makai golf course sunset tour

Makai Sunset Golf Tour

What Is The Sunset Tour?

The Sunset Golf Car Tour at Princeville Makai Golf Club is one of the most enjoyable, educational and truly stunning activities on the North Shore. The tour is a guided golf car tour of the golf course, flora and fauna that make up the North Shore of Kauai, intertwined with both cultural and geographical educational elements that will give you a greater understanding for the 'aina (land) and the moana (ocean).

Best of all, the final stop on the tour is truly one of the most stunning locations in the world to witness a sunset... our signature par 3, seventh hole on Princeville Makai that makes for the perfect viewing spot or instagramable moment.

https://www.makaigolf.com/sunsetcarttour/

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Sunset Tour - Princeville Makai Golf Club

• United States    
• Hawaii (HI)    
• Kauai    
• Princeville    
• Princeville - Things to Do    
• Princeville Makai Golf Club

The men said this was the best golf course they had ever played. The course was pristine, and the... read more

What a wonderful way to begin our day. Beautiful teacher, wonderful class, and the most spectacular... read more

Sunset Tour

We took the sunset tour in late September. For $50 per couple, you get a golf cart with a self-guided tour card as you traverse the back nine, while finishing on the front nine. There were a few golfers on the course which you could easily work your way around. We started at about 5:00, finishing at sunset at the tee area for hole #7. To us, it was well worth it with spectacular views especially at sunset. We had perfect weather which makes the day, so pick your day with that in mind. Although we called the day before, we got the impression that a reservation wasn't really necessary. Go and enjoy!

This was the best $99 we have spent in a while! An hour lesson with a great pro (Andy), rental clubs, scramble-play on the three signature holes (gorgeous!) topped off by a glass of Prosecco on the last hole. Water, towels, pineapple snack provided, and we got some brief torrential rains on one hole to add to the tropical atmosphere. Amazing views of the NaPali mountains, ocean, cliffs, ravines. Great two hours on a spectacularly scenic course. What fun. Note: call pro shop for play rates, as they vary according to demand.

Makai Golf Club is ranked in the top 100 golf courses in the world- a designation well deserved. We golfed twice at the Makai Golf Club- once as part of the clinic with their golf pro and once on our own. The golf course is located on the ocean in Princeville so has outstanding views from some holes. The course is well maintained and provides challenges for talented golfers. On the other hand, if you're not so talented, it's doable. Everyone working at the club is epitomizes the graciousness that is Kauai - from the golf pro to the starter to the Pro Shop to the beverage cart lady. Don't miss this course when you're visiting Kauai.

Aloha Sarah B! I love that you had an amazing time while you were out playing the Makai! We would love to have you back any time and please feel free to bring back some Aloha spirit with you! Mahalo, have a great day!

Went to Makai today was not informed about the green aeration that was done two days ago, prior to our visit. It cost a lot of money and was very disappointing. Their website did not detail the dates of aeration. We would have played PoiPu again if we knew. We drove over an hour to play. A great course layout was diminished by the inability to putt.

Aloha Steve Z! I'm very sorry to hear about your experience at the Makai. We do our best to alert everyone of our aeration dates when the time comes, however, unfortunately sometimes people do get missed. I'm very sorry you happened to be that person! If you would like to contact me directly so we can talk more about your experience and hear some of your feed back for us I would love to hear more about it. My email is [email protected] and my direct line is 808-826-1912 ext 203

In a beautiful setting this is a very challenging course. Plenty for the high and low handicap player. If you're golfers, I strongly recommend this course. Great views, more than a couple signature holes. We found ALL the staff to be very friendly and professional, and the course condition was excellent.

Thank you VERY much for your review! The idea of "Under Promised, Over Delivered" is something that we strive very hard for. I think I can speak for all the staff when I say "Thank you for noticing." We believe that Kauai is a very special place and feel very privileged to share this amazing place with our guests. So again, a big MAHALO for coming out, enjoying and creating unforgettable memories with us!

Makai Golf Course is very scenic, especially the front 9. It is however, tough, particularly since the last renovation added a lot of sand bunkers. It's difficult (in our opinion) for average players. Since it's currently the only course available on the North Shore of Kauai, it's rather pricey. However, it's so scenic that it's worth it, even though your handicap may take a hit.

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Makai Golf Sunset Tour - Princeville Makai Golf Club

• United States    
• Hawaii (HI)    
• Kauai    
• Princeville    
• Princeville - Places to Visit    
• Princeville Makai Golf Club

The men said this was the best golf course they had ever played. The course was pristine, and the... read more

What a wonderful way to begin our day. Beautiful teacher, wonderful class, and the most spectacular... read more

Makai Golf Sunset Tour

This golf course is stunning, but this tour is incredible. We learned so much on this tour about this island it’s amazing. Highly recommend. Will do this again when we return!

Wonderful experience!! One of our favorite activities we have done on Kauai!! Tom was a great guide -perfect was to watch the sunset

Aloha Sally M: Mahalo for joining us on our popular Sunset Golf Cart Tour and for taking the time to share your experience. We never tire of enjoying the spectacular and world renowned sunsets over looking Hanalei Bay! Also pleased to see that you were able to enjoy the Unmatched Aloha of our affable head Golf professional and tour guide Tom the Terrific. Hope to see you again on your next visit...until then, Aloha!

I reviewed the tour reviews and all were exemplary. So, I thought to try it. We thoroughly enjoyed it. Tom (the Makia Golf Course pro and the tour guide) was fantastic. He remembered everyone's name (all 40 of us) and knew the cultural history of the course and the area in general. This is an amazing tour. I highly recommend it as a thing to do while in Kauai.

Aloha APSU35: We know, who would have thought a Sunset Tour around a golf Course would be so amazing right? Thank you so much for joining us and delighted to hear you were able enjoy not only the Unmatched Aloha and amazing memory of Tom but the spectacular Ocean Front Beauty here on the North Shore. We look forward to your next visit and Mahalo for taking the time to share your experience! Until then, Aloha!

We got this as a freebie for sitting through a timeshare presentation and it sounded quite boring but in reality, if we'd known how good it was going to be, we would have happily paid for it. The scenery was breathtaking and it was just gorgeous scooting around in a golf cart in the cool of the late afternoon, then watching the sun go down over the ocean was stunning. Just do it.

Aloha Brenda: You're not alone by being surprised at how thoroughly enjoyable our Sunset Golf Cart Tour is here at the Princeville Makai Golf Club. The "breathtaking scenery" of the spectacular North Shore is a must see for even non golfers such as yourself. We're thrilled that you were able to enjoy the amazing Ocean Front Beauty while zipping around the course in our comfy carts! We hope you will visit us again soon and thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience! Until then, Aloha

What a fun concept. We had a great time. Randy was our guide and even though it was a very large group, he still made it great. Shared a lot of history and knowledge. And the views! So worth it.

Aloha Debby621: Mahalo for joining us for our Sunset Golf Cart Tour here at the Princeville Makai. Delighted to see that you had such an enjoyable experience touring the course and viewing the glorious Oceanfront Beauty and sunset from our signature 7th hole overlooking Hanalei Bay. We hope you visit us again soon and thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience. Until then, Aloha!

Played on Monday Sep 9th in 4 hours and it was enjoyable and challenging for all 4 hours. The views were to die for. Then Tuesday Sep 10th took the Sunset cart tour with Tom and he really does remember everyone's names. He remembered me from playing on Monday and even knew about the hat i was wearing from the Philadelphia Cricket Club. If you only play one round of golf, this is the place to play. And take in the Sunset cart tour even if you don't play golf.

Aloha Travel: WOW! So happy to see you had such an amazing time here at the Princeville Makai Golf Club. This is the type of review that we strive to achieve...a guest that can enjoy all of our 3 main goals; Unmatched Aloha, Ocean Front Beauty and Immaculate Conditions! We're still trying to figure out how the heck Tom has such an amazing memory! Mahalo for joining us and for taking the time to share your positive experience. We hope you visit us again soon. Until then, Aloha!

Kauai Hidden Gem: Sunset Golf Course Tours

If you read enough travel blog posts about Kauai , browse the visitor’s brochure, and buy a guide book (I highly recommend Fodors Kauai ), you’ll start feeling like you have a good idea all the things you can do on the Hawaiian island. At least I did. And then my mom surprised me with a Kauai sunset tour I’d never heard about.

And here’s why I think everyone should know about it.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. All thoughts, opinions and typos are my own.

Kauai golf course tour at sunset

My family vacation to Kauai, Hawaii, was a reunion of sorts, with all of my siblings and their kids. Our crew was large, and in fact, included the additional family of my Norwegian sister as well as my Swiss brother (if you’ve ever hosted an exchange student, you know what I mean).

So, we were a large group, ranging in age from 5 to 69. Very few Kauai tours could accommodate a group of 20+, it turns out.

One of the few tours we could all do together was at Princeville Makai Golf Course . For the tour, you get a golf cart to drive around the course. It’s two people to a cart.

Before setting out, we stopped at the “first hole,” AKA the bar & grill to get a beverage and snacks for the ride. No outside food or drinks were permitted.

Our guide, Tom, was entertaining, as he had clever stories to share at each stop, which included holes with gorgeous ocean views.

He had a knack for remembering everyone’s name. No easy feat when our group alone had about 20 people!

What you’ll see on the tour

Our tour took us around around the 18-hole golf course, past spacious homes and lush landscapes. The course was designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. Rumor has it that it’s one of the most five scenic golf courses in the world. 

The highlights, of course, were the views. We have five stops, including one where we could see (from a distance) the infamous Queen’s Bath, which also happened to be located near a nene nesting ground.

Don’t expect any hikes or even a long walk from your cart. This tour is good for people with limited mobility. If you want a workout, this is not the tour for you.

Is this tour for families?

Sure, if you’re willing to pay for more than one cart (assuming there are at least three of you).

Would I recommend it? Kids ages 6 and older are allowed on the tour, but I would say not all 6-year-olds have the patience for it.

The younger kids in our group (my kids included), were antsy after the first stop. They couldn’t drive the carts, which annoyed them. And then the guide just talked and talked at each stop. My kids had energy to burn and didn’t want to stand still to listen.

So, the kids played tag at each stop, giggling and shrieking and distracting us from the guide’s talk. No one got angry. No one shushed the kids (except for us irritated moms). 

All in all, the kids were welcomed. It was us parents who were less enthused with having our own kids there. 🙂 

Final thoughts on the tour

OK, I admit I was more than eager to drive a golf cart for a hour and a half. I don’t golf, so this was my only chance. Combine the thrill of a low-speed golf cart and gorgeous views, and I had myself a lovely evening.

OK, I admit I was more than eager to drive a golf cart for an hour and a half. I don’t golf, so this was my only chance. Combine the thrill of a low-speed golf cart and gorgeous views, and I had myself a lovely evening.

My kids? They had quite the scenic and expensive game of tag.

If you want to go on this sunset golf cart tour

Princeville Makai Golf Club

Where : 4080 Lei O Papa Road, Princeville, Hawaii

When : Daily, starting two hours before sunset. Reservations are required. Call (808) 826-1912, ext. 200 or 201.

Cost: $79 per cart

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Princeville Makai Golf Club

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PRINCEVILLE MAKAI GOLF CLUB - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

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• Tue - Tue 7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
• Wed - Sun 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
• (0.02 km) Luxury Wyndham Bali Hai Resort
• (0.11 km) Treetop Mountain & Garden - Heated Pool & Grill
• (0.16 km) Princeville/ Hanalei Bay Condo!
• (0.17 km) Kauai Princeville - Spacious Beautiful Corner Unit - Golf
• (0.45 km) Makai Club Resort
• (1.18 km) Lapperts Ice Cream
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• (2.26 km) Pink's Creamery
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Princeville Makai Golf Club – Makai Course

current rates

Top 100 Public Golf Courses in America – Ranked #81  Golf Digest , Top 100 Resort Courses in America – Ranked #58  GolfWeek , Top 20 Golf Courses in Hawaii – Ranked #1  GolfAdvisor , Top 5 Most Scenic Golf Course Setting in the World, National Georgraphic Traveler  

Princeville Makai Course – 18 Holes (Top 100 Championship Golf Course)

Standard 18 Hole Rates: Rack Rate – $345 – with Golf Cart, GPS, and Driving Range Usage Prior to Round Resort Rate – Check with your concierge to see if you are eligible for a discounted rate! *Best Available Rates Offered Daily on Our Online Booking Engine

Junior Programs

Juniors ages 6-12 are free per paying adult after 10am. If the junior comes out unaccompanied by adult he or she will pay 50% of the adult rate. Ages 13-17 will receive 50% of the adult rate all day.

Golf Packages

Princeville Makai Albatross Pass –  Includes 3 Golf Rounds at $675 Plus Tax ($225 per Day)  The Albatross Pass is a wonderful option for an individual guests who golf a lot or are on the island for and extended period of time. The package allows you to play unlimited golf each day you redeem the pass.  Package Valid Fourteen (14) Days from Purchase. Package Non-Transferable.

Rental Clubs

Callaway Rental Clubs: $85 Plus Tax * 6 Makai logo Callaway golf balls are included with fee.

Sunsets on Kauai: 5 Places to Watch Sunset That’ll Knock Your Socks Off

Is there anything more picturesque sounding than a good Hawaiian sunset? I think not. Well, while Kauai is quite magical, it’s not actually possible to see the sunset from everywhere on the island and I do get asked this question a lot so I thought I’d do a little breakdown of where you’ll find the best sunsets depending on the time of year plus a few tried and true specific places you’re going to want to check out. 

Where to See Sunset on Kauai

Let’s go back to science class…remember…the sun sets in the west. So in general, the west side of the island gets the best straight on views of sunsets. 

But of course, as the earth rotates throughout the year, things shift a bit so besides the west side of the island, the rest of it changes a bit. 

In general, spots along the north shore get a better direct view of sunset during the summer months (roughly April through October) and spots on the south side get a better direct view during the winter months (roughly November through March). 

That “direct view” is only as important as it is to you. That means more or less you’ll see the sun dipping into the ocean. But even if you’re on the south side during the summer months (when sunset is better from the north shore), you’re still going to see a really good sunset…it’s just most likely going to be setting behind trees, houses, a mountain, etc. Honestly, it’s still usually a better sunset than you’ll see most places. 

So no matter what time of year you’re visiting, you should do just find in the sunset department from most spots on the south side and north shore. It just depends on how much effort you want to go to see the “perfect” sunset in relation to where you’re staying on the island and what time of year. 

The Best Sunset Experiences on Kauai

From reading the above directions, you should be able to find a nice beach to watch the sunset from, but if you want something a little more…special…here are 5 sunset experiences on Kauai.

Sunset at Polihale Beach

Kauai’s most noteworthy sunset adventure is just that…an adventure not for the faint of heart, and it’s mostly because of how remote it is. It’s not the kind of place you’re going to pop over real quick in between getting cleaned up from a day at the beach and heading out to dinner. It’ll take a good half day and some planning, but it’s definitely the best spot to catch sunset on Kauai. 

Polihale Beach is as far as you can possibly go around the west side of Kauai by car and besides being one of the few western facing accessible beaches on Kauai, it’s also the start of the island’s famed Napali Coast so it’s just a picturesque spot in general. 

So what’s the big deal? Well, it’s remote. It’s about an hour and a half drive from Poipu and the last 30 minutes or so you’re not likely to see too many people. Not many people besides locals venture out here and even not too many of them. 

From the end of the main road (highway 50), you’ll drive about 5 miles down a pretty rough dirt road to get to the end of the beach. 4WD is advisable, and depending on how much it’s rained lately, maintenance, etc the road’s passability can vary. If you’re driving a high clearance 4WD vehicle (say, a Jeep), you should be fine to make it down to the area where the facilities are. 

But here’s what you don’t want to do…drive on the beach! Because the beach is so remote (not super monitored), plus the kind of place where you need to pack it all in and out, a lot of locals drive on the beach out here and set up camp. But unless you 1) are driving a jacked up Tacoma and 2) have other friends on the island with jacked up Tacomas, tow straps, and a willingness to drive out to Polihale to tow you out, you should not be driving on the sand. It’s a recipe for disaster. 

So you’ll want to drive all the way to the end of the road where there’s a place to park on a packed surface plus restrooms, showers, picnic tables, etc. And even from there it’s quite a trek to carry all of your stuff down to the beach. It’s a wide beach and it’s very exposed to the elements so you’ll need to bring your own shade (umbrellas, tent, etc.). You’ll need to pack in everything actually. Water (bring plenty of it), food, etc. 

So while it’s not undoable, it’s definitely an adventure that’s going to take some planning. Also, it’s not a great spot for swimming, so be careful. 

Side Note: If you’re looking for a rental car for your trip, I LOVE Discount Hawaii Car Rentals . They’re seriously the only company I ever use. They’ll give you the very best prices, you don’t have to reserve with a credit card or pay until you show up, you can cancel and re-book anytime if you find a better rate, and they usually have a special that adds additional drivers for no fee. It’s a no brainer. Click here to check rates for your trip.

Mai Tais at The Beach House in Poipu

If you like your sunset viewings with a few more amenities…you’re going to love this spot. I think having a sunset mai tai before dinner at the Beach House is a don’t miss on Kauai. 

This restaurant in Poipu is perfectly poised for sunset viewing (it’s on a bit of land that juts out into the ocean just a bit at an angle that makes for good sunset all year long). 

Besides the restaurant’s prime sunset viewing location, it’s got a fun vibe. Hawaii famous Chef Peter Merriman took on the Beach House several years ago and he’s turned it into one of Kauai’s culinary gems. 

Known around Hawaii for places like Merriman’s and the Monkeypod, the Beach House mimics that same farm to table, local and fresh ingredients based menu in a refined but casual setting that manages to feel like a party every night. Throw in the nightly sunset and it’s the place to be on the island. If you’re going for dinner, make reservations around sunset times well in advance.

Check out the Beach House menu here . 

Make reservations here .

Hanalei Bay Pier

Want a more casual, but still accessible sunset experience? Head to the north shore and camp out on the Hanalei Bay Pier. Hanalei Bay just might be the most magical place in all of Hawaii and seeing it at sunset is extra special. 

After the sun sets, you can head into Hanalei for a low key dinner. The Tahiti Nui is one of the most famous places on the island (it feels like a local dive bar-don’t miss the mai tai), but if you’re a seafood lover, you’ve got to try the teriyaki ahi at the Dolphin. I’d say it’s life changing ; ) The Bar Acuda is also really well liked. 

Princeville Makai Golf Club Sunset Cart Tour

This tour just popped up on my radar a few weeks ago and now it’s top of my list next time I’m on Kauai. I love a good tour, and this one sounds so unique!

Start off at the Makai Grill for drinks and dinner before hopping on a golf cart to cruise around the Princeville Makai course, regularly named one of the most beautiful golf courses in the world. The tour is limited to 12 carts per night so you’ll get plenty of time with your guide as you learn about local culture, flora and fauna, and see some of the course’s most beautiful holes. 

The grand finale is a stop at the course’s legendary 7th hole, which offers one of the best sunset views on the island. 

If you love a unique sunset experience, this is for you. If you love a good guided tour, double whammy. And if you’re also into golf, it’s a no brainer! Can’t wait to do this on my next trip. 

Book your tour here . 

On Another Note: If you’re looking for a condo or vacation rental for your trip, I always book with Vrbo . They’ve got the largest selection of rentals you’ll find anywhere and you can easily filter to find exactly what you’re looking for. Need a specific number of bedrooms and bathrooms? Narrowed it down to a certain location? Want flexible cancellation terms? Need to stay under a fixed budget? Click here to search for Kauai vacation rentals for your trip. 

Kalalau Lookout at Waimea Canyon

For a VERY dramatic sunset view that’s still pretty accessible, head to the Kalalau Lookout at Waimea Canyon. 

I haven’t been up here at sunset (yet), but since it’s a western facing view, it’s got to be spectacular. I mean, it’s spectacular any time of day, but at sunset it’s probably even better. 

Plan for at least an hour drive from Poipu up to the canyon lookouts, but once you get there it’s easy to park and just walk over to the lookout. No hiking required. 

If you want to have dinner in Waimea after, your options are a little limited. Try Wrangler’s Steakhouse…pretty much everything else closes by 4 (Porky’s is worth a stop if you’re driving through earlier). Or drive back through Hanapepe and stop at Japanese Grandma’s Cafe. 

Here’s one more really important thing you need to know before your Hawaii trip…

Reservations You Need to Make BEFORE Your Hawaii Trip

You’ve got your airfare, hotel, rental car and your big activities booked, so you should be good to go, right? Wrong!

Travel is BOOMING in Hawaii so a lot of state and national parks used the closure and reopening to institute reservation systems at some of the island’s most popular spots to make things a little more sustainable. 

That means that there are now over half a dozen sites (beaches, trailheads, etc.) that require advance reservations. And some sell out well before you arrive on the island so you really need to have some sort of a plan. 

I recently saw somebody in a Hawaii travel group post in a panic that they didn’t know they had to make reservations for things in advance…they thought they could just show up and “go with the flow.” I was tempted to say, well, “as long as the flow doesn’t take you somewhere that requires reservations, you can!” ; )

But I don’t want YOU to be that person, so I’ve pulled together a list of all the places you need to reserve entry in advance (plus all the details on booking windows, price, links, etc.) and a handful of popular tourist hotspots that book out really far in advance too. 

Haleakala National Park (Maui)

To visit Haleakala National Park for sunrise at the summit, you must make reservations in advance here . 

Reservations are required to enter the park gates between 3AM and 7AM (sunrise hours). 

Online reservations are $1 per reservation/vehicle PLUS you’ll pay the park entrance fee of $30/vehicle when you arrive (National Park annual passes are also accepted at the gate).

The reservation booking window opens 60 days in advance at 7AM HST. There are also a limited number of tickets released two days before. 

You can make one reservation every three days with the same account. So if you want to make reservations for back to back days (in case of weather/conditions), you’ll need to do so with separate accounts (email addresses).  

If you can’t get reservations for sunrise, you can enter the park anytime after 7AM without reservations. The summit is spectacular during the day and you don’t need reservations for sunset. 

I strongly recommend creating an account before and making sure you’re logged in at 7AM HST because it’s not uncommon for reservations to sell out quickly. 

Waianapanapa State Park (Maui)

To visit Maui’s famous black sand beach at Waianapanapa State Park on the Road to Hana, you must make reservations in advance here . 

Reservations are required to visit the beach and are distributed in windows from 7AM-10AM, 10AM-12:30PM, 12:30PM-3PM, and 3PM-6PM. And they are pretty strict about exiting by the end of your window time (you can arrive anytime within your window). 

It’s $5/person to enter plus $10/vehicle to park and those fees are paid when you book your time slot. 

Reservations open up 30 days in advance. 

Iao Valley State Park (Maui)

To visit the lush, green mountains and hike at Iao Valley State Park, you must make reservations in advance here . 

Reservations are offered for 90 minute time slots beginning at 7AM and ending at 6PM. They ask that you arrive within the first 30 minutes of your time slot. 

Entry is $5/person plus $10/vehicle to park. 

Diamond Head (Oahu)

To hike to the top of Waikiki’s famous Diamond Head, you must make reservations in advance here . 

Reservations are offered in two hour increments beginning at 6AM (6AM-8AM, 8AM-10AM, etc.) and ending at 6PM. If you’re parking onsite, they ask that you arrive within the first 30 minutes of your reservation window. 

Tip: I recommend booking one of the first two time slots because there isn’t much shade on this hike and it gets pretty hot. 

Hanauma Bay (Oahu)

To snorkel at Oahu’s pristine Hanauma Bay, you must make reservations in advance here . 

Entry times are staggered in 10 minute increments from 7AM to 1:20PM with roughly 1000 slots being assigned in advance every day.

Reservations can be made two days in advance and they open at 7AM HST. They’re usually gone in minutes (if not seconds).

If you’re unable to get an advanced reservation, you can try for a day of, walk in ticket. They open at 6:45AM and they only have a limited number available. Everyone in your group needs to be present when you purchase your tickets in person. 

There are no reservations for parking and it’s first come, first serve. $3/vehicle. 

It’s $25/person to snorkel at Hanauma Bay (12 and under, active military, and locals with HI ID are free).

The Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve is open Wednesday through Sunday (CLOSED MONDAY AND TUESDAY) from 6:45AM-4PM. Last entry is at 1:30PM, the beach is cleared at 3:15PM and you have to leave the facility by 4PM. 

Jellyfish patterns can also affect whether or not the bay is open so double check the day before/day of. 

USS Arizona at Pearl Harbor (Oahu)

If you want to take the boat tour at Pearl Harbor out to the USS Arizona, it’s recommended to make advance reservations here . 

Online reservations are guaranteed a specific boarding time to go out to the USS Arizona. If you’re unable to get an advance reservation, you can wait standby when you arrive. The line could be short (15 minutes or so) or long (hours) and it just depends on the day (if they’re having problems with the loading dock sometimes they don’t take many from the standby line) and the time of day. 

Reservations are supposed to open up 60 days in advance, but keep an eye on your exact dates, because lately they’ve actually been opening up about 57ish days in advance???

They also release a small batch of tickets the day before. 

The boat ride out to the USS Arizona is free, but it’s $1 to make the reservations online. 

They recently started charging $7/vehicle for parking at Pearl Harbor. 

Haena State Park / Kalalau Trail (Kauai)

If you want to hike Kauai’s famous Kalalau Trail, you must make advance reservations here . 

You’ve got three options here: 

1) Parking & Entry: This is the most flexible option and also the most limited. THESE RESERVATIONS SELL OUT IN LESS THAN A MINUTE. There are three time slots available: 6:30AM-12:30PM, 12:30PM-5:30PM and 4:30PM to sunset. You can purchase multiple time slots if you want to stay longer. It’s $10/timeslot (parking) plus $5/person and you have to reserve every person when you initially book. Everybody has to arrive in the same car and your ID needs to match the reservation. 

2) Shuttle & Entry: If you can’t get parking at the trailhead, there’s also a shuttle option. Shuttle reservations are $35/person (16+), $25/person (ages 4-15), 3 and under can ride free. The shuttle runs every 20 minutes 6:20AM to 6:40PM.

3) Entry Only: If you’re a Hawaiian resident (with HI ID) or someone WITH a Hawaiian resident, you can purchase entry only for $5/person with no advance reservations. Also, if you’re walking or biking to the trailhead you can do this option. But there is NOWHERE to park in the area to walk in. So this really only works for those with bikes or who are staying close enough to walk. They will tow your car if you park outside the designated areas. 

The reservation window opens 30 days in advance at 12AM HST. The parking & entry option usually sells out in a minute, but the shuttle availability will last longer. 

There are a TON of FAQs here including the possibility of snagging a canceled reservation. 

Other Things to Book in Advance

Hawaii is a busy place these days! Besides the state and national parks above, here’s a handful of miscellaneous things you should make reservations for in advance (if they’re on your radar):

Mama’s Fish House (Maui) : The iconic spot is the most popular restaurant in Hawaii and they’ve been opening reservations (and selling out) 4-6 months in advance. You can call and get on the waitlist for one day or you can set notifications on OpenTable to alert you for cancellations every day of your trip. Most people have pretty good success on OpenTable. 

Old Lahaina Luau (Maui) : Honestly, any luau you’re planning to attend you should book early, but most people are usually shocked how far out the Old Lahaina Luau books out. Book it as soon as you know your dates (I think they open at the six month window). They also have a waitlist. 

Kualoa Ranch UTV Tour (Oahu) : Everybody loves Jurassic Park so getting to ride UTVs where they filmed the movies is very popular. The ranch offers a lot of different tours but the UTV tours usually book out a couple of months in advance. 

Spa Reservations : If you’re staying at a resort with a spa (or planning on visiting one), don’t wait until you arrive to make your reservations. I’d make them at least a month in advance. 

Tee Times : Same for golf, reserve your tee times well in advance. 

Dining Reservations : Any “fancy” or resort restaurant is likely to be booked up these days so if you like having a nice dinner every night, make your plans in advance. 

Want to read more? Don’t miss some of my most popular (and favorite) posts about Kauai: my personal Kauai favorites , a breakdown of where to stay on Kauai comparing Princeville vs Poipu , my favorite restaurants in Poipu , the best places to watch sunset on Kauai , 5 day Kauai itinerary , my review of the Grand Hyatt Kauai , everything you need to know about Napali Coast boat tours leaving from Port Allen (south side) and Hanalei (north shore) , my best Kauai travel tips , all about hiking the Kalalau trail (Kauai’s best hike), Maui vs Kauai , the best things to do on Kauai and more specifically in Hanalei and Poipu , whether you should see the Napali Coast via boat or helicopter , my best (and specific) condo recommendations on Kauai, everything you need to know about Kauai helicopter tours , Kauai’s best north shore beaches , where to play tennis on Kauai , how many days you should spend on Kauai (plus other FAQs), the best spas on Kauai , and my review of the Smith Family Luau . 

P.S. Thanks for sticking around and reading this whole post! If you have ANY questions about planning your trip to Hawaii, you can join my free Facebook group here . I’m there answering questions every day and there are 7500+ other friends who have a ton of Hawaii information to share!

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