| Hawaii Shark Encounters |
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| Hawaii Shark Encounters |
(13 Reviews)
Read Customer Reviews
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Hawaii Shark Encounters |
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¹ Participant and observer on boat same price
² Roundtrip from Waikiki. Only available for 7:00AM and 9:00AM trips.
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Get up close with nature's most feared predator - sharks! Hawaii Shark Encounters on Oahu's North Shore will take you out to the shark grounds a few miles offshore. Don your mask and snorkel, hop into the shark cage and check them out! |
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Hawaii Shark Encounters
Departing out of Haleiwa Harbor on Oahu's North Shore, after a three-mile (15-minute ride) you'll reach the shark grounds. On some days, dolphins escort the boat to the shark grounds and back. And if you do this trip between December and April, the majestic Pacific humpback whales are often seen. We visit a site where the sharks naturally occur and observe them as they go about their business.
So it's time to get in the cage. The water on the shark grounds is over 600 feet deep (200 m) and as clear as glass. Just getting in is a thrill, but don't worry, it's perfectly safe. There are vertical stairs leading down into the cage from the boat, and the cage itself has hand rails and foot rails. You can stay in the cage for about a half hour if you want to. From the security of the shark cage, you'll get an unobstructed view through the large Poly Glas windows (which seem to disappear when under water). So when that 10-foot long Galapagos shark presses his nose against the glass, it looks like he is coming right on in. Not to worry though, he's not getting in. In fact, if you press your nose against the glass you will be just one quarter of an inch away from the business end of one big shark!
Other sharks you may encounter include sandbar sharks, tiger sharks, gray reef sharks, hammerheads and very rarely, a great white! They all have one thing in common - they are very curious, completely unafraid and come very close to the shark cage. Sometimes there are over two dozen sharks! |
If you like a boat tour only and don't want to go into the cage, no problem! Observers are always welcome. For those of you who have nerves of steel and want to go into the cage for some thrilling views, it's good to know that there is absolutely no diving experience required. From underwater pros to non-swimmers who have never even been in the ocean before, this adventure is great for everyone. You'll stay near the surface all the time. All you need is a swimsuit (all snorkel gear is provided). But everyone is free to choose if they want to get in the cage or watch from the boat. Either way, you'll have a story to tell!
The Boat:
The shark boat is a32-foot long ten-foot wide Radon Boats. It has a swim step, fly bridge and a sun shade over the deck.
Powered by a 450-horsepower Cummins Turbo Diesel engine. Other amenities include cozy seating and an onboard hot freshwater shower. The boats are Coast Guard certified to carry 18 passengers but the tour is generally kept to a group of 12 people (unless you special request a booking for a large group of up to 18 people). |
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The Cage:
Accommodates up to eight people
The cage extends above the water, so you are not totally submerged unless you want to be
Features built-in hand & foot rails and a ladder
Two-foot by eight-foot wide Poly Glass viewing windows
Completely safe |
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| Map, Location and Schedule |
| Map |
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Haleiwa, Oahu, Hawaii |
Here's what the reviews said:
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| Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
| Start Time | 6:30am | | End Time | 8:30am |
| Start Time | 8:30am | | End Time | 10:30am |
| Start Time | 10:30am | | End Time | 12:30pm |
| Start Time | 12:30pm | | End Time | 2:30pm |
| | Start Time | 6:30am | | End Time | 8:30am |
| Start Time | 8:30am | | End Time | 10:30am |
| Start Time | 10:30am | | End Time | 12:30pm |
| Start Time | 12:30pm | | End Time | 2:30pm |
| | Start Time | 6:30am | | End Time | 8:30am |
| Start Time | 8:30am | | End Time | 10:30am |
| Start Time | 10:30am | | End Time | 12:30pm |
| Start Time | 12:30pm | | End Time | 2:30pm |
| | Start Time | 6:30am | | End Time | 8:30am |
| Start Time | 8:30am | | End Time | 10:30am |
| Start Time | 10:30am | | End Time | 12:30pm |
| Start Time | 12:30pm | | End Time | 2:30pm |
| | Start Time | 6:30am | | End Time | 8:30am |
| Start Time | 8:30am | | End Time | 10:30am |
| Start Time | 10:30am | | End Time | 12:30pm |
| Start Time | 12:30pm | | End Time | 2:30pm |
| | Start Time | 6:30am | | End Time | 8:30am |
| Start Time | 8:30am | | End Time | 10:30am |
| Start Time | 10:30am | | End Time | 12:30pm |
| Start Time | 12:30pm | | End Time | 2:30pm |
| | Start Time | 6:30am | | End Time | 8:30am |
| Start Time | 8:30am | | End Time | 10:30am |
| Start Time | 10:30am | | End Time | 12:30pm |
| Start Time | 12:30pm | | End Time | 2:30pm |
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Check in a half hour before departure. |
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No timeshare presentations... and guaranteed secure purchasing! |
| Details |
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Activity Highlights:- Opportunity to see sharks up close and in their natural environment, rather than in an aquarium
- Up to 30 minutes in the cage! But you can get out sooner if you want to.
- A fun boat ride out to the shark grounds
- Frequent sightings of spinner dolphins and green sea turtles
- Humpback whale sightings during whale season (December to April)
- Great photo opportunities, including underwater
- All snorkel gear provided
- Participant and observer same price
- Refreshments provided
When? - Please check-in 30 minutes prior to departure.
- The tour time is two hours.
Where? - Haleiwa Boat Harbor, Haleiwa, North Shore
Tips: - No experience is necessary. Even kids (5 and above) may participate!
- 100% safe
- Guaranteed shark sightings
- All you need to bring is your swimsuit (if you plan to go into the cage), towel and sunscreen.
- Bring an underwater camera for some great photos to show your friends at home!
- If you easily get motion sickness, it is highly recommended to take medication to prevent seasickness.
- Children under the age of 5 may not participate, also they may not go on the boat.
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| Hotel Pickup Information |
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Roundtrip transportation is available from designated Waikiki area hotels for an additional fee. If you are staying at a Waikiki hotel and wish to be picked up, please indicate your choice when booking this activity (please add "Roundtrip Transportation" to your shopping cart). Please be sure we have your correct email address as we will send you pick-up information times and locations via email.
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| Driving
Directions |
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Take the H1 freeway west from Honolulu to the H2 freeway north.
Stay on H2 until freeway ends (8 miles) and becomes Route 99.
After freeway ends, go straight through 4 stoplights then turn right at the sign indicating "North Shore." Follow the signs towards North Shore/Haleiwa, staying on Route 99. Go through "Historic" Haleiwa town (1 mile) then turn left immediately after the 76 gas station on left side of road.
Turn right into the Haleiwa Boat Harbor at the green harbor sign. Stay to the right then drive out to the big 2 story building in the middle of the harbor and park next to the Hawaii Shark Encounters sign.
The Kainani will be moored at the loading dock or on her way!
Notes:
There are two shark boats operating out of Haleiwa Harbor. Make sure you find Hawaii Shark Encounters.
Approximate mileage from Waikiki to Haleiwa: ~30 miles (~48 KM),
Approximate driving time from Waikiki to Haleiwa: ~ 1 hour
Recommended: leave Waikiki 1hr+45min before your tour time. |
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| Reviews |
Write your own review
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Hawaii Shark Encounters!
Reviewer: T.J.
(New York City, United States)
August 4, 2009
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Great experience! Rich and Phil were very knowledgeable and enthusiastic captains. We saw about 8 sharks that were swimming around our cage for about 30 minutes. Definitely a once in a lifetime experience for those seeking a little adventure and want to do something instead of just sitting on the beach. Highly recommended! |
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This is an amazing experience - sharks!
Reviewer: Chicago Tourist
(Chicago, IL, USA)
April 1, 2009
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The shark encounter is amazing and something we will never forget. There were plenty of big sharks the whole time we were in the cage. Our 16 year old son wanted to do this so we went along (we're 50) and the whole family loved it. The ocean was rough and we were glad we took Dramamine and didn't eat before we went. We took the earliest tour because that's when the ocean is calmest but it was still a wild ride in a fairly small boat. Another passenger got sick so it may not be for everyone but if you prepare it seems to go well. Our crew was Phil and Chris and they were great - friendly and helpful and most importantly made it all feel safe. If you want to do something really different - sign up for this awesome fun! |
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My favorite activity!
Reviewer: Michelle
(Kentucky, USA)
March 25, 2009
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The Hawaii Shark tour is awesome. I think this was my favorite part of our trip. I thought I would be a little frightened but I was not. I would definitely do this again. One word of caution, if you are prone to sea sickness, definitely take precautions. Also, if you cannot swim and are in doubt about whether to do this, don't worry. I can't swim and had no problems at all. |
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Fun & Safe!
Reviewer: Lily & Alex
(Huston TX, USA)
June 9, 2008
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My son and I went on this adventure, and we are really glad we did! At first, it was a little unnerving to go over the side of the boat and into the cage, as we could already see the sharks swimming around it. But the crew were great n showed us how to get in the cage safely and easily - there is a permanent ladder that goes down into the cage, so you step right off the boat and down into the cage. Soon we discovered that the only killer is the view from the cage of the sharks themselves. The sharks are really curious, and come right along the side of the cage, but they never make a move like trying to bite at anyone. The crewman said that no one has ever gotten bit on one of their excursions, but of-course they told us not to tempt fate and to keep all our limbs INSIDE the cage. One note - if you are prone to sea sickness, be sure to take your meds in advance! I got some awesome underwater pictures that make even my landlubbing friends envious! |
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A must!!!!
Reviewer: Tom and Lisa Koch
(gainesville, Fl., USA)
May 17, 2008
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I was pretty scared at first. After the crew explained everything about the dive I was totally relaxed. This should be a MUST DO on your vacation. We did this trip the first day of our vacation and talked about for the next week. Thanks for the wonderful memories!!!!!! |
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The best thing I have ever done before. I would rate it 5+
Reviewer: DMFOREVER
(Kyiv, Ukraine)
March 24, 2008
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This was absolutely unbelievable! Just do this and I am sure you will never regret! |
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Best part of my vacation!
Reviewer: Abby
(San Diego, United States)
January 16, 2008
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WOW, what an AMAZING experience! My brother & I had so much fun, despite the weather! The sharks literally surrounded the boat and the staff was great! When you get in the shark cage, it is surreal! The sharks are swimming all around you. We were surrounded by Galapagos sharks when we went and they were huge! This is a must do if you're going to Oahu. The staff was so nice and so calming. Phil was great! We enjoyed it so much that we'll definitely be booking our 2nd shark adventure when we go back to Hawaii...! |
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The HIGHLIGHT of our Hawaii Trip
Reviewer: Shark Lovers
(New York, USA)
December 27, 2007
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We signed up for Shark Encounter expecting to see a few small sharks and some fish - WOW, were we in for a surprise!!! At least TWENTY gorgeous 6-8 foot Galapagos and Sand Bar sharks graced us with their presence. This incredible cage experience was just like you see on Discovery Channel; you get right up close and personal with these most fascinating of predators. The crew is just terrific and they made every effort to insure that this experience would be unforgettable for us. Do NOT leave Hawaii without doing this Shark Encounter. And GET THE VIDEO...when you return home you can amaze everyone with a nifty little docu-drama starring YOU and THE SHARKS!!! |
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Carolyn & Yee's Trip
Reviewer: Yee Feng
(Seattle, WA, USA)
October 29, 2007
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The Shark Encounter was incredible from beginning to end. The crew was knowledgeable and very personable, the sharks were as awe-inspiring as we expected they would be, and the day was absolutely perfect! We were amazed at how the crew was able to interact with the sharks - touching them on the noze and flipping the tiger sharks over when they came up to boat! We've already started referring our friends to go! |
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Hawaii Shark Encounters
Reviewer: Smashley
(Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA)
October 9, 2007
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Freaking amazing. The coolest thing I did while I was in Hawaii. Being within inches of 13 foot tiger sharks was awesome and the crew on the boat were all way cool especially Phillip. He fed the tiger sharks. That was my favorite part. |
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Fantastic!
Reviewer: Shark Lover
(Gloucester, VA, USA)
September 2, 2007
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A life time experience, so glad we got the chance. I would suggest this trip to anyone - I would love to do it again! And we must compliment the crew for the great time! |
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Fantastic Hawaii Shark Encounters
Reviewer: JBLB
(Richmond, KY, USA)
July 9, 2007
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This was a great trip! Besides the beautiful ocean, the boatsmen were very nice and friendly as well as informative. There were at least 15 sharks circling the cage, but we always felt safe. It was really awesome to be so close to the sharks. Four of us went on the trip, from ages 19-49, and everyone of us felt like it was the highlight of our trip to the islands! I run out of adjectives to describe it...wonderful, fantastic, awesome, beautiful, thrilling...you get the picture! |
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Definitely a Repeat Customer
Reviewer: Ephy
(Toronto, Canada)
June 14, 2007
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I had the great pleasure of taking this tour this past January with my wife and daughter. Our guides were very helpful and informative. We were also fortunate that the ocean swells were not too large as we went first thing in the morning. We were lucky enough to view the humpback whale on two occasions on our way to the cage. Watching the sand bar sharks (6-8 ft.in length) come to the surface and swim curiously around the cage and bang up against the plexiglass was very exciting. We were able to get some fabulous underwater pictures of these beautiful creatures as they continued to circle the cage the entire time. Hopefully, next time we will have the opportunity to see a tiger or great white.
What a rush!!
Can't wait to return.
One lesson we did learn is that motion sickness pills must be taken as directed with enough time to take effect. We took the pills about 15 minutes before leaving the harbour which was not enough time for the effects to kick in. That's ok. It was still the a wonderful experience.
Thank you |
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