Key Takeaways
- Pick one town, one beach, one lookout. Fewer stops mean less stress and more sand time.
- The fastest bus pattern is Route 52 via Wahiawa into Haleiwa. The scenic pattern is Route 60 along the Windward coast into Haleiwa.
- Start early and watch the clock. Return rides are less frequent in the evening.
- Use a HOLO Card for transfers and fare caps. See our HOLO guide.
- Pack sandals, a small towel, water, and something dry for the ride back.
Niko’s Note 🐾 Screenshot the last Route 52 and Route 60 departures from Haleiwa before you leave Waikiki.
The Two Core Patterns
Option A… Faster core
Waikiki → Ala Moana Center → Route 52 to Haleiwa
- Waikiki to Ala Moana Center on Route 8 or Route 13. Both run frequently. Timetables: Route 8 PDF · Route 13 PDF.
- Route 52 toward Wahiawa and Haleiwa. Get off at or near Weed Circle for central Haleiwa. Timetable: Route 51 52 PDF.
- Walking radius covers Haleiwa Town, shave ice, and Haleiwa Beach Park.
Why choose it Shorter overall time compared to the coast route. Good for a tight day.
Option B… Scenic coast
Waikiki → Ala Moana Center → Route 60 to Haleiwa
- Waikiki to Ala Moana Center on Route 8 or Route 13. Timetables above.
- Route 60 via Kaneohe and the Windward coast to Haleiwa. Timetable and map: Route 60 PDF · Route 60 HTML.
- Walking radius covers Haleiwa Town and a short hop to beaches north of town.
Why choose it Most scenic day with ocean views and small towns along Kamehameha Highway.
Note Some materials reference Route 55 for the Windward coast. The current published North Shore corridor is Route 60. If you see 55 on older maps, confirm the latest pattern on the Routes page. Links above.
Realistic Day Plan
Goal one town, one beach, one lookout… then home for dinner. Adjust times by season.
| Time block | Move | Typical time | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7:00 to 7:30 | Waikiki to Ala Moana Center | 15 to 25 min | Route 8 or Route 13 to Ala Moana Center Kona Street. Use HEA for the next bus. HEA |
| 7:40 to 9:20 | Ala Moana to Haleiwa (Option A) | 80 to 100 min | Route 52 via Wahiawa to Weed Circle. Published times and patterns: Route 51 52 PDF. |
| 7:40 to 10:10 | Ala Moana to Haleiwa (Option B) | 100 to 150 min | Route 60 via Kaneohe and coastal towns to Haleiwa. Published times: Route 60 PDF. |
| 9:30 to 11:30 | Haleiwa Town | Flexible | Coffee and strolls… art, surf shops, and food trucks near Kamehameha Highway. |
| 11:30 to 2:00 | Beach time | 20 to 120 min | Pick one… Haleiwa Beach Park for easy access, or hop north to Pua‘ena Point or Waimea Bay when conditions allow. Use HEA to time the short bus hops. |
| 2:00 to 3:00 | Lookout or treat | 30 to 60 min | Choose Pupukea area lookouts or a last snack in town. Keep an eye on return trips. |
| 3:30 to 6:00 | Return to Waikiki | 120 to 180 min | Reverse your morning pattern. Leave earlier if swell or traffic rises. |
Safety note North Shore surf can be powerful in winter. Obey posted warnings and lifeguards. Choose protected beaches when the surf is high.
Timing and Frequency Cheatsheet
| Segment | Typical frequency | Last reliable daytime departures |
|---|---|---|
| Route 8 Waikiki ↔ Ala Moana | 10 to 20 min | See the current PDF… Route 8 |
| Route 13 Waikiki ↔ Ala Moana | 10 to 20 min | See the current PDF… Route 13 |
| Route 52 Ala Moana → Haleiwa | 20 to 30 min at peaks | See timetable… Route 51 52 |
| Route 60 Ala Moana → Haleiwa | 20 to 40 min | See timetable… Route 60 |
Use the live arrivals tool for exact pick ups… hea.thebus.org.
Map and Wayfinding
- Open the System Map PDF and zoom to the North Shore panel. System Map 2024‑08‑14.
- In Haleiwa, Weed Circle is the main loop for 52 and 60. Check stop labels in the timetable PDFs above.
- In Waikiki, the easiest transfer to 52 or 60 is at Ala Moana Center Kona Street… use the timepoint tables in each PDF.
What to Pack and Do
- HOLO Card with balance… see our HOLO guide.
- Sun protection… hat, reef safe sunscreen.
- Small towel and sandals… keep sand off seats.
- Water and light snacks… closed containers only per rules. Review TheBus rules.
- Respect… lifeguards and posted signs keep you safe. Leave no trace.
Niko’s Note 🐾 If a bus is crowded, let it go and grab the next one. North Shore buses run regularly… you will be happier on the next coach.
Keep Planning
- Pillar: O‘ahu by Bus 2025 Guide
- Airport transfers: Honolulu Airport to Waikiki… Bus vs Rideshare
- Compare driving vs transit: Bus vs Rental Car in O‘ahu… Cost, Stress, Parking
- Glossary: O‘ahu Transit Glossary… HOLO, OTS, Routes
FAQ
Is there a direct bus from Waikiki to Haleiwa No direct bus from central Waikiki. Transfer at Ala Moana Center to Route 52 or Route 60. See the Routes page and PDFs above.
Which is faster, 52 or 60 Route 52 via Wahiawa is usually faster. Route 60 is more scenic. Always check HEA for live times.
Can I visit multiple beaches in one day by bus It is possible, but you risk spending more time waiting than swimming. Choose one main beach and one lookout.
What about Route 55 Older guides list Route 55 along the Windward coast. Check the current Routes page… the corridor is now covered by Route 60. Confirm patterns before you go.
What if the surf is huge Pick a protected beach or spend more time in Haleiwa Town. Safety first.
Sources
- TheBus… Routes and Timetables index with current PDFs and HTML pages: thebus.org/route/routes.asp
- Route 51 52 combined timetable with current North Shore access via Wahiawa: thebus.org/route/Timetables/Rt51-52.pdf
- Route 60 timetable and HTML overview for the Windward coast to Haleiwa: thebus.org/route/Timetables/Rt60.pdf · thebus.org/route/HTMLversion/Rt60_new.htm
- Route 8 Waikiki to Ala Moana frequent shuttle… current timetable: thebus.org/Route/timetables/rt8.pdf
- Route 13 Waikiki to Ala Moana option… current timetable: thebus.org/route/Timetables/Rt13.pdf
- System Map to visualize the day: thebus.org/SystemMap/SystemMap20240814.pdf
