Sunset Cruise with the Whales on our Sailing Catamaran

The best part of this cruise may come after the sails go quiet: the crew can lower an underwater hydrophone so you hear the haunting songs of humpback whales. Add a Kohala Coast sunset, open-air seating, and a mai tai in hand, and you have a relaxed evening on the Big Island. I especially like the hydrophone experience and the friendly service from the crew, with past captains including Jason, Sam, Adam, and Leno.

I also like the roomy catamaran layout, with bench seats, cabin shelter, stern seating, and large bow nets for lounging. The main caution is simple: this is a sunset cruise with whale watching, not a guaranteed whale tour. Sightings can be excellent, but December can be early in the season, and rough weather may limit how far the boat goes or prevent sailing.

Key points at a glance

• Humpback songs underwater: If conditions allow, the crew deploys a hydrophone so you can listen to whales below the surface.
• A two-hour Kohala Coast outing: You get ocean views, a sunset, drinks, snacks, and whale watching in one evening.
• Open bar included: Soft drinks, tropical juices, beer, wine, and cocktails are available throughout the cruise.
• Boarding requires a short wade: You may walk through knee-deep water from shore to the tender boat, depending on sea and wind conditions.
• Sailing is not guaranteed: During whale season, the captain may use the engines to follow whales and keep the boat in a smoother, safer area.
• Best for a relaxed evening: Choose this for scenery, cocktails, and the chance of whales. Choose a dedicated morning whale cruise if whale sightings and marine-life instruction are your top goals.

Setting out from Anaeho’omalu Bay

Your outing begins at the Ocean Sports Beach Hut at Anaeho’omalu Bay, near Waikoloa. The listed meeting address is 69-1081 Ku’uali’i Place, Waikoloa Village, and it is worth allowing time to find the check-in point and parking. One past family outing found parking a little confusing, so do not cut it close.

Boarding is part of the adventure, but it is not a dry dock departure. You walk through the shoreline water to reach the tender boat ramp. Depending on wind and surf conditions, the water may come up to your knees. Crew members assist you, and the tender pulls beside the larger catamaran, where you climb three short steps aboard.

That setup matters if you have a stroller, a very young child, or limited mobility. A stroller cannot be brought aboard, and a restless toddler may have a hard time with the transfer and open boat. Most people can take part, but you should be comfortable with the short wade and boat steps.

Once aboard, you can settle into the cabin, sit along the sides, use the stern benches, or stretch out on the large netted trampolines at the bow. The nets are a fine place to watch the water, though you will want to move to a more secure seat if the sea becomes lively.

A catamaran built for views, not formality

The boat offers a pleasant mix of shelter and open air. The cabin gives you a place to get out of the breeze, while the deck and bow provide the best views for whale watching and sunset photos. With a maximum of 49 people, the cruise is not an intimate private charter, but the layout gives you room to move around.

Some departures have been much smaller. One outing had only 18 people, which made it easy to find an unobstructed view. You should not count on that exact number, but the catamaran design generally gives you more options than a narrow boat with fixed rows.

The mood is casual. You are not signing up for a formal dinner cruise. The focus is on the water, the coast, the sunset, and easy conversation with the crew and other people aboard. Families have enjoyed the relaxed setting, while couples have used it as a low-key evening outing.

Ocean Sports operates sailing catamarans as well as a power catamaran. The boat assigned to your trip can vary. The experience is advertised around sailing, but during humpback season, from December 1 through April 15, the captain may prioritize whale watching over sailing. It is difficult to stop and watch whales while under sail, so the engines may be used.

That is the one point I would clarify before booking. If the feel of a true sailing trip is your main reason for going, this may disappoint you. If you mainly want a comfortable catamaran, sunset, drinks, and a chance at whales, the distinction matters less.

Drinks, pupu, and a comfortable two hours

After boarding, you are offered a tropical cocktail or a soft drink. The complimentary bar remains open during the cruise, with tropical cocktails, local beer on tap, red and white wine, soft drinks, and juices. The minimum drinking age is 21.

The bar is more than a minor perk at this price. A two-hour boat outing can feel short if you are only watching the horizon, but a drink and a snack give the trip an easy rhythm. Specialty cocktails have included ube coladas, and mai tais have received particular praise. The crew also refreshes drinks and brings snacks around, rather than leaving you to manage everything yourself.

The food is best understood as light pupu, not a meal. You can expect items such as chips, nuts, and cold appetizers. If you need dinner, eat beforehand or plan a meal afterward. The cruise is designed to carry you through sunset, not replace an evening meal.

At $165 per person, the value depends on how you use the package. You are paying for the boat, crew, naturalist commentary, open bar, snacks, coastline views, and the possibility of whales. Compared with a basic sightseeing boat, it is a premium outing. Compared with paying separately for a sunset sail, drinks, and whale watching, the bundled price is easier to justify.

I would book it for a special evening, a birthday, an anniversary, or the one night you want to keep free for a scenic ocean outing. I would not book it solely for the alcohol or food. Those additions improve the experience, but the real value is being on the Kohala Coast at sunset with a chance to see humpbacks.

Searching for humpbacks off the Kohala Coast

As the boat leaves the bay, the captain and crew begin looking for blows, splashes, tails, and breaches. The naturalist can answer questions about humpback behavior and explain what you are seeing. The captain adjusts the route and position to give you better viewing and photo opportunities.

Whales may appear as a distant spout, a back rolling through the water, a tail lifting before a dive, or a full breach. A particularly active outing included tail dives, breaches, flipper slaps, and whales surfacing close to the boat. Another family saw a mother, calf, and escort. Those moments are possible, but no responsible whale tour can promise that level of activity.

The boat follows federal rules that protect humpbacks. It will not approach within 100 yards or maneuver in a way that changes a whale’s behavior. That can feel frustrating if a whale surfaces farther away, but it is the right approach. The boat cannot race toward a sighting or chase an animal for a better photograph.

The crew does communicate with other operators about sightings, but that does not guarantee a whale encounter. In one poor-weather outing, the boat went several miles south before turning back because of strong winds. The captain then kept the boat in the calmer lee of the Kohala Coast. Safety and a smoother ride came before covering more ocean.

This is why you should frame the whale watching as a bonus attached to a sunset cruise. During peak winter season, your chances are better, and sightings can be spectacular. In mid-December, the season may still be getting started. Some trips have seen no whales and still delivered a fine sunset and comfortable ride.

The hydrophone is the cruise’s special touch

If conditions permit, the crew lowers an underwater hydrophone. You may hear the low, eerie songs of humpback whales through the boat’s sound system. This is a different experience from spotting a distant blow. You are not just watching the ocean surface, you are listening to what is happening below it.

The hydrophone is not available on every trip. Wind, sea conditions, and the location of the whales can affect whether it is used. When it works, though, it adds an unusual layer to the outing and can be the most memorable few minutes of the cruise.

The amount of whale instruction can vary. The naturalist is available to answer questions, and some captains and crew members have been praised for strong commentary. Captain Jason has been noted for finding good viewing areas, and a naturalist named Mike has provided extensive information about humpbacks on past outings.

Other departures have felt more service-focused than educational. Some people prefer that balance, especially on a sunset cruise. Others expect a steady talk about whales, dolphins, flying fish, and Hawaiian marine life. If you want the most instruction and a whale-focused format, Ocean Sports points you toward its dedicated morning whale watch cruises instead.

Sunset along the Kohala Coast

The return leg is timed around sunset, usually with the boat secured back at its mooring about 90 minutes after departure and the full outing lasting about two hours. The changing light brings out the coastline and gives you a broad view west over the Pacific.

The famous green flash is possible as the sun reaches the horizon, though it is never something to count on. Clouds can block the sun, and one cruise had no visible sunset because of overcast weather. Even then, the open water and cloud color can make a worthwhile scene.

I recommend keeping your camera ready but not spending the whole trip behind it. Whale sightings are unpredictable, and the best moment may happen on the opposite side of the boat from where you started. The catamaran lets you move between the bow, cabin, and stern, so take advantage of that flexibility.

For the best balance, spend the first part watching for whales, then settle into a clear view toward the western horizon as sunset approaches. If you want photographs, bring a phone or camera that you can handle easily with one hand. Crew members can help with drinks, but you should keep personal items secure on the open deck.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

This trip fits couples who want a scenic evening without committing to a full dinner cruise. It also works well for families with older children who can manage the shoreline transfer and boat setting. The open bar gives adults something extra, while the wildlife and sunset keep the outing from feeling like a simple cocktail sail.

It is also a good choice if you want one activity that combines several Big Island pleasures: ocean views, a sunset, coastal scenery, light snacks, and possible humpbacks. The crew has been especially praised for being attentive, friendly, and accommodating. On one occasion, land staff even helped a group that could not find a taxi or rideshare to the meeting point.

I would choose something else if you need guaranteed whale sightings, a strictly educational program, or a fully dry boarding process. I would also reconsider if you are set on sailing under canvas. The vessel may use its engines, especially when following whales or avoiding strong wind.

Children must be accompanied by an adult. The activity allows most people to participate, but the water transfer, steps, and open deck deserve careful thought for anyone with mobility concerns or a young child.

Booking timing, weather, and cancellation

This cruise is commonly booked about 29 days ahead, which gives you a useful planning target for a popular holiday period or a special occasion. You receive a mobile ticket, and the activity is offered in English.

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund. The cruise requires good weather, and if Ocean Sports cancels because of poor conditions, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

Because the whale guarantee does not apply to this sunset departure, read the promise carefully before you book. The dedicated morning whale watch cruises have a separate guarantee. This evening trip is best viewed as a scenic cruise where whales may provide the highlight.

Should you book Ocean Sports’ sunset whale cruise?

Book it if you want a relaxed, well-served evening on the water, with a genuine chance of humpbacks and a strong sunset setting. The hydrophone, attentive crew, open bar, and roomy catamaran make it more than a simple ride along the coast.

Go in with realistic expectations. You may see breaching whales and hear their songs, or you may see only a few tails, cloudy skies, or no whales at all. If you can enjoy the ocean, drinks, coastline, and sunset on their own, the $165 price can be fair. If whales are the entire purpose of your outing, choose the dedicated morning whale watch instead.

FAQ

Where does the cruise meet?

You check in at the Ocean Sports Beach Hut at Anaeho’omalu Bay. The listed meeting address is 69-1081 Ku’uali’i Pl, Waikoloa Village, Hawaii 96738.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts about two hours. The boat is secured at its mooring about 90 minutes after departure, followed by the return tender transfer to shore.

Do I have to walk through water to board?

Yes, boarding requires walking through the shoreline to a tender boat ramp. Depending on wind and sea conditions, the water may be knee-deep. Crew members assist you, and you climb three short steps from the tender onto the catamaran.

Are whale sightings guaranteed?

No. This sunset cruise does not guarantee humpback sightings. Ocean Sports offers a separate dedicated morning whale watch cruise with its own guarantee.

What drinks and food are included?

Unlimited soft drinks, tropical juices, beer, wine, cocktails, and light snacks are included. The snacks are cold pupu and can include items such as chips and nuts. The cruise does not replace a full dinner.

Can children join the cruise?

Yes, children can participate when accompanied by an adult. Keep in mind that strollers are not allowed, and the shoreline boarding process, steps, and open boat may not suit a very young or highly mobile child.