Book on their siteFood · 1.5–2 hoursEThe editors
The North Shore in a day
Haleʻiwa, turtles, Waimea Bay, the big-wave beaches and a pie for the drive home.
10 placesA full dayRead the guide ↓
1. Haleʻiwa townSurf shops, galleries and the shave-ice line.North ShoreFree to visit2 hoursFree
2. Matsumoto Shave IceShave ice, the old way.North ShoreFood & drink20–30 min with the lineAbout $5–8
3. Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck, HaleʻiwaGarlic shrimp for lunch.North ShoreFood & drink30–45 minAbout $18–20 a plate
4. Laniākea BeachTurtles on the sand.North ShoreFree to visit20–40 minFree
5. Waimea BaySwim in summer, watch big surf in winter.North ShoreFree to visit1–3 hoursFree
6. Waimea ValleyThe botanical valley and the falls.North ShorePaid entry2–3 hours$26 adults, $18 kids 4–12 (kamaʻāina $10)
7. Shark’s Cove (Pūpūkea)Tide pools; snorkel in summer.North ShoreFree to visit1–2 hoursFree
8. ʻEhukai Beach (Banzai Pipeline)The most famous wave in the world, in winter.North ShoreFree to visit1 hourFree
9. Sunset Beach ParkSunset, as promised.North ShoreFree to visit1 hourFree
10. Ted’s BakeryChocolate haupia pie to take home.North ShoreFood & drink20 minPie slices a few dollars; whole pies about $25
The guide
How to do it: The North Shore in a day
The classic North Shore day: an hour’s drive from Waikīkī, shave ice in Haleʻiwa, turtles on the sand, a swim or a surf watch at Waimea Bay, and sunset at Sunset Beach.
In winter the surf is the show; in summer the same beaches are calm enough to snorkel.
- The order to do it in
- Haleʻiwa town and shave ice, Laniākea turtles, Waimea Bay and the valley, Shark’s Cove, Pipeline, then Sunset Beach. Ted’s pie on the way home.
- When to go
- Leave by 8 a.m. to beat traffic and parking. November–February for big waves.
- Getting there
- A car. Allow 1 hour each way, up to 90 minutes on big-surf days.
- What to bring
- Cash for trucks, a swimsuit in summer, binoculars for surf in winter.
- What it costs
- Free beaches; Waimea Valley $26; food $20–40 a person.
Worth knowing
- Never turn your back on the ocean in winter.
- Park only where it’s legal; the highway shoulders are ticketed and towed.
Started from the pins on The World on my Necklace’s North Shore map (the map). Places, notes and the guide checked and written by us; prices and opening times change, so check before you go.
Private tours
Rather go with a guide?
Book on their siteFood · 1.5–2 hoursBook on their siteNature & outdoors · 75 minutesKipahele Tour
Waimea Valley · books on waimeavalley.netPrice on their site
Book on their siteOn the water · 3 hours