North Shore snorkeling with kayak, paddleboard and surf lesson

Paddle and surf the North Shore, guaranteed to see sea turtles

A full-day North Shore snorkeling adventure from your hotel in a private Jeep, combining kayaking, paddleboarding, a two-hour surf lesson with lifeguard-certified instructors, and snorkeling with Hawaiian green sea turtles. Hotel pickup and return are included, along with all equipment; lunch at a local North Shore shrimp truck is your choice of restaurant.

Step-by-step itinerary

North Shore adventure and turtle tour

• Pick up from hotel in Jeep Gladiator
• Drive to North Shore, see scenic spots
• Take glass bottom kayak or paddleboard tour
• Optional surf lesson with professional instructor
• Paddleboard or kayak up river to see turtles
• Lunch at famous North Shore shrimp truck
• Swim and snorkel with sea turtles at beach
• Return to hotel

The Experience

The day starts with pickup from your hotel or Airbnb in a Jeep Gladiator. On the drive to the North Shore, the driver shows you the scenic stops locals actually visit—La'ie Point State Wayside Park, the Hālona Blowhole formed by ancient lava tubes, Waimea Valley with its stone terraces from the Hawaiian monarchy, and views across to Kailua and Kaneohe Bay from Nuuanu Pali Lookout. You'll see Sunset Beach, where winter waves draw surfers from around the world, and Kahuku Point, the northernmost tip of Oahu.

Once on the North Shore, you choose how to start: a glass-bottom kayak tour, a paddleboard nature tour, or a two-hour surf lesson. If you take the surf lesson, you begin with a beach lesson, then go into the water with professional lifeguard-certified instructors to catch waves in the warm Hawaiian waters. After that, you paddle or kayak up the river looking for Hawaiian green sea turtles in their natural habitat, moving through the quiet water and landscape at your own pace.

Lunch happens at a famous local shrimp truck in Haleiwa—you pick the restaurant. Then you head to the beach to swim and snorkel with the sea turtles in the water. All equipment—surfboards, paddleboards, kayaks and snorkel gear—is provided. The full day runs eight to ten hours, and you return to your hotel by late afternoon.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and return in a private Jeep Gladiator.
• all water equipment (kayak, paddleboard, surfboard and snorkel gear).
• a two-hour surf lesson with lifeguard-certified instructors if you choose it.
• the glass-bottom kayak or paddleboard river tour with guaranteed sea turtle sightings.
• beach snorkeling with sea turtles.
• scenic stops at La'ie Point, Halona Blowhole, Waimea Valley and other North Shore landmarks.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Sea and Board Sports Hawaii

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English and leads the whole group together, so you follow along at a shared pace through the scenic stops and water activities. This works best if you're comfortable in the ocean and want a full day combining multiple water sports rather than focusing on one.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

38 verified traveler reviews

5 ★38

4 ★0

3 ★0

2 ★0

1 ★0

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What's the difference between the kayak tour and paddleboarding on the North Shore?

The kayak tour uses a glass-bottom boat so you can see below the surface while staying dry; paddleboarding puts you on the water standing up, moving under your own power. Both go upriver to look for Hawaiian green sea turtles, and both are included in the day.

Is the surf lesson suitable if I've never surfed before?

Yes. The two-hour lesson starts on the beach with instruction, then moves into the water with lifeguard-certified surf instructors in the water with you the whole time. It's designed to teach you to catch your first wave.

Will I definitely see sea turtles?

The operator guarantees you'll see Hawaiian green sea turtles during the paddleboard or kayak portion upriver and during the snorkeling at the beach. They're native to these waters and commonly spotted in both locations.

What happens if I don't want to take the surf lesson?

You can skip the surf lesson and start the day with either the glass-bottom kayak tour or paddleboarding instead. Both include the river tour looking for turtles and the beach snorkeling afterward.

Does the price include lunch?

Lunch at the North Shore shrimp truck is your choice—you pick which restaurant to stop at, and you pay for your own meal there.

What scenic spots does the Jeep tour pass on the way to the North Shore?

The drive includes La'ie Point State Wayside Park, the Hālona Blowhole, Waimea Valley, Nuuanu Pali Lookout with views of the windward coast, Makapu'u Point, Sunset Beach, and Kahuku Point at Oahu's northern tip.