Oahu
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 only 4-8, 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 brought to downtown Honolulu to immerse yourself in Hawaii’s rich history, with photo opportunities (outside the van) at Iolani Palace, the King Kamehameha I statue, and more. Then you'll 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. This is followed by a stop for a climactic view of the eastern coast and offshore islands at Pali Lookout.
Then you'll head up through the middle of the island, stopping first at Green World Coffee Farm (coffee and chocolate tastings), and 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, before returning to Honolulu around 5 pm.
You may want to compare all 3 of our Circle Island Tours; other options include:
- A nearly 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.
Key Details
Traveler Reviews
Customer Rating:
5 out of 5 stars
Also rated on :
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.
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?
While the arrival and departures times of the Pride of America cruise ship on Saturdays would in theory work (the tour picks up from Waikiki lodgings 7:30-8 am and drops off around 5 pm), the issue is luggage, which the tour cannot generally take. There generally isn't enough time to get your luggage to/from your Waikiki lodging. Exceptions may be possible if you book a private tour. You can also review luggage options in the next FAQ below for some other options.
Therefore, it would be best if Pride of America passengers can do the tour on a day prior to their Saturday departure or a day after their Saturday arrival back in Honolulu.
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 or haven't checked in yet. Note: some Waikiki resorts may provide a luggage transport service from/to the cruise terminal.
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.
For children at least age 5 & under, you may bring your own car seat / booster seat, 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, walkers, or strollers?
Collapsible items should be ok, unless it's unusually large or you have multiple of them on the shared tour. Private tours are suggested in these cases if possible. Most stops are suitable but some may be challenging due to unpaved surfaces, in which case you may need to stay back at the van (or with a private tour possibly modify the itinerary a bit). Please answer the Physical Limitations question at checkout with the details when booking.
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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