Waiʻanae Small Boat Harbor

Under Hawaii’s operating rules, a person must be 16 to operate a power driven vessel without the special supervision required for younger operators. Under Hawaii Administrative Rule 13-244-15.5, anyone under 16 must possess the required boating safety course certificate and be accompanied on board and directly supervised by a person age 21 or older who also holds the certificate. Approved boating safety education is generally required for motorized vessels over 10 horsepower. Personal watercraft, called thrill craft, have a separate minimum age of 15 and require basic boating safety and thrill craft certification. The rental operator sets its own minimum, so confirm it when booking.

Source: Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation (dlnr.hawaii.gov)

Most operators in Hawaii need boating education credentials rather than a boating license. Operators of motorized vessels over 10 horsepower must carry proof of a NASBLA and state approved course; there is no birth date cutoff. Those under 16 must be certified and supervised by a certified adult 21 or older. Personal watercraft operators must be at least 15 and hold thrill craft certification, and Hawaii does not accept out of state certification for thrill craft. Renters qualify after a state approved safety briefing. Exemptions include engines of 10 horsepower or less, Merchant Mariner Credentials, and out of state visitors on a voyage originating elsewhere who stay under 60 calendar days. Certificates are valid for life and need no renewal. DLNR's Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation administers it.

Source: Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation (dlnr.hawaii.gov)

The best places to go boating in Hawaii include the Wailua River and Pacific waters along the Nāpali Coast on Kauaʻi, Kealakekua Bay on the western coast of Hawaiʻi Island, and the ocean off Waikīkī on southern Oʻahu. Wailua provides a rare navigable river setting for small craft and paddling, while the Nāpali Coast offers rugged open coast reached by boat tours. Kealakekua Bay suits bay cruising and sailing, and Waikīkī is a convenient base for charters and sunset sails.

Source: Hawaii Tourism Authority (gohawaii.com)

Some of Hawaii’s most popular boating destinations are Waikīkī off Honolulu, for sunset sails and outrigger canoe rides; the Kona Coast around Kailua-Kona, for calm, clear water, manta ray outings and sport fishing; Kealakekua Bay, for snorkeling and kayaking among coral and tropical fish; Kaunakakai on Molokaʻi, a departure point for sport fishing charters; the Kalohi Channel, for winter whale watching; and Molokaʻi’s 28-mile fringing reef, which draws snorkelers and divers with coral, reef fish and other marine life.

Source: Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority (gohawaii.com)