3 hours · 9 am daily · Lunch
Ko Olina Dolphin Watch & Turtle Snorkel Sail
Dolphins and a turtle snorkel stop with lunch.
| Adult | $149.95 |
|---|---|
| Child | $99.95 |
Editorial spotlight · Ko Olina, Oahu (with sails on Maui and the Big Island)
2026 Golden Lei Awards nomineeBest Sunset Sail
Hawaii Nautical
A catamaran company on three islands that says it runs the state's largest inter-island fleet. On Oahu the signature trips sail from Ko Olina: a morning dolphin and turtle snorkel with lunch, a weekday sunset sail with drinks and appetizers, and a winter whale watch. The operator calls itself Hawaii's first Dolphin SMART-recognized operator.
- Snorkel sail
- $149.95
- Sunset sail
- $99.95
- Tripadvisor, Oahu
- 4.6
- Islands
- 3
Editorial spotlight. Hawaii Nautical is a nominee in the 2026 Golden Lei Awards. They did not pay for this page and had no say in it. We earn a commission when you book through the links here; your price is the same.
The company
A three-island fleet
The operator describes itself as locally owned, in business for over twenty-five years, with the largest inter-island fleet in the state, and says it was the first operator in Hawaii recognized by NOAA's Dolphin SMART program. It publishes no owner or captain list. BBB shows Hawaii Nautical Inc., a Hawaii corporation, with Douglas Ewalt as president and a business start date of October 2001.
The fleet listed on its About page: Spirit of Aloha I, II and III; Ko Nau Lani; Honu Lani; No Wiki; Amore; Kohola; Olohana; and Holona. Ko Nau Lani is a 65-foot sailing catamaran with shade, restrooms and a freshwater shower; Spirit of Aloha in Kona is a 54-foot Gold Coast catamaran for 49; Amore on Maui is a 42-foot Boston Whaler for six. The company also sells Kaula Kai sails with a luau tie-in at Ko Olina.
“The state's largest inter-island fleet.”
President (per BBB)
Douglas Ewalt
President as listed by BBB; the operator publishes no staff list. Captain Cindy is named in one review.
The one to book
Ko Olina Dolphin Watch and Turtle Snorkel Sail
Three hours from Ko Olina at 9 am, every day of the year. Dolphin sightings are guaranteed, per the listing; lunch is included, with a turtle snorkel stop. Ages 4 to 11 pay the child fare and infants 0 to 3 ride free.
Maui trips run on smaller boats of up to six guests; this Oahu sail carries a larger group.
| Adult, 13+ | $149.95 |
|---|---|
| Child, 4 to 11 | $99.95 |
| Infant, 0 to 3 | Free |
Checked against FareHarbor on September 30, 2026.
Check AvailabilityThe boats
Named boats across three islands
Which boat you get is in your confirmation. Specs below are the ones the operator and press give.
Ko Nau Lani
- Type
- 65 ft sailing catamaran
- Aboard
- Shade, restrooms, freshwater shower
Spirit of Aloha (Kona)
- Type
- 54 ft Gold Coast catamaran
- Guests
- 49
Amore (Maui)
- Type
- 42 ft Boston Whaler 420
- Guests
- 6
- Aboard
- Air-conditioned cabin, restroom
Book it
Oahu cruises
Per person at list price. Only trips with open dates at this check are listed. Maui and Big Island cruises are on their own booking pages. Checked against FareHarbor on September 30, 2026.
2 hours · 5 pm Mon to Fri
Ko Olina Signature Sunset Sail
Drinks and appetizers at sunset.
| Adult | $99.95 |
|---|---|
| Child | $69.95 |
2 hours · 1:30 pm · Dec to Mar
Ko Olina Deluxe Whale Watch Sail
Whale sightings are guaranteed, per the listing.
| Adult | $99.95 |
|---|---|
| Child | $69.95 |
Evening · Adults 21+
Kaula Kai Sunset Sail
A sunset sail that pairs with a luau.
| Adult, 21+ | $139.95 |
|---|---|
| Youth, 12 to 20 | $119.95 |
| Child, 4 to 11 | $99.95 |
Afternoon · Adults 21+
Kaula Kai Snorkel Sail
A snorkel sail on the Kaula Kai.
| Adult, 21+ | $149.95 |
|---|---|
| Youth, 13 to 20 | $129.95 |
| Child, 4 to 11 | $109.95 |
Also: Maui cruises from Ma'alaea, Kona and Waikoloa cruises on the Big Island, an Aulani-guests-only catamaran, and Waikiki sunset and fireworks cruises. Their booking pages are separate.
Before you go
Know before you go
Where to check in
Your confirmation names the harbor and slip. The Aulani-guest catamaran leaves from Waianae Harbor, 85-491 Farrington Highway; arrive 20 minutes early.
Included
Lunch on the snorkel sail; drinks and appetizers on the sunset sail; snorkel gear on snorkel sails.
Onboard
Reviewers on the Oahu boats mention loud music below deck and no footwear allowed.
Cancellation
Maui and Kona pages say full refund 48 hours or more ahead; inside 48 hours the fare is forfeited unless trip protection was bought. Confirm Oahu terms when you book.
Ages
Child fares 4 to 11 and infants 0 to 3 free on Oahu; Kaula Kai sails are adults 21 and up.
Reviews
What guests say
- 4.6Tripadvisor, Oahu1,435 reviews as of September 30, 2026; #74 of 393 in Honolulu
- 4.8Tripadvisor, Maui1,249 reviews; #6 of 16 in Ma'alaea
- 4.8Tripadvisor, Big Island1,215 reviews; #54 of 208 in Kailua-Kona
Reviewers praise a friendly, professional crew, dolphin, turtle and whale sightings, sunsets and well-kept boats. Complaints include loud music below deck, no footwear allowed and uneven crew service on Oahu, and crowded benches and thin snacks on the Big Island.
Questions
Good to know
Is Hawaii Nautical one company on every island?
The site presents Oahu, Maui and the Big Island as one brand with one phone number.
What does it cost?
Ko Olina snorkel sail $149.95, sunset sail $99.95, whale watch $99.95, Kaula Kai sunset $139.95. Checked September 30, 2026.
Are dolphins guaranteed?
The listing says dolphin sightings are guaranteed on the Ko Olina snorkel sail.
Can kids come?
Yes on the Ko Olina sails from age 4 with a child fare, infants free; Kaula Kai is 21 and up.
Who owns it?
BBB lists Douglas Ewalt as president of Hawaii Nautical Inc.
Sail from Ko Olina
Dolphin and turtle snorkel sails, sunset sails and whale watches on a three-island fleet.
Check Availability