Some of the best beaches in all of Oahu lie on the pristine North Shore. With world-famous surf beaches, family-friendly coves, and some of the best snorkeling on the island. Here are 10 of the best beaches on Oahu North Shore.
*Updated: August 2023
10 Best Beaches on Oahu North Shore
Table of Contents
- 1. Sunset Beach Park
- 2. Ehukai Beach
- 3. Sharks Cove
- 4. Three Tables
- 5. Waimea Bay Beach Park
- 6. Laniakea Beach
- 7. Haleiwa Beach Park
- 8. Malaekahana Beach
- 9. Hukilau Beach
- 10. Ka’a’awa Beach Park
- Bonus: Kawela Bay and Turtle Bay
- Bonus: Keiki Beach
1. Sunset Beach Park
Sunset Beach is my personal favorite beach on Oahu’s North Shore.
It is the widest beach in Oahu and stretches over two beautiful sandy miles. It is also the perfect spot to catch a Hawaiian sunset.
This is also one of the best surf beaches. From December through February, the wild winter swells can produce waves towering around 20-30 feet tall.
The beach is often red-flagged as a no-swimming zone during this time, but the massive waves attract professional surfers from around the world.
Sunset Beach hosts several pro surf competitions such as the annual Vans Pro and Vans World Cup.
In the summer, the waves are much more calm attracting families and sunbathers to the golden stretch of sand.
Just use caution between the months of June through September when stinging limu seaweed can be present in the water.
Sunset Beach lives up to its name and really is one of the best beaches on Oahu’s North Shore to watch the sunset.
There is a parking lot with showers and restrooms just across the street overlooking the beach. Street parking is also available.
If you’re hungry, the cute Sunrise Shack is located nearby where you can get a fresh açaí bowl or their signature papaya bowl. It’s one of the Best Places to Eat in Oahu!
2. Ehukai Beach
The North Shore of Oahu has been coined the ‘Seven Mile Miracle’ due to the dozens of world-class surf breaks that can be found along this seven-mile stretch of sand.
Ehukai Beach is one of the best beaches on Oahu’s North Shore to watch the surfers in action.
One of the most famous surf breaks in the world, Banzai Pipeline, can be found here.
Banzai Pipeline is known for its perfect barrel wave. It is also one of the deadliest waves and should only be attempted by experienced surfers.
The Billabong Pipe Masters and Volcom Pipe Pro are held annually at Ehukai Beach. They are some of the best competitions to watch as the Banzai breaks so close to shore.
You can also spot the surf company houses on the beach where the pro surfers stay during competitions.
The most well-known is perhaps the Volcom Pipe House, a large 1970s three-story home located on the beach directly in front of the Banzai Pipeline.
The Volcom house in in good company with the Quicksilver A Team house as their neighbors to the right and the Vans house on their left.
The Billabong House is also located nearby at 59-385 Ke Nui Rd, Haleiwa with great views of Banzai and Backdoor as well.
If you’re looking for a bite to eat, the Crispy Grindz Brazilian food truck or the North Shore Tacos food truck are within walking distance.
And if you want a bird’s eye view of Ehukai Beach, I would recommend the Ehukai Pillbox hike. The 2.3-mile trail starts in the parking lot of the Ehukai Elementary School and leads up to two different military “pillbox” bunkers overlooking Ehukai Beach.
See our guide 8 of the Best Hikes on Oahu for more details.
3. Sharks Cove
Three Tables and Sharks Cove are adjacent to each other and are arguably the best beaches on Oahu North Shore for snorkeling. Scuba Dive Magazine even rated Sharks Cove as one of the ‘Top 12 Shore Dives in the World’.
Sharks Cove is surrounded by a natural rock barrier creating a perfect pool of calm water filled with vibrant fish. You can find a variety of marine life such as parrotfish, sea turtles, eels, surgeonfish, butterflyfish, and many more.
The bottom of the pool is made of large smooth boulders with plenty of caves and crevices for marine life to hide in.
The vibrant blue water is crystal clear and ranges from about 8 to 15 feet deep in the center. The beach is quite rocky and not very sandy, so be sure to wear proper footwear.
Younger kids will especially like the Pupukea tide pools that can be found on the south side of Sharks Cove.
The best time to visit is between May and September when the water is calm. The waves can get quite rough in the winter months making it too dangerous to snorkel.
There is a small parking lot that fills up quickly so plan to arrive early. Amenities include a public restroom and showers as well.
The Pupukea Grill, Aji Limo Truck, and North Shore Shrimp Truck are located nearby if you want to grab a quick lunch.
4. Three Tables
Three Tables Beach is located less than a half-mile west of Sharks Cove so it’s easy to combine both beaches on the same day.
This beach gets its name from the three flat reefs resembling tables that can be seen just off the shore. In the summer when the tide is particularly low, you can even walk out to the tables.
This beach is part of the Pupukea Marine Life Conservation District, a protected marine sanctuary, which helps contribute to the large population of marine life.
You’ll find a nice sandy beach to lay on, but once you get in the water you’ll notice larger rocks and boulders so water shoes are recommended.
Once again, the summer is the best time to snorkel when the water is calm. A strong surge or current can be dangerous when the water is rough.
We visited in the winter so the water was too rough for snorkeling. But fortunately, the reef broke the big waves, leaving smaller waves that were so fun to body surf in.
The best snorkeling can be found near the reefs. The depth of the water reaches about 10 feet and visibility depends on how calm the water is.
You can find patches of colorful coral as well as vibrant marine life.
It’s easy to spot schools of fish such as parrotfish, surgeonfish, unicornfish, grouper, wrasse, sea cucumbers, sea turtles, and even the occasional squid if you’re lucky.
A small parking lot is located at the beach and street parking is available if it is full.
5. Waimea Bay Beach Park
Waimea Bay Beach Park is a beautiful and well-maintained beach with restrooms, showers, and a grassy area with picnic tables.
The main draw to this beach is a massive rock situated on the shore that is perfect for cliff jumping.
There are ledges at varying heights that make it fun for kids and adults.
Just keep in mind that the rock is often closed in the winter when the water is too rough.
During the summer months, the clear calm water is perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and boogie boarding with kids.
*Related post: If you’re looking for more things to do for families, check out our guide for the Best Things to do in Oahu with Kids!
In the winter, the monstrous waves can reach up to 30 feet making this a world-famous surf beach.
It’s a fun spot to watch the surfers in the winter, but don’t attempt to enter the water unless you are an experienced surfer.
“The Eddie” is arguably the most prestigious big-wave surf contest in the world and is held at Waimea Bay.
The conditions have to be just right with a full day of minimum 25-foot waves in order for the contest to be held. The conditions are rare and the contest has only been held 9 times since 1984.
The contest is named after the local big wave master, Eddie Aikau, who tragically died in 1978 while paddling to get help after their voyaging canoe capsized.
Another cool feature of this beach is the Waimea Bay River Break. When the conditions are right, the locals dig a path from the Waimea River to enter the bay, creating a standing wave. It’s like a natural FlowRider!
Just use caution as the surge can create a strong undercurrent.
The parking lot fills quickly so plan to arrive early. If the lot is full you can also pay to park at Waimea Valley 0.6 miles away and walk to the beach from there.
6. Laniakea Beach
Laniakea Beach is located 2 miles south of Waimea Bay.
It is nicknamed “Turtle Beach” and is one of the best beaches on Oahu North Shore to watch these gentle giants playing in the water and sunbathing on the shore.
It’s one of the Best things to do on Oahu’s North Shore.
The boulder-laden beach is beautiful with powder-fine sand and swaying palm trees, but it’s the resident sea turtles that make this beach special.
For decades, the Green Sea Turtles have been frequenting these shores more than any other beach in Oahu.
The Green Sea Turtle is endangered and it is illegal to get closer than 10 feet. There are roped-off viewing areas and volunteers keeping an eye on visitors to ensure that they are not getting too close.
The turtles are tagged, named, and monitored. They have their favorite spots to sunbathe and signs are posted with information about each particular turtle.
It is possible to snorkel with the sea turtles, as long as you maintain a distance of 10 feet. The water can get quite rough in the winter so it is recommended to only swim in the summer months when the water is calm.
The beach is small and unmarked so it’s easy to pass by. Just put Laniakea Beach in your maps and keep an eye out for a small parking lot on the other side of the street.
Parking is free, but the small lot fills up quickly so plan to arrive early.
There is also limited parking along the highway. You’ll need to cross the busy road from the parking lot to access the beach, so use caution.
7. Haleiwa Beach Park
Haleiwa Beach Park is located in the cute town of Haleiwa, an old sugar plantation village.
The beach is family-friendly with calm waves making it a great spot for kids to boogie board or learn to surf.
You can rent a surfboard in town or even take a lesson. The North Shore Surf Girls is a female-owned and operated company that offers surf lessons at Haleiwa Beach Park.
The beach is in close proximity to town where you can grab a poke bowl from the Haleiwa Beach House or an Acai Bowl from Banzai Bowl and have a picnic down by the water.
There are also picnic tables at the adjacent park.
Take some time to walk around historic Old Town Haleiwa where you can browse through surf shops, pick up some souvenirs, and get some shave ice at the famed Matsumoto’s.
The Anahulu River empties into Wailua Bay near the southern end of Haleiwa Beach Park. Here, you can launch a paddleboard or kayak and paddle about a mile upstream.
You’ll paddle under the iconic Rainbow Bridge where you’ll see plenty of kids jumping off into the water on a warm day.
For more recommendations, see our guide The Best Things to Do in Haleiwa.
8. Malaekahana Beach
Malaekahana Beach, also known by the locals as Castles Beach, is located in the small town of La’ie.
The Malaekahana Beach Campground offers affordable tent sits and huts just steps away from the beach.
The tent sites are under $10/person and include a fire ring for a bonfire on the beach.
They also have small plantation hales and plantation suites that are reminiscent of the Kahuku sugar plantation era. These rustic but practical beachfront huts range from $58-$117 per night.
But you don’t have to spend the night in order to enjoy this beach. Malaekahana Beach is a relatively small but beautiful cove surrounded by a thick forest.
It is also the perfect beach for boogie boarding and beginning surfers.
The waves coming into the bay are not as big as other North Shore beaches that are constantly getting pounded by the winter surf.
The moderate waves, soft sand, and grassy area make for the perfect family beach where you can pack a lunch and stay all day.
Surfboard rentals and lessons are available at the campground as well as a variety of other water sports. A parking lot and public restrooms are also onsite.
If you’re looking for more hidden gems, be sure to check out our guide to 11 Secret(ish) Spots in Oahu!
*Related post: For more things to do in Oahu, check out our guide to The Ultimate Oahu Bucket List!
9. Hukilau Beach
Hukilau Beach is another family-friendly beach a little over a mile south of the Malaekahanaha campground.
The word “Hukilau” refers to an ancient Hawaiian method of fishing. ‘Huki’ means pull and ‘lau’ means leaves.
A Hukilau entails a large group of family or friends that work together to cast a net lined with ti leaves to trap the fish and then bring it back to the shore.
When a local chapel belonging to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints burned down, the congregation decided to throw a big Luau to help raise money.
There was music and dancing at the beach, and guests were invited to participate in a Hukilau where they worked together to provide fish for the night’s feast.
The Luau was such a huge success that for years it became a regular tourist attraction in La’ie at Hukilau Beach.
While the Luau is no longer held on this beach, it is still a wonderful beach to visit.
You’ll find a calm bay great for swimming or boogie boarding, a long stretch of sand backed by native vegetation, and plenty of grass for a picnic.
If you’re looking to escape the crowds, Hukilau is a quiet beach that tends to be less crowded than other North Shore beaches.
There are public restrooms, an outdoor shower, and a small parking lot. Just note that the parking lot is closed on Sundays.
If you’re looking for a bite to eat, head to the nearby Hukilau Cafe. This cafe was the inspiration for the Hukilau Cafe in the movie, 50 First Dates.
The actual exterior of the cafe was an old building at Kualoa Ranch and the interior was shot on a movie set in LA.
But it’s still worth stopping at this cozy little local cafe for brunch. Just bring cash, cards are not accepted.
10. Ka’a’awa Beach Park
While Ka’a’awa Beach is about 10 miles south of La’ie and not technically considered part of the North Shore, it is still worth a stop.
As you are making your way up to the North Shore from Honolulu, you’ll pass right by Ka’a’awa Beach Park.
This stunning beach with its rugged mountain backdrop looks as if it belongs on a remote region of the island. You would never guess that it is really just steps away from the busy Kamehameha Highway.
Ka’a’awa Beach is not ideal for swimming as there is a shallow reef just off the shore.
The beach itself is a rather small and narrow stretch of sand that is mostly used by fishermen as this is a popular spot to catch octopus.
However, due to its easy access and photogenic backdrop, it is worth stopping by to at least snap a few pictures.
There is a small parking lot with parking available along the Kamehameha Highway as well.
This is also close to one of the best hikes on Oahu, the Crouching Lion Trail.
Bonus: Kawela Bay and Turtle Bay
Kawela Bay is a secluded beach near Turtle Bay and a hidden gem among locals.
A protective reef sits out from the crescent bay and diffuses any large waves creating calm water perfect for younger kids.
Unfortunately, the water is often too murky for snorkeling and there are rocks in the water so use caution
What makes this beach particularly special is the surrounding native forest. You’ll find a backdrop of coconut and ironwood trees on the shore.
If you venture back into the forest, you’ll discover an expansive banyan tree with curtains of roots draping down from its branches.
This forest has served as a filming location for the Pirates of the Caribbean, Lost, Hunger Games: Catching Fire, and other movies and television shows.
And while you’re in the area, pop over to Turtle Bay for a surf lesson.
The waves at Turtle Bay are perfect for beginners.
Turtle Bay Resort is also a great option if you’re looking for accommodations on the North Shore.
You’ll find several pools, on-site dining, and access to the beach and bay.
Bonus: Keiki Beach
Keiki Beach is a favorite beach for college kids from the nearby BYU-Hawaii because it’s away from. the tourists.
This beach is a little more hidden off the main road and isn’t as well known.
It’s not as crowded as Sunset Beach but still boasts the same wide expanse of soft golden sand.
There is plenty of room to spread out towels or play a game of spike ball.
Keiki Beach is great for families. In the summer, the water is nice and calm making it a great swimming beach.
There are also tide pools nearby that are fun for kids to explore.
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I hope this guide has helped you discover the best beaches on Oahu’s North Shore! And if you’re looking for more things to do in Oahu, check out our guide to The Ultimate Oahu Bucket List!
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[…] Sunset Beach is adjacent to The Sunrise Shack. It is the widest beach in Oahu and stretches over two beautiful sandy miles. It is also our favorite beach on the North Shore! […]