When you're looking for a relaxing way to spend a day, there's nowhere quite like the beach. Coastal locations are hugely popular all around the world, with people of all cultures and backgrounds stepping out onto the soft sands of their local beaches each and every day to admire the majestic sights and sounds of the ocean waves. Beaches can be the perfect places to get away from the stress of modern life and the noise and smoke of the city. They allow everyone, regardless of age or background, to simple sit down and relax, forgetting their troubles and getting in touch with nature, as well as offering all sorts of fun activities like swimming, scuba diving, jet skiing, and more. CDC information for travelers. Hours/availability may have changed.
1.Sunset Beach
Perhaps the best-known beach on the northern shore of Oahu, Sunset Beach is named for the fact that it's definitely one of the best places in all of Hawaii, if not the entire world, to watch the sun go down. The sky lights up with a full spectrum of reds, oranges, and golds as the sun sets each night, casting a unique pattern of colors that changes every single day. Lots of people gather here in the evenings, but it's a lovely beach in the daytime too. Restrooms can be found on site, along with ample parking opportunities, and lifeguards are always on duty here to the popularity of surfing at Sunset Beach.
2.Laniakea Beach
Laniakea Beach is arguably the number one spot for nature and animal lovers on the northern shore of Oahu. Why? Well, this beach is home to a whole lot of sea turtles, so you're almost sure of spotting some at any time of year. Turtles can be seen both on the shore and out in the shallow waters off the coast, but all visitors are encouraged to let the turtles go about their business without interfering. Getting too close to them could interfere with their natural ecological cycles and may result in a heavy fine.
3.Haleiwa Ali'i Beach
This beautiful beach is very popular with the local Hawaiian communities. The local harbor is a popular gathering spot to watch the sunset, and the beach itself stretches out over 19 acres of land. Both grassy and sandy areas can be found here, providing the perfect backdrop for happy picnics with friends and family, and the beach itself is perfect for all kinds of activities including surfing, diving, and fishing. Visitors also have easy access to the local town of Hale'iwa for eateries, stores, and other amenities.
, OH4.Waimea Bay Beach
The largest of all Oahu north shore beaches, Waimea has more than enough space to handle the huge crowds that can congregate here throughout the year. It's a very popular surfing spot, with some truly impressive waves reaching heights of 30 feet or more on rough days. Due to the popularity of this beach, you might need to walk around a little to find a good spot to set up your beach towels and umbrellas, but once you find that spot, you'll be rewarded with some truly unparalleled views.
5.Papa‘iloa Beach
Also known as Lost Beach, because it appeared in the TV show of the same name, Papa'iloa Beach is another of the top surfing spots along the northern shore of Oahu. The waves in this area even earned the nickname 'Himalayas' due to the heights they can reach. This is also a good spot for wildlife lovers, with sea turtles sometimes being spotted along the shore. The rocky spots around this beach make it unsuitable for swimming, but if you're an experienced diver or spear fisherman, you'll find plenty to love at Lost Beach.
6.Three Tables Beach
The thing that really separates Three Tables Beach from other Oahu beaches is the scenery. The beach earned its name due to the three rock tables that formed here, resulting in some very special rock formations that you won't find anywhere else. This is a very sandy, cozy little beach that can be a lot of fun to explore and walk around. Swimming is great here as the coast slopes gently out into the water, and snorkeling is quite popular at this Hawaii beach as well.
7.More Info
All around the world, Hawaii is known as one of the very best beach destinations anyone could ever hope to see. The Aloha State, which is made up of multiple islands, has a whole lot of coastline to explore and boasts some of the very best weather conditions and warmest waters of any location on Earth. Oahu is the third largest of the Hawaiian Islands but is generally regarded as the primary island of the state, being home to over 60% of the state's population and also housing the state capital of Honolulu. The southern shore of Oahu is best-known for being home to some of the island state's most iconic beaches like Waikiki Beach and Kuhio Beach, but the northern shore of this Hawaiian island has a lot to offer as well.
Best Beaches on the North Shore of Oahu
With long, uninterrupted stretches of coastline in both directions, back by beautiful tropical jungles and stunning scenery, the northern shore of Oahu is home to a lot of must-visit beaches. Whether you're looking to surf, swim, snorkel, or simply kick back and relax, the north shore will have a bunch of beaches to please you. In fact, there are so many great beaches on Oahu, it can be hard to choose between them. With that in mind, we’re helping you narrow down your search by highlighting some key information on the best northern Oahu beaches below.
6 Best North Shore of Oahu Beaches
- Sunset Beach, Photo: jakkapan/stock.adobe.com
- Laniakea Beach, Photo: tobago77/stock.adobe.com
- Haleiwa Ali'i Beach, Photo: Hailey/stock.adobe.com
- Waimea Bay Beach, Photo: Jeff/stock.adobe.com
- Papa‘iloa Beach, Photo: PASHA Pictures/stock.adobe.com
- Three Tables Beach, Photo: lameeks/stock.adobe.com
- More Info, Photo: bennymarty/stock.adobe.com
- Cover Photo: Courtesy of Matt - Fotolia.com
More Ideas: Polynesian Cultural Center
Located in Laie, Oahu, Hawaii, the Polynesian Cultural Center is a living museum theme park operated by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, simulating the culture and traditions of historic Polynesian villages. The history of interaction between the Church of Latter-Day Saints and the Polynesian residents of the islands of Hawaii dates back to 1850, when Mormon missionaries arrived at what were then known to the Western world as the Sandwich Islands.
History
By 1865, the church had developed a 6,000-acre plantation on the island of Oahu, encompassing all of the present-day city of Laie. The Church started a temple at the site in 1915, and in 1921, Church leader David McKay conceived of the idea of starting an institution of higher learning at the temple. McKay’s vision came to fruition in 1955, with the opening of the Church College of Hawai’i, which was incorporated as a branch of Brigham Young University in 1974.
The idea of a cultural center at the site of the college was first proposed by Matthew Cowley, a Mormon leader concerned by the loss of traditional island cultures as a result of the Church’s activity. Throughout the 1940s and 1950s, the Church held traditional Polynesian hukilau fishing festivals as fundraisers, which raised support for the idea of a permanent homage to the island’s native cultures. In 1962, McKay authorized the creation of the Polynesian Cultural Center, which was opened to the public in October the following year.
Permanent Attractions and Exhibits
Today, the Center encompasses more than 42 acres of land in Laie, featuring individual tropical village simulations dedicated to the various traditional cultures of the Pacific Islands. Since its 1963 opening, the Center has hosted more than 32 million visitors, earning a reputation as a major national tourist destination as the result of promotional appearances on the Ed Sullivan Show and at the Hollywood Bowl. Though it is a commercial facility, the Center is primarily staffed by students at Brigham Young University-Hawaii and a portion of its profits are allocated to scholarship programs at the University.
The Center is divided into village sections celebrating the traditions of Pacific Island cultures and allowing visitors to participate in live demonstrations. Each village is organized around the traditional home and social structures of the cultures and highlights major indigenous cultural arts and customs. At the Hawaii Village, hula demonstrations teach visitors basic dance movements while educating participants on the history and heritage of the art form. Traditional taro cooking and Hawaiian lei crafting demonstrations are also highlighted, with samples of poi dishes offered. Dance is also a central focus of the Tahiti Village, which features music demonstrations of traditional to’ere drum accompaniment. Ta nafa drumming is showcased at the Tonga Village, which also allows visitors to compete against villagers in games of lafo, a sport similar to shuffleboarding, and tolo spear throwing. The Samoa Village educates visitors on traditional daily practices such as fire starting and coconut cracking, with demonstrations of barefoot tree climbing to obtain coconuts. A six-story temple is the centerpiece of the Fiji Village, which highlights traditional military weapons and practices, and the Maori Village allows visitors to take part in poi ball and tititorea stick games.
In addition to village exhibits, visitors may also embark on canoe rides at the Center’s lagoon, either as part of guided tours led by paddling guides or on individual excursions. A free shuttle tour transports visitors to the University campus for tours of the Laie Hawaii Temple and Visitor Center, and replicas of 19th-century Church structures, including a chapel, school house, and mission settlement, may be explored. Additional exhibits are dedicated to the culture and famous statues of Rapa Nui, better known as Easter Island, and the history of the early days of LDS missions in the Pacific. Island-themed art, clothing, and decor are sold at various stores throughout the Center, including the Mission Home and the Ukulele Experience Gallery.
Ongoing Programs and Events
A nightly multicultural performance, Ha–Breath of Life, is offered for an additional fee, showcasing traditional songs and dances of Polynesian cultures. An IMAX experience, Hawaiian Journey, takes visitors on a tour of the islands’ natural beauty, exploring the area’s mountains, waterfalls, volcanoes, and jungles. A canoe pageant, Rainbows of Paradise, is also presented on the Center’s lagoon every afternoon, and a Voyage of Discovery show chronicles the ancient migrations of Hawaiian villagers.
Several dining event options are offered for visitors, including a traditional Ali?i Lu?au Buffet with ceremonial presentation of imu pork cooked in an underground oven. A number of other special events are hosted at the Center throughout the year, including the World Fire Knife Dance Competition, the Moanikeala Hula Festival, and the Micronesia Betelnut Festival. A Haunted Lagoon experience is offered during October, and a number of holiday festivals celebrate traditional Polynesian and Western holidays.
55-370 Kamehameha Hwy, Laie, HI 96762, Phone: 800-367-7060
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