Haleiwa harbor
The harbor sits beside Haleiwa Alii Beach Park. Pair the waterfront with lunch in town or surf shops when the sea is rough.
Things to do in Oahu › Places › North Shore
North Shore
Big winter surf · Calmer summer waterUpdated October 30, 2026 fees and hours from attractions; ocean guidance from NOAA and DLNR
The North Shore runs from Haleiwa to Kahuku on Oahu's north coast. Haleiwa is roughly 1 hour from Waikiki by car. Winter brings big surf; May through September on most days brings calmer water. You can browse Haleiwa's shops before heading to the beaches. Sea turtles may rest at Laniakea; Waimea Valley has a waterfall. Your winter swim depends on lifeguard advice; a beach stop needn't mean entering the water.
The coast
The North Shore: seasons and stops
| The surf season | big waves peak from November through February; May through September on most days brings smaller surf. Plan your beach stops around the day's conditions. |
| Haleiwa | the town has surf shops and places to eat. You can stop for shave ice or walk by the harbor. |
| The beaches | winter surf draws visitors to Waimea Bay and Pipeline at Ehukai; Sunset Beach has viewing spots too. Sharks Cove suits snorkeling in calm summer water. |
| Laniakea turtles | green sea turtles come ashore to rest between Haleiwa and Waimea Bay. Sightings aren't guaranteed, and you should stay at least 10 feet away. |
| Waimea Valley | entry costs $26 per adult or $18 per child ages 4 to 12. Your ticket covers the gardens and waterfall access, though a swim isn't guaranteed. |
| Dole Plantation | the grounds and Visitor Center are free; the attractions cost extra. Dole opens daily at 9:30 a.m., with holiday exceptions. |
| Food and parking | shrimp trucks line Kamehameha Highway in Kahuku; beach parking is at Waimea Bay and Pupukea. Waimea Valley's paid lots aren't for beach visits. |
Drive, bus or tour
- A rental car A rental car lets you choose your stops and add Dole Plantation on the inland route. Beach parking still takes planning.
- TheBus From Ala Moana, Route 52 takes roughly 1.5 hours to Haleiwa; Route 60 takes roughly 2.5 hours via the windward coast. Take Route 60 from Haleiwa for the beaches.
- A guided day A tour handles driving and pickup arrangements for Waimea Valley or turtle viewing. Compare admission and meals before booking; they aren't included in every price.
Map
Where the North Shore is
Haleiwa: 21.5936° N, 158.1045° W Directions in Google Maps Apple Maps OpenStreetMap
How to get there
- By car from Waikiki Haleiwa is 34.3 miles or 55.2 km by road from Waikiki's Kuhio Beach. Take H-1 West and H-2 North before Route 99. Route 83 continues along the coast beyond Haleiwa.
- By bus You reach Ala Moana first for Route 52 or 60. Adults pay $3.25 per boarding with exact cash and no transfers, or $3.00 for a HOLO 2-hour pass. The HOLO card costs $2.00; your daily price cap is $7.50.
- With a tour Your Waikiki pickup may use a nearby hotel or meeting point. The starting zipline option excludes transport, so you arrange that journey yourself.
- The loop by the windward coast Route 83 continues through Kahuku and Laie toward Kaneohe on the windward coast. Likelike Highway brings you toward Honolulu. Allow extra time for stops on this return to Waikiki.
Along the coast
What to see along the North Shore
Haleiwa harbor
Waimea Bay
Waimea Bay lies across the highway from Waimea Valley. Shorebreak and rip currents can make swimming dangerous; Tower 29 is your place to ask about conditions.
Laniakea turtles
A green sea turtle rests on Laniakea's sand; turtles come ashore on their own schedule. Watch quietly from a distance so you don't disturb them.
Waimea Falls
The waterfall ends the paved walk through Waimea Valley's gardens. Dry weather can reduce the flow to a trickle or stop it.
With a guide
North Shore tours: waterfall days and ziplining
Six guided trips are ordered by starting price. Each row names the visit and the conditions attached to The price.
| Waimea Valley and Dole with lunch | from $134 per adult | Waimea Valley Waterfall Swim & Dole Plantation Tour with Lunch 41 reviews, 4.9 · Waimea Valley admission and meals come with your Waikiki transport. The Dole stop leaves time for shopping; it doesn't allow time for the train or maze. · dates and prices ↗ |
| Waimea Falls and turtle viewing | from $150 per adult for 2 to 4 | North Shore / Waimea, Falls Day & Swim with Turtles 110 reviews, 4.8 · The price covers transport; Waimea Valley admission and lunch cost extra. The starting adult rate needs at least two adults. Traveling alone means paying for the whole vehicle. · dates and prices ↗ |
| North Shore with Waimea Valley | from $154 per adult | Oahu: North Shore Tour with Waimea Waterfall 3,690 reviews, 4.9 · The Ohana Package includes Waimea Valley entry and Waikiki pickup. Lunch costs extra and takes cash only. Arrange your pickup point and time 48 hours before departure. · dates and prices ↗ |
| Waimea Valley with snorkel gear | from $167.53 per adult | Oahu North Shore Fun: Waimea Waterfall & Turtle Snorkeling 2,067 reviews, 4.9 · Waimea Valley entry and selected Waikiki hotel pickups are included. Lunch replaces your rental gear allowance; you don't get both. Snorkeling depends on ocean conditions. · dates and prices ↗ |
| Island tour through Haleiwa | from $179 per adult | Oahu Northshore Island Tour 257 reviews, 4.5 · The 7-hour route visits Haleiwa and Dole Plantation; Waimea Valley isn't included. Food costs extra, and your pickup uses designated Waikiki zones. · dates and prices ↗ |
| Eight ziplines without transport | from $203.65 per person | Oahu's North Shore: 8-Line Zipline Adventure 3,799 reviews, 5.0 · The starting price excludes transport; parking is included. You must be at least 5 years old and 42 inches tall. Closed-toe shoes are required; the booking page gives weight limits by height. · dates and prices ↗ |
The catch: A Monday tour can run while Waimea Valley is closed. Your booking date needs to match the Valley's opening days. Swimming still needs the lifeguards' approval.
Before you go
- Arrive early for parking at Waimea Bay or Sharks Cove. Your winter plan starts with the National Weather Service Surf Zone Forecast. Lifeguard advice still decides any swim.
Tours
North Shore days and surf lessons
North Shore tours
9 tours · from $134
The North Shore list compares days with Waimea Valley and beach stops. You can see which prices cover Valley admission.
Surf lessons 14 tours · from $51.54The surf lessons list compares lesson formats and meeting points. Your North Shore lesson still needs waves suited to your skill level.
Circle island tours 14 tours · from $75Circle island tours combine the North Shore with other parts of Oahu. Your beach stops share the day with the wider route.
Know before you go
Know before you go
Surf and lifeguards
The NWS Surf Zone Forecast gives wave faces in feet. North shore advisories start at 15 feet; warnings start at 25 feet. You still need advice at the beach. Honolulu's tower hours are 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. HST.
Beach parking
Waimea Bay and Pupukea have lots beside Kamehameha Highway. You can't use Waimea Valley's parking for a beach visit. Valley visitors pay $2 for 1 hour or $5 for up to 4 hours.
Turtle distance
At Laniakea, the recommended viewing distance is at least 10 feet. That applies in water too. You shouldn't touch or feed turtles. The volunteers protect wildlife; they don't direct traffic across the highway.
Valley hours
Standard hours are Tuesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. HST. Summer opening is daily until 5 p.m.; March and December also include Mondays. Thanksgiving and Christmas Day are closed. Your swim needs lifeguard approval and a life jacket, provided free.
Shrimp and cash
Giovanni's in Kahuku charges $18.50 per shrimp plate. Cash is recommended at both North Shore trucks. You can also eat at its Haleiwa truck, which closes at 5 p.m. Kahuku stays open until 6:30 p.m.
Afternoon return
Kamehameha Highway carries your coastal drive between Haleiwa and Kahuku. Weekend crowds and surf events can slow the return. A bus shares that road. Leave room in your afternoon before a fixed Waikiki dinner booking.
Good to know
People also ask
- When is surf season on the North Shore of Oahu?
November through February is the main big-wave season. Wave faces can reach 30 feet or more. May through September on most days brings smaller surf for swimming and beginner lessons. The month alone isn't a swim forecast.
- How far is the North Shore from Waikiki?
Haleiwa is 34.3 miles from Kuhio Beach in Waikiki by road. Waimea Bay is 39.3 miles or 63.2 km from that starting point. Driving to Haleiwa takes roughly 1 hour; traffic can make your trip longer.
- Can you swim on the North Shore in winter?
Winter swimming is often unsafe, especially when big surf reaches the coast. Sharks Cove and Waimea Bay can have extremely dangerous waves and currents. You should enter only when the lifeguard advises it's safe. Waimea Falls also opens for swimming only with lifeguard approval.
- Where can you see turtles on the North Shore?
Laniakea Beach is the turtle stop between Haleiwa and Waimea Bay. You may see green sea turtles resting on the sand. Keep at least 10 feet away, including in the water. A sighting isn't guaranteed.
- Is Waimea Valley worth visiting?
Yes, if you want the gardens and waterfall walk even without swimming. Admission costs $26 per adult and $18 per child ages 4 to 12. Allow 2 to 4 hours for the visit. You shouldn't pay just for a promised swim; weather can close the pool.
- What is there to do on the North Shore besides surfing?
Haleiwa's shops and Waimea Valley's gardens give you stops away from the surf. You can also look for turtles at Laniakea or eat shrimp in Kahuku. Sharks Cove offers snorkeling when the water is calm. Dole Plantation adds a train ride or maze on the inland route.