makani catamaran cruise

Makani Catamaran

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Makani Catamaran - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Makani Catamaran

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Go City: Oahu All-Inclusive Pass with 45+ Attractions and Tours

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Makani Catamaran - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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Feeling the Wind on a Sunset Dinner Sail Aboard the Makani Catamaran

Makani Catamaran is the best sunset catamaran cruise if you’re looking for ultimate relaxation. Nothing is more refreshing than a peaceful sail at sunset.

You want to go on a Waikiki sunset cruise, but there are so many to choose from. If you have narrowed it down to wanting a dinner cruise on a catamaran-style boat (rather than a yacht) then it is easier to choose the best option for you.

Picking a Catamaran Cruise in Waikiki

Compared to yacht style dinner cruises, catamarans bring a more adventurous and casual feeling to your evening.

Personally, I much prefer being on a catamaran sailboat rather than a large yacht. Something about being on an open deck with a gentle breeze gives you a great sense of freedom and peace as you sail across Waikiki towards Diamond Head.

To me, sailing on a catamaran is equivalent to having a spa day or taking a dip in the ocean. If you just want to clear your mind and feel rejuvenated, then give Makani Catamaran a shot.

Makani Catamaran is a great cruise if you are looking for a delicious dinner, bigger sized boat, casual theme, and harbor-departure.

The overall vibe of the Makani Catamaran sunset dinner sail is chill, relaxed, and romantic. Compared to some other catamarans that have more of a party scene, this one is more suited for those who just want to have quality time with loved ones and take in the amazing views.

The Makani Catamaran Experience

My boyfriend and I went on this cruise together and we had the most amazing time. There is enough space on the boat to have your own private space but you can also chat with other passengers if you feel like socializing.

Getting There

We drove out to the check-in location at Kewalo Basin Harbor, which is a short drive from Waikiki. We were able to park right in front of Makani Catamaran and they have a little booth where you check in. The metered parking is very affordable at $1 an hour.

This is one of the very few Waikiki sunset sails that includes transportation from Waikiki! You don’t have to worry about navigating through Waikiki or catching an Uber/Taxi; you can be picked up close to your hotel! Also, everyone in your party (over 21) can enjoy drinks on the cruise without having to worry about driving after.

Since you depart from the harbor, the boarding is much easier compared to other catamaran cruises that depart straight from the beach. There’s also a ramp for easy (and dry) access onto the boat.

Makani is a very nice, clean, and elegant 65 ft sailing catamaran. There is an abundance of space to spread out across the boat: bean bags to sit on, nets to lounge on, railing if you prefer to stand, and plenty of indoor cabin seating with tables. This makes for a very spacious and comfortable sail so you can have a romantic time.

Most of the time we were hanging out on the front of the boat either standing on the side or lounging on the comfortable nets. It was so enjoyable and peaceful to soak in the beautiful views.

We avoided the inside cabin area because (pro-tip) if you are prone to seasickness like me, being inside the cabin will just make things worse! Try to stay outside where you get fresh air and can look out to the horizon.

The only time we spent time inside the cabin was when we were eating so we didn’t have to worry about the wind and holding onto our plates. It was so great that they have the option of this indoor space with easy seating in case you have older folks or children in your party.

They served dinner about 20 minutes after departure, after getting the sail up and the boat on its way towards Diamond Head. The dinner was great. They set up a little buffet with dish heaters to make sure the hot-food was staying warm.

The main dishes include island style chicken, beef & vegetable medley, and curried tofu vegetable wraps. They did a great job of making sure to represent different dietary options in the buffet as well, including vegan and gluten free dishes.

It was the perfect island style meal to enjoy out on the water. I suffer from a never-ending sweet-tooth, so the macadamia nut chocolate chip cookie was my favorite part.

Makani Catamaran hosts a full bar with cocktails, wine, and beer. Every passenger gets one free drink ticket, but after that you can purchase drinks at a reasonable price.

I love a good beer, so when I found out they served Maui Brewing Co Big Swell IPAs, I was very excited. If you haven’t tried any of the locally-brewed beers of Hawaii like Kona Brewing Co or Maui Brewing Co, I highly recommend them!

Located right in the middle of Waikiki is Maui Brewing Co restaurant which is a great place to taste some local beer with great food and a fun atmosphere.

The crew was very welcoming, helpful, and friendly. They were all eager to help us take photos and they chatted with us a bit too. There were plenty of amazing photo opportunities during this sail.

In the service industry, it is very obvious to notice workers who actually enjoy their jobs because then they are usually really good at it. You could tell that the crew of the Makani Catamaran truly loved what they were doing, which makes the whole experience better.

The Sunset Cruise

We went all the way from Kewalo Basin Harbor to Diamond Head, and the sail was so smooth despite some swell. The views are breathtaking as you see the city and crater from a new perspective.

We witnessed the sky change colors as the sun dipped below the horizon. As the sky began to turn dark and the breeze chillier, we made our way back to the harbor.

On Fridays, Makani stays out later so you can view the Hilton Hawaiian Village Fireworks Show as well! Weather permitting, this firework show happens every Friday right in Waikiki. The best spot to view is from the water! After enjoying your dinner and the sunset, you end the night watching the fireworks show from the ocean. Whether you’re a local or tourist, this is a unique way to spend your Friday evening.

What to Bring

This is a casual sunset dinner cruise so wear whatever you’d like! That being said, I did regret wearing a sundress since I had to hold it down the whole time because of the wind. So I’d recommend ladies wearing either a long dress, shorts, or pants for a more comfortable time.

It may get a bit chilly out on the water with the cool breeze as the sun goes down, so you might want to bring a sweater as well! And don’t forget sunglasses or else you’ll be squinting the whole time!

Another thing you are welcome to bring is your camera! In contrast to beach departures on smaller catamarans, there is basically no chance of your camera getting wet from ocean spray because the boat is large and departs from a calm harbor!

So bring your camera if you would like to take amazing photos. In the chance that it starts raining, you always have the option to keep your camera dry in the covered cabin.

Like I mentioned earlier, I am usually prone to seasickness. So I decided to take Bonine prior to this cruise. I was completely fine for the whole duration of the cruise and had no sense of seasickness!

If you are prone to seasickness or are not sure if you are, I would recommend taking preventative measures because trust me, it is not fun to be seasick on a boat.

You can take over the counter preventatives, seasickness prevention bracelets, or other natural remedies like ginger. You’d rather be proactive rather than reactive when it comes to this!

Waikiki has a wide selection of different sunset sails to choose from varying in many different aspects.

A few highlights of Makani catamaran are that it includes a buffet dinner, the catamaran is larger than most others, you depart from a harbor (rather than a beach departure where you wade through water), and the duration is 2 hours which is longer than many others.

The price is on the higher end compared to other sunset sails but you really get what you pay for if you are looking for a larger/nicer boat and a great dinner.

I think a sunset sail is a must-do for visitors staying in Waikiki! Book the Makani Catamaran for the best way to get the most out of a casual sunset sail. It has tasty food, a great crew, and a beautiful boat.

Born and raised in San Diego, Hawaii has always been Bailey's second home. She moved to Oahu four years ago and in addition to being a Hawaii travel expert, she enjoys spending time outdoors and cooking.

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Cruising the Moskva River: A short guide to boat trips in Russia’s capital

There’s hardly a better way to absorb Moscow’s atmosphere than on a ship sailing up and down the Moskva River. While complicated ticketing, loud music and chilling winds might dampen the anticipated fun, this checklist will help you to enjoy the scenic views and not fall into common tourist traps.

How to find the right boat?

There are plenty of boats and selecting the right one might be challenging. The size of the boat should be your main criteria.

Plenty of small boats cruise the Moskva River, and the most vivid one is this yellow Lay’s-branded boat. Everyone who has ever visited Moscow probably has seen it.

This option might leave a passenger disembarking partially deaf as the merciless Russian pop music blasts onboard. A free spirit, however, will find partying on such a vessel to be an unforgettable and authentic experience that’s almost a metaphor for life in modern Russia: too loud, and sometimes too welcoming. Tickets start at $13 (800 rubles) per person.

Bigger boats offer smoother sailing and tend to attract foreign visitors because of their distinct Soviet aura. Indeed, many of the older vessels must have seen better days. They are still afloat, however, and getting aboard is a unique ‘cultural’ experience. Sometimes the crew might offer lunch or dinner to passengers, but this option must be purchased with the ticket. Here is one such  option  offering dinner for $24 (1,490 rubles).

If you want to travel in style, consider Flotilla Radisson. These large, modern vessels are quite posh, with a cozy restaurant and an attentive crew at your service. Even though the selection of wines and food is modest, these vessels are still much better than other boats.

Surprisingly, the luxurious boats are priced rather modestly, and a single ticket goes for $17-$32 (1,100-2,000 rubles); also expect a reasonable restaurant bill on top.

How to buy tickets?

Women holding photos of ships promise huge discounts to “the young and beautiful,” and give personal invitations for river tours. They sound and look nice, but there’s a small catch: their ticket prices are usually more than those purchased online.

“We bought tickets from street hawkers for 900 rubles each, only to later discover that the other passengers bought their tickets twice as cheap!”  wrote  (in Russian) a disappointed Rostislav on a travel company website.

Nevertheless, buying from street hawkers has one considerable advantage: they personally escort you to the vessel so that you don’t waste time looking for the boat on your own.

Prices start at $13 (800 rubles) for one ride, and for an additional $6.5 (400 rubles) you can purchase an unlimited number of tours on the same boat on any given day.

Flotilla Radisson has official ticket offices at Gorky Park and Hotel Ukraine, but they’re often sold out.

Buying online is an option that might save some cash. Websites such as  this   offer considerable discounts for tickets sold online. On a busy Friday night an online purchase might be the only chance to get a ticket on a Flotilla Radisson boat.

This  website  (in Russian) offers multiple options for short river cruises in and around the city center, including offbeat options such as ‘disco cruises’ and ‘children cruises.’ This other  website  sells tickets online, but doesn’t have an English version. The interface is intuitive, however.

Buying tickets online has its bad points, however. The most common is confusing which pier you should go to and missing your river tour.

“I once bought tickets online to save with the discount that the website offered,” said Igor Shvarkin from Moscow. “The pier was initially marked as ‘Park Kultury,’ but when I arrived it wasn’t easy to find my boat because there were too many there. My guests had to walk a considerable distance before I finally found the vessel that accepted my tickets purchased online,” said the man.

There are two main boarding piers in the city center:  Hotel Ukraine  and  Park Kultury . Always take note of your particular berth when buying tickets online.

Where to sit onboard?

Even on a warm day, the headwind might be chilly for passengers on deck. Make sure you have warm clothes, or that the crew has blankets ready upon request.

The glass-encased hold makes the tour much more comfortable, but not at the expense of having an enjoyable experience.

Getting off the boat requires preparation as well. Ideally, you should be able to disembark on any pier along the way. In reality, passengers never know where the boat’s captain will make the next stop. Street hawkers often tell passengers in advance where they’ll be able to disembark. If you buy tickets online then you’ll have to research it yourself.

There’s a chance that the captain won’t make any stops at all and will take you back to where the tour began, which is the case with Flotilla Radisson. The safest option is to automatically expect that you’ll return to the pier where you started.

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History of Makani Catamaran 

Makani’s history traces back to the 8,000 mile journey through the Panama Canal, up the coast of Central America, past Mexico, and finally to the Hawaiian Islands.  You’ll also find the specifications  Hawaii catamaran facts & specs about this unique vessel.

The Makani began as a vision, transitioned into a conceptual plan, and emerged as a sophisticated sea vessel.  The construction of Makani Catamaran began in September 2004 in St. Croix, of the United States Virgin Islands. Once the project was completed in August of 2005, Makani set sail for Honolulu from the Virgin Islands. During their 8,000 mile journey they passed through the Panama Canal, up the coast of Central America, heading northwest to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, then from there to the Hawaiian Islands. Makani arrived at her new home in Kewalo Basin, Slip F31, Honolulu, Hawaii on October 20, 2005.  While docked here on Oahu, luxury catamaran cruising has become Makani’s main vocation.

Specs/Basic Info:

Length: 64 feet,  Width: 32 feet,Displacement: 29,000 lbs Passenger Capacity: 79 (with crew of 5) Crew: Captain, 1st Mate, Bartender (additional crew for larger groups) Built: Gold Coast Yachts, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands Designer: Dave Wallworth / Jon Jepson Construction Completed: August 2005 Arrived in Hawaii: October 2005 Vessel Material: Core Cell Foam / Epoxy / Carbon Fiber Total Sail Area: 1,764 square feet Sails: North Sails 3DL Rotating Wing Mast: 70’ Carbon Fiber by Southern Spars of New Zealand Standing Rigging: ARAMID Uni-Directional Kevlar Engine/Propellers: Twin Yanmar 125 hp Turbo Diesel Engines/3 Blade Folding Propellers from Gori Speed: 13 knots (under power) / Up to 30 knots (under sail)

32″ Flat Screen HDTV DVD Player Surround Sound Audio System CD Player and iPod hook Up PowerPoint Presentation Compatible HDTV 2 Freshwater Heads (Restrooms) Dual Bar Stations Semi-Enclosed Main Cabin Area Open For and Aft Decks Helm Station Seating for Passengers Two Forward Sunbathing Nets 20 Nautical Mile Excursion Limit Dual Swim Ladders off Stern

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River Cruise on Luxurious Radisson Boat

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Equipped with ice-breaking technology, these huge fancy yachts are the only river cruisers running all year around. The round trip journey takes two and a half hours and floats past all the big sights like the White House, Novodevichy monastery and the Kremlin. There’s a large open air observation deck up top, while the main body of the ship houses a restaurant with a dance floor for a romantic post dinner dance. For a particularly romantic experience take one of the evening boats and admire the bright lights of the city skyline at night.

The most relaxing and picturesque tour that Moscow can offer: a great way to see the city center and its main attractions. This is a perfect alternative to exploring the city by car, if you only have time to do sightseeing during weekday rush hours.

Your English-speaking guide is eager to share every bit of their knowledge about the surrounding landscape, the architecture and historical details.

We conduct Moscow river tour on Radisson Flotilla boats all year around!  It’s warm inside during winter months, while there’s air conditioning during hot summer days. You may also treat yourself to drinks, lunch or dinner on board (drinks and food are not included in tour price).

The cost of an excursion with a personal guide for 1 person

Quay at Radisson Collection Hotel

Government Headquarters ("the White House")

Kievsky Railway Central

Novodevichy Convent

Luzhniki Stadium

Academy of Sciences

Monument to Peter I

Cathedral of Christ the Saviour

Moscow Kremlin

St.Basil's Cathedral

Novospassky Monastery

U-turn and back to Quay at Radisson Royal Hotel

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• Excursion River Cruise on Luxurious Radisson Boat
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