Find the Best Things to Do in North Shore

About North Shore

Photo courtesy of Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) / Daeja Faris

Hands down the North Shore is known for its world class surf breaks that produces perfect waves for everyone from beginners to the world's top professionals. From the months of September to April, nature is pumping perfect waves through North Shore surf breaks daily. 

From knee high to 40 feet hight, the Country shows a diversity with surfing than can offer the best spot for a novice with a rented board, to the ideal surf session for 10 time world surfing champion Kelly Slater. 

But this doesn't mean that you need to be a surfer to enjoy time on the North Shore. Watching any of the professional contests is the highlight of many visitor's trips. Watching the world's best surfers get huge barrels is a unique show you'll never forget.

See & Do

The ocean is the biggest appeal on the North Shore, even without surfing. Want to see sharks underwater in a cage or from a boat? View green sea turtles close up? Scuba dive? Go for a paddle board session? The North Shore is the place for just about anything ocean related. 

In Haleiwa visitors can find anything they need at surf and water sport shops. From diving to snorkeling to wild life viewing, it's all out here.

Ali`i Beach Park in Haleiwa is a popular spot for scuba diving, just make sure the waves are small. The reef drawn in turtles and fish and it's not uncommon to see divers in the water. Also in Haleiwa is the boat harbor where two shark tour companies take guests miles out to see where they have the option of submerging into the ocean in a cage to come face to face with sharks, or viewing from the boat.

No matter what you're water interest, the North Shore has it all.

Turtle Beach is a well known green sea turtle viewing place. Otherwise known as Laniakea Beach, slightly east of Haleiwa, "Lani's" offers a wonderful long wave for surfing along with a large daily dose of sea turtles. The reef here grows sea weed, called limu in Hawaiian, which draws in the turtles to munch on. 

If you head east from Haleiwa you can't miss Turtle Beach. Both the waves and the turtles are in full view from the road, but you'll want to park on the inland, or mauka side of the highway and cross to get a good look. 

The a mount of turtle seekers that cross the road here even causes traffic, so if it takes a while to get past Lani's, you know why.

Shop

Each Sunday the Haleiwa Farmers Market drawn over 3,000 people to its usual gathering place on the east end of Haleiwa. Averaging 50 vendors each market day, the market serves as a gathering place for locals and visitors alike, all traveling from nearby and even island wide to socialize, purchase fresh locally grown produce, and many other locally made arts and crafts. 

Wonderful food galore, amazing artistic creations, live music, a bouncy house for children, and the occasional market theme such as a tomato or taro festival, make the market a stand out activity on Oahu. 

If you're on the North Shore on a Sunday, don't miss out on dropping by the farmers market from 8-2 p.m. And don't forget to bring a reusable shopping bag - no plastic allowed.

Saturday Art Walk from 6 to 9 p.m. This is where local artisans, and really just about anyone looking for a fun night on the town, gather to enjoy and display various types of art. Music is usually offered at several locations around town, and galleries have special displays and sometimes drinks and appetizers. 

Basically, you just need to park somewhere in town and just explore. Shopping can be part of it, but isn't necessary. Everyone is either opening their shop's doors or entering a shop's doors to socialize and explore the goods. The Bonzer Front at the west end of town holds wine tastings early in the night, a great place to begin. 

Art Walk is a must if you're on the North Shore on a Saturday night and is worth the drive even if you're elsewhere.