Hawaii · SELF-GUIDED TOURS

The 15 Self-Guided Tours on Oahu That Earn Their Price

32 tours  ·  from $9

This is the shortlist you would send a friend: 15 self-guided tours worth the money, each with its price, its traveller verdict and the one thing to know before you commit.

Chief's Official Pearl Harbor Self-Guided Multimedia Tour - Entering Pearl Harbor National Memorial
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Chief’s Official Pearl Harbor Self-Guided Multimedia Tour

1.Chief’s Official Pearl Harbor Self-Guided Multimedia Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 407 reviews · 1 to 3 hours (approx.) · from $9Our pick

Walk through Pearl Harbor National Memorial with a provided multimedia device, map, and take-home earphones. Narration, including Jamie Lee Curtis, explains the December 7, 1941 attack and memorial sites. Admission is free, the tour costs $9.99, and USS Arizona boat tickets cost $1 extra.

“Parking is absolutely terrible on Monday, probably other days as well. Many people, including us were not aware of the no package rule. where were the information signs? Did not receive details of various tours, for example tour bus/shuttle opportunities to get to see the Arizona. Web site is confusing. Not a good way to celebrate 21 years of marriage without a vacation. Hoping other arrangements go better.”

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Self Guided Hike Trail to Nature Walk & Waterfall - Walking the Manoa Falls trail
Guided, Hiking & Trekking, Oahu Waterfall Tours, Self-Guided Tours, Tour Reviews, Walking Tours

Self guided Hike Trail to Nature Walk & Waterfall

2.Self guided Hike Trail to Nature Walk & Waterfall

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 283 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $79

Trade Waikiki’s hotels for Manoa Valley’s rainforest on a roughly three-hour guided hike to 150-foot Manoa Falls. Guides such as Robert, Arlaine, and Hema add plant lore and local stories, while hotel pickup and a Honolulu lookout make this a handy half-day outing.

“Robert, our guide was very knowledgeable, friendly, and thoughtful. He prepared ponchos, walking sticks, water, and (most importantly) bug spray! The hike was not too difficult, I found it harder coming down than going up. You are hiking through the rainforest area so there is a large chance of muddy trails and puddles, so wear proper shoes and ones you are not precious with.”

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Self-Guided Kayaking Discovery in Kailua, Oahu - Lanikai Beach: the easygoing first stop
Canoes & Kayaks, Guided, Kailua and Windward Coast Tours, Oahu Kayak Tours, Self-Guided Tours, Tour Reviews

Self-Guided Kayaking Discovery in Kailua, Oahu

3.Self-Guided Kayaking Discovery in Kailua, Oahu

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 249 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $110Top rated

Rent a single or double kayak in Kailua and set your own route to Lanikai Beach, Flat Island, or the Mokulua Islands. Your package includes permits, snorkel gear, a dry bag, beach equipment, and bikes for ages 13 and up. Expect about five hours, plus a short walk to the water.

“Great experience! We grabbed lunch from the deli right down the road (delicious!!). It’s a short walk to the canal by the bridge. The water is shallow enough that you can walk to kayak to the beach. We stopped at the beach first and snorkeled. Tons of beautiful fish! Then we braved it out to the islands. We were fighting a lot of wind and waves, but it was 100% worth it! Rode the waves right into the beach on the Mokes. On the way back we stopped at flat island to look at the tide pools and saw a lot of bird nests in the holes of the rock.…”

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Manoa Falls Rainforest & Self-Guided Hike - Entering the Manoa rainforest
Guided, Hiking & Trekking, Oahu Waterfall Tours, Self-Guided Tours, Tour Reviews

Manoa Falls Rainforest & Self-Guided Hike

4.Manoa Falls Rainforest & Self-Guided Hike

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 227 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $52

Take a shuttle from selected Waikiki hotels to Manoa Falls, then follow a self-guided rainforest trail through eucalyptus groves, streams, rocks, and mud. You get water, bug spray, directions, and a walking stick. Drivers such as Matthew, Steve, and Orlando add local stories on the ride.

“Matthew was a great guide. We were provided with a walking stick, water, and bug spray. We needed all of it. This is a steep inclined trail with wet rocks and loose pebbles. The waterfall was worth it though.”

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Diamond Head Official Self-Guided Narrated Audio Tour - The 1.6-mile climb and what the audio adds
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Diamond Head Official Self-Guided Narrated Audio Tour

5.Diamond Head Official Self-Guided Narrated Audio Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.0 · 212 reviews · 1 to 3 hours (approx.) · from $8Best value

Hike Diamond Head with a narrated audio guide covering Hawaiian legends, military history, plants, wildlife, geography, music, and scenery. You collect the device at the Diamond Head Visitor Center, receive earphones and a color map, then walk the moderate 1.6-mile trail at your own pace. Park entry and parking cost extra.

“Make sure you have a reservation. Ask for the QR code to reserve if you show up without advanced reservation. I didn’t even get to participate in the hike because I apparently purchased the wrong tickets and got ripped off because they wouldn’t give me a refund.”

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Pearl Harbor Self-Guided Multimedia and Virtual Reality Tours - Hearing Pearl Harbor through survivor accounts
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Pearl Harbor Self-Guided Multimedia and Virtual Reality Tours

6.Pearl Harbor Self-Guided Multimedia and Virtual Reality Tours

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 67 reviews · 1 to 3 hours (approx.) · from $20

Explore Pearl Harbor National Memorial with a handheld multimedia guide, survivor accounts, a narrated map, and one of four virtual reality programs. You set the pace, but the USS Arizona boat ride is not included. Reserve it separately at Recreation.gov or try the standby queue.

“Seeing and hearing what happened leading up to and after the attack. Seeing artifacts and other pieces history.”

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Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum Ticket with Audio Tour and Shuttle - Hangar 37 and the first aircraft displays
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Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum Ticket with Audio Tour and Shuttle

7.Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum Ticket with Audio Tour and Shuttle

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 58 reviews · 9 hours (approx.) · from $29

Visit Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum in two hangars that survived the 1941 attack. Your $29.99 ticket includes shuttle service, priority entry, and an audio tour in six languages, with aircraft, veteran stories, WWII footage, and MiG Alley.

“I'm an aviation enthusiast and love looking at aircraft, even different entities of the same model. It was a great experience talking to the team and getting a few inside stories about 'Swamp Ghost'.”

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Mokolii Island Self Guided Kayak Tour - What the shore instruction covers
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Mokolii Island Self Guided Kayak Tour

8.Mokolii Island Self Guided Kayak Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 40 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $82

Pick up a kayak, safety gear, dry bag, map, and car straps at Active Oahu Tours in Kailua. After shore instruction, paddle independently to Mokoliʻi Island, also called Chinaman’s Hat, then walk its shoreline or attempt the steep summit trail. Gabriel, Brent, and Rob are among the staff who help with setup.

“Main reason for poor review is that the kayaks were located 100 yards from the launch and the person working did not help bring the kayak to the shore or back. Heads up, the trail on the island was extremely steep and turned in to a technical rock climb half way up. I did not reach the top.”

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Oahu Grand Circle Island Audio Driving Tour - Byodo-in Temple begins the eastern side of the route
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Oahu Grand Circle Island Audio Driving Tour

9.Oahu Grand Circle Island Audio Driving Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 37 reviews · 8 to 10 hours (approx.)

Drive Oahu’s full circle with the Shaka Guide app as your private audio companion. You’ll follow GPS directions to Byodo-in Temple, Laie Point, North Shore surf beaches, Waimea Valley, Haleiwa, Dole Plantation, and more. Stop, skip, pause, or spread the tour across several days.

“Great tour with directions, Stories and music ! Loved that you could stop when wanted and pick up right away! Loved the tips!”

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Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour in Oahu Hawaii - North Shore surf country
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Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour in Oahu Hawaii

10.Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour in Oahu Hawaii

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 30 reviews · 15 to 16 hours (approx.)

GuideAlong’s self-guided Oahu audio tour turns your rental car into a private sightseeing vehicle. Download the English commentary before leaving Wi-Fi, then follow GPS-triggered stories around North Shore, Windward Oahu, Diamond Head, Pearl Harbor, and more. Stop, skip, or resume whenever you like.

“What a great app to use to travel around Oahu! Full of great information and wish we had it when traveling Maui.”

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Amazing Oahu Adventure Bundle: 6 Self-Guided Audio Tours - Getting the app ready before you leave
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Amazing Oahu Adventure Bundle: 6 Self-Guided Audio Tours

11.Amazing Oahu Adventure Bundle: 6 Self-Guided Audio Tours

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 25 reviews · 4 days (approx.)

You get six self-guided Shaka Guide audio tours for one vehicle and up to 15 people. GPS triggers stories, directions, Hawaiian music, and food tips as you drive. Use the tours over four days or save them for later. Download everything on Wi-Fi before setting out.

“The Chief’s Luau was so magnificent from the four opening stations with activities that explained some skills of the Polynesian people through the dinner and the final performances of the 5 different places in that History of Hawai’i through dance and music.”

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Oahu: Kaneohe Self-Guided Sandbar Kayaking Experience - Choosing between Waiahole and the harbor
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Oahu: Kaneohe Self-Guided Sandbar Kayaking Experience

12.Kaneohe Self-Guided Sandbar Kayaking Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 17 reviews · 4 hours - 570 minutes · from $96

Pick up a kayak in Kailua, learn how to secure it to a four-door car, then choose a longer reef route from Waiahole or a shorter harbor launch. Paddle to Kaneohe Sandbar, snorkel near coral, and keep your kayak close with the provided leash.

“Personnel très gentil et professionnel qui aide à mettre le canoë sur le véhicule. Matériel de bonne qualité, nous avons pu aller sur le banc de sable dans la baie, faire de la plongée à plusieurs endroits et voir des tortues, c’était magnifique ! Je recommande !!”

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Half-Day Kaneohe Bay Sandbar Self-Guided Kayaking Experience - Starting from Hamakua Drive and He’eia Kea
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Half-Day Kaneohe Bay Sandbar Self-Guided Kayaking Experience

13.Half-Day Kaneohe Bay Sandbar Self-Guided Kayaking Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 12 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $96

You’ll paddle a tandem sit-on-top kayak from the Hamakua Drive area toward Ahu’olaka, the Kaneohe Sandbar, a broad white ridge exposed at low tide. Active Oahu Tours supplies life vests, a dry bag, snorkel gear, fins, and an anchor. The route takes about 45 minutes each way.

“We debated among several options for kayaking in Oahu, and we were so glad that we went with Active Oahu Tours! Such a friendly and supportive staff, clear instructions, and high-end kayak/gears. We made great memories on the sandbar and would 10/10 recommend.”

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Best Oahu Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: Beaches, History & More - Diamond Head and the southeastern coast
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Best Oahu Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: Beaches, History & More

14.Best Oahu Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: Beaches, History & More

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 10 reviews · 4 to 6 hours (approx.)

Use Action’s GPS-guided app to tour Oahu at your own pace, from Pearl Harbor to Dole Plantation. The private tour includes more than 78 English audio stories, offline maps, and lifetime access for one car of up to four people. Plan 4 to 6 hours, plus time for stops and detours.

“This was a really great way to have the island explained to us on our time! We didn’t do all of the tours, but we did do the grand circle island. We were able to divide the tour into two days. Circling backwards from where we had ended the day prior.”

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Oahu's North Shore Self-Guided Audio Tour - Coffee, pineapples, and Haleiwa
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Oahu’s North Shore Self-Guided Audio Tour

15.Oahu’s North Shore Self-Guided Audio Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 9 reviews · 8 to 10 hours (approx.)

Drive Oahu’s North Shore with the Shaka Guide app as your hands-free audio companion. Follow GPS directions from Waikiki, hear local stories and music, and stop for malasadas, turtles, temples, beaches, shave ice, shrimp, and movie sites. The tour is in English, works offline, and costs $15.99 per vehicle group.

“We started at Ko olina - The directions did not line up with the gentleman speaking on the self guide tour. We literally returned to the starting point 4 different times- to try to get on the right path. For example we never got on H2, when the tour said we would be on three lanes we were on two, when we exited number 3 for the botanical garden there wasn’t one- because we were not on the right freeway to begin with. The other drawback is the Ko Olina starting point isn’t the beginning of the tour and no where is that stated. It is a great idea -…”

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New in Self-Guided Tours

★ 4.0Waikiki Electric Bike Self Guided Tour- Manoa Falls Bike and HikeFrom $725 reviews
★ 5.0East Oahu Shoreline Self-Guided Audio Tour4 reviews
★ 4.0Rainforest River Kayak Self-Guided Kayak TourFrom $823 reviews
★ 3.5Mokulua Islands Self-Guided Kayak AdventureFrom $823 reviews
★ 4.5Honolulu’s Waikiki Self-Guided Walking Audio TourFrom $93 reviews
★ 3.5Waikiki Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour3 reviews
★ 3.5Waikiki Electric Bike Tour Self Guided: Diamond Head Bike & HikeFrom $723 reviews
★ 5.0Explore Waikiki: Self Guided tour from Ko Olina with transfersFrom $415 reviews
★ 4.0Captain’s Official Pearl Harbor Self-Guided Multimedia TourFrom $135 reviews
★ 3.2Self Guided Hike Trail to Nature Walk & WaterfallFrom $823 reviews
★ 4.4Mokoliʻi Kayak Rental and Self-Guided HikeFrom $825 reviews

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