North Shore

On the North Shore, Hale’iwa is a surfers’ mecca that has retained the character of its more than 100-year history. It’s a good place for a lunch break, some shopping or a shave-ice cone. Many adventures, like helicopter, glider, ultralight and skydiving activities are based

They call it winter on the North Shore when the waves roll in like salt-water breathing dragons and the beaches are lined with surfers hot to slay them. Of course, winter in the tropics is an arbitrary term, but the monstrous waves that roll in sometime in November are as reliable as the North Pacific storms that generate them. Oahu’s north shore is a pretty groovy place any time of the year, but it reaches its peak during the winter surfing season when surfers from around the world show up to compete in professional and amateur competitions.

Other North Shore highlights include Waimea Bay and the Waimea Valley Audubon Center, Turtle Bay Resort, Polynesian Cultural Center in La’ie and Malaekahana Beach Park.

Great snorkeling spots on the North Shore include Kuilima Cove, Sharks Cove (in the summer) and Pupukea Beach Park (usually not crowded.)