Our family of three enjoyed a leisurely, pleasant 6-hour tour of East Oahu plus the Byodo In Temple. Driver and tour guide John was very friendly, offered a lot of historical information, and pointed out interesting botany along the way. The minivan was comfortable and impeccably clean. Very familiar with traffic patterns so we did not hit any congestion on the road.
· Gnani_M ·
Mar 2026
Our guide John was incredibly knowledgeable and passionate, sharing fascinating history without overloading us. Fun, personable, and professional!
John curated an itinerary that was flexible, unique, and far better than anything we could have planned ourselves. A truly bespoke experience!!
· Donna_C ·
Mar 2026
We were able to customize our tour to fit our needs/wants. John was an incredible guide with knowledge about Hawaiian culture and history as well as the local wildlife. He took us around the island in comfort, and we got to explore all there is to offer on Oahu. John was incredible interacting with my son as well.
· dferny ·
Apr 2026
John our driver/guide for the day is a great safe driver who is very knowledgeable about all things on Hawai’i, including all plants, animals, surf conditions, customs etc. We had a great day circling this beautiful island in a very clean well kept Honda Van Thank you John for a great day
· Alexa_L ·
May 2026
John was so informative and showed us more than we could ask for. He was really nice and fun to hang with, even threw in a few jokes to make us laugh. Highly recommend John with a group of friends or even with a partner !!
Make the most of your time in Oahu with this customizable, private tour—exclusive to you and your group. Spend a full day exploring the best of the island according to your interests. From scenic views at Diamond Head and crystal clear waters at Hanamua Bay, to the iconic beaches of the North Shore—every tour is designed around you. It's the perfect tour for those who want to pack plenty in, without the rush of crowded group tours.
Maximize your time with this customizable island tour of Oahu
Personalization: Every tour is designed around you and your interests
Preplan your itinerary or make adjustments as you go on the day
Connect to the history and legends of the island with your guide
What's Included
Honolulu & Waikiki Pick-Up/Drop-Off
Cruise Ship Pick-Up/Drop-Off (Honolulu Port Harbor: Pier 2, Pier 10)
Comfortable, Clean, and Air-Conditioned Minivan
Private Tour - Only Your Group
Cold Bottled Waters, Umbrellas, Sunscreen
Guide with a camera to help capture special moments (not a professional photoshoot)
Ko Olina Resorts Pick-Up (Aulani, Marriott's Beach Club, Four Season, Beach Villas)
For Ko Olina Resort Pick-up, copy and paste 433870P5 in Viator's search
Customized Stop Admissions (locations not part of the standard itinerary; admission not included)
Cost of Lunch
Gratuity Tip
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Pickup details
At pick-up, look for a white Honda Odyssey minivan.
Your guide will contact you the afternoon before your tour to confirm all the details, including pick-up and drop-off locations.
After pickup, once everyone is in the van, your tour guide will pull out a map to review itinerary options, offer recommendations, and build the day’s itinerary with you. Adjustments can also be made throughout the day as needed.
NOT INCLUDED: Pick-up at Ko Olina Resorts (Aulani, Marriott's Beach Club, Four Seasons, Beach Villas). For Ko Olina Resort pick-up and drop-off, please type 433870P5 in Viator's search. The tour name is "Private Tour Oahu Customizable Ko Olina Resorts Pick-Up Included." By selecting tour 433870P5, pick-up and drop-off at Ko Olina Resorts is included.
Operating hours
.9:00 am
Itinerary
Waikiki (Pass By)
1
Diamond Head State Monument
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Kahala (Pass By)
2
Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
3
Halona Blowhole
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
4
Sandy Beach Park
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
5
Makapu‘U Point
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
6
North Shore
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
7
North Shore
1 hour • Admission Ticket Free
Oahu's Windward Coast (Pass By)
8
Mokoli’i Island
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
9
Nu’uanu Pali
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
10
Dole Plantation
1 minute • Admission Ticket Free
11
Waimea Valley
1 minute • Admission Ticket Not Included
12
Manoa Falls
1 minute • Admission Ticket Not Included
13
Pu'u 'Ualaka'a State Park
1 minute • Admission Ticket Free
14
Leonard's Bakery
1 minute • Admission Ticket Free
15
Iolani Palace
1 minute • Admission Ticket Not Included
16
Byodo-in Temple
1 minute • Admission Ticket Not Included
Additional Info
Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Service animals allowed
Most travelers can participate
This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
5.0
based on 62 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
John was so informative and showed us more than we could ask for. He was really nice and fun to hang with, even threw in a few jokes to make us laugh. Highly recommend John with a group of friends or even with a partner !!
Response from Host, May 2026
Mahalo for the awesome review! So glad you had such a fun time out with John. He really enjoys keeping the day informative but light, and it’s great to hear the mix of stories and laughs made the experience even better. We love hearing when guests enjoy that relaxed, friendly vibe. Hope we get to see you again next time you’re on Oahu.
Mahalo,
Shi
Custizeable
Barbara_D, May 2026
Customized tour. Great sights seen and willing to make special stops for us. Friendly service. Xxxxx
Response from Host, May 2026
Mahalo for the good review. Really happy to hear you enjoyed the customized nature of the tour and that the stops along the way worked well for your group. That flexibility is something we really value so guests can shape the day around what they want to see. Appreciate you spending the day with us, and we hope you’re left with some great memories of your time here on the island.
Mahalos,
Shi
Island tour
dferny, Apr 2026
John our driver/guide for the day is a great safe driver who is very knowledgeable about all things on Hawai’i, including all plants, animals, surf conditions, customs etc. We had a great day circling this beautiful island in a very clean well kept Honda Van Thank you John for a great day
Response from Host, May 2026
Aloha and mahalo for taking the time to leave this great review. We’re so glad you had a great day exploring the island with John and that you felt comfortable and well taken care of throughout the tour. He really enjoys sharing his knowledge of Hawaii, from the land to the ocean to the culture, so it means a lot to hear that came through.
Mahalo again for spending the day with us!
Shi
Book now. Stop shopping. Trust and believe!
Chris_H, Apr 2026
John is a font of knowledge, intimately aware of how Hawaii came to be and exists, and has an intricate knowledge of plant life. He is courteous, respectful, attentive, well organized and agile always seeking a pleasant outcome for his clients. That he is also an accomplished photographer with professional equipment was a blessing which helped secure great memories from a most memorable day with John humbly showing off Oahu.
Response from Host, May 2026
Aloha and mahalo for such an incredible review! Really appreciate you taking the time to share this. We’re so glad you had such a memorable day exploring Oahu with John. He genuinely loves helping guests connect with the island in a meaningful way, and it’s great to hear the photography added something special to your experience as well. Mahalo again for trusting us with your day, and we hope to see you again.
Mahalos,
Shi
Pleasant way to spend a warm day
Igor_R, Apr 2026
Our family of three enjoyed a leisurely, pleasant 6-hour tour of East Oahu plus the Byodo In Temple. Driver and tour guide John was very friendly, offered a lot of historical information, and pointed out interesting botany along the way. The minivan was comfortable and impeccably clean. Very familiar with traffic patterns so we did not hit any congestion on the road.
Response from Host, May 2026
Mahalo for sharing your experience. We’re really happy to hear your family enjoyed a relaxed and comfortable day exploring Oahu with John. It’s great that the pace worked well for you and that you were able to enjoy the scenery, history, and botany along the way without feeling rushed. Mahalo again for spending part of your time in Hawaii with us.
Mahalos,
Shi
Best tour!!!
Gnani_M, Mar 2026
Our guide John was incredibly knowledgeable and passionate, sharing fascinating history without overloading us. Fun, personable, and professional!
John curated an itinerary that was flexible, unique, and far better than anything we could have planned ourselves. A truly bespoke experience!!
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Mahalo for the wonderful review! I’m really glad you enjoyed the day. I’m also happy the itinerary worked well for you. Thank you again for trusting me with part of your time on the island.
Aloha and a hui hou!
John
Exactly what we wanted!
Donna_C, Mar 2026
We were able to customize our tour to fit our needs/wants. John was an incredible guide with knowledge about Hawaiian culture and history as well as the local wildlife. He took us around the island in comfort, and we got to explore all there is to offer on Oahu. John was incredible interacting with my son as well.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Mahalo for the wonderful review! I’m really glad we were able to shape the day around what you wanted to see and experience. It was a pleasure sharing Oʻahu’s culture, history, and wildlife with you, and I’m especially happy to hear your son enjoyed the experience.
Big mahalo!
John
John was very...
Banghwa_C, Feb 2026
John was very knowledgeable about the nature and the history of Hawaii. He was friendly and easy to talk to. Thanks for a great experience.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Mahalo for the kind words! I’m really glad you enjoyed the day and the chance to explore Oʻahu together. One of my favorite parts of guiding, getting to meet great people and talk story while discovering the island. Thanks again for spending part of your time in Hawaiʻi with me.
Aloha!
John
John was a very good and...
DianaA_T, Feb 2026
John was a very good and knowledgeable guide and a very careful driver. He was well versed on both the history of the island as well as all of the main spots worth visiting in the time we had. He was also flexible and adjusted the schedule to our needs.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Mahalo for your kind words! I’m really glad you enjoyed the day and that we were able to make the most of the time you had on the island.
-A hui hou!
John
John was an excellent...
Robert_L, Jan 2026
John was an excellent tour guide. He called me the day before to make sure pick up details were clear and he was punctual on tour day. He was very good about how to customize our tour to avoid repeats from our other tours. Best of all he was extremely knowledgeable about the flora and fauna of Hawaii
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Aloha!
Mahalo nui loa for your kind words. I’m glad the call beforehand helped everything feel smooth and that we were able to customize the day to complement the other tours you had already done. Every group is different, and it was a pleasure shaping the experience so it felt fresh and meaningful for you.
I’m especially happy to hear you enjoyed learning about Hawaiʻi’s flora and fauna, it’s something I’m truly passionate about, and sharing that knowledge is always a highlight for me.
Thank you again for spending part of your time on Oʻahu with me. A hui hou, and wishing you many more island adventures ahead.
-John
John was an excellent guide!
Pascal_E, Dec 2025
We had an excellent experience with our private tour around the island of O'ahu with John. He was incredibly knowledgeable about local culture and history, botany, and bird life, which really brought each stop to life. Beyond the information, the conversation flowed naturally throughout the entire day and made the tour feel personal and relaxed. He also recommended a fantastic lunch spot that we never would have found on our own. John knew all the picture-perfect angles to capture photos, and after the tour he even shared the terrific shots he took in high definition. John was also super flexible with us when we needed to take some breaks for our baby, which was really great. Highly recommend for anyone wanting a deeper, more meaningful way to experience the island.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Aloha Pascal,
Mahalo nui loa for the fantastic review and kind words! It was a pleasure spending the day with you, your husband, and your beautiful baby girl. I'm also glad you enjoy the photos.
-John
Teresa and Don's Excellent Hawaiian Adventure
Teresa_M, Dec 2025
Excellent. John took us to the most beautiful places and explained their importance to Hawaiian people and their history.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Aloha Teresa,
I'm happy you enjoyed the tour. It was a pleasure spending the day with you. Big mahalo for the excellent review.
-John
Awesome Tour
Tomas_M, Nov 2025
The experience was great and John was a vantastic guide and full of great knowledge about the idland and it's culture and history. It was fantastic!!!
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Aloha Tomas,
Mahalo for the great review. I enjoyed your conversation while we explored the island.
-John
Excellent day tour
CourtneyJS, Sep 2025
John was extremely friendly and knowledgeable. He worked with us to work out the best route to suit our interests, was flexible and really made us feel like we really got to see the beauty of the island. Would highly recommend.
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Mahalo for the kind review! I’m really glad to hear you had a great time exploring Oʻahu. I always enjoy tailoring each tour to fit my guests’ interests, so it means a lot to know you felt that. Mahalo again for taking the time to share your experience and for recommending us!
A hui hou,
John
Day Tour Big Island
JulieAnn_W, Sep 2025
It was a magic experience with John letting us personalise the tour as we went . He was a great host
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Aloha Julie Anne,
Big mahalo for your kind review! It was a pleasure sharing the beauty of Oahu with you all, and I’m happy to hear you enjoyed the tour.
A hui hou,
John
Unforgettable tour!
Jessica_C, Sep 2025
We had a fantastic day touring Oahu with John! He took us around the island, including a visit to Waimea Valley, and even took great photos of us along the way, which he sent that evening! His food and activity recommendations were spot-on and really helped us make the most of our trip. Highly recommend!
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Aloha Jessica,
It’s always a wonderful day when visiting Waimea Valley, one of my favorite places on the island, filled with so much mana. Mahalo for the kind review! I’m happy you enjoyed the photos. I truly enjoy documenting our guests’ explorations and special moments on Oʻahu.
A hui hou,
John
Our guide, John, was so...
Daniel_S, Aug 2025
Our guide, John, was so knowledgeable about the history and overall culture of Hawaii. Also his knowledge of the different plant life and land formations was top notched. He was very impressive.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Aloha Daniel,
Mahalo nui loa for your kind review! It was a pleasure to share stories and knowledge about the island. I’m glad you enjoyed the tour and I hope the memories stay with you.
A hui hou,
John
Fantastic day - recommend this trip 200%
Neil_S, Aug 2025
This was a fantastic day, John took into consideration our requests - was always on hand with insightful insights about the history and culture of the island. All our requests were met including a quick visit to Dole Plantation. Cannot thank you enough for making our tour of the island memorable.
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Aloha! Mahalo for your strong recommendation! It was such a pleasure spending the day with you both. I’m glad you found the tour insightful and that the day left lasting memories. We covered a lot of ground, and I truly enjoyed our conversations along the way.
-John
John was very...
Mary_A, Jul 2025
John was very knowledgeable and we had a great time. His suggestions were great and he took the extra time to add a few additional stops. I would highly recommend him.
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Aloha Mary Anne,
Mahalo for the wonderful review! I’m so glad to hear you had a great time, it was a pleasure spending the day with your family. Your son-in-law and I captured some amazing shots, and I hope they help keep the memories alive.
A hui hou!
-John
Best tour guide!
Christina_W, Jul 2025
John was a great tour guide and so respectful. My mom was traveling with us and sprained her ankle a week before the trip but John made sure everywhere we went would accommodate her and he was also very helpful every step of the way. We were still able to do most everything we wanted and he even picked up on our ques and suggested a few extra things that made the trip extra special. John also was very informative about the island and we learned so much more than expected. I would highly recommend him to anyone looking for a special experience.
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Aloha Christina!
Reading your review brought a big smile to my face. You, your mother, and daughters were so sweet and fun to be around. By the end of the tour, I felt like I had made a good friend.
Mahalo for the kind words!
– John
The BEST day you will spend in Hawaii
Christina_B, Jun 2025
A day with John will be the best money you spend on the island. Not only did we have our own private tour guide, John is exceptionally knowledgeable about the island, plants, history, and so many other topics we covered during our day together. John also helped by taking photographs of my daughter and I, so we had more than just selfies. John captured some great photos of us enjoying the water at Waimea Falls (which was my favorite). John also stopped at a local farm stand, where I bought delicious fresh fruit and tried a local favorite, pickled mango. If you like sweet & sour combinations, this is the treat for you! I can't wait to try to make it at home! Just a wonderful day start to finish!
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Aloha Christina,
What a blast of a day! I’m so glad you enjoyed it. I really enjoyed our conversations. It was a pleasure taking photos of you and your daughter; they turned out great, and I’m happy to hear you’re enjoying them.
Mahalo nui loa,
John
John went out of his way...
Kim_S, May 2025
John went out of his way to show us the island! He was very informative about Hawaii’s history.
We highly recommend this tour!
Response from Host, May 2025
Mahalo for your kind words! We're so happy to hear you enjoyed your day exploring Oʻahu with John. We’re grateful for your recommendation and hope to welcome you back one day for more island adventures. A hui hou — until we meet again!
Warmest Aloha,
Shi
From the Aina Explorer ʻOhana
John is very...
Janice_S, Apr 2025
John is very knowledgeable about the island and flexible regarding anything in particular you would like to do.
Response from Host, Apr 2025
Mahalo for sharing your experience with us.
We’re so happy to hear you enjoyed exploring the island at your own pace with John. Flexibility and sharing the heart of Hawaii with our guests is what we love most. Wishing you more wonderful travels ahead, and we hope to welcome you back to Oahu again someday. A hui hou!
Warmest Aloha,
Shi
From the Aina Explorer ʻOhana
Private Tour Oahu
Karen_S, Apr 2025
John is an excellent tour guide. He will take you wherever you want! He is very flexible, very friendly, and very knowledgeable!!! We would strongly recommend booking his tour! We travel a lot and he is one of the best!! Thanks for such a fantastic time!
Response from Host, Apr 2025
Mahalo nui loa for your wonderful words! Hearing that John helped make your time here one of the best travel experiences truly warms our hearts. Flexibility, friendliness, and sharing the beauty of the islands are exactly what we aim for, and we’re so grateful we could be a part of your adventure. Sending lots of aloha your way. Hope to see you again one day!
Warmest Aloha,
Shi
From the Aina Explorer ʻOhana
Great guide with great local knowledge
Barry_N, Apr 2025
John was great from the get go. Phoned me the day before to manage some expectations. Re-ranged pickup to a better time outside of rush hour. Great comms.
Arrived and called to let us know. Comfortable Chrysler with air conditioning.
I gave an overview of my expectations and what I wanted to do/see and with a few extra spots suggested, we set off. Lots of great photo opps. In depth knowledge of the islands, history and culture.
Great walk through Waimea valley botanical gardens. Lots of local knowledge. Waterfall was beautiful, water was cold, and very busy!
Wanted to see North Shore Hawaii for surfing. John checked his webcams and no surf! Still saw Sunset and Waimea. But 3-4 surf! (Not John’s fault)
Dropped back after seeing look out over Honolulu. Which made the day!
John took pictures of the area and my wife and I, which he shared later in the evening!
Would highly recommend!
Thank you!
Response from Host, Apr 2025
Aloha and mahalo for such a detailed and thoughtful review!
It sounds like you made the absolute most of your day exploring with John. We love hearing how flexible planning, local knowledge, and a few beautiful surprises came together to create such special memories for you both.
Thank you so much for letting us be a part of your Hawaii experience — and for recommending us so warmly! Until we meet again, a hui hou and aloha!
Warmest Aloha,
Shi
From the Aina Explorer ʻOhana
Great tour
Dawn_K, Apr 2025
This was a really great experience. The driver was very patient with our little ones who had to stop a lot to use the facilities. We saw a lot of the island and had a great time.
Response from Host, Apr 2025
Mahalo for sharing your experience! We're so glad to hear you had a great time exploring the island — and that your little ones were well taken care of along the way. It was our pleasure showing you around Oʻahu, and we’d love to welcome you back for another adventure anytime!
A hui hou,
Shi
From the Aina Explorer ʻOhana
As good as it gets!
Jared_H, Mar 2025
Best tour, hands down! Couldn’t be better. John was super attentive and considerate. Did everything he could to ensure a smooth and destination-packed tour at our desired pace. Highly recommend if you want to get the best out of your tour day, guided by an expert who will accommodate to what you want to get out of it.
Response from Host, Mar 2025
Aloha and mahalo for your wonderful review! It was a pleasure spending the day with you and your family, customizing a tour to show you new places and experiences, ensuring it wasn’t redundant since this wasn’t your first time on Oahu. Mahalo nui loa—hope to see you all again in the future!
-John
Awesome Island Tour
Lynette_W, Mar 2025
John was the best. Very customizable. Extremely knowlegeable about the island and it's history.Really took the extra miles to ensure we had an awesome time!!!!
Response from Host, Mar 2025
Aloha and mahalo for your kind words! We’re so happy to hear that John made your experience truly special. He loves going the extra mile to ensure every tour is memorable, and we’re glad you felt that! Wishing you more wonderful adventures, and we hope to see you again on your next visit!
Many Mahalos,
Shi
Excellent experience
JoAnn_W, Mar 2025
Our turtle canyon snorkel trip was everything we hoped for and expected. Sam and Kelsey were fabulous guides. We observed several sea turtles and also spotted a mama whale with her calf. Highly recommend this tour. Small group size is a big plus!
Response from Host, Mar 2025
Aloha! It sounds like you had an amazing time snorkeling—what an unforgettable experience to see sea turtles and a mama whale with her calf! While this review might have been meant for a different adventure, we’re still so happy you had a fantastic time in Hawaii. And since you also booked a tour with us, we hope that was just as incredible! Sending you lots of aloha!
Many Mahalos,
Shi
Great day out!
Leanne_T, Mar 2025
We had a fabulous day with John. He was full of knowledge and enthusiasm. There was no issue in customising the tour to suit our needs. I would definitely recommend this experience!
Response from Host, Mar 2025
Mahalo for your wonderful review! We’re so glad you had a fabulous day exploring with John—his enthusiasm and knowledge truly make each tour unique! Customizing the experience to match your interests is what we love to do. Thank you for recommending us, and we’d love to see you again for another island adventure!
Many Mahalos,
Shi
From $150.00
per person
up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)