Tipping in Hawaii: Advice from Local Tour Operators
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You shelled out $200 a person for a snorkel tour on Maui. Now, the captain is asking you to show your appreciation for good service. Don’t over (or under) tip! Here is your cheat sheet for tipping in Hawaii.
My wife, Erica, and I have been on dozens of Hawaii tours. Hence, we have so many reviews and relationships with tour operators!
We have learned the ins and outs of tipping in Hawaii. You don’t want that icky feeling of under- or over-tipping at the end of that amazing Ka’anapali sunset dinner cruise.
Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a 19th-time visitor, we are here to help answer your questions about Hawaii tipping norms.
Aloha! I’m Jordan,
Co-founder of The Hawai’i Vacation Guide with my wife Erica. After living on both Maui and Oʻahu, we’ve turned our passion for the islands into a resource that cuts through the tourist noise. We share genuine experiences—from snorkeling spots to hikes—and connect travelers with authentic Hawaiian culture and ʻāina (land). Our mission is simple: make your Hawaiian adventure both seamless and meaningful.
Thanks for joining us on the journey—aloha and happy travels!
Tipping in Hawaii: At a Glance
Hawaii really is an expensive place to visit. The Hawaiian islands individually rank in the top 10 for the most costly sun and sea destinations in the world (source: HTA).
I got salty during our stay at the Mauna Lani on the Big Island when they were asking $10 for a cup of POG juice. I could buy a gallon at KTA Super Store for $5.
So, when the captain or luau hostess recommends giving a tip, it can sting a little bit.
Tipping culture in America is often described as being out of control. And, Hawaii follows American tipping culture practices.
As on the mainland, tip as much as you feel comfortable tipping. If you got great service, then show your appreciation. If the service was rude or gruff, tip accordingly. With that said, here is a summary of standard tipping amounts.
Hawaii Tipping Recommendations:
- Restaurant sit-down service: 15% to 20%
- Restaurant counter service, self-table busing: 10%
- Luau with table service: 15% of ticket value. Note: the tip is usually included with your luau ticket, so check your confirmation email!
- Luau with buffet service: 10% of ticket value
- 2-hour sunset, whale, or snorkel tour: $5 to $10 per passenger
- 4+ hour snorkel tour: $15 to $20 per passenger
- 6+ hour guided tour, like Road to Hana or an Oahu Circle Island Tour: 15% of ticket value
- Taxi, Shuttle, and Uber Drivers: 15% of the ride cost
- Bartenders and coffee shops: $1 per drink
- Hotel Bellman: $2 per bag
- Parking Valet: $2 to $5
- Housekeeping: $2 to $4 per night
How to tip in Hawaii
- Cash is always welcome! Tip jars are available at most counter service locations.
- Snorkel, whale, and sunset tours will have a tip jar at the end of the trip near the mast.
- Venmo should be available as most people don’t have cash on them.
- Hand the driver or tour guide a cash tip or ask for their Venmo QR code
- Tip at the end of the tour, if the crew provided good service
I will share more details below on tipping in Hawaii. I share feedback on tipping from local tour operators.
In case you need some budget expectations for your Hawaii trip planning:
- How Much Does a Trip to Hawaii Cost for a Couple?
- How Much Does a Trip to Hawaii Cost for a Family of Four?
- 9 Steps to Plan a Hawaii Vacation on a Budget
Tipping at Luaus in Hawaii
Tipping at a luau was a surprise to me! I see a luau is more about the show than the dinner. But that is a silly way to look at the experience.
The hula dancers, cooks, servers, and bussers are all adding to the show experience. For small luaus like Experience Nutridge and Toa Luau on Oahu, the fireknife dancer and hula dancers are also the servers and table cleaners.
When you book your Hawaii luau, check your ticket details for guidance on tipping!
Some luaus offer the option to include a tip when booking tickets at checkout. A luau may include gratuity in your ticket price or final bill.
Other luaus will request a tip after the show or have a tip jar as you exit the venue.
Most luaus, in our experience, won’t say anything about tipping.
You can give a cash tip to your table server as he says goodnight to you for the evening.
Here is our recommendation on tipping at a luau:
- Luau with table service: 15% of ticket value
- Luau with buffet service: 10% of ticket value
- $1 a drink at a cash or open bar (tipping jar will be at the bar)
If you’re going to a luau, make sure to review our list of favorite luaus by island. We have been to a lot of luaus!
- 6 Best Oahu Luaus
- Polynesian Cultural Center vs Toa Luau on Oahu
- Best Maui Luau for Kids
- 7 Fantastic Maui Luaus
- 6 Big Island Luaus
- 3 Best Kauai Luaus
Tours and Activities (Snorkeling, Whale Watching, Sunset Cruises, etc.)
For us, the amount we tip for Hawaii tours and activities depends on the group size and the length of the tour.
A two-hour whale watching tour for 25 passengers will cost $5 to $10 per person. A 4+ hour Lanai snorkeling tour with a group of 10 passengers will be $15 to $20 per passenger.
For guided tours, like an Oahu Circle Island Tour, Pride of America Shore Excursions, Road to Hana Guided Tour, or Haleakala Sunrise Tour, 15% of the total is about right.
A large group tour (30+ passengers) on a bus, $5 per person, is okay.
Local Operator’s Guidance on Tipping in Hawaii
I asked the owner of Holo Holo Maui Tours, Jasmine, for guidance on tipping in Hawaii.
Her company specializes in private tours that are 4+ hours long. This was her guidance and reasoning on a good tip amount.
This is a somewhat sensitive topic – which I try to avoid, haha! But, there are moments when I need to provide an answer. My response? We never expect a tip. We believe a tip should be given if excellent service was received.
Amounts given run the gamut – I would say the average is $100 for the day. Which could be kind of low for a family of 4 on a Hana Bound tour ($375 x 4 = $1500 x 15% = $225). But is appropriate for two ($375 x 2 = $750 x 15% = $112.50).
Soooo, after working the numbers I would say a 15% gratuity would be on point, up to a certain point, haha!
The larger the number of guests the larger the tip – maybe if we have six, or more guests, then the tip should just be a flat $250… otherwise, it’s too much.
Here are all the tours that Jasmine’s local guides offer on Maui:
- Maui Volcano Quest: Combo Haleakala and Iao Valley Tour
- Private Road to Hana Tours: Bamboo Forest, Halfway, and More
- Haleakala Sunset Tour
Captain Zodiac on the Big Island provides 4-hour snorkeling tours. They recommend tipping $10 to $20 per passenger in their FAQs.
Our captains and crew work very hard at making your tour enjoyable, informative and fun so a bit of reward is a welcomed and appreciated gesture. A typical $10 – $20 per person who goes on the tour is customary. Remember they are entertaining you for several hours, more than any waiter or bartender you encounter.
On a recent family trip to the Captain Cook Monument for snorkeling, I interrogated the captain on his stance on tipping.
We were on a 5-hour snorkeling tour with a lot of time on the boat, being entertained by the crew. They provided lunch, drinks, and history lessons, and answered all our questions on the Captain Cook Monument and Kealakekua Bay.
The captain provided a similar response to Captain Zodiac’s FAQ. He says the crew works hard to give a special and memorable experience to their guests.
After spending 5 hours together, it means a lot to his crew to get $10 to $20 per passenger. The captain does not receive any of the tips; they all go to the crew.
Tipping is especially appreciated on small group tours (14 passengers or fewer) as the guide will go out of their way to customize the tour, keep everyone involved, and provide a more memorable experience.
We love Hawaii small group tours, which is why we mainly share them in our Tours and Activities directory. Don’t miss our exclusive Hawaii Vacation Guide Discounts when booking a tour!
Hotels and Resorts in Hawaii
We enjoy the hotels in Hawaii. You will find us in value to luxury hotels during our trips. We especially like to book Hawaii hotels with points!
Enjoy your stay knowing how much to tip the hotel staff for going above and beyond during your stay.
- Bellhop: $2 per bag
- Housekeeping: $2–$4 per night, more at luxury resorts
- Valet: $2–$5 when retrieving your car
Have you booked your Hawaii hotel or vacation rental yet? See our Where to Stay directory for our reviews.
Restaurants and Bars
I worked in the restaurant industry from middle school till I graduated from college. I respect the hardworking staff at restaurants. Therefore, I’m all about tipping 20% for table service at a restaurant. 15% to 20% is customary.
Many restaurants and cafes in Hawaii have transitioned to counter-service. We pick up our favorite plate lunches by ordering at the counter, then picking up the food, and finally bussing our table.
In these situations, I’m keen to tip 10% when they whip around the Stripe pad. Stripe takes a cut of the tip, so consider putting cash in the cash drawer.
When ordering a Mai Tai or a latte in Hawaii, I recommend tipping $1 per drink. Grab a pint at one of Hawaii’s excellent breweries, and throw down a tip of $1 a drink.
Hawaii has a large food truck culture. We enjoy the cheap eats, quality food, and Hawaiian-asian fusion cuisine at food trucks. You can expect to pay $15 to $20 per plate.
You will find a tip jar or a request to tip when you pay the bill. As this is counter service, I recommend tipping 10%. Tip more if you like!
We like Maui and Kauai for food trucks. Here are our favorite food truck parks:
Taxis, Rideshares, and Shuttles
We mostly travel around Hawaii in a rental car (discount Hawaii rental cars), which enables us to see more of Hawaii. But if you’re staying on Oahu, then a rental car isn’t required. See our Oahu Without a Rental Car for details.
If you hop into a taxi to get to a romantic restaurant in Wailea or take a shuttle from Honolulu Airport to Waikiki, then consider the following advice on tipping:
- Taxis: 10–15% of the fare
- Rideshares (Uber/Lyft): app-based tipping suggestions
- Shuttle drivers (airport/hotel): $2–$5 per bag or per person
Final Tips on Tipping in Hawaii
I hope my guidance on tipping in Hawaii has helped give you peace of mind for your trip! Here are some final tips on tipping in Hawaii
- Carry small bills! This is something I always forget to do! Have ones, fives, and tens available for tipping the bellhop, bartender, or taxi driver.
- Tipping is appreciated, not mandatory
- Tip with aloha: when in doubt, kindness goes a long way
Now that you have tipping in Hawaii sorted out, check out our Hawaii Wayfinder Itineraries below! These itineraries will finish your trip planning!
