For many visitors, Oahu’s North Shore means one thing: surfing! World-famous Waimea Bay and the Banzai Pipeline are sacred sites to surfers the world over, and some big-name surfing contests are held here.
The main town is Haleiwa, a pretty boating harbor surrounded by beaches. For wannabe surfers it’s a particularly good place to take lessons or improve your board skills.
In summer, nearby Waimea Bay is a popular snorkeling spot, and beachcombers hit the rock pools when the tide is out. The Banzai Pipeline lies just offshore.
North Shore Oahu lies roughly between Kaena and Kahuku points on the north coast of Oahu.
A fun way to get here, if you have plenty of time, is to board the public Circle Island public bus service. The circular route takes more than four hours to complete, running west from Waikiki and passing through the North Shore destination of Haleiwa.
