Hawaii Tourism Blog

Trying to pick the top Oahu sightseeing tours is like trying to pick which flower in a meadow is prettiest. Nonetheless, there ARE some “must-see” adventures that no trip to Oahu would be complete without. Here are three of the absolute best:

Oahu Sightseeing Tour #1: Exploring the North Shore

The North Shore of Oahu has some of the prettiest beaches, plantations and scenery on the island. Start by getting an incredible overview of both the coastline and mountains while you take a narrated train ride through the world-famous Dole Plantation, then see how lost you can get in the world’s largest maze.

Give yourself an adrenaline rush by jumping into a shark cage, guided out of Haleiwa town, or take an educational stroll through Surf and Sea Ocean Sports to learn about the evolution of surfing over time.

Speaking of surfing, if you’re on Oahu during the winter months, the North Shore is THE place to be to catch world-class surfers in action. If you’ve never gotten a chance to see this, it is not a sight to be missed!

Oahu Sightseeing Tour #2: Circle the Whole Island or Get Out On Foot

Jump on a bus to take a 120 mile, fully narrated tour around the whole island! This tour will take you through all the seaside villages, up the Pali lookout, across the Diamond Head crater and through the North Shore for a Hawaiian adventure, you’ll never forget.

Or, if you’re itching to stretch your legs, head out on a two mile hike through the rainforest, where you’ll get to see one of a kind tropical birds and blooms as you stroll through the jungle. Highlights include the “Jewel of the Forest,” which is a secluded waterfall cascading into a gorgeous rainforest pool, the awe-inspiring Pali Cliffs, and breathtaking blooms such as Heliconias, Cinnamon, Ginger and Papaya.

Oahu Sightseeing Tour #3: Go by Helicopter, Baby!

That’s right, not only can you see everything listed above from a bird’s eye view (meaning that you can see more than most people ever do in less time) but you can actually schedule helicopter tours out of Oahu that take you to all of the other islands as well! This means you can take the day to fly over Haleakala, scout Kilauea and Mauna Loa or even fly over to Kauai and take in the dramatic heights of the Na Pali coast!

Of course, these trips are only a drop in the bucket when it comes to Oahu sightseeing tours, so book early and stay as long as you can. Hawaii’s rich cultural history and awe-inspiring landscape is just waiting for your adventure!