Honolulu Harbor Tours and Activities
3 Reviews

Historic Honolulu Harbor, the state’s original hub for commerce and immigration, stretches from Honolulu’s downtown business district in the east to Ke’ehi Lagoon in the west. A center of activity even prior to European contact, the harbor today—a series of dredged channels and basins encircling the less-than-a-square-mile Sand Island—is picturesque in parts and downright commercial in others. Despite a massive molasses spill that occurred here in Sept. 2013, there are those who say the harbor is among the cleanest commercial ports in the nation. To see for yourself, head down to Pier 7 where modern cruise ships still occasionally dock (if you didn’t arrive by boat, look for the giant wooden Falls of Clyde sailing ship fronting the now-shuttered Hawaii Maritime Center). There, just along the concrete harbor wall, is a veritable open-air aquarium: coral, tropical reef fish and the occasional reef shark can be seen making a living just steps from downtown skyscrapers.
Among the best places to watch the big cargo ships that supply the city with cars, groceries, goods and commodities are from the harbor-facing restaurants in the Aloha Tower Marketplace
Complex, or from the bars and restaurants located directly on Sand Island. During the 1800s, the harbor was the main point of entry into the state for visitors and immigrants, while Sand Island was used as a quarantine checkpoint for sick passengers. Also worth a visit are Piers 36-38, home to the Honolulu Fish Action—the largest tuna auction in the United States—several
notable seafood restaurants and moorings for the state’s largest commercial fishing fleet.
Practical Info
Visit the harbor in three publicly-accessible spots: Aloha Market Place fronting Pier 7 (1 Aloha Tower Drive), on Sand Island, or Piers 36-38 (the fishing piers). All are located along Nimitz
Highway. The Aloha Tower Center has its own (paid) parking; some center restaurants validate. To visit the harbor by public transit (TheBus $2.50 one-way), take routes 55, 56, 57 and 57a to
Aloha Tower, or, routes 19 & 20 to reach the Sand Island Access Road and the fishing pier from Waikiki Beach.
Address: Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
4 Tours and Activities to Experience Honolulu Harbor
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Open-Door Helicopter Tour over Oahu
371
Fly aboard an open-door helicopter over Oahu for unobstructed views of the island on this tour. Feel the high-flying wind in your hair and, with your camera out and ready to snap stunning photos, listen as your pilot narrates your flight over sights like Pearl Harbor, Honolulu Harbor, Hanauma Bay and the Halona Blowhole. This excursion includes a DVD of the flight and round-trip transportation from selected hotels.
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From
$311.75
From
$311.75
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
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Pearl Harbor, USS Arizona and Hawaiian History Tour
17
Avoid crowds and the long lines to enter one of O'ahu's most-visited landmarks. This small-group tour (maximum 15 people) takes you to Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona Memorial. While visiting the somber sites you will learn all about the events of that infamous day. On the way back, you'll stop at sites important to the history of Hawaii.
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From
$139.44
From
$139.44
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
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Ensign's Warbird Experience
Take flight over Oahu aboard a vintage warbird aircraft—the only one of its kind used for aerial tours on the island. Discover the World War II history of Pearl Harbor as you soar above memorial battleships, then venture to Honolulu, Waikiki, and Diamond Head. This is a must-do for aviation enthusiasts visiting Hawaii.
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From
$875.00
From
$875.00
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
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O'ahu Sunset Helicopter Experience
1
Take flight over Oahu on a sunset helicopter tour around the island. Discover Pearl Harbor, Waikiki, and Diamond Head then soar above Hanauma Bay and beyond. Get a glimpse of serene coastal beaches and hidden gems. Watch the sun descend over the horizon as the Makaha Valley comes into view. Round-trip shared transfer is provided from the Ko Olina Resort area.
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From
$635.00
From
$635.00
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
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