Oahu's Ultimate Grand Circle Island Tour with Snorkeling and More
Badge of Excellence
Honolulu, USA
- 10 hours (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Maximize your time in Oahu with a full-day circle island sightseeing tour complete with snorkeling. Combine several landmarks into one itinerary, including the Diamond Head Lighthouse and Halona Blowhole. Learn about local culture and history from your guide and complete the experience with a snorkeling excursion (equipment is provided).
- Go sightseeing in Oahu with a full-day minibus tour
- See popular landmarks like the Diamond Head Lighthouse
- Combine sightseeing and snorkeling in one itinerary
- Enjoy convenient hotel pickup for a seamless start
What's Included
- Bottled water
- SnacksEither Chips, Cookies, Crackers, etc.
- Use of Snorkeling equipmentUse of Snorkelling equipment
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- LunchLunch Location: North Shore Mac Nut Farm Food Truck ****accepts cash only****
- Gratuities
- Entrance fee - Byodo-In Temple$5.00 per person
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Pickup details
Detailed Pick Up Location Options with Pick Up Times 1. (6:45am) Ilikai Hotel 1777 Ala Moana Boulevard, Honolulu, HI 96815 2. (6:50am) Army Museum 2131 Kālia Rd, Honolulu, HI 96815 3. (7:00am) Royal Garden 440 Olohana St, Honolulu, HI 96815 4. (7:00am) Ross Dress for Less Department Store 333 Seaside Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815 5. (7:10am) Duke Kahanamoku Statue Kalakaua Avenue, Honolulu, HI 96815 6. (7:10am) Twin Fin Hotel AKA Aston Waikiki Beach Hotel *Pick up on Paoakalani Avenue Entrance
Operating hours.7:00 am
Itinerary
1
Diamond Head Lookout
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Kahala (Pass By)
Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve (Pass By)
2
Halona Blowhole
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Sandy Beach Park (Pass By)
Makapu'u Beach (Pass By)
Waimanalo (Pass By)
3
Mokoli’i Island
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
4
Byodo-in Temple
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included
5
Kahuku Farms
20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Banzai Pipeline (Pass By)
Sunset Beach (Pass By)
Laniakea Beach (Pass By)
Haleiwa (Pass By)
6
Haleiwa Beach Park
1 hour • Admission Ticket Free
7
North Shore Macadamia Nut Company
1 hour • Admission Ticket Included
8
Dole Plantation
40 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
9
Green World Coffee Farms
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Infants must sit on laps
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Most travelers can participate
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 32 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.6
based on 121 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
Jasmine_R, Jul 2026
Hands down, one of the BEST tours we have ever done! Kathleen and Uncle Joe (I believe that was our wonderful driver’s name—so sorry if I got it wrong!) were truly the perfect duo.
Kathleen put so much heart into every single detail of the experience. She was incredibly knowledgeable, smart, witty, funny, and genuinely made the entire day so much fun. You could tell how much she truly cares about Hawaii, its history, culture, and making sure everyone on the tour has an unforgettable experience. She went above and beyond in every possible way.
The two of them worked so perfectly together and made us feel welcomed and taken care of from beginning to end. We saw so much, learned so much, laughed constantly, and honestly did not want the day to end. We were genuinely heartbroken when the tour was over!
This was easily the best tour we have ever taken, and a huge part of that was because of Kathleen and Uncle Joe. We will 100000% be visiting Hawaii again, and this experience will always be one of our favorite memories from the trip. If you’re considering the Grand Circle Island Tour, BOOK IT—and if you’re lucky enough to get Kathleen and Uncle Joe, you’re in for an incredible day! 🌺🤙🏼
Anthony_F, Apr 2026
This tour could and should have been so much better. However, it started badly and just went downhill from there.
Despite getting an email confirmation, and me sending an email and calling two days before they still managed to get my pickup address wrong.
Once the tour started there was no introduction from the driver, and no handout explaining what to expect from the tour.
Despite having a large screen TV at the front of the bus, which could have been used to highlight where we would be going, it reminded off.
The driver’s explanation of each stop was a cross between someone who had done this many times before, and let me tell you some jokes. This made the tour and the experience difficult to follow, as well as being a missed opportunity to give some real insights about the different destinations and their significance.
Sadly for me and my wife this will go down as the worst tour we’ve ever experienced. The promise was of an exciting island tour, but what we got was complacency, and missed opportunity to showcase what the island had to offer.
The driver should appreciate he is an ambassador for the island while we are with him, and to ensure he makes every opportunity to educate and inform us.
One last thing, the transportation was an old bus that must be over 20 years old, and certainly not the air conditioning coach I was expecting.
Overall, a very poor experience.
Sarah_W, Apr 2026
Aka was a great tour guide! Shared tons of info about the culture and provided ample time for us to explore each stop.
Mariam_M, Mar 2026
This tour is full of breathtaking views around the island. It also included a full of history of the islands key contributors while we enjoyed delicious food along the way!
Michael_L, Jan 2026
Our tour guide, Aka, is 100% Hawaiian; he spoke and translated traditional Hawaiian sayings and songs (great voice)! Very entertaining and knowledgeable. Driver did great and drove very safely and comfortably.
From a constructive criticism standpoint prices given by tour guide and/or shown on the Viator website are largely inaccurate (ex: Temple was $10 not $7)- suggest a link. Also, the snorkeling in January on the North Shore was not enjoyable due to winter turbulence.
Sultan_R, Nov 2025
Safe and friendly , tour guide was excellent.
Must do when in Hawaii it's a great tour around the island
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Aloha Sultan! 🌞
Mahalo for your kind review! We’re so happy to hear you had a safe and friendly experience on the Circle Island Tour, and that your guide made the day excellent. It’s truly a must-do when visiting Hawaiʻi, and we’re grateful you chose to explore the island with us.
Hope to welcome you back for more adventures next time you’re on Oʻahu! A hui hou! 🤙🏝️
TOM_H, Oct 2025
Excellent tour guide was Dylan and did an amazing tour for us. Keep us informed and great knowledge of the island, gave everyone a drone video of a stop that was amazing and downloaded to everyone.
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Aloha Tom! 🌴 Mahalo for your awesome review! We’re so glad to hear that Dylan made your tour such a memorable experience. His knowledge of the island and the extra touch of sharing that amazing drone footage truly make the day special. We’re thrilled you enjoyed exploring Oʻahu with us and hope to see you again soon! A hui hou! 🤙🏝️
Cynthia_C, Sep 2025
Aka and his driver were the best! He really made you feel like Ohana. He ingaged with the hole bus and you can really feel his passion for sharing his knowledge and culture. My sister took his tour a few years ago and said we had to take this tour just for Aka. We are so glad we did. Kahuka farms was good, the fruit was perfect. The watermelon, kiwi and dragon fruit were very tasty. Haleiwa Beach Park was so beautiful. I snorkeled with my son we had a blast and saw some fish and turtles. They were like an arms length away. It was amazing. When we come back we will do his tour again. Mahalo
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Aloha Cynthia! 🌺 Mahalo nui loa for your beautiful review. We’re so happy to hear that Aka and our driver made you feel like part of the ʻohana while sharing their knowledge and aloha spirit. It’s wonderful that you and your son got to snorkel together and see turtles up close—that’s such a special memory! We’re honored that your sister recommended us and even more grateful that you chose to join. We can’t wait to welcome you back for another adventure with Aka and the crew. A hui hou! 🤙🐢🍉
Sally_M, Sep 2025
1. Tour guide DILLON TOOK IT UPON HIMSELF to decide we didn’t need to stop at turtle Island, bus just whizzed by and he glanced out the window and decided there were not any turtles to be seen!
2. DILLON decided that people on the bus needed to be schooled BY HIM about how important diversity is as if we were children.
3. DILLON decided that we all needed to hear HIS personal politics!
4. DILLON dissed other vendors at the stops we made ( albeit dumpy, trashy, roadside 7 eleven) and TOLD the passengers not to buy from other vendors/ buy from vendors that were his BROTHER AND PERSONAL FRIENDS … what about DIVERSITY DILLON?
5. Someone at this tour guide company NEEDS TO TELL DILLON TO SHOWER AND USE DEODORANT and button up his shirt so his gut isn’t hanging out, sat behind his seat and HE STUNK TO HIGH HEAVENS… lack of consideration towards the passengers.
6. Dole and Macadamia plantation was just a quickly stop to buy stuff…. NO ACTUAL TOUR TO SEE THEIR OPERATIONS OR facility! Waste of time!
### I DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS TOUR SERVICE… SAVE YOUR MONEY!! 😡### and ( take a shower DILLON)
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Aloha Sally, 🌴
Mahalo for taking the time to share your feedback with us. We are truly sorry to hear that your experience did not meet expectations. Our goal is for every guest to enjoy the very best of Oʻahu, and your comments about the guide, stops, and overall comfort are being taken seriously.
Please know that we are reviewing your concerns directly with our team to ensure the highest standards of professionalism, courtesy, and service. Feedback like yours is valuable and helps us continue to improve the experience we provide for all guests.
We regret that your visit fell short and hope you’ll consider giving us another opportunity in the future to deliver the full aloha experience that so many of our guests enjoy. If you could, we'd also like to hear from you personally.
With respect and aloha,
VIP Tours and Activities ʻOhana 🤙🏝️
Deliazof_w, Jul 2025
Our guide was Aka and our driver was Victor! Hands down the best tour, we not only saw beautiful areas but learned rich culture and history
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Aloha Deliazof! 🌴 Mahalo for the kind words! We're thrilled to hear that Aka and Victor made your day so special. It's always our goal to blend stunning sights with deep cultural insight, and we're so glad you felt the richness of the island’s history throughout the journey. Hope to welcome you back for more aloha-filled adventures soon! A hui hou! 🤙🏞️📚
Edgar_V, May 2025
Be ready for history of the island, local traditions, local food. The weather is always perfect. Safe transportation. A lot of fun that you would like to return and do it again.
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Aloha Edgar! 🌤️ Mahalo for the awesome review! We're so glad you enjoyed learning about the island's rich history, culture, and local flavors. It’s great to hear you felt safe, had fun, and left wanting to return—exactly the kind of experience we aim to share! We can’t wait to welcome you back for another unforgettable day in paradise. A hui hou! 🤙🍍🏝️
beata_k, Mar 2025
Aka was an amazing tour guide. We learned so much from him. All places were fun. The only thing I would recommend is a different beach.
Response from Host, Mar 2025
Aloha Beata! 🌅 Mahalo for your kind words! We’re so happy to hear that Aka made your tour an amazing and educational experience. It’s great to know you enjoyed all the stops! We appreciate your feedback about the beach and will take it into consideration. Hope to see you again for another adventure! A hui hou! 🤙🐠
Leonard_W, Mar 2025
It was a great way to see the whole island. We got to see a lot of places we probably wouldn't have if we hadn't taken this tour. Our guide and bus driver were terrific. They were funny and informative.
They made the tour.
Response from Host, Mar 2025
Aloha Leonard! 🏖️ Mahalo for your wonderful review! We’re so happy to hear you had a great time exploring Oahu and discovering hidden gems along the way. Our guide and driver will be thrilled to know they made your experience both fun and informative. We’d love to have you join us again for another island adventure! A hui hou! 🚎🌅
Audra_B, Nov 2024
The guides knew a ton about the area and they were funny. I got to swim with a sea turtle and try cool new foods. Its a good way to get a quick view of everything the island has to offer.
Response from Host, Nov 2024
Aloha Audra_B,
Mahalo for your kind review! We’re thrilled to hear you enjoyed the tour, learned from our knowledgeable guides, and had the chance to swim with a sea turtle. Experiencing the island's sights and tastes in one day is what makes this tour so special. We hope to welcome you back for another adventure soon!
Phoebe, Nov 2024
I think this would good for older people ( we are late 20s). Appreciate our guide was called into work, however, they proceeded to drink alcoholic drinks while taking the tour (bear in mind they were already in a state as it was). There were kids on the bus, and felt like a rip off since we’d paid money for this. You see a lot of the island from the bus windows but that’s it. Feels like a whirlwind and felt as though you just get taken to tourist spots where they want you to spend money.
Some great stories and information at times, but most of the time we’re half stories.
The guide also fell asleep on our way back and the bus driver had to wake him up.
A bit gutted we spent our money on this, and got a drunk guide and a tour that felt quick and not super meaningful. Would have rather gone elsewhere else.
Response from Host, Nov 2024
Aloha Phoebe,
We are deeply concerned and disappointed to hear about your experience. This is not the level of service or professionalism we uphold at VIP Tours and Activities. Our guides are expected to maintain the highest standards of conduct, and your report of inappropriate behavior is unacceptable. We take these matters very seriously and will be conducting a thorough investigation to address the issue.
We strive to provide a memorable and meaningful experience, and we're truly sorry to hear that your tour felt rushed and unsatisfactory. Your feedback will be used to make the necessary improvements.
Please feel free to reach out to us directly if you’d like to discuss your experience further or if there’s anything we can do to make things right. We value your input and are committed to enhancing our services.
Mahalo for bringing this to our attention,
VIP Tours and Activities
Ashley_B, Oct 2024
Great to look around the island.
We were taken to the worst place for snorkeling, could hardly see 1 mtr. Had to wait for the guide to get back to bus from spear fishing.
Response from Host, Nov 2024
Aloha Ashley_B,
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. We’re glad you enjoyed exploring the island but are truly sorry to hear about your disappointment with the snorkeling location and the wait for your guide. We aim to provide the best possible experience, and your feedback is invaluable for helping us improve. We’ll review these concerns with our team to ensure that our guests have a seamless and enjoyable adventure.
Mahalo for joining us, and we hope you’ll give us another opportunity to impress you in the future.
Dean_L, Oct 2024
Our guide, Aka and driver were absolutely excellent, funny, knowledgeable and made the tour of the island great, stopping at some beautiful sites around the island and the snorkelling was a good break halfway through the tour and we did see green turtles. Recommend to anyone going top Hawaii to get on to one of these tours.
Response from Host, Nov 2024
Aloha Dean_L,
Mahalo for your wonderful review! We’re thrilled to hear that you had a fantastic day exploring Oahu with Aka and our driver. It’s great that you enjoyed their humor and insights as well as the breathtaking stops around the island. Seeing the green turtles while snorkeling is always a magical experience! We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to see you again on your next Hawaiian adventure.
Maria_S, Oct 2024
Very happy with the tour, Aka our guide and our driver. It was great to see all the farms and circle Oahu.
Response from Host, Nov 2024
Aloha Maria_S,
Mahalo for sharing your experience with us! We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed your tour of Oahu and that Aka, along with our driver, made your day memorable. Exploring the island’s beautiful farms and breathtaking sights is always a special adventure. We hope to welcome you back for another incredible experience soon!
Julie_G, Sep 2024
Really good value for money, as we saw so many sights and had just right amount of time for each stop.
Guide was fun, very talkative, informative and tried his best to get us to stops before the other buses, meaning we didn't have to queue for bathrooms etc.
Was provided with drinks and crisps throughout the day.
Only improvements which could have been made was if the bathroom on the bus was working and don't have high expectations for the snorkeling aspect, like I did.
You are given the mask and then left to snorkel, which because I'm not a confident snorkeler felt dissapointed. The water was extremely murky, so didn't see 1 fish unfortunately. It seems there are so many other better places to snorkel around the island, so don't book based on the snorkeling aspect.
Overall extremely good day though, would recommend it.
Response from Host, Sep 2024
Aloha Julie_G,
Mahalo for your honest and thoughtful review! We're glad you found the tour to be great value and enjoyed the sights, timing, and service. We understand your concerns about the snorkeling, and we apologize it didn't meet your expectations. We'll look into the snorkeling conditions and bus bathroom to improve the experience. Thank you for recommending us, and we hope to welcome you on another adventure soon!
RoseAnne_S, Sep 2024
Great to see all the beautiful sites and fantastic to see all the turtles up close.
Our guide and driver did an amazing job.
Response from Host, Sep 2024
Aloha RoseAnne_S,
Mahalo for your wonderful review! We're thrilled that you enjoyed seeing the beautiful sights of Oahu and had such a memorable experience with the turtles. It's great to hear that our guide and driver made your tour special. We hope to see you on another adventure soon!
tawanda_b, Jul 2024
The tour was perfect. The driver was safe and the tour guide was entertaining. If you decide to take this tour request Jake as your guide.
Response from Host, Aug 2024
Aloha Tawanda,
Mahalo for your wonderful review of our Oahu's Ultimate Grand Circle Island Tour with Snorkeling and More! We're delighted to hear that you had a perfect experience and that both the driver and Jake, your tour guide, made the journey enjoyable and entertaining. We'll be sure to pass along your kind words to Jake. We look forward to welcoming you on another adventure soon!
Adam_B, Jul 2024
The tour was a great experience. We got to see a number of amazing points of interest on Oahu and the tour guide Jack was great and made things fun. The only downfalls were the food for lunch wasn't great and there wasn't much of a selection and you have to understand you are going on a tour with 50 other people and thus things will be a bit rushed at times. Highly recommend though!
Response from Host, Jul 2024
Aloha Adam_B,
Mahalo for your thoughtful review of our Oahu's Ultimate Grand Circle Island Tour with Snorkeling and More. We're delighted to hear you enjoyed the tour and that Jack made your experience fun and engaging. We appreciate your feedback regarding the lunch options and the pace of the tour. We strive to offer the best experience and will take your comments into consideration for future improvements. Thank you for recommending us, and we hope to welcome you back on another adventure soon!
David_F, Jul 2024
Tour is nice if you’re visiting for the first time. Lunch stop was rushed, wait staff asked for payment 3 times while we were still eating. For snorkeling, the company needs to provide fins. Big Mike was a GREAT guide!!!
Response from Host, Jul 2024
Aloha David_F,
Mahalo for your feedback on our Oahu's Ultimate Grand Circle Island Tour with Snorkeling and More. We're glad to hear you enjoyed the tour and Big Mike's guidance! We appreciate your suggestion about providing fins for snorkeling and will look into this for future tours. We also apologize for the rushed lunch experience and will work with our partners to ensure a more relaxed dining atmosphere.
Thank you for choosing our tour and for sharing your insights. We hope to welcome you back for another adventure soon!
Kathy_P, Jul 2024
I think this is a good tour. It is very long. There was a few people in the tour who were consistently late getting back on the bus which made the tour even longer. The sea turtle were one of my favorite sites. Also the Buddhist temple was so peaceful. The tour guide seemed very knowledgeable.
Response from Host, Jul 2024
Aloha Kathy_P,
Mahalo for your thoughtful review of our Oahu's Ultimate Grand Circle Island Tour with Snorkeling and More. We're delighted you enjoyed the sea turtles and the peaceful Buddhist temple. We appreciate your understanding about the extended tour time. While we strive to stay on schedule, occasional delays can occur. We aim to ensure that our guests do not feel rushed, but we also ask everyone to respect the allotted time for each tour stop. We're thrilled our knowledgeable guide enhanced your experience and hope to welcome you back on another adventure soon!
Danielle_P, Jul 2024
Prince and King were the best guides!! They made the tour relaxed and smooth!! Turtle Bay was fantastic!!
Response from Host, Jul 2024
Aloha Danielle_P,
Mahalo for your wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear that you had such a fantastic time on the Oahu's Ultimate Grand Circle Island Tour with Prince and King. We're glad you enjoyed Turtle Bay and that our guides made your tour relaxed and smooth. We hope to see you again for another unforgettable adventure!
arthur_o, Jun 2024
My grandchildren really enjoyed the snorkeling, as I did too. The stops were nice, but short on time to give local venders to sell their goods.
Response from Host, Jun 2024
Aloha Arthur,
Mahalo for sharing your experience with us! We're delighted to hear you and your grandchildren enjoyed the snorkeling. Our Grand Oahu Circle Island Tour aims to give guests a taste of as many sights and locations as possible, allowing you to explore more in a short time. We appreciate your feedback on the stops and will take it into consideration to enhance the experience.
Becca_P, Jun 2024
Want an overview of the top spots on Oahu with a local personal story telling (from Eve), you will enjoy hearing about the land and the culture with an appreciation for the Hawaii way of life. Snorkeling was rushed and not needed but saw sea turtles at the beach. Enjoyed Hawaiiian spiced pineapple and dole whip! Some parts were “touristy” but the snacks, drinks and authentic stops made I up for it!
Response from Host, Jun 2024
Aloha Becca,
Mahalo for your detailed feedback! We're glad you enjoyed the storytelling from Eve and appreciated the local culture and highlights of Oahu. Our goal is to offer a comprehensive overview of the island's top spots. We're sorry to hear that the snorkeling felt rushed but are pleased you saw sea turtles. Your input on the "touristy" elements and the authentic stops is valuable, and we will consider it to improve our tour experience.
Raymond_C, Jun 2024
Driver and Tour guide were professional, knowledgable, entertaining and most importantly accomodating to the vast age group. There was a lot to see and do and they tried their very best to ensure we were prepared, punctual and safe!
Response from Host, Jun 2024
Mahalo Raymond for your wonderful feedback! We're delighted to hear that our driver and tour guide made your experience professional, knowledgeable, and entertaining. Ensuring the comfort and safety of all our guests is our top priority, and we're glad you felt well taken care of. We're thrilled you enjoyed your tour!
Robert_A, Jun 2024
Jake and Will were great. Very friendly and knowledgeable made the trip go fast and smoothly. They organized well, allowed us extra time where need it and constantly checking on all the guest
Response from Host, Jun 2024
Thank you, Robert, for your great review! We're thrilled to hear that Jake and Will made your trip smooth and enjoyable. Their friendliness and organization help create memorable experiences for our guests. We're glad you had a wonderful time and appreciate your kind words.
Claire_W, Jun 2024
Thanks to Keith the driver and Prince the tour guide! They made the tour very memorable and enjoyable. Absolutely loved the stories and legends shared on the bus. Would recommend.
Response from Host, Jun 2024
Aloha Claire and mahalo for your wonderful review! We're delighted to hear that you had a memorable and enjoyable tour with Keith and Prince. Their storytelling and knowledge truly bring the island's history and legends to life. We appreciate your recommendation and look forward to welcoming you on another adventure soon!
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