The Honolulu private party boat charter from Oahu Boat Cruises rents a 6-passenger boat or yacht by the hour from Kewalo Basin, from $391 per hour, with a plug-in sound system, BYOB in cans and optional live DJ. It suits groups of up to 6 adults celebrating a birthday or bachelorette; the drawbacks are an 18-plus rule, a 5-day cancellation cutoff and reviews reporting drinks that ran out.
Highlights
Three boats, each for up to 6 passengers: the Nautilus adventure boat at $390.95 per hour, the Universe sailing yacht with two cabins at $502.65 and the Yachtalus Regal Commodore at $726.05 (Greetwell listing).
BYOB allowed in cans or plastic only; no glass, no hard alcohol and no drinking before boarding.
Swimming on daytime cruises when conditions allow, but not after drinking.
Departs Kewalo Basin Harbor with check-in 30 minutes before boarding; waiver required.
Operator rating 4.9 from 1,400 Google reviews as of October 2026, mostly for its shared DJ cruises.
What to Expect
Complete the liability waiver online, then check in at Kewalo Basin 30 minutes before your boarding time.
Board your chosen 6-passenger boat with your canned drinks; the crew checks that nothing is glass or already open.
Plug a phone into the sound system or use the live DJ if booked, and cruise the Honolulu and Waikiki shoreline.
Swim off the boat on daytime charters when the captain allows and before anyone drinks.
Return to Kewalo Basin at the end of your booked hours; one reviewer in the Greetwell summary left late and missed sunset, so start on time.
What's Included
Private boat with captain for the booked hours
Plug-in sound system
Live DJ on select options
Swimming stop on daytime cruises, conditions permitting
What's Not Included
Drinks (BYOB on the private boats)
Food
Gratuity
What to Bring
Drinks in cans or plastic only
Swimwear and towel for daytime charters
Completed waiver and ID for everyone
Restrictions and Requirements
18 and over to attend; 21 and over to drink
Maximum 6 passengers per listed boat
No glass, no hard alcohol, no open containers or drinking before boarding
No swimming after consuming alcohol
Cancellation Policy
Reschedule or cancel at least 5 calendar days before the event for a full refund; inside 5 days the 50% deposit is forfeited, and any payment above the deposit may be refunded. Checked October 2026 on Greetwell.
Not applicable as a standard reviewed experience - an event-booking category rather than a fixed tour product.
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 read 1 review of Oahu Boat Cruises on Greetwell (5 stars, August 2026, for the shared party cruise) plus the listing's summary of its 1,400 Google reviews, which cover all of its cruises. Collected October 2026.
What Reviewers Praise
High-energy crew and music(1 of 1 review we read; the main theme of the Greetwell summary)
The review and summary describe an attentive crew named individually by guests, a DJ and a party atmosphere aimed at a younger crowd.
— Greetwell, 5★, August 2026: praised the crew, music, drinks and views on the party cruise.
Waikiki shoreline views at sunset(1 of 1 review we read)
Views from the water along Waikiki were singled out as part of the appeal.
— Greetwell, 5★, August 2026: the reviewer called the trip a great time and mentioned the views alongside the crew.
What Reviewers Complain About
Included drinks disappointing or ran out(a couple of reports in the Greetwell summary · operator issue · most recent: undated)
On the shared cruises, some reviewers found the included drinks weak or gone early. On the private boats you bring your own, which sidesteps this but adds to the cost.
Confusion over BYOB(1 report in the Greetwell summary · operator issue · most recent: undated)
The summary says the cruise is not BYOB despite website wording, while the private charter listing says BYOB in cans is allowed. Confirm in writing before buying drinks.
Late departure that missed sunset(1 report in the Greetwell summary · operator issue · most recent: undated)
One guest reported the boat left late and the sunset was missed, which matters for a timed private booking.
About the Operator in General
Oahu Boat Cruises also runs $69 shared DJ sunset, fireworks and dance cruises from Kewalo Basin, which generate most of its 1,400 Google reviews; the 4.9 rating is not specific to private charters.
Our Verdict
Tripreviewall's Take
At $391 per hour for a 6-passenger boat, this works out to about $65 per person per hour for a full group, which is competitive with the operator's own $69 shared cruise and buys you privacy, your own playlist and your own drinks. It is a good pick for a group of 4 to 6 adults with something to celebrate. Groups larger than 6, anyone under 18, or people who need flexibility inside 5 days should look at the shared cruises instead.
Book This Tour If…
You are 4 to 6 adults who want a private boat for a birthday, proposal or bachelorette
You want to control the music and bring your own canned drinks
You can commit at least 5 days ahead; the deposit is lost after that
You want a daytime swim stop off a private boat
Skip This Tour If…
Your group is larger than 6; the listed boats cap at 6 passengers
Anyone in the group is under 18
You want drinks, food or a DJ included in the hourly rate
Your plans may change inside 5 days of the date
Tips From Reviewers and Operator Notes
Confirm the BYOB rule in writing; the Greetwell review summary and listing contradict each other.
Arrive 30 minutes early and push to leave on time; 1 report in the summary missed the sunset after a late start.
Bring canned or plastic-bottled drinks only; glass and spirits are refused at boarding.
Swim first, drink later; the operator bans swimming after alcohol.
Ask which of the 14 options includes the DJ before assuming it is part of the base rate.
Assessed by the Tripreviewall editorial team, last reviewed October 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a private party boat in Honolulu cost with Oahu Boat Cruises?
A private party boat with Oahu Boat Cruises costs $390.95 per hour for the 6-passenger Nautilus, $502.65 per hour for the Universe sailing yacht and $726.05 per hour for the Yachtalus luxury yacht on Greetwell as of October 2026. A 2-hour minimum is listed, and drinks and food are extra.
Can we bring our own alcohol on the private charter?
The private charter listing allows BYOB in cans or plastic only, with no glass, no hard alcohol and no open containers or drinking before boarding. The Greetwell review summary says the shared cruises are not BYOB, so confirm the rule for your specific boat with the operator in writing.
Where does the Oahu Boat Cruises private charter depart from?
The charter departs from Kewalo Basin Harbor in Honolulu, between Ala Moana and Waikiki. Guests check in 30 minutes before boarding, and a liability waiver must be completed before check-in. Parking details were not published on the listing.
What is the age limit for the private party boat?
The age limit is 18 and over to attend and 21 and over to drink alcohol, according to the Greetwell listing. This makes the private charter unsuitable for family groups with children, who should look at daytime snorkel or sightseeing cruises instead.
What is the cancellation policy for the private boat charter?
The cancellation policy requires at least 5 calendar days' notice to reschedule or cancel for a full refund. Inside 5 days, the 50% deposit is forfeited, although any payment made beyond the deposit may be refunded. This is stricter than the 24-hour policy on the operator's shared cruises.
Contact
The operator's phone and email appear here after you check availability on one of their booking sites. Live prices and open dates are only shown there.
Already checked? The details appear automatically when you come back to this tab.
This is the tour operator's own contact info, shared for general questions — not for bookings. Book through the booking links for real-time availability and the best price.
TripReviewAll is an independent review site and does not operate this tour. For changes to an existing booking, contact Oahu Boat Cruises directly.
