The Dole Plantation is a family-friendly spot with a number of activities, a sprawling gift shop, and sweet treats like pineapple soft serve and the Instagram-famous Dole Whip. While you’re there you can go on the Pineapple Express — a train ride through the plantation; weave your way out of a pineapple maze and go on a self-guided garden walking tour. If you only have time for one activity, we recommend the train ride. This spot is worth it to shop for a variety of pineapple flavored treats, from candies to pancake mix. Note: the activities at Dole Plantation require an entrance fee, but you can visit the gift shop and Cafe (for a Dole Whip) without paying an entrance fee.

Hours: 9:30AM – 4:30PM

Daily, except Wednesdays when they are closed for deep cleaning and sanitizing

Check out hand-crafted skincare products made locally right on the North Shore. One of the best parts? The guided tour of the factory ($10 for a short tour, $20 for longer) will show you how the soap is mixed, swirled, cut and boxed!

Hours: 
10am - 4pm, DAILY except Sundays

Haleiwa is a seaside town with a beach, river, mom-and-pop shops, and loads of local eateries. While you’re here, stop into some of the one-of-a-kind art galleries, shop for unique souvenirs and grab a bite to eat. You can also kayak, surf, stand-up paddle board, and even go diving with sharks.

Dating back to the early 1950’s this dessert spot serves up shave ice in dozens of flavors! It’s a favorite spot for locals and visitors alike. There will most likely be a long line, but don’t let that stop you — it moves fast.

HOURS:
10am–6pm, DAILY

Also known as turtle beach, this little beach is a natural feeding ground for honu, or sea turtles. This beach tends to get crowded and parking is extremely limited. If you can’t find a spot, just keep driving down the road to the next stop. If you do visit the beach, be careful while crossing the road from the small parking area and please be mindful to keep your distance from these protected animals. Getting too close to sea turtles will result in a large fine.

Waimea Bay is a gorgeous moon-shaped, white-sand beach. During winter, the shore break is fierce and not suitable for casual swimming. However, when the water is calm, you can jump in the ocean for a dip, snorkel, and, if you’re feeling adventurous, try a 20-foot rock jump. Note: parking in this area can be difficult at times, especially if the surf is up. If the main parking lot is full, look for street parking. Sometimes there is paid parking across the street at Waimea Valley.

Shark’s Cove is a Marine Life Conservation District, known for some of the best snorkeling and diving because of its diversity of sea life just below the water. If you’ve got kiddos with you, to the left of Shark’s Cove is an area of tide pools, perfect for children to wade through the water and paddle around. A word of caution for all, the lava rocks here are very sharp. We recommend wearing water shoes and being extremely careful as you enter and exit the water. If you need snorkel gear you can rent across the street.

Officially named Ehukai Beach, Banzai Pipeline is a surfer’s mecca. “Pipeline”, as surfers call it, is known for its quintessential barreling waves that curl like a pipe. Each winter surfers from all over the world test their might at “pipe” during the annual Billabong Pipeline Masters competition. Hundreds of people flock to the beach to catch a glimpse of these athletes in action. Even during the summer months, when waves have calmed and the surfers have relocated, parking is limited. If you can’t find a spot, look for street parking. We recommend just admiring the surfers at this beach as it’s not safe for swimming, even in summer.

Even though this beach is a famous surf spot, as its name suggests, it’s also a great place to watch the sunset. If you don't have time to watch the sunset today, we recommend you come back another day. 

Ted's Bakery is a spot you won't want to miss! This local eatery is known for its famous cream pies. The specialty is their chocolate haupia, but they also have strawberry guava, blueberry, and pineapple macadamia nut, just to name a few!

Hours

8 AM - 6:30 PM, DAILY

TAKE OUT ONLY

Face Masks & Social Distancing Enforced

As you’re driving on North Shore, you’ll pass a few fruit stands along the way. One of our favorites, Kahuku Fruit Stands, is located just past Turtle Bay Resort. Stop for some locally grown fruit that’s cut, chilled and ready to eat.

Park at Kahuku Fruit Stand and walk across the street to find a pathway that will take you to Kawela Bay — a picturesque beach with banyan trees, soft sand and turquoise waters.

Known for its shrimp trucks, Kahuku is home to dozens of eateries serving up warm plates of garlic shrimp. But, shrimp isn’t all you’ll find, look out for pizza, plate lunches, burgers, yogurt, and huli huli chicken — another local favorite. Please note: most, if not all of the food trucks in Kahuku are cash only.

On our way to the next stop, we’ll quickly drive by Laie Temple. No need to get out of the car, just listen as we tell you the story of this site that was designed after King Solomon’s temple described in the bible. With its gleaming white finish, the temple is dubbed the “Taj Mahal of the Pacific”. Here you’ll find a visitor center with clean restrooms if you want to make a pit stop.

Stop for a quick view of a breathtaking sea arch at Laie Point. As waves crash below you’ll see just how this magnificent geologic wonder was formed! See if you can spot the lizard from the story that the tour describes.

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The Polynesian Cultural Center is one of Oahu’s most visited attractions, and offers some of the most authentic cultural experiences on the islands. It features island villages that represent six Polynesian islands: Hawaii, Tahiti, Samoa, Fiji, Tonga, and Aotearoa (New Zealand). The center also has a luau, night show and marketplace. Please note, a visit to the Polynesian Cultural Center is a full-day excursion. 

Go for a quiet beach walk at Kahana Bay, a gorgeous spot without any crowds. There’s also a public restroom if you need a bathroom break.

Kualoa Ranch is 4,000-acre private nature reserve with a working farm and adventure haven. While here, you can do all sorts of tours and activities including, ATVing, ziplining, kayaking, and horseback riding. Since we have a jam-packed day, we recommend you make a quick stop at the gift shop, museum and restrooms for today. If you’d love to do one of the activities that works too, but we recommend you book in advance.

For a scenic lookout, you’ll turn into Kualoa Beach Park. Here look for an island in the distance. The island is called Mokoliʻi but is locally known as Chinaman’s Hat. This is just a quick stop for the view, but if you’re looking for some more adventure can come back another day with a kayak and paddle out to explore the island.

Byodo In Temple was built in 1968 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the first Japanese immigrants to Hawaii. Nestled under the Koʻolau Mountains, the temple is a replica of a 950-year old Japanese temple in Uji, Japan that is listed as a United Nations World Heritage Site. Please note: the cost of admission is $5 per adult and $2 per child. 

Hours:
8:30am–5pm, DAILY

Note: The gardens are temporarily closed.

This 24-acre garden is steeped in history. The original Moanalua Gardens was located at a different site, but dates back over a century! When the gardens were moved to its current location structures from the original were preserved and transported to the gardens you’ll visit today.

Want to get some discount shopping in before you head home for the day? Stop at Waikele Outlets. You’ll find a variety of stores like Kate Spade, Coach and Levi’s.