Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
On our last trip to Hawaii, we finally went sailing with Oahu Catamarans. And this was the first time I’ve ridden a boat on the island.
It was a scenic ride to Turtle Canyon, filled with amazing views. We discovered big turtles and colorful fish in the clear waters.
I’ll tell you about our experience, what to know and expect, and share personal photos from our fun adventure. You might consider going too!
Getting There
The Kewalo Basin boat harbor has many boat tours. It is located right in Honolulu, and that’s where you’ll find Oahu Catamarans.
So, it wasn’t very far from the resort where we stayed. We had rented a car, so we had transportation there. We had to pay for parking in the lot.
If you don’t want to rent a car, there are ride-shares and public transportation.
Sailing with Oahu Catamarans
Whichever tour company you choose, you’ll find many options in Hawaii. You can go for a boat ride or swim.
People in my group wanted to go snorkeling, so they chose this company.
Arriving at the Harbor
We arrived at the Kewalo Basin boat harbor at Pier A well before 11:45 a.m. What a perfect sunny day to set sail on the Kahala Kai catamaran.
Other people showed up with swim and snorkel gear. Some people brought snacks, and the crew provided some too.
Although visitors may take catamarans out to take a dip in the waters, I planned to stay on the boat.
Now, I consider myself a pretty good swimmer, but I don’t like to swim in the open ocean. It’s ok if you just want to go for the ride like I did.
Boarding the Catamaran
The catamaran itself was spacious, and the captain said it could hold 35 people. However, on our ride, we had about 20 people on board.
We took our slippas off before boarding. Before we set sail, the captain and crew discussed safety and gave us details about the trip.
It was nice because there was plenty of space, and we weren’t all crowded in. I’ve been on shoulder-to-shoulder boat rides before, which weren’t fun.
There was also a very friendly boat dog with the crew. Don’t worry, he’s harmless—mainly laid out in the sun for the whole trip.
Sailing Towards Turtle Canyon
If you plan to go for the ride, you may still get wet sitting on the boat’s bow or front side. Yeah, we sat in the splash zone!
We stopped near Turtle Canyon, where other catamarans and boats parked. Here, you’ll find many people doing turtle snorkeling tours.
From the boat deck, I saw giant turtles swimming around. And it was such an amazing sight.
Remember, if you go in the water, you cannot touch them. Respect them by giving them space.
The captain told us the story behind the chocolate chip cookie fish. Then he threw some cookies into the water, and a bunch of black fish came to the surface to eat them.
Whoa! That was pretty cool!
Swimming in the Ocean
Before jumping in, the crew reminded us about wearing life vests and using snorkeling gear, which they provide. They helped people who needed it.
At this point, I regretted bringing my swimming gear because the water looked so clear. Plus, it was pretty calm, and I could have handled that.
So, next time I go on a catamaran, I’ll wear my swim gear under my clothes. If I feel the urge to jump in the open ocean, I can do so.
Staying on the Catamaran
And I wasn’t the only person who stayed back. A couple others didn’t go into the water and just came along for the ride.
Some people jumped into the water despite saying they could not swim well. They were advised to wear swim belts to help stay afloat.
And one man said he wasn’t feeling well but still went in the water. Soon after, he had to be helped back onto the boat.
If you’re sick or can’t swim, open ocean swimming is no joke. Thank goodness he was okay!
Scenic Views and Colorful Fish
People who snorkeled also said they saw many beautiful, colorful fish. From the boat, I would never see what they could see underwater.
But I did marvel at Oahu’s South Shore. I had a beautiful view of Waikiki, our resort, and Diamond Head.
I spoke to the captain, who said Oahu Catamarans is family-owned. They go out a few times daily, and the sunset tour was one of their most popular trips.
The turtle snorkeling tour lasted about two hours, but the time went quickly! After enjoying the crystal-clear ocean, we returned to shore.
Travel Notes
I found the rocking wasn’t as bad in the catamaran as it is in other boats. If you have a motion issue while on boats, it didn’t rock as much.
I’m glad our tour wasn’t packed with people because it gave us enough room to walk around and enjoy.
You’ll want to bring a sunhat if you sit out like I did. The sun was beating down out there despite the nice cool breezes.
Final Thoughts
We had fun on our adventure with Oahu Catamarans. Not only did we see more of Honolulu, we learned a lot too.
I’d definitely like to go again and perhaps take a swim next time. Or going on the evening tour sounds like a great alternative!
More Travel Adventures
I have more related posts on my blog. You might want to check them out.
- We went swimming at Hanauma Bay, a beautiful nature preserve.
- If you like to hike, try Diamond Head Crater, where you’ll see more coastal views of Oahu.
- On the Makapu’u Lighthouse hike, you’ll see even more breathtaking views along the way.
- I’ll tell you about more things to do while visiting Honolulu.
- If you’re staying in Waikiki, I’ll tell you where to explore over there.
- For more things to do on the island, I have a post on exploring Oahu.
I’d love to hear about your travel adventures!
Originally published: February 12, 2025
