North Shore beaches
Eight North Shore beaches, from Mokulēʻia in the west to Sunset Beach in the north. In winter they are for watching big surf from the sand; in summer the calm ones are for swimming and snorkeling.
Waimea Bay
The big bay below Waimea Valley, with lifeguard Tower 29 on the sand, open 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. daily. Winter brings huge, dangerous swells; from May to October the North Shore surf is flat to small.
Sunset Beach
About two miles of sand at the north end of the surf beaches, with lifeguard Tower 25 at the park, open 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. daily.
Ehukai Beach (Banzai Pipeline)
The beach park in front of the Banzai Pipeline surf break. Lifeguard Tower 26 is open 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. daily. Read our review.
Laniakea (Turtle Beach)
Where green sea turtles haul out on the sand. Lifeguard Tower 30B is open 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. daily, and NOAA asks people to stay at least 10 feet from the turtles. Read our review.
Shark’s Cove
Lava rock tide pools and summer snorkeling inside the Pūpūkea Marine Life Conservation District, where taking marine life and feeding fish are against the rules. Lifeguard Tower 28 went up in March 2026. Read our review.
Haleiwa Aliʻi Beach Park
The beach park in Haleiwa town, with parking, restrooms, a bus stop and lifeguard Tower 31, open 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. daily.
Chun’s Reef
A long white-sand beach about two miles north of Haleiwa, with a freshwater pond the state visitor bureau calls perfect for keiki. Lifeguard Tower 30A covers it, 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. daily.
Mokulēʻia Beach Park
A long, quiet beach on Farrington Highway west of Waialua, on the way to Kaʻena Point. It is not on the state’s list of lifeguarded beaches.
Where to eat
Haleiwa town at the south end has the shave ice and the shops; Kahuku at the north end has the shrimp trucks.
Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck
The graffiti-covered original truck at 56-505 Kamehameha Highway in Kahuku, open daily 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., according to its own posts.
Romy’s Kahuku Prawns and Shrimp
A Kahuku prawn and shrimp stand, now at 56-1030 Kamehameha Highway after a move up the road. It takes phone orders at 808-219-3293.
Matsumoto Shave Ice
Serving the North Shore since 1951, at Haleiwa Store Lots. Open daily, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and it takes cards.
Aoki’s Shave Ice
Haleiwa’s other shave ice stand, a short walk from Matsumoto’s at the corner of Emerson Road. Its own posted hours are 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., closed Tuesdays.
Ted’s Bakery
The bakery across the highway from Sunset Beach, open daily 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Surfers Coffee Bar (Wahiawā)
A coffee bar at 63 S. Kamehameha Highway in Wahiawā, run mostly by volunteers for Surfing The Nations, a nonprofit working through service and action sports since 1997.
Attractions and tours
Waimea Valley, the heiau above Waimea Bay, Kahuku Farms, the soap factory, Kaʻena Point and the boats out of Haleiwa Harbor.
Haleiwa Town
The North Shore’s historic town, and the lunch and shave ice stop at the south end of the drive. Haleiwa Store Lots, the open-air center in the middle of town, has 22 merchants and 95 parking stalls.
Waimea Valley
The valley across the highway from Waimea Bay, with a waterfall about 40 feet tall at its head. Adult admission is $26. In October and November it opens Tuesday to Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; from December 1 to 30, daily.
Puʻu o Mahuka Heiau
The largest heiau on Oʻahu, covering almost two acres on the ridge above Waimea Bay. Open daily, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and free.
Kahuku Farms
A farm in Kahuku with a café and garden that are free to walk during business hours, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., closed Tuesday and Wednesday. The fields are by guided tour only.
North Shore Soap Factory
A working soap maker in Waialua with a 30-minute behind-the-scenes tour, Tuesday through Saturday from 10:30 a.m. (last tour 2 p.m.), $22 a person and free for kids 4 and under.
Kaʻena Point (Mokulēʻia side)
The western tip of Oʻahu, at the end of the road past Mokulēʻia. The walk to the point is about 2.5 miles each way along a volcanic coast, and the park is open daily, 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Shark Tours From Haleiwa Harbor
This shark dive leaves by boat from Haleiwa Harbor. You watch the sharks from a cage, no swimming skills needed, and you can stay on the boat if you would rather stay dry.
Dole Plantation
The pineapple stop on the highway north of Wahiawā, open daily 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The paid extras are the Pineapple Express train, the garden tour and the maze.
Where to stay
The resort at Turtle Bay, then villas, condos, bungalows and rentals along the coast.
The Ritz-Carlton Oʻahu, Turtle Bay
The resort on Turtle Bay, near Kahuku, at the north end of the coast. Check-in is 3 p.m. and check-out 11 a.m. Read our review.
Ke Iki Beach Bungalows
Bungalows on Ke Iki Beach, just north of Shark’s Cove. The property says there are no resort fees, and each unit gets one free parking stall.
Ocean Villas and Kuilima Estates
Two ways to stay at Turtle Bay with a kitchen: the resort’s own Ocean Villas, with three or four bedrooms, and the Kuilima Estates condos next door, which are owned independently and not managed by the resort.
