We had an absolutely wonderful experience with Tim as our tour guide! From start to finish, he was punctual, courteous, professional, and incredibly kind. He was extremely knowledgeable, not only about Hawaii’s history but also its rich traditions, culture, and local customs. You could tell he genuinely enjoys sharing his knowledge and passion for Oahu. What made it even better was his great sense of humor! He incorporated humor and funny stories into his explanations, keeping us entertained, engaged, and laughing while we learned. We learned so much throughout the tour! Tim did an excellent job explaining the history, sharing interesting facts, and helping us better understand Hawaiian culture and the significance behind the places we visited. His stories, humor, and insights gave us a deeper appreciation for Oahu and made the experience that much more meaningful. He was approachable, patient, and happy to answer all our questions. Everything was well-organized, and we never felt rushed. His professionalism, warmth, and genuine hospitality really made a difference. If you're looking for a knowledgeable, reliable, and personable tour guide who goes above and beyond, Tim is your guy! We are so glad we had him as our guide and would absolutely recommend him to anyone visiting Oahu. We would happily tour with him again!
About Activity
What's Included
Includes
- Bottled water
- Nuuanu Pali Lookout Fees
- Pickup and Drop off from select locations
- Enough Time at Dole Plantation to ride the Train or Solve the Maze.
- Snacks
- Aloha Ambassador
- Use of Snorkelling equipment
- Coffee | Juice
Excludes
- Pickup Location Is NOT Automatically Assigned
- Gratuities
Departure & Return
Departure Point
- This is not a "Gift Shop" Tour. We only want to show you Quality Points of Interest. Starting on February 16th we will be visiting the Nu'uanu Pali Lookout.. All fees associated with Pali Lookout are also already included with the tour. This is the only Island Tour that allows enough time at the Dole Plantation to ride the train or do the maze. Please visit the link on your voucher to connect with the tour company to get your booking confirmed and pickup finalized. We Have an Industry Standard 24-Hour Cancellation Policy: *Cancellation Request Outside of 24 Hours = Full Refund *Cancellation Request Within 24 Hours = No Refund Pickup Does Not Service the Cruise Port at Aloha Tower. However, Pickup for the Ala Moana Harbor is performed at the Ilikai Hotel Next Door to the Harbor... Specifically the Flagpole in front of the Ilikai.
Itinerary
Our first point of interest takes us to beautiful Diamond Head Lookout, where you will be able to catch the end of the sunrise. The surf is almost always up at Diamond Head beach, so you can watch the surfers and see other Hawaiian Islands on a clear Day. *Please understand that this stop is not the Diamond Head State Monument that is inside of the crater. Another name for this location is the Amelia Earhart Lookout.
After the Diamond Head Lookout, our second point of interest is the Gold Coast in Kahala. This area is like the Beverly Hills of Hawaii. You will see unbelievably large and luxurious properties and expansive estates that are owned by movie stars, celebrities, dignitaries, entrepreneurs, and of course doctors and lawyers. Definitely an interesting sight to take in.
Hanauma Bay is a beautiful marine embayment on the eastern shore of the Hawaiian island of Oahu. It was formed within a volcanic cone and is a protected marine life conservation area that attracts over one million visitors every year. The bay is home to a diverse range of marine life, including over 400 species of fish, sea turtles, and reef sharks. The beach and bay are surrounded by lush green hills, which provide a stunning backdrop to the crystal-clear waters. Hanauma Bay has a significant historical and cultural significance for the Hawaiian people. The bay was once a site for traditional Hawaiian fishing practices, and the surrounding land was used for farming by ancient Hawaiians. Please note that due to parking limitations, we are not able to stop at Hanauma Bay. This is a drive by attraction, and the tour guide will provide information.
Situated Near the blowhole in an incredibly beautiful corner of Oahu is a secret beach made famous in the movie "From Here to Eternity." This little cove is extraordinary, and one of our hidden gems. If you have some extra time while here on vacation, we recommend that you come back to spend the day... It's just about the most relaxing place on the planet!
After we pass through Kahala, one of the most interesting points along our journey around Oahu is the powerful Halona Blowhole. Come and marvel at this geologic wonder as it shoots water into the heavens. As the waves crash into the rocks, the water moves underneath the rocks from underwater caves. Then the pressure builds up and it shoots the water as high as you can see. One of Oahu's geologic wonders!
After the Blowhole and Eternity Beach, we'll come upon the body boarding, body surfing, skim boarding, and broken neck capital of the world... Sandy Beach. A famous hangout for locals, and just amazing playground, Sandy Beach is the perfect place to watch the experts play with expert waves... It's also a convenient bathroom stop for our tour!
Makapu'u is a stunning coastal area located on the eastern side of Oahu, Hawaii. It is known for its iconic lighthouse, scenic hiking trails, and breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean. Visitors can explore the Makapu'u Point Lighthouse Trail, which offers a moderate hike and panoramic views of the coastline. The area is also home to Makapu'u Beach, a popular destination for swimming and bodyboarding. Historically, Makapu'u played an important role in the defense of Oahu. The lighthouse was built in 1909 to guide ships through the treacherous waters off the coast, and during World War II, the area was used as a lookout and gun emplacement site. Today, the lighthouse and surrounding area are part of the Ka Iwi State Scenic Shoreline, which showcases the natural beauty and cultural heritage of the Hawaiian Islands. Overall, Makapu'u is a must-visit destination for anyone exploring Oahu.
Perched high in the Koʻolau Mountain Range at an elevation of over 1,200 feet, the Nuuanu Pali Lookout offers visitors one of the most spectacular panoramic views in all of Hawaii. From the lookout, guests are treated to sweeping views of the lush windward coast, with the towns of Kaneohe and Kailua stretching below, backed by the vast Pacific Ocean. The steep, emerald-green cliffs of the Koʻolau Mountains frame the scene, creating a jaw-dropping contrast between land and sea. On a clear day, visitors can see Chinaman’s Hat (Mokoliʻi Island) and even parts of the North Shore in the distance. The Nuuanu Pali Lookout is not just a scenic stop—it is also a site of deep historical significance. It was here, in 1795, that King Kamehameha I won the decisive Battle of Nuuanu, uniting the Hawaiian Islands under his rule. Hundreds of warriors were driven over the steep cliffs in one of Hawaii’s most legendary battles.
The Byodo-In Temple in Honolulu is a serene replica of Japan’s 950-year-old Byodo-In Temple, nestled at the foot of the lush Ko’olau Mountains. Built in 1968 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Japanese immigrants in Hawaii, it symbolizes peace and cultural harmony. Surrounded by koi ponds and lush gardens, the temple offers a tranquil retreat where visitors can ring the sacred bell, admire the golden Buddha statue, and experience the beauty of traditional Japanese architecture.
Behold on of the worlds most famous surfing locations. Tour buses are not allowed to stop here, but you can still see how awesome the beach is.
After passing through Waimanalo, it's time to go to one our most popular stops... Why is it so popular? Free (all you can eat) Macadamia Nuts and Free (all you can drink) Kona Coffee of course! But it doesn't stop there, this is a bonafide macadamia nut plantation where you can crack open your own mac nuts, drink cold coconut juice right out of the coconut, mingle with Samoan Chiefs, and find that perfect, unique gift to bring home with you. This is always one of our guests favorite stops. *Note: Please leave a donation if you hit the coffee and nuts pretty hard. =)
We pass right by Kualoa Ranch along our way to the North Shore. We highly recommend that you visit Kualoa Ranch on a different day.
We invite you to a lunch stop like no other. This location includes food trucks with many food choices and even a beer garden. Enjoy dishes such as, Kahuku Garlic shrimp, tacos, burgers, and local grindz. There are options for everyone.
Mango, Pineapple, Coconut, Breadfruit, Dragon Fruit, Egg Fruit, Lilikoi, Honey Dew, Cantaloupe, Papaya, Apple Bananas, Ice Cream Bananas, Kiwis, Lychee, Rambutan, Sapote, Chi Chi, Jack Fruit... I could go on, but I think I would run out of character limit. The amazing Kahuku Land Fruit Stand has it all... Every fruit that you've ever heard of, and definitely every fruit that you've never heard off. Enjoy interacting with local farmers and tasting tropical fruits at this fun location.
We drive by the laid-back heart of Oʻahu’s North Shore. This historic surf town blends plantation-era architecture with beach-town vibes, offering a visual feast even from the window seat. This area is know for its surf culture and historic landmarks such as the ʻAnahulu Bridge and plenty of boutique shopping.
Behold the legendary Mokoli'i Island! This picturesque island off the coast of Kaneohe Bay is a volcanic formation that is about as iconic with the Island of Oahu as Diamond Head. Mokoliʻi translates from Hawaiian as "little lizard." According to Hawaiian mythology, the island is the remains of a giant lizard's or dragon's tail that was chopped off and tossed into the ocean by the goddess Hiʻiaka. Definitely a picture that you need to have stored on your data card.
We have now come upon the highlight of our 16 Point Oahu Circle Island Tour... It's time to go snorkeling with the Sea Turtles. These curious creatures are docile and overwhelmingly cute. They spend their days hunting seaweed crops that are growing on the rocks and coral out here at this beautiful beach known as Alii Beach in Haleiwa. We will be providing all of the mask, snorkels, life jackets, lifeguards, and safety instruction that you need to have a super fun, super safe time. It's official... You've arrived... You're on Vacation, and this amazing snorkeling spot is the proof!
There's hardly any place more associated with Hawaii than the Dole Pineapple Plantation in Wahiawa, Oahu. It's also one of our guests favorite stops, and a fantastic way to begin to wrap up this adventurous day. Dole Plantation offers a wide variety of unique gifts and refreshments including fresh pineapple, and DoleWhip ice cream. This is a great spot to watch the Dole Train, grab some things to bring home, or send as gifts.
We both start and finish our tour in Waikiki. Pickup and Dropoff will occur at 4 different locations within Waikiki.
Language Offered
Additional Info
Cancellation Policy
Reviews
Tim was a great tour guide. We didn't get to snorkel because of the weather conditions, but it was a fun tour around the island.
Pick up was prompt, tour was informative and entertaining. Tim was lively and knowledgeable. We had to for go the snorkeling part due to poor weather conditions but, all was not lost. See you next year Godwilling. ❤️
Tim was an AMAZING guide. Funny jokes, knowledgeable, and just super good vibes. We got him as his first trip back after some time off and it couldn't have been a better day. We saw a huge green sea turtle, and got awesome food and souvenirs at the stops. When I eventually come back to the island, I would love to book another tour to go snorkeling. GO TIM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Mahalo Nui Loa 🤙🏼
We had an excellent experience with Tim, our tour guide! He was incredibly knowledgeable about the island and all the places we visited along the way. He kept us entertained throughout the entire tour and made the experience even more enjoyable. We couldn’t have asked for a better guide! We would definitely recommend Tim to anyone taking this tour. Tim was AWESOME!
We had a great time. Tim was an awesome tour guide! Interesting stories, very knowledgeable.
Tim was such an amazing tour guide. He even got all the ladies Hawaiian ginger(flowers). So sweet and funny!! He brought us to the best stops, thank you again Tim!!!!!!!!!!!
If you want to see the whole island without having to drive and find everything yourself, this is the way to go!! Eric was funny and knowledgeable. Our whole bus had a blast. We had time for shopping, swimming, pictures, and lunch. Couldn't have been a better experience.
He was funny and always Accommodated and was friendly. It was well money spent and educational on the island. All and all it was fun and engageing experience. The atmosphere was livefull and always on the go so it was vary engageing.
Tim was wonderful! As a native to Hawaii, he showed us the island like no one else.
Tim is very informative funny patient. The price for the tour is so worth it. I would come again and make sure I pick Tim.. the time that he tells you that is the tour. It is exactly the tour his patient and wait for you.. the atmosphere was so beautiful. The places that he took us all so amazing..,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, ,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Tim was an awesome tour guide.
Great experience! Tim was awesome, funny and so accommodating. I would definitely recommend this tour to anyone!!!!
Tim was amazing! Very informative and interactive. Great tour guide!!
Driver was very knowledgeable extremely friendly and courteous very respectful took us to the best food truck on the island. Had a blast. Would highly recommend tour guide Tim.
Are driver was Tim..was great. Didn’t get to snorkel, but that was due to the rains. Still a great day.
Tim was hilarious and such a joy to spend the day with… Very knowledgeable and super sweet! Would highly recommend him as a tour guide! He made the trip/tour very memorable.
Good deal through Groupon, easy to book through Circle Island Tour with code. Tim shared a lot of island info throughout tour.
Saw a lot of the island with Tim our driver. It was nice to not have to deal with the traffic.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tim was the best driver. His knowledge of local life and history made the tour more meaningful. He also did a great job tailoring the tour to the needs of the group. We had a great day!
The places we visited were all good. We did not get to snorkel because of weather. No fault of the tour company. We give this a low rating because of the tour guide. He was not personable. He was pushing us to move on, thus staying in prime places less time than advertised. The last straw for us was his personal story about his health while pushing for good reviews and tips. We gladly and generously tip but do not appreciate pressure to do so. I would encourage others to do the tour but with a different company or at least a different guide.
It was horrible they changed the the itinerary. I knew they were going to change the itinerary, but they never updated me on the time or location changes and they changed it to a whole different tour company. The new tour guide was an aggressive telling people to be quiet wouldn’t us to talk give us very short time frames and don’t do half of the stops. We didn’t even get to snorkel. It was terrible. Took us to a beach where the majority of it was a homeless encampment. in addition to that the van kept breaking down too, and having to be restarted.
The only good thing about this tour was our guide David. The bus’s AC wasn’t working. All the places it says you get entry to were already free. We didn’t get bottled water or snacks like the listing says— we had to pay for all of that. The place they took us for a lunch that had very limited options— especially for those that have a shellfish allergy. We didn’t get to go snorkeling. The locations they said they will take you too were over exaggerating. The tour company has been unresponsive to my questions about why it’s so expensive for what you actually get. It would be cheaper and easier to rent a car or even take an uber. The value of what you get is not worth the cost. The only reason it’s not a 1 star is because of our tour guide— it’s not his fault that his company is a scam.
Great trip this was our 7th doing this trip do reccomend went to some different places the leonards masaladas was great
Tim was an excellent tour guide! This is my second time taking a full island tour and this time around, I saw and did new things. I highly recommend this tour to anyone who wants to explore all corners of Oahu, plenty of stops to take pictures. It’s affordable and you learn a lot :)
Tim is an amazing tour guide. We had the best time exploring the island with him!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tim was fabulous. He was entertaining and very engaging. He shared a lot of personal experience……………..
Tim was awesome, we learned a lot!
Tim is really good guide. Thanks
Tim is very knowledgeable, helpful, on time and has the best grandpa jokes. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So glad we had the chance to take this tour with Tim. He was a great tour guide providing information, personal experience, and laughs along the way!
Tim was the most fun guide ever. Very knowledgeable about the island and all the stops were great. Highly recommend this tour and Tim!!
Tim was great and very funny!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Our tour guide Tim was sensational. His local knowledge was superb and provided an informative commentary for the entire trip. I highly recommend this tour, you will enjoy an amazing experience.
We had an amazing experience with Tim as our tour guide! He was very knowledgeable about the island and shared so many interesting facts and stories along the way. He made the tour fun and enjoyable with his great sense of humor and friendly personality. We had such a great time and would definitely recommend Tim to anyone looking for a fantastic tour guide in Hawaii! Thanks Tim
Tim was a very good guide and I enjoyed the experience.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tim was the driver. He was Very fun.
Tour was just ok. We did not stop at all of the places described in the description. While it claimed the price included admission to several places- there was no admission fees to any of our stops. The driver dropped us off for a 2 hour lunch and swim break. There was only 1 food truck, a seven eleven store and a souvenir store. The water was not safe to swim. The snorkeling stop was also canceled because of the water conditions. That was understandable and could not be helped. However the 2 hour stop for lunch and swimming was a waste of time. It was a long day and disappointing. I would not recommend this tour.
Tim was engaging with us, he shared enthusiasm and knowledge where he was driving us around. A +++ best experience from a local and recommendations given.
Our driver Tim kept everyone entertained with his Dad jokes and information of the island, movie locations and stories of people on the island.
Our guide Tim was great and very informative. He was funny and made sure everyone got to see what they wanted.
Had an amazing time my kids enjoyed their self the water was not clear so we couldn’t go snorkeling but will book enjoy all the good along the way
The experience was nice thanks to Tim, he made the tour fun and kept us informed, I wish he had better equipment to hear him better. Overall it was okay but not worth $100 + I would rent an uber for the spots we stopped at. Tim was probably the best part of the tour package. Thanks Tim!!!!!!!! :) :) :) :)
Tim was an amazing tour guide. Very interactive and informational.
Great experience but limited food options.
The driver was funny. Patient..very informative!
Great experience, very informative he knew all the moves, spots.
Fun, disappointed r that we couldn’t snorkel with turtles
Tim was an excellent tour guide!!! Our first tour and it was so much fun! I highly recommend requesting Tim as your tour guide.
This was a great way to see the Island without having to hire a car. Wasn't able to swim with the turtles due to 'brown' water but Tim, our driver took us to another beach where we could see them.
Monday through Friday 9 am to 7 pm EST
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