Your time will always be well spent.Lifeguards: YesParking: YesRestrooms: Yes.How it got its name: For the many beautiful and multifaceted sunsets that can be seen here, of course. The most famous of the North Shore beaches, sunset has some of the most spectacular winter surf found anywhere on Oahu, with steep and shift outside peaks reaching heights of 15 to 20 feet, according to John Clark, author of Beaches of Oahu. Bring your sunscreen, a bottle of water and your binoculars the best breaks are well off-shore and settle down for a couple of hours. First, the view of Mokolii Island (aka, Chinamans Hat) offshore is beautiful as it sits in Kaneohe Bay (. for tips on parking, where to eat, and what to do at Lanikai Beach. Check out the latest prices and more details. Waimea Bay Beach Park. We are definitely going to check them out. Lifeguards are stationed here as many a visitor tries, Food: No restaurants nearby so pick up food in Hawaii Kai, Recommended Activities: surfing, bodysurfing, fishing, 2. The waves and current drag hoards of wares on to its shore. This beach tucks off the Kamehameha Highway, which is on the northern end of Waimea Bay. This place is just as beautiful. This is part of the reason why the North Shore is known to host surfing competitions in the winter months. Despite the presence of Kukaimanini Island, most visitors wont find the beach as appealing as adventurous souls such as yourself. Its where youll find some of the top surfing beaches in Hawaii that might recognize from movies and TV shows! The North Shore of Oahu is home to some of the most famous Hawaii beaches. As the speed limit lowers and the road curves around mountains, you are forced to slow down and discover the island at a new pace. This allows for family-friendly activities like swimming, water skiing, snorkeling, and more. They also have delicious iced coffee. However, the water at North Shore beaches calms down a lot during the summer and fall. Maybe just a little more packed. When theres high surf, that means there is a strong rip current and its not safe for swimming. Address: Kahuku, HI 96731. Content on this site is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical, health, or safety advice. Hidden Gems of Oahu - Circle Island Tour with Waimea Waterfall 2023 $ Top activities in Oahu Explore Oahu and beyond Trip Inspiration Overview What's Included Meeting And Pickup What To Expect Additional Info Cancellation Policy Reviews Book online or call: (888) 651-9785 Chat now Home Things to do in USA Things to do in Hawaii Things to do in Oahu and we came on a Saturday afternoon! The restaurants, shops, waves and roads are crowded. Thats because its easy to get groceries, walk to restaurants, and join Oahu tours. Even though Haleiwa is not as crowded, its just as beautiful. 8 Epic North Shore Oahu Beaches (2023) - Hawaii Travel Spot If you have the same taste in movies as I do, you probably saw this gorgeous resort in the movie Forgetting Sarah Marshall and you just had to come to see it for yourself! Now we understand the irony in naming the best secluded beaches on the North Shore. When you walk on the sands of Laniakea Beach, its remarkable skies and landscape are the true definition of beauty. And a big must-do are the famous North Shore food trucks! Along Kamehameha Highway, there are so many different places to stop and get out of your car. And in the winter, theyre trying to find their 100-foot wave! Sandy Beach: Best Oahu Beach for Bodysurfing, Be cautious, the experienced bodysurfers will make surfing these waves look easy. 51-52 Kamehameha Hwy, Kaaawa, HI 96730, USA, Kalaniana?ole Highway, Kalaniana?ole Hwy, Waimanalo, HI, USA. 15 Best Restaurants in Oahu With a View 4. Pro Tip: Seven Brothers also has a food truck in Kahuku that sells the best coconut shrimp. Some people make it in less time and others more. Thank you! Stunning beaches and gorgeous coastlines help to make the North Shore one of the most beautiful areas in Hawai'i. Stay well clear of the water and enjoy the spectacle. From Waikiki, Kahuku Beach Park is roughly an hour drive away. You might even get a slice of beach all to yourself. If you get there early enough, you should not have any issues with finding parking. Makua Beach Makua Beach is like a hidden gem, a pristine tropical paradise that remains under the radar for many people. Which of these stunning little-known sandy beaches in Hawaii is your favorite? Let them judge a book by its cover while you enjoy the spoils of this isolated slice of paradise. From the AM into the afternoon the beach gets its fair share of both shade and sun, thanks to its northeastern position beside Kawela Bay Beach Parks forest reserve. A good place for beginners, where several surf schools sometimes take their classes. With a stunning mixture of power and beauty, action and tranquility, its the place to be, especially in the wintermonths when the big waves and a big wave of sightseers roll in with an almost equal intensity. Theres also the fact that you cant swim at this beach without scraping your belly across the reef. 10 Best Places to See Turtles in Oahu (2023) - Wanderly The beach offers a myriad of activities to occupy your time. 11 BEST CLIFF JUMPING SPOTS ON OAHU, HAWAII - Journey Era However, the water in winter months sometimes get churned up by the offshore waves and sediment from a nearby river.Lifeguards: NoParking: NoRestrooms: No.How it got its name: Literally, it means, the heat.. document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "ad454807841e6d4cf2cb61b6c6da565d" );document.getElementById("cbc326333c").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); You may use these HTML tags and attributes: Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. It is a nice quiet beach that is great for boogie boarding and beginner surfing. Probably the most famous out of all the North Shore Oahu hotels is Turtle Bay. Have you ever explored this stunning trail system on Oahu's north shore before? Are there other hidden and secret beaches on the North Shore? Keep reading this post for some highlights of each location. With showers available to help you spray off the sand and salt and lifeguards on deck to ensure that newer surfers and swimmers stay safe, this beach is perfect for travelers of all different experience levels. It is located on the North Shore about 12 miles past the town of Haleiwa. Visitors are asked to keep in mind that Shark Cove is a part of over 80-acre marine life conservation district, and as such needs to be treated with the utmost respect of not only the above grounds but the underground sea world. You can also surf, rock climb, and take amazing photos at this North Shore beach. 8. And next to the beach, theres a park that with picnic tables thats a popular hangout spot for families! We were both pleasantly surprised at their decent prices and kitschy souvenirs. Their coolers full of Coors further obstruct the view. With Laniakea getting all of the attention, Papailoa remains peaceful and quiet. You can easily visit a few in one day or spread them out throughout your trip. A lot of people come here to see the beautiful sea turtles and I dont blame them at all. The park, located across from Sunset Beach Elementary School, on the southern end of this beach stretch offers the only off-road parking and rest rooms in this area. Another one of the best beaches on Oahus North Shore is Kuilima Cove. It has two access points for swimming: Sharks Cove and Three Tables Beach If you come through Sharks Cove, wearing water shoes is recommended. Generally, a good range to stay in Oahu will be at least a week. Divers can usually see a variety of fish in numerous colors, sea turtles, and even underwater lava tubes! Any of these destinations make great day trips from Waikiki or fun stops on a scenic drive around Oahu. This will depend on how much time you have on your vacation. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. Haleiwa Beach Park: Home to mens and womens surf contests, Alii has some of the best but most dangerous surfing waves on the North Shore, with a break on an extremely shallow reef that provides great viewing when the conditions are clean. The Ultimate Hawaii Hidden Gem Road Trip Will Take You To 9 Incredible Little-Known Spots In The State, Take This Unforgettable Road Trip To Experience Some Of Hawaiis Most Impressive Caves And Waterfalls, The Ultimate Oahu Waterfalls Road Trip Is Right Here And Youll Definitely Want To Do It. Best bet: Some workers at the old Haleiwa Hotel, where the Haleiwa Joes restaurant now sits, dubbed it Alii Beach.. If you are looking for some more tips on how to save money on your Hawaii vacation be sure to read the above post to learn more. Home to some of the most famous surfing events in the world, Sunset Beach is an extremely popular and well know surfing spot that you need to check out! The food prices are also budget-friendly which makes it a win compared to the resort food prices. There are showers off the beach to clean up before or after a swim. In my opinion, Lanikai Beach on the windward side has the clearest water in Oahu. Ke Iki Beach is a quiet, hidden little treasure that many people don't know about. Families can enjoy the beach during the summer months when the waves are calmer, and children can swim in the water. Ppkea Beach Park: Narrow and long, Ppkea is a popular place to stop on an around the island watch the big waves crash on the rocks. Puaena Point is always about half the size of anywhere else. You can click on the link for any beaches to get more details, or just read them all to get a better sense of what beaches on the North Shore are available to look at! ; Eco-Friendly Dolphin and Snorkel Tour: One of the best experiences I had on Oahu was . Turtle Bay 10. Perhaps a place we can buy memorial Lei and release them? Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. There is a secret beach across the street from a farm stand on the north shore. The beach parks calmer waves are perfect for those who dont want to start out on waves too tough. Ala Moana Beach Park: Best Beach in Honolulu, Located: Just outside of Waikiki, in front of the Ala Moana Shopping Center, Parking: Metered public parking available, Food: L&L Hawaiian Barbecue located in the park, lots of food options in Honolulu, Recommended Activities: swimming, surfing, bodyboarding, beach bumming, walking the park, Waikiki Beach: The Most Famous Beach in Hawaii, If youre going to do surf lessons during your Hawaii vacation, this is the place to do them. THE FOUR MOST POPULAR OAHU TOURS. This breathtaking beach is also known as Turtle Beach because of the astounding number of sea turtles that come to hang out there! Three Tables Beach is one of the most charming beaches on the North Shore of Oahu. Turtle Bay is home to the famous Turtle Bay Beach Resort. Dont miss out! Of course, you can always visit all 10 beaches in one day if youre an overachiever.). 11 Best North Shore Oahu Beaches In Hawaii than the other secret spots listed above. Regardless of what time of the year you go, youll be glad you came to the North Shore with all there is to do here! Below are some of my top recommendations. During the spring, the water at Banzai Pipeline is calmer. Laniakea Beach is more commonly known as Turtle Beach, as there are a plethora of sea turtles chilling at the beach! This is a great spot to listen to music, party, and truly live the Hawaii dream! We consider Waimea Bay, Sunset Beach, Turtle Bay, Laniakea Beach, Haleiwa Beach, and Ehukai Beach to be the top 6 beaches on the North Shore. She loves hiking, snorkeling, locally-grown coffee, and finding the best acai bowl on Oahu. See Also: The Best 16 Places to Get Breakfast in Honolulu. Great day and mix of wildlife watching and enjoying the sun and waves crashing on Oahu's North Shore. Ka'ena Point Trail (from South) - AllTrails.com Plus, you can talk stories with the locals and have an enjoyable Hawaiian experience. Whether you're a first-time visitor or a seasoned Hawaii veteran, I'm here to help you make the most of your trip! The North Shore Hawaii waves are the perfect conditions for professional surfers! Makapu'u Beach Park: Secluded Oahu Beach Near Waikiki Details on Makapu'u Beach Park 3. There are North Shore activities for everyone to enjoy! 1. ). Papailoa is located further west of Laniakea (aka Turtle Beach) which is extremely crowded and responsible for the congestion along Kam Highway. However, visiting this waterfall on Oahu is just a fun day trip. The reef is close in by the shore so you paddle out over the reef and the break is about 50 yards out from the shore. Here, you will find tropical fish, a little coral, the occasional sea turtle and some stunning views! As many of you know, Hawaii can get expensive. Although the trail is long at 2.7 miles each way, you dont have to hike to the end to experience the beauty because the entire coastline provides epic views. Personally, our family loves staying in Waikiki and doing day trips to other areas of the island. Hawaii Aloha Travel offers all-inclusive Hawaii vacation packages you can design yourself. I love the laid-back vibe here! Her next trip to Hawaii is never too far away! The smaller, secluded beaches are good places to start. If you want a more metropolitan feel with lots of lodging options, then Waikiki is for you. See our. Kailua Beach is also one of the best beaches in Oahu overall. Part of the fun of discovering hidden gems in Hawaii is finding them yourself. Plan your vacation around these beaches for the best North Shore Oahu vacation! The best time to go to the Banzai Pipeline is in the spring for casual water activities like swimming, snorkeling, and water skiing. As one of the most exciting activities you can partake in at Waimea Bay on Oahu, this is a great starting point to get your exhilarating thrill on the beach! Ka'ena Point. When the big waves are here, though, so are the crowds. Tucked away on the North Shore of Oahu is a hidden gem among locals and visitors alike - Haleiwa Beach House. This is a great beach for learning to surf on the north shore. With so many amazing choices though, this was not an easy decision. Plus, a lot of people dont know about it, so it isnt usually too crowded. If you see that there is high surf, strong rip currents make it dangerous to go swimming. Its home to the tubular wave, and its also known for hosting the finale for the Vans Triple Crown of surfing competition. The Ehukai Pillbox trail is better known as the Sunset Pillbox Hike, because it has some beautiful views of Ehukai Beach (better known as Banzai Pipeline) and the North Shore coastline. Kawela Bay (Kahuku) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go - Tripadvisor Check out the best Oahu surfing lessons for kids. Best Hidden Beaches in Oahu | Go Tours Hawaii Your email address will not be published. Its a must if you are visiting the North Shore. Secluded Beaches North Shore Oahu - YAHglobal Go explore Waimea Valley after spending time at the beach. Inside Haleiwa: Watch as parents push their kids into the tiny but long, rolling shorebreak. dont park facing the wrong way of traffic, make sure youre parked no more than one foot from the edge of the road, etc. You may also enjoy authentic poke and North Shore shops. Mokul'ia. Entrance to the public beach is via the resort parking lot. The Banzai Pipeline is also an incredible beach located in North Shore Oahu. This beach is also further from amenities (restrooms, showers, shops, etc.) You can save a lot of money by taking advantage of one of the many North Shore Oahu vacation rentals! Other gems include most beaches along the southeastern coast of Oahu (Waimanalo and Bellows, to name a few) and Mauis southwestern coast. When the beach does get noticed, its thanks to the main attraction Kukaimanini Island. Please remember that some of these beaches are not recommended for swimming in the winter months due to the high and aggressive surf. Plus, here are lifeguards on hand to protect novices from getting in harms way. While North Shore is generally safe, it is always important to be respectful of the people around you. For the best burgers on the north shore, you have to go to Seven Brothers in Laie. Pupukea Beach (Shark's Cove): Best Oahu Beach for Snorkeling, Is Airbnb Legal in Hawaii? View walking-trail directions, although we prefer to stroll along the sand from the resort. Located next to Turtle Bay Resort, the farmers will cut the tops off of the coconuts they sell and put in a straw. The waves are quite choppy here, but the waters are rich with marine life. In the summer months, Ehukai Beach offers clear, calm, and warm waters as well as gorgeous golden sand. It never disappoints. If you are a surfer or love to watch people surf, then this is your paradise. Beyond the surface aesthetic, the reef between the sand and islet is great for snorkeling as it is teeming with fish and young sea turtles. One day, a friend visiting suggested that we stop and take a look. Haleiwa Alii Beach Park 107 Beaches By I4943TDkathleens The scenery is stunning and the bay is relatively calm. Located behind the Sunset Elementary School, this Oahu hike will take you about 30 minutes to climb up to the top. Below, you will see the best places to stay in Hawaii as well as other fun things to do! Limu is a seaweed plant that can cause serious damage if stung by it. The Best Beaches on Oahu 1. For travelers on the more adventurous side, you can take a magnificent dive from the famous rock waiting for you at the shoreline. They dont call it Sunset Beach for no reason! Found near the Hau'ula Loop Trail, the Ma'akua Ridge Trail is a 2.8 mile (4.5 kilometer) hike. Waimea Bay. The terrain is hilly, but there are marked switchbacks throughout the hike to provide the easiest route . The site sits at the southernmost point of Bellows Air Force Station, north of Waimanalo Bay State Recreation Area. - Lot / Land for sale. We still had to bring our own beach chairs. The 30 Most Instagrammable Places in Oahu, Hawaii They also have access to gorgeous North Shore beaches, making the experience one of the best. Plan on going to Oahu? 1. If you want to fully explore the island, go on some tours, and get the complete experience, this amount of time will allow you to relax when you need it and enjoy the wonders of the beach! If you would like to go to Byodo-In Temple instead of the Waimea Botanical Garden contact us after the reservation is made and we change you to that tour option if you would like. With a Foodland and Starbucks right across the street, its a good place to stock up on picnic supplies and safely dine in a place where you can feel the oceans spray on your face. This is a great trail for families and beginner hikers. Keep scrolling to find out my top picks of where to stay and other fun things to do in North Shore Hawaii. The North Shore of Oahu is home to some of the most famous Hawaii beaches. The bright blue water is almost always choppy, and green sea turtles tend to hang out on the shore during the summer. 9. There is no parking lot but there is a little room for parking along the road (free). While we are happy to visit any of our islands incredible beaches, there are some beaches with warm crystalline, turquoise waters that are a cut above the rest. With Hawaii Aloha Travel, planning your vacation to Hawaii is stress-free, fun, and rewarding. The beach is not marked so you need to find it using something like google maps. These tall tropical trees have vibrantly colored trunks. Oahu North Shore - 10+ Not to be Missed Things to Do - Best of Oahu Laniakea (or Turtle) Beach: A favorite stopping place for tourists, this beach isnt particularly good for swimming because of its rocky bottom and strong currents, even on calmer days. If youre staying at the recently remodeled Turtle Bay Resort (its worth it) and want to escape the crowds of the property-managed Kuilima Covewithout having to hop on the highway, then head for Turtle Bay Pillbox. They also offer tours of their farm and sell some foods that you can take home that make great souvenirs. (i.e. 10. On average, it took us 45 minutes from Waikiki, but we made quick stops along the way as well. Waimea Bay has clear blue-green water and white sand.Because you will find public bathrooms and outdoor showers, it's also an ideal place to visit with your family. For years, I passed the Coral Kingdom on my way up to the north shore. Eventually adventurous visitors work their way through the natural nooks and crannies and discover stretches of sand sans footprints. When it comes to ocean views, its hard to top seeing some of the biggest surfs in the entire world. Imagine being able to snorkel into beautiful blue water as you watch amazing sea life swim past you and swim through interesting tunnels that one can find within the rocks below. Banzai Beach-Pipeline-Ehukai Beach Park: When the conditions are right, this two-mile stretch of beach (the longest continuous stretch of wide beach on Oahu) features some of best surf-watching opportunities in the world: long, clean barrels so close to shore that you can feel the ground shake when the waves break on the shallow reef. The views here are amazing, the sand is very soft, and the turquoise water is so clear and much calmer. This is where youll find that the surfing in Hawaii you see on TV and in the movies is much more incredible in real life! You can drink the coconut water straight from the coconut. Its a beautiful white sand beach on the eastern edge of Turtle Bay Resort. Even when the waves are big offshore, the currents and waves inshore are much gentler. Every time I explore the north shore, I find new places that I havent discovered before. Cockroach Cove is nestled between Halona Blowhole and Halona Point on the southeastern shore of Oahu. We ordered the spicy shrimp from Giovannis and it was everything that dreams are made of (spicy dreams, at least). You can access Banzai Pipeline through Ehukai Beach Park, another one of the best beaches on Oahu to watch amazing surfing! The azure waters are crystal clear, making it a dream for photographers who flock here at sunset to capture the picturesque beauty. Paradise doesnt get much better than that. Trust me, this is one of my favorite things to do here! Best Beachcombing on the North Shore Oahu - Ke Iki Beach North Shore You'll find the entrance to the trail across the street from Kahuku Land Farm. Give us a call today. This shows that this place is more for just surfers; its for anyone who wants to enjoy the water and have a relaxing time. There are beautiful beaches and tasty shave ice. Located on the remote northwestern shore of Oahu, just past Haleiwa, is this secluded Hawaii beach the nearest store and restrooms are more than ten miles away.