Oahu Grand Circle Island Tour

• Knowledgeable & entertaining local guide/driver
• Comfortable transport from Waikiki/Honolulu on spacious coach bus
• Continental breakfast of Hawaiian-Portuguese “malasada” doughnuts made fresh by the popular Kamehameha Bakery, along with bottled water
• All parking & admission fees

This map shows a general representation of the circle island tour route. The tour usually goes counter-clockwise. 

The following are a mixture of stops (“S") and drive-bys ("D") (i.e. photo ops from the comfort of the bus with large windows; the bus usually pulls over if possible or otherwise drives by slowly), listed in chronological order. Stops in bold are longer (30+ minutes), whereas other stops are 10-20 minutes. 

Diamond Head Crater (D) - pauses at the lookout 

Kahala Gold Coast (D) - storied estates of the rich & famous

Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve (D) - clear view from lookout where bus pulls over

Halona Blowhole (S) - see ocean water enter collapsed lava cave and spew up to 30 ft in the air (depending on ocean conditions at the time)

Nuuanu Pali Lookout (S) - expansive scenic views of the eastern coast at historically important site

Byodo-In Temple (S) - beautiful Japanese temple located in lush valley among Koi fish ponds and tropical landscapes

Tropical Farms (S) - farm visitor center known for its local macadamia nuts & coffee, with free tastings

North Shore Beaches (D) - picturesque beaches known for their monster waves and surf competitions in the winter

Town of Haleiwa (S) - charming beachside town, with independent time (up to 1.5 hours) for lunch and shopping (map with recommendations provided)

Waialua Coffee & Soap Factory (S) - optional stop to watch soap being made and to stamp your own soap if desired, as well as shop for a wide variety of locally-sourced products; otherwise you can spend more time in Haleiwa

Dole Pineapple Plantation (S) - learn about the storied history of pineapples in Hawaii, explore the grounds to see different varieties, and enjoy treats such as the famous Dole Soft Serve / Whip 

Honolulu City Tour (D) - see sites such as Iolani Palace, Aloha Tower, and Chinatown

There are 9 pickup locations in Waikiki, where most visitors stay. There should be one a short walk from most/all Waikiki lodgings. They are, in chronological order:

Ala Moana Hotel / Shopping Center (6:30 am)
Prince Waikiki Hotel (6:35 am)
Hilton Hawaiian Village / Grand Islander (6:40 am)
Hale Koa Hotel (6:45 am)
Hotel La Croix (6:50 am)
Hokulani Waikiki (6:55 am)
Seaside Ave (Ross Store) (7:00 am)
Hyatt Regency (7:05 am)
Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort (7:10 am)

Return time to Waikiki is 3-4 pm.

If you're staying outside Waikiki, you may want to meet at Ala Moana for the free parking at the shopping center. Otherwise, Uber & Lyft are active on Oahu and you may want to meet at the last stop, the Waikiki Beach Marriott, to bypass all the other Waikiki pickups.

If arriving early via cruise ship, it could work for 6 am arrivals by transporting yourself (i.e. Uber or Lyft) 10-25 minutes (depending on traffic) to the last pickup, Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort, by the 7:10 am pickup time. Note: the arrival time provided by your cruise ship may be a conservative estimate that already takes into account the disembarking process, unlike the arrival times on this site. You may want to research the experience of others who have taken your cruise for a more precise sense of timing. Alternatively, our small group Circle Island Tour which picks up at the cruise terminal at 8 am may be a better fit.

If you're visiting from another island, due to the early start of this tour it doesn't appear any flights would ensure getting in on time for the scheduled pickups. Therefore, you would need to fly in the day before and spend the night. Flying out the same day as the tour wouldn't be an issue as the tour concludes in Honolulu around 4 pm; however, since the tour does not take luggage, you would need to leave your luggage at your hotel front desk when checking out in the morning, or there are various luggage store services in Honolulu. Alternatively, our small group Circle Island Tour which picks up at the airport at 8:15 am and drops off around 5 pm may be a better fit.

• There is so much to see on the popular circle island route. This tour has been optimized by those with decades of experience and will ensure you see the most with high quality stops than would likely be possible on your own in one day. Proper pacing means you will spend a reasonable amount of time at each stop without the day being overly long or conversely rushing through.
• Learn from a local guide with a deep knowledge of Oahu, which will bring to life your Hawaii sightseeing experience
• This is a popular route that can be crowded at times; let the tour handle parking at the various stops, as well as optimize the best itinerary to minimize peak crowds
• Unfortunately car break-ins do occur on this route, and it’s less stressful and safer with a secured tour bus
• Especially taking into account the usually high cost and difficulty with parking in urban Waikiki, consider foregoing renting a vehicle on your trip

Age 12+: $135
Age 3-11: $81
Age 2 & under: Free

The deluxe motorcoach bus that is generally used has a max capacity of 55, but it often does not fill up. 

Amenities include:

• Onboard restroom
• Seat belts
• Ample overhead storage for bags 
• Air-conditioning
• Panoramic window views
• Reclining seats
• Adjustable headrest / footrest
• Microphone and flat screen video system (multiple short videos are shown to enhance the educational component)
• In addition to regular thorough disinfection, the onboard HVAC system has a combination of antimicrobial filters and UV lights to eliminate 99.99% of airborne bacteria, viruses, and mold, exceeding standard HEPA filters and government requirements