Things to do nearAla Wai Boat Harbor
Ala Wai Boat Harbor in Honolulu, Hawaii is a working waterfront marina offering stunning ocean views, colorful sailboats, and a relaxed local atmosphere.
Ala Wai Boat Harbor has served as Honolulu's primary small-craft marina for decades, sheltering hundreds of privately owned vessels along the southern edge of Waikiki. The harbor sits at the mouth of the Ala Wai Canal, a waterway completed in the 1920s that transformed the surrounding wetlands into the urban neighborhood visitors know today.
Strolling the harbor walkway, you pass gleaming sailboats, weathered fishing vessels, and the occasional ocean-crossing cruiser mid-refit. Outrigger canoe clubs launch from the harbor's edges, keeping alive a Polynesian paddling tradition central to Hawaiian culture.
The surrounding area connects easily to Ala Moana Beach Park and the broad lawns along the canal, making the harbor a natural starting point for a longer waterfront walk. Sunset casts warm light across the marina, turning the water gold and silhouetting the masts against the sky.
Ala Wai Boat Harbor offers a quieter, more grounded side of Waikiki, one rooted in the working rhythms of the sea rather than the resort strip nearby, and that contrast alone makes it well worth a visit.
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Chance of rainTips for visiting Ala Wai Boat Harbor
Visit in the early evening to watch outrigger canoe clubs paddle out from the harbor for their sunset training sessions.
Bring a camera with a zoom lens to capture sailboat details against the backdrop of Diamond Head.
Walk the full perimeter of the harbor to find quieter benches with unobstructed views of the Waikiki skyline.
Try the fresh poke bowls at nearby shops along Ala Moana Boulevard for a true local meal after your waterfront stroll.
Arrive on weekend mornings when recreational sailors are rigging up and the harbor feels most lively and social.
Top tours & experiences near Ala Wai Boat Harbor
Waikiki Sunset Cruise With Turtle Canyon Swim
Cruise Waikiki at sunset with a Turtle Canyon swim stop
Sunrise Turtle Canyon Snorkeling Cruise
Greet the sunrise and snorkel Turtle Canyon's reef with views of Diamond Head
Sail a Private Waikiki Charter
Set your own agenda on a private Waikiki sail for up to 6 guests
Private Stand Up Paddleboard Lesson in Honolulu
Choose a surf or flat-water paddleboarding lesson
Private Snorkeling Cruise in Honolulu
A Private Oahu Cruise for Snorkeling, Sightseeing, and Wildlife Watching
Guided Point Panic Scuba Shore Dive in Honolulu
Explore Point Panic’s sheltered reef with a professional dive guide
Sail & Swim on a Waikiki Sunset Cruise
Bring your own drinks on a Waikīkī sunset sail with a swim stop
Snorkeling Boat Tour in Honolulu
Snorkel by boat in Honolulu with gear and light snacks included
Snorkel, Sunset & Friday Fireworks Boat Tour in Waikiki
Snorkel, catch the sunset, and watch Waikiki’s Friday fireworks from the water
Sunset Yacht Charter in Oahu
Cruise Oahu’s coast with snorkeling, paddleboarding, music and sunset views
2-Tank Coral Reef Dive in Waikiki
Explore Waikiki’s reefs with a private instructor and included scuba gear
Honolulu Night SCUBA Diving Charter
Night SCUBA dive in small groups off Honolulu on the Diamond T2
Private Snorkel & Cruise in Waikiki Turtle Canyons
Book the whole boat for a private Waikiki snorkel or cruise to Turtle Canyon
2-Tank Shipwreck & Reef Boat Dive in Honolulu
Pair wreck exploration with longer bottom time on a shallow reef
Waikiki Morning Snorkel & Lunch Cruise
Cruise Waikiki reefs and snorkel with lunch included
Sea Turtle & Coral Reef Conservation Dive in Waikiki
Turn your time underwater into hands-on conservation work
Private Waikiki Sunset Cruise & Swim
Anchor off Waikiki for a private sunset swim with coastal views
Honolulu Guided Discovery Scuba Dive
Try scuba diving with guided shallow-water training, gear, and PADI eLearning included
Private Event Sailing Charter in Honolulu
Customize your private Waikiki charter for groups up to 40
Guided 2-Tank Dive Charter in Waikiki
Explore Waikiki’s shallow reefs on two guided boat dives
Guided Turtle Canyon Snorkeling Tour
Snorkel Turtle Canyon's reef with gear and an in-water guide included
Private 2-Hour Yacht Charter in Waikiki
Cruise Waikiki’s waters your way with time to swim, snorkel, or relax
PADI Discover Scuba Dive for Beginners in Waikiki
Take your first breaths underwater with private instructor guidance
Dive a Wreck & Reef 2-Tank Charter in Honolulu
Two-tank wreck and reef dive in small groups (Advanced Open Water required)