What to Expect on Shaka Guide�s East Oahu Shoreline Drive

August 11, 2021

jennifer

So you’re thinking about exploring Oahu’s eastern coast with Shaka Guide? This scenic road trip visits three dormant volcanoes; seven pristine beaches, and a 400-acre botanical garden. You can hike three trails, spend hours snorkeling, or take some time to relax along the island’s coast. There’s a lot to cover in one day, so we’ve created this list to get you started. Here’s what you can expect on Shaka Guide’s East Oahu Shoreline Drive.

1. To Spend a Full Day Exploring

If you plan on doing everything on the tour, we recommend you set aside 10 to 12 hours. This means visiting each stop, hiking every trail, snorkeling at Hanauma Bay, and exploring Ho’omaluhia Botanical Gardens. The East Oahu Shoreline Drive has 19 major stops and over 100 audio points. Of course, Shaka Guide gives you the freedom to explore at your own pace so you can skip spots based on your interests or time restraints.

2. To Be Active

Whether or not you choose to hike the trails along the East Oahu Shoreline Drive, the tour is an active excursion. Expect to jump in the ocean, snorkel, go on beach walks, stroll through gardens, and stop for photos. This is not an experience where you’ll want to sit idly by. Get out and explore the beauty of Oahu’s coastline! You won’t regret it.

3. To Learn

Hawaii has a unique history and culture. From the tales of King Kamehameha the Great, to the story of an ancient heiau, you can expect to learn something new. Oh, and did we mention you’ll learn a bit of Hawaiian too? Take what you’ve learned home to share with your friends and family — they’ll be floored by your knowledge of Hawaii!

4. To Enjoy Local Food

You’ll visit some of the best food neighborhoods in Oahu on the East Oahu Shoreline Drive. In fact, you can get some of Hawaii’s most popular dishes along this drive. Try malasadas from Leonard’s Bakery; a plate lunch from Ono Steak and Shrimp; an acai bowl from Lanikai Juice; poke from Foodland; or kalua pork at Konos. Here’s a list of some eateries you can visit along the tour.

5. To Spend Between $8 to $50

We know this is a big price range, but the budget truly depends on the activities you decide to do. That’s the beauty of touring Hawaii with Shaka Guide — you have the freedom to explore on your terms!

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Here’s a cost breakdown of the major activities on the tour. This should give you an idea of how to plan.

Cost Breakdown:

$7.99: Shaka Guide’s East Oahu Shoreline Drive

$10.00: Parking at Diamond Head (credit card only)

$5.00: Entry to Diamond Head (per person, credit card only)

$13.00: Lunch (per person)

$4.00: Ice Cream (per person)

$3.00: Parking at Hanauma Bay (cash only)

$25.00: Entry to Hanauma Bay (per person, children 12 and under get in FREE)

$7.00: Parking at Pali Lookout

$20.00: Snorkel Gear at Hanauma Bay (per person)

6. To Take A LOT of Pictures

Whether you’re using a smartphone, GoPro, or old-school, point-and-shoot — make sure your camera is charged with storage. As we mentioned, there are 18 stops along this tour, which means tons of photo ops to take advantage of.

shaka guide east oahu shoreline driving tour audio gps guided mobile driving tour aloha travel hawaii Grand View of Oahu | Photo by Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) Tor Johnson