Booking choice: The Grand Circle Island tour, from $100 per person, half day. Check dates Tour details
Haleiwa is the North Shore town where the Grand Circle Island tour stops for lunch. Both the half day and the full day end up here, and on the full day the listing gives you 1 hour 30 minutes before the bus moves on to Dole Plantation.
Lunch is not included, so this is also where you spend your own money. Most guests eat, queue for shave ice and browse the shops. Other tours give you more time here, or none.
The quick answer
On the Grand Circle Island tour you get about 1 hour 30 minutes in Haleiwa for lunch and shopping, at your own expense. Guests say the driver-guide offers lunch tips. The North Shore beaches are drive-bys on this tour; for beach or turtle time, pick a snorkel tour. For the cheapest ride to Haleiwa, the Dole and Haleiwa shuttle is $50.
How long do you get in Haleiwa on a circle island tour?
About 1 hour 30 minutes on the Grand Circle Island tour; other tours give you anything from a drive-by to an hour.
| Tour | Time in Haleiwa | Lunch |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Circle Island tour | 1 h 30 min (full day); free time on the half day | Own expense |
| Dole and Haleiwa shuttle | 1 h in Haleiwa Town Center, plus 45 min at Jenny's Shrimp Truck | Own expense |
| Premium small-group tour | 15 min in Haleiwa Town Center | Own expense |
| Grand tour with snorkeling | Drive-by | Snacks included |
| Turtle snorkel tour | Drive-by | Plate lunch stop at Tsue Farm, own expense |
| Majestic tour | No Haleiwa stop | Included (Pounders Restaurant per the listing) |
Want the long Haleiwa stop? Both Grand Circle options include free time in town.
Check dates for the Grand Circle Island tourWhere do you eat lunch in Haleiwa?
Wherever you like: lunch is not included on the Grand Circle Island tour, and guests report that the driver-guide offers lunch tips.
Guests regularly mention the lunch tips: one wrote that the guide "gave us good eating recs for one of our stops", another that the "recommendations for lunch was good". A shuttle guest wrote that the fish tacos at Jorge's Mexican Restaurant were a highlight. Bring a card or cash.
Where can you get shave ice in Haleiwa?
M. Matsumoto Shave Ice is in Haleiwa, and it fits easily into a 90-minute stop.
The self-guided driving app's route sets aside 20 minutes for Matsumoto, right after an hour in Haleiwa Town Center. On a bus tour, eat first and get shave ice on the way back to the bus.
Is 90 minutes in Haleiwa enough?
For lunch and a short walk, yes; if you want a beach as well, it is not.
One half-day guest wished for "another half hour at the north shore town". The stop is long enough to eat without rushing and look around the shops, but there is no time to get to a beach and back.
Can you see turtles or the beaches near Haleiwa?
Not on the Grand Circle Island tour, which drives past the North Shore beaches; the snorkel and small-group tours stop at them.
The snorkel grand tour stops at Waimea Bay (20 minutes) and Pua'ena Point Beach Park (30 minutes); Hidden Gems stops at Sunset Beach and Pua'ena Point; the turtle tour includes a guided snorkel. Sightings are never guaranteed, and NOAA asks you to stay at least 10 feet from turtles: touching them is illegal.
Turtles more important than lunch in town? The small-group turtle tour includes a guided snorkel and snorkel gear.
Explore the small-group turtle snorkel tour Tour detailsWhen are the big waves on the North Shore?
Winter brings the big surf, from November through April; summer is much calmer.
The Grand Circle Island tour drives past the North Shore beaches whatever the season, so in winter you see the surf from the bus window. Calmer summer water suits the snorkel tours' swim stops.
Can you get to Haleiwa without the full circle?
Yes: the Grand Circle half day (from $100) and the Dole and Haleiwa shuttle (from $50) both go straight to the North Shore.
No guide is listed for the shuttle, which is transport first: two hours at Dole Plantation, 45 minutes at Jenny's Shrimp Truck (food not included), an hour in Haleiwa Town Center and 15 minutes at a macadamia nut company. One guest wrote that they were back in town by 3:15 to 4.
Just want Dole and Haleiwa? The shuttle gives you two hours at Dole and an hour in town. It is from $50.
Explore the Dole and Haleiwa shuttle Tour detailsWhat about driving there yourself?
With a rental car you set your own time in Haleiwa; the self-guided app suggests an hour in town plus shave ice.
The app costs $20 per vehicle, and you pay for the car and gas. See driving around Oahu yourself for the costs, or every stop on the circle island tour for the bus route.
Rather someone else drives? The Grand Circle full day includes Haleiwa, Byodo-In and the Pali.
Check dates for the Grand Circle Island tourFrequently asked questions
Is lunch in Haleiwa included on the circle island tour?
No. On the Grand Circle Island tour you buy lunch in Haleiwa. The Majestic tour includes lunch, but not in Haleiwa: the listing names Pounders Restaurant.
Do all circle island tours stop in Haleiwa?
No. The Grand Circle Island tour gives about 90 minutes there and the Premium small-group tour 15 minutes; the snorkel and turtle tours drive past, and the Majestic tour does not list it.
Can I stay longer in Haleiwa?
Not on a bus tour, which leaves on schedule. With a rental car and the self-guided app you choose your own time.
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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
Shuttle to Dole Plantation & Haleiwa
Transport only: two hours at Dole, one in Haleiwa
Self-Guided GPS Audio Driving Tour
An audio app for your rental car, at your own pace
