Circle Island Tours

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Oahu is a beautiful island, but to truly appreciate all this gem has to offer, you MUST get away from the high rise hotels of Waikiki. The island’s north shore offers scenic beaches with impressive winter swells and world-class surf. Kaneohe Bay’s miles of offshore reef and sand bars paint a unique oceanscape. The spires of the Pali cliffs on the windward side are reminiscent of Hawaiian postcards from days of old. Central Oahu features miles of pineapple fields and gives you the opportunity to enjoy a sample of this sweet, mouth-watering field-ripened fruit!

These three excursions are all led by guides who have been certified by the state of Hawaii and are done on premium 25 passenger motorcoach vehicles with oversized viewing windows. You’ll see more, learn more, and have more dialogue with your guide. Avoid the big 55 passenger buses … THIS is the best way to see the island!

Majestic Circle Island Tour

Out of all circle island tours this is the most popular! This 120 mile excursion covers the island’s most scenic spots.

The tour starts with a view of Diamond Head and premiere neighborhood of Kahala. Then, it stops at the Holona Blowhole lookout, the beach made famous in the kissing scene in the movie “From Here to Eternity”, as well as stops at Waimanalo Hawaiian Homestead, Makapu’u Lookout, Sandy Beach, and Hanauma Bay overlook (every day but Tuesday) .

Leaving downtown Honolulu, the tour stops at Pali Lookout for a panoramic view of Nu’uanu Valley and Ko’olau Mountains. A short time later you enter the peaceful, serene grounds of the Byodo-In Buddhist Temple with its koi ponds and manicured Japanese gardens. You pause – and ring the temple’s Peace Bell, said to ensure happiness and a long life.

Then you will descend into the old plantation town of Haleiwa, now a state historic, cultural, and scenic district; home to surfers and artists alike. This is home to some of the most famous surfing spots in the world, including Banzai Pipeline, Sunset and Waimea Bay. Enjoy a short hike to Waimea Falls through the beautiful botanical gardens. The tour guide will tell you folk stories and Hawaiian traditions.

The last stop is the historic Dole Plantation where you can learn about the sweet, spiky fruit that became the taste of Hawaii.

The tour will include a no host lunch stop where you can purchase your own lunch. Our advice is to tell your driver that you’d love to try a local plate lunch from one of the “shrimp trucks.”

Schedule: Daily. Morning pickup at Waikiki hotels, Aloha Tower, and airport hotels is between 8:00am and 8:20am. Approximate return is 5:30pm.

What to wear: Dress comfortably and wear good walking shoes.

Restrictions:  This tour requires participants to be in moderately good shape and may be unsuitable for those with medical conditions.

Royal Circle Island Tour

This 120 mile excursion has a route that is very similar to the Majestic Circle Island tour, but replaces the Waimea Falls with a tour of the ancient fish pond and short boat ride Kualoa Ranch and Moli’i Gardens. This tour also spends a bit more time at the Dole Plantation than the Majestic Circle Island Tour.

Schedule: Tour offered daily. Pickup at Waikiki hotels, Aloha Tower, and airport hotels is between 8:30am and 8:50am. Approximate return is 5:30pm.

What to wear: Dress comfortably and wear good walking shoes.

East Oahu Shoreline

This shorter 60 mile excursion is perfect escape for those who are short on time or convention attendees who are tied up during the morning hours. On this tour you’ll see the slopes of Diamond Head Crater, the Kahala neighborhood and homes of the rich and famous. Next is a stop at the Hanauma Bay overlook (every day but Tuesday) where you look down on the colorful coral reef that attracts many snorkelers.

The tour continues to the Holona Blowhole lookout, the beach made famous in the kissing scene in the movie “From Here to Eternity”, as well as brief stops at Sandy Beach and the Makapu’u Lookout. After a drive through the Waimanalo Hawaiian Homestead, you’ll reach the incredibly scenic Nu’uanu Pali lookout with its impressive vistas of the windward side of Oahu.

Schedule: Daily. Pickup at Waikiki hotels, Aloha Tower, and airport hotels is between 2:00pm and 2:20pm. Approximate return is 5:30pm.

What to wear: Dress comfortably and wear good walking shoes.

General Information

Tour includes: Free pickup at Waikiki and Ala Moana area hotels, the Honolulu Harbor cruise ship dock, or Honolulu airport hotels.

Vehicle: 25 passenger minicoach

What to Bring & Wear: Walking attire and walking shoes, hat, sunscreen, light jacket. Cash for lunch stop.

Cancellation Policy: Cancellations must be made at least 48 hours before the start of the event.

Cruise Ship Passengers

If you are cruising on the Pride of America and spending the night at a hotel in Waikiki prior to your cruise, you can do any of of these tours on the same day that you board your NCL cruise ship. If you are on a cruise that visits Honolulu just for the day, these tours may work for your itinerary if your ship docks early enough. Call us for details.