Compare Private Kaneohe Sandbar Charters
Exclusive boat rentals for birthdays, proposals, corporate events, and family celebrations. 6 vessels from intimate speed boats to 120-guest catamarans.
⛵ Compare Private Charters · Speed Boat · Pontoon · Catamaran · Captain Bob’s · KBOS Hoku Ao · KBOS Action Club
A private Kaneohe sandbar charter gives your group exclusive use of the boat, crew, and equipment for a personalized experience on Oahu’s most beautiful bay. Three operators offer six different vessels, from nimble 6-passenger speed boats to the massive 120-guest Action Club catamaran. Proposals, milestone birthdays, family reunions, corporate outings: there’s a private Kaneohe Bay boat charter for every occasion and budget.
Private Charter vs Group Tour: Which Is Right for You?
Not sure whether to book a private charter or join a group tour? Here is a side-by-side comparison to help you decide.
| Factor | Group Tour ($90 to $189/person) | Private Charter ($200+ /person) |
|---|---|---|
| Group size | 30 to 120+ guests (shared boat) | Your group only (2 to 65 guests) |
| Schedule flexibility | Fixed departure times | You choose departure time |
| Itinerary | Set route and activities | Fully customizable |
| Food | Snacks or BBQ (varies by tour) | Catering options available |
| Best for | Couples, solo travelers, small groups | Families, celebrations, corporate events |
When Does a Private Charter Make Sense?
Private charters become cost-competitive with group tours when you have 6 or more guests. For example, Captain Bruce’s speed boat charter costs $1,213.80 for up to 6 people, which works out to about $202 per person. That is only slightly more than a premium group tour, but you get a fully private experience with a flexible itinerary.
For larger groups of 12 or more, KBOS’s Hoku Ao catamaran starts at $2,693.52, bringing the per-person cost down to $224 or less. Compare that to booking 12 individual spots on a group tour at $189 each ($2,268 total), and the private charter premium is modest for a significantly better experience.
Captain Bruce Private Charters
Three vessel options from intimate speed boats to full-size catamarans. All include SUP, snorkeling, and round-trip transport.
⛵ Speed Boat (up to 6)
19-ft private yacht for the most intimate sandbar experience. Personalized snorkeling at Turtle Reef and stand-up paddleboarding. Spot turtles and manta rays with your own captain.
From $1,213.80 per charter
Morning or Afternoon | 2.25 hours
Waikiki hotel pickup included
⛵ Pontoon Boat (up to 6)
Open-deck pontoon boat, perfect for families with kids. Stable, spacious design with easy water access. Snorkeling and SUP included.
From $1,423.80 per charter
1st or 2nd Tour | 2 hours
Widest pickup: Waikiki, Ko Olina, Kahala, Ala Moana
⛵ Catamaran (up to 30)
40-ft power catamaran with shaded seating and onboard restrooms. Guided snorkel at Turtle Reef and SUP. Ideal for weddings, birthdays, and corporate groups.
From $6,117.30 per charter
Morning or Afternoon | ~3 hours
Waikiki and Ko Olina pickup included
Captain Bob’s Private Charter
The only private charter with a full BBQ lunch and exclusive sandbar access on a 46-ft catamaran.
🍔 Private Snorkel, Sandbar and BBQ (up to 49)
Full private charter of the famous Captain Bob’s experience. BBQ hamburger lunch with sides, guided coral reef snorkeling, water volleyball, and exclusive access to a secluded sandbar area. Perfect for family reunions and celebrations.
From $9,724.05 per charter
~$198/person for 49 guests
Free Waikiki hotel pickup (9 hotels)
🍔 Large Group Charter (50 to 65 guests)
Same incredible Captain Bob’s experience scaled for larger groups. Full BBQ lunch, guided snorkeling, water volleyball, and exclusive sandbar area. Ideal for corporate team outings and large family gatherings.
From $12,899.25 per charter
~$198/person for 65 guests
Free Waikiki hotel pickup (9 hotels)
KBOS Private Charters
Two catamaran options with the most water sports and activities. Banana boat, bumper tube, kayak, SUP, snorkeling, and live music.
⛵ Hoku Ao Catamaran (12 to 35 guests)
53-ft catamaran with full water sports package. Choose from Basic, Standard, or All-Inclusive tiers. Afternoon packages include a turkey croissant lunch. BYOB welcome or add onboard bar service.
From $2,693.52 per charter
6 package tiers available
Morning and Afternoon departures
🎵 Action Club Catamaran (up to 120 guests)
The biggest boat on Kaneohe Bay. 72-ft catamaran with live Hawaiian music, full water sports, and catering options. Also available as shared group bookings for groups of 15 or more at discounted per-person rates.
Private: From $13,826.00 per charter
Shared Group (15+): From $103.25/person
Mon to Sat | Morning and Afternoon
What’s Included vs What to Bring
Provided by All Charter Operators
- Snorkeling gear (mask, snorkel, fins)
- Life jackets for all ages
- Stand-up paddleboards and/or kayaks
- Onboard restrooms
- Coolers with ice (Captain Bruce and KBOS)
What You Need to Bring
- Reef-safe sunscreen (SPF 50+ recommended)
- Towels (not provided on most charters)
- Waterproof phone case
- Cash for tips (15 to 20% is customary)
- Light jacket for the boat ride back
BYOB Policies
| Operator | BYOB Allowed? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Captain Bruce | Yes | Bring your own food and drinks. Coolers with ice provided. |
| Captain Bob’s | Limited | BBQ lunch included. You may bring additional drinks. |
| KBOS | Yes (or catering) | BYOB welcome. Catering packages available for an extra fee. |
Compare All Private Charters
Side-by-side comparison of pricing, capacity, inclusions, and features.
| Feature | Speed Boat | Pontoon | Catamaran | Captain Bob’s | Hoku Ao | Action Club |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Operator | Captain Bruce | Captain Bruce | Captain Bruce | Captain Bob’s | KBOS | KBOS |
| Capacity | Up to 6 | Up to 6 | Up to 30 | Up to 65 | 12 to 35 | Up to 120 |
| Price From | $1,213.80 per charter | $1,423.80 per charter | $6,117.30 per charter | $9,724.05 per charter (49 pax) | $2,693.52 per charter | $13,826.00 per charter (100 pax) |
| Boat Size | 19-ft yacht | Pontoon | 40-ft catamaran | 46-ft catamaran | 53-ft catamaran | 72-ft catamaran |
| Duration | 2.25 hrs | 2 hrs | ~3 hrs | 4 to 6.5 hrs | 3 to 4 hrs | 3.5 to 6.5 hrs |
| Snorkeling | ✅ Turtle Reef | ✅ Reef snorkel | ✅ Turtle Reef | ✅ Guided coral reef | ✅ Bay snorkel | ✅ Bay snorkel |
| SUP / Kayak | ✅ SUP | ✅ SUP | ✅ SUP | ❌ | ✅ Both | ✅ Both |
| Banana Boat | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ Standard+ | ✅ Add-on |
| Live Music | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ Yes |
| Lunch | ❌ Snacks | ❌ Snacks | ❌ Snacks | ✅ BBQ included | ✅ PM only | ✅ PM only |
| BYOB | ✅ Free (cans) | ✅ Free (cans) | ✅ Free (cans) | ❌ | ✅ $20 corkage | ✅ $20 corkage |
| Restrooms | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Waikiki Pickup | ✅ Free | ✅ Free + Ko Olina, Kahala | ✅ Free + Ko Olina | ✅ Free 9 hotels | ✅ +$31.41/pp | ✅ +$31.41/pp |
| Best For | 💑 Couples | 👨👩👧👦 Families | 🎂 Birthdays | 🍔 Reunions | 🎉 Parties | 🏢 Corporate |
| View Speed Boat → | View Pontoon → | View Catamaran → | View Captain Bob’s → | View Hoku Ao → | View Action Club → |
How to Choose Your Private Charter
How many guests?
2 to 6 guests: Captain Bruce’s speed boat ($1,213.80) or pontoon ($1,423.80) give you a private captain and personalized experience at the best price point. The speed boat is more adventurous. The pontoon is more stable and family-friendly with the widest hotel pickup coverage.
7 to 35 guests: The KBOS Hoku Ao (from $2,693.52) and Captain Bruce Catamaran ($6,117.30) both work for this range. Hoku Ao has more activities (banana boat, bumper tube) and flexible package tiers. Captain Bruce’s catamaran offers a more relaxed, guided snorkel experience with restrooms and shade.
36 to 65 guests: Captain Bob’s private charter (from $9,724.05) is the go-to choice. Full BBQ lunch included, guided coral reef snorkeling, and exclusive sandbar access. The only mid-size charter with a complete meal.
66 to 120 guests: The KBOS Action Club (from $13,826.00 per charter) is the only vessel that handles groups this large. Live Hawaiian music, full water sports, and custom catering available.
Is food important?
Captain Bob’s is the only charter with a full BBQ lunch included in every booking. KBOS Hoku Ao and Action Club include a turkey croissant lunch on afternoon packages and offer custom catering add-ons. Captain Bruce’s charters provide light snacks (spam musubi, chips) but welcome you to bring your own canned beverages at no charge.
What activities matter most?
For the best snorkeling, Captain Bob’s (guided coral reef) and Captain Bruce (Turtle Reef with sea turtle sightings) lead the way. For maximum water sports variety, KBOS charters offer banana boat rides, bumper tubes, kayaking, SUP, water volleyball, and floating lounges. For a party atmosphere, only the Action Club has live Hawaiian music.
Need more help deciding? Start at our homepage, browse the full tour comparison, read guest reviews, or check the sandbar guide for tips on the best time to visit.
Best Charters for Special Occasions
Planning a celebration on the water? Here are the best charter options for popular occasions.
Weddings and Proposals
Captain Bruce’s pontoon boat ($1,423.80 for up to 6) offers a calm, stable platform perfect for intimate ceremonies or surprise proposals with the Ko’olau Mountains as your backdrop. For larger wedding parties, KBOS’s Hoku Ao catamaran accommodates up to 35 guests with catering options.
Birthday Parties
KBOS’s Hoku Ao (12 to 35 guests) is ideal for birthday celebrations. It includes water sports equipment, a floating platform, and optional live Hawaiian music. You can bring your own cake and decorations, or add their catering package.
Corporate Events and Team Building
For large groups, KBOS’s Action Club catamaran handles up to 120 guests (from $13,826). Captain Bob’s large group charter fits 50 to 65 guests ($12,899.25) and includes a full BBQ lunch, making logistics easier for corporate outings.
Family Reunions
Captain Bob’s standard private charter (up to 49 guests, $9,724.05) is the top pick for family gatherings. The included BBQ lunch, guided snorkeling, and relaxed pace work well for mixed-age groups with kids and grandparents alike.