Top Hawaii Unique Experiences

Get a different perspective on Oahu by riding your own self-propelled electric submarine scooter through Maunalua Bay. Cruise past Diamond Head Crater, Koolau Mountain Range, and Koko Crater on a comfortable catamaran before an underwater adventure spotting green sea turtles, tropical fish, and coral reefs. After diving, relax on the boat with snacks and drinks while enjoying island stories.

After dark is an excellent time to see manta rays in the waters around the Island of Hawaii. This tour is designed for snorkelers; Ride Alongs stay on the boat and may or may not see manta rays. Enjoy watching the manta rays feeding at night and snorkeling close to them during this approximately 1-hour experience.

Have a unique Big Island experience snorkeling with manta rays on this tour. Take a short cruise out to the snorkeling site before dipping into the water to watch the manta rays up close. All necessary equipment will be provided for your excursion, as well as light refreshments and snacks. If you don't see manta rays on this excursion, book again for another night, free of charge.

Explore Oahu's waters on this submarine-style ride aboard the Atlantis Submarine. During this family-friendly adventure, learn about the local fish, coral, and other animals in this marine habitat through your guide's informative commentary. Descend 100 feet (30 meters) under the surface of the water without getting wet in a vehicle that is quiet and pollution-free, so marine life is undisturbed.

Discover a side of the Big Island of Hawaii that very few other travelers get to see on this one-of-a-kind submarine tour. Choose from multiple start times, head to the Kona coastline, and board the submarine. As you descend towards the colorful reef, peer through the portholes and spot fish and other marine life. Along the way, your on-board naturalist guide provides in-depth commentary about the aquatic sights.

Indulge a passion for both nature and chocolate on this tropical tasting tour of Princeville Botanical Gardens in Kauai. Explore the plants and flowers on a tour of the garden’s terraces, creek beds, and valley floor, stopping along the way to taste fresh Hawaiian fruit and honey. Rest your feet in a shady outdoor tasting area as you sample single-origin gourmet chocolates from around the world and learn how cocoa beans are transformed into delicious chocolate products.

Join a guided snorkeling tour at Wailea Point, Maui, designed for non-swimmers and first-time snorkelers. Spend time practicing floating and breathing in shallow water with life jackets and one-on-one guidance before exploring vibrant marine life and Hawaiian green sea turtles on a 15-foot (4.6-meter) inflatable board. This family-friendly experience welcomes all skill levels and provides high-quality gear for your comfort and safety.

Experience the thrill of meeting sharks face-to-face in the pristine waters of Oahu on this cage-diving adventure. See Hawaii's majestic hunters — Galapagos and Sandbar sharks in their natural environment — surrounded by the deep blue of Oahu’s North Shore. Observe from the safety of a floating cage. Stay on the surface, then using a mask and snorkel, look through large polyglass windows to watch the sharks as they gracefully glide by.

Imagine exploring the ocean floor on a submarine tour in Maui, pressing your face against circular portholes in search of reef sharks and fish. On the Maui Atlantis Submarine tour, descend over 100 feet (30m) in an air-conditioned sub, experiencing the sights, sounds, and scenes of life beneath the waves. Please be aware all passengers must be 36" or taller to ride the submarine, a fantastic adventure for all.

Explore the Big Island of Hawaii in your own VW Manx-style buggy with this independent 4- or 8-hour rental. Drive yourself around the island, stopping wherever you like for as long as you like (with the exception of off-road destinations). Stop by historical sites, volcanic sand beaches, and coffee farms; take the soft top off the buggy for unobstructed views and photo ops.

Experience Waikiki like a local with a private surfing lesson on Waikiki Beach. Begin at the Surf Center with a safety briefing and gear-up before heading to the ocean with your instructor. Learn to paddle out and stand up on the board, or take your surfing skills to the next level if you already know the basics. Hotel pickup is available for added convenience.

Kualoa Ranch is the lush, verdant setting for films like Jurassic Park and Pearl Harbor. Visiting this Northeast Shore location by horseback will take you farther into the valley and give you an authentic ranch experience. 1- or 2-hour options give you the flexibility to fit this tour into your busy schedule, and expert horse wranglers will ensure you a safe, fun ride through the Ka'a'awa Valley.

Feel the adrenaline rush of soaring from the top of Oahu’s longest ziplines on this guided tour. Start with a short ATV ride to the top of a mountain. Then enjoy spectacular panoramic ocean and mountain views of Oahu's famous North Shore from long, high and extra-quiet ziplines ranging from 500 to 2,400 feet. Along the way, encounter rappels, sky bridges, scenic boardwalks, and a couple of surprises for some fun activities that challenge in a safe and controlled way.

Soar high above the cinder cones of Haleakala Crater, and see hidden waterfalls, valleys, and bays on the rugged East Maui coastline that most visitors never behold on this helicopter tour. Along the way, listen to your pilot provide narration about the island and its top spots, and capture exceptional aerial photos of what you see out the window.

Set out from Oahu’s scenic North Shore to the depths of the big blue Pacific, where you have the chance to observe wild sharks from inside an underwater shark cage. Thanks to your professional, experienced crew, the Oahu shark dive is completely safe as they know the predators’ behavior, and the underwater cage provides proven safety against all different species of sharks. Whether you’re in the cage with sharks right in front of you or watching from up in the boat, Oahu shark diving is a Hawaii activity you’ll definitely never forget.

Swim with giant manta rays in their nighttime habitat on this boat tour from Kona. Travel offshore to watch the colorful Kona sunset, then jump in to swim with the docile rays as they feed on microscopic plankton. Follow your guides around the manta habitat and watch as the animals are attracted to the bright lights. All snorkel equipment, including flotation devices and wet suits, is included.

Leave your preconceptions about sharks at the door and get up close to these sleek creatures on this unique ocean experience. Head out from Haleiwa, on the North Shore of O’ahu, and spend around half an hour swimming with the sharks living in the area. Don’t worry, though: even if you aren’t swimming in a cage, you’re still in safe hands, with a guide on board and a safety diver swimming with each group.

Haleakala's summit sits at over 10,000 feet (3,048 meters) on Maui, and catching sunrise from the crater requires a pre-dawn drive up the mountain road plus a National Park reservation for sunrise viewing—logistics that are hard to manage solo on limited sleep. This tour covers the drive up Haleakala for sunrise, then a bike ride downhill from 6,500 feet (1,981 meters). Finally, hop aboard a shuttle to explore the town of Makawao.

Get an aerial view of two scenic Hawaiian Islands on a helicopter tour of Maui and Molokai from Kahului. Watch surfers riding Maui’s breaking waves, capture aerial images of Kahiwa Falls and the isolated North Shore, then turn towards the emerald-green Halawa Valley. Watch for whales and dolphins as you cross the Pailolo Channel, swoop over Maui’s lush rainforest, and take in views of waterfalls and volcanoes.

Don't leave Maui without trying out your surfing skills on the waves of the Pacific. During this lesson in Kihei, learn the basics from an instructor, who also tells you about ocean safety before heading into the water. Instruction is tailored to the skill level of each participant so you can enjoy a worthwhile experience.

Make the most of your time in the birthplace of surfing by learning to surf, Hawaiian style. In a small group of no more than five people per instructor, you will learn the fundamentals of surfing and ocean safety before getting into the water to ride your first wave. Lessons are timed to avoid crowds so you can enjoy plenty of space.

Learn to surf with this private lesson for two near Lahaina. Get individualized attention from an experienced instructor as you learn about catching waves, paddling techniques, and staying safe in the water. Your instructor guarantees that, by the end of the lesson, you'll have stood up and surfed a wave. A rash guard, soft-top surfboard and reef shoes are also included.

Test your skills out in the waves on this beginning surfing lesson in Maui. Led by an expert instructor, learn surf techniques and timing as you hit the warm waters of Lahaina Harbor. Receive personal attention from your instructor and top-of-the-line equipment to practice on. Photos of your small-group experience are also available for purchase.