Explore the Best of Oahu's North Shore in a Day- Travel Itinerary
- Adventures of Matt & Nat
- Jul 11, 2022
- 5 min read
Updated: Aug 6, 2024
While only a 45-minute drive from Honolulu, Oahu’s North Shore offers a tranquil escape from the bustling city streets of the state’s capital. This iconic region is renowned for its pristine beaches, legendary big wave surfing spots like Waimea Bay and Banzai Pipeline, and world-class snorkeling at Shark's Cove and Turtle Bay. Beyond the stunning coastline, the North Shore boasts charming surf towns like Haleiwa, where you can indulge in local delicacies such as garlic shrimp from the famous food trucks and shave ice at Matsumoto’s. For nature enthusiasts, the area provides scenic hiking trails like the Ehukai Pillbox Hike, offering breathtaking views of the coastline. During the winter months, the North Shore becomes a surfer's paradise with waves reaching up to 30 feet, drawing international competitions and surf legends.
We had the pleasure of spending a day exploring this vibrant area and have put together what we think is a pretty epic itinerary! While it’s impossible to see and do everything the North Shore has to offer in just one day, our itinerary is perfect for time-crunched, adventure-seeking travelers like us. Whether you're catching waves, spotting sea turtles, or simply soaking up the sun on a serene beach, the North Shore promises an unforgettable experience.
⬇️ Watch our "North Shore Oahu" vlog for a closer look at our visit! ⬇️
⬇️ Book your Tours, Tickets, & Experiences, check out GetYouGuide! ⬇️
⬇️ Looking for the perfect stay in Oahu? Check out these options! ⬇️
Waikiki Hotels:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Halekulani
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The Ritz-Carlton
⭐⭐⭐⭐ Halepuna Waikiki
⭐⭐⭐⭐ Prince Waikiki
⭐⭐⭐ Vive Hotel
North Shore Vacation Rentals:
▪️ Waimea Bay Tiny Home - 1 Bed, 1 Bath - Sleeps 2 (4 max)
Now, let's get to the fun stuff... Exploring the Oahu's North Shore!
8:00am: Get your day started at Island Vintage Coffee!
Since 1996, this local chain with 9 locations (6 on the Hawaiian Islands and 3 in Japan) has been serving up the finest gourmet, 100% Kona Coffee, delicious breakfast sandwiches, and some of the best Acai Bowls on the islands! Address: 66-111 Kamehameha Hwy #503, Haleiwa, HI 96712.
Other options:
▪️ Kono's (66-250 Kamehameha Hwy, Haleiwa, HI)
▪️ Brew & Foam Coffee North Shore (67-292 Goodale Ave #105, Waialua, HI)
▪️ The Sunrise Shack (59-158 Kamehameha Hwy, Haleiwa, HI)
▪️ Banzai Bowls Sunset Beach (59-186 Kamehameha Hwy, Haleiwa, HI)
9:30am: Morning Cage Dive with Sharks!
I promise it’s not as scary as it sounds, and you will 100% be glad that you did it! This is a memory that Natalie and I will cherish forever and I mean, c’mon… Saying you went cage diving with sharks in Hawaii is pretty bada$$! There are several companies that offer cage diving tours on the North Shore and I’m sure many of them are great. We used North Shore Shark Adventures and can’t recommend them enough. And no, we aren’t getting paid to say that, we just truly enjoyed our time with them, book your cage diving experience HERE!
Pro-Tip: Arrive at least 15 mins before departure, and take Dramamine 30 mins before departure. Also, be sure to bring towels, a change of clothes, water, suntan lotion, hat, sunglasses, and anything else that you specifically might need for the 1.5-hour tour.
11:30am: Beach Time at Waimea Bay Beach Park
In the winter (when we visited), Waimea Bay Beach Park is famous for its 30-foot waves and is one of the top places to watch some of the world’s best and bravest surfers. During the summer, the water is calm and is an excellent destination for swimming, snorkeling, and cliff jumping! Address: 61-31 Kamehameha Hwy, Haleiwa, HI
Other options:
▪️ Haleiwa Beach Park (62-449 Kamehameha Hwy, Haleiwa, HI)
▪️ Pupukea Beach Park (59-727 Kamehameha Hwy, Haleiwa, HI)
▪️ Three Tables Beach (59 Kapuhi St, Haleiwa, HI 96712)
▪️ Laniakea Beach (61-574 Pohaku Loa Way, Haleiwa, HI 96712)
1:00pm: Lunch at The Smoking Boar and the Coconut
This was one of our absolute favorite meals from our entire 8-day trip! And funny enough… It was nowhere on our list of places to eat going into it. The captain of our shark tour recommended it to us, and we can’t speak highly enough of the quality and downright deliciousness of this place! Not to mention how kind and friendly the staff is! It’s family-owned and operated and is a fairly new restaurant having opened in 2020. Everything is locally sourced and prepared fresh in-house, so if incredible local cuisine and a local experience are what you're looking for, then this is the place for you! Address: 67-456 Goodale Ave, Waialua, HI
Other options:
▪️ Poke for the People (66-528 A, Kamehameha Hwy, Haleiwa, HI)
▪️ Farm To Barn Cafe & Juicery (66-320 Kamehameha Hwy, Haleiwa, HI)
▪️ Surf N Salsa (66521 Kamehameha Hwy, Haleiwa, HI)
▪️ Haleiwa Beach House (62-540 Kamehameha Hwy, Haleiwa, HI)
3:00pm: Waterfall hike & swim at Waimea Valley
Waimea Valley is a beautiful 1,800-acre property with botanical gardens, walking trails, historic buildings, and so much more! The main draw for most is Waimea Falls… A 45-foot waterfall that is part of the Kamanui Stream which flows from the north end of the Koolau Mountains all the way through Waimea Valley to join the Waimea River to the ocean. At the base of the falls is a large pool for wading and swimming. It’s a short ¾ mile (1.5 miles roundtrip) walk along a paved path to get to the falls and the minimal effort is more than worth it. I will say, Waimea Valley as a whole is a bit touristy and pricey ($25/adult at the time of writing this) but honestly worth it in our opinion, especially if you have more than a couple of hours to spend there. Address: 59-864 Kamehameha Hwy, Haleiwa, HI
5:15pm: Catch sunset at Sunset Beach
It only makes sense to watch the sunset from Sunset Beach, right?? In all honesty, there are tons of great options for sunset viewing on the North Shore, and you probably can’t go wrong with any of them, but we really enjoyed our experience here. And if you really want to enhance the experience, head to Food Land (the local grocery store) just 2.5 miles down the road for snacks and drinks before claiming your spot in the sand to watch that big orange ball fall behind the horizon. Side Note: I hear that Food Land has the BEST Poke Bowls! I unfortunately didn’t find this out till after our trip. Address: 59-88 Kamehameha Hwy, Haleiwa, HI 96712
6:30pm: Dinner at a local joint
I’m going to be honest… After our snacks and drinks on the beach, we decided to skip out on dinner, but if you’re still hungry (or didn’t take my advice about Food Land) then check out one of these spots! They came highly recommended and look delicious!
Our recommendations:
▪️ Uncle Bo's Haleiwa (66-111 Kamehameha Hwy #101, Haleiwa, HI)
▪️ Haleiwa Joe's (66-011 Kamehameha Hwy, Haleiwa, HI)
▪️ Teddy's Bigger Burgers (66-111 Kamehameha Hwy, Haleiwa, HI)
We hope that this itinerary has helped you make the most of your time in Oahu's North Shore, and if it has, we hope you’ll consider following us on Instagram and subscribing to our YouTube Channel for more travel content!
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