West Oahu Sunset Sail from Waianae: Cocktails & Stars
Catamaran, cocktails, and the stars the ancient Hawaiians navigated by
A two-hour sunset sail on a 53-foot catamaran departing from Waianae Harbor on Oahu's west coast, with tropical cocktails, beer, wine and light bento served on board. The crew shares stories of Hawaiian seafaring, fishing and the art of wayfinding (reading stars, clouds, wind and swell to navigate the ocean), and you learn to match constellations to their Hawaiian names as you return to harbor after dark.
Step-by-step itinerary
Sunset cruise along West Oahu coast
- Board the Honi Olani catamaran
- Sail past Makaha Valley
- Enjoy panoramic ocean and mountain views
- Spot dolphins, sea turtles, whales, and flying fish
- Learn about Hawaiian sea history and way-finding
- Sip tropical cocktails and enjoy light appetizers
- Watch the sunset over the Pacific Ocean
- Gaze at stars using Hawaiian sky map
- Return to Waianae Harbor
What’s included
- Full premium bar with tropical cocktails, beer, wine, soda and juice.
- light bento and snacks served on board.
- shaded and open-air seating on the catamaran.
- restrooms on board.
- live guide in English sharing Hawaiian seafaring history and wayfinding traditions.
- Tuesday to Thursday 17:00
Information
Sail the west coast of Oahu from Waianae Harbor on a 53-foot catamaran for two hours, sipping tropical cocktails and watching the sun set over the Pacific.
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The experience
Waianae Harbor sits on Oahu's leeward coast, where the sunsets are known for their intensity and the mountains rise dramatically behind the shore. The catamaran Honi Olani departs in the late afternoon, and the two-hour sail takes you past Makaha Valley in the golden light before the sun touches the water. The boat is 53 feet long with both covered and open-air seating, so you can choose shade or the full view depending on the moment. The crew works the full premium bar (tropical cocktails, beer, wine, soda, juice), and brings out light bento and snacks as the sky shifts through gold and pink.
What sets this sail apart is what the captains and crew teach while you're out there. They talk about Hawaii's long history on the ocean: the fishing grounds, the origins of surfing, and the Hawaiian art of wayfinding. The practice of reading the stars, sun, clouds, wind, swell and even birds in flight to find your way across open water without instruments. After the sun drops below the horizon, the stars come out, and you get a Hawaiian sky map to match the constellations to their Hawaiian names. It's the same navigation system that brought the first voyagers to these islands.
Watch for dolphins, Hawaiian green sea turtles, humpback whales in season, and flying fish as you sail. The return to Waianae Harbor happens after dark, so the whole arc of the day (from late afternoon light to sunset to stars) unfolds on the water.
Top questions
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 12 years); Infant (under 4): free.
What happens if it rains?
It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.
What's the Honi Olani catamaran like for viewing the sunset?
The Honi Olani is a 53-foot catamaran with both covered seating and open-air sections, so the layout is built around watching and photographing the Hawaiian sunset. The configuration gives you flexibility to sit in shade or move to the rail depending on the light and the moment.
What animals might I see on the west coast sail?
Dolphins, Hawaiian green sea turtles, humpback whales during their season, and flying fish are all present in these waters. The crew knows where to look and will point them out as you sail.
What does the crew teach about Hawaiian wayfinding?
The captains and crew share the history of Hawaiian seafaring and explain the art of wayfinding: how ancient navigators read the stars, sun, clouds, wind, swell and birds in flight to cross the ocean. After sunset, you learn to match constellations to their Hawaiian names using a sky map.
What's included to eat and drink on the catamaran?
The cruise includes a full premium bar with tropical cocktails, beer, wine, soda and juice, plus light bento and snacks served on board as the sun sets.
Does the sail return to Waianae Harbor after dark?
Yes. The two-hour sail departs in the late afternoon and returns after sunset, so you see the full transition from daylight through the golden hour to stars rising over the water.
Operated by Hawaii Nautical. Explorevia does not run this tour: we compare it with similar options, and you book it with our booking partner.
Prices and times updated yesterday
West Oahu Sunset Sail from Waianae: Cocktails & Stars
2h · EN
from US$ 89 per person
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