North Shore (Oahu) Voyage Tips and guide

The North Shore of Oahu in Hawaii is famous world-wide for its beaches and incredible surf.

Map of North Shore (Oahu)

• 21.59-158.1138891 Hale'iwa – the busiest and most popular town on the North Shore, with some of the better restaurants and shopping
• 21.68028-157.952 Kahuku – pretty non-descript, but a great place to stop off for lunch, get gas, or pick up supplies
• 21.669722-158.0494443 Pūpūkea – well-known for surfing, diving and snorkeling
• 21.6486-157.9264 La'ie – similar to Kahuku, with a few more facilities

The North Shore is a relaxed, laid back area, with a much slower pace than in Honolulu and Waikiki. The beaches are wonderful but very popular, especially when the surf is up! (Note: The North Shore beaches are extremely dangerous for novice swimmers and surfers in the winter when waves can reach as high as 50 feet (15 m). Drownings are common — obey the lifeguards!)

The North Shore is located almost diametrically opposite Waikiki. As a result, there are two ways you can get to the North Shore; one is longer but is mostly on freeways; the other is shorter but winds along the coast. Each takes about the same time (about one to one-and-a-half hours).

Route 1: Take Interstate H-1 ewa (west) to Interstate H-201 (also called state highway 78). Take H-201/78 until it re-joins H-1 near Aloha Stadium. Continue on H-1 to the interchange with Interstate H-2 (exit 8A). Stay on H-2 until it ends in Wahiawa, and continue through the Schofield Barracks area. You will be on Highway 99, Kamehameha Highway. Follow Kamehameha Highway to Haleiwa. To progress further up the North Shore, continue on Kamehameha Highway (which changes number to Hwy 83 at Haleiwa).

Route 2: Take Interstate H-1 ewa (west) to Likelike Highway (highway 63). Follow Likelike Highway through the Wilson Tunnel to Kaneohe; then take the exit for Kahekili Highway (Hwy 83). Kahekili Highway becomes Kamehameha Highway at Kahaluu and winds along the coast through the towns of Kaaawa, Punaluu, Hauula, and Laie.

Kamehameha Highway (Hwys 99 and 83) is the main road through the area. There is a bypass around Haleiwa called Joseph P Leong Highway which is useful in avoiding the two lane road through Haleiwa. (However, consider following the signs for Haleiwa town to take in the small-town atmosphere of the main town on the North Shore.)

• Waimea Valley near Pūpūkea has a wide range of flora and fauna. There is also a beautiful waterfall at the end that you are allowed to swim under (bring your swimsuit). The walk is easy on a paved road; no stairs to climb.

• 21.639064-157.9202691 Polynesian Cultural Center, 55-370 Kamehameha Highway (from Honolulu, Hwy 63 Likelike Highway to 83 Kahekili Hwy/Kamehameha Hwy, about 20 mi NW of Kaneohe), ☏ +1 808 293-3339, toll-free: +1-800-367-7060. Laie. Monday-Saturday, 11AM-8PM; individual attraction hours vary, see website for details. Hawaii's most popular paid tourist attraction, the Polynesian Cultural Center offers something found nowhere else: the opportunity to experience the culture not just of Hawaii, but also of seven other Polynesian island groups, all in one place. Recreated traditional villages of Hawaii, Samoa, Aotearoa (Maori New Zealand), Fiji, the Marquesas, Tahiti, Tonga, and Rapa Nui offer educational exhibits by native islanders, some of which can be hands-on. Award-winning Horizons evening show offers Polynesian entertainment. Basic admission $50, $38 children, includes cultural center and evening show. Ali'i Luau package $80/$56 includes luau and basic admission. Parking $5. Other premium packages available. Discounts for Hawaii residents and U.S. military.  
• Banzai Pipeline near Pūpūkea is one of the most famous surf sites for professional surfers from all around the world. The best time to witness it is in the winter, when the waves can reach up to 30-40 ft (9-12 m) high.
• Hale'iwa Historical Town: this more than 100-year-old historic town offers more than that. Many of the buildings are on the State Register of Historic Sites, and the rustic old building that dot the town are simply charming.
• Pu'u o Mahuka Heiau State Historic Site in Pūpūkea is the largest heiau (religious site or temple) on O'ahu, covering almost 2 acres.
• Waimea Valley Audubon Center, 59-864 Kamehameha Hwy, Haleiwa (across Kamehameha Hwy from Waimea Bay Beach Park). daily 9:30AM-5PM except 1 Jan 25 Dec; 9:30AM-3PM on Thanksgiving Day (4th Th in Nov) and 31 Dec. Formerly known as Waimea Falls Park, the National Audubon Society received a contract from the City and County of Honolulu to operate the site as a nature preserve. The preserve is home to endangered moorhen and a botanical garden with both endemic Hawaiian plants and other plants from around the world. A 0.75-mi (1.2 km) hike on paved trails leads to the centerpiece of the park, Waihi Falls, where visitors can swim in the pool at the base of the falls. $8; $5 seniors, military, and children (4-12); discounts for Hawaii residents. 

• Surf! It's what gave the North Shore its reputation, and still one of the main reasons to come here — Waimea Bay, Sunset Beach, and Banzai Pipeline are some of the most well-known. Take extreme care, however, if you aren't a very talented surfer. Pipeline in particular is one of the most harrowing; on a day with big waves the super shallow reef can be deadly if you wipe out. Beginners who want to experience surfing on the North Shore can take north shore surf lessons in Haleʻiwa at gentle breaks like Chun’s Reef or Puaʻena Point.
• Snorkel. There is some fine snorkeling at Shark Cove in Pupukea Beach Park. While not as big as Hanama Bay on the south side of island, you also won't have to deal with the smothering crowds. Be sure to snorkel over to the deep channel where the ocean enters the cove to feel the surge as the water moves in and out.

• 21.55617-157.874681 Kahana Bay Beach Park. Located along the Kamehameha Highway adjacent to Ahupua'a O Kahana State Park between Kaʻaʻawa and Punaluʻu. This beach cove is nestled at the very bottom of the Kualoa mountains and is often over looked by people traveling up the coast due to the outlining of pine trees along the beaches edges. With its seclusion, calm waters and plenty of shady spots for those not fond of the too much sun, you can obviously see why this is one of Oahu's best kept secrets.  
• Pūpūkea has some excellent beaches. Sunset Beach is one of the longest running beaches on Oahu, stretching 2 mi (3 km) in length and between 200-300 ft (61-91 m) in width at some spots. 'Ehukai Beach Park is home of the famous Banzai Pipeline. In the winter months this beach features 30- to 40-ft (9-12 m) waves, when the swells are high, and frequented by many of the world's best surfers. Three Tables is named for three table-like sections of reef that can easily be seen during low tide. Waimea Bay Beach is one of the most famous big wave surf sites in the world. Waves breaking on the north point of the bay often reach heights of 25 feet. During the summer months the wide sand beach at Waimea is a popular swimming and snorkeling site.
• Hale'iwa Beach Park: Hale'iwa is fronted by a narrow brown sand beach. While its shallow, rocky ocean bottom does not attract many swimmers, the park is well-used by canoe paddlers as a training and regatta site, by kayakers as an access point to the bay, and by surfers who ride the waves at Pua’ena Point.
• Mokule'ia Beach Park near Hale'iwa on the northwestern tip of the island, is w long white sandy beach is frequented by many of the local Hawaiians for its enticing windsurfing conditions and nice fishing spots.

• Foodland, 2 locations - Pupukea and Laie. This supermarket chain has 2 branches on the North Shore, and is the likely candidate for self catering. Expect prices to be significantly higher than the mainland. 
• Shrimp Trucks are spread along the Kamehameha Hwy, and are great places to stop off for lunch. The ones around Kahuku are some of the more popular.

Turtle Bay near Kahuku is the biggest and most well known place to stay, but there are many condos and rentals available as well.

Although North Shore seems like a laid back, safe place, one should always exercise caution after dusk. Native islanders can often be protective of their island, tourists should be respectful at all times.