Oʻahu circle island tour
The whole island, coast by coast, in one day
Nine stops around Oʻahu's southeast shore, windward coast, North Shore and pineapple country, with a local guide telling the island's stories between them. About 9.5 hours, with pickup from six set points in Waikiki.
75 minutes at Turtle Beach
Mokoliʻi, stop 5
From $49 per person
How the island works
Two volcanoes built Oʻahu and the trade winds painted every coast a different color. The only way to meet the whole island is to go all the way around it.
From the Diamond Head Lookout to Dole Plantation, in order around the island.
Pickup from 6:50 a.m., back in Waikiki in the late afternoon.
The longest stop of the day, with free snorkel gear on the Standard tour.
Set points a short walk from most Waikiki hotels.
Explore Oʻahu
Four coasts, four personalities
The loop crosses three coasts and the central plateau. Each looks nothing like the last.
Southeast Oʻahu
Craters, lava shelves and the blowhole, fifteen minutes from Waikiki.
Read the guideWindward Oʻahu
The green side: fluted cliffs, Kualoa and Mokoliʻi, and farm stands.
Read the guide
The North Shore
Surf legends, shrimp trucks, fruit stands and green sea turtles.
Read the guideCentral Oʻahu
Red-dirt pineapple country between the island's two mountain ranges, and the day's sweet finale.
Dole Plantation
Why ride the loop
Everyone gets the window seat
You could drive the loop yourself. Here's what a guided day adds.
A storyteller, not just a driver
Legends, place names and plantation history between every stop, from a local guide.
Real time at the stops
220 minutes at the nine timed stops, plus lunch, in a 9.5-hour day.
Time to swim, not just snap a photo
An hour and a quarter at Turtle Beach, with free snorkel gear on the Standard tour.
No car, no parking, no navigating
Skip the rental and the hotel parking. Compare it with driving the loop.
The route
The nine stops, in order
Counter-clockwise from Waikiki: the lava coast first, the green side by late morning, the North Shore after lunch.
Diamond Head Lookout
Morning light over Waikiki from the seaward flank of Oʻahu's most famous crater.
Halona Blowhole
Ocean swells forced through an old lava tube and blasted skyward, sometimes 30 feet high.
Leonard's Bakery
Portuguese malasadas, fried to order and rolled in sugar since 1952.
Macadamia Nut Farm
Roasted macadamia nuts, coconut coffee and local gifts under the Koʻolau cliffs.
Mokoliʻi Island
The cone-shaped islet off sacred Kualoa, wrapped in the legend of Hiʻiaka and the moʻo.
Tanaka's Kahuku Shrimp
Garlic butter shrimp from a Kahuku truck, a few miles from the farms that raise it.
Turtle Beach
The longest stop of the day: time to swim, snorkel or watch for green sea turtles.
North Shore Fruit Stands
Pineapple, mango, coconut water and farm fruit from roadside stands.
Dole Pineapple Plantation
Gardens, the plantation shop and Dole Whip in Oʻahu's red-dirt pineapple country.
Fares
Pick the day that fits
Every fare covers the full loop, all nine stops and a local guide. Lunch is paid separately.
Full-Day Loop
- All nine stops and the full loop
- Local guide and narration
- Wi-Fi and refreshments
- The Leonard's Bakery stop (malasadas to buy)
Standard Full-Day Tour
- All nine stops and the full loop
- Local guide and narration
- Wi-Fi and refreshments
- A free malasada at Leonard's Bakery
- Free snorkel gear at Turtle Beach
Private Charter
- Your group only, in a private air-conditioned minibus
- Everything in the Standard tour
- A free Dole Whip at Dole Plantation
- A custom itinerary, such as a Diamond Head hike or longer snorkeling
- Car seats on request
Reviews
What guests keep mentioning
We read the 200 most recent Google reviews of the tour in October 2026. The same things came up again and again:
- 123reviews named their guide personally
- 33said the guide was knowledgeable
- 29mentioned humor and a fun day
- 26mentioned good timing and pacing
- 22mentioned careful, safe driving
Good to know
Before you circle the island
How much does the Oahu circle island tour cost?
The Standard Full-Day Tour is $59 per person and includes Wi-Fi, refreshments, a free malasada at Leonard's Bakery and free snorkel gear at Turtle Beach. A $49 Full-Day Loop fare is available with code FANTASY50; it includes Wi-Fi, refreshments and the Leonard's Bakery stop. Private charters for 10 to 29 guests cost $110 to $145 per person, depending on group size.
How long is the circle island tour?
About 9.5 hours. Pickup is from 6:50 to 7:15 a.m. in Waikiki, and you're back in the late afternoon.
Will we see sea turtles?
Often, but never guaranteed, because the turtles are wild. The tour spends 75 minutes at Turtle Beach, the longest stop of the day. Always stay at least 10 feet from turtles and never touch them.
Is lunch included?
No. Lunch at Tanaka's Kahuku Shrimp is paid for separately, so you order what you like. Vegetarian options are available. Budget about $25 to $40 for lunch and treats.
What is the cancellation policy?
Individual bookings get a full refund minus a 5% processing fee if cancelled more than 24 hours before the tour, and no refund inside 24 hours. Private groups have the same terms with a 72-hour cutoff. If we cancel for weather or safety, you choose a full refund or a free reschedule. Cancellations must be in writing.
Planning guides
Plan your island day
Can You Drive Around Oahu in One Day? The Full Loop Guide
Yes, you can drive around Oahu in one day. The full-loop route from Waikiki, realistic timings, costs, safety tips and when a guided tour is easier.
Read the guideHow to Choose the Best Oahu Circle Island Tour: A 9-Point Checklist
Compare Oahu circle island tours by route, stop times, guide, vehicle, pickup, full price, beach time, reviews and booking terms before you book.
Read the guideIs an Oahu Circle Island Tour Worth It? An Honest Guide
Is an Oahu circle island tour worth it? For most first-time visitors, yes. Price, stops, time on the bus, who should skip it, and the tour vs. a rental car.
Read the guideThe island is ready when you are
Nine stops, four coasts and about 9.5 hours. The Standard tour is $59 per person, with a free malasada and free snorkel gear.