Hawaii Excursions

[Gatehouse77]

Hi,

Has anyone experience of doing organised tours in Hawaii?
The family have picked out various things they'd like to do and I don't know if we need to book well in advance (we're going July 2019) or if it's feasible to wing it once you're there?

Actually, same goes for San Francisco and Las Vegas? Specifically, should we book Alcatraz and a helicopter ride over the grand Canyon?

Thanks!

It depends on which island(s) you're visiting on Hawaii.
There's a huge range of activities - e.g. sports deep sea fishing, Pearl Harbour tours, whale watching, shark cage diving, plane and helicopter rides over waterfalls and volcanoes, island hopping and private tours. Just depends on your interests and budget.
From personal experience, the Canyon tour by helicopter (pick a reputable firm that has lots of hours flying time) is awe inspiring and includes flights near the Hoover Dam, Lake Bryce and descending into the Canyon for a champagne celebration to a tune you'll identify immediately!
In addition to Alcatraz, Pier 39, Golden Gate, Yosemite Day Tour (if you're not already going there), Napa and Sonoma Wine Tour are all worth doing.
You can get tickets locally but do a few searches to see if the Tourist Bureaus offer coupons / discounts.

You should definitely book Alcatraz, it sells out regularly. Its a National Park so all tours are booked through their site. We went on the first boat of the day (easy if you have recently arrived from the UK, you'll be awake at the crack of dawn), which is the quietest time.

Thank you both.

We're spending 3 days on Oahu and 11 days on Big Island.

Having had a look around we're still too early to book many of these options - I'm very keen!
I have worked out a rough itinerary and will book the tours and trips nearer the time.

Agree with pp, book Alcatraz as soon as you are able - we went for a sunset viewing, it was incredibly eerie.

Hawaii wise, book pearl harbour early otherwise you may not be able to get the full tour. Hire a car and drive yourself there from Waikiki or wherever you are staying, it will be cheaper to buy your own tickets directly and do that rather than an organised tour

On big island, unsure of vulcano sit at the mo but definitely definitely definitely go scuba diving or snorkelling with the mantas. That was an unforgettable experience. Book with a dive club, it’s worth the money.

God, I bloody loved the Hawaiian islands, just a shame they are so far away, expensive to get to and expensive when you are there, worth it thou.