Family Charters · Guide 09
Family Charters: Sailing With Kids in Honolulu
The Island Jewel welcomes guests of every age. Here is how to plan a family charter that works for grandparents and grandkids alike.
Built for Every Generation
There is no minimum or maximum age aboard the Island Jewel. Families bring toddlers, teenagers, grandparents, and everyone in between, often in the same charter. The crew is used to the mix, and a 40 foot catamaran gives a family room to spread out: some on deck watching the coastline, some in the water, some simply enjoying the quiet.
Ages, Weights, and Life Jackets
Before You Book
The one requirement for young guests is a properly fitted life jacket. When you book, share the ages and weights of any child under 12 so the crew can have the right sizes ready at the dock. This one step makes the whole day easier: no fumbling with straps, no jacket that is too big or too small, just a comfortable fit from the moment your family steps aboard.
Family Charter Checklist
- ✓ Share ages and weights of any child under 12 when booking
- ✓ Reef safe sunscreen for everyone (Hawaii law on the water)
- ✓ A hat or rash guard for kids prone to sunburn
- ✓ Motion sickness remedy for kids who get carsick or seasick
- ✓ A change of dry clothes for the ride home
- ✓ Snacks the kids already like, in addition to what is on board
- ✓ A waterproof case for the phone if you want photos of the jump-in
Keeping Kids Comfortable on the Water
Sun and Motion Sickness
Hawaii sun is stronger than most families expect, even on a cloudy day. Reef safe sunscreen is required on the water, and a hat or light cover-up helps kids who tend to overheat. If a child has ever felt queasy in a car, treat the boat the same way: a light meal beforehand, fresh air on deck, and eyes on the horizon rather than a screen.
Snorkeling With Kids
Snorkel gear is included for every guest, sized down for smaller faces and feet. First timers usually do best starting in the calm water right off the boat before venturing further out, with a parent or crew member close by. Most kids need only a few minutes to go from nervous to reluctant to leave the water.
💡 A Note From the Crew
Ask the crew before departure if anyone has never snorkeled. A short briefing on deck, mask fit and breathing through the snorkel, makes the first time in the water far less intimidating for a child (or, honestly, for plenty of adults too).
Timing a Family Charter
Morning departures, generally 8 to 10am, tend to work best with kids. The water is calmer, the sun is gentler, and energy levels are highest before naptime or afternoon crankiness sets in. A 3 hour charter gives enough time to sail, anchor, swim, and settle back in without rushing anyone off the boat.
A Note on Multi-Generational Charters
Some of the best family charters are not about one occasion at all: a grandparent visiting from out of town, three generations together for a week in Honolulu, a reunion that only works because everyone can be in one place at the same time. A private charter solves the usual problem of a group that large trying to agree on a restaurant or an activity. Everyone is simply on the water together, and that tends to be enough.
— You Deserve to Be on a Yacht in Hawaii —
Ready to Book Your Charter?
The Island Jewel is waiting at Kewalo Basin Harbor. Contact us today to make it happen.