Air-conditioned and licensed round trip transportation from your Oahu cruise pier! English speaking, local and trained Oahu shore excursion guides! Drive orientation of Waikiki and Diamond Head lookouts! Stop at Hanauma Bay lookout, the Blow Hole, and the Pali Lookout! A panoramic drive of State Capitol, Iolani Palace, and Punchbowl Cemetery! Visit the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor! All fee
s and taxes included! Come and explore the beauty of Oahu by visiting many of its most famous and scenic sights. This great combo excursion will include many stops at such locations as Waikiki and Diamond Head Lookout. You'll also have a short stop at the Hanauma Bay Lookout. You'll see the amazing blow hole where water from the waves reach amazing heights and stop and see the beauty of the Pali Lookout. You'll also drive through historical downtown Honolulu past the State Capitol, the Iolani Palace, King Kamehameha Statue and the Punchbowl cemetery. You'll finish up with a drive out to Pearl Harbor where you will visit the World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument, which is the home of the USS Arizona Memorial. Learn fascinating facts about the day that will go down in infamy. This is a great option for those guests starting or ending their cruise in Oahu Honolulu as well as those stopping in port for the day. Start this amazing sightseeing day by meeting with your guide just outside your Oahu Honolulu cruise ship terminal (of if you arrive before your cruise starts the pickup will be at your resort). Hop on-board comfortable and air conditioned transportation. Your first stop will be at Waikiki Beach. Waikiki is well known for its surfing since the waves are quite spectacular. This area was once home to Hawaiian royalty, but then small hotels started to spring up. The first resort was opened in 1893 and was frequented by the famous author Robert Louis Stevenson, who used the surroundings as a backdrop and inspiration for some of his most famous novels. Now Waikiki is known for its elegant resorts, surfing (including many world- wide competitions) along with outdoor performances and hula dancing. The drive thru the city is about 30 minutes. Diamond Head is your first stop. This is the location of a volcanic tuff cone and is called Le'ahi by Hawaiians. However, the English name is due to British Sailors in the 19th century who mistook calcit crystals on the beach for diamonds. Diamond Head is also a U.S. National Natural Monument. You will have an approximate 10 minute photo stop. Then you'll be taken to the lovely Hanauma Bay located on the southeast coast of the island. Formed by a volcanic cone, the snorkeling in this now state park is outstanding. To help preserve the marine life, all visitors learn about the rules of conservation to follow inside the park. An average of 3,000 visitors per day (1 million per year) visit Hanauma Bay. Guests will have approximately 15 minutes here. After Hanauma Bay you'll be taken to Halona Blowhole Lookout, which is located along Oahu's majestic southeast shoreline. The Halona Blowhole is a natural wonder formed by molten lava tubes from ancient volcanic eruptions. When the waves are high, the blowhole shoots up to 30 feet of water into the air. Be sure to have your camera ready for this great shot. The stop is approximately 15 minutes. Then you'll drive through Honolulu city and see sights such as the Iolani Palace as you pass by. This palace was built in the architectural style known as American Florentine in the late 1800s and there is no other structure like it in the world. It once served as the royal palace of a Hawaiian king before the overthrow of the Hawaiian royal families. You will pass the State Capitol, King Kamehameha Statue and the Punchbowl Cemetery known as the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. All will seem familiar as these are popular locations that have been used as backdrops for movies and TV shows including "Hawaii 5/0". Your city sightseeing is approximately 1.5 hours. Finally, you will be taken to Pearl Harbor in Honolulu to visit the USS Arizona Memorial. This is the resting place of over 1,000 sailors and marines that were killed on the Arizona during the Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. This attack is what prompted the United States to become involved in World War II. Visitors view a short 23 minute film about the attack. The memorial itself is accessible only by boat; it straddles the sunken hull of the battleship without touching it. Inside the memorial building are 3 main areas: entry, assembly and shrine. There are numerous photos of the attack as well as a viewing panel in the floor overlooking the deck of the Arizona below. A marble wall at one end is etched with the names of the 1,177 men that lost their lives in the attack as well as a plaque to the side with the names of the few that did survive that day. Located just adjacent to the Arizona is the USS Missouri. This is the battleship where the Japanese surrendered to the United States ending WW II. The pair symbolize the beginning and the end of the war with the Missouri positioned to always watch-over the Arizona. Your stay at Pearl Harbor is approximately 2.5 hours. Once you've visited Pearl Harbor it will be time to return to your Oahu cruise ship pier (or dropped off at your Waikiki resort if you are beginning/ending your cruise) confident with the knowledge that you have seen just about all of the true Hawaiian sights. Please Note: Hanauma Bay is closed on Tuesdays. If a cruise is scheduled for Tuesday, your driver will instead try to extend visit times at Halona Blow Hole Lookout and the Pali Lookout. Hanauma is also closed both Christmas and New Years.
