Lets get to it. Makua Beach On the northern tip of Oahu's western shore, miles from crowded resorts and bustling Waikiki, the white sands of Makua Beach are tucked between the lush Waianae Mountain Range and the azure waters of the Pacific Ocean. With so many amazing beaches to take a look at, the Noth Shore has so many activities for all kinds of visitors who want to take advantage of the beach. The bright blue water is almost always choppy, and green sea turtles tend to hang out on the shore during the summer. I am in Oahu with my family: myself, my husband, our 2 sons: 15 and 17 years old, our daughter: 13 and my mom who is 85. It translates to white shell in the native Hawaiian language. Waimea Bay is one of the most popular surfing . If you are looking for some more tips on how to save money on your Hawaii vacation be sure to read the above post to learn more. Ehukai Beach Park 122 Beaches Parks By CarolF260 It was by far our favorite beach of our Oahu adventure after visiting about 7 others including Lanikai and Kailua. 9. When theres high surf, that means there is a strong rip current and its not safe for swimming. (i.e. On its own the island is a beacon for photos. Towns like Laie, Waimea, and Haleiwa are good places to explore. Luckily, if you know where to look, you can still find hidden beaches in Hawaii that are perfect for when you want to get away and truly soak in the beauty of our island paradise without all of the crowds. Which of these stunning little-known sandy beaches in Hawaii is your favorite? The park, located across from Sunset Beach Elementary School, on the southern end of this beach stretch offers the only off-road parking and rest rooms in this area. Most visitors prefer to hang with the gang at the aforementioned Kuilima Cove and Kawela Bay Beach Park. This place is just as beautiful. Visiting food trucks and bringing meals to the beach is an experience unlike any other. But across the sunburned green you will find the most isolated beach of its size on Oahu. Select a 2023 Travel Guide. Stunning White Sand Beaches. Check out the latest prices and more details. My friends who have visited me in Hawaii still talk about Uncle Bobos. The surf is calm during the summer and is a popular spot for snorkeling, diving, swimming, and shell collecting. With gorgeous views of the sunset over Alii Beach, this restaurant is the perfect place to enjoy a delicious meal and a refreshing handcrafted cocktail while watching the waves roll in. When youre done looking at all the sea turtles at the beach, popular things to look forward to at Laniakea Beach include swimming in the warm waters in the summer and surfing the winter waves. Check out Kualao Ranchs. It has two access points for swimming: Sharks Cove and Three Tables Beach If you come through Sharks Cove, wearing water shoes is recommended. 51-52 Kamehameha Hwy, Kaaawa, HI 96730, USA, Kalaniana?ole Highway, Kalaniana?ole Hwy, Waimanalo, HI, USA. TOP 4 OAHU HIDDEN BEACHES YOU NEED TO SEE - Don't Forget the Aloe Love Hawaii? Check out the latest prices and more details. This place is recommended for snorkelers and isnt very crowded. After a long day of surfing or watching surfers, be sure to visit some of the food trucks around to enjoy some amazing budget-friendly food. Log in, Hi I'm Jamie! As one of the older volcanic islands, Oahu has a lot of beach shorelines. You'll receive your first newsletter soon! Second, this is the best kid-friendly beach on the windward coast. I recommend getting there early to beat the crowdsand secure your parking spot. Oahu is also the most populated of the islands with nearly one million residents, which means that, unfortunately, many of the best beaches on the island are often crowded. However, the water at North Shore beaches calms down a lot during the summer and fall. The luxurious Turtle Bay Resort is located right next to this bay. Pro Tip: Seven Brothers also has a food truck in Kahuku that sells the best coconut shrimp. Also, be sure to catch the sunset while you are here. TOP THINGS TO DO AT WAIMEA BAY BEACH Kuilima is a great Oahu snorkeling spot for people of all ages and abilities. Its quite popular as a spot for snorkeling and diving during the months of May September. This is a very popular area for birding and hiking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. You can easily visit a few in one day or spread them out throughout your trip. With this season packing some of the most unpredictable waves on the beach, you should only really be looking into surfing at this time if you are a veteran surfer. Usually smaller than elsewhere on the North Shore, the waves gently roll into the large southern end of Waialua Bay.Lifeguard: No.Parking: At Haleiwa Beach Park.Restrooms: At Haleiwa Beach Park.How it got its name: Literally, hot issue, perhaps because Pele was once said to live in the area before moving to Hawaii island. While. We've got it covered. Real Estate & Homes For Sale - 2401 Homes For Sale | Zillow Waimanalois a four-mile-long beach that offers good facilities including picnic tables and restrooms. Home of the tubular wave, the Banzai Pipeline is another of the most famous beaches in North Shore Oahu. That said, visitors are encouraged to be respectful of the course. It never disappoints. Its quieter, more laid back, and has some of the best beaches in Hawaii. The waves here are calm year-round and the water is so clear. The Hidden Gems of Oahu excursion is a full day Oahu circle island tour with daily pick up in Waikiki and includes admission to all locations on the itinerary. Laniakea Beach is more commonly known as Turtle Beach, as there are a plethora of sea turtles chilling at the beach! and then come relax at Kualoa Regional Park Beach. Despite the presence of Kukaimanini Island, most visitors wont find the beach as appealing as adventurous souls such as yourself. (If you live in Honolulu, we suggest hitting the west side beaches in one day and the east side beaches in another. This shop is worth visiting for t-shirts and other trinkets. But instead of venturing into the abandoned beer can riddled WWII structure, look slightly to the east. Let them judge a book by its cover while you enjoy the spoils of this isolated slice of paradise. We have to keep some for ourselves! There are more than enough choices to choose from. 10. Cross the street, walk through a secret trail, pass an old Banyan tree, and you will arrive at secret beach. If turtles are down your alley, Laniakea Beach is the perfect pit stop for you animal lovers out there! The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. Sunset Beach Oahu isnt just for surfers hitting the waves during the surfer season. Honolulu's best secluded beaches - IHG Travel Blog And a big must-do are the famous North Shore food trucks! This shows that this place is more for just surfers; its for anyone who wants to enjoy the water and have a relaxing time. The hidden beach is accessible only by a rocky trail. Turtle Bay is home to the famous Turtle Bay Beach Resort. Families can enjoy the beach during the summer months when the waves are calmer, and children can swim in the water. Of course, with so many things to do, North Shore Oahu is definitely with the visit! After reading this, I hope you have found many beaches worth traveling to! But it does have a long, beautiful right-side break when theres a big swell. Located on the remote northwestern shore of Oahu, just past Haleiwa, is this secluded Hawaii beach the nearest store and restrooms are more than ten miles away. The Ehukai Pillbox trail is better known as the Sunset Pillbox Hike, because it has some beautiful views of Ehukai Beach (better known as Banzai Pipeline) and the North Shore coastline. Best Hidden Beaches in Oahu | Go Tours Hawaii This allows for family-friendly activities like swimming, water skiing, snorkeling, and more. Check out the best Oahu surfing lessons for kids. First, the view of Mokolii Island (aka, Chinamans Hat) offshore is beautiful as it sits in Kaneohe Bay (. The Ultimate Oahu Road Trip Is Right Here And Youll Definitely Want To Do It. And, the only way around is a one-lane highway that hugs the coast, Kamehameha Highway. Laniakea (or Turtle) Beach: A favorite stopping place for tourists, this beach isnt particularly good for swimming because of its rocky bottom and strong currents, even on calmer days. The Honolulu beaches can be done either day, depending on whats more convenient for you. We got a $75 parking ticket on our first-ever trip to Lanikai Beach. Below, you will see the best places to stay in Hawaii as well as other fun things to do! The food prices are also budget-friendly which makes it a win compared to the resort food prices. This is, of course, during the wintertime when the water is only suitable for professionals. For another epic road trip on Oahu, check out this phenomenal waterfall itinerary. We consider Waimea Bay, Sunset Beach, Turtle Bay, Laniakea Beach, Haleiwa Beach, and Ehukai Beach to be the top 6 beaches on the North Shore. And if you want a slice of their cheesecake, get there early, because they always run out. Papailoa Beach has a steeper gradient than traditional beachgoers prefer. Sandy Beach: Best Oahu Beach for Bodysurfing Details on Sandy Beach 2. It may be expensive, but it is very luxurious. Great day and mix of wildlife watching and enjoying the sun and waves crashing on Oahu's North Shore. Lanikai Beach offers some of the best views as well. The shoreline is equally populated with natural wonders (not people) with enticing chunks of coral, shells, and frosted sea glass for the picking. It was named after the three table-like sections of reef that become visible during low tide. While the beach is also a popular spot for North Shore Hawaii surfing, only experienced surfers should try to ride in the winter. The reason, is that they require some work to get to and/or may make prudent people uncomfortable for a variety of reasons. Only a few tourists brave the rocky hike to reach the beach, however the reward for this slightly daring feat is that the promised beauty is definitely worth it. Oahu is an amazing spot for those who love sea life. If you want a more metropolitan feel with lots of lodging options, then Waikiki is for you. Hukilau Beach Map Of The Best North Shore Oahu Beaches Best Oahu Tours Where To Stay In Oahu More Hawaii Travel Tips There is a caf right on the beach. Papailoa is located further west of Laniakea (aka Turtle Beach) which is extremely crowded and responsible for the congestion along Kam Highway. As the speed limit lowers and the road curves around mountains, you are forced to slow down and discover the island at a new pace. Park on the side of the road, and don't leave any valuables in your car as break-ins are common. This spot has its popularity at its max from May to September, which may be something important to keep in mind as you make your travel plans. Check out the latest prices and more details, How to Get Around Kauai: Your Best Options. The 30 Most Instagrammable Places in Oahu, Hawaii This beach isnt for groups larger than three. This is a great trail for families and beginner hikers. The most famous of the North Shore beaches, sunset has some of the most spectacular winter surf found anywhere on Oahu, with steep and shift outside peaks reaching heights of 15 to 20 feet, according to John Clark, author of Beaches of Oahu. Bring your sunscreen, a bottle of water and your binoculars the best breaks are well off-shore and settle down for a couple of hours. Waialua's Hidden Beaches Location Hidden by the Waialua residential community is a run of small and discrete beaches ( with public access) including weoweo Beach Park and Dole Private Beach Park, followed by a stretch of open sand that reaches all the way over to Paukauila Stream. The Shady Path In Hawaii That Leads To Not One But Two Beautiful Beaches Its usually quiet and calm during summer and is frequented by snorkeling lovers. To get you started, here are a few of my favorite hidden gems. If you have the same taste in movies as I do, you probably saw this gorgeous resort in the movie Forgetting Sarah Marshall and you just had to come to see it for yourself! And Its usually the host of the finale for the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing competition. They also offer lunch items such as fresh sandwiches, chicken katsu, garlic shrimp plates, and many more options. Typically, its a 45-minute drive if you go during non-peak hours and dont make any stops. I was wondering if you have a suggestion for dinner (not looking for expensive looking for local gem) for tomorrow night would have been my parents 55th wedding anniversary. Ke Iki Beach is a quiet, hidden little treasure that many people don't know about. In recent years, however, there's nothing hidden about the North Shore. On the side of the road, there is plenty of room to park as well as easy access to the beach. Ke Iki Beach and Oahu's North Shore is less than an hour from famous Waikiki. Next time you go, be sure to plan your vacation around some of these best North Shore Oahu beaches. You wont find many people along Kaena Point. Check out the latest prices and more details. This is certainly one of the best. You may also enjoy authentic poke and North Shore shops. The Ideal Plan, 5. Waimea Bay Beach Park There are lots of amazing beaches on the North Shore of Oahu, but Waimea Bay makes it to the top of the list. Imagine being able to snorkel into beautiful blue water as you watch amazing sea life swim past you and swim through interesting tunnels that one can find within the rocks below.