Where Speed Wins: the 11 Best Power Catamaran Cruises Worldwide

1.Big Island: Captain Cook Snorkel On A Power Catamaran With Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,232 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $85Our pick

Cruise from Kona to historic Kealakekua Bay with a friendly crew that may include Captains Aiden or Bryce, Jordan, and Kiwami. Snorkel over clear reef, watch for dolphins and winter humpback whales, then enjoy sandwiches, fruit, snacks, and a scenic ride home.

“It is a very relaxed, go at your own pace snorkeling tour. The marine life was spectacular! I would do it again in a heartbeat!!!”

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2.Ma’alaea Harbor: Whale Watching Tour Aboard Power Catamaran

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 979 reviews · 2 hours · from $49Best value

Cruise Ma'alaea Bay aboard Quicksilver’s roomy double-deck power catamaran from December through April. Your captain and crew explain humpback behavior, track blows and breaches, and use an underwater hydrophone so you can hear whale songs. Soda, juice, water, restrooms, and paid drinks are onboard.

“Captain Kiwi was very entertaining. We saw whales in several different locations leaving on the first boat departing in the morning. The service and crew were great. This was a nice value when you consider the costs of other whale watching options. We had good time!”

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3.Phi Phi Islands Day-Trip by Speed Catamaran

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 918 reviews · 8h 30m · from $135

Spend about 8.5 hours island-hopping from Phuket aboard a spacious speed catamaran. You’ll visit Bamboo Island, Phi Phi Don, Pileh Lagoon, Viking Cave, Maya Bay, and Maiton Island, with longtail boat rides, snorkeling, kayaking, meals, towels, and hotel pickup included. Guides such as Steve, Coco, and Flame keep the day moving.

“Great trip, very well organized with so many beutiful places to see.”

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4.Phi Phi, Bamboo & Maithon by Premium Speed Catamaran

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 901 reviews · 10 hours · from $87

Ride a premium speed catamaran from Phuket to Bamboo Island, Phi Phi Don, Monkey Beach, Viking Cave, Pileh Lagoon, Maya Bay and Maithon. Expect hotel transfers, buffet lunch, snorkeling, clear kayaking, snacks and sunset views, with guides such as Linda, Smile, QQ and Asma leading different boats.

“This was the best tour ever! besides the organization and the team that thought about everything, the location was fantastic, impressive and humbling. Big kudos to the Thai people that manage the National Park for keeping a healthy balance in between providing tourists with a great experience and preserving the nature. I would recommend this to everyone who is ready to invest 1 full day because this activity is totally worth it! + the snorkeling experience gave us the chance to swim with the sharks (our guide knew where to spot them) and to see the most colorful fish ever”

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5.Kauai: Na Pali Coast Power Catamaran

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 403 reviews · 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $274

Set out from Kikiaʻola Small Boat Harbor on a 4.5-hour power catamaran trip along Kauai’s Na Pali Coast. Guides such as Captain Jane, Jake, RJ, and Seana share local history, steer toward sea caves, serve pineapple and cold drinks, and offer snorkeling when conditions allow.

“We enjoyed the catamaran ride very much. Was great to see the NaPali Coast from the water vantage point as we'd also taken a helicopter ride. It would have been nice to have been able to snorkel but water was a tad rough otherwise most enjoyable,”

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6.Private 4 Hour Power Catamaran Excursion in Grace Bay

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 400 reviews

Take a private four-hour power catamaran from Grace Bay with your own captain and crew. Snorkel, swim, search for conch, ride the slide, relax on the rooftop, or visit Half Moon Bay and Iguana Island. Lunch, drinks, snorkeling gear, and select beach pickup are included.

“Horrible. You took my reservation sent me a confirmation email and text and then the day before canceled my reservation because you claimed to have no availability. Then how did I process the reservation and get a confirmation?!?! Giving me no time to rebook with anyone else because they were all full. Horrible unprofessional company. You didn’t even take the time to call. Just sent a email. Horrible don’t book with this company. You are taking a risky chance it completely ruined our entire day. Our day was planned around that excursion”

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7.Saona Island: Catamaran/Speedboat Tour to a Dream Beach

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 315 reviews · 7 - 10 hours · from $89

Spend 7 to 10 hours traveling from Bayahibe to Saona Island by speedboat and sailing catamaran. You get 2.5 hours on a white-sand beach, buffet lunch, open-bar drinks, Caribbean music, and a 30-minute natural-pool stop. Guides such as Christian, Juan, and Paula are praised for warm, attentive service.

“Everything was great. Our guide, Juan was perfect, he speaks english, french, and german. The music and the staff on catamaran was entertaining. The lunch on Saona island was good and enaugh. On Saona we had a massage, it costs 50$ - 90$ negociabil. Overall it eas a great trip.”

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8.Full-Day Phi Phi and Maiton islands Tour by Speed Catamaran

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 237 reviews · from $136

Spend about 8.5 hours aboard Seanery’s speed catamaran, visiting Bamboo Island, Phi Phi Don, Pi Leh Lagoon, Maya Bay, Viking Cave, and Maiton Island. You get hotel pickup on request, lunch, snacks, drinks, snorkeling gear, clear kayaks, paddle boards, towels, and a sunset finish.

“This was worth every single dollar, was the best experience for me and my buddy. The staff were so awesome and they make you feel so welcomed.”

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9.Icacos Double Dip Power Catamaran Snorkel & Beach Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 236 reviews · from $135

Spend about four hours aboard a power catamaran from Fajardo, snorkeling Puerto Rico’s Cordillera Cays reefs before relaxing at Cayo Icacos. The crew, including guides such as Kenny, Kiwi, Jay, and Gabriel, provides gear, lunch, nonalcoholic drinks, and rum cocktails. Beer costs extra.

“This was smooth sailing excursions. The trip and crew we're fantastic. Icacos Island was the highlight with crystal clear waters. Would highly recommend”

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10.Private Fast Power Catamaran. Full or Half Day for Beach Hopping, Snorkel & Swim

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 207 reviews

Charter the 36-foot MV Poseidon from Red Hook for four to seven hours of private beach hopping and snorkeling around St. Thomas and St. John. Your captain, including Holly, Amanda, Wallens, Aaron, or Bryan, helps shape the route. Snorkel gear, water, soda, beer, and park fees are included.

“Captain Aaron made the experience complete by showing us some Of the best sites! One in particular that was like our own private beach! It’s one of the best ways to enjoy St. Thomas and St. John. The most beautiful water you’ve ever seen!”

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11.Saona Island Excursion by Catamaran and Speedboat

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 197 reviews · from $95

Travel from Punta Cana to Saona Island by speedboat or catamaran, stopping at a shallow ocean sandbar before a beach day with a Dominican barbecue buffet, local drinks, music, dancing, and optional volleyball. Guides may include Max or Jack Sparrow. Hotel transfers are included, but expect a long, busy day.

“My son and I were super excited about going on this excursion. We got an email the night before that it had been cancel and that I needed to contact Viator to receive a refund.”

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