The four lagoons
Ko Olina's signature is a string of four man-made lagoons, with calm, protected water that's easy for small kids and nervous swimmers. A flat paved path links them, so you can stroll from one to the next at your own speed. Each lagoon has public access and public parking, but the lots are small and fill early on weekends and holidays, so arrive in the morning.
Whale watching, November to April
Every winter, humpback whales travel from Alaska to Hawaii's warm, shallow water, and the leeward coast is one of the calmest places to see them. Peak sightings run January through March. We point guests to three boats, all leaving close to Ko Olina:
| Boat | Best for | Length | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mana Cruises (private charter, Ko Olina Marina) | Your own boat, up to 6 guests | 2 hours | $995 for the whole boat |
| Ko Olina Ocean Adventures (large catamaran, Ko Olina Marina) | The smoothest ride, with a snorkel stop | 3.5 hours | $195 per adult, $165 kids 4-12 (no transportation) |
| Hawaii Nautical (catamaran, Waianae Boat Harbor) | Lowest price per person, sighting guaranteed; December to March, 1:30 PM | 2 hours | $99.95 per adult, $69.95 kids |
Prices are the ones on our Ko Olina activities page. Live dates and rates show when you tap through to book.
Not sure which boat? Tell us your group size and how everyone does on the water, and we'll point you to the right one. See the Ko Olina boats →Dolphins in the morning
This is the west side's signature morning. Pods of wild spinner dolphins rest in the calm bays along the Waianae coast after feeding offshore all night, so the boats that leave early find them almost every day. Hawaii Nautical sails from Ko Olina Marina at 9:00 AM on a sailing catamaran: about three hours, a dolphin search up the coast, then a snorkel stop at a calm reef with turtles, with lunch and drinks included and dolphins guaranteed or you sail again free. From December to March the humpbacks turn up on the same trip.
Snorkel and dolphin cruise
Outside whale season, or on top of it, Ocean Joy runs a 3.5-hour sail up the Waianae coast from Ko Olina Marina on a 61-foot catamaran. You get spinner dolphins, a snorkel stop with turtles and reef fish, a Hawaiian buffet and gear included.
Evenings: luau or stargazing
Ko Olina is a luau neighborhood. Kaula Lūʻau at Ocean's Edge is inside the resort, oceanfront, with a fire-knife finale and an island feast served food-village style. Germaine's Luau is a long-running backyard-style luau on a private beach about 10 minutes west, with an imu ceremony, all-you-can-eat food and Aulani pickup. Note that Germaine's is closed Monday and Wednesday. We compare the west side options, including Chief's Luau and Mauka Warriors, in our best luau guide.
If a luau isn't your night, Stars Above Hawaii runs an hour-long star show at the Four Seasons, with big telescopes aimed at the Moon, planets and galaxies. The west side skies are some of the darkest and driest on Oahu.
Easy things right nearby
Wet'n'Wild Hawaii, Oahu's water park, is about a 10-minute drive and an easy win with kids on a hot afternoon. Ko Olina Golf Club is about five minutes away. And the leeward coast is the island's sunset side: grab shave ice, pick a spot at Lagoon 1 or Lagoon 4, and watch the sun go into the ocean.
Make it a full day
Ko Olina is a long way from Waikiki and the North Shore, and that's a good reason to build one day away from the resort. Our tours are 100% private and fully customizable: just your group, your pace and your stops. A private circle island tour can leave from your hotel at Ko Olina, run up the Waianae coast or over to Kualoa and the North Shore, and get you home for a luau or a boat the next day. Book your boat or luau first, then we build the tour around it.
The private tour is $800 flat for a Toyota Sienna seating up to 6, or $1,000 for a Sprinter seating 7 to 14. Extra hours are $100 (Sienna) or $125 (Sprinter), and cancellation is free up to 72 hours before. Boats, luaus and star shows are booked separately with the operators.
See all our private Oahu tours →
Ko Olina FAQ
When is whale season in Ko Olina?
Roughly November through April, with peak sightings from January through March.
Can the public use the Ko Olina lagoons?
Yes. All four lagoons have public access and public parking, though the lots are small and fill early.
Which whale watch is best if I get seasick?
Ko Olina Ocean Adventures. It's a big, stable catamaran and the least rocky ride of the three.
Which whale watch is cheapest?
Hawaii Nautical, the big catamaran with a sighting guarantee. It leaves from Waianae Boat Harbor, a short ride up the coast.
Which luau is closest to Ko Olina?
Kaula Lūʻau at Ocean's Edge is inside the resort. Germaine's is about 10 minutes west and offers Aulani pickup.