TRAVEL & LIFESTYLE
Hawaii Tours – Your Guide to the Best Tours Hawaii has to Offer
Ryan, Senior Travelers
Updated Feb 2019
The very same beauty and lifestyle means there’s no shortage of excursions and experiences for visitors to be a part of when visiting Hawaii and it’s one of the main reason people keep coming back. There’s never been more ways to experience every single type of Hawaiian adventure imaginable and Hawaii tours are the perfect way to make memories that last a lifetime.
Chief's Luau Oahu
- Best rated Luau in the state
- Award winning firedancers
- Hawaiian Crafts & Hula Lessons
- Delicious Buffet Dinner & Drinks (Special Menu Available)
- Different Packages Available
- Roundtrip from Waikiki at $18
- Available Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday
Polynesian Cultural Center
- Best all around package
- Ha: Breath of Life Evening Show
- Learn about Hawaiian history, culture, music, and dance
- Delicious Buffet Dinner & Drinks
- Different package options
- No Transportation
- Available Daily
Premium Dolphin Swim Tour Oahu
- Great Tour with Morning Wake-up Call
- Wild Dolphins Guarantee
- Whales (during the season) & Turtles
- Cheeseburger/Veggieburger on the boat
- Entertainment on Board
- Free Transportation
- Free rescheduling in case of bad weather
Road to Hana Private Tour Maui
- Only Private Tours
- 1-14 Passengers
- Sea Caves, Lava Flow, Waterfalls & Black Sand Beach
- Fresh Banana Bread & Bottled Water
- Local Guide
- Free Airport Pick ups and Hotel Drop offs
- Flexible with Timing and Stops
Napali Snorkel Adventure
- 4 Hour Tour on the Napali Coast
- Explore ancient lava tubes
- Venture into sea caves
- Snacks or Lunch on board
- Additional Activities: Snorkeling, Swimming, Rafting
- Dry Bags Included
Manta Ray Night Snorkel in Kona
- 1.5 Hour Manta Ray Adventure
- Dive and snorkel at your own pace
- Small Groups
- Snorkel Gear Included
- Snacks & Water Included
- Additional Activity: 10 Minute Paddling to Manta Ray Night Snorkel Site
- Bring towels and sun screen (recommended)
Big Island Hawaii Volcano Eco-Adventure
- Get the closest view on active lava
- Hiking over rough surface included
- Difficulty Level: Easy
- Lava Sighting Not Guaranteed
- Lunch & Dinner
- Hilo Hotel Pick Ups
Molokini & Turtle Arches Snorkel Maui
- 5 Hour Snorkeling & Swimming Adventure
- Premium Snorkel Gear Included
- Flotation devices & Snorkel Instructions
- Continental Breakfast; Lunch Grilled Onboard; Refreshment
- Enjoy Mysterious Marine Water Life (Dolphins & Whales during winter months)
- Cruising Along Maui Coastline
- Additional Fees: Fuel Surcharge $7.31
Haleakala Sunrise Tour Maui
- World's Most Beautiful Sunrise Spot
- 8 Hour Guided Tour
- Learn about Maui's Cowboy Roots
- Light Snack & Delicious Breakfast
- All Breakfast Plates served with Orange Juice, Tea, and Coffee
- Free Transportation
- Reservation Cutoff Time: 4pm day prior to tour
Kauai Helicopter Eco Adventure
- 50-55 Minute Flight Time
- Tour Narration by Certified Guides
- Optional: a DVD/Blue-Ray/USB stick recording of the tour
- No purses, bags, bandanas, or hats allowed in the aircraft
- Super-comfortable seats with an expansive glass for outstanding view
- Free Transportation
- Additional Fees: Fuel Surcharge - $53.80
We love absolutely everything about what there is to do on the islands – the Hawaiian luau’s, the turtle tours, a romantic Hawaiian dinner cruise, and everything in between.
Whether you’re a thrill-seeking adventurer who wants to take helicopter flights between waterfalls and mountains or you’re a history buff looking to soak in the fascinating Polynesian culture – going on one of the many Hawaiian tours available is guaranteed to provide you with the experience of a lifetime.
We’ve spent years personally researching the top Hawaiian tours across the four main islands, Oahu, Big Island (Hawaii), Maui and Kauai.
Part of our philosophy is doing our very best to share these experiences with people who want to experience the real Hawaii, by going on tours and take you on journeys that’ll make you feel a little closer to the beautiful islands and their people.
Check out the very best of the best Hawaii tours below and start your adventure today!
Created by Live Your Aloha. Providing tours, cruises, and things to do all over Hawaii.
The Top Hawaiian Tours in Oahu
Oahu is the island for everyone. Oahu tours make the most of the fact that there’s something that all visitors will enjoy. Its home to not only a city that has excellent transport links, renowned global cuisine and cultural ancestry – but also rolling jungle, impressive mountains and impeccable beaches. Oahu is an enjoyable, convenient option for many visitors as its home to Honolulu International Airport meaning you don’t have to hop islands to get to a certain kind of tour and it has everything you could possibly want to have a true Hawaiian experience.
Real review from Chief’s Luau.
Photograph courtesy of Trip Advisor
- 4 hour experience from start to finish
- Luau with audience participation
- Located next to Wet N Wild Waterpark
- Chief Sielu Avea
- Buffet Style dinner
- Accommodations for allergies and/or vegetarian preference provided
- Activities including hula lessons, headband weaving, fire making, tattooing and spear throwing
- Roundtrip transportation from Waikiki
- Available daily
- Costly compared to other luau’s
- Transportation costs an additional fee
“Hawaii is such a beautiful place and with so many tours to choose from, it’s hard to pick just one!”
A Hawaii Tour for people who want to experience the proud heritage and magical culture of Oahu’s ancestry and beyond. Nowhere else on the islands will you find such an immersive and enriching cultural tour that’s guaranteed to have you feeling closer to Polynesian culture than ever before. The Polynesian Cultural Center is a full-day experience that gives you access to island villages, local people and an abundance of knowledge about Hawaii’s history. With activities throughout the day and different package options, this tour feels like a theme park filled with Polynesian hospitality, grace and laidback way of life.
- Full day experience (9 – 13 hours)
- Experience and learn about the culture of the Islands of Tahiti, Hawaii, Fiji, Aotearoa, and Samoa
- Learn how to climb a coconut tree, husk a coconut, and make coconut milk
- Individual seating at the show
- Backstage tour
- Souvenir DVD
- Shell lei greeting
- Round trip transportation
- Two shows times (4:45pm and 7:00pm)
- Transportation costs an additional fee
- Experience is all day long
- Closed on Sundays
Spend the day swimming and interacting with wild dolphins and even get the chance to see giant sea turtles and whales if you visit in winter. This premium, fully inclusive tour is nothing short of spellbinding and you’re even guaranteed a free reschedule if you don’t spot any dolphins on the day of your tour!
- Wake up call provided by driver
- Two times to choose from – early am and mid morning
- Meal provided on boat after activities
- Activities include snorkeling, kayaks, stand up paddling (SUP), water slides, and trampolines
- Snorkel gear provided
- Complimentary transportation from select Waikiki hotels
- Sights of tropical fish, spinner dolphins and Honu (turtles)
- Books up quickly
Maui is home to some of the most beautiful sights in Hawaii so it’s no surprise that the Road to Hana Private Tour made it onto our Top Hawaii Tours list. Experience the island’s beauty close up with a customizable route that’ll take you to the spots you want to see for as long or as little as you want to see them. Exploring mostly Maui’s scenic northern and eastern coasts, the Road to Hana Tour is family owned and operated and as a result has unbeatable service. It’s so popular in fact, that spaces fill up faster than any other Hawaii driving tour – so make sure you book quickly!
- 50 miles covered in 8 – 10 hours
- Stops at Wai’anapanapa Beach Park, Ho’okipa Beach Park, Nahiku Marketplace, and others
- Visit to the original stone missionary church from 1856
- Exploration of the 3 tiered waterfall “Waikani”
- Sights of Hawaiian green sea turtle and bamboo forests
- Fresh banana bread and water
- Complimentary transportation from Kahului areas
- Transportation costs extra for areas outside Kahului (60 – 110)
- Cost of transportation must be paid in cash to driver upon pick up
When it comes to the sunrise of a lifetime, this Hawaii tour is undoubtedly the best of them all. While perched above the clouds on top of Haleakala Crater, the tallest peak in Maui – you’ll get to watch the sun come up over the islands of Lanai, Molokai and Hawaii. As if it wasn’t rare enough to find an experience so breathtaking, the Haleakala Sunrise Tour also includes a delicious breakfast, free pickups, local grown coffee and a spectacular drive through Maui’s beautiful agricultural hub. You’ll enjoy all this and what’s more, the tour is the cheapest of the sunrise tours available in Maui.
- Great for last-minute booking
- Cheapest tour on the list ($187/person)
- 8 hour tour with breakfast and snacks included
- Visit to the Haleakala National Park at off-tourist hours
- Exploration of the Maui Upcountry’s agricultural wonders and rustic towns
- Bigger tour bus
- Can get cold on top of Haleakala Peak!
Kauai is undoubtedly home to some of the most breathtakingly spectacular terrain in the world, let alone just Hawaii. Its natural beauty is made up from rugged terrain, towering waterfalls and thick jungle, so much so that around 70% of the island’s land is inaccessible by land. So, what better way to see it than soaring over it in a thrilling helicopter ride that offers views like nothing you’ve seen before. When it comes to Hawaii helicopter tours, the undisputed leader in the business and fully deserving of the title is the Blue Hawaiian Helicopter tour operator and their Helicopter Eco Adventure is the perfect way to soak in the sights of “The Garden Isle”, making it a favorite among Kauai tours. At 55 minutes long and for less than $250, you won’t find another airborne adventure that’ll take you to such impressive locations for this kind of value.
- 50 – 55 minutes of flight time
- 3,000 foot waterfalls cascading down the cliffs
- Hovering over Mt. Waialeale, the heart of a dormant volcano
- Incredible sights including the Hanapepe Valley, “Jurassic Park Falls”, Waimea Canyon, and the Na Pali Coast
- Historic and manmade landmarks
- Two-way communication with your pilot
- Tour narration by pilots who are State of Hawaii Certified Tour Guides
- A high quality, live DVD recording is made of your actual flight
- Visit to Mt. Waialeale depends on weather
- A High Definition, live Blu-Ray Disc or USB Stick recording available for purchase after flight
- No scuba diving within 24 hours of helicopter tour
- Tour times may vary based upon wind and weather conditions
The Best Water Tours in Hawaii
Maui is renowned for its paradise beaches and world class surf, but below the waves you’ll find another paradise filled with turtles, dolphins and all manner of tropical sea life that’ll leave you spellbound. None is more famous than the Hawaiian turtle and there’s no shortage of magical encounters you can choose from. Our top pick of Hawaii turtle tours is the Molokini & Turtle Arches Snorkel located in Maui and we can guarantee that you won’t leave disappointed. Traveling to two premium snorkel sites under the supervision of Certified Marine Naturalists, you’ll get the chance to get to know the friendly turtles and their coral-carpeted home. Popular among families due to the level of service and accessibility, this Maui tours adventure is the perfect way to experience Maui under the sea.
- Two snorkel sites (Molokini and Turtle Arches)
- 5 hour tour
- Breakfast, lunch, and refreshments provided
- Snorkel gear provided
- See and interact with over 250 deep-sea creatures such as manta rays, turtles, and more
- Swim through lava arches
- Certified Marine Naturalists onboard
- Books up quickly
- Tour can be a little long for some
- 1.5 hour experience
- Departs from Keauhou Bay,
- 10 minute paddle out to location with Manta Rays
- We use paddle-power—no motors at all
- Double-hull canoe gives you an authentic Hawaiian experience
- Only allow six people per tour (great for small groups)
- Wet suit tops for adults and short suits for kids provided
- Snorkel gear provided
- For those who don’t want to get into the water – they can remain in the canoe and still get a great view
- Snacks and water included
- Maximum weight limit of 250 pounds
Napali Snorkel Adventure
Kauai isn’t only just towering mountains and waterfalls, it’s also home to a stunning Jurassic-era coastline that houses an extensive network of beautiful sea caves and lava tubes. Departing from Hanalei Bay on Kauai’s North Shore, you’ll be taken on a journey along the spectacular Napali Coast and regaled with stories about the Hawaiian explorers that settled there. Dependent on weather and sea conditions you’ll also get the opportunity to snorkel in the surrounding ocean. For the thrill seekers amongst you, you can also book a ride on the Adventurer II Rafts; fibreglass vessels that are designed for high speed to give a sense of adventure like no other as you cut through the waves under the towering cliffs.
- 4 hour excursion
- Two available departure times
- Enjoy majestic views of the Napali Coast, with a dramatic departure from Hanalei Bay
- Fresh locally made lunch provided
- Soft drinks and bottled water included
- All snorkeling equipment and instruction is included
- We commonly see dolphins, sea turtles, and tons of tropical fish
- No smoking on tour
- Tour is barefoot – no shoes or flip flops
- Children must be at least 6 years old for snorkel tours and 5 years old for non-snorkel tours
- No expectant mothers
- All tour routes and snorkel destinations are subject to change or may re-route due to weather and sea conditions
Chief's Luau Oahu
- Best rated Luau in the state
- Award winning firedancers
- Hawaiian Crafts & Hula Lessons
- Delicious Buffet Dinner & Drinks (Special Menu Available)
- Different Packages Available
- Roundtrip from Waikiki at $18
- Available Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday
Polynesian Cultural Center
- Best all around package
- Ha: Breath of Life Evening Show
- Learn about Hawaiian history, culture, music, and dance
- Delicious Buffet Dinner & Drinks
- Different package options
- No Transportation
- Available Daily
Premium Dolphin Swim Tour Oahu
- Great Tour with Morning Wake-up Call
- Wild Dolphins Guarantee
- Whales (during the season) & Turtles
- Cheeseburger/Veggieburger on the boat
- Entertainment on Board
- Free Transportation
- Free rescheduling in case of bad weather
Road to Hana Private Tour Maui
- Only Private Tours
- 1-14 Passengers
- Sea Caves, Lava Flow, Waterfalls & Black Sand Beach
- Fresh Banana Bread & Bottled Water
- Local Guide
- Free Airport Pick ups and Hotel Drop offs
- Flexible with Timing and Stops
Napali Snorkel Adventure
- 4 Hour Tour on the Napali Coast
- Explore ancient lava tubes
- Venture into sea caves
- Snacks or Lunch on board
- Additional Activities: Snorkeling, Swimming, Rafting
- Dry Bags Included
Manta Ray Night Snorkel in Kona
- 1.5 Hour Manta Ray Adventure
- Dive and snorkel at your own pace
- Small Groups
- Snorkel Gear Included
- Snacks & Water Included
- Additional Activity: 10 Minute Paddling to Manta Ray Night Snorkel Site
- Bring towels and sun screen (recommended)
Big Island Hawaii Volcano Eco-Adventure
- Get the closest view on active lava
- Hiking over rough surface included
- Difficulty Level: Easy
- Lava Sighting Not Guaranteed
- Lunch & Dinner
- Hilo Hotel Pick Ups
Molokini & Turtle Arches Snorkel Maui
- 5 Hour Snorkeling & Swimming Adventure
- Premium Snorkel Gear Included
- Flotation devices & Snorkel Instructions
- Continental Breakfast; Lunch Grilled Onboard; Refreshment
- Enjoy Mysterious Marine Water Life (Dolphins & Whales during winter months)
- Cruising Along Maui Coastline
- Additional Fees: Fuel Surcharge $7.31
Haleakala Sunrise Tour Maui
- World's Most Beautiful Sunrise Spot
- 8 Hour Guided Tour
- Learn about Maui's Cowboy Roots
- Light Snack & Delicious Breakfast
- All Breakfast Plates served with Orange Juice, Tea, and Coffee
- Free Transportation
- Reservation Cutoff Time: 4pm day prior to tour
Kauai Helicopter Eco Adventure
- 50-55 Minute Flight Time
- Tour Narration by Certified Guides
- Optional: a DVD/Blue-Ray/USB stick recording of the tour
- No purses, bags, bandanas, or hats allowed in the aircraft
- Super-comfortable seats with an expansive glass for outstanding view
- Free Transportation
- Additional Fees: Fuel Surcharge - $53.80
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