Circle Island Tours of Oahu: Exploring the Hawaiian Culture, Nature, and Adventures

Hawaii is a tropical haven for travelers, tourists, and adventurers. It is one place that welcomes throughout the year.

Do you want to laze around on your beach towel and soak up the bright sun? Well, Oahu is the place for you.

Are you longing to swim into the ocean with the turtles and dolphins? Oahu is waiting for you!

It is the ultimate destination for a family of five and the freshly married lovebirds. In short, whether this is your first time here or your hundredth time, you need to spend considerable time exploring the natural beauty and humanmade splendor of Oahu Island, Hawaii.

Where are Oahu and Honolulu?

Now, a lot of first-time travelers ask us if Oahu is a part of Honolulu, or if they are the same place. It is really easy to get your Hawaii geography a little messed up! It happens to the best of us.

Honolulu is the central city on Oahu and Waikiki is a district on the same island. You can undoubtedly visit Honolulu or even stay in the city if you are visiting the Hawaiian island of Oahu. However, if you are traveling for a few days only, you will need some smart planning. It is the third-largest island in the Hawaiian archipelago, and it has an uncountable number of natural wonders you can cover.

What should you NOT miss during your stay on Oahu Island?

Thankfully, several leading travel and tourism agencies offer the complete Circle Island Tour Oahu that covers almost all the peak attractions, including –

1. Swimming at the Turtle beach – The only place where you can see the green sea turtles in their natural glory and swim with them too is the Turtle Beach in Honolulu, Oahu. You can spend between 20 mins to an entire day at the beach, depending on your interest in sunbathing, swimming, adventure sports like snorkeling and marine life. Other than turtles, you will see schools of tropical fish, colorful sea anemones, and fantastic flora that cover the warm sea bed.

2. Visit Pearl Harbor – Visit the site where the fate of several countries and millions of people was sealed on December 7, 1941. It is a somber reminder of the challenges people have faced in the past and the devastation that had wrecked the island around eight decades ago. It does change the mood, but it is a must-visit for every patriot and history lover.

• Waikiki Surf Lessons – Add a bit of fun and frolicking in the cool surf with the Waikiki Surf Lessons. You can check out the hundreds of outfitters that offer adventure sports equipment and training for a day. Or, you can talk to your tourism company that’s arranging the Circle Island Tour for your team for an exclusive chance to surf in the Hawaiian waves.

1. Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve – It is home to some 400 species of fish, unique species of turtles, birds, and more. The 2000-feet white beach is ideal for walking, lazing around, and bathing in the glorious sun. You can take a hiking trail and explore the meandering paths across the cliffs. You will want to spend the entire day here for sure! That is why many tourists and travelers complete the Circle Island Tour and then take an entire day to explore the nature preserve before they leave Hawaii. The Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve is an integral part of the Oahu and Hawaii experience that you should never miss.

2. Ali’i Beach Park – The Ali’i Beach Park is not the typical inclusion in the circle tour since it is in Haleiwa. It is the heart of adventure in Hawaii. You should head there for snorkeling, scuba diving, and free-diving. The warm waves, clear waters, clean white sand beaches, perfectly preserved shallow reefs, and the spectacular marine life beckons every nature lover, adventure seeker, and casual tourist to the Ali’i Beach Park.

3. Waterfalls at Ko’olau Mountain Range – It is a beauty like no other! A sudden volcanic eruption gave birth to the Ko’olau Mountain Range, and now the old crater houses water pools during the rainy season. The hundreds of waterfalls that course through the greenery as they cascade off the lofty mountains is a sight for the naturalist, as it is for the painter or photographer. Visit the waterfalls at the Ko’olau Mountains on the eastern side of Oahu to complete your Hawaii nature exploration.

• Polynesian Culture Center – The Polynesian Culture Center is a must-visit during any Hawaii trip. Irrespective of the season and day, you need to stop by for soaking up the authentic Polynesian culture. The traditional villages, their art forms, and performances will transport you to another world far away from your smartphones, laptops, and co-working apps. Join the native dancers for a Luau or simply sit and enjoy the traditional acrobatics of the Hawaiian lands.

Apart from these seven must-include experiences, your Circle Island Tour can include ziplining through the Hawaiian rainforests, glass-bottom boat rides, and a tour of the Dole Pineapple Foundation.

These are all traditional treats that you should never miss on a trip to Oahu.

Booking a Circle Island Tour at the last moment

If you don’t have the plan to go on a Grand Circle Island Tour of Oahu yet, you can spend a couple of hours in Honolulu and look around at the different tourism agencies that offer similar tours. Taking time to research each option will allow you to compare the sites they are taking their clients to, the cost of each tour, and the time it takes to complete each tour.

In case you don’t want to look around much, you can always resort to some online research and comparison. Check out the Circle Island Tours of Oahu that you can book directly from Honolulu on the day of travel. Make sure your travel and tourism company drops you off where they pick you up in the morning. Returning to your hotel or resort can become a little challenging after a long day of sightseeing for any outsider.