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Things to do in Honolulu

From shark dives to scenic hikes, you get a real island mix of things to do in this Polynesian capital.

Our most recommended things to do in Honolulu

Oahu: Ka Moana Luau Dinner and Show at Aloha Tower

1. Oahu: Ka Moana Luau Dinner and Show at Aloha Tower

Get tickets to the oceanfront dinner theatre of Ka Moana Luau and enjoy an evening of Polynesian entertainment and a tropical-themed buffet dinner. Sip on a welcome Mai Tai with the celebrity option. Upgrade your experience by choosing hotel transfers from Waikiki. After check-in, head inside the venue where you can take part in a number of cultural activities like lei making, temporary tattoos, hula, and drum lessons, coconut-headband weaving and a coconut tree-climbing demonstration. The buffet selections include: Farm-to-table buffet: • Mixed greens salad • Hapa rice (brown and white rice) • Bread rolls w/ small-batch honey guava butter • Stir-fry veggies • Mahi mahi • Guava chicken • Local kalua pork Dessert: • Haupia • Ube cheesecake Complimentary beverage options: • Fresh lemonade • Water Bar menu: Enhance your Luau experience by indulging in some refreshing Ka Moana pineapple, served in a freshly cut pineapple and filled with a signature cocktail. • Island Mai Tai’s • Tropical Cocktails • Mixed premium and well drinks • Beers: Bud Light, Stella Artois, Kona Big Wave • Soft drinks: Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, Passion Fruit Orange Juice, bottled water Following dinner, enjoy an award-winning production highlighting the vibrant traditions of Hawaii and Polynesia. The show navigates through Polynesia on a way-finding adventure. Your experience culminates with the Polynesian Sword of Fire dance and don’t be surprised if you find yourself as part of the experience. 

Oahu: Pearl Harbor, USS Arizona, and City Tour

2. Oahu: Pearl Harbor, USS Arizona, and City Tour

Spend the day visiting the most important historical sites and landmarks of Honolulu, Hawaii. Visit Pearl Harbor, USS Arizona Memorial, Iolani Palace, Kawaiahao Church, the Hawaii State Capitol, Honolulu City Hall, and more. Begin your tour with a visit to Pearl Harbor Visitor Center. Enjoy the exhibits, galleries, and displays before boarding a Navy boat shuttle for a tour of the harbor along “Battleship Row.” Step off the boat to explore the USS Arizona Memorial, then continue to the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl Crater. See the historical landmark against a backdrop of rolling hills and lush foliage. Wrap up your experience with a narrated tour of downtown Honolulu. Spot the impressive state buildings and learn about the Iolani Palace, the official residence of Hawaii’s last reigning monarch and the only royal palace in the United States. Make your way to the Hawaii State Capitol grounds. See the Eternal Flame, Korean and Vietnam War Memorials, Liberty Bell, the majestic statue of King Kamehameha, and Kawaiahao Church.

Oahu: Afternoon Glass Bottom Boat Tour in Waikiki

3. Oahu: Afternoon Glass Bottom Boat Tour in Waikiki

If adventure is what you seek, join this daily boat tour. Enjoy the beauty of Hawaii’s South Shore as you head out from the slip in the Kewalo Basin Harbor and head toward Lē’ahi. Discover the underwater world while staying dry with the glass-bottom boat. Aboard the Haleiwa Queen, enjoy the clear view of the Pacific Ocean floor as you cruise over live tropical reefs and one of Hawaii’s shipwrecks. Keep an eye out for honu sea turtles, eels, reef sharks, dolphins, and schools of tropical fish, all from the deck of the vessel through the glass bottom boat viewports. Experience a unique perspective of Honolulu, above and below the surface.

Oahu: Shark Cage Dive on the North Shore

4. Oahu: Shark Cage Dive on the North Shore

Swim with the sharks during this tour that offers you the unique adventure of a shark dive, while ensuring your safety at all times. Discover the wonders of the sea on the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii alongside a certified guide. Bring your own masks and snorkels or use the ones provided on board. Your guide will give you a safety briefing at the start of the tour and will answer all your questions concerning this special adventure. See up to 200 feet (60 meters) in the crystal-clear, cobalt blue water. Depending on the season, you will encounter such magnificent animals as the Hawaiian Green Sea turtles, playful dolphins, and Humpback whales. Admire the sharks from the ship's deck, or experience the rush of entering the shark cage which allows you to be only inches away from sharks that can grow up to 15 feet (5 meters) in length. Capture pictures with your underwater camera of their grace and majesty in the water. Have 20 minutes to marvel at the sharks and cherish this unforgettable moment. Up to 8 people can be in the cage at the same time, so you can experience the sharks with someone you love.

Oahu: Oahu Ultimate Grand Circle Island Tour

5. Oahu: Oahu Ultimate Grand Circle Island Tour

Discover the best of the island of Oahu on a guided day tour from Honolulu. Enjoy beautiful scenery and views from locations such as the Diamond Head State Monument, the Kahala Scenic Route, Makapu'u Point, and Turtle Beach as you learn about local history. After meeting in central Honolulu, depart to your first stop of the day, the Diamond Head State Monument. Stroll through the famous East Honolulu neighborhood and enjoy a breathtaking sunrise view over Maunalua Bay. Travel along the Kahala Scenic Route, known for its large concentration of expensive real estate and beachfront properties, which include some of the most expensive in the entire state. Visit the Halona Blowholetake "postcard-worthy" photos to show off to your friends. Continue to Makapu'u Point and capture stunning images of Rabbit Island's crater and cliffs. Experience firsthand why many famous movies were filmed at this location. Drive along Kauai's windward coast, from Waimanalo onward to Kualoa. Right before heading to Kualoa's Mac Nut Farm, stop for shave ice and ice cream. Try some free coffee samples, mac nuts, and take a picture in front of the Kamehameha Statue. Visit the appropriately named Turtle Beach on the North Shore and spot Green Hawaiian Sea Turtles. Enjoy some free time for swimming or sunbathing and this beautiful beach. Then, visit vintage farms and the surfer town of Hale'iwa as you learn about Hawaii's surfing culture and big wave competitions. Next, learn about Hawaiian pineapples at the Dole Plantation. Wander through the largest pineapple maze here, and you can find gifts for your loved ones. Finally, stop at the Green World Coffee Farm where you can enjoy samples of coffee and tea to sip while perusing the storefront. Afterward, relax on the journey back to Honolulu.

Oahu: Pearl Harbor, Arizona Memorial & Honolulu City Tour

6. Oahu: Pearl Harbor, Arizona Memorial & Honolulu City Tour

Hear fascinating stories on this tour of Pearl Harbor and downtown Honolulu. Witness the key sites and memorials to the 1941 attack, and experience the island's wartime history. Begin this tour with pickup in Waikiki. Travel first to Pearl Harbor and ride the navy launch to the USS Arizona Memorial. Visit the sombre monument above a sunken battleship from the day of the attack. Explore the memorials to the many groups who lost their lives, and pause to reflect at the wall of remembrance. Return to your waiting van for a historic tour of downtown Honolulu. Your expert guide will explain what it was like to live on the island during wartime. See sights including Iolani Palace, the State Capitol, King Kamehameha Statue and Aloha Tower as you learn about the fascinating history of this historic place.

Oahu: Waikiki Turtle Canyons Cruise and Snorkel Excursion

7. Oahu: Waikiki Turtle Canyons Cruise and Snorkel Excursion

Experience the magical underwater world of sea turtles. Dive under the waves with a snorkel and see the rainbow of tropical fish. Connect with the wide array of stunning marine life on this immersive tour. Start off with a cruise along the coast, where you can potentially spot spinner dolphins and humpback whales during the wither months. Once at the Turtle Canyons, you’ll get a brief lesson on snorkeling and your snorkeling equipment.  Snorkel alongside the sea turtles and tropical sea life under the supervision of a certified lifeguard, returning to the boat whenever you please to relax with complimentary refreshments.

Oahu: Honolulu Turtle Canyon Snorkeling Tour

8. Oahu: Honolulu Turtle Canyon Snorkeling Tour

Snorkel over coral reefs with green sea turtles on a guided boat tour from Honolulu. Look beneath the waves and have the chance to see sharks, stingrays, octopus, and colorful fish. Experience beautiful views of the Waikiki coastline on the way. Make your way to the dive shop and meet your guide and group for the day. Briefly go over the different snorkeling spots before cruising off the coast towards Turtle Canyon and enjoying the views of Oahu disappearing behind you. Warm up with a light surface session and see how many fish you can spot in the crystal clear water. Move on to one of the favorite reef sites in Honolulu and have the chance to swim alongside green sea turtles in their natural habitat at a safe distance. Get back into the boat and share your experience with your crew as you relax on deck and stare out into the stretching sea. Watch the shoreline of Waikiki coming quickly into view and return to the dive shop.

From Honolulu: Oahu Helicopter Tour with Doors On or Off

9. From Honolulu: Oahu Helicopter Tour with Doors On or Off

Hop aboard a helicopter and admire Oahu’s landmarks on a guided flight tour from Honolulu. See the Waikiki skyline from above, fly past Diamond Head, and round the volcanic cliffs to Makapu’u Lighthouse. Choose a private or shared tour, with your choice of an on-or-off door experience. Make your way to the local partner’s helipad to begin your experience. Ascend above the city and follow the Windward Coast, with breathtaking views of the Ko’olau Mountains in the distance. Listen to your guide's live tour commentary. Pass Lanikai Beach and see its gorgeous coral formations. Cruise over Kaneohe Bay and discover why this place is regarded as one of the most scenic locations on Earth. Glide past the “Chinaman’s Hat” off the east coast of Oahu. See the Ka’a’awa Valley—the historic home of the island’s kings. Plus, take in views of the lush rainforest surrounding the Sacred Falls. Continue onto the North Shore to spot surfers at the Banzai Pipeline and Waimea Bay. Loop back to Honolulu and get a glimpse of the pineapple-tastic Dole Plantation. Finally, pass over the iconic Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona Memorial, before returning to the helipad.

Oahu: Queens Waikiki Luau

10. Oahu: Queens Waikiki Luau

Get entry tickets to the Queens Waikiki Luau feast in Oahu, with traditional foods and entertainment. Enjoy cultural activities, Polynesian performances, and a buffet dinner, and drinks right in the heart of Honolulu. Sit back and relax as you go on a journey through Polynesia. This spectacular event includes unique cultural activities where you can learn the hula, delicious Hawaiian food, and an authentic Polynesian show. Begin with some cultural activities before you taste traditional flavors and finish by watching a Polynesian performance including the fireknife dance. Menu Rice Macaroni salad Tossed green salad with lilikoi dressing Kalua pig cabbage BBQ shoyu chicken Long rice noodles with garlic Steamed vegetables Cake with haupia drizzle

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Frequently asked questions about Honolulu

What top attractions are a must-see in Honolulu?

What are the best day trips and excursions from Honolulu?

The best day trips and excursions from Honolulu are:

Dole Plantation

Other Sightseeing Options in Honolulu

Want to discover all there is to do in Honolulu? Click here for a full list.

What people are saying about Honolulu

Overall rating

4.6 / 5

based on 8,293 reviews

This experience was amazing and I highly recommend it! I’ve told all of my friends and family that this is a must do activity for any vacation to Oahu. Our crew Brandon and Ford were so kind, knowledgeable, helpful, and made the entire experience that much better. They had complimentary water, they took photos, answered questions, and we even got the chance to see a turtle and a mother and baby whale. The boat was clean, safe, and had cool music and lights! It was also my boyfriend’s birthday and the crew made sure to go out of their way to make his day, everyone was so friendly, they even played a birthday song for him. I’m so grateful I booked this sunset cruise and will definitely be back! Thank you Brandon and Ford!

My daughter and I had a great time snorkeling with sea turtles and looking for dolphins. We did see some whales. We will return another day to see about those dolphins. The crew was fantastic!! Fresh pineapple was a treat! This was probably our best memory from the trip. We highly recommend.

Great experience. Andrew was our guide and took us on a all day tour of Oahu that included North Shore beaches, a coffee farm, a Buddhist temple, a botanical garden. We saw a rare monk seal and Humpback whales. Lunch stop was at a collection of food trucks with great native dishes.

Ryan was an excellent guide and the e-bikes were the best we have ridden. Great combo of riding and a bush-walk with lots of local information shared along the way. Thanks Ryan for a great family experience.

Fantastic way to see the island. We had a really memorable flight and experience