Oahu Ultimate Circle Island Tour

Oahu

Oahu Ultimate Circle Island Tour

Pickup: 7:30 - 8:15 am

Duration: 8-10 hours

8 max (for shared tour)

Fitness: Easy

Real-time Availability

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.

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.

You may want to compare all 3 of our Circle Island Tours; other options include:
- An identical small group tour but with Pearl Harbor, the most popular attraction in Hawaii. Or if you can, we recommend complimenting a Circle Island Tour with a more in-depth stand-alone Pearl Harbor Tour on a separate day.
- A large coach bus tour (which reduces the price) and has a somewhat different route and stops

TravelShack's Choice

WHY WE RECOMMEND THIS OPTION OVER OTHERS

  • For shared tour, smaller group (4-8, 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

Availability

Within a few weeks of tour dates, there is often a minimum of 4 paid seats to book some days on vans that otherwise don't have sign-ups. For smaller parties, if you don't see an available date that works for you, please contact us as we may be able to open up another date. Or please consider our other larger bus Circle Island Tour that has availability on most dates.

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Traveler Reviews

Customer Rating:

(325 Reviews)

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Guidebook Reviews

Lonely Planet guidebook:

Oahu in 1 Day: Best Driving is Circle Island Tour. The drive and scenery are mesmerizing.

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.

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