If you ask the question—what is the most interesting must-do thing in Hawaii—the answer is always the same. In fact, roughly 80% of visitors rank this activity in their top three things to do. Not top ten—top three.
The Wondrous Waters of Hawaii
Snorkeling sits right at the top of ocean-based activities. If you had to rank it? It’s easily in the top 1–2 things visitors plan before they even land. If you were in Paris, you’d see the Eiffel Tower. If you were in New York, you’d walk through Central Park. In Hawaii? You take a cruise.
Of course, when you mention that you’re going on a snorkeling or sunset cruise in Honolulu to a local, they almost smile before you finish the sentence. What they’re actually thinking is, “Well… yeah. Obviously.”
But the first question they ask? “Sure… but you’re going with who?”
If you don’t answer quickly, they will say, “Go with Living Ocean Tours.”
1. Deluxe Snorkel & Cruise by Living Ocean Tours
You don’t listen to what one person has to say when you’re looking for the best snorkeling tour in Hawaii. You listen to the people who’ve already gone before you. Of course, you can’t ask all of them personally. But you can see what more than 6,000 people had to say about Living Ocean’s snorkeling cruise.
When you take a peek at their reviews, the 5-star rating from 6,000+ people catches your attention straight away. After that, you’ll keep seeing the same comments: “great value,” “amazing crew,” and “unforgettable experience.”
Their Deluxe Waikiki Snorkeling Cruise lasts 2.5 hours, beginning with a scenic cruise along the Waikiki coastline toward Diamond Head before anchoring over a coral reef.
Once you’re in the water, you’ll snorkel above tropical fish, coral reef systems, and Hawaiian green sea turtles.
But another reason the tour stands out is what happens between the snorkeling.
There’s the waterslide. The trampoline. The floating lily pad. So if someone in your group gets tired of snorkeling after 20 or 30 minutes, the fun doesn’t suddenly stop. Kids love that. Couples love that. Even adults who thought they’d “just relax on the boat” usually end up in the water too.
And then there’s the SeaKeeper stabilizer. People who normally worry about motion sickness often mention how comfortable and stable the boat feels.
Of course, nothing in life is ever guaranteed. But if 6,000+ people gave this tour 5 stars… any guess what your star rating would be?
2. Luau Dinner with Hawaiian Show by Queens Waikiki Luau
Look at almost any “Top Things To Do in Hawaii” list and you’ll notice that snorkeling usually takes the #1 spot. Then comes the luau in second place.
Almost everyone finds something to love about a luau. Couples, families, grandparents, honeymooners, even people who normally “don’t like shows.” A luau mixes entertainment, storytelling, food, Polynesian dancing, fire performances, and Hawaiian history into one evening.
One of the most popular luaus in Hawaii is the Queens Waikiki Luau. It takes place right in Waikiki at the International Market Place, so people staying nearby can easily walk there instead of driving across the island.
You also get options depending on your budget. There’s general seating, premium seating closer to the stage, and VIP-style packages with upgraded views and extras. The evening usually includes a Hawaiian buffet dinner, live Hawaiian music, hula dancing, Polynesian performances, and fire knife dancing—the part many people wait for all night.
Another reason it stays so popular? Some luaus lean heavily into history and tradition. Others feel more like a dinner show. Queens Waikiki Luau sits somewhere in the middle, which works well for families, couples, and first-time Hawaii visitors. And because it’s in Waikiki itself, many people finish dinner and walk straight back onto Kalākaua Avenue afterward… already talking about their favorite part of the night.
3. Waikiki Sunset Cruise by Living Ocean Tours
According to travel data, if 10 people visit Waikiki, roughly 6 or 7 will book an ocean activity at sunset—whether that’s a catamaran sail, dinner cruise, fireworks cruise, or sunset snorkeling cruise.
This is because sunset cruises appeal to almost every type of traveler: couples, families, honeymooners, groups of friends, even people who normally don’t book tours.
With Living Ocean’s sunset cruise, you’ll board the boat at 6 pm, head out along the Waikiki coastline toward Diamond Head, and watch the sunset from the water for about 90 minutes.
The cruise itself starts at around $49 per person. Some guests bring their own drinks with the BYOB option, while others choose the cash bar with beer, wine, and seltzers available onboard. Snacks, sodas, juice, and water are included, too.
Another thing people seem to love is the atmosphere. The boat cruises past Waikiki as the skyline slowly lights up and Diamond Head starts glowing orange behind the city.
Living Ocean’s Google reviews are a huge part of why the cruise keeps getting attention, too. The tour operator currently holds a 5-star rating from more than 6,400 people across all their tours. A lot of sunset cruises have good ratings, but very few keep a perfect score once thousands of people start reviewing them.
4. Walk Kalākaua Avenue
Kalākaua Avenue is basically the center of Waikiki. The road runs right alongside Waikiki Beach, lined with palm trees, luxury hotels, surf shops, restaurants, street performers, designer stores, open-air bars, and people walking around at almost every hour of the day.
But what makes it special isn’t just the shops.
It’s the atmosphere.
You can stand there at 9 pm in flip-flops, holding shaved ice or an iced coffee and still feel energy everywhere around you. One side of the street has the beach and ocean a few steps away. The other side has live music spilling out of restaurants, people shopping late, couples walking after dinner, and tourists stopping every few minutes to take photos.
It also connects many of Waikiki’s biggest hotels and attractions together. So whether someone is heading to Waikiki Beach, a sunset cruise, the International Market Place, the Royal Hawaiian area, or a luau, there’s a good chance they’ll walk along the heart of Waikiki at some point.
5. Pearl Harbor National Memorial
A lot of kids probably won’t enjoy Pearl Harbor National Memorial the same way they’d enjoy snorkeling, a waterslide boat tour, or a luau. That’s true. But Pearl Harbor usually ranks highly for a different reason.
People visit because it’s historically important.
For many adults, standing above the USS Arizona Memorial and realizing more than 1,100 sailors are still beneath the water makes a lot of people emotional.
That said, whether kids enjoy it depends a lot on their age and personality.
Some younger children get restless because parts of the visit involve reading exhibits, listening to narration, and standing respectfully in quieter spaces. Teenagers often connect with it more—especially once they understand the importance of what happened here on December 7, 1941.
Families also usually do Pearl Harbor alongside more fun Hawaii activities. They might do Pearl Harbor in the morning, then spend the afternoon at Waikiki Beach, snorkeling, or at a pool.
Many parents still bring younger kids because Pearl Harbor is one of those places people feel they should experience at least once while in Hawaii—even if the children mainly remember “the big ship,” the airplanes, or the boat ride out to the memorial years later.
Hawaii Must Do Things 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.
