The North Shore is my absolute favourite place to be on Oahu. It’s the area located on the northern-facing part of the island (duh!), encompassing the entire area between Kaena Point and Kahuku Point. The main “town” on the North Shore is a charming little spot, called Haleiwa.
Famous for its surfing, snorkeling, and of course the fifty-one beaches that stretch for more than 11 miles along this incredible expanse of Oahu coastline, the North Shore is a must-see on this Hawaiian island. Share on XWhile the North Shore is small, it’s got TONS to offer, including some of the best surf on the entire island. During the winter months, the North Shores gets some crazy waves that host major surf competitions like Banzai Pipeline and The Eddie.
Getting There
From the island’s capital, Honolulu, there are a few different ways to get to Oahu’s North Shore. The first and fastest way is to cut through the middle of the island. By taking Interstate H1 West to HI-99 North, you’ll be at the North Shore in about half an hour.
However, my preferred way to reach the North Shore is through the scenic route. Following HI-83, you’ll travel along the east coast of the island and be treated to some of the best views on the island. This way will take you a little over an hour.
Where to Stay
The main hotel option on Oahu’s North Shore is Turtle Bay Resort. The hotel is on the pricier side, but is at the heart of the North Shore and has a ton of great amenities on site.
Other than that, I highly recommend booking an Airbnb. I’ve stayed at a handful of different Airbnb’s on the North Shore and have always had great experiences. I prefer to use Airbnb for lodging any time that I travel, but its particularly useful for the island because of the limited hotel options.
The locals on the North Shore are also incredibly sweet – every host I’ve stayed with has been super welcoming and let me borrow beach bikes to get around!
Where to Eat
Haleiwa Bowls
This cute little shack has some of the freshest acai bowls I’ve ever tried – plus the place is super Insta-worthy!
Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck
Shrimp trucks are an island staple and I promise, these delicious, garlicky shrimp are well worth the wait. No matter what time you go, there is bound to be a long line at Giovanni’s, but that’s because it’s the best shrimp truck in town!
Matsumoto Shave Ice
The shave ice craze is real on Oahu and Matsumoto is the islands original shave ice shop, serving up delicious, cool creations since 1951. This is a true North Shore bucket list item, so you have to make sure to pop in during your visit!
Ted’s Bakery
Ted’s Bakery serves up a wide variety of dishes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but they’re most famous for their pies. This is another “can’t-miss” spot on the North Shore. And if you’ve never had it before, you absolutely need to try their famous chocolate-haupia pie!
Best North Shore Beaches
Waimea Bay
This is not only my favourite beach on the North Shore but my favourite beach on the entire island. If you get to Waimea Bay early enough, you can usually spot dolphins from the shore! As long as the surf is calm you’ll be able to jump off the giant rock – another North Shore bucket list item! The water here is usually calm enough for swimmers of all skill levels. Keep in mind the parking lot here is TINY, so if you get here later in the day you’ll have to park some ways down the road and walk.
Sunset Beach
This is another spot that gets massive wave action during the winter months. Plus, it’s just across the street from Ted’s Bakery! One of my favourite things to do on the North Shore is to grab a pie from the bakery an eat it while watching the sunset here.
Pipeline (Ehukai Beach/Banzai Pipeline)
This beach is home to the deadliest waves in Oahu – making it a surfer’s paradise. Unless you’re an experienced surfer, I wouldn’t recommend getting in the water here, but it’s a great spot to catch big surf competitions!
Things to do
Take a picture at the Global Angel Wings
Colette Miller’s Global Angel Wings are one of the main attractions on the North Shore. The wings are part of an art project reminding us that humans are the angels of the earth. You can find the wings directly in front of Anahulu’s shaved ice.
Check out the North Shore shops
Haleiwa is home to some of the cutest little shops to find authentic Hawaiian souvenirs. My favourite shop is North Shore Trading Post that has tons of cute island-inspired home décor and jewelry.
Snorkel at Sharks Cove
Sharks Cove is one of the best snorkeling spots on the island of Oahu; you’ll find all kinds of fish here, plus tons of turtles and even some eels! Sharks Cove is also a really unique snorkeling spot because it’s only accessible a few months out of the year. In the winter months, the swells are too large, making it impossible to snorkel there. May to September is considered prime to snorkel at Sharks Cove.
Check out my Oahu Snorkeling Guide for more snorkeling spots on the island!
Visit the Oldest Surf Shop in Hawaii
Surf N Sea is the oldest surf shop in Hawaii and located right in the heart of the North Shore. The iconic yellow building features a collection of antique surfboards and is definitely worth a visit if you find yourself on the North Shore!
Hike through Waimea Valley
Waimea Valley is a place of rich history and culture and is of significant religious importance to Hawaiians. I highly recommend taking a walk through the lush valley and learning a lit bit more about Hawaii while taking in the stunning scenery of the island.
