From snorkelling with turtles and swimming with dolphins to taking to the skies in a seaplane or cruising the oceans in search of marine life, there are so many incredible Hawaii tours to do.
Good luck just picking one as we take you on a mini adventure to paradise with our pick of the best Hawaii tours!
Our Pick of the Very Best Hawaii Tours
The islands of Hawaii are one of our all-time favourite places to visit. Some of our best travel memories were made here.
Seeing active volcanoes on The Big Island, watching the sunset from 13,000 feet up Mauna Kea mountain and seeing the lush green jungles on Oahu are most definitely up there in our top ten.
And these experiences simply wouldn’t have been possible for us without heading out on a day tour.
As we’re from the UK, we wouldn’t have felt comfortable with driving on the right hand side and around the islands in a rental car.
Not to mention it would have been very expensive as we would have had to hire a 4×4 in order to get to some of the attractions.
But the Hawaii tours we went on were also a fantastic way to learn more about the islands and the Hawaiian culture. We were even taken to some places that we’d never heard of, so we saw a lot more on these tours than if we’d ventured out on our own.
Let’s get going…
Epic Kauai Tours
Nicknamed the ‘Garden Isle’ or ‘Garden Island’, Kauai is perfect for nature and outdoor lovers.
From tropical rainforests and untouched beaches to winding rivers, raging waterfalls and more, these epic Kauai tours will showcase the very best wildlife and scenery this beautiful little island has to offer.
Full-Day Tour With Fern Grotto River Cruise
During this 7-hour tour, you’ll see some of Kauai’s most sought-after nature spots.
You’ll be taken to the most pristine and untouched beaches in the east before embarking on a guided open-air river boat tour along Wailua River.
From here, you’ll be serenaded by Hawaiian musicians and hula dancers, before heading to the stunning northern shores via sugar cane fields, plantations and a myriad of gushing waterfalls.
There’s even the option to book a scenic flight over the island as an add-on.
Scenic Flight Over Napali Coast and Waimea Canyon
If you didn’t add-on a scenic flight to the tour mentioned above, then this thrilling 60-minute scenic flight tour is for you.
You’ll get a birds-eye view of the beautiful island and its most picturesque spots (many of which can only be seen from the air).
From lush green valleys and soaring red cliffs to the azure blue waters and sandy white coastline below, you’ll take some of the most amazing photographs that you’ll ever have of this island.
Wailua River Kayak and Hiking Tour to Secret Falls
If you’re into adventure and hands-on activities then you’ll love this 5-hour half-day tour.
You’ll be guided up Wailua River in kayaks before hiking through the lush rainforests of Kauai.
All the while, hearing about the history of this area as being one of the first settlements for the original Hawaiian people.
You’ll then get the chance to swim under Uluwehi Waterfall and enjoy a picnic of sandwiches and tropical fruits by the water – the perfect spot to soak up the sounds of Kauai’s wildlife.
Luau Kalamaku
Kauai isn’t just famed for its stunning natural beauty, it’s also steeped in legend and myth.
At this traditional Luau buffet dinner, you’ll learn all about the adventures the original Hawaiian people took between Tahiti and Kauai through the magical arts of hula dancing, fire twirling and storytelling.
Alongside this incredible show, you’ll have a traditional lei greeting and get the chance to sample exquisite Hawaiian delicacies like poi, lomi lomi salmon and kalua pork baked in an imu.
This is an evening never to be forgotten!
8 of the Best Oahu Tours
Sometimes called ‘The Gathering Place’, Oahu blends the commercial with traditional quite perfectly, ensuring each day is different if you venture away from the infamous Waikiki Beach.
These eight best Oahu tours aim to showcase the very best of the island – both on and offshore.
Majestic Full-Day Circle Island Tour
There are so many amazing sights to see on the island of Oahu.
From stunning beaches and lush green jungles to historic plantations and even a Japanese temple, this 10-hour tour promises to show you Oahu’s top highlights in just one day.
Out of everything you’ll see, Byodo-In Temple and Waimea Valley are by far the most beautiful sights to see.
The temple is majestic and calming while Waimea Valley is picturesque and oh so serene.
Lost Filming Locations Tour
If you want to combine a full-day Oahu circle island tour with one of the island’s best claims to fame then this Lost filming locations tour is the way to do it.
You’ll work your way around the island in a Hummer with a maximum of six people and see locations like Hurley’s house, the Santa Rosa Mental Institute, Kate’s Tree and Jacob’s Lighthouse… to name just a few.
You may even find yourself driven around by an extra on the show like we did!
Best of Hawaii Photography Tour
The islands of Hawaii are simply stunning so it should come as no surprise that you’ll easily take some of your best travel photos here.
But why not pick the brains of a professional photographer while you do?
In this 5-hour half-day tour, you’ll be taken to Oahu’s most photogenic locations such as the Halona Blowhole, Makapu’u Point Lookout, Hanauma Bay and Nuʻuanu Pali Lookout.
Pearl Harbour & USS Arizona Memorial Tour with Pick-Up
Although you can visit Pearl Harbour and the USS Arizona Memorial on your own, this tour has two key benefits: you’ll get hotel pick-up and you’ll skip the queues when you get there.
There are several exhibits to look out for when you arrive with the most well-known one being a boat trip to the USS Arizona Memorial.
But whilst at Pearl Harbour, you can also go inside a real warship as part of a self-guided audio tour and learn how the events of Pearl Harbour unfolded.
This tour also rounds off your day with a short visit to historical sites in downtown Honolulu like Iolani Palace, the State Supreme Court and the Judiciary History Center.
3-Hour Dolphin Watching & Snorkel Excursion
With its warm crystal clear waters and quiet locations, Hawaii easily has some of the best snorkelling spots in the world.
This 3-hour cruise takes you to two dive sites where you should find dolphins, turtles, colourful marine life and sometimes whales as well.
The boat leaves quite early in the morning but it’s such a fabulous way to wake up.
Snorkels and lunch are provided but if you want extras like wetsuits, towels or professional photos then you can purchase them as add-ons.
Hanauma Bay Guided Snorkel Tour
If you’re new to snorkelling and would rather just get a taster of the experience then this 1-hour snorkelling tour is perfect for you.
You’ll be taken to the popular snorkelling spot of Hanauma Bay where you can swim alongside over 400 different types of fish and possibly even Hawaiian green sea turtles!
Snorkelling gear is provided but you’ll need to pay extra for entry into Hanauma Bay and if you want to purchase professional underwater photos.
Waikiki Beach Atlantis Submarine Tour
When did you last board a submarine to be taken down into the murky depths? Never? Right, time to change that then!
This incredible 105-minute submarine experience will take you 100 feet underwater, so you can see sunken ships, green sea turtles, colourful corals and Hawaiian fishes like you’ve never seen them before!
There’s even an audio headset included so that you know exactly which window to look out of and when – and what it is you’re looking at.
Afternoon Glass Bottom Boat Tour
If you’d rather see the colourful corals and underwater marine life from the comfort of dry land then a glass bottom boat tour is the perfect tour for you.
During this quick 90-minute experience, you’ll get up close and personal with turtles, dolphins, eels, sharks, colourful fish and tropical reefs through the boat’s glass bottom view ports.
You can even enjoy complimentary water, soda and beer while on board too.
Incredible Maui Tours
While most believe Hawaii’s best beaches can be found on Maui, it’s also the perfect place to see marine life including turtles, dolphins and whales.
Which is why almost all of these six incredible Maui tours focus on ocean adventures.
Eco-Friendly Molokini and Turtle Town Tour
During this 5-hour snorkelling experience, you’ll get the chance to swim with green sea turtles and colourful fish and through underwater lava arches.
But what’s different about this tour is that it’s eco-friendly.
This snorkel spot near Molokini is a protected marine conservation area so it’s only accessible by boat with a certified tour operator.
You’ll also be provided with reef safe sunscreen to help protect the area.
All snorkel equipment is provided, even specialist optical ones for people with glasses, and you’ll also be given a continental breakfast and delicious BBQ lunch.
Dolphins and Snorkelling Cruise to Lanai
If you’re keen to see dolphins as well as other marine life while snorkelling then this is the catamaran tour for you.
Across 5 hours, you’ll be treated to a Hawaiian breakfast complete with music, before heading to several of the best snorkel spots near Maui like Shark Fin Rock and Manele Bay.
You can even view marine life through the glass bottom boat area if you’d prefer as well!
Snorkel equipment is provided but you’ll need to make your own way to Lahaina Harbour as there’s no hotel pick-up or drop-off option.
2-Hour Whale Watching Excursion from Lahaina Harbour
It’s not just turtles and dolphins that this area is renowned for… whales also frequent the area thanks to the clear warm water surrounding the islands.
During this 2-hour whale watching experience, you’ll take to the seas to go in search of the world’s largest mammals.
The catamarans and yachts set sail from Lahaina Harbour, and if you don’t see any whales, you’ll get another trip completely for free!
2-Hour Sunset Dinner Cruise from Lahaina
Another day, another boat… this time at sunset.
During this romantic 2-hour cruise, you’ll be treated to stunning ocean views, live music, delicious 3-course dinner and complimentary drinks.
You may even spot a humpback whale or two!
The dinner itself is a traditional Hawaiian affair, where you’ll get the chance to sample classics like mahi-mahi, lobster, pan-seared white fish and Hawaiian sweet rolls.
Small Group Road to Hana Sightseeing Tour
The Hana Highway, also known as the Road to Hana, twists and turns along the coast for over 64 miles between Kahului and Hana.
Although it makes for the most adventurous and beautiful road trip, you may not feel comfortable with navigating the turns yourself… so why not let someone else drive for you?
During this 10-hour experience, you’ll see tropical rainforests, deep emerald shrubs and plants, moss-covered trees and superb ocean vistas before swimming under a waterfall and tucking into a sumptuous Tahitian BBQ.
Sunrise & Breakfast Tour to Haleakala National Park
See Maui in a whole new light with this extra special sunrise tour to Haleakala National Park.
Your 8-hour experience will take you through Kula District and past Puu Ulaula Overlook en route to watch the breathtaking sunrise from the top of Mount Haleakala while tucking into coffee and pastries.
You’ll even get a chance to see the island’s rare silversword plants along the way, which look like this:
Have you ever had a more incredible start to your day?
Stunning Big Island Tours
The Island of Hawaii, nicknamed The Big Island, is the youngest island but also the largest.
It’s possible to experience nearly all of the world’s different climates here, which has been caused by one of the island’s best features — its mountainous (and free-flowing) volcanoes.
Which you can see on many of these stunning Big Island tours…
Big Island Twilight Volcano Tour
No visit to The Big Island is complete without a visit to the famous Volcano National Park.
During this epic 11-hour twilight tour, you’ll walk through an underground lava tube, visit Punalu’u Black Sand Beach, admire the amazing views of Kilauea Iki, an active volcanic crater, before settling down to dinner, stargazing and the night glow of Hawaii’s most active volcano.
This is easily one of the most epic Hawaii tours on this whole list!
Mauna Kea Stellar Explorer Tour
At 13,000 feet, Mauna Kea is one of the world’s tallest volcanoes. Although no longer active, it’s now home to a world-famous observatory and some of the world’s most powerful telescopes.
And this 7-hour tour promises to take you to Manuka Meadows Coffee Farm and the largest infinity pool in Hawaii for a relaxing start to your adventure.
From there, you’ll continue your tour to around 9,000 feet up Mauna Kea for a night of stargazing and an astronomy lightshow.
This particular tour doesn’t summit Mauna Kea as this offends many local Hawaiian people. But if you do want to summit the mountain in a 4×4, then this alternative sunrise tour offers that instead.
Night Manta Ray Adventure
A visit to The Big Island also means a night of snorkelling with manta rays!
After hopping aboard a sunset cruise along the Kona Coast, you’ll be taken to a popular spot for manta rays to see them in their natural habitat.
During this 2.5-hour experience, you’ll watch manta rays feed and interact with other marine life beneath a neon light raft, resulting in some unforgettable sights and photo opportunities.
Manta rays are pretty much guaranteed, but rest assured, should you not see any during your excursion, then you can head out on another night for free.
All snorkel and wetsuit equipment is provided, however, you’ll need to make your own way to Honokohau Harbour as there’s no hotel pick-up option.
Voyagers of the Pacific Luau with Buffet
If you want to learn all about the extraordinary Hawaiian culture then a traditional Luau is one way to do it – and a very fun way to do it.
This 3-hour Luau experience overlooks Kailua Bay and will see you taking hula lessons, learning how to make leis and other traditional crafts, before tucking into a delectable Hawaiian buffet while watching a dramatic fire dance.
You’ll need to make your own way to the Royal Kona Resort as hotel pick-up isn’t included, but you’ll receive a shell lei greeting and complimentary cocktails on arrival… simply marvellous!
Didn’t we tell you these Hawaii tours are incredible? Which one will you be adding to your Hawaii itinerary? Let us know in the comments…
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Cheers for this Article! Hawaii looks beautiful and I would love to try out some of these tours if I end up on this side of the world!
You’re most welcome!
Hawaii really is a stunning place, I hope you get to visit one day! 😀
Traveling to Hawaii is always a great experience! And with your ideas you will surely enjoy even better the visit to this wonderful place… Thank you very much for sharing!
Thanks so much for the kind words! We love Hawaii, easily one of our most favourite places 😀