ALOHA!
So you’re staying in Waikiki and you know that Shark’s Cove is one of the best spots for snorkeling in Oahu.
And you have also come to learn that Shark’s Cove is on the North Shore, pretty much on the opposite side of Oahu from Waikiki.
But you’re not going to be renting a car, so is it even possible for you to go to Shark’s Cove?!
Well, yes! It is possible to get to Shark’s Cove with public transportation! Oahu’s bus system does run to the North Shore from Waikiki.
But, to get to Shark’s Cove from Waikiki by bus, it will be a journey!
Well, you’re in Hawaii for adventures, so journeys are a good thing, right? 😉
How long does it take to get to Shark’s Cove by bus from Waikiki?
Driving a car to Shark’s Cove takes about an hour.
Taking the bus to Shark’s Cove will possibly take 2.5 hours.
And that’s one way.
Do you still want to go to Shark’s Cove by bus?! 😉
Well, in case you do, here’s more information!
Side note!
See about the best shoes for hiking in Hawaii and what to wear snorkeling in Hawaii! And for Hawaii vacation ideas, see the best things to do in Waikiki that will give you Hawaii vibes!
Bus directions to Shark’s Cove
The best way to take the bus anywhere on Oahu is by consulting Google Maps!
So for directions from Waikiki to Shark’s Cove, have a look here.
And for more on taking the bus in Oahu, have a look here.
Because the bus is less frequent on the weekends, for a place like the North Shore, it may be even better to do a trip there during the week if you’ll be taking a bus to Shark’s Cove.
When you’re looking at your bus options, you’ll also want to make sure you have the departure time set to the morning to get a better idea of the bus schedule at the time you’ll be taking the bus.
Waikiki Travel Guide:
- 2 mile walk on Waikiki Beach
- Best snorkeling spot in Waikiki
- Best hike near Waikiki
- Bike rental in Waikiki
- Free hula show in Waikiki
- Getting around by bus from Waikiki
The Shark’s Cove bus stop
There’s a bus stop pretty much right near Shark’s Cove. You just have to walk a few minutes to reach there. But instead of walking down the main road, take the scenic coastal route! 😉
You won’t have to look too hard to find it. There’s a short trail that goes along the water that will take you to Shark’s Cove.
And then in a few minutes you’ll reach the rocky Shark’s Cove beach that’s great for snorkeling!
There is also snorkel rental available across the street from Shark’s Cove if you don’t want to pack your snorkeling gear. There’s bike rental there too.
And be sure to look into what to wear when snorkeling too.
Things to do near Shark’s Cove
Now here is a list of a few things to do near Shark’s Cove so you can make all that time you spent sitting on the bus from Waikiki worthwhile!
These are places that you can walk to from Shark’s Cove.
Or you can try to catch a bus heading towards these places.
But keep in mind that the bus is less frequent on the North Shore compared to Waikiki and Honolulu, which means you could be waiting awhile for the bus.
But consult the Google Maps app on your phone!
So sometimes it could be quicker to walk.
You can estimate that 1 mile will take about 20-25 minutes walking at a leisurely rate.
Puu O Mahuka Heiau
This Hawaiian ancient temple is a dedicated state monument that’s located a little less than 2 miles from Shark’s Cove.
You’ll be walking uphill for most of it to get there, which also means sweeping views of the North Shore once you reach your destination!
You can see Waimea Bay from above, and it’s also a good way to get a glimpse of Hawaiian culture.
It will be an out-and-back, so round trip will be a little over 3.5 miles of walking.
Since this is off of the main road, there is not a bus that goes to this heiau.
Three Tables Beach
Just down the road about a half a mile away from Shark’s Cove is Three Tables Beach.
In addition to Shark’s Cove, Three Tables Beach also makes up a part of the marine life conservation district that’s located on the North Shore.
Waimea Valley
This park has a botanical garden and a Hawaiian ancient living site.
This is also where one of the popular Oahu waterfalls is located.
There is a fee for entry.
The entrance of Waimea Valley is located about a mile from Shark’s Cove.
Here’s more info on Waimea Valley.
Waimea Bay
This beach park is located a little less than 1.5 miles from Shark’s Cove.
During the summer months when the waters are calm, Waimea Bay can also make for some good snorkeling.
During the winter months, you may want to check it out for the waves!
Turtle Beach
It might be getting a little far, but 3.5 miles from Shark’s Cove is Laniakea Beach aka Turtle Beach, which is a good place on Oahu to see turtles.
Sunset is generally a good time to see turtles on the beach, so you may consider heading to Turtle Beach as your last North Shore activity, and then catch the bus back to Waikiki from there.
Shark’s Cove by bus = exhausting 😉
Surely, 5 hours of total time in transit between Shark’s Cove and Waikiki may sound exhausting.
And, you probably will be exhausted at the end of the day. 😉
But, you will likely save $30-40 renting a car vs taking the bus!
So, it’s really about how much are you looking to save during your Hawaii vacation.
HAPPY SHARK’S COVE PLANNING!
shark’s cove – shark’s cove snorkel rental
There are affiliate links on this page. Among other partners, as an Amazon Associate, I may receive a commission.
🐠 Here are things you must consider packing!
- Swimsuit or swimming shirt aka rash guard
- rash guard: swim set for women and swim shirt for men
- Water shoes
- Waterproof phone case (so you can capture pictures of fishies underwater!)
- cheapo phone case OR waterproof camera
- I also have this "camera" wrist float to attach to my cheapo waterproof phone case so my phone won't sink to the bottom of the ocean in case I somehow let go of it. (Mine does stay afloat - test this for yourself before completely trusting it!)
- Swimming goggles or snorkeling mask set
- Reef-safe(r) sunscreen
- lightweight travel towel:
- walking sandals:
I also don't go snorkeling without a personal swim float buoy. Not only does it help to keep me visible, but it makes for a perfect way to rest out in deeper water! Oh, and it also serves as a dry bag so I can take stuff into the water with me.
Another way I have taken valuables into the water with me is to wear a travel money belt that I don't mind getting wet with salt water (it's not waterproof but I have several so I just use one of them) and then I put things in a ziplock freezer bag, and put that freezer bag in the money belt.
There are also designated waterproof waist pouches that you can store your valuables and take into the water with you.
see more:
- What to wear hiking
- What to wear snorkeling