Byodo-In Temple

Uncover Oahu’s majestic grandeur on a full-day day trip. Ride in a spacious and air-conditioned bus and be captivated by the unique beauty and the dramatic history that is found behind every corner. Take an unforgettable journey through the history of the island. Be picked up from the comfort of your accommodation. History comes alive before your eyes as you weave your way up the Koʻolau Mountains to the Nuʻuanu Pali Lookout where King Kamehameha I battled to unite the Hawaiian Islands.  Shortly after, gaze at the beautiful Byodo-In Temple, a replica of the Byodo-in Temple in Japan, built to commemorate the 100-year anniversary of the first Japanese immigrants in Hawaii.  Cruise along 7 miles of world-famous surfing beaches on Oahu’s north shore and sample the local flavors along the way. Waimea Valley and its waterfalls await you, discover this beautiful place steeped with history, spirituality and island traditions.  Follow your guide through the botanical gardens of this vast and tranquil setting. Learn how deeply embedded tradition is in today’s Hawaiian culture. Stop at the historic Dole Plantation surrounded by rows of pineapples and fields of sugarcane. Hear about how this plant became a symbol of Hawaii before returning to your accommodation. 

Spend the day exploring Oahu’s most scenic sights, unique culture, and rich history. Travel from Diamond Head Crater along the southern coast to the famous surfing beaches of the North Shore. Get a complete overview of all the scenic points from your tour driver. An experienced tour driver will provide a complete overview of all the scenic points that the “Heart of Hawai‘i” has to offer. Some of the featured sites include: (*Denotes a stop) • Diamond Head Hawai‘i’s most recognized landmark. • Exclusive Kahala Estates Hawai‘i’s Gold Coast. • Hanauma Bay Lookout* Formed within a volcanic cone, this marine ecosystem offers spectacular views (Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays) • Halona Blowhole Lookout* Where a volcanic lava tube propels water up to the sky. • Waimānalo Town Known for its local flavor and numerous plant nurseries. • Nu‘uanu Pali Lookout* With panoramic views of the coast line to the sheer mountains veiled by the clouds. • Chinaman’s Hat The basalt islet in Kaneohe Bay is shaped curiously like a hat. According to Hawaiian mythology, the island is formed from the remains of a giant lizard or dragon’s tail tossed to the ocean. • Hukilau Marketplace (Polynesian Cultural Center)* Pounders restaurant is a farm fresh island style dining restaurant, serving fresh produce from island farms, Hawaii-raised grass fed beef, locally caught seafood, savory delights from the Pacific Rim. • La‘ie Hawai‘i Mormon Temple Contains breathtaking lush tropical gardens of Hawaiian foliage and flowers, cascading water features and more. • North Shore Surfing Beaches The surfing mecca that attracts surfers from around the world for the massive winter waves and Hollywood for the 7 miles of picturesque beaches. • Dole Plantation* Visit Hawai‘i’s Pineapple Experience, see pineapple varieties and try the delicious Dole Whip.

This popular circle island tour takes you on a scenic excursion around the beautiful island of Oahu. Enjoy a relaxing drive along the slopes of Diamond Head and see of some of Oahu’s most impressive homes in the Kahala area. Get ready to capture the view of windward Oahu from the scenic (and blustery) Nu’uanu Pali Lookout. The tour continues along the coastline past the famous Hanauma Bay, Halona Blowhole, Sandy Beach, and Makapu’u Point. At Waimea Valley swim in a waterfall-fed pool (weather permitting). Visit Byodo-In Temple at the Valley of the Temples on the windward side, set against the majestic Ko’olau Mountains. Take a moment to reflect and take in the beautiful temple grounds, including traditional Japanese gardens and koi ponds. See the world-famous North Shore beaches of Sunset, Banzai Pipeline, and Waimea Bay, home to big wave surfing and surf competitions like the Vans Triple Crown of Surf. Take in the local vibe at quaint Haleiwa Town with time for shopping at boutiques and surf shops and grab a shave ice from famous Matsumotos. Enjoy a brief stop at Dole Plantation to peruse the information displays and presentations, as well as browse for gifts at the country store. This is sure to be an unforgettable experience on Oahu. You'll be returned to your hotel after a full and unforgettable day.

The Oahu All-Inclusive Pass gets you free admission to the island's top activities, attractions, and tours, offering the ultimate in convenience, savings, and flexibility. Choose between a 2- to 7-day pass at a low, pre-paid price and pay nothing at the gate. The more you do, the more you save. Simply check your digital guide on the Go City app for any instructions, including how to make advanced reservations for selected activities, then show your pass on your mobile device (or in printed format) at each attraction for admission. You can save up to 50%* compared to full retail admission prices. Included activities, attractions, and tours with the Oahu All-Inclusive Pass: Cultural and Historic Sights • Ka Moana Luau at Aloha Tower OR Aloha Kai Luau at Sea Life Park (choose 1) • Polynesian Cultural Center • Battleship Missouri Memorial • Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum • USS Arizona Memorial Narrated Tour • Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum • Bishop Museum Honolulu • Iolani Palace • Queen Emma Summer Palace Tours and Cruises • Makani Catamaran Sail • Secret Island Beach Activities at Kualoa Ranch (choice of 1 Kualoa Ranch activity per day) • Circle Island Tour: Hidden Gems, Byodo-In Temple & Turtle Spotting • Ocean Voyage Adventure at Kualoa Ranch • Kualoa Ranch: Fruit & Farm Tour • Pearl Harbor & Honolulu City tour • Guided Hike on the North Shore • North Shore Soap Factory Tour Outdoors • Diamond Head Hike: Shuttle & Self-guided Hike • Rainforest, Waterfalls, and Movie Sites: Shuttle & Self-guided Hike • Makapuu Lighthouse & Halona Blowhole Tour • Waimea Valley • Waterpark: Wet ‘n’ Wild Hawaii • Sea Life Park Hawaii • Stand-Up Paddleboard Nature and Turtle Tour • 3-Hour Kayak or SUP Rental (choice of 1) • Waikiki: Sunset Beach Yoga • Shoreline Fishing Experience on the North Shore • Hawaiian Style Rentals: Bike Rentals • Coconut Palm Basket Weaving on Sunset Beach • Hawaiian Lei Making on Sunset Beach • Waikiki Surfboard Rental • Lyon Arboretum Please note attractions and tours are subject to change. Check the free app or included digital guide for an up-to-date attraction line-up including instructions before you go. *Savings based on sample itineraries on Go City website.

Be sure not to miss one of Hawaii's top excursions that will guide you to the finest sights on Oahu, and leave you in total amazement. It’s the amazing Tour Guides that will make all the difference in this action-packed day. They will spoil you rotten by telling funny stories, giving their knowledge of Hawaii, and sharing the precious culture of Hawaii with You. Whether this is your first trip to the islands, or you’re a seasoned veteran, this exclusive 16-Point Circle Island Tour combines the best highlights that Oahu has to offer, and serves them up into a full-day adventure that you will always remember! Take in the beautiful vistas of the Dole Plantation on the North Side, and the Halona Blowhole on the South Coast. Discover a Hawaiian nut plantation with free all-you-can-eat Macadamias and Kona coffee to drink. Come see the green sea turtles on the North Shore. Learn about Hawaii and its unique culture from the most dynamic tour guides in Hawaii. This tour will bring you relaxation, excitement, awe, and all the emotions in between! Enjoy visits to major Oahu hot spots like Chinaman’s Hat, North Shore Beaches, and the Diamond Head Beach Lookout, along with a ton of spots that are “off the beaten path.” This experience is ready to show you some major fun and give you the lay of the land. Please bring a swimsuit, extra clothes, sunglasses, sunscreen, bag, & camera. We will provide bottled water, but please bring some cash for lunch.

Don’t miss a thing as your favorite audio tour narrator guides you across Oahu to not-to-be-missed viewpoints, with fascinating stories, tips and directions, along the way. Follow the suggested itineraries, or divide the commentary and create your own half, full or multi day sightseeing trips. Want to explore Hawaii, beyond Waikiki? Then it’s definitely worth taking a full day from sunbathing, renting a car, and driving to tour around Oahu. Major Highlights: Byodo-In Temple* Diamond Head Dole Plantation* Hale'iwa Hanauma Bay Kailua & Lanikai Ko Olina Laie Sea Arch National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific North Shore, Sunset Beach & Banzai Pipeline Pearl Harbor* Punchbowl Crater Shrimp Trucks* The Pali Lookout Includes: Island Circle If you want to have an amazing day and see everything, then all you have to do is start early and spend a full day of sunshine driving all the way around the island. Whichever direction you choose to go around, you will hear all of the commentary and visit all the best locations. Explore Oahu's Beaches and Volcanoes If you have more than one day and you like to do the activities as well as enjoying sightseeing, this is a great route to follow that can be completed in as little as half a day - but you can easily fill a full day too. This route starts by driving from Waikiki to Diamond Head (reservations now required). It then explores the south eastern corner of the island, places like Hanauma Bay (reservations now required), Halona Blowhole and Kailua before you have the option to cut back across the island to Waikiki, via the Pali Lookout. Head to the North Shore Many visitors are excited to start their journey by heading to Oahu's most famous surfing beaches and the eclectic town of Haleiwa first and then following around the windward side of the island (clockwise). Again, you can fill a day of touring by stopping at all the suggested attractions including the Polynesian Cultural Center. Instead of going all the way around the island, you can also cut across the island back to Waikiki as a shortcut at the Pali if you don't have time to complete the full circle in daylight. Visit Pearl Harbor It's recommended to dedicate at least a half day as its own day trip from Waikiki for the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center if you want to pay your respects and explore this still active naval base.

Explore magnificent Oahu as you travel East, North, and South on an amazing Circle Island tour. Visit the world-famous Dole Pineapple Plantation, enjoy the view of Diamond Head, explore beautiful Waimea Valley, and sample the local cuisine You will be picked up directly from your Waikiki hotel about 6:50am and whisked around the island with great stops for picture taking. Hear about Oahu's history and local culture, and enjoy the beauty of the Island with a local guiding the way. Stops include: A. Diamond Head Lookout: Drive Pass or Stop for Photo's. B. Halona Blowhole: Stop for Photos. C. Hawaii Treasure Store for Souvenirs/Restroom and Snacks: 20 Minute Stop. D. Byodo-In Japanese Temple: 25 to 30 - Minute Stop. E. Macadamia Nut Farm: 20 Minute Stop. F. Chinaman's Hat stop for Picture Taking or Drive Pass. G. Tanaka Shrimp Truck. 25 to 30 Minute Stop. H. Virgil's Fruit Stand: Quick Stop. I. Beach Time for 1 Hour or "Haliewa". J. Haliewa "DownTown North Shore" or Beach Time. 1 Hour. J. Dole Plantation: 30 Minute Stop. Dole Whip Ice Cream (non-dairy option available). Customer pays for Dole Whip. K. Pass by Iolani Palace L. Pass by King Kamehameha Statue M. Drop off at your Hotel within Waikiki.

The North Shore of O'ahu holds some of the most famous names with Waimea Bay, Haleiwa historic town, Banzai Pipeline, Sunset Beach and much more. Take a break from the touristy entertainment and see what the North Shore is all about. Join the North Shore Photo Tour as you travel the world famous North shore. Depending on the time of year you will be coming you will document the day's adventure looking for beautiful waves, clear waters, pristine beaches, pounding shore breaks, local daredevils, the green sea turtle, and much more. You will be taken to the Waimea waterfall and botanical garden. In this peaceful setting you will be able to photograph with the sounds of the forest and the cool breeze coming through the valley. Stop in the world famous historic Hale'iwa town for some local eats at the famous food trucks after exploring so many beautiful locations. You will walk away from this tour with great photographs of the North Shore and its way of life. Some say if you want to see Hawaii 50 years ago, head to the North Shore. After the food truck stop for lunch, stop in a few art galleries or surf shops for your enjoyment. Stroll through the town and peruse the art galleries and surf shops that some say reflect what Hawaii was like decades ago.

Maximize time in Oahu with a full-day tour of the island complete with stops at top landmarks like the Waimea Waterfalls. Meet the minivan at a departure point. Admire views during the scenic drive that includes stops such as Diamond Head, Halona Blowhole, and Dole Plantation. Learn about local history and heritage while checking out sights like the Byodo Temple and Waimea Waterfalls. Your Tour Sites: Diamond Head, Halona Blowhole, Makapu'u Point, Byodo-In Temple, Tropical Farms Macadamia Nut Farm, Kuala Regional Park, Famous Shrimp Truck, North Shore, Waimea Arboretum & Botanical Garden, Haleiwa Town, Dole Plantation, return to Waikiki. Sites and time spent at each site varies and may change on your tour date

Start by downloading the Action Tour Guide app, which will function as your personal tour guide, audio tour, and map. Purchase one tour per car, not per person. Everyone listens together! NOTE: This 90-mile-long tour covers the essentials of Oahu Grand Circle in 3 - 5 hours. As an added perk, enjoy animated videos allowing you to visualize what you cannot see, such as snapshots from different centuries or interior rooms, along many of the tour stops. Next is Aloha Tower, one of the city’s most iconic attractions. Continuing on, see Iolani Palace, the extravagant former home of Hawaii’s monarchs, as well as a statue of King Kamehameha the Great. The first beach on the Oahu tour is Ala Moana Beach, a pristine stretch of sand that was once used for something else entirely. Then, visit Waikiki Beach, where surfing superstar Duke Kanahamoku got his start before he transformed the world of surfing forever. Leaving the beaches for a moment, get an up-close look at Diamond Head State Park, an enormous volcanic crater and Hawaii’s most popular park. Head toward the volcanic China Walls next, where you’ll hear the dramatic tale of Kamehameha’s rise to power and his rival, Kalanikūpule, who was willing to do the unspeakable to take control for himself. At the Hanauma Bay Lookout, find some of the most spectacular views; be sure to have your camera at the ready. For a less crowded spot, follow the route to the next lookout, which most visitors miss. After passing some seriously scenic shoreline, spot Rabbit Island just off the coast and learn about the utterly failed rabbit farm that once operated here. Then come to Waimānalo Beach, the perfect stop for anyone seeking a little seclusion. As you approach the town of Kailua, hear a dramatic account of the Battle of Nu’uanu. If you’re a kayaker, you won’t want to miss Kailua’s beach. Up next, catch a glimpse of the last remaining Heiau on Oahu. These ancient temples were deeply sacred to the Hawaiians and still hold a great deal of significance today. Find a trail to one of Oahu’s famous waterfalls. If you’re craving more nature, the Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden will be just ahead, offering a staggering 400 acres of carefully cultivated flora. You might not expect a huge Buddhist temple in Hawaii, but that’s the next stop! After checking out the Byodo-In Temple, reach the Kualoa Ranch that’s become a Hollywood favorite. Wildlife enthusiasts will love what comes next: a huge wildlife refuge and Turtle Beach, frequented by the enormous Hawaiian green sea turtles. Then, head to Sunset Beach, the perfect spot to catch the day’s final rays of light. Later, head to the historic Dole Plantation, where the tour concludes.