What to Expect

The tour begins with morning pickup from your Ko Olina resort — including Disney’s Aulani, the Four Seasons, Marriott Vacation Club, Ko Olina Beach Villas, or the Marina where oceanfront tranquility and manicured landscapes are the norm. As your luxury, leather-seated shuttle heads east, the contrast is immediate: serene resort pathways give way to the bustle of Honolulu, which you’ll pass through briefly en route to the island’s wild southeast coast. Skyscrapers, city traffic, and iconic landmarks like Diamond Head provide a quick glimpse into urban island life before you escape it entirely.

Your first major stop is the Halona Blowhole Lookout, where crashing waves shoot seawater through lava tubes carved into the coastline. With the Pacific stretching endlessly before you, enjoy a warm Leonard’s malasada and bottled water for breakfast, a sweet bite to match the salty breeze.

From here, the journey climbs into the Koʻolau Mountains and the island’s personality changes once again. As the road climbs into the interior, the scenery undergoes a complete transformation with the mist-covered cliffs of Nuʻuanu Pali Lookout, a place so wind-swept and green it feels like a different island entirely. It’s a glimpse into the island’s ancient past, where Hawaiian history and dramatic landscapes collide. This spot, once the site of a pivotal battle in Hawaiian history, offers breathtaking views of Oʻahu’s Windward side and marks one of the most dramatic transitions on the island. Both visually and culturally. For guests staying on the Ko Olina Leeward side, this is the rare opportunity to experience Oʻahu’s rainforest Windward coast. 

Next, your group visits the Byodo-In Temple, an intricately detailed replica of a 900-year-old Japanese temple set against the jungle-covered Koʻolau range. Ring the massive peace bell, wander through koi ponds, and experience a moment of calm in one of Oʻahu’s most photogenic hidden gems.

Descending to sea level, you'll arrive at the Tropical Macadamia Nut Farm, where you can sample fresh-roasted macadamia nuts, sip locally grown Kona coffee, and shop for tasty souvenirs. Continuing north to Kahuku, you’ll reach the island’s famed shrimp trucks, where you’ll enjoy a self-pay lunch of garlic shrimp, spicy options, or vegetarian plates. All made fresh with local ingredients.

As the day continues, you’ll experience a third vivid contrast: the sleek modernity of Ko Olina gives way to the historic charm of Haleʻiwa Town, a laid-back surf village lined with plantation-style buildings, art galleries, and family-run shops. Here, you'll have time to explore and cool off with a cup of Hawaii’s most iconic dessert — Matsumoto Shave Ice — made the old-school way with fine ice and bold tropical flavors.

The final stop is the Dole Pineapple Plantation, where you’ll learn about the fruit that helped shape Hawaii’s agricultural history and, if you like, indulge in a legendary Dole Whip before heading back to Ko Olina.

From coastlines to culinary gems, bustling cities to sacred mountains, this full-day journey showcases just how much Oʻahu can change in a single circle and how the contrasts make it unforgettable.

Includes

• Round-trip luxury shuttle transportation from all major Ko Olina hotels and resorts
• Friendly, local guide
• Leonard’s Bakery malasada & bottled water for breakfast
• Halona Blowhole Lookout
• Drive-by of Sandy Beach
• Nuʻuanu Pali Lookout
• Admission to Byodo-In Temple
• Sample macadamia nuts and Kona coffee at Tropical Nut Farm
• Kahuku Exotic Fruit Stand
• Lunch stop at North Shore shrimp trucks (lunch not included)
• Visit to Historic Haleʻiwa Town
• Matsumoto Shave Ice (optional purchase)
• Dole Pineapple Plantation & Dole Whip (optional purchase)