Honolulu: Pearl Harbor & Oahu Circle Island Tour

Pearl Harbor, North Shore Beaches & Island Loop in One Day from Waikiki

You get picked up from Waikiki, visit the USS Arizona Memorial with a Navy boat ride and historical exhibits, drive the windward coast past mountains and fish ponds, stop at a macadamia farm and Kualoa Regional Park, grab lunch on your own at the North Shore (cash recommended), explore Haleiwa and the famous surf beaches, and finish at the Dole Plantation before returning to your hotel. All entry tickets are included and provided by your guide on the morning of the tour.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. USS Arizona Memorial1h · entry included
2. Tropical Farms Macadamia Nut Farm20m
3. Dole Plantation45m
4. Waikiki1m

Pearl Harbor and Oahu Island Tour

• Explore Pearl Harbor Visitor Center exhibits
• Watch 23-minute Pearl Harbor documentary
• Boat ride to USS Arizona Memorial
• Visit USS Arizona Memorial and Remembrance Wall
• Drive along Oahu's northeast coastline
• Stop at Tropical Farms Macadamia Nut Farm
• Visit Kualoa Regional Park
• Lunch at Fumi's Garlic Shrimp Truck
• Shop at Kahuku Land Farms stand
• View North Shore surf spots and beaches
• Explore Haleiwa town and local culture
• Visit Dole Plantation Store and Rainbow Eucalyptus
• Return to Waikiki tour starting point

The experience

So yeah, you're trying to fit the whole island into a single day (Pearl Harbor, the North Shore, the windward coast, all of it), and honestly, that's exactly what this tour does. You get picked up from Waikiki (the driver texts you the time the day before, usually 30 minutes or so before the official start), and then it's straight to Pearl Harbor Visitor Center. There's a 23-minute documentary about December 7, 1941, and exhibits that walk you through what happened. After that, you board a Navy boat for a 10-minute ride out to the USS Arizona Memorial: the white structure built over the sunken battleship. Inside, you can see the ship's outline in the water below and sometimes the oil droplets people call "The Tears of the Arizona" still rising to the surface. The memorial has a wall with the names of the 1,177 crew members who died. It's quiet, respectful, and you feel it.

Once you leave Pearl Harbor, the drive shifts. Your guide takes you along Oahu's windward coastline, the northeast side, where you see the Ko'olau Mountains thick with green, the ocean opening up, and the whole landscape just changes. You stop at Tropical Farms, a small macadamia nut farm tucked between an ancient fish pond and the mountains, and then Kualoa Regional Park, where you can see Mokoli'i Island just offshore. The scenery here is the kind that makes you understand why people move to Hawaii and never leave. After that comes lunch (not included, so you're on your own), but the tour stops at places like Fumi's Garlic Shrimp Truck or Kahuku Land Farms stand on the North Shore, where locals buy pineapple, coconut, and banana lumpia. Bring cash. Most of these spots don't take cards.

The North Shore itself is the final stretch. You drive past Banzai Pipeline, Waimea Bay, and Sunset Beach, the legendary surf spots, and roll through Haleiwa, the charming town with wooden storefronts, shave ice shops, and that laid-back vibe. Then there's the Dole Plantation, where you can grab a Dole Whip (the famous pineapple soft-serve) and walk past the Rainbow Eucalyptus trees with their wild, multicolored bark. After that, it's the drive back to Waikiki. The whole thing is about 10+ hours, and yeah, there's a lot of time in the vehicle moving between stops, but the stops themselves are the point. Entry tickets to everything are provided by your guide on the morning of the tour, so you're not fumbling with bookings. Just show up, and the day unfolds.

One thing to know: this is not a swimming or snorkeling tour. You're seeing the island, not getting in the water. Wear comfortable shoes: the Pearl Harbor memorial involves walking, and there's uneven terrain in places. Bags aren't allowed inside Pearl Harbor (you can store them for $7 each), so travel light or use a clear plastic bag. And respectful silence at the USS Arizona Memorial is expected. It's a solemn place. If the weather turns stormy, some sites can close, so that's worth keeping in mind. The tour is suitable for most fitness levels, but the itinerary does say it's not recommended for people who can't walk four city blocks, so if mobility is a concern, check on that before booking.

What’s included

• Your day includes Waikiki hotel pickup and drop-off, entry tickets to the USS Arizona Memorial and Pearl Harbor Visitor Center (provided by your guide), a Navy boat ride to the memorial, the scenic windward coast drive, stops at Tropical Farms macadamia nut farm and Kualoa Regional Park, time at the North Shore beaches and Haleiwa town, and a visit to the Dole Plantation.
• The vehicle is air-conditioned, and your guide provides expert narration throughout.
• Meals are not included, but the tour stops at local food vendors where you can purchase lunch on your own.

Before you book

Days and timesWednesday and SundayDeparts at 07:00

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 20

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 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Aloha Sunshine Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see Pearl Harbor, the North Shore, and the windward side of Oahu in a single day without renting a car or coordinating your own transport and tickets: the fixed itinerary and included entry passes are what make the whole loop possible in one morning and afternoon.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 11 years); Infant (under 3): free.

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 time does the tour start?

Pickup is 30 minutes or more before the listed tour time. The company texts or emails you the day before with your approximate pickup time and location.

Are meals included?

No. Meals are at your own expense. The tour stops at food trucks and local stands on the North Shore, and there are dining options at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center. Bring cash: many roadside vendors don't take cards.

Can I bring a bag to Pearl Harbor?

Bags are not allowed inside Pearl Harbor. You can store them for $7 each. Clear plastic bags (like those allowed at football games) are permitted, as are bags containing medical equipment.

Is swimming or snorkeling included?

No. This is a sightseeing and driving tour only. There is no swimming or snorkeling.

How long is the tour?

The full day is 10+ hours, including pickup and drop-off. Much of that time is spent traveling between stops.

What's included in the price?

Pickup and drop-off from Waikiki, entry tickets to all attractions (provided by your guide on the morning of the tour), air-conditioned vehicle, and expert narration by the driver.

Is the USS Arizona Memorial pass guaranteed?

Advance passes are subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed. If they're unavailable, you may join the National Park Service standby line, where admission is based on available space and also not guaranteed.

What should I wear?

Wear comfortable shoes. There's walking involved, especially at Pearl Harbor. No swimwear is allowed. Respectful, casual clothing is appropriate.

Can I tip the guide?

Yes. Tipping in cash is appreciated if you enjoyed the tour.

What if the weather is bad?

Sites are subject to closure due to stormy weather. Check with the company if conditions look severe on your tour day.