North Shore Overview

There are only a few words to describe the break on Oahu’s North Shore: gnarly, mean, and real. Surf isn’t a sub-culture here; it’s the consciousness of an entire tight-knit community. For Oahu, this stretch of coastline is a place to kick back and relax. It’s tranquil, low-key, and downright empty in certain parts. In the winter, however, the North Shore nearly explodes, as monstrous waves bring the world’s best surfers in search of the perfect ride. From the rural surroundings of Turtle Bay to Sunset Beach and Waimea, one spectacular beach follows another, and some are astonishingly empty. Past Waimea, Haleiwa is the center of life on the North Shore, with first-rate restaurants, shops, galleries, and plenty of places to stock up on surf gear or Brazilian bikinis. West of Haleiwa, Wailua, once the North Shore’s sugarcane powerhouse, has seen better days, but the old sugar mill has been revamped and houses a handful of attractive local businesses. Farther west, the small town of Mokuleia beckons thrill-seekers with myriad skydiving and mountain-biking adventures.

To reach the North Shore by car, take H-1 from Honolulu to the end of H-2, then follow Rte. 803 or Hwy. 99. Hwy. 83 (Kamehameha Hwy.) is the main road that runs along the coast from Haleiwa to Kahuku and down the Windward Coast. The North Shore is also served by TheBus #52, which runs from Honolulu to Haleiwa, and then up the coast on Kamehameha Hwy. to Turtle Bay. TheBus #76 runs between Haleiwa and Waialua along Farrington Hwy.