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    Kewalo Basin Harbor

    4.2 (25 reviews)
    Open 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

    Services - Kewalo Basin Harbor

    Boat charters

    Kewalo Basin Harbor Photos

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    Ross T.

    Located off Ala Moana blvd. next to Ala Moana beach, decided to walk over and pick up some dinner after walking and enjoy dinner at the beach. Tourist are back but a lot of business are still closed or for sale, the ones that were open had lines of tourists crowded together trying to get in. There was no 6ft distance between customers and only a few had mask on. On the catamaran they packed the customers on there was hardly any space with customers seating on the ground and a lot standing as you see in the picture most are not wearing mask.

    My uncle enjoying a drink from $5 Bento Box on the island of Honolulu.
    Julio B.

    My dad, uncle and I stopped by here after having trouble getting to a waterfall. This place is Ocean Beach to the nth level. I say Ocean Beach because I live in the Outer Sunset. We all used the restrooms, talked to a homeless woman and got drinks at $5 Bento's! Not bad for the last day in Honolulu.

    It's a beautiful day to be out walking in the harbor docks
    Lyla D.

    Located on O'ahu's South Shore in the Kaka'ako District between Ala Moana Regional Park and the Kaka'ako Waterfront Park, the Kewalo Basin Harbor has been home to some of Honolulu's commercial fishing fleets, and charter and excursion sailing vessels that provide fun and exciting tourist activities. But, did you know that this harbor was CREATED by dredging the shallow reef along this shore to accommodate commercial fishing vessels or the overflow of other small vessels from Honolulu Harbor? My paternal grandparents and my father told us "kids" about their experiences of seeing the creation of this harbor AND Ala Moana Beach Park during the early 1920s. They often told us that Ala Moana was basically swampland and ocean reefs. Um, I remember seeing Ala Moana Center (the late 1950s) being built and yes, there was a LOT of coral reefs back then! Okay, so, I'm OLD! Anyway, when we were children, my parents would take us to dinner at SpenceCliff's Fisherman's Wharf Restaurant located at Kewalo Basin Harbor. While waiting for our dinner reservation, we'd often walk out to the boat slips (I know that my parents nervously watched us) which weren't too far away. Ah, that restaurant was popular with local families and celebrities. Its unusual yet appropriate boat-shape architectural design and its nautical ambiance let our childhood imaginations run wild. As often as my parents made sure to expose our taste buds to global, local and American foods, the Fisherman's Wharf, was the place where we first tasted cioppino, Hawaiian turtle steak (um, I don't know IF it WAS really turtle), New England clam chowder, fish fry, and Chinook salmon. Oops, I digress from the subject... but all that remains of the old Fisherman's Wharf restaurant is its iconic neon sign which is located near the corner of Ward Avenue and Ala Moana Boulevard. The Kewalo Basin Harbor/Ala Moana Park area has always been a part of my family's island experience. My family and relatives would often picnic at Ala Moana Beach then walk over to Kewalo Basin just to admire the boats bobbing in the harbor before returning home. As we got older, we'd overlook this harbor at sunset from some of the restaurant dining rooms of Ward Warehouse. But, we'd always find ourselves running or walking about this area. We noticed that over the years, many charters and excursion boats would entice locals and visitors with ocean adventures which include dinner cruises or fireworks watching from off-shore sails. Some of the more unique charters are diving excursions to view WWII shipwrecks and exotic reef fish, catamaran sailings, parasailing, snorkeling, and sailing on a pirate ship (Treasure Seeker). This harbor has been upgraded and repaired numerous times with an extension of the wharf, larger concrete catwalks replaced the worn wood herringbone piers and other structures and higher rock sea walls were constructed and the parking lots have been repaved. We come here often to peer into the harbor's water near docked boats to see reef fish such as Moorish Idols and whatever swims by or we'll sit and just admire the different kinds of boats that are docked here. At the edge of harbor's channel is the Kewalo Basin Park which is a 5-acre triangular-shaped park where surfers and stand up paddlers (SUP) slip into the blue ocean from either the stairs or jetty. Me? I'm a land person so, I'll stand along the wide concrete promenade while feeling as if I'm standing in the middle of the ocean as boats pass by through the harbor channel.

    Lianna N.

    The park side of things on the Kakaako side is a great casual spot to bbq, potluck, and fishing. Sometimes unfriendly homelessness so be cautious. The on the water side, it is the home to many businesses that charter boat water activities like parasailing, diving and more. Popular surfing spot as well.

    Pirates
    Joe C.

    Tons of cruises and party boats depart from here. Pirate ships, catamarans, Snorkeling, Party boats etc. Most people don't even know behind all those boats there's more. There's a triangular shaped park with some great views of diamond head, a cool surfing body boarding sot point panic and a organization that educates youth on conservation. There's some grass, no beach but it has a promenade and a point that juts out into the ocean a bit. It's fairly quiet compared to the hustle and bustle of Ala moana beach park and not much going on at all. Which is why is pretty cool because sometime you just want to sit on a bench an relax away from people.

    Zoe T.

    There's always something happening here. Boat tours, fishing, surfing, paddle boarding and of course the staging address for the Aloha Festival Parade. Came here to bring extra things for our AC Cobra Club of Hawaii drivers. It was sunny and very hot. Thank goodness that I wasn't in the Cobra. I felt sorry for the organizer cause she was running around like crazy. She had so many people that she needed a convertible to ride in but a lot didn't show up. Then she had these massive flower arrangements that they wanted on the hood of the cars. Only problem for Cobra owners, that arrangement would hinder their driving. So we had it put on the trunk. For the Aloha Festival, the parking was too small, but on any given day, it would be okay.

    Nat N.

    Great place for long boarding, short boarding, or stand up paddling. The climb down the rocks can get a bit hairy, but just go slow and keep one hand on the rocks at all time! If you paddle straight out, you'll find that the wave breaks both right and left, which is why I love this break. For goofy footers like myself, the lefts are long and once you're done riding the wave, you usually have a nice paddle back out in the channel. The parking lot is another plus - lots of parking, although it gets full if the waves are big. There are also outdoor showers and bathrooms. This is the perfect place to come when I'm pressed for time - the walk from the parking lot to the water is short, as is the paddle out to the lineup.

    Tonights Sunset. Aloha Saturday everyone!
    Darrell P.

    Great area to grab something to eat and head here in the early evening to catch a great sunset if the conditions are right. Eating our meal in the bed of the truck amongst the boats watching the sun go down was a realxing way to end a lazy Saturday. There's many other places to catch a great sunset. This is just one of them. The only down side is there's some sketchy people that come through here.

    Great place for a stroll
    Matt A.

    Great spot to chill. It's secluded, has bathrooms, benches and an incredible view of the ocean. My wife and I come here to eat lunch and it's a short getaway trip from the hustle and bustle of downtown. You can watch surfers, paddle boarders, fisherman. It's a very serene location. Love it here.

    Go fish!
    Greg K.

    Very well maintained boat harbor, with large commercial boat fleet. Very clean and scrupulously watched over by harbor master John and his friendly crew. Some temporary slips available and a short walk across the street gives access to shops, food, dtink, entertainment and more. Also, adjacent to Ala Moana beach park.

    Christine K.

    Harbor area with lots of different businesses. There are fishing boats, speed boats, sailing boats, diving boats...the whole gamut.

    Early morning sunrise!!

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    Ward V.

    Mahalo, Zoe! We hope to see you in the neighborhood again soon!

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    7 years ago

    By far the best first mate in the Basin. Nice, He accommodates, and doesn't scream to make me feel bad.

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    My seccond best spot to surf! love the lefts out here! Good fun wave!

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    13 years ago

    Went to Kewalo for a video interview. It was nice and breezy, lots of locals hanging out on the beach surfing and chilling out. Nice park.

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    Review Highlights - Kewalo Basin Harbor

    A great hidden gem located across from the Ward Center and next to Ala Moana Beach Park!

    Mentioned in 5 reviews

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    Kaimana Divers - Diving the Sea Tiger wreck

    Kaimana Divers

    (447 reviews)

    Mo'ili'ili

    Gabe and Devin are total sweethearts, amazing guides and teachers, and a complete joy to work with…read more I highly recommend this business and cannot wait to dive with them again. I got my Advanced Open Water certification with them and even while doing epic dives they took time to attentively and patiently help me with fundamentals, buoyancy and trim. I felt totally safe and cared for from start to finish, and they were especially helpful and accommodating getting us scheduled, renting equipment, and giving us full princess treatment. My partner was a professional diver and chose Kaimana specifically because he wanted me to get the best training for my certification.

    This was one of the most disappointing dive experiences I've ever had…read more We are relatively new divers and booked this trip looking for a fun, safe, and well-guided experience. What we got instead was poor dive management and a complete lack of professionalism. During the dive, I ran out of air, which is a serious and dangerous situation in scuba diving. The response from the guide was dismissive and poorly handled, which only made the situation worse. The most frustrating part of the entire experience was dealing with Gabe, the owner. He had absolutely no patience and was openly unprofessional, not just with us but in the way he interacted with others as well. There was no concern for how unsafe the situation was, no accountability, and no attempt to make things right. For an activity where safety, trust, and professionalism are critical, this operation fell short on every level. We paid nearly $700 and walked away feeling stressed, unsafe, and completely disappointed. I would strongly caution newer or less experienced divers before booking here. This is not the kind of environment where you feel supported or safe.

    Living Ocean Tours - My son made a new friend and he loved his secure life jacket even though he is an excellent swimmer.

    Living Ocean Tours

    (780 reviews)

    I'm the girl who wants to go snorkeling even though she gets sea sickness and can't really swim…read morebecause I love animals and I want to experience snorkeling with turtles and fish at least once in my life. We did the turtle tour on 5/13 at 8:30 in the morning. They teach everyone how to use the given gear, they antifog the goggles beforehand and sanitize all the gear well afterwards. They have snacks, water, and ginger ale. We saw two turtles within a couple arms lengths at the surface (you can't touch them but gosh they were so close!). We also saw about seven turtles chilling on the bottom. Tons of reef fish swimming so close to us too. The crew makes sure to point out turtles so you don't miss them. It was my first time in open water and the crew was welcoming from the start. They separate the groups so if you can't swim or are not great at swimming, you can stay back and hold onto a blue mat in the water where they teach you and help you feel comfortable in open water first. Even though I vomited afterwards (yes I took plenty of motion sickness medication ahead of time!), I highly recommend the experience. It's unlike anything else. The crew is so funny, they normalized not being able to swim well or motion sickness so you don't feel embarrassed. They get in the water with you (not all crews do!) and were super attentive, and encouraging. I felt safe enough that I was able to learn, get confident in the water and join the others and I still felt like I had plenty of great snorkeling time. Overall, GREAT company for actually seeing turtles! GREAT for inexperienced swimmers and people who get motion/sea sickness! If you're determined, you can still do it. The crew made me feel safe the entire time! You've got this, you only live once!

    Fun 5/5 Snorkeling 4/5…read more Service 5/5 Informative from staff in safety 5/5 Price for value and time 5/5 Overall 5/5 Wow you guys are truly amazing. I didn't even get off the boat and my son already asked me "can we come back to this same boat again next time!" From the gate B, which is your entrance, make sure you read your additional info after your confirmation email, especially if you are taking a Uber or Lyft, or else you can get dropped off at the main area and have to walk and find gate B! It's a long walk if you do not specify, our u er drive was the one that asked me, what gate sir, or else you have a long walk. Thank god he asked us! So from the gate to the entire experience, it can be overwhelming, it's a lot to do, it's a ton of fun. I rated 4/5 for the snorkeling because it's open ocean vs doing this inside a "bay" You first get a cruise down the waters and learn about the city and the captain t Story tells you a lot of history and the buildings while we are cruising and then we turn around to the play and snorkeling areas! Wow! But knowing my kids they want to also PLAY! Thais is the boat, you have a water trampoline, a water floating board that you legit can lay on or stand on and play balance and or just lay, and a huge slide!!!!! Wow! And drink and snacks are included! We didn't even get a chance to grab a beer! lol (for additional $ on your own) Just look at the view and the photos. So this entire experience is just 5/5 We booked through TripAdvisor. This is 100% recommend, since this is also at open ocean, it's easier if you can swim and not afraid of the waters. They do offer life jackets and self blown floatation vests, your choice. Must do!!!!! See you next time!

    Island Divers - Green Hawaiian Lionfish

    Island Divers

    (516 reviews)

    Hawaii Kai

    I did 2 separate 2 tank dives and a snorkeling trip with a large group of my non-diver friends. I…read morecan say this is a very professional, organized, safe, and fun team. Dive master Christian was very personable and knowledgeable, and led me on a couple of great dives. Captain Matt exudes skill and professionalism. My divemaster for my second dives was Nadia, who also led our snorkelers the previous day. She is friendly, very knowledgeable, and just a bundle of contagious energy. One of the best dive companies I have ever been with. I cannot recommend them more highly.

    Three great dives with Island Divers!…read more A dive shop is not a building, it is a group of people - and those people determine whether or not it's a good dive day. Thanks very much to Willow, Gem & his wife, Capt. Matt, Divemaster Charles, and the other 3 Divemasters aboard, it was a tremendous day! Due to a last minute addition of an EAN certification, I was able to make my first two EAN dives. Gem worked with me to get quickly up to speed when I arrived late (my fault). Despite this I was able to complete my EAN certification in time for the dive. Capt. Matt gave a very thorough and professional boat safety briefing before we left, and it was clear from all staff that safety is first. Divemaster Charles briefed each dive in detail, with clear instructions for ingress and egress. The three sites had varying degrees of difficulty: LCU (deep + current), Skimmins Ledge (drift), and Sea Caves (shallow & drift), and each required some special planning. Charles made everything clear and easy to understand. Safety is first with this crew, but close behind is Divers satisfaction...they all worked very hard to make sure we had a great day. I want to thank the whole crew, and I apologize for not remembering all the names. A special shout out to Divemaster Elena (sp?), who recently became a US citizen -- we are proud to welcome you! I chose Island Divers this time because I have never lived on the Windward side, and really wanted to see something different. But I will go with Island Divers next time because it's a great shop - and by that I mean its a great staff.

    Ruckus Sportfishing and Diving

    Ruckus Sportfishing and Diving

    (72 reviews)

    I've done a couple dives with Ruckus Diving to Sea Tiger/Deep Pipe/YO-257/San Pedro wrecks, and all…read moreexperiences were incredible. Ray, the owner, is especially patient with newer divers and has a great way of making every dive feel fun while still prioritizing safety. The entire crew is professional, welcoming, and easygoing. It honestly feels like you're diving with a group of friends--but with the confidence that you're in very capable hands. Highly recommend!

    Beyond thrilled with my experience using Ruckus on a recent trip to Honolulu. It was my first time…read morediving in a few years and -- though I'm pretty experienced -- I felt it prudent to make sure my skills were properly refreshed. Whereas other shops wanted to charge me for a full on course, Captain Maddie set me up with her dive-master sister, Ashley. Ashley did a refresher on our way out then made sure I had a great, safe experience for my first time back in the water, taking me on two shallow reef dives. We saw so many turtles, eels, a shark and several octopuses (Ashley has an incredible eye for spotting them). I had such a great time I booked another dive. This time, noting my comfort level, Ashley took me on two deeper wreck dives. They were spectacular. I'm so grateful I found Ruckus, Maddie and Ashley. There are a ton of options for diving on Oahu and I really lucked out choosing them. The personal focus the sisters gave me both times was above and beyond. I can't wait to come back to Hawaii and go diving with them again and again.

    Dive Oahu - Jared

    Dive Oahu

    (377 reviews)

    Downtown

    I had the absolute best experience diving with Dive Oahu today. My husband and I joined their two…read moretank shallow reef dive charter, and it was easily one of the most welcoming and enjoyable dive trips I have ever been on. I have scuba dived all over the world, and the professionalism, kindness, and fun energy from this crew really stood out. My husband attempted to snorkel, and the staff went above and beyond to make sure he felt comfortable despite his fear of the water and worries about seasickness. A huge thank you to Patrick, who showed incredible patience, kindness, and the perfect bedside manner while helping him. It meant so much to us. I originally chose Dive Oahu because I met their team at a scuba diving convention and immediately fell in love with the generosity and positive vibes they brought to their booth. Every year they treated me like a long time friend. When I finally dove with them in person today, that same family atmosphere was there with every single staff member on the boat and in the shop. After this trip, I can honestly say Dive Oahu feels like family now. A special shoutout to Captain Adam for his incredible hospitality both at conventions and on the boat. He brings the perfect balance of professionalism, humor, and genuine friendliness that makes you feel welcome the moment you step aboard. I also want to recognize Jeff, who was teaching a Discover Scuba Diving course on the boat. Watching him work with his students was impressive. He was professional, attentive, and clearly passionate about helping new divers succeed. His humor and relaxed attitude made it feel like meeting a long lost friend. And of course thank you to Jacob (aka Sir Fabio), our scuba tour guide, who did an amazing job guiding us through the reefs. He found nudibranchs, eels, and some absolutely gigantic sea turtles, and made the dive both exciting and relaxed. From start to finish, the entire experience was fantastic. If you are looking for scuba diving in Oahu, snorkeling tours, discover scuba experiences, or reef dives with a professional and friendly crew, Dive Oahu is the place to go. I cannot wait for my next dive trip with Dive Oahu. Highly recommend

    Nacho, Jarrod, Pat are the best! Thank you all for patience. You guys are so fun and are the best!read more

    Aloha Scuba Diving Company - My dive group was the best! Thank you dive master Erin and assistant Patrick!

    Aloha Scuba Diving Company

    (80 reviews)

    We had such a great time with Captain Derick and Zoey as our guide scuba diving. They were…read moreextremely respectful to the environment and gave us detailed instructions on hand signals prior to our underwater adventure. They were super excited (as was I) to embark on our dive and we more than happy to teach us about the animals that we saw. We visited the sea tiger wreck which is a spectacular dive which I highly recommend any AOW to explore! It's certainly my favorite dive on Oahu. Afterwards, I asked Captain Derick if he had any recommendations on new fins to purchase and he gave me many good recs, asking about my style of kicking and what I want underwater. Very helpful. Overall, I had an excellent experience at a very fair price! I highly recommend diving with Aloha!

    I had such a fun and safe experience with this company! I enjoyed the outdoor class and really…read morelearning how to do everything ourselves with guidance and checks, since I'm a hands on learner. I did the PADI OWD class. My instructor, dive master Erin was so encouraging and patient, even when I couldn't do some skills right away, she gave me clear instructions and helped me throughout the sessions! Thank you as well to dive assistant Patrick, who ensured I felt safe during some of the more challenging skills! It wouldn't have been the same without you guys. Really appreciate the crew as well! Def recommend, and would love to come back and dive with them again! Mahalo :)

    Kewalo Basin Harbor - boatcharters - Updated May 2026

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