Oahu North Shore: Bus Tour, Snorkeling & Dole Plantation

4.98

(388 reviews)

What’s the experience like?

“If you see a turtle, just let it do its thing—don’t chase it,” our snorkel guide grinned as we squinted into the sun at Turtle Beach. That was maybe two hours after we’d all stumbled off the bus at Green World Coffee Farm, still half-asleep. The smell of roasting beans actually woke me up more than the coffee did. I tried to say ‘mahalo’ to the barista and she smiled extra wide—maybe because of my accent or maybe that’s just how mornings are here.

The bus rolled along the North Shore, windows down so we could hear the ocean before we even saw Banzai Pipeline. Our guide, Malia, pointed out where the big surf competitions happen—though today it was mostly locals stretching on the sand and a couple of kids balancing boards twice their size. At Waimea Bay, I dipped my toes in (the water’s colder than you’d think) and watched someone do a backflip off those famous rocks. I didn’t expect to laugh so much just watching strangers mess around in the waves.

Lunch at Tsue’s Farm was this plate piled high with garlicky shrimp and sticky rice—sat by the river under some trees while chickens wandered around. Honestly, I could’ve stayed there all afternoon but then came stand-up paddling on the Anahulu River. My balance is questionable at best; I wobbled a lot and got heckled (nicely) by another traveler who clearly does yoga or something. We spotted two turtles drifting along beside us—so yeah, that part felt kind of magic.

The last stop was Dole Plantation for pineapple soft-serve (I got brain freeze immediately). It’s touristy but… I mean, it’s Dole Whip in Hawaii. What else are you gonna do? By then my hair smelled like saltwater and sunscreen and I was tired in that way that feels good—not worn out but sort of full. I still think about that river light sometimes when things get too busy back home.