December 28, 2018
Has there been any attacks, how can they ensure your safety thank yoy
Written December 28, 2018
There have not been any attacks that we had heard of. I felt they took precautions to keep us safe. The guide was very attentive and knowledgeable about the sharks behavior. But, you are swimming freely with sharks and it's up to you how comfortable you would be doing it. The experience was incredible for me and one of the best things I have ever done!!
Written December 29, 2018
How close can you get to the sharks? Is there free swim or do I have to stay on the top of the water with others?
Written July 26, 2018
At first you go as a group and let the sharks know we aren’t a threat! They will tell you when it’s safe to free dive down and how close to ge to them. They are wild sharks, so you don’t want to disturb their natural state. It was a pretty amazing experience! Would definitely recommend doing it!
Written July 27, 2018
Is there a best time to go? I was looking at their website and they had different times, from 6am to noon, to 4pm...
Written June 30, 2018
We went early in the morning. That was recommended to us because the waters can get rougher later in the day and if it gets too rough they have to cancel the trip. So we went early in the morning it was a nice smooth ride out there and great shark sightings.
Written July 7, 2018
How long are you actually in the water with the sharks?
Written May 27, 2018
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*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.