Renting a car in Honolulu is costly; parking alone is $35 a night at the hotel. Others told us we didn’t have a car, as buses could go all around the island. No one told us it would be hours and hours going around the island.
I convinced Louise to take the Golden Circle Tour of O‘ahu, which meant getting up a little earlier than we liked. It was nine hours long, had 12 stops, and was inexpensive. They did advertize that they would pick us up at our hotel, but they didn't. The meeting point was only a five-minute walk, and they did drop us off directly at the hotel.
Review of The Golden Circle Tour
How anyone can expect it to be more than a quick five-minute photo op of sights and stop at various tourist traps is beyond me. Souvenir shops supposedly authentic, Dole plantation farm, macadamia farm, and lunch at the shrimp farm. There was even a drive-by John Bringham Young church and university. That was pretty trippy.
The reviews made this clear even though many people loved it. And for the money, I most certainly think it was worth what we got to see. The driver/guide was very informative and humorous (even if dated and a bit sexist.)
It also included an hour of snorkelling, and there were many complaints online about it being too murky, which didn’t bother me as I am used to murky water. This is NOT a real opportunity to snorkel. Perhaps I’ve been spoiled by the Cook Islands, but it should have been advertised as a swim. I saw two fish and three sea cucumbers.
Here is what I use to find various tours and trips.
