KO OLINA WHALE WATCH

Ko Olina Marina 4p Daily • 1.5 Hours • All Ages • Private Charter

4P DAILY | 1.5 HOURS

Depart 4:00pm
Approximately 1.5 hours
Six passenger maximum
Private Experience

Seasonally from Dec 15 to Mar 15
Learn about Hawaiian Humpback Whales
Listen for whales, with our underwater acoustic mic.

BOOK NOW

About the Charter

A "PAU HANA" ADVENTURE

Whether you’re wrapping up a workday (In Hawaiian, Pau Hana means "after work") or capping off an adventurous Circle Island tour, this experience is designed to help you slow down and take in the beauty of Hawaii's waters.

Spend the pre-dusk hours searching for our seasonal Hawaiian Humpback Whales up the West Oahu coastline. Whales are near peak season from December to March and are most active during the later afternoons.

Have a chance to be serenaded by whale-song as we dip our hydrophone in the water to be fully immersed in their world.

Keep an eye on the water as ocean life teems through our waters. From the boat, other wildlife we may see are Hawaiian Spinner Dolphin, Pilot Whales, Bottlenose Dolphin and even Flying Fish.

Seasonally from Dec 15 to Mar 15
Depart 4:00pm
Approximately 1.5 hours
Private Experience
Six Passenger Maximum
Have the opportunity to see turtles, dolphins, whales, flying fish and more!
Learn about the Hawaiian Humpback Whales
Listen for whales beneath the sea, with our underwater acoustic mic.

Seating for six, one head (restroom)
Iced Water, Hawaiian Juices, Coconut Water
Hawaiian Style Chips
Certified Captain
Small local snacks
Hydrophone

Inclusions

WHAT'S INCLUDED:

Hydrophone
One on One Whale-ducation
Snacks
Drinks

Aboard, we offer water, coconut water, Hawaiian juices, Hawaiian chips and small local snacks.
In an effort to reduce plastic waste, the Venture Boat serves drinks in provided tumblers.

Additional beverages (Beer, Mai Tai Mix) are available for pre-order in the booking process. If you prefer to have a specific beverage or snack aboard, please include your request at the time of booking. We will do our best to accommodate all requests, additional costs may be applicable.

You are also welcome to bring any personal beverages, snacks or food aboard. MANA Cruises does not charge corkage fees and the crew will do their best to accommodate cooler space for additional personal items.

Unlike our other MANA Cruises vessels, the Venture Boat does not come with a provided menu.

Charter Highlights

Throughout the year we encounter various species of Fish, Turtles, Eels, Rays, Crustaceans and marine mammals such as Hawaiian Spinner Dolphins and Humpback Whales (Seasonal). Although it is less common, we do come across other large Oceanic Mammals, such as Risso Whales, Rough Tooth Dolphins, Spotted Dolphins, False Killer Whales, Melon Headed Whales, Pilot Whales and more!

Though we love to view our wonderful Hawaiian ocean life as much as possible, it is within our company’s discretion to respect the legal and safe viewing distances applicable to each species.

What is common gratuity, is it normal?

Gratuity for your crew is a normal tendency in charter culture, but much like the general service industry it is never an expectation. Any gratuity for your charter crew is a much welcomed reflection of efforts and care provided by that crew.

Gratuity is not included in any pricing but can be arranged to be added directly to your booking if desired, pre or post charter. It may also be directly provided to your crew in form of various tender.

In consideration of many different cultural norms, gratuity in the charter industry may average between 10 to 20%.

Again, it is never an expectation, but always very welcomed by all crew. No matter your consideration, you can always expect to be hosted with aloha and care from our MANA team.

What should I wear? What should I bring?

First and foremost, all charters are offered as barefoot cruises for all vessels. There is no need for heels, shoes or boots as all footwear will be removed. Slip-on type of footwear are easiest for onboarding and deboarding.

Fishing Charters: Wear anything comfortable and flexible that you don’t mind possibly getting damp, wet, or dirty. Eyewear and a hat are great for sun protection when fishing.

Towels: Towels are not provided aboard the Venture Boat, so please remember to BYOT (Bring Your Own Towel)

Sunscreen: For many reasons besides the obvious, we suggest bringing or pre-applying sunscreen to your skin. Please note that laws in Hawaii have been enacted that restricts use of non reef-safe sunscreens. Join us in protecting our waters by checking your sunscreens before boarding.

Baggage: Aboard we have a large, water protected hatch to store your personal belongings. We suggest packing personal belongings in beach bags or back packs. We will not have space to accommodate large luggage aboard the Venture Boat.

Changing: Before and after your charter there is ample, clean space in the restrooms at the Ko Olina Marina for your use. Changing aboard the Venture Boat is possible in our available restroom, but may be difficult based on size.

Cancellation Policy

We have a cancellation policy for both our guests and our company.

GUESTS

All reservations must be cancelled no later than 48 hours prior to the scheduled departure. No refunds will be given to these cancelled reservations.
All cancellations due to COVID-19 or domestic and international travel restrictions will be addressed on a “case by case” basis by MANA Cruises and its management team.
Reservations booked through third-party affiliates may be subject to different policies and not controlled by MANA Cruises.

COMPANY

All charters may be cancelled at the captain’s discretion any time before the scheduled departure. A full refund will be provided to all paying guests when a cruise or charter is cancelled by MANA Cruises.
Though we do our very best to avoid these situations, poor weather, safety concerns, and unforeseen mechanical problems can arise at anytime.
Reservations booked through third-party affiliates may be subject to different policies and not controlled by MANA Cruises.

Departure Location

Ko Olina Marina
92-100 Waipahe Place
Kapolei, HI 96707

Our specific meeting location is best found using information in your confirmation email provided for the charter.
Should you need further assistance or directions to the location, please call or text us!

More Details / What to expect

Greeting: On any of our offered charters, you can expect our crew to greet you at the Ko Olina Marina meeting location approximately 10 minutes prior to your scheduled departure. Before departing the dock your captain will provide a safety briefing as well as requests signatures for any needed liability waivers.

The Boat: You can expect to be aboard the vessel displayed on this website as the Venture Boat. Our vessel, LANAKILA, is a 32’ Sport Power Catamaran, powered by twin 300 HP outboards, with seating for up to 10 persons, 1 restroom, Freshwater sink/shower, Livewell, and outfitted specifically for our venture charters. A dedicated iPad supplied with Spotify is aboard for your use with our Fusion Stereo system. We will not be substituting the vessel unless you’ve been advised differently from our team.

Sun & Shade: Expect to have areas of both sun and shade always around the vessel. The vessel is equipped with a hard-top center console helm which shades nearest the center part of the boat. Unlike other MANA vessels, shade is a little less abundant aboard the Venture Boat. As mentioned in other parts of our FAQ, it is suggested to bring and wear sun protection always.

The Cruise: In most cases, we will cruise in the Northwest direction following the Waianae Mountain Range. Depending on the type of experience that you have chosen, we can range in travel distance from 2-18 miles from the Ko Olina Marina. Snorkeling spots for all charters are decided on the day of, based on conditions and the captain’s discretion. We will snorkel in areas with the most visibility and safest ocean conditions.

Customization: You'll have the freedom to tailor the adventure to your preferences, whether it's a serene afternoon cruise, an action-packed day of fishing, or an up-close snorkel encounter with the marine life. Our experienced crew will do their best to understand your preferences and hopes and deliver everything that is possible.

Enjoy: Relax, explore, fish, and soak in the natural beauty of the Hawaiian waters in style and privacy aboard this exceptional vessel. Make sure to take plenty of photos and videos. Aboard we have available USB charging ports for your electronics, as well as a dedicated iPad and Fusion Stereo system for your music needs.

Return: We do our best to ensure that we arrive back to dock at, or a bit after our planned return time. Hoping to delay your return and enjoy more time on the water? Please speak up as soon as possible to your captain. They will check for availability and start planning how to spend your extra time!