Oahu’s North Shore Things to Do for a Perfect Day | North Shore Beaches, Snorkeling, & Shrimp Trucks

Oahu’s North Shore, #Hawaii is a must to see and do when vacationing in Hawaii. From the best snorkeling to the best food, North Shore #Oahu is worth the drive from Waikiki and Ko Olina.
When we lived on Oahu, we loved spending our Saturdays snorkeling, hitting the beach, and eating like kings at Haleiwa’s shrimp trucks. Not much has changed on this sleepy part of Oahu.
Check out our favorite North Shore spots. We crammed a lot into one day so don’t feel like you need to do all of these things. Pick your favorite North Shore things to do and enjoy the drive out there!
Need to know how to fit Oahu’s North Shore into your Hawaii vacation? Check out our free itineraries below and other North Shore things to do.
There is so much more to do on Oahu! Finish your Oahu vacation planning with one itinerary download. Get local tips, ways to save, a step-by-step pre-travel testing program video, and 7 full days on Oahu. thehawaiivacationguide.com/oahu/
A Local’s 10 Free Things to Do on Oahu’s North Shore:
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Which Part of Oahu Should You Stay: North Shore, Waikiki, or Ko Olina
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Oahu’s North Shore Things to Do for a Perfect Day
00:00 Intro
00:52 Green World Coffee Farm on the way to the North Shore
01:27 Waialua Sugar Mill and town
01:59 Kahuku Farmer’s Markets
02:46 Malaekahana Beach camping and snorkeling spot
03:45 Kahuku Food Trucks (North Shore Shrimp Trucks)
04:01 Pupukea Beach (Shark’s Cove) food trucks and snorkeling
05:57 Papa’iloa Beach for Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles
06:52 Haleiwa Kayaking and Standup Paddleboarding
08:30 Haleiwa shrimp trucks and food trucks
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[@AnthonyScottGames]

I used to work on cruise ships and spent about a month in Hawai’i. North shore is my favorite place in the whole world. I’ll be there in sept!

[@TheHawaiiVacationGuide]

It’s a great place! Enjoy the return trip in September

[@KibaJovanni]

I’ll be honest Hawaii is a beautiful place respect the land and people , I was amazing

[@coachtodd8730]

I keep coming back to your videos for all our island trips, very informative with a great vibe and almost effortless, just your family living your best life. Thank you for the information, looking forward to coming back in June with my youngest daughter. Mahalo

[@TheHawaiiVacationGuide]

Thanks so much Coach! Enjoy your trip in June with your daughter!

[@melissaselbe8313]

My favorite town in the North Shore.

[@thecougarexperience]

I’m from Hawaii and visit every year. I’ll be there next week and it never fails, I watch your videos to make sure I didn’t miss anything and to get excited about my trip. You guys are always on point with your tips!

[@TheHawaiiVacationGuide]

That means a lot! Thanks for watching from Hawaii. Have a great trip next week to Oahu!!

[@susanpowers8992]

Giovanni,s da kine !!!

[@joerampley1562]

Fried bananas. Double yes❤

[@BillHaynal]

Life's a beach!

[@TheRaineMusngi]

Turon! So Filipino

[@brianwoods8051]

Thank you for all the hard work, time, and love you guys put into these videos! Taking my first trip to beautiful Oahu in June, for my graduation trip. Your videos have been fantastic in planning, and I look forward to using your itineraries closer to my trip! Mahalo! 🤙❤️

[@TheHawaiiVacationGuide]

Congrats on graduating Brian! We appreciate the comment and thanks for watching our adventures. We do our best to help plan a stellar vacation to Hawaii. Enjoy O'ahu!

[@creativecheersoffashionlau7364]

Loved the video! So nice to see the best spots on the North shore!

[@leslievea4463]

I am loving this video. Because of you guys. Our family is finally going to Oahu for SpringBreak and Maui on Summertime! Your activities are so family friendly. We have 3 kids

[@TheHawaiiVacationGuide]

Have a wonderful trip with the family. We have things to Don on Oahu with kids video and this article to help you out: thehawaiivacationguide.com/things-to-do-in-oahu-with-kids/

[@sharonbowling6171]

Best videos and y’all are the cutest

[@snaxcat]

Helpful video, thanks

[@eyeballs306]

Thanks for these videos! I’ve been to Hawaii countless times since I was a child but still finding new spots bc of you guys.

[@TheHawaiiVacationGuide]

thanks for the comment, glad to help you explore the island in a new way!

[@TheHawaiiVacationGuide]

Mahalo for watching! There is so much more to do on Oahu! Finish your Oahu vacation planning with one itinerary download. Get local tips, ways to save, a step-by-step pre-travel testing program video, and 7 full days on Oahu. thehawaiivacationguide.com/oahu/

[@jamesfromholz5804]

What a great day!! Toe tapping music too! Henry had a good handle on the paddles! Always appreciate these videos... feels like I’m right there enjoying it with you.

[@andrewthepokerchamp]

Green World Farms had delicious coffee and I actually bought a few bags to take home for my parents. Haliewa did have a huge line at the food trucks But it was well worth the wait. Especially Giovanni's. The town itself had lots of places and we even stopped at one of the local shaved ice places and I got something called the pineapple Express. A lot of the beaches were packed the day we went which was a Saturday which I under stand but we still made the best of it and it was such a great day. Thank you guys so much for this video. Thanks to you guys we had such an amazing free day and if I ever come back I will make sure that North shore will always be on the list.

[@TheHawaiiVacationGuide]

Thanks for sharing!! The North Shore is wonderful and I’m glad you got to explore it!

[@keithlenoir2038]

Awesome video!

[@joerampley1562]

Thanks for sharing.

[@TheHawaiiVacationGuide]

Thanks for watching!

[@lucasjohnston-ez6rq]

Just got back from Oahu last month. Your guide was the best and we had an absolute blast! Coming from CA the 45 minutes from Waikiki to the North Shore wasn't bad at all, and so beautiful! Thanks for all the tips and suggestions. The Johnston Family

[@TheHawaiiVacationGuide]

Thanks for watching and the common Johnston Family! I'm glad you enjoyed the North Shore as much as we do. It was an easy weekend getaway when we lived in Kapolei

[@alaish360]

Going soon. We will use your ideas.

[@laurelgeorge3766]

Such great videos!!! Planning my next trip and I’m loving all these suggestions 😆✨❤️

[@user-iy1xq4jw6o]

風景.........美麗的..........

[@TheOriginalMarimoChan]

If you want a fabulous sit-down lunch on the North Shore, head out to Haleiwa Beach House - they have the best calamari and dipping sauce, the best ahi tuna club and the beach house fries! Lunch is a great value - go early at 11 when they open so you can avoid a wait.

[@TheHawaiiVacationGuide]

Thanks for sharing!

[@sethcourtney468]

Just returned from a trip to Oahu and I have to say that the North Shore was a special place. Even the “long drive” from Waikiki was pretty spectacular. Hard to fit it all in one day, but y’all provided a pretty great rundown of the better things to do if that’s all the time you have. Cheers!

[@TheHawaiiVacationGuide]

Thanks so much for coming back to leave the comment. North Shore is the only place where we have two things to do videos. Such a special place!

[@sethcourtney468]

@@TheHawaiiVacationGuide my wife and I can’t wait to get back to explore the other islands. I think Oahu was a great starting point, but Maui and Kauai are way high on the list. We’ll definitely take tips from y’all and build that into our itinerary!

[@nikkibenavides4427]

Love sharks cove! A perfect place for beginners and kids to snorkel!

[@dustinmiller2775]

There are underwater caves there too :)

[@KevinTronkowski]

Thanks for some great spots to hit and things to do on our trip later this year!

[@nicoleritchay8590]

Its so fun to virtually travel with your sweet family. Your videos are really helpful!

[@Romans8-9]

Looks gorgeous. Would love to see the LOST beach one day. Another thing you may not have known. The sugar mill you showed was also a location for LOST as a Nigerian Village for a Mr Eko flashback episode.

[@TheHawaiiVacationGuide]

That’s cool! Thanks for sharing!

[@MikeCanuck]

Nicely shot and edited! Mahalo for all your hard work in posting these videos! Happy New Year Jordan, Erica, Henry, and Haddie!

[@TheHawaiiVacationGuide]

Happy New Year to you too!

[@janeblue3053]

Back before the road around Kahuku was paved my mother used to ride a dirtbike around there and I used to right behind her. It’s so scary at times but it was awesome fun

[@TheHawaiiVacationGuide]

that sounds awesome. what a mom.

[@pamelababcock3038]

Coming to Waikiki, Queen Kapiolani Hotel for Christmas 2021 For my sons wedding 💒 I live in Indiana so this will be quite a dream come true for me. Aloha

[@TheHawaiiVacationGuide]

have a wonderful trip! I, Jordan, am from Michigan originally, so I know that feeling. It is a BIG trip!

[@lightscameraaction2837]

Whenever I am in Haleiwa, I always stop by Ted’s Bakery for the pies and their garlic shrimp. Lot of people think food truck for garlic shrimp in that area but you would be surprised by how good Ted’s Bakery garlic shrimp is.

[@TheHawaiiVacationGuide]

We love Ted's. It was still closed during our visit but I'm sure it will be open soon. I never tried their garlic shrimp but it is on the list now. I like their breakfast.

[@harrymiram5562]

IMO...Fumi's/Romy's & Big Wave Shrimp in Haleiwa have better offerings than Giovanni's. Same w/Tanya's Grill & Pie's in Wahiawa. Little Mom & Pop's diner that serves no-frills menu items that won't Break Your Bank! Also known locally for home-made pies that usually sell-out b4 end of business. Apple, custard & Chocolate cream are favorites....

[@mistermerita341]

Love it!!

[@nicolekurek]

4:22 a future foodie in the making ;DD

[@TheHawaiiVacationGuide]

Haha. He's pretty picky right now...maybe that just means he'll have discerning taste later :)

[@kelseymariebell1357]

I turned my back on the ocean at Hookipa, Maui, with my board, while stepping into the reef near the beach, and like face planted, but think was okay as it was in water, it was a bit of a blur and I popped back up, some how, and: good tip!

[@TheHawaiiVacationGuide]

Thanks for sharing! Ho’okipa can have a rough break. I’m glad you were alright.

[@TolKOZAK]

Some fabulous shots. I love the drone footage. Too bad about the lack of turtles. My wife and I had much better luck last time we were on Turtle Beach. Aloha

[@TheHawaiiVacationGuide]

there was one there per other snorkelers but I didn't come across its path! next time!

[@two.m0nsters]

Thank you for sharing! I'm planning on going soon. Do you happen to know what time the fruit stand opens?

[@darylbickford]

I just wanted you to know that we used this video to do quite a few things while we stayed on the North Shore last month. Green World Coffee Farm, Sugar Mill, and a few beaches! Thanks for a great upload! I need to start planning another trip soon!

[@TheHawaiiVacationGuide]

Thanks for coming back to leave a comment on your experience! Glad to hear you had a wonderful trip! See ya soon

[@pacokwan1764]

好正呀! 👍👍🌈Very very good👍I love it😎thanks for sharing 🙏😊

[@shapho4056]

Any reccomended food trucks? Tried north shore tacos, north shore shrimp, and aji truck....only the aji truck was good for us. Will def need to hit one of those farmers markets though.

[@yellohj2]

We just did The Beach house restaurant in Haleiwa and the Ehukai Pillbox hike to watch sunset just the other day. Thanks for some new points of interest. Great Video come back and see us again soon. Gio’s in Kahuku is our fav stop from Kaneohe when we drive to north shore. Hau’oli Makahiki Hou! 🎆

[@Cragozy]

North Shore is really worth traveling out there. Don’t tell anyone though. Next time you’re in Kahuku give Kahuku Superette a try. They have excellent Poke and it’s not that far away from Giovanni’s.

[@TheHawaiiVacationGuide]

Great tip! We will be hitting up Kahuku again and I'm always on the hunt for good poke.

[@ShawnQuish0904]

Two questions as I am going Jan 22. Souvenir T-shirt shops on the North Shore? Pipeline photography area, near the turtle area you marked?

[@helenwilliams8665]

great videos , just wondering what weather is like staying turtle bay area north shore at the end of sept into start of oct for swimming and beach days?

[@TheHawaiiVacationGuide]

The ocean conditions and weather are usually good. Winter weather starts more in Nov. you might get some bad days but we’d stay up there then.

[@dustinmiller2775]

Malaekahana is pretty rough waters. I recommend avoiding swimming at points, in general. Hawaii is the number one state for tourist death. Almost all from DROWNING. If "there's nobody here" it might be because they "no like die".

[@Romans8-9]

I think because there's not many amenities there and directly behind the beach, its private property.

[@deplorable2767]

Would you recommend coming this March to Turtle Bay at the North Shore? As far as weather and covid restrictions, thank you

[@TheHawaiiVacationGuide]

the weather should be good in March on the North Shore. Turtle Bay is planning on opening this summer though so stay tuned

[@johnnyb9797]

Is Sharks cove calm right now?

[@inyoudeep1]

I picked this video to ask this question: Where would you say is the best place on the O'ahu island to get Omurice? I have never had it, but I have been told that it is a must have, when one is away from home and around Japanese style foods.

[@TheHawaiiVacationGuide]

We’ve never had omurice so we don’t have a recommendation. But we’re adding that to our list of things to try!

[@Thehealthyfoodlover]

❤️😘🥰😍

[@JessicaKissinger88]

We are staying near Waikiki in April and would love to make a few day trips to the North Shore. What’s the best time to drive there to reduce traffic?

[@TheHawaiiVacationGuide]

We recommend the early morning to give yourself time to enjoy but from Waikiki to North Shore on the H-1 is reverse of traffic so it isn't that bad once you get out of Waikiki.

[@420_Ed]

In MONTANA far means alot more.

[@danielryan007]

Awesome video, thanks for the info! We're adding Green World Coffee and Malaekahana beach to our itinerary thanks to you guys! SIde note, please don't fly drones over people! Chances are it won't fall and hurt anyone, but it's also illegal to do so! Just looking out as one drone operator to another! Thanks for the great content, those shots were awesome nonetheless!

[@neverchomany844]

Thanks for introducing North Shore! Is this recently recorded? I’ve heard that in the winter months, the swell rises in North Shore, so not recommending snorkeling in Sharks Cove in winter months... Sharks Cove looks so beautiful in your video, and I heard that it’s a great spot, but not sure if I can snorkel when I visit in mid-February.

[@clintkelson5829]

Love your channel! Stumbled across it and wish I had seen in when I planned our 10 yr anniversary trip in 2018. We did 3 days in Oahu and 7 in Kauai. I would love to go back this year and take my 4 girls, soon to be 4,5,9,12 and just find a relaxing place on the North Shore. I'd rather stay up there and take a one day trip to Waikiki, we loved the vibe in that area, not as touristy. I'll search out some of your videos for best hikes, snorkeling in that area!

[@TheHawaiiVacationGuide]

Stay tuned because we have best snorkeling and hikes for Oahu coming out in the next couple of weeks :)

[@harrymiram5562]

For 20th annv., suggest you check into 7-day interisland cruise...4 ports-of-call, 3 islands, 7 days=10 days total + 4 days to Soak It All In!

[@extremelylargeslug4438]

Thanks for the video! I’ve heard there’s a very real theft problem on Maui. Have you experienced that and what precautions do you take when parking your car and walking to the beach etc? Wishing you all the best!

[@TheHawaiiVacationGuide]

We haven’t had a problem yet (thankfully). We never leave valuables in the car just in case!

[@rachellehamilton2261]

How is the traffic around the island like beat and worst times to drive. We are staying in North Shore for a week but want to check out Ko Olina, Waikiki and pillbox also. Kinda think we should have stayed in Waikiki but we live in a city so wanted something different. THANKS!

[@TheHawaiiVacationGuide]

Traffic on North Shore gets bad on the weekends. The freeways like H-1 get rush hour traffic. Avoid that if all possible.

[@rachellehamilton2261]

@@TheHawaiiVacationGuide THANK YOU! We will do sightseeing during the week then! Thanks again!

[@Pepper0220]

When you say arrive early for shark’s cove, about what time would that be? What’s “early” for Hawaii?

[@TheHawaiiVacationGuide]

We recommend between 9 and 10:30 to get public parking spots at beaches.

[@jalundblad]

Wondering with all the traffic issues going to North Shore, is there somewhere in South Shore to park and take the bus?

[@TheHawaiiVacationGuide]

The Bus does go to North Shore but I'm not sure where to park for it. You could try driving to Mililani and then taking the bus.

[@jaklg7905]

If you want to walk up and down the road and see the shops in Haleiwa, where is a good place to park to do that?

[@TheHawaiiVacationGuide]

The shopping center parking lot behind Matsumoto shave ice or the shopping center at the Patagonia store. We haven't had an issue with finding parking in Haleiwa.

[@kittiyac.2820]

I have a question. How often can you see rainbow in Oahu and Maui? I see a lot of people have pictures with rainbows during their Hawaii trips. so beautiful. Thank you

[@TheHawaiiVacationGuide]

Good question. I see a rainbow once a week at a minimum. The mountains are usually raining or misting, causing lots of rainbows. West Maui and Waikiki/Honolulu are the best locations but they are everywhere.

[@billhobartclairvoyantmedium]

Question: do you miss living on Oahu with all that it offers? Does it feel like home since you moved from England? Just wondered, seems you really enjoy going back. Another great video!

[@TheHawaiiVacationGuide]

Aloha Bill, we do miss Oahu namely for the food and cultural activities. The island is a blend of action with calm just outside of town. But Maui feels like home and we have no regrets. We are grateful we can hop over to Oahu every once in a while.

[@Ping-World]

Can you point where is the store can rent a kayak?

[@TheHawaiiVacationGuide]

Surf N Sea in Hale’iwa, near the bridge.

[@lucashtet1322]

In pupukea beach do they rent goggles for going under the water? How much does it cost?😁

[@TheHawaiiVacationGuide]

they have a rental shop off the beach but I don't know the cost

[@leboon3843]

Is there a place to rent a kayak or paddleboard in Haleiwa?

[@TheHawaiiVacationGuide]

Surf n sea is a good place. Watch our other north shore things to do video for info

[@mooniebelieves]

Did you bring that kid floaty or rent one?

[@TheHawaiiVacationGuide]

We happened to have one in the car so we used that but they have plenty for kids to use.

[@vinouthavong1388]

Fried Banana sounds good but when I read the signed I thought it was Fried Banana Lumpia???

[@sandrachase68]

It is fried banana Lumpia

[@lorenloken1715]

If there is just the 2 of us. Do you leave you belongings on the beach if we want to go snorkeling. Is there a problem with thief? First time going to Hawaii.

[@TheHawaiiVacationGuide]

bring as little as possible to the beach, leave stuff in the car, take turns snorkeling, or leave it on the beach. Crime isn't rampant on stealing things off the beach but it can happen.

[@alexcarter8807]

Food is so cheap back home ...

[@luananery3944]

Good overview. Now if only you could pronounce and spell the names correctly. It's really not that difficult.

[@michaelwittkopp3379]

Eh bro, no. I know you were on the river, so kine o' okay. But, take a look at the statistics of how shark attacks happen. Well over 65% happen to people on kayaks or surfboards, who hung their feet over the sides. There's a logical reason for that, and we're at fault. Too many low-budget kayak fishermen just string their catch on a line and hang it off the side. This teaches sharks that there's easy grindz to be had. Also, if you dig deeper into the analysis of many of those attacks, they were needle-point bites. So, not from tiger or hammerheads, rather sharks that normally would never attack a human. Even keiki are too big for them. Those were all attacks that could have been avoided. Teach tourists not to hang their feet over the sides. People be safe and enjoy. But yes, North Shore (Haleiwa) is special, and would be my favorite if it weren't for the north swell in winter. But then, no north swell, and bombai, North Shore won't be North Shore.

[@xcel5879]

Pronounce Hawaiian words differently. Also, you’ve shown Matsumoto’s, but didn’t say anything about the place.