Oahu Hawaii is a traveler’s paradise, with gorgeous beaches and awe-inspiring scenery. The best way to experience all the best Oahu sights is to join a guided tour – or perhaps several.
Most visitors focus on one specific area, and that’s understandable. Once you’ve planted your toes in the golden sands of Waikiki Beach, for example, it’s hard to pull yourself away. But the entire island is chock-full of hidden gems for you to explore.
A tour we think you'll love
Join us on a virtual tour of the best excursions in Oahu. When you’ve finished reading, you’ll be eager to book one of our Oahu tours yourself.
1) Take A Crash Course Of The Island On The Premium Oahu Circle Island Tour
Let’s start with our flagship Oahu tour: the Premium Oahu Circle Island Tour. This all-day adventure is one of the best excursions in Oahu, and an experience you’ll savor for years to come.
Here’s a sampling of the experiences you’ll enjoy on the Circle Island Tour:
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Byodo-In Temple
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Dole Pineapple Plantation
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Diamond Head Lookout
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Mokoli’i Island
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Green World Coffee Farms
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Sandy Beach Park
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Kahuku Farms
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Halona Blowhole
With 19 destinations in all, you’ll check so many Oahu attractions off your to-do list that you’ll have plenty of time left to relax for the remainder of your trip. Check out the full description of this immersive Hawaiian experience on our website.
Note that the stop at Diamond Head Lookout doesn’t explore the Diamond Head State Monument inside the crater. If you want to see more of Diamond Head Crater, plan a hike or helicopter tour – or both!
2) Claim A Swath Of Sand On Waikiki Beach
You’ll be ready for some downtime after a day or two of experiencing the best tours Oahu has to offer. Waikiki Beach, with its cerulean waters and powder-white sand, is here to answer your prayers.
This is an extremely popular beach, so be prepared to share the sand with a lot of like-minded people. We’ll also point out that parking near the beach can be a real chore. Unless you’re staying nearby, we would recommend relying on public Oahu transportation to get here, even if you have a rental car.
3) Experience A Piece Of History On The Pearl Harbor – USS Arizona Memorial & Honolulu City Tour
No list of Oahu tours would be complete without a mention of this historic site. Tourists flock to Pearl Harbor in droves to pay their respects to the many American lives that were lost in the attacks on December 7, 1941. While this is an obvious choice, there’s a reason why it’s one of the most popular tours on the island.
Our Pearl Harbor tours include a boat ride to the USS Arizona Memorial, the flagship attraction. Here, you’ll be able to view the wall with the list of names of the people who perished here on that fateful December day. Other tour highlights include the museums at the Pearl Harbor Visitors Center, a documentary feature, and the opportunity to visit the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park.
Don’t miss out on the chance to visit this iconic monument on one of our tours. Our guides will keep you entertained and enlightened every step of the way. Best of all, they’ll be happy to answer any questions you might have.
4) Spend The Day At Hanauma Bay State Park
This serene tropical pool is carved out of a volcanic crater on the southeastern coast of Oahu. Beneath the waters, you’ll find a pristine ecosystem teeming with tropical fish and other sea life. If you only choose one snorkeling destination during your time on the island, it should be this one.
There are specific procedures for entering the park. Visitors need to make reservations in advance, and then view a mandatory video before gaining entry. If you forget your snorkeling gear, there’s some available for rent. Other amenities include a snack bar and rental lockers where you can store your belongings while you explore the reef.
5) Learn The Local Lore On The Ka Moana Luau Tour
After a day of whale watching, snorkeling, or exploring Diamond Head, come to the Ka Moana Luau and keep yourself immersed in Hawaiian culture.
We consider this one of our best tours because it requires very little effort on your part. Just relax and enjoy the spirit of aloha!
Prior to the dinner show, you’ll have the opportunity to engage in traditional Hawaiian activities. Want to take a hula lesson or try your hand at lei-making? This is the tour for you.
In addition to your tempting feast, you’ll be treated to songs, chants, and stories from the various islands that make up Polynesia. Book the Ka Moana Luau Tour with us and come away with a newfound appreciation of the local culture.
6) Get Up Close And Personal With The Native Sea Turtles
Hawaiian green sea turtles, known as honu, are one of the best reasons to visit the islands. And thanks to the tropical climate, there’s no such thing as a bad time to see sea turtles in Hawaii.
Here’s a sampling of places you should visit if you want to see Hawaiian green sea turtles while you’re on Oahu:
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Laniakea Beach (also known as Turtle Beach)
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Kaupo Bay
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Kuilima Cove
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Makua Beach
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Electric Beach
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Haleiwa Beach
Some of the best Oahu tours offer the opportunity to swim with these unique creatures. Just be sure not to get too close, and don’t ever touch or feed wild animals in their natural habitat.
7) Lay Pipe On The North Shore
It’s no secret that Oahu is home to some truly world-famous surf breaks. Those of you who want to get some serious surfing in during your vacation will appreciate these epic spots, all located on the North Shore:
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Hale’iwa
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Pua’ena Point
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Laniakea
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Waimea Bay
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Banzai Pipeline (for experts only)
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Sunset Beach
Be aware that while the North Shore offers some extraordinary sets, you don’t have to leave the Honolulu area to catch choice waves. There’s great surfing to be had right at Waikiki, and numerous rental shops nearby.
8) Get The Full Oahu Experience At The Polynesian Cultural Center
The Polynesian Cultural Center offers a unique distillation of everything that makes Hawaii such a prime destination. Sprawling over 42 lush green acres, the site contains some of the best Oahu excursions you’ll find on the entire island.
Taste your way through the Hukilau Marketplace and treat yourself to the “HĀ: Breath of Life” show. Sports fans won’t want to miss the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame, a tribute to the region’s greatest coaches, players, and contributors.
9) Set Sail On A Romantic Sunset Dinner Cruise
You didn’t really think we were going to create a list of the best Oahu excursions without mentioning a sunset dinner cruise, did you? Maybe it would have been more original to skip this one, but we couldn’t resist. You’ll see some of the most unforgettable sunsets of your life in Oahu Hawaii, and there’s no better vantage point than the deck of a boat.
There are numerous tours available, some with live music or other entertainment. If you book on a Friday evening and leave from the Honolulu area, you might catch a glimpse of the fireworks off of Waikiki.
Can’t get enough of the water? Combine your romantic dinner cruise with a day of whale watching. With all that fresh sea air, you’re bound to sleep like babies at the end of the evening.
Discover These Popular Oahu Tours For Yourself!
Do these Oahu tours make you want to pack your bags and hop on a plane? You’re not alone. We pride ourselves on offering the best excursions in Oahu and strive to make sure your experience outshines your wildest expectations.
While you’re making your plans, be sure to carve out some time to browse through our website so you can select the perfect Oahu tour for you. By the time you leave the island, you’ll feel like a native – a true kama’aina!
