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The North Shore Beaches of Oahu

Here is a list of the North Shore beaches of Oahu. There is so much more to Oahu than Waikiki! Waikiki is great if you like shopping, hundreds of restaurant options, nightlife, bars, etc. However, Waikiki beach is not the best beach on Oahu! In fact, it may be the most famous beach in Hawaii, but it’s (in my opinion) not even close to being one of the best beaches in Hawaii.

If you’re staying in Waikiki and want to venture out, do it! Oahu has so much to offer outside of Waikiki, from Kualoa Ranch to the Polynesian Cultural Center and, of course, the North Shore beaches of Oahu. 

If you don’t have a rental car yet, I recommend Discount Hawaii Car Rental. This is my go-to for rental cars on all the Hawaii islands. You don’t need a rental car on Oahu if you only stay in Waikiki, but I recommend having one to explore.

Hawaii Travel Agent

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Now, let’s take a look at the North Shore Beaches of Oahu. 

Laniakea Beach

One of the coolest spots to see Hawaiian green sea turtles is Laniakea Beach. Add in the stunning scenery, and you might find yourself wanting to stay forever!

This is often called Turtle Beach because, well, there are loads of sea turtles chilling on the shore. Oh, and just a heads up, don’t mix it up with Turtle Bay Beach, which I’ll tell you about in a bit. They’re two separate North Shore beaches in Oahu!

In the summer, taking a dip here is a breeze. It’s actually a great spot for swimming. But come winter, swimming’s usually a no-go. The waves can reach up to a whopping 100 feet out here.

When you swing by, you’ll see why this beach is hailed as one of the most breathtaking spots on the island.

Pupukea Beach Park

Near the north end of Waimea Bay, you will find Pupukea Beach Park. This little beach cove is tucked away. It can be easy to miss it if you aren’t paying attention while driving along the Kamehameha Highway.

This is one of the best white sand beaches for snorkeling. You can easily reach the swimming access points for this beach from Three Tables Beach and Shark’s Cove. 

Shark’s Cove

This is a little cove that is known for its tide pools. It is best to wear water shoes while in this area and be mindful to not step on any coral.

A visit to this perfect spot will have you seeing fish, turtles, and other marine life. You may even spot a black-tip reef shark in one of the underwater lava tubes. Don’t worry, they are fairly harmless.

Public restrooms and showers are available at this beach and are located within the parking lot. Food trucks can be found across the street if you forget to pack something to eat.

Haleiwa Beach Park

Beginner surfers will want to start at a beach like Haleiwa Beach Park. You can take surf lessons from an expert during your visit.

Lifeguards are available to make sure swimmers and surfers are safe during daytime hours.

You can easily spend all day at this beach. There are showers to wash off the sand and picnic tables for when you need a snack or a quick lunch.

There are quite a few grassy areas for the kids to run around. If the picnic tables are full, those areas are nice places to enjoy picnics.

Aweoweo Beach Park

To the west of Haleiwa, you will discover Aweoweo Beach Park. This is one of the smaller beaches in Oahu.

Since it is in a neighborhood, there won’t be plenty of parking here, but there is public access from the road.

This is one of the best North Shore beaches for barbecues, picnics, and sunbathing.

And since it is a hidden gem, the bathrooms and picnic area won’t be overcrowded.

Waimea Bay Beach Park

One of the best North Shore Oahu beaches is Waimea Bay Beach Park. Many people visit this beach to do the daredevil dive. This dive is done from the infamous rock that is half submerged near the shoreline.

There are plenty of other things to do while at this great spot. You can go snorkeling to see the Hawaiian green sea turtles and other marine life.

It is an excellent place to surf. And you can’t beat the pictures you can take from the shoreline.

When you tire of the sand, head into Waimea Valley. There are botanical gardens and a cultural center within the valley.

Visiting Waimea Bay Beach Park and Waimea Valley is one of the best things to do in Oahu.

Ehukai Beach Park and the Banzai Pipeline

The Banzai Pipeline is a popular surf spot in Oahu, thanks to the surf breaks. It is also one of the most famous beaches on the island.

This popular spot usually hosts the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing Competition, which is held during the winter season.

It is best to leave surfing to the pros on this North Shore Oahu beach. The huge waves are not for anyone who doesn’t surf regularly.

During the spring, the water calms down near the Banzai Pipeline. Then, it is safe to surf, swim, snorkel, and even water ski.

Ehukai Beach from above, I highly recommend hiking the Ehukai Pillbox Trail! It’s not as good as Lanaikai Pillbox, but much easier to find parking. These are some of the best hikes on Oahu.

One of the best ways to access the Banzai Pipeline is from Ehukai Beach Park. This small beach is directly across the street from the Sunset Beach Elementary School.

Three Tables Beach

This beach was named for the 3 table-like sections of reef near the shoreline, which can be seen during low tide.

You may be able to see the reef clearly at all times, thanks to the crystal clear water,

That clear water is the main reason why snorkeling is such a popular activity at Three Tables Beach. It is even possible to see underwater lava tubes while you are snorkeling.

You can surf at this beach too. However, the winter months bring massive waves. It is during that time when it is advised that only expert surfers hit the water. And they should even use caution, as the waves can be unpredictable.

Sunset Beach

Sunset Beach is one of the best surfing spots on the North Shore of Oahu. A few surf competitions have been held at this beach over the years.

In fact, professional surfers from around the world arrive here to catch the perfect wave.

Thankfully, the waves are calmer during the summer months. It can be a great place for families to hang out and swim in the calm waters.

Even if you don’t visit this beach to go swimming, you still must stop there one evening. It is one of the best places to watch the sunset on Oahu’s North Shore.

Turtle Bay Beach

Hotel guests will love the short walk to Turtle Bay Beach from the Turtle Bay Resort. Turtle Bay Resort is easily one of the best places to stay on Oahu. However, the best part is that you don’t need to be a hotel guest to visit this beach. There is public access and free parking.

This is a great beach to visit to watch the sunrise and sunset. You may even see a sea turtle or two if you plan your visit to the beach just right.

You may hear this beach referred to as Kuilima Cove. This white sand beach on the Oahu North Shore is perfect for beginner snorkelers.

It is best to check the surf report prior to visiting this beach. Strong rip currents and high surf create unsafe swimming conditions.

Chun’s Reef Beach

Chun’s Reef Beach is one of the best places for surf lessons on the North Shore. It is approximately three miles from Haleiwa.

There are many surfers here. However, there won’t be many swimmers in the water, as the large waves make swimming almost impossible.

Haleiwa Alii Beach Park

You will find a couple of the most beautiful beaches in Oahu in Haleiwa Town. One of those beaches is Haleiwa Alii Beach Park.

This is a popular spot for surfers during the winter months when the waves reach 25 feet.

There are a lot of rocks under the water. So, swimming and snorkeling aren’t the best options. It is better to visit this sandy beach for surfing, kayaking, and fishing.

Mokuleia Beach Park

The Mokuleia Beach Park is not too far from the Kaena Point Trail. This is a secluded beach on Oahu.

It may look familiar. If it does, it is because it was used during the first season of Lost.

This is a good place to go snorkeling during the summer. Windsurfers and kitesurfers also tend to hang out on this beach.

Strong currents can be found on this beach during the winter. It is best to stay out of the water during those months.

Despite the high surf, you can still visit this beach in the winter but stay out of the water.

Beaches Away from the North Shore of Oahu

There are so many incredible beaches on the North Shore of Oahu. However, you will find amazing beaches on other parts of the island too.

One of the best beaches on the South Shore of Oahu is Waikiki Beach. If you want to stay on or near Waikiki beach, check out 10 Waikiki Hotels on the beach.

It is possible to walk to Waikiki Beach from your resort if you plan your trip right. Plus, you can see many of the major attractions of the island when you stay in this area.

You can easily take a day trip to Waikiki Beach from the North Shore. It is a short drive that usually takes an hour. But that is dependent on where you begin your journey and traffic. 

Ala Moana Beach Park is another fabulous beach. It is located between Waikiki and downtown Honolulu and is popular for all types of water sports.

Over on the eastward side of Oahu, Lanikai Beach will be waiting for you. The clear waters at this beach are calm and warm. It is one of the favorite spots of many on any given day in Oahu.

Another beach on the East Shore of Oahu is Kailua Beach. This beach is away from the hustle and bustle of major cities. It is quiet and peaceful. And the views are even better!

If you happen to be visiting Kualoa Ranch, you should stop at Kualoa Regional Park Beach. This is a remote beach with palm trees swaying in the breeze. It is one of the best places for birdwatching on the island.

Hanauma Bay is on the southeast side of Oahu. The beach there is perfect for snorkeling, swimming, and sunbathing.

More Oahu travel tips:

• Hyatt Regency Waikiki Review
• 10 best things to do in Waikiki
• The best Sunrise Hikes Oahu
• The 17 best waterfalls in Oahu
• The 21 best beaches in Oahu
• The best Oahu Golf Courses
• The best Oahu snorkeling

North Shore beaches of Oahu

I hope this post with all the North Shore Beaches of Oahu is helpful to you. If you’re staying on the North Shore or just visiting while you stay in Waikiki or Ko Olina, make sure to check out as many as possible!

I am a Hawaii Travel Agent, and that is what I do. While I specialize in honeymoons and romantic travel, I am available for any Hawaii trip. I often work with groups and families, and destination weddings too! Reach out as soon as possible for the best availability, as I only take on a select number of monthly clients. You can contact me to learn more.

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