Oahu North Shore

Time to head to the countryside and pay a visit to the laidback Oahu North Shore!

A one hour drive will take you from the bustling Waikiki to the rural countryside. You know you’re close when you start passing through the pineapple fields. Continue driving down the ridge, as you admire the impressive view of the Oahu North Shore. Roll down your windows, and breathe the fresh cool salty air, as you arrive at the rustic old Haleiwa Town.

It’s time to slow down and relax, grab a Hawaiian shave ice, check out the Hawaiian art galleries and shops before continuing on to the famous Northshore beaches.

Take a stroll through the Matsumoto’s video, and order a yummy shave ice!

I never get tired visiting North Shore Oahu.  There’s a different style and way of life in this part of the island that’s hard to put into words –it’s something you just have to experience to appreciate.

Talking with artist Roy Taisora, who owns his own gallery in the North Shore , I believe he put it best when he advised to “slow down when you arrive in the North Shore  and the magic will appear… You will be treated to the small island life”. 

I enjoy popping into small but well represented art galleries, ducking into small roadside island cafes, buying trinkets for my little girl and checking out the surf gear at the rustic surf shops. 
 

Oahu North Shore - Art Galleries

Make sure to stop by and visit Roy Taisora’s gallery along with the other half dozen galleries in Haleiwa town, including the famous works of the artist Wyland.  If you are interested in picking up a piece of Hawaiian art work, this is the place to do it.  You’ll find that it is about 50% less expensive than purchasing it back in Waikiki.

Also make a point to visit renowned artist, Kim Taylor Reece Gallery, outside of Haleiwa, in an area called Sacred Falls, Punaluu.  

Kim has captured the beauty of the Hula performance in sepia-toned black and white photography.  His enlarged photographs that he lovingly calls murals are very captivating and will leave you with a larger appreciation for what the Hawaiian Hula dancers and their performances are all about.  

The Kim Taylor Reece gallery is about 15 minutes east of Turtle Bay Oahu Resort, and a special treat worth visiting.

North Shore Oahu – Surf Shops and Surf Museum

Beyond the galleries filled with Hawaiian art work, I love the character of the old surf shops with the retired long boards that line up against the entrance walls.  Even if you are not into surfing, you might appreciate the nostalgia that’s lying around these shops.

There is also a neat surf museum located  in Haleiwa Town called the North Shore Surf and Cultural Museum.  It captures the history of surfing on Oahu North Shore,
with antique surfboards, ancient artifacts, daily showing of movies and other surf nostalgia.

North Shore Oahu – Bites, Nibbles, and Treats

North Shore Shrimp Truck

It’s easy to find the popular  North Shore Shrimp Truck, as there are probably about 30 or more spread throughout North Shore-Oahu.  They are all about the same so go ahead and stop when you see one so you can fulfill your  craving to snack on a bucket of shrimp.  The garlic shrimp is a crowd favorite. 

Don’t get too full on shrimp because you'll need to save some of your appetite for mouth-watering shave ice!

Hawaiian Shave Ice!

Make sure you stop at the popular Matsumoto’s Hawaiian Shave Ice shop.  A trip to Haleiwa town just isn’t complete without indulging in this ultimate Hawaiian treat.  

Matsumoto’s is by far the most famous, but if you wish not to stand in the long line, then jump next door to Aoki’s Hawaiian Shave Ice.  

If Hawaiian shave ice just doesn’t cut it for you, then maybe Ted’s Bakery's famous pies just might fulfill that sweet tooth.  

Take note that these are not just everyday pies that you can find anywhere, but special pies with Hawaiian local flavors like Haupia (coconut), Chocolate Huapia (most popular) & Pineapple Cheese.  Everyone loves the Chocolate Haupia, my family's favorite is the plain Haupia.  

I would recommend buying a whole pie versus just a slice, or eat a slice while you are there, so you still have the ability to return and buy more before you leave.

North Shore Beaches

Leaving Haleiwa Town, you have two choices as you head out to the beaches.

Turning left and heading west, will take you an isolated and beautiful side of Oahu North Shore called Mokuleia.  

Turning right will take you across the famous twin-spanned Haleiwa bridge, which is the gateway to some of Hawaii’s most popular beaches.  Waimea Bay Beach Park, Ehukai Beach Park (Banzai Pipeline), and Sunset Beach Oahu are the main event in the wintertime, when the waves are towering at 30 ft plus faces.

Finally, don’t miss a breathtaking Oahu waterfall across the street from Waimea Bay Beach Park.  It’s located in the Waimea Valley Audubon Center (formally known and sometimes still referred to as “Waimea Falls Park”).  

There is a small entrance fee to these botanical gardens, but well worth the admission to stroll the grounds with over 300 species of tropical plants and a stunning view of a 50ft waterfall at the end of the trail.

Other things to do on Oahu North Shore are:  North Shore Scuba Diving, Northshore Golf Courses

How to Get to the North Shore

Because the attractions are spread through out Oahu North Shore, it's best to rent a car to get around, and see everything on your own time.  

There are lots of charter tours available to get you out to the main attractions, but you lose part of the whole feeling of what the North Shore Oahu is about.  

Taking the Oahu bus is also an option, but again, you will lose much time getting on and off the Oahu bus at destination points.  If you choose the bus as a means of transportation, I would recommend stopping in Old Haleiwa Town, and then choosing just one of the North Shore beaches to continue traveling on to.

By Car:

Directions:  From Waikiki, take the H-1 Freeway headed West…

Take the H-1 Hwy West to the H-2 Hwy North
Follow the H-2 Hwy to the Kamehameha Hwy (hwy 99)
Take Hwy 99 and continue into Haleiwa Town.

If you wish to by pass Haleiwa and head towards the north shore beaches, then continue on Hwy 99 and merge onto Hwy 83, which will take you to the coastline.

As you continue on  Hwy 83, you will first encounter Waimea Bay Beach Park, followed by the Banzai Pipeline (Ehukai Beach Park), and Sunset Beach Hawaii.

Oahu North Shore Map

View Larger Map

By Bus:

From Waikiki, take the number 98A bus from Waikiki to the Wahiawa Armory and transfer to Oahu Bus 88A, that will take you out to Haleiwa Town and to the northshore beaches.

Facilities:  Old Haleiwa Town has some of the best Oahu North Shore restaurants and public restrooms.  The famous North Shore Beaches and Waimea Falls Park also have facilities available.