We had a fun trip and saw several whales off of the coast of Waikiki. We got pictures with whales and Diamond Head. It was fun for all of us including our birthday-boy grandson who turned 7.
Full-Day 16 Location Tour Including Snorkeling, Tour Guide, Snacks and Beverages For Three
Overall, this was a great experience and absolutely worth it.
There were a few operational hiccups with the bus that Nui Tours should address. Water leaked in through the emergency exit, and I had to sit with a towel. Due to a broken rear window, the driver asked a couple to move forward, which meant our family of three could not sit directly across from each other. These felt like operational and maintenance issues rather than tour-quality issues, and I believe they should be handled by the operations team.
That said, the tour itself and especially the guide, Aka was outstanding and worth every penny.
This was the first tour we’ve ever done where the word “tip” was never mentioned throughout a 10-hour day not during the tour and not even at drop-off. And yet, every single family happily tipped because of the genuinely amazing experience.
Aka was exceptionally knowledgeable, deeply local, and incredibly authentic. From history to stories to songs, his knowledge wasn’t memorized or scripted, it was lived. In such a commercial tourism environment, it was rare and refreshing to experience a guide who was not commercial at all. The experience felt immersive, meaningful, and, at times, surreal.
The driver was fine overall. He did smoke during breaks, which was uncomfortable, but that is a personal choice and not something I would judge beyond noting the discomfort.
Despite the bus issues, the quality of the tour and the guide made this an unforgettable experience, and I would recommend Nui Tours based on the tour experience itself especially if Aka is your guide.
