Booking choice: The Grand Circle Island tour, from $100 per person, half day. Check dates Tour details
The Grand Circle Island tour takes children from 3 at a discounted rate, lets infants ride on a lap and is stroller accessible. The full day is 9 hours with early pickups, so the half day is often the better fit for small children.
Older children who want to get in the water are better served by a snorkel or turtle tour, as long as they fit the age rules.
The quick answer
On the Grand Circle Island tour, children 3 to 11 get a discounted rate, infants 0 to 2 sit on a lap, strollers are fine and there is a restroom on board; it is not wheelchair accessible. The 6.5-hour half day (Dole Plantation and Haleiwa) starts an hour later than the 9-hour full day. For snorkelling, the turtle tour takes children from 4.
Is the circle island tour good for kids?
It can be, for children who cope with long drives: most of the day is spent on the bus, with short stops.
Family guests on other tours call the day suitable for all ages; one wrote it was "not tiring at all and well paced". The flip side: one self-drive user said her kids would not have enjoyed "lots of sitting in the car". The restroom on board and the snack help.
Travelling with children? Child rates, a restroom on board and free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
Check dates for the Grand Circle Island tourWhat are the age rules and child rates?
Each tour sets its own bands: on the Grand Circle Island tour, adults are 12 and over and children 3 to 11 pay less.
Viator's listing data puts the child discount at about 31% on the Grand Circle, 25% on Hidden Gems, 21 to 22% on the Majestic and snorkel grand tours and 13% on the turtle tour.
| Tour | Adult | Child | Infant | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Circle Island | 12+ | 3 to 11 | 0 to 2, on a lap | Stroller accessible |
| Grand tour with snorkeling | 13+ | 3 to 12 | 1 to 2, on a lap | Stroller accessible |
| Majestic | 12+ | 3 to 11 | On a lap | Wheelchair accessible |
| Turtle snorkel tour | 13+ | 4 to 12 | 0 to 3 | Infant seats available; no heart problems |
| Hidden Gems | 13+ | 3 to 12 | 0 to 2, on a lap | |
| Premium small group | 18 to 63 | 3 to 7 (youth 8 to 17) | 0 to 2, on a lap | Senior rate 64+ |
| Dole and Haleiwa shuttle | 4+ | No child band | 0 to 3, on a lap | Stroller accessible |
Half day or full day with young children?
With young children, the half day is usually easier: 6.5 hours, pickups from 7:40 AM, and just Dole Plantation and Haleiwa.
The half day goes to Dole Plantation, with time for the train, garden, maze and Dole Whip, then free time in Haleiwa. The full day starts with pickups from 6:40 AM and adds four short stops. Both start from $100 (half) or $140 (full) per adult; see what the circle island tour costs.
What does Dole Plantation cost for kids?
Entry is free; the Pineapple Express train is $12.85 for children 4 to 12, the maze $8 and the garden tour $8.
None of these is included in any tour price. The train is a 20-minute, 2-mile narrated ride. On the full day you get about 30 minutes at Dole, so choose one; one guest on another tour wished they had known there was too little time to ride the train.
Want proper time at Dole? The shuttle gives you two hours there, then an hour in Haleiwa.
Explore the Dole and Haleiwa shuttle Tour detailsCan you bring a stroller, and is there a restroom?
Yes to both on the Grand Circle Island tour: it is stroller accessible and the bus has a restroom on board.
Infants must sit on a lap on the Grand Circle, the snorkel grand tour, the Majestic tour, Hidden Gems and the Premium tour. The turtle tour lists infant seats as available. The Grand Circle is not wheelchair accessible; the Majestic tour is.
Which tour lets kids swim or see turtles?
The turtle snorkel tour, for children from 4: a guided snorkel at "Turtle Town", with gear included and no guaranteed sightings.
Guests mention a lifeguard and safety instructions at the beach, and one family with teenagers called it a blast. The snorkel grand tour includes gear too, but some guests found its snorkel spot rocky or too windy for weaker swimmers. On every tour, stay at least 10 feet from turtles.
Kids keen on turtles? The small-group tour includes snorkel gear and a guided snorkel.
Check dates for the small-group turtle snorkel tourWhat should you pack for kids?
A small day bag with swimsuits, a towel, sunscreen, water and dry clothes if there is a swim; snacks for the long stretches.
- Swimsuit, towel, sunscreen and a change of dry clothes (the turtle tour's own list)
- Comfortable walking shoes, especially for the Waimea Falls walk on the Majestic tour
- Card or cash for lunch in Haleiwa and the Dole train or maze
- Extra snacks and water: the Grand Circle serves one snack
What if a full bus day is too much?
Go shorter or go your own way: the Dole and Haleiwa shuttle is $50 for ages 4 and up, and the self-guided app lets you stop whenever the kids need to.
The app costs $20 per vehicle. See driving around Oahu yourself and Haleiwa Town for both options.
Decided on the bus? The half day is 6.5 hours with Dole and Haleiwa.
Check dates for the Grand Circle Island tourFrequently asked questions
Do infants need a ticket on the Grand Circle Island tour?
The listing has an infant band for ages 0 to 2, and infants must sit on a lap. Add them when you book so the operator knows.
What age can children snorkel on the turtle tour?
The turtle tour's child band covers ages 4 to 12. The listing asks that guests have no heart problems or other serious medical conditions.
Is the Grand Circle Island tour wheelchair accessible?
No. The Majestic Circle Island tour is listed as wheelchair accessible.
Can teenagers go on the Premium small-group tour?
Yes: ages 8 to 17 book as youth, and adults are 18 to 63.
Ready to book
Choose your day
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before on every option. Prices are from-prices in USD and move with the season.
Grand Circle Island & Haleiwa Town Tour
- Full day (from $140): Halona Blowhole, Nuuanu Pali, Byodo-In Temple, Tropical Farms, Haleiwa and Dole Plantation
- Half day (from $100): Dole Plantation and Haleiwa Town only
- Deluxe bus with a restroom on board and a narrating driver-guide
Small-Group Circle Island with Turtle Snorkeling
Guided snorkel where turtles feed; sightings not guaranteed
Majestic Circle Island with Waimea Falls
- Lunch stop included
- Byodo-In Temple ($10 value) and Waimea Valley ($26 value) entry
- Nuuanu Pali Lookout, Tropical Farms and Dole Plantation
