North Shore
North Shore
4.5
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
About
The northern region of Oahu is a destination in itself, offering a wide variety of natural wonders and resort activities.
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Top ways to experience North Shore
The area
Best nearby
Restaurants
78 within 3 miles
Attractions
61 within 6 miles
See what travelers are saying
- Andy S45 contributionsNorth ShoreThe north Shore is an amazing trip to take for the day. Visit a few of the local beaches, Turtle Bay Resort. Along the east side is numerous Food Trucks to choice from. Rent a car and take your time. It is 45 min from Waikiki and Discovery Bay Enterprise was amazing place to rent.Visited October 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten November 2, 2023
- Sharon M19 contributionsFamily VacationWe went up to the North Shore and were told to go to Shark Cove for the sunset. It was amazing! The tide was out and we could walk the inlet. The grandkids loved it. Saw all kinds of fish life and coral. Sunset was spectacular!Visited November 2023Traveled with familyWritten November 19, 2023
- CanucksonthelooseVictoria, Canada734 contributionsAway from the madding crowd of the big city.We did a day trip here by renting a car from Enterprise at Discovery Bay Centre, Waikiki (best prices thru Costco, great service) and it's worth the drive away from the big city. Favourite places to go were Laniakea Beach for spotting sea turtles and Haleiwa Beach Park for parking, playground, basketball court, green areas for shade and picnicking, and access to surf-watching/ lessons. Great lunch at Kahuku Farms. Should snorkel here to avoid the crowds at Hanauma Bay. If you have a week to stay on the Island, you should try to venture to North Shore if you want to get away from the madding crowd of Honolulu and the southern coast.Visited March 2023Traveled with familyWritten November 28, 2023
- jmashTurnersville, New Jersey1,431 contributionsDrive to and around the North ShoreMy wife and I along with another couple recently visited Honolulu on a cruise vacation. While there, we rented a car and drove up the coast to the North shore. There were numerous wonderful stops along the way with terrific views of the beaches and ocean. We stopped at a few of the food trucks and had a great day. We experienced a lot of traffic and many obnoxious motor bikes in the North Shore, which took away from the beauty of the trip. However, this was a great experience.Visited April 2024Traveled with friendsWritten April 22, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,288 reviews
Excellent
900
Very good
308
Average
62
Poor
10
Terrible
8
GoPlaces176349
3 contributions
Jan 2022 • Family
The North Shore all day tour today with Tiho as guide and driver was thorough, on time and overall fun & well-done. Tiho gave tons of interesting commentary on Hawaian history, facts, etc., as he drove us to various tourist points around Oahu. I would recommend this tour to visitors who have just arrived to Oahu, since this tour shows you many of the wonderful things to see and experience here.
Written January 16, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SunnydaysLewes_DE
Rehoboth Beach, DE339 contributions
Feb 2020
The North Shore offers something for almost everyone— seeing a luau, hiking a waterfall, watching big wave surfers, snorkeling with turtles, food trucks galore, fresh fruit stands, Teds bakery Haupia Pie, the laid back/quaint surfer town of Haleiwa, the Dole plantation’s store filled with local crafts and pineapple and/or macadamia samples of everything under the sun! It is a two lane road filled with tons of amazing sights. Relax and take it all in. No one is ever in a hurry! It is worth it to rent a cottage there for a few days on Oahu in order to truly soak in the experience. No real nightlife to speak of. Nothing luxurious. Simply nature at it’s finest giving a glimpse of the days when the island was still unspoiled!
Written February 28, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lengtan67
Kuala Lumpur1,176 contributions
Jan 2022
For those who are not playing tourists in Honolulu just for 3 to 4 days, then take a day to visit North Shore to experience different scenes away from the hustle and bustle of a city.
Once we are out from the city, we will see shorelines and shorlines,high surfing waves, surfers and beach goers .
Go as far as Haleiwa, to explore this little town, something different from Honolulu for sure.
Bus 65 from Ala Moana Center goes all the way to Haleiwa, and we can stop along any prominent beach along the way.
Once we are out from the city, we will see shorelines and shorlines,high surfing waves, surfers and beach goers .
Go as far as Haleiwa, to explore this little town, something different from Honolulu for sure.
Bus 65 from Ala Moana Center goes all the way to Haleiwa, and we can stop along any prominent beach along the way.
Written March 6, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Canucksontheloose
Victoria, Canada734 contributions
Mar 2023 • Family
We did a day trip here by renting a car from Enterprise at Discovery Bay Centre, Waikiki (best prices thru Costco, great service) and it's worth the drive away from the big city. Favourite places to go were Laniakea Beach for spotting sea turtles and Haleiwa Beach Park for parking, playground, basketball court, green areas for shade and picnicking, and access to surf-watching/ lessons. Great lunch at Kahuku Farms. Should snorkel here to avoid the crowds at Hanauma Bay. If you have a week to stay on the Island, you should try to venture to North Shore if you want to get away from the madding crowd of Honolulu and the southern coast.
Written November 28, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lisa F
Mount Laurel, NJ227 contributions
Nov 2021 • Family
I had asked where to look for shells before I left. No one would disclose any good locations just oh north shore beaches. I really didn't have time to go out of my way to any particular beaches to look for shells but would always look wherever I went. This is the only things I found. Sharks cove, waimea bay, electric beach on oahu and cove surf in maui. Glass seemed to be every beach but not great glass mostly sharp. Some frosties but all green and brown really really small pieces. Not even worth picking up or going out of your way for. Found nothing snorkeling just in water lines. I find better glass in nj. Shells I was really hoping for. Not much but again I really didn't have time to look . I had asked hotels they reported oh the locals get mad if we tell bc they make jewelry. So I thought I would share what and where I found.
Written November 9, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carol L
Austin, TX, United States9 contributions
Feb 2020
It is well worth renting a car for a day to leave Honolulu and explore the North Shore. It's a single lane road, weaving along the coastline.... lush trees and beautiful water. Several pullovers where you can take pictures, and a few small parking lots to pull over, some with picnic tables.
Written March 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mo71ey
197 contributions
Mar 2022 • Couples
My favourite thing to do. Hire a car and get away from Waikiki. It’s a wonderful drive and there are so many great places to visit on your way. Your Navman will want you to go the freeway but at least one way go along the shore line, it’s a beautiful drive. Google ‘North shore day trip itinerary’ and you will find some great days planned out for you. Don’t forget the food trucks!
Written March 18, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jelk50
West Sacramento, California9 contributions
Aug 2019
North Shore is a large stretch of sand and beach. The name North Shore is spoken in the same sentence as surfing. To get there? Drive thru Wahiawa. Once over the quaint bridge you enter a different Oahu. The scattering pineapple fields, coffee orchards, red volcanic dirt and as you drive on to take in the sky as it opens up into the Pacific Ocean. The ocean awaits you with the suggestion of sea mist from pounding waves. You will enter North Shore at Haleiwa and essential end your drive at Turtle Bay. Prepare for a slow drive on a very crowded highway that hugs the beach and at times the mountains. And, during days of high surf expect long delays and multiple jay walkers. Take in the views, bring a lunch, stop at a park or two and for sure - shave ice. If there is one place to see a sunset, there are many, try Halaevia Joe’s.
Oahu, the gathering place, has it all on one island. City, country side, beaches, tropical rain forest and desert. North Shore is the only location untouched by commercialized hotels. Relax and enjoy.
Aloha
Oahu, the gathering place, has it all on one island. City, country side, beaches, tropical rain forest and desert. North Shore is the only location untouched by commercialized hotels. Relax and enjoy.
Aloha
Written March 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
low274
Columbia, MD113 contributions
Feb 2021 • Friends
An Oahu must-do... but weekdays only! Tried to go on the weekend but the one-way traffic was stop & go, even during the pandemic when there are limited tourists. Tried again during the week and it was smooth sailing! Gorgeous beaches are perfect for watching surfers, but big waves are not safe for winter swimming. Food truck favorites were shrimp plates, acai bowls & shaved ice. Shopping was fun too! Found some souvenirs!
Written March 9, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeffry b
Essendon, Australia13,336 contributions
Feb 2023
Th North Shore is on the island of O'ahu. To get there, head north up the center of O'ahu, Hawai'is most populous island. O'ahu isn't all that big. Among sights to see are the giant breakers on North Shore, where the world's top surfers congregate. Another drawcard is Pupukea. Be prepared to come quipped with goggles and snorkels. The corals and tropical fish are spectacular, but access can be limited. The North Shore is a good day's outing, plan what you want to see before you go.
Written April 11, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alicat7707
South Jersey54 contributions
Saw that you stayed in Waikiki and took a trip to North Shore. Did you rent a car and drive it yourself or go on a guided tour? Looking to do this in November but wasn't sure how long the drive was from Waikiki and where to stop (beach, dining,etc) if it's doable on our own. Any insight would be appreciated.
gpaisie
Chicago, IL42 contributions
We stayed both on the North Shore (Courtyard, Laie) and in Ko Olina (not Waikiki, but the other sisde of Honolulu and on the west coast). Definitely a car is the way to go - buses run all over but I can't imagine the time it takes. Traffic is only bad around Honolulu. North shore eating is primarily food trucks, nothing fancy by any means. Ted's Bakery (they sell more than pastries) is along Kamehameha Highway (as is everything) and is a good breakfast and lunch spot.No alcohol sold up that way either except the food store by Sunset Beach (that we found, anyway). We didn't out to eat out in the Waikiki or Diamond Head area but there are some good looking spots.
yane216
Montevideo, Uruguay29 contributions
Que compañía de tour se puede contratar para ir a North Shore ?? Y cuánto sale ?
yane216
Montevideo, Uruguay29 contributions
Que compañía de tour se puede contratar para ir a North Shore ?? Y cuánto sale ?
ellie
17 contributions
How early do you have to start your journey to the north shore from Waikiki to avoid heavy traffic?
angit68
Little Rock, Arkansas, United States45 contributions
Afternoon is the worst time for traffic. Early morning-8-10 am is a better time. Traffic can be bad at any time depending on the day.
How do you get here? Like, is there an address for gps? IS there free parking anywhere?
shortsallyear
Payson, UT91 contributions
So I always take highway 83 it is called Kamehameha highway it is a beautiful drive from Honolulu up passed the Polynesian Culture Center. There are several beaches up on the North shore there is parking along the highway and there are several small parking lots around the different beaches. Have a great time.
rhonda
Santa Rosa, CA16 contributions
Best beach on the North Shore for calm waves, nice sand, privacy, maybe even romantic setting.
Traci S
Bristol, TN39 contributions
What are some things that we should know about the area that No one tells you!! We want to know what to expect! Like, are there bugs everywhere and how much things cost at the grocery store?
tammy71
Cape Coral, FL139 contributions
There are a few grocery stores on the north shore. As for bugs, it's fine. Grocery stores are a little expensive because it's being brought in via container barges and planes.
Overall enjoy your time in Oahu! Maybe you will be lucky and see surfers at the bonsai pipeline.
pixiegeorgia
Mackenzie, Canada
Are there waves for new surfers (10x) on the north shore in July? Or should I head to the south for practice?
Lyle @ Sportvictoria.com
Victoria, Canada299 contributions
Summer tends to have smaller waves on the North Shore. You still do have to deal with a pretty good rip-tide so beware.
Winter is when the waves are the best for the North Shore.
vickie q
omaha ne161 contributions
Traveling from Hilton Hawaiian village for the day. We have a car. 7 of us including 5 kids ages 8-16.
Thinking about surf lessons? What else should we include?
John F
Vallejo, CA1,339 contributions
Haleiwa Beach House for lunch or dinner....or the shrimp trucks gathered on the edge of town.
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