Discounts on island excursions/activities?

[Marley30]

Hello all! I've booked my Aulani vacation for early may 2017 and am extremely excited as its my first time! Before we arrive to aulani, we will be staying in waikiki for 5 nights, then heading to aulani for 4! What I want to ask is did anyone find ways to get discounts on activities? I'm looking at island tours, surfing lessons, kualoa ranch atv tour and a luau (preferably not PCC).

If anyone has any tips on where I can scout for discounts for these activities or any tips to save money when on the island please let me know!

Also, we will NOT be renting a car (nobody is willing to drive, also under 25 - we'd pay a nasty fee). So if anyone has any island tour recommendations or private car services please let me know of those as well!

looking forward to all of your hawaii expertise

 

[Midoria]

Even though you clearly just said you're not renting a car, I still urge you to do it for 1-2 days in order to visit the better beaches and other spots where tours don't go and public transportation is shaky at best. Also, having a car can save you the expense of tours. Sometimes I see company itinerary and roll my eyes because they are charging $100+ per adult to take folks to places where anyone can just drive up and look around. A car is a little less than $100 a day with the young people fee, can generally seat 5, and the cost can be split amongst passengers. Plus you have total agency to skip things that don't interest you and stay longer at the places that do.

I hate to drive, but even I like driving up and down the shoreline here. Even inland is pretty awesome - especially the H3 where it's lush and totally normal to see tons of waterfalls after a good rain.

I'll come back later with some savings tips.

 

[eculmone]

We are heading to Hawaii in 5 days!!! Soooo exciting. Not sure how people are getting car rental deals. After all taxes etc. etc. our car (WITH DISCOUNTS) for a day is $105 US and the parking fee daily? Is anywhere from $40 a day so we have booked 3 single days and will drop our car off after a day of exploring. Yes, I think you will need to cave on the car rental thing at some point. Think of it as 'an adventure'. Bring your gps lol - anyhow there apparently our trolly's and busses. I'll know more once I'm down there. BUT I would suggest you bite the bullet one or two days at least. Hawaii is a 'bucket list' vacation and usually a 'once' in a lifetime vacation so don't overplan, but plan for a day or two of exploring the island with your car. There will be lots to do in Waikiki without the car, then on the day you head over to Aulani - check out Alamo - they have a rental place in Waikiki and a drop off at Aulani you can take the car for the day and then hand it in at night once you check into Aulani? HTH - Mahalo

 

[eculmone]

Also, tours and excursion tips? I'm waiting until I get down there. It seems there is no real savings online. I'M STUNNED at how expensive this trip is but I may regret booking something online only to find out the rental fee of snorkel gear or paddleboard is much cheaper when I'm down there. Since I'm finding no deals online, I'm game to wait. There are a lot of free things to do. I would suggest 'pinterest'? and start a folder. Often times they will suggest things to do for free. Good luck and I'm so happy for you

 

[eculmone]

Friends of ours went on a last minute catamaran tour and Mai Tai's were $1 and beer $2 - They booked right on the beach and they LOVED IT!

 

[Midoria]

Not sure how people are getting car rental deals. After all taxes etc. etc. our car (WITH DISCOUNTS) for a day is $105 US and the parking fee daily? Is anywhere from $40 a day so we have booked 3 single days and will drop our car off after a day of exploring.

By not picking up and dropping off the car in Waikiki or Ko'olina. If you pick up and drop off at the airport, it's half the price. If you're willing to use the car for the first part of your vacay, consider picking it up once you arrive at the airport and driving yourself to Aulani. Use the car for a few days, drive yourself back to the airport, turn in the car, and take a shuttle back to the resort. The latter part can be annoying, but you'd probably save serious money. Look at Discount Car Rental Hawaii. It's what I always use when I'm on another island.

It seems there is no real savings online

Try Groupon.