Oahu Circle Island Tour: Landmarks & Attractions Highlights

One van, one day, the whole island without planning it yourself

An Oahu circle island tour departing from Waikiki that visits Diamond Head Lookout, Byodo-In Temple, Dole Plantation and the North Shore in a single day, with a live English-speaking guide, round-trip hotel pickup and temple admission included. The tour runs 7 to 8 hours and circles the island along the East Coast and North Shore, stopping at cultural sites, beaches and viewpoints. Children from age 3 are welcome, and the van holds 15 to 25 passengers depending on the departure.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Hanauma Baypassing by
2. Sandy Beach Park15m
3. Byodo-In Temple25m
4. Tropical Farms Macadamia Nut Farm20m
5. Dole Plantation30m

Oahu Circle Island Tour Highlights

• Stop at Diamond Head Lookout
• Pass by Hanauma Bay Lookout
• Visit Halona Blowhole and Eternity Beach
• Restroom stop at Sandy Beach
• Visit Byodo-In Temple
• Shop and taste at Tropical Farm Macadamia Nut
• Photo stop at Kualoa Regional Park
• Lunch at Kahuku garlic shrimp food truck
• Pass by Sunset Beach
• Visit Dole Plantation

The experience

The tour leaves Waikiki in an air-conditioned van and moves clockwise around the island, starting at Diamond Head Lookout on the south shore. From there you pass Hanauma Bay, a cone-shaped volcanic bay on the southeast coast where coral reefs and fish fill the marine ecosystem, and Halona Blowhole, a rock formation that shoots seawater into the air when the tide runs strong. Sandy Beach, a popular bodysurf spot, marks the first restroom stop. Your guide narrates the route in English and points out the landmarks as you move along the coast.

The Byodo-In Temple sits inland in a valley and was completed in 1968 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Japanese immigration to Hawaii. It replicates a Buddhist temple in Japan and was featured in the TV series LOST. Admission is included, so you walk inside without a separate ticket. After the temple, the route continues to Tropical Farms Macadamia Nut, where you can taste Kona coffee and macadamia nuts and pick up snacks. Kualoa Regional Park comes next, a photo spot with views of Mokoli'i (Chinaman's Hat), a basalt islet offshore, and the Koolau Mountain in the background.

The North Shore leg includes a stop for garlic shrimp plate from a food truck in Kahuku, a Hawaii staple. Sunset Beach, one of the three beaches that host the Triple Crown of Surfing in December and January, shows the big waves the North Shore is known for. The tour ends at Dole Plantation, one of Oahu's most visited attractions, where you can browse the gift shop, try pineapple ice cream, and grab snacks before heading back to Waikiki. Bottled water is provided throughout the day.

What’s included

• Round-trip hotel pickup from Waikiki.
• transport in an air-conditioned van.
• a live English-speaking guide.
• admission to Byodo-In Temple.
• bottled water throughout the day.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Under 3: can't be booked

GroupUp to 24

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Tournet Hawaii, Inc.

Is this one for you?This is a shared tour on a fixed schedule, so you ride with other travelers and follow the guide's route and timing. The trade-off is that the itinerary is already built and you don't spend the day planning stops or driving yourself. Choose it if you want to see the main sights of Oahu in one loop without renting a car or figuring out which beaches and landmarks are worth the detour.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 11 years). Children under 3 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is the Byodo-In Temple and why is it on this tour?

The Byodo-In Temple is a Buddhist temple built in 1968 in a valley inland from the coast to mark 100 years of Japanese immigration to Hawaii. It replicates a temple in Japan and was featured in the TV series LOST. Admission is included in the tour, so you enter without buying a separate ticket.

Does the tour stop for lunch, and what food is included?

The tour stops at a food truck in Kahuku on the North Shore where you can buy a garlic shrimp plate, a Hawaii staple. This is a lunch stop where you purchase your own meal. Bottled water is provided throughout the day.

How many stops does the circle island tour make, and how long does it take?

The tour makes roughly ten stops around the island: Diamond Head Lookout, Hanauma Bay, Halona Blowhole, Sandy Beach, Byodo-In Temple, Tropical Farms Macadamia Nut, Kualoa Regional Park, a food truck stop in Kahuku, Sunset Beach, and Dole Plantation. The full tour runs 7 to 8 hours from pickup to return.

What's included in the tour price, and what do I need to arrange myself?

Round-trip pickup from your Waikiki hotel, transport in an air-conditioned van, a live English-speaking guide, bottled water, and admission to Byodo-In Temple are all included. You purchase your own lunch at the food truck stop. Gratuities for the guide are optional.