Explore the island of Oahu, getting to know the best landmarks and sites to soak up all the beauty and culture of Hawaii such as the legendary Valley of the Temples, the Byodo Temple, the spouting "Blow Hole", and the renowned Kualoa Ranch, which is nestled against the stunning Koolau Mountains.
Get ready for the ultimate experience to soak up all the beauty and culture of Hawaii in just one day! After being picked up in Waikiki, you will be swept away to the island's most breathtaking landmarks and destinations, including the spouting "Blow Hole," and the renowned Kualoa Ranch, which is nestled against the stunning Koolau Mountains. Start your sightseeing tour with the Diamond Head, A 200,000-year-old defining volcanic structure formed in the Honolulu Volcanic Series. It's a worldwide symbol of the Hawaiian Islands! Afterwards, visit Kahala Estates, a large concentration of some of the most expensive real estate and beachfront properties in Hawaii in which many celebrities and business moguls vacation homes.
Continue with the Halona "Blow Hole" Lookout and see how this volcanic lava tube propels water into the sky like a whale's blowhole! Make a stop at the Waimanalo Town, a quaint, scenic town is known for its local flavor and numerous plant nurseries and agricultural lots that extend back toward the Koolau Mountains, followed by another stop at the Nuuanu Pali Lookout, the bewitchingly scenic lookout was also the site of the Battle of Nuuanu, one of the bloodiest conflicts in Hawaiian history. It was here that Kamehameha I conquered the island of Oahu on his quest to unite the Hawaiian Islands.
Get ready to visit the amazing Byodo-In Temple, a picturesque Buddhist temple tucked in the Valley of the Temples, is a half-sized replica of the 900-year-old temple in Japan. It has been featured in the TV series Hawaii Five-O, Magnum P.I., lost and the 2001 movie Pearl Harbor. Then, go to 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 that was chopped off and tossed in the ocean.
For the final part of this amazing tour, get to know Kualoa Ranch to enjoy the Legends and Legacy at Kualoa Ranch Private Nature Reserve owned by eight generation descendants of Fr. Gerritt P. Judd. On 4,000 acres, it is one of the most sacred places on the island, with their goal to protect and enhance the natural beauty of the lands. The Laie Hawaii Mormon Temple, which is the first temple built by the Latter Day Saints Church outside the continental United States, this beautiful complex features breathtaking lush tropical gardens of Hawaiian foliage and flowers, cascading water features and more.
Last but not least, visit the North Shore Surfing Beaches, the surfing mecca of the world! Watch out for the massive waves that have attracted so many surfers to its shores. These beaches are also a popular area for filming. Finish at the Dole Plantation, Hawaii's "Pineapple Experience," see pineapples from all over the world and try the delicious Dole Whip ice cream. (Approximate 20 min stop.)
*Please note that hotel pick-ups are between 6:45 a.m. – 7:25 a.m.
