• North Shore - Hawaii is renowned as the cultural heart of surfing, where ancient Hawaiians surfed purely for enjoyment. Oahu’s North Shore boasts three of the world’s most famous waves: Banzai Pipeline, Sunset Beach, and Waimea Bay.

Winter is the most reliable season for large swells. With a bit of luck, witnessing the “big” surf can be both intimidating and awe-inspiring.

These beaches are worth visiting year-round. If you plan to enter the water, ensure safety and avoid conditions beyond your skill level.

• Hanauma Bay State Park - Hanauma Bay is Oahu’s most beloved snorkeling spot, beautifully nestled within the half-crescent rim of an ancient cinder cone. An optional stop, but timed ticket reservations are required.

Reservations are now necessary, as an online system has been implemented to manage limited public access.

• Diamond Head State Monument - Oahu’s most iconic extinct volcanic crater, Diamond Head, is just a short drive from Waikiki. Drive through the tunnel in the crater wall to park inside, with a parking fee payable at the entrance.

Enjoy the views inside the crater, but if you’re up for it, tackle the 271 stairs and sometimes steep trail to hike to the crater rim.

From the top, enjoy breathtaking views of Waikiki, Honolulu, and the coastal beaches. Allocate about 90 minutes for the hike.

• Kailua Beach Park - One of Oahu’s most stunning sandy beaches, this beautiful stretch is two and a half miles long, between Alala and Kapoho Points.

From the shore, enjoy views of the Mokes, a pair of islands just a mile offshore.

Join a guided kayak trip to paddle out and explore. Note that parking restrictions are strictly enforced, especially on weekends.

• Punchbowl Crater - Punchbowl Crater majestically overlooks the city, serving as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by service members at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.
• Ko Olina - Ko Olina is a planned resort community at the end of the H1 Freeway, in the island’s southwestern part. It hosts the Disney Aulani Resort.

Four large, protected lagoons have been created on the shore, offering a safe and calm environment for swimming and beach enjoyment. The public is welcome to enjoy the lagoons, even if not staying at one of the resorts.

• Laie Point State Wayside Park - The Laie sea arch, just offshore from Laie Point, is perfect for photos. Enjoy views along the windward coast from this side of the island. It takes only 10 minutes to appreciate the views, and there is no cost to visit.
• Byodo-In Temple - The Byodo-In is a replica of a renowned Japanese temple of the same name, located near Kyoto.

The original is nearly 1,000 years old. This Byodo-In is beautifully situated beneath the Ko’olau Mountains, making it a picturesque spot for photos with the stunning, scalloped cliffs as a backdrop.

The grounds and temple are scenic and worth the 45-minute visit. An optional stop, with a small entry fee.

• Pearl Harbor National Memorial - Pearl Harbor is where the Japanese launched a surprise aerial attack on US ships, drawing America into WWII. Today, the events of that fateful day and the countless lives affected are commemorated.

Plan to spend about half a day visiting Pearl Harbor and exploring the many exhibits. Visiting the USS Arizona Memorial is by boat. There is no cost to visit, but tickets to the USS Arizona are first-come, first-served. Be sure to sign up for the next available boat upon arrival.

• Lanikai Beach - Just south of Kailua Beach Park, Lanikai Beach is a half-mile stretch of pristine sand and palm trees.
• Dole Plantation - The Dole brand is synonymous with tropical fruits, especially pineapples. Since the 1800s, James Dole aimed to make pineapple a staple in every American kitchen. Growing and exporting pineapples to the US mainland was crucial to Hawaii’s early agricultural economy.

Visiting the plantation can be a free experience if you enjoy shopping at the gift store and sampling products.

On-site, there’s a pineapple maze and tours of the tropical fruit plantation on the Pineapple Express, a vintage-style train.

• Haleiwa - Haleiwa is the main town on Oahu’s North Shore. Before or after visiting some of the world’s most famous surfing beaches, explore the town for dining, shopping, and galleries.

A local favorite is enjoying shave ice from M Matsumoto Store, then exploring local artisans’ folk art and painted surfboards.

It’s also a great place for dinner after watching a sunset from one of the beaches, before heading back to Waikiki.

• Ko Olina - Ko Olina is a planned resort community at the end of the H1 Freeway, in the island’s southwestern part. It hosts the Disney Aulani Resort.

Four large, protected lagoons have been created on the shore, offering a safe and calm environment for swimming and beach enjoyment.

The public is welcome to enjoy the lagoons, even if not staying at one of the resorts.

• Punchbowl Crater - Punchbowl Crater is a dormant volcano turned scenic overlook. From the rim, enjoy panoramic views of Honolulu, Diamond Head, and the Pacific. It’s a serene yet powerful spot to reflect on the island’s beauty and history.
• Nu’uanu Pali Lookout - The most renowned elevated viewpoint on Oahu is the scenic panoramas from the Pali Lookout. The Pali is the nickname for Route 61, which crosses the island, connecting Kailua to Honolulu.

The viewpoint sits atop the sheer cliffs of the mountains facing the windward side of the island. Hold on to your hats and belongings, as the winds are almost always strong, but the outstanding views of the coast make it worthwhile. Paid parking is required at the location.

• Toll free phone, chat and email support
• Pre-download and tour offline
• In-app, web and PDF trip planners
• Location-based stories, tips & directions that autoplay
• Buy once, use forever with free updates
• GuideAlong (GyPSy Guide) Audio Tour with 230+ points
• App-based self-guided experience, no in-person guide needed
• Flexible routes with suggested itineraries or create your own

• Hanauma Bay State Park: $25 per adults (13+) and $3 parking fee
• Byodo-In Temple: $5 adults (13-64), $4 seniors (65+), $2 children (2-12)
• Dole Plantation: free admission, tours $7.75 adults, maze $8.75 adults, train tour $13 adults
• Diamond Head: $5 (ages 4+) and $10 parking fee
• Iolani Palace: tours start at $26.95 adults (18+), $21.95 teens (13-17) and $11.95 youth (5-12)

Experience the wonders of Oahu with GuideAlong’s self-guided audio tour, immersing you in the island’s stunning landscapes, azure waters, and vibrant culture and history. Discover intriguing behind-the-scenes stories, local insights, and automatic directions tailored to your location.

Explore both renowned attractions and hidden treasures, such as a breathtaking snorkeling site within a volcanic crater and a scenic viewpoint over coastal cliffs.

Enjoy the liberty to explore offline at your own pace, allowing more time at places that captivate you and skipping those that don’t.

✅ Automatic stories, tips, and directions based on your location
✅ Travel at your own pace
✅ Offline touring with GPS, no need for cell service or WiFi
✅ Suggested itineraries for half, full, or multi-day adventures
✅ One-time purchase with lifetime access and free updates
✅ It’s like having a tour guide on your journey

Purchase one tour per vehicle.

• How to Access: After booking you’ll receive an email and text with instructions (search “Download Audio Tour”). Click the link in the email/text to sign in with your preferred Apple or Google account and redeem your voucher code ahead of time.
• Download The GuideAlong App: Download the free app over WiFi or cellular data and sign in with the same Apple or Google account.
• Download The Tour: Download the tour in the GuideAlong app under ‘My Tours’ over WiFi or cellular data.
• Start The Tour: Open the tour in the GuideAlong app to preview the start locations, tour route and trip planner, or start the tour.
• Location-Based Stories: Audio commentary plays automatically as you drive using your phone’s GPS chip. Wherever you are and whichever direction you’re going, you’ll hear the best stories and tips.
• Flexible Travel Date: Tours are a one-time purchase with no expiry or date/time limit. If your plans change to a different day, there’s no need to change your travel date.
• Tour at Your Leisure: With GuideAlong, you control the pace. Start, stop, and resume the tour any day, anytime, adapting it to your schedule.
• Driving Tours: Group Savings: One purchase covers everyone in the vehicle, making it a cost-effective way to explore.
• Works Offline: No internet or cell service is required once the audio tour is downloaded to your phone, so you can relax and tour offline.
• Bring A Charger: Pack a USB/C car charger for charging and easy sound connectivity, and make sure your device is fully charged.
• Technical Support: The GuideAlong support team is available daily by toll-free phone, online chat, and email.
• CarPlay and Android Auto are not yet supported, so listen to the tour through your phone’s speaker or pair it to your car stereo via Bluetooth.
• The app’s audio will play through your car’s Apple CarPlay and Android Auto display, while the app’s map will display on your phone. You can connect your phone to the car via Bluetooth to listen to the commentary through the car stereo.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.