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Heading to the North Shore of Oahu? Then you’re in for a treat of a lifetime! The north shore is a world renowned location best known for its laid back atmosphere, stunning beaches, friendly locals and endless amount of adventure and relaxation all wrapped into one spot. When planning trips to Hawaii most people assume they need to leave the ‘busy’ island of Oahu to get a sense of the real, unspoiled Hawaii, but that’s simply not true. The north shore of Oahu is full of natural, untouched landscapes and beauty. Scroll down to read our tops choices for things to do in the North Shore.
Best Things to Do In North Shore Oahu
1. North Shore Oahu Beaches
The North Shore is known for its surfing and huge waves, in fact several world famous surf competitions are held in the North Shore. Head to Waimea Bay for a chance to see huge waves and the location of the annual Eddie Aikau big wave surfing tournament which is held every winter from November to March. If you’re planning to visit in the summer you can have fun climbing and jumping from Waimea rock, a 20 foot tall rock which makes the perfect platform for jumps.
Another famous North Shore beaches is Pipeline beach known for its deadly waves. If you’re not an experienced surfer it’s best to stay out of the water here, but the waves are mesmerizing to look at!
2. North Shore Turtle Beach
Head here to get a glimpse at native sea turtles. You’ll likely see sea turtles all around Oahu, but your best chances of seeing them are at this beach, officially known as Lanaikea beach. You’ll need to know that parking is very limited here, so it’s best to head up very early to be sure you have a spot.
It’s also very important to know you cannot get too close or touch the sea turtles, it is illegal. Part of the beauty of turtle beach is watching sea turtles undisturbed in their natural habitat, and we humans certainly don’t want to mess that up.
3. Dole Plantation
You may not have expected such a tourist attraction on the North Shore, but I can promise you this is well worth the trip a bit inland. You’ll enter the plantation through a large gift shop offering a variety of pineapple adorned items. Once inside you can take a train ride through the plantation, watch harvesting demonstrations and of course have a famous dole whip sundae. This is a very fun way to spend part of your day on the North Shore.
4. Town of Haleiwa
While you’re visiting Waimea Bay be sure to spend some time walking around the colorful little surf town of Hailewa. There are quite a few unique shops to pop into as well as a great selection of food including the world famous Matsumoto’s Shave Ice. You can’t visit the North Shore without eating from a shrimp truck like Giovanni’s! You won’t be able to miss them the line is always long, be sure to try their delicious variations of shrimp recipes. Another favorite of ours is Haleiwa Joe’s a long established restaurant with gorgeous mountain views and local music.
5. North Shore Oahu Hikes
There is an almost endless amount of hiking to do on the North Shore. The most famous hike is the Ehukai Pillbox hike, you’ve likely seen it in photos all over Instagram. It is a short, but rigorous uphill hike that will leave you with stunning views of the north shore. It can be very slippery and muddy so please do not attempt this hike after it rains.
For an easier hike try Kealia trail which is a 3 mile roundtrip hike over uphill, but shaded terrain. During whale season (January to March) you can catch glimpses of whales splashing around. Once you reach the top of the trail you can enjoy a picnic lunch at the provided picnic tables. This is a very family friendly hike.
A slightly more difficult hike is the Laie Falls trail. This is a well marked and shaded trail for most of the way, you’ll pass through wild orchid fields and eventually head downhill to reach a waterfall and swimming hole. There are ropes to help you reach the waterfall as it can be pretty steep and slippery. For this reason this hike is better suited for families with older kids who can walk themselves. Don’t forget your waterproof camera for this hike!
How to get to the North Shore
Once you’ve arrived on the island of Oahu it’s best to rent a car to explore the island. You’ll enjoy the freedom of being able to roam about at your own pace. From Honolulu, the north shore is only a 32 mile drive, however that is driving straight through the middle of the island. We suggest you take the more scenic, coastal route to get there. On your way up you’ll pass some of the most beautiful scenery you’ll ever see! You can always take the short way back, so don’t miss out on the coastal route for at least one way. The coastal route is dotted with various food trucks, so if you’re a foodie this is the route you’ll want to take. The coastal route takes about 1.5 hours without traffic to reach Haleiwa.
North Shore Accomodations
Turtle Bay Resort is perhaps the most well known hotel on the North Shore. It is located right on the water and is perfect for any type of travelers from couples to families. This is a high end resort and the price of a night here reflects that.
If you’re traveling with a large group look into the North Shore Country Villas, here you can rent an entire home at a reasonable price per person all while saving money on food because you have the ability to cook in your own kitchen.
The best deal you’ll find on the North Shore is the Hula House, a home rental with kitchen and many included amenities such as bikes. It’s a steal of a deal with great reviews!
Don’t forget to pack these essentials for your North Shore Oahu trip!
Have you been to the North Shore? What were your favorite things to do? Leave a comment below!
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