Home / Oahu Beaches / Sunset Beach Oahu
Sunset Beach Oahu
Sunset Beach
Oahu is another Best of Oahu
highlight and a beautiful surfing mecca not to be missed after
making your rounds at Waimea
Bay and the Banzai Pipeline!
It’s
a great Oahu Beach to watch big-wave
surfers in action during the wintertime. Then come back
in the summertime when
the waves go flat, and
Sunset Beach State Park gives way to a new scene for some amazing snorkeling
in
Oahu. But above all, visit Sunset Beach for its
name and reputation…breathtaking which will easily rival some of the best sunsets in Hawaii!
Visiting Sunset Beach
Located just
past the famous Banzai Pipeline
that resides on
Ehukai Beach, is another 2
mile stretch of sand, which is home to
beautiful Sunset Beach Hawaii. Sunset Beach State Park, is
one of the few long stretches of sand that you get to drive right next
to, traveling
along the Kamehameha Highway.
Vans Triple Crown of Surfing 2nd leg of the
contest will be held at Sunset Beach between Nov 24th and Dec 6th,
2015. This is one of the most exciting and thrilling surf contest to
attend
on the island. Pay attention to the surf report and head to the North
Shore early if the contest is on!
Sunset Beach
Oahu is one of the 3 surf breaks where the famed Triple Crown Surfing
Contest over
the course of the winter months.
The other two surf spots
that host this important surf contest are
Waimea
Bay and the
Banzai Pipeline at Ehukai Beach.
Surfing Sunset
Beach challenges big-wave surfers who try to conquer these
gigantic
waves, when surf swells bring in 15
to 30 foot waves.
The
surf breaks a little further out to sea, so bring a pair of binoculars
with you if you plan to visit this Oahu beach.
The crowds tend to die down as the surf flattens out during the summer time. Sunset Beach State Park is a beautiful spot to bring the family, for simple relaxation, beachcombing, and snorkeling.
That’s right...Sunset Beach is a
fantastic spot
for some snorkeling in Oahu . The sharp jagged pinnacle reefs
are fun to explore with a nice variety of colorful fish and Hawaiian
marine life.
Getting to Sunset Beach Oahu
Directions By Car From Waikiki
- 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
- or by pass Haleiwa Town , and continue on Hwy 99 and merge onto Hwy 83, which will lead you to the coastline.
- As you continue on Hwy 83, until you see a Sunset Beach State Park sign on your left hand side.
- Turn into the parking lot and you are there.
Oahu Street Level Map to Sunset Beach Oahu
Directions By Oahu Bus from Waikiki
Take the 98A bus from Kuhio Ave to the Wahiawa Armory (ask the
bus drive to notify you), and transfer to Oahu Bus number
88A. The Oahu Bus 88A will take you into Haleiwa Town and
onward to the North Shore Beaches. Ask the bus driver once
again to notify you once you have arrived at Sunset Beach State Park.
Beach Facilities
- Little shady areas
- Life guard on duty
- Free Parking Lot
- Located across the street in the park
- Restrooms
- Beach showers
- Picnic bench tables
Aerial Map to Sunset Beach Oahu
Sunset Beach Oahu Tips
If you are planning a visit to the North Shore beaches, I suggest starting your journey early in the morning. You might even want to consider enjoying breakfast on this side of the island. There are a few choices in Haleiwa Town, and also Ted's Bakery across from Sunset Beach State Park is open for breakfast.
This Oahu beach is famous for its big winter surf, but it's the endless beautiful sunsets in Hawaii that gives its classic name, Sunset Beach. Treat yourself to one before returning back to town. It will give you a chance to let traffic pass...and besides, it will be dark by the time you get back to Waikiki (if that's where you're staying) anyway.
Warning: The only downside to this beautiful beach are the car break-ins and wallet/phone theft that is prevalent in this area! Do not leave anything in your car or unattended on the beach. Don't be afraid to visit Sunset Beach...just be smart about it!
In the Area
Ted's Bakery
Ted’s
Bakery – the North Shore
is
famous for its Hawaiian Shave
Ice,
but I’m here to tell you that there's a new treat that is gaining
popularity. Ted’s
Bakery is known for its cream
pies. Not just any pies, but some of Hawaii ’s
best sweet
local flavors.
Not to be missed flavors are Haupia
Cream and
Chocolate Haupia Cream, which resembles a coconut
pudding.
Ted’s Bakery is also a great spot
to grab some breakfast or hot
sandwiches for lunch, including BBQ Chicken, Teri Beef
& Mahi
Mahi. If you don’t make it to Ted’s Bakery, you’re still in
luck. Ted’s pies are sold in Foodland grocery stores, back in
town.
Banzai Pipeline
Ehukai
Beach – more popular
known
as the Banzai
Pipeline! If
the Sunset Beach surf isn’t close enough for your viewing , then drive
back down to Ehukai Beach where surfers are lined up close, paddling
into amazing
barreling waves -you'll feel the Hawaiian surfing experience!
The Banzai
Pipe tubes are world famous and add to the
North Shore character and experience. The first trick is to find
Ehukai Beach ,
which is located just across the street from the Sunset Elementary
School parking lot.
Ehukai Pillbox Hike
Ehukai Pillbox Hike - right across the street
from Ehukai
Beach is a little known secret hike called the Ehukai Pillbox
Hike. This Oahu hike is a 30 minute journey that leads you up
to
the top hillside ridge, where two old World War II military bunkers
overlook the North Shore coastline. The views are
breathtaking!
Toa Luau to end the evening
Tie on a visit to the waterfall with an evening luau dinner with cultural demonstrations and Hawaiian entertainment. The Toa Luau includes your entrance to Waimea Valley & Waterfall. Just make sure you give yourself enough time to get back in time for the festivities. Note that this luau only takes place on Mon - Wed.
Turtle Bay Resort
Turtle
Bay Resort – just up the road is the grand resort,
known
as
Turtle Bay . Located over a stretch of 4 miles plus of
beachfront property, including 2 championship Oahu golf
courses.
Turtle Bay Resort is a relaxing
estate that sits at
the tip of the North Shore all by itself.
You will need to
check in with the security attendant if you are not vacationing on the
premises, but you are allowed to visit the restaurants & golf
pro shop. Note:
Don’t forget to get your parking
card validated if driving in.
