What a wonderful introduction to endemic and introduced bird species on Oahu! Mandy is an amazing source of island knowledge on birds, ecosystems, flora, and conservation. She is engaging and caring as she tries to create the best experience for each person on her tour by building the day around what birds each participant is hoping to see.
Throughout our wonderful day travelling in Mandy’s comfortable van, we made our way to eight different birding locations: urban, rural, mountainous, forest, wetland, and ocean. Each stop was unhurried but purposeful! So much more than just a “list and go” with a chance to observe behaviours and hear great info about each species from Mandy.
This day of birding was definitely a highlight of our holiday!
Stunning Scenery
Beautiful Birds
Other Oahu Wildlife Wonders
The Ultimate Oahu Day Tour for Bird & Nature Lovers
Looking for day tours in Oahu? They don’t come better than the Ultimate Oahu Birding Experience! Leave the city of Honolulu behind to experience the best wildlife viewing Oahu has to offer while searching for some of Hawaii’s most beautiful birds. This tour encompasses Oahu’s highlights for the nature enthusiast and birder alike while enjoying stunning scenery along the south and north shore. You will go on an unforgettable journey through tropical rainforests for Oahu’s endemic Hawaiian honeycreeper, searching the suburbs for flashy finches and exploring the rugged southeastern coastline for majestic seabirds. That’s not all! We also search for sought-after shorebirds on secluded beaches, endemic water birds, and breeding seabirds along stunning coastlines. This full-day trip is the ultimate introduction to Oahu’s wildlife with casual walks and sometimes includes incidental big waves, basking sea turtles, and Hawaiian Monk Seal sightings.
Why Choose This Tour?
Allow our expert guides to use their extensive touring experience on the island to deliver the best bird and nature tour of Oahu possible in one day!
Explore the different terrains and habitats of the island in search of an array of tropical species from the forested mountains to the scenic coastlines
Take in Oahu's geology, culture, history, scenery, nature and birds on a circle-island tour like no other
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Trip Details
Trip Details
Price
Group tour: $255 per person plus tax
Private tour: $1795 plus HI tax for up to 10 people
Departure time
7 am
Meeting point
Guests coming from outside of Waikiki can easily meet us at the trolley stop on Mahukona Street at 6:30 am. This is close to the corner of Atkinson Drive and along the side of Ala Moana Hotel aka Ala Moana Honolulu by Mantra: 410 Atkinson Dr, Honolulu, HI 96814. There is a Starbucks inside the hotel lobby and lots of free and secure parking at the Ala Moana Center (shopping mall). This shopping mall and parking garage is massive, so please make a note of where you parked your car rental. Please give yourself enough time to arrive promptly with weekday Honolulu rush hour traffic.
- 6:40 am at flag poles in front of the Ilikai Hotel aka Ilikai Hotel & Luxury Suites: 1777 Ala Moana Blvd, Honolulu, HI 96815 on Ala Moana Boulevard.
- 6:45 am at the Trump Hotel aka Trump International Hotel Waikiki: 223 Saratoga Rd, Honolulu, HI 96815 on Saratoga Road.
- 6:50 am at the Holiday Inn Express aka Holiday Inn Express Waikiki, an IHG Hotel: 2058 Kūhiō Ave., Honolulu, HI 96815 on Kuhio Avenue.
- 6:55 am at the Hyatt Regency aka Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort And Spa: 2424 Kalākaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815 on Koa Avenue under the green awning. We recommend arriving early, as one of our favorite local coffee shops, Kai Coffee Hawaii, is in the first floor of the hotel.
- 7:00 am at the Queen Kapiolani Hotel aka Queen Kapiʻolani Hotel Waikīkī Beach: 150 Kapahulu Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815 on Kapahulu Avenue facing Honolulu Zoo.
Availability
Daily, 7 am to 5 pm, August until May
Duration
10 hours
Group size
Minimum 3, maximum 8
Included
- Water
- Snacks
- Mosquito repellent
- Online checklists
- Transportation to and from Waikiki
- The use of binoculars if needed
- The use of a walking stick if needed
- Fun!
Not included
- Gratuity
- Lunch – we will make a local lunch stop where you can choose and purchase your lunch.
What to bring
- Comfortable lightweight, quick dry clothing
- Closed-toed shoes with good grip and support
- Camera
- Binoculars
- Sun protection
- Lightweight rain gear
- A refillable water bottle
- Cash
- Debit or credit card to purchase your own lunch (~$20 per person)
- A day pack to carry your valuables with you at all times (unfortunately car break-ins, even during the day, are common on Oahu).
Participation requirements
You must be prepared to walk 1 -2 miles on uneven and often muddy terrain in search of Oahu Elepaio. Walking sticks and foldable stools are recommended for those with difficulty standing and walking for several hours at a time.
About your guide
1 expert guide
Target Species List
Oʻahu ʻAmakihi
Oʻahu ʻElepaio
Bristle-thighed Curlew
Wandering Tattler
Pacific Golden Plover
Laysan Albatross (after Nov)
White Tern
Red-footed Booby
Red-tailed Tropicbird (after Dec)
Saffron Finch
Chestnut Munia
Rose-ringed Parakeet
Common Waxbill
Yellow-fronted Canary
Warbling White-eye
White-rumped Shama
Red-billed Leiothrix
Red-vented Bulbul
Red-whiskered Bulbul
Red-crested Cardinal
Hawaiian Coot
Common Gallinule
Black-necked Stilt
Important Info
Participation requirement: You must be prepared to walk 1 -2 miles on uneven and often muddy terrain in search of Oahu Elepaio. Walking sticks and foldable stools are recommended for those with difficulty standing and walking for several hours at a time.
Cancellation for group trips: All daily tours have a 48-hour cancellation policy. If you cancel prior to 48 hours of the start of the tour, you will receive a full refund. If you cancel within 48 hours of your scheduled trip departure, no refund fees will be provided. No-shows are responsible for 100% of trip fees.
Cancellation for private tours: There is a 7-day cancellation policy for all private tours. Credit cards will be taken at the time of booking. If you cancel outside of 7 days, you will receive a full refund. If you cancel within 7 days of the tour no refund fees will be provided. No-shows are responsible for 100% of trip fees.
Read Why People Love Us
Mandy is fantastic. My husband Mark and I spent a day with her in Oahu and could not have been happier. She knows so much about birds, conservation, Hawaii in general. And such a nice, fun person. We saw the endangered Oahu Elepaio, Oahu Amakihi, Bristle-thighed Curlew and many close-up Laysan Albatross. 24 life birds! I cannot recommend her enough and would love to come back to bird with her again on Kauai and the Big Island.
