Waikiki Beach was historically a destination for Hawaiian royalty to relax and surf. Now, it’s a world famous destination for millions of tourists every year.

The region is known for its fabulously large wintertime waves and international surfing competitions.

At Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve, a massive coral reef sits inside an ancient volcanic cone and is a true snorkeler’s paradise. A protected underwater park since 1967, this popular spot has multiple reefs, full of marine life and is open to snorkelers and swimmers of all ability levels. Green sea turtles can often be seen grazing on beds of seagrass here.

Regularly photographed and a usual backdrop in many Hollywood blockbusters, this tiny paradise will be easy to spot due to its iconic shape.

You’ve seen it many photos of Waikiki, but now is your chance to see the inside of this ancient volcano. The view of Honolulu at the top is amazing!

This one is for the surfers. Haleiwa Town is a historic surf town located on the North Shore of Oahu. Not only is this a laid back place for relaxation, you’ll find interesting shops perfect for the souvenir hunter. There are also plenty of art galleries and hidden gem restaurants to explore. Haleiwa Town is perfect for the person looking to explore under the radar options on our foodie tour. Haleiwa Town exists because of a businessman named Benjamin Dillingham. In 1898, he opened a hotel on the North Shore called Hale’iwa. In Hawaiian, hale means house, and ‘iwa is a type of tropical bird. When a railway from Honolulu to Waialua was built, it ended right in front of the hotel bringing in traffic. Thus, Haleiwa Town was born.

Dole is an internationally known brand, and has been operating since 1900. It all started when a man named James Dole decided to move to Honolulu and purchased a 64 acre plot of land. After some experimentation, Dole settled on pineapples as his main crop. He worked to grow large amounts of pineapples, and expanded by purchasing more land. In 1950, Dole opened a fruit stand so the general public could enjoy the literal fruits of their labor. The Dole Plantation is the site most people are familiar with before visiting Hawaii. We include “Hawaiis’ Complete Pineapple Experience” on most of our Oahu Circle Island Tours because it’s always a hit. The Dole Plantation was originally just a fruit stand in the 1950’s, and became open to the public in 1989. It’s one of the most popular sites for tourists in Oahu.

Beautiful white sand beaches are the main attraction here in this once-sleepy little town. Kailua is now the thriving center of Windward Oahu while maintaining its sense of community and outdoor lifestyle. Everyday of the week you can find kite surfers at Kailua Beach Park, gentle waves at Kalama Beach Park and kayaks departing Lanikai Beach Park for the Mokulua Islands. 

Byodo-In Temple is a popular stop on our photographer tour, with admission included. You don’t want to miss this beautiful piece of Hawaiian history. Byodo-In Temple is a replica of a 900-year-old Buddhist Temple at Uji in Kyoto, Japan. The temple replica was built in 1968 to commemorate the first Japanese immigrants coming to Hawaii. If you’re not on an Oahu Island Tour, it can be easy to miss. Byodo-In Temple is tucked away near the Ko’olau mountain range on a hidden road. Once your tour guide brings you down the road, you’ll experience a breathtaking view of the Valley of the Temples.