Oʻahu's Gathering Place

The Windward Coast & North Shore Loop

This is the quintessential Oʻahu road trip, a roughly 110-mile circle that showcases the island's incredible diversity. The best way to experience it is to start early from Waikīkī and head east on the Kalanianaʻole Highway (Route 72), traveling counter-clockwise. This route takes you around the dramatic volcanic coastline of the island's southeastern tip before revealing the breathtaking beauty of the Windward side, where the emerald, fluted cliffs of the Koʻolau Mountains plunge dramatically toward the sea.

The highway then becomes the Kamehameha Highway (Route 83), which wraps around the northern tip of the island and delivers you to the world-famous North Shore, before you cut back south towards Honolulu.

Key Stops & Hidden Gems

Iconic Stops

The drive is studded with famous landmarks. As you leave Waikīkī, you'll pass Diamond Head. Your first major scenic stop is the Halona Blowhole Lookout, where waves force water through an underwater lava tube, creating a spectacular geyser. Just beyond is the Makapuʻu Point Lookout, offering panoramic views of the Windward Coast and two offshore islands. The drive then takes you past the world-famous beaches of Kailua and Lanikai, known for their powdery white sand and impossibly turquoise water.

A must-see view is at Kualoa Regional Park, where you can gaze across the water at the iconic island of Mokoliʻi (popularly known as Chinaman's Hat). As you enter the North Shore, you'll pass Lāʻie Point, a dramatic lava rock peninsula, before reaching the legendary surf breaks of Sunset Beach and ʻEhukai Beach, home of the Banzai Pipeline. The drive through the North Shore culminates in the charming surf town of Haleʻiwa, with its historic buildings, art galleries, and surf shops.