SELF GUIDED AUDIO TOURS HAWAII

Mahalo for purchasing the Oahu Tour Bundle!

Click the links below for everything you need to know before you go or scroll to learn more. Here you'll find important trip planning information like attraction entry fees, safety precautions, and useful tips for the tour. 

The bundle comes with the following tours: 

• • Grand Circle Island Tour
• • East Oahu Shoreline Drive
• • Honolulu's Backyard Rainforest Tour
• • Legendary North Shore Loop
• • Heart of Waikiki Walking Tour
• • Historic Downtown Honolulu Walking Tour

COVID-19 UPDATE: Hawaii has reopened to tourists, but a lot has changed. Many attractions remain closed. To check out a list of attractions that are open and closed on Oahu, click here. 

Grand Circle Island Tour 

• The tour can only be done counterclockwise.
• The tour has three starting points: Waikiki, Ko Olina or Turtle Bay Resort.
• The Dole Plantation closes at 5:30 p.m. There is an entrance fee to do the activities at the plantation, but you can visit the gift shop and cafe for free.
• Byodo-In costs $5 per person.
• Most of the food trucks in Kahuku are cash only.
• Entrance to Waimea Valley is $18 for adults and $12 for children.
• Waves can get rough in winter (October-April). When in doubt ask a lifeguard.

East Oahu Shoreline Drive 

• • The tour begins and ends in Waikiki and travels counterclockwise only.
• • Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden — the last stop on the tour — closes at 4 p.m.
• • Hanauma Bay is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. The bay opens at 6:45 a.m. Wednesday-Sunday. There is an entry fee and parking fee at the bay. 
• • Advance reservations are now required to visit Hanauma Bay. Make a reservation here. 
• • Parking at Diamond Head costs $10 and entry is $5 for pedestrians — cash only.
• • Pali Lookout has a small parking fee, see budgeting below for more information.
• • Waves can get rough in winter (November-April), when in doubt ask a lifeguard.

Honolulu's Backyard Rainforest Tour 

• • This tour is completed in a loop, starting and ending in Waikiki.
• • Expect to spend 3-5 hours on the tour.
• • We recommend starting before 11:00 a.m.
• • The only spot to grab food is at Manoa Marketplace.
• • Lyon Arboretum is open from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. on weekdays, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. on Saturdays and closed on Sundays; there’s no admission fee but a donation is recommended. 
• • Tantalus Lookout is open daily from 7:00 a.m. – 6:45 p.m. Lili’uokalani Botanical Garden is open daily from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. 
• • National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific is open daily from 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
• • Foster Botanical Garden is open daily from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. There is a nominal entrance fee to enter, check out budgeting below.
• • Bring some cash! Parking at Manoa Falls is cash only.

Legendary North Shore Loop

• • The tour can only be done clockwise.
• • The tour has two starting points: Waikiki or Ko’Olina
• • The Dole Plantation closes at 5:30 p.m. There is an entrance fee to do the activities at the plantation, but you can visit the gift shop and cafe for free.
• • Byodo-In costs $5 per person and is cash only.
• • Most of the food trucks in Kahuku are cash only.
• • North Shore Soap Factory has a guided tour that costs $17 per person or a shorter tour for $10 per person
• • Moanalua Gardens costs $5 for adults, $3 for children 6-12 and is free for children 5 and under.
• • Waves can get rough in winter (October-April). When in doubt ask a lifeguard.

Heart of Waikiki Walking Tour 

• • The tour starts at the King Kamehameha Statue and ends at Iolani Palace. 
• • Self-led audio tours of Iolani Palace cost $20 for adults and $6 for children.
• • The tour takes about an hour without stops. Plan to spend about two hours total (more if you’re doing the Iolani Palace tour, which we highlight recommend). 
• • You’ll be walking so wear comfortable shoes.
• • If you’re traveling in a group, everyone will need to purchase the tour individually or use a headphone splitter.

Historic Downtown Honolulu Walking Tour 

• • The tour starts at the Royal Hawaiian Center and ends past Duke Paoa Kahanamoku Statue. 
• • A few restaurants and cafes are cash only. Here are some suggestions!
• • The tour takes about an hour without stops. Plan to spend about two hours. 
• • You’ll be walking so wear comfortable shoes.
• • If you’re traveling in a group, everyone will need to purchase the tour individually or use a headphone splitter. 

Have Questions About the App? Reach Out! 

Send us an email to aloha@shakaguide.com, give us a call 808-201-8138, or visit or FAQs.