Oʻahu day trip: the North Shore

Go up through the middle of the island to Dole Plantation and Haleʻiwa town, then follow the coast past Waimea Bay, Waimea Valley's waterfall, Pipeline and Sunset Beach to the Kahuku shrimp trucks. In winter, watch giant surf; in summer, the same beaches are often calm enough to swim.

1. Waikīkī
2. Dole Plantation
3. Haleʻiwa town
4. Waimea Bay
5. Waimea Valley
6. ʻEhukai Beach Park (Pipeline)
7. Sunset Beach Park
8. Kahuku shrimp trucks
9. Waikīkī

• 1. Dole Plantation (Wahiawā): Dole Whip and the pineapple garden.
• 2. Haleʻiwa town: shops, food trucks and Matsumoto Shave Ice.
• 3. Waimea Bay: big-wave surf in winter, swimming and the jumping rock in calm summer seas.
• 4. Waimea Valley: garden walk to Waimea Falls (admission; Hawaiʻi residents pay less).
• 5. ʻEhukai Beach Park: home of the Banzai Pipeline.
• 6. Sunset Beach.
• 7. Kahuku: garlic shrimp at Giovanni's, Romy's or Fumi's, or Mike's Huli-Huli Chicken.
• Return via H-2 (faster) or continue down the windward coast for the full circle.
• Winter surf is deadly: watch from the sand when lifeguards post warnings. Parking along Kamehameha Highway fills early.
• Tap "Open all stops in Google Maps" for the whole route. Phone browsers may show only the first few stops; the Google Maps app shows them all.

Sources: Waimea Valley: Admission and hours · Hawaiʻi Guide: Oʻahu driving times

Last checked Oct. 29, 2026. Hours, fees and rules can change, so confirm with the official source before you go.