REVIEW · HONOLULU
Mermaid Video shoot and Snorkel Adventure
Book on Viator →Operated by Try Scuba Diving-Honolulu · Bookable on Viator
Mermaid fins meet real ocean time. I love the chance to slip into a mermaid tail and learn poses that get filmed, and I love that you leave with complimentary videos and photos downloaded straight to your phone. This is a short, feel-good way to combine a themed photo shoot with an actual snorkel adventure at Magic Island Lagoon.
The experience runs with a small group (up to 10), so you’re not stuck waiting for attention in a crowd. Guides have been described as patient and fun, including Ryan, Alex, Felipe, Nick, Vanessa, and Zola, and that matters because the “mermaid” part needs a bit of coaching.
Here’s the main thing to consider: swimming in a tail can feel awkward at first. The upside is that the instruction is structured, and you’ll get guidance so you can still enjoy the water even if you’re nervous.
In This Review
- Key points before you go
- Turning into a Mermaid: Poses, Hair-Flips, and Tail Basics
- Magic Island Lagoon snorkeling: What your “adventure” feels like
- The photos and videos: Why this is more than a “quick selfie” trip
- What’s included (and what you must bring)
- Duration, group size, and where you meet
- Who this mermaid snorkel fits best
- Price and value: $99 for tail, gear, and media
- Weather and comfort: how to plan so the day stays fun
- Should you book the Mermaid Video Shoot and Snorkel Adventure?
- FAQ
- Is a snorkeling experience required
- What’s the age requirement
- How long is the tour
- What does the tour cost
- What’s included in the experience
- What should I bring
- Will I get the videos and photos right away
- What happens if the weather is bad
Key points before you go
- Mermaid tail transformation plus guided pose time with an instructor who films you as you practice
- Ocean time at Magic Island Lagoon after the tail swimming basics
- Free videos and photos, downloaded directly after the tour to your phone
- Snorkeling equipment is included, but you still need to bring swimwear and a towel
- Small group size (up to 10), which usually makes instruction easier
- Camera coverage matters, since if the camera malfunctions there is no refund for the tour
Turning into a Mermaid: Poses, Hair-Flips, and Tail Basics
This isn’t just a costume. The core of the experience starts on land and in shallow water (depending on conditions), where your guide helps you get comfortable in the tail and learn a set of fun mermaid poses. Expect an instructor-led session that includes classic mermaid-style movements like hair-flip poses, timed for what the camera is capturing.
What makes this part genuinely worth doing is the way they coach you, not just the way you pose. Multiple guides have been praised for being patient and relaxed, including Ryan and Alex. That coaching style helps, because tail choreography is harder than it looks. Even if you feel silly, you’ll likely laugh your way into getting the hang of it.
Once the posing is done, the guide moves into the practical side: how to swim while wearing the mermaid tail. This is the moment where your expectations should be realistic. You’re not going to become a dolphin instantly. Instead, you’ll get the basics so you can move safely and steadily, then transition into exploring the water life nearby.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Honolulu.
Magic Island Lagoon snorkeling: What your “adventure” feels like
After the tail practice, you’ll head into the lagoon area to see marine life. The tour is designed so it works for people who don’t have snorkeling experience. That’s important, because it means you’re not expected to already know how to manage gear or stay comfortable in the water.
In the water portion, guides tend to keep things upbeat and hands-on. One highlight you may appreciate is that you might have a chance to hold a starfish, and the tone from guides like Felipe has been described as supportive and careful. That kind of moment is why this tour feels different from a standard snorkeling outing.
Also, the tour can work even for people who aren’t strong swimmers. One person noted they could swim only a little, and the guide still helped them enjoy the water. The key is that the structure is built around instruction, not “sink or swim.”
A realistic consideration: tail swimming isn’t easy for everyone. One guide-led experience was described as clever and safe, but also tough at first. So if you’re the type who panics when balance feels off, go in expecting a learning curve and take it slowly.
The photos and videos: Why this is more than a “quick selfie” trip
The media piece is not an afterthought here. The tour includes complimentary videos, and the videos (and photos) are downloaded directly after your time in the water. If you’ve ever done a snorkeling excursion where the photos turn into one blurry mess, this is a strong reason to book.
The filming is also part of the fun while you’re learning. Your instructor guides your poses and captures it all, so you get something that looks like a mermaid story, not just random snapshots. Guides such as Zola have been praised for getting great footage, and that lines up with the idea that your session is paced around video capture.
One practical heads-up: the tour notes that if the camera malfunctions, there is no refund for the tour. That doesn’t mean the media will fail, but it does mean you should treat the videos as a bonus you hope to get, not something you can financially rely on.
What’s included (and what you must bring)
This experience includes several big-ticket items for you:
- Mermaid tail
- Snorkeling equipment
- Professional guide
- Complimentary videos and photos
- Your filmed content downloaded directly to your phone after the tour
What’s not included is just as important:
- Swimwear
- A towel
- Private transportation
So plan to arrive ready. Put on your swimwear before you go, and bring a towel for after. Since private transport isn’t included, you’ll likely want to use public transportation, and the meeting area is described as near public transport.
If you’re traveling with kids, think about comfort and drying off quickly. One family had a great time with a young child and appreciated how patient the guide was. That kind of pacing can make a difference when the goal is fun, not stress.
Duration, group size, and where you meet
The tour runs about 1 hour 30 minutes. That’s a sweet spot: long enough to transform, pose, learn the tail basics, and still do real lagoon snorkeling, without turning into a half-day project.
Group size is kept small, with a maximum of 10 people. That usually means you’re more likely to get hands-on help when you need it. It also makes it easier for guides to check that everyone is moving safely in the water.
You’ll start and end at the meeting point (the tour ends back where it begins). The location is listed as 75M3+7F Honolulu, HI, USA. That’s a plus for planning, even though it may be easier to find with a map app using coordinates.
Who this mermaid snorkel fits best
This activity is aimed at ages 8+ and is described as not requiring snorkeling experience. That makes it a good pick if you want ocean time but you’re worried you’ll feel lost with gear.
It’s also a strong choice for:
- Families looking for an activity that feels special, not just educational
- People who want guided water time without a long course
- Anyone who likes getting real photos and video of the moment
One useful detail from real experiences: some people choose to remove the tail fins during the snorkeling part if they want an easier swim. That approach can help if you’re still adjusting to balance, or if you want the lagoon time to feel more natural. It’s worth asking the guide what they recommend for your comfort level.
If you’re expecting a hardcore snorkeling adventure with long, complicated water time, this may not be the fit. The focus is the mermaid experience plus a guided look at marine life in a short window.
Price and value: $99 for tail, gear, and media
At $99 per person for about 90 minutes, you’re paying for a bundle: the mermaid transformation, snorkeling equipment, a professional guide, and the media package. That’s the heart of the value here.
A lot of activities separate these costs. You’d often pay separately for guided snorkeling, then separately for photos. Here, the guide’s job is tied to filming your poses and water time, so the media is part of how the experience runs.
What’s not included matters for value, too:
- You’ll need swimwear and a towel
- You’ll need transportation to and from the meeting point
- There’s a note about no refund if the camera malfunctions
If you already plan to spend money on snorkeling gear and a photo session, this tour can be a neat one-stop way to combine both. If your main goal is just seeing fish, you might find other options that are cheaper, but you’ll likely miss the tail posing, filming, and the immediate media download.
Weather and comfort: how to plan so the day stays fun
This experience requires good weather. If it gets canceled due to poor weather, you’ll either be offered a different date or a full refund. That’s typical for lagoon activities, and it’s worth keeping in mind if your schedule is tight.
On a comfort level, the tour is built for beginners. Still, I’d mentally budget for mild nerves. Tail work can take a minute to click, and that first awkward moment is normal. The best way to help yourself is to listen closely during the tail-swimming instruction and take the water segment in the order the guide sets.
Should you book the Mermaid Video Shoot and Snorkel Adventure?
Book it if you want a playful Honolulu activity that turns into real photo and video memories, with guided ocean time at Magic Island Lagoon. The combination of mermaid tail posing, professional guidance, included snorkeling gear, and free videos/photos downloaded to your phone makes it feel more like an experience you keep rather than just something you did.
Skip it (or ask questions first) if tail swimming sounds like your personal nightmare. It can feel awkward at first, and this tour is built around learning, not speed. Also, if video is your top priority, remember the camera-malfunction policy.
If you’re flexible, curious, and okay with a short learning curve, this is an unusually fun way to do snorkeling without needing experience.
FAQ
Is a snorkeling experience required
No. The activity is designed for people who don’t have snorkeling experience.
What’s the age requirement
It’s described as perfect for ages 8+.
How long is the tour
The duration is about 1 hour 30 minutes.
What does the tour cost
The price is $99.00 per person.
What’s included in the experience
You get a mermaid tail, snorkeling equipment, a professional guide, and complimentary videos and photos.
What should I bring
You’ll need to bring swimwear and a towel.
Will I get the videos and photos right away
Yes. Videos are taken throughout the tour and downloaded directly after to your phone.
What happens if the weather is bad
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
