Chinaman’s Hat Island – one of the islands you will see on a 1 day Oahu circle island tour
If you are visiting the Hawaiian island of Oahu for the first time, one of the best things to do is to go on a 1 day Oahu circle island tour. Why? Because you will get a really good insight and taste of the main island of Hawaii.
In this post I am taking you on a road trip around Oahu in one day. Starting in Waikiki, which is where most stay, then heading around the island taking in historical, scenic and cultural sights like Diamond Head, Sunset Beach, Pali Lookout, Dole Plantation, Chinaman’s Hat plus Hanauma Bay to mention a few stops. But there are so many more to discover when circling Oahu on a day trip.
I have been very lucky enough to have visited Oahu some fifteen times, well actually, I’ve lost count how many times I’ve been. I just love Hawaii and I usually stay a minimum of 7 days on Oahu. And I’ve been around the island a number of times, sometimes in a day and other times a few days. So without further ado, let’s go on an Oahu circle island road trip tour.
Oahu Circle Island Tour
The first time I visited Oahu was with my parents and we went on a small bus tour around Oahu. On other visits I have hired a car and driven to the best places to see and do on Oahu. Check out the map that shows you where on the island the main places to visit are.
Plenty of places to stop on your circle island tour!
Oahu Circle Island Tour at a Glance
Some great places to include on any road trip around Oahu could be:
- Pali Lookout
- Diamond Head
- Hanauma Bay
- Kualoa Ranch
- Polynesian Cultural Center
- Turtle Bay Resort
- North Shore – Sunset Beach, Waimea Falls
- Dole Pineapple Plantation
Best Things to See and Do on a Circle Island Tour
There are many things to see and do on a road trip around Oahu, when booking a tour or driving around Oahu yourself, the following are some of the best places to stop at.
Nu’uanu Pali Lookout
Hold on to your hair at the lookout!
First stop on this circle island road trip of Oahu could be the Nu’uanu Pali Lookout. Located a short 5-mile drive from Honolulu and Waikiki this lookout has some of the best views over Oahu. It is extremely windy here at the lookout. The wind can literally knock you off your feet so hold on to your hat.
Aside from the fantastic views and the wind, this is the site of one of King Kamehameha’s most gruesome victories. King Kamehameha was the king who united the Hawaiian Islands in 1795. I was told that it is windy because Kamehameha’s army pushed the opposition to the edge of the cliff faces. He told them if they didn’t join him they would be killed. Many of them jumped to their deaths causing the wind. About 100 years later around 500 human skulls were found at the base of the mountain.
Diamond Head
Diamond Head keeping a watchful eye over Waikiki
You could include a visit to Diamond Head crater in your trip around the island of Oahu. Or you could visit it as another half or full-day trip from Honolulu. Many people like to walk or run to the top of the crater for fabulous views over Waikiki Beach and Honolulu.
Hanauma Bay
Swim and snorkel in Hanauma Bay
From the Diamond Head lookout head to Hanauma Bay. It is only a quick stop here to see how beautiful this bay is. You could visit here to where you could snorkel and swim with some 400 species of sea life that live in the reef there. It is only a quick stop here , if you stop at all, because I have a day allocated to spend at this beautiful spot on day 5 of this 7 day Hawaiian itinerary.
Kualoa Ranch
recognise this from a Hollywood movie?
From Hanauma Bay you will drive around some beautiful coastal scenery with beautiful beaches and small islands off the coast such as Chinaman’s Hat. You may have seen this island in TV shows made in Hawaii such as Magnum PI and Hawaii Five-O.
Not too far from Chinaman’s Hat island is Kualoa Ranch. You may recognise this 4,000 acre nature retreat as it has been used as the location in a number of some 200 or so Hollywood films, including Jurassic Park. You can stop here and travel around in ATVs, go zip lining and have a tour of the Hollywood film locations. I’d budget to spend a few hours here as the Hollywood film locations tour goes for 90 minutes.
Check out this tour of Kualoa Ranch.
Polynesian Cultural Center
singers at the Polynesian Cultural Center
One of my favourite stops when driving around the island of Oahu is the next stop, the Polynesian Cultural Center. The Polynesian Cultural Center is a Polynesian-themed theme park. Here you can discover how Polynesian people from six different island nations, arrived in the Hawaiian Islands. Walk around and discover lands of Tonga, Tahiti, Samoa, Aotearoa, Fiji and Hawaii. Play ancient games, learn to dance and how to fish without a net – all great skills to have! I love visiting here because I love all the dancing and discovering new cultures.
The Polynesian Cultural Center is also known for its fabulous luaus. Held at night, so you may need to come back on another tour, you would be treated to Polynesian food and culture.
Book your ticket here for the Island tours at the Polynesian Cultural Center
Turtle Bay Resort
Although there are plenty of places to stop for some lunch as you travel around Oahu on your 1 day road trip, you could spoil yourself with a smorgasbord at the Turtle Bay Resort. On my first trip around Oahu we stopped here for lunch and it was fabulous.
On one of my visits to Oahu, I came and stayed at this fabulous resort and spend more time on this side of the island. If you are interested to stay on this part of the island, this resort could just be the place. Check out rates and availability here.
North Shore
see the Waimea Falls while on Oahu’s North Shore
Surfing enthusiasts will love visiting the Oahu’s North Shore. Home to some famous surfing spots such as Sunset Beach, Banzai Pipeline and Waimea Beach. See what all the fuss is about and if time, have a surf yourself.
You could head in to the Waimea Valley and walk through a Hawaiian botanical garden of cultural and archaeological significance to visit the beautiful Waimea Waterfall where you could swim in the fresh water.
Dole Plantation
enjoy some pineapple before heading back to Waikiki
There are a number of pineapple plantations you could visit on your tour around Oahu, including one of the most popular, Dole Plantation. You may remember one of Elvis Presley’s movies was set on a pineapple plantation in Hawaii! Learn how they grow the pineapples and try some of their products. I had a meal in the restaurant here one time – I think it was a chicken and pineapple dish!
Organise your 1 day Oahu road trip tour
Now you have an idea of what to see and do in Oahu on a one day road trip, here is how to organise it.
How to Get around Oahu
The best way to get around Oahu is to go on an organised tour around the island or by renting a car and driving yourself. I have done both and enjoyed both. Though coming from Australia, I did find it tricky driving on the right side of the road! If you want to rent a car, check out DiscoverCars where you can compare vehicles and book. If you would prefer to go on an organised tour of Oahu, there are plenty on offer to choose and I have mentioned some of them at the end of this post.
What to Take on your 1 day tour around Oahu
Depending on the weather which will most likely be nice and warm wear suitable clothing for the day including:
- Comfortable shoes
- Appropriate clothing + dry clothes if swimming so you aren’t sitting in wet clothes on the bus from the clothes you have packed for your beach holiday
- Swimwear and a towel if your tour includes time to swim
- Snorkelling gear if your tour includes time to snorkel
- Reef-safe sunscreen
- Snacks and a bottle of water – though there will be plenty of opportunities to purchase these and your tour will probably include lunch.
Best Oahu Circle Island Tours
There are tours around Oahu to suit everyone. Whether you are a solo traveler, in a couple, with a group of friends or on a family holiday to Oahu with kids, there are things to see and do for everyone.
Oahu Ultimate Grand Circle Island Tour
Small Group Oahu Circle Island Tour
Oahu Circle Island Active Tour
Oahu Circle Island Snorkelling Tour
Circle Island Tour with Shrimp Plate Lunch
Are you ready to visit Oahu on a 1 day road trip tour?
I hope so, going around Oahu on a day trip is a great way to see the island, particularly if visiting a few of the islands. Some would say, it is the best road trip in Hawaii, apart from the Road to Hana or even say, one of the best road trips in the USA. Have you been on such a trip around Oahu? I’d love to know.
Though we’ve visited other Hawaiian islands, we haven’t been to Oahu. The hike to Diamond Head has been on our list for a while now.
Pretty cool the hike to the top of Diamond Head. Do it early as many tourist climb it during the day.
I love chasing waterfalls. I’m so excited to know which ones to look for when I visit. Thank you for sharing!
I like chasing waterfalls too and my favourite waterfall is the Waimea Falls, but there are plenty of others to discover in the Hawaiian islands.
I first went to Oahu with my family. We missed a few of these spots, though, as we didn’t do the Circle Island road trip – I’ll have to go back. I had no idea about the 500 skulls and the story of the King that united the islands – fascinating.
I loved my one day Circle Island road trip of Oahu – and yes, I was told there are some 500 skulls at the bottom – a sacred site no doubt! Let me know if you get to go around the island on your next trip.