Oahu and Kona boat trips compared

The short answer

These six trips are on two different islands, so start there. Three leave from the Honolulu waterfront on Oahu and run along the Waikiki coast.[3][2][1] The other three are Body Glove cruises that check in at 75-5629 Kuakini Highway in Kailua-Kona and board at Kailua Pier; Body Glove lists its trips as Big Island tours.[8] Kailua-Kona is on Hawaii Island, the Big Island, and is not the town of Kailua on Oahu, so check which island you will be on before you book.

Then choose by what you want from the boat: a shared sunset with your own drinks, a look under the water without getting wet, a private boat for up to six, snorkelling with dolphin watching, a fast raft, or dinner on the way to a historic bay.

Waikiki: three ways onto the water

Oahu South Shore Cruise. This is the shared sunset cruise. SkyGate describes views of Waikiki Beach, Oahu's south shore and Diamond Head as the sun sets, and calls it a bring-your-own-beer (BYOB) cruise on which you may bring your own drinks and snacks. The price lists the cruise only. SkyGate's listing says guests must be 21 or over to drink alcohol on board and that glass bottles are not permitted. The ticket types are adult (13 and over) and child (8 to 12), so there is no ticket for children under 8. You redeem the voucher at the Dive Oahu Shop, Unit 109, Kewalo Boat Harbour, 1085 Ala Moana Boulevard, according to the option; XTOUR could not confirm the cruise on Dive Oahu's own site.[1] Diamond Head is a view from the water, not a stop.

Waikiki Daytime Glass Bottom Boat Tour. This is the trip for seeing reef and fish without swimming. SkyGate's single option is a guided daytime cruise along the Waikiki coastline with live commentary and underwater viewing areas, and its page describes four glass-bottom viewing stations. The listing says the boat is wheelchair accessible, that children under 3 go free and that whale sightings are seasonal. Adults 21 and over may bring their own alcohol, per the same listing. SkyGate gives 1009 Ala Moana Boulevard as the address but does not name the operator or the pier, so check your voucher for where to board.[2]

Waikiki Private Catamaran Cruise. This is the private option: you book the whole boat, priced per boat for up to six passengers. SkyGate names the boat as Keanuenue, a 30-foot power catamaran, and Hawaii Ocean Charters lists Keanuenue as its 6-passenger power catamaran.[4][3] The three options are:

• Catamaran Cruise with Snorkelling Experience - Four-Hour Private Charter, which SkyGate describes as snorkelling with sea turtles over coral reef along the Waikiki coastline.[3]
• Sunset Catamaran Cruise - Two-Hour Private Charter.[3]
• Sunset Catamaran Cruise - Four-Hour Private Charter.[3]

Each option lists an English-speaking guide, snorkelling gear and light refreshments, and SkyGate's page adds an ice-filled cooler and a Bluetooth sound system for your own music and drinks. The listing says swimming skills are required for the in-water part, that snorkelling is physically demanding, and that the cruise is not suitable for wheelchair users. You make your own way to Hawaii Ocean Charters at Kewalo Basin Harbour, 1125 Ala Moana Boulevard, the address the operator also gives.[4][3] The option sells only a per-boat ticket and states no minimum age.

Kona Coast: three Body Glove cruises from Kailua Pier

All three options say to check in at Body Glove's retail shop in the Ilima Court Shopping Center, 75-5629 Kuakini Highway, and walk one block to board at Kailua Pier. Each sells an adult ticket for ages 18 and over and a child ticket for ages 6 to 17.[7][6][5]

Kona Dolphin Watching Cruise with Snorkelling. This is the full snorkel day on a catamaran. SkyGate describes a cruise along the Kona Coast with a chance of dolphin sightings, then snorkelling in the Red Hill area's coral gardens. The price lists breakfast, lunch, snacks and snorkelling gear, and the page mentions a 20-foot water slide and a 15-foot jump platform on the boat. SkyGate's listing says children under 6 go free and all children must be accompanied by an adult.[5] Dolphin sightings are a chance, not a promise, in SkyGate's own wording.

Kona Super-Raft Tours by Body Glove Cruises. This is the smaller, faster boat: SkyGate describes a 41-foot super-raft with cushioned seating, shade and an onboard restroom.[6] It has two options:

• Snorkelling Cruise: two snorkelling stops, with snorkelling gear, snack breakfast, picnic lunch, drinks and sunscreen; the option says it is not available on Wednesdays and Saturdays.[6]
• Sunset Cruise: live commentary and a dinner bowl (Kalua pork and rice, spicy ahi poke, or vegan curry and rice); the option says it is available only on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.[6]

Children under 6 are not allowed on the super-raft, according to both SkyGate and Body Glove.[8] SkyGate's listing also says the activity is not suitable for pregnant women or people with neck or back pain.[6] SkyGate does not name the two snorkel sites.

Dinner Cruise from Kona Coast to Kealakekua Bay. This is the evening cruise with history. The option describes a cruise to Captain Cook's Monument with stories and legends about the sites along the way, and includes appetisers, dinner and a complimentary cocktail. SkyGate's page adds a local expert guide, live Hawaiian music and a sunset on the way back.[7] The monument is the turning point of the cruise; SkyGate does not say passengers go ashore. SkyGate's listing says children under 6 go free and all children must be accompanied.[7]

How to choose

• On Oahu, for a relaxed sunset with your own drinks, the Oahu South Shore Cruise.
• On Oahu, to see the reef without getting in the water, the Waikiki Daytime Glass Bottom Boat Tour.
• On Oahu, for a boat to yourselves, the Waikiki Private Catamaran Cruise; pick the snorkel charter or a two- or four-hour sunset charter.
• On the Kona Coast, for the longest snorkel day with meals and the water slide, the Kona Dolphin Watching Cruise with Snorkelling.
• On the Kona Coast, for a raft trip with older children, the Kona Super-Raft Tours by Body Glove Cruises; check the option's weekdays.
• On the Kona Coast, for dinner and the coast's history, the Dinner Cruise from Kona Coast to Kealakekua Bay.

Before you book

• Check the island: the Body Glove cruises board at Kailua Pier in Kailua-Kona, on Hawaii Island.[8]
• Super-raft options run on set weekdays, and children under 6 cannot join them.[6]
• The South Shore cruise has no ticket for children under 8 and does not allow glass bottles.[1]
• For the glass-bottom boat, confirm the departure point on your voucher; SkyGate names no pier.[2]
• For the private catamaran, the in-water part needs swimming skills.[3]