Things to do in Oahu › Oahu tours and activities › Circle island tours › Oahu: Full or Half Day Grand Circle Island Tour
Oahu: Full or Half Day Grand Circle Island Tour
★ #1 of 14 in our Circle island tours list Picked from the 176 circle island tours in the Oahu catalogue, the way every tour here gets picked.
Updated the price every day; listing, departure times and pickup notes
Star of Honolulu Cruises and Events runs coach tours to Dole Plantation and Haleiwa. The half day takes 6.5 hours and costs from $100 per adult. You choose daily pickups at one of four Waikiki hotels. A restroom helps when you're traveling with children. The full island loop needs the separate 9-hour option with earlier pickups.
Our check
Oahu: Full or Half Day Grand Circle Island Tour at a glance
| Duration | 6.5 hours for the half day, 9 hours for the full day |
| Price | from $100 per adult |
| Main stops | Dole Plantation and Haleiwa on the half day |
| Swim stop | None on either route |
| Group | Coach, maximum 50 guests, onboard restroom |
| Pickup | Four Waikiki hotel stops, selected with your option |
| Departs | Daily, half day 7:40 to 8:10 a.m., full day 6:40 to 7:10 a.m. |
| Children | Child tickets ages 3 to 11, infants through age 2 on laps |
| Main trade-off | Separate charges for lunch and Dole train or maze tickets |
| Guide languages | English |
| Cancellation | Full refund until 24 hours before the start; nothing after |
Read from the operator's listing on the booking page, October 30, 2026. The price is the tour's starting price in U.S. dollars, re-read every day, last on . Children pay less.
What's included
- All taxes, fees and handling charges
- Taste of Hawaii snack with bottled water
- Original video, mint & hand towelette
- On-board restrooms
- Exceptional Driver Guide
- Unparalleled Comfort aboard our Deluxe Bus Tour
- Choose either 6.5 Hour half day Express tour OR 9 Hour Full Day Deluxe Oahu Tour
What's not included
- Lunch
- Optional tickets to the train ride or maze at Dole are NOT included
Options
Which option to book
The half day gives you 90 minutes at Dole and 2 hours in Haleiwa. Full day options add Byodo-In Temple and coastal lookouts.
| Option | Departures |
|---|---|
| Half Day (7:55 AM) - Hokulani | 7:55 a.m., daily |
| Half Day (7:40 AM) - Hilton | 7:40 a.m., daily |
| Half Day (8:05 AM) - Hyatt | 8:05 a.m., daily |
| Half Day (8:10 AM) - Marriott | 8:10 a.m., daily |
| Full Day (7:05 AM) - Hyatt | 7:05 a.m., daily |
| Full Day (6:40 AM) - Hilton | 6:40 a.m., daily |
| Full Day (7:10 AM) - Marriott | 7:10 a.m., daily |
| Full Day (6:55 AM) - Hokulani | 6:55 a.m., daily |
The catch: Your 90 minutes at Dole on the half day don't include tickets for the train or maze.
Route
How does the day work?
The half day focuses on Dole and Haleiwa, while the full day adds coastal views and the temple.
- pass by
1. Diamond Head Lookout
The full day passes the Diamond Head coast. You see the ocean from the coach without hiking the summit.
- pass by
2. Kahala
Coastal homes line this stretch of the full day drive. You stay aboard here.
- pass by
3. Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve
The full day passes the bay on the coastal road. This isn't a beach admission or snorkeling stop.
- 10 min
4. Halona Blowhole
The full day stops above the blowhole. Spray depends on the waves reaching the lava tube.
- 10 min
5. Nuuanu Pali Lookout
The full day includes this windward coast viewpoint. Your guide explains the battle associated with the lookout.
- 20 min
6. Byodo-In Temple
Take time for the temple grounds and koi ponds on the full day. The bell is another feature of the stop.
- 20 min
7. Tropical Farms
Coffee and macadamia samples break up the full day route. There's time to browse the farm outlet.
- pass by
8. North Shore
Surf beaches pass your window on the full day. There isn't a planned swim.
- 90 min
9. Haleiwa
Both options give you free time for lunch and shopping. The half day stays longer here.
- 30 min
10. Dole Plantation
You can browse pineapple displays or buy Dole Whip on either route. The half day gives you more time.
- pass by
11. Downtown Honolulu
Both routes pass through downtown Honolulu. Chinatown and Aloha Tower are sights from the coach.
The half day allows 90 minutes at Dole and 2 hours in Haleiwa. The full day gives those stops 30 and 90 minutes respectively. Both tours return you to Waikiki.
Pickup and meeting point
- Hilton Hawaiian Village: Your stop is the Grand Islander Bus Depot. Half day pickup is 7:40 a.m., with the full day at 6:40 a.m.
- Hokulani Waikiki: Pickup is on Lewers Street across from PF Chang's. The half day collects you at 7:55 a.m., and the full day at 6:55 a.m.
- Hyatt Regency: Arrive at the green awning on Koa Avenue. Your half day pickup is 8:05 a.m., with the full day at 7:05 a.m.
- Waikiki Beach Marriott: Your bus uses the Paoakalani Avenue Bus Depot. Half day pickup is 8:10 a.m., while the full day leaves at 7:10 a.m.
Before you book
- The pickup hotel is part of your option. An earlier full day departure changes the route as well as the time.
Fit
Is this tour right for you?
The 6.5-hour half day suits families who want time to explore at fewer stops. Your coach has a restroom for the drives. It's a shared trip with up to 50 passengers, so the appeal is the pace and facilities.
For a shorter outing, Aloha Ke Akua's lookouts take 3 to 4 hours and cost from $77 per adult. Nui's snorkeling route adds North Shore beach time and supplied gear, from $89 per adult.
Who it's not for
- Travelers wanting a small van or private transport
- Anyone expecting snorkeling on the route
- Guests expecting Dole's train or maze tickets included
Good to know
Know before you go
Children aged 3 to 11 use child tickets. Infants through age 2 ride on an adult's lap, so they don't have a separate seat.
Your coach supplies a snack and bottled water. Lunch is a purchase in Haleiwa, and the meal isn't covered by either departure option.
The plantation visit doesn't include train or maze admission. Those tickets are separate purchases even when you choose the longer half day stop.
Check the hotel attached to your selected option. The half day and full day use different collection times at the same four Waikiki locations.
A full refund requires cancellation at least 24 hours before departure. After that deadline, changing your plans doesn't recover the tour payment.
Your ticket is shown on a phone. Each booking accepts 1 to 10 travelers and must include an adult, within the larger shared coach group.
Reviews
How is it rated?
Alternatives
Which tour to choose instead
A shorter sightseeing break
Half-Day Scenic Tour with 7 LookoutsYou visit southeast coast lookouts with guide photos on a 3 to 4-hour outing. The tour costs from $77 per adult.
★ 4.9 · 1,130 reviews · from $77 per adult
Ocean snorkeling during the loop
Oahu: Grand Tour Around Island with SnorkelingNui combines coastal sightseeing with snorkeling gear and a North Shore beach break. Prices start from $89 per adult.
★ 4.8 · 11,341 reviews · from $89 per adult
Lunch and both admissions covered
Oahu Majestic Circle Island Tour with Waimea Falls and Byodo-InE Noa includes lunch plus entry to Byodo-In Temple and Waimea Valley. Your day costs from $186.39 per adult.
★ 4.9 · 8,377 reviews · from $186.39 per adult
All 14 Circle island tours we picked · Oahu tours and activities by category
Good to know
People also ask
- What does Star of Honolulu's circle island tour cost?
The tour starts from $100 per adult. Your booking covers the coach and guided route for the option chosen. Snacks are provided aboard, while lunch and Dole's ticketed attractions need a separate budget.
- Does Star's half day circle all of Oahu?
No, the 6.5-hour half day concentrates on Dole Plantation and Haleiwa. The 9-hour option adds the southeast coast and Byodo-In Temple. You need the full day option if those extra sights are your reason to book.
- How much free time does Star give you in Haleiwa?
The half day gives you 2 hours for Haleiwa, compared with 90 minutes on the full day. You choose where to eat and browse during that stop. The longer visit lets you have lunch before looking around the town's shops.
- Does Star's Oahu tour have a restroom on the bus?
Yes, the coach has an onboard restroom on both the 6.5-hour and 9-hour routes. The vehicle is shared with other guests. That facility can make the longer drives easier for families, without turning the route into a private outing.
Times and conditions as the booking page listed them on October 30, 2026; the price is re-read every day, last on . Tours book on the booking page at its price; a booking through the button earns this site a commission, and your price is the same.