Oahu Nature Tours
Oahu has hundreds of wonderful hiking trails and the company that probably takes you on more of them than any other is Oahu Nature Tours. Most of these tours involve some degree of hiking but other simply take you to areas to get out and visit. Oahu Nature Tours was founded by and is still operated by a gentleman named Michael Walther who was a student of Anthropology and Environmental Sciences and found himself at an early age writing a number of scientific papers on Hawaii's plant and animal life which culminated in the writing of a very important book for Hawaii called "Images of Natural Hawaii" which is a pictorial guide to Hawaii's native forest birds and plants. In addition to these endeavors Michael has also worked with many so-called "green" organizations on numerous environmental projects such as with the Hawaii Audubon Society, the Conservation Council of Hawaii, the Nature Conservancy and the Hawaii Visitors Bureau. Michael recognized early on that it was important for people to not just read about nature in Hawaii but to experience it first hand through hikes and so he created Oahu Nature Tours as a company that would take people on any one of a number of half day hikes and tours that would be affordable for everyone. His tours can be taken separately but can also be purchased at a discount with multiple tour options available. Among his more popular tours are the Diamond Head Crater Tour which just takes two and a half hours, the Tale of Two Palaces tour which travels to Queen Emma's summer palace and to the sacred Royal Mausoleum among other places, the Hidden Waterfall Hike which takes you deep into a rainforest, the Natural Highlights of Oahu tour which takes you to a lagoon wildlife sanctuary and to an ancient Hawaiian Temple, the Mountain Rainforest tour which takes you high above the area of Pearl Harbor where you'll follow a delightful forest walk among the Koa Trees and Ohia, the Valley of the Rainbows Hike which explores the beautiful Manoa Valley, the Pearl Harbor and Plantation Village tour which will show you both the sights and history to be seen at Pearl Harbor but also takes you to a plantation village so you can see the lives that were lived by those foreigners that came to Hawaii to work its sugar cane and pineapple fields and the Explore the North Shore Tour which will take you to the Byodo Temple high in the Koolau Mountains. These tours are all arranged in such a way for you to be able to experience and understand the underlying environmental concerns that face Hawaii today and in the larger picture the environmental concersn that face the world. These tours are more than simply a great way to spend your day in Oahu's great outdoors but are also an educational experience you will remember for years to come. It was largely as a result of these efforts that Michael came to realize that it was important for Hawaii's visitors and inhabitants to be able to, more than just read about these endeavors but also participate in them as well. He then opened Oahu Nature Tours which offers a series of half day tours to different areas of the island at affordable prices.…
| Description: This exciting tour of the world famous Diamond Head Crater begins with a short introductory talk by a trained nature guide. You will learn about the fascinating volcanic creation, Hawaiian history, European discovery, early cattle ranching, and modern day military use of the "Gibraltar of the Pacific" while being escorted on a 45 minute walk that ascends to the 763' summit. Along the way our groups stop at several points to rest and photograph the crater. Walking up stairways, going into a dark 200 foot tunnel and climbing a spiral staircase imparts a sense of adventure. From the summit you'll be thrilled by the incredible 360 degrees panoramic views of Waikiki Beach, the emerald green mountains and the sparkling aquamarine water of the Pacific ocean below. Rated moderate 1.4 miles hike.
Departure Point: Round trip transportation to and from your hotel, please allow 25 minutes variance in pick up and drop off times.
Operates: Daily: sunrise tour at 6:00am or later 9:30am
Duration: 2.5 hours
(..more info) | Your Price | | All Passengers 5 and Up | $29.00 | $25.90 | | |
| Description: Step back in time; visit the historic highlights of the Kingdom of Hawaii. Traveling into the lush Nu"uanu Valley, your first stop is Queen Emma" Summer Palace where a past era comes alive. Next, drive through a tropical rainforest en route to the world famous Pali Lookout, where King Kamehameha the Great, on his way to unifying all the islands into one nation, defeated the forces of Oahu and Maui in 1795. After driving through a spectacular tree-tunnel arrive at Hawaii"s sacred Royal Mausoleum - Mauna "Ala - the final resting place of six of the kingdom"s last eight ruling monarchs. Also, visit the historic sites and grounds surrounding Iolani Palace, the legendary King Kamehameha"s statue and unique Kawaiahao Church, the Westminster Abbey of Hawaii, built from thousand-pound coral slabs.*
Departure Point: Round trip transportation to and from your hotel, allow 25 minutes variance in pick up times.
Operates: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday from 8:00am to 1:00pm
Duration: 5 hours
(..more info) | Your Price | | Passengers 5 Years and Up | $55.00 | $51.90 | | No Children Under 5 Years | $0.00 | $0.00 | | |
| Description: Observe Hawaii"s rainforest plants and trees in the lush Koolau Mountains that rise above Kaneohe Bay. Visit a secluded waterfall that spills into a rainforest pool. Informative guide shares knowledge on plant species and environmental history. Weather permitting.*
Departure Point: Round trip transportation to and from your hotel, allow 25 minutes variance in pick up times.
Operates: Daily: 8:00am to 12:00pm or 2:00pm to 6:00pm
Duration: 2 hours of moderate hike/walking time, 2 miles trail length and about 4 hours total.
(..more info) | Your Price | | All Pax 5 and Up | $48.00 | $43.90 | | |
| Description: Start by visiting Hanauma Bay and the Kahauloa tuff cone, Halona Cove, where greeen sea trutles and humpback whales like to swim, see the blowhole off the "From Here to Eternity Beach", stop at Makapu'u lookout to see 25,000 year old Kaupo lava flow. Just past Robin's Nest, where Magnum PI was filmed, stop for a walk on Oahu's longest sandy beach at Waimanalo Bay. Next stop is Enchanted Lake Bird Sanctuary, then ancient Hawaiian Temple, Ulupou Heiau. Last stop is Pali Lookout to view Kaneohe Bay and the jagged 2,000 foot vertical cliffs of the Koolau Volcano.
Departure Point: Round trip transportation to and from your hotel, allow 25 minutes variance in pick up times.
Operates: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday: 1:00pm to 6:00pm
Duration: 4 hours total, 1 hour of walking time / Quarter mile
(..more info) | Your Price | | Per Person | $40.00 | $33.75 | | |
| Description: Journey to the scenic mountains high above the waters of Pearl Harbor. Forest walk includes Scarlet-Flowered Ohia Lehua and majestic Koa trees. This is one of the best trails on Oahu to see Polynesian plants and rare Hawaiian Honeycreepers including the Crimson Apapane and Yellow-Green Amakihi. Tours with this designation involve some physical activity such as walking over uneven or unpaved surfaces, climbing mildly steep terrain. It is not a steep trail though, elevation gain is only about 300 feet from the trailhead on foot.
Departure Point: Round trip transportation to and from your hotel, allow 25 minutes variance in pick up times.
Operates: Monday and Friday 7:00am to 12:00pm
Duration: 5 hours total includes 4 miles of walking, about 3.5 hours
(..more info) | Your Price | | All Pax 5 and Up | $50.00 | $45.90 | | |
| Description: Explores Manoa Valley and visits the world famous Lyon Arboretum 200 acre garden of bromeliads, hibiscus, orchids and tropical birds. Also, visit Pu'u Uala-ka'a located 1,048 feet above Waikiki. From this lofty vantage point you have a breathtaking 180-degree panoramic view of Oahu's scenic southeast coastline. Rated Easy to Moderate.
Departure Point: Round trip transportation to and from your hotel, allow 25 minutes variance in pick up times.
Operates: Monday and Friday 1:00pm to 5:00pm
Duration: 4-hour tour with 2 hours of walking time (1.5 miles, flat)
(..more info) | Your Price | | All Passengers 5 and Up | $48.00 | $43.90 | | |
| Description: On this tour you will visit Hawaii's most famous location, Pearl Harbor. First, you will be shown a 20 minute film about the attack on December 7, 1941, then view a great collection of historic artifacts on display at the new Visitor Center. Next, you will be transported by a navy launch to the USS Arizona Memorial. After leaving Pearl Harbor you will visit a relaxing outdoor museum that tells the story of life on Hawaii's plantations c. 1900 and the tales of the 395,000 people who were brought to Hawaii to work on the sugar cane fields that once surrounded Pearl Harbor, known in Hawaiian as Wai Momi, the River of Pearls.
The Plantation Village includes restored buildings and replicas of structures such as houses of various ethnic groups, the camp office and the plantation store. You will learn about the lifestyle of the immigrants from Japan, China, Korea, Portugal, Puerto Rico and the Phillippines who once worked here, while sampling delicious strawberry guava and fresh sugar cane. Throughout this adventure, your professional nature guide will explain Pearl Harbor's Geology, Hawaiian history, mythology, its native bird and plant species and unique marine life.*
Departure Point: Round trip transportation to and from your hotel, allow 25 minutes variance in pick up times.
Operates: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday 6:00am to 12:00pm
Duration: 0.5 miles for 1 hour of walking time, 6 hours total
(..more info) | Your Price | | Per Person | $30.00 | $26.90 | | |
| Description: Driving over the Koolau Mountains to the windward side, first stop is the fabled Valley of the Temples, visit Byodo Temple located at the base of 2000-foot lush green cliffs. Then drive along the scenic shore of Kahana Bay arriving at Laie Point, a great location to observe several native plant and seabird species. Continuing North to Kahuki, visit several shrimp farms to see endangered wetland birds, including the Black-Neck Stilt, Hawaiian Coot and Moorhen. Next stop is the world famous Sunset Beach and Banzai Pipeline where incredible waves thrill viewers, especially between November and April. Visit Hale O'Lono Heiau, at Turtle Beach you stop to observe rare green sea turtles resting on the golden sand. Traveling south you arrive at the colorful and historic village of Haleiwa, home to many surfers, artists and craftspeople. After driving through extensive pineapple fields you will stop at the Dole Plantation. Drive by the mysterious and sacred Kukaniloko Birthing Stones, where royal chiefs of the islands were born for over 800 years, on board video information about this archeological site.*
Departure Point: Round trip transportation to and from your hotel, allow 25 minutes variance in pick up times.
Operates: Daily: 12:30 to 6:30pm
Duration: Half hour of walking time, 6 hours total
(..more info) | Your Price | | Per Person | $45.00 | $39.90 | | |
| Description: Lush rainforests, giant ferns, cascading tropical waterfalls, picturesque streams and unique species. This trail, a hidden treasure that was used by Steven Spielberg while filming "Lost World", leads to the tallest accessible waterfall on Oahu, deep within a prehistoric landscape. Tours with this designation involve moderate physical activity such as walking over uneven and unpaved surfaces, dirt roads and roots, or occasional mildly steep terrain. Rated Moderate.
Departure Point: Round trip transportation to and from your hotel, allow 25 minutes variance in pick up times.
Operates: Monday-Friday 8:00am to 12:00pm or 2:00pm to 6:00pm
Duration: 2 miles roundtrip for 2 hours of walking time, 4 hours total
(..more info) | Your Price | | All Passengers 5 and Up | $48.00 | $43.90 | | |
Land Tours on Oahu by Oahu Nature Tours
