Waikoloa Catamaran Sunset Sail — Dinner Cruise Review
The Waikoloa Signature Catamaran Sunset Sail is the premium option among Big Island kona sunset cruise experiences — and the only one that serves a full chicken teriyaki dinner on board. Departing from Anaehoomalu Bay at the Waikoloa Beach Resort, this 90–120 minute catamaran sail along the Waikoloa and Kohala-Kona coastline includes handcrafted cocktails, an open bar, and the chance to spot whales and dolphins from the deck. At $159 per person, it costs $50 more than the Honokohau Harbor options, so whether it's worth the premium depends on what you want. Here's an honest breakdown. (Compare all sunset catamaran sails on the Big Island on the homepage.)
About the Waikoloa Signature Catamaran Sunset Sail
Full refund up to 24 hours before departure
Lock in your date — pay nothing today
On the water — departing from Anaehoomalu Bay
Spacious vessel from Waikoloa Beach Resort area
Chicken teriyaki with rice served on board
Handcrafted cocktails, wine, beer, soft drinks
Waikoloa vs. Honokohau — Is the Premium Worth It?
The Waikoloa Signature sail is the same operator (Hawaii Nautical) as the Honokohau Harbor options, but with two meaningful differences: the departure point and the food. If you're staying at any of the Waikoloa Beach Resort hotels — Marriott, Hilton, Waikoloa Beach Marriott — this sail is a 10-minute drive rather than a 30-minute drive to Kailua-Kona. That alone can justify the premium on a holiday evening.
The dinner is the other real differentiator. The Honokohau sails serve pupus (snacks) and light bites — perfectly enjoyable with drinks, but not a meal. The Waikoloa sail serves a chicken teriyaki dinner with rice, delivered to guests on deck.
Multiple reviewers who hadn't expected real food described it as a genuine surprise. If you're planning to combine the sunset sail with dinner, this eliminates a restaurant visit and simplifies the evening.
The coastline on the Waikoloa departure is also slightly different — the sail covers Anaehoomalu Bay, Kiholo Bay, and the Kohala Coast heading south toward Kona, giving you a broader stretch of Big Island scenery than the Honokohau routes typically cover.
Wildlife from the Waikoloa Catamaran Deck
The Kohala-Kona coastline on the Waikoloa sail route is one of the most productive stretches for marine wildlife sightings on the Big Island. What guests spot from the deck:
- Humpback whales (December through April) — breach and surface along the Kohala coast; multiple reviewers report seeing whales breach twice in a row
- Spinner dolphins — common at Kiholo Bay and along the Kohala-Kona stretch
- Giant manta rays — begin aggregating near shore at dusk; visible from the catamaran on late sailings
- Hawaiian green sea turtles — surface near Anaehoomalu Bay and the Kohala reef shelf
- Flying fish — scatter from the bow on calm evenings
January through March is the strongest period for whale watching on the Waikoloa route — the humpbacks pass through on their Hawaiian migration and can be seen breaching offshore. One reviewer in March 2026 described watching a humpback breach twice from the catamaran deck as a highlight of their entire trip to the Big Island.
What's Included — and What to Know
Included
The $159 per-person price covers a full premium experience:
- Full open bar: handcrafted tropical cocktails, wine, beer, soda, juice
- Chicken teriyaki dinner with rice served on deck
- Comfortable seating on a spacious sailing catamaran
- Crew brings food and drinks directly to guests throughout the sail
- Scenic Kohala-Kona coastline with guided wildlife commentary
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
How to board
The Waikoloa sail departs from Anaehoomalu Bay (A-Bay) near Lava Lava Beach Club at the Waikoloa Beach Resort. Boarding is via a small tender boat from the beach — shoes off before boarding. The walk from the parking area is about 5 minutes across the sand; bring a phone flashlight for the return after dark.
Parking is available at Lava Lava Beach Club.
Not included
A few items are not covered:
- Hotel pickup — self-drive to Anaehoomalu Bay; no pickup service
- Gratuity — not included; crew gratuity is customary and appreciated
- Shoes on deck — all guests go barefoot or wear reef shoes on board
How the Waikoloa Sunset Sail Flows
-
−0:20
Arrive at Anaehoomalu Bay
Park at Lava Lava Beach Club and walk across the sand to the beach meeting point. Shoes off before the tender. Check in 15–20 minutes before departure.
-
0:00
Tender and board
Small tender takes you from the beach out to the catamaran. Climb aboard — the open bar opens immediately. Crew welcomes everyone with the first round.
-
0:10
Safety briefing and departure
Brief safety overview while the catamaran sets sail from Anaehoomalu Bay heading north toward the Kohala Coast.
-
0:30
Sail the Kohala-Kona coastline
Trade winds take the catamaran north. Watch for spinner dolphins, whales (December–April), and the dramatic Kohala mountain backdrop. Dinner is served on deck.
-
1:00
Golden hour and sunset
The captain positions the catamaran for the best horizon view. Crew alerts everyone as the sun drops — photo moment as the Pacific turns gold and crimson behind the Kohala peaks.
-
1:30
Return to Anaehoomalu Bay
Catamaran motors back to A-Bay. The bar stays open for the return. Tender takes guests back to the beach — bring your phone flashlight for the walk to the parking lot.
Insider Tips for the Waikoloa Catamaran Sail
Tips from guests who've done the Waikoloa Signature sail:
- Bring a phone flashlight for the return walk across the beach to the parking lot — the lighting at Lava Lava Beach Club is poor after dark
- The catamaran is accessed by tender boat from the beach, not a dock — wear footwear you can remove easily at the sand
- The chicken teriyaki dinner is genuinely good; several reviewers were surprised by the quality — don't eat a heavy meal beforehand
- Sit on the port (left) side of the catamaran heading north for better sunset viewing angles toward the horizon
- December through April sailings have the best whale watching odds from this particular route — plan accordingly if whales are on your list
Where to Find Anaehoomalu Bay — Waikoloa Departure Point
Who This Tour Is For
The Waikoloa Catamaran Sunset Sail is the best fit for travelers staying in the Waikoloa resort area or anyone who wants a complete dinner-plus-sunset experience without having to drive to Kailua-Kona. It's also the better choice for whale watchers — the Kohala Coast route in the December–April season is the most productive stretch for humpback sightings from a sunset sail.
- Not suitable for: guests with severe mobility issues — boarding is via tender boat from the beach, which requires some agility
- Not suitable for: pregnant travelers — open-ocean sailing is not recommended during pregnancy
- Not ideal for: budget travelers — at $159/pp it's $50 more than the [Honokohau Harbor options](/kona-signature-catamaran-sunset-sail/) for a similar core experience
What to Bring
- Phone flashlight — the post-sunset walk back across the beach is dark
- Light jacket or wrap — trade winds cool the deck after sunset
- Easy-to-remove footwear — you go barefoot on the catamaran
- Phone or camera for sunset and wildlife photos
- Cash or card for crew gratuity
Not Allowed on Board
- Shoes on deck — barefoot or reef shoes only
- Outside food and beverages — dinner and full bar are provided
- Hard-sided camera cases near the bow — spray risk on windy evenings
Waikoloa Catamaran Sunset Sail — FAQ
Is the chicken teriyaki dinner really included in the price?
Yes — the chicken teriyaki with rice is served on deck as part of the $159 per-person price, alongside the full open bar. Several reviewers were pleasantly surprised to find a proper meal included. You don't need to arrange dinner separately on the evenings you book this sail.
How is the Waikoloa sail different from the Honokohau Harbor departures?
The Waikoloa Signature sail departs from Anaehoomalu Bay (Waikoloa Beach Resort area, 30–35 minutes north of Kailua-Kona) and covers the Kohala-Kona coastline heading south. The Honokohau Harbor sails depart from central Kailua-Kona. The Waikoloa sail adds a chicken teriyaki dinner and is priced at $159 vs $109. Compare all options on the kona sunset cruise comparison table.
What's the boarding process at Anaehoomalu Bay?
The catamaran is anchored offshore and accessed by a small tender boat from the beach at Anaehoomalu Bay (A-Bay). Remove shoes before boarding the tender. The walk from Lava Lava Beach Club parking is about 5 minutes across sand. On the return after dark, a phone flashlight is useful — the path back is poorly lit.
Is this a good option for whale watching?
Yes — the Waikoloa Signature sail is the strongest whale watching option among the Big Island sunset catamaran sails from December through April. The Kohala Coast route passes through active humpback migration corridors. Multiple reviewers specifically mention whale sightings, including a breach observed from the deck in March 2026.
Is the Waikoloa sail worth the extra $50 over the Honokohau option?
If you're staying in the Waikoloa resort area, yes — it saves a 30-minute drive each way. If you want a full dinner included with your sunset cruise, yes. If you're on a tight budget and staying in Kailua-Kona, the Kona Signature sail gives you the same open bar and views at $109.
What Guests Say About the Waikoloa Sunset Sail
Hands down, the best catamaran experience my husband and I have been on. The crew was so amazing! The sunset was absolutely magical and breathtaking. The crew kept us informed as to when it would go down so all patrons were ready to take the breathtaking pictures!
It was so worth it, the crew's amazing and the Sunset was absolutely incredible. We even got a bonus by seeing whales — one of them breached two times. I can't believe we got so lucky. The drinks were great and they even fed us teriyaki bowls. 10/10, highly recommend.
Captain Rob, Nicole and the crew were the best. They took amazing care of us with handcrafted cocktails and a nice little meal and great snacks. The trip out and back is actual sailing with no motor noise — loved it!