Hawaii Small Ship Cruises
All-inclusive island sailing
Cruise Hawaii by Small Ship
A Hawaii cruise by small ship is a fundamentally different experience from a resort stay or a large cruise ship itinerary. The Safari Explorer carries a small group of guests through four islands in 8 days, anchoring in coves and bays the big ships bypass, and every activity — snorkeling, kayaking, guided shore walks, naturalist presentations — is included in the fare. It is, by the ship’s own description, the only all-inclusive vacation in Hawaii.
The itinerary begins in Kailua-Kona on the Big Island and immediately puts you in the water. Kealakekua Cove, one of the premier snorkeling destinations in the Hawaiian Islands and the site of the Cook Monument marking where Captain James Cook died in February 1779, is the first full day stop. From there the ship moves through Lanai and Maui before ending at Molokai, the least developed of the main Hawaiian islands and one of the most ecologically intact. Along the way, onboard naturalists guide snorkel sessions through coral gardens alive with tropical fish, sea turtles, and occasionally dolphins, and the signature night snorkel with Pacific manta rays is a highlight that guests consistently single out.
Sailings run from January through April and November through December, making this one of the most popular winter escape options in the domestic program. Departures are weekly and tend to fill well in advance.
Hawaii Small Ship Cruises FAQs
Is this a river cruise, or is it different from the other itineraries on this site?
The Hawaiian Seascapes is a coastal and island cruise rather than a river cruise, sailing the open Pacific between four Hawaiian islands aboard the small expedition yacht Safari Explorer. It shares the small ship format and all-inclusive philosophy of the river itineraries but operates in an entirely different environment, with snorkeling, kayaking, and wildlife watching replacing the historic port towns of the mainland itineraries.
What makes Molokai different from the other Hawaiian islands?
Molokai is the least commercially developed of the main Hawaiian islands. There are no large resorts, no traffic lights, and no chain hotels. The north shore cliffs are among the tallest sea cliffs in the world, and the island’s taro farms and fishing villages preserve a way of life that has largely disappeared elsewhere in Hawaii. Arriving by small ship rather than by air gives a sense of its remoteness that no other transport can replicate.
What is night snorkeling with manta rays, and is it safe?
Pacific manta rays are filter feeders with no stinger and no threat to humans. At night, they are drawn to lights at the surface by the plankton the lights attract, and snorkelers can float at the surface as the rays make slow, looping passes below. It is one of the most frequently cited highlights of the Hawaiian Seascapes itinerary and is led by the ship’s naturalist guides throughout.
When does the Hawaii cruise season run?
Sailings run from January through April and November through December, coinciding with the winter season when the weather is warm and dry and the Pacific manta rays and humpback whales are most active in Hawaiian waters. Summer departures are not currently offered.
How far in advance should I book a Hawaii cruise?
Weekly departures run through the full winter season, but Hawaii is one of the most popular destinations in the domestic program and cabins on the Safari Explorer are limited. Booking two to three months ahead is advisable for most winter departures, and holiday sailings in November and December fill earliest.