What to See on an O'ahu Circle Island Tour: A Stop-by-Stop Guide
If you only have one free day on O'ahu, the classic way to spend it is to loop around the island. In a single day you can go from the dry, rugged southeast coast to the green cliffs of the windward side and on to the famous surf beaches of the North Shore, then cut back through the middle of the island to Honolulu. Driving the loop without stopping takes only a few hours. The reason it fills a whole day is everything you'll want to stop for along the way.
This guide walks through the route coast by coast, with the stops that are worth knowing about, how long the day really takes and a few tips that make it far more enjoyable. Whether you drive yourself or join a guided O'ahu Circle Island Tour, it will help you decide what matters most to you.
Which Way Around? Choosing Your Route
Most circle island days start in Waikiki or elsewhere in Honolulu and travel counterclockwise: east along the southeast shore, north up the windward (east) coast, west along the North Shore and then south through central O'ahu back to town. Going this way puts the ocean on your side of the car for most of the drive and gets you to the busy southeast lookouts early, before the crowds.
Going clockwise works too, especially if your main goal is the North Shore in the morning when the light is soft and the beaches are quiet. Either way, the most important rule is the same: start early. Honolulu traffic builds during weekday rush hours, and a 7 a.m. start gives you a long, unhurried day.
The Southeast Shore: Lookouts and Lava Rock
Heading east from Waikiki, you pass Diamond Head and the residential neighborhoods of East Honolulu before the road climbs along a dramatic stretch of coastline where old lava flows meet the sea.
- Diamond Head lookouts. The roadside lookouts along Diamond Head Road give a wide view of the coast and, in winter, a chance to spot whales offshore. Hiking to the summit of Diamond Head is a separate outing; out-of-state visitors need an advance reservation.
- Hanauma Bay overlook. Even if you are not snorkeling, the view down into this curved, reef-filled bay is worth a stop. Snorkeling in the nature preserve requires a reservation and the bay is closed on some days of the week, so check the current rules before you plan around it.
- Halona Blowhole and Halona Cove. When the swell is right, water shoots up through a lava tube in the rocks. Just next to it is the small cove made famous by the beach scene in From Here to Eternity. Read more in our post on Halona Blowhole and Eternity Beach.
- Sandy Beach. A favorite with local bodyboarders. The shorebreak here is powerful and causes serious injuries, so it is usually best enjoyed from the sand.
- Makapu'u. At the eastern tip of the island, the Makapu'u lookout looks down the windward coast toward Waimanalo and the offshore islets. A paved trail climbs to views over the Makapu'u Point lighthouse.
The Windward Coast: Cliffs, Beaches and Valleys
Rounding Makapu'u, the scenery changes completely. The windward side catches the trade winds and the rain they carry, so it is lush and green, backed by the steep, fluted cliffs of the Ko'olau mountains.
- Waimanalo. A long stretch of soft white sand and turquoise water with the Ko'olau cliffs behind it. It is one of the best places on the island to simply stand and look.
- Kailua and Lanikai. These beach towns are known for calm, clear water and kayaking out to the offshore islands. They can be busy, and parking is limited, so they work best as a short stop or a separate beach day.
- Nu'uanu Pali Lookout. Reached by a short detour up the Pali Highway, this windy lookout sits high on the cliffs where Kamehameha I's forces won the Battle of Nu'uanu in 1795, a turning point in the unification of the islands.
- Byodo-In Temple. In the Valley of the Temples, this replica of a Japanese temple sits against a backdrop of sheer green cliffs. It was built in the 1960s to honor the first Japanese immigrants to Hawai'i.
- Kualoa and Mokoli'i. The jagged ridges of Kualoa have appeared in many films, and just offshore is the small, hat-shaped island of Mokoli'i. See our guide to O'ahu filming locations.
- Kahana Bay and La'ie. Further north, the road follows a quieter coast of bays, small beaches and fishing spots before reaching the town of La'ie.
The North Shore: Surf Breaks and Hale'iwa
The North Shore is the part of the island many visitors picture when they think of Hawai'i surfing. In winter it receives large swells from storms in the North Pacific, and the waves can be enormous. In summer the same beaches are often calm.
- Kahuku. This area is known for its shrimp trucks, which serve garlic shrimp with rice. It is a classic lunch stop.
- Sunset Beach and Pipeline. Two of the most famous surf breaks in the world. In winter, watching experienced surfers ride big waves here is unforgettable.
- Waimea Bay. A wide bay that is calm in summer and home to some of the biggest rideable waves in winter. It is also linked to the story of Eddie Aikau, which we wrote about in "Eddie Would Go" and "I Would Too".
- Turtle-spotting beaches. Green sea turtles often rest on North Shore beaches. Please give them plenty of room; our wildlife etiquette guide explains how.
- Hale'iwa town. The historic surf town at the western end of the North Shore is the place for shave ice, local shops and a short walk.
Our North Shore O'ahu guide goes into more detail about seasons, beaches and food.
Central O'ahu: Back Through the Middle
From Hale'iwa, the fastest way back to Honolulu runs up through central O'ahu, between the island's two mountain ranges. You pass agricultural land and the town of Wahiawa, home to the Dole Plantation visitor attraction. It is a good place to see how pineapple and sugar shaped the island's history, and a last chance for a snack before the drive back into town.
How Long Does a Circle Island Tour Take?
Plan for a full day. Our guided Circle Island Tour runs about 7 to 8 hours with hotel pickup at 7 a.m., and that includes a lunch stop and plenty of time out of the vehicle. If you drive yourself, allow even longer, because parking at popular stops takes time. Here is a sample flow for the day:
| Time (approx.) | Where | What you might do |
|---|---|---|
| Early morning | Southeast shore | Diamond Head and coastal lookouts, Halona Blowhole, Makapu'u |
| Mid-morning | Windward coast | Waimanalo, a temple or valley stop, Kualoa views |
| Midday | Kahuku / North Shore | Lunch at a shrimp truck or local spot, surf beaches |
| Afternoon | Hale'iwa and central O'ahu | Shave ice, a short walk in town, return to Honolulu |
Tips for a Better Circle Island Day
- Don't try to see everything. Pick a few stops that really interest you – beaches, history, food or filming locations – and give them time.
- Pack for changing weather. The windward side can be showery while Waikiki is sunny. A light rain jacket, sunscreen and a refillable water bottle cover most situations. See our full day tour packing list.
- Respect the ocean. Conditions change by season and by coast. Swim at lifeguarded beaches and read our ocean safety tips first.
- Leave nothing valuable in the car. Keep bags with you at beach parks and lookouts.
- Eat local. Shrimp trucks, plate lunches and shave ice are part of the experience. Our guide to local food on O'ahu has ideas.
Should You Drive Yourself or Take a Tour?
Driving gives you independence, but it also means navigating, finding parking and missing the scenery while you watch the road. A large bus tour removes the driving but follows a fixed schedule. A private tour sits in between: someone else drives, and the day still follows your interests. We compare the options in private tour vs. bus tour on O'ahu.
Plan Your Day Around the Island
Circling O'ahu is the best way to understand how varied this island is, from lava cliffs to rainforest valleys to world-class surf. Start early, choose the stops that matter to you and leave room for the unexpected – a turtle on the sand, a rainbow over the mountains or a perfect plate of garlic shrimp.
If you'd like a local guide to handle the driving and tailor the route to your group, take a look at our O'ahu Circle Island Tour, or compare all of our private O'ahu tours.