Driving O’ahu’s Legendary North Shore: A Surf and Adventure Tour

The “7-Mile Miracle”and the whole breathtaking drive along the North Shore of O’ahu have to be seen to be believed and one of the [most popular O'ahu tours.](https://haliatours.com/oahu-tours/north-shore-tours/) This driving tour takes you past stunning beaches where you can swim, snorkel, and sample some of the best food on the island, all while watching surfers catch waves. The tour starts in the parking lot of Windward Mall, where I’ll tell you a bit about some of Hawaii’s most popular pastimes, along the coastline where they take place. As you drive, you’ll hear legends about he’e nalu, the traditional term for wave sliding or surfing. You’ll learn about Chiefs, Chiefesses, Gods, Goddesses, traditional place names, and stories associated with surfing, and the conditions that create great waves. You’ll make your way along the North Shore, where you may see waves that are over 50 feet tall, and the surfers who dare to try to ride them. As you continue along the East Side, you might be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of waterfalls. You’ll pass the treacherous Waimea Bay Beach where there are a few hikes nearby, as well as the thunderous waterfall at Waimea Valley. The tour ends at Hale’iwa Beach Park, where you can enjoy a peaceful picnic while the pristine Pacific Ocean gently kisses the shoreline. Along the way, you’ll have a chance to: • Hear about Kāneohoalani, the tallest peak here, known as the “Royal Companion of the God Kāne”, before checking out Kualoa Ranch • Learn how Hawaiians’ sugar cane farming inspired Western commercial interest, transforming it from a neglected crop into a lucrative industry • Explore Turtle Bay Resort, a popular movie location that’s been featured in films like Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Along Came Polly, and Vacation Friends 2 • See where the world-famous Pipeline Masters and Backdoor Shootout surf competitions are held at the Banzai Pipeline • Hear how the phrase Aloha extends itself far beyond “hello” or “goodbye” for Hawaiians This 180-minute tour was created on a fully accessible route, but you can customize this tour to add hikes, and activities at Kualoa or the Gunstock Ranch, Ka’ena Climboworks. You could even take surf lessons at Turtle Bay Resort. Donʻt forget about the [free and fun scavenger hunts and quizzes](https://audiotourhawaii.com/gps-audio-guide-tours/driving-tours/north-shore-oahu-surf-tour/#free-extras) that accompany every tour. There are Easy(ish) 10 Question versions and Hard(er) 25 Question extras to enjoy. Now you donʻt have to worry about pulling the kids off their phones to enjoy the day!

Price: £14.99 from VoiceMap