THE TRUTH IS, HAWAII DOESN’T REALLY HAVE A WINTER
No, hear me out.
In summer, daytime temperatures around Honolulu sit in the mid-to-upper 80s°F. Come December and January—Hawaii’s supposed “winter”—you’re looking at daytime temperatures around the low 80s°F. We’re talking about a difference of roughly 5–7 degrees, not the 40-degree plunge much of mainland America understands as winter.
And the ocean itself? In late summer, it can reach around 80°F. At its coolest—usually February or March—it’s about 73–74°F. That is a difference of only 6–7 degrees across the entire year.
Snorkeling Is at #1—Again
And before it sounds like I have some personal campaign to get everybody in Hawaii wearing a mask and snorkel, I don’t make that decision; people do.
Roughly 4 in 10 Hawaii visitors snorkel, which works out to millions of people a year. And among visitors NOAA surveyed who went snorkeling or diving, close to 60% went out by charter boat.
1. Turtle Canyon Snorkel by Living Ocean Tours
Imagine this: it’s January. Back home, people are scraping ice from windshields, putting on 3 layers, and arguing about whose turn it is to shovel snow.
You?
You’re floating in 75°F Hawaiian water with a green sea turtle swimming underneath you.
Of course you are. Because, as we’ve already established, Hawaii doesn’t really do “winter” the way most Americans understand winter. The Hawaiian Islands’ near-shore water stays comfortable throughout the year, and Turtle Canyon is a year-round snorkeling destination.
Living Ocean Tours operates its Turtle Canyon Snorkel daily, so summer, fall, winter, spring—it really doesn’t matter.
And that’s exactly why I’d argue Turtle Canyon is one of the best Hawaii excursions, period.
So January in Hawaii?
75°F water, turtles below you, and possibly whales above the horizon.
Some winter.
2. A Helicopter Tour by Honolulu Helicopter Tours
Ocean excursions rank at the top for me in Hawaii. But if you can stretch the budget, there’s another way to see Oahu that is completely different: from the air.
Of course, when I’m climbing hundreds—or potentially thousands—of feet above an island in a helicopter, I become slightly more interested in a tour’s star rating than I am when choosing somewhere for lunch.
“4.8?” Very good. “4.9?” Excellent.
5.0? Give me that pilot.
That’s one reason I fly with Honolulu Helicopter Tours. The company has a 5.0 rating, and its flights run from a quick 18-minute flight to a full 60-minute island tour.
The 18-minute flight starts at around $269 and concentrates on Honolulu: Waikiki, Diamond Head, the shoreline, Diamond Head Lighthouse, and Downtown Honolulu. Want more? The 30-minute flight, starting around $279, continues beyond Diamond Head toward Oahu’s south shore, Koko Head, and Makapuʻu.
Then there’s the one I like the most: 60 minutes. It starts around $379 and takes you around almost the entire island—Waikiki, Pearl Harbor, Kaneohe Bay, Kaʻaʻawa’s “Jurassic” Valley, Sacred Falls, beaches, bays, and waterfalls.
If I had to choose only two Hawaii excursions, I’d snorkel beneath the surface—and then take a helicopter tour above it. One shows you the life hidden below Hawaii; the other shows you the beauty from on high.
3. Whale Watching Waikiki by Living Ocean Tours
There’s a reason the humpback whale became Hawaii’s official state marine mammal: every winter, these enormous animals come back.
And conveniently, so do we.
Only our version of “winter migration” involves escaping cold weather and vacationing somewhere with temperatures around 78°F during the day. Hawaii technically has a winter—November through April—but stand on a whale-watching boat in January with blue sky, warm air, and Waikiki behind you, and it can feel suspiciously like summer.
That’s why whale watching will always sit at #3 on my Hawaii excursion list.
Living Ocean concentrates its Whale Watching Waikiki Tour into January, February, and March, when humpbacks are at their peak around Oahu. These whales have traveled approximately 3,000 miles from northern feeding grounds to Hawaii’s warm waters to mate, give birth, and raise newborn calves. You might see a mom and baby traveling together, competing males chasing a female, a tail disappearing beneath the surface—or a whale launching itself out of the water.
One second everyone is chatting.
Then—
“WHALE!”
A 7-year-old squeals. Mom gasps. Dad points in completely the wrong direction. The 70-year-old beside them goes, “OH WOW!”
Living Ocean’s 1½-hour cruise starts at $49, accommodates ages 3+, and comes with a whale-sighting guarantee. No whales? You can take another trip free during that whale season.
How many will you see? Nobody can honestly promise that.
2? 5? More?
That’s wildlife.
4. Hanauma Bay Guided Snorkel Tour by Pure Aloha Adventures
You absolutely can visit Hanauma Bay without a tour. Make your reservation, bring or rent your snorkel gear, watch the required orientation video, walk down to the beach, and explore.
But personally? This is one place where I’d rather have a guide.
Hanauma Bay isn’t just another pretty beach. It became Hawaii’s first Marine Life Conservation District in 1967, and at one point its popularity became almost ridiculous—visitor numbers peaked at an estimated 10,000 people a day. Today, access is much more controlled to protect what everybody is coming to see.
And what are they coming to see?
Fish. Lots of them. Coral. Hawaiian green sea turtles if you’re lucky. Possibly even a Hawaiian monk seal.
That’s why I like Pure Aloha Adventures’ Hanauma Bay Guided Snorkel Tour. Their groups are limited to just 5 people, the whole experience takes about 2 hours, and roughly 1 hour is spent snorkeling with the guide actually in the water with you. They also provide the equipment, flotation gear, and snorkel instruction, and experienced guides take you toward the better areas of the reef—including the outside reef when conditions allow.
Could I go there myself?
Sure.
But I’d rather have somebody beside me saying, “Look over there—that’s where the turtles usually hang out,” than spend an hour enthusiastically snorkeling over the wrong patch of reef.
And when the tour finishes? You can stay at Hanauma Bay as long as you like.
5. The North Shore by The Surf Bus
If you want to understand why surfing and Hawaii are almost inseparable, get out of Honolulu for a day and head to Oahu’s North Shore.
Especially in winter.
For about 7 miles, this coastline contains names that surfers know all over the world: Waimea Bay. Sunset Beach. Banzai Pipeline. Between November and February, the North Pacific starts sending enormous swells toward Oahu, and waves can rise to around 30 feet+. Major surfing competitions are held here because these aren’t beginner waves—they attract some of the best surfers on Earth.
And unless you particularly enjoy finding parking while thousands of other people have had exactly the same idea, I think one of the nicest ways to experience it is on The Surf Bus.
The company is rated about 4.9 stars, and its North Shore tour lasts roughly 9 hours, with Waikiki hotel pickup and drop-off included.
You’ll see Pipeline, Sunset Beach, Waimea Bay, Haleʻiwa, and Turtle Beach. The Surf Bus also builds activities into the day. Depending on conditions, you can choose things such as Waimea Falls, biking, kayaking, SUP, or snorkeling; you can take 2 activities, or exchange one for lunch.
Ultimately, Waikiki has waves.
But the North Shore has WAVES.
Best Hawaii Excursions from Honolulu FAQs
What are kid-friendly things to do in Honolulu, Waikiki?
Family things to do in Honolulu usually include snorkeling, visiting the Honolulu zoo, a sunset cruise, and exploring the Kualoa Ranch.
Are there free things to do in Honolulu, Waikiki?
Yes. Some of the best things to do in Honolulu cost nothing at all. You can relax on Waikiki Beach, watch the sunset over the Pacific, hike Diamond Head (small entry fee for non-residents), or explore Kuhio Beach and its evening hula shows.
What are the best evening activities in Honolulu?
Popular evening things to do in Waikiki include beachfront dining, live music along the strip, and the Friday night fireworks display. Likewise, fun family things to do in Honolulu include sunset cruises and luaus, which are traditional Hawaiian feasts.
Do you need a car for things to do in Waikiki?
Not necessarily. Many things to do in Waikiki are within walking distance of major hotels. For activities outside the immediate area—like North Shore tours or Pearl Harbor—shuttles are widely available.
What outdoor activities are popular for families in Honolulu?
Outdoor family things to do in Honolulu include surfing lessons, snorkeling tours, stand-up paddleboarding, hiking Diamond Head, and boat cruises along the coastline.
