Hawaii is a magnificent, postcard-esque place that almost doesn’t feel real. With ancient volcanoes, iconic surf, vibrant marine life, lush tropical forests, secret beaches, and so much more to explore! While it may “just” be one island, you may be surprised like I was to discover that there’s a ton to see – and this can be challenging if you’re largely traveling around by foot.

What I didn’t know until later on, was that Oahu is the perfect size for taking a drive around the island, stopping around some of the most iconic spots along the way. If you really want to maximize the experience, I highly recommend taking one of the 5 top Oahu circle island tours that are well worth your time and money. Let’s jump right in!

Best Oahu Circle Island Tours

	Oahu Deluxe Grand Circle Island Tour	Private Customizable Grand Circle Island Tour of Oahu	Oahu Circle Island Tour
Location:	Hotel pickup and drop-off included	Hotel pickup and drop-off included	Hotel pickup and drop-off included
Start:	7:00 AM	8:00 AM	8:00 AM
Duration:	10 hours, 45 mins	6 to 8 hours	9 hours
Includes:	Tour narration by a professional driver/guide, Pick-up and drop-off at Waikiki Hotels, All Admission Fees	Flexible, private tour, bottled water, guide, air-conditioned Mercedes mini van	Professional local guide, air-conditioned vehicle, small group size
	Tour Information & Booking	Tour Information & Booking	Tour Information & Booking

Quick Answer: The 5 Best Rated Oahu Grand Circle Island Tours For 2024

1. Oahu Deluxe Grand Circle Island Tour
2. Private Customizable Grand Circle Island Tour of Oahu
3. Oahu Circle Island Tour
4. Oahu Fun Circle Island Tour With Pickup
5. Oahu Guided Circle Island Tour with Snorkeling and Turtles

Oahu Circle Island Tour Reviews

1. Oahu Deluxe Grand Circle Island Tour

I had to put this tour first because it was simply one of the most memorable for me, with amazing guides and impeccable organization that took us to so many magical places.

The Oahu Deluxe Grand Circle Island Tour is far beyond your average cookie-cutter tour – rather, on this full-day adventure you’ll see the island’s wide array of landmarks while learning about Oahu’s history and culture.

Whether it’s your first time here or you simply want to travel Oahu in comfort, this tour should be at the top of your list. The tour started off at 7:00 am with our driver/guide there to pick us up at the lobby in a clean and comfortable coach that came with air-conditioning and big windows for prime viewing.

This is important because you won’t have time to get off and stop at every single point of attraction, so it’s invaluable being able to see so much in one day. As we rode along, our guide regaled us with interesting informative commentary about the history, geology, culture, etc. surrounding each site.

The reason why I strongly recommend taking this tour as a first-time visitor is that you’ll be introduced to all of the “must-see” spots, so you can then choose what you’d like to spend more time seeing later on in your visit.

Most places have stops of around 20 minutes, so you can stretch your legs, learn some history, and take some time for lunch, as well. At every single stop we had plenty of amazing photo opportunities, and our guide was so kind that he even offered to take some photos of us, too.

No matter if you’re a history buff, a surfer, a nature lover, or someone who simply wants to get to know Oahu more intimately – this tour is perfect for you.

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

2. Private Customizable Grand Circle Island Tour of Oahu

Perhaps you already have an idea of what you really want (and don’t want) to see on your Oahu tour. If you’d like more of a say in your itinerary, the Private Customizable Grand Circle Island Tour of Oahu is just what you’re looking for.

Something else I love about this tour is that it’s perfect if you’re going with just a significant other, a friend group, or the entire family, as your group really is just your party and your guide.

Some people don’t like getting stuck with strangers who may be noisy or perhaps don’t want to risk committing to a tour that stays too long in some places and skips over points of interest for you.

Again, this excursion is tailored to YOUR preferences, and with a knowledgeable guide who knows the island like the back of their hand, they’ll take you exactly where you want to go.

Perhaps you’re super into tropical flora and fauna, or more interested in the local history and traditional culture – whatever the case may be, you’ll find it here.

This tour felt just a bit more “upscale” than the standard tours, with our guide picking us up from our hotel at the time that worked best for us, in an air-conditioned Mercedes coach.

We essentially just chatted with our guide while heading to the first stop on our route, and they offered plenty of intriguing conversation about Hawaii and the different locations as we passed by. As he had native Hawaiian heritage himself, it was really cool to be able to learn firsthand from him and feel the pride he has for his island!

This experience was well worth the money, and it almost felt like we had a longtime friend taking us around to all these cool places – including plenty of hidden gems I wouldn’t have known about, otherwise!

Whatever your interests may be, you’ll surely find that this one highlights them well!

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

3. Oahu Circle Island Tour

This next tour is a fascinating look into Oahu’s history, culture, natural landscapes, and how the 3 intertwine. The Oahu Circle Island Tour is an excellent value, “biggest bang for your buck experience” perfect if you’re looking to save some cash!

It doesn’t just cover some of the major landmarks – it covers plenty of fun hidden gems that you likely wouldn’t see on some of the more “cookie-cutter” tours. Your day starts out with a convenient pickup right from your hotel at around 8:00 am and set off in a comfortable, air-conditioned coach to your first destination.

The guide is a local who has plenty of insight to offer beyond what you’d learn in a history book or travel channel. It feels like a more natural and authentic way to experience Oahu, with an insider’s perspective, rather than a tourist looking in.

Our first stop was Amelia Earhart’s Marker, which is a stunning lookout near the famous Diamond Head State Monument, with amazing views of the water that Earhart became known for flying over on the first solo flight anyone’s taken from Hawaii to the continental US.

We passed by some beautiful beachfront neighborhoods while learning about their history before arriving at the Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve, where we learned about the sanctuary and its corals (I actually ended up doing a tour here later, too!).

We saw plenty more natural attractions as well as some important ranches that have been used as film locations, stopping at a delicious fruit stand to try their famous banana lumpia and coconut water!

Don’t fill up too much, because your next stop is the historic Dole pineapple plantation and we went on a little tour, picking up unique gifts before making our way to the Green World Coffee Farms! Do yourself a favor and grab at least one bag of this incredible, fresh, rich coffee!

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

4. Oahu Fun Circle Island Tour With Pickup

This next tour definitely lives up to its name, focusing more on the lighthearted entertainment with a guide perfectly fit fo the job. The Oahu Fun Circle Island Tour with Pickup excursion is a seamless, well-organized way to see all of the highlights the island has to offer.

If you’re traveling with kids or teenagers who typically get bored or lose interest easily, please put this one at the top of your list. The tour kickstart with a convenient pickup by your guide right from your lobby, so you don’t have to deal with spending more money on separate transportation or figuring out the logistics.

There are various start times available, though it’ll always start in the morning as this is a full-day tour and we have to take advantage of the daylight. The air-conditioned vehicle was nice and spacious, and was a very relaxing way to travel the island with plenty of legroom and big windows.

Our first stop was the Diamond Head State Monument, catching picture-perfect sights of some incredible surfers before continuing on to Eternity Beach. This beach is tucked away from most of the crowds and has been the spot where countless music videos and movies have filmed.

See Monk seals lounging about and the Halona Blowholes shooting high into the air before cruising through the breathtaking Waimanalo which you may recognize as the “Robin’s Nest” on Magnum PI. Take a little lunch break after before arriving at a macadamia nuts, with plenty of nut samples, coffee, and other interesting tastings.

Fuel up for your adventure to North Shore, the historic Dole Plantation, and many more intriguing spots as your guide tells you all about their backgrounds. All in all, this day will fly by with plenty of laughs, intrigue, and fun to be had!

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

5. Oahu Guided Circle Island Tour with Snorkeling and Turtles

If you’re on a really quick trip to Oahu or simply want to make the most of your time there, the Oahu Guided Circle Island Tour with Snorkeling and Turtles is a solid choice. There’s so much natural beauty waiting around every corner, brimming with life – no matter if you’re on land or in the water.

You’d really be missing out if you didn’t take advantage of the world-class snorkeling and the chance to swim around with Green Sea Turtles all while learning about the area’s history and culture! This tour is a full-day experience so make sure you bring some appropriate footwear and some swimwear for the snorkeling portion of the excursion.

Starting out in the morning, your guide will pick you and your crew up where you’ll board a comfortable coach and head out to Diamond Head State Monument. This lookout is incredible and truly looks like something from a postcard, with its extinct volcano that’s probably the most iconic view in all of Hawai’i.

Don’t miss checking out the phenomenal Halona Blowhole, developed by volcanos to result in a geyser within the ocean that can shoot up over 50 feet high! Eternity Beach was fun for people watching, with cliff jumpers and plenty of swimmers.

Your day will consist of plenty of sightseeing through beaches and lookouts before visiting the Macadamia Nut Farm, fruit stands, and a delicious lunch spot with great shrimp and other seafood.

Arrive at the semi-secluded Turtle Beach which has been a film location for countless major films and series, but is also where you’ll be able to lounge around and enjoy it at your leisure.

You can soak up the rays on the sand, or take advantage of their included snorkeling gear to get in the crystal-clear blue waters with the critters the beach was named after. This day was so much fun and just the right balance of relaxation and adventure!

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience