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The Surf Bus

4.7 (170 reviews)
Open 8:00 am - 7:00 pm

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Inside the bus.
Monica M.

This tour experience has been the best part of our entire vacation! "Uncle Kevin" made the entire day so amazing. Even though it rained most of the morning, he found a way of still making the best of it. He had a magical way of making the entire journey special and connected everyone on the trip so much that we felt like family by the end of the day. He went above and beyond to ensure that everyone got the best experience of the island. He was very knowledgeable about the rich history of Ohau and had a beautiful passion for sharing it with us. There was not a dull moment on the bus. The entire tour runs from about 8am to 5pm. There was a short stop at the macadamia farm. We got a chance to taste delicious coffee, sample macadamia nuts, and even feed the chickens. Our next stop gave us the option of snorkeling, biking, or hiking to a waterfall for a few hours. Our last stop gave us the option to kayak or paddle board. Each stop had the opportunity to purchase souvenirs and eat. This tour gave us the full experience of the island that we were looking for, and I would highly recommend a tour with Kevin!

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!

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!

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.

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!

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.

Surf contest

We visited Oahu on a cruise on February 5 and knowing that usually meant big waves on the North Shore, I really wanted to get there and back from the cruise ship w/o renting a car due to lack of parking at North Shore. This was just an option to do that but turned out to be so much more! Cousin G was our driver and we sure loved his sense of humor and knowledge of the island. We stopped for Kona coffee, a roadside stand for some friend bananas, a couple of great spots for pictures, a sudden endangered Monk Seal sighting, the Banzai Pipeline. We caught a bit a a huge surf competition as the waves were all I'd hoped. Then, with the option of snorkeling, hiking or biking, we biked back to watch the surfers. The huge waves were mesmerizing! Despite a light rain falling for about 30 minutes, it didn't dampen the fun we were having. After over 2-1/2 hours of biking we met back at the surf bus and stopped to do some kayaking. Again- amazing! We spotted 14 sea turtles in the calm waters of the river. After that it was a visit to a quaint village and some shave ice. Cousin G was even gracious enough to drop us off at the cruise pier so we didn't need to Uber back from our original pick up point! We got back to the ship and both said it was a perfect day! Thanks, Cousin G!

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

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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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4.5(231 reviews)
0.8 miWaikiki

Uʻilani was a spectacular guide--entertaining, funny, and incredibly knowledgeable. She shared her…read morewisdom and deep understanding of Hawaiian culture with warmth and authenticity, and we were able to spend meaningful, unhurried time at every stop on the tour. My favorite activity of the entire trip was snorkeling. I love nature, and swimming alongside a school of fish was one of the most remarkable experiences of my life. My new novel, DeathCon--a YA horror story releasing in February--takes place in Honolulu, and this journey was so rich with insight and history that I truly felt my spirit connect with the people and the land. It was an unforgettable and inspiring experience from beginning to end. Mahalo nui loa -- with deep gratitude for the land, the culture, and the opportunity to be here.

I wish I could give this company 0 stars, but let the one star I'm forced to give be in honor of…read more the incredible bus driver NEIL and our guide KING MIKE. They're both hilarious and very knowledgeable! ------------------------------- As a travel agent, I like to recommend yours or experienced that I myself have tried. While 'Im not much of a tour bus enthusiast, to ensure that my clients end up with a good one-- I decided to try Nui Tours. Unfulfilled promises by Jack (the owner): small group, Mercedes Van, all of the stops, snorkeling at a specific beach, we did not want to stop at certain places and were told we could customize, souvenir hats, 2 bottles of champagne, unlimited juices/snacks/drinks, and the discounted price per person. What we got: the bus was 30 minutes late, no one answers the phone number, HUGE OLD TOUR BUS (58 people), we did not get to choose our stops or how long we stopped somewhere, they had water bottles and Pringles (no juice/no champagne/no other snacks that were promised), and on top of several other things-- they charged us full price. WE ARE STILL AWAITING A REFUND of the amount that was overcharged. Jack has lied to us, taken zero accountability, and still refuses to answer the phone. I can't help to think that half of his warrants are for fraud at this point. There is no clear communication and several tour companies show up at the same location, so if you got suckered into these tours-- please verify with each driver to see if your name is on their list. Please choose a different touring company to support. If you have a car rented and need help planning your endeavors, feel free to reach out. Good luck out there!

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Dolphins and You - Best Dolphin Watch and Turtle Snorkel on Oahu!

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4.7(923 reviews)
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We booked a last-minute turtle snorkeling tour for myself and my 13-year-old daughter, not knowing…read morewhat to expect--and it ended up being the most amazing experience! The bus arrived right on time, and our driver, Cheryl, was awesome and hilarious. Once we got to the boat, Captain Zach was fantastic, and Leilani, our lovely hula dancer, added such a special touch to the whole experience. From start to finish, we loved every single second. The crew was fun, professional, and made us feel completely at ease. We were even lucky enough to see whales, which made the trip extra unforgettable! I've told everyone I know about this experience and can't wait to come back and try the dolphin tour next time. This place is absolutely a 10 out of 10--highly recommend!

Our family of four joined the Dolphins and You 3-hr tour in December 2025 and we had a blast! All…read morestaff members made the experience so enjoyable. Tyler was the bus guide and his positive energy set the tour off to a great start. He clearly laid out the outline of the tour: 1st hour to see sea animals, 2nd hour of snorkeling with a boat slide, 3rd hour boat ride back including lunch and hula dancing. Driver Mahea greeted us warmly and safely drove the large bus from and to Waikiki. Captain Jerry was informative and included our 6-year-old daughter to "drive" the boat and it was a highlight of her Oahu trip. Ben and Kainoa were friendly, made sure we had the appropriate snorkeling gear/life jackets for the kids, and gave beautiful hula dances. Cyre had great energy and was informative on the boat ride. Flo and Faavae were great in guiding the water activities. We saw dolphins, snorkeled with turtles, enjoyed the boat ride, and appreciated how a little bit of the Hawaiian culture was incorporated into the tour. Thank you to this crew!

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

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

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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4.8(278 reviews)
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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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Shaka Tours - A Blow Hole in the Rocks at a Beach

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4.8(98 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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Shaka Tours - One of the many beautiful stops

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First time snorkelers renting snorkel gear at Shaka Tours and heading to Hanauma Bay!

Living Ocean Tours - My son made a new friend and he loved his secure life jacket even though he is an excellent swimmer.

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4.9(782 reviews)
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I'm the girl who wants to go snorkeling even though she gets sea sickness and can't really swim…read morebecause I love animals and I want to experience snorkeling with turtles and fish at least once in my life. We did the turtle tour on 5/13 at 8:30 in the morning. They teach everyone how to use the given gear, they antifog the goggles beforehand and sanitize all the gear well afterwards. They have snacks, water, and ginger ale. We saw two turtles within a couple arms lengths at the surface (you can't touch them but gosh they were so close!). We also saw about seven turtles chilling on the bottom. Tons of reef fish swimming so close to us too. The crew makes sure to point out turtles so you don't miss them. It was my first time in open water and the crew was welcoming from the start. They separate the groups so if you can't swim or are not great at swimming, you can stay back and hold onto a blue mat in the water where they teach you and help you feel comfortable in open water first. Even though I vomited afterwards (yes I took plenty of motion sickness medication ahead of time!), I highly recommend the experience. It's unlike anything else. The crew is so funny, they normalized not being able to swim well or motion sickness so you don't feel embarrassed. They get in the water with you (not all crews do!) and were super attentive, and encouraging. I felt safe enough that I was able to learn, get confident in the water and join the others and I still felt like I had plenty of great snorkeling time. Overall, GREAT company for actually seeing turtles! GREAT for inexperienced swimmers and people who get motion/sea sickness! If you're determined, you can still do it. The crew made me feel safe the entire time! You've got this, you only live once!

Fun 5/5 Snorkeling 4/5…read more Service 5/5 Informative from staff in safety 5/5 Price for value and time 5/5 Overall 5/5 Wow you guys are truly amazing. I didn't even get off the boat and my son already asked me "can we come back to this same boat again next time!" From the gate B, which is your entrance, make sure you read your additional info after your confirmation email, especially if you are taking a Uber or Lyft, or else you can get dropped off at the main area and have to walk and find gate B! It's a long walk if you do not specify, our u er drive was the one that asked me, what gate sir, or else you have a long walk. Thank god he asked us! So from the gate to the entire experience, it can be overwhelming, it's a lot to do, it's a ton of fun. I rated 4/5 for the snorkeling because it's open ocean vs doing this inside a "bay" You first get a cruise down the waters and learn about the city and the captain t Story tells you a lot of history and the buildings while we are cruising and then we turn around to the play and snorkeling areas! Wow! But knowing my kids they want to also PLAY! Thais is the boat, you have a water trampoline, a water floating board that you legit can lay on or stand on and play balance and or just lay, and a huge slide!!!!! Wow! And drink and snacks are included! We didn't even get a chance to grab a beer! lol (for additional $ on your own) Just look at the view and the photos. So this entire experience is just 5/5 We booked through TripAdvisor. This is 100% recommend, since this is also at open ocean, it's easier if you can swim and not afraid of the waters. They do offer life jackets and self blown floatation vests, your choice. Must do!!!!! See you next time!

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Living Ocean Tours - Taking the Waikiki Sunset #cruise with #LivingOceanTours! #DebutDanceDistrict @BryantCabrera

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Living Ocean Tours - All smiles!

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Safety instructions for snorkeling gear

The Surf Bus - tours - Updated May 2026

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