This high-tech Hawaiian bus tour takes families on a VR journey through legend and nature

See Hawaii like never before

By Amanda Teague Published September 4, 2025 4:00 AM

XploreRide

A new attraction is rolling through Honolulu, and it’s unlike anything families have seen before. Called XploreRide, this first-of-its-kind experience combines extended reality with cultural storytelling aboard a moving, zero-emission bus. Officially launched this month, the immersive sightseeing tour invites families to see Hawai‘i in a whole new way.

Tourism leaders say experiences like XploreRide represent the future of travel: eco-friendly, tech-driven, and designed to be family-friendly and culturally enriching. Guests board an electric bus, don VR headsets, and are guided by the voice of an ‘Aumākua, a Hawaiian ancestral spirit, through 360° adventures that merge real-world views of Waikīkī and Diamond Head with vivid layers of virtual reality.

A journey through nature, culture, and legend

Step aboard, and the tour plunges guests into the heart of a hidden underwater city drawn from Hawaiian legend. Guided by the mystical guardian spirit ‘Aumākua, families come face-to-face with shimmering marine life, explore coral reefs and ancient volcanoes, and unlock glowing Mana Stones that reveal the islands’ deep spiritual energy.

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Alongside the immersive visuals, the experience doubles as a moving tour of Honolulu’s most iconic spots, including Waikīkī Beach and Diamond Head. The result is a one-of-a-kind blend of sightseeing and storytelling.

The tour lasts 45 minutes and is open to ages 7 and up, with space for up to 40 passengers per ride. Departures meet at T Galleria by DFS, Royal Hawaiian Avenue Entrance, and tickets start at $36 for kids and $51 for adults.

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