The Best Oahu Day Tour – A Jeep Adventure With The Real Hawaii

UPDATED FEB 2020. Taking a day tour is not only a great way for solo travelers to see the island, but it’s also a good way for any visitors to see some of the local spots that they might not have found otherwise. Today I’m sharing the best Oahu day tour you can take. It’s personalized, laid back, and offers great value for money. Plus you get to cruise the island in a Jeep!

The Best Oahu day tour – A Jeep Adventure With The Real Hawaii

Disclaimer

There are affiliate links included in this post. This means at no extra cost to you, I earn a commission if you book through the link.

FAQ for taking a Jeep tour on Oahu

Where do you meet?

Pick up at your accommodation.

What is the cost?

There are different costs for each tour starting at about $149USD + tip.

What skill level is required?

Tours can be adapted to your skill level.

What should you bring with you?

• Hat
• Sunscreen
• Water bottle (here’s my video on using a reusable water bottle for travel)
• Snacks – you’ll stop at a local spot for lunch which isn’t included in the cost, but I recommend buying the lunch where you stop and just bringing a snack in case you get hungry before or after.
• Waterproof camera (I always use this one with this floaty selfie stick)
• Lightweight towel
• Hiking shoes (I use the New Balance Minimus)

What makes Real Hawaii the best Oahu day tour

In my opinion, the best thing about Dan’s tours is that they are custom and flexible.

Prior to taking the tour, we chatted on the phone and I was explained what I wanted from the tour as well as my skill level.

Using that information, along with his knowledge of the island, Dan created a personalized tour for me full of adventures I hadn’t completed yet.

When you plan your tour, you can select from the options on the website.

Dan will fine-tune them to guide you on the best places to add to the itinerary that will meet your adventure needs, skill level, and which will be best at the time of year you visit.

This is what makes it such a stand out tour. He makes sure the tour is suited to you personally.

What to expect on the tour

Hotel pick-up is included in the tour.

I threw my gear in the back and we were on the road and ready for adventure. The Jeep is a sweet ride and was a nice change from my beater car that I usually get around in.

We stopped at a hidden waterfall first and looked at some Hawaiian Petroglyphs.

We moved on to a hiking adventure next.

Dan made the hiking look very easy while I, on the other hand, was a hot mess of sweaty, puffed out clumsiness. Though his skills were far superior to mine, he didn’t make me feel like it.

Instead, he waited for me when I was lagging behind and checked on me in any of the tougher parts of the hike, always offering a hand to help if I needed it.

I really appreciated this because hiking is not my strong point.

The views at the top were so gorgeous that we stopped to take some photos and then moved our way back down the trail.

After the hike, we visited an ancient Heiau at a state-owned historic site, then it was most certainly time to refuel.

We stopped for lunch at a local establishment and took our food to the beach for a picnic before heading out onto the water.

Everything from kayaking to lookout points

I was really excited because we got to kayak out to the Mokes which was something on my bucket list.

There is a cross-current right at the beach so Dan navigated us in safely without flipping the kayak.

I’m glad we didn’t capsize into the water like others around us did. Once we parked our kayak we jumped in the water straight away to cool off.

An added bonus was looking at quite possibly the most beautiful place I have ever seen which was a small tide pool tucked away on the island. It was so beautiful that I almost didn’t believe what I was seeing at first.

Surely it couldn’t be real?!

As I floated in this most perfect natural spot I couldn’t help but be so grateful to have a tour guide with knowledge of hidden treasures like this one.

You never know who you will run into on Oahu

Back on the beach, we met Jorge Garcia. He plays Hurley on the TV show ‘Lost’.

It was a funny coincidence because Dan had told me about the show Lost earlier in the day. Jorge was a really cool guy and took some photos with us before we moved on.

When Dan dropped me back at my place I was so tired but in a good way. You know, the kind of tired that reminds you that you have made the most of the day.

A day tour with freedom

I really loved this tour because of the customization and freedom.

Sometimes on day tours you get to a spot and have only 15 minutes or so to check something out then you have to be back on the bus.

These are just the way it is with long tours where you are trying to see a lot in a day, but it wouldn’t make sense to have this kind of experience while you’re in a place known for laid back vibes and Aloha spirit.

Another perk is that you are not crammed into a bus with 30 others.

Instead, it is an intimate tour that fosters an experience where you can actually enjoy every moment of the adventure.

This is the best Oahu day tour because of the uniqueness and customizable nature of the tours.

Support local

Not only are you supporting a creative entrepreneur, I appreciate the way Dan strives to give back to the local community.

You will listen to local musicians, eat at local food venues, and appreciate local adventures.

It gave me a new appreciation for my adopted home.

Do you tip tour guides in Hawaii?

For the Aussies reading, especially those like me who get confused by the American tipping system, don’t forget to tip your tour guide at the end.

Where to stay on Oahu

If you plan to stay in Waikiki, I recommend the Hilton Hawaiian Village. I’ve stayed here for staycations and it’s a great option in Waikiki.

Wherever you choose to stay, I recommend searching on Booking.com. I use this to book accommodation when I travel and can always find a good deal there.

If you plan to visit Oahu and have been wondering how to make the most of it or which Oahu day tour is the best, I recommend booking a tour with Dan at The Real Hawaii for a full day of memorable adventures.

Other guides to help you plan a visit to Oahu

• Oahu Tourist Bucket List – The Ultimate List Of Things You Just Can’t Miss

• Best Beaches On Oahu – Here’s The 10 Beaches You Don’t Want To Miss

• Things To Avoid On Oahu – Don’t Make These Hawaii Travel Mistakes

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For more information:

The Real Hawaii Website and stay updated on Instagram