With beaches, waves, and wildlife galore, the North Shore can easily fill up an entire day. Whether you're staying on the North Shore, or somewhere else on the island, it is very worth it spend a day enjoying all the "country" has to offer. A full day spent on the North Shore can begin in the morning, with a great breakfast at Cafe Haleiwa. The family run cafe offers the usual breakfast fare of eggs, pancakes, coffee home fries, and that sort of thing along with a Mexican flare. Mom and dad run the place while their two daughters run the next door boutique and wine cellar, what a combo huh?
From there browse through Haleiwa Town if you're in the mood for shopping. Quaint and unique boutiques dot the entire town. If you're there in the winter months Ali`i Beach Park is worth a stop to see surfers ride some possibly huge waves before moving on down the road.
If you're the wildlife viewing type, on you're way towards the main part of the North Shore where all of the surf breaks are, stop at Laniakea Beach just east of Haleiwa. Nicknamed Turtle Beach, this is where green sea turtles spend each day grazing on sea weed growing on the reef and crawling up onto the sand for resting in the sun. You can't miss Laniakea - you'll see the surf break, beach, and turtles all from Kamehameha Highway which. Here traffic will most likely move a little slow due to all of the people crossing to watch the turtles.
From here head east. You'll have a couple of decisions to make. Famous Waimea Bay is a beautiful - and often crowded - beach, but if you want to check it out you won't be disappointed. So for the first beach of the day go for Waimea Bay or head just down the road to Ke Iki Beach. Turn left right past Shark's Cover onto the small road running parallel to Kamehameha Highway and park along the road. All along here a several beach access path running between houses. Ke Iki is a long, long expansive beach with fine white sand. When the waves are big Ke Iki can be very dangerous, so be careful and on some days it's even best to watch. The same goes for Waimea, but at the bay lifeguards are around to keep and eye on everyone, there isn't any at Ke Iki.
After some beach time head to Shark's Cove Grill or the Pupukea Grill for lunch. Bother lunch wagons are located to the right of Ke Iki. Both serve up fresh fish dishes, burgers, nachos, and at the Pupukea Grill you'll find some darn good shave ice.
From around October through March a stop at the famous Pipeline surf spot is a must to watch the world's best surfers dominate the amazingly huge and perfect waves. Bring the camera and get comfortable on the sand, there's no going in the water here.
All of this can be broken up with either a walk through Waimea Valley (right behind the bay) where you'll gain cultural and botanical knowledge of Hawaiian people and plants. The waterfall at the top can be enjoyed, and it's really just a nice walk through nature. Also, avid golfers can head down the road to the either of the two world class golf courses at Turtle Bay. Both 18-hole courses are revered as some of the best on the island.
A North Shore highlight enjoyed by both visitors and locals is the enchanting bike path that reaches from just past Waimea Bay towards V-Land Beach. Bikes can be rented for a low price at the small surf shop at Shark's Cove by Foodland. An afternoon cruise along the bike path, under the flowering trees and past many different beaches is the perfect ending to a lovely day. And for a final thrill, make sure to catch the sunset. If it's close to dark head to Sunset Beach where you may catch a sunset over surfers in the line up. If you have time to make it back to Ali`i Beach Park before the sun sets, watch the sun drop below the horizon near the Waianae Mountain Range with sea turtles nearby.
If you're at Sunset Beach at dark, the Turtle Bay Resort has several good restaurants. Lei Lei's serves up pastas, burgers, steaks, and fish dishes all with a Pacific twist. Leonardo's has amazing Italian food, and Ola's on the beach serves wonderful Pacific Rim dishes.
For those that catch the sunset in Haleiwa, there is an array of dinner choices. Mexican, Thai, fish houses, American food, pizza, and sushi can all be spotted easily along the main road. A day in Oahu's country shouldn't be missed.
