Top 10+ Things to Do On The North Shore O'ahu Hawaii

O’ahu’s North Shore is one of the top regions to visit on the island. It’s known for big waves, less tourists (compared to Waikiki Beach), and unique activities. After visiting O’ahua, these are my top 10 things to do on the North Shore, besides just sitting on one of the many beaches.

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What To Do On The North Shore

If Possible: Drive Along The North Shore

One of the best things to do on O’ahu, and the North Shore, is just to drive along the coast and admire the views. Not only do you get some of the best views, but it gives you a chance to scout out where you want to go.

I recommend starting in Hale’iwa and driving straight to Laie without stopping. I turned around at Pounder’s Beach, just passed the Polynesian Cultural Centre (it was also my favourite view!). Not only do you get a completely different view on the way back, but the stops are all the right side of the road now.

P.S. Stay organized when planning your trip to O’ahu’s North Shore with my printable O’ahu travel planner with all the best places to visit in the North Shore and around the Island.

the view at pounders beach. The water is blue, then white when it hits the yellow sand. In the distance, you can see a few specks, these are people on the beach or i the water. The best part about the view are the mountains that line the waterfront and go all the way out. The clouds create an ominous aura to the photo, they are white, but thick coming off the mountains. But there are completely blue skies above the water. — *Pounder’s Beach – apparently has dangerous swim conditions but you can’t deny it’s a gorgeous view!*

1. Ka’Ena Point Trail

Ka’ena Point is the North Western most tip of the Island. If you want to make it to this point, you’ll either need to hike it, or have an off road vehicle (a Jeep) with a permit.

You can actually start the trailhead from either the Leeward Coast or the North Shore. The North Shore is the Mokulē’ia Section of the park, and has bathrooms before the trailhead. Half of the trail (to the point) is about 9 km, and about two hours to complete (but that will depend on how many stops you make for pictures!).

You can also hike the entire trail, around the bend to meet the Leeward Coast (and Yokohama Bay), but keep in mind there aren’t any amenities on the other side.

a stark view of the dark, rocky, mars like uneven ground with some specks of green vegetation. This leads into the yellow beach before the blue and white waves crash into the sand. The clouds blend into the blue ocean in the distances. The clouds are thick and great, getting lighter the further away they are from the water. Rays of light try to sneak their way in, but rain in imminent.

There are two trails options, you can either hike on the Jeep road, or the coastal path. The Jeep road will be more straight forward, but you will need to watch out for cars. The coastal path will be more rough terrain, but also more scenic.

The views are incredible, and the landscape is completely unique from the rest of the island. It’s more like mars, with rugged rocks, and harsh, terrifying waves compared to the jungle on the Windward Coast.

Whichever trail you choose, be aware that neither one has shade. So pack enough water (I always bring my 1.2L Thermoflask), and wear reef safe sunscreen (especially if you’re planning on cooling off in one of the many tides pools on the way!).

Towards the end of the trail, you will arrive at the Ka’ena Point Nature Reserve, a bird sanctuary. You might be able to spot some albatross here, or some other local Hawaiian animals, like monk seals.

a woman stands further, towards the middle of the photo on a narrow yellow sand path. There is hay like vegetation around her, with some rolling hills and a brown green mountain coming down from the left. The sky is still blue, despite the thick overcast clouds.

2. Tour A Cacao Farm (Kamananui Cacao Orchard)

One of the last minute additions to my trip was a chocolate tour and tasting at a Kamananui Cacao Orchard. As it turns out, it was a very new tour when I did it, but if you like chocolate, I would highly recommend this tour.

The tour takes you through an actual cacao farm, where you see all the cacao pods hanging from the trees. You’ll also get a history of cacao trees on the island and how they came to grow on Hawaii, because they aren’t actually native!

And of course you’ll have a full tasting experience, but there’s more than just chocolate to taste! You try other local Hawaiian crops (like sugar cane!), and the chocolate bean at different stages along the way (some are better tasting than others!).

You can’t visit the farm on your own, you’ll have to book a tour in advance.

on the left, a cacao tree is the main focus of the image. There are full size cacao pods hanging from the lush green tree. The tree isn't tall, about an average person, so you can easily pick the pods. The pods higher on the tree are green, but there are three hanging off the tree trunk that are more red and brown. This tree is just one of many in a row. There's a man walking away, wearing shorts and a tshirt with a clear umbrella over his head, shielding himself from the rain. The ground is wet and muddy, and covered in leaves.

3. Shop At The Old Waialua Sugar Mill (& Taste Coffee & Chocolate

In the past, Hawaii’s biggest export was sugar cane. So there are actually TWO old repurposed sugar mills you can visit on the North Shore (don’t worry the other one is also on this list!). Today, the Old Waialua Sugar Mill has been repurposed into shops and a coffee factory.

So not only can you come here to find the perfect Hawaiian souvenir, but it’s also one of the best spots to try and taste 100% local O’ahu coffee beans (and chocolate if you don’t have time for the cacao farm tour) all for FREE.

Head to Old Sugar Mill Brand Waialua Coffee, and ask one of the staff members to give you a free tour of the coffee factory. I’ll admit, it’s not big, but if you’re interested in coffee it’s neat to see. Plus after, you’ll get a free tasting of the coffee and their chocolate.

You’ll also want to make a point to walk into the North Shore Soap Factory, which is actually inside the old giant sugar mill!

a vertical image of the old waialua sugar mill. it rises high into the sky, on the front it there's a door with the sign for the north shore soap factory. There's an old rustic pinwheel leaning against the mill.

4. Ride an ATV at North Shore Stables

A unique North Shore activity is to go on a guided ATV tour at the North Shore Stables. It’s the only place on O’ahu where you can drive your own ATV, and they accept drivers as young as 10 years old.

This tour is a mix of history, restoration efforts, and adventure. You’ll not only drive along the coastline with gorgeous oceanfront views, but you’ll also have the opportunity to plant your own shoreline plant to help stop erosion. This is an amazing initiative to help give back to Hawaii on your vacation. Book your tour in advance to reserve your spot.

a brown sign with yellow letter that says: Please Kōkua. Ecosystem restoration in progress. Help the native plants grow and thrive. This sign stands on a very rusted pole on some pretty dark brown rugged terrain below. There is a beach further, with rough waves hitting the sand.

5. Stop in Hale’iwa Town

The largest town on the North Shore Oahu is Hal’ewia, and to not set your expectations too high, it’s still very small! Hale’wia Old Town is really one street with small pockets of old timey cute coloured buildings. The town is on Kamehameha Highway between the ocean and highway, so it does still span a few several blocks.

The main things to do on the North Shore in Hal’ewia are to eat and shop. Start your day by eating an açai bowl at Haleʻiwa Bowls, lunch at Kua Aina Sandwich Shop, and shave ice for dessert at Matsumoto. In between meals and snacks, go shopping at any one of the local stores for the perfect souvenir.

P.S. Check out my post for more local Hawaiian food recommendations (and where to find them on O’ahu!).

in focuse: a domed blue and green shave ice with a yellowish condensed milk drizzle on top. It's in a paper bowl that says: matsumoto shave ice hawaii three times around the rim in red. There are two paper staws and wooden spoons sticking out behind the dome. In the background is a family of four sitting at a picnic table. There are old timey one story bduilginds painted green, yellow and red. People are blurred walking around, and sitting in front of the shops.

6. Explore Waimea Valley (& Falls & Luau)

Waimea Valley is a unique area on the North Shore filled with both history and nature. It’s also home to one of the best hikes on the North Shore, almost anyone can do it (and if not they offer shuttles and scooter rentals.

The hike is on a completely paved path that’s mostly shaded, and has a huge reward at the end. But along the way, you’re also walking through different botanical gardens of both native and non native plants. And you’ll also have historical exhibits and full size displays of native Hawaiian life.

When you reach the end of the hike, there’s a small waterfall where you can actually swim in the pond beneath it. You can hang out here for a bit too, there’s food and bathrooms. For added safety, there’s also a lifeguard on duty.

a large straw covered hit in the middle of the photo surrounding by taller green trees and a blue sky. There's a small informational plaque in front of it describing what it is.

The experiences at Waimea Valley don’t end there. you can also opt to book tickets for the Toa luau (this is the luau I went to and would recommend it!).

If you are interested in a luau while in Hawaii, this is a good option because you get access to the hike and falls with your luau ticket. I also chose this luau over others because it was the only one I saw that included a traditional Kava ceremony (Hawaii’s state drink).

P.S. The Waimea Valley has events throughout the week, see if there’s one you’re interested in to plan your trip around it.

a fire show at the toa luau in the waimea valley on the north shore. This is a night time activity. Men are standing on the field, it's pitch black outside, they're each holding a torch. You can see the silhouettes of the audience standing and watching under a canopy.

7. Snorkel At Sharks Cove

Another top Hawaiian activity is to go snorkeling, and the North Shore is no exception. If you want to snorkel on the North Shore, Sharks Cove is the best destination on the North Shore to do that. It’s a natural tide pool formed by lava rocks. This is not only great for snorkeling to see native underwater species, but also great for smaller kids to swim in the ocean.

This is a public beach so there aren’t any lifeguards on duty. Be sure to check the swimming conditions before you go! And you’ll have to either bring your own snorkeling gear, or you can rent from Surf’N’Sea in Hale’wia.

A rocky sharks cove. There's a tide pool that's very rocky with black lava rocks. It's also further separated from the ocean by a nice wall of thicker and bigger lava rocks. People are standing in the water, looking down. The water is choppy though. In the distance, on the horizon is the outline of a grand mountain.

8. Find The Crooked Palm Tree On Sunset Beach

Sunset Beach is not only one of the most popular beaches on the North Shore Hawaii, but it’s also home to a unique quirk of nature. Although you can head here to to do the classic Hawaiian beach activities, like relax and surf, you’ll also want to spot the crooked palm tree.

The crooked palm tree is unique that it’s growing towards the ocean instead of growing tall towards the sky. This makes for some great photo opportunities!

9. Admire The Turtle Bay Resort

Turtle Bay is one of the main hotels, but also attractions, on the North Shore of O’ahu. If you can afford to stay here, then it’s well worth booking a room. But if not, like myself, that doesn’t mean you can’t still reap some of the luxuries the hotel has to offer.

the perfect beach view. The beige sands leads you slightly downhill into the ocean. There's a sit of empty chairs and beach towels in the middle of the way. But just beyond the chairs, is a strange palm tree that goes towards the water rather than towards the sky.

For starters, the beach is public (as all beaches in Hawaii have to be). So you can park (for free, although there are limited spaces), and spend a day at the beach. What’s nice about this beach over others on the North Shore Oahu is easy access to amenities. You have a very nice bathrooms, and restaurants options.

But as a non-beach person, I loved the lobby of the Turtle Bay Resort. I was able to spend the hottest part of the day completely in the shade… but still with a jaw dropping views and fresh air.

The cafe in the lobby of the resort is also accessible to anyone, not just guests (and apparently, this is the student hub on the North Shore!). Pick up a coffee (or lunch) and just enjoy the views of the beach and waves from their floor to ceiling windows.

You also still get all the fresh Hawaiian air because the lobby is actually open on one side.

9. Stop At The Kahuka Sugar Mill

This is the second repurposed old sugar mills on the North Shore. Similar to the Old Waialua Sugar Mill, there’s both shops and restaurants, and old factory parts throughout. The Kahuka Sugar Mill seems a tad more refined than the Old Waialua Sugar Mill though.

Here you’ll want to shop at the Seven Brothers for some nice Hawaiian souvenirs, and pick up garlic shrimp from Da Bald Guys.

You can also head across the street (the street not the highway!), to the farmers market. There are more casual (but still permanent) shops and restaurants that are closer to food trucks. A popular spot is Giovani’s Shrimp Truck. I don’t eat shrimp so opted for Huli Huli Chicken and Seafood for freshly roasted huli huli chicken on their open fire barbecue behind the shop.

A brown wood sign with white writing stands on the left bottom half of the photo, it reads: Kahuka Sugar Mill. It's on a large fields that's filled with palm trees that are taller than the photo frame. There's one car parks among the rolling hills, and behind that you can see colourful buildings

Honourable Mention: Polynesian Cultural Centre

The Polynesian Cultural Centre is actually one of the most popular things to do in the North Shore. I didn’t visit because it was closed the day I went to the North Shore, and honestly, their website overwhelmed me… they have A LOT of activities.

You can spend an entire day discovering six Polynesian Islands through unique activities, stay to watch their evening luau, and try authentic Hawaiian food at their buffet.

But a truly unique experience is the Lunar Legends Night Water Experience. You visit the centre after hours to paddle through the lit-up lagoon on a guided tour.

a vertical image showing three tiki statues, all different with scary poses and faces, and each one is a different size. Behind them are taller palm trees, and hawaiian mountains in the distance. There's a layer of thick clouds above the mountain and then completely clear blue skies.

Bonus: Seasonal / Monthly / Weekly Events

Depending on when you’re visiting O’ahu’s North Shore, you might be there during one of their seasonal, monthly, or weekly events!

The top seasonal attraction on the North Shore is the biggest surf competitions. The Vans Triple Crown of Surfing competition is from November to December. There are also some other surf competition on the North Shore, see the full list.

But the Waimea Valley also hosts a local events, check their schedule before your trip. And the Waialua Sugar Mill also hosts a weekly Farmer’s Market on Saturdays.

three white pop up tents are set up in a row, each one is filled with different items for sale. The seller sits in their shop as people are walking by.

Where Is The North Shore?

The North Shore is the northern coast of the island of O’ahu. It’s about 45 minutes from Waikiki Beach and Honolulu. It’s spans from Ka’ena Point to around Laie. The exact region isn’t specified though, so the North Shore boundaries differ based on who you ask and which website you look at.

It always includes Ka’ena Point all the way to Kahuka. The area in questions tends to be how far east it includes, and how much into Central O’ahu it goes.

So sometimes the Dole Plantation is considered as part of the North Shore. And other times the Laie is too far, and the Polynesian Cultural Centre isn’t included. I based my tops things to do on the North Shore on the Hawaiian Islands Tourism region boundaries.

someone holding up a see through plastic bowl with Halweia's Bowls printed on the front. You can see granola on the bottom, the middle is a thick deep pink smoothie with fresh fruit on top and more granola.

How To Get To The North Shore Oahu

The easiest way to get to the North Shore is if you rent a car in Hawaii. This will give you the most flexibility. I only rent from Enterprise, it’s pricier but I never have any issues, and my trip to O’ahu was no exception.

If you’re staying in Waikiki Beach, the most convenient Enterprise is in the Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort and Spa. But a cheaper option is the Enterprise in the Waikiki Discovery Bay Center closer to the Hawaiian Hilton Village.

If you don’t want to rent a car, you can book a shuttle that will take you from Waikiki Beach to Hale’iwa Town. Of course, you will have less flexibility once you arrive, and Hale’iwa isn’t exactly big enough to fill an entire day’s worth of activities.

You can also find a North Shore organized tour that works for you. Viator offers several tours that includes stops along the North Shore. This is the least flexible, but the most stress free option!

please stop for peacock crossing while on the north shore in oahu. It's rained, the roads are darker and wet with some puddle. Smack in the middle of the winding paved road is a male peacock. Bright blue feathers on his torso up to his head. His feathers are not puffed out though as he walks on a mission. The clouds are overcast, but there are yellow plants lining the side of the road, adding some much needed colour to this otherwise unsaturated photo.

Where To Stay on The North Shore?

Staying on the North Shore is interesting. As I mentioned, there isn’t exactly a city to stay in, and the largest town is Hale’iwa (which isn’t big at all!).

For a truly unique stay that’s more budget friendly, book a luxury tent at North Shore Glamping in Laie. You’re in a town, and close to the Polynesian Cultural Centre. See rates and availability on Booking.

If you’re looking for a more local stay that’s closer to the beach, book this Beach Studio by Sharks Cove. You’re walking distance to Ke Iki Beach, and the accommodation includes free access to bikes and parking! See rates and availability on Booking.

Alternatively, if you have the budget, or are visiting for a special occasion, splurge on the iconic Turtle Bay Resort. This luxury hotel is THE place to stay on the North Shore, but it will definitely cost you! See rates and availability on Booking.

Or see more accommodation options on the North Shore Oahu.

the outside entrance of the turlte bay resort ritz cartlon o'ahu. It has an underpass for people to drive under and be in the shade, or out of the rain. The side of the building is grey concrete, but in a darker grey you see the silhouette of three turtles. The shells of the turtles look like palm tree leaves. Palm trees also surround the building, and frame it.

Where To Stay on O’ahu

You also don’t have to stay on the North Shore to visit the North Shore Hawaii. As I mentioned, it’s 45 minutes from Waikiki Beach by car, so it’s doable to visit in one day.

And that’s exactly how I visited! I stayed at the Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort and Spa and did two day trips to the North Shore. See rates and availability on Booking. Or see more accommodation options on O’ahu.

You might also be interested in my one week O’ahu itinerary which includes a day trip to explore the best of the North Shore.

a hotel room with a king bed perfectly made in the middle of the room with white sheets. Across from the bed is a tv (that's on). Above the bed are some coral decor. It's a very simple room. There's a small couch hidden behind the bed in the far corner. The piece de resistance is the view out of the sliding doors that lead onto a balcony. You can see the mountain perfectly framed in the windows.

Printable O’ahu Travel Guide

two ice tea drinks on a green picnic table. A booklet is open one the right is a checklist for hawaiian foods and a hand comes into the shot, checking off one of the items on the list

Make the most of your first trip to O’ahu with my printable Hawaii travel guide. Includes 14 pages to plan the perfect trip to Hawaii, and stay organized while you’re there.

I’ve provided tips and advice for travelling on O’ahu, common phrases, and even the weekly market schedule. Plus there’s a checklist for every region on the island, food to try, and souvenirs to buy!

Start planning your perfect O’ahu vacation today, purchase on Etsy.