Private Catamaran from Waikiki: Sunset, Snorkel, and Fireworks
Enjoy coastal views of the south shore of Oahu, visit Diamond Head State Monument & offshore Waikiki for beautiful photo opportunities on your own private catamaran cruise. End your cruise with guided snorkeling at a reef commonly home to sea turtles and tropical fish.
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Activity Overview
Waikiki Private Tour Highlights
- 2-4 hours (guest choice)
- Depart times vary depending on the activity you choose
- Private tours run daily (best to book several weeks in advance).
- The fireworks show is only available on Friday evenings.
- Departs from Kewalo Basin Harbor (click here for directions)
- Private tours for up to 6 guests
- Private catamaran (power boat) cruise for 2-4 hours guest choice. You can choose from three options: A morning/afternoon cruise with snorkeling, a sunset cruise, and/or a Friday evening fireworks show.
- Soft drinks, water, snorkel gear, and flotation are all included
- Bring your food and drinks or use one of their local catering partners
- Children are welcome!

Waikiki Private Sailing Tour Details
Embark on a truly exclusive and intimate experience with a private catamaran cruise on Oahu. Glide through the pristine waters of the Pacific aboard your chartered 30-foot catamaran, where you and your group can enjoy uninterrupted views of southern Oahu, Waikiki Beach, and the iconic Honolulu skyline.
This is a nice way to experience Oahu away from the crowds and it is fun to have the boat to yourselves for sightseeing, snorkeling, and just hanging out and enjoying the ocean. The luxury catamaran is a comfortable and smooth ride, making it a great choice if you suffer from motion sickness. Shaded cabin seating and onboard bathrooms are available throughout your trip.
A knowledgeable and experienced crew will share their local knowledge and the cultural history of the area throughout the cruise. You also get the chance to snorkel at a reef commonly home to sea turtles and tropical fish.
Hawaii Ocean Charters also offers snorkeling and two evening experiences on your private catamaran: a sunset cruise and/or Fireworks show. The sunset cruise encompasses the same tour and snorkeling experience described above but leaves later in the day so you can enjoy the sunset while still out on the ocean. The fireworks show occurs only on Friday evening, and includes a beautiful short but sweet ~5 min show with breathtaking views of Waikiki’s city lights.

Sunset Tours
Standard sunset tours (no fireworks) run Sat-Thurs, times vary slightly throughout the year based on sunset. Friday sunset tours are booked through the Fireworks tour button.
Snorkeling
All tours include snorkeling and can be booked in 2-, 3-, or 4-hour timeslots!
Convenient Departure
Tours leave from Kewalo Basin Harbor, just 3.5 miles (15min drive) from Waikiki with the first departure of the day at 7:15 am and the last departure between 4:00-5:30 pm (depending on sunset).
Family Friendly!
Children are welcome on these tours! There is no age restriction on private tours, so bring your little ones if you know they’ll love it!
Looking for a different Honolulu sunset cruise experience?
A Waikiki beach loading sunset sail might not be what you were looking for on your Oahu vacation. Check out these other two sunset sails for a different experience.
- Honolulu Sunset Dinner Cruise: 4-deck, ADA-compliant, gourmet dinner with live entertainment.
- Waikiki Beach Loading Catamaran Sail: the best price for a sunset cruise around Diamond Head!
Waikiki Private Sailing Tour FAQ
Is Transportation provided?
No, transportation is not provided to the Kewalo Basin Harbor. You will need to find your transportation to get to the Kewalo Basin Harbor. Taxis and Uber/Lyft are easy to come by in Waikiki!
Are food and drinks provided?
Soft drinks are provided, but food is not provided. You are welcome to bring food and drinks (alcohol too!) or you can choose to have your food catered by one of their catering partners (please inform them ahead of time so they can plan to have the food ready the day of your cruise).
Do I need to know how to swim and is snorkeling gear provided?
Please note that swimming is a required skill to participate in the in-water portion of the tour. Snorkeling gear and flotation devices are provided on the tour. Please note snorkeling is a physically strenuous activity and requires participants to be in good health.
Is the catamaran suitable for those with mobility issues?
Unfortunately, the charter may not be suitable for those with mobility issues and is not wheelchair accessible.
Cancellation policy?
There is a 48-hour cancellation policy. Any cancellations outside of 48 hours from your departure can be 100% refunded. Refunds are not given within 48 hours unless they can rebook your charter, then a refund is assessed minus a service fee.
What should I bring?
- Water or any drinks you would like to enjoy other than water
- Food and snacks
- Reef-safe sunscreen
- Hat
- Sunglasses (polarized if you have them, we like Goodr)
- Swimwear & towel for snorkeling
- Change of clothes
- Light jacket for the evening tours (sunset and fireworks show)
- Camera for photos
- A sense of adventure!
About Hawaii Ocean Charters
Captain Francesco Forti grew up on boats in Hawaii and has spent much of his time adventuring between the islands. He has built invaluable local knowledge of the waters of Oahu, helping create once-in-a-lifetime private boat tour experiences. His goal is to deliver the best quality experience for every one of his guests. Being able to captain private boat tours out of Oahu allows Francesco to provide custom and unique experiences for his clients unlike many of the large chain tours where a personalized experience is lacking.
We also love Hawaii Ocean Charters’ private whale watch during whale season!
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