Honolulu: Pearl Harbor, Dole Plantation & Polynesian Center from Kauai

Three of Oahu's biggest sites in one day, with the flight from Kauai already arranged

You fly from Kauai to Honolulu in the morning, spend the day at Pearl Harbor (with the USS Arizona Memorial boat ride), Dole Plantation (with Dole Whip and souvenirs), the North Shore's famous surf beaches, and the Polynesian Cultural Center (with canoe rides, village tours, and a barbecue lunch). Entry tickets and your local guide are included. You fly back to Kauai in the evening.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each4 stops

1. USS Arizona MemorialEntry included1h
2. Dole Plantation1h
3. North Shorepassing by
4. Polynesian Cultural CenterEntry included3h

Visit Pearl Harbor, Dole Plantation, Polynesian Center

• Explore Pearl Harbor exhibits
• Watch USS Arizona documentary
• Boat ride to USS Arizona Memorial
• Visit USS Arizona Memorial
• Shop at Dole Plantation Store
• Try frozen Dole Whip treat
• Walk to Rainbow Eucalyptus trees
• Arrive at Polynesian Cultural Center
• Explore Polynesian villages and traditions
• Meet islanders and watch dances
• Take canoe ride between villages
• Learn spear throwing and cooking
• Enjoy Polynesian Canoe Pageant
• Relax with barbecue lunch

The experience

You want to see Pearl Harbor, taste what Dole Plantation is really about, and spend time at the Polynesian Cultural Center, but you're staying on Kauai and the logistics feel like a whole separate trip. That's the thing this tour handles: round-trip airfare from Lihue to Honolulu is included, so you don't book two tickets and a rental car and hope the timing works. Your guide meets you when you land, and the three stops (Pearl Harbor, Dole Plantation, North Shore, and the Polynesian Cultural Center) unfold in one day without you having to piece it together.

Pearl Harbor hits differently when you're standing there. You start with exhibits on the December 7, 1941 attack, then watch a 23-minute documentary, and then take a 10-minute boat ride out to the USS Arizona Memorial itself: the white, open-air structure built over the sunken battleship. The oil droplets that still rise from the wreck are called "The Tears of the Arizona." A Remembrance Wall lists the names of 1,177 crew members. The National Park Service asks visitors to keep silence on the memorial, and the quiet there is real. After that, you drive to Dole Plantation, where you can walk through the Plantation Store, grab a Dole Whip (the pineapple soft-serve thing people actually talk about), and see the Rainbow Eucalyptus trees with their wild, multi-colored bark if you have time.

The drive to the North Shore is when you start to feel the island shift. You pass Banzai Pipeline, Waimea Bay, and Sunset Beach, the legendary surf spots, and the views open up to the Pacific, green mountains, and the kind of coastline that makes you understand why people move here. Then you arrive at the Polynesian Cultural Center, which is the part of the day that changes pace entirely. You're walking through six separate villages representing Hawaii, Tahiti, Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, and New Zealand. You can take a canoe ride between villages, learn Tahitian spear throwing, watch Samoan cooking demonstrations, and sit through the Polynesian Canoe Pageant: a performance with music and dance from across the Pacific. Lunch is a barbecue included with your entry. By the time you're done, you've moved through three completely different experiences and you're ready for the flight back to Kauai.

A few things to know: bags aren't allowed inside Pearl Harbor (storage is $7), so travel light or plan to leave things in the van. Wear comfortable walking shoes. You'll cover ground at each stop. The USS Arizona Memorial passes are subject to availability. If advance passes sell out, you join the standby line, which is not guaranteed. Meals beyond the barbecue lunch at the Cultural Center are on you, so bring cash for the Dole Whip, roadside stands, and local shops: many don't take cards. The whole day is 12+ hours, and it's not recommended if you can't walk the equivalent of four city blocks across the different sites.

What’s included

Your day includes round-trip airfare from Lihue to Honolulu, entry tickets to Pearl Harbor, Dole Plantation, and the Polynesian Cultural Center (provided by your guide on the morning of your tour), a local guide sharing stories throughout the day, an air-conditioned vehicle for all transfers and drives, a 10-minute boat ride to the USS Arizona Memorial, time at Dole Plantation to explore the store and try a Dole Whip, a scenic drive along the North Shore past Banzai Pipeline and Waimea Bay, canoe rides and village tours at the Polynesian Cultural Center, a barbecue lunch at the Cultural Center, and the Polynesian Canoe Pageant performance. Meals beyond the included barbecue are at your own expense.

Information

Lasts 9h–10h, runs every day except Wednesday and Sunday at 07:00, from US$ 479.99 per person, with a live guide in English, in groups of up to 15 and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery day except Wednesday and SundayDeparts at 07:00Another time? ›

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglishOther languages ›

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 3 pickup points.

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Infant (under 3): free

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Aloha Sunshine Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you're on Kauai and want to see three of Oahu's major sites in one day without arranging separate flights, rental cars, and tickets. The airfare and logistics are already woven into the itinerary, which is what makes a full island experience possible in a single day.

Traveler reviews

4.91★★★★★★★★★★

313 verified traveler reviews

5 ★292

4 ★16

3 ★4

2 ★1

1 ★0

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 11 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

Is airfare from Kauai really included?

Yes. Round-trip airfare from Lihue Airport to Honolulu International Airport is included in the tour price. Seasonal surcharges may apply.

What happens if I can't get an advance USS Arizona Memorial pass?

If advance passes are unavailable, you'll join the National Park Service standby line. Admission is based on available space and is not guaranteed, though standby access is usually available.

Can I bring a bag into Pearl Harbor?

No. Bags and purses are not allowed inside Pearl Harbor. You can store them for $7 each, or bring a clear plastic bag (like those allowed at sporting events) with visible contents.

Is lunch included?

A barbecue lunch is included at the Polynesian Cultural Center. Other meals are at your own expense. Bring cash for snacks, Dole Whip, and local food vendors.

How long is the full day?

The tour is 12+ hours, including the flight from Kauai, all three stops, and the return flight.

Do I need to be fit for this tour?

The tour is suitable for all fitness levels, but it's not recommended for travelers who cannot walk the equivalent of four city blocks across the different sites.

What should I wear?

Wear comfortable walking shoes. Swimwear is not allowed at any of the sites. Bring sunscreen and a light layer. You'll be in and out of air-conditioned vehicles and open-air spaces.

Can I bring food and water?

Yes. Food and water that is not concealed in a package are allowed. Concealed food requires a package.