3 things to do at the North Shore
The North Shore is a must-visit if you’re in Oahu, the North Shore is located in the northern coast of Oahu and is home to some of the most famous surf spots where some of the most experienced surfers catch waves, the towns and beaches that consist of the North Shore include Haleiwa (the main town), Waimea Bay, Sunset Beach, and Ehukai Beach (Banzai Pipeline). If you’re looking for a more nature oriented side of the island and want an escape from busy Honolulu, then the North Shore is a must stop on your itinerary.
1) Visit the world famous Banzai Pipeline beach
Banzai Pipeline is a world-famous surf spot and is considered a surf hub for Pipeline’s surf break; it’s also considered a very dangerous surf spot due to the shallow waters and coral reefs present in its waters. Even if you’re not a surfer, it is worth it to make a stop to this world renowned spot to the surf community. The beach itself is also very beautiful and has a long stretch of sand and water for miles. Kick back and lay down for a while and watch the surfers as they catch waves and enjoy the peace and quiet; when I had gone, Pipeline only had very few people out, making it a great place for snapping pics if you’re interested in that.
2) Swim at Waimea Bay Beach
If you’re looking for somewhere you can actually swim but still feel the ocean waves, Waimea Bay Beach is a great spot to stop by! It is also famous for its cliff jumping/the “Jump Rock”. When I had gone, it unfortunately was not permitted by the lifeguards to jump off the rock. Just remember that trusting the local lifeguards and people in Hawaii is very important; swimming was ideal at Waimea Bay Beach during the month of October, but swells during the winter months can reach as high as 40 ft (hence making it ideal for extremely experienced surfers). So, if you want some waves, some cliff jumping thrill, and a good time laying by the beach, I would definitely recommend Waimea Bay Beach for some swimming and sun.
3) Visit the Sunrise Shack (near the food trucks at Sharks Cove) for a smoothie or acai bowl
The Sunrise Shack is a local favorite and Pinterest famous smoothie and acai bowl spot that is worth stopping by. They serve various acai bowls and smoothies, they also sell merch as well! I saw some cute tye dye t-shirts, some bikinis for sale, and they also sell some really cute stickers you can take as souvenirs.
I absolutely loved how the little shack was painted a bright and vibrant yellow, all their smoothies and drinks are very bright colored (I got a blue smoothie!) and I just think that this little spot is painted really cute and stopping by is worth it.
BONUS:
If you got this far into my blog post, congrats! You’ve made it to my bonus thing to do while you’re in the North Shore.
4) Stop by the food trucks by Sharks Cove
If you’re a foodie, you’ll love the little food truck corner by Sharks Cove. It has a taco stand, a shrimp stand, shave ice, and fresh coconuts that people can purchase right there. I personally didn’t get a coconut but I regret it quite a bit. I did get garlic shrimp though which was delicious; I also would say that the boutiques close to these food trucks are worth checking out if you’re looking for something a little different than what the ABC store can offer in Honolulu. But if anything, make sure to bring some money because the food is not very cheap at the foodtrucks but I do think that it is worth it for the experience. You can see the water from the lunch tables and the chickens and roosters wander around so it’s a pretty cute experience to say the least.
A visit to the North Shore and these stops are definitely worth the trek out of Honolulu, you can escape the bustling city and enjoy surfers catching waves (maybe even catch some yourself if you’re a surfer!) and grab a bite to eat.
Mahalo~