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sunsets & dinner cruises
"I work for a 5 star and 5 diamond resort in Vegas. I understand the importance of executing every detail and providing the upmost excellent service. After my experience with Hawaii Nautical & Staff, I can say that your staff has definitely exceeded my expectations. Words can’t explain how awesome your entire team is from booking the reservation, coordinating all my request and the final event when Dustin took us on our cruise. Thanks to you all, you’ve made our magical day a reality. Without your teams hospitality and great service, that day would’ve never been possible. Please share this information with your team and let them know that you’ve all made a difference in our lives and we our very thankful for you all." ~ Curtis B., Las Vegas
The Sunset Cocktail Cruise has become an annual family event during our stay at Marriott’s Ko Olina Beach Club. The crew is very kid-friendly and allowed our grandchildren to "help" fish and sound the blowhorn. Great memories are made here! ~ Jeannine R. from CA
"Robin and his crew made it a great experience. We enjoyed the sights of western Oahu shoreline, humpback whales, and a nice sunset. Oh yeah, the Cat-a-tonics weren't too bad either. I would definitely do this cruise and try the snuba/sail again in the future. Thanks again fellas!!!" ~ Paul O. from AZ
"We were given the trip of a lifetime... Chad was our guide and what a wonderful time and experience he provided. He was very attentive and did everything from preparing a most delicious meal to showing us the time of our life. My Mom will never this experience and for that I want to thank everyone, including Doug for his great welcome meeting at Ko Olina to Dana for assisting to the booking. My special thanks though to Chad for providing us with a night we will never forget." ~ Karen R. from CA
"We had a great time and were treated so well by the captain and crew. Even made the kids (teenagers) feel a part of the evening. We will definitely consider you for a snorkel cruise when we are back next year." ~ Scott H. from CA
"We went on both the sunset cocktail cruise and the afternoon snorkel sail for our honeymoon. Both activities were so much fun. Jason and his team were friendly. The food was delicious. The boat was clean. We were quite intimidated going on the snorkel sail at first, because we both can't swim very well. The crew was very accommodating. We had so much fun!!! We will definitely be back." ~ Katie M. from CA
"My husband and I were on the sunset cruise. Robin picked us up at the Marriott resort and shuttled us to the Marina. He was a great captain, and Martina and Mosh were great crew members. My husband is a licensed captain and he was impressed with the crew. A job well done." ~ Denise P. from CA
Sailing and Snorkeling
"The Ko Olina Cat crew was wonderful, very accommodating and knowledgeable. It was my most favorite thing about our entire Oahu trip! We loved being able to see the spinner dolphins jump. There were so many fish! My husband loved helping to put up the 450 pound sail. Not a day we will soon forget! We didn't want to get off the boat at the end of our time... we'll definitely be back." ~Courtni D., Washington.
"We saw dolphins right there off the coast of Waikiki, also turtles and whales. A great time! No other way to describe it. The crew was great." ~C.J. B., Tennessee
"The Spirit of Aloha at Hilton was the perfect crew, perfect day, perfect cruise." ~Harjog I., Ireland
"Wonderful crew. The first time snorkeling with my 4 year old son! Many many thanks to Josh for coming into the water with us for the entire trip. The experience was so worthwhile." ~Vy. V, Texas
"The event was great. My family and I enjoyed dolphin-watching, drinking, and chatting with other guests and crew in a cozy atmosphere. Particularly, crewmember Yudai was attentive and helpful. He entertained and pleased my 6-year-old daughter. My mom was a bit nervous about her first time ride on a sailboat, but soon relaxed and enjoyed a trip. He made our vacation memorable. MAHALO!" ~Chie F. from Japan
"My husband and I took this trip last week and decided on Hawaii Nautical after much research. The most important thing to us was we didn't want to harm the wild life, like swimming or chasing the dolphins etc. Robin and his crew were top notch... We were treated to the sights of whales and dolphins viewed at a safe distance from the boat. Once at the snorkel location all were given new snorkels to keep and we saw them taking extra precautions with those new to snorkeling even pulling them around on a life ring so the would feel safe in the water. It was an amazing trip with wonderful clear water and colorful fish. We will go with them again on our next trip.~ Lyndi F. from CAWhat a fantastic experience. Captain Jason and crew were wonderful. In fact, after last evening's cruise we are planning to book the morning dolphin and snorkel sail before we leave." ~ Dennis F. from TX
"I can't thank Doug enough for the great sailing excursion and the wonderful hospitality aboard the boat! The scenery was fantastic and I even got to steer the sailboat which was awesome! My entire group had a fantastic time and I encourage anyone visiting Hawaii to strongly consider this voyage!" ~ Todd S. from NY
"My second trip on the Ko Olina Cat was even better than the first, an evening cruise. We had dolphins right at the bow, great snorkeling and the crew was first rate. I would encourage anyone that likes snorkeling to take this trip." ~ Mark W. from TX
"Jason was an excellent guide and ship captain. Martina and Yudai were a very helpful and friendly crew. All three made the trip very enjoyable and I will recommend this Ko Olina Cat to friends and family that will be visiting Oahu. Thanks for a very positive experience snorkeling, sailing, and dolphin watching." ~ Nestor L. from CA
"I had never been snorkeling before and was very anxious about it. I wish I had known ahead of time what the boat actually looked like. It would have helped me plan. I guess I should have known. The entire experience was very nice. It's great! A good trip for anyone. We could have just stayed put and enjoyed the ride, but I did get in the water. They helped me relax and enjoy it. The crew was very helpful. We only had 8 people making it more personal. There is plenty of room to walk around & do your own thing." ~ Margaret N. from GA
"It has been 4 years since my ride on the Ko Olina Cat, and it is easily one of the best days of my life. I have a picture of myself jumping off the Cat, and looking at it instantly takes me to my happy place. I have been snooping around on the internet trying to find the recipe for the "catatonic's" YUM! If you are reading this, and have never been...This is an ABSOLUTE MUST for anyone visiting Oahu." ~ Shelly S. from Canada
testimonials & photos from our guests
Kelly Ripa and the "Live! with Kelly"
TV show filmed in Hawaii for a
week at Aulani, a Disney Resort
and Spa at Ko Olina, and they
came out on the boat, featured in
the Feb. 20, 2012 segment.
Colleen's Dream Come True in Hawaii
"After undergoing successful cancer treatment, Colleen Ricard and her family head to Hawaii for a snorkeling adventure. The trip was a gift from Dreams Come True, an organization in Jacksonville, FL that is in the business of helping kids cope with life threatening illnesses. Thanks also to Ko Olina Cat of Hawaii Nautical." ~Andrew Ricard
TESTIMONIALS
Scuba diving
"I have to say the 2 dive masters Chris and Devon are great! They worked hard to make our dives enjoyable and safe. This was our first time diving Oahu and the two of them make us want to come back just so we can dive with them. The boat was clean and uncrowded. The crew was professional and friendly always seeking to go the extra mile to ensure a memorable experience. We will definitely recommend your company to all the divers we know." ~John S. from California
"Compared to other activities, your diving is an exceptional value - well worth the money spent. If I make it back to Hawaii I will certainly book another cruise." ~Sincerely Fred C. Fowler, MD
"Great and easy diving. Fantastic boat and crew... made everyone at ease and handled everyone's needs in a professional manner, from beginners to advanced divers who where a bit rusty after a long break from diving." ~Tony M. from CA
"Great trip today. Chris went out of her way to be very helpful and encouraging. I am a novice and she walked me through everything in and out of the water. Thanks!" ~Ron C. from CA
"Wonderful trip today was all we expected and more, Robyn and Lonnie were great, felt very safe and we were rewarded with Rays, shark, turtle, Octopus etc, would recommend both very highly, and the best part is we didn't have to do anything they did it all, Thank you for a very enjoyable time." ~ Bo K. from WA
"We had an absolutely wonderful time diving with Lonnie and Jen. Saw LOTS of neat rare stuff on some great dive sites. Can’t go wrong diving with them!" ~ Amy L. from ME
"Diving and snorkeling can be a hit-or-miss activity as there are so many factors that can't be controlled. So I look for what matters most to me - a great captain, solid dive master/instructor, up-to-date equipment, and a safe vessel. The trip we took yesterday was great on all accounts. Plus, my family was able to snorkel while I went diving. The prices were very fair and the crew earned their tips.
Captain Chris did a great job piloting our boat to two dive sites and was able to get us close to humpback whales and dolphins along the way - amazing views from the upper deck. My dive instructor Scott was great. He was able to validate that I was certified (left my card at home) right from the deck of the boat using his cell phone. He chose two great sites - a wreck and a reef. His dive overview and prep was clear and professional. He put me at ease after not diving for many years, and was never more than a few feet away from me and the other diver at any time. He pointed out cool things to see, led me under an arch, and guided our ascent using his dive computer so we were safe at all times.
The gear and boat are both top notch as they are only 3 years old, I was told. I did not see a spot of rust on the boat. The decks and head were clean and functioning. The dive gear functioned exactly as it should and the air was clean and fresh (no bad taste that can arise from poor compressors or other materials). My BC was easy to inflate and deflate and had built in weights which was nicer than wearing an extra belt. Scot prepared all my gear and Chris helped me back on board when I was done.
My girlfriend and our teen daughters enjoyed the refreshments and hospitality while I went on the first dive ( a wreck at 90 feet). We all got to enjoy the reef dive as they snorkeled while I went down for a great visit to the reef below.
We stayed at the Marriott Vacation property at Ko Olina and made all our arrangements through the concierge, but you can contact Hawaii Nautical directly if you prefer. Either way, I recommend this as a great way to enjoy the sea when you visit Oahu." ~ Steven S.