Automatic 10% Discount for Families of 4 or More – Applied at Checkout
The Surf Bus North Shore Tour is a 9-hour guided day trip (8:00 AM – 5:00 PM) from Waikiki hotels to O‘ahu’s famous North Shore. It includes a half circle island drive, two activities of your choice with all equipment (snorkel, Waimea Falls, kayak, stand-up paddle, bike or bodyboard), Waimea Valley admission and a certified local guide, from $130 per child and $160 per adult.
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#4 of 816 Tours & Activities in Honolulu
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Minutes out of Waikiki the high-rises fade, the Ko‘olau cliffs turn green and the windward coast opens up beside you. By mid-morning you are standing on the sand at Waimea Bay, mask in hand, deciding what kind of day you want to have.
This is Hawai‘i’s original North Shore activities tour, created and run by long-time surfer residents. We drive the East Side and the legendary North Shore coast (Pipeline, Sunset Beach, Waimea Bay), then park the bus and hand the day over to you: pick any two activities, or one activity plus lunch on us.
Spend the afternoon in Historic Hale‘iwa, the North Shore’s surf town, on the water or in the shave-ice line, and be back in Waikiki by 5:00 PM: salty, sun-kissed and happy.
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Most tours look at the North Shore through a window. On the Surf Bus you get in the water, on the trail and onto the river, with locals who know every break.
Choose two activities on the spot: snorkel Shark’s Cove, swim at the Waimea waterfall, kayak or SUP the Anahulu River, ride the tree-tunnel bike path, bodyboard, or simply laze on a white-sand beach. Rather eat? Swap one activity for lunch on us.
Created and run by long-time North Shore surfer residents, this is Hawai‘i’s original North Shore activities tour. Your certified guide knows the breaks, the history and the shrimp trucks, and which one is worth the line.
Max 27 guests, not a giant motor coach. The bus is your basecamp: leave your bag, grab a cold drink from the cooler, dry off and roll to the next stop. Waikiki hotel pick-up and drop-off included.
Equipment rental is included for every option below. Decide on the bus, change your mind on the beach: your guide will set you up.
Lava-rock tide pools and a protected cove full of tropical fish, one of the best shore snorkels on O‘ahu. Masks and snorkels included.
A shaded, paved stroll through the biggest collection of Polynesian plants on the island, ending at a waterfall you can swim in.
Glide out of Hale‘iwa and under the Rainbow Bridge on a kayak or stand-up paddleboard. Hawaiian green sea turtles are often spotted along the river.
An easy, flat ride along the Tree Tunnel Path, rated #2 in Hawaii by the Travel Channel, with white-sand beaches a few pedal strokes away.
Summer flat days turn Waimea Bay into a natural swimming pool; winter brings the famous swells to watch from the sand. Bodyboards included.
Trade one activity for a lunch voucher at the North Shore Shrimp Truck at Shark’s Cove or the Waimea Valley Grill. Prefer two activities? Eateries at Shark’s Cove and Hale‘iwa are steps from the bus.
itinierary
Nine hours, two activities, one unforgettable coastline. Follow the map, then scroll down for every stop of the day.
Here is how the nine hours unfold. Order and timing flex with surf, weather and traffic: your guide calls it on the day.
8:00 AM
Stop 1
Hop on the painted bus at (or near) your hotel and meet your guide.
Please arrive 5–10 minutes early.
Morning
Stop 2
Ko‘olau cliffs, turquoise reef flats and fresh macadamia nuts at the farm.
Late morning
Stop 3
Surfing’s most famous coastline, from Sunset Beach to Waimea Bay: big waves in winter, glassy water in summer.
Activity #1
Stop 4
Swim under Waimea Falls, snorkel Shark’s Cove, bike the tree tunnel or bodyboard.
Waimea Valley ($25 value) included · closed Mondays Oct 1 – Nov 25
Midday
Stop 5
Lunch voucher at the North Shore Shrimp Truck or Waimea Valley Grill, in lieu of one activity.
Afternoon
Stop 6
Surf shops, art galleries and the legendary rainbow shave ice.
Activity #2
Stop 7
Paddle under the Rainbow Bridge, where green sea turtles often surface.
Turtles are wild animals; sightings can’t be guaranteed.
5:00 PM
Stop 8
Cruise past the pineapple fields of central O‘ahu, with hotel drop-off around 5 PM.
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure.
One price covers the bus, your guide, two activities with gear, Waimea Valley admission and Waikiki hotel pick-up. Book online in two minutes.
Families of 4 or more get an automatic 10% discount at checkout.
Free cancellation: full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before your tour.
| Ticket | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult 13+ years old | $160 |
| Child 4 to 12 years old | $130 |
| Lap child 0 to 3 years old | Free |
All prices in US dollars. The tour starts at 8:00 AM; check the calendar for available dates.
★★★★★ 4.9 out of 5 on Tripadvisor · #4 of 816 Tours & Activities in Honolulu
★★★★★
“Cousin G was an amazing guide. He knew so much and took us to some great places! We really enjoyed snorkeling and kayaking. We saw a bunch of sea turtles while kayaking. It’s been the best tour of our entire Oahu trip!”
Jen H
Oct 2026 · Couples · via Tripadvisor
★★★★★
“Fantastic trip with Cousin G! Great sense of humor and very knowledgeable about the island. The itinerary was flexible and everyone was able to pick how they wanted to spend their day. 10/10 would book again.”
Brittney B
Sep 2026 · Couples · Austin, Texas · via Tripadvisor
★★★★★
“Cousin G was an amazing guide and driver. He was so knowledgeable and hilarious. He made sure we all saw and did the activities we wanted to, and is really passionate about Hawaii and his job!”
Matt B
Oct 2026 · Couples · via Tripadvisor
★★★★★
“Had a great time with cousin G. We saw a ton in one day! He made it very fun and overall a good way to see a lot of sights in a short time. … swimming at the waterfall at the gardens was a highlight!”
Katelyn G
Sep 2026 · Couples · via Tripadvisor
★★★★★
“Cousin G was on time andwelcomed us with open arms. On the road he talked about the island and about the places we were driving next to. He informed us about the choices we have and if it was worth doing looking at the weather. He was very friendly. If you love dad jokes, you should totally go for this tour.”
Leyla T
Oct 2026 · Friends · Belgium · via Tripadvisor
★★★★★
“This was an amazing tour and the tour guide was very knowledgeable, accommodating, hilarious with the bad dad jokes”
Dana G
Oct 2026 · Friends · via Tripadvisor
Photos & Videos
Reserve your seats online in two minutes, or call 808-226-7299 and we will book it for you. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure.
q & a
Cancel at least 24 hours before the start of your tour for a full refund. No refunds are issued for tours cancelled within 24 hours of the start time. If you booked within 12 hours of departure, please call (808) 226-7299 to reconfirm.
The tour starts at 8:00 AM and seats are limited to 27, so we recommend booking at least three days ahead, earlier in peak season. You can book online, by phone or through most hotel concierge desks in Hawaii.
Yes. Changes can be made up to 48 hours before your scheduled tour. Contact our customer service team and we will adjust your date or party size.
$160 per adult (13+), $130 per child (4–12) and free for lap children (0–3). Families of 4 or more get an automatic 10% discount at checkout.
Families of 4 or more receive an automatic 10% discount at checkout. For larger groups, contact us for group rates; we also run private charters.
At your Waikiki hotel or a central spot within walking distance. When you enter your hotel in the booking form, the system assigns the closest pick-up location and time (the tour starts at 8:00 AM). Please be there 5–10 minutes early and check your email in the days before the tour.
About 9 hours door to door (8:00 AM – 5:00 PM), depending on traffic. Most of it is spent off the bus: in the water, on the trail or in Hale‘iwa.
Yes, it is a family-friendly tour for all ages, and lap children (0–3) ride free. Kids love the activities, and older guests can enjoy a shaded, paved stroll at Waimea Valley and lunch on us instead of a second activity.
No problem. Choose the bike path, the Waimea Valley walk or simply relax on the beach, or swap an activity for lunch. Every stop has a dry option.
No. You decide on the day with your guide, who recommends the best options for the conditions. Equipment for every activity is on the bus.
Hawaiian green sea turtles are often spotted along the Anahulu River and at North Shore beaches, but they are wild animals and sightings cannot be guaranteed. Ocean conditions, especially winter swells, can change which water activities are possible.
If you take lunch in lieu of one activity, your voucher can be redeemed at the North Shore Shrimp Truck at Shark’s Cove or the Waimea Valley Grill. Prefer two activities? Several eateries at Shark’s Cove and in Hale‘iwa Town sell lunch.
Admission to Waimea Valley is included ($25 value). The Valley is closed on Mondays from October 1 to November 25; on those days choose another activity.
Yes, we carry a couple of options.
Bathing suit and towel, reef-safe sunscreen, comfortable shoes, a set of dry clothes, snacks and drinks for the cooler, and some cash for shave ice and local vendors.
Yes. There are restrooms to change at the stops, and you can safely leave your belongings on the bus while you are off it.
Most tours run rain or shine. In severe weather we may cancel or reschedule; you will be notified as soon as possible and offered a refund or another date.
Please report any disability requiring special attention when you book. We will make all reasonable attempts to accommodate you, but our buses do not have a wheelchair lift.
The tour is guided in English, but the activities can be enjoyed by guests of all languages.
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