Permitted Hawaii Kayak Tour & Ocean Outfitter, 2 Locations
Tour operators (i.e., arranging and assembling tours) for sale
- Asking price
- $973,000
- Revenue
- $1,235,253
- Cash flow
- $316,258
About this business
This is a permitted ocean-activity outfitter operating two locations on the Big Island of Hawaii, running guided kayak and snorkel tours, Hawaiian outrigger canoe rides, paddleboard lessons, and equipment rentals since 1996. The business holds one of only two state permits to operate guided kayak tours in a historically and environmentally protected bay, and no new permits are being issued, making that access a hard barrier to entry that cannot be replicated.
The owners built the business from the ground up over more than two decades, growing it from a single storefront into a two-location operation with a seven-person full-time team and seven to ten part-time and contract staff. Guided tours and excursions account for roughly 75% of revenue, equipment rentals another 20%, and a retail line of ocean gear rounds out the mix. The business draws customers through word-of-mouth, online search, and established partnerships with a major beachfront hotel and a luxury resort. It has earned a regional "best kayak rental" award every year since the category was created, a TripAdvisor Hall of Fame designation with a five-star rating, and was named a small business of the year honoree by a statewide business publication in 2024. The standout: the permitted bay access is a structural moat that no competitor can buy their way into.
The owners are ready for new opportunities and a fresh chapter, including more community and charitable work, and want to pass the business to someone who shares their commitment to the local culture and community. They are prepared to be deeply involved in the transition, including introductions to permitting agencies, hotel partners, and the broader community, and are open to a consulting arrangement after the handoff. The owners describe meaningful growth runway in online sales, new product lines, and reseller partnerships that the next owner can pursue.