Tour & Activity Scams in Honolulu, USA
Unlicensed guides, fake tickets, bait-and-switch excursions, and ticket scalping. Below are the tour & activities scams reported in Honolulu — how they work and how to avoid them.
For broader context, compare this scam type with nearby destinations like Las Vegas, Miami, and Tulum.
Last updated: April 2, 2026
5
Tour & Activities Scams
10
Total in Honolulu
How it works
Representatives approach tourists on Waikiki Beach or in hotel lobbies offering free activities, snorkel gear, or dinner cruises in exchange for attending a resort timeshare presentation. Presentations use high-pressure sales tactics and typically last much longer than the promised 90 minutes.
How it works
Budget snorkel tour operators advertise low base prices online but charge separately for equipment rental, underwater photos, snacks, and fuel surcharges. The final cost ends up being 50-100% higher than the advertised price.
How it works
Unofficial luau booking agents on the street or in hotel lobbies sell luau tickets at inflated prices while claiming to offer exclusive access or better seating. Some sell tickets for events that are sold out or have been cancelled, and others represent low-quality imitation events.
How it works
Unlicensed individuals on Waikiki Beach offer surf lessons at discounted prices compared to certified schools. They collect payment upfront and either provide unsafe instruction, disappear after payment, or deliver a fraction of the promised lesson time.
How it works
Street promoters on Kalakaua Avenue and near Waikiki Beach hand out cards promising free luau tickets, snorkeling excursions, or dinner vouchers in exchange for attending a "brief 90-minute resort tour." The tour is a high-pressure timeshare sales presentation that routinely runs three to four hours. The promised free activity either never materializes or comes with blackout dates and conditions that make it unusable.
See all scams in Honolulu
10 total warnings across all categories