Directions to Wild Side Specialty Tours in Wai’anae
Coming from Disney Aulani/ Four Seasons/ Ko Olina Resorts, 25-30 minutes (average)
We’re only 10 miles away however quite a few traffic lights (but nice ocean view)! Go over the overpass and NW towards Waianae. The ocean is on your left the whole way….
Coming from Kailua / Kaneohe / Waimanalo, 60-70 minutes (average)
If coming from the Kailua/Kaneohe/Waimanalo (hour, hour and a half) area take HI-72 (Kalanianaole Hwy) south, and make a right on the HI-83 (Kamehameha Hwy). Proceed to the H3 south (Pearl Harbor) and on to the H1 west towards (and beyond) “Pearl City”. At this the ocean will border you on the left.
Coming from the North Shore, 60 – 90 minutes (average)
If on the North Shore (from 60 minutes, if in Haleiwa, to a good hour and half if close to Turtle Bay), take the Kamehameha highway west, then down the middle of the island to the H2 south to H1 west (follow signs for Waianae). The highway doesn’t go around the island from the north shore to the west coast (even if it looks so on your map). Allow a good hour and a half driving time. From Turtle Bay, going east to the H3 south (see above Kailua… etc.) may be a better route if big surf on North Shore.
From Makaha, 5 minutes
From Makaha (5 minutes), turn right and head back towards town along Farrington Hwy. From the 7-11 stoplight, proceed through two more stoplights (the two by the high school). Go past the baseball field, and the covered bus stop and take the next right.
From Waikiki or Airport, 60 minutes (average)
From Waikiki or airport area, Take either Kapahulu or McCully to the H1 west towards Waianae. At one point, near the airport, H1 splits into the 78. If you find yourself on the 78 (its actually the “main” freeway), that’s OK, in a couple of miles it merges back into the H1. Allow approximately 1 – 1 ½ hours driving time from Waikiki.
For “Whale tails and sunset” tours at 3:30pm on weekdays – be aware of traffic
We recommend that you leave Waikiki area by around 1:30pm to avoid traffic which can get quite congested past that time.
If you want to head out even earlier (or get here “too early”) we like to hang out right next door at the open-to-the-public Pililau Army Recreation Center https://hawaii.armymwr.com/programs/pillar-army-recreation-center-parc. Nice beach with shady lounging areas, picnic tables, showers, etc. and the ocean-front 604 Beach House for dining, coffee, cocktails, etc.
Once You are on H1, From All Directions
In the Barbers Point, Ko ‘Olina vicinity past Ewa (southwest corner of the island) the H1 becomes four-lane highway 93. At this point the ocean should be on your left. If its on the right, you’re going the wrong direction!)
In Nanakuli, the first small town on the coast, there is a McDonalds on the right. In Waianae (about 5 more miles), you’ll pass a second McDonalds, right next to the only Taco Bell on the coast. After Taco Bell, there is a traffic light. The entrance to the boat harbor is about one city block AFTER this traffic light, there is a dedicated left turn lane, get into it and follow the arrows painted on the road into the Waianae Boat Harbor. There is an obscure wooden sign right before the driveway (left side of road) that reads “Waianae Regional Park,” and a big blue “Waianae Boat Harbor” sign after the driveway.
Waianae Boat Harbor
Make an immediate right past the two story building; you’ll see three piers where the boats are docked. You can park (free) in front of the piers, or anywhere in the car parking, but not in long trailer parking slots – you may get a ticket!. We’ll meet you by the A pier gate (says “A” above the gate) at your check-in time.
Please don’t wait in the parking lot area (we’ll be waiting for you, waiting for us!); check-in is at the A pier gate at 7:00am or 11:15am. (Or at a later time for the “Whale tails and Sunset” tour).
“To realize the value of one minute:
Ask a person who has missed the boat, bus or plane.”
Check-In & Departure
If your personal situation deems that you need to leave earlier, please do so. We can only give a “generous average” of drive-time needed. If you are lost or running late for the check-in (7 or 11:15am Best of the West), please give us a call on the boat (808-306.7273) and have a landmark picked out to determine where you are. It is totally circumstantial if we are able to wait for you.
Check-in consists of individual snorkel gear fitting and briefings; group vessel orientation, safety briefing and then signing of waiver forms. If you miss the group safety briefing – or the boat – you will be considered a “no-show” and charged full price.
We Provide…
We provide a light lunch, snacks and juices, please bring your own refillable water bottles. Be fully prepared to guard against sunburn, the sun in the tropics is very intense. Sunglasses, hats, towels, and cover-ups are needed. It is usually best to put sunscreen on before you leave home,, so you don’t forget to apply once on your adventure, and you can always reapply when needed. No spray-on sunscreen onboard please, overspray can create a safety hazard.
You Should Bring…
It may be a good idea to bring jackets, especially during the winter months or for the evening charters. We have lots of room onboard so better to lug it and not need it, then need it and not have it! Shoes will stay dock-side, for safety reasons.
We supply snorkel gear, but as we have a limited supply (size-wise), bring your own, or rent from a snorkel supplier (such as Snorkel Bob’s), if you have very small or very large people (as in feet or faces) in your party (you are a pro basketball team, or bringing small children). We do not offer prescription lenses, but contacts usually work fine.
Sea-Sickness…
Catamarans are known for their smooth “cut-through-the water” rides. But if there is any possibility for sea-sickness, you may want to start popping ginger pills about a week before the charter date, and/or use sea-bands, or over-the-counter medication. Bonine (over-the-counter medication), causes less drowsiness than Dramamine and both are best started the night before your charter (you sleep off any drowsiness and it is well into your blood stream by the morning). If you use the “patch” be aware that the active ingredient may cause dilation of the pupils in some people (not good in the bright sun!). If you are not prone to sea/air/car-sickness you should be fine without anything. Unless perhaps, you are suffering from a cold or ear infection (that “inner ear” thing).
Sea you soon!