Vote for your favorite tour company in Hawaii!
USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice Awards
The sugary white sand beaches and colorful tropical flora certainly offer a serene feeling of paradise, but there's much more to Hawaii than lounging on the beach.
From boat tours and flights in helicopters to volcano treks and rafting, there are tours in Hawaii to suit anyone's interests. An expert panel has nominated their top 20 picks for the best tour companies in the Aloha State. Which tour company would you most like to set out with?
Vote once per day until polls close on Monday, July 15 at noon ET. The winning tour companies, as determined by your vote, will be announced on Wednesday, July 24.
Read the official Readers' Choice rules.
The sugary white sand beaches and colorful tropical flora certainly offer a serene feeling of paradise, but there's much more to Hawaii than lounging on the beach.
From boat tours and flights in helicopters to volcano treks and rafting, there are tours in Hawaii to suit anyone's interests. An expert panel has nominated their top 20 picks for the best tour companies in the Aloha State. Which tour company would you most like to set out with?
Vote once per day until polls close on Monday, July 15 at noon ET. The winning tour companies, as determined by your vote, will be announced on Wednesday, July 24.
Read the official Readers' Choice rules.
The sugary white sand beaches and colorful tropical flora certainly offer a serene feeling of paradise, but there's much more to Hawaii than lounging on the beach.
From boat tours and flights in helicopters to volcano... Read More
Best Tour Company in Hawaii Nominees
Alii Nui
Maui, Hawaii
Visitors to Maui who want to spend some time out on the water can do so with Alii Nui, a company known for their snorkeling excursions, whale watching tours, and romantic sunset sails.
Atlantis Submarines
Big Island, Maui, and Oahu, Hawaii
Dive deep into the turquoise blue waters of Hawaii with Atlantis Submarines and explore an underwater world filled with colorful coral reefs and exotic marine life. This state-of-the-art submarine takes passengers 100 feet below the ocean in this truly memorable experience, and it's available in several locations around the islands.
Blue Dolphin Charters
Kauai, Hawaii
No trip to Kauai would be complete without seeing the spectacular Na Pali Coast. Blue Dolphin takes guests on snorkeling tours and raft adventures along this scenic stretch of coastline. Those who prefer to stay dry can opt for a sunset dinner cruise instead.
Blue Hawaiian Helicopters
Big Island, Kauai, Maui, and Oahu, Hawaii
Blue Hawaiian Helicopters has been showing off the Hawaiian Islands from the air since 1985. Tour options include Maui, Oahu, Kauai, and the Big Island, with narration from the pilots (who are all State of Hawaii-certified tour guides).
Photo courtesy of Meagan Bourne
Blue Ocean Adventure Tours
Kauai, Hawaii
Blue Ocean Adventure Tours unlock the spectacular scenery of Kauai’s Na Pali coast with tours ranging from catamaran adventures to beach landings. Guests get to see the 3,500-foot sea cliffs from the water, visit the Hawaiian fishing village of Nualolo Kai, and spot Hawaiian green sea turtles while snorkeling.
Fair Wind Cruises
Big Island, Hawaii
Set sail with Fair Wind Cruises on various locations around Hawaii's Big Island and experience coastal beauty from the deck of a luxurious catamaran. On this cruise, guests enjoy delicious meals, refreshing drinks, and exciting water activities, including snorkeling and paddleboarding in the warm Pacific Ocean.
Hawaii Forest & Trail
Big Island, Hawaii
Hawaii Forest & Trail offers small guided tours of the Big Island, each focusing on a topic like volcanoes, waterfalls, or bird-watching. Tourgoers might get up close to lava tubes, zip line through the trees of Halawa Gulch, or swim at the base of a waterfall.
Photo courtesy of Holo Holo Charters
Holo Holo Charters
Kauai, Hawaii
With Holo Holo Charters, visitors to Kauai can cruise to the "forbidden island" of Niihau or sail along the spectacular Na Pali Coast to see its waterfalls, lush valleys, and hidden sea caves from a new perspective.
Island Helicopters
Kauai, Hawaii
The Hawaiian Islands are renowned for their spectacular natural beauty, and Island Helicopters offers several unique tours showcasing some of Kauai's most stunning landscapes. The Grand Skies Island tour highlights iconic sites like Hanalei Bay and the Na Pali Coast, while the Jurassic Falls excursion provides guests with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to visit Manawaiopuna Falls, the stunning backdrop used in the arrival scene of "Jurassic Park."
Photo courtesy of Justin Habel
Kailani Tours Hawaii
Big Island, Hawaii
Kailani Tours Hawaii shows off the Big Island with tours that allow visitors to sample coffee in the Kona region, walk along the black sands of Punalu’u Beach, snap photos of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, and see some of the island’s most impressive waterfalls.
Photo courtesy of Gelston Dwight
Kipu Ranch Adventures
Kauai, Hawaii
Kipu Ranch Adventures takes Kauai visitors off road on tours of a private 3,000-acre cattle ranch in Kauai’s interior. Options consist of the Waterfall Triple Trail Expedition or the Ultimate Kauai Off-Road Ranch Tour, which includes a stop at a lookout point on Mt. Haupu.
Photo courtesy of Bicho_raro / iStock Via Getty Images Plus
Kohala Blue
Big Island, Hawaii
Kohala Blue operates Hawaii's only renewable energy electric charter sailing vessel in the islands. On this state-of-the-art sustainable cruise, guests can experience the vibrant marine life of Hawaii by snorkeling among colorful coral reefs and swimming alongside tropical fish in crystal clear waters.
Manta Ray Dives of Hawaii
Big Island, Hawaii
Manta Ray Dives of Hawaii offers memorable nighttime ocean experiences, including dives and snorkeling where guests get up close to mesmerizing manta rays as they glide gracefully beneath the lights shining through the dark waters. This tour company also offers scenic whale watching and wildlife eco-adventures as well.
North Shore Charters
Kauai, Hawaii
The Na Pali Coast can be a little difficult to navigate, but fortunately, North Shore Charters is perfectly equipped to handle this pristine paradise. This locally-owned business uses a custom-designed, 32-foot-long catamaran to explore the region, with snorkeling gear, dry bags, and complimentary lunch all built into tours. As an added bonus, the ship is designed to enter the coast's many sea caves, providing a fascinating perspective on these ancient structures.
Ocean Sports
Big Island, Hawaii
Ocean Sports offers boat cruises from Hawaii’s Kona-Kohala Coast, with options for snorkeling, whale watching, sunset, or glass-bottom boat cruising. The company also outfits beachgoers at Anaeho’omalu Bay with kayaks, paddleboards, and snorkeling gear.
PacWhale Eco-Adventures
Maui, Hawaii
Owned by the Pacific Whale Foundation, PacWhale Eco-Adventures is devoted to ocean research and sustainability. Passengers learn all about the environment, the ocean, and the latest scientific research while enjoying spectacular eco-tours such as sailing, snorkeling, and sealife spotting in various locations across Hawaii.
Redline Rafting
Maui, Hawaii
Redline Rafting’s motto is “half the crowds, twice the adventure.” That’s what you can expect, whether you’re cruising Maui’s Forbidden Coast, snorkeling in Molokini Crater, or looking for north Pacific humpback whales who make Maui their winter home.
Photo courtesy of YinYang / E+
Roberts Hawaii
Big Island, Kauai, Maui, and Oahu, Hawaii
Offering extensive tour excursions and related services throughout the islands, Roberts Hawaii is long-time favorite among new and repeat visitors. This company offers a variety of tours on a daily basis that suit different interests, as well as one-day island hopping excursions three days of the week.
Trilogy Excursions
Maui, Hawaii
With Trilogy Excursions' fleet of seven catamarans, travelers to Maui can go snorkeling off the coast of Lanai, sailing at sunset along the Kaanapali coast, or whale watching out of Kaanapali or Maalaea.
The Umauma Experience
Hakalau, Hawaii
On Hawaii's Big Island, the Umauma Experience is the ideal destination for all things adventure! This company provides an abundance of high-adrenaline tropical experiences, including zip-lining, waterfall rappelling, ATV tours, kayaking, e-bikes and much more.
About 10Best Readers' Choice Awards
Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts. 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions or comments, please read the FAQ or email USA TODAY 10Best.
The Experts
Jeanne Cooper
Jeanne Cooper is a former editor of the San... Read More
Jeanne Cooper is a former editor of the San Francisco Chronicle Travel section and a longtime author and coauthor of Frommer's guidebooks to Hawaii. Her freelance writing has appeared in numerous magazines, newspapers, and digital platforms, including Hemispheres, AAA Explorer, Sunset, CNTraveler.com, Toronto Star, and Marriott Bonvoy Traveler. She lives on Hawaii Island with three rescued pets and one triathlete husband.
Jeanne Cooper
Jeanne Cooper is a former editor of the San Francisco Chronicle Travel section and a longtime author and coauthor of Frommer's guidebooks to Hawaii. Her freelance writing has appeared in numerous magazines, newspapers, and digital platforms, including Hemispheres, AAA Explorer, Sunset, CNTraveler.com, Toronto Star, and Marriott Bonvoy Traveler. She lives on Hawaii Island with three rescued pets and one triathlete husband.
JQ Louise
JQ Louise is a travel writer and influencer based... Read More
JQ Louise is a travel writer and influencer based in Boston. Her website, JQLouise.com, offers personal travel stories, curated itineraries, and tips for the globetrotting foodie. Follow JQ on Instagram @jqlouise not only her beautiful images, but also her insightful travel tips and tricks.
JQ Louise
JQ Louise is a travel writer and influencer based in Boston. Her website, JQLouise.com, offers personal travel stories, curated itineraries, and tips for the globetrotting foodie. Follow JQ on Instagram @jqlouise not only her beautiful images, but also her insightful travel tips and tricks.
Juliet Izon
Juliet Izon is a New York City and Hudson... Read More
Juliet Izon is a New York City and Hudson Valley-based food, travel, and design writer. She studied English Literature at Trinity College before holding staff positions at Bauer Publishing, Niche Media, and Modern Luxury. You can catch her bylines in places like Condé Nast Traveler, Food & Wine, and Architectural Digest. You can also find her on Instagram.
Juliet Izon
Juliet Izon is a New York City and Hudson Valley-based food, travel, and design writer. She studied English Literature at Trinity College before holding staff positions at Bauer Publishing, Niche Media, and Modern Luxury. You can catch her bylines in places like Condé Nast Traveler, Food & Wine, and Architectural Digest. You can also find her on Instagram.
Laurie Lyons-Makaimoku
Laurie Lyons-Makaimoku is a Hawai‘i Island-based... Read More
Laurie Lyons-Makaimoku is a Hawai‘i Island-based freelance journalist and travel writer. She has had the privilege to visit all six of the major islands in Hawai‘i and has written about them for such publications as Fodor's Travel, Matador Network, Hawai‘i Magazine, SF Gate, Trip Advisor, Local Getaways, and others. Her writing carries with it the kuleana (responsibility) of helping to produce more educated, conscientious visitors to this culturally and ecologically sensitive place, advocating for tourism that is sustainable and ethical. Laurie’s areas of expertise include Hawai‘i hotels, family travel, luxury travel, food & beverage, Indigenous excellence, animals, sustainability, voluntourism, and nonprofits. You can read her work on her website, or follow along with her on social @hawaiitravelwriter.
Laurie Lyons-Makaimoku
Laurie Lyons-Makaimoku is a Hawai‘i Island-based freelance journalist and travel writer. She has had the privilege to visit all six of the major islands in Hawai‘i and has written about them for such publications as Fodor's Travel, Matador Network, Hawai‘i Magazine, SF Gate, Trip Advisor, Local Getaways, and others. Her writing carries with it the kuleana (responsibility) of helping to produce more educated, conscientious visitors to this culturally and ecologically sensitive place, advocating for tourism that is sustainable and ethical. Laurie’s areas of expertise include Hawai‘i hotels, family travel, luxury travel, food & beverage, Indigenous excellence, animals, sustainability, voluntourism, and nonprofits. You can read her work on her website, or follow along with her on social @hawaiitravelwriter.
Marla Cimini
Marla is an award-winning writer with a passion... Read More
Marla is an award-winning writer with a passion for travel, music, surfing and culinary adventures! An avid globetrotter and guidebook writer, she has covered topics such as the Hawaiian islands (including food trends and luxury beachfront resorts), as well as European getaways and global destinations. Her articles have appeared in many publications worldwide, including USA Today. Marla lives in New Jersey (Philadelphia area) and is a frequent visitor to Hawaii and Southern California, and often covers those destinations. Her travel website is: www.marlacimini.com
Marla Cimini
Marla is an award-winning writer with a passion for travel, music, surfing and culinary adventures! An avid globetrotter and guidebook writer, she has covered topics such as the Hawaiian islands (including food trends and luxury beachfront resorts), as well as European getaways and global destinations. Her articles have appeared in many publications worldwide, including USA Today. Marla lives in New Jersey (Philadelphia area) and is a frequent visitor to Hawaii and Southern California, and often covers those destinations. Her travel website is: www.marlacimini.com
Natasha Bourlin
Natasha Bourlin is an award-winning freelance... Read More
Natasha Bourlin is an award-winning freelance food, travel, and environmental writer based on the island of Hawaii. As a first generation American, her fervor for travel and culture has sent her around the globe exploring myriad countries and continents, while her favorite times are spent at home in Waimea with her dog Lucy. Her work has been published in the San Francisco Chronicle, SFGate.com, AFAR Media, and USAToday.com, among others. Follow her on Instagram @Natashawandersoff or visit Passportandplume.com.
Natasha Bourlin
Natasha Bourlin is an award-winning freelance food, travel, and environmental writer based on the island of Hawaii. As a first generation American, her fervor for travel and culture has sent her around the globe exploring myriad countries and continents, while her favorite times are spent at home in Waimea with her dog Lucy. Her work has been published in the San Francisco Chronicle, SFGate.com, AFAR Media, and USAToday.com, among others. Follow her on Instagram @Natashawandersoff or visit Passportandplume.com.
Rachel Ng
Rachel Ng is an award-winning food and travel... Read More
Rachel Ng is an award-winning food and travel writer living on the island of Hawai'i. She is a frequent contributor to National Geographic and various AAA publications, and her stories have been published in AFAR, Tripadvisor, Outside, Bon Appétit, Men’s Journal, Fodors, Robb Report, TheKitchn.com, and Rachael Ray Every Day. She is also the co-author of National Geographic’s Great Outdoors U.S.A.: 1,000 Adventures Across All 50 States.
Over the past two decades, Ng has held positions at the Los Angeles Times, Bon Appetit, FitPregnancy, and AAA's Westways and AAA Explorer magazines. Her website is www.rachelng.net.
Rachel Ng
Rachel Ng is an award-winning food and travel writer living on the island of Hawai'i. She is a frequent contributor to National Geographic and various AAA publications, and her stories have been published in AFAR, Tripadvisor, Outside, Bon Appétit, Men’s Journal, Fodors, Robb Report, TheKitchn.com, and Rachael Ray Every Day. She is also the co-author of National Geographic’s Great Outdoors U.S.A.: 1,000 Adventures Across All 50 States.
Over the past two decades, Ng has held positions at the Los Angeles Times, Bon Appetit, FitPregnancy, and AAA's Westways and AAA Explorer magazines. Her website is www.rachelng.net.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original,... Read More
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.