When planning our trip to Hawaii, we knew that we wanted to get out and spend some time on the water. There are many highly rated catamaran companies that operate in Waikiki. Pink Sails and Holokai Catamaran came up often in our search. We decided to go with Holokai due to the ease of accessing the launch site, price, and reviews.
Where to sign up
To go out with Holokai Catamaran there are a few options to sign up. You can either call over the phone, utilize their website, or stop by their desk at the Outrigger Reef Hotel.
Because we were staying in the Outrigger Reef (READ MY REVIEW HERE), we signed up right in the hotel.
If you choose to sign up at their desk, make sure you ask if there are any promotions or discounts. These discounts are advertised on their website, but they may not apply them in person if you do not ask!
Cost
We paid roughly $45 per person. The hotel concierge encouraged us earlier that day to take a similar tour for about $100 per person so I told myself we were getting a bargain. Excursions in Hawaii are often expensive, so unless you find a huge sale online expect to pay a similar price wherever you go!
Cancellations
We were told that if there were not enough people signed up for the tour (you need a minimum of six) or the tour was cancelled for another reason, that we would receive a telephone call by 1:30.
We were advised that, unlike some other tours, they go out rain or shine! Keep that in mind if you don’t want to go out in bad weather.
Boarding the Catamaran
At the start of our whale watching tour we met in the lobby of the Outrigger Reef Hotel at 2:30pm for our 3pm tour. After taking our names, we were told to stay nearby and we would be circling up at 2:45pm. We used this opportunity to put on sunscreen (there is almost no shade on the boat).
At 2:45pm we were gathered in a circle and our names were called to confirm everyone was there. Once roll call was finished, an employee lead us to the launch point through the lobby, out onto the street, and down a nearby alley onto a small beach.
The walk itself was not long or tiring, it was about 5 minutes, mostly paved and flat. Once the boat pulled up (another company also uses this beach as a launch area so there was some traffic) everyone is called over to board. This is not a dry, dock situation. You are expected to board from the sand in shallow water, and climb up a steep set of stairs.
If you are elderly, have poor balance, or simply do not want to get your feet wet, this may not be the tour for you. However, if you are willing to accept assistance, the employees seemed extremely friendly and would likely hold your arm as you boarded.
Storage and Seating
When whale watching, I usually stress a bit about getting the perfect seat. On this catamaran, every seat is terrific! Seats along the middle of the boat have smaller cubbies, those along the edge have larger cubbies. In addition to these seats, you can stand along the railings looking out into the water, or, on the ropes at the front! Three people were allowed on each set up at a time. This was one of my favorite parts of the trip! There was a time in the beginning that a few people were hogging this area, but after a while, and perhaps some peer pressure from others there was a turn for all.
What if I don’t see a whale?
If you don’t see a whale during your trip, you are guaranteed a free return trip out on the catamaran. When picking the day for your excursion, try to pick a day at the beginning or middle of your trip, this way you will have the opportunity to get back out there! A whale sighting includes anything ranging from seeing the spray from a blowhole to a breach out of water.
We ended up seeing about 3 whales during our voyage and I was highly satisfied!
Drinks
As part of your ticket, drinks are included! Water, sodas, beer, liquor, all of it! Some rides I have taken that include drinks do so begrudgingly, and they make it difficult, slow, or annoying to get your refill. On Holokai, the drinks were FLOWING. The first mate kept everyone’s hands full; however, this didn’t feel like a booze cruise. Everyone was very much in control, having a good time. There were even kids on board!
Views
Our tour started in Waikiki, and ventured out towards Diamond Head. The coast was in sight at all times. Because we only had about an hour and a half out on the water we didn’t get very far past Diamond Head, but the captain and first mate pointed out sights along the coast, explained that the fog we saw was actually “vog” from an active volcano on the Big Island, and kept us thoroughly entertained.
Bathroom
On a larger boat, a tour company may have multiple bathrooms. This was the case on other whale tours I have been on out of Vancouver, Massachussetts, and New York.
On a smaller catamaran, this is not the case. The bathroom is accessed through a hatch in the floor of the boat. We were advised that nothing but waste could be flushed (even toilet paper). I think everyone was a bit scared, and not a single person used the bathroom the entire time.
Because I did not venture down below I can’t speak to the cleanliness or quality of the bathroom.
Crowds
When we signed up for the whale watching tour, only four other names were on the list. When we showed up, there were about 20 other people on the tour as well. I would say that the catamaran did not feel over crowded, but I definitley would have preferred to only have four other people so that the space to view the whales was not as congested as only one railing faced the whales unless we turned, and the ropes in front were occupied often.
Despite this, the crowd ratio felt much more enjoyable than all other tours I have been on!
Was it Worth it?
YES! I would have gone out on the catamaran again if we had the time available. The music played really set the mood, the boat was steady and didn’t rock much, the crew was so welcoming and fun, and we ended up seeing whales!
If you are a die-hard naturalist who wants to spend hours out on the water, or are someone who will want to chase the whales and get very close this may not be the tour for you. Holokai Catamarans is respectful of the whales and keeps a proper distance. The tour was also much shorter than other whale watching tours and could leave you wanting more.
I really enjoyed this experience and would recommend to anyone visiting Waikiki!