Ala Wai — Waikīkī's small-boat harbor for visiting yachts.
The Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor sits at the edge of Waikīkī and is the most sought-after small-boat harbor on Oʻahu for visiting private and sailing yachts — walkable to hotels, dining and the beach, with space that is limited and demand-driven.
Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor — at a glance
- Island
- Oʻahu
- Harbor type
- State small-boat harbor · Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation
- Authority
- Hawaiʻi DLNR / DOBOR; border clearance with CBP, USDA/APHIS and the U.S. Coast Guard
- Best suited for
- Private yachts, sailing yachts, Pacific-race finishers, cruising crews
- Typical calls
- Arrival clearance, berth or transient slip requests, crew changes, provisioning
- Berth & draft
- Small-boat scale; availability demand-driven — confirm on request
- Tariffs & fees
- Set by the harbor authority — confirm on request
Confirm current berth availability, draft limitations, operating status, and authority requirements before arrival. Harbor conditions and access change; HYANS confirms status with the harbor and authorities as part of planning your call.
The Waikīkī berth of choice for visiting yachts — when space is available.
Ala Wai suits private and sailing yachts that want to be walkable to Waikīkī rather than in the commercial harbor. It is a popular finish and turnaround point for Pacific-race and cruising crews, and its location makes crew changes, provisioning and guest logistics straightforward.
Because it is a state small-boat harbor with finite slips and steady demand, availability is never assured. HYANS requests transient or guest berthing where it exists, confirms current availability with the harbor, and proposes alternatives such as Honolulu Harbor if space is not available for your dates.
What HYANS typically coordinates here
- →Arrival clearance coordination with CBP, USDA/APHIS and the U.S. Coast Guard
- →Transient or guest berth requests with the harbor authority, subject to availability
- →Crew changes, transport and welfare for arriving and departing crews
- →Provisioning and stores for the next passage
- →Rigging, sail and technical vendor coordination for visiting yachts
- →Guest transfers and concierge logistics in the Waikīkī area
HYANS services at this harbor
Each links to the full service page.
Superyacht Agency
Full agency support for larger private and sailing yachts.
Learn more →Port Coordination
Berth and small-boat-harbor coordination where available.
Learn more →Crew Services
Crew changes, flights, transport and welfare.
Learn more →Concierge & Logistics
Guest transfers, provisioning and discreet handling in Waikīkī.
Learn more →Technical Vendors
Rigging, sails, hardware and hull work coordination.
Learn more →Weather & Routes
Supporting forecast and channel information for planning.
Learn more →Ask early — small-boat harbor space is the constraint.
The single biggest planning factor at Ala Wai is berth availability. Slips are limited, demand is steady, and transient space cannot be assumed. Contacting HYANS early gives the best chance of coordinating a berth for your dates, and lets us line up a fallback such as Honolulu Harbor if the harbor cannot accommodate the vessel.
Visiting yachts should confirm the vessel's LOA, beam and draft up front so HYANS can match the request to what the harbor can take. Clearance for foreign-flag arrivals is coordinated with the federal authorities; those decisions rest with them, and HYANS coordinates and documents the process.
Documents & details to prepare
Vessel details
- Registration and documentation
- LOA, beam and draft
- Rig details for sailing yachts
- Berth or mooring preference
Call details
- Arrival ETA and intended stay
- Crew joining and departing
- Provisioning and vendor needs
- Guest logistics in Waikīkī
In the heart of Waikīkī, with everything close.
Ala Wai's location is its advantage — hotels, restaurants, provisioning and services are within walking distance, and Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) is a short drive away for crew and guests. Marine vendors and chandlery on Oʻahu are the most extensive in the state, and HYANS coordinates rigging, sail and technical work from the local network.
For fuel, larger technical jobs or deep-draft needs, HYANS may coordinate at Honolulu Harbor nearby. Itineraries continuing to other islands are staged through the interisland circuit.
Frequently asked
Can you get my yacht a berth at Ala Wai?
Is Ala Wai suitable for a Pacific-race finish?
What if there is no space for our dates?
Do you handle clearance at Ala Wai?
Bringing a yacht into Waikīkī?
Send HYANS your arrival window, vessel dimensions and crew plans. We will request berthing at Ala Wai, confirm availability, and line up a clean turnaround — with an alternative ready if space is tight.