Oahu Circle Island: Turtle Beach Snorkeling & Dole Whip Day Trip

Summary

Circle Oahu’s wild coastlines and snorkel with turtles

You’ll circle most of Oahu by minibus with a small group—snorkeling with sea turtles on North Shore beaches, tasting Kona coffee under banyan trees, eating shrimp lunch at a local farm, and finishing with pineapple ice cream at Dole Plantation. With hotel pickup included and a local guide leading every stop, expect real moments (and sandy feet) along the way.

What’s the experience like?

“That’s the spot where Amelia Earhart took off,” our guide said, waving his arm out over the Diamond Head lookout. I was still chewing a macadamia nut from our last stop, so I just nodded and tried to imagine her up there in that blue sky. The air smelled like ocean and sunscreen, and someone behind me was already laughing about how many photos they’d taken before 10am. We’d only been on the Oahu Circle Island tour for a couple of hours but it felt like we’d been dropped right into someone else’s family road trip—everybody swapping stories, windows down, salty breeze sneaking in.

The drive along the eastern coastline is kind of hypnotic—sea cliffs rolling by, flashes of white sand, the odd chicken darting across the road (I swear they’re everywhere). Our guide, Keoni, kept pointing out things I’d have missed: “Look, that’s Rabbit Island,” he grinned. At Tropical Farms we tried Kona coffee so strong it made my hands jittery for a minute. The macadamia nuts were warm from sitting in the sun; I bought a bag for later but finished half before we even got back on the minibus.

I didn’t expect to care so much about lunch but honestly? Garlic shrimp at this farm under the Koʻolau mountains is something I still think about. Keoni walked us past taro patches and explained how these fields feed families here—there was something grounding about hearing him talk while you could smell earth and frying garlic all at once. Afterward we stopped at a fruit stand where I tried cold coconut water straight from the shell—messy but worth it.

The highlight was snorkeling at Turtle Beach on Oahu’s North Shore. There were maybe six of us who braved the water right away; others just watched for honu sunning themselves onshore. I floated above green sea turtles gliding through clear water—one swam close enough that I could see its eyes blink slowly (felt like time stopped for a second). The sand stuck to my legs after, but nobody cared—everyone was too busy talking about what they saw or didn’t see or how cold their toes were now.

We ended at the Dole Plantation with pineapple ice cream melting faster than anyone could eat it. By then everyone was sun-tired and happy in that way you get when you’ve spent all day outside with strangers who don’t feel like strangers anymore. Honestly, if you’re thinking about an Oahu day trip from Waikiki, this is one of those days that sticks around in your head long after you’ve washed off the salt.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Full-day Oahu island exploration

• Pickup from Waikiki hotels
• Visit Amelia Earhart Lookout
• See Halona Blowhole
• Drive past Waimanalo sea cliffs
• Stop at Tropical Farms Macadamia Nut Farm
• View Chinaman’s Hat island
• Lunch at local North Shore farm
• Shop at North Shore tropical fruit stands
• Relax at Sunset Beach
• Snorkel with green sea turtles
• Pass pineapple and coffee fields
• Visit Dole Plantation for souvenirs
• Return to Waikiki hotels

Top questions

How long does the Oahu Circle Island tour last?

This is a full-day tour starting around 7:20am with hotel pickup in Waikiki and returning in the late afternoon or early evening.

Is snorkeling gear provided for Turtle Beach?

Yes, snorkeling equipment is included in the price of your tour.

Are there vegetarian options for lunch?

Yes, vegetarian options are available at the North Shore farm restaurant during lunch.

Do you always see green sea turtles during snorkeling?

Turtle sightings are likely but not guaranteed due to weather or sea conditions—they’re wild animals after all.

Is hotel pickup included from all Waikiki hotels?

Pickup is available from select hotels in Waikiki; exact times are assigned when booking online.

What should I bring for this Oahu day trip?

A swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, bottled water, change of clothes in a small bag—and cash for lunch purchases.

How many people are on each minibus?

The group size is usually limited to 24 passengers (sometimes up to 28), smaller than typical coach tours.

What are some key stops besides Turtle Beach?

You’ll visit Diamond Head lookout, Halona Blowhole, Makapu’u Beach area, Tropical Farms Macadamia Nut Farm, Mokolii Island view (Chinaman’s Hat), Sunset Beach, Dole Plantation and more.

What’s included

Your day includes round-trip transport by air-conditioned minibus with pickup and drop-off at select Waikiki hotels; guidance from a knowledgeable local; use of snorkeling equipment at Turtle Beach; plus plenty of stops for photos, snacks like macadamia nuts or pineapple ice cream (lunch itself is extra and cash-based). Just bring your essentials—you’ll be looked after from start to finish.