How to choose a boat tour company that protects Hawai‘i’s waters, wildlife, and communities.
Getting out on the water and exploring the marine ecosystems in Hawai‘i is one of the most magical things you can do on your visit to the islands. For many travelers, their snorkel tour or dive trip experience become the highlight of their trip. And yet, below the surface, there are impacts beyond what we can see, like the impact of our presence on fragile marine ecosystems and the pressure tourism places on local communities. There are hundreds of boat tour operators to choose from, but the difference between companies that take from the ocean and companies that care for it is immense! So how do you choose who to book with?
At Travaras, we believe travel can regenerate a place, not consume it. We believe that where you spend your dollars is a vote for the future you want to create. And when it comes to boat tours, one of Hawai‘i’s most popular activities, your choice can genuinely shape the health of the ocean and the wellbeing of the people who call Hawai‘i home.
This is not a list of “nice boats.” Instead, it’s tips on how to think about who you book with, and why it matters. It’s my personal framework for regenerative tourism, and a guide to the ocean operators who are actively protecting Hawai‘i’s waters, wildlife, and culture. In my nearly two decades working across hospitality, sustainability, and travel-tech, I’ve learned that you cannot judge a tour company by a website banner that says eco-friendly, or the five-star rating they may have on TripAdvisor or Google. Sustainability should never just be a marketing play which results in greenwashing.
Here’s what I look for in a company before booking:
- Local Ownership and Local Leadership - I choose companies that are locally owned and operated, with staff who call Hawai‘i home. Why does this matter? Because the money stays in the community, supporting local jobs and stewardship, not flowing off-island to corporations or investment groups. Your experience should benefit the people who carry the knowledge of this place, not outsiders extracting from it.
- Demonstrated Commitment to Sustainability - I look beyond marketing buzzwords like eco-friendly or sustainable, and instead, search for actual certifications or credentials, such as Sustainable Tourism Association of Hawai‘i (STAH), Qurator Certified, B-Corp, or 1% for the Planet. These third party verifications are audited and ensure these operators are practicing what they preach.
- Community + Cultural Integration - Much of what makes Hawai‘i so special is the people and the culture, and tour operators have the responsibility to share and perpetuate culture, and support their communities in which they operate. I look for tour companies that have Cultural Practitioners on staff, that host community work days, or give back to local nonprofits.
- Wildlife Respect + Marine Ethics - A regenerative tour company will never chase dolphins or whales, never allow touching or feeding marine life (unless it’s in a controlled environment like a coral restoration nursery), and they will educate guests about reef-safe sunscreen and ocean etiquette. Always look for programs like NOAA Dolphin SMART certifications, which ensures companies don’t pursue, chase, or swim with dolphins.
With this framework in mind, these are just a few of the boat tour companies whose choices align with our values, and whose actions demonstrate their commitment to Hawai‘i, its land, and their people.
ISLAND OF HAWAI‘I
Body Glove Hawai‘i, Kailua-Kona
Body Glove Hawai‘i is one of those rare companies where you feel the difference the moment you step on board. They’re locally owned and operated, and their leadership doesn’t just speak about sustainability, they live and breathe it. I’ve had the great opportunity to get to know the owners of Body Glove over the years and I absolutely love what they’re doing. In previous years, Michael Bell has even sat on the Board of the Sustainable Tourism Association of Hawai‘i, helping drive sustainability forward on the islands. They have invested deeply in reducing single-use plastics onboard, they source all food locally and responsibly, and have a Cultural Practitioner on staff who shares the stories of Hawai‘i’s coastline with guests, not as entertainment, but as lineage. And when it comes to taking care of their staff, they have unique employee benefits, like a rainy day fund for employees to take a personal loan out for emergencies and pay back over time. These people-focused benefits truly make the difference between a thriving community versus one that is exploited.
On their historical sunset cruise, you hear the mo‘olelo (stories) of place, the genealogy of the land, and the history that shaped Hawai‘i today. Their crew members are warm, present, and deeply attentive, reflecting a culture of care that extends far beyond customer service whether you’re out on their deluxe snorkel tour or cruising on their super-raft.
We also partnered with Body Glove and ʻĀkoʻakoʻa to create our very first Philanthropy Immersion, to give you a super special insight into coral restoration that creates a lasting impact. Check it out here.
KAUA‘I
Holo Holo Charters, Līhu‘e / Port Allen
When I think about sustainability and ocean experiences, I think of Holo Holo Charters. I always say, they are the ultimate poster-child for how to be as sustainable as possible when owning and running a company. Chandra, the owner of Holo Holo Charters has also sat on the Board for the Sustainable Tourism Association of Hawai‘i, but their efforts in sustainability go beyond these certification programs. Holo Holo has been operating with sustainability in-mind since Day 1. In the early days of starting their family-run company, they were one of the first to experiment with biodiesel, long before sustainability became a tourism trend. While that experiment didn’t work out (their engines famously smelled like French fries), the spirit behind it still defines who they are: Bold, curious, and willing to try, fail, and try again in service of the ocean. Holo Holo Charters was also one of the first boat tour companies on Kaua‘i to eliminate single-use tableware onboard and to partner with the Surfrider Foundation to become an Ocean Friendly Restaurant. Even more, they provide guests with reef-safe sunscreen on every boat and use these moments as opportunities to educate visitors on marine conservation and ocean safety.
Today, Holo Holo Charters is one of Kaua‘i’s few operators recognized by NOAA’s Dolphin SMART program, meaning they adhere to the highest standards of wildlife protection, never chasing or encroaching on dolphins for the sake of a better photo op. You can experience their hospitality and emphasis on sustainability on their Nāpali Coast Snorkel Sail, their Sunset Dinner Sail, or if you’re feeling adventurous, get out on their full-day Ni‘i Hau & Nāpali Coast Super Snorkel Tour.
MAUI
Sail Trilogy Cruises, Lāhainā / Mā‘alaea
Trilogy is one of the longest standing, family owned and operated businesses in Maui that truly restores my faith in tourism. Their story began more than 50 years ago, when the founders sailed their handcrafted trimaran from Alaska down through Latin America and eventually landed on Maui. They planned to stay only long enough to earn money to keep sailing. Instead, they fell in love with the islands and its peoples, and decided to stay. That sense of family and legacy permeates everything they do.
Since the beginning, Trilogy has been a leader in sustainable tourism long before “eco-tourism” became a buzzword. They helped pioneer responsible wildlife practices on Maui, and they were one of the first companies to follow Dolphin SMART guidelines in the entire state of Hawai‘i, which prohibit swimming with or pursuing marine mammals. They also host Blue ‘Āina reef cleanups, volunteer-based sailing trips where guests help remove debris from Maui’s reefs. It’s not just a tour, it’s stewardship in action.
O‘AHU
Hawai‘i Nautical, Honolulu / Ko Olina
O‘ahu is the most visited island in Hawai‘i, and with that comes the challenge of balancing access with protection. Hawai‘i Nautical is one of the few large boat tour operators on O‘ahu that has scaled without compromising values. They were Hawai‘i’s first Dolphin SMART recognized operator and strictly prohibit chasing or swimming with dolphins, a practice still way too common in mass tourism! I’ve known Hawai‘i Nautical for years now. Originally owned by Doug and Gina, locals with a deep commitment to sustainability and community, who recently sold to another local family who also deeply cares about sustainability in tourism. They don’t position sustainability as an extra or a marketing tactic, they see it as a responsibility. They follow Coral Reef Alliance standards, avoid fish feeding (which is incredibly harmful to marine ecosystems), and even operate their own marine life foundation focused on conservation and ecosystem restoration.
Hawai‘i Nautical has many options for guests to experience in O‘ahu, from their Waikiki Turtle Snorkel Sail with Lunch to their Waikiki Signature Sunset Sail to getting out on the West Side for their West O‘ahu Dolphin Watch and Turtle Snorkel Sail with Lunch. If you’re visiting O‘ahu, I can’t recommend Hawai‘i Nautical enough.
Ultimately, I believe we all must travel with intention, be conscious about where we spend our money and who we book with. When you choose a responsible operator, you’re not just booking a tour, you’re voting for the future of Hawai‘i’s ecosystems, communities, and culture. We protect what we love. And when we connect deeply with a place, we care for it more fiercely. If you're ready to explore Hawai‘i through a regenerative lens, and be part of the positive impact, follow our journey and stay in the know for the most regenerative ways to explore the world.
