Oahu Circle Island Tour: North Shore, Dole & Sea Turtles

Diamond Head loop: sunrise hike, snorkeling with turtles, and pineapple farm tour in one day

A full-day guided tour of Oahu that circles the island from Waikiki, hitting Diamond Head, the windward coast, North Shore beaches and Dole Plantation with a professional local guide in an air-conditioned vehicle. Complimentary pickup starts at 8 AM from Waikiki. Return is between 5 and 6 PM. The tour includes a one-hour snorkel stop on the North Shore where you can swim with Hawaiian sea turtles, plus stops at Tropical Farms Macadamia Nut Farm for free coffee samples, Halona Blowhole, Makapuu Lighthouse, Polynesian Cultural Center, and the North Shore's famous surf breaks. Lunch is on your own at the North Shore shrimp shacks and fruit stands, or bring your own.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Diamond Head15m
2. Sandy Beach Parkpass by
3. Makapuu Lighthousepass by
4. Tropical Farms Macadamia Nut Farm30m
5. Polynesian Cultural Centerpass by
6. North Shorepass by
7. Dole Plantation30m

Full day tour around Oahu island

• Pickup from Waikiki at 8 AM
• Visit Diamond Head Lookout and East Honolulu
• Explore Halona Blowhole island
• View Kaiwi Shoreline and Sandy Beach Park
• See Rabbit Island from Makapuu Lighthouse
• Stop for shave ice and restrooms near Kualoa
• Ride through Waimanalo, Kailua, and Kaneohe
• Visit Macadamia Nut Farm and Kamehameha Statue
• Drive through Jurassic Valley and see China Man's Hat
• Pass by Polynesian Cultural Center in Laie
• Lunch stop at North Shore shrimp shacks and fruit stands
• View famous North Shore surfing spots
• Snorkel and swim with Hawaiian sea turtles
• Drive through Haleiwa town
• Visit Dole Plantation for pineapple treats
• Return and drop off in Waikiki between 5-6 PM

The experience

Pickup happens at your Waikiki location starting at 8 AM, and the route heads east first to catch Diamond Head Lookout in the morning light with views over Maunalua Bay. From there the tour follows the Kaiwi Shoreline past Halona Blowhole and Sandy Beach Park, where on big-wave days you'll watch surfers get hammered by the ocean. The drive continues to Makapuu Lighthouse and Rabbit Island's crater, then cuts inland through Waimanalo toward the windward side, passing waterfalls, sharp cliffs and rain forests from the air-conditioned shuttle. A pit stop at Tropical Farms Macadamia Nut Farm gives you free coffee samples, mac nuts and a photo at the Kamehameha Statue before the route pushes north.

The North Shore is where the day opens up. You'll pass through Jurassic Valley and see China Man's Hat, then stop at one of the North Shore's best snorkeling beaches for a full hour to swim with green Hawaiian sea turtles and tropical fish. This is the only water time on the tour, so come ready to get in. After that, lunch is yours to find at the North Shore shrimp shacks and fruit stands (or bring your own), and the guide will point you toward the famous breaks: Waimea Bay, Banzai Pipeline, Sunset Beach and the rest of the "Seven Mile Miracle" that made surfing what it is. The route then rolls through Haleiwa, the vintage surfer town, before ending at Dole Plantation, where you can walk the world's largest pineapple maze, try fresh pineapple juice and Dole Whip ice cream, and pick up gifts.

The tour passes the Polynesian Cultural Center in Laie on the way to the North Shore, and you'll see it from the vehicle. Return to Waikiki is between 5 and 6 PM depending on traffic and conditions. Your guide is a professional local who speaks English and narrates the whole route in person from the vehicle, so you hear the history and context as you move through each section of the island.

What’s included

• Professional local guide speaking English.
• air-conditioned vehicle for the full day.
• complimentary pickup from Waikiki at 8 AM.
• cooler on board.
• stops at Diamond Head Lookout, Halona Blowhole, Makapuu Lighthouse, Tropical Farms Macadamia Nut Farm with free coffee samples, Polynesian Cultural Center, North Shore snorkeling beach for one hour with sea turtles, and Dole Plantation with the world's largest pineapple maze.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:30

Book up to10h before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (4 to 12 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupUp to 200

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Ultimate Circle Island Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you're based in Waikiki and prefer a guided van tour over driving yourself: your guide navigates while you relax in an air-conditioned vehicle and focus on the scenery and photo stops.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 12 years); Infant (under 4): free.

What time does the Oahu circle island tour pick me up and drop me back?

Pickup from Waikiki starts at 8 AM from your designated location. Return to Waikiki is between 5 and 6 PM depending on traffic and weather conditions.

Can I actually swim with the sea turtles on this tour?

Yes, the tour includes a one-hour stop at a snorkeling beach on the North Shore where you can swim with green Hawaiian sea turtles and tropical fish, though you'll need to bring or rent your own snorkel gear.

What is included in the tour price?

The tour includes complimentary Waikiki pickup, an air-conditioned vehicle for the full day, a professional local guide who narrates in English, and stops at Diamond Head Lookout, Makapuu Lighthouse, Tropical Farms Macadamia Nut Farm (with free coffee samples), Polynesian Cultural Center, North Shore beaches and Dole Plantation. Lunch at the North Shore is on your own.

How long is the full tour?

The tour runs about nine hours from pickup to drop-off, covering the full circle around Oahu with multiple stops along the way.

Do I need to be fit or experienced to do this tour?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. Most of the day is spent in the air-conditioned vehicle, and stops are short walks or beach time at your own pace.

What should I bring for the snorkel stop on the North Shore?

Bring snorkel gear if you have it, or you can rent equipment separately. The tour does not provide snorkels or fins. Bring a towel, sunscreen, water and a change of clothes for the one-hour beach stop.