Route specialty
Yacht Delivery to & from Hawaii
The classic Pacific passage — roughly 2,300 nautical miles of open ocean between the U.S. West Coast and the Hawaiian Islands. We've made the run many times, in both directions, on power and sail.
A Hawaii delivery is a true bluewater passage: about two weeks at sea with no ports, no fuel dock, and no help for hundreds of miles in any direction. It rewards preparation and experience, and it punishes shortcuts. That's exactly the kind of trip owners hire us for.
Westbound to the islands you ride the trade winds downwind, but the return to California is the hard part — you have to work north around the Pacific High before turning east, which makes the passage home longer and more demanding. We plan each crossing around the weather, provision the boat for self-sufficiency, and stand proper sea watches the whole way.
What this route demands
Why owners hire a licensed captain for it
Weather routing around the Pacific High
The semi-permanent high that sits in the North Pacific dictates the whole passage. We route around it for a safe, efficient crossing rather than fighting through the calms at its center.
Two weeks of self-sufficiency
No ports means the boat must carry everything: spares, fuel, water, provisions, and offshore safety gear — life raft and satellite phones come standard on every delivery.
The harder return leg
Getting to Hawaii is downwind; getting home means going north to find westerly winds. We budget the time and fuel the return actually needs instead of hoping for a lucky window.
Round-the-clock watchkeeping
Shipping lanes, squalls, and gear failures don't wait for daylight. A qualified crew standing continuous watches is what keeps a two-week passage uneventful.
From our delivery log
23 deliveries on this route — and counting
A sample of yacht delivery to Hawaii runs from our logged deliveries, across 11 different builders. Explore the full delivery database →
Nordhavn 76′ · 2023
Seattle, WA Honolulu, HI
Nordhavn 76′ · 2022
Honolulu, HI Anacortes, WA
Nordhavn 76′ · 2022
Anacortes, WA Honolulu, HI
Nordhavn 76′ · 2020
San Diego, CA Honolulu, HI
Beneteau 57′ · 2019
Marina del Rey, CA Honolulu, HI
Lagoon 40′ · 2019
Honolulu, HI Oxnard, CA
Hunter 42′ · 2018
San Diego, CA Honolulu, HI
Nordhavn 60′ · 2017
Honolulu, HI Marina del Rey, CA
See it for yourself
See a yacht delivery to Hawaii in action
Real footage from our own deliveries on this route, filmed underway.
Nordhavn 76 Seattle to Hawaii Yacht Delivery / DAY 1-2/, 2200 nm open ocean run
Nordhavn 76 Seattle to Hawaii days 2-3 underway
Nordhavn 76 Seattle to Hawaii Yacht Delivery, DAYs 9-11, arriving in the islands
Questions about this route
How long does a yacht delivery to Hawaii take?
Roughly 12–18 days each way depending on the vessel's speed, the weather, and the direction. The westbound trip to the islands is usually faster than the return to California, which has to work north around the Pacific High.
Is it harder to deliver to Hawaii or back to the mainland?
The return to the mainland is the harder leg. The trip out rides the trade winds downwind, while the trip home requires sailing north to find westerly winds before turning east.
Do you deliver both power and sailing yachts to Hawaii?
Yes. We have delivered both motor yachts and sailing vessels across the California–Hawaii route.
Planning a yacht delivery to Hawaii?
Tell us about your boat and route — quotes are free, with no obligation.