Waikiki: Gondola cruise with drinks & pastry + bus pass

Summary

Gondola drifting in Waikiki with pastries, city lights, and a little laughter

You’ll float through Waikiki’s canals on a Venetian-style gondola with pastries and drinks in hand, greeted by your local guide with a lei and stories about Diamond Head. Watch city lights flicker on as you drift past Magic Island, then explore more of Waikiki using your included sightseeing bus pass — an experience you’ll remember long after you leave Oahu.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect to hear Italian music floating over the water in Hawaii — but there we were, stepping onto this glossy black gondola at the Ala Wai harbor, greeted by our gondolier with a big “Aloha” and a fresh lei that smelled faintly of plumeria. The canal was quieter than I thought it’d be; just the soft slap of water against the hull and some distant chatter from Magic Island. My partner kept pointing out how Diamond Head looked almost unreal from this angle, like someone painted it on the skyline just for us.

The pastries came out on a little tray (I tried not to eat mine too fast), and we clinked our glasses — not champagne, but something cold and fizzy in these tall flutes that made me feel fancier than I am. Our guide told us about how British soldiers once thought they’d found real diamonds here — which is why Diamond Head is called that. I probably should’ve known that already, but hey. The breeze picked up around the bend near Magic Island, and I had to pull the blanket tighter around my legs. It was kind of funny watching folks on shore wave at us like we were celebrities or something.

We drifted past the city skyline as the sun started dipping lower — Honolulu’s lights flickering on one by one, reflections stretching across the water. There’s something about being so close to the surface like that; you notice every little ripple, every color shift in the sky. Afterward, they handed us these hop-on hop-off bus vouchers for sightseeing around Waikiki (which honestly felt like a bonus after all that calm). I still think about that view of Diamond Head sometimes when things get noisy back home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Waikiki Gondola Cruise and Sightseeing

• Cruise along Ala Wai harbor and canal
• View Honolulu city skyline and possible rainbows
• See Diamond Head volcanic landscape
• Visit Duke Kahanamoku Statue and Ala Moana Shopping Center
• Coast along Magic Island

Top questions

How long does the Waikiki gondola cruise last?

The cruise lasts about 45 minutes during daytime hours or up to 1 hour for sunset/evening rides.

Is food or drink included on the gondola cruise?

Yes, each passenger gets a pastry and drinks served in elegant flutes during the cruise.

What sights can I see during the Waikiki gondola ride?

You’ll see Diamond Head, Magic Island, Honolulu’s skyline, and possibly rainbows depending on weather.

Are there any extras included after the cruise?

Yes, you receive vouchers for an all-day hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus around Waikiki after your cruise.

How many people fit on each gondola?

Each Venetian-style gondola holds up to 4 passengers plus your gondolier.

Is pickup included for this tour?

No hotel pickup is included; you meet at Ala Wai harbor for boarding.

Are infants allowed on board?

Infants are welcome but must sit on an adult’s lap during the cruise.

What happens if it rains during my booking?

An umbrella is provided for use during your gondola ride if needed.

What’s included

Your day includes a warm lei greeting upon arrival at Ala Wai harbor, use of an umbrella and blanket while cruising along Waikiki’s canal and harbor in a Venetian-style gondola (up to four guests per boat), delicious pastries and drinks served onboard, plus all-day hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus vouchers handed out after your cruise so you can keep exploring Waikiki at your own pace.