Waikiki Gondola Cruise: Venetian Boat with Lei & Pastries

Drift past Diamond Head and Magic Island in a Venetian gondola, lei around your neck

A private gondola cruise on Waikiki's Grand Canal and Ala Wai harbor for groups of 1 to 4 people, with a live English-speaking guide, lei greeting, pastries and drinks included. The cruise runs 45 minutes for daytime departures (9am to 4pm) and an hour for sunset and evening sailings (5pm, 6:15pm and 7:30pm). After the cruise, you receive a hop-on hop-off bus voucher to explore Waikiki's hotels, Duke Kahanamoku Statue and Ala Moana Shopping Center on your own time.

Step-by-step itinerary

Relaxing private gondola cruise

• Arrive and receive warm Aloha greeting
• Adorned with a lei
• Cruise along Ala Wai harbor and canal
• Enjoy views of Diamond Head volcanic landscape
• Coast along Magic Island
• See Honolulu city skyline and possible rainbows
• Experience sunset and city lights (if evening cruise)
• Receive hop on and hop off bus voucher
• Use bus voucher to see Waikiki hotels and Duke Kahanamoku statue

The experience

The gondola holds just your group, up to four people, so there's no waiting for strangers or sharing the boat. You're greeted with a lei as you board, then settle in for a cruise along the Ala Wai harbor and the canal locals call the Venice of the Pacific. The guide is live and speaks English, so you hear the stories as you pass the landmarks instead of reading them later. Depending on the time you sail, you'll see the Honolulu skyline, and if conditions align, rainbows or a sunset over the water.

Diamond Head rises across the water: the dormant volcanic cone that British soldiers mistook for diamond deposits in the 19th century, a name that stuck. Magic Island, a man-made lagoon, slides past as the boat moves. The whole thing takes 45 minutes if you go during the day, or a full hour if you book a sunset or evening departure (5pm, 6:15pm or 7:30pm). Pastries and drinks arrive in champagne flutes. An umbrella and blanket are there if you need them.

When you step off the gondola, you get a voucher for a hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus that covers multiple stops around Waikiki: the Duke Kahanamoku Statue at the beach, various hotels, and Ala Moana Shopping Center. You decide when and where to use it, so the day doesn't end when the cruise does.

What’s included

• Lei greeting for each passenger.
• pastries and drinks in champagne flutes.
• umbrella and blanket for use during the cruise.
• live English-speaking guide.
• hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus voucher valid for Waikiki stops after your cruise.

Information

Lasts 45m–1h, runs every day, 11 start times, from US$ 670 per group, with a live guide in English, as a private tour and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery day11 departure times: 09:00, 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 13:00, 14:00, 15:00, 16:00, 17:00, 18:15 and 19:30

GroupPrivate3 group tours ›

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Book up toStart time

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 effortPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Waikiki Gondola Experiences

Is this one for you?Book a daytime cruise (9am to 4pm) if you want a relaxed morning or afternoon float with clear views of the skyline and landmarks, or choose a sunset or evening departure (5pm, 6:15pm or 7:30pm) if you'd rather see the city lights and end your day on the water. The private boat means no crowds and no schedule pressure. Just your group and the guide.

Traveler reviews

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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.

How long is the gondola cruise itself?

The cruise runs 45 minutes for daytime departures between 9am and 4pm, and one hour for sunset and evening sailings at 5pm, 6:15pm and 7:30pm.

What's included with the gondola cruise?

The private cruise includes a lei greeting for each passenger, pastries and drinks served in champagne flutes, an umbrella and blanket for use during the ride, a live English-speaking guide, and a hop-on hop-off bus voucher you can use after the cruise to explore Waikiki on your own.

Can I bring my own bottle of wine or champagne?

Yes, you can bring your own bottle. There is a $14 corkage fee if you choose to do so.

What will I see from the gondola?

From the boat you'll see Diamond Head, the volcanic landmark across the water; Magic Island, a man-made lagoon; the Honolulu city skyline; and depending on weather and time of day, rainbows or a sunset over the water and city lights.

How many people fit in one gondola?

Each gondola holds up to 4 passengers, and your group stays together in the same boat: no sharing with other parties.

What can I do with the hop-on hop-off bus voucher after the cruise?

The voucher lets you explore Waikiki on your own schedule, with stops at multiple hotels, the Duke Kahanamoku Statue at Waikiki Beach, and Ala Moana Shopping Center. You decide when to use it and which stops to visit.