Oahu Grand Circle Island
Oahu Grand Circle Island
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4.0
60 reviews
Excellent
24
Very good
15
Average
12
Poor
3
Terrible
6
Leigh Nataro
7 contributions
Dec 2021 • Family
I would have rated this tour higher if I could have heard our driver. The bus was full and there was only the back two rows available on the left when we boarded the bus. There are no speakers over our seats and this meant that we could only hear about 50% of what was said. In addition, we only spent 10-15 minutes at each stop and it always felt rushed. (I had to take pictures of the signs to read them later.) 20-30 minutes would have been better at each at location. If you are visiting for multiple days, I recommend using the list on Robert’s website to create your own two day tour.
Written 20 December 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rhonda D
Lexington, SC73 contributions
July 2021 • Couples
I am currently on the tour. If you are not on the correct side of the bus, you see nothing. The stops are so short and the lines are so long at the stops that you don’t get to do anything. Never even made it into the Dole plantation or the store. And, pineapple being one of my favorite foods, this was one of the main reasons we booked this tour. Very disappointed. Tour Guide had so little to say, that he was trying to make jokes and just became annoying.
Written 25 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jtbennett
fredericksburg, VA15 contributions
June 2013 • Couples
Rent a car and do this yourself. You can stop when you want, visit places that interest you and you are on your own schedule...not someone else's!! So worth the price of the car!! Get a map and go for it!!!
Written 25 May 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CanukinParadise
Westport, Canada73 contributions
Mar 2012 • Couples
We took this tour and paid extra for the smaller vehicle, which was a good choice. The tour was ok but a bit disappointing. I have been on a circle island tour before and it was much better.
I was very disappointed that we didn't go to the North Shore, just saw it from a distance. I had my heart set on a shave ice at Matsumotos and a stop at the beach and Haliewa. Wiamea Valley was beautiful and worth the stop. We drove past some inviting shrimp trucks, but stopped for lunch at the Crouching Lion, which as disappointing and over-priced. Food was poor quality and the kahlua pig and most of the buffet lacked flavor. Service was slow as well.
The driver was nice, but never stopped talking, so we were glad to get back. She needs to work a little quiet time into the trip.
Shorter stops at Dole, Byodo and a quicker lunch would improve the trip, as would a stop at the north shore in Haliewa.
If you have certain places that you want to go, I suggest doing some research on the internet then renting a car is the best use of your time. Overall this experience was disappointing.
I was very disappointed that we didn't go to the North Shore, just saw it from a distance. I had my heart set on a shave ice at Matsumotos and a stop at the beach and Haliewa. Wiamea Valley was beautiful and worth the stop. We drove past some inviting shrimp trucks, but stopped for lunch at the Crouching Lion, which as disappointing and over-priced. Food was poor quality and the kahlua pig and most of the buffet lacked flavor. Service was slow as well.
The driver was nice, but never stopped talking, so we were glad to get back. She needs to work a little quiet time into the trip.
Shorter stops at Dole, Byodo and a quicker lunch would improve the trip, as would a stop at the north shore in Haliewa.
If you have certain places that you want to go, I suggest doing some research on the internet then renting a car is the best use of your time. Overall this experience was disappointing.
Written 24 March 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Christine D
Melbourne, Australia615 contributions
Nov 2016 • Couples
Please note there are several companies that run this tour, our experience was with Roberts Hawaii. Fantastic! We were picked up at our hotel at 7.30am and dropped back off around 5.30pm, it was a long day (noticeable in the last 2 hours coming home) but it was a great tour which I would recommend to anyone that hasn't explored the island yet, as this goes all the way around. Our driver was fabulous, he was super friendly and knowledgeable, mentioned interesting facts, odd stories and jokes - consistent, but not over the top that you wanted him to stop talking. (Sorry I cant recall his name but I know I tipped him well). Comfortable coach/seats. There is no toilet on the bus, but they do stop a couple of times before/after lunch for toilet breaks and to grab something to eat/drink. We saw about 12 sites during the tour, great photo opportunities - even if you're on a budget I still think its value because it captures the whole island and you would otherwise need to hire a car anyway, pay for car parking at some stops, a GPS to find your way around etc - better off in someone else's hands and to learn about all the other information they provide (you could BYO your own food to keep costs down). We paid for the 'deluxe' at $102 USD which included a buffet of steak, chicken, salads, potato, rice, fruit, desert and a drink - we liked this as its just easy once you arrived at the ranch, the food is ready and you don't need to wait in queues to order other fast food. (The 'tour only' cost was $83 adult and $53 child).
Written 4 January 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
karen2558
Melbourne, Australia280 contributions
Sept 2014 • Family
We went on a circle tour on our second day of a seven day trip to get a good overview of Oahu. As we are from Australia, we were not keen to hire a car as others have advised. I booked the tour through discount Hawaii and got it for a much cheaper price than other companies and yet the bus we went on was a Roberts bus! So, don't be wary about using discount Hawaii as they offer great deals! Our driver, Cousin James, was both amusing and informative. We saw many beautiful beaches and the views from the lookout were lush and beautiful. We enjoyed our visit to Dole pineapple plantation, especially the Dole Whip, which was delicious! The great thing about this tour was it gave us a great overview of Oahu and allowed us to plan return visits to some of the sites we particularly liked, such as Hanauma Bay, which we subsequently returned to for a more leisurely visit. Overall, a great tour for first time visitors to beautiful Oahu!
Written 8 October 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BridgetDevone23
Sugar Creek, MO19 contributions
May 2014 • Solo
This tour was great.....even though it was a drive by for the majority of the tour Cousin Jake was great...he knew his history........everything was amazing....
Written 21 May 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Joseph G
Taber, Canada3 contributions
Feb 2012 • Couples
Our driver skipped the Hanauma Bay stop because it was too busy. I did not go no Tuesday because it is closed on Tuesday and this is one place I wanted to see. The brochure also says " See world famous North Shore surfing beaches of Sunset, Banzai pipeline and Waimea Bay" You can see them as you look out the window of the moving bus. The brochure says "stroll through the plantation Gardens and see hundreds of varieties of pineapple plants" but a quick run through a garden and a quick look few pineapple plants on display is all you have time for. At the Kualoa Ranch you do not just get a no host lunch you are told you have to eat the buffet because there is no time for anything else. The tram ride was a short jaunt up the hill to see the same Kaneohe Bay and Chinaman's Hat that you can see from the road or the parking lot.
Written 20 February 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TheCoCo213
Salt Lake City, UT109 contributions
Jan 2015 • Couples
Though this should have been a lot of fun, I was really disappointed. If you go on this tour, make sure you choose the RIGHT side of the bus, otherwise, you do not see a dang thing. The seats are overwhelming and with heads in the seats, it's impossible. And if you are just driving by something you won't see a thing. It was very disappointing to be on a bus for seven hours and be so disappointed.
When the bus actually stops, it's very nice. We have time to go take photos and see the sights.
Dave our tour guide and bus driver, was very knowledgeable about he island. He has lived there his entire life. He talks non stop and I'm pretty impressed by anyone with that ability.
If given the choice again, I would probably choose to do something else.
When the bus actually stops, it's very nice. We have time to go take photos and see the sights.
Dave our tour guide and bus driver, was very knowledgeable about he island. He has lived there his entire life. He talks non stop and I'm pretty impressed by anyone with that ability.
If given the choice again, I would probably choose to do something else.
Written 14 January 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dianne C
Waikanae, New Zealand437 contributions
Sept 2014 • Couples
It is clear from various other Trip Advisor reviews, that there are several Oahu Grand Circle Island tours. This one is found in the Gray Line brochure, and was booked through the activities desk of our Waikiki hotel. The bus was full size, airconditioned, and had "Polynesian" on the side. Driver Cody was excellent. He kept up a commentary all day that was both entertaining and informative. It was a shame more people didn't give him a tip at the end of the day!!! Paid $176, plus lunch and souvenirs. Hotel pickup was about 0845, and dropped off at the end about 5.30pm. The route included Hanauma Bay, Byodo-In Temple, Kualoa Ranch (lunch stop), and Dole Plantation. You must try the pineapple juice drink, but expect to queue to get it. I thought this was a great way to get a once-over-lightly look at Ohau's main attractions.
Written 27 September 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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