Marina· Oahu· Hawaii

Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor

21° 17.1′ N · 157° 50.5′ W

The largest small boat harbor in Hawaii, tucked between Waikiki and Ala Moana with Diamond Head over the breakwater. Home to the Hawaii and Waikiki yacht clubs and the finish-line welcome for the Transpac, it is the natural first stop for a cruising boat on Oahu's south shore.

Practical

State-run (DLNR DOBOR). Harbor office 1651 Ala Moana Blvd, (808) 973-9727. 699 berths, max LOA 85 ft, 1 launch ramp, 22 dry storage spaces, vessel washdown, MSD pumpout, restrooms and showers (DOBOR). Coast Pilot gives depths of 8-20 ft inside; Noodle's Notes (Nov 2024) says 14-20 ft over mud and that the harbor has three marinas: the state berths, Waikiki Yacht Club and Hawaii Yacht Club. NO FUEL DOCK (Noodle's Notes; Noonsite Jan 2016 also reports no laundry and no haul-out; Coast Pilot still mentions a 45 ft marine railway, so confirm before counting on it). Transient berthing: a Noonsite Jan 2016 report describes the 800 row as transient moorage, with stays of up to 180 days per calendar year paid no more than 15 days at a time and proof of insurance required (verify locally). Without a reservation, Noonsite (2014-2016) says you may stop for 30 minutes at the loading dock by the Ilikai hotel while crew finds a vacant berth. Harbor attendant controls berthing. Trade winds are distorted by tall buildings, so expect sudden shifts when maneuvering under sail. Enterable in all weather except kona storms; very large summer south swells can break outside the entrance (Coast Pilot). Harbor-user parking $1/hour; 6 hours free public parking near the Hilton lagoon (Wikipedia). Supermarkets within walking distance (Foodland Farms at Ala Moana Center; Don Quijote about 1 mile per the 2016 Noonsite report). Fuel check (October 2026): the DOBOR harbor page lists no fuel among its amenities; the nearest marine fuel is the Kewalo Basin fuel dock, open 7 am to 4 pm daily (kewaloharbor.com).

Best for

Base for Honolulu provisioning, crew changes and yacht-club hospitality

Season

Year-round; use caution at the entrance during large south swells (mostly Jun-Aug) and kona storms

Nearby