Honolulu is far beyond just a cruise stop – rather, it’s the kind of port that makes you want to start planning your return before you even leave. With its breathtaking mix of volcanic landscapes, turquoise bays, world-class dining, and deep Hawaiian cultural roots, there’s no shortage of adventures to be had.

I’m here to ensure you make the most of your time in O’ahu, with this curated list of can’t-miss experiences. I’ve detailed the 5 top Honolulu shore excursions on the island, that are well worth your valuable time and money. Let’s jump right in!

Best Honolulu Cruise Excursions

	Pearl Harbor USS Arizona Memorial & Battleship Missouri	Turtle Canyon Snorkel Excursion from Waikiki, Hawaii	Paina Waikiki Luau at Waikiki Beach Marriott
Duration:	6 to 7 hours	2 hours	3 hours
Departure:	Hotel/Cruise port pickup and drop-off included	Living Ocean Tours, 1125 Ala Moana Blvd Slip B-01, Honolulu	Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa, 2552 Kalākaua Ave, Honolulu
Start:	8:30 AM	9:00 AM, 12:30 PM, 2:30 PM	5:15 PM
Includes:	Ticket Included for a Boat ride to USS Arizona Memorial, Admission ticket to the USS Battleship Missouri included, Convenient Pickup/Drop off from cruise terminal	Use of snorkeling equipment, light refreshments, snacks, professional guide	Fresh flower lei, lei-making demonstrations & temporary Polynesian tattoos, dinner, fire knife dancing finale, luau music and dance performance, alcoholic beverages
	Tour Information & Booking	Tour Information & Booking	Tour Information & Booking

Quick Answer: The 5 Best Rated Honolulu Shore Excursions For 2025

1. Pearl Harbor USS Arizona Memorial & Battleship Missouri
2. Turtle Canyon Snorkel Excursion from Waikiki, Hawaii
3. Paina Waikiki Luau at Waikiki Beach Marriott
4. Oahu’s Ultimate Tour: Dole, Turtle Snorkel, Pali Lookout & More
5. Hanauma Bay Snorkeling

Honolulu Shore Excursion Reviews

1. Pearl Harbor USS Arizona Memorial & Battleship Missouri

While Honolulu is known for its friendly locals and sunny atmosphere, this first excursion is one with a bit more emotional heft. The Pearl Harbor USS Arizona Memorial & Battleship Missouri experience is sure to stay with you, complete with a local expert guide there to fill you in on much more than just the general facts.

With all logistics covered, you don’t have to worry about planning anything except for having a fascinating, introspective day. Kick things off in the morning with a convenient hotel pickup, taking an easy ride over to Pearl Harbor, with your guide filling you in on some historical context along the way.

Visiting the Arizona Memorial is undeniably powerful, and standing above the sunken battleship makes falling into a reflective silence virtually unavoidable. I appreciated how respectful the tour guides were, and many of them were veterans themselves.

From there, we headed over to the USS Missouri (aka the Mighty Mo), which changes the vibe a bit from more of “remembrance” to awe. There are no words to describe what it feels like to walk the decks where WWII formally ended, and the onboard exhibits give this time in history a more “human” feel.

I’m a huge fan of battleships, so I had a great time nerding out, but even if you aren’t particularly into that, I’m sure you’ll find it fascinating! After that, take time to pass by the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, which honors men and women who’ve served in the US Armed Forces and who’ve given their lives for the country.

This tour is a fine blend of sobering reality, honor, and sacrifice, all bundled into an organized itinerary with friendly, passionate guides.

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

2. Turtle Canyon Snorkel Excursion from Waikiki, Hawaii

Perhaps you’re on the hunt for a more brief shore excursion, or a more immersive nature experience. The Turtle Canyon Snorkel Excursion from Waikiki, Hawaii, fits the bill perfectly on both accounts, leaving all the guesswork and logistics to the pros so you can spend your time exploring under the surface, bursting with wildlife!

This tour is basically peak O’ahu energy: laidback, magical Mother Nature with friendly locals there to help. Clocking in at 2 hours long and with plenty of different start times to choose from, it’s one of the most convenient shore excursions out there.

We met up with our crew and boarded the catamaran, instantly enjoying the friendly, funny, and experienced group of people there to lead the way. They took us through a proper safety briefing to ensure everyone had a good time while remaining safe, and to keep a lookout for sea critters on the trip out.

Hawaii is known for its majestic, noble green sea turtles, and it’s easy to understand why. Not only are they adorable and charming, but they have quite fascinating habits and a legendary history behind them!

We got to explore the Turtle Canyons, where we had the chance to swim with them, schools of fish, and more. If you’ve never snorkeled before, this is actually a fantastic opportunity to learn how to do so with patient and knowledgeable crew members there to keep you safe and feeling confident in your skills.

Of course, all snorkeling gear comes included, and they thoughtfully brought along snacks for us to munch on, which were very much welcome after snorkeling in the sun! If you really want to get in touch with Hawaii’s raw, unedited natural beauty, this is a must-do!

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

3. Paina Waikiki Luau at Waikiki Beach Marriott

Perhaps you’re looking for a shore excursion that’s a little lower on the adrenaline scale in exchange for culture, flavor, good vibes, and history. The Paina Waikiki Luau at Waikiki Beach Marriott brings the type of evening that feels both festive and genuinely rooted in Hawaiian tradition.

However, there are a ton of luaus on the island to choose from – if you’re more drawn to intimate, immersive ones rather than the massive crowds, this is just what you’re searching for.

Upon arrival at the Waikiki Beach Marriott, you’ll notice right off the bat just how friendly and organized the staff is. You’ll be greeted in the only way one should at a Hawaiian luau – with a beautiful lei and a mai tai cocktail.

Arrive at your seat and soak in the picture-perfect setting with swaying palms, ocean breeze, and a sunset that envelopes the postcard-esque view all in gold.

The staff was super attentive, and the food was absolutely delicious, with a wide variety of selections designed to suit everyone. You have local favorites like kalua pork, fresh island fish, lomi salmon, and plenty of desserts that I couldn’t get enough of.

The portions were all quite generous, and that alone would’ve honestly been enough to draw me in, but the entertainment was unforgettable.

All of the dancers and musicians were so talented, and they all worked together to lead us through Hawaiian and Polynesian traditions and history through storytelling. For an easygoing, beautiful evening perfect for couples, families, or solo travelers, this can’t be beat.

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

4. Oahu’s Ultimate Tour: Dole, Turtle Snorkel, Pali Lookout & More

If you’re searching for quite possibly the most comprehensive Oahu shore excursion out there, the Oahu’s Ultimate Tour: Dole, Turtle Snorkel, Pali Lookout & More adventure has you covered. It’s high-energy, highlight-packed, and comes with an itinerary curated by expert locals who are there to give you an educational, fun day out on the island.

If you’re limited in time or simply get a lay of the land, this one really makes the most of your day with visits to many top attractions. Start things off at 7:00 am with a convenient hotel pickup (or at the port), in a comfy, spacious, climate-controlled bus. They provided us with coffee and tea, and that, combined with a gorgeous sunrise at Diamond Head really was the perfect way to start the day.

Check out the lush coastline, legendary North Shore surf, and charming beach towns that feel like they’re out of a movie. We had plenty of time for photos, snacks, and storytime, with a nice pacing that never felt rushed nor that we were wasting time.

Admittedly, I thought a visit to the Dole Plantation was going to be rather dull, but it surprised me (in a good way) with some interesting stories and even a train ride!

We went on a little snorkeling adventure with some cute sea turtles before making our way to get snacks at the Macadamia Nut Farm and Kahuku Farms to tide us over before lunch in Haleiwa. Here, you can try just about every fruit you can imagine, from mango and coconut to dragon fruit, egg fruit, ice cream bananas, and more!

There were a bunch of different food trucks here, including tacos, burgers, and even a beer garden!

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

5. Hanauma Bay Snorkeling

If you have to choose just one activity to partake in on your next Honolulu shore excursion, it has to be snorkeling. Why? Because it encompasses what the island is all about: crystal-clear water, rich marine life, zero stress, and a genuine appreciation of Mother Nature.

The Hanauma Bay Snorkeling excursion is the perfect way to do it, as it’s one of the most comprehensive of its kind, in a protected marine sanctuary with locals there to lead the way.

You’ll start right at the crack of dawn, departing from the most convenient pickup point for you and heading off in comfy transportation to the bay. If you prefer, you can also choose to do a tour later in the day, which tends to be busier but warmer.

Getting to experience Hanauma Bay in general is a gift, considering that you can’t just go on a whim – you have to have a reservation if you’re not a local resident. It’s one of the most incredible places I’ve been, with a rich history involving Native Hawaiians and even Hawaiian Royalty.

Your guide will fill you in, bringing history to life with their amazing storytelling in a way that just makes sense and is much more entertaining than just reading from a script.

All snorkeling equipment is there for your use, so you don’t have to worry about renting or purchasing any gear yourself. You can tell everything was of high quality, clean, and well-maintained, which just speaks to everything else about the tour.

We had plenty of time to enjoy the breathtaking views and then geared up with the help of our guides and dove right in! I think it’s probably next to impossible not to see any marine life, as it’s filled to the brim with tropical fish, turtles, coral reefs, and much more.

I’d recommend this tour to anyone looking for some time with stunning sea life!

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience