The North Shore between Sunset Beach and Haleiwa is the surfing mecca of the world. From November through early January, waves reaching up to ten meters attract the world's best surfers for the championship season. Even in summer, it's fascinating to watch surfers battle the powerful waves.
Turtle Beach near Waimea
At Turtle Bay on the northern tip of Oahu, you have the best chances of spotting sea turtles. Parking is free for up to 30 minutes. Take the Turtle Bay Resort exit off Highway 83 and follow the signs for Public Shore Line Access.
Haleiwa Beach Park
Along the coast, you'll find several beach parks with convenient parking, like Haleiwa Beach Park. We checked out a few of them before heading on to Waimea.
Surf Shop "Surf'n Shop"
The Surf'n Shop in Haleiwa is almost a cult destination for surfers. You'll find souvenirs and surfing gear here.
Haleiwa Ali'i Beach Park
At Ali'i Beach Park in Haleiwa, we took a longer break to watch the many surfers and soak up some sun.
Haleiwa Town
Haleiwa itself has a bit of an old Western movie set vibe. There are shopping centers and everything a tourist could need. Over the past 15 years, Haleiwa has transformed from a sleepy little town into a tourist hotspot. In winter, surfers from around the world flock here to ride the massive North Shore waves. A visit to Haleiwa is well worth it.
Highway 99 and the Dole Pineapple Plantation
Along Highway 99, large agricultural fields lie fallow. The cultivated areas are dominated by pineapple plantations, though farming here is no longer very profitable. The vast red soil fields contrasted against the green mountains in the background create stunning views. The Dole Pineapple Pavilion sits right on the highway. For a few dollars, you can ride the Pineapple Express through the fields or tackle the Pineapple Garden Maze — a massive labyrinth that held a spot in the Guinness Book of Records from 1998 to 2008.
Pearl Harbor
One of the most popular excursion destinations on Oahu is Pearl Harbor. This natural harbor was once home to countless pearl oysters. It wasn't until 1902 that the Americans made the harbor navigable by removing a coral bank that had blocked the entrance.
Here you can take harbor cruises, visit a submarine and a battleship, and see various types of missiles on display. Informational plaques throughout the grounds provide historical context for visitors.
USS Arizona
The USS Arizona Memorial is free to visit, but it's a good idea to pick up a complimentary ticket early. We arrived at 9:00 AM and got tickets for the 2:45 PM tour. After 10:00 AM, tickets are usually gone — there are no reservations. Organized tours don't have this problem. In the meantime, we explored the North Shore at Turtle Beach near Waimea on Oahu. The Arizona sank in less than 9 minutes, taking over 1,100 sailors to their deaths. To this day, you can still see thin oil slicks seeping from the wreck.
Waikele Premium Outlets
We stopped at the Waikele Premium Outlets for a quick shopping and food break before heading back to Honolulu. It's a large outlet center with a good selection of stores.
Overlook above Honolulu/Waikiki Beach from Makiki
From Highway 1, it's less than 15 minutes up the hill to enjoy a fantastic view over Honolulu.
Continue reading the Hawaii travel report: Waikiki - Honolulu
