Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Pass By: Oahu Nature Tours, Honolulu, Oahu, HI 96826
An exciting journey of discovery through the beautiful Amelia Earhart Point on the ocean-facing slopes of Diamond Head Crater (drive-by), the famous Halona Blowhole, “From Here to Eternity” beach, Makapu’u Point (drive-by), visit Valley of the Temples, colorful Byodo-in Temple and scenic Mokoli'i Island. Includes a delicious lunch at the famous Tanaka Kahuku Shrimp on the North Shore where you'll be served your choice of various sautéed shrimp plates. *Chicken and Veggie options are also available. World famous Waimea Valley, the Arboretum and Waterfall are next, followed by the Dole Pineapple Plantation.
Your expert nature guide will provide a fascinating narration about Hawaii's bird and plant species, geology, history and culture. Tour includes all admission fees to the visited locations, also includes the lunch, and each party also receives a 152-page Gift Book "Guide to Nature on Oahu" as a souvenir! It is a $47.00 added value that WE pay. We'll never ask you to pay out of pocket.
Pass By: Diamond Head State Monument, 18th Ave. Waikiki, Honolulu, Oahu, HI 96815
This is a drive-by (not a stop!) on the ocean-facing outside slopes of the world-famous icon of Hawaii, Diamond Head Crater and the Amelia Earhart monument which overlooks the Pacific Ocean as the 100,000-year-old volcanic crater towers above you.
*This tour does not include an entry inside the crater, only a drive-by on the outer flanks of it. Hiking to the top from inside the crater floor is included in the three-hour Diamond Head hiking tours.
Stop At: Halona Blowhole, Kalanian'ole Highway, Oahu, HI 96825
This is an intriguing geographical spot where the ocean has undercut the lava and drilled a hole through to the top. On the other side of the lookout point at Halona you can watch for Green Sea Turtles which are spotted often in the emerald green waters of the " From Here To Eternity Cove" made famous by the only Oscar-winning movie made in Hawaii.
**Please note, that our coastlines do have potentially dangerous rip-currents and shore breaks, so as responsible tour operators we can not allow any swimming at the Blowhole for your own safety.
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Sandy Beach Park, Oahu, HI 96825
We continue to visit Sandy Beach, a beautiful sandy-bottom beach that looks peaceful and serene but is known for its notoriously powerful shore-breaks.
*Please note, that our coastlines and especially that particular beach have dangerous shore breaks so as responsible tour operators we can not allow any swimming at Sandy Beach for your own safety.
Duration: 20 minutes
Pass By: Makapu'u Point, Kalaniana'ole Hwy turnout above Makapu'u Beach, Oahu, HI 96795
Beautiful coastal vistas and views of offshore islands.
Stop At: Nu’uanu Pali, Oahu, HI
The Nuuanu Pali State Wayside is a lookout above the Pali Highway tunnels where you’re treated to a panoramic view of Oahu's Windward side with sweeping views of Kaneohe, Kaneohe Bay and Kailua. It’s also well known for strong tradewinds, forming a natural wind tunnel of sorts. It was here in 1795 that Kamehameha The Great conquered the island of Oahu in one of the bloodiest battles in Hawaiian history. Led by Kalanikupule, the defenders of Oahu were driven back up into the valley where they were trapped above the cliff. More than 400 of Kalanikupule's soldiers were driven off the edge of the cliff to their deaths 1,000 feet below.
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Byodo-In Temple, 47-200 Kahekili Hwy, Kaneohe, Oahu, HI 96744-4562
The Temple grounds are a lushly landscaped paradise nestled in a cleft of the pali and are home to wild peacocks and hundreds of Japanese koi carp. The beautiful grounds include a large reflecting pond, meditation niches, and small waterfalls. Visitors describe this destination as beautiful, peaceful, and restful.
The TV series Hawaii Five-O and Magnum, P.I. featured several episodes where the temple is incorporated into the plot. The temple and its gardens also appeared in an episode of the ABC series Lost, "House of the Rising Sun" in season one as the home of Sun's father.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Mokoli’i Island, Oahu, HI 96744
Scenic vistas await you at Mokoli'i...
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Tanaka Kahuku Shrimp, 56-931 Kamehameha Hwy, Kahuku, HI 96731, USA
*LUNCHSTOP! continuing north to Kahuku, we visit a shrimp farm and one of the locals' favorite shrimp trucks, Tanaka Kahuku Shrimp, where you will be served a delicious garlic shrimp, fish, or chicken plate and a drink (*vegetarian options are also available). After lunch, you can observe our endangered native wetland birds, and learn about Hawaiian aquaculture from your tour guide.
*Lunch is included in the tour price!
Duration: 45 minutes
Pass By: Sunset Beach, Sunset Beach, Oahu, Hawaii
This is the legendary big-wave surfing location where towering, giant waves arrive and surfing contests are held between November-April.
Stop At: Waimea Arboretum and Botanical Garden, 59-864 Kamehameha Hwy, Oahu, HI 96712-8411
Next we visit Waimea Valley and Waterfall. This enchanting location showcases over 5,000 species of tropical flowering plants, ancient archaeological sites, and one of the most scenic waterfalls on the island.
There is a paved path inside the Arboretum that provides easy walking access to the waterfall.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Stop At: 64-1550 Kamehameha Hwy Dole Plantation, Wahiawa, Oahu, HI 96786-2915
Dole Plantation has a plantation country store offering a wide variety of Dole Plantation gifts, local favorites, foods and refreshments including DoleWhip®.
Duration: 30 minutes
See Availability.
Traveler pickup is offered
Hotel PICKUPS CAN START EARLIER THAN THE OFFICIAL DEPARTURE TIME depending on your pick up location!! *PLEASE CHECK your email box and/or phone for confirmation details regarding your actual pick up time!
Please let us know the FULL NAME of the actual Waikiki hotel where you are staying in the comment section as soon as you are able to. Once we receive your booking, our reservationists will automatically assign the closest pickup location for you.
(Or IF you are not staying in a hotel, then please provide a street address for your accommodation.) If you don't know your hotel yet, no problem, we will just assign the default Ala Moana hotel pickup for you and you can change it anytime up to 24 hours before the tour departure time.
You will get a written confirmation from us including your pickup time and your exact pickup location with maps and photographs of the meeting area. Please look for this message from us in your booking agent's message board and/or in your personal email box to see your detailed pickup instructions.
We leave the Waikiki area by 7:45 AM but hotel pick-ups start as early as 7:00 AM depending on your pick up location. *PLEASE CHECK your email box for confirmation details regarding your actual pick up time!
Tour ends at 5:45 PM . Drop offs then begin and might go until 6:30 PM depending on your drop off location.
*We only pickup from select Waikiki hotels. We do not pickup from hotels located on the west or north side of the island (like KoOlina, Disney, Aulani, Four Seasons, Turtle Bay).
07:30 AM
10 hours(approx.)
Not wheelchair accessible
Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
Age limit: *CHILDREN MUST BE AT LEAST 3 YEARS OLD TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS ADVENTURE. All persons between 3 and 18 years old must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian over age 21.
Near public transportation
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Most travelers can participate
*For your own safety, it is not recommended swimming in Hawaii's waterfalls.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 45 travelers
Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Posted By : Jeff_C
Kainoa and the Captain provided a great tour, even with some challenges. We could not go to Weimea Canyon due to the heavy rains the day before. Kainoa quickly found other options that were perfect. He is very knowledgeable about everything Hawaii. We learned so much from him and enjoyed his easy- going attitude. We never felt hurried through a stop, yet he kept us on time! Our driver, the Captain, did an amazing job of negotiating the bus through very difficult areas!
Rating :
Posted On : 2024-05-19
Posted By : YANENE_P
The tour group was too large 57 guests. Always waiting for people to return to bus. Tour director gave time to return but some didn’t think it was for them.
A lot of wasted time which meant the tour was far too long and tiring.
Also we missed the most import part the Waimea Falls due to excessive rain which had been happening for days before.
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Posted On : 2024-05-18
Posted By : 52lindam
Branden our Tour Guide was funny but extremely informative. He knew his stuff & delivered it in his own unique way.
Frances our driver was fab for driving into all those tight spaces & not hitting anyone.
The views were amazing. Despite the rain at Waimea Valley it was a lovely day. A little disappointed with the waterfall, after the walk up to it in the pouring rain, I expected it to be bigger & not so muddy. I understand because of the rain it was muddy but it was still a disappointment.
Dole Plantation, well a Dole Whip is a must. So very tasty.
Tour is definitely worth a go as it is literally the whole day & you see right around the island.
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Posted On : 2024-05-18
Posted By : richard_h
The tour guide, Kai Noah, was very knowledgeable and personable. He knew everything about Hawaii and it's customs. The views and sights were great. I wish the Dole pineapple stop would have been more about pineapple production and not just a place to sell you pineapple junk.
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Posted On : 2024-05-18
Posted By : DebraScott_H
Our guide and driver were excellent! The information on the history, culture, landmarks, and so much else was enriching!!!
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Posted On : 2024-05-18
Posted By : Kathleen_L
Wonderful tour! Brandon was a GREAT tour guide. Very knowledgeable about Hawaii. Fun stories & information on Hawaii. He was very engaging & caring to everyone on the tour.
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Posted On : 2024-05-18
Posted By : Myrna_O
A nice Uber driver told me, “You have to get out of the Waikiki area,” and recommended the Circle Island Tour. So glad I booked this tour with Oahu Nature Tours through Viator. I really recommend it! Even for me, going by myself, it was a really pleasant and interesting day. Just take an umbrella for sun or rain, just in case. Our driver “The Captain” and our guide “Kainoa” are great people.
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Posted On : 2024-05-16
Posted By : Daphne_L
Kainoa was our hardworking tour guide with Captain Jose as our skillful driver! It was a great tour and I'm glad I selected it amongst the many circle island tours. From the beginning there were clear instructions on when and where to meet. I appreciated the communication. It was very helpful. This day tour included all admission fees and lunch, which was a win.
Even as we were still making our rounds to each of the pickup spots, Kainoa already started his history lesson and introducing the island to us. Not a moment wasted! He was knowledgeable and spoke clearly and at a comfortable pace. Lots of stories and fact sharing. He shared the island with us from his eyes, as a native Hawaiian.
We didn't actually enter Diamond Head for that view but did a drive by - but we did stop by several other scenic spots and beaches. Each stop was 15-20 minutes but it didn't feel that rushed. By the time it was lunchtime, most of the group was probably starving - which probably made the delicious shrimp lunch taste even more scrumptious but SERIOUSLY it was really delicious! Spicy garlic shrimp is a favorite for a reason. Highly recommend. They pour the same spicy garlic sauce all over the two scoops of rice and I ate every grain!
What made this tour stand out to me was that it included Waimea Valley with the botanical garden and waterfalls!! It was a bit of a trek and it started raining during it, but I would say this was a big focus of the tour. We spent the most time here, compared to the 15-20 minutes each of the other spots got. But you can get really close up to the waterfall! Some people were even swimming in it, lifeguard on duty.
The Dole Plantation was probably the most boring part of that tour for me but it's a must-see destination, I guess? The maze was closed, the train was closed, there was not much to see at 4pm. But if you ever want to skip a spot or return to the bus early, you definitely can.
The drive back to Waikiki from Dole Plantation took about 45 minutes or so, there was a bit of traffic but you drive by Iolani Palace and Chinatown, and somehow Kainoa had the energy and knowledge to fill up the time with fun facts and stories, as well as name dropping famous people associated to the island. Very impressive!
They let you get off wherever you want, so I used that chance to ride the tour bus to a farther stop (Ross) and get some Marugame Udon at the end of the day. And I know this is long, but if you have read this far, I just wanna say that I recommend sitting on the right side of the bus when you're walking on (aka sit opposite side of where the driver sits). You're welcome. :)
Rating :
Posted On : 2024-05-16
Posted By : Marianne_M
The whole day was wonderful. We saw places that we didn’t even know about. Our driver, Captain, kept us comfortable and safe. Karina, our guide, is very knowledgeable and personable. I would highly recommend this tour!
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Posted On : 2024-05-16
Posted By : Barbara_B
So worth it. Kioah and Captain were excellent hosts. Beautiful scenery and Kioah had so much knowledge to share. Luxury bus. We finished our holiday in Hawaii with lasting memories.
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Posted On : 2024-05-16
