Oahu Circle Island Tour: Waimea Waterfall & North Shore Lunch

Summary

Circle the island’s wild coastlines, waterfalls, and flavors

You’ll circle Oahu with a local guide who knows every story behind each cliff and cove. Taste Kona coffee under banyan trees, swim beneath Waimea Waterfall (if you’re brave), eat North Shore shrimp with your hands, and end with pineapple ice cream at Dole Plantation. It’s not just sightseeing — it feels like seeing Oahu through someone else’s eyes.

What’s the experience like?

First thing I remember is our guide, Kaleo, waving us onto the minibus outside our Waikiki hotel — he had this way of making everyone feel like we’d known him for years. He pointed out Kapiʻolani Park as we rolled past, telling us how it was a royal gift (I’d never have guessed that patch of green had so much history). The air was still cool, but you could already smell plumeria somewhere. I tried to snap a photo of Diamond Head through the window but mostly caught my own reflection. Not my best work.

We stopped at this little macadamia nut farm tucked under big old banyan trees. The smell hit me before I even got out — roasted nuts and fresh coffee. They let us try everything: Kona coffee (stronger than I expected), chocolate-covered macadamias, some kind of brittle that stuck to my teeth. Kaleo laughed when I tried to say “mahalo” properly; pretty sure I butchered it. Everyone seemed relaxed here, even the chickens wandering around.

The drive along the windward side was all misty cliffs and flashes of turquoise water. At Nuʻuanu Pali Lookout, the wind nearly knocked my sunglasses off — apparently that’s normal up there. You can see half the island from that spot; it’s wild thinking about the battles that happened right where you’re standing. Later we reached Waimea Valley. It’s a real walk (maybe 20 minutes each way), but worth it for the waterfall alone — cold water on your skin if you brave a swim, birds calling overhead, everything green and damp-smelling. Lifeguards were there handing out lifejackets and joking with kids who didn’t want to get out.

Lunch was garlic shrimp at a North Shore truck — honestly messy but so good I didn’t care about sticky fingers. Someone bought a coconut from a fruit stand and shared it around while we watched surfers at Sunset Beach (waves weren’t huge this time of year). The last stop was Dole Plantation for pineapple ice cream; by then everyone was quiet in that full-belly sleepy way. There’s something about watching the sun angle low over pineapple fields that makes you feel like you’ve really been somewhere different.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Oahu island full day tour

• Pick up from Waikiki at 7am
• Drive by Kapiʻolani Park and Waikīkī Aquarium
• Visit Amelia Earhart Lookout at Diamond Head
• Drive by Koko Head and Hanauma Bay
• Stop at Halona Blowhole
• Drive by Eternity Beach and Sandy Beach
• Drive by Makapu’u Point and Waimānalo Beach
• Visit Nu‘uanu Pali Lookout
• Drive by Koʻolau Mountains
• Stop for Hawaiian coffee and macadamia nut tastings
• Visit Chinaman’s Hat (Mokoli’i)
• Drive by Kualoa Private Nature Reserve and Kahana Bay
• Drive by Lāʻie Hawaiʻi Temple
• Stop at North Shore fruit stand
• Visit Sunset Beach
• Drive by Banzai Pipeline and Sharks Cove
• Drive by Laniakea Beach (Turtle Beach)
• Visit Waimea Valley and Waimea Waterfall
• Stop at Dole Pineapple Plantation

Top questions

How long is the Oahu Circle Island tour?

The tour lasts approximately one full day with pickup around 7am in Waikiki and drop-off in the evening.

Is swimming allowed at Waimea Waterfall?

Yes, swimming is allowed at Waimea Waterfall; lifeguards are present and lifejackets are provided.

Does the tour include lunch?

No lunch is not included in the price; bring cash for North Shore garlic shrimp or other options at food trucks.

Are entry fees included?

Admission to Waimea Botanical Garden and Waterfall is included in your tour price.

Is hotel pickup available from Waikiki?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off in Waikiki are included with your booking.

How much walking is required for Waimea Falls?

The walk to Waimea Waterfall is about 1.5 miles roundtrip; there is also an optional $10 tram (not included).

Can infants join this tour?

Infants can join if seated on an adult's lap; strollers are allowed on board.

Is this tour accessible for wheelchairs?

The tour accepts standard foldable wheelchairs with advance notice; guests must be able to board bus via steps.

What’s included

Your day includes Waikiki hotel pickup and drop-off, entry to Waimea Botanical Garden and Waterfall (with swimming permitted), an air-conditioned vehicle throughout, plus a professional local guide sharing stories along every stretch of coastline before returning you home in the evening.