Starting at 🎉 $34 Dorm Beds Available — Limited Time! Book Now →
🏄 Book Your Stay — From $34/night
★★★★★A Waikiki Beachside Hostel Favorite

Waikiki Sunset Cruise

Sail out of Waikiki as the sky turns gold. A calm, 90-minute sunset cruise past Diamond Head, with turtles and dolphins along the way and Honolulu lighting up behind you. Just a short trip from the hostel, with a bring-your-own option if you want to pack a few drinks.

90 Minutes Daily at Sunset Diamond Head Views BYOB Option Ages 3 and Up

From $59 per person. BYOB option available. Ask the front desk about guest pricing.

What’s Included

  • A 90-minute sunset sail along the Waikiki coast toward Diamond Head
  • Complimentary sodas, juice, and bottled water
  • Light snacks to enjoy on the water
  • A roomy double-decker boat with an open bow and a shaded upper deck
  • A restroom on board
  • A cash bar with beer, wine, and seltzer on the standard cruise

Golden Hour on the Water

There are few better ways to end a day in Waikiki than out on the ocean watching the sun go down. This 90-minute sunset cruise glides along the Waikiki coastline toward Diamond Head, with the whole shoreline glowing as the light fades. In summer the sun drops straight into an open horizon, and in the cooler months the city lights of Waikiki flicker on behind you. Either way it is a calm, easy evening that fits right into a trip built around the hostel.

The boat is a spacious double-decker with an open bow up front and a shaded upper deck, so you can chase the sun or duck into the shade whenever you like. Keep an eye on the water along the way, because sea turtles and dolphins turn up throughout the year, and from December through April you might even spot a humpback whale. Sightings are never a sure thing, but they happen often enough to keep everyone watching the water.

It is a family-friendly trip that welcomes guests ages three and up, so it works for just about anyone staying with us. If you want to bring a few drinks along, pick the BYOB option and pack cans or plastic bottles, no glass, and the crew keeps everything cold in an ice chest on board. Bring a valid photo ID if you plan to drink, since the BYOB option is for guests 21 and older.

Tour Highlights

  • Diamond Head views: sail past the crater and the full Waikiki coastline.
  • Sunset every night: open-horizon sunsets in summer, glowing city lights in winter.
  • Wildlife along the way: frequent turtles and dolphins, with whales from December to April.
  • Room to spread out: a double-decker with an open bow and a shaded upper deck.
  • BYOB option: bring your own in cans or plastic, and the crew keeps it on ice.
  • Family-friendly: welcoming to guests ages three and up.

How the Evening Flows

  • Before You SailCheck in at Kewalo Basin Harbor about 15 minutes before departure.
  • Set SailCruise out of the harbor and along the Waikiki shoreline toward Diamond Head.
  • Golden HourWatch the sun drop over the water and keep a lookout for turtles and dolphins.
  • Back to HarborReturn to Kewalo Basin after about 90 minutes on the water.

Departure is daily at 5:30 PM from April 1 to September 15, and at 5:00 PM from September 16 to March 31. Times can shift a little with the season and the weather.

What to Bring

Photo ID
Light Layer
Sunglasses
Drinks (BYOB)
Sunscreen
Camera

Evenings on the water can get breezy, so a light layer helps. Bring a valid photo ID, and if you picked the BYOB option, pack your drinks in cans or plastic bottles.

Good to Know

  • Where it leaves: Kewalo Basin Harbor, 1125 Ala Moana Blvd, Slip B-01, a short trip from the hostel.
  • Check-in: arrive 15 minutes early. Late arrivals and no-shows cannot be refunded.
  • BYOB rules: guests 21 and older with a valid photo ID, cans or plastic only, no glass.
  • Parking: parking at Kewalo Basin runs about $2 per hour, payable by cash or card.
  • Weather: if a cruise is cancelled for weather, you will be contacted to reschedule or refund.

Getting There

The cruise leaves from Kewalo Basin Harbor, about a 10 to 15 minute drive from Waikiki Beachside Hostel. A quick rideshare or TheBus gets you there easily, and there is parking at the harbor for about $2 per hour. Plan to arrive 15 minutes before departure. The map below shows the route from the hostel to the dock.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the cruise?

About 90 minutes on the water, plus a 15-minute check-in before departure.

Where does it leave from?

Kewalo Basin Harbor at 1125 Ala Moana Boulevard, Slip B-01 in Honolulu, a short trip from Waikiki Beachside Hostel. Ask the front desk for the easiest way to get there.

Can I bring my own drinks?

Yes, on the BYOB option. You must be 21 or older with a valid photo ID, and drinks need to be in cans or plastic bottles, no glass. An ice chest is provided. The standard cruise has a cash bar instead.

Will we see turtles, dolphins, or whales?

Often, but not always. Sea turtles and dolphins show up throughout the year, and humpback whales are common from December through April. Nature makes no promises, so treat any sighting as a bonus.

Is it good for families?

Yes. The cruise welcomes guests ages three and up and keeps a relaxed, family-friendly feel.

What if the weather is bad?

If a cruise is cancelled for weather, the operator will reach out by email or text with options to reschedule or get a refund.