Big Island Sailing

Let the Big Island Unfold from the Deck

There is something easy about seeing the Big Island from a sailboat. You are not trying to cover miles of road or rush between stops. Instead, you can settle onto the deck, watch the lava coastline slide by, and enjoy the way the island looks from offshore with the mountains rising behind it.

Where you depart can shape the whole experience. Honokohau Harbor puts you on the Kona side, while Kawaihae Harbor and Anaehoomalu Bay make sense if you are staying farther north near the Kohala Coast and Waikoloa resorts. Some sails head out during the day for open-water views and the chance to spot marine life, while others are timed for sunset and include drinks or light bites as the sky starts to change.

A sailing tour is less about checking off sights and more about enjoying the setting. You can spend a few hours in the breeze, move at a gentler pace, and see the coastline from an angle you do not get on land.

When choosing a tour, start with the harbor closest to where you are staying, then decide whether you would rather be out in the daytime or finish the day on the water at sunset.