Private Deep Water Fishing in Kauai

Big fish make early mornings easier. This private Kaua’i fishing trip heads from Kikiaola Small Boat Harbor into deep water, where you can fish for yellowfin tuna, ono, sailfish, spearfish, and marlin. I like the private boat for up to six people, and I like that you can keep as much of your catch as you want.

The six-hour outing also includes snorkeling equipment, water, snacks, and a restroom on board. The main drawback is the price: $1,700 per group is a serious spend, especially for a small party, and offshore fishing never guarantees a catch.

Key points about this Kauai fishing trip

• Early 6:00 a.m. departure: You meet at Kikiaola Small Boat Harbor on Kaua’i’s west side, then return to the same harbor after about six hours.
• Private group setting: Only your party participates, with space for up to six people.
• Several prized target fish: The crew fishes for yellowfin tuna, skipjack tuna, ono, sailfish, spearfish, and marlin.
• A backup plan near shore: If offshore fishing is slow, the boat can troll for amberjack, snapper, and trevally closer to land.
• You can keep the catch: If you land fish, you may keep as much meat as you like.
• Helpful crew support: Jessie and Elijah have shown patience with beginners and have adjusted the outing when people became seasick.

Leaving Kikiaola Harbor at 6:00 a.m.

Your day begins early at Kikiaola Small Boat Harbor, 8932 Kekaha Road in Kekaha. The meeting point matters because this is not a hotel pickup tour. You need to arrange your own way to the harbor, and private transportation is not included.

The early start makes sense for a fishing trip. It gives you a full six hours on the water and puts you out there during the first part of the day. Still, you should be realistic about the morning. If your group has been staying up late for Kaua’i sunsets, a 6:00 a.m. meeting time may feel tougher than it looks on paper.

This is a single fishing outing, not a tour with several land stops. You board at the harbor, fish off Kaua’i’s west side, and finish back where you started. That simple plan is useful if you want most of your time devoted to fishing rather than transportation or sightseeing.

The boat has a restroom, bottled water, and snacks. Those basics make a real difference during a long morning offshore. You also receive snorkeling equipment, although fishing is the main purpose of the trip, not snorkeling.

What private fishing for six really means

The $1,700 price covers the group, not each individual. If six people fill the boat, the cost works out to about $283 per person before any additional charges. For two people, the same trip becomes $850 per person, so the value changes sharply with group size.

I see the best value for a family or group of friends who want the boat to themselves. You are not sharing the outing with strangers, and the crew can focus on your group’s pace, skill level, and expectations. That private format also helps if some people want to fish seriously while others are mainly there for the experience.

The price includes the boat experience, fishing opportunity, snacks, water, a restroom, and snorkeling equipment. It does not include transportation to the harbor. The biggest extra value comes if you catch fish and want to take home the meat. The ability to keep as much of your catch as you like gives the day a practical reward beyond the time on the water.

Still, fishing is fishing. The species list is exciting, but it is not a promise that you will catch a marlin or tuna. If your group needs a guaranteed result to feel the price was worthwhile, this may not be the right choice. If you enjoy the waiting, the anticipation, and the chance of a powerful fish taking the line, the cost makes more sense.

The offshore target list

The west side of Kaua’i offers the setting for the main part of the trip. The goal is deep-water fishing for several large and fast species. Yellowfin tuna and skipjack tuna are among the main targets, along with ono, sailfish, spearfish, and marlin.

Each species offers a different kind of possibility, but you should not treat the list as a menu. The crew will be working with conditions, fish activity, and what is available that day. Your actual time may include long periods of waiting, watching lines, and moving to find a better area.

That uncertainty is part of the appeal. A fishing trip can change quickly. One moment you are settling into the rhythm of the boat, and the next you may need to pay close attention to a fish on the line. The experience is better suited to people who enjoy that suspense than to anyone looking for a tightly scheduled attraction.

You may also get wildlife sightings while you are offshore. On one outing, the group saw dozens of whales and dealt with a large Galapagos shark taking an interest in the fishing line. A tiger shark also followed a daughter’s catch as she reeled it in on another trip. These encounters are not scheduled features, but they show how much can happen around the boat even when the target fish is not cooperating.

The shark stories also point to an important practical fact: you stay in the boat. The excitement comes from seeing the animal in the water and handling the fishing situation with the crew. This is not a swim-with-sharks activity.

When the boat trolls closer to shore

If offshore fishing produces no luck, the crew can move inside and troll for amberjack, snapper, and trevally. This backup plan is one of the more useful parts of the outing because it gives the crew another way to keep your group fishing.

It does not turn the trip into a guaranteed catch. It does mean the day is not tied to one offshore plan. Conditions may change, and the crew can adjust the fishing area rather than simply ending the effort early.

The near-shore option may also suit a mixed group. A first-time angler may feel more comfortable with a less demanding fishing setup, while experienced fishers can still enjoy the chance at a different species. The available details do not specify exactly how long the boat spends in each area, so you should ask the operator if that timing matters to your group.

Jessie and Elijah make a difference

The crew is Jessie and Elijah, also called Eli. Their role goes beyond handling fishing equipment. They have helped first-time anglers understand what to do, asked what each group hoped to get from the day, and adjusted their approach when people felt unwell.

That matters because a private fishing trip has no fixed script that works for everyone. One group may want to focus on landing fish. Another may care just as much about seeing whales, learning about the area, and keeping the morning relaxed. A crew that pays attention to those differences can make the same six-hour trip feel very different from one group to the next.

The crew has also shown care when seasickness became a problem. Ginger chews were available, and the guides offered practical advice for feeling better. On one outing, two people became sick and the group cut the trip short. Jessie and Elijah still worked to keep the experience positive and safe.

That is worth noting before you book. Seasickness can affect even people who normally feel fine on boats, and fishing trips often involve a lot of time on open water. The crew can adjust and support you, but they cannot remove the motion of the sea or guarantee that everyone will feel well.

Catching fish, keeping the meat

The chance to keep your catch gives this outing a strong local, practical quality. If you catch fish, you can keep as much meat as you want. For a group that enjoys preparing and sharing seafood, that can add real value to the day.

The catch is not guaranteed, so you should not book solely for a cooler full of fish. On successful outings, though, the results can come quickly. One group caught three fish within the first couple of hours. Another landed two large tuna, which made the fishing memorable and provided food to enjoy afterward.

The boat may also encounter fish that are too large or unexpected to bring in. A shark taking a line can create a dramatic moment even if it does not become part of your catch. These moments are a reminder that the outing is an active experience, not a simple ride with a fishing rod in your hands.

If you want to take fish home, ask the operator about the practical handling details before departure. The information provided confirms that you may keep the meat, but it does not explain cleaning, storage, or transport arrangements.

Handling seasickness and comfort

The boat has a restroom, bottled water, and snacks, which are useful during a six-hour outing. Snorkeling equipment is also provided, although you should think of it as an added option rather than the central activity.

The strongest comfort detail is the crew’s response to seasickness. Ginger chews and practical tips were available, and the crew adjusted plans when needed. In one case, the trip ended early because two people became sick, and the crew remained supportive rather than treating the problem as an inconvenience.

You should still prepare carefully. The supplied information does not list a specific medication recommendation, packing list, or boat size. It only confirms that most people can participate and that service animals are allowed. If anyone in your group has a history of motion sickness, contact Explore Kauai Scuba before booking and ask what preparation they suggest.

A private boat helps here because you are not trying to keep up with a large group of strangers. The crew can pay attention to your party and adjust the experience when someone needs a break. That flexibility is one of the clearest reasons to choose a private trip instead of a shared excursion.

Who will get the most from this trip

I would recommend this outing to a group that enjoys fishing, wants privacy, and accepts that the ocean controls the result. It is especially well suited to families or friends who can fill most of the six available spaces and share the cost.

It also suits beginners. You do not need to arrive as a skilled angler. Jessie and Elijah have worked well with people who had little fishing experience, and the private setup gives you room to ask questions without feeling rushed.

You may like it less if you want a predictable sightseeing schedule, guaranteed fish, or a late morning start. The 6:00 a.m. departure is fixed, and the trip may include waiting for fish or changing plans based on conditions.

The experience could also be a good match for a group with mixed goals. One person may want a serious shot at tuna or marlin, while another may care about whales, sharks, or simply spending time on the ocean. The crew can tailor the day to your expectations, though the fishing itself remains uncertain.

Booking, weather, and the practical details

The experience requires good weather. If poor conditions cancel the trip, you will be offered another date or a full refund. That policy protects you from being forced onto the water when conditions are not suitable.

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours in advance are not refunded, and changes within that period are not accepted. The cut-off follows local time in Kaua’i.

Confirmation arrives when you book, and the ticket is mobile. The activity is offered in English. Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate, but the available information does not provide more detailed accessibility guidance.

Plan to arrive at Kikiaola Small Boat Harbor with your own transportation. The trip ends at that same meeting point, so you will not need to arrange a separate return transfer.

Should you book this Kauai fishing trip?

Book it if you want a private, flexible fishing morning and your group can share the $1,700 cost. The strongest reasons are the up-to-six-person format, the chance to keep your catch, the broad target list, and the crew’s considerate handling of beginners and seasickness.

I would be more cautious for a small party on a tight budget. Two people pay a high effective per-person rate, and no fishing trip can promise tuna, ono, or marlin. Before committing, make sure everyone is comfortable with the early start, open-water conditions, and possibility of motion sickness.

For the right group, this is less about checking off a guaranteed catch and more about giving the ocean six hours to surprise you. That may mean tuna in the boat, whales in the distance, or a shark following the line. If that kind of uncertainty sounds like fun, this private Kaua’i outing has a lot going for it.

FAQ

Where does the fishing trip start?

It starts at Kikiaola Small Boat Harbor, 8932 Kekaha Road, Kekaha, Hawaii 96752.

What time does the trip begin?

The start time is 6:00 a.m.

How long does the fishing experience last?

The outing lasts approximately six hours and ends back at the meeting point.

How many people can join the private trip?

The price covers one private group of up to six people.

What is included?

Snorkeling equipment, a restroom on board, bottled water, and snacks are included.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If poor weather causes a cancellation, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.