North Shore Oahu Bucket List: 18 of the Best Things to Do & See

Honolulu and Waikiki can be fun, but there’s just something about the relaxed atmosphere of Oahu’s North Shore that feels different. With miles of beautiful beaches and casual food trucks on every corner, the North Shore is the perfect place to unwind and hang ten. Here is a complete North Shore Oahu bucket list with all of the coolest things to do on this side of the island.

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How to get to Oahu’s North Shore

To get to the island of Oahu, you’ll fly into Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL). As Hawaii’s capital city, Honolulu Airport has tons of flight options on both mainline and budget carriers.

Oahu has nonstop flights to other cities in Hawaii, like Kona, Hilo, and Kahului, as well as to the mainland United States.

To get to the North Shore from Honolulu, you can either drive or take the bus. All of the rental car companies are located in the same building at the airport and the whole process was quick and convenient. Once you grab your rental car, the drive is easy and takes about 40 minutes.

If you’re taking the bus, you’ll travel through the middle of the island on Kamehameha Hwy. The public bus system on Oahu is actually much better than you’d expect! You can use DaBus app or their mobile website to look up routes and timetables for your trip.

Tips for visiting the North Shore of Oahu

• Parking at many North Shore beaches is limited and the traffic can be unreal. If you’re set on visiting a particular beach, try going earlier in the day to secure a spot.
• Many animals that you’ll see on the North Shore (like Hawaiian green sea turtles and monk seals) are endangered. Always keep a safe distance and respect their environment.
• Hawaii has been dealing with increased levels of over-tourism, especially post-pandemic. Be a respectful visitor by leaving places better than you found them, following posted rules and restrictions, and making an effort to purchase from locally-owned businesses. Read more about being a better tourist here!

North Shore Oahu bucket list

Watch pro surfers at Banzai Pipeline

Ehukai Beach (also known as Banzai Pipeline) is one of the best places to visit if you want to experience a bit of the North Shore’s surf culture.

Home to super strong currents and some of the world’s deadliest waves, the Pipeline isn’t the best beach for swimming. Instead, the beach has become a popular spot to watch pro surfers ride the big waves.

If you’re visiting during winter, you can get lucky and catch a surf competition at the Pipeline. Big wave surfing has become such a popular activity on this part of the island, making it a must-see during your trip!

Try shave ice from Matsumoto’s

Shave ice is a tasty treat that is quintessentially Hawaiian. A block of ice is shaved into a fine powder and then covered in flavored syrups and assorted toppings. It’s the perfect way to cool down on a hot day!

Matsumoto’s Shave Ice is an institution on the North Shore. Their shop in Haleiwa town often has a long line, but it moves fast and it’s very much worth it! We particularly enjoyed the mango, yuzu, green tea, and vanilla flavors with added mochi and condensed milk.

Pro-tip: don’t be caught saying “shaved ice” in Hawaii. It’s “shave ice” without the D!

Hike to Ka’ena Point

Ka’ena Point is the westernmost bit of land on Oahu. It’s a great place to take an easy walk and enjoy the dramatic coastal scenery.

The Kaʻena Point Trail is a 5.4 mi (8.7 km) roundtrip hike that follows the volcanic coast. There are small tide pools, natural stone arches, and views of the Makua coastline all the way down. Dolphin sightings are also a common occurrence!

Dive with sharks

For the mega adventurous, cage diving with sharks is a good chance to get up close and personal with the majestic sea creatures.

A guided tour will include a scenic boat ride and the opportunity to (safely!) swim with sharks in the wild. You get snorkeling equipment and a steel cage to separate you from the sharks. If you’re lucky, you can also spot humpback whales!

Cage diving is super exhilarating and definitely a must-do on any North Shore Oahu itinerary!

Swim at Waimea Bay

Waimea Bay Beach Park is honestly one of the most gorgeous beaches on the Hawaiian islands. Fine yellow sand, turquoise blue water, and world-class snorkeling make this the perfect spot to post up for a few hours.

Waimea Bay is also a good place for surfers of all skill levels. The waves aren’t as intense as as the Pipeline, especially during the summer.

Parking at the beach is free, but the parking lot is extremely small and fills up quickly. You’ll also be able to find a few spots on either side of the road. If those are all full, there are two paid lots down Waimea Valley Road — the closer one costs $20 and the farther one costs $10.

Take surf lessons

Learning how to surf is a great activity to add to any North Shore Oahu bucket list!

First time surfers can take group classes or one-on-one lessons at many different beaches in the area. Waimea Bay, Sunset Beach, and Papa‘Iloa Beach in particular are safe for newbie surfers.

You’ll find pop-up tents on the beach where you can book lessons directly with the surf schools. Otherwise, you can ask around at any of the surf shops in Haleiwa town.

Visit the Dole Plantation

Just off of the main road, the Dole Plantation in central Oahu is one of the most popular things to do on the island. Part historic pineapple farm, part food and gift shop, the Dole Plantation makes an especially fun stop for families.

Getting a scoop of Dole Whip (pineapple soft-serve) is practically required. Also make sure to have a go at the Pineapple Garden Maze, which is the world’s largest!

Get an açaí bowl

Acai bowls are another one of Hawaii’s most delicious offerings. Kind of like healthy superfood smoothie bowls, they come with tons of different fruit, nut, and seed toppings.

I got an acai bowl from The Sunrise Shack food truck and it was amazing. Other popular spots to get a bowl include Haleʻiwa Bowls, CRISPY GRINDZ, and Banzai Bowls Haleiwa.

Walk through Waimea Valley Park

The Waimea Valley is where you’ll find lush botanical gardens and Waimea Falls, a scenic waterfall. Waimea Falls can be accessed via an easy 20-minute walk through the forest. Once you reach the falls, you can take a dip in the pools and swim underneath the waterfall itself!

The valley is home to over 5,000 tropical and subtropical plants, as well as ample bird life and free-roaming roosters and peacocks. There is a small, free parking lot available on site.

Go snorkeling at Shark’s Cove

Shark’s Cove in Pupukea is a rocky beach with tidal pools where you can see the most incredible fish. The shallow water and calm ocean breaks make it a great spot for snorkeling!

Luckily, Shark’s Cove is located just across the street from a bunch of delicious food trucks (including The Sunrise Shack from above!). Once you’ve snorkeled to your heart’s content, you can head over for a late lunch or dinner.

Taking a guided snorkeling tour is another option if you want to hit several beaches in one go. The tour below takes you to more remote locations away from all the crowds.

Browse the shops in Haleiwa

Haleiwa is the small, charming town in the center of Oahu’s North Shore. Despite its small size, it’s filled to the brim with restaurants, cafes, shops, and galleries. Don’t be surprised when you see wild chickens roaming throughout the streets.

Take a stroll through the historic town center and do some window shopping at the many gift shops and boutiques. Stopping for a coffee or some shave ice along the way is highly encouraged!

Ehukai Pillbox hike

Located just across the street from the Banzai Pipeline, the Ehukai Pillbox hiking trail is a short but steep climb with panoramic ocean views. The hike passes several WWII “pillbox” bunkers which have since been covered in graffiti.

The Ehukai Pillbox is one of the more popular hikes to do for sunset. Keep in mind that it’ll be dark coming back down, so make sure to bring a headlamp!

Eat poke

Poke, or chunks of raw, marinated fish (usually served in a bowl with rice and toppings), is another must-try Hawaiian food. There’s no shortage of options on the North Shore, from traditional to unique.

The Aji Limo Truck, Haleʻiwa Beach House, and Pupukea Grill are all local favorite places to get some fresh poke. Foodland supermarket, believe it or not, also comes highly recommended!

Spot sea turtles at Laniakea Beach

Laniakea Beach is also known as Turtle Beach, and for good reason! Hawaiian green sea turtles, or honu, are known to call the beach home and sightings are very common.

These turtles are endangered, so make sure to give them a lot of space when they come ashore.

Other than spotting turtles, Laniakea Beach is also great for surfing and relaxing in the sand.

Relax at the beach

Spending time at the beach is obviously one of the best things to do on Oahu’s North Shore (there are 55 to choose from, after all!). Here are a few more beautiful options to choose from:

• Moku‘Auia Beach: Wide, sandy beach on North Shore’s eastern side
• Three Tables: Shallow water and good for snorkeling
• Kawailoa Beach: Quiet and spacious beach near Haleiwa town

Check out the Polynesian Cultural Center

Located on North Shore’s eastern coast, the Polynesian Cultural Center showcases a handful of various Pacific Island cultures. Each country has their own area where you can learn about their culture, language, and traditions. You can learn about the indigenous populations on islands like Tonga, Tahiti, New Zealand, and of course, Hawaii!

Besides being a great way to learn about different cultures, the Polynesian Cultural Center also hosts luaus at night. If you book online at least 10 days in advance, you’ll save 10% on tickets!

Try garlic shrimp from Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck

Oahu’s North Shore is famous for a few things: its sandy beaches, incredible surf, and its shrimp trucks.

Giovanni’s is probably the most famous shrimp truck of them all. They offer plates of shrimp and rice done three ways — garlic, spicy, and lemon butter. There are two locations on the North Shore and one in Honolulu.

If you’re coming to try some shrimp, I’d recommend going as soon as they open. We tried going at 1 PM and they were already closed! (Google said they should be open until 5 PM.) Apparently, running out of shrimp is a daily occurrence.

Watch the sunset at Sunset Beach

Such a creative name, hah! Sunset Beach is a long stretch of sandy beach that has become a popular spot to watch the sunset. There’s nothing better after a long day of adventuring than posting up with a blanket and some snacks to watch a gorgeous Hawaiian sunset.

If you happen to be at Sunset Beach during the day, check out the nearby Ted’s Bakery. They have tons of tasty treats, like cream pies and malasadas!

North Shore Oahu bucket list FAQ

When is the best time to visit the North Shore?

Summer is the most popular time to visit the North Shore. The weather is perfect, the water is calm enough to swim, and most attractions and restaurants will be open.

If you’re a talented surfer (or don’t care about swimming or snorkeling), winter is a great time to visit as well. The weather will be a bit milder and there will be fewer crowds.

How do I spend a day on the North Shore of Oahu?

If you’re visiting the North Shore as a day trip from Honolulu or Waikiki, you still have plenty of time to experience the best of the area.

In one day on the North Shore, you could spend some time at the beach, eat some tasty local food from a food truck, and go for an afternoon hike. Depending on when you leave, you could also have the time to watch a gorgeous sunset on the Pacific Ocean.

Can you swim at the North Shore beaches?

That depends on when you visit!

During the winter months (November through April), waves can reach up to 30 ft (9 m) high! The sea is choppy and swimming can be extremely dangerous if you’re not a professional. Because of the massive waves, winter is prime time for professional surfers.

In the summer, the ocean is much calmer. The summer months are the perfect time to swim, snorkel, and relax on the North Shore beaches.

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Thanks for reading this North Shore Oahu bucket list!

xoxo Niki