The Kaula Kai Ko Olina sunset sail is a 90-minute cocktail cruise on Hawaii Nautical’s 65-foot catamaran Ko Nau Lani, with a dockside hula welcome and open bar, leaving Ko Olina Marina at 5:15 PM. It suits couples and families staying at Ko Olina. The drawbacks are a 100% charge for changes inside 72 hours and paid marina parking.
Highlights
Dockside welcome with live Hawaiian music, hula and a welcome drink before boarding (Best of Hawaii listing).
Open bar on board: beer on tap, wine, cocktails, soft drinks and juice; gratuity is extra.
Ko Nau Lani is a 65-foot sailing catamaran with shaded seating, open decks and restrooms; bookings up to 80 guests.
Departs Ko Olina Marina, Kapolei, at 5:15 PM on Monday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday; no hotel pickup.
Operator-level TripAdvisor score of 4.8 from 1,248 reviews shown on Tripster as of October 2026.
What to Expect
You check in 20 minutes before the 5:15 PM departure at the Check-In sign on the left side of the Kaula Luau building at Ko Olina Marina.
Live music and a hula performance run dockside while you have a welcome drink and complete the electronic waiver.
You remove your shoes and board the catamaran Ko Nau Lani, where the captain reviews the route.
The boat sails the leeward coast past the Ko Olina lagoons and resort beaches while the crew serves from the open bar.
The crew adds cultural narration about the West Oahu coast during the sail.
You watch sunset from the deck and return to the marina at about 6:45 PM.
What's Included
Dockside welcome with live Hawaiian music and hula
Welcome beverage
1.5-hour sail aboard the catamaran Ko Nau Lani
Open bar: beer on tap, wine, cocktails, soft drinks and juice
USCG-licensed captain and crew
Cultural narration
What's Not Included
Gratuity
Marina parking (paid)
Hotel pickup
Meals (food is not listed on the sunset-sail-only package)
What to Bring
Government-issued photo ID if you want alcohol
A light jacket, sweater or hoodie for the evening breeze
Shoes you can slip off; it is a barefoot sail
Restrictions and Requirements
All participants must complete an electronic waiver before boarding
Not wheelchair accessible
Children of all ages may join; infants 0–3 are free
Cancellation Policy
Cancellations, and any change to date, time, package or participant count, made within 72 hours of the start time are charged 100% of the total. Checked October 2026 on HawaiiActivities.com (VELTRA).
Ko Olina Marina, 92-100 Waipahe Pl, Kapolei, HI 96707. Look for the Check-In sign near the docks on the left side of the Kaula Luau building.
Check-In
20 minutes before the 5:15 PM departure (check-in listed at 5:00 PM on VELTRA).
Parking and Getting There
Paid parking at the marina; allow extra time to park and walk to the check-in sign.
Ratings from every source we could find
TripAdvisor
4.8
1,248 reviews
VELTRA
4.7
11 reviews
Other
3.0
review count not shown
Google Maps — Summarized by Our Team
Ko Olina-departure sunset sails are generally praised for calm water conditions given the area's protected lagoon geography.
Last checked 2026-09-15
Ratings and review counts are checked periodically and may not reflect same-day changes on each platform.
What the Reviews Say
We have not yet read individual reviews for the Ko Olina Kaula Kai departure. We did read 11 reviews (2009–2024) of Hawaii Nautical's older West Oahu sunset cruise from Waianae harbor on HawaiiActivities.com (VELTRA); those are summarized under the operator note. Platform ratings below are as shown in October 2026.
About the Operator in General
In the 11 VELTRA reviews we read of Hawaii Nautical's Waianae-departure sunset cruise (2009–2024, average 4.73), 9 praise the crew as friendly or accommodating and 4 mention spinner dolphins during the sail. On the critical side, 1 review warns of spray and wind on the open deck, 1 says clouds muted the sunset and 1 reports rain at the start that later cleared.
Our Verdict
Tripreviewall's Take
For guests already staying at Ko Olina, this is a convenient 90-minute sunset sail with an open bar and a hula welcome, and the $138.95 adult price is in line with Waikiki sunset sails that include drinks. It is less compelling for Waikiki-based travelers, who face an hour's drive each way plus paid marina parking. Book if you want drinks and a short sail rather than a meal; skip if you need flexibility, because changes inside 72 hours cost the full fare.
Book This Tour If…
You are staying at Aulani, Four Seasons or the Marriott at Ko Olina and can walk to the marina
You want an open bar and live music rather than a dinner cruise
You are traveling with children; all ages are allowed and infants are free
Your plans are fixed at least 72 hours out
Skip This Tour If…
You are based in Waikiki and do not want a one-hour drive each way for a 90-minute sail
You expect dinner; no food is listed on the sail-only package
You need a wheelchair-accessible boat
You may need to reschedule inside 72 hours, which is charged at 100%
Tips From Reviewers and Operator Notes
Arrive 20 minutes early and budget time for the paid marina lot; the check-in sign is left of the Kaula Luau building.
Bring photo ID; the open bar requires it.
Pack a light jacket; the operator's listing and 1 of the 11 Waianae reviews we read mention wind and spray on deck.
Compare the $138.95 Best of Hawaii price with the $160.14 VELTRA price and the $99.95 Tripster sale listing before booking; prices differed by reseller in October 2026.
Assessed by the Tripreviewall editorial team, last reviewed October 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the Kaula Kai sunset sail at Ko Olina?
The Kaula Kai sunset sail at Ko Olina lasts about 1.5 hours on the water, from 5:15 PM to roughly 6:45 PM, with check-in 20 minutes before departure. One reseller lists 180 minutes, but the schedule on both the VELTRA and Best of Hawaii pages shows a 90-minute sail.
What is included in the Ko Olina sunset sail price?
The Ko Olina sunset sail price covers a dockside welcome with live Hawaiian music and hula, a welcome drink, the sail on the catamaran Ko Nau Lani, cultural narration, and an open bar with beer on tap, wine, cocktails and soft drinks. Gratuity and marina parking are not included.
How much does the Kaula Kai sunset sail cost?
The Kaula Kai sunset sail was listed at $138.95 for adults 13 and up, $118.95 for ages 12 to 20 and $98.95 for ages 4 to 11 on Best of Hawaii in October 2026, with infants free. VELTRA listed adults at $160.14 and Tripster showed a $99.95 sale price, so compare resellers.
Where does the Ko Olina sunset sail depart from?
The Ko Olina sunset sail departs from Ko Olina Marina at 92-100 Waipahe Place in Kapolei, about an hour's drive west of Waikiki. Check-in is at the sign on the left side of the Kaula Luau building near the docks. There is no hotel pickup, and marina parking is paid.
What is the cancellation policy for the Kaula Kai sunset sail?
The Kaula Kai sunset sail charges 100% of the total for cancellations or changes made within 72 hours of departure, according to the VELTRA listing checked in October 2026. The operator may also cancel or change the schedule for weather or traffic, in which case resellers handle refunds.
Can children go on the Kaula Kai sunset sail?
Children of all ages are allowed on the Kaula Kai sunset sail, with infants aged 0 to 3 traveling free and a child rate for ages 4 to 11. Life jackets are available on board. Every participant, including minors, must have an electronic waiver completed before boarding.
Contact
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TripReviewAll is an independent review site and does not operate this tour. For changes to an existing booking, contact Hawaii Nautical - Oahu directly.
