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Grand Circle Island Tour

Be sure to set aside a whole day for this unforgettable tour of Oahu. During your 120-mile journey, you'll see natural wonders such as the famed Diamond Head volcano crater and stop for breathtaking views, like at the 1,186-foot Pali Lookout. Photo-ops galore!

Oahu in a Day

  • Reservation required

The Grand Circle Island Tour is Oahu's most popular narrated tour, and affords a great way to get oriented to the island if it's your first visit—or to learn new things if you've been to Oahu before. Grand Circle Island Tour is a day-long trip that covers 120 miles of Oahu, from end to end.

Starting in Waikiki , you'll travel aboard air-conditioned buses through the upscale neighborhoods of East Oahu, through Hawaii Kai, and along the rugged southeast coastline past the Halona Blowhole and Sandy Beach. See the cliffs of Makapuu with their stunning view of Rabbit Island, continue through the Hawaiian Homestead lands of Waimanalo, and then into laidback Kailua town. Travel up the tree-lined Pali highway for a stop at the 1,186-foot Pali Lookout, the site of King Kamehameha's last battle and unsurpassed views of the windward coast.

…more

From there, continue on to the North Shore, passing through rural towns like Haleiwa and Waimea Bay, where the winter surf can create legendary 30-foot waves. You'll have the opportunity to see other famous surfing spots like Sunset Beach, Ehukai, and the Banzai Pipeline. The tour continues past the quaint towns of Kahuku and Laie, home of the Mormon Temple and the Polynesian Cultural Center. Last but not least, you'll continue through Punaluu all the way to Kaneohe town before heading back to Waikiki after a full day's sightseeing.

Your day-long tour also includes a stop for lunch (cost not included) at the Coral Kingdom restaurant and gift shop on the windward side of the island, plus a stop at the Dole Plantation in central Oahu.

Skip the rental car, and let the professionals from Grand Circle Island Tour take you on a stunning and comprehensive tour of one of the world’s most beautiful and beloved island destinations. This monumental drive will leave you in awe of the diverse scenery of the island of Oahu and of the dense natural beauty that covers this geographic location. Just sit back and let Grand Circle Tours show you the wonders of island life!

Reviews for Grand Circle Island Tour

Review Snapshot® by PowerReviews Express
Avg. Customer Rating:
 
4.4 stars
(based on 21 reviews)
0% of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
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Reviewed by 21 Customers Sort by:
Displaying Reviews 1-10 of 21 Back to Top Previous | Next »
 
Absolutely enjoyed by Nana's on tour
By Missy from Wellington NZ on 4/30/2012
Bottom Line:
Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Comments about Smart Destinations Grand Circle Island Tour:

Paddy was our guide for the day and she provided a lot of local knowledge on the day long trip. Beautiful locations and numerous opportunities for photos. Will always remember the sausage tree.

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Family of four loved this tour!
By Maui Girl Verified Reviewer from Vancouver, Canada on 3/27/2012
Pros:
Informative driver Kyle, Great overview of island, Lots of stops to stretch, Plenty of photo ops
Cons:
Long ride for kids 65,
Best Uses:
Great for first timers,
Bottom Line:
Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Comments about Smart Destinations Grand Circle Island Tour:

Our last stop was the Dole Plantation and it was only 30 mins long-just enough time to line up and get a Dole Whip (highly recommended). We were dropped off at our hotel at 430pm-1/2 hour early than advertised...wished we had 1 hour at Dole Plantation to make up for the time.

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[2 of 2 customers found this review helpful]

 
very informative
By beebee from Omro, WI on 1/1/2012
Pros:
Beautiful scenery, Interesting, Informative
Cons:
Coral Kingdom stops, High priced lunch offers,
Bottom Line:
Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Comments about Smart Destinations Grand Circle Island Tour:

If I were to do it all over again, I'd pack my own lunch and enjoy the outside area at the stop areas. I'd also stay at the Dole Plantation and ride the train and complete the maze and take the bus back to Honolulu. (I had the Oahu card and it took a whole day on the bus to get back there and enjoy that stop more) The driver was awesome and knew the island like the back of his hand. The stops for photo shots were some of the best I took during our vacation. The only reason I didn't give it 4 stars was due to the rest stops being complete tourist traps with high prices for lunch and pushie sales people at the Coral Kingdom.

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[2 of 2 customers found this review helpful]

 
Awesome!!
By 4 Year Anniversary Couple Verified Reviewer from Milwaukee, Wisconsin on 8/21/2011
Bottom Line:
Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Comments about Smart Destinations Grand Circle Island Tour:

This was our second trip to Hawaii and I didn't really know if this tour would be beneficial to do. We had Cousin Goodlooking for our driver and he was so hilarious it was entertaining to just listen to him while driving to the next stop. My husband and I talked about how great this tour was and kept referring to Cousin Goodlooking for the rest of our trip. It was well worth it to do this tour and was the highlight of our vacation. Thanks Cousin Goodlooking for a great tour!!

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[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]

 
Best Tour to Explore the Island
By Cousin VIE VIE from Vancouver, Canada on 7/14/2011
Bottom Line:
Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Comments about Smart Destinations Grand Circle Island Tour:

We had Cousin Goodlooking as our tour guide and he went out of his way to make all of us feel comfortable. We got to see the unknown and natural beaches of Oahu as well as the destinations mentioned on the descriptions. The driver was very informative and you have a chance to learn and hear the real stories regarding the island....BEST WAY TO START YOUR VACATION THERE!!

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[2 of 3 customers found this review helpful]

 
Good trip!!!!
By Ranger114 Verified Reviewer from Cordoba, Argentina on 5/19/2011
Bottom Line:
Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Comments about Smart Destinations Grand Circle Island Tour:

Good tour!!! Dave is the best driver in the world!!! nice!!!

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[2 of 2 customers found this review helpful]

 
Had a great time!
By funinthe sun2 Verified Reviewer from Alaska on 4/6/2011
Bottom Line:
Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Comments about Smart Destinations Grand Circle Island Tour:

My husband and I loved the tour, it was informative, entertaining and we had plenty of opportunities for photo's. The bus driver was funny and very easy to talk to. We had a great time...Roberts of Hawaii tour bus drivers are all great..

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[3 of 4 customers found this review helpful]

 
Great way to see Oahu!
By Sharag Verified Reviewer from Houston, Texas on 4/5/2011
Pros:
Comfortable shuttle, Great Tour Guide, Very rewarding
Cons:
Lunch stop too crowded,
Bottom Line:
Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Comments about Smart Destinations Grand Circle Island Tour:

This was our first visit to Hawaii, and doing this island tour the day after we arrived introduced us to this beautiful island. Our tour guide, Cousin Ooaa, was very friendly and informative. We spent all day on this tour, and had a wonderful time.

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[3 of 3 customers found this review helpful]

 
Great way to start a first visit to Oahu
By 3Boyz3 Verified Reviewer from Waunakee, WI on 4/2/2011
Pros:
Airconditioning, Driver Knowledge, Wide variety of sites
Cons:
Lunch,
Bottom Line:
Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Comments about Smart Destinations Grand Circle Island Tour:

Perfect way to start your trip if this is your first time. Good way to orient yourself to the island. Good way to decide what you want to spend time at later. Great driver - Cousin Roy! Loved him. Lunch at the coral reef restaurant was challenging for our group. Not enough seating, kitchen seemed dirty - I would bring my own food on this if we went again.

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[3 of 3 customers found this review helpful]

 
One of the highlights of the holiday
By Wendy Verified Reviewer from Sydney, Australia on 12/6/2010
Pros:
You see everything
Cons:
Long bus trip
Best Uses:
Must do at the start
Bottom Line:
Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Comments about Smart Destinations Grand Circle Island Tour:

We had a wonderful day. Saw all the best bits of the Island. Lots of photo opportunities. Wonderful driver/guide. Shops had lovely gifts with native made artifacts. Lovely cheap jewellery-locally made, with pearls and pink and black Coral, to suit all budgets.Nice meals, clean restrooms etc.

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Grand Circle Island Tour details

Phone: 808-923-4340
Address
307 Lewers Street
Suite 307
Honolulu, HI 96815
Hours
Departs daily at 7:50 am and returns at approximately 5:00 to 5:30 pm .
Closed: May be closed major U.S. holidays.
  • Not seasonal
  • Good for families
  • No parking available
  • Restaurant or snack bar
  • Restrooms
  • Disabled access
  • Reservations are necessary

Directions and transportation

Address
307 Lewers Street
Suite 307
Honolulu, HI 96815
Public Transportation
Driving Directions
Call for pickup locations.

Admission and Offer Information

Reservation required

Reservation Required

All passengers MUST make reservations in advance by calling 808-923-4340 – please mention your Go Select admission pass. Confirmation will be received at the time of booking.

Getting in

Please check in at 7:45am at 307 Lewers Street Suite 307 for entry and transportation.