Private Gondola Cruise Waikiki: Venetian boat with live serenade

Glide past Diamond Head and the city skyline on a Venetian gondola while a gondolier sings

A private gondola cruise on Oahu's Waikiki Harbor pairs a Venetian boat with a live gondolier who serenades your group of up to four passengers. You drift for roughly an hour past Magic Island, the Duke Kahanamoku Statue, and views of Diamond Head and the Honolulu skyline, greeted with a lei and served dessert and drinks. A short laser light show under the bridge plays if conditions allow.

Step-by-step itinerary

Relaxing private gondola cruise

• Board gondola at Waikiki Beach Marina
• Cruise along Ala Wai harbor and canal
• View Honolulu city skyline and rainbows
• Enjoy wide view of Diamond Head
• Coast along Magic Island
• Receive hop on hop off bus vouchers

What’s included

• A private Venetian gondola cruise for up to four passengers.
• a live gondolier who serenades your group.
• a traditional Hawaiian lei greeting.
• dessert and drinks.
• an umbrella and blanket for use during the cruise.
• the Tiny Bubbles show and Nick Puppy Georgio show.
• a short laser light display under the bridge if conditions allow.
• vouchers for the hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus in Waikiki.

Times

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• Every day 17:00 18:15 19:30

Information

Drift along Waikiki Harbor and Magic Island on a private Venetian gondola with a live gondolier who serenades you while you enjoy lei, dessert and drinks.

Group Private 9 similar group tours ›

Live guide English

Meeting point and pickup No hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point. See the exact address

Book up to the start time

Cancellation and refunds Free 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.

Good to know

Low physical effort Public transport nearby Infants must sit on laps

More information The exact meeting point address, the operator’s instructions and every other detail are in the full listing. See the full listing

Traveler reviews

5.00 ★★★★★ Exceptional 2 verified traveler reviews

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The experience

The gondola leaves from the marina next to Waikiki Beach and follows the Ala Wai canal for about 45 minutes on daytime cruises or a full hour on the sunset sailings at 6 pm and 7:15 pm. You'll see the Honolulu city skyline from the water, and depending on the time of day, either the glistening lights of the city after dark or a sunset. Rainbows sometimes appear depending on weather. Diamond Head, the dormant volcanic cone that dominates Oahu's skyline, stays visible throughout the cruise, and you pass the man-made lagoon at Magic Island.

The gondolier serenades your group as you drift, and you're greeted with a traditional Hawaiian lei when you board. Dessert and drinks come with the cruise, along with an umbrella and blanket if you need them. A short laser show plays under the bridge if conditions allow, and you can add a personalized message during the show for an extra fee: proposals and birthdays are common requests.

At the end of the cruise you receive vouchers for the hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus that runs through Waikiki from 10 am to 8 pm, with stops at hotels, the Duke Kahanamoku Statue, and Ala Moana Shopping Center. The gondola holds up to four passengers, and all passengers' names and weights must be provided when booking to ensure the boat stays within its weight limit.

Top questions

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.

What's the difference between the daytime and sunset gondola cruises in Waikiki?

Daytime cruises from 9 am to 5 pm last about 45 minutes and show the Honolulu skyline and Diamond Head in daylight, with possible rainbows depending on weather. Sunset cruises at 6 pm and 7:15 pm run for a full hour and let you watch the city lights come on and the sun drop over the water.

Can I bring my own drinks or food on the gondola?

Dessert and drinks are included with the cruise. If you bring your own bottle, there is a $14 corkage fee.

What happens during the laser show under the bridge?

A short laser light display plays under the bridge if weather conditions allow. You can add a personalized message (for proposals, birthdays or other occasions) for an extra fee. Call for pricing.

How many people can fit on the gondola?

The gondola holds up to four passengers. All passengers' names and weights must be provided at booking because the boat has a maximum total weight capacity.

What do I get after the gondola cruise ends?

You receive vouchers for the hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus that runs through Waikiki from 10 am to 8 pm, with stops at multiple hotels, the Duke Kahanamoku Statue, and Ala Moana Shopping Center.

Operated by Waikiki Gondola Experiences. Explorevia does not run this tour: we compare it with similar options, and you book it with our booking partner.

Prices and times updated 12 days ago