Oahu: Honolulu Mermaid Snorkel Adventure with Videos

The mermaid tail is the main event here: at Magic Island Lagoon, you get help putting it on, learn a few mermaid poses, then head into the water to explore the underwater world. Your instructor also records short videos, so the keepsake is part of the outing, not an extra purchase.

I like two things in particular: the small group, capped at six, gives the instructor room to help each person, and the complimentary videos capture both the posing and the snorkel time. One consideration: the videos depend on the camera working, and there is no refund if it malfunctions.

Key points before you book

• A mermaid tail is provided, and your instructor helps you put it on in a private mermaid area.
• The hair flip is part of the lesson, along with other poses your instructor demonstrates.
• You start in shallow water, where you can learn how to use the mermaid equipment before exploring farther.
• Videos are included, with short clips recorded during the experience and downloaded directly to your phone afterward.
• The group is limited to six, and the full activity lasts 90 minutes.
• You need to be comfortable in the water, but swimming is not required. The tour takes place rain or shine.

A mermaid session at Magic Island Lagoon

This 90-minute outing at Magic Island Lagoon turns a short snorkel into a playful, camera-ready activity. You wear a mermaid tail, practice a few poses, and look for sea life with an instructor beside you. It is less about covering a large area than about trying something unusual in the water and coming away with photos and video of the moment.

The experience is run by Try Scuba Diving- Hawaii. No instructor name is provided, but you can expect an English-speaking guide to lead the safety briefing, help with the equipment, and point out sea life at the site. The group limit of six matters: you are not joining a large class where the instructor has to rush through everyone’s turn.

At $99 per person, this is a specialty activity rather than a low-cost way to snorkel. The value rests on the combination of the mermaid equipment, instructor’s help, small group, and included videos. If you mainly want a long stretch of independent snorkeling, this is probably not the right fit. If you want to try the mermaid look and have a few clips to remember it by, the package makes more sense.

The schedule lists 20 minutes for the safety briefing, 40 minutes for the guided snorkel and photo stop, and another 20 minutes for photos. Those sections total 80 minutes, within the stated 90-minute activity duration. Allow time for the check-in and short walk to the mermaid area, and arrive 30 minutes before the tour starts.

From check-in to the mermaid area

Check in near lifeguard tower 1G at Picnic Area 37, and arrive 30 minutes before your start time. The meeting point and the mermaid area are not the same spot: after the briefing, you walk a couple of minutes to the private mermaid area. That short walk is useful to know if you are bringing a towel, water, or other beach items.

The first 20 minutes are set aside for the safety and mermaid briefing at Magic Island Lagoon. This is where you learn what the session involves before putting on the tail. The instructor explains the equipment and the plan, then helps you get ready. If you have never used mermaid gear before, the guided start is a real part of the value, not just a prelude to the camera.

The private area gives you a chance to put on the tail with assistance rather than wrestling with unfamiliar equipment alone. Your instructor demonstrates a series of poses, including the hair flip. These are simple performance moments, not a full swimming lesson, and they help you get comfortable moving and posing before the underwater portion begins.

The session is also a photo stop, so expect some time to hold poses while the instructor records you. That can feel a little staged if your ideal water outing is quiet and unstructured. But if you like the idea of having a clear visual memory of the tail, this part is central to what you are paying for.

Learning the equipment in shallow water

Before exploring the site, you try the mermaid equipment in shallow water. This is a sensible step: a tail changes how you move, and the tour does not simply hand you gear and send you off. Your instructor can show you how to use it and help you get used to the feel of it before you continue.

Swimming is not required, but you must be comfortable in the water. That distinction is important. You do not need to arrive as a strong swimmer, but you should be willing to be in the water and follow your instructor’s directions. If water makes you uneasy, this is not the best place to test that boundary.

Once you are ready, the guided portion lasts about 40 minutes and combines snorkeling, a guided tour, and photo stops. Your instructor points out different sea life as you explore. The provided details do not name particular species, so treat this as a chance to see what is present on the day rather than a guaranteed wildlife checklist.

The instructor also captures short video clips along the way. That is a nice practical touch: you can focus on the activity instead of trying to manage your own camera while wearing the equipment. The trade-off is that the video is dependent on the camera working. If it malfunctions, there is no refund for the tour, so think of the clips as a welcome extra rather than a guaranteed substitute for every other part of the outing.

The final photo stop and your videos

The last 20 minutes are set aside for another photo stop at Magic Island Lagoon. By then, you have had time to try the tail, practice the poses, and explore with the instructor. The extra photo time gives you another chance to capture the mermaid look without having to hurry through every pose at once.

At the end, your instructor can download the videos directly to your phone. That means you can have the clips right away, rather than waiting for a link or a later delivery. Make sure your phone is with you and ready to receive the files. The activity information does not specify a file format or how many clips you will receive, so avoid counting on a particular number or length.

The strongest appeal is the combination of silliness and a real guided water activity. The mermaid tail and hair flip make this a playful outing, while the instructor-led exploration gives you something to do beyond posing for the camera. The feedback around the experience has been particularly enthusiastic about how much fun it is, including as an outing with a grandchild. That makes it a promising pick for families who want a shared activity that is more unusual than a standard beach afternoon.

What to bring and what to know

Bring your own swimwear, towel, water, and biodegradable sunscreen. None of these is included, and there is no hotel pickup or drop-off. Food and drink are also not included, so plan those separately if you want something before or after the session.

The tour runs rain or shine. That does not guarantee the same comfort in every kind of weather, so check the conditions and dress for a water activity, but do not assume ordinary rain will cancel the outing. The stated cancellation policy allows a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours in advance. You can also reserve now and pay later.

If you wear prescription glasses, you cannot wear them under a snorkel or scuba mask. Contact lenses are allowed, or you can go without; underwater magnification makes objects appear about 25 percent closer and larger. If vision correction matters to you, plan for the mask rather than expecting to keep glasses on.

Children under five are not permitted. For older children, the provided information does not give a specific minimum age beyond that restriction, so check the available booking details if you are planning for a child. The small group and instructor support can suit a family outing, but each participant still needs to be comfortable in the water.

Is the $99 price good value?

At $99 per person, this costs more than simply bringing your own mask to the beach. You are paying for the mermaid equipment, an instructor, a guided session, and complimentary videos. The six-person cap adds value if you prefer individual help and a less crowded activity, especially when learning to use equipment that is new to you.

The price is harder to justify if your priority is hours of snorkeling or an extensive wildlife tour. The guided portion is about 40 minutes, with the rest of the session devoted to briefing, setup, poses, and photos. That balance is deliberate: this is a themed activity with snorkeling, not a snorkeling trip with a costume added at the last minute.

I would judge the value by asking one simple question: do you want the mermaid experience itself, including the poses and video, or do you mainly want time in the water? If the first answer is yes, the package brings its main elements together and gives you a keepsake without requiring you to film yourself.

Who will enjoy this most

This outing is a good match for someone who likes trying playful activities and does not mind being photographed. It can work particularly well for a family member and child who meet the age limit, or for friends who want a shared experience with a funny visual payoff. The enthusiastic reactions it has received point to the fun factor as its strongest quality.

It is less suited to anyone who wants a quiet, self-directed snorkel or is uncomfortable in the water. You are working with equipment, following an instructor, and taking time for poses and video. That structure is part of the appeal for some people and a drawback for others.

Should you book it?

Book this if you are comfortable in the water, curious about the mermaid tail, and would enjoy coming away with short videos of the experience. The instructor-led start and small group make the unusual equipment easier to try, while the short walk and 90-minute format keep the outing manageable.

Skip it if you mainly want a long snorkeling session, do not want to pose for the camera, or would be disappointed if a camera problem meant no videos. For the right person, this is a lighthearted way to add something different to a Honolulu visit. Bring the basics, arrive early, and go in expecting a playful water activity, not a full-day marine tour.

FAQ

How long does the mermaid snorkel activity last?

The activity lasts 90 minutes. The scheduled sections include a 20-minute briefing, 40 minutes of guided snorkeling and photos, and 20 minutes for a further photo stop.

What is included in the $99 price?

Mermaid equipment, snorkeling, an instructor, and complimentary videos are included. Swimwear, water, sunscreen, towels, food, and drinks are not included.

Where do I meet the instructor?

Check in near lifeguard tower 1G at Picnic Area 37. Arrive 30 minutes before the tour start time.

Do I need to know how to swim?

Swimming is not required, but you must be comfortable in the water. Your instructor shows you how to use the mermaid equipment in shallow water.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, water, and biodegradable sunscreen. Prescription glasses cannot be worn under a snorkel or scuba mask, but contact lenses are allowed.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The tour also offers a reserve-now, pay-later option.