SURF | The North Shore of Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi

Latitude & Longitude 21.6406° N, 158.0630° W

“You can’t own the North Shore. You can only respect it.” – Eddie Aikau

About the North Shore

Seven miles of golden coastline, country roads lined with coconut palms, and the salt-thick air of the Pacific trade winds—this is the North Shore of Oʻahu. Known as the beating heart of surfing culture, it is both legendary and lived-in: a place where giant waves thunder offshore while children run barefoot through roadside fruit stands. Haleʻiwa, the North Shore’s main town, serves as a gentle gateway, offering art galleries, surf shops, and plate lunches that taste like home.

A Living History of Surfing

Polynesian voyagers brought heʻe nalu—wave sliding—to these islands centuries ago, making surfing not just pastime but ritual. By the 20th century, this coast became the canvas of modern surf. Waimea Bay tested courage; Pipeline demanded grace; Sunset Beach invited mastery. Legends like Duke Kahanamoku, Eddie Aikau, and Gerry Lopez transformed the North Shore into the global stage it remains today. Every winter, world championships reaffirm its status as the mecca of big-wave surfing.

Dining by the Sea

• Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck – Garlic butter shrimp served out of a graffiti-covered truck, a North Shore rite of passage. Visit

• Haleʻiwa Joe’s – Local seafood, prime rib, and cocktails overlooking the marina. Visit

• Matsumoto Shave Ice – Rainbow cones of shave ice that cool both body and spirit, a Haleʻiwa institution since 1951. Visit

Places to Stay

• Turtle Bay Resort – The North Shore’s only large-scale resort, perched on its own peninsula with golf, beaches, and spa. Visit

• Backpackers Haleʻiwa – Laid-back guesthouse for surfers and wanderers, just steps from the beach. Visit

• Private Vacation Rentals – From beachfront bungalows to tree-shaded cottages, many homes offer a front-row seat to the Pacific.

Things to Do

• Watch the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing – November to December, the world’s best surfers tackle Pipeline, Sunset, and Haleʻiwa. Learn More

• Snorkel at Shark’s Cove – A summer calm spot alive with reef fish and coral. Visit Guide

• Swim at Waimea Falls – A botanical valley walk leads to a freshwater plunge pool beneath a waterfall. Admissions

• Wander Haleʻiwa Town – Boutique shops, art galleries, and surf history tucked into plantation-era storefronts. Visit

Shopping Local

• North Shore Surf Shop – Boards, gear, and lessons for beginners to pros. Visit

• Wyland Galleries – Marine-inspired art from world-renowned painter Wyland. Visit

• Haleʻiwa Farmers Market – Tropical fruit, flowers, and crafts, Sundays under the banyan trees. Visit

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At Sunset…

Evening falls slow on the North Shore. The last surfers kick through foam at Pipeline, their silhouettes etched against the sinking sun. Food trucks glow in the twilight, and the fragrance of plumeria drifts inland. There is no rush here—only the rhythm of waves, the hush of sand underfoot, and the sense that you’ve touched something enduring.