Top 10 Free Things to Do in North Shore Oahu, HI

Only about an hour drive from the bustling Waikiki, North Shore, Oahu is a perfect mixture of beautiful beaches, an adorable rustic town, plenty of fun things to do, as well as that peace and tranquility that you won’t be able to find in Waikiki. This is why North Shore is our favorite place to stay every time we visit Oahu. We compiled a list of our top 10 favorite things not to miss if you’re visiting North Shore, Oahu. The list below is not in any particular order.

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1. Dole Plantation

The first one on our list is definitely more toward the touristy side. However, if this is your first time visiting the North Shore, Oahu, it is a fun place to visit. The Dole Plantation is on the way to North Shore. Over the years, they added a lot more things to do and see here. There is a pineapple maze and train rides that are educational and fun, especially for children. The train and maze do cost money, but you can walk around the gardens for free. Inside the store, there are tons of goodies from trinkets and stuffed toys to delicious cookies and chocolate. Our favorite things at the Dole Plantation are actually the famous pineapple dole whip, the friendly kitties, and the pineapple garden with the cutest little pineapples outside the shop.

2. Old Town Haleiwa

Haleiwa is the perfect beach town. With its laid-back vibe, Old Town Haleiwa is home to adorable shops, beautiful beaches, and yummy restaurants. It is also home to one of our favorite acai bowl places, the Waialua Bakery & Juice Bar. Besides having the best acai bowls, you also get to hang out with the cutest little gold dust day geckos. They are very colorful and friendly. If you love shave ice as we do, Old Town Haleiwa in North Shore, Oahu is also home to the famous Matsumoto Shave Ice. This place is pretty good so there’s always a long line. Even so, don’t be intimidated, the line moves pretty fast. If you love food trucks, there is a parking lot full of different food trucks, near the edge of town. This is where you can find the famous shrimp truck, Giovanni’s as well as other yummy food trucks.

3. Paddling Along the Anahulu River

The Anahulu River is the perfect place to kayak or paddleboarding, especially for beginners. It is perfect to do year-round. Even though the waves can get very big in North Shore in the winter, the water in the Anahulu River remains calm. The last time we paddle there, we also saw a bunch of green sea turtles. Here, you can either rent or bring your own paddle crafts. If you need to rent, there are rental places located right along the river, making it super convenient to rent. The rental price is quite reasonable as well.

4. Snorkeling at Shark’s Cove

Shark’s Cove is one of the most popular spots for snorkeling in Hawaii, and for good reasons. This place has crystal-clear water and tons of colorful fish, coral reefs, and even sea turtles. Since the waves in the winter here can be very powerful, it is best to snorkel here only in the summer. However, if you’re visiting in the winter and still want to snorkel, the tide pool area, just south of Shark’s Cove, is the perfect place to do so. This tide pool is a lagoon due to its protective reef barrier, which makes it more protected against the massive winter waves. It is a perfect place to snorkel in the winter and for beginners to test out their skills. Make sure to wear your water shoes though, since Shark’s Cove is full of sharp volcanic rocks.

5. See the Hawaiian Sea Turtles at Laniakea Beach

If you want to see the Hawaiian sea turtles, the safest bet is to visit Laniakea Beach. It is a small strip of beach, located along the Kamehameha Highway. There is limited parking alongside the highway. Please make sure to be careful when crossing over the road. Every time we stopped here, we always saw the majestic Hawaiian sea turtles, basking on the sand. These turtles are protected so please give them plenty of space and DO NOT harass them.

6. Spending Time at Waimea Bay Beach Park

Waimea Bay Beach Park is just downright beautiful. In the winter, this place is known for having some of the biggest waves in the world. If the waves are over 30ft tall, the Eddie Aikau Surf Competition will be held here. Even without the competition, Waimea Bay Beach Park is the perfect place to relax and watch the sunset.

In the summer, the water at Waimea Bay Beach Park becomes very calm. It is perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and bodyboarding. If you love cliff jumping, there is a large 30 feet volcanic outcrop that sits right at the shoreline that is ideal for jumping. There are usually many people lining up to jump down the deep, crystal-clear water. We visited in the winter so the conditions weren’t ideal for jumping but Dustin can’t wait to come back soon.

7. Watching the Surfers at Banzai Pipeline

Talking about surfing, the Banzai Pipeline is the perfect place to watch surfers expertly navigating the giant waves. It was quite intriguing to see how the pros handled the barreling waves, some are 30ft tall.

8. Hike the Rugged Coastline to Kaena Point

Rugged coastlines, interesting tidepools, majestic albatrosses gliding in the wind, and the endangered monk seal…These are some of the compelling reasons why you need to hike to Keana Point. It is an easy 5 miles round trip that takes you to the bird sanctuary, home to the Laysan Albatrosses. The trailhead is located at the end of Farrington Highway, at the further west corner of North Shore.

9. Swing Hunting

There are swings hidden along the coastline of North Shore. One of our favorite things to do is to go find them. It’s like a treasure hunt. We won’t give you the exact locations since it’ll take the fun out of it. If you do go swing hunting, please make sure to obey all signs and DO NOT trespass

10. Finding Hidden Beaches

North Shore is full of beautiful beaches besides the more popular Sunset Beach or Waimea Bay. We found many of our favorite beaches here just by exploring the area. Many of these beaches that we found had little to no traffic. Most of the time, we were the only ones there, our little slice of paradise. Unless you know for sure, it is not safe to swim in the water, especially in the winter. There might be riptide or giant waves. Also, please practice LEAVE NO TRACE and DO NOT trespass. If you see a sign that says “Kapu” on it, that means that the beach is for locals only so please be respectful.

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