The Hawaii Turtle Tours Oahu circle island tour is a full-day shared van loop from Waikiki, 22 guests max, with stops at Halona Blowhole, Waimea Bay and Dole Plantation and a lifeguard-led turtle snorkel at Turtle Beach for $149 an adult. It suits first-time visitors who want to sightsee and swim in a day. Drawbacks: no lunch, no refund terms.
Highlights
Shore snorkel at Turtle Beach with mask and snorkel, a lifeguard and HMAR steward guides; no swimming ability required in calm shallow water (operator site).
Stops listed: Diamond Head lookout, Halona Blowhole, Sandy and Makapuu beaches, Chinaman's Hat, a macadamia nut farm, Sunset Beach, Waimea Bay, Haleiwa town and Dole Plantation.
$149 adult, $129 child (3–11), infants free; code TURTLE20 gives 20% off direct bookings.
Maximum 22 guests per air-conditioned van; nine Waikiki pickup points from 7:00 to 7:40 AM.
Operator displays a TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice Best of the Best 2026 badge and claims over 10,000 reviews across platforms.
What to Expect
Pickup starts at 7:00 AM at the Prince Waikiki and ends at 7:40 AM at the Queen Kapiolani Hotel, with seven other Waikiki stops between.
The van heads east past Diamond Head lookout and the Kahala homes to the Halona Blowhole, Sandy Beach and Makapuu lookout.
On the windward side you stop for Chinaman's Hat views and a macadamia nut farm.
At Turtle Beach on the North Shore you get extended time to snorkel with the lifeguard, watch turtles from shore or relax; restrooms and showers are available after.
Lunch is at the North Shore shrimp trucks or fruit stands at your own cost.
The route continues through Sunset Beach, Waimea Bay and Haleiwa town, then stops at Dole Plantation before returning to Waikiki in the afternoon.
What's Included
Waikiki pickup and drop-off
Air-conditioned van (max 22 guests)
Driver, guide and lifeguard; HMAR steward guides
Turtle Beach snorkeling with mask and snorkel
Local island tips
What's Not Included
Lunch (North Shore food trucks)
Gratuities
Personal purchases and Dole Plantation paid attractions
What to Bring
Towel and a change of clothes
Money for lunch and souvenirs
Cash for the guide's tip
Restrictions and Requirements
Turtle sightings are not guaranteed; keep a respectful distance under HMAR steward guidance
Vans are not fully wheelchair or stroller accessible; notify dispatch in advance
Suitable for all ages; child pricing 3–11, infants under 3 free
Waikiki pickup points: Prince Waikiki, Holomoana St valet area (7:00 AM per the pickup table, 7:20 AM per the FAQ); Hilton Grand Islander bus depot (7:05); Kalai Waikiki Beach (7:10); Holiday Inn Express, Namahana St side (7:15); Ross on Seaside Ave (7:20); Hyatt Regency green awning, Koa Ave (7:25); Alohilani Resort valet (7:30); Waikiki Beach Marriott bus depot, Paoakalani Ave (7:35); Queen Kapiolani Hotel sidewalk, Kapahulu Ave (7:40).
Check-In
Be at your assigned pickup point at the listed time; the Prince Waikiki time is listed as both 7:00 and 7:20 AM, so confirm with the office.
Ratings from every source we could find
Google
4.9
review count not shown
TripAdvisor
5.0
review count not shown
Google Maps — Summarized by Our Team
General circle-island tour sentiment applies across this common Oahu tour category.
Last checked 2026-09-15
Ratings and review counts are checked periodically and may not reflect same-day changes on each platform.
What the Reviews Say
We read the 3 reviews displayed on the operator's tour page (2 TripAdvisor, 1 Google, undated, all 5★), which are operator-selected and too few to identify patterns. No independent review page was reachable in October 2026.
About the Operator in General
All 3 operator-displayed reviews we read name a guide or lifeguard and praise the turtle snorkeling; 1 describes a multi-generational family outing. The operator shows no critical reviews on its own pages, so these should be read as marketing selections rather than a sample.
Our Verdict
Tripreviewall's Take
At $149, or $119 with the 20% direct-booking code, this is priced like other full-day Oahu circle tours but adds a supervised shore snorkel with a lifeguard, which matters for families with children or non-swimmers. It is a sound choice for first-time visitors who want to swim as well as sightsee. Travelers who want Pearl Harbor, a small group under 12, or lunch included should look elsewhere; the van holds 22 and food is extra.
Book This Tour If…
You want the east shore lookouts, North Shore beaches and Dole Plantation in one day from Waikiki
You have children or non-swimmers; snorkeling is in calm shallow water with a lifeguard
You can book direct and use code TURTLE20 to bring the adult fare to about $119
You are fine eating at shrimp trucks and fruit stands at your own expense
Skip This Tour If…
You want Pearl Harbor or downtown Honolulu; neither is on this route
You prefer a group smaller than 22
You need a wheelchair-accessible vehicle
You want a written cancellation policy before paying; none is published
Tips From Reviewers and Operator Notes
Confirm your Prince Waikiki pickup time; the operator page lists it as both 7:00 and 7:20 AM.
Wear your swimsuit under your clothes and bring a towel; the turtle snorkel comes mid-route with showers after.
Bring cash for the North Shore shrimp trucks, which the operator names as the lunch stop.
Ask the office about refunds before booking; the cancellation policy is not on the site.
Assessed by the Tripreviewall editorial team, last reviewed October 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the Hawaii Turtle Tours circle island tour?
The Hawaii Turtle Tours circle island tour was $149 per adult aged 12 and up, $129 per child aged 3 to 11, and free for infants under 3 on the operator site in October 2026. Booking direct with code TURTLE20 saves 20%, bringing the adult fare to about $119. Lunch and gratuities are extra.
What stops are on the North Shore Circle Island Adventure?
The North Shore Circle Island Adventure lists Diamond Head lookout, Halona Blowhole, Sandy Beach, Makapuu Beach, Chinaman's Hat, a macadamia nut farm, Sunset Beach, Waimea Bay, Turtle Beach for snorkeling, Haleiwa town and Dole Plantation, plus shrimp trucks and fruit stands for lunch. Pearl Harbor is not included.
Do you need to know how to swim for the turtle snorkel on this Oahu tour?
No swimming ability is required for the turtle snorkel on this Oahu tour, according to the operator, because it takes place in calm, shallow water at Turtle Beach with a lifeguard present and a mask and snorkel provided. Guests can also watch turtles from shore. Sightings are not guaranteed since the turtles are wild.
Where does the Oahu circle island tour pick up in Waikiki?
The Oahu circle island tour picks up at nine Waikiki locations between 7:00 and 7:40 AM, including the Prince Waikiki, Hilton Grand Islander bus depot, Kalai Waikiki Beach, Holiday Inn Express, Ross on Seaside, Hyatt Regency, Alohilani Resort, Waikiki Beach Marriott and Queen Kapiolani Hotel. Contact the office if your hotel is far from these.
How many people are on the Hawaii Turtle Tours van?
The Hawaii Turtle Tours van carries a maximum of 22 guests, according to the operator site, with a driver, a guide and a lifeguard on board. The vehicles are air-conditioned but not fully wheelchair or stroller accessible; guests who need to bring such equipment are asked to notify dispatch in advance.
Is lunch included on the North Shore circle island tour?
Lunch is not included on the North Shore circle island tour. The operator stops at North Shore shrimp trucks and fruit stands where guests buy their own food, so bring cash or a card. The price covers transport, the guide and lifeguard, and the Turtle Beach snorkel, but not meals, gratuities or souvenirs.
Contact
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TripReviewAll is an independent review site and does not operate this tour. For changes to an existing booking, contact Hawaii Turtle Tours directly.
