Where to Book: The 3 Best Luxury Catamaran Cruises in the USA

1.Deluxe Snorkel & Dolphin Watch Aboard a Luxury Catamaran from Kailua-Kona

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 797 reviews · 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $183Our pick

Set out from Kailua Pier aboard Body Glove’s accessible catamaran for a 4.5-hour Kona adventure. Watch for dolphins and seasonal whales, snorkel at Red Hill for about two hours, then enjoy breakfast, a barbecue lunch, slides, a high-jump platform, paddleboards, and shaded seating. Captain Erica and crew members Adam, Brianna, and Taylor have all been singled out for warm, attentive service.

“It was exactly what I expected. The crew were knowledgeable and organized. The snorkeling was fun, with plenty of time to go out several times. The food was good.”

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2.Luxury Catamaran Cruise from Oahu

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 682 reviews · 2 hours (approx.)

Sail from Kewalo Basin aboard Makani Catamaran for about two hours along Oahu’s coast. Choose an afternoon or sunset departure, watch for dolphins, turtles, and seasonal whales, and enjoy Waikiki views from the water. Sunset trips include an island-style buffet and one complimentary drink, with hotel pickup available for a fee.

“We enjoyed the cruise very much. We were lucky enough to be entertained by whales jumping out of the water near by. That was exciting. The captain and crew were very personable. Met nice people aboard from Canada. Food and drinks were very good. Fireworks were good. A very pleasant evening on the ocean.”

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3.Newport Beach: Luxury Whale Watching Catamaran Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 194 reviews · 2h 30m · from $58Best value

Join Newport Landing Cruises for a 150-minute whale watching trip from Balboa Pavilion. You will ride a 50-foot catamaran with a full walk-around deck, listen to English-speaking naturalist guides, and watch for blue, humpback, fin, and minke whales, dolphins, and sea lions. Captains such as Kayla, Larry, Dani, and Chris have helped make sightings especially memorable.

“Saw more dolphins than I could ever imagine. They came right up to the boat and swam near us the whole time. Amazing experience”

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