Which Oahu tour is the best? This can be an incredibly difficult question to answer because on Oahu there are so many choices when it comes to sightseeing tours around the island. With hotspots such as Waikiki, Honolulu, and the North Shore, it's no wonder why visitors to Oahu are bombarded with tours, coupons, deals, and promotions the moment they arrive.
That's why we've decided to compare common Oahu tours with Shaka Guide's Oahu 6-Tour Bundle for $29.99! While we believe that the Shaka Guide experience is a no-brainer, we want you to see both sides of the coin so you can choose the best excursion for you.
Why Are Shaka Guide's Oahu Tours the Best?
With over 1 million downloads, there's something to be said about our Oahu tours. Researched and written by locals, our tours delve deep into Oahu's history and legends and provide turn-by-turn narration, letting you know what's coming up and if it would be something you'd enjoy based on your interests. This gives you a ton of freedom to choose where you want to go and how long you want to stay.
However, the best part about Shaka Guide's Oahu tours has got to be the price!
Price
For just $29.99, you get all 6 of our Oahu tours. The tours never expire, and the price of the Oahu Driving & Walking Tour Bundle covers EVERYONE in your car! All you need is one smartphone and our Shaka Guide app. The price is only $29.99 whether you're traveling with a large group in a van or by yourself on a solo trip. You can purchase our tours separately, but the bundle price is the best deal if you want to explore more of Oahu.
Best Oahu Tour? Guided Tours vs. Shaka Guide Tours
Traditional guided tours of Oahu that take you from point A to point B come with an in-person tour guide, bus and driver, pick-up/drop-off services, and a set schedule of the most popular spots that tourists typically enjoy. Because of these professional services, guided tours are expensive, with prices generally over $100 per person:
- Grand Circle Island Tour - $100-$150+ per person
- East Oahu Tour - $100 per person
- North Shore Tour - $150 per person
- Private Oahu Tour - $500-$1,000+ per person
If you want to do several guided tours, you could easily spend $300+ per person, not including tips or additional activities such as snorkeling/diving excursions, whale watching cruises, or surfing lessons.
By opting for Shaka Guide's $29.99 Oahu 6-Tour bundle, you'll save a ton of money--and have extra to spend on souvenirs, fancy meals, or special experiences--like diving with sharks, excursions at Kualoa Ranch, or a luau at the Polynesian Cultural Center.
"Our family debated on taking a Circle Island Tour in Oahu with a tour company, but the price was so expensive. So we decided to give the Shaka Guide a try. It was perfect! The 5 of us rented a van for the day and set out with the help of the app. It was very informative with upcoming stops, bathroom options, photo opportunities, and places to eat. The music was a nice touch and the toggle on and off was nice when we were getting out of the van. We would definitely use this app again." -Mandee65
Shaka Guide Oahu Tours
Want to cram as much into the day as you can? Or prefer to take it slow and leisurely? Shaka Guide's audio driving tours allow you the freedom and flexibility to travel at your own pace, in your own vehicle, with your own people! Our six curated tours can help you make the most of your Oahu vacation. Purchased separately, the price for these individual tours adds up to $90. That's why our Oahu bundle is such a great deal! Here's what you get for just $29.99:
- Grand Circle Island Tour: ($19.99) 6 - 8 hours and 120 narration points. Our bestselling tour on the island that explores Oahu's most popular spots - visit the Polynesian Cultural Center, Waimea Bay, Haleiwa, the Dole Plantation and more!
- Legendary North Shore Loop: ($19.99) 8 - 10 hours and 119 narration points. Explore the famous North Shore beaches and learn about the island's surf history. (FYI--This tour is similar in content to the Grand Circle Island tour, but it travels in the opposite direction. This is a good option if you want to visit certain sites on the North Shore earlier in the day.)
- East Oahu Shoreline Drive: ($19.99) 6 - 8 hours and 116 narration points. Filled with amazing sights, hikes, and beaches that will keep you busy the entire day.
- Honolulu's Backyard Rainforest Tour: ($19.99) 2 - 4 hours and 73 narration points. Did you know Honolulu has a rainforest and even a waterfall? Discover the amazing hikes hidden in Honolulu's backyard.
- Historic Downtown Honolulu Tour: ($4.99) 1 - 2 hours and 16 narration points. Our popular walking tour that takes you through Honolulu's history.
- Heart Of Waikiki Walking Tour: ($4.99) 1 - 2 hours and 13 narration points. Fun walking tour exploring important points of interests in Waikiki.
Time
At the very minimum, doing all 6 of our Oahu tours will keep you busy exploring for 4-5 days. But, we guesstimate you’ll spend at least 24 - 34 hours doing all 6 tours because we’re sure you’ll want to spend some time relaxing and hitting the beach.
Your vacation time is very important to us, so we've made sure you're able to customize your day by going to places that interest you, instead of sticking to a predetermined schedule.
"For those that like to control the pace of their touring and pick the things that most interest them this guide is awesome. You can pick and choose what stops you want to make based on your interest. The app provides a good overview of each stop so you can decide if it is worth your time." - BOCBoston
Local Gems
Visit local gems that you won’t find with anyone else. As you drive, your tour guide will point out different stops along the way that most people miss or don’t even know are there! In fact, some of our Shaka Guide users are repeat visitors to Hawaii and are surprised at how many new things they learned and saw using our app.
"We heard and saw things we didn't know about even after being here for over 3 years. We both definitely recommend this app." -Andrew T.
Traditional Oahu tours usually take you to the must-see, popular hotspots. While these are great places to go - and are also included on the Shaka Guide tours - Shaka Guide prides itself on visiting lesser-known spots to reveal the island's history in a way you won’t experience anywhere else.
Number Of Stops
Purchasing Shaka Guide’s Oahu Tour Bundle gives you guided access to over 400 stops, highlights, and points of interest. Plus, you get to choose where to go, making your vacation completely customizable.
In comparison, opting for a traditional Oahu tour will only introduce you to about 10 - 15 locations depending on their itinerary. This is because most guided tours will include a couple of activities that require an hour or so of time such as snorkeling, eating lunch, or visiting a farm.
Freedom To Explore
Touring with an in-person tour guide means sticking to a rigid schedule. Most tours are done with other families or groups, and there's a specific time you have to arrive and leave a specific attraction. Private tours have more flexibility and personalization, but they are very expensive.
Shaka Guide’s Oahu tours will NEVER force you to return to your car. Everything is based on your schedule and preference. Want to enjoy the view for a little while longer on that hike? Or, maybe you’d like to explore that optional side trip we mentioned at that botanical garden? Go ahead! You don’t have to rush back just to return to the tour in time. Your tour continues whenever you get back to your car.
Reviews
"We used Shaka Guide to tour Oahu and had a great experience using this app. We have never used this type of guide before so we were uncertain about the experience we would have it. The stories were great and the narration was pretty much spot on with our location. I highly recommend purchasing the Oahu tour. If other tours are like this one, I recommend those as well!" -Louis N.
Shaka Guide has over one million downloads and over 15,000 five-star reviews--with more coming in each day! We're pretty proud of our ratings and thrilled to have so many happy customers. We hope you'll be one of them!
If you prefer a traditional guided tour, you'll find plenty of fantastic local companies with 5-star reviews as well. It all comes down to whether you prefer to travel in a group with a professional guide or at your own pace with Shaka Guide. Either way, you’ll be in good hands!
Why Is the Grand Circle Island Tour the Best?
By far the most popular driving tour on Oahu is what's often dubbed the "Grand Circle Island Tour." Almost every tour company offers a Grand Circle Island Tour where they take visitors around the entire island visiting popular stops and attractions along the way. You can expect stops such as Pearl Harbor, Dole Plantation, and the Kahuku shrimp trucks for lunch to be included on most Circle Island itineraries.
It's no surprise that Shaka Guide's Grand Circle Island Tour is our bestselling Oahu tour! Our self-guided driving tour takes most of our users an entire day to complete. We'll guide you to different stops, hikes, and viewpoints while sharing each location's history and legends to enhance your time on this famous scenic drive. The best part is that you get to decide where and how long you want to stop. If you're interested in less touristy spots or different food options, we'll let you know where to go so your Grand Circle Island Tour can be exactly the way you want it to be.
Cancellations
Most guided tours can’t offer a full refund. In fact, the general policy for these tours is no refunds within 24 hours of your tour time. If something unexpected happens, be ready to wave “aloha” to your tour and money.
In contrast, all Shaka Guide tours have a 100% satisfaction guarantee. That means you can try out our Oahu tours with zero risk! Plus, our reliable customer support team is there to help answer any questions you may have. The app also has no expiration date and free updates forever. That means you can use these tours as much as you want, as many times you want, even on your next trip to Oahu!
Which Kind of Oahu Tour Is the Best?
Here at Shaka Guide, we believe that our self-guided Oahu driving tours will give you an incredible vacation while saving you time and money. Plus, our tours give you the freedom to fully customize your experience with powerful GPS technology and fantastic storytelling elements.
There are huge pros to choosing a more traditional tour as well. But if you’re looking for a quality tour at an affordable price, you can’t go wrong with Shaka Guide!
OAHU TRAVEL GUIDES:
The Ultimate Oahu Travel Guide
Top 5 Money Saving Tips for Traveling to Oahu
Maui vs Oahu: Which Is Right for You?
OAHU ACTIVITIES:
19 Family-Friendly Activities in Oahu
10 Things to Do on a Rainy Day in Oahu
10 Things to Do on Oahu With Kids
20 Must-Visit Historic Sites on Oahu
The Best Snorkel Spots On Oahu
Best Places to Catch a Sunset on Oahu
Where to Drive and Sightsee Around Oahu