Oahu Ultimate Circle Island Tour
Highlights
- Tour of Oahu’s historical, natural, and cultural sites with knowledgeable local guide
- Scenic drive up the center of the island, along the North Shore, and down the eastern coast
- Highlights include Dole pineapple plantation, coffee & macadamia nut farms, North Shore beaches, mountains, and more
- Optional Pearl Harbor add-on (separate tour)
- Includes hot lunch, tastings, and door-to-door transport
- Small group tour of 8 max (often less), or private tour
Overview
Experience the highlights of Oahu on a full day “circle island” sightseeing tour with a knowledgeable and fun local guide in a small group setting.
In newer premium vehicles, you will be picked up from your lodging and head up into the hills above Honolulu to the National Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl Crater to where over 53,000 veterans were laid to rest from the many major wars of the 20th century. Then you'll head up through the middle of the island, stopping first at Green World Coffee Farm (coffee and chocolate tastings), then at Dole Pineapple Plantation (cutting & tasting demonstration, and short gardens tour).
Next you'll visit multiple beaches on the North Shore, renowned not just for their white sand and turquoise water but also as the legendary surf capital of the world, especially in the winter with monster waves attracting surfers and spectators from afar. Stops include famous Sunset Beach and Haleiwa Beach, where turtle sightings are common.
A cooked-to-order hot lunch will be served from a popular food truck in quaint historical Haleiwa Town, where you can also check out some shops.
The tour will then take you for a short stop at historical Waimea Valley, as well as a cultural site on a cliff overlooking beautiful Waimea Bay.
You'll stop at a tropical fruit stand and have the opportunity to purchase local fruit, banana bread, or deep fried bananas (lumpias).
The tour will make its way down the eastern shore (“windward side”) with stunning coastal views on one side (including of Chinaman’s Hat) and scenic farms and mountains on the other. You will have the opportunity to enjoy macadamia nut tastings (and nut cracking) at a farm, and there will be many opportunities to stop to take pictures.
As you cross through the mountains, you’ll stop for a climactic view of the eastern coast and offshore islands at Pali Lookout. Before the tour concludes, you'll get a short driving tour of some of the famous sites of Honolulu, including historical palaces and famous museums.
No available dates that work for you? Or perhaps you would also be interested in Pearl Harbor, the most popular attraction in Hawaii? Check out our Pearl Harbor Combo Tour (you can compare both tours here). It's essentially the same tour, but about 1.5-2 hours at Pearl Harbor is added. Or if you have more than one day to spare, we recommend complimenting this Ultimate Circle Island tour with a more in-depth stand-alone Pearl Harbor Tour (~5 hours) on a separate day.
TravelShack's Choice
WHY WE RECOMMEND THIS OPTION OVER OTHERS
- For shared tour, smaller group (8 or less, whereas others are often more than 25) means more personalized attention from guide, more customization to your interests, better group camaraderie, less time waiting around for everyone to get on and off van, more time for stops, and no one being left behind (one major tour shuttle leaves people weekly!)
- Includes some off-the-beaten-path stops/areas
- No wasted stops at random souvenir shops to get you to purchase things (common with some others); there are shopping opportunities, but they are all unique on their own without any pressure to purchase
Key Details
Traveler Reviews
TravelShack Customer rating:
4.8 out of 5 stars
Also rated on:
Guidebook Reviews
Lonely Planet guidebook:
Oahu in 1 Day: Best Driving is Circle Island Tour.
Fodor's guidebook:
Guided tours on Oahu are convenient; you don’t have to worry about finding a parking spot or getting admission tickets.
Oahu Revealed guidebook:
Punchbowl Cemetery is an immensely moving place, guaranteed to put a lump in your throat.
Moon guidebook:
Top 8 Beaches on Oahu: Sunset Beach, Waimea Bay Beach.
FAQ
Where does this tour pick up from and at what time?
For those staying in Waikiki/Honolulu, the tour picks up from virtually all lodgings in this area.
Lodging pickups are around 7:30-8 am (the exact time will be included in your confirmation email) and drop-offs 4:30-5:30 pm, depending on your exact lodging, traffic, pace of group, etc.
For those staying in Ko Olina, Kapolei, Ewa Beach, or elsewhere, please meet in Honolulu at the Ala Moana Shopping Center (7:50 am, 45-60 min drive, free parking). Or you can book a private tour to include pickup/dropoff, although if you are far from Honolulu (e.g., North Shore) there would likely be an additional cost.
The tour does pickup at the Honolulu cruise ship terminal (8 am) and airport (8:15 am); more info below. Please factor in 30-60 minutes for disembarking the cruise ship and 15-30+ minutes to deplane and get to airport pickup.
Can I be picked up or dropped off at the airport?
Yes, but please make sure to arrive in time for pick-up at around 8-8:15 am and depart after being dropped off around 5-6 pm. If you are also spending a night in Oahu, then it is recommended to store the luggage at your lodging prior to the tour. You could also consider storing or checking in your luggage early at the airport (more info here). Due to security & liability reasons, the tour prefers not to take luggage on the tour, although exceptions are considered on a case-by-case basis for private tours.
Can I do this tour if I am doing the Pride of America cruise?
If you were to do it at the beginning of your trip, we recommend prior to your Saturday departure if possible. If you prefer Saturday, you should get dropped off at the Pride of America by 5 pm, although to guarantee it, you would need to do a private tour.
If at the end of your trip, with a scheduled cruise ship return to Honolulu of 7 am on Saturday, that would be enough time for pick-up at the pier for this tour (8 am). Or if you're staying longer in Oahu, pickup in Waikiki would be around 7:30-45 am if you want to be picked up at your hotel after dropping off your bags. Or you could consider doing a later date.
If you are doing this tour on the same day you start or end your cruise, luggage should not be brought on tour. Some hotels provide a service to drop off your luggage at the cruise terminal for you. For example, the Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort and the Hilton Hawaiian Village Resort have provided such a service for the Pride of America cruise ship; please inquire with these lodgings for details and to confirm this service is still offered. Or see FAQ below about other luggage storage options.
Can I bring luggage on tour?
In general, the tour cannot bring luggage, for liability/security reasons and space constraints. Some options include:
1) Leaving at your hotel front desk even if you've checked out that morning
2) Storing at the airport (more info here)
3) Storing at another location as listed on Bounce
4) Book a date where you are not constrained by luggage
If necessary, there may be some flexibility with private tours.
Is breakfast served?
No. However, the morning includes a stop at a coffee shop and pineapple farm/shop, both which include free tastings and food available for purchase.
What’s for lunch?
Lunch is at a popular food stand, Big Wave Shrimp, on the North Shore. You can order off the menu, and an entree and drink is included in the price of the tour. The menu includes a variety of shrimp styles (Garlic, Crunchy, Spicy, Peeled, Lemon Peppered), Steak and Short Ribs dishes, fried chicken wings, fish & chips, calamari, and veggie spring rolls for vegetarians. Served with rice, salad, and local pineapple. Seasonings have Thai and Japanese influences. Big Wave Shrimp has been featured in multiple tv shows, including on the Travel Channel, and has received a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence (4.5 star rating).
Gluten-free eaters can have boiled shrimp and request no dressing. They can accommodate those with food allergies, including shellfish allergy and nut allergies (no nuts used). Nevertheless, if this eatery is not a good fit for you, there are nearby food stands you can order from (note: you will be responsible for paying at other places).
Is there an age minimum?
There is no age minimum.
Hawaii law requires children under age 4 to ride in a child safety seat and children ages 4-7 to ride in a child safety seat or a booster seat. You may bring your own, or please select during checkout for the tour to provide ($20).
Please consider the length of the tour, much of it in a vehicle, in determining whether this tour is a good fit for your child and that your child won't significantly detract from the experience of any other passengers (if non-private tour).
How much physical exertion is on this tour?
There are some short walks, but these are optional and the tour guide will use their judgment in determining which stops are most appropriate for the guests on the tour. At the time of booking, there is a place to indicate any physical limitations. The tour does have a passenger weight limit of 320 lbs / 145 kg, primarily due to vehicle constraints.
Is this tour appropriate for wheelchairs, scooters, walkers, or strollers?
No. Federal/state law prevents the tour from taking these items onboard because it is not an ADA-compliant vehicle and these objects can serve as hazardous projectiles. They wouldn't be suitable anyways for most stops. Canes are permitted.
Does the tour enter Waimea Valley?
The tour did for a short period, but it no longer does because: 1) it required a significant amount of time, including a 1.5 mile round-trip walk, taking time away from other key Circle Island stops, and 2) more often than not Waimea Falls was either dry or a roaring brown mess, not very scenic or safe for a dip.
If entering Waimea Valley is important to you, it may be able to be accommodated on a private tour; please contact us.
Will I be on the same van as others traveling with me if they book separately?
There may be more than one van that goes out on the same day. Therefore, if booking separately, please answer the question at checkout about you being with another party so we can ensure you are on the same van.
Is there swimming on this tour?
This is more a sightseeing tour, with a lot of ground to cover. There is a good amount of time outside the van, including visiting a few beautiful North Shore beaches, but there aren't swimming opportunities due to time constraints and liability/safety concerns (note: the North Shore beaches can be quite rough and are more for surfing, especially during the winter). The beach stops are more for the scenery than sunbathing or water play.
How long has the tour been operating?
The tour operator has been running highly rated private customized tours for groups through high end resorts on Oahu for a decade. Starting in Fall 2018, TravelShack partnered closely with them to develop an optimized standard itinerary and small group tour to allow more people to have a VIP experience at great value, with easy booking through TravelShack. More recently we've also added a private tour option.
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