All Reviews for Sunset & Cocktail Cruises

Fortunately, I was able to encounter a whale. However, I had my video camera ready the whole time but couldn't capture any footage. It's difficult to film with a camera or video. You can enjoy a pleasant cruise while looking at Waikiki from the sea with the beautiful blue ocean. The boat does sway a bit. There were smaller boats around, but for those who are prone to seasickness, a larger boat might be a better option.

幸運にも、クジラに遭遇できました。
ただし、ビデオカメラでずっと構えていましたが映像におさめることはできませんでした。カメラやビデオで撮影するのは難しいですね。ワイキキを青い海とともに洋上から眺めるながら気持ちのよいクルーズを楽しめます。
船はやや揺れます。小型船も周囲に来ていましたが、船酔いの心配がある人は大型船の方がいいのかもしれません。

There were only two of us participating from Japan. Everything was explained in fast-paced English, which I couldn't understand at all, but that was expected, so it wasn't a problem. I was satisfied to see the whale's tail from a distance a few times, which was also within my expectations. However, when snacks were being distributed, they didn't even acknowledge us, and when we were getting off, they kept looking at our hands, probably checking if we would leave a tip? I got off the boat feeling disappointed.

日本人の参加は私達2人だけでした。説明など全て早口の英語で全くわからなかったけど、想定内の事なので問題なし。クジラも遠くに尻尾が見える程度でこれも想定内でしたので､何度か見る事ができたので満足でした。ただ、スナックを配ばる際､私達2人には声もかけてもらえず、降りる時､ずっと手元を見られていて、チップ入れるか確認してたのかな？残念な思いで下船しました。

We had a great time joining Star of Honolulu Whale Watch Cruise. The crews were very professional and friendly. They were informative, so we could learn a lot about whales and dolphins of Hawaii. We could see a mother and baby whales, and dolphins too. We highly recommend this tour, and we are also highly recommend transportation option if you are staying at Wikiki area.

The pickup time was accurate, and the stickers on the chest with the numbers 1 and 2 indicate the bus numbers, making it easy to understand. There are explanations in Japanese on the bus. For the onboard explanations, using a smartphone translation app works well. On the way there, I couldn't see any whales, so I thought, "I'm glad I chose this tour because it's enjoyable even if it's just a cruise," but on the way back, I was thrilled to see whales multiple times! I highly recommend this tour for an extraordinary experience! It can be cold if it's windy, so it's a good idea to bring a jacket. I definitely want my acquaintances going to Hawaii to participate!

ピックアップの時間も正確で、胸に貼るシールに1や2とバスの番号がついているので、わかりやすいです。
バスの中では日本語での説明も有ります。
船内の説明はスマホの翻訳機を使えば大丈夫です。
行きはクジラが会えなかったので、「クルーズと考えても気持ちが良いから、このツァーにしてよかった」とおもっていましたが、帰りには何度もクジラに会えたので感激しました!
非日常な時間を過せるこのツァーはお勧めです!
風が強いと寒いので、上着を持参すると良いですね。
HAWAIIに行く知り合いには、是非！参加してほしいです。

My husband and I really enjoyed the Sunset Snorkel Cruise! The views were beautiful and the crew were so nice! I was nervous about trying to snorkel but the crew was super helpful and I felt safe (life vest and I was able to use a floatie as well) and we saw lots of colorful fish and sea turtles! The cocktail service was great, tasty and generous. Unfortunately during the return portion of the cruise, I felt a bit seasick (did not really affect my enjoyment of the cruise though) so only ate rice for dinner but my husband enjoyed the food which was plentiful. If you are prone to motion sickness (which I am) that would be my only advice, I forgot my accupressure wristbands which do actually work fairly well. I liked that the group was small and we had the freedom to move around and sit and stand where we wanted and all the guests were pleasant and we felt comfortable socializing and getting to talk to other people. I highly recommend this cruise!

Beautful sunset view from the top deck; great food and entertainment. The best part by far was the Jazz Ensemble! At the end, the cast and servers did an amazing ‘hula hula’ version of YMCA. The group loved it.

Great crew! We had prime view of the fireworks and Waikiki all lit up at night.

This company won’t stop pestering me to leave a review so here goes:
I’ve done a lot of whale watching tours on Maui. I only chose this one because the company we typically use cannot run tours on weekends/holidays anymore (change to use abilities at the Mala boat ramp). This was the only other small group tour I could find.
Pros:
- Small group so you aren’t fighting for space/visibility
- Able to use a GoPro in the water off the side of the boat
- $10 credit per person at the General Store (which wasn’t advertised in activity description)

Cons:
- Whale watching is better from Lahaina and not as good from Ma’alaea
- Boat doesn’t go very fast so you don’t get the opportunity to get as much action
- Staff were less experienced and didn’t have a lot of knowledge about the whales/whale behavior
- Much more expensive than other tours

Thanks to the other passengers on board who kept pointing out, "It's over there!" I was able to see it several times. The announcements made by the captain when something is spotted are, of course, only in English, so those who don't understand English will have to rely on the reactions of the surrounding passengers. I imagined it would be as luxurious as a show like "Itte Q," but it was surprisingly underwhelming.

一緒に乗船しているお客さんが見つける度にあっちにいるよ！と声をかけてくれたおかげで何度か見ることができました。船長が見つけた時にかけるアナウンスは当たり前に英語のみなので、英語がわからない人は周りのお客さんの反応を頼りにすることになります。イッテQのような豪華な感じを想像していましたが、案外しょぼかったです。

There is a pickup service from the center of Waikiki, and it takes about 30 minutes to board. Many foreigners participated, and the explanations after departure were primarily in English, but it wasn't a problem at all. About 20 to 30 minutes after departure, we were able to see whales around the area with Diamond Head in front of us. They were small, but we could see them spouting water multiple times and jumping, making the time fly by.

Since it’s a large boat, I think you don’t have to worry too much about it rocking, but it was cold inside the boat, so I recommend bringing a jacket!

ワイキキの中心部からの送迎ありで30分ほどで乗船。外国の方も多く参加されており、出発後の説明などは基本英語でしたが、困ることはなかったです。出発後20分から30分ほどでダイアモンドヘッドを正面に見渡すあたりでクジラを見ることができました。小さめでしたが、何度も潮を吹く様子やジャンプする姿など見ることができ、あっという間の時間でした。

大きな船なので揺れなどはそこまで心配しなくて良いかと思いますが、船内は寒かったので上着を持っていかれる事をお勧めします！

The upper deck was great for taking pictures. We started off with a charcuterie board that had tasty cheeses and fruit. The second course included lobster over a beet salad with a nice puree. My only reservation was the meat which was overcooked in my opinion, but to be fair, I'm sure many people prefer a medium-well filet. Taking pictures in between courses was a huge plus and didn't make us feel confined to the table. Overall, I would recommend this cruise to anyone looking for a good time.

The initial explanation was like a menu, and there was a Japanese translation guide available. The announcements and commentary on the ship were in English only. I used a translation app to somewhat understand. There were many customers, both Japanese and foreign. I couldn't see clearly up close, but from a distance, I could see the spouting and the back! Above all, the wind was really strong and cold; motion sickness medication is a must! There was an announcement to consult the tour guide if you feel unwell. I'm glad it didn't rain, and the view of Diamond Head from the sea was very beautiful.

最初の説明はメニューみたいな感じで日本語訳の説明書あり。
船内のアナウンス、実況は英語のみです。翻訳アプリを自分で使ってなんとなく分かる感じ。
お客さんは日本人も外国人も沢山いました。
近くではっきりとは見えなかったけど遠目で潮吹きと背中が見えました！
何より風がすごい強くて寒かったです、酔い止めは必須です！体調悪くなったら添乗員に相談してくださいとアナウンスありました。
雨が降らなくて良かった、海からのダイアモンドヘッドもとても綺麗でした。

It was no one’s fault that the day we went was windy and they had to turn the boat around after they said “this is where most whales hang around.” We got to see a blow hole and one fluke which was fun but it was at the very end of our trip so we didn’t get to stay and watch the group of whales any further. The captain did delay our return 15 minutes to see the whale that we did see which was very nice! Overall, it was no one’s fault that the weather wasn’t the best but to me it felt like a waste of my time and money and I was disappointed in the end

Check-in is easy to find next to the anchored Star Honolulu. A large ship welcomes you with the captain as you board. After boarding, everyone waits in seats on the first floor and listens to an explanation from a whale expert for about 15 minutes after departure. If you are seated before departure, you can purchase drinks, snacks, and bagels for a fee. There are important explanations about the size of the whales and how to identify their location by relating it to the positions of the clock hands. Once the explanation is finished, everyone moves to their preferred floor. Whales can be seen very well from any deck. I was able to see the whales' spouts and tails up close, and most importantly, the captain takes the time to show the whales to the children when they are spotted. Thanks to this, we were able to see the whales multiple times, and the kids were very satisfied. It became a wonderful memory.

チェックインは停船しているスターホノルル号の隣でわかりやすい場所でできます。大きな船にキャプテンが出迎えてくれて乗り込みます。乗船後全員一階の席で待機し、出航後15分くらいはくじら専門家の方の説明を聞きます。出航前から着席すると、ドリンクやスナック、ベーグル等有料購入できます。鯨の大きさなどの説明や、鯨がいる場所を時計の針に見立てて何時方向に見えると乗客に伝えること等の重要な説明があります。説明が終わると一斉に好きなfloorへ移動します。どの階でもとても良く鯨が見えました。思っていたよりも近くで鯨の潮吹きや尻尾をはっきり見ることができ、何よりも、しっかり子供も見れるように鯨を発見するとキャプテンは時間をかけて見せてくれます。そのおかげで何度も鯨を見る事ができて子供も大満足でした。とても良い思い出になりました。

We renewed our vows and they made it very special for us. Took us to the top of the boat so the captain could renew them for us in a special spot. The food was amazing and service was amazing! 5 course meal was pretty filling. The hula show was awesome! They are amazing! You could barely tell you were on a boat. We got to see the sunset and even some whales.

So much fun and energy! Thank you to the great crew!

We had an amazing time on this fireworks tour. It was a great experience and we even got to see some whales unexpectedly which made the whole thing even better. The crew members Annie and Mark were really nice and made it a memorable time for everyone. They were engaging with the guests on the boat and checked in on us throughout the trip. Definitely worth it if you’re in Hawaii and want something fun to do.

We have been to Hawaii several times and this was the first time we took the fireworks catamaran sail and it did not disappoint. The crew was FANTASTIC, drinks were great, music was fantastic, and seeing the fireworks and the Waikiki shoreline at night is beautiful. We had so much fun and would do it again!

The wind was blowing really hard, so it was a bit challenging, but seeing the whales made everything forgivable. I was worried about seasickness, but the boat was large and safe, so it was very comfortable. If it had been a small boat, it would have been much harder in the big waves.

Nice environment and friendly staff. Show was brief and nothing like it has been advertised for. Food in multiple varieties but so crowded and needs to be more organized

Seriously amazing! Great drinks! Captain and bartender were very personable and informational! Fun trip!

The staff was very kind, and I felt safe on board. I was able to see a beautiful sunset, and I didn't experience any seasickness, which I was worried about. It was fun! The pineapple juice was also delicious. The location is amazing, and I highly recommend it! We even had the chance to dive and swim along the way, making for a truly enjoyable time! Thank you very much.

とても親切で、安心して乗れました。
綺麗なサンセットを見せていただき、心配していた船酔いもなく、楽しかった！
パイナップルジュースも美味しかったです。
最高のロケーション、お勧めです！
途中ダイビングできたり、泳いだりもできて、ほんとうに、楽しいひとときを過ごせました！
ありがとうございました。

It was quite windy, but the boat was large and stable, so I was able to enjoy the experience without getting seasick. I appreciated how the crew boosted everyone's spirits and their serious focus on searching for whales.

In the first half of the cruise, no whales appeared, and I was starting to lose hope, but in the second half, we encountered whales multiple times, and it was an amazing experience to see them spouting water and even their tails.

I also used the shuttle bus service, but since various tour pickup buses arrive at the same time, I showed my voucher to the staff to confirm which bus was for my tour. I think it would be clearer if the Veltra logo was displayed.

かなりの強風でしたが、船が大きいので安定していて、船酔いすることなく楽しめました。クルーの皆さんが気分を盛り上げてくれたり、真剣に海を見つめてクジラを探す姿に好感がもてました。
クルーズ前半はまったくクジラが現れず諦めかけていましたが、後半で何度もクジラに遭遇し、潮をふいたり、尾びれまで見ることができて最高の体験になりました。
バスの送迎も利用しましたが、同じ時間帯に色々なツアーのピックアップバスが来るので、自分のツアーがどのバスなのかスタッフの方にバウチャーを見せて確認しました。
ベルトラのロゴ等が表示されているとよりわかりやすいと思います。

When it comes to winter in Hawaii, whale watching is definitely a highlight! I participated in early February 2024.

I took an Uber from my hotel to the meeting point for the first morning tour. During this time of year, it can get a bit cool in the mornings and evenings, so having a light jacket was a good idea. Upon arriving at the meeting point right next to the Prince Hotel, I found many guests from the mainland USA already lined up. (It seemed there were few Asian guests.) After giving my name to a staff member in a PINK SAILS uniform, I completed the check-in process. Once the boat was ready, we were guided to board.

The interior of the boat is spacious, but seats at the front and on the upper deck are taken in the order of boarding. If you hesitate, you might miss out on a good seat, so I recommend getting in line early!

I was a bit anxious about seasickness, but the waves were calm on the day I participated. Since it was a catamaran, there was little rocking, and I could enjoy the pleasant sea breeze. We departed the harbor and moved a little off the coast of Waikiki. The boat stopped near Hilton's beach, and the whale watching began. Fortunately, during my tour, we spotted a mother and calf whale within just a few minutes, coming close enough to see them clearly. We maintained a respectful distance to avoid stressing the whales, allowing us to observe their fins and spouts for a while.

The onboard guide spoke entirely in English, providing detailed explanations about whale behavior, including parenting methods, as well as the direction of where to look for the whales. While good listening skills in English are necessary, there were many interesting stories that were very informative. The guide also indicated the direction of the whales (like 11 o'clock or 3 o'clock), and all the guests from the mainland were looking in the same direction. Even if someone missed the English explanation, they could follow the gaze of the other guests to spot the whales!

However, since the color of the whales' backs can blend in with the ocean, it might be difficult to see them from a distance. If you're prepared, bringing binoculars could help you see better.

After enjoying the whale watching, a pod of dolphins appeared in the distance. While they didn't jump high, they surfaced and showed their fins, and compared to the whales, the dolphins were more playful and adorable, which was a delightful surprise. Just when I thought I was already satisfied with the whales, the excitement continued! A white woman sitting next to me kept exclaiming "Oh my god" in delight, and the little children were also visibly thrilled.

Seeing such precious wildlife off the coast of Waikiki, surrounded by tall buildings, truly showcases the unique beauty of Hawaii's nature. It seems there are days when you might not see anything depending on the wave conditions and the whales' mood, so I feel incredibly grateful for my good fortune.

I'm really glad I participated. Thank you to all the staff!

冬のハワイの風物詩といえば、やっぱりホエールウォッチングですね！2024年2月初旬に参加しました。

朝一番の回、ホテルからUberで集合場所まで移動。この時期のハワイは朝晩少し涼しくなりますので、薄手の上着があって良かったです。プリンスホテル真横の集合場所に到着すると、既にたくさんの米国本土のお客様が並んでいました。（アジア系のゲストは少ない様子でした。）
PINK SAILSさんの制服を着たスタッフさんに名前を伝えればチェックイン完了です。船の準備が整ったところで乗船の案内をいただきました。
船内は広々していますが、前の席や上のデッキ等は乗船した順で取られていきます。遠慮していると良い席に座れなくなりますので、早めに列に並んでおくのがお勧めです。！

船酔いしないか少しヒヤヒヤしていましたが、私が参加した日は波も穏やか。カタマラン船なので船の揺れも少なく、気持ち良い潮風を感じることもできました。港を出発しワイキキ沖を少し進みます。ヒルトンのビーチが見える辺りで船が止まり、クジラ探しがスタート。私の参加回は強運なことに数分の創作でクジラの親子が見つかり、ギリギリ見えるくらいの距離まで接近してくれました。親子のストレスにならないようにボートとクジラの距離を保ちながら、しばらくクジラの背びれや潮吹きの様子を見ることができました。

船内のガイドは全て英語ですが、クジラの見える方向に加えて子育ての仕方などもクジラの生態も丁寧に説明してくれます。英語のリスニング力が必要ですが、興味深い話も多く、大変参考になりました。
またクジラが見える場所については、何時の方向（11時の方向、3時の方向等）で教えてくれますし、一緒に乗っているアメリカ本土のお客さんが全員同じ方向を向いてくれます。英語ガイドを聞き逃した人も、周りのお客さんに合わせて視線を向ければ、クジラの姿に気がつくはず…です！

なお、クジラの背中と海の色が似ているため、なかなか遠くからは見えづらい場合もあると思います。準備ができる方は望遠鏡などを持っていくとよく見えるかもしれません。

一通りクジラウォッチングを楽しんだ後、遠くにイルカの群れが現れてました。大きなジャンプこそなかったですが、鼻を出してくれたり、背びれを見せてくれたり、クジラに比べてアグレッシブでかわいいイルカたちも見られ感動でした。クジラだけでも大満足だったところに嬉しいサプライズ！横に乗っていた白人女性の方は嬉しさのあまり「Oh my god」と言い続け、小さなお子さんたちも大喜びの様子でした。

ビルが立ち並ぶワイキキ沖でこんなに貴重な野生動物が見られるなんて、ハワイの大自然は唯一無二ですね。
波の状況やクジラの気分によっては見られない日もあるようなので、自身の強運には驚きと感謝ばかり。

参加でき本当に良かったです。スタッフの皆様ありがとうございました！

The fireworks viewing was wonderful, but it was disappointing that the catamaran was mostly docked and not cruising. It was also disappointing that the crew was mostly talking with acquaintances.

花火鑑賞は、素晴らしかったですが、
カタマラン船は、ほぼ停泊していて、クルーズではなくて残念でした、
乗組員も知り合いと話してばかりいて残念でした、

We were very lucky to sail on a lovely evening with lots of whales surrounding us and they were quite active. The crew were great, we enjoyed the snacks and drinks. It was just about perfect, loved the boat, could have stayed out on the water for hours if allowed. Definitely will do again and recommend this cruise.

The sunset fireworks booze cruise was amazing. We had so much fun. A great atmosphere, loved the drinks, and the music. 10/10 would do it again. Mahalo!

I seriously cannot even get started on how much fun this was.
We booked this for part of our friends bachelor & bachelorette weekend in Waikiki and I'm so glad we did.
The location was easy enough to find and right away the staff was super friendly. We bought the $40 unlimited drink cups and WOW were we all drunk by the end. The DJ was awesome and played so much fun music, Tiana was amazing, she was so sweet to talk to and gave our friends a shout out which made the night feel even more special. All the drinks were delicious and well made.
The amount of people on board was pretty perfect, not so many people that it was over whelming but enough to still make it feel like a party! The only thing that would have made this better would be the option to stay on for a bit longer.
I would HIGHLY recommend doing this and if I ever find myself in Waikiki again I will be sure to book.
We went on Feb 28th 2024

Everything from the gathering to the guidance was in English, and everyone except the two of us were foreigners.

It was quite enjoyable.

集合から案内まで全て英語で、お客さんも我々2人以外皆んな外人さんでした。

まあまあ楽しかったです。

Departure from Waikiki so accessible to those that decide to not rent a car. They depart 2x / day and you are able to do walk-ins if there is room.

Very affordable too, with an open bar that operates on tips.

Friendly for solo travelers. You can relax on the nets of the catamaran and the views of Waikiki and Diamond Head are beautiful.

No sea life spotted during my trip, but I would definitely go again!