ala wai yachts honolulu hi

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Better Sailing

Living on a Boat in Hawaii: What you Need to Know (Best Liveaboard Marinas, Costs, etc)

The Hawaiian Islands have some of the world’s best sailing opportunities. It’s among the top destinations for sailors and offers many activities and amazing places to explore. For liveaboards, life can be cheap in Hawaii in comparison with the other US States. For example, throughout the year, Waikiki provides consistent wind and a generally tranquil bay for sailing and powerboating. Everyone enjoys scuba diving, snorkeling, and swimming in the crystal-clear water off their boat. It truly is the lifestyle of a lifetime! On the other hand, there are a limited number of slips and moorings accessible in Hawaii. So, let’s speak about the liveaboard life in Hawaii, follow me!

Information about Living Aboard in Hawaii

You are not allowed to live aboard a boat in Hawaii or even on an offshore mooring. But, this does not apply to all marinas and locations. Furthermore, some marinas allow you to stay 90 or 120 days in marinas and harbors in Hawaii. In that situation, you can liveaboard using the facilities there. But, you’ll have to pay a lot of money per week to stay there. You can, however, live onboard if you travel from one marina to the next and stay for a specific amount of time. For example, if you owe a 50 feet boat you will be paying around $400 per week. These are in addition to the card fee for bathrooms and more for shore power. In addition, there are certain restrictions on mooring vessels utilized for living aboard in small boat harbors other than Ala Wai and Keehi.

Keep in mind that a lot of harbors don’t even have the aforementioned facilities. But, the yacht harbor in Ala Wai does. If you belong to a yacht club, you can stay on their moorings in Lahaina as a guest. You will still be charged, but it is a lovely environment. Even if you are in a mooring area, you will be charged for the overall length of your vessel rather than the deck length. And, even if moorings are not available, you will be charged for anchorage. And, this may put your boat on the rocks with a slight breeze.

Note that according to the Hawaiian department of land and natural resources, the department may permit the operator of a vessel to moor the vessel and liveaboard. This applies for a period that doesn’t exceed thirty days at any one small boat harbor during the calendar year. Moreover, the operator applies for and receives a living aboard permission. This allows the designated individuals to dwell onboard the operator’s vessel.

Small boat harbors are built, operated, and maintained primarily to provide public recreational boating opportunities and to promote the fishing sector. To achieve these goals, an application for a living aboard permit must be reviewed. Also, the department may request additional information to determine the effect or likelihood of the permit’s issuance on the most efficient use of small boat harbor facilities for recreational boating activities. The department will not provide a permit to live aboard a vessel unless the application and supporting evidence clearly show that doing so is not in the public interest or otherwise illegal.

>>Also Read: Best Time to Sail to Hawaii

Costs of Living Aboard in Hawaii

The fees for a marina slip determine a lot. You still have to pay for things like energy, the internet, etc. It’s important to note that as the space is limited when living aboard, you have to be a bit of a minimalist to live full time aboard a boat. Maintenance, insurance, and other steady costs are also important to keep in mind. For example, outside of Honolulu, a monthly fee of $610 is charged for a 35′ slip. You also have to pay for electricity. As a matter of fact, the closer you get to Honolulu, the more expensive it will be.

Don’t forget to check beforehand so as to see if there are any mooring possibilities without long waitlists. It may be difficult to get things to work out if there’s a 6-month waitlist. On Oahu, long-term mooring isn’t recommended. Most harbors have long waiting lists. Also, the locations you might be able to get into aren’t the safest for your belongings due to criminality. You will have a better chance on the outer islands. Although Hawaii is expensive, it is not significantly more so than other states on the mainland. Some of them already have a poor reputation for the cost of living. In other words, what you need for the liveaboard life in Hawaii is a decent budget and a spacious vessel. This, of course, will depend on your needs and crew.

Facilities and Liveaboard Life in Hawaii

In general, it’s not so easy to be a liveaboard in Hawaii. This is because the facilities are mostly nonexistent, a private marina is a far better choice if space is available. Also, most goods are extremely expensive. On top of that, the currents, wind, and waves in the channels can be dangerous at times. So, unless you have a very solid heavy displacement cruiser, you may find yourself waiting to cross. And, based on the disappearance of offshore moorings, more things have only gotten more expensive and less welcoming. Keep in mind that criminality in Hawaii is also increasing dramatically.

Ala Moana Marina is a marina in Ala Moana, Hawaii. It is close to all of Waikiki’s bustle, Ala Moana’s massive retail area, and downtown, and the rent is more than reasonable. There appears to be a community of people who live on their boats and mingle with one another, sitting on piers with their beverages to watch sunsets, assisting one another with repairs, and so on. The marina’s rules required that the boat be a “sailable” boat, which meant that you had to take it out of your slip at least once a year.

Some sailors state that even if the Hawaiian Islands have hundreds of miles of shoreline many areas are the most boat-hostile places they’ve never been. Even for the boating community, it’s pricey there, and the boating laws are far too restrictive. Many boaters end up selling their boats and settling down on land. However, it’s a wonderful location to be if you can afford it and don’t mind the restrictions but be prepared for dealing with difficulties. Lastly, hurricanes and bad weather are also common in the Hawaiian Islands.

>>Also Read: Living on a Boat in California: What you Need to Know

Best Marinas in Hawaii

Ala wai yacht harbor.

The Ala Wai Yacht Harbor is the largest and most well-known harbor. Despite the fact that obtaining a permanent slip can take anywhere from two to three years, the harbor provides a 120-day interim permit. It can also fit some rather large yachts and is relatively inexpensive. This, however, depends on the size of your boat. A 40-foot sail yacht, for example, would cost $15.63 per day. The representatives can provide you with an estimate for any size boat over the phone.

The Ala Wai Harbor is the finish line of the world-famous Transpac sailing event, which takes place every two years from Los Angeles to Honolulu. There is a big canal that is easy to navigate and is close to all of Honolulu’s attractions. The Waikiki Yacht Club and the Hawaii Yacht Club are two private yacht clubs in Honolulu. Both offer permanent slips for boats of all sizes. These clubs are located directly across the street from the Ala Wai Harbor. The wait for regular members of either club can range from two to ten years, but temporary slips are possible.

Kewalo Harbor

Honolulu’s Kewalo Harbor is another wonderful option. Kewalo Harbor is located in Honolulu’s Kaka’ako district, where new and gorgeous apartments are being built. The length of the slips varies between 40 and 100 feet. Three loading docks, electricity, water, vehicle parking, and facilities are available to both members and visitors. It would be quite easy to live in a condo across the street and have a boat slip at Kewalos. After a day on the beach, Ward town has a plethora of stores and excellent eateries to choose from. You’d still head straight out the huge channel and up to Diamond Head to take advantage of everything Waikiki has to offer.

Ko Olina Marina

The full-service 342-slip Ko Olina Marina, located on Oahu’s picturesque leeward shore, contains state-of-the-art Bellingham floating docks and the Ko Olina Activity Building. The first marina built in Hawaii in almost 30 years, and the only one intended to fulfill the needs of world-class megayachts, opened in 2000. The marina received the Marina Dock Age magazine’s “Marina of the Year Award” in 2008.

Honokohau Harbor

Between the Kona Airport and the town of Kailua-Kona sits Honokohau Harbor. Grander Alley, located just beyond the harbor, offers world-class sportfishing. This is a fantastic tiny boat harbor. There is plenty of free parking. Restrooms are clean and there are plenty of facilities.This is where dive boats, snorkeling cruises, fishing charters, and other activities depart from. Two boat launches are available. The harbor has two sides. On one side, there’s a dive shop, as well as locations to have a drink or a bite to eat.

Kaneohe Yacht Club

The Kaneohe Yacht Club was founded in 1924. Its goal was to encourage and promote a love of sailing, powerboating, and other maritime sports via competitive, recreational, and social events. They offer first-class harbor facilities, clubhouse, and other amenities. Moreover, they create a refuge on Windward Oahu for boating enthusiasts. All these encourage good seamanship, education, and an overall attitude of excellence.

Outside of Honolulu

You have a couple of different possibilities if you choose to round the island and leave Honolulu. Ko’olina Marina is located in Kapolei on the west side of the island. This is a liveaboard marina with water, electricity, cable television hookup, phone, laundry and washroom facilities. There’s also a picnic area with grill, and a secured entrance. A 160-foot floating fuel dock with a pump out station offers both diesel and gasoline. There is a $2.50 per foot per day guest charge, as well as a permanent slip waiting list. Ko’olina is an excellent site to dock your boat. This is because there are many activities and shops around it.

Haleiwa Harbor is a tiny boat harbor on the North Shore. This is the most difficult harbor to get a long-term slip in. Because it is the only safe harbor on the North Shore, the waiting period is around 10 years. Many boaters sail up to Waimea Bay in the summer and anchor on the sand. They cook on their boats and stay for days at a time just to swim and kayak in the gorgeous lake. It’s quite pleasant and serene, and I would recommend it to any cruiser. If you plan on staying for several days, a small dingy can be useful for getting groceries or going to supper in Haleiwa town.

Another alternative is to purchase a home that has a boat slip. The Makani Kai Marina is one of the greatest communities. Big 2-3 bedroom suites with Kaneohe Bay views, large lanais, a pool, clubhouse, and a private marina are available in these condos. Because the units are exceptionally unusual and rarely appear on the market, they sell for between $700,000 and $800,000 depending on size and view and include your own boat slip. This marina has large docks, and the world-class Kaneohe sandbar is easily accessible from the canal.

The townhome apartments at Gateway Peninsula at West Marina, Hawaii Kai, also include boat slips. There are 3 bedroom/2 bath homes with access to Koko Marina and close proximity to Honolulu. All these start in the high $800s. You may take your boat to some of the fantastic eateries along the river, such as Kona Brewing Company or Assaggio’s Italian, or go shopping at Costco. If you want to have a motorboat right outside your door, there are a variety of single-family house alternatives on the canal. Although there are certain size restrictions, it is still a fantastic alternative for the avid powerboater.

>>Also Read: Best Sailing Destinations in Hawaii

Living on a Boat in Hawaii – The Bottom Line

So, living aboard your boat is feasible in Hawaii but you will probably encounter some difficulties. This is due to the State’s laws, expensive slip rates, not so many liveaboard communities, and inclement weather. However, if you have decided that you want to liveaboard in Hawaii you can do it. You just have to plan and organize yourself and your boat ahead of time, do some research and contact the marinas of your preference. Keep in mind that a standard mooring permit, as well as additional permission, is required to reside aboard a boat, resulting in a higher rent charge. Proposed legislation that would increase slip rental prices might have a significant impact on the Ala Wai Harbor’s unique and colorful community of boat owners. And, this includes individuals who live aboard their vessels full time.

I hope that this article has helped you find out whether or not you want to liveaboard in Hawaii. It is totally feasible and it can also be a unique experience if you choose the right marina and location. I wish you all luck with your research!

Peter is the editor of Better Sailing. He has sailed for countless hours and has maintained his own boats and sailboats for years. After years of trial and error, he decided to start this website to share the knowledge.

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Ala Wai Yachts is open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday.

Ala Wai Yachts

• Monday 09:00AM - 05:00PM
• Tuesday 09:00AM - 05:00PM
• Wednesday 09:00AM - 05:00PM
• Thursday 09:00AM - 05:00PM
• Friday 09:00AM - 05:00PM
• Sat, Sun Closed

Ala Wai Boat Harbor

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Waikiki Shopping Plaza Parking Garage

0.9 miles away from Ala Wai Boat Harbor

Central Waikiki parking in two clean, safe parking garages. Daytime Special of $15 for up to 10 hours (must enter the lot from 6:30am – 4:30pm) in the Waikiki Shopping Plaza. See website for most up-to-date rates. read more

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1651 Ala Moana Blvd

Honolulu, HI 96815

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My friend invited me to participate in a drinking party on a boat anchored at Ala Wai Boat Harbor. The scenery of the boat dock seen from the Irikai Hotel is a masterpiece, but I was very happy to be able to ride one ship there. However, I was a little worried about the water quality caused by the sewage and garbage of the Ala Wai canal, which is a problem these days. I was also worried about the smell during the drinking party, but there was no bad smell before or after entering the boat, and there was no shaking during the anchorage, and it was very comfortable.According to my friend, depending on the place, filth and drifting objects may stay and give off a bad smell... I heard that a condominium will be built by shrinking the boat harbor last year, but there may be no choice but to prevent water pollution. In any case, I want Ala Wai Boat Harbor, which boasts a beautiful contrast with the sunset, to continue to delight people's eyes as one of the sights in Honolulu. 友達に誘われてAla Moana Wai Boat Harborに停泊中のボートで飲み会に参加しました。イリカイホテルから見えるボートドックの景観は圧巻ですが、そこにある一隻に乗れるのはとても嬉しい事でした。 ただ、特に昨今問題になっているAla Moana Waiの汚水やゴミによる水質が少々気になりました。飲み会中の匂いも心配でしたがボートの中に入る前も後も悪臭は全く無く停泊中の揺れもなくてとても快適でした。 友達曰く、場所によっては汚物や漂流物が滞留して悪臭を放つ場合もあるのだとか、、、 昨年ボートハーバーを縮小させてコンドミニアムが建つと言うのを聞きましたが水質汚濁防止するにはそれも仕方が無い事なのかも知れないですね。 いずれにしてもサンセットとの美しいコントラストを誇るAla Moana Wai Boat Harborが、ホノルルの名所の一つとしてこれからも人々の目を楽しませて欲しいものです。

Watch out. The Park Whiz thing has issues. I had errors on the site when setting my parking times. Come to found out everytime I pressed it I was charged. This recent time I was charged a total 9 times. Double check everyone.

PARKING: There should be more reviews on the PARKING as a lot of people coming here, aside from the people who own boats and are looking for slips are probably reading reviews too. FREE PARKING: There's some free parking I've never had the luck of encountering as long as I've been alive on this island. I used to lug around a stash of quarters back in the 'old days' and to this very day, never lucked out at the free parking by the Hilton Hawaiian beach cove on the Diamond Head side. PAID PARKING: $1 per hour, if you can get your credit card to work. Don't own a credit card? You are OUT OF LUCK. Don't own at least two different cards? YOU ARE OUT OF LUCK, unless you're lucky! Why do I say this??? First, let's go back to the beginning. When you park you are going what the hell, scan the QR CODE on the parking signs??? We never got any information from the QR Code!!! The only information I got was good old sleuthing...which means peeking into people's cars. I saw slips of paper on their windshield, which means they got it at a self-parking kiosk. I find one, and the lady in front of me is having problems...the minutes tick by, I am getting nervous, I am going to miss my boat cruise! She finally gives up and lets me have my chance. First, remember your license plate! I forgot mine and my husband had to run back to the car while a line formed behind me. Damn. Second, choose the hours by hitting the + sign for more hours, - for less. Third, tap or insert your card. Nothing worked for our Costco Visa, which has a $16,000 credit limit on it, and we pay off all our balances at the end of the month. I've used it since, and it hasn't been rejected. I tried 5x. Nothing. I tried my Capitol One Visa and no problem at all! It spits out a printed ticket, which you will put on your dash board. It didn't like Costco Visa, apparently. At the end of the night, I had to add two more hours, so I go back to the kiosk, and there's a Korean man trying to add 13 hours onto his ticket. He is apparently cussing. And then yelling at his wife across the kiosk to the car. His credit card is not working. No surprise there. He gives up and lets me go on ahead while he mulls over his misfortune. I think he's smart to park in the harbor for 13 hours = $13 instead of $45 a day at his hotel; maybe he's gone all day and only needs overnight parking. Smart. But the parking kiosk does not participate. RATES: As of June 2022, hourly parking is $1.00 an hour, max 24 hours. Monthly parking for harbor tenants $50.00 a month, $125.00 a month for all other monthly users. Good luck getting your credit card to work. If you're eating at the Chart House, it's $5.00 parking for 4 hour w/ validation. OTHER: We saw a guy with a folding lawn chair duct-taped to his hover board riding in the road over speed bumps, trash and debris in the harbor water, homeless denizens roaming through the overflowing trash on the harbor side walks, run-down and locked bathrooms, but overall nice sunsets. There's a nice mishmash of people. Mostly safe, but every time I saw someone speed toward me on a bicycle, I put my purse strap on the opposite side of where they were riding. RETURN FACTOR: Not if I have to.

The folks in the office are so nice regardless of all The riff rad they deal With. They really are nice. Bring them some coffee and donuts and don't be mean, they will help you and make sure you get the help you need. Unless you are a chronic. No chronics

During my melancholy days, the stretch of Ala Wai is my best place to escape my blues. Peaceful esp. at night & the calmness of its Marina will surely make you feel glow inside. Great place to unwind indeed! Sad part is as years passes by, trash filled the ocean, esp. on the boat side area. Beautiful harbor but when you look closer to the water you'll see plastics & different trash made by mankind. As an environmentalist I cant help but think why is the management is poorly implemented when it comes to trash. Action required must be conducted. Night time is the best for me to come in here. You got tons of vacant parking lot for you to park your vehicle. Picturesque view will surprise you! This is also one of the spot where you can witness the fireworks display at Hilton Village every Friday. Mahalo and HAPPY JUANDERING fellow yelpers! www.juanderbandit.world @hello.juanderpinay

PARKING REVIEW: Great spot to park in while staying at the nearby Hilton. You can park in the free area for up to 6 hours at at time and then overnight for $1 per hour in the paid lot area. It's APP based to pay for your parking utilizing your car's license plate. To me, this was super convenient considering the self parking was $65 a day at the hotel and we had to walk almost same distance from our tour and the self park garage. We walked along the beach sidewalk and entered the Hilton from the beach side, our tour was beach front making this super convenient. Obvious precautions would be to never leave anything of value in your car and make sure you lock it all down. The paid lot got here filled up on the last night of our stay and it was so late and we were so tired, I did opt to pay the whopping $65 for that night but it still saved me tons of money for the previous several nights rather than parking on hotel property. This was a good money saving option for parking.

The Ala Wai Boat Harbor is Hawaii's largest small boat and yacht harbor. It is situated on the South shore of Oahu at the mouth of the Ala Wai Canal between Waikiki and Downtown Honolulu. To its east is Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head and to its west is Magic Island, Ala Moana Beach Park and Downtown Honolulu. The harbor boasts 699 berths, 85 moorings, 1 boat ramp, 22 dry storage spaces and can accommodate sailing vessels up to 85 feet in length. Every two years, this harbor hosts the end of the TransPac Race that begins in Los Angeles. The TransPac Race is one of the World's longest running sailing races. The Hawaii Prince Hotel, 'Ilikai Marina, and the Hilton Hawaiian Village Hotel are built on adjacent lands to the harbor. Only The Modern and 'Ilikai Hotel are built on harbor land and pays a special rent that goes into a boating fund.

Good place to park when in a pinch. Central local helps to get around Waikiki. It's a bit pricey ,but easy convenient. Just make sure to lock up and have no valuables in car

Great First Review of the Ala Wai Boat Harbor by Layla D. When you are in this area, take a few minutes to enjoy the feel of this very cool marina at the mouth of the Ala Wai Canal. It's nice to stay in the Hawaii Prince Hotel, or others, and look out at the boats bobbing. At the Hawaii Prince you can open your window and hear the jiggling of the boats at night, a similar sound to cow bells. The serenity belies the fact that this is the most remote harbor in the entire world. It's 2,612 miles to San Diego, 3,061 miles to Cabo San Lucas, and 3,900 miles to Tokyo. I bet the sailors from afar are glad to finally arrive at this marina. They can walk to the Ala Moana Mall for shopping, or to Warrior's Lounge at the Hale Koa Hotel for happy hour. LOL

See all photos from Michael C. for Ala Wai Boat Harbor

This review is strictly about the parking. For $1 an hour, it's wonderful. It's probably a 30 minute walk to where you want to go, but it's a nice walk if it's not a terribly hot day.

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Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor

Play in the heart of downtown baltimore, marina info.

Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor is located on the south shore of Oahu between Waikiki and Ala Moana beaches with views of Diamond Head. The harbor includes areas used by Hawaii Yacht Club, Waikiki Yacht and Royal Hawaiian Ocean Racing Club. Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor can accommodate vessels up to 85 feet in length.* 699 berths with dock* 1 ramp* 22 dry storage spaces* vessel washdown* MSD pumpout* fuel dock* harbor office, restrooms and showersPlease contact ahead of time to secure a transient slip.

Hawaii Residents; $9.14/ft LOA/month*Non-Residents: $10.05/ft LOA/month*Transients: Daily rate depending upon LOA**additional fees for electricity, dock box

For transient vessels, the Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor does not require a deposit. However, transient berths are on a first-come, first-serve basis without reservations. Please contact the harbor office to receive a waitlist application.For permanent tenants, an active waitlist exists to obtain a berth. Please contact the harbor office to receive a waitlist application.Permanent slips are non-transferable.

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Yacht Life on Oahu – Where to Keep Your Boat?

• By Hawai'i Life

July 25, 2017

The Hawaiian Islands offer some of the best sailing in the world. As an avid skipper myself (and by avid I mean completely addicted to sailing), and being around boats my entire life, it was something that drew me to Oahu and made it my permanent home. Waikiki offers steady wind and a relatively calm bay for sailing and power boating all year. Diving, snorkeling, and swimming off your boat in the crystal-clear water is something everyone loves to do. It really is living the dream lifestyle! However, with the limited slips and moorings available on Oahu, let’s talk about where you can keep your boat when you live on Oahu.

Ala Wai Yacht Harbor

The largest and most well-known harbor is the Ala Wai Yacht Harbor located at 1651 Ala Moana Blvd, Honolulu, HI 96815. Even though the wait for a permeant slip can be 2 to several years, the harbor offers a temporary permit for 120 days a year. It is also relatively inexpensive depending on the size of your boat and can accommodate some pretty large vessels. For example, a 40-foot sail yacht would cost $15.63 per day. The representatives can easily quote you on any size boat via their direct phone line at: (808) 973-9727

Bondi Tram anchored for some swimming and diving in Waikiki

The Ala Wai Harbor is the end point of the world famous Transpac sailing race from Los Angeles to Honolulu, which takes place every two years. It was just completed this year with the last yacht arriving in Honolulu on July 21st, 2017. There is a large channel that is easy to maneuver and is close to everything Honolulu has to offer.

There are two private yacht clubs in Honolulu: the Waikiki Yacht Club and the Hawaii Yacht Club. Both offer permanent slips for all different sized yachts. These clubs are located right next to the Ala Wai Harbor. As a regular member of either club, the wait can be anywhere from 2 to 10 years, but temporary slips are available. Both clubs have restaurants, bars, and a lot of ocean activities to participate in such as canoe paddling, Cal 20 races, and sailing lessons. Hawaii Yacht club hosts the weekly Friday night “Beer Can” sail yacht races, with live music to follow at each club. I frequent at both clubs weekly, and they are highly enjoyable, filled with great people that love to spend time sailing or power boating.

50-foot temp slip in Ala Wai Yacht Harbor

Kewalo Harbor

Kewalo Harbor is another excellent option located at 1125 Ala Moana Blvd. B-1 Honolulu, HI 96814. Kewalo Harbor is in the Kaka’ako District of Honolulu where new and beautifully build condominiums are going up. See my other blog on “Living in Kaka’ako.”   Slips range from 40 to 100 feet. Both members and visitors have access to three loading docks, electricity, water, vehicle parking and restrooms. Living across the street in a condo and having your boat slip in Kewalos would be very convenient. Ward village offers a ton of shops and great restaurants to eat at after a day on the ocean. You would still go right out the large channel and head for diamond head to enjoy all Waikiki has to offer.

Diamond Head and the Ala Wai Yacht Harbor

Outside Honolulu

If you choose to circle the island and leave Honolulu, you have a few other options.  On the west side, there is Ko’olina Marina located at 92-100 Waipahe Pl, Kapolei, HI 96707. This is a live aboard marina that has access to water, electricity, cable television hookup, telephone, laundry and restroom facilities, picnic area with barbecue and gated entry to the Marina. There is a 160-foot floating fuel dock offering both diesel and gasoline with a pump out station. Guest rates are $2.50 per foot per day as well as a waiting list for permanent slips. Surrounded by hotels, golf courses, and restaurants, Ko’olina is a great place to park your yacht. The snorkeling on the west side is phenomenal, and dolphins are known to swim very close to shore every day giving you the opportunity to see these beautiful animals. There are a lot of properties to choose from if you are thinking of buying a home in Ko’olina. Townhouses on the golf courses, villas, condominiums and single family homes, most offering two or three bedrooms are all inside this gated community and minutes from the marina.

The small boat harbor on the North Shore is called Haleiwa Harbor. This is actually the toughest harbor to secure a long-term slip. The wait time is 8-20 years as it is the only safe harbor on the North Shore. During the summer months, many boaters sail up to Waimea Bay and anchor on the sand. They grill off their boats and sleep over for days at a time to just swim and kayak in the beautiful water. I have personally done this, and it is so relaxing, peaceful, and I highly recommend it to any cruiser. If you are staying for many days, it helps to have a small dingy to go into shore to get supplies or go to dinner in Haleiwa town.

Another option is buying a property that comes with a boat slip. One of my favorite gated communities is the Makani Kai Marina located at 45-995 Wailele Rd, Kaneohe 96744. These condos offer large 2-3 bedroom units with Kaneohe Bay Views, large lanais, a pool, clubhouse and a private Marina. As the units are extremely rare and hardly come on the market, when they do, they range from $700k-$800k depending on the size and view and come with your own boat slip. Large slips are available in this marina and the world-class Kaneohe sandbar is easy to access from the channel.

Hawaii Kai Slips

Gateway Peninsula located in West Marina, Hawaii Kai, offers boat slips with their townhome units. 3 bedroom/2 baths range in the high $800k and offer access to Koko Marina and are located very close to Honolulu. You can take your powerboat to some of the great restaurants such as Kona brewing company or Assaggio’s Italian, or do your weekly shopping at Costco from the waterway. There are lots of single family home options on the waterway if you wish to have a power boat sitting outside your door. Size restrictions do matter, but it’s another great option for the avid power boater.

Racing in Honolulu

All in all, here on Oahu we have a great sailing and power yachting community. There is nothing better than a great day out on the ocean. Contact me if you have more questions about the boating life on Oahu , or if you plan to move to the islands with or without your yacht. Also, I must add, if you are wondering how to get your boat here, I deliver yachts from the mainland if you prefer to have her sailed over!

Posted on July 25, 2017 in Lifestyle , Oahu , Oceanfront , Beach Villas at Ko Olina , Big Island , boat , Condos , For Sale , Hawaii , Hawaii Yacht Club , ko'olina marina , sailing , Transpac , Waikiki , waikiki yacht club , yacht

Hawai'i Life

You can email me at companyblog@hawaiilife.com or via phone at (800) 370-3848 .

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My gosh Ashley you are so knowledgeable. I want to go sailing with you.

Leiola Augustine

July 31, 2017

What a well written article Ashely! You’ve got just enough information to keep the dream alive without overwhelming the reader. I’ll be sure to reference this article in the future. Costco via boat!?!?! Incredible…..

Fannie Cline

August 8, 2017

Great in-depth overview of options Ashley! Mahalo!

Yacht charter Monaco

August 23, 2017

Hey Ashley Bailey, Nice blog. The yachts are very beautiful nad the information you shared is very nice. If you want you can also visit Superyacht charter Monaco .

Alan McConnell

November 20, 2017

Great article, Ashley. I wish only to point out that Keehi Small Boat State) harbor and Keehi Sailing club (private) are at 4 Sand Island Access Road, near HNL airport. The former typically has temporary offshore mooring most of the time, and some temporary slips are sometimes available.

Waianae also has a recreational harbor in the north-west side of Oahu, as does Kailua to the east. If you’re active duty or retired military or DOT, Rainbow Marina may be a good choice.

You’re correct that permanent slips often have extraordinary waiting lists. Services available at most harbors are adequate, though state harbors tend to be “no frills”. Few harbors monitor marine channels, so be prepared for cell phone communications. Sailing conditions are great year around, but Fishing and Diving are better planned elsewhere. Especially the former. But if you’re in to surfing, beach bummin’, or any number of other ocean activities, Hawaii has them all.

Finally, don’t expect locals or the state or local government to extend much aid to sailors. For some reason, they seem to actively discourage pleasure boaters in the islands.

Aloha nui loa, Alan

Emily goodall

May 22, 2019

Please don’t mislead people about the yachting scene out here. I too have been a lifelong boater having spent many years circumnavigating the world. My home base has always been Hawaii and I can tell you from first-hand experience this is not, by any stretch of the imagination, a premier sailing location. First of all the channels between the islands are some of the roughest in the world, at times, and can be very dangerous for anyone who is not thoroughly experienced with rough-water sailing . . . In fact only the most experienced should consider venturing out into the channels. Secondly, there is little in the way of good viable anchorage’s here in Hawaii. Most of the anchorages here are exposed to t the open ocean and can sometimes be very dangerous. Sailors who anchor on their own ground tackle in offshore anchorage’s here have to be alert all the time for changing weather conditions. Thirdly, the small boat harbor situation in the state of Hawaii is in absolute chaos. The DLNR and DOBOR, the state agencies who are responsible for managing our Harbor have completely & utterly failed the boating community here. You can expect to wait, sometimes, up to 10 years to get a permanent mooring here in Hawaii. Boaters here pay heavily for the bungling of these State agencies. Sadly what could be a premier boating environment, turns out to be very disappointing.

September 9, 2019

Hello! I am trying to sail to Hawaii and live somewhere around the north shore , is this possible ? Would like to be in a mooring field, or what’s best ?

Alex Gojile

June 23, 2020

Good article Can we get an update version?

Joe Kennedy

January 6, 2022

Great article Ashley!

I would love to live on a 35-38′ power yacht in Hawaii and am open to both renting or buying.

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Adventure Tours Hawaii

Ala wai harbor boat tours.

Join a fun Oahu boat tour from The Ala Wai Boat Harbor located in Honolulu just outside Waikiki, Hawaii. This harbor is located within walking distance of Waikiki hotels so you can be out of your hotel lobby and on the calm blue waters of Waikiki in just a few minutes. Catamarans, parasailing, small boat tours, speedboats, sunset dinner cruises, etc. are all available during various times of the year. Check the list below to see what tours are currently available.

Waikiki Turtle Snorkeling Catamaran

Waikiki whale watching catamaran, private waikiki snorkel speedboat, private speedboat shuttle to tiki bar, private waikiki whale watching speedboat, waikiki trimaran sunset sail, private waikiki luxury yacht charter.

Waikiki Yacht Club

Waikiki yacht club, situated at the edge of honolulu’s ala moana beach park and the ala wai yacht harbor, is one of the premier yacht clubs in the pacific. it has been the home to sailboat racers and fishing enthusiasts since 1944. the club welcomes sailors to its docks and extends reciprocity to visiting yacht club members from around the world.  .

Dining at Waikiki Yacht Club

Waikiki Yacht Club offers a Sunday brunch, and lunch and dinner Tuesday through Sunday.

Windward Beat

WYC's monthly magazine, Windward Beat (WWB), keeps members connected around the world.

Privileged members enjoy the fellowship of a uniquely ocean minded community along with dining, pool, facilities and resources available in the world renowned, sun kissed heart of Waikiki, Hawaii.

• ANAEHOOMALU BAY
• HILO HARBOR
• HONOKOHAU HARBOR
• KAILUA PIER
• KAWAIHAE HARBOR
• KEAUHOU HARBOR
• POHOIKI BAY
• WAILOA HARBOR
• HANALEI BAY & PIER
• KIKIAOLA HARBOR
• KUKUIULA HARBOR
• NAWILIWILI HARBOR
• PORT ALLEN HARBOR
• KAUMALAPAU HARBOR
• MANELE HARBOR
• HANA HARBOR
• KAHULUI HARBOR
• Whale Watching
• MAALAEA HARBOR
• MALA WHARF
• SAIL KAANAPALI
• HALE O LONO HARBOR
• KAUNAKAKAI HARBOR
• ALA WAI HARBOR
• BARBERS POINT
• HALEIWA HARBOR
• HEEIA KEA HARBOR
• HONOLULU HARBOR
• KALAELOA HARBOR
• KEEHI LAGOON
• KEWALO BASIN
• KO OLINA HARBOR
• PEARL HARBOR
• RAINBOW BAY MARINA
• SAIL WAIKIKI
• WAIANAE HARBOR

• AAA/CAA Rate
• Local Resident/Kamaaina
• Senior Rate
• Airline Employee Rate
• Government Rate
• Travel Agent Rate
• Travel Club Rate

Ala Wai Boat Harbor

Ala Moana Hotel by Mantra boasts a premier destination, near many wonderful attractions Honolulu has to offer and within close proximity of the Ala Wai Boat Harbor – home to the Hawaii and Waikiki Yacht Clubs.

There’s really nothing dreamier than visiting the boat harbor and soaking in the tropical ambiance. Ideally located within a short 7 minute walk of your Honolulu accommodation, it’s the launch-pad for many of the sailing tours and boat excursions on offer. Join a fishing trip, catamaran adventure, parasailing experience, snorkel the surrounding bays, watch fireworks or enjoy happy hour while sailing on the water.

Featuring a walking and biking track perfect for a leisurely stroll, Ala Wai Boat Harbor is picturesque and especially striking at twilight when the buildings turn bright orange and the water mirrors the sky above. Spend time with your thoughts or in conversation with a friend or loved one as you watch the sun disappear into the night.

The harbor has great facilities with close to 700 berths and docks, dry storage space, vessel wash down area, along with restrooms. Ala Wai Boat Harbor is also host to the bi-annual TransPac sailing race, which dates back to 1906, making it one of the world’s longest-running ocean races and an iconic destination not to be missed during your stay at our Honolulu hotel.

• Ala Wai Boat Harbor, Honolulu, HI 96815, United States
• (808) 973-9727
• alawaiharbor.com

Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor

• Total Slips: 699
• Max Length: 85'
• Dry Storage
• Floating Docks
• Launch Ramp/Service
• Laundry Facilities
• Picnic Area
• Restaurant Nearby
• Service/Maintenance
• Travel Lift
• Water Sport Rental

Rates / Policies

Hawaii Residents; $9.14/ft LOA/month* Non-Residents: $10.05/ft LOA/month* Transients: Daily rate depending upon LOA*

*additional fees for electricity, dock box

For transient vessels, the Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor does not require a deposit. However, transient berths are on a first-come, first-serve basis without reservations. Please contact the harbor office to receive a waitlist application.

For permanent tenants, an active waitlist exists to obtain a berth. Please contact the harbor office to receive a waitlist application.

Permanent slips are non-transferable.

Additional Information

• Fax: 808-973-9739
• Latitude:  21.28633
• Longitude:  -157.83965

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