Coastal Oahu: A Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour of Scenic Wonders
Welcome to the beautiful Hawaiian island of O’ahu! Featuring the vibrant city of Honolulu, lush jungles that have appeared in blockbusters like Jurassic Park, and the most stunning beaches in the world, O’ahu has a little bit of everything. Cruise around this tropical paradise, hike its best trails, and learn about its incredible conflict-strewn history… all from the comfort of your vehicle or rental! Purchase one tour per car, not per person. Everyone listens together! After booking, check your email to download the separate Audio Tour Guide App by Action, enter your unique password, and access your tour. These steps require good internet/Wi-Fi access. From there, follow the audio instructions and the route. New, extra validity — now yours for an entire year! Use multiple times over multiple trips! This isn't an entrance ticket. Check opening hours before your visit.
About this activity
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Check availability too see starting times.
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Additional Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- How to access: Once you book a tour, you’ll get a confirmation email with instructions. Follow the instructions right away: • Download the separate app • Enter the password • Download the tour • MUST DO while in strong wifi/cellular.
- How to start the tour: Open Action’s separate audio tour guide app once onsite. • If there is just one tour, launch it. • If multiple tour versions exist, launch the one with your planned starting point and direction. • Go to the starting point. (Note: no one will meet you at the start. This tour is self-guided). • The audio will begin automatically at the starting point. If you face audio issues, visit the FAQ. • Stick to the tour route & speed limit for the best experience.
- Amazing Savings: why pay for an expensive, crowded, and limited bus tour — priced per person! — when you can have ONE amazing audio guide on your OWN phone for your WHOLE group?
- Flexibility and Convenience: • Use the tour app anytime, on any day, and over multiple days. It's perfect for tailoring your exploration and revisiting your favorite spots on future trips. • Start and pause the tour whenever you like, taking breaks and exploring side excursions at your own pace, free from the constraints of a group.
- Comprehensive Tour Experience: •The app provides a full itinerary, travel tips, narrated audio stories, scripts, images, videos, and recommendations for additional activities. • Enjoy a private experience without the crowds, ideal for personalized stops and photo opportunities.
- Ease of Use and Accessibility: • The app is hands-free and activates stories via GPS, offering support through call, chat, or email. • There is no need for a continuous cell or Wi-Fi connection as the GPS map works offline.
- Memorable Keepsakes: • Utilize the app’s images to create a photo book or share on social media, ensuring you have high-quality, crowd-free memories from your trip.
- Preparation: • After booking, download the app and the tour using a strong Wi-Fi connection. • Review the tour at home before your trip for a better experience.
- Starting the Tour: • Open the app upon arrival at your destination. • Select the appropriate tour based on your starting point. • Head to the starting location; the audio will begin automatically. • Follow the suggested route and adhere to the speed limit for an optimal experience. • By following these instructions and taking advantage of the app's features, users can enjoy a personalized, flexible, and in-depth exploration of their destination at their own pace and convenience.
Includes
- Easy-to-use app: download Action’s Tour Guide App onto your phone
- Great value: purchase per car, not per person. More affordable than bus or guided tours!
- Engaging storytelling: Uncover unique tales and thrilling history for a memorable journey!
- Perfect narrator: nothing can beat listening to a great voice. Proven with tons of rave reviews!
- Offline maps: no signal, no problem! Works perfectly without cellular or wifi.
- Comprehensive route and stops: See it all, miss nothing, leave no stone unturned!
- Go at your own pace: Start anytime, pause anywhere, enjoy breaks for snacks and photos freely!
- Hands-free: audio stories play on their own based on your location. Easy to use!
- Attraction passes, entry tickets, or reservations
Special Instructions
Itinerary
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Estimated Time : 5 minutes
Get ready for a totally comprehensive tour of Hawaii's most populous island: O'ahu. Home to the city of Honolulu, this island is chock full of culture, natural beauty, and fascinating history--all of which you'll experience during your drive! NOTE: This 90-mile-long tour covers the essentials of Oahu Grand Circle in 3 - 5 hours.
Free Admission
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Estimated Time : 5 minutes
The tour begins in Pearl Harbor, where a surprise attack on December 7th, 1941 changed the course of history.
Free Admission
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Estimated Time : 5 minutes
As you drive through Honolulu, you'll learn about the city's unexpectedly humble origins, and how it became the hub it is today.
Free Admission
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Estimated Time : 5 minutes
Bishop Museum : One of the first landmarks you'll pass is the Bishop Museum. This isn't just the largest museum in Hawaii, but also has a surprisingly sweet love story behind it!
Free Admission
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Estimated Time : 5 minutes
Get a good look at the Aloha Tower next. This iconic waterside tower once greeted all travelers arriving in Honolulu, because everyone arrived by boat.
Free Admission
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Estimated Time : 5 minutes
King Kamehameha Statue : Next, you'll pass the impressive Iolani Palace, once home to Hawaiian royalty, as well as a statue of King Kamahamaha, a hero you'll hear plenty about along the way.
Free Admission
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Estimated Time : 5 minutes
Ala Moana Beach Park : The first beach you'll see is Ala Moana Beach, a pristine stretch of sand which, believe it or not, used to be a garbage dump! But don't worry, it's perfectly clean now, and great for swimming.
Free Admission
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Estimated Time : 5 minutes
Next, you'll pass a statue of King David Kalakaua, Hawaii's last king.
Free Admission
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Estimated Time : 5 minutes
Waikiki Beach : The next beach you'll reach is Waikiki Beach, made famous by the legendary surfer Duke Kahanamoku. Duke is responsible for bringing surfing to the world at large and bringing major recognition to this beach.
Free Admission
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Estimated Time : 5 minutes
Kapiolani Park : Your route takes you next past Kapi'olani Park, another beautiful space which was once little more than a soggy bit of marshland.
Free Admission
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Estimated Time : 5 minutes
Diamond Head : After that, you'll come to Diamond Head State Monument, an immense crater left by a volcanic explosion. It's now become Hawaii's most popular park!
Free Admission
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Estimated Time : 5 minutes
You'll also see Diamond Head Beach, which sparkles unlike any other beach around. Back in the 1800s, explorers actually thought the calcite crystals in the sand here were diamonds!
Free Admission
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Estimated Time : 5 minutes
As you continue, you'll reach the China Walls, an impressive formation of natural walls which some say rival the Great Wall of China!
Free Admission
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Estimated Time : 5 minutes
Get some unbeatable views up next at Hanauma Bay Lookout, and don't forget to snap a few pictures while you're there!
Free Admission
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Estimated Time : 5 minutes
Lanai Lookout : Lanai Lookout is next, and it's especially good if you're trying to get away from the crowd.
Free Admission
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Estimated Time : 5 minutes
The next lookout, Halona Blowhole Lookout, offers views of a peculiar rock formation which shoots water into the air when waves crash against it.
Free Admission
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Estimated Time : 5 minutes
If you trek along the shore a bit, you'll come to Pele's Chair, a natural formation which some believe to be the chair of Pele, a volcanic goddess.
Free Admission
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Estimated Time : 5 minutes
Up next is Kaiwi State Scenic Shoreline, which is exactly what it sounds like. If you're a fan of ocean views, this makes for a wonderful stroll.
Free Admission
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Estimated Time : 5 minutes
As you drive, you'll catch sight of Rabbit Island. Once home to a rabbit farm, this island is now mostly untouched by humans.
Free Admission
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Estimated Time : 5 minutes
Waimanalo Beach Park : Travelers seeking a pristine beach that doesn't see the same crowds as others will love Waimanalo Beach, a stretch of white sand sheltered by a wall of ironwood trees.
Free Admission
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Estimated Time : 5 minutes
Up next is the unassuming town of Kailua. Unassuming, that is, except for the fact that former president Barack Obama spent his winters here!
Free Admission
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Estimated Time : 5 minutes
Kailua Beach Park : Your route takes you next to Kailua Beach, a favorite spot among kayakers and swimmers alike.
Free Admission
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Estimated Time : 5 minutes
Next, you'll pass the Ulupo Heiau State Historic Site. This increidble archaeological site is home to an ancient Hawaiian temple called a Heiau, which is almost 500 years old!
Free Admission
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Estimated Time : 5 minutes
After that, you'll arrive at Nu'uanu Pali Lookout, a splendid vista which is also right near a trail leading to some sparkling waterfalls.
Free Admission
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Estimated Time : 5 minutes
Looking for more waterfalls? You'll find one at the end of a trail up ahead, which leads to the gorgeous, secluded Lulumahu Falls.
Free Admission
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Estimated Time : 5 minutes
Up next is the Ho'omaluhia Botanical Garden, home to a staggering 400 acres of tropical flora from all over the world. There's even a campground within the garden!
Free Admission
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Estimated Time : 5 minutes
Continuing on, you'll reach the town of He'eia and hear the wild legend behind its name.
Free Admission
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Estimated Time : 5 minutes
Byodo-In Temple : You won't want to miss the next stop, an elaborate Buddhist temple called the Byodo-In Temple. It was built as an exact to-scale replica of the temples one would find in Japan!
Free Admission
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Estimated Time : 5 minutes
Kualoa Ranch : As you drive, you'll pass Kualoa Ranch, a sprawling jungle ranch which has been the filming location for countless Hollywood hits, including Jurassic Park, Hawaii Five-O, and Lost!
Free Admission
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Estimated Time : 5 minutes
Kualoa Rock Beach, up next, offers some great lounging opportunities, though swimmers will find the rocky shore a bit uncomfortable to wade along.
Free Admission
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Estimated Time : 5 minutes
Kahana Bay Beach Park : The next beach, Kahana Bay Beach, isn't just a great stretch of sand, but is also packed with history! Archaeologists have found all sorts of pre-contact relics buried in the sand here.
Free Admission
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Estimated Time : 5 minutes
Ahupua'a 'O Kahana State Park is next, offering plenty of lush greenery and stunning hikes for those looking to stretch their legs.
Free Admission
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Estimated Time : 5 minutes
Those looking to stop for a snack or a souvenir will want to stop at the next landmark: Hukilau Marketplace. This iconic market styles itself just like a classic 1950s Hawaiian market would.
Free Admission
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Estimated Time : 5 minutes
Beach campers will absolutely want to stop at the next spot, Malaekahana State Recreation Area. This shoreline camping area makes for some seriously memorable mornings!
Free Admission
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Estimated Time : 10 minutes
After that, you'll pass Gunstock Ranch, where you can take a ride on horseback if you want to change up your travels a bit!
Free Admission
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Estimated Time : 5 minutes
Next is the James Campbell Wildlife Refuge, where you'll learn the legend of how some of O'ahu's most recognizable birds got their iconic plumage.
Free Admission
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Estimated Time : 10 minutes
After that is Turtle Beach, which is exactly what you'd expect. If you're here at the right time, you're bound to see some sea turtles!
Free Admission
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Estimated Time : 5 minutes
Continue driving to Kawela Bay Beach, home to some of the calmest waters on the island thanks to an offshore reef.
Free Admission
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Estimated Time : 5 minutes
Sunset Beach : If the day is winding down, one of the best spots to be is your next stop: Sunset Beach. This is, hands down, one of the best spots on the island to catch a proper Hawaiian sunset.
Free Admission
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Estimated Time : 5 minutes
Banzai Pipeline : As you drive, you'll pass the infamous Banzai Pipeline. This death-defying surf break has challenged some of the most famous surfers around for years, and not all of them survive it.
Free Admission
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Estimated Time : 5 minutes
After that is Shark's Cove. Don't worry though, it gets its name not because sharks infest the waters, but instead because it looks a little bit like a shark when viewed from above.
Free Admission
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Estimated Time : 5 minutes
One of the last beaches on your tour is Waimea Bay. This isn't just any beach, but has been featured in high-octane Hollywood adventures like Point Break!
Free Admission
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Estimated Time : 5 minutes
The final beach you'll see is Hale'iwa Beach, which has some BBQs and picnic tables for folks looking to wind down with a picturesque picnic.
Free Admission
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Estimated Time : 5 minutes
Dole Plantation : Your final stop is at the historic Dole Plantation, a window back in time which also features a train ride and the world's largest maze for some fun family activities. The tour concludes here.
Free Admission