Waikīkī Sunset Cruise: Cocktail Sail vs. Dinner Cruise

Should I choose a Waikīkī dinner cruise or cocktail sail?

Most visitors choose a cocktail cruise. These are shorter, more casual and at about $60-$80 per person are half to a third of the price of a dinner cruise. They typically run an hour and a half and some include a welcome cocktail. Additional drinks and snacks cost extra. It’s a relaxing way to wind down after a day at the beach.

Dinner cruises, costing around $128-$220 per person are for special occasions. Think anniversary, birthday or bachelorette party. These offer guests a formal sit-down meal with the bonus of spending an evening on the water. They generally run 2-3 hours, include a plated or buffet dinner and often live entertainment. A Friday dinner cruise can extend longer to include the Waikīkī Friday night fireworks show.

What’s better, a small or large vessel?

A small catamaran with the capacity to fit 20–50 passengers is ideal for cocktail cruises. These are the ones that pull right off Waikīkī Beach near the Duke Kahanamoku statue or in front of Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort.

If you're concerned about motion sickness, a larger vessel may be worth considering. Large cruise ships like the 3-deck Majestic by Atlantis Adventures Hawaii or 4-deck Star of Honolulu are going to be the most stable with a smoother ride. I also recommend taking Dramamine, just in case. The larger vessels will generally be the ones that offer a more formal dinner cruise, although Atlantis Adventures Hawaii offers cocktail cruises.

Where should I depart from?

The departure location with the shortest walk to most Waikīkī hotels is right off Waikīkī Beach. Holokai checks guests in at the Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort and then walks them to the boarding point at Fort de Russy Beach. Maitaʻi boards behind the Sheraton Waikiki. Na Hoku 3 and Ke Kai use the beach near Duke's Waikiki and Waikiki Sailing Company's Hāwea departs from shore behind the Duke Kahanamoku Statue. Keep in mind that since you are boarding from the beach you will have to step in the water to board. Wear sandals that are easy to slip on and off.

The larger vessels such as Sail Hawaii and Hawaii Nautical generally pick up either at Ala Wai Boat Harbor, across from the Prince Resort or Kewalo Basin, located at the far west end of Ala Moana Beach. Majestic by Atlantis picks up at Pier 6 and Star of Honolulu picks up at Pier 8, both are near Aloha Tower across the street from Chinatown.

You can either choose the cruise you take based on the departure point, or choose the cruise you want and travel to the departure point, wherever that may be.

What’s the difference between a Catamaran and a Dinner Boat?

Most casual sunset cruises in Waikīkī are on catamarans, a double-hulled vessel either powered by sail or motor. Although some of these catamarans, such as the Spirit of Aloha, which departs from the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Waikiki, offer dinner, most offer cocktails and light snacks only.

For an actual sailing experience, look for a “sunset sail” or check that the tour operator actually uses a sailing vessel. Otherwise, youʻll likely board a motorized catamaran. Maitaʻi, Na Hoku and Ke Kai describe their sunset experiences as sails.

Dinner cruises are more common on the larger cruise ships, such as the Star of Honolulu which has four walk-around decks and seats up to 1,500 passengers.

Should I book the Friday fireworks Add-on?

Absolutely! The Hilton Hawaiian Village fireworks are a regular Friday-night event, and several operators offer dedicated fireworks cruises. Maitaʻi runs a 90-minute Friday Night Fireworks Sail. Na Hoku 3 offers a one-hour Friday fireworks cruise and Majestic by Atlantis offers a 90-minute fireworks-and-cocktail cruise. These aren’t necessarily sunset cruises, since the fireworks start after dark.

Best overall cocktail sail: Holokai Catamaran

For a direct-off-the-beach departure and all-you-can-drink bar.

Holokai's 90-minute experience boards directly from Fort de Russy Beach, with check-in at the Outrigger Reef Waikīkī Beach Resort. Tickets are $80 per person and include an open bar. All ages are welcome Thursdays and Saturdays. Fridays are for guests 21 and older only. Local tip: Have dinner before or after at Monkeypod Kitchen, located at the pick-up/drop-off point.

Duration: 1.5 hours

Price: $80 adults (13 and up), $45 children (4-12)

Check-in: Outrigger Reef Waikīkī Beach Resort

Best for a romantic evening: Maitaʻi Catamaran

For couples who want a classic beach-launched sunset sail.

Maitaʻi's 45-foot catamaran boards from Waikīkī Beach behind the Sheraton Waikiki. Its 90-minute Sunset Mai Tai Sail includes complimentary Mai Tais, beer, wine, champagne, spritzers, juices and soft drinks. Maitaʻi also offers a Friday Night Fireworks Sail.

Duration: 90 minutes

Price: $69 adults, $36 children

Check-in: On the beach in front of Sheraton Waikiki

Best for a party atmosphere: Na Hoku 3

Adult visitors who want music, drinks and a lively atmosphere.

Na Hoku 3 departs directly from Waikīkī Beach and it's a party from the time you board with music and complimentary drinks. I would not recommend this cruise for anyone looking for a relaxing sail or families with children, although Na Hoku 3 also offers a one-hour Friday fireworks cruise for all ages.

Duration: 90 minutes

Price: $60 adults

Check-in: On the beach in front of Duke's Waikiki

Best value: Ke Kai Catamaran

For a lower-priced beach departure with drinks included.

Ke Kai's lively 90-minute sunset sail departs directly from Waikīkī Beach and includes unlimited soft drinks and three complimentary beers or Mai Tais for guests 21 and older. Save the fancy outfit for another night, this cruise has the reputation for being “wet and wild.”

Duration: 90 minutes

Price: $60 adults

Check-in: On the beach in front of Duke's Waikiki

Best for classic sailing experience: Waikiki Sailing Company

For visitors who specifically want a sailing experience.

Waikiki Sailing Company's Hāwea is a hand-built 50-foot catamaran. Its 90-minute sunset sail departs straight off Waikīkī Beach behind the Duke Kahanamoku Statue. There is also a Friday fireworks cruise.

Duration: 90 minutes

Price: $65 adults or $85 for all-inclusive cocktails

Check-in: On the beach behind the Duke Kahanamoku Statue

Best for large-vessel cocktail cruise: Majestic by Atlantis

For visitors who want a stable ship with multiple open decks without committing to a dinner cruise.

Majestic is a 150-foot, three-level vessel with an air-conditioned lounge, full-service bar, live music, large open-air decks and a seakeeper stabilization system to keep your ride smooth. Each guest receives a complimentary welcome drink. Additional drinks and snacks are available for purchase.

Duration: 90 minutes

Price: $79 adults. $39.50 children

Check-in: Pier 6 at Aloha Tower Marketplace

Best for special occasion dinner and entertainment: Star of Honolulu

For special occasions and large groups.

The Star of Honolulu is a 1,500-passenger, four-deck ship offering dinner, live jazz and hula on the water. The Three Star package includes a five-course lobster and tenderloin dinner, premium beverages, live jazz and headliner Polynesian production. The Nova package not only adds two courses, but also a private table in the top-deck Super Nova Room.

Duration: 2 hours (Friday cruises extend longer for the fireworks)

Price: $178.95 Three Star dinner, $218.82 Nova Five Star dinner

Check-in: Pier 8 at Aloha Tower Marketplace

Best for buffet dinner and a Polynesian show: Pacific Star (Star of Honolulu)

For visitors wanting a traditional dinner-cruise.

Pacific Star aboard the Star of Honolulu offers a dinner buffet, one Signature Mai Tai and live Polynesian entertainment. This is the same 1,500-person ship as described above with a more casual experience.

Duration: 2 hours

Price: $128.88

Check-in: Pier 8 at Aloha Tower Marketplace

Best dinner cruise at a lower price: Pink Sails Waikīkī

For travelers on a budget wanting a dinner cruise.

Pink Sails' two-hour dinner cruise aboard the Wahine Koa is $97 per person. This is a small catamaran-based dinner cruise versus the Star of Honolulu’s large ship with multi-course meal and live-entertainment program. Refreshments are available, but alcohol is not included in the ticket price.

Duration: 2 hours

Price: $97 (all-ages)

Check-in: Ala Wai Boat Harbor (across the street from the Prince Waikiki hotel)

Best for a private sunset: MANA Cruises

For small groups who want the boat to themselves.

MANA's Waikīkī Private Sunset & Tasting and Captain's Sunset & Tasting cruises are offered exclusively for private groups. This is a private-yacht experience worth splitting amongst a party of six.

Duration: 2 hours

Price: Private Sunset & Tasting $1,600 total for up to 6 guests or shared Captain's Sunset & Tasting from $240 per person for up to 6 guests

Check-in: Ala Wai Boat Harbor (across the street from the Prince Waikiki hotel)

*Note: The prices below are from August 2026. Operators can change prices, departure times, inclusions and age policies at any time, so always confirm details with the tour operator before making any travel plans.