What to do in Honolulu, Hawaii, from your cruise ship

At a glance:

• Each of the Hawaiian Islands has its own distinct character, so it's worth visiting all four – not just Oahu, of which Honolulu is the capital – if time permits
• Ships dock either at Pier 2 cruise terminal or Pier 11. The two piers are only about half a mile apart at Honolulu Harbor
• Honolulu offers brilliant white sand beaches, spectacular surfing spots, scenic hiking trails, history and ono grinds (a Hawaiian phrase for “good food”)
• There's never a bad time to visit Honolulu – the weather is reliably warm year-round
• While Honolulu is by and large a safe destination, it’s best to avoid wandering on the beach or downtown (where there’s a huge homeless problem) at night

Hawaii may be the 50th state of America, but it’s a world away from the mainland, both literally – it’s 2,390 miles from California and has its own time zone, Hawaiian Standard Time – and figuratively.

Floating all by itself in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, Hawaii maintains its own sense of self. Shave ice, spam – locals consume almost seven million cans a year of the stuff – surfing, tropical print shirts, fragrant leis (garlands) and slippahs (flip-flops) are the cornerstones of everyday life in Hawaii, where the aloha spirit fills the air.

Hawaii is made up of six main islands: Kauai, Maui, the Big Island, Lanai, Molokai and Oahu – home to the city of Honolulu, where your ship is likely to dock.

Whether you choose to stay put in Honolulu or explore further afield, just remember to relax as everything happens on ‘Hawaii time’ (read about an hour late). Or, as a popular bumper sticker says: “Slow down! This ain’t the mainland.”

Here’s our expert travel guide to Honolulu…

Honolulu cruise port and town

Honolulu Harbor serves as the main cruise port for Oahu and is conveniently located near both downtown Honolulu and world-famous Waikiki.

Honolulu Harbour has two piers: Pier 2, which is used by the lion’s share of mainstream cruise lines – here’s looking at Norwegian Cruise Line, Holland America Line and Princess Cruises – and Pier 11. The latter tends to be utilised by smaller cruise lines.

While most visitors rush straight to Waikiki, you can’t claim to have truly gotten to know Oahu unless you spend some time in downtown Honolulu.

Head here for an unrivalled collection of museums and historical sites, but also for some seriously good ono grinds in the alleyways of Chinatown, where pan-Asian hole-in-the-wall joints are juxtaposed alongside fine dining venues.

When you need to escape the concrete jungle, make for the lush waterfalls at Manoa Falls, hike Diamond Head and, if you have any energy left post-hike, rent a surfing board and hit the waves at Waikiki.

After dark, choose between karaoke, hotel, open-air lounges, beach and rooftop bars, and order a Mai Tai – a combination of rum, lime, orgeat and curacao or triple sec that’s arguably the most well-known of all Hawaiian drinks.

Where do ships dock in Honolulu

Honolulu cruise port, officially known as Honolulu Harbor, welcomes thousands of visitors each year.

Its two piers – Pier 2 and Pier 11 – are only half a mile apart and located close to the heart of Honolulu, helping make exploring Hawaii’s cosmopolitan capital a seamless experience. Case in point? Chinatown, Iolani Palace and the Bishop Museum are all a mere stroll away.

Honolulu port essentials

Need some painkillers? A pair of swim shorts for the surfing lesson you’ve decided to book on the spur of the moment? Some Kona coffee – one of the most expensive in the world – or leis to take home as a souvenir of your time in Hawaii?

While you should be able to purchase most items on your ship, chances are you won’t want to pay the inflated prices that many cruise lines charge. This section is here to help.

What shops and services are at the port

Both piers are within easy walking distance of the Aloha Tower. Built in 1926, this 10-story landmark was once Honolulu’s tallest building.

Today, it’s a warren of souvenir and convenience stores, cafes, restaurants and locals waiting to adorn you with leis (Insta-worthy garlands of plumeria flowers).

You’ll also find a plethora of third-party excursion stalls, including Trident Adventures and Atlantis Adventures, whose prices are lower than those offered by the cruise lines, so don’t feel pressured into booking an expensive excursion on board.

What shops and services are in town

Downtown Honolulu is home to Ala Moana – the world's largest open-air shopping centre with over 350 stores and restaurants.

While Ala Moana is within easy walking distance, you could also hop on “TheBus” – tickets cost a bargainous (for Hawaii) US$2.50/£1.90 for adults – or take a taxi or Uber. But consider yourself warned: Oahu’s traffic is legendary.

Southeast of Honolulu, Waikiki may be best known for its diamond-white sand and crystal-clear waters, but it's increasingly becoming synonymous with shopping.

Browse a diverse range of boutiques along the main strips of Kūhiō and Kalākaua Avenues. On the latter, be sure to purchase an aloha shirt (often incorrectly called a Hawaiian shirt) at Avanti. Here, pictures of Oahu’s most famous export after Barack Obama – blockbuster singer and songwriter, Bruno Mars – grace the walls.

Or try Baileys, which stocks over 15,000 aloha shirts in every conceivable colour and style. In between these ‘only-in’ Hawaii shops, you’ll also find an abundance of ABC Stores – the perfect place to stock up on suncream and sundries.

Elsewhere, shopping centres like DFS Galleria, the Royal Hawaiian Center, and Waikīkī Beach Walk offer everything from ʻukulele and Hawaiian arts and crafts to fashion and jewellery.

How to pay for things in Honolulu

Unlike other destinations, Honolulu is not a completely cashless society. While card payments are common and widely accepted, it’s a good idea to carry some dollars for roadside vendors, food trucks and tips.

A word on the latter: practices in Honolulu mirror those in the mainland US, meaning tipping is not optional. Expect to spend an extra 15-20 per cent when dining or drinking out.

Don’t forget to reward your tour guide, either: a tip of US$10 per person minimum is generally appropriate for tours lasting between two to four hours. For tours that last anywhere from a half to a full day, a tip of US$20 per person minimum is recommended. Only withhold tips in cases of outrageously bad service.

ATMs abound in Honolulu and Waikiki and are available 24/7 at most banks, malls, and convenience stores. However, if you think you’ll need to withdraw money while away, it’s a good idea to apply for a specialist travel credit card that doesn’t charge foreign exchange fees before your cruise.

How safe is Honolulu

Owing to the possibility of flash floods, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, earthquakes and wildfires, you’d be forgiven for thinking that Honolulu is a dangerous destination.

Yet while these natural hazards can happen, they are generally very rare events and, by and large, Honolulu – and indeed Oahu as a whole – is generally considered a safe destination to visit,

Like anywhere, it’s still best to exercise caution and common sense and avoid wandering on the beach or in downtown Honolulu (where there’s a huge homeless problem) at night.

Wherever you venture, remember to honour all kapu (no trespassing) signs out of respect for locals and the sacredness of the land.

What to do in Honolulu

Typically, cruise ships stay in Honolulu for anywhere from 10 hours to two days, giving you plenty of time to explore not only the city but further afield.

Our ideal day in Honolulu

Disembarking for a day in Honolulu? Here are the best things to do.

• Catch a wave at Waikiki
• Relax in Chinatown
• Hike Diamond Head
• Enjoy a Mai Tai, Hawaii’s favourite drink
• Tour Pearl Harbour
• Experience hula at Kuhio Beach

Want to build your perfect day in Honolulu? You’ll find more information about the aforementioned attractions, and more, below:

For everyone

These crowd-pleasers are perfect for everybody – try to tick off as many as you can.

Chinatown

• What is it? This is where plantation-era immigrants made new starts, and Sailor Jerry set up shop, establishing himself as a tattooist par excellence. Today, Chinatown is home to stalls selling steaming dim sum and bubble tea, and herbalists who will feel your pulse – before prescribing a mix of flowers and herbs to cure your ailments.
• Distance to port: You can reach Chinatown on foot in around 15 minutes or by car in approximately six minutes.
• How to get there: From Honolulu Harbor, walk towards downtown Honolulu and follow the signs for Chinatown. Taxis and Ubers are au fait with the destination.
• Price: Free if you can resist the appeal of the shops
• DIY or with a tour: Save your money and go solo.
• Worth doing? Yes: Honolulu’s most historic neighbourhood offers a different kind of Hawaiian adventure – one that doesn't involve hiking Diamond Head or taking a surf lesson.

Bishop Museum

• What is it? So called in honour of the great-granddaughter and last descendant of King Kamehameha, unifier of the Hawaiian Islands, Bishop Museum is home to the world’s largest collection of Polynesian cultural and scientific artefacts.
• Distance to port: Approximately 10 minutes by car.
• How to get there: Take TheBus number 2 or hop in an Uber.
• Price: Entry costs US$38.95 for adults, US$35.95 for seniors and US$30.95 for children aged four to 17.
• DIY or with a tour: It’s easy to visit under your own steam.
• Worth doing? If you want to learn more about Hawaiian history and culture, head here. Exhibits include the three-story Hawaiian Hall (where you find out about Hawaiian gods, key events in Hawaiian history, and more) and a planetarium that shows the stars that guided legendary Pacific canoe voyages.

Waikiki

• What is it? It would be rude not to wander out to Waikiki and ‘hang low’ (Hawaii is, after all, the birthplace of surfing). Take a lesson with local boy Errol Kane, who has been riding da waves since he was a kid.
• Distance to port: Approximately 20-30 minutes by bus or a short six minutes by car.
• How to get there: Take a bus from the cruise terminal to Waikiki, or hail a taxi or an Uber.
• Price: Group lessons with Errol cost US$110, while a private class will set you back US$220. Key skills you’ll be taught include paddling, catching and riding waves, and being able to control the direction of your surfboard.
• DIY or with a tour: If you’ve surfed before, a cheaper option is to rent a board for around US$20 and strike out solo. However, if you’re a surfing novice, a lesson – whether booked via a cruise line or independently – is recommended.
• Worth doing? Absolutely. Coming to Hawaii and not surfing is akin to visiting Paris and skipping the Eiffel Tower. Native Hawaiians invented surfing and, as the saying goes, when in Rome…

Sip a Mai Tai

• What is it? No trip would be complete without sampling a colourful Mai Tai, Hawaii’s favourite drink. Legend has it that Victor Bergeron, of Trader Vic’s restaurants, first served the Mai Tai, which typically fuses two rums, fresh lime juice, orange Curacao, rock candy syrup, and orgeat (almond syrup), back in 1944 at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel to his friends. They then reportedly exclaimed in Tahitian, “Maita’o roa ae”, meaning “Out of this world!"
  Today, the pink palace that is the Royal Hawaiian Hotel still offers the famous drink at its low-key Mai Tai Bar.
• Distance to port: Around seven minutes by car or 30 minutes by bus.
• How to get there: A taxi or Uber is the quickest and most convenient way to reach the Royal Hawaiian Hotel, while buses are the most economical.
• Price: At the time of writing, the Royal Hawaiian’s take on Trader Vic’s original 1944 mai tai recipe costs US$20.
• DIY or with a tour: It’s extremely easy to reach the Royal Hawaiian on your own.
• Worth doing? Yes, unless you have an aversion to rum, for the Mai Tai is more than a drink. It’s a happy place: each sip invokes dreamy images of sun-lashed Hawaii.

For history buffs

Our top pics for culture vultures and history fans.

Pearl Harbor

• What is it? An enormous (and still active) US naval base that was the subject of a surprise Japanese attack on 7 December 1941. The devastating bombing of Pearl Harbor hurled the US into World War Two.
• Distance to port: 12 minutes from Honolulu Harbor by car or approximately 44 minutes by bus.
• How to get there: Local buses are the most cost-effective way to travel to Pearl Harbor, but if you only have a day, consider flagging a taxi or Uber. Note, however, that if you book a scheduled tour, pick up from Waikiki or anywhere in Oahu is often included in the price.
• Price: At the time of writing, tickets start at US$99 for a self-paced tour.
• DIY or with a tour: Book tickets online here.
• Worth doing? Yes, for the chance to pay your respects at the USS Arizona Memorial to the 2,403 Americans who lost their lives after the attack on Pearl Harbor.

For families

Travelling with kids? Here’s some inspiration.

Kuhio Beach Hula Show

• What is it? Oahu’s top hula troupes perform at the hula mound near the Duke Kahanamoku statue on the Waikiki strip on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays from 6.30-7.30 pm. An authentic Hawaiian music and dance show follows a traditional torch lighting and conch shell ceremony.
• Distance to port: 10 minutes from Honolulu Harbor by car or 25 minutes by bus.
• How to get there: Take bus line 13, jump in a taxi or Uber, or, if time is on your side, stroll along the scenic waterfront into Waikiki. (The walk will take you an hour.)
• Price: Free
• DIY or with a tour: You simply need to show up on the strip, but if you want to bag a good spot, be sure to arrive early.
• Worth doing? This is one of World of Cruising’s top choices. The show is full of aloha, and afterwards, the performers often hang about to chat with visitors.

Hanauma Bay

• What is it? A protected marine life park that enjoys a reputation for the best snorkelling. Make no mistake: this beloved bowl-shaped bay is the place to swim with Hawaii’s colourful state fish: step forward the Humuhumunukunukuapua'a (humuhumu for short).
• Distance to port: Roughly 25 minutes by car or an hour and 15 minutes by bus.
• How to get there: If you want to make the most of your time at Hanauma Bay, take a taxi or an Uber – you’ll easily shave an hour off your journey.
• Price: US$25 per person for non-residents.
• DIY or with a tour: It’s extremely easy to do independently.
• Worth doing? Yes, for the chance to see schools of shimmering fish, sea turtles, and bright blue parrot fish.

For active & adventurous travellers

Fancy something a bit more adventurous? These are for you

Hike Diamond Head

• What is it? Oahu's best-known landmark got its name in the 19th century when British soldiers mistook calcite crystals in the crater for diamonds. The trail to the summit was built in 1908 as part of the US Army Coastal Artillery Defense System. Allow around an hour to hike to the top and back.
• Distance to port: About 10 minutes by car or 42 minutes by bus.
• How to get there: Taking a taxi or an Uber is your best option, as it’s still a 20-minute walk to the trailhead from the closest bus stop.
• Price: Non-residents should expect to pay a $US5 entrance fee.
• DIY or with a tour: Independently: the trail is fully paved, and people of all ages follow it.
• Worth doing? Yes. The climb can be steep in places, but the reward – panoramic views of downtown Honolulu – is worth it.

Manoa Falls

• What is it? A beautiful rainforest trail that’s a favourite haunt of former US President Barack Obama, who spent part of his childhood on Oahu. Expect rocky streambeds, bamboo forests, banyan trees and a 15-foot waterfall.
• Distance to port: About 20 minutes by car or an hour and 20 minutes by bus.
• How to get there: Hail a taxi or an Uber – you are on your holiday after all. While you can reach Manoa Falls by bus, it’s a bit of a faff: you’ll need to change lines and then walk for around 24 minutes from Manoa proper to the falls.
• Price: Free
• Worth doing? Fans of the great outdoors will want to lace up their hiking boots and get going.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the nearest medical facility in Honolulu?

The main hospital in Honolulu is the Queen's Medical Center which was founded in 1859 by Queen Emma and King Kamehameha IV.

It's the largest private, nonprofit hospital in the city and, having spent some time there myself, I can attest that it’s an excellent option.

However, unlike in the UK, hospitals in Hawaii are not free and charge patients (both kamaʻāina – locals – and haole, non-natives) an arm and a leg.

To this end, World of Cruising highly recommends taking out comprehensive travel insurance. Make sure your policy covers hospital stays, an emergency flight home, and activities you are planning on undertaking (scuba diving, surfing, snorkelling, etc).

What happens if I miss the ship?

Miss the ship and you'll find yourself not only stranded but forced to cover the cost of catching up with your fellow passengers at the next stop or heading home early.

Is a day enough to see Honolulu?

A single day will give you a good taste of the city and its main attractions – Iolani Palace and the Bishop Museum – but it's not enough to experience all that Oahu has to offer.

To really be able to feel the aloha spirit and gain an insight into what makes Hawaii such a special place – people live in peace and work together, in harmony with the land and their spiritual belief, regardless of race or background – extend your trip with a pre- or post-cruise hotel stay.