All Reviews for Sunset & Cocktail Cruises

Unfortunately, the weather on the day was not great, and with the wind during the ride, it was quite cold. Most of the Japanese people who were with me seemed to be shivering and staying still. However, the staff were very good at getting everyone excited, engaging with us all, and they quickly brought us more drinks, which made the experience enjoyable.

A person from another country who happened to be sitting next to me took a lot of pictures of us, which became a nice memory. The selection of lively music and the snacks they handed out in the second half were also great. The views of Waikiki Beach and the surrounding area from the ocean side, as well as the sunset and night scenery, were very beautiful. I think it would have been truly perfect if it had been warm!

当日あいにくの天気だったため、走行中は＋風もあるのでかなり寒かった。
乗り合わせた日本人の大半が震えてじっとしている感じでした。
ただスタッフの方が非常に盛り上げ上手で満遍なく声かけてくれ、
お酒もすぐにおかわりを持ってきてくれて楽しませてくれてありがたかったです！
たまたま隣に居合わせた他国の方が、自分たちの写真をたくさん撮ってくれたのも
良い思い出になりました。
盛り上がる音楽の選曲や、後半スナックを配ってくれるのも◎
普段見ることのない海側からみるワイキキビーチ周辺の景色や
サンセットや夜景もとても綺麗でした。これで暖かかったら本当に最高だと思う。

The buffet offered a good variety of dishes, and the Polynesian show was entertaining and lively, adding a fun cultural touch to the cruise!

Watching the sunset over Waikiki from the water was beautiful and relaxing.

The buffet dinner had a nice variety of food, the staff was friendly and attentive, and the Polynesian show was entertaining and energetic.

I think some people might worry about seasickness, but perhaps because I was enjoying the distant scenery, I was completely fine. The crew was friendly and kept us entertained.

船酔いを気にする方がいると思いますが、遠くの景色を楽しんでいたためか、私はまったく大丈夫でした。クルーもフレンドリーで楽しませてくれます。

The wind was strong inside the boat, and it was cold even with a jacket on, but the night view, the moon, and the fireworks were very beautiful. It was worth participating, and I would like to ride again.

船内は風が強く上着着用しても寒かったけど、夜景や月や花火はとてもよく見えて、参加して，価値があった。また乗りたいです。

Fortunately, during the time the sun was setting, there were no clouds in that direction, and I was able to watch the sunset in real-time. Although I'm not very good at English (I can hardly speak it), I was able to have some interaction with people from other countries using Google Translate.

運良く太陽が沈む時間帯、その方向に雲がまったく無く太陽が沈む様子をリアルタイムでじっくり観ることが出来ました
英語が不得意（ほぼ話せない）でしたがGoogle翻訳で他国の方とも少しですが交流が持てました

First off. This was an adult only, open bar sunset cruise. I have been on quite a few of these in the past. This cruise they didn’t even play the music up at all and there was little to no energy from the crew. And they ran out of white claws… Would not book again from this company.

The sunset itself was incredibly beautiful and had an extraordinary feel to it, but it was different from the sunset cruise I had imagined.

On the day we participated, as we headed out to sea, the waves and wind were intense (I didn't feel it when I was by the beach; the weather was clear), and the boat rocked so much that I thought it might capsize. The splashes were just overwhelming! Those at the front of the boat were getting drenched from head to toe (there was a prior announcement warning that the front would get wet), and even those of us sitting further back got splashed several times and ended up completely soaked.

Although drinks were unlimited, the rocking of the boat and the splashes made it hard to enjoy them after a while.

Thanks to the loud EDM music (?), it turned into a crazy experience typical of overseas adventures, but it was a far cry from what I had envisioned; it felt more like a tough pirate experience. I would recommend it for younger, party-loving people. Those who get seasick, are looking for a romantic atmosphere, or are with children or seniors might want to skip it.

I believe it also depends on the weather and the captain's driving, so I hope this can serve as a reference as a personal experience. Thank you!

サンセット自体はすごく綺麗に見え、非日常感もありましたが、イメージしていたサンセットクルーズとは違いました。。

私たちが参加した日は、沖に出ていくにつれとにかく波風がすごくて(海辺にいた時は感じませんでした。天気も晴天です)、船が転覆するのでは？というくらい揺れましたし、波飛沫がとにかくすごい！！！船のヘッドにいた方たちは頭から絶えず水をかぶるレベルで濡れていましたし(ヘッドは濡れるので注意してね！というアナウンスは事前にありましたが)、前の方に座っていた私たちも何度か頭から水を被り全身びっしょ濡れに、、、
飲み放題ですが、船の揺れと飛沫がすごいので途中からそれどころじゃなくなりました。

EDMがガンガンに流れていたおかげで(？)、海外らしいクレイジーな体験ということである意味思い出にはなりましたが、イメージしていたものとは程遠い過酷なパイレーツ体験でした。
おすすめは若くてパリピな方かな。
船酔いする方や、ロマンティックな雰囲気を求めている方、子供連れやシニアの方はやめておいた方がいいです。

当日の天候や船長の運転にもよるとは思うので、一体験談として参考にしていただけると幸いです。ありがとうございました！

The large yacht docks at Waikiki Beach, making it easily accessible. The staff is friendly, and although we were the only Japanese guests, it was not a problem. We were able to see a beautiful sunset.

ワイキキビーチに大型ヨットが接岸するので、アクセスがいいです。スタッフもフレンドリーで日本人は私たちだけでしたが、問題なしです。美しい夕焼けを見ることができました。

In April, there might be fewer whales themselves. It felt like a tour where we were just watching a pair of parent and baby whales for a long time. The guide was a very fun person, and the tour itself was enjoyable!

4月になると，くじら自体の頭数が少ないのかな。
1組の親子クジラをずっと眺めているようなツアーでした。
ガイドさんはとても楽しい方で、ツアー自体は楽しかったです！

Very chill evening. The crew was very laid back. We hada clear view of the fireworks, all while enjoying the a few adult beverages and making new friends and memories.

It was a small boat, which made it quite impressive and enjoyable. The cruise lasted just the right amount of time (a little under an hour). The free drinks were also highly rated. The staff were all friendly, which added to the fun.

The engine is used during departure and arrival, but once offshore, they sail using the sails. I think it's a highlight to see the staff raising and lowering the sails and steering the boat.

小さな船だったこともあり迫力があり楽しめました。またちょうど良い時間（1時間弱）のクルーズでした。フリードリンクも好評価。スタッフも気さくな方ばかりだったので楽しめました。
出航帰港の時はエンジンを使いますが、沖合では帆を操って航行。スタッフが帆を張ったり畳んだり船の方向を操作するのも見どころかと思います。

It was amazing to see the fireworks up close from the yacht! ✨ You can enjoy a different kind of fun compared to large ships. When boarding, you get on directly from the beach, but depending on the waves, you might get wet. By the way, I was soaked from the thighs down. 😅 I think it's good to keep that in mind when boarding.

ヨットなので花火が近い場所から見れて
最高でした✨
大型船とは違う楽しさを味わえます♪
乗船する時は浜辺から直接乗りますが
波の具合悪くよっては濡れます。
因みに私は太ももから下はびしょ濡れ😅
それを踏まえて乗船されるといいと思います。

I booked this Luau with our Ko Olina Kaula Kai Sunset Sail and Luau Combo.
https://www.veltra.com/en/hawaii/oahu/a/201093

After checking in around 5:00–5:15pm, we were instructed to board the catamaran while musicians played and welcomed guests. For safety reasons, women wearing sandals or heels were asked to remove their shoes and board barefoot.

There were cookies and chips available for everyone on board, and once most guests had boarded, the bar opened. It was an open bar with options such as lilikoi mai tai, Waianae sunset, piña colada, turtletini, catatonic, and local beers from Kona Brewing. The boat was quite packed, and with only one bartender, the line became very long—so unless you were willing to wait, you could likely only get one or two drinks. They also ran out of chips, so not everyone was able to have some, until the very end when they refilled the table again.

We departed around 5:30pm. Since this was after the days of the storm, the ocean conditions hadn’t fully settled, and the ride was still a bit bumpy. Fortunately, I found a spot at the back of the boat, leaning against the railing and facing forward, which helped with the motion. We were able to spot a few​ whales, though they appeared only briefly, making them difficult to capture on camera. We returned to the harbor around 6:30pm, so the sailing portion lasted about an hour.

I chose this tour on a large ship because I was worried about seasickness. The observation deck had some swaying, so I watched from a cabin on the first floor, but I was still able to see the whales' spouts and tails. It seems that those who are less sensitive to motion can see much more from the observation deck. The pineapple banana cake was delicious.

船酔いが心配で大きな船のこのツアーを選びました。
展望デッキは揺れもあったので、1階の客室で見ていましたが、何とかクジラの潮吹きや尾っぽを見ることができました。
揺れに強い方が展望デッキの方がたくさん見れるようです。
パイナップルバナナケーキが美味しかったです。

We participated with seven people: my elderly parents, our children, and my spouse. My mother, who walks with a cane, was very happy. The kids (17, 14, and 10 years old) were taken to the netting of the catamaran, where they splashed around and had a great time. This became the best memory of our trip to Hawaii! The cocktails were delicious too!

高齢の両親、子ども達と夫婦の7人で参加しました。杖をついて歩く母もとても喜んでくれました。子ども達（17歳、14歳、10歳）も、カタマランの網の所？まで連れて行ってもらい、波しぶきを浴びてはしゃいでいました。今回のハワイ旅行で、1番の思い出になりました！カクテルも美味しかった〜！

It was the best sunset cruise ever. It was my first time experiencing a sunset cruise. I had been interested in it for a while, but due to my schedule, I couldn't experience it until now, so I made it a top priority this time. I was worried about the weather after the Kona storm, but it turned out to be a beautiful, clear day. The service from the captain and crew was outstanding. The views from the boat were incredible, especially Diamond Head, which we saw from an angle that you can't see from land, making it very special. I was able to enjoy the sunset as it sank into the Hawaiian sea. Onboard, there was unlimited alcohol and soft drinks, and the Mai Tai was especially delicious. Dance music was playing, and everyone on board joined in dancing, making it an incredibly fun experience.

最高のサンセットクルーズでした。初めてサンセットクルーズ体験をしました。以前から気になっていたのですが、滞在スケジュールの予定でなかなか体験できなかたったですが、今回最優先として組み入れました。コナストーム後で天気が心配でしたが、快晴で最高の天気でした。船長、乗組員の皆さんのサービス精神がとても素晴らしいです。船上からの景色はどれも最高で、特にダイヤモンドヘッドは陸からでは観られない角度からだったので、とても貴重です。夕陽もハワイの海に沈む瞬間までじっくりと観ることができました。船上ではアルコール、ソフトドリンクが飲み放題で、特にマイタイは最高に美味しかったです。ダンスミュージックが鳴り響き乗客皆でダンスで盛り上がり最高に楽しかったです。

Captain Jenna, Kaiala and Dez were all awesome! Family friendly! Very accommodating to my kids! So nice, and friendly and the Drinks were wonderful! Great views of Diamond Head and Waikiki beach. I want to go again!!!!!! Really really great tour!

I was able to see the sunset over the ocean, and the cheerful atmosphere among everyone on the boat further lifted my spirits. I'm glad I participated.

海の上で、夕陽も見ることができて・・船上のみんなの楽しそうな雰囲気で更に気分が上昇・・参加して良かった。

The guide told us that if we couldn't see them, we could try again, so I was half-expecting it, but it turned out to be a wonderful experience. In the first half, they didn't show up much, but once we went out to sea, a mother and baby whale swam close to the boat the whole time, which was amazing! ♪

ガイドさんからは、見れなかったら再度チャレンジと言われ、期待半分でしたが、素晴らしい体験ができました。
前半は中々、姿を現してくれませんでしたが、沖に出てからは親子クジラがずっと船の近くを泳いでくれていて、最高でした♪

I boarded the morning cruise. It was amazing to feel the wind while cruising on the ship. The drinks were unlimited, and the crew members were cheerful. The view of Diamond Head and the coastline of Honolulu from offshore was exceptional. I was very lucky to see a pair of turtles on the way back. I thought I would love to go on this cruise again when I visit Hawaii.

午前便に乗船しました。船の上で風を感じながらのクルーズは最高でした。ドリンク飲み放題で乗員さんも陽気です。沖合から見るダイヤモンドヘッドやホノルルの海岸沿いは格別な眺めでした。帰り際に亀のつがいも見ることが出来たのでとてもラッキーでした。ハワイに行ったときはまた乗りたいと思いました。

So fun! Found it through a Groupon, and we totally got our money's worth. Take this cruise!

The tour on the Star of Honolulu was great. They served snacks, and the atmosphere was nice. As for the whales, I think I saw them in the distance, and I might have caught a glimpse of a tail, but I’m not sure if I actually saw them. However, the cruise in the beautiful ocean was wonderful, and the weather was perfect, so I really enjoyed it. It might be best to think of it as a lucky bonus if you get to see whales while participating in the cruise.

スターオブホノルルでのツアー。お菓子もでてきて、雰囲気はよかったです。クジラに関しては、遠くにみえて、しっぽが少し見えた気がしたりなど、見えていないのかもしれません。ただ、美しい海でのクルーズ、気候も良くて本当に楽しむことができました、クルーズとして参加しくじらは見れればラッキーくらいで考えるのがいいかもしれません。

To conclude, I am extremely satisfied! I was thrilled to see whales swimming in the distance several times, catching glimpses of their tails and spouts! Although I couldn't see them up close, it was a wonderful memory of whale watching!

I had always wanted to see whales, and when I decided to go to Hawaii, I came across this tour and knew I had to participate. I was worried about seasickness on a small boat, so I made a reservation on the largest one I found, the Star of Honolulu. When I first boarded the boat, I was a bit anxious thinking it might sway more than expected, but once I went up to the upper deck, I found it wasn't a problem, possibly because I was standing! I recommend taking motion sickness medication if you're feeling uneasy.

The boat has four levels, and at first, we enjoyed pineapple banana bread and drinks on the first floor, which had chairs and tables. It was delicious! Once the boat started moving, there was a segment where they explained the size of the whales using ropes, and although I didn't understand much of the English, it was an interesting experience unique to a larger boat. The first floor was quite cold due to the air conditioning, so I recommend bringing a jacket. After the explanation, we were free to move around the boat, but the cold was only on the first floor. The view from the fourth deck was beautiful, with a clear sight of Diamond Head and more. When whales were spotted, an English announcement would indicate the direction, and even if you don't understand English well, the simple language and the fact that everyone moved at once made it clear. Although the whales were far away, I was glad to see them, even if I couldn't see the large ones up close. Whether you see whales or not depends on luck, but I think you can still enjoy cruising on a big boat even if you don't see them. I also think it's a great point of this tour that if you don't see any whales, they provide tickets to try again.

I had actually made a reservation for a certain day, but when I was waiting for the shuttle bus at the bus stop, the bus didn't come. After checking with the hotel staff, I was informed that the tour was canceled that day. Cancellations can happen suddenly due to bad weather, but I felt reassured that I received a full refund.

結論から言うと大満足です！クジラが何回か遠くの方で泳いでいるのが見えて尻尾や潮吹きも見れてすごい！と興奮しました。近くでは見ることが出来ませんでしたがとっても良い思い出になったホエールウォッチングでした！
ずっとクジラを見てみたくてハワイに行くと決まりこのツアーを見かけた時に絶対に参加したいと思い参加しました。小さい船だと船酔いが心配だったので見つけた中で一番大きかったスターオブホノルル号で予約しました。最初船に乗り込んだ時は意外と揺れるかも？と少し不安になりましたが上のデッキに出てからは立ってることもあったからなのか気にならなかったです！不安な方は酔い止めを飲むことを推奨します。
船は4階建てで始めは1階の椅子やテーブルがあるフロアでパイナップルバナナブレッドと飲み物をいただきました。美味しかったです！船が動き出すとクジラの大きさの説明などを実際にロープを使って説明するコーナーがあり、英語であまり内容はよくわからなかったですが大きい船ならではの体験で面白かったです。1階はクーラーが結構効いていて寒かったので上着を持っていくことをおすすめします。説明が終わると船内を自由に移動することができるのですが、寒かったのは1階のみでした。4階のデッキは眺めがよくダイヤモンドヘッドなども見えて綺麗でした。クジラが見えると時計の方向で英語のアナウンスが流れます。英語がわからなくても簡単な英語だったのと皆が一斉に動き出すのでわかります。遠くの方だったので実際に近くで大きいクジラを見ることは出来ませんでしたが遠くても見ることが出来て良かったです。クジラが見れるかどうかは運に左右されますが、見れなくても大きい船なのでクルージングするだけでも楽しめると思います。見れなかった場合もう一度見れるチケット？が配られるというのもこのツアーの良い点だと思います。
実際に一度予約していた日があったのですが当日バス乗り場でシャトルバスを待っていたらバスが来ず、ホテルのスタッフに確認してもらったところ今日はキャンセルということを伝えられました。天候が悪いと急に当日キャンセルされてしまう事もありますが、しっかりと返金されていたのでそこも安心だと思います。

I've been living in Hawaii for six years now, and I finally participated in a whale watching tour that I've always wanted to do.

Although it was a cloudy day, the weather was just right—not too hot and not too cold. After checking in a bit early, I wandered around the Aloha Tower. When it was time to board, we first had the familiar souvenir photo opportunity that you often find in the U.S. (The staff will come around during the cruise to sell these photos.)

While enjoying coffee and muffins on the first floor, we received explanations (in English, of course), and after departing, we could watch from anywhere on the four-story cruise ship. The crew members were also diligently searching for whales, but unfortunately, we didn't encounter any that day... I definitely want to try again next year.

ハワイに住んで6年目。念願のホエールウォッチングツアーに参加しました。
当日は曇り空ではあったものの、暑くもなく寒くもなくちょうどよい天気でした。
ちょっと早めにチェックイン後、アロハタワーの周りをウロウロ。乗船の合図があったので乗り込むと、まずはアメリカでお馴染みのお土産用写真撮影がありました。
（この写真は、クルーズ中にスタッフが販売しにきます）
1階でコーヒーとマフィンを食べながら説明（もちろん英語）を受け、出港後は4階建てクルーズ船のどこでも好きな場所で見ることができます。
船員さんも一生懸命探してくれたのですが、あいにくこの日はクジラに遭遇することができず・・・。
来年またリベンジしたいと思いました。

The week I visited, there were storm and heavy rain warnings in Hawaii. I was really worried leading up to the day, but miraculously, the tour went ahead. And right away, whales appeared, jumping one after another. It was truly moving. I couldn't capture their magnificent jumps on camera in time, but I have firmly etched it in my memory. It was the day my dream of seeing humpback whales came true. Despite the unfortunate weather, I was really glad to see so many whales. I'm still excited and moved as I watch the videos. I absolutely recommend this. While there's no guarantee you'll see them, it's definitely worth the challenge!

私が訪れた期間はハワイ州に暴風、豪雨警報が出ている週でした。すごく心配して当日を迎えてましたが奇跡的にツアー催行されました。そしてすぐにクジラが現れて、次から次へとジャンプ。もう感動です。カメラが間に合わず華麗なジャンプを納めることは叶いませんでしたが、この胸にしっかり焼き付けました。いつか必ずザトウクジラを見るんだという夢が叶った日です。あいにくの天候でしたがたくさんのクジラを見ることができて本当によかった。今なお興奮冷めやらず動画を見て感動しています。絶対にオススメです。必ず見られる保証はありませんが、挑戦する価値は充分にあります！

[Reviewed by HawaiiActivities.com Staff]

​The evening began with a warm welcome as guests boarded the catamaran around 5:00–5:15pm, accompanied by live music at the dock. Light snacks were available and an open bar offered a variety of tropical cocktails and local beers, creating a fun, relaxed atmosphere. The boat was quite full, which led to long lines at the bar and limited snacks at times. The sail departed around 5:30pm and lasted about an hour. Ocean conditions were still a bit rough following recent storms, but we were still able to spot a few whales, which added a special touch to the experience.

​After returning to shore, we headed straight to the luau and arrived while dinner and entertainment were already in progress, so we likely missed some of the pre-show activities such as hula lessons and cultural demonstrations. Dinner was described as a buffet, but it was actually set up more like a series of food trucks, kiosks, or booths, where guests visited different stations to receive plated items. While this setup provides a wide variety of options, it can also lead to using multiple plates per person.

​The food​ was catered by Moani Island Bistro, which was flavorful and well-prepared. Seating was first-come, first-served for this event, ​but even though​ we were seated in the back, we still had a good view of the stage. The show itself featured engaging storytelling, Polynesian dances, and impressive production elements like lighting and visuals, giving it a polished, theatrical feel.​

Overall, the combo offers a unique way to experience both a sunset sail and luau in one evening. However, timing overlaps may cause guests to miss some activities, and those sensitive to motion may find the boat portion challenging.

I was worried about the weather because it had been rainy, but I was relieved when it was sunny on the day of the trip. The boat was more impressive than I had imagined, and I didn't feel much rocking. While we were leaving the shore, I enjoyed some banana cake and Kona coffee. It was so delicious that I wanted to have seconds!

As we approached the spots, I went up on the deck to enjoy the view. The scenery of Hawaii, the music, and the breeze were all so pleasant and calming. The announcements were in English, but I could somewhat figure out the direction by looking at the clock positions.

I had several chances to see whales, and I was thrilled to see a mother and her calf. The staff were all cheerful, and their smiles were very comforting.

雨続きだったので天候が心配でしたが、当日晴れて安心しました。想像していたより立派な船で、あまり揺れを感じませんでした。陸から離れる間、バナナケーキとコナコーヒーをいただきました。おかわりしたいくらいとっても美味しかったです＾＾
スポットに近づくと船の上に行き、景色を一望して楽しみました。ハワイの景色、音楽、風が心地よく、落ち着きました。
アナウンスなどは英語でしたが、時計の方向などでなんとなくで見える方向がわかりました。
クジラを見るチャンスは何度かあり、親子を見ることもできて嬉しかったです。
スタッフのみなさん明るく、笑顔に癒されました。

We were picked up on time and checked in by a brother with an afro, then we departed for the port on a large bus! This time, we participated with two adults and a one-year-old. The banana and pineapple bread served on the ship was incredibly moist and delicious—I wish I could learn how to make it! Unfortunately, there were no whales that day, but perhaps because we woke up early and were swaying on the boat, I was able to take the most wonderful nap in the rooftop chairs (laughs). Since it was our last day of the stay, we couldn't have a second chance, but I would love to try again the next time I visit Hawaii!

時間通りにお迎えに来ていただき、アフロのお兄さんに受付してもらい大型バスで港へ出発！今回は大人2人と1歳児で参加させていただきました。船内でいただけるバナナとパイナップルのブレッドがすっごくしっとりで作り方を教えて欲しいくらい美味しかったです。残念ながらこの日はクジラが現れなかったのですが、早起きして船に揺られていたからか屋上のチェアで最高に気持ちいいお昼寝が出来ました（笑）滞在の最終日での参加だったためリベンジが出来なかったのですが、またハワイに訪れた際は再チャレンジしたいと思います！