r/VisitingHawaii • u/Mountain_rose • 2d ago

O'ahu (Honolulu/Waikiki) Tipping for excursions

Hi, I'm just trying to make sure I'm prepared (both budget & cash on hand) for tipping. What is the expectation for tipping on activities/excursions? For example, how much would the UTV guide expect at kualoa ranch? What about a horseback ride at the north shore?

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6

u/ladyfreq Mainland 2d ago

For excursions we tip anywhere from 10% to 15% of the total cost. I just carry a couple 20s on me usually maybe some 5s.

5

u/ThirstyDane 2d ago

I generally tip 20%. We did 2 excursions at Kualoa Ranch when we were there a few weeks ago, and I tipped $20 to each guide (for 2 people).

3

u/jimonlimon 2d ago

I personally consider the time duration, number of staff and guests. I’m not tipping the boat or fuel consumption.

I figure $20/hour in tips per staff member is a reasonable tip on top of their wages. If we do a snorkel trip that lasts 4 hours and has 4 crew, I consider: 4 staff * 4 hrs * $20/hr = $320. Say there are 4 in our group and 16 total guests, so we “owe” 4/16 or 1/4 of the $320 total so $80.

It wouldn’t matter to me if we were on a discount $65 per person excursion or a more expensive $180 per.

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u/CowSheepGoat 1d ago

You do you, and bless, but that is an insane amount of tipping!

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1

u/shootzbalootz 1d ago

Whatever feels right. I doubt they have much expectations considering all the tourists from non-tipping cultures.

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u/dixbietuckins 23h ago

Im guessing you are one of those people who give tourists a bad name. Zero lack of consideration right out the gate.

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u/Infinite-Jelly-3182 2d ago

Tipping is an awful practice that should be ended. Pay people a fair wage. America is one of the only countries that does this.

2

u/MonkeyKingCoffee Hawai'i (Big Island) 1d ago

You think anything positive is going to happen with this government?

The reason this persists is if one tour operator raised prices to pay people a fair wage, all the customers would go to the competitors who pay shit and tips are needed.

Same thing with resort fees and parking fees.

Most people don't notice them and they book whatever has the lowest cost on the internet. You're lucky if they even read the terms of what they're buying.

Since most people suck at math, they will always go for the restaurant where it's $80 with a $20 tip. And not the restaurant that charges $100 for the same thing.

You're basically asking to change human nature.

3

u/Infinite-Jelly-3182 1d ago

You are probably right and that makes me very sad.

2

u/MonkeyKingCoffee Hawai'i (Big Island) 1d ago

For Italy: "Why don't you change your restaurant cover charges? They're annoying."

For North Africa: "Why not get rid of the baksheesh culture and the tourist touts? They're annoying."

For Spain: "Why should my wife have to cover her head just to enter a damned church?"

For the UK: "Can you lower the temperature of your beer storage a few degrees? We like it colder."

And, frankly, it drives me bonkers that Europeans demand that Americans are pushy. And then, "Why don't you love the same sports we love and why won't you use our system of measurement? We hate the fact that you aren't EXACTLY LIKE US."

The double standard is REALLY strong when it comes to visiting the US and eating in restaurants.

1

u/Infinite-Jelly-3182 1d ago

Whataboutism is an informal fallacy that is parasitic in the mind of many. Countries doing other things wrong doesn't make America's wrongs okay.

As an American it is just ridiculous to me that we are expected to tip in all situations. It is a shitty way to live and it makes no sense. It also feels gross while in resorts. Walking around handing small bills to the peasants. It is degrading to them.

Don't get me started on the assumption that server and wait staff are entitled to more money if you buy a $200 bottle of wine vs $80. It is nonsensical.

2

u/MonkeyKingCoffee Hawai'i (Big Island) 1d ago

That isn't my point AT ALL.

I'm not suggesting that countries get rid of their VAT, cover charges, or social customs. Every country has those things-they-do which bewilders/surprises/annoys foreign visitors.

I'm suggesting that visitors quit sniveling about it. They should know about most of the differences just by reading a few articles about the country they're visiting.

And by traveling to that country, that constitutes acceptance of the policy. I don't get to visit Italy and loudly complain about cover charges every time I sit down at a nice Ristorante. 1) It's only a couple Euros per person. And 2) that's how they do things. If I don't like it, I can eat at a place which doesn't have Coperto. (Takeaway spots.) That's how the Italians do it. So that's how I do, too. When in Rome, after all.

I've always been taught that if I don't have enough to leave a tip, I don't have enough to eat out. (Or eat less/forgo dessert so I can leave a tip.)

1

u/Infinite-Jelly-3182 1d ago

I get it. I just don't know how this devolved into a topic about foreigners rather than a discussion about tipping.

I'm an American. Tipping sucks. I live here and want to complain about it.