Catamaran Tours- recs?

KBinCO · Oct 28, 2016

I am thinking a catamaran tour may be our big splurge as it seems like a fun experience. Which companies should we look into? Or do the excursion through Aulani?

We will have a 6.5 and 8 year old so something family friendly- I don't mind booze, just want a company that allows kids this age.

Thanks!

Soccerluvinmama · Oct 28, 2016

A catamaran tour is not something we've done yet, but I can tell you there are several companies offering deals through Groupon right now https://www.groupon.com/browse/hono...=21.30694&lng=-157.85833&address=Honolulu, HI

KBinCO · Oct 28, 2016

deals are even better.

jlwhitney · Oct 28, 2016

I am looking into the one through Hawaii Nautical

Dvcfan55 · Oct 30, 2016

We did this last year with our 4 year old son. Aulani outsources this to Hawaii nautical. So if you book through aulani you pay a lot more. You get a ukulele player on board for the return trip I believe but outside of that you get the same experience. So we booked through Hawaii nautical. The pick you up from aulani, on whatever day you signed up for, in a large shuttle bus similar to a rental car shuttle but with their decals on he outside and all. The drive to their marina was about 20-30 minutes. You board the nice catamaran and sail south I believe to a lovely spot where they guarantee you see dolphins. We did, a large group of spinners. Then you get briefed on how to use the snorkel gear, they have kid sizes, and you snorkel for awhile in a wonderful spot that is super colorful. My 4 year old got cold quickly and we headed back to lay on the nets and waited until lunch was served. After lunch you sail back. It was really nice and I thought the price was fair. It was our big splurge experience as well. Also highly recommend Waimea falls if you have a rental car. The walk is amazing the to safe waterfall with lifeguards you get to swim in, although a bit cold as well. And quite inexpensive. Have a great time!!!

jlwhitney · Oct 30, 2016

Dvcfan55 said:
We did this last year with our 4 year old son. Aulani outsources this to Hawaii nautical. So if you book through aulani you pay a lot more. You get a ukulele player on board for the return trip I believe but outside of that you get the same experience. So we booked through Hawaii nautical. The pick you up from aulani, on whatever day you signed up for, in a large shuttle bus similar to a rental car shuttle but with their decals on he outside and all. The drive to their marina was about 20-30 minutes. You board the nice catamaran and sail south I believe to a lovely spot where they guarantee you see dolphins. We did, a large group of spinners. Then you get briefed on how to use the snorkel gear, they have kid sizes, and you snorkel for awhile in a wonderful spot that is super colorful. My 4 year old got cold quickly and we headed back to lay on the nets and waited until lunch was served. After lunch you sail back. It was really nice and I thought the price was fair. It was our big splurge experience as well. Also highly recommend Waimea falls if you have a rental car. The walk is amazing the to safe waterfall with lifeguards you get to swim in, although a bit cold as well. And quite inexpensive. Have a great time!!!

This is the tour we want to do, through them directly. We will have a almost 4 year old and 10 month old, think we are crazy? They will both be free. I know my DD will love to see the dolphins.

pamelaj · Oct 30, 2016

I can't review it yet, but we read a ton of reviews before we just booked the sail and snorkel package with Ko Olina Ocean Adventures. The reviews on Trip Advisor were recent and really positive. There were also some good reviews for it on Disboards. We are taking our 6 and 8 year olds and I like that it was close to Aulani (there is a free shuttle that will pick us up) and many of the reviews mention how great they are with kids. Someone else mentioned it, so we used their discount in the Entertainment book. I also really want to see turtles and they take you to Turtle Town. It was a great deal.
Sounds like we are looking for something similar!

KBinCO · Oct 31, 2016

Thanks for the recommendations so far! I will look into all of them. I like the idea of a shuttle, as we will have a rental car for one day so far and I would maybe like to spend that day with the car exploring other things.

Dvcfan55 · Oct 31, 2016

jlwhitney said:
This is the tour we want to do, through them directly. We will have a almost 4 year old and 10 month old, think we are crazy? They will both be free. I know my DD will love to see the dolphins.

I would say go for it! My son, now 5, still remembers it and mentions it from time to time. So it must have been memorable. The large pack of spinner dolphins were doing their spins up out of the water. I'm sure she would love that. Something I should mention is the sail to the spot was no joke. We sat right on the bow, and ds had a hard time with the up and down from the large waves. Perhaps sit in the back or inside the cabin to make it less scary. Side note, there were tons of Hawaiian flying fish skimming the water around us which was incredible to watch! Let me know if you have any other questions

jlwhitney · Oct 31, 2016

Dvcfan55 said:
I would say go for it! My son, now 5, still remembers it and mentions it from time to time. So it must have been memorable. The large pack of spinner dolphins were doing their spins up out of the water. I'm sure she would love that. Something I should mention is the sail to the spot was no joke. We sat right on the bow, and ds had a hard time with the up and down from the large waves. Perhaps sit in the back or inside the cabin to make it less scary. Side note, there were tons of Hawaiian flying fish skimming the water around us which was incredible to watch! Let me know if you have any other questions

Sounds perfect. As long as thier is an inside it should make it easier with the baby. So one of us can always sit inside if she wants to be out front.

longboard55 · Oct 31, 2016

If you make it to Waikiki the Maitai is real nice, they run good groupons for the day sails.
leahi.com

KBinCO · Nov 3, 2016

Dvcfan55 said:
We did this last year with our 4 year old son. Aulani outsources this to Hawaii nautical. So if you book through aulani you pay a lot more. You get a ukulele player on board for the return trip I believe but outside of that you get the same experience. So we booked through Hawaii nautical. The pick you up from aulani, on whatever day you signed up for, in a large shuttle bus similar to a rental car shuttle but with their decals on he outside and all. The drive to their marina was about 20-30 minutes. You board the nice catamaran and sail south I believe to a lovely spot where they guarantee you see dolphins. We did, a large group of spinners. Then you get briefed on how to use the snorkel gear, they have kid sizes, and you snorkel for awhile in a wonderful spot that is super colorful. My 4 year old got cold quickly and we headed back to lay on the nets and waited until lunch was served. After lunch you sail back. It was really nice and I thought the price was fair. It was our big splurge experience as well. Also highly recommend Waimea falls if you have a rental car. The walk is amazing the to safe waterfall with lifeguards you get to swim in, although a bit cold as well. And quite inexpensive. Have a great time!!!

If you don't book through disney, do you call them? I am looking at their site and trying to figure out which you book... there is one tour just for Aulani guests but it looks like you book it through Aulani at the same price.

KBinCO · Nov 3, 2016

Has anyone used Ocean Joy Cruises? They are very close to Aulani and offer a groupon.

Dvcfan55 · Nov 5, 2016

KBinCO said:
If you don't book through disney, do you call them? I am looking at their site and trying to figure out which you book... there is one tour just for Aulani guests but it looks like you book it through Aulani at the same price.

I did call them and booked over the phone. I don't believe they charge you until after your trip they just take down your reservation. They explained the difference between their "aulani" excursion and the normal one for the public. they're "guaranteed dolphin" sail is the same without a ukulele player aboard (Not worth the extra expense IMHO) and certain days of the week they pick you up in their shuttle from aulani just the same as the "aulani" sail. There may be other folks not staying at aulani show up on the excursion with you but I didn't notice if there were any on our sail. I would give them a call and ask these questions. I found everyone I talked to very nice and helpful. Have a great trip!

pamelaj · Nov 27, 2016

We did the Sail and Snorkel tour with Ko Olina Ocean Adventures last week and it was great! The Ko Olina Marina is a free shuttle or easy walk from the resort. The staff were wonderful with my kids and even showed us a reef shark! The food was not stellar, but we were there for the snorkeling and that was great. Hope it works out well!

DisneyWorldbuff · Nov 28, 2016

We also did Ko Olina Ocean Adventures last week! It was very fun. Saw spinner dolphins and sea turtles. The captain let my 14 year old daughter steer the boat, so cute! The staff was great and we had a good time. If you drive yourself take the parking lot to the right marked "public beach" and you won't have to pay for parking. Also, be sure to bring towels as you get in and out of the water.

KBinCO · Nov 29, 2016

DisneyWorldbuff said:
We also did Ko Olina Ocean Adventures last week! It was very fun. Saw spinner dolphins and sea turtles. The captain let my 14 year old daughter steer the boat, so cute! The staff was great and we had a good time. If you drive yourself take the parking lot to the right marked "public beach" and you won't have to pay for parking. Also, be sure to bring towels as you get in and out of the water.

Is it walkable from the resort?

DisneyWorldbuff · Nov 29, 2016

You certainly could walk, it's only a few blocks up the street. But, it might feel a bit long carrying your things. But, there is a free shuttle that picks up at Aulani and goes to the marina. You can check it out and see the schedule. It goes all throughout the Ko Olina resort area.
http://koolina.com/holo-kaa-resort-shuttle/

Ko Olina’s Holo Ka’a shuttle

Hope you have fun(from a fellow Colorado Disney lover)!

KBinCO · Nov 29, 2016

Thanks all! If you used Ko Olina Ocean Adventures, did you do the 7:15am departure or the 12:15pm departure?

we are somewhat slow to get up and ready in the morning, but I also work until midnight. Maybe on vacation and the time change, we will get up earlier- but we only have 5 full days at the resort so I am leaning towards the early time so that we can get back and enjoy time at the resort. Do you see more at certain times? Is the water calmer in the morning? Colder? We're going in early February.

pamelaj · Nov 29, 2016

We went on the 12:15 boat because I didn't want to feel rushed in the morning. As a heads up, I would eat lunch first. They listed the meal as lunch, but it wasn't served until 4:00 and my kids were starving.

Catamaran Tours- recs?

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