Oahu's North Shore

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O'ahu, Hawaii

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Oahu's East Shore

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(4 votes, 2 reviews)

Difficulty: Easy
Length: 90 miles / 145 km
Duration: Full day

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Overview: Feel the urge to explore the beauty of Hawaii beyond Honolulu and Waikiki Beach? Always wanted to visit the much famed North Shore? Resist not more! This guide leads you around Oahu's North Shore.

After living on the island of Oahu for almost four years, I humbly consider myself almost a "kama'aina," a local. Some points of interests in this guide are known the world over while others are know only to locals. Overall, this guide showcases a nature lover's Oahu away from the glamorous Waikiki Beach and busy Honolulu.

Tips: Plan for an entire day of sightseeing to visit all the POIs described in this guide. It's about 90 miles of driving and you certainly wouldn't want to rush through it. Prepare to get into the Aloha spirit—perhaps an impromptu picnic accompanied by a refreshing swim or adventurous body-surfing.

To extend this trip by about 50+ miles, see the guide Hawaii—Oahu's East Shore, which has an additional two hours of sightseeing. Together the guides encircle the island of Oahu.

Points of Interest

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Old Pali Highway

Journeying around the island find this pretty detour through lush jungle: Twisty Nuuanu Pali Drive was a part of the original road that connected the two sides of the island before Pali Highway was built.

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Nuuanu Pali Lookout

It is believed that Mark Twain referred to this view as the most beautiful in the world. Unsure of its authenticity, but Nuuanu Pali is surely a very memorable place to complete the journey around the island of Oahu.
To view from here are the Islands: East shores, Olomana peak, Chinaman's Hat and Kaiulua.
From here return via Pali highway back to Honolulu or maybe you now refer to it as your current Hawaiian paradise home?

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Olomana Ridge

Driving along this part of Kamehameha Highway to the left is a dramatic peak called Olomana by locals. This is a popular, but steep, hike. Interesting fact: Olomana is nicknamed "Matterhorn of Hawaii" because of its resemblance to the famous Swiss peak.

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Byodo-In Temple

In the Valley of the Temple Memorial Park in Kahaluu is this hidden gem. Bydo-In Temple a perfect replica of the Japanese Buddhist temple Uji. The temple was built without the use of a single nail. Such a peaceful place--it's a must see!

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Kaneohe Bay

This is Oahu's biggest bay. Here's something to think about--every year thousands of hammerhead sharks are born here. The baby sharks spend the first few months of their life in the bay before leaving for the deeper waters of the Pacific.

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Tropical Farms Hawaii

Macadamia nuts are one of Hawaii's signature and Tropical Farms is the outlet to find them at.

So many different flavors to pick from: plain, salted, cinnamon, coffee, honey glazed, you name it. There's plenty of free samples to help you decide what to purchase.

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Address: 49-227 Kamehameha Hwy # A, Kaneohe, HI 96744
Phone: 877-505-6887
Hours: Everyday 10:45pm - 6pm

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Chinaman's Hat

This beach park off Kualoa Point offers the closest view to another one of Oahu's landmarks: a little cone-like island that resembles a Chinaman's Hat, hence the name.
Like the Mokulua islands off the Lanikai beach, it is possible to kayak or swim to this island. There's a small beach at the northeastern tip that offers a perfect landing spot.

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Windward Shores

This is where to slow down and enjoy the views. At times the highway runs right on the beach, allowing your to enjoy several pretty bays. Consider them an invitation to stop, relax and enjoy Oahu's beauty.

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Polynesian Cultural Center

Interested in learning about Polynesian culture? This is your go-to place. It's easy to spend half a day here, so this might be a place to return to on another visit.

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Address: 55-370 Kamehameha Highway, Laie, HI 96762
Phone: (808) 293-3333
Hours: Mon-Sat 11:30am-9pm
Admission: Adult $69.95 and Child $54.95, additional shows and events cost more

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La'ie Point

La'ie Point can be hard to find, unless you have this guide. Turn ?? at the first traffic light past the Polynesian Cultural Center parking lot.

La'ie Point offers magnificent views of the Oahu's windward shores, the ones made famous by the legend of Kana, the warrior who killed the Mo'o (a giant lizard). He chopped the lizard's head into five pieces and tossed them into the ocean. You can still see them--five small islands visible from the La'ie Point.

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Giovanni's Shrimp Truck

There are many such trucks scattered along the North Shore, but Giovanni's is considered the best for yummy local shrimp. The garlic scampi is a fave. Wash down the spice with a delicious fresh fruit smoothie, available right beisde the scampi truck.

Cash only.

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Sunset Beach

The beaches on this part of Oahu are world famous for surfing and unforgettable sunsets. Find the best of both at Sunset Beach. In the summer it's peaceful and calm. Come winter it's paradise for experienced surfers.

Be cautious if you decide to go in.

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Banzai Pipeline

This is where you'll find some of Hawaii's most challenging waves. If you are here in winter, you will be amazed at the sheer force and the height of the waves. There aren't many places in the world where you will see 12-foot and higher waves this close.

Pipeline is epic, but also deadly. Annually more people die here than any other surfing shore in the world.

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Shark Cove

Shark Cove is one of the top recommended snorkeling places on the island (visit between March and October). There are beautiful reefs and tons of marine life to see here, including--as the name implies--white-tipped reef sharks. They are generally not aggressive, but harassing them is not recommended.

The reef is not accessible during winter because of the huge surf.

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Waimea Bay

Another famous surfing spot on the Oahu's North Shore is Waimea Bay. This popular beach park offers calm waters during summer and massive waves during winter's stormy months.

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Haleiwa

This sleepy little town is sometimes also referred to as the capital city for surfers, mainly because of its close proximity to almost all of the Oahu's top North Shore surfing spots.

It's a cute place to stop for a few minutes. Stroll through the main street, visit some of the surf shops and try the Matsumoto Shave Ice, said to be the best in the world.

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Pineapples

Here you have a chance to see the agricultural part of the island--pineapple fields as far as you can see. You also should be able to spot a few coffee plantations alongside the road.

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Dole Plantation

This is the perfect place to learn everything about pineapples--how they're grown, what specie they are. You also can wander through the Guinness Book of World Records pineapple maze and seal the experience by shopping for everything pineapple.

Don't forget to taste the freshly squeezed pineapple juice.

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Address: 64-1550 Kamehameha Highway, Wahiawa, HI 96786
Phone: (808) 621-8408
Hours: Open Daily 9:30am-5:30pm
Admission: Free but various tours and train rides vary in cost

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Central Oahu

As you drive down the H2 freeway through central Oahu you'll find two interesting spots. To the west (your right) is the highest mountain on the island--Mount Kaala (little more than 4,000 feet in height). In front of you you'll see Pearl Harbor outlined along the horizon. You should see several Navy ships docked in the lagoon's lochs.

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Leonard's Bakery

Feel like finishing the drive with something really yummy? Then stop by Leonard's Bakery for not-to-be-missed "malasadas," Portuguese confections that made it to the Hawaiian islands in 1800s. They've become so popular that Hawaii even celebrates Malasadas Day.

These deep-fried doughy pastries come in many different flavors and styles--try the plain with cinnamon coating. Bon appétit!

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Address: 933 Kapahulu Avenue, Honolulu, HI 96816
Phone: 808-737-5591
Hours: Sunday through Thursday 5:30am - 9pm; Friday and Saturday 5:30am - 10pm

Pictures in this guide taken by: radims

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Visited on Apr 14, 2013

by chuckpalian on Apr 14, 2013

This is a great drive and goes by quite quickly. Sometimes people think that "sacrificing" a day at the beach while in Hawaii is a bad move, but this drive is well worth it and affords plenty of chances to get out of the car and enjoy the local sites and natural wonders.

Matsumoto Shave Ice is terrific. I'm not sure if they still do, but they used to include a bit of ice cream at the bottom of your paper cone, which is not only a pleasant surprise but also a smart way to help keep the flavored syrup from melting and leaking on your shirt! Check out the traditional quilt shops in town too, just beautiful.

On the east side, renting a kayak is a fun way to explore the coastline and we saw a lot of people attempting to paddle out to Chinaman's Hat island. Beware, though, that the current can be very strong. We had fun paddling near the shore but we would have needed to allow a lot more time (3 hours) to make it there and back, given the current.

by krbose on Jan 28, 2011