The beaches on the north coast of Hawaii’s island of Oahu are known for their fantastic sand and waves, snorkeling and sea turtle watching, inexpensive food trucks and the relaxed atmosphere.+
To be honest, the North coast is no longer a secret, and there is a lot of tourist traffic here, but it still manages to be one of the quietest and least developed corners of the island of Oahu, and wildlife sightings are still good.
Whether you are a surfer, snorkeler or family with kids, you should definitely experience some of the best beaches on the north coast of Oahu. Here is a list of our favorites!
Diving with sharks on the north coast
If you want a unique Hawaiian thrill, you can dive with sharks in cages on the north coast of Oahu! This is a popular activity where you are a few miles from the coast by boat and you can see sharks up close.
The most popular shark diving trips have a metal cage for protection, and you can see sandbank sharks, Galapagos sharks and hammerheads.
It’s a snorkeling trip, not diving, so you don’t need certification (although swimming experience helps). This is a very popular activity on Oahu!
The best beaches on the north coast
1. Sunset on the beach
It is a prime place to watch the sunset on the north coast, hence the name. However, it is also a great beach in its own right.
Sunset Beach has a long strip of soft white sand, which is perfect for relaxing during the day, and there is even a photogenic curved palm tree where you can take pictures!
However, do not climb on this palm tree, as it is sensitive and we want to enjoy it as long as possible.
The summer waves at Sunset Beach are mild, while the winter waves are among the largest on the North Shore. However, you can relax on the sand even when the water is not so swimmable.
This beach also has public toilets and showers across the street that you can use, with a bus stop and a good amount of parking. Don’t forget to check the nearby food trucks if you are hungry.
Overall, it is definitely one of the best beaches on the north coast of Oahu. If I had to pick just one as my favorite, it would probably be this one.
The sunsets here are legendary and it’s usually not too crowded!
2. Lace ka’ena
The northwestern tip of the island of Oahu, known as ka’ena Point, can only be reached by hiking, but it’s worth it.
It is an incredible place to relax by the sea and a nature reserve where you can see humpback cetacean, Hawaiian monk seals and albatrosses.
Along the way there are small sandy beaches, as well as tidal pools and a rock arch. This is definitely one of the best hikes on the North Shore.
Ka’ena Point is a 5-6 mile circular hike, but the trail is flat all the way, which makes it pretty easy overall.
This is one of the most family-friendly hikes on Oahu and it’s great for kids, although I would try to avoid the midday heat. It is also one of the best sunsets on the whole island.
Remember, if you are doing ka’ena Point for sunset, you will be returning to your car in the dark, so it’s a good idea to bring a headlamp!
3. Haleiwa Beach
Haleiwa is a historic city on Oahu that serves as the main center of the North coast. It has a relaxed atmosphere with lots of fun shops and a population of only 5,000 people, although the tourist traffic makes it seem a little busier.
There are actually three different beaches in Haleiwa. First, you have the main beach, which is a long sandy beach with mountain views and occasional turtle sightings.
Then there is the nearby Haleiwa Ali’I Beach, which is smaller but has public toilets, showers and ample parking right on the beach.
Finally, you will find Haleiwa Beach Park on the east side of the harbor with a bus stop, showers and plenty of parking. We also saw sea turtles swimming there.
After visiting the Haleiwa beaches, don’t forget to cool off with Matsumoto’s shaving ice.
They have dozens of fun shaved ice flavors like bubble gum, guava, lemon and passion fruit, as well as additives like ice cream, azuki beans and mochi (Japanese rice balls).
This store dates back to 1951 and makes some of the best shaving ice cream we’ve ever had on Oahu, Hawaii!
4. Laniaka Beach
If you want to see turtles, this is definitely one of the best beaches on the north coast of Oahu. In fact, it is the best beach to watch turtles anywhere on the island.
There are almost always one or two large turtles here, relaxing and lounging in the sand. We have come to this beach many times and have always discovered turtles!
Remember to keep a healthy distance from turtles, as they are protected by Hawaiian law and it is unlawful to touch them.
Apart from sea turtles, Laniakea is also a fairly small beach in itself, with clean sand and palm trees, although it is not a very large beach and the coast is too rocky to swim (unless you are a turtle).
Basically, it’s a place where you can stop for a while and not stay. Parking is also quite rare, so you should arrive early. The best time to see turtles seems to be from 11 to 15 o’clock, when they like to sunbathe on the beach.
5. Waimea Bay
In summer, Waimea Beach is popular because of its jumping rock. In winter, this bay is a world-famous surfing spot with huge waves up to 12 meters high.
There are bathrooms, showers and a reasonably large parking lot right on the beach, although it is easily filled, so you have a parking lot on the street at the top of the hill.
If you want to explore more, you can also visit the nearby Waimea Valley, which offers an easy hiking trail with a waterfall and botanical gardens.
6. Aweoweo Beach Park
It is a beautiful family friendly beach which is a hidden gem west of Haleiwa.
It is a small, quiet beach park with bathrooms, showers, washbasins for washing hands and a picnic area with a drinking fountain. This is a beach in the neighborhood, so it is limited only to street parking.
Aweoweo Beach has beautiful soft sand and occasional sightings of sea turtles. All in all, it is one of the best beaches on the North Shore and perfect for a family barbecue or similar!
7. L’Anse aux Haies
It is a small bay known for its tidal pools and snorkeling opportunities. Good water shoes are highly recommended here.
Do not be put off by the name — it is unlikely that you will come across peril sharks here, despite the fact that the stream is full of fish, turtles and other marine life. You can sometimes see a blacktip reef shark swimming in underwater lava tubes, but they are usually shy and harmless to humans.
There are public showers and toilets in the Shark’s Cove parking lot, as well as a good number of parking lots, and you can find food trucks across the street.
The summer months are usually the best time to visit the creek due to the calmer waves and softer water. The animals to be seen include parrot fish, eels, trigger fish, etc.
Do not forget to leave a lot of space for fish and corals and just take pictures so that everyone can enjoy this place for many more years!
8. Ehukai Beach Pipeline / Banzai
This is one of the most famous surfing spots in the world, so many people come here to watch professional surfers surfing the huge waves in winter.
For the most impressive waves, you should usually pay a visit between November and February. Do not try to swim at this time if there are warning signs, because water can be peril.
Ehukai Beach is located opposite the Sunset Beach Primary School and there are many public toilets and showers to use, so it is convenient.
If you want to take a short hike, visit the nearby Ehukai Pillbox hike, which offers a beautiful view of the ridge line of the north coast from above, as well as some old military bunkers (“casemates”) for you to explore.
