Why one evening on the water is worth it
Waikiki looks completely different from a quarter mile offshore. The hotels line up along the sand, Diamond Head turns gold, and the sky lights up over the ocean. Every sunset sail we recommend leaves right from Waikiki, so there's no shuttle and no long drive. You pick the boat closest to your hotel and walk over.
Waikiki sunset cruises compared
| Cruise | Best for | From | Boards at |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maita'i | Center of Waikiki, open bar | $80 | Beach between Halekulani and Sheraton |
| Holokai | Open bar plus an onboard bathroom | $80 | Beach at Outrigger Reef |
| Three Tiki | Swim stop, BYOB, kids | $80 | Ala Wai Harbor |
| Private, Keanuenue | Couples and groups up to 6 | $599 | Kewalo Basin |
| Private, 48-foot sailing catamaran | Groups of 7 to 14 | $1,000 | Ala Wai Harbor |
| Private, whole Holokai | Groups of 15 to 49 | $4,000 | Beach at Outrigger Reef |
Shared sails are per adult, private charters per boat, plus tax. Prices checked October 2026.
Maita'i: the classic, right in the middle of the beach
If you're staying at the Moana Surfrider, Royal Hawaiian, Sheraton or Halekulani, this is your boat. Check in on the beach at 4:30 PM, kick off your shoes, wade out and climb aboard a 44-foot catamaran. The sail runs 5:00 to 6:30 PM with an open bar of mai tais, beer, wine and champagne, heading along the beach toward Diamond Head as the sun goes down. All ages are welcome, and anyone drinking needs to be 21 with a photo ID.
Holokai: the open bar with a real bathroom
Holokai is a custom 49-passenger beach catamaran that checks in at the Outrigger Reef on the west end of Waikiki. The open bar has local craft beer, wine, champagne and signature cocktails, and there's a clean bathroom on board. The schedule follows the sun: 5:00 to 6:30 PM from October to February, and 5:30 to 7:00 PM from March to September. Bookings are up to 8 per group.
Three Tiki: swim first, then the sunset
Three Tiki leaves from Ala Wai Harbor at 4:30 PM, a little earlier than the beach catamarans, so you get more daylight in the water. There's a swim stop off Waikiki, then you watch the sunset from the boat. It's two hours and bring your own drinks and snacks (no glass). Kids are welcome, which makes this the easy pick for families staying near the Hilton Hawaiian Village, Ilikai or Ala Moana.
Compare sunset sails and book Every Waikiki sunset cruise we recommend, with live availability. See the best sunset cruises →Shared sail or private charter?
A shared sail is a fun, social evening at $80 a person. A private charter is the better call for proposals, anniversaries, birthdays and family reunions, when you want your own music, your own drinks and nobody else in your photos.
- Up to 6 guests: Keanuenue, a 30-foot power catamaran out of Kewalo Basin with a marine head and a freshwater shower. Two hours, bring your own drinks, $599 for the boat.
- 7 to 14 guests: a spacious 48-foot sailing catamaran from Ala Wai Harbor, with beanbags on the nets, Bluetooth music and a swim stop. Two hours, BYOB, $1,000. We book it for you and handle the details.
- 15 to 49 guests: the whole Holokai, boarding right on Waikiki Beach, with a professional captain and crew and a bathroom on board. $4,000 for the boat.
When to go
Sunset in Honolulu moves by more than an hour through the year, from a little before 6 PM in late fall and early winter to about 7:15 PM in late June. The boats shift their schedules to match, so check your sail time for your dates rather than going by a friend's trip.
Humpback whales are in Hawaiian waters from about mid-December to mid-April, with the most sightings January through March. A sunset sail in those months isn't a whale watch, but keep your eyes on the horizon for spouts.
What to bring
- Shorts or a dress you don't mind getting wet at the hem. On the beach catamarans you wade out to board.
- A towel and a light layer. It's breezier on the water than on the sand.
- A photo ID if you plan to drink.
- On BYOB boats, drinks and snacks in cans or plastic, never glass.
Make it a full day
A sunset sail doesn't start until late afternoon, which leaves the whole day free. Spend it on a private island tour with your own local guide, and we'll have you back in Waikiki with time to shower and change before you head down to the beach.
Sunset cruise FAQ
What is the best sunset cruise in Waikiki?
The one closest to your hotel. Maita'i for the center of Waikiki, Holokai for the west end, Three Tiki if you want a swim stop. For your own boat, a private charter.
How much does a Waikiki sunset cruise cost?
Shared sunset sails start at $80 per adult plus tax. Private sunset charters start at $599 for the whole boat for up to 6 guests.
Do I have to get wet to board?
On the beach catamarans, Maita'i and Holokai, yes, you wade out barefoot. Three Tiki and the private charters board in a harbor.
Can kids come on a sunset cruise?
Yes on Maita'i, which welcomes all ages, and on Three Tiki, which is our pick for families because of the swim stop. A private charter is also a great choice with kids.