Discover Oahu’s North Shore: Surfing Paradise and Laid-Back Island Vibes You Can’t Miss
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Known as “the Gathering Place”, the vibrant island of Oahu is home to Honolulu, Waikiki Beach, Pearl Harbor, Diamond Head, and so much more. For visitors seeking Hawai’i’s most affordable hotels along with soft sand beaches, eclectic dining, and exciting nightlife, Oahu is the place for you.
A world apart from the towering beachfront hotels of Waikiki on the south shore of the island is the calm and colorful North Shore. In just one hour you can be in the super cool surf town of Hale’iwa where there are stunning beaches, a relaxing and friendly atmosphere, small local restaurants, and a variety of food trucks.
En route to the North Shore via the H2 Highway you may find the Dole Plantation tourist attraction of interest. Geared more towards families with a train ride and a 3-acre garden maze, the Plantation’s eight gardens provide the opportunity to view coffee, pineapple, and other tropical fruit plants, including cacao pods that are used to make Waialua’s Hawaiian chocolate.
By far the largest population center on the North Shore is Hale’iwa, with nearly 5,000 residents. The town is the artistic and social center of Oahu’s north with a style all its own. There is a clear feeling of being in the country even though it is a short drive back to Honolulu.
Surfing and Snorkeling, oh my!
The stretch of beautiful coastline northeast from Haleiwa to Kawela Bay on the northern tip of the island is world-famous for large waves and thrilling surfing action. The waves reach as high as 30 feet during the October to April time period, with swells sometimes as high as 50 feet. It’s no wonder that many professional surfers call the North Shore home. Professional competitions with surfers from around the world are held annually at Waimea Bay and Sunset Beach.
The most famous spot for surfing on the North Shore is nicknamed “Banzai Pipeline” and is located at Ehukai Beach Park in Pupukea, less than 15 minutes north of Haleiwa. It is considered one of the most challenging places to surf in the world. Numerous competitions take place here each year, with great viewing available due to the proximity of the surf to the beach.
The Triple Crown of Surfing has been held on the North Shore each November and December since 1983. Consisting of the Hawaiian Pro at Hale’iwa, the World Cup of Surfing at Sunset Beach, and the Pipeline Masters at Ehukai Beach Park, both men’s and women’s competitions are held where you can watch in person or follow all of the action on network television.
If you’re more inclined to do some snorkeling rather than climbing aboard a surfboard to ride the waves, there are some ideal places to explore the marine life along Oahu’s North Shore coastline. Local residents flock to the Pupukea Marine Life Conservation District which is maintained as a critical habitat for dozens of endangered species. “Calm season”, May to October, is the best time for snorkeling here.
A unique 100 acres of coastline that stretches for about one mile, Pupukea is one of a handful of places in Hawai’i where a natural stream, in this case the Kamananui River, flows directly into the ecosystem at Waimea Bay and continues along the coast to Shark’s Cove.
The waters are easy to access here from the shore, making it attractive for scuba divers, too. If your visit in late fall or winter when the waters are more turbulent, you may want to hang out at Kulalau Point, between Keiki Beach and Shark’s Cove, where the booming sounds of waves crashing into the nearby coral reef are something to behold. This is also an amazing spot to watch a dazzling Hawai’i sunset.
Author: DragonWen
Turtle and the beach at Tavares Beach, also known as Lamalani Beach, Located on Maui's North Shore, protected area of the turtle
Horseback Riding in Hawai’i? Why not?
“Go West young man” (or woman) usually brings thoughts of Colorado, Utah, even California, but if you are in Hawai’i you have really taken this slogan to a new level. You’re already 3,000 miles to the west of west, so of course there’s horseback riding here.
At Gunstock Ranch visitors will find scheduled group trail rides of one hour and 90 minutes, as well as sunset rides that are simply spectacular. Whether you are an experienced or novice rider, there’s a beautiful horse or pony that is exactly right for you.
Kids of all ages are welcome to partake in this experience of a lifetime. Most trail tours are open to anyone aged 7+, and there are special pony rides for kids as young as two years of age, with helmets and experienced instructors to set your mind at ease.
Located close to the beach with the Ko’olau Mountains as a backdrop, 900-acre Gunstock Ranch also offers private rides that include dinner along the way or choose the Sweetheart Horseback Experience for two that includes a picnic lunch.
You can reach Gunstock Ranch in about 30 minutes along the coastal road from Haleiwa, or for visitors touring the North Shore counterclockwise, it is about 45 minutes north of Kanaohe after exiting the H3 highway.
Just six miles west of Hale’iwa in Mokuleia is Hawai’i Polo Oceanfront Trail Rides, where group and private horseback rides along the North Shore beach will be a great highlight to your day. Participants here must be at least 8 years old. Whether you are a first-time rider or have previous experience with horses, there will be a horse or pony here that is best suited to your skill level.
Unique to the Hawai’i Polo Club is the added option of taking polo lessons. This energizing sport, for the horse and rider, has been glamorized by European Royalty for centuries, and you can take a fun lesson here and nowhere else in Hawai’i!
If you happen to be visiting the North Shore on a Sunday from April through Labor Day weekend and want to attend a polo match, now’s your chance. Matches begin at 2 p.m.. with the gates open for tailgating at 11:30 a.m. After the matches, the band starts playing at 5 p.m., with music and food trucks going into the evening. Purchase tickets online in advance to ensure getting in as this is an extremely popular local event.
On a side note, while not quite on the North Shore, another popular horseback riding excursion on Oahu is offered at the Kualoa Ranch Private Nature Preserve, 20 minutes north of Kanaohe. Several movies have been filmed here including Jurassic Park, with the two hour long horseback walking tour taking you through the pastures and valleys that were featured in the film.
Author: Stock for you
Oahu, Hawaii, USA - April 24, 2023: Summer view of tourists doing horseback riding in a row on the grass against rock cliff at Kualoa Ranch
Dining and Shopping Options Abound on the North Shore of Oahu
Check out local favorite Hale’iwa Joe’s Haiku Gardens seafood restaurant which is open daily for dinner and is the spot to go for Sunday brunch. Ted’s Bakery, just up the main drag (Kamehameha Hwy.) from Sunset Beach, has been serving breakfast, lunch, and of course, all-day bakery items since 1988, becoming a popular spot for locals and visitors. If a quick stop at a food truck is more to your liking, you will find delectable poke bowls, amazing garlic shrimp, and free fish sandwiches to fill your belly.
Front and center in the Hale’iwa Store Lots also on Kamehameha Highway is Matsumoto’s Shave Ice, a North Shore institution since 1951. Also located in this touristy but fun center are shops specializing in coffee/tea, jewelry, sportswear, surfing and diving, a couple of art galleries, plus a burger and Thai restaurant. There is free daily Hawaiian entertainment in the Kamehamalu central courtyard.
Hawai’i route 83, also known as the Joseph P. Leong Highway, is the bypass route around Hale’iwa. The Kamehameha Highway, which runs parallel to 83 just to the west (towards the beach) is home to a wide variety of shops and restaurants. Major shopping centers include North Shore Marketplace, Hale’iwa Town Center, North Shore Gateway, and the Hale’iwa Plantation Shops. An eclectic collection of restaurants line Kamehameha Highway with everything from Hawai’ian specialties to fresh seafood, and a potpourri of Asian dining spots.
Popular Hale’iwa dining spots include Killer Tacos, Zane’s Simply Shrimp food truck, Kono’s North Shore BBQ, Thai Bo, Hale’iwa Seafood food truck, and the Hale’iwa Beach House.
Author: Maridav
Poke bowl salad plate. A traditional local Hawaii food dish with raw marinated ahi yellowfin tuna fish. Woman sitting on beach eating lunch.
Oahu’s North Shore Has it All
We can’t think of any vacation destination that offers so many exciting options for each and every day of your visit. Nothing needs to be repetitive here, with so much variety from beaches to historical sites to hiking, incredible dining, swimming, surfing lessons, snorkeling, horseback riding, shopping, exploring volcanic mountains, cultural shows, and so much more.
And, while many people think of Oahu as Waikiki Beach and Honolulu, the diversity of this wonderful island is beyond compare. Be sure to include at least one full day to experience the stunning and easy going North Shore. You’ll be glad you did!
