Overview
Students will be immersed in Hawaii’s rich history and breathtaking beauty on this unforgettable adventure. Honor the past at Pearl Harbor, hike to the stunning Akaka Falls, and experience Hawaiian traditions at a lively luau. Snorkel in crystal-clear waters, explore the wonders of Volcanoes National Park, and discover the vibrant culture and natural splendor that make Hawaii unique.
Itinerary
Day 1
Travel to Honolulu, HI
Receive a traditional flower lei upon your arrival.
Lunch
Hotel check-in
Waikiki Beach
Enjoy an afternoon at this world-famous stretch of sand and the birthplace of modern surfing. Dive into the calm, turquoise waters and relax on the sandy shore.
Dinner
Day 2
Breakfast
Pearl Harbor and USS Arizona Memorial visit
Pay homage to the deep sacrifices made on the “The Day of Infamy" as you learn what led up to the Pearl Harbor attack and how it brought the U.S. into World War II. Hear the historical and personal stories of the day and develop an understanding of the costs of war.
Picnic Lunch with a View of the USS Missouri
Enjoy a picnic-style lunch overlooking the historic battleship USS Missouri, a symbol of peace and remembrance.
U.S.S. Missouri tour
Walk the deck where General MacArthur signed the treaty to end WWII in Tokyo Bay on the last U.S. battleship ever built. Explore the exhibits dedicated to daily life, battleship engineering, and wartime attacks.
Honolulu sightseeing tour
Get to know the richness of Hawaiian culture on this immersive city tour. Learn about the history, natural sciences, and traditions of the Hawaiian Islands and Polynesia at the Bishop Museum, sample local bites on King Street, and visit the famed King Kamehameha statue.
Dinner
Day 3
Breakfast
Diamond Head visit
Hike to the summit of this iconic saucer-shaped crater formed by a single eruption 300,000 years ago and discover breathtaking views of Honolulu and the Waikiki coastline. Explore 20th-century U.S. military tunnels and bunkers, as well as a navigational lighthouse built in 1917.
Catamaran Snorkel Cruise and Lunch
Board a catamaran for a snorkel cruise along the coast, complete with a delicious lunch. Students will snorkel in the brilliant blue waters, exploring vibrant coral reefs, tropical fish, and on occasion, spinner dolphins and humpback whales.
Dinner
Day 4
Breakfast
Depart for the North Shore
Nu’uana Pali Lookout
Take in one of the most scenic views in O'ahu from this historic cliff on Ko'olau Mountain, overlooking the vibrant, green countryside and turquoise waters of the Windward Coast. Reflect on the historic significance of this site where Kamehameha I gained control of O'ahu.
Lunch
Nature Preserve visit
Explore lush tropical farmlands while learning about traditional Hawaiian farming and aquaculture techniques. Discover the difference between native and invasive species, and learn about the value of soil health to support local, sustainable agriculture practices.
Polynesian Cultural Center visit
Become deeply immersed in authentic Hawaiian arts and traditions through a night of traditional dancing and storytelling that culminates with a luau dinner. Sit back and enjoy an on-water canoe dance performance and the fabled "Ha: Breath of Life" show, featuring fire-knife dancing.
Luau Dinner at the Polynesian Culture Center
Enjoy an unforgettable evening where you'll experience a traditional Hawaiian luau complete with a buffet dinner and live cultural performances. Savor island favorites like kalua pork and fresh poke while enjoying hula, music, and storytelling set in a lush tropical setting.
Day 5
Breakfast and hotel check-out
Take a short flight to Hilo, HI
Akaka Falls visit
Walk through this vibrant, tropical landscape and note the sweet smells from the ginger flowers. Get your camera ready for the cascading Kahuna Falls, at 100-feet tall, and Akaka Falls which plunges 442 feet into the gorge below.
Lunch
Imiloa Astronomy Center visit
Explore the traditions and ancient knowledge of Polynesian navigators and the modern astronomical research conducted at the Summit of Mauna Kea while touring this planetarium devoted to modern astronomy and Native Hawaiian culture.
Rainbow Falls photo stop
Visit this sacred site where rainbows often emerge against a stunning and massive 80-foot tall and 100-foot wide waterfall, where the mythological goddess Hina is said to live in a cave amongst this majestic setting.
Dinner
Hotel check-in
Day 6
Breakfast and hotel check-out
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
Enter this national park, located in a lush tropical hapuʻu fern forest. Continue your exploration at the Steam Vents, where groundwater travels down to hot volcanic rocks and rises back to the surface as steam.
Lunch
Punalu'u Black Sand Beach
Walk along this shimmering, jet-black sand beach, formed by volcanic lava pouring into the ocean and breaking into tiny fragments. You'll learn about volcanic geology and may even spot an endangered Hawaiian green sea turtle basking on the shore.
Travel to Kona, HI
Travel to Kona, Hawaii and receive a traditional flower lei upon your arrival.
Dinner
Hotel check-in
Day 7
Breakfast and hotel check-out
Historic Kona Town Scavenger Hunt
Explore Ali’i Drive’s historical sites, including Ahuʻena Heiau, which was once King Kamehameha’s place of worship, and Huliheʻe Palace, which was used by royalty as a vacation home and now serves as a museum featuring ancient Hawaiian artifacts.
Lunch
Depart for home
Dinner
Already Included
Transportation to & from your destination
Hotel accommodations
Meals (unless otherwise noted on your itinerary)
WorldStrides Course Leader - a dynamic destination expert who brings learning to life by leading your group's activities and discussions
Admissions to top attractions (details in itinerary)
WorldAssist staff members available 24/7/365 should your group need extra help
Free high school credit for students who choose to complete WorldStrides free online coursework post-program
Professional development credits (CEUs) for educators
Field Research Guide (Discovery Journal)
Scenes from Hawaii
Health & Safety
Additional health and safety measures may be available within your respective destination. Refer to your program-specific materials for complete details.
Financial Assistance
Financial Assistance
WorldStrides provides over $2.5 million in financial assistance each year to thousands of families. Families with annual adjusted gross incomes of less than $85,000 may qualify. One simple call to Customer Service and you’ll know how much may be available for your trip even before signing up. Please note: financial assistance is given on a first-come, first-served basis.
Payment Plans
Advantage Payment Plan
At program sign-up you can opt to pay in full, or break up the cost of your trip with the Advantage Payment Plan. This plan allows you to pay a small initial deposit, then have your remaining payments spread out into affordable monthly amounts.
EZPay
We offer an EZPay option, which is a simple way to pay for your WorldStrides program by scheduling hassle-free, automatic drafts from your checking account. With EZPay, you'll never be late or miss an installment.
Fundraising Tools
Our easy-to-use tools put students in the driver's seat of their own fundraising efforts. Students can send e-cards, share links on social media, and even send out printed letters through WorldStrides' Gift of Education program. In one click friends and family members can make a direct donation to the trip - with 100% of the money raised going to offset their trip price. Thousands of students pay for their entire trip each year through the Gift of Education.
Also, WorldStrides makes program-specific scholarships available as well as other scholarship resources. Ask your Account Manager for more information about scholarships and fundraising tools.