Oahu North Shore Tour: Waimea Waterfall & Pipeline Beach

What you actually see on Oahu's windward side in one loop

You get picked up from your Waikiki hotel and driven around the entire windward side of Oahu in one loop: Diamond Head viewpoint, Halona Blowhole, Makapuu Lighthouse, Mokolii Island, a macadamia nut tasting, North Shore lunch (cash required), Sunset Beach, and Waimea Valley with its waterfall and botanical gardens. Admission to Waimea Valley is included. The tour ends with a Dole Whip stop and returns you to your hotel by evening.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Diamond Head15m
2. Hanauma Baypass by
3. Halona Blowhole20m
4. Makapuu Lighthousepass by
5. Tropical Farms Macadamia Nut Farm25m
6. Mokolii Island25m
7. Banzai Pipelinepass by
8. Dole Plantation30m
9. Nu‘uanu Pali Lookout15m · entry included

Explore Oahu's North Shore highlights

• Stop at Diamond Head viewpoint
• Pass by Hanauma Bay
• Visit Halona Blowhole
• Pass by Makapu’u Point cliffs
• Taste at Tropical Farms Macadamia Nut Shop
• View Chinaman’s Hat island
• Lunch at local North Shore restaurant
• Visit North Shore tropical fruit stand
• Pass by Sunset Beach (Banzai Pipeline)
• Explore Waimea Valley and waterfall
• Stop for souvenirs and Dole Whip at Dole Plantation
• Visit Pali Lookout for panoramic views

The experience

There's something about standing at a lookout where the wind nearly pushes you backward and the whole windward coast spreads out below. That's the feeling that stays with you after the Pali Lookout, and it's the reason this tour opens the way it does. The North Shore Beach Bus picks you up from your Waikiki hotel and heads straight to Diamond Head's eastern slope, where Hanauma Bay sits in the distance like a postcard you didn't know you needed. From there the route swings around the southeastern edge of the island, stopping at Halona Blowhole where lava tubes from Koko Head's crater send water shooting up when the swell cooperates, then climbing toward Makapuu Lighthouse with views of Rabbit Island (Manana) sitting offshore like something from a film set.

The drive along the windward side is where the tour really opens up. You'll pass Mokolii Island, Chinaman's Hat, framed against Kualoa Valley, the same backdrop used in Jurassic Park, and then stop at a macadamia nut farm under banyan trees for a tasting of Kona coffee and Hawaiian chocolate. Lunch happens at a local spot on the North Shore where the garlic shrimp plate is the thing everyone orders, though vegetarian and non-shellfish options exist if you need them, and you'll need cash. After that comes a fruit stand with ice-cold coconuts and fresh mangos, then Sunset Beach itself, where you can walk the sand and watch the winter swells (30 to 40 feet, October through January) break offshore. The stop is conditional on road conditions and the driver's call, but on a clear day it's the kind of beach that makes you understand why people move to Hawaii.

Waimea Valley is the anchor of the afternoon. Admission is included, and the gardens span plants from the Ogasawara Islands, Central and South America, Fiji, and Guam: a botanical collection that feels less like a curated museum and more like someone's ambitious dream of what could grow in one place. The waterfall is swimmable (lifeguards are there, life jackets required), and the walk through the valley takes you past rare and endangered Hawaiian plants. The tour wraps with a stop at Dole Plantation for the Dole Whip (the pineapple soft serve that exists nowhere else except Disney parks), and a final push back over the Pali Lookout, where those same strong winds hit you again on the way down. The whole day is narrated, so you're not just seeing the landmarks. You're getting the history of each one.

What’s included

• Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off from Waikiki, a fully narrated tour visiting Diamond Head, Halona Blowhole, Makapuu Lighthouse, Mokolii Island, a macadamia nut farm tasting, Sunset Beach, and Waimea Valley with its botanical gardens and waterfall.
• Admission to Waimea Valley is included.
• Lunch at a North Shore restaurant (cash required), a tropical fruit stand, and a Dole Plantation stop for souvenirs and Dole Whip are on the itinerary but paid separately.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 06:45

Book up to20h before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (3 to 12 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 23

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 7 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 6 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditionsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by NORTH SHORE BEACH BUS

Is this one for you?Right for travelers staying in Waikiki who want to see the windward side and North Shore in one day without renting a car or planning stops themselves. The full loop means a long day out (you'll be gone from morning to evening), which is exactly what lets you fit this much into a single departure.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 12 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's included in the tour price?

Hotel pickup and drop-off from Waikiki, the narrated tour, and admission to Waimea Valley. Lunch, the fruit stand, and Dole Whip are paid separately (cash recommended for lunch).

Is Waimea Valley always open?

No. Waimea Valley is closed Mondays from September through May. Check the tour date before booking.

Can I swim at Waimea waterfall?

Yes. Swimming is allowed at the waterfall, lifeguards are present, and life jackets are required.

What if I'm staying outside Waikiki?

The tour picks up only from Waikiki hotels. If you're staying elsewhere, you can meet the bus at Ross Dress for Less on Seaside Avenue, which has a nearby parking garage.

Is the Sunset Beach stop guaranteed?

No. The stop is dependent on road conditions and the driver's discretion, especially during high surf season (October through January).

Do I need cash for lunch?

Yes. Bring cash for the North Shore lunch. The garlic shrimp plate is the standard order, but vegetarian and non-shellfish options are available.

What's the Dole Whip, and is it included?

Dole Whip is pineapple soft serve ice cream. It's not included in the tour price, but the stop at Dole Plantation gives you the chance to buy it. It's only sold at Disney parks and this location.

How long is the tour?

The itinerary covers a full day with multiple stops. Exact duration depends on traffic and conditions, but plan for a substantial day out.