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Honolulu, HI

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The Surf Bus

4.7 (171 reviews)
Open • 8:00 am - 7:00 pm

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Jordan K.

Surf Bus Yours was a great experience! Sam our tour guide was so nice and knowledgeable about the island! Bus was clean and cool! Great snorkeling in Sharks Cove lots of beautiful fish ! Great food trucks too! Mahalo Sam & Surf Bus for a fun time

Andrew M.

As many other people on this site have stated, we've found our long lost uncle Kevin! The tour regardless would have been great, but Kevin took it to a whole other level. Of the other tours I've taken in the last 10 days this one was the best. It never once got boring as some of the other tours have. There is a different type of stop like every 45 minutes so never stuck on the bus. We snorkeled, hiked, and kayaked and had some delicious food along the way. I highly recommend this tour!

Tash B.

Uncle Kevin was a breath of fresh air, funny, full of information, and a great host. Tons of fun facts on the ride and a perfect amount of time at each stop. To note: I was under the impression surf lessons was an option as activity two but apparently you have to pay extra for that and book the evening before. BRING CASH FOR LOCKERS I do think that bus could use an A/C update for the back seats- we were pretty toasty. Maybe having a map of the route we take on bus would be handy as well, charging outlets would be great. Other than that wonderful day!

Selene R.

Uncle Kevin!!! I mean what more can we say besides the fact that he made us feel so comfortable and had the best knowledge of the island! He wasn't kidding when he said we were about to become a dysfunctional family either haha. Uncle Kevin made sure to make this trip memorable by cracking jokes and answering any questions anyone had. On the way to the North Shore he made a stop at the Tropical Farms macadamia nut shop for yummy samples and a restroom break. From there we continued on and stopped at a fruit stand which he recommended. Both spots were amazing and he was so awesome for taking us there! Finally we got to our first activity and that's where we decided between snorkeling or the waterfall hike. My husband and I chose snorkeling for our first activity of the day, as it did come highly recommended. It was my first time snorkeling so it was definitely fun and lots to see. You are also given all the snorkeling gear, some things did need to be paid separately though, prices varied about $5-$7. They also provided the option of a locker, it was $5 for the locker. Afterwards my husband and I had lunch provided across the street by some food trucks. Super yummy! Uncle Kevin was on time when it came to pickup and made sure everyone was good before going onto the next stop. We went over to the next town for paddle boarding/kayaking. After you could explore the town and get some of the famous Matsumoto shaved ice! Pretty long line but worth the wait and overall quick. The website confused us a bit considering that my husband and I thought we'd have the option to do both the waterfall hike and snorkeling, but you get the option between the two. Overall Uncle Kevin made this tour what it was! Fun, safe, comfortable, and gave us lots of knowledge of the island. We appreciated all of his hard work and had a blast! So glad we decided to go with this tour!

Stop 1: Macadamia Nut Farm
Jessica C.

Uncle Kevin is the best! He's a gifted storyteller, a comedian, and an awesome historian too! There wasn't a question he did not know the answer to, and our family learned so much about historical sites, buildings, and landmarks as we made our way up to the North Shore. We stopped at the Macadamia Nut farm for complimentary Kona Coffee and samplings, then we headed to a fruit stand to purchase delicious chicharrónes and the sweetest papaya I've ever tasted. What I loved most about the tour was how accommodating Kevin was. The activity options were separated into two groups: morning and afternoon. We were asked to choose one from each category; however, the two we really wanted to participate in were both morning activities (Waimea Falls and snorkeling at Shark's Cove). Kevin timed it so that we could do both in the morning and have the afternoon free to eat lunch, enjoy shave ice, and shop in Haleiwa. We loved this tour so much that we rented a car the next day so we could further explore some of the beaches he pointed out. The shuttle was convenient and arrived on time. My only disappointment was that we only had about 40 minutes to snorkel. We could have easily spent an hour and a half there because there was so much to see! It was a hassle to get the snorkeling equipment and a safety briefing, put our valuables in a rented locker, cross the street to the beach, put our gear on, snorkel, then return the equipment and catch the bus on time. I wish this activity were an afternoon option. Other than that, we made memories to last a lifetime, and I highly recommend booking the tour with Kevin. He is extremely knowledgeable, punctual, and so much fun!

Crab, at secret beach
Cynthia M.

Thank you uncle Kevin, the tour was awesome, you are really knowledgeable and I enjoy the trip a lot, great experience

North shore beach where we got dropped off to go snorkeling.
Noemi G.

Uncle Kevin is THE BEST! Had a blast during this tour. Did some snorkeling and got to try some great food! Definitely recommend for anyone looking for activities.

The bus
Rachel R.

Sam was the best travel advisor, he is so knowledgeable about Hawaii and has amazing facts to share during the ride. The surf bus is so fun and it allows you to get in a lot of activities and see beautiful things along the way. Highly recommend!!!

Edith S.

What an amazing experience and great tour. Highly recommend especially with Uncle Kevin. This dude is amazing far beyond his job. Just overall great person who clearly loves what he does. He wants to ensure people truly enjoy their time and does everything possible to make everything happen. After seeing him after almost 11 years it's cool to see he hasn't changed the passion he had even back then for the beautiful Hawaii you get to experience with him. We had a lovely time and would only do it with Uncle Kevin.

Waimea fall - one of the activities you get to choose from
Jackie N.

Had an amazing time with Uncle Kevin as our tour guide!! Learned so much about the island of Oahu with the emphasis on the history of the North Shore. Was nervous bringing my 1 yr old daughter along this tour since it was from 8am-5pm but she did great. Uncle Kevin made sure my family was comfortable and had fun interacting and with my daughter. He was also super accommodating during times she was napping and let us stay in the bus with AC if needed while everyone was doing their activities. We got to choose 2 activities. Everything was straight forward, no hassles or anything. Plus, I really enjoyed the information presented and Uncle Kevin made learning super fun! Ask any questions about Oahu, he will have an answer for ya! Definitely going to recommend this tour for my parents when they decide to visit in August.

North Shore Swells

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We had a great time, saw so much of the island in one day. Sam was an awesome guide! Thanks again!

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3 years ago

Cousin G was amazing! He was interactive with the bus, knowledgeable on all activities. Had a lot of laughs & a wonderful time.

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Page 2 of 5

Ask the Community - The Surf Bus

Review Highlights - The Surf Bus

“From when Uncle Kevin greeted us as we got on the bus to when we left, I never saw someone smile so much.”

Mentioned in 82 reviews

Read more highlights

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This review is for NUI Tours: Grand Tours…read more AKA was so much more than a tour guide--he brought people together! We learned about Honolulu and Hawaiʻi's history, but what made this tour special was his message of unity: regardless of our color or background, we are one human family. He encouraged us to learn about the different cultures that helped shape our world and appreciate their contributions. His message about caring for the land, which sustains us all, was a reminder that taking care of our surroundings is also taking care of each other. He even connected the histories of the cultures represented in our tour group, making the experience personal and inspiring. You guys need to give this man a raise! AKA is an incredible asset, and we left with more than facts--we left with a deeper appreciation for Hawaiʻi and one another. Our only regret? We didn't get a picture with him! Mahalo from your Filipino tour ʻohana! Go, AKA! When you're on the Ninth Island--Las Vegas--look us up. You've got family here!

If I remember correctly, our driver's name was Neo and our guide was Ryan. We went on the grand…read moretour--I don't remember if it was 16 or 20 stops, but it was a wonderful trip! The biggest highlights for us were the Byodo-In Temple and the Dole Plantation. We were originally going to drive ourselves to these places, but we were so glad we ran into the vendors on the street instead. Some of the stops didn't quite meet our expectations, but for the price (especially with the discount), it was well worth it. However, the real heartbeat of the tour wasn't even the sites--it was Neo and Ryan. They are incredibly knowledgeable about the island, and their presentation was filled with heartwarming honesty, real facts, and no sugar-coating. They made sure to include everyone in the conversation, which showed such genuine care for the guests. We absolutely loved them and would tour with them again on any other adventures. I highly recommend taking a tour with Neo and Ryan--they will absolutely make your time worthwhile! Love from L. T. and family.

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This cruise was amazing for my family. The staff are very friendly and welcoming. As we set out to…read morefind spinner dolphins which they found, the staff explained to us about the island and its culture. They danced for us and played great music . The captain (Danny) was trying her best to find a great place to snorkel which she found . The lunch (turkey sandwich) was really good. They served water, lemonade and had drinks for sale as well. I would definitely recommend this trip and company. Aloha

My wife and I had an amazing boat tour experience from start to finish. We were picked up in…read moreWaikīkī and taken to the Wai'anae Small Boat Harbor, which made everything convenient and easy. They also offer a military discount, which we really appreciated. Once we got out on the water, the experience was unforgettable. We swam with colorful fish and sea turtles, saw dolphins, and even got to see false killer whales. It was truly a great day out at sea. The crew was exceptional: Capt. Dani, Ben, Faavae, Kania, Roxanne, Kirra, Bernard, and Keely all made the trip special. Keely deserves a special shout-out! The crew provided educational facts, acted as lifeguards, served food and drinks, and even danced, making the whole experience fun, safe, and memorable. I highly recommend this tour to anyone looking for an incredible ocean adventure in Hawai'i. Great service, beautiful wildlife, and an outstanding crew!

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Dolphins and You - Dolphins and You is a party on the ocean! Enjoy a day off in paradise.

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Dolphins and You - Lunch Included with Dolphin Adventure

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Dolphins and You - Watching dolphins swim by and ride the surf of the bow on Dolphins and You is an experience you'll never forget!

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Sage and Kim provided us with a safe, enjoyable, and well-organized trip. The itinerary was fully…read morepacked and thoughtfully designed, offering a rich mix of Hawaiian culture, history, and natural beauty. We especially appreciated the authentic local insights alongside highlights of modern-day icons. The only downside--through no fault of Sage or Kim--was that a few inconsiderate participants did not respect the schedule, which caused delays and shortened our time at some stops.

Like many others, we did ample research before diving into this tour. The appeal for me was the:…read more- included lunch - guidebook given at the end outlining Oahu's nature WRITTEN BY THE CEO! - focus on flora and fauna - competitive price point - good pick up locations My favorite stops were: - the Botanical garden which many other tours offer as well - Pali Lookout for King Kamehameha's victory and the wind The not so fun: - Chinaman's Hat, would've preferred the nut farm Our guide Kainoa taught us about the nature, history, Hawaiian language, personal storytelling especially with his grandfather and brother, some cool stories (spoilers ahead) include: - Grandpa and brother touching Pacific Ocean at the same time in Honolulu and San Diego which is touching the same thing - Polynesians keeping sharks as pets, one of grandma's friends kept a 14 ft long tiger shark and fed it in knee deep water - The events of Pearl Harbor and December 7th 1941 through his grandpa's eyes - Hawaii's transition from sugar cane to tourism Some other cool random events include: - two peoples birthdays - proposal on board! Definitely would go back! The bus was comfy and Kainoa was awesome. you can tell the CEO and all the staff really want you to know the intimacy of Hawaii, not just the tourist spots, evident when driving up the north east shore and through the countryside.

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Oahu Nature Tours
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4.7(99 reviews)
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If you're a tourist, do yourself a favor by talking to Shaka. They are so incredibly patient,…read morehelpful, and *honest*! I actually saved money by booking through them compared to online, because they fully explained the differences in tours/tiers and picked the cheapest ones that satisfied our criteria. It was clear that they knew what they were talking about. Ideally, you should call Shaka before you get to Hawaii and plan your vacation early... but we didn't. Luckily, we stopped by in person and Shaka Tours saved our vacation. They planned our whole itinerary, got us tickets to things that looked closed, and advised us against packages that we came in considering. It actually felt like a tourist stop itself, because they explained the local geography and customs using google maps and videos, and suggested can't-miss, free, no-reservation needed stuff like the Diamond Head Hike. They were easy to reach by text/call at any time, even when we woke up very early because we wanted to make the most of the day. The tours they did book for us were all great with friendly guides. I can't recommend them enough!

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The Surf Bus - tours - Updated October 2026

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