Private Circle Island Tour Honolulu: 8 hours, small group

Hawaii is the only state that grows coffee commercially, and you'll stop at both coffee and macadamia farms on the same morning.

A private circle island tour around Oahu for up to 14 people with hotel pickup, air-conditioned vehicle and English-speaking guide. The route covers the North Shore's famous surf beaches, a historic plantation town, Kahana Bay and the windward coast, then loops back past Diamond Head. Stops include Dole Plantation, Byodo-In Temple, Tropical Farms Macadamia Nut Farm and local lunch vendors. Entrance fees to some sites are separate.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Dole Plantation20m
2. Waimea Baypassing by
3. Kahana Bay Beach Park10m
4. Tropical Farms Macadamia Nut Farm20m
5. Byodo-In Temple30m
6. Makapuu Lighthouse10m
7. Diamond Headpassing by

Circle Island Tour Highlights

• Visit coffee shop and coffee trees
• Explore Dole Plantation and gardens
• Stop at historic Haleiwa town
• Drive through Waimea Bay North Shore
• Tour botanical garden with waterfall
• View massive waves at North Shore beach
• Shop tropical fruits from local vendors
• Lunch at North Shore shrimp trucks
• Drive through Laie town and Mormon temple
• Visit Kahana Bay Beach Park
• Stop at Kualoa Park and China Man Hat
• Sample macadamia nuts and local coffee
• Optional lunch at Coral Kingdom
• Visit Byodo-In Temple
• See Makapuu Lighthouse ocean lookout
• View blow hole and movie beach
• Drive through Beverly Hills of Hawaii
• Drive around Diamond Head crater

The experience

Eight hours lets you drive most of the way around the island without rushing through any single stop. The tour starts with a coffee farm in the morning, then moves to Dole Plantation in Wahiawa, where you can ride the Pineapple Express train, walk the World's Largest Garden Maze and try the famous Dole Whip. From there you head to Haleiwa, a historic plantation town that became the birthplace of modern surfing culture, then drive along Waimea Bay on the North Shore. A bay that gets waves over 20 feet tall in winter months when the pros compete there. The route passes through a botanical garden (entrance fee separate), stops at a local fruit stand selling mango, papayas and lychee, and includes lunch at one of the North Shore shrimp trucks, where Giovannis is the most famous for garlic shrimp, though there are over 30 other food vendors nearby if you prefer something else.

The windward side of the route takes you through Laie, home to a small BYU campus and the Polynesian Cultural Center, then to Kahana Bay, where native Hawaiians farmed for hundreds of years and the mountains frame a view that inspired the setting of Moana. Kualoa Park offers more coastal and mountain views and is where Jurassic Park and King Kong were filmed. Before heading back toward Honolulu, you stop at Tropical Farms Macadamia Nut Farm to buy local macadamia nuts and taste Hawaiian coffee. Depending on how much daylight remains, the route either crosses back over the mountains or continues around the east side to Makapuu Lighthouse, where on clear days you can see three other islands in the chain and sometimes watch the blowhole shoot water over 50 feet high. The final stretch passes through the expensive neighborhoods of Kahala and loops around Diamond Head, the famous volcanic crater, for close-up views of the ocean without climbing it.

Your guide is a local with roots in the community and shares stories and insights you won't hear on larger bus tours. The vehicle is air-conditioned, seats up to 14 people, and includes child seats and specialized infant seats if you need them. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, so you don't arrange your own transport to the starting point. Collapsible wheelchairs with removable wheels can be accommodated if a companion can assist with boarding and disembarking.

What’s included

• Private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• hotel pickup and drop-off.
• English-speaking local guide.
• child seats and specialized infant seats available.
• stops at Dole Plantation, Waimea Bay, Kahana Bay, Tropical Farms Macadamia Nut Farm, Byodo-In Temple and Diamond Head.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to1d before

AgesUp to age 90

GroupPrivate

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. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Hawaii Rainbow Tours

Is this one for you?Choose the private guide if you want a set itinerary around the island with someone steering the route and timing. Choose the rental car if you'd rather linger at specific spots or skip ahead based on what interests you most.

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Top questions

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 worth the stop?

The Byodo-In Temple is a majestic structure set at the base of the steep Koolau mountain range on the windward side of Oahu. It's a popular photo spot because of the dramatic mountain backdrop and the chance to see Buddha inside the temple. Entrance fees are separate from the tour.

Can I eat lunch at the North Shore shrimp trucks if I don't like garlic shrimp?

Yes. Giovannis is the most famous shrimp truck on the North Shore, but there are over 30 different food vendors in that area, so you'll find options beyond garlic shrimp, including Huli Huli chicken, salads and other local dishes.

What movies were filmed at the stops on this tour?

Jurassic Park and King Kong were filmed at Kualoa Park. The botanical garden on the route was used for Jumanji, The Hunger Games and Lost. A special beach visible from the east side lookout was used for Pirates of the Caribbean and other films.

Will I have time to hike Diamond Head on this tour?

No. The tour drives around Diamond Head for close-up views of the crater and ocean, but does not include climbing the volcano itself.

Which entrance fees are not included in the tour price?

Entrance fees to the Byodo-In Temple and the botanical garden are separate. The Dole Plantation charges admission for its attractions like the Pineapple Express train and the World's Largest Garden Maze. Food, drinks and gratuities are also not included.