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With over 750 miles of stunning coastline, Hawaii’s waters are a magnet for locals and the millions of tourists visiting the islands annually. Boating experiences are a top experience for anyone venturing to Hawaii. Being on the water here provides a stunning perspective of the islands' beauty. The state's boat rental and tour market continues to thrive, driven by popular destinations like Honolulu and Lahaina, where demand for water-based activities remains high.

Over the past few years, Hawaii has seen a steady increase in boating activity, with an estimated 32,000 registered vessels across its islands in 2022, underscoring the growing popularity of boating as a way to explore the state's unique marine environments and breathtaking seascapes.


About This Report

This report analyzes booking and demand data from Getmyboat, the world’s largest boat rental marketplace, examining the top boating locations in Hawaii.

It contains proprietary boating data for each city, including the most desired vessel style for renters and average pricing. It discusses the distinct features that make each of these locations ideal for boating and the overall experience they offer.


Our Methodology

To develop this report, Getmyboat analyzed boat rental bookings and demand data for locations in Hawaii. Cities are determined by where the boat owner registers the boat. The data was cleaned to exclude outlier hourly and total trip rates, while rental types were categorized into the significant categories to be evaluated in this report.


The Top Boating Cities in Hawaii

Hawaii Data
  1. Honolulu

Average Hourly Rate: $299

Most Popular Style of Boat: Sailboats

As Hawaii’s capital and largest city, Honolulu is the epicenter of boating activities in the state. Its bustling harbors, including the Ala Wai Harbor and Kewalo Basin, serve as private and commercial boating hubs. Offering everything from sailboat charters to luxury yachts, Honolulu is a favorite among tourists for its proximity to iconic destinations like Waikiki Beach and Pearl Harbor. No trip to Honolulu is complete without a sunset sail to see the island's stunning landscapes against a colorful backdrop.

Honolulu sees thousands of boat rentals annually, thanks to its vibrant tourism industry, year-round favorable weather, and various water sports offerings, including snorkeling, whale watching, and deep-sea fishing.

2. Lahaina

Average Hourly Rate: $432

Most Popular Style of Boat: Sailboats

Located on the island of Maui, Lahaina is a major draw for boating enthusiasts, especially those seeking whale-watching tours during the winter months. While Lahaina Harbor was tragically destroyed in the 2023 fire, many operators who originally operated out of the harbor still have their businesses but pick up from different locations. Around Lahaina you can book fishing trips, and sunset cruises. Its prime location near the protected waters of Lanai and Molokai also attracts sailors and divers.

3. Kailua-Kona

Average Hourly Rate: $224

Most Popular Style of Boat: Fishing Charters

Kailua-Kona, on the Big Island, is renowned for its deep-sea fishing opportunities and crystal-clear waters. Honokohau Marina and Small Boat Harbor is their main hub for boat charters, including catamaran cruises, snorkeling excursions, and private yachts. The city’s annual fishing tournaments, such as the International Billfish Tournament, attract boating enthusiasts from around the globe. Kailua-Kona is also a hotspot for dolphin and manta ray tours, with boat traffic spiking during peak tourist seasons.

4. Wailea

Average Hourly Rate: Powerboats

Most Popular Style of Boat: $169

Wailea, located on Maui’s southern coast, is known for its luxurious resorts and pristine beaches. Though smaller in scale than Honolulu and Lahaina, Wailea’s boating scene is driven by high-end yacht charters and private tours. Boat activities include snorkeling trips to Molokini Crater, romantic sunset sails, and scenic cruises along the coastline. Wailea's exclusivity and focus on luxury attract a more niche, upscale boating clientele, but it remains a bustling destination, especially during peak travel months.


In Summary

Hawaii is an exceptional destination for boating, offering breathtaking landscapes and diverse marine environments. With over 750 miles of coastline, 10 commercial harbors, and over a hundred gorgeous beaches, Hawaii provides ideal settings for boating. Admire impressive volcanic formations, explore hidden coves, and see the island's stunning landscapes and beaches from the perspective of the water.


About Getmyboat

Getmyboat offers charters and rentals, worldwide.

Launched in 2013 with the vision of making the joy of boating accessible to everyone, the company has since grown into the largest boat rental and charter marketplace globally, with over 150,000 listings in 184 countries covering 9,300 destinations.

By giving a platform to both individual boat owners and professional charter businesses, Getmyboat makes the experience of getting out on the water more accessible to everyone — from a weekend jet ski rental in the local lake to a vacation yacht charter to a bachelor party pontoon, and everything in between.


Citing this Report

Media professionals are welcome to utilize this data for journalistic reporting with a citation and link to Getmyboat. For any questions or other data not found in the report below, contact pr@getmyboat.com. Our data and press team can provide further analysis, press quotes, and other information needed for press stories.