Private: Byodo-in Temple with Discounted Waimea Botanical Garden

Honolulu

Experience the best of Oahu, Hawaii with our Circle Island Tour. Explore top attractions like the Byodo-in Temple and Waimea Botanical Garden. Book now for a discounted rate!

Duration: 9 hours

Cancellation: 1 day learn more

Highlights

Diamond Head State Monument - The crater, also known as Diamond Head Lookout, served as a strategic military observation point in the early 1900s. Covering over 475 acres (190 ha) including the crater’s interior and outer slopes, it was an effective defensive lookout due to its panoramic views of Waikīkī and the south shore of Oahu.
Halona Blowhole - This natural marvel on Oahu was formed by volcanic activity thousands of years ago. Halona Blowhole occasionally shoots seawater up to 30 feet in the air as waves pass through underwater lava tubes. The viewing point offers a stunning view of Halona Cove, a picturesque beach featured in numerous movies and music videos. Winter visitors might even spot whales in the nearby waters.
Makapu‘u Point - Makapuʻu Point, the easternmost point on Oʻahu, is located in the Makapuʻu region, 12 miles east of Honolulu. It’s a popular hiking destination with excellent views of Makapuʻu and Waimanalo Bay on one side and the Ka ʻIwi Channel on the other. Home to the Makapuʻu Point Light, established in 1909 and automated in 1974, it contains one of the world’s largest Fresnel lenses. Neal McHenry notes that the process to create another 12-foot (3.7 m) high Hyper-Radiant Fresnel Lens is no longer known. The lighthouse is lit by a single 1000-watt 120-volt alternating current lamp, with a backup lamp that automatically rotates into place if needed. The lighthouse and surrounding area are owned by the U.S. Coast Guard. The location is also popular for ocean views, whale watching in winter, and seeing the neighboring islands of Molokai and Lanai. The first kiss scene in “50 First Dates” was filmed here.
New Hawaii’s Treasures - This souvenir shop offers a clean restroom and a 20 to 30-minute stop for leg stretching and Hawaiian shopping. Complimentary coffee is available, along with plenty of snacks and drinks for purchase.
Byodo-In Temple - Discover one of Oahu’s hidden gems at the Byodo-In Temple, located at the foot of the Ko’olau Mountains in Valley of the Temples Memorial Park. This non-practicing Buddhist temple, built in 1963, welcomes people of all faiths to worship, meditate, or simply appreciate its beauty and history. The Byodo-In Temple is a smaller replica of the nearly 1,000-year-old Byodo-In Temple in Uji, Japan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Learn about the temple’s history and the artifacts within this beautiful state landmark.
Kualoa Ranch - Kualoa Ranch, a 4,000-acre private nature reserve and working cattle ranch on Oahu’s windward coast, is a popular tourist attraction and filming location known for its stunning landscapes, cultural heritage, and diverse outdoor activities. The ranch comprises three valleys: Hakipuu, Kualoa, and Kaaawa. Visitors can enjoy activities like horseback riding, ATV tours, zip-lining, and movie site tours. The ranch also features a café, catering, and a gift shop. A beach stop offers photo opportunities of Chinaman’s Hat, Turtle Island, and Camel Island.
Laie Hawaii Temple & Visitors’ Center - The Laie Hawaii Temple, a temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is located on Oʻahu’s northeast shore. Situated on a small hill half a mile from the Pacific Ocean in Lāʻie, 35 miles (56 km) from Honolulu, the temple is near Brigham Young University–Hawaii and the Polynesian Cultural Center.
Haleiwa - Haleʻiwa, a North Shore community and census-designated place in the Waialua District of Oʻahu, is part of the City and County of Honolulu. Located on Waialua Bay at the mouth of Anahulu Stream, it features a small boat harbor and is surrounded by Haleʻiwa Beach Park and Haleʻiwa Aliʻi Beach Park. West of town is Kaiaka State Recreation Area on Kiaka Point beside Kaiaka Bay. As of the 2020 census, Haleʻiwa had a population of 4,941, up from an estimated 4,040 in 2018. It is the largest commercial center on the North Shore, known for its preserved old plantation town character and popular surfing and diving sites.
Dole Plantation - Originally a fruit stand in 1950, Dole Plantation opened to the public as Hawaii’s “Pineapple Experience” in 1989. Now one of Oahu’s top visitor attractions, it welcomes over a million visitors annually. Dole Plantation offers family-friendly activities like the Pineapple Express Train Tour, Plantation Garden Tour, and Pineapple Garden Maze, along with informational displays and a country store with Dole Plantation gifts, local favorites, and the famous Dole Soft Serve. Fresh pineapples are also available for purchase. The train and maze add an additional 1 hour and 30 minutes to the stop, with an extra cost.
Green World Coffee Farms - Green World Coffee Farm, a small farm on Oahu’s North Shore, spans 7 acres with approximately 3,000 arabica coffee trees. Established in 2013 by Howard Green, the farm offers a full espresso bar menu and a retail section with coffee bags and local merchandise. All coffee is roasted on-site daily, with green beans sourced from local Hawaiian farms. Guests can enjoy daily coffee and tea samples and a self-guided tour of the coffee garden to learn about the coffee-making process.
Iolani Palace - Iolani Palace, built in 1882 by King Kalakaua, is a restored symbol of Hawaiian national identity and the spiritual and physical epicenter of Hawaii. It was the home of Hawaii’s last reigning monarchs and the Kingdom’s political and social hub until the monarchy’s overthrow in 1893. A National Historic Landmark since 1962, it is the only official royal residence in the U.S. and one of Hawaii’s most recognizable buildings. The palace has been meticulously restored to its former grandeur, reflecting the era when King Kalakaua and Queen Liliuokalani walked its halls.
King Kamehameha Statue - The King Kamehameha I statue, located in front of Ali’iolane Hale in Downtown Honolulu, honors one of Hawaii’s most revered rulers, Kamehameha the Great, who unified the islands and welcomed westerners. Kamehameha, a respected warrior and leader, united Hawaii into one kingdom in 1810 and promoted foreign trade and technology while avoiding foreign rule. The 18-foot bronze statue depicts him extending his hand in a welcoming gesture of aloha. Ali’iolani Hale, originally commissioned by King Kamehameha as the royal palace, was built in the Italian Renaissance Revival style and now houses the Supreme Court of Hawaii and the Judiciary History Center.
Leonard’s Bakery Malasada Truck - In June 1882, Arsenio and Amelia DoRego arrived in Maui, Hawai’i from San Miguel Island, Portugal, aboard the British sailing ship ‘Monarch’ to work in the sugar cane fields. Their grandson Leonard, born 33 years later, moved to Honolulu in 1946 with his wife Margaret and daughter Diane. Leonard founded Leonard’s Bakery℠ in 1952 after working at Snowflake Bakery. The bakery thrived, and Leonard’s mother suggested making malasadas for Shrove Tuesday, a Portuguese tradition. Despite initial doubts, the malasadas were a hit, sparking a lasting demand in Hawaii.

What's Included

On-board WiFi
In-vehicle air conditioning

What's Not Included

Lunch
Gratuities
Waimea Botanical Garden and Waterfall. Discounted Rate of $20 to Enter.

Additional Information

1 Epic has received the Trip Advisor Traveler’s Choice Award as “The Best of the Best”.

We provide a Van or Shuttle to drive our guests around the Island on a Circle Island Tour with a Driver who is also the Guide. We will show you many of the most visited stops on the Island.

Tours are 8 to 10 Hours and are an all-day Tour to get the most out of the Tour. Please be mindful this tour consists of 130 miles of Circling the Island from start to finish Stops are for Picture Taking and soaking up the Beauty of the Island of Oahu in Honolulu. We cover every part of the Island with the exception of the West Side. You immediately become Family on our Tours and we can accommodate any group size as well as any age Group.

Top Visited Locations like: Halona Blowhole, Byodo-In Japanese Temple, Mac Nut Farm, Chinamans Hat, Drive by Laaie Church. Stop at Waimea Botanical Garden and the Dole Plantation. We just might add an extra stop at the World Coffee Farm if enough guests are interested.