Oahu: Circle Island Day Tour with Food Tastings & Pickup

Summary

Circle Oahu in a day tasting malasadas, Kona coffee & shrimp

You’ll taste fresh malasadas near Halona Blowhole, sip Kona coffee with locals, dig into North Shore garlic shrimp for lunch, and maybe spot sea turtles with your guide. This Oahu circle island tour includes pickup from Waikiki hotels so you can just relax and take in all those small moments that make Hawaii feel real.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect to start my Oahu circle island tour standing in a souvenir shop at 8am, already sipping real Kona coffee — but there we were, the smell sharp and earthy, everyone still a bit sleepy. Our guide (Keoni? I hope I’m spelling that right) grinned and pointed out the photo zone where people were already laughing over goofy poses. I tried the macadamia nuts — honestly, better than any I’d had back home. The air was humid but not heavy yet; you could just see the ocean peeking between palm trees as we loaded into the van.

Leonard’s Bakery was next. I’d heard about malasadas but biting into one fresh, sugar dusted and warm, is something else. We ate them near Halona Blowhole — the spray shot up so suddenly that a kid squealed and everyone turned to look. Keoni told us stories about old movies filmed here; someone asked about sea turtles and he promised we’d try our luck later up north. The drive along the coast felt endless in a good way — blue everywhere, windows down, salt in the air. At Makapuʻu Lookout you could feel the wind tugging at your shirt.

Lunch at Tanaka Kahuku Shrimp was messy (in the best way), garlic everywhere. I watched a local uncle behind the counter flip shrimp like it was nothing — he winked when he caught me staring. Later we stopped at Kahuku Land Farm for banana lumpia; sweet and crispy, almost too hot to hold at first. There was this moment when everyone went quiet chewing fruit samples under a tent while chickens wandered by — not sure why that stuck with me.

We finally spotted turtles at Puaʻena Point (well, one big one anyway). Haleʻiwa Town felt slower than Waikiki — surfboards leaning against walls, someone strumming ukulele outside a shop. By then my shirt smelled like sunscreen and fried garlic and maybe a little ocean. It’s funny what you remember most after circling an island like Oahu in just one day.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Full day Oahu circle island tour

• Pickup in Waikiki
• Visit Treasures and You shop
• Sample Kona coffee
• Photo at Instagram-worthy zone
• Eat malasada at Leonard’s Bakery
• See Halona Blowhole lookout
• Visit Makapuʻu Lookout
• Stop at macadamia nut farm
• Visit Kualoa Regional Park
• Explore North Shore beaches
• Lunch at Tanaka Kahuku Shrimp
• Taste tropical fruit at Kahuku Land Farm
• Spot sea turtles at Puaʻena Point
• Explore Haleʻiwa Town

Top questions

How long does the Oahu circle island day tour take?

The tour lasts a full day with morning pickup from Waikiki and drop-off in the evening.

Is lunch included on this Oahu day trip?

Yes, lunch is included at Tanaka Kahuku Shrimp on the North Shore.

Do you visit Leonard’s Bakery for malasadas?

Yes, there’s a stop at Leonard’s Bakery where guests enjoy fresh malasadas.

Are there food tastings besides lunch?

You’ll sample Kona coffee and macadamia nuts at Tropical Farms plus banana lumpia at Kahuku Land Farm.

Is hotel pickup included from Waikiki?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off from Waikiki are included in this tour.

Will I see sea turtles on this Oahu tour?

You’ll stop at Puaʻena Point where sea turtles are often spotted but sightings aren’t guaranteed.

Is this circle island tour suitable for families?

The tour is family-friendly and suitable for all fitness levels.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off from Waikiki, guided sightseeing around Oahu’s top spots with stops for Kona coffee tasting, Leonard’s malasadas, macadamia nuts at Tropical Farms, banana lumpia at Kahuku Land Farm, plus a garlic shrimp lunch on the North Shore before returning in comfort by evening.