Driving O’ahu’s Legendary North Shore: A Surf and Adventure Tour

A few great additional options on or along the Legendary North Shore GPS Guided Audio Tour:

• Beach Options: Kualoa Beach Park, Kahana Bay, Mālaekahana, Hukilau Beach, Kuilima at Turtle Bay, Kawela Bay, Sunset Beach, 'Ehukai (Pipeline) Sharkʻs Cove, Waimea Bay, Laniākea (Turtle Beach), Pua'ena, Hale'iwa Beach
• Hiking Options: Crouching Lion Hike, Kawela Pill Box, 'Ehukai Pill Box, Waimea Valley,
• Favorite Food Options: Leonardʻs Malasada Mobile, Waiāhole Poi Factory, Kenekeʻs, Shrimp Shack, Chingʻs Punalu'u Store, North Shore Tacoʻs, Tamuraʻs, Papa 'Oleʻs Pounders, Hukilau Cafe, Giovanniʻs Shrimp Truck, Deez Bowlʻs, Mikeʻs Huli Chicken, Ryʻs Poke, Da Bald Guy, Hula 'Ula, Tanakaʻs, Romyʻs, Kahuku Farms, Leileiʻs, Royʻs Beachhouse, Kuilima Fruit Stand, Tedʻs Bakery, The Beach House, much more. Shopping Options: Windward Mall, Tropical Farms, Coral Kingdom, Hukilau Marketplace, Kahuku Sugar Mill, Sharkʻs Cove Trucks, North Shore Macadamia Nuts, Hale'iwa Town Activity Options: Kualoa Ranch, Gunstock Ranch, Ka'ena Climbworks, The Stables at Turtle Bay, Surf Lessons, Paddleboard or Kayak Rentals, Toa Lū'au, Shark Cages

When visiting beaches, please check about swimming with the lifeguard when you arrive. Please use caution and wait at least five minutes before getting in the water to watch for conditions. If you are traveling in winter, you will want to swim along the Eastern coastline or at Turtle Bay Resort. Use caution and good sense when close to the ocean. If you are in an area with big waves, stay off of the smooth sand and wet rocks; definitely do not swim there. Since this tour is self-guided, you are responsible for your own safety at all times and you undertake any activities at your own risk.

Restaurants, shops, and Waimea Valley all have their own opening and closing hours. Make sure to look up any places you hope to visit in advance so you know when places close. Of course, no admissions, food, or souvenirs are included in the price of this tour. Activities like surf lessons, Kualoa and the Gunstock Ranch, the Stables, or Toa Lū'au should always be booked in advance.

While we highlight restrooms and parking areas along the way, they may be closed for a variety of reasons like power outages or inclement weather. Please check local weather sources before beginning your tour.

Parking on the island can be quite difficult to find sometimes. Please be patient, courteous, as well as following and reading any and all signage. However, a good way to avoid busy parking lots is taking this tour on a weekday, instead of a weekend.

You can start this tour anytime you want, but it is best during the daytime, and you may want to avoid rush hour traffic on the weekdays. However, for people planning to stop at the beaches along the route, if possible, avoid weekends and holidays when parking is much harder.

The East Side of O'ahu is the Windward or rainy side of the island. There is only one way around, and sometimes the road gets closed. In that case, you may have no other choice but to wait it out or turn around. Please keep up with the traffic flow, follow all posted signs, and keep your eyes on the road. While it is a scenic drive, there are plenty of curves and areas with no guard rails. In addition, you will drive by schools in local towns so please pay extra attention in those places.

If you decide to stop at a beach or swim, please use caution and stay at guarded beaches. Please do not get in or even approach the ocean during high surf. Stay off of the wet rocks and smooth sand. Typically the big waves come during winter time and it is generally calm and flat on the North Shore during the Summer.