Mauna Kea Signature Coastline Cruise Day & Sunset Options
Description
Unwind in true island style on our Mauna Kea Coastline Cruise, departing from Kawaihae Harbor aboard Olohana — a 41-foot luxury powerboat designed for comfort and ocean adventure. Choose the afternoon adventure that combines breathtaking scenery, Hawaiian history and opportunities to spot marine life. Or choose the sunset cruise to watch the sun dip toward the horizon, revealing sweeping views of Mauna Kea, Mauna Loa, and Hualālai — and on especially clear evenings, Haleakalā rising across the channel on Maui. Dolphins are often spotted playing nearby, and during winter months, humpback whales may grace the waters. Whether you’re celebrating something special or simply enjoying a peaceful evening on the ocean, this relaxing coastal escape is the perfect way to close out your day in Hawai‘i.
Tour Options
Itinerary
The Kohala Mountains are the oldest of the five volcanoes that make up the Big Island of Hawai‘i, located at the island’s northern tip. Formed over a million years ago, Kohala last erupted around 120,000 years ago and is now considered extinct. Over time, erosion has dramatically shaped its landscape into deep, lush valleys and steep, rugged cliffs, especially on the windward (northeastern) side where abundant rainfall supports dense cloud forests and rich biodiversity. In contrast, the leeward (western) slopes are much drier due to the rain shadow effect. Rising to an elevation of about 5,480 feet, the mountain range is a crucial watershed, feeding numerous streams and rivers that carve their way through the terrain to the ocean. Kohala holds deep cultural significance as the birthplace of King Kamehameha I, who united the Hawaiian Islands.
Mauna Kea is a majestic dormant volcano on Hawaiʻi Island, rising above the clouds as the tallest mountain on Earth when measured from its base on the ocean floor. Revered as a sacred place in Hawaiian culture, its summit offers breathtaking views, rare alpine landscapes, and some of the world’s most important astronomical observatories.
Mauna Loa is the world’s largest active volcano, covering much of Hawaiʻi Island with its vast, gently sloping landscape. Known for its powerful yet typically slow-moving lava flows, it is both a striking natural wonder and a living reminder of the island’s ongoing volcanic creation.
Hualālai is an active volcano on Hawaiʻi Island, rising quietly above the Kona Coast with forested slopes and rugged lava fields. Less visited than its neighboring peaks, it offers a sense of solitude while playing an important role in the island’s volcanic history and cultural landscape.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(9)
Awesome experience from start to finish; beautiful sunset, awesome service, the host is beautiful, and some very cool flying fish! The crew was totally professional, and made the evening special. Thank you, Captain Keith, Nicole and Hunter, y’all are pros and we can’t wait to sail again. Dinner was great and drinks were flowing. You guys are the best!
Because of their last minute cancellations, we ended up having to rearrange 3 days of our vacation to accommodate their rebookings. Both of the sunset cruises that we booked, were canceled after we, and other guests, arrived at, or were on our way to the dock. Some guests were stranded. The best the company could do for us was an offer of a daytime cruise at 10% discount. The whale watching trip that we ended up taking was underwhelming. We also found out that they regularly offer 20% discounts. So between the awful customer service, and the rearrangement of our days for them, we can’t recommend them.
We enjoyed a wonderful sunset cruise with Captain Zander and crew Tyler, Josh and Nicole! They made the experience so much fun and were very kind and funny. It was a highlight of our trip to the Big Island of Hawaii and I highly recommend going with them for any of your adventures.
So disappointed! We went on the Mauna Kea sunset cruise tonight. Crew is nice and friendly. Boat is pretty and comfortable. However, the crew needs to read the advertising! Advertising shows a light supper of multiple sandwiches, fruit, and cookies. What we were actually offered was a bag of potato chips. Complementary drinks are from Walmart. Advertising on the website talks about scenic cruising, we had no commentary at all about what we were passing by. The ocean was very rough and the waves were actually scary. That was probably beyond their control. I was so glad when it was over.
This trip was so fun and we were well taken care of. We set sail off the beach and were served with drinks and snacks galore as we rode up the coast line towards sunset. The ride was relaxing and not bumpy! Must do!
Had the most incredible experience, definitely a must try!! The refreshments and service was amazing
The crew was extremely knowledgeable and hospitable. We had an amazing trip on the Spirit of Aloha. I don't know how, but more seating would be a plus. The drinks, food and views were top notch. Mahalo Nui Loa to the captain and his crew of deckhands!
Hospitality was excellent. The food, snacks and drinks were delicious. Truly nice experience. Would definitely recommend. It's a short beach walk for some and not for anyone who cannot walk a distance.
This sunset cruise was the highlight of our trip to Mauna Kea! The views were absolutely breathtaking. The crew was welcoming and attentive, sharing fun local insights throughout the sail. It was the perfect mix of adventure and scenic beauty—highly recommend for couples or anyone looking to soak in the magic of Hawaii from the water.
