Overview
The North Shore of Oahu in Hawaii is famous world-wide for its beaches and incredible surf.
2 sights · 1 things to do · 1 places to eat
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about North Shore
Polynesian Cultural Center
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 opportuni…
Waimea Valley Audubon Center
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 botani…
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 overlooked by people traveli…
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Jan–Dec. Summer highs reach about 89°F; winter lows dip to about 67°F. Wettest: Mar and Nov. (climate data from nearby Honolulu)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- HNL Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, Honolulu, Oahu — 23 mi away (major hub). Directions
- MKK Molokai Airport, Kaunakakai — 71 mi away. Directions
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).
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 3-day trip
- Day 1: Hale'iwa — Hale'iwa Historical town, Hale'iwa Art Festival, Hale'iwa Beach Park.
- Day 2: Pūpūkea — Pu'u o Mahuka Heiau State Historic Site, Waimea Valley, Banzai Pipeline.
- Day 3: Kahuku — Kahuka Mill Shopping Center.
Built from the best-covered destinations in this region; open each for its own day plan.
Food for you
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Places in North Shore
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
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!)
Get in
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.
Get around
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.)
See
- 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.
See Polynesian Cultural Center
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.
See Waimea Valley Audubon Center
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.
Do
- 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.
Beaches
Do 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 overlooked 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.
Eat
Eat Foodland
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.
Sleep
Turtle Bay near Kahuku is the biggest and most well known place to stay, but there are many condos and rentals available as well.
Stay safe
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.
Towns
- Hale'iwa – the busiest and most popular town on the North Shore, with some of the better restaurants and shopping
- Kahuku – pretty non-descript, but a great place to stop off for lunch, get gas, or pick up supplies
- Pūpūkea – well-known for surfing, diving and snorkeling
- La'ie – similar to Kahuku, with a few more facilities
Nearby
Waianae
City / town · 13 listings · 14 mi away
Nanakuli
City / town · 16 mi away
Aiea
City / town · 4 listings · 19 mi away
Kapolei
City / town · 8 listings · 20 mi away
Honolulu
City / town · 25 listings · 26 mi away
Kailua
City / town · 27 listings · 27 mi away
Kalaupapa National Historical Park
Park · 6 listings · 79 mi away
Molokai
City / town · 38 listings · 79 mi away
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