REVIEW · HONOLULU
Mermaid Video shoot and Snorkel Adventure
Book on Viator →Operated by Try Scuba Diving-Honolulu · Bookable on Viator
Turn into a mermaid in Honolulu. This short 1.5-hour experience at Magic Island Lagoon mixes mermaid fin poses with a guided water session, and you get complimentary video right on your phone after.
What I like most is the hands-on coaching: you practice a few signature poses (including a hair-flip) and learn how to swim while wearing the tail. The second big win is the way it turns into an easy, guided snorkel adventure—no prior snorkeling experience required for the program setup—while you explore the marine life in the lagoon.
One thing to consider: the offer is weather-dependent, and they also note that if the camera has problems, there’s no refund for that tour.
In This Review
- Key Points Before You Go
- A Mermaid-Focused Experience on Magic Island
- Mermaid Tail Poses and the Video-First Flow
- Swimming in a Tail, Then Snorkeling the Lagoon
- The Try-Scuba Moment: What It Adds
- Gear, Swimwear, and the Meeting Spot at Magic Island
- Guides, Safety, and a Small Group Feel
- Price and Value: Why $99 Can Make Sense
- Weather and Camera Reality Check
- Who Should Book This Mermaid Video Shoot and Snorkel?
- Should You Book This Experience?
- FAQ
- How long is the Mermaid Video shoot and Snorkel Adventure?
- How much does it cost?
- Is snorkeling experience required?
- What’s included in the tour price?
- What should I bring?
- Where does the tour start and end?
- How many people are in the group?
- What happens if the weather is bad?
Key Points Before You Go

- Mermaid transformation first: You don’t just show up with fins. You get posed and guided into a mermaid look and swim setup.
- Signature photo moments: Expect guided mermaid poses, including the hair-flip, with video captured throughout.
- Magic Island Lagoon marine life: You’ll snorkel the area with a guide while looking for colorful reef fish and other sea life.
- Video goes to your phone after: The photos/videos are downloaded directly right after the tour.
- Small group size: Maximum of 10 people, which helps with coaching and safety checks in open water.
- Scuba try included: The schedule includes a quick try-at-scuba moment before or alongside the snorkel time.
A Mermaid-Focused Experience on Magic Island

This is a Honolulu activity built around one idea: you get to play mermaid on purpose, not just for a picture. The setting is Magic Island Lagoon, which makes it feel like a contained ocean moment rather than an all-day, high-effort snorkeling plan.
The whole session is short—about 1 hour 30 minutes—so it works well as a memorable add-on to a Hawaii itinerary without eating up your day. It’s also priced like an experience, not a “thing you rent,” at $99 per person, and the biggest part of that value is the video and photo side.
The other reason this tour feels fun is how guided it is. You’ll have a professional guide leading poses, then coaching you through swimming in a tail before moving into the water time where you can enjoy the marine life.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Honolulu.
Mermaid Tail Poses and the Video-First Flow
The experience starts with the mermaid transformation, including putting you into the mermaid tail setup. Then your instructor moves you through a series of fun mermaid poses, filmed the whole time. One review-specific detail that matters: the class includes the famous hair-flip pose, which is exactly the kind of moment that turns into great footage.
What I like about this structure is that it reduces the awkward factor. If you hate thinking about your body in photos, you still get something to do—pose, adjust, laugh, repeat. And because the guide demonstrates and encourages, it’s easier to relax once you’re in the tail.
You’re also not stuck waiting around for your one “picture moment.” The plan is to capture video throughout the tour, and then download it directly to your phone after everything wraps up. That “right away” timing is more useful than it sounds. You can actually show people that day, not weeks later.
Swimming in a Tail, Then Snorkeling the Lagoon

After the posing, the guide teaches you how to swim with the tail. For people new to the ocean, that coaching is the key. Even if you’ve never snorkeled before, the tour is set up so you can still participate with instruction rather than being tossed into the deep end of confidence.
Then the plan shifts into the lagoon exploration. You’ll go into the water with snorkeling equipment that’s included, exploring the marine life around Magic Island Lagoon with your professional guide. If you’re hoping for that “I saw fish up close” payoff, this is the section that aims for it.
One practical detail from real participants: some people choose to take the tail off for the snorkeling portion because it can be easier for first-timers. If you’re worried about comfort, this option is worth keeping in mind, but follow your guide’s direction on what’s safe and what works best that day.
Another detail that stands out from the experience reports: people sometimes get to hold a starfish during the guided time. That kind of moment is usually about careful handling and safety rules, so don’t expect it to feel casual—but it’s a real highlight when it happens.
The Try-Scuba Moment: What It Adds

Your schedule includes a stop labeled as a try-at-scuba moment. Even if you’re mainly there for the mermaid tail and snorkel time, adding a scuba try gives the experience a second “wow” layer. It also helps justify the price for people who want more than just fins and pictures.
That said, don’t treat the scuba portion like a full scuba training course. The session is still short overall, so your best expectation is a guided intro rather than a long, formal learn-to-scuba program.
In practice, this can be good for families and beginners. You get a taste of scuba, while your main confidence-building activity remains the lagoon snorkeling with clear coaching.
Gear, Swimwear, and the Meeting Spot at Magic Island

Good news: snorkeling equipment and the mermaid tail are included. That removes two common hassles for Hawaii tours: figuring out what gear to rent and then worrying it won’t fit right.
What you need to bring is simpler. The tour does not include your swimwear and a towel, so plan to wear what you’ll swim in and bring a towel for after. Also remember it’s an ocean/lagoons-based activity, so arrive ready for getting wet.
Meeting point wise, this is one spot where a little planning pays off. The meeting location is listed near 75M3+7F Honolulu on Magic Island. One practical warning from experience: people can find it tricky to locate once they’re on site at Magic Island. So I’d recommend getting there early and using your phone map to match the exact area rather than waiting until the last minute.
The tour also notes it’s near public transportation. So if you’re not renting a car, you’re not locked into a private shuttle plan just to reach this activity.
Guides, Safety, and a Small Group Feel

This tour caps at 10 travelers, and that size matters. In a water-based activity that starts with posing and then moves into swimming, a smaller group makes it easier for the guide to spot who needs extra help.
The teaching style also seems to be a major reason people rate this experience so high. Guides are described as patient, enthusiastic, and tuned in to safety. Names that come up in the experience notes include Ryan, Alex, Felipe (spelling may vary), Nick, Vanessa, and Zola, and each one is associated with clear instruction and good energy.
What I take from that as a practical traveler: if you’re nervous about being in the ocean, you’ll likely benefit from this kind of guide-led session. One report even points out that non-swimmers still found a way to participate, with the guide offering helpful support.
That doesn’t remove all risk—water always has variables—but it does mean you’re not being left to figure it out alone.
Price and Value: Why $99 Can Make Sense

At $99 per person for about 1.5 hours, this isn’t a budget “rent fins and go” option. But it also isn’t just a photo shoot with a few minutes in the water. You’re paying for a package: tail transformation, coached posing, a guided snorkel/lagoons experience, and professional capture of your time.
The standout value piece is the complimentary videos and photos downloaded directly to your phone after the tour. If you’ve ever paid for travel photos in Hawaii separately, you already know how fast those costs add up. Here, the media is part of the experience from the start, not an extra add-on.
There’s also a practical value in having everything guided. If you’re traveling with kids or someone who’s hesitant about water activities, the “structured and coached” element can be worth more than the gear itself.
One more small value note: the tour is offered in English, and you’ll receive confirmation at booking time. That’s not flashy, but it helps when you’re trying to plan and avoid last-minute surprises.
Weather and Camera Reality Check

Two short “know before you book” points.
First, the experience requires good weather. If conditions aren’t right, it can be canceled and you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. In Hawaii, weather can change fast, so it’s smart to schedule this earlier in your trip window when you have flexibility.
Second, there’s a stated policy tied to the camera: the tour includes complimentary videos, but if there’s camera malfunction, there’s no refund for the tour. That’s rare, but it’s part of the deal, so don’t count on getting every single shot no matter what.
If you’re the type who cares deeply about specific footage, you might also want to keep expectations flexible and enjoy the time, not just the final file.
Who Should Book This Mermaid Video Shoot and Snorkel?
This is a strong fit for you if you want a Hawaii experience that’s playful and photo-ready, without requiring advanced ocean skills. It’s designed to work for families, and it’s marketed for age 8+, plus it notes most people can participate.
You’ll probably love it most if:
- You want a memorable, guided way to snorkel at Magic Island Lagoon without feeling alone.
- You care about getting a video story of your day, not just still shots.
- You’re bringing kids who like dressing up and posing, and you want instruction to help them feel comfortable in the water.
If you’re worried about swimming, the guide coaching and the short duration are comforting. If you’re comfortable in open water, you’ll likely find it fun and easy, especially with the guided marine-life hunt element.
One balancing thought: because the focus is on poses and video capture, your time in the water is planned and structured. If you’re looking for a long, free-form snorkeling session, this may feel short. But if you want a tight, high-energy “experience package,” it’s a good match.
Should You Book This Experience?
I’d book it if you want a short Honolulu activity that mixes a mermaid transformation, guided instruction, and immediate video keepsakes. It’s especially appealing when you’re traveling with family or someone who’s nervous about water, because the setup is built around coaching rather than leaving you to improvise.
I’d think twice if you’re someone who needs deep, long snorkeling time or you’re extremely photo/video rigid. The session is weather-dependent, the camera is part of the deal, and the overall format is guided and time-boxed.
If you can be flexible on weather and you’ll enjoy the playful side of snorkeling, this one tends to land as a memorable, low-stress win.
FAQ
How long is the Mermaid Video shoot and Snorkel Adventure?
It runs about 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.).
How much does it cost?
It costs $99.00 per person.
Is snorkeling experience required?
No snorkeling experience is required for this experience setup.
What’s included in the tour price?
You get complimentary videos, use of snorkeling equipment, a mermaid tail, and a professional guide.
What should I bring?
Bring your swimwear and a towel. Private transportation isn’t included.
Where does the tour start and end?
It starts at the meeting point near 75M3+7F Honolulu, and the tour ends back at the meeting point.
How many people are in the group?
The experience has a maximum of 10 travelers.
What happens if the weather is bad?
The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
























