The 15 Best Sunset Cruises in the Big Island

1.Big Island GOAT Experience: Mauna Kea Summit, Sunset & Stars

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,706 reviews · 7 to 8 hours (approx.) · from $289Our pick

Ride a 4x4 van from Hilo, Waikoloa, or Kona to Mauna Kea’s 13,796-foot summit for sunset, then stargaze at lower elevation. Your small group gets warm jackets, gloves, snacks, hot drinks, guide-led astronomy, a telescope viewing, and a professional night photo. Guides such as Tay, Kella, John, and Chris share Hawaiian stories and sky lore.

“It's an amazing experience being at that height! Once in a lifetime for me. We got some great photos that have impressed are friends and family. Our guide, Tay, was great. The stargazing portion was really cool. The best view of the stars I have ever had.”

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2.Sunset and Manta Ray Snorkel Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 843 reviews · 2 hours 15 minutes (approx.) · from $154

Sail the Kona coast aboard a 50-foot catamaran as the sun sets, then hold onto a lighted board while manta rays feed below you. Kona Style supplies snorkel gear, a wetsuit top, drinks, and hot cocoa afterward. Captain Dan and the crew focus on safety, clear instruction, and keeping nervous swimmers comfortable. The boat carries up to 36 people.

“The staff were very friendly and informative . A thorough explanation of what to expect was given by staff . Experience of getting in the water with the manta rays was amazing! The crew was fun and great at what they do! Would recommend choosing Kona Style for your manta ray snorkel experience !”

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3.Hawaii’s GOAT Experience: Mauna Kea Summit, Sunset & Stars

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 443 reviews · from $289

Ride from Hilo pickup points to Mauna Kea for sunset at the Pacific’s highest point, then view stars through a telescope near the visitor center. Guides such as Mitch, James, Jess, Rob, Zac, and Tay share Hawaiian history and astronomy. Parkas, gloves, snacks, hot chocolate, and emailed photos are included.

“Jessica and Robert made this an unforgettable evening. This experience you don't want to miss.”

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4.Waikoloa Signature Catamaran Sunset Sail

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 396 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours (approx.) · from $159

Sail from Anaehoomalu Bay aboard a 53-foot catamaran for sunset views along the Kohala-Kona coast. The 90-minute cruise includes a premium bar, snacks, shaded seating, restrooms, and live commentary. You board barefoot by tender boat, with room for up to 49 people.

“We had a great cruise. The crew was terrific. We enjoyed the catamaran. The drinks were varied and the dinner was a surprise.”

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5.Kona Signature Catamaran Sunset Sail

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 218 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $109

Sail from Honokohau Harbor along the Kona Coast for about 90 minutes aboard a spacious catamaran. Captain Michael and crew members such as Caesar, John, Xander, Nicole, and Kevin have helped create a friendly, relaxed outing. Expect shaded and open seating, a restroom, snacks, drinks, and possible dolphin or whale sightings.

“The boat was awesome. The crew was a lot of fun. The food was really great and the views were unmatched.”

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6.Sunset Manta Ray Tour in Kailua-Kona

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 156 reviews · 2 to 3 hours (approx.) · from $103

Meet Hawaii Marine Life Charters at Honokohau Marina for a sunset boat ride to Garden Eel Cove or Manta Heaven. Guides such as Mitch, Riley, Bobby, Brian, and Sky provide the gear, safety briefing, and in-water support while LED boards attract wild manta rays. Expect a small group, a 2 to 3-hour outing, and hot drinks afterward.

“This was an incredible experience! Captains Mitch and Riley were a lot of fun, they went over details about the manta’s, what to expect, and the rules we had to follow while in the water. We were in a small group of eight, and the boat was very comfortable. The tour started right on time, we were given wet suits to put, which I’m glad we did, the water would likely have been a little cool in the dark, but we were very comfortable. The mask was great, with no leakage or fogging. Being in the water when the manta rays show up is incredible, we’ve done lots of snorkelling…”

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7.Catamaran Sunset Sail with Cocktails

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 68 reviews · 1h 30m · from $159

Sail from Anaehoomalu Bay aboard Hawaii Nautical’s Spirit of Aloha catamaran for a 90-minute sunset cruise. Captain Michael and the local crew serve tropical cocktails, beer, wine, soft drinks, water, and island-style snacks while you watch the Kohala Coast, Mauna Kea, Hualalai, and the Pacific sunset. Boarding involves a short barefoot step through seawater from a tender boat.

“Everything about the sunset sail was awesome. Beautiful sailing and sunset; as well as expert/kind/wonderful captain and crew. I couldn’t have enjoyed it more.”

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8.Sunset Cocktail Cruise on our Sailing Catamaran

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 62 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $165

Spend about two hours cruising the Kohala Coast aboard Ocean Sports’ catamaran. You’ll get ocean sunset views, unlimited soft drinks, beer, wine, cocktails, and hot and cold pupus. The boat may sail or run under power, depending on the vessel and date. Departure can be from ʻAnaehoʻomalu Bay or Kawaihae Harbor.

“We decided to finish out our vacation with this relaxing cruise at sunset. It was a perfect way to close out our trip. The staff was great and very attentive.”

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9.Sunset Kona Salt Farm Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 55 reviews · from $27Best value

Meet at Kona Sea Salt in the Hawaii Ocean Science and Technology Park for a one-hour tour led by a farm guide such as Mia. Learn how seawater from 2,200 feet below the surface becomes salt, hear about Hawaiian traditions, taste 13 pure, flavored, and smoked salts, then watch the sunset by the ocean.

“Very cool and unique tour! They share the history and process of deep sea salt and you even get to do a tasting at the end! Highly recommend the sunset tour time.”

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10.Sunset Cruise with the Whales on our Sailing Catamaran

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 48 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $165

Set out from Anaeho'omalu Bay on a catamaran for a two-hour sunset cruise along the Kohala Coast. Expect coastal views, snacks, unlimited soft drinks and alcoholic beverages, and a naturalist searching for humpback whales. The crew may deploy a hydrophone so you can hear their underwater songs.

“Amazing tour. We went during winter (whale season) and saw whale 3x! Sunset was beautiful and staff was very friendly. Highly recommend.”

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11.Sunset Cruise & Manta Night Snorkeling Charter

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 16 reviews · 3 hours (approx.)

Meet Aloha Kona Tours at 74 Kealakehe Parkway for a private three-hour catamaran trip. Captain and guide Hunter take your group from a Kona sunset into manta night snorkeling, supplying gear, lights, snacks, soft drinks, coffee, and tea. The private boat can seek out active manta locations, but sightings remain part of nature’s schedule.

“Fabulous experience! Book with this private tour if you can. We had a group of 6 family and so it was the same price for this priva te tour as it would be for a group one and it was absolutely the best choice. Our boat captain took us out for a beautiful sunset view and took pictures for us (no extra charge like with some other tours we have taken). He sent us ones he had taken of us afterwards and was happy to take pictures with our camera also. He has a fast boat which was a fun ride out to the area. It was easy to find…”

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12.Kona Hi, Sunset Manta Ray Tour 10 passengers maximum

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 14 reviews · 2h 30m · from $141

Meet your English-speaking guides at Honokohau Harbor, suit up, and cruise to a Kona Coast manta site near the airport. At sunset, you will hold a lit float while plankton gathers below and wild manta rays sweep close through the dark water. Bryan and Riley are among the guides, and videos may be shared by AirDrop afterward.

“Bryan and Riley were super kind and awesome guides. We made a 20 min boattrip to the Manta stop close to the Airport and it was such a nice stop. A friend of us recommended to go at the sunset and it was worth it. You can see something when you go out, wait shortly till its dark (Riley told us some nice facts about mantas inbetween) and go into the water. Both of them were very respectful in regards to all guests, the ocean and the beautiful animals and know exactly what to do to see them. It was such a great tour and the best was, that its…”

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13.Enjoy Sunset with a Fine Cigar in Hawi

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 12 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $49

Meet Richard at 4:30 pm near Hawi for a two-hour sunset gathering at Puʻu Kehoni. Choose from premium cigars or bring your own, enjoy included local liquor, and take in views toward Maui, Lanai, Kahoʻolawe, and Hualalai. The evening includes Moʻokini Heiau and Upolu Point, with a small group of up to 12 people.

“Maybe the BEST smoking experience I have ever had in my life! Our host, Richard, has a gift for engaging and sincere conversation. Can’t wait to do it again.”

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14.Catamaran Sunset Sail with Cocktails and Snacks

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 8 reviews · 1h 30m · from $109

Spend 90 minutes on the Spirit of Aloha, sailing the Kona Coast as the sun drops over the Pacific. You’ll have a full premium bar, island-inspired light bites, shaded and open-air seating, restrooms, and mountain views. Luke is one of the named guides, and the relaxed setting suits couples, families, and friends.

“Luke was a wonderful tour guide, we had a lovely time!”

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15.Mauna Kea Signature Sunset Coastline Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 8 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $109

Cruise from Kawaihae Harbor along Hawaiʻi Island’s Kohala Coast for about 90 minutes. You’ll have shaded seating, an open deck, non-alcoholic drinks, snacks, and a restroom on board. The route frames Mauna Kea, Mauna Loa, Hualālai, and the Kohala Mountains as the sun drops toward the Pacific.

“This trip was so fun and we were well taken care of. We set sail off the beach and were served with drinks and snacks galore as we rode up the coast line towards sunset. The ride was relaxing and not bumpy! Must do!”

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