Hawaii’s Top Shore Excursions

Whether you’re departing from New York, New Zealand, Tokyo or Los Angeles, a cruise is a fabulous way to see the Hawaiian Islands. Not only does cruising give you the unique ability to visit each island without the need for a rental car or making a fuss about accommodations, but it's also a great way to experience some of the best sights that the Aloha State has to offer.

Below are six noteworthy shore excursions not to be missed in Hawaii.  

Volcanoes National Park

For a fiery good time, make your way to Hawaii Island (Big Island) where travelers can explore Volcanoes National Park, a massive park that’s home to Mauna Loa and Kilauea, two of the most active volcanoes in the world. Erupting every two to three years on average, millions of visitors flock to the park each year to catch a glimpse of these tectonic hotspots.

The typical shore excursion to Volcanoes National Park covers a variety of landscapes from rainforests and waterfalls to craters and black sand beaches. Once inside the park, explore a portion of the 150 miles of hiking trails, peruse the Visitor Center and take advantage of the numerous scenic outlooks along the way. If you’re lucky, your excursion might even include a pitstop at the Akatsuka Orchid Garden, a beautiful spot displaying over 500 orchids.

Hop aboard Celebrity Cruises and enjoy their Circle of Fire and Waterfalls shore excursion to see the above sights and more by Helicopter. Now that’s a sky-high adventure.    

Pearl Harbor USS Arizona Memorial

A must-see for any history buff, the Pearl Harbor USS Arizona Memorial is an easy and worthwhile shore excursion from Honolulu. During this tour, visitors will learn about the USS Arizona Memorial, the final resting place for 1,177 crew members who passed away on December 7, 1941, during the attack on Pearl Harbor. Tours inside the memorial are self-guided and include a short historical film featuring authentic footage from the Pearl Harbor attack, access to the Shrine Room and a glimpse at battleship wreckage and the ‘tears of the Arizona’.  

Holland America Line helps visitors relive history with year-round cruises to Hawaii and their Pearl Harbor, Honolulu & The Mighty Mo shore excursion.

Kualoa Ranch

Calling all movie buffs, did you know that several beloved Hollywood classics were filmed at Oahu’s Kualoa Ranch? Also referred to as ‘the Backlot of Hawaii’, Jurassic Park, George of the Jungle, Godzilla, Fifty First Dates, Kong: Skull Island and Jumanji - Welcome to the Jungle are just a few of the many flicks where Kualoa Ranch acted as a backdrop for the silver screen. And you can get in on the movie magic, too with a tour of this epic attraction.

The Jurassic Adventure Tour and the Hollywood Movie Sites & Ranch Tour are ideal for those looking to walk in the footsteps of their favorite stars, but they aren’t the only thing that Kualoa Ranch has to offer. If you’re feeling adventurous, try one of the ranch’s many adrenaline-inducing activities like the Ocean Voyage Adventure, the Jurassic Valley Zipline, the Electric Mountain Bike or the 2 Hour Horseback Walking Tour. 

Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line, Carnival and many other cruise lines offer shore excursions to this beautiful spot. 

Polynesian Cultural Center and Luau

What’s an adventure in Hawaii without a traditional luau? And what better place to fully immerse yourself in island culture than a visit to the award-winning Polynesian Cultural Center? Docking in Oahu, this excursion begins with a drive up the island’s stunning coastline offering views of its world-renowned beaches along the way. After about 90-minutes, visitors will find The Polynesian Cultural Center, a historical spot that dates back to 1864 and focuses on preserving the customs and culture of old Polynesia.

Located on 42-acres of land, The Polynesian Cultural Center is sizable and pays tribute to seven authentic island customs such as Tongan drumming, coconut tree climbing, traditional dances from throughout the region, a collection of Long Canoes and more. Finally, it’s time for the Ali’i Luau, one of the most authentic luaus in Oahu where visitors will indulge in a scrumptious feast, observe ancient dances and enjoy a variety of Polynesian music styles, all while donning a lei, of course.  

If this sounds like your kind of party, Princess Cruises, amongst other cruise lines, offers a fabulous shore excursion to the Polynesian Cultural Center that is sure to be an adventure of a lifetime. 

Waimea Canyon

Once called, “the Grand Canyon of the Pacific,” by Mark Twain, Kauai’s Waimea Canyon is nothing short of spectacular—think lush vegetation, dramatic cliff lines and majestic waterfalls. On a shore excursion to this natural wonder, travelers will enjoy panoramic views of picture-perfect sights like the Spouting Horn, the Poipu surf channels and more. Pair this with local legends of a giant hissing lizard that lives within the canyon’s natural lava tubes for a simply magical experience.

You’re sure to find a shore excursion to Waimea Canyon with most any cruise line that offers voyages to Hawaii, there are also local tours available upon arriving at the islands.

Whale Watching

Each year more than 10,000 humpback whales migrate to Hawaii between the months of November and early May to reproduce and raise their calves in safe waters. Of all the islands, Maui is the most saturated with humpback whales making it the perfect place to embark on a whale watching tour.

The average whale watching tour lasts anywhere between two to five hours and is a great way to get an up-close-and-personal look at these magnificent creatures. And when we say close we mean close, Ultimate Whalewatch & Snorkel, for example, has specially designed rafted vessels that sit close to the water to ensure that everyone on the tour has a front-row seat. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself in the splash zone as the whales perform their signature tail throws, pectoral slaps, spy hops and more.