Waimea Waterfall and Circle Island Adventure
$
111
60
/ Person
Overall:
  16 Reviews
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Waimea Waterfall and Circle Island Adventure
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Island:
OAHU
Includes:
Air Conditioned Transport
Lunch
Professional Tour Guide
Description:

Join us on this exciting journey of discovery that will satisfy your senses and provide exceptional photo opportunities.

Our first stop is the world-famous icon of Hawaii, Diamond Head Crater, where overlooking the Pacific Ocean you can also marvel at the 100,000 year old volcanic crater towering above you. 

Our island discovery continues with the beautiful Hanauma Bay, a pristine marine eco-system with colorful living coral reefs and  beaming fish and marine life.

Travelling along O’ahu’s spectacular southeast coastline we arrive at the famous Halona Blowhole and  “From Here to Eternity” beach where Green Sea Turtles can often be spotted in the emerald green waters of the cove made famous by the only Oscar-winning movie made in Hawaii.  

Our next stop is Makapu’u Lookout where you will see the island's most recent lava flows, and enjoy incredible panoramic views of offshore islands, turquoise and azure ocean water and breathtaking lava cliffs above. 

We continue to the world-renowned Pali Lookout, that Mark Twain called the most beautiful views on the planet.

Driving North we arrive at the Valley of the Temples and visit the colorful Byodo-in temple, a photographer's dream. 

Continuing on the relaxing windward coast we also visit scenic Chinaman’s Hat, a picturesque islet located in the warm, tropical waters of Kaneohe Bay.

Laie Point is our next stop. Here you can see native Hawaiian coastal plants and birds and Kukuihoolua, the famous puka island with a hole in its center.  

We stop for lunch at a popular Shrimp stand on the North Shore where you will be served your choice of nine different sauteed shrimp plates (Chicken, Hamburger and Veggie options also available) with steaming rice with a delicious shave-ice treat afterwards.

World famous Sunset Beach is next on your itinerary. This is the legendary big-wave surfing location where towering, giant waves arrive between November-April. 

Next we visit Waimea Valley and Waterfall. This enchanting location showcases over 5,000 species of tropical flowering plants, ancient archaeological sites, and one of the most scenic waterfalls on the island. 

Our last stop is the historic Dole Plantation where you will find many colorful varieties of pineapple species from all over the world.

Throughout your journey of discovery around the island of Oahu your nature guide will provide a fascinating narration about Hawaii's bird and plant species, geology, history and culture.

Each party will receive 1 complimentary 152 page book “ Pocket Guide to Nature on Oahu” (Value $11.50) that details other unique places on Oahu to see and enjoy nature.  

 
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Special Feature:
INCUDES LUNCH
Itinerary:
Detailed hourly tour description after it starts

Activity
Time
Duration
  Time spent at site
Pickup guests in Waikiki7:00 AM - 8:00 AM
Drive & stop at Amelia Earhart Lookout8:00 AM - 8:10 AM15 minutes
Drive & stop at Hanauma Bay8:25 AM - 8:50 AM25 minutes
Drive & stop at Makapuu Lookout9:45 AM - 9:55 AM15 minutes
Drive & stop at Pali Lookout10:10 AM - 10:40 AM20 minutes
Drive & stop at Byodo Temple11:00 AM - 11:20 AM30 minutes
Drive & stop at Chinaman's Hat11:50 AM - 12:10 PM15 minutes
Drive & stop at Laie Point12:25 PM - 12:55 PM15 minutes
Drive & stop at Fumis (LUNCH)1:10 PM - 1:20 PM30 minutes
Drive & stop at Sunset Beach1:50 PM - 2:00 PM15 minutes
Drive & stop at Waimea Valley2:15 PM - 2:25 PM2 hours
Drive & stop at Dole Plantation4:25 PM - 4:55 PM30 minutes
Drive back to drop-off location5:25 PM - 6:15 PM15 minutes
Some Places Visited
Rates
Per
Price
Comment
Person
$
111
60
All admission fees included
Schedule
Days
Pick up
Duration
Pick up Location
Tu, Th, Sa7:00 AM - 7:30 AM11 hoursWaikiki Area Hotels
Frequently Asked Questions
H Tours Hawaii is a "one stop shop" for all the best activities in the Hawaiian Islands. Since we work with many providers, reservations are necessary. WE HIGHLY recommend making reservations, as many activities are at a discount when you reserve in advance. Some providers even charge higher for those "walking in" because they know chances are you're not going to walk away. Finally, a reservation ensures you have a space on the tour. Trust us you don't want to spend aso much time and money to come to Hawaii and then miss out on an activity because they were booked out!
Choose the tour you are interested in, click the red “Book It” button adjacent to the tour information, and complete the booking form.
While we can usually accommodate most last-minute bookings, we highly encourage those that are checking out our website far in advance to book 2-3 weeks prior to desired date. You never know if there's a convention, special event, or an increase in overall visitors in town, and it would be a shame if the activities that you want to do are sold out because you waited until the last minute. Basically, if you know you want to do it, just book it!
Most companies have a set of centrally located hotels that they do pick ups from. This makes the pickup process short so you can start the tour as soon as possible!
Gratuity is never required but if you enjoyed your experience, a tip is always greatly appreciated!
Availability here changes constantly. We can tell you something is available and then 5 minutes later someone else books and it is not available anymore. If you make a booking and your activity is not available, then you will not be charged. No hassles, no worries!
All the other food options that they serve are cooked seperately from the shrimp, as many guests like yourself have that allergy.
There is no swimming on this tour, just walking around the beautiful botanical gardens all the way to the waterfall to check it out.
Similar Things to Do
$
110
/ Adult
Overall:
  8 Reviews
$
150
/ Person
Overall:
  11 Reviews
Payment & Cancellation
Cancellation Policy: Standard Policy
  • Cancellations made 2 days before Date & Time will be fully refunded.
  • Cancellations made at a later date will not be refunded.
Terms & Conditions
  • This tour is suitable for guests with walking difficulties because there is a small golf cart train in Waimea Valley that can accommodate a limited number of guest and take them up to the waterfall without having to walk at all. This small shuttle runs approximately every 30 minutes and currently charges $4.00 for a one-way transportation and $6.00 for round-trip per person. *prices are subject to change at the discretion of the Arboretum. **Guests taking this option would miss most of the narration provided by our guide along the trail.
Reviews
16 reviews, 0 comments
Overall:
Was the tour accurately described on the webiste? In other words did it meet your expectations?
(4.9 of 5)
Overall:
Took the tour yesterday. Justin did great job as driver and guide. Very knowledgeable and personable. Obviously did his research and - as a local - he really seemed to care about the economy-ecology balance. Valley of the Temples, Waimea Falls, Dole Plantation, many other stops in a full day.
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Overall:
We LOVE BETHANY & JUSTIN, wish we can take them both back with us to San Fran!! They made both tours, Diamond Head hike and North Shore Nature tour an awesome experience for my girls and I  A huge thank you for answering all the questions that my daughters were curious about.. Up to ... Those huge fans, why is it there?... It's not safe for the birds, the shrimp farms, does it provide / supplies shrimps ... moreto Food trucks or Costco does? Lol
A definite check mark on our bucket list, thank you so much again Bethany and Justin for inspiring my daughters! 
We will come back next summer and book the rest of the tours and hopefully we see you guys again!
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“Rana is the BEST!”
Overall:
Took the Waimea Waterfall and Circle Island tour and was thrilled at how much fun the trip was. Rana was a delight; she shared many interesting facts and really tied the local culture into a broader world-view. We got several extra treats for example in Wiamea park she asked one of the elders to to bless our passage into the native village, what a rare experience that deepened my appreciation for ... morethe island people. 
Thanks Rana for sharing your delightful charm and wonderful knowledge.
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“Waimea Waterfall & Circle Island Tour”
Overall:
We have been on a few different tours on Oahu but this was one of the best. Our guide Rana was the best tour guide we have ever had. She is so knowledgeable about all her tours (she was our guide on two different tours) and made us feel like family. The shrimp lunch was to die for.......absolutley delicious as were the macadamia nuts. When we come back next year we will be sure to get on one of her ... moretours. Thanks Rana ....we look forward to some more laughs.
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“Waimea Waterfall and Circle Island Adventure”
Overall:
This is my first visit to Hawaii after a lifetime of dreaming about Aloha. When my husband asked me to accompany him on a business trip to Oahu I figured I would be lounging by the pool reading a good book. Luckily for me, he suggested that I make the most of my vacation by touring the Island while he was working. I was looking for a company whose focus was more environmental and cultural than just ... morea standard sightseeing tour. Oahu Nature Tours far exceeded my expectations. Since I was touring solo it was important to me to feel connected and engaged during our day long tour. Rana is simply amazing. Being able to experience the Island with a Native who has such passion for preservation of native species and culture was such a blessing. She posseses just the right mix of humor, intellectualism and a genuine love of all things Aloha. She really did an excellent job of ensuring that we all felt that Hawaii was our home. I left feeling excited to learn more about Hawaiian History, how I can get involved in preservation efforts and most importantly... planning a trip for next year to visit my new home. Aloha Rana! You rock!
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“The only thing better than the Waimea tour was the guide”
Overall:
The Waimea tour offered by Oahu Nature Tours was one of the best land tours I have ever taken on Oahu. As a person working in the tourist industry I have the opportunity to suggest tours and activities and this is one company, and one tour in particular, I never hesitate to recommend.... more

I loved the fact that it was a tour of only 12 persons in a van versus a busload of 50 plus persons. The guests got the opportunity to interact with each other and to ask the guide individual questions. 

Justin was our tour guide and he was nothing short of phenomenal. His knowledge base of information about the unique plants on Oahu as well as the history and mythology of Hawaii was impressive to say the least. He was polite, had an easy way of presenting himself and the information, and never rushed us. Without a doubt worth spending a day with!

Waimea itself is an amazing opportunity, with the right guide, to learn about Hawaii's nature and history. I could have stayed another few hours! At the end of the nature walk there is a waterfall and while I chose not to jump in, it's a nice option. After the Waimea portion of the tour we went to Fumi's for a shrimp lunch. Oahu's North Shore is famous for their fresh water shrimp and everyone loved their lunch. Their are options for those who don't choose to have shrimp.

Another fun stop was Tropical Farms where we all sampled way too many macadamia nuts. This stop is a great place to buy gifts and unique food, jewelry, artwork and more made in Hawaii. 

This tour is to the North Shore and we saw gorgeous beaches, giant turtles and natural beauty. 

I have enjoyed three tours with Oahu Nature Tours and they are by far my favorite land tour activities. Their guides are all well trained, the groups are small, and I have never felt at risk from their driving. 

Tips: Bring water unless you want to buy it at one of three stops on the tour. Dress comfortably and wear a suit and bring a towel in case you want to enjoy the waterfall at Waimea.
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“Very informative and comfortable”
Overall:
We took the tour to Waimea Waterfall and 'Circle Island' on 2 July 2014. Our tour guide 'Rana' arrived within the specified time window (a small miracle given Honolulu traffic!). She looked after us all day, including a very informative escorted walk up to Waimea Waterfall, during which we learned heaps about Hawaiian plants and birds, traditional Hawaiian beliefs, history and current issues. ... more
Rana was flexible with timings at the various stops, catering to the group's interests and staying with us virtually the whole time. She provided interesting commentary as we travelled between stops, pointing out places of interest and putting them in context. 
I had been around the Island several times over the years, but always in a small sedan car. The Oahu Nature Tours bus was very comfortable and the large windows afforded much better views than from a normal car. It was great being in a small group tour (11 guests on our tour).
It was a nice touch to have bottled water supplied throughout the (very hot!) day, and lunch included. We arrived back at the drop-off point precisely on time - another miracle after a 7-hour tour!
This tour was excellent value.
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“Over The Top”
Overall:
We went on the North Shore/Waimea Falls tour. The bus arrived on time to pick us up in front of our hotel. Rana, the guide was a hoot. She was informative, knowledgeable, funny, not to mention cute. The tour was awesome, and the included lunch at the shrimp shack was beyond delicious. This tour includes a visit to an old sugar mill, where they grow coffee and cacao, famous North Shore beaches, a macadamia ... morenut farm, and lots of Oahu nature. Don't miss this one!!!!
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“Best tour guide ever”
Overall:
My mom and I did the waimea waterfall tour in April and were chaperoned,by the best tour guide ever!! His name was daymar and he was super funny, personable and told us many stories about the land of Hawai'i. He was so helpful and really connected with everyone from the tour. The tour was great and we saw a different side of Oahu which was quite refreshing. For lunch, we went to fumi's shrimp truck ... morewhere we were treated to a plate of juicy flavorful shrimp with rice and salad. The tour lasted about 7 hours, but the time went by so quickly! Thanks daymar for making my trip to Hawaii so much more memorable!! I hope that we will meet again :)
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“You WANT to take this tour! (With tips)”
Overall:
Waimea Falls and Circle Island: Our tour guide, Rana, was THE best! This girl knows her stuff! She indulged us with Hawaiian music for the entire trip. She educated us on all things nature from our pick up/drop off in Waikiki, including historical facts. At Waimea Valley, she was extremely knowledgeable about the birds, trees, and plants as well as the culture (she's native-born Hawaiian). We saw ... morea woman making a baby blanket from tree bark. Shout out to Kahuku Shrimp, which serves farm raised shrimp; lunch was delightful (I recommend the butter and garlic shrimp). We sampled cacao seeds in Waialua (KEEP THE COUNTRY COUNTRY!!) and Macadamia Nuts on our last stop, saw the beautiful crashing waves of the Banzai Pipeline. We just learned so much from Rana on this trip. Upon returning to Waikiki, she lead the other passengers in singing Happy Birthday to me AND she dropped us off at our hotel, which was closer than the drop off location. Thanks so much, Rana, for being so wonderful. You have amazing insights into global harmony. Mahalo, mahalo, mahalo! (P.S. I googled Ocean Ramsey and you were right!)

Also, MAHALO to the community of North Shore Oahu for continuing to hold off developers. Without your efforts, the peaceful and beautiful paradise would not be possible.

TIPS: They tell you to wear comfortable shoes because of the Waimea Falls hike. This hike is on asphalt and gravel. Also, this company will not allow you to swim at the Falls due to risk of leptospirosis. You can, however swim at the falls. There is a lifeguard for swimmers and you are required to wear a life jacket, which they provide. That said, swimming at the Falls in a life jacket and taking pictures of yourself swimming at the Falls in a life jacket will not get you the desired affect you see on TV.
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“Awesome Persective”
Overall:
I recently went to the island of Oahu for three days of business and my husband came with me. We stayed over three days so we had a limited amount of time to see as much of the island as we could. On Sunday we took the Waimea Waterfall and North Shore tour. Our tour guide was Rona and she was awesome! She told us great stories about the local heritage and historical beliefs of the native people as ... morewell as constantly pointing out areas of interest along the way from a real local's perspective. If you take any tour at all you have to see the Waimea Waterfall Valley. The very easy hike through the valley is surrounded by beauty like you have never seen. The lunch at the shrimp farm was delicious and we enjoyed the coffee farm very much. Rona was just the best and so sincere about everything she shared with us. If we ever get the opportunity to go again I would request her specifically.
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“Excellent Tour”
Overall:
My husband and I booked the North Shore and Circle Island Tour yesterday and had a wonderful time. We had Paul as our guide, assisted by Daimar (not sure if spelled right, but pronounced "Daymar") - both of whom did a wonderful job. Daimar knew all about whales and helped us spot some out in the distance by the "Dragon's Eye" rock formation and Paul gave a witty and wonderful history of Hawaii throughout ... morethe tour. We got to see many sights, to include the Byodo-In Temple, Sunset Beach, Dole Plantation, etc. - but the highlight for us was seeing sea turtles swimming in the ocean and one that came up on the beach. Paul is a true animal lover and it was great to have him point out all types of birds during the 6-hour tour. We would definitely book them again for another tour if we are back in Oahu. (FYI - this particular tour goes from about 12:30pm - 6:30pm and does not include lunch, so make sure you eat before you go. There are about 2-3 restroom stops during the tour for those that need them and there is not any heavy hiking - mostly photo ops).
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Waimea Waterfall and Circle Island Adventure - do it!
Overall:
This company was just what I wanted. Small group, smaller vehicle, qualified guides, personalised authentic experience with emphasis on nature not shopping. Well planned itineraries - had a hard time deciding - did this trip on the Thursday 13th then the Valley of the Rainbows the next day. Oahu Nature tours gets you away from those sheep-like large groups! Great commentary en route & very skilled ... moredriving too. My mother (78) and daughter (18) and I loved every minute of this memorable trip. Guide Justin was terrific. The Waialua Sugar Mill - learnt about cultivation and production of coffee, cacao and tropical fruits - got to taste fresh cacao flesh - amazing! Free local coffee tasting timed just right! Great shop with quirky rustic retro atmosphere. 2 stops at surf beaches - one where surf competitions take place, the other for turtle spotting - we did see one pop his head up out of the water - would have liked a longer stay but our shrimp lunch was underway! Next stop the beautiful Waimea Valley gardens - a couple of hours blissful walking, including the waterfall. A must-see. Stunning tropical flowers, shrubs and trees with informative commentary from Justin who is qualified in horticulture etc. Then to Fumi's shrimp truck. My Mum's favourite meal of the whole trip. You have to order the garlic-butter shrimp it's to die for. Later a stop at a macadamia farm - more free coffee and mac tasting! Yay! These tours are great value and make the most of your time in Hawaii. I hope to come back within a couple of years and do some more of these trips! These trips are really well planned and professionally organised. The vehicle is very comfortable with large windows and they give you bottled water and a backpack if needed. This tour is great for garden lovers. The other tour we did complemented the Waimea trip very well as it went to a different part of Oahu (Valley of Rainbows - Lyon Arboretum in the Manoa Valley).
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“See the real Hawaii”
Overall:
My wife and I recently spent a day in Hawaii with Oahu Nature Tours. This is a great tour company with a variety of small, personal, interesting tours. We went on the Waimea Waterfall and Circle Island Adventure for a full day of touring with stops for coffee and cacao tasting, a wonderful shrimp plate lunch, and a nice walk through botanical gardens to the waterfall. The guide was informed and enthusiastic. ... moreThere were only five of us on the tour so we could personalize the day and ask all the questions we could come up with. We have been on other tours with this company and highly recommend them.
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Overall:
I would have given them five stars, but the Diamond Head tour knocked off one star. We purchased three tours with Oahu Nature Tours during our recent trip to Honolulu: Waimea Falls and North Shore Tour, Diamond Head Tour, and Manoa Falls Tour. Here's the highlights of all these tours.... more

Waimea Falls and North Shore Tour: Rana, our tour guide, provided extensive information about the history and culture of the Hawaiian Islands. She's a native Hawaiian who also worked for a conservancy group to preserve Hawaii's natural habitat and prevent over development. She's a great tour guide who can give you all the insights about the best places to eat and purchase Hawaiian goods along the North Shore. We had a great shrimp lunch over at Fumi's on the North Shore. Now that we know where Waimea Valley and the falls are located, we would gladly return on our own so we can spend more time swimming at the falls. Swim up to the falls and take a picture with the water pounding on you for the best photo of the day.

Diamond Head Tour: Paul served as our tour guide for this trip, but the morning started off on the wrong foot (not through any fault of Paul). One of the tour groups failed to show up at the pick-up location by 6:00 a.m., so the main office asked Paul to wait while they attempted to call the no show group. The rest of us who were on time became frustrated as we wanted to catch the sunrise at the top of the summit. Rather than only allow 5 minutes to contact the missing group, Paul couldn't leave until 6:17 a.m. when the main office failed to reach the group after repeated calls. By the time we finished picking up all the other tour groups and reached the Diamond Head parking lot, we could see the light in the distance as the sunrise was about to happen. At this point, we couldn't wait for the group and the tour guide to begin the tour given the eminent sunrise, so we went racing up the trail on our own hoping to reach the summit before sunrise. Unfortunately, the sun broke through the horizon when we were half way up the trail and had to take pictures earlier than we wanted. By the time we reached the summit, the sun was fully up. We'll try heading there on our own again early in the morning and hopefully obtain the photographs we hoped for on the tour. Tip: bring water and bug repellent and begin the trail as early as possible to avoid the heat. There were lots of mosquitoes at the start of the trail near the restrooms and at the top of the summit on the observation deck. We were bitten so many times.

Manoa Falls Tour: Ross was our tour guide on what turned out to be a rainy day. While it turned the falls into more than a trickle, it also made the trail more difficult as we almost slipped and fell several times on wet rocks. Fortunately, the tour company provided a backpack and a walking stick to make it easier to navigate the trail. Use the walking stick if the trail is wet and save yourself a possible fall, especially since the trail becomes narrow and runs alongside a steep ravine where the water from the fall travels downhill. Once the trail reaches the waterfall, you'll notice the warning signs stating you cannot swim in the water at the foot of the fall. Ross explained that the water carries bacteria and the fall is known for its landslides, two dangerous situations for any swimmer. While Ross provided extensive information about the geology of the Hawaiian Islands, I doubt we would return to this fall again since it doesn't allow swimming and the trail tends to be more slippery than I'm comfortable navigating. Tip: bring bug repellent, a walking stick, and water. The bugs weren't out on our hike due to the heavy rainfall, but they are abundant in this tropical location.
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Overall:
George, our guide, was great! He's a local and knew lots of stories and could easily identify the flora, fauna and wildlife. The tour was on time and the maxi-van was fine, if a little crowded. This tour is less expensive and a little shorter than the other Circle Island tours - plus it leaves at 12:30 instead of 8:30am. I'd highly recommend it for your first day on Oahu. A great way to get the lay ... moreof the land and figure out your plan for the rest of the week. The first stop is at a replica of a Japanese temple - you really do feel your blood pressure drop! The beaches are lovely and we got to see most of a sea turtle (it wouldn't come out of the water). Overall, a wonderful tour for a great price with a fantastic guide!
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