How to Get to Kaneohe Bay Sandbar
Driving directions, parking, free hotel pickup, and all your transportation options
Credit: VELTRA / HawaiiActivities.com
All Tours Depart from Heeia Kea Boat Harbor
Every Kaneohe sandbar tour departs from the same location: Heeia Kea Small Boat Harbor, located on Oahu’s windward coast. The harbor sits at the edge of Kaneohe Bay, and the boat ride from the dock to the sandbar takes just 10 to 15 minutes.
Whether you drive yourself, take a free hotel shuttle, or use a rideshare, this is where your sandbar adventure begins.
Address:
Heeia Kea Small Boat Harbor (Slip #316)
46-499 Kamehameha Highway
Kaneohe, HI 96744
Tip: Arrive at least 15 to 20 minutes before your tour’s departure time to check in and find parking.
Driving Directions
🚗 From Waikiki (45 min)
The most common route for visitors:
- Take H-1 West from Waikiki
- Merge onto Likelike Highway (Hwy 63) toward Kaneohe
- Drive through the Wilson Tunnel
- Turn right onto Kamehameha Highway (Hwy 83)
- Continue about 4 miles. Heeia Kea Boat Harbor is on your left.
Tip: The Likelike Highway route is faster than the Pali Highway for this destination. Allow extra time during morning rush hour (7 to 9 AM) as the tunnels can back up.
🏖️ From the North Shore (35 min)
If you are staying on the North Shore, take Kamehameha Highway (Hwy 83) south along the coast through Laie and Kaaawa.
The harbor will be on your right after you pass the Valley of the Temples. A scenic drive with ocean views most of the way.
🌴 From Ko Olina / West Side (60 min)
Take H-1 East, then follow the same Likelike Highway route as from Waikiki. Allow about an hour depending on traffic.
Parking at Heeia Kea Boat Harbor
There is free parking at the harbor, but spaces are limited, especially on weekends and holidays.
- Arrive 15 to 20 minutes early to secure a spot
- Overflow parking is available along the road, but it fills up fast
- Do not park in reserved boat trailer spaces
- Lock your car and do not leave valuables visible
If parking is a concern, consider booking a tour with free Waikiki hotel pickup. Both Captain Bob’s and Captain Bruce include complimentary round-trip transportation from Waikiki, so you can skip the drive entirely.
Getting There Without a Car
🚌 Free Waikiki Hotel Pickup
The easiest option if you don’t have a rental car. Several tour operators offer complimentary round-trip transportation from Waikiki hotels:
- Captain Bob’s: Free pickup from 9 Waikiki hotels
- Captain Bruce: Free pickup from 12 Waikiki hotels
- KBOS: Waikiki pickup available for $31.41/person from 6 locations
If you don’t have a rental car, Captain Bob’s and Captain Bruce are your best options since hotel pickup is free and included with the tour.
🚕 Rideshare (Uber/Lyft)
An Uber or Lyft from Waikiki to Heeia Kea Boat Harbor costs approximately $45 to $65 one way.
Keep in mind that getting a return ride from the harbor can be difficult since it is a less-trafficked area. You may wait 15 to 20 minutes or longer for a driver. For this reason, we recommend a tour with hotel pickup instead.
🚍 Public Bus (TheBus)
Take TheBus Route 65 (Kaneohe-Ahuimanu) from Ala Moana Center to Kaneohe. The ride takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Get off at the Heeia Kea stop.
Fare: $3.00 one way or $7.50 for a day pass. Note that buses run infrequently and timing can be tricky with tour departure times. View routes and schedules on TheBus.org
Book Your Sandbar Tour
All tours depart from Heeia Kea Boat Harbor. Browse available tours and book on HawaiiActivities.com:
Back to The Ultimate Guide to Kaneohe Bay Sandbar →
All photos courtesy of HawaiiActivities.com / VELTRA Inc. Used with permission.
Kaneohe Bay Sandbar Tours 