Private Charter or Tour Boat?
There are so many great ways to get out on the water when visiting Waikiki. The first thing to determine is whether you want to charter a boat or to go on a tour. A tour boat sells seats. You purchase as many tickets as you need and get on board with whoever else is on the tour. On a private charter, you rent out the whole boat along with captain and crew. Some of the private charter boats will sometimes do “shared charters” which is a blend of the two.
Tour boats most commonly accommodate up to 49 passengers, but can go higher. You buy seats and share the experience with other guests. This can be a great way to meet people and is less expensive than chartering. Tour boats are generally more utilitarian and the excursion will follow a rigid timeline. Depending on the type of tour it can get quite crowded and it's often hard to get good pictures without someone else in the shot. On the upside they run on set schedules, can be booked at the last minute and can be good value for the money.
Private charter boats generally accommodate up to 6 passengers, but can sometimes take up to 12. They are often times more expensive, but you're paying for the luxury of determining your own schedule and not having to take other groups into consideration. Fewer people on board allows the crew to be far more attentive to guests. In general charter boats are more comfortable and have a finer finishes than tour boats do. Private charters are especially great for families and groups. Most private charters don't run on a set schedule. Upside is you can go when it works for your schedule and not just a predetermined schedule. The downside is that it can be more difficult to book last minute or the day of, but it can still happen. If you max out the number of people allowed on the boat, often private charters aren't that much more expensive than tour boats.
Pau Hana is a 41' sailing catamaran offering private charters in Waikiki specializing in snorkeling, swimming, sunset cruises, wildlife viewing and general relaxation away the crowds. Running private charter allows us the flexibility to do what's best for each day's weather and ocean conditions, but the whole point of chartering is that you get to customize your trip. Want to drive the boat? get married or propose to your partner? get that perfect sunset pic? We work with you to make sure your trip is exactly what you’re looking for.
She said yes!!! Another successful proposal aboard Pau Hana
Tour boats can range from 49 passenger sailing catamarans to the 1500 passenger Star of Honolulu
Private charters allow you to get away from the crowds and enjoy quality time with your family or group
A few of our favorite tour companies:
