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Waimea Waterfall Tour Oahu: Swim at the Falls

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Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/14

Duration8h

GroupUp to 40

LanguagesEN

Mobile ticketAccepted

Twelve stops, one waterfall you can swim in

You get picked up early from Waikiki and driven around the entire island in one loop—past Diamond Head and Hanauma Bay on the south, over the windward cliffs and through Waimea Valley's waterfall where you can swim, then along the North Shore's famous breaks and beaches before ending at the Dole Plantation. Lunch, coffee tasting, and a local guide are included; plan for a full day out, which is what makes seeing both coasts possible.

Step-by-step itinerary

Pick up from Waikiki at 7am
Drive by Kapiʻolani Park and Waikiki Aquarium
Visit Diamond Head lookout
Drive by Koko Crater and Hanauma Bay
Stop at Halona Blowhole
Drive by Eternity Beach and Sandy Beach
Drive by Makapu’u Point and Waimanalo Beach
Visit Nu‘uanu Pali Lookout
Drive by Koʻolau Mountains
Stop for Hawaiian coffee and macadamia nut tastings
Visit Chinaman’s Hat (Mokolii Island)
Drive by Kualoa Ranch and Kahana Bay & Valley
Drive by Lāʻie Hawaiʻi Temple
Stop at North Shore fruit stand
Visit Sunset Beach
Drive by Banzai Pipeline and Sharks Cove
Visit Waimea Valley and waterfall
Drive by Laniakea Beach (Turtle Beach)
Stop at Dole Plantation for pineapple treats

The Experience

"So we're doing the whole island in one day?" That's the question most people ask when they see the itinerary, and yeah—the shuttle picks you up at 7am from your Waikiki hotel and doesn't drop you back until evening. The guide walks you through what's coming: the windward cliffs, the North Shore breaks, the valley with the waterfall you can actually swim in. It's a lot of ground, but that's the point. You're not choosing between the east side and the north; you get both.

The route starts at Kapiʻolani Park and Diamond Head, then swings around the southeastern coast past Hanauma Bay and the Halona Blowhole—that's the lava tube where water shoots up when the swell hits right. You'll see Eternity Beach, where they filmed that famous kiss scene, and Sandy Beach with its powerful shore break. Then the shuttle climbs toward the windward side, and the mountains change everything. The Koʻolau Range rises up steep and green, and you pass Waimanalo Beach and Makapu'u Point before hitting the Nu'uanu Pali Lookout, where King Kamehameha I won the battle that unified the islands. The wind up there is real—bring a jacket.

Lunch is North Shore garlic shrimp, and before that you stop at Tropical Farms under old banyan trees for Kona coffee and macadamia nut tastings. The waterfall is at Waimea Valley, where the walk to the pool is 1.5 miles roundtrip, and if the water's flowing and you brought a swimsuit, you can jump in—lifeguards are there. The botanical gardens around it have rare Hawaiian plants and specimens from Fiji and other islands. After that comes the North Shore proper: Sunset Beach, the Banzai Pipeline where the big winter swells roll in, Sharks Cove with its snorkeling rocks, and Laniakea Beach where you might spot green sea turtles. The day ends at the Dole Plantation, where you can grab pineapple ice cream and souvenirs before heading back to Waikiki.

The vehicle is air-conditioned, the guide is local, and pickup times vary by hotel—the booking platform assigns yours when you enter your details. Bring cash for lunch and tips. If you're swimming at the waterfall, pack a towel and suit. If you need a wheelchair, note it in special instructions so they assign you a bus with storage, though you'll need to walk a short distance to board. The whole circle takes the day, but you see why: it's not just beaches. It's the volcanic ridges, the historical sites, the working farms, and the two coasts that make Oahu what it is.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off from Waikiki, a professional local guide, transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle, entry to Waimea Valley Botanical Garden and the waterfall, North Shore garlic shrimp lunch, and tastings of Kona coffee and macadamia nuts at Tropical Farms. Bring cash for any additional meals, drinks, and gratuities.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Go Tours Hawaii

Is this one for you?Right for travelers staying in Waikiki who want to see the whole island without renting a car or planning stops themselves—the fixed schedule and guide handle the route, timing, and entry fees. Plan for a full day out from 7am to evening, which is what makes fitting both the windward cliffs and the North Shore into one trip possible.