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
Swim & Sunset Cruise at Turtle Canyon in Waikiki
Cruise Waikiki at sunset with a stop at Turtle Canyon
Shallow 2-Tank Reef Scuba Dive on Oahu
Take your time exploring reefs rich in marine life found only in Hawaii
Triple-Deck Yacht Snorkel Cruise in Waikiki
Cruise Waikiki’s reefs with snorkel gear, snacks, and drinks aboard
Waikiki 1.5-Hour Guided Snorkeling Cruise
Skip the crowded boats for a guided snorkel with an expert crew
Snorkel Turtle Canyon on a Waikiki Sail Cruise
Sail off Waikiki and snorkel Turtle Canyon for tropical fish and sea turtles
Explore Oahu Wreck & Lava Tube 2-Tank Dive
Guided 2-tank boat dive to a shipwreck and lava tube reef
Certified 2-Tank Shipwreck & Reef Scuba Dive in Honolulu
Certified divers: explore a shipwreck and coral reef with a private guide
Explore West Oahu on a 2-Tank Scuba Diving Charter
Guided 2-tank boat dive off West Oahu with gear included
PADI Discover Scuba Diving for Beginners in Honolulu
Take your first breaths underwater with close instructor guidance
Wreck Diving Course in Honolulu
Build wreck-diving skills for responsible underwater exploration
Dive Yacht Snorkeling Cruise in Honolulu
Explore Honolulu from the water aboard a dive yacht
Intimate 2Hr Couples Snorkel Charter Waikiki
Sail and snorkel off Waikiki with drinks, snacks, and crew on a couples-only 2-hour charter
Private Snorkeling Charter in Honolulu
Shape a private Oahu boat adventure around snorkeling, wildlife, and coastal views
Waikiki 2 Tank Scuba Dive
Discover Waikiki's underwater world on a two-tank dive with all gear included.
Honolulu Seasonal Whale Watching Cruise
Watch Hawaiian humpbacks in their seasonal breeding waters with an experienced Oahu crew
Sunset Dinner & Fireworks Cruise in Honolulu
Cruise Waikiki at sunset with a 3-course dinner and Friday fireworks
Waikiki Surf Breaks & Hawaiian History Boat Tour
See Waikiki beyond the beach with live local storytelling
Private Sunset Sailing Charter on 69' Yacht in Honolulu
Enjoy a private golden-hour voyage on a 69-foot luxury yacht with attentive crew and ocean views.
2-Tank Wreck & Reef Scuba Dive Charter in Honolulu
Start your day beneath the surface off Honolulu
Private Whale Watching Charter in Honolulu
Speed along Oahu’s coast on a fast boat to maximize your chances of spotting humpback whales.
Private Friday Fireworks Yacht Cruise in Honolulu
Sail the 69-foot Alana Kai and watch Waikiki's fireworks in private luxury
Private Sunrise Boat Cruise in Waikiki
Catch breathtaking island sunrise and enjoy gourmet donuts and bubbles on a private 2-hour cruise.