Choose a group tour if you’re traveling solo, as a couple or as a small family and want the best value: our public full-day circle island tour costs $49 to $59 per person. Choose a private charter if your group has 10 or more people and wants its own pace and its own itinerary: charters cost $110 to $145 per person, with your own air-conditioned minibus.
Here’s how the two compare in practice, and how to decide.
The quick comparison
| Group tour | Private charter | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $49 (Promo, code FANTASY50) or $59 (Standard) per person | $110 to $145 per person |
| Group size | Any size | 10 to 29 people |
| Itinerary | Nine set stops | Customizable |
| Pace | Set schedule, about 9.5 hours | Your group decides |
| Vehicle | Shared minibus | Private air-conditioned minibus |
| Pickup | Six points in Waikiki, 6:50 to 7:15 a.m. | Arranged with your group |
| Perks | Wi-Fi and refreshments, plus a malasada and snorkel gear on Standard | Wi-Fi, malasadas, Dole Whip, water, snacks and snorkel gear |
| Cancellation | Full refund minus 5% up to 24 hours before | Full refund minus 5% up to 72 hours before |
| Best for | Solo travelers, couples, small families | Reunions, wedding parties, company groups |
What you get on the group tour
Our public full-day tour follows a set loop around the island in about 9.5 hours, with nine stops: Diamond Head Lookout, Halona Blowhole, Leonard’s Bakery, a macadamia nut farm, Mokoliʻi Island, lunch at Tanaka’s Kahuku Shrimp, 75 minutes at Turtle Beach, the North Shore fruit stands and the Dole Plantation. See the complete route, stop by stop.
There are two ways to book it:
- Standard Full-Day Tour, $59 per person. Wi-Fi, refreshments, a free malasada at Leonard’s and free snorkel gear at Turtle Beach.
- Promo Full-Day Loop, $49 per person with code FANTASY50. Wi-Fi, refreshments and the Leonard’s Bakery stop.
The group tour is the best value on the island for small parties. You share the minibus with other travelers, and the schedule is set so the whole loop fits into one day.
What you get on a private charter
A private charter gives your group its own minibus, its own guide and its own day. Your driver-guide acts as navigator, photographer and concierge, and the itinerary is yours to shape.
- Customize the stops. Keep the classic circle island loop, or change it. Groups often add the Diamond Head summit hike or spend longer snorkeling.
- Set your own pace. Stay longer where your group is having fun, and skip what doesn’t interest you.
- Travel together. Nobody splits across vehicles, and there are no strangers on board.
- Bring the little ones. Car seats are available on request.
- More perks. Free malasadas, Dole Whip, bottled water, snacks and snorkel gear are included.
Private charter pricing
| Group size | Price per person | Total price |
|---|---|---|
| 10 to 15 people | $145 | $1,450 to $2,175 |
| 16 to 20 people | $135 | $2,160 to $2,700 |
| 21 to 25 people | $125 | $2,625 to $3,125 |
| 26 to 29 people | $110 | $2,860 to $3,190 |
The per-person price drops as your group grows, so for large groups, a private charter can cost much less per head than you might expect. Full details are on our private tour page.
Traveling with 10 or more? A private charter gives your group its own air-conditioned minibus and a custom itinerary, from $110 per person. See private charter pricing
Which should you book?
Honeymooners and couples: the group tour. Private charters start at 10 guests, and the public tour gives you the whole island at the best price.
A family of four or five: the group tour, which is the most cost-effective way to see the island together.
A family reunion of 14: a private charter. Everyone travels together, grandparents can set a gentler pace, and the kids get car seats if needed.
A wedding party of 20: a private charter, with a custom itinerary built around photos, a long beach stop and a group lunch.
A company team of 25: a private charter. One vehicle, one guide, one shared day, and a lower per-person price at that size.
What a private charter day can look like
Because the itinerary is yours, no two private days are the same. Three examples of how groups shape theirs:
The family reunion. The classic circle island loop, at a gentler pace for grandparents, with a longer stop at Turtle Beach so the kids can snorkel, and car seats ready for the little ones.
The active group. An early start with the Diamond Head summit hike, then the southeast coast, lunch on the North Shore and extra time in the water.
The food-focused group. Malasadas, macadamia nuts, the North Shore shrimp trucks, fruit stands and Dole Whip, with the stops chosen around what your group wants to eat.
Tell us what your group enjoys, whether that’s nature, culture, food, adventure or a bit of everything, and your guide will build the day around it.
How to book a private charter
- Check your numbers. Private charters are for groups of 10 to 29 people.
- Choose your date, and book early for holidays and peak season.
- Tell us your interests, plus any mobility needs, dietary needs or car seats you’ll need.
- Agree on pickup for your group.
- Note the cancellation deadline: 72 hours before the tour for a full refund, minus a 5% processing fee.
Questions to ask before booking a private tour
- Which stops do you want to keep, and which would you add or cut?
- Does anyone in the group have limited mobility? Your guide can plan stops with shorter walks.
- Do you need car seats? They’re available on request.
- Any dietary needs? The North Shore lunch stop has vegetarian options.
- Where should pickup be? Pickup details are arranged with your group when you book.
- What’s the cancellation deadline? For private groups, it’s 72 hours before the tour for a full refund, minus a 5% processing fee.
The cancellation difference
Group tour bookings can be cancelled up to 24 hours before the tour for a full refund minus a 5% processing fee. Private charters need 72 hours’ notice, because a whole vehicle and guide are held for your group. If we cancel for severe weather or unsafe conditions, you choose between a full refund and a free reschedule. See our cancellation policy.
Good to know (checked September 2026)
Prices come from Aloha Fantasy Tours’ current rate sheet and private tour page. Private charters are available for groups of 10 to 29 people.
FAQ
How much is a private tour on Oahu?
Our private circle island charters cost $110 to $145 per person, depending on group size, for groups of 10 to 29. That’s $1,450 for a group of 10, up to $3,190 for a group of 29.
What is the minimum group size for a private tour?
Ten people. Smaller parties get the best value on the public full-day tour, which costs $49 to $59 per person.
Can we customize a private tour itinerary?
Yes. You can keep the classic circle island loop or change it, for example by adding the Diamond Head hike, spending longer snorkeling or skipping stops that don’t interest your group.
Is a private tour worth it?
For groups of 10 or more, usually yes. You get your own air-conditioned minibus, a flexible schedule and extra perks, and the per-person price falls as the group grows.
Are car seats available on private tours?
Yes, car seats are available on request for private charters. Mention them when you book.
Find your fit
Small party, best value: the group tour. Big group, one shared day on your own terms: a private charter. Either way, you’ll see the whole island without driving it.
Book your day. See the $59 Standard group tour, or plan a private charter for 10 to 29 people.
Aloha Fantasy Tours has run circle island tours on Oahu since 2010.
