Beaches, Surfboards, Waterfalls, & the warm Hawaiian Sun. You’re heading to the beautiful island of Oahu next and want to experience the unique vibes and stunning nature of the famous North Shore? This first-timers guide will show you the best things to do and explore in a day up north.
Get ready for these must-see spots & tips on How to Spend a Day on the North Shore…
Need recommendations for beaches around the island?
Check out Oahu’s Best Beaches!
What is the North Shore?
A Glimpse of North Shore’s History
The North Shore of Oahu, as its name already indicates, is located on the northern tip of the island stretching from Ka’ena Point to Kahuku. It’s known for its cultural significance in Hawaiian traditions, beautiful nature, and of course, is most popular as a world-class surfing hub. The waves at the North Shore beaches, especially in the winter, are considered to have the perfect break. Beaches like Pipeline are extremely famous among professional surfers and for competitions.
But even if you aren’t really into surfing, the North Shore has so much more to offer: stunning beaches, waterfalls, amazing food, and in the heart of it all: the “hippie” town of Hale’iwa.
What to See
As mentioned above, the North Shore’s rich culture paired with its breathtaking scenery is perfect for a day trip.
An absolute must-visit during your time here will have to be the town of Hale’iwa. The heart of the town is filled with little boutique shops, local eateries, and art galleries – all inside beautiful historic buildings. The laid-back vibe here is truly unmatched!
Aside from exploring Hale’iwa Town, you should also prepare for some water activities and beach time. The northern coast has plenty of amazing beaches, read more about some of them here.
Lastly, exploring nature and going on a hike or two definitely have to be on your list. You can discover lush forests, waterfalls, and even marine life if you look in the right spots.
So if you want to know how to spend a day at the North Shore, keep reading!
Tips for Exploring the North Shore
Good to Know
North Shore Essentials
It’s definitely important to keep a few things in mind when packing your bag for a day trip to the North Shore of Oahu…
- Sunscreen
- Swimwear (for beaches & waterfalls)
- Towels
- Mosquito spray
- Comfortable shoes (for hiking)
- Cash (for parking, food stands & more)
- Phone + portable charger
- Camera
- Toiletries like wipes etc. / first aid kit
- Guides/maps
How to Spend a Day on the North Shore
Waimea valley
Start your day at the Waimea Valley by exploring and hiking to the waterfall and visiting the stunning beach nearby… Heading here right in the morning will make you avoid the crowds and afternoon heat, making it a fantastic place to see before heading to Hale’iwa.
Waimea Valley Trail
This amazing place has so much to offer with the beautiful Waimea Falls and hike through the botanical gardens filled with thousands of different plant species. The trail to the falls is easy and mostly paved making it great for beginners or families. The 45-foot tall waterfall features a large pool you can dip into when arriving here. It’s a truly magical location you have to visit. It takes about 1-hour roundtrip to complete the hike.
Waimea Bay Beach Park
Crowned as one of the best beaches on the North Shore, this large stretch of golden sand is located right by the Waimea Valley Trail. Hiking the trail and heading to the beach afterward is a great way to cool off and relax. A real highlight here is the Waimea Bay Rock for cliff jumping from about 30 feet high. In the winter this beach is extremely popular amongst surfers while the summer can be great for snorkeling due to the clear waters. Watching the sunrise here can also be a great start to the day!
Hale’iwa
After spending an adventurous morning in the Waimea Valley, head to Hale’iwa Town to spend your day shopping, eating delicious food, and indulging in some water activities.
Hale’iwa Bowls
Seems like it’s time for breakfast! At this super trendy and popular spot in Hale’iwa, you can get some tasty Açai Bowls and smoothies almost directly by the beach. If you’ve never had a smoothie bowl of any sort, consider this one of the best to have as a first. Hale’iwa Bowls is also known for having a great atmosphere with chill surfer vibes.
Hale’iwa Beach/Harbor
If you can’t wait to head to the beach, consider bringing your breakfast here (since Hale’iwa Bowls and other food spots are nearby). With all the activities it has to offer, this beach is perfect for spending your day here. If you’re visiting during the summer months, the waters here are relatively calm and perfect for swimming and doing water activities. During the winter months, you can enjoy watching professional surfers riding the waves! You might also spot locals jumping into the water from the bridge in the right photo.
Stand-Up Paddle Boarding
While at Hale’iwa Beach you can use this opportunity to rent a stand-up paddleboard. The waters here are actually very calm since there are no currents in the harbor. Consider paddling all the way down the Anahulu River and exploring the area from the water. Hale’iwa Beach has some shops and vans standing by the road renting out the boards for relatively cheap.
Try Matsumoto Shave Ice
As a quick refresher shave ice can be a great Hawaiian experience. This shop is actually one of the most famous because it’s been around since 1951. Definitely get multiple flavors to achieve the rainbow look!
Explore/Shop in Hale’iwa
As mentioned above, the heart of the town is home to some amazing boutiques and surf shops. Consider stopping by the food trucks and local stores to get some souvenirs. You might also discover amazing picture opportunities while strolling through these plantation-era buildings. See the next one!
Take Pictures at the Angel Wings
Who doesn’t remember the trend of taking pictures in front of murals of angel wings? Even Hale’iwa is part of the Global Angel Wings Project and it’s definitely fun to take some photos here! You’ll find these colorful wings painted by Colette Miller on the exterior wall of Anahulu Shave Ice in the heart of Hale’iwa.
The Beet Box Café
Stop by for lunch or dinner at this wonderful little spot in Hale’iwa. This food place offers a wide variety of vegan food like burritos, bowls, or even pancakes. Absolutely worth a visit while in the area to refuel for the next things on the list.
looking for more vegan food spots?
Vegan Food Guide to Oahu
Pūpūkea
After spending your day in Hale’iwa, head further north to the town of Pūpūkea to indulge in some more beach activities like snorkeling, watching surfers, and ending your day watching the sunset.
Snorkeling & Sea Turtle Spotting
Wondering where and how to see sea turtles in Oahu? The North Shore is actually one of the best areas to spot marine life. Here are some of the best beaches for snorkeling and turtle watching:
- Laniakea Beach for spotting sea turtles
- Shark’s Cove for snorkeling
- Three Tables for snorkeling
Stay mindful that turtles and any marine life are wild animals living in their habitat.
Please don’t touch, feed, or scare them. Watch from a safe distance and be respectful.
Ehukai Beach Park aka Banzai Pipeline
Mostly just called Pipeline, this famous beach is known for its world-class waves and surf. Heading here to watch professional surfers catch waves is a great way to spend your afternoon and make you feel part of the North Shore’s surfing culture.
Paumalū aka Sunset Beach
Just like the name already indicates, this beach is amazing for watching the sunset at the end of the day. Technically, all the beaches on the North Shore around Hale’iwa and Pūpūkea are facing west, making them great hang-out spots in the evening. Sunset Beach is 2 miles long and also known for its waves and surfers.
And there you have it – that concludes the perfect North Shore itinerary!
Of course, there are so many more beaches, hikes, and activities to do around the North Shore but if it’s your first time wondering how to spend a day on the North Shore, this will tick most of the boxes.
Choosing the best itinerary also depends on your personal preferences and ideas. This list only highlighted a few universal ones.
Regardless, with this bucket list, you should be all set for exploring the North Shore the next time around!
BONUS
A “Road Trip”-Checklist with all the necessities & tips you need!
↓ Make sure to download it for FREE ↓
The Ultimate Packing List for Road Trips (printable)
Please also share your favorite things to do on the North Shore in the comments! 🙂
Still looking for more travel tips? Check out Maui:
Maui’s Best Beaches || What to Do in Maui || Full Road to Hana Guide
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What a fantastic guide to the North Shore of Oahu! The mix of adventure and chill vibes sounds like a perfect day. If I ever find myself in Hawaii, I’ll be sure to follow your awesome recommendations!
I loved reading this! This really is an amazing guide and the tips are so helpful! Definitely keeping Laniakea Beach in mind as I love turtles!
I agree that renting a car is usually the best way to get around the island and reach all the trailheads. Wish there was more/better public transit infrastructure. Great tips!
Sea turtles, surfers, and açaí bowls! This looks like a wonderful, chill place. I’d love to go to Hawaii one day!
This sounds absolutely magical. I haven’t been able to explore Hawaii yet and this sounds like THE perfect day for when I do!
SO many great things to do on the north shore in Oahu. I always love a good sunset, so would have to visit the beach(es) to see that sunset. The Waimea valley trail and Waimea Bay Beach Park look beautiful, would love to visit them.
This post came at the perfect time! Heading to Hawaii in March and will definitely be spending a day on the North Shore 🙂
Visiting Waimea to hike the trail and swim in the beautiful beaches has been on my list. For one reason or another, we haven’t managed to make it. This and the whole north shore look like a great destination.