The Ultimate North Shore Oahu Road Trip

Going to the North Shore when visiting Oahu is a must!

Famous for its epic waves and legendary surf, it's also full of scenic stops and fun experiences. We chose to drive ourselves in a rental car, but if you don’t have one, tours are available (most of which include doing the entire island of Oahu).

Below is the itinerary I followed during my trip in early January. This route is perfect for a roundtrip from Waikiki Beach with no backtracking. If you're coming from a different starting point, I recommend using ChatGPT to customize your itinerary—it’s incredibly helpful!

Morning: Drive from Waikiki to North Shore

• Start early to avoid traffic on H-1 and H-2. We left around 7:30 a.m.

  
  

Stop 1: Dole Plantation

📍 Wahiawa, HI

• Enjoy a Dole Whip, stroll through the pineapple garden, and check out the maze if time allows. We were nervous about time, so we didn't stay here too long.

Stop 2: Green World Coffee Farm

📍 Wahiawa, HI

• Quick coffee stop for locally roasted Hawaiian coffee and souvenirs. You can try free coffee samples here. It may be worth mentioning it took a very long time to purchase a cup of coffee, so we ended up not getting it, but we did love the samples! They must have been short-staffed when we were there.

Coffee flavors at Green World Coffee Farm in the North Shore

Stop 3: Waimea Valley & Waimea Falls

📍 North Shore

• Here there is a short but scenic hike (1.5 miles round-trip) through botanical gardens to a swimmable waterfall. Check for signs to make sure the water is safe to swim in before going in. Sometimes they will warn you if the water is not swimmable.

  
  

Stop 4: Waimea Bay Beach Park

📍 North Shore

• Waimea Bay is known for its big waves in winter and snorkeling/swimming in summer. If you are visiting in the winter months, you are in for a treat!

  
  

Stop 5: Ted’s Bakery

📍 Sunset Beach

• Grab a slice of their famous chocolate haupia pie (or take a whole one to go!). You can also use a restroom here, if needed.

Stop 6: Shark’s Cove

📍 Pupukea

• Despite it being in the name, there are typically no sharks here, but the rock formations and waves are fascinating to watch. You also have an option to snorkel here (only recommended here in the summer when the waves are calmer) and see the lava rock tide pools and tropical fish up close.

  
  

  

  Shark's Cove in the North Shore

Stop 7: Sunset Beach & Banzai Pipeline

📍 North Shore

• This is the iconic surf spot where you can watch world-class surfers if visiting in winter. You may see a caution sign up warning you about the waves and dangerous swimming depending on the time of year you go. You will also see photos of Tamayo Perry, who was a respected professional surfer, lifeguard, and actor, known for his legendary presence at Oahu's Banzai Pipeline. He was regarded as one of the greatest pipeline specialists of all time. Tragically, he passed away last year from a shark attack at the same spot.

  
  

  

  Warning sign at Sunset Beach in the North Shore

Stop 9: Laniakea Beach (Turtle Beach)

📍 Haleiwa

• Spot Hawaiian green sea turtles resting on the shore.

  
  

Stop 10: Haleiwa Town

📍 Historic Haleiwa

• Explore surf shops, other small businesses, and grab a Matsumoto shave ice.

• We had lunch at the Haleʻiwa Beach House and it was fantastic. Delicious cocktails, too!

• If you're feeling brave, this is also a location where you can do a shark cage dive.

  
  

Shops in Haleʻiwa in the North Shore

Cocktail at Haleʻiwa Beach House in the North Shore

Banana bread stand at Haleʻiwa in the North Shore

Evening: Drive Back to Waikiki

• Take H-2 S → H-1 E for the fastest route back.

• If you prefer a coastal drive back, take Kamehameha Hwy (Kahuku → Kaneohe → Waikiki) to see:

  • Kualoa Ranch – Jurassic Park filming location.

  • Byodo-In Temple – Peaceful Japanese temple in lush mountains.

  • Chinaman’s Hat Island Viewpoint – A picturesque coastal stop.

Overall, this was about a 7-hour day for us, but it could easily be longer if you make more stops. We loved driving the coastal route back and seeing all the beautiful beaches and scenery. For more tips on visiting Oahu—where to stay, what to do, and where to eat—check out my Benable list: Oahu, Hawaii:Travel Guide.

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