Enjoy a peaceful paddle up the historic Anahulu River, where the fresh waters of the Koolau Mountain Range meet the salt water of Haleiwa Bay. This gentle, effortless journey is perfect for all skill levels, offering a front-row seat to see Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles swimming and basking along the riverbanks. Your adventure begins near Haleiwa Harbor as we travel upstream through the calm waters, making for a relaxing exploration before we follow the soft current back to our starting point.
Our goal is to share the natural beauty of the North Shore and ensure you leave with a newfound love for the water.
Cancel or reschedule at least 24 hours before your lesson start time for a full refund or free reschedule. If North Shore Surf Girls cancels due to surf or weather conditions, you choose: a full refund, a free reschedule to any future date, or a North Shore Surf Girls gift card. No-shows are non-refundable, but we can usually reschedule with advance notice — even inside the 24-hour window — so please call or text us the moment you know. Late arrivals are accommodated to the best of our ability, especially when traffic is the cause.
The River Turtle Tour & SUP Lesson is 1.5 hours long and costs $79.95–$149.95 per person, depending on format. Private, semi-private, and group options are available. Pricing includes guided SUP instruction, the full river tour with turtle viewing, and all equipment (board, paddle, leash). The student-to-instructor ratio is 3:1 for personalized attention and safety.
The tour begins near Haleʻiwa Harbor on the Anahulu River — where the fresh waters of the Koʻolau Mountains meet Haleʻiwa Bay. We paddle upstream through calm, sheltered waters, looking for Hawaiian green sea turtles (honu) swimming and basking along the riverbanks, then follow the gentle current back to our starting point. The water is flat and the paddle is effortless — perfect for all skill levels.
Hawaiian green sea turtles (honu) are seen on the vast majority of our river tours, but sightings are never guaranteed — turtles are wild animals. Our guides know exactly where they bask and feed along the river, so the chance of seeing them at close range is very high. By federal and state law, we observe turtles from a respectful distance (10 feet minimum) and never touch or chase them.
Yes. The Anahulu River is calm, sheltered, and free of ocean waves, making it one of the safest water activities on the North Shore. The tour is fully guided with a 3:1 student-to-instructor ratio, so you’ll have an expert beside you the entire time. Life jackets are available upon request and recommended for non-swimmers, children, or anyone less confident in the water.
We welcome guests ages 8 and up on the River Turtle Tour. Younger keiki are welcome too — please call us at 808-637-2977 to discuss tandem options where the child rides on the same board as a parent or instructor. There is no upper age limit.
Included: 1.5-hour guided SUP lesson and river tour, high-quality stand-up paddleboard, paddle, leash, expert instruction from former pro surfers and trained lifeguards, and turtle viewing. What to bring: reef-safe sunscreen, a hat or sunglasses, drinking water, a towel, and a change of clothes. Action photos are available on request for an additional fee.
The River Turtle Tour is fully guided with an expert SUP instructor (3:1 ratio), includes lesson and turtle-spotting, and runs 1.5 hours from $79.95. A SUP Rental ($40, 2.5 hours) is self-guided — you paddle the same river on your own, with delivery and pickup but no instructor. Choose the tour if you want coaching, safety support, and expert turtle-spotting; choose the rental if you want to paddle independently at your own pace.
