The 7 Best Private Tours on Oahu (+ an exclusive discount)
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Oahu is an island of adventure with beautiful beaches, lush mountains, and a vibrant historical and cultural heritage. While booking a tour is one of the best ways to see the island, group tours can be extremely crowded and lack the flexibility to see certain sights and attractions at your own pace.
If none of those one-size-fits-all tours interest you, then booking private tours on Oahu might be a better bet for you.
Thankfully, there are lots of amazing private tours on Oahu available. Whether you’re looking to spend a day out on the water or enjoy a guided tour of Pearl Harbor with a knowledgeable historian, we have you covered. Here are 7 of the best private tours on Oahu to pick from.
Looking to get straight to the point? These are the best private tours on Oahu:
1. The best private Pearl Harbor tour: one tour, all the sights!
2. Cultural catamaran: better than a luau
3. Private snorkel and sail: a luxury snorkeling experience all to yourself.
4. Want to see everything? A private circle island tour is for you!
5. Adrenaline seekers and active travelers rejoice! This adventure tour is right up your alley
6. Always dreamed of seeing Oahu from the sky? You’ll love this helicopter tour (and our 5% discount!).
7. Want to learn to surf without sharing your instructor with a group? Take a private surfing lesson!
The Best Private Tours on Oahu
1. Private Tour of Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor is a bucket list experience for many travelers visiting Oahu. And while it is possible to see on your own, going with a guide can provide so much more insight into the events of the attack and the significance it had on WWII.
This full-day Private Tour of Pearl Harbor includes transportation and admission to ALL the Pearl Harbor Museums, including the USS Arizona Memorial, USS Bowfin submarine, USS Missouri battleship, and Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum. But in addition to visiting Pearl Harbor, you’ll also drive by some iconic Honolulu sites on your way back to the hotel, like the ‘Iolani Palace, King Kamehameha I Statue, and the Punchbowl National Cemetery.
As a private tour, your knowledgeable tour guide will be with you every step of the way to answer any questions you have about the war, Honolulu, or Hawaii in general! It’s a long day (10 hours), but it’s worth it to experience this part of Hawaiian and American history.
If you know you want to visit Pearl Harbor but you’re not totally sold on a private tour, we have a list of all our favorite tours (private and group), and we also cover how to visit Pearl Harbor on your own!
2. Private Cultural Catamaran Tour
If you want the cultural experience of a luau but the scenic beauty of a boat tour, then this Cultural Catamaran Tour is for you. As you set sail on a custom-built double-hulled canoe, you’ll get to hear Hawaiian stories, history, and ukulele music while singing while you sail along Oahu’s stunning Kona (leeward) coastline.
You’ll have the opportunity to participate in a few fun activities, like taro pounding and hula dancing. We did this tour last year and can say that it was way more insightful and educational compared to a luau! This might be one of the most memorable private tours on Oahu that we’ve done.
Although the boat can only take 6 people, these trips are normally offered as small group tours. If you prefer to enjoy the entire experience privately, boats can also be chartered just for your group (although they are still limited to 6 guests).
They offer four different sailing times – one in the morning, two in the afternoon, and one for sunset. The sunset cruise is wonderful, especially considering it includes dinner, music, and a sunset ‘oli (chant). Morning and afternoon are nice too but only include refreshments and pupus.
Of course, you can always do both! These are our favorite luaus on Oahu but keep exploring Hawaiian culture by seeking out more authentically Hawaiian experiences!
3. Private Snorkeling or Sailing Tour
With vibrant coral reefs and an abundance of marine life, Oahu is an excellent island for snorkeling, with lots to see right from the shore. But if you really want to see the breathtaking beauty of the underwater world, then make sure you book this Private Snorkeling Tour on a catamaran!
Leaving from Kewalo Basin Harbor, you’ll sail across the southern coast of Oahu to an offshore reef to swim with sea turtles and tropical fish. You might even get to see dolphins, and if you’re traveling from December to May, humpback whales!
While it’s primarily a snorkeling tour, those who prefer to stay dry can stay on board while others are in the water. The on-board crew is also quite knowledgeable when it comes to history and culture, making this a truly fun activity for all types of travelers.
Tours can be booked as 2-, 3-, or 4-hour trips and are offered for groups of up to 6 people. All snorkeling equipment is provided, and you’ll have plenty of space to relax on your private, shaded 30-foot catamaran while you sail back to shore. Plus, you’ll get dramatic views of Diamond Head, Waikiki Beach, and the iconic Honolulu skyline while you do!
Soft drinks and water are provided, but you can also bring your own food and drinks if you want to have a snack along the way.
4. Private Circle Island Tour
If you only have a limited amount of time on Oahu, then a Private Circle Island Tour is one of the best ways to see as much as possible. With a guide and driver with Hali’a Tours, you’ll be able to see the entire island, stopping at all the different beaches, landmarks, and sights that you want to see along the way. They currently offer half-day (6 hours), full-day (9 hours), and even long-day (12 hours) tours.
While there are recommended routes and sites to see, each tour can be fully customized to your interests. So, if you’d rather be in the mountains than on the beaches, or at botanical gardens rather than museums – just let them know! This is one of the reasons private tours on Oahu are great — you can customize what you see!
They’re also happy to organize specific shopping, foodie, or city stops as well. Once you have a list of things you want to do, they can help finalize all the details to make sure your trip goes off without a hitch. We like to do a circle island tour at the beginning of our trip so we can go back to our favorite stops later.
Prices are flat rates for group sizes of 1 to 5 or 6 to 10, although they can also accommodate larger group sizes if needed. Anything else you schedule on your trip, like activities, entrance tickets, or meals, is an additional cost.
There are more Oahu circle island tours to choose from if you’re looking for more options. You can always DIY it with our itinerary and free Oahu travel guide instead!
5. Private Adventure Tour
For a non-stop day of action and adventure, book this fully custom Private Adventure Tour of Oahu for your entire group. You get to decide how you want to spend the day, whether it’s snorkeling, hiking, cliff jumping, paddleboarding, kayaking, etc.!
Your guide will pick you up from your hotel or rental and provide snorkel equipment, snacks, drinks, and goPro photography services (trust us – it’s a huge perk to have someone there to take photos of the activities along the way!).
Full-day tours are roughly 8 hours and start at 10 AM, while half-day tours start at 9 AM and last 4 hours. After submitting your activity requests, you’ll be contacted a few days before to confirm your exact itinerary.
6. Private Helicopter Tour
If you thought Oahu was beautiful, just wait until you see it from the skies! On a Private Helicopter Tour, you’ll get to see the famous landmarks, valleys, mountains, and waterfalls that this island is known for.
There are three different tour options available – an 18-minute, 30-minute, or 60-minute flight. The 18-minute tour takes you past Diamond Head, Waikiki, and over the towering skyscrapers of downtown Honolulu. The 30-minute trip allows you to see more of the southern coastline, while the 60-minute tour is a complete island flight where you’ll see Pearl Harbor, Kaneohe Bay, Ka’a’awa (Jurassic) Valley, and Sacred Falls.
One of the coolest things about these helicopter tours is that you can fly with the doors on or off! It’s an incredibly thrilling experience that’s guaranteed to be a memorable part of your trip. Plus, Honolulu Helicopters has a 100% safety rating (their lead mechanic also happens to be the tour pilot!).
When booking your tour, make sure to mention HVG to get 5% off your flight! You can get this discount when you book with us, directly with them on their site, or even last minute on the phone.
7. Private Surfing Lesson
You’re bound to see countless surfers having the time of their lives while you’re in Hawaii and you want in on the fun! There’s no better place to learn than on Oahu, thanks to the legendary waves and the island’s laid-back surf culture.
The Ohana Surf Project is located right in the middle of Waikiki in San Souci State Park near Kapiolani Regional Park. They offer 1- or 2-hour Private Surfing Lessons for any experience level or surfing style. It doesn’t matter if it’s your first or 50th time on a board – their friendly instructors are there to help make sure you’re having a fun and safe time on the water.
In addition to private surf lessons, they offer semi-private and group lessons as well. And if you’re traveling with kids, then you can book a Family Surf Lesson to learn together! All prices include water shoes, rash guards, surfboards, and transportation from four different locations in Waikiki (the Ilikai Hotel, the Romer Waikiki at the Ambassador, Don Ho Lane Van Depot, and Hyatt Regency Hotel).
Next Level Private Tours on Oahu: The Itinerary You’re Looking For
Private tours on Oahu are amazing additions to any vacation, but you still have to plan the rest of your trip. Our Oahu Wayfinder Itinerary is a fully customizable planning tool for every aspect of your vacation, it’s like having your own personal local guide in your pocket! It’s a great compliment to any private tours on Oahu that you do.
Your guide was spot on in every detail and made our trip so much easier to plan and know what to expect. Thank you for taking the time to put together an excellent guide and I will have no hesitation in recommending your guide to anyone visiting the Island!
Kervin P.
Get The Oahu Itinerary
The step-by-step itinerary takes you to all the best beaches, snorkeling spots, restaurants, and sights. You’ll get six carefully planned excursion days to help you see the can’t miss stops no matter how limited your time is.
Get all the details on our itinerary and download it for a memorable and easily planned trip to Oahu.