Oahu's North Shore - a surfer's paradise!
Know Before You Go, Legendary North Shore Loop
Quick Tips for the Legendary North Shore Loop Tour:
- Tour Route: Clockwise
- Starting Points: Waikiki and Ko Olina
- Approximate Time to Complete: Full day, 8-10 Hours
- Number of Stops: 20
- Total Distance:
- The tour never expires!
Starting the Tour
Where Does the Tour Start?
The tour has two starting points: Waikiki or Ko Olina.
Which Starting Point Should I Choose?
If you're staying in Waikiki or downtown Honolulu, Waikiki is the best starting point. If you're staying in the resort area of Ko Olina on Oahu's west side, Ko Olina is the best option. And, if you're staying on the North Shore, we recommend you join the tour along the route.
Can I start the Legendary North Shore Loop Tour from anywhere?
With any Shaka Guide tour, you can join the tour along the route. You'll have to use your maps app (Google or Apple) to navigate you to the nearest point on the route, from there the tour audio will start playing. If you choose to join along the route and not at a designated starting point, you'll miss some stops and stories, but you'll still have a great experience!
What Time Should I Start the Tour?
We recommend you start the tour around 8 a.m. especially if you plan to visit most, or all of the stops. Regardless of where you start the tour -- Waikiki or Ko Olina -- getting an early start means more time to explore.
Oh, and a friendly reminder, Honolulu is notorious for it's terrible traffic, especially at rush hour, so, you might hit some traffic on your way to the North Shore.
Can I Drive the Route Backwards?
No. If you'd like to take the tour in the opposite direction, check out our Grand Circle Island Tour. It's nearly all the same stops, but you'll travel counterclockwise around the island.
Plan Your Day
How much time do I need to complete the tour?
If you take the tour and plan to visit most stops, it will take a full day. Plan for atleast 8-10 hours.
There are some spots that are quick photo ops, and others where you'll want to get out and explore. Plan to spend a few hours at the following stops along the tour:
- Shark's Cove - Budget about 1-2 hours if you're planning to snorkel. If not, you can skip this stop of just stop by for a quick visit.
- Kualoa Ranch - This is a paid attraction with loads of activity options, plan to spend 2-4 hours here alone if you'll be taking a tour at Kualoa Ranch.
- Haleiwa - You'll definitely want to park, walk around, visit local shops and try some north shore eats in Haleiwa! Plan to spend 1-2 hours here.
- Waimea Valley -
- Dole Plantation - Another paid attraction with a train ride, maze and gift shop. Plan to spend about an hour here. If you're not doing the paid attractions, you'll want to stop by for a Dole Whip!
- Polynesian Cultural Center - Get an authentic glimpse at the Polynesian islands at this unique attraction. They offer paid experiences that can take anywhere from 20 minutes to three hours. If you're planning to do a luau here, you need reservations in advance, and you'll want to double check the start time.
Can I Take the Tour in a Half-Day?
Yes! If you choose to spend a half day doing the tour, we recommend you check out our itinerary in advance to pick your stop.
Can I Take the Tour Over Multiple Days?
Yes! The tour never expires. You can break it up into multiple days or do it more than once. If you decide to break it up, we suggest Waimea Bay or Waimea Valley as good mid-way points, then, the next day you can drive straight there, and continue the tour where you left off.
How Can I make the Most of My Day?
Check out the hours of operation and entry fees for tour stops below. This will help you plan your day around when attractions will be open.
| Attraction | Entry Fee | Hours of Operation |
|---|---|---|
| Dole Plantation | Yes; visitor center, gift shop & café are free | 9:30 AM–5:30 PM |
| Byodo-In Temple | Yes; card/contactless only | 8:30 AM–4:30 PM |
| North Shore Soap Factory | Yes; store is free, guided tours cost extra | 10 AM–4 PM* |
| Moanalua Gardens | Yes | 8:30 AM–4 PM |
| Waimea Valley | Yes | 9 AM–5 PM |
| Kualoa Ranch | Yes; Visitor Center & gift shop are free | 7:30 AM–6 PM |
| Polynesian Cultural Center | Yes; Hukilau Marketplace is free | 12–9 PM** |
* Opens at 8:30 AM Saturdays.
** Closed Sundays and generally Wednesdays.
Any Safety Information I Need to Know?
Yes — Oahu's North Shore is not for swimming, especially in the winter months. When in doubt, ask a lifeguard and pay attention to posted markers.
What are Common Mistakes People Make when Visiting Oahu?
RELATED: Winter on Oahu's North Shore: Everything You Need to Know
Legendary North Shore Loop Tour Highlights
Shaka Guide's Legendary North Shore Loop Tour starts in Ko Olina and visits 20 iconic stops across the island including the Haleiwa, the Dole Plantation, Byodo-In and Waimea Bay.
What are the Must-See Stops on Oahu's North Shore?
Some of our favorite stops on the Legendary North Shore Loop are:
- Haleiwa
- Dole Plantation
- Ted's Bakery
- Waimea Valley
- Waimea Bay
- Laie Point
- Byodo-In Temple
What Stops can I Skip?
If you're short on time, you can skip some of the scenic overlooks, beach spots, and the Dole Plantation. You can also plan to do excursions like a luau at the Polynesian Cultural Center or a tour at Kualoa Ranch another day. These will take a few hours each. Remember, your tour never expires, so if you're heading to these spots you can turn the tour back on to guide you there!
Do I Need Advance Reservations?
If you're planning to pair your Shaka Guide tour with a visit to Kualoa Ranch, Waimea Valley or the Polynesian Cultural Center, we recommend you make advanced reservations. These are all paid attractions and you can make reservations on their respective websites.
If you're doing excursions at these spots, be mindful of your entry time and plan the tour according to these visits.
RELATED: One-Day Legendary North Shore Loop Itinerary
Are There Food Stops Along the Route?
Absolutely! In fact, we'll guide you to some of our favorite food stops on Oahu. Here's just a taste (get it) of what you'll find on the Legendary North Shore Loop Tour.
- Matsumoto shave ice
- Kono's Kalua pork
- Garlic shrimp trucks in Kahuku
- Huli Huli chicken in Kahuku
- Ted's Bakery
- Maladas at Leonard's Bakery
- Macadamia nut at Tropical Nut Farms
- Local coffee shops, cafes, acai bowl spots and more!
Are There Bathrooms Along the Tour Route?
Yes! There are a handful of stops where you can stop and use the restroom. Including, all public beaches, the Polynesian Cultural Center's marketplace, Kualoa Ranch's Gift Shop, Haleiwa Town, Byodo-In, and Tropical Nut Farms.
What to Bring
What should I Pack for The Legendary North Shore Loop Tour?
This tour combines beaches, must-see attractions, foodie stops, and even a waterfall hike. Here's our packing list:
| Essentials | Swim Gear | Hiking Gear |
|---|---|---|
| Water, preferably in a reusable water bottle | Bathing suit | Sneakers |
| Car charger | Sandals | Bug spray |
| Cash — some spots are cash only | Towel | Comfortable clothes |
| Credit card — Byodo-In Temple only accepts credit or contactless payments | Change of clothes | |
| Reef-safe sunscreen |
Essentials:
- Water, preferably a reusable water bottle
- Car charger
- Cash — some spots are cash only
- Credit Card — Byodo-In Temple only accepts credit or contactless payments
Swim Gear:
- Bathing Suit
- Sandals
- Towel
- Change of clothes
- Reef safe sunscreen
Hiking Gear:
- Sneakers
- Bug spray
- Comfortable clothes
What Should I Wear?
Wear comfortable clothing that you can explore in. We recommend you wear a swimsuit just incase you want to snorkel or swim along the route, but be sure to pack sneakers, especially if you're planning on hiking at Waimea Valley.
Final Tour Checklist
- Purchase tour
- Download the tour in WiFi before you go
- Pack car charger
- Decide your starting point
- Make reservations for any paid attractions (be mindful of entry times)
- Hit the road
- Have fun!
App Questions
What Should I Download Before Starting the Tour?
You'll want to make sure you have the app and tours downloaded. We recommend downloading the tours with WiFi before you start the tour. Make sure the tour is completely downloaded so you don't have issues with offline use.
Will the Tour Work Without Cell Service or WiFi?
Yes! The tour works completely offline. That means even in remote parts of the island you'll have access to the tour, offline map and audio narration.
Does the App use GPS without Internet?
Yes! The app uses GPS and offline maps so there is no internet required to use the tours.
Should I Bring a Car Charger or Power Bank?
Yes, the tour will use up a lot of phone battery. Pack an extra charger so you can keep the tour playing all day!
How do I Connect the Tour Audio to my Car?
For help connecting the tour audio to your car check out our tutorial here.
Does the App Work with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay?
The app is not compatible with Android Auto. It is compatable with CarPlay.
What Should I do if the Tour Isn't Playing Correctly?
Please don't hesitate to reach out! You can contact us at aloha@shakaguide.com or give us a call at (808) 201-8138.
Shaka Guide recognizes the use of diacritics in the Hawaiian language including the okina or glottal stop and the kahako or macron. In some instances, these have been omitted on our site to ensure the best online experience for our users since not all online platforms recognize these marks. We understand the importance of these diacritics to preserve the language and culture of Hawaii.