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Tours/Oahu/Whale Watching Catamaran Sail

Whale Watching Catamaran Sail

4.7(26)Oahu2 hours
VIATOR4.4(5)TRIPADVISOR4.8(21)
Whale Watching Catamaran Sail
Whale Watching Catamaran Sail
Whale Watching Catamaran Sail
Whale Watching Catamaran Sail
Whale Watching Catamaran Sail
+2 photos
Whale Watching Catamaran Sail
Whale Watching Catamaran Sail
Whale Watching Catamaran Sail
Whale Watching Catamaran Sail
Whale Watching Catamaran Sail
Whale Watching Catamaran Sail

At a glance

Duration
2 hours
Price from
$114 / person
Location
Oahu, United States
Rating
4.7 / 5 · 26 reviews
Group
Small group, up to 19
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
Confirmation
Within 24h
Ticket
Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Operator
North Shore Catamaran Charters

Description

2hr whale watching sail aboard the Ho'oNaea Catamaran. Enjoy Oahu's majestic North Shore and encounter the Hawaiian Humpback whales up-close from the of the decks of the Ho'oNaea. Relax and talk story with the friendly captain and crew, while learning about the characteristics of the humpback whales.

Schedule & prices

Runs
Every day
Start times
8:30 AM and 11:00 AM
Season
Starts Dec 15
Adult (ages 13+)
$114
Child (ages 3–12)
$93
Infant (ages 0–2)
$93

From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 13.

Tour Options

Afternoon Whale Watching Sail

2.5hr Humpback Whale Watching Catamaran sail from Haleiwa boat harbor on O'ahu's North Shore. Departs at 12.30pm daily; check-in 30 minuets before. *weather conditions permitting

Morning Whale Watching Sail

2.5hr Humpback Whale Watching Catamaran sail from Haleiwa boat harbor on O'ahu's North Shore. Departs at 9.30am daily; check-in 30 minuets before. *weather conditions permitting

Itinerary

North Shore
Pass by

Set sail on the Hoʻo Nanea, the perfect catamaran for North Shore whale watching! She’s just the right size to keep you close to the action and stable enough to be a smooth, safe viewing platform for everyone on board. Unlike the crowded whale-watching scenes in Waikiki, the North Shore offers a peaceful, uncrowded experience where it’s just you, the open ocean, and the magnificent humpback whales of Hawaiʻi. In fact, the Hoʻo Nanea is the only commercial sailing catamaran operating on the North Shore – which means no flotilla of boats chasing the same whale. It’s a more personal, respectful, and awe-inspiring encounter with nature. As you sail along the coastline, keep your eyes peeled for massive tails, graceful breaches, and the occasional curious calf swimming beside its mother. Whether you’re a seasoned whale-watcher or brand-new to the magic of humpbacks, this is the ultimate way to experience their beauty—under sail, in the wild, and with the wind at your back.

Waimea Bay
Pass by

Enjoy the beautiful lush valley and sandy bay from the pacific. Waimea valley being one of Oahus most sacred valleys that pours into its historical bay. During the Summer months it is the spinner dolphins breeding grounds. The locals and visitors also love to cliff jump from Waimea's large 30ft. tall rock in the bay.

What's included

Included
Local guide
B.Y.O.B
Bottled water
Beverages (non-alcoholic soda)
Free Parking in harbor
Not included
Gratuities
Hotel pickup and drop-off

Traveller Ratings

Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor

4.7
26 reviews
5
21
4
3
3
2
2
0
1
0

How it compares in Oahu

  • Starting price $114 is close to the typical $106 for tours of similar length in Oahu

Excurgo comparison of 854 Viator tours, recalculated daily.

Important Information

  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund

Frequently asked questions

How long does Whale Watching Catamaran Sail take?

Whale Watching Catamaran Sail lasts about 2 hours. The itinerary has 2 stops.

How much does Whale Watching Catamaran Sail cost?

Prices start at $114 per person for this Oahu experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There are 2 booking options, so the final price depends on the option you choose.

What days does Whale Watching Catamaran Sail run?

According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs every day, starting at 8:30 AM and 11:00 AM.

How much does Whale Watching Catamaran Sail cost for children?

Children aged 3–12 pay from $93, adults from $114.

Can I cancel Whale Watching Catamaran Sail for free?

Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.

Is this a private or a group tour?

It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 19 participants.

Is the tour suitable for children?

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap

Will my booking be confirmed immediately?

Confirmation is sent by the operator within 24 hours of booking.

Is Whale Watching Catamaran Sail worth it?

Travellers rate it 4.7 out of 5 across 26 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor; it is run by North Shore Catamaran Charters.

Reviews(26)

Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor

K
kraemer_anna
March 29, 2025 · via Tripadvisor
Whale watching 🐋

We did the morning catamaran tour for whale watching, and it was absolutely incredible! The crew was fantastic - super friendly, knowledgeable, and clearly passionate about what they do. They shared so many interesting facts about whales. We were lucky to see plenty of whales, including a mom and her calf up close to the boat, which was incredible. Some whales were even breaching in the distance, making for breathtaking sights. The crew’s expertise and respect for the animals made the experience even more special. An unforgettable adventure that I would highly recommend to anyone! Thank you again for taking us along! Laura and Anna

M
mary3llen65
March 28, 2025 · via Tripadvisor
Excellent whale watching experience!

I highly recommend the whale watching trip on North Shore Catamaran Charters. The captain and crew were top notch: kind, friendly, super knowledgeable and very relaxed and down-to-earth. We saw humpbacks, dolphins and flying fish up close, and got to hear the whales via a hydrophone. The views of Oahu from the ocean were spectacular. I would not hesitate to book a tour with this excellent tour group.

X
Ximena_Miami
March 25, 2025 · via Tripadvisor
A must in Oahu!

Once in a life time experience!!! It was amazing! The crew had the best energy and kindness you can imagine. We saw whales three times and we hear them under the water. If you are going to Oahu, this is a must experience. Special cheer out to Theresa, but all the crew were amazing!

E
E8641CHjohnp
February 9, 2025 · via Tripadvisor
Great time

Great tour, the crew was great and very informative recommend to anyone. Saw whales, dolphins and a turtle, and heard the whales communicating.

C
clbt56
February 2, 2025 · via Tripadvisor
Mildly DIsappointing

Great boat trip during moderate to high sea conditions. Disappointing, however, to never using the advertised hydrophone to "listen" for whales which was one of the reasons for selecting this charter boat experience (use was never offered nor explained why it wasn't used during the voyage).

Y
Y884JYcindya
March 25, 2023 · via Tripadvisor
Fun group atmosphere and beautiful views

Every trip will be different but our group saw a ton of action, including 3 breaches and 7-8 other sightings of flippers and whales coming up for a some air -- super cool! We did a sunset cruise in March and the captain and skipper created a fun community feel among us which was fun and relaxing. They also did a small bit of education so we knew more about the whales, habits, and that we'd be seeing a lot of mom & new babies during this time of year. The boat was well maintained, easy to walk around to see spotting's on any side, and it wasn't too crowded so everyone had a great view. Very fun evening and would recommend to others!!

A
abmerrill
February 21, 2021 · via Tripadvisor
Perfect Evening Tour

Captain Mark and his crew were wonderful. We were able to see multiple whale families. They used hydrophone to allow us to hear the whales communicating. What an experience. Captain Mark made sure everyone was having fun and he even shared stories with us. The catamaran was super clean and big enough that everyone was comfortable. We could interact with other guests, but at a safe distance. I highly recommend North Shore Catamaran Charters - they are true professionals.

N
nthnguyen3297
January 17, 2021 · via Tripadvisor
Incredible!!

Captain Mark was incredible and the young lady (I forgot her name), but she was very sweet and offered us beverages along the tour. We had the 9AM whale watching tour. The entire boat had only 2 couples and we enjoyed it like our own tour. Saw a whale was sleeping and it was like 20 feet away from the boat. Best experience ever!! Will definitely recommend you to try this experience.

2 people found this helpful
M
MatthewSHouston
March 16, 2020 · via Tripadvisor
Excellent day of whale watching

We had a great time and saw at least 8-10 whales including a young calf. The boat was well run and the crew were great. The hydrophone to listen to the whales was awesome! Highly recommend.

B
Brandilm1233
March 15, 2020 · via Tripadvisor
Wonderful family outing

We had an amazing time with Captain Mark and Skye! Our family of 10, including an infant, went out on their catamaran. They were wonderful hosts, and super accommodating. We saw tons of dolphins, several whales and a couple of turtles. They were very engaging with our young adults and taught them how to spot the animals, making a wonderful and interactive tour. I would definitely recommend this company and will go again when we get the chance.

$114/ person
4.7(26)
Duration2 hours
ConfirmationWithin 24h
Check availability on Viator →
Booked and paid on Viator.com
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

No booking fees from Excurgo
Payment and confirmation are handled by Viator
Excurgo support

Excurgo earns a commission from Viator when you book through this link, at no extra cost to you.

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