Editorial spotlight · Ko Olina Marina and Ala Wai Boat Harbor, Oahu

2026 Golden Lei Awards nominee2026 Golden Lei Awards nominee
Best Private Charter

MANA Cruises + Charters

Six guests, a captain, a mate and a catamaran, from Ko Olina on the west side or from Waikiki. MANA was founded in 2017 by Jacob Kahiapo and Mash Hatae, and calls itself Native Hawaiian founded and operated. The shared sailings are capped at six; book the whole boat and it is yours.

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Ko Olina snorkel
$325
Sunset from
$225
Tripadvisor
5.0
Since
2017

Editorial spotlight. MANA Cruises + Charters 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

Seeking the mana in the water

Jacob Kahiapo is the founder and runs operations; Mash Hatae is the partner and handles IT and guest experience. The company says it was founded to seek and share the mana in Hawaii's waters, coastline and people. It is a Four Seasons Oahu preferred charter partner and was named to Hawaii Business Magazine's Best of Small Business list in 2025. The crews are licensed captains and deckhands who grew up on these shores.

Three boats: MANAKAHI, a 46-foot Leopard sailing catamaran at Ko Olina; HILINA'I, a 43-foot Leopard power cat at Ala Wai; and VENTURE, a 32-foot World Cat sport cat at Ko Olina. Every trip has a hosted bar, snorkel gear, fishing gear and floats. The boats run barefoot, and guests may bring their own food with no corkage fee; red wine is banned because it stains.

“Seeking and sharing the mana in Hawaii's waters, coastline, and people.”
MANA Cruises, on their About page

Captains Travis, Austin, Mark, Craig and Garrett and crew Kawika, Lindsey and Miranda are named in reviews.

Ko Olina Exclusive Snorkel + Lunch

The one to book

Ko Olina exclusive snorkel and lunch

Three hours on MANAKAHI out of Ko Olina Marina: a sail along the coast, a snorkel stop with masks, fins and floats provided, and lunch aboard, with a hosted bar. Shared sailings run Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 9 am with no more than six guests; ages 3 and up pay the per-person fare, and infants pay $105.

Want the boat to yourselves? The same cruise is $1,950 private, priced for up to six. Larger groups of seven to ten are arranged by phone or text.

Shared, per person (3+)$325
Infant, 0 to 2$105
Private, up to 6$1,950

Checked against FareHarbor on September 30, 2026. Shared departures cap at six guests.

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The boats

MANAKAHI, HILINA'I and VENTURE

Two Leopard catamarans and a sport cat. Private trips are priced for six; the site also quotes up to ten by arrangement.

MANAKAHI

Type
46 ft Leopard sailing catamaran
Harbor
Ko Olina
Aboard
Three heads, galley, hosted bar, snorkel and fishing gear

HILINA'I

Type
43 ft Leopard power catamaran
Harbor
Ala Wai, Waikiki
Aboard
Two heads, day bed, galley, hosted bar

VENTURE

Type
32 ft World Cat 320
Harbor
Ko Olina
Guests
Six, private only
Aboard
Open deck, foam deck, one head

Book it

Sails

Shared sailings are per person for ages 3 and up; infants 0 to 2 are $105. Checked against FareHarbor on September 30, 2026.

Ko Olina Snorkel + Lunch

3 hours · 9 am Mon, Wed, Sat · Shared or private

Ko Olina Snorkel + Lunch

The morning sail with lunch and a snorkel stop.

Shared$325
Infant$105
Private$1,950
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Ko Olina Four Seasons Snorkel

2 hours · Afternoon Mon, Wed, Sat

Ko Olina Four Seasons Snorkel

A shorter snorkel sail from the marina.

Shared$225
Infant$105
Private$1,350
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Ko Olina Captain's Sunset + Tasting

2 hours · 4:30 pm in winter, 5 pm in summer · Mon, Wed, Sat

Ko Olina Captain's Sunset + Tasting

A chef-curated tasting menu and a hosted bar at sunset.

Shared$225
Infant$105
Private$1,350
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Waikiki Snorkel + Lunch

2.5 hours · 10 am Tue, Thu, Sun

Waikiki Snorkel + Lunch

HILINA'I out of Ala Wai with lunch and a snorkel stop.

Shared$270
Infant$105
Private$1,600
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Waikiki Yacht Swim + Snorkel

2 hours · 1:30 pm Tue, Thu, Sun

Waikiki Yacht Swim + Snorkel

The shorter afternoon trip.

Shared$205
Infant$105
Private$1,230
Check Availability
Waikiki Captain's Sunset + Tasting

2 hours · 4:30 pm Tue, Thu, Sun

Waikiki Captain's Sunset + Tasting

Diamond Head at sunset with a tasting menu.

Shared$240
Infant$105
Private$1,600
Check Availability

Private charters start at $700 an hour from Ko Olina and $800 from Waikiki, by the Ko Olina private charter and the Waikiki private charter; the site also runs fishing, wildlife-snorkel and whale-watch sails on VENTURE.

Before you go

Know before you go

Where to check in

Ko Olina: Ko Olina Marina, 92-100 Waipahe Place, Kapolei, in the marina lot. Waikiki: Ala Wai Boat Harbor, 5 Holomoana Street, across from the Prince Waikiki hotel, with metered street parking on Ala Moana. Check in 15 minutes before departure.

Included

Masks, snorkels and fins for all ages, floats and belts, fishing gear, a hosted bar with non-alcoholic drinks, and lunch or a tasting menu depending on the trip. Dietary needs with notice.

Bring

Swimwear, a hat, a light jacket for the evening, a towel and reef-safe sunscreen. The boats run barefoot. Bring your own food if you like; no red wine.

Fishing

Visitors 15 and older need a Hawaii saltwater fishing license.

Cancellation

Full refund with 48 hours' notice; none inside 48 hours. The operator may cancel up to an hour before departure for conditions, with a refund or a rebooking.

Ko Olina Exclusive Snorkel + LunchKo Olina Captain's Sunset + TastingWaikiki Exclusive Snorkel + LunchWaikiki Captain's Sunset + TastingKo Olina Private CharterKo Olina Private Charter

Reviews

What guests say

Reviewers write about attentive, hospitable crews, small groups of six at most, dolphins, turtles and whales on the way, and food and drinks above boat standard. One reviewer mentioned rough water and wind during the snorkel.

Questions

Good to know

How many people are on a shared sail?

Six at most, with a captain and a mate.

What is the difference between shared and private?

Shared is a per-person fare on a scheduled sailing. Private is the whole boat for your group, on any day, at a flat price listed for six.

What does it cost?

Ko Olina snorkel and lunch $325, sunsets $225 to $240, Waikiki snorkel and lunch $270, private charters from $700 an hour. Checked September 30, 2026.

Which days do shared sails run?

Ko Olina on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday; Waikiki on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday.

Can I bring my own food?

Yes, with no corkage fee. Red wine is not allowed.

Take the whole boat

Six-guest catamaran snorkel and sunset sails from Ko Olina and Waikiki.

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Ko Olina snorkel $325See trips