Please be certain we have a way to get a hold of you if need be i.e. for bad weather, rescheduling. etc. Best way is to send us an email to reservations@sailhawaii.com If you're a visitor already arrived on the island, please give us a call at 808-306-7273 to leave a local contact number (if you haven't left one already...)
If coming from the Kailua/ Kaneohe/ Windward areas best to take the H3 south to the H1 west (follow signs for Waianae) .
If on the North Shore, take the Kamehameha highway west, then down the middle of the island to the H2 south to H1 west (follow signs for Waianae). The highway does’nt go around the island from the north shore to the west coast (even if it looks so on your map). Allow about an hour and an half driving time.
From Makaha, head back to town along Farrington Hwy. From the 7-11 stoplight, go two more stoplights (the two by the high school). After the 2nd stoplight, pass the baseball field and take the 2nd right.
From Waikiki or airport area, Take either Kapahulu or McCully to the H1 west towards Waianae. At one point, near the airport, H1 splits into the 78. If you find yourself on the 78 (its actually the "main" freeway), that's OK, in a couple of miles it merges back into the H1.
In the Barbers Point, Ko 'Olina vicinity past Ewa (southwest corner of the island) the H1 becomes four-lane highway 93. At this point the ocean should be on your left. If its on the right, you're going the wrong direction!)
Allow approximately 1 – 1 ½ hours driving time from Waikiki. If your personal situation deems that you need to leave earlier, please do so, we can only give a “generous average” of drive-time needed. If you are lost or running late for the check-in (7:30 Morning Wildlife, 8am Best of the West) , please give us a call on the boat (808-620-6940 or 808.306.3968 respectively) and have a landmark picked out to determine where you are. It is totally circumstantial if we are able to wait for you.
In Nanakuli, the first small town on the coast, there is a McDonalds on the right. In Waianae (about 5 more miles), you'll pass a second McDonalds, right next to the only Taco Bell on the coast. After Taco Bell, there is a traffic light. The entrance to the boat harbor is about one city block AFTER this traffic light, there is a dedicated left turn lane, get into it and follow the arrows painted on the road into the Waianae Boat Harbor. There is an obscure wooden sign right before the driveway (left side of road) that reads “Waianae Regional Park.”
Make an immediate right past the two story building; you'll see three piers where the boats are docked. You can park (free) in front of the piers, in the car parking (not in trailer parking – you may get a ticket!). We're on the "A" pier (farthest to the left), on the Island Spirit. Please don’t wait in the parking lot area (we’ll be waiting for you, waiting for us!); check-in at the boat is at 7:30 am.
Check-in consists of individual snorkel gear fitting and briefings; group vessel orientation, safety briefing and then signing of waiver forms. If you miss the group safety briefing - or the boat - you will be considered a “no-show” and charged full price.
We will be leaving the harbor no later than 8am for the “Morning Wildlife Cruise" (7:30 check-in), or 8:30 (8am check-in) for the "Best of the West". You need to be on time for check-in. Do not rely on the drive time given by your GPS, it will not figure in road work, school traffic, etc.
Evening charters we leave about an hour before sunset (we will give a specific time for your charter). Allow a good hour and half driving time for evening departures as there is weekday traffic
We provide Continental Breakfast (lunch on the Best of the West, dinner on evening charters), ice-cold drinks and substantial, healthy snacks onboard. Also, be fully prepared to guard against sunburn, the sun in the tropics is very intense. Sunglasses, hats, towels, and cover-ups are needed. It is usually best to put sunscreen on before you leave home,, so you don't forget to apply once on your adventure, and you can always reapply when needed. No spray-on sunscreen onboard please, overspray can create a safety hazard.
It may be a good idea to bring jackets, especially during the winter months or for the evening charters. We have lots of room onboard so better to lug it and not need it, then need it and not have it! Shoes will stay dock-side, for safety reasons.
We supply snorkel gear, but as we have a limited supply (size-wise), bring your own, or rent from a snorkel supplier (such as Snorkel Bob's), if you have very small or very large people (as in feet or faces) in your party (you are a pro basketball team, or bringing small children). We do not offer prescription lenses, but contacts usually work fine.
Catamarans are known for their smooth "cut-through-the water" rides.
But if there is any possibility for sea-sickness, you may want to start
popping ginger pills about a week before the charter date, and/or use
sea-bands, or over-the-counter medication. Bonine (over-the-counter
medication), causes less drowsiness than Dramamine and both are best
started the night before your charter (you sleep off any drowsiness
and it is well into your blood stream by the morning). If you use the
"patch" be aware that the active ingredient may cause dilation
of the pupils in some people (not good in the bright sun!). If you are
not prone to sea/air/car-sickness you should be fine without anything.
Unless perhaps, you are suffering from a cold or ear infection (that
"inner ear" thing).
Sea you soon!
Wild Side Specialty
Tours on the island of Oahu:
Waianae
Small Boat Harbor, 85-371 Farrington Hwy., Slip A-5
Office Tel (808) 306-7273 8-4 HST Mon-Fri
Boat Tel (808) 620-6940 MWC or (808) 306.3968 BOW
email: reservations@sailhawaii.com