North Shore & Central O‘ahu attractions

It may be a beauty, but it’s certainly a moody one. Waimea Bay changes dramatically with the seasons: it can be tranquil and flat as a lake in summer, then savage in winter, with the island’s meanest rip currents. T…

Like many beaches on the North Shore, Sunset Beach has a split personality. In winter big swells arrive, along with pro wave riders and the posse of followers these rock stars of the sea attract. The second leg of t…

The break off the park is known as Banzai Pipeline, Pipeline, or just Pipe; probably the most famous surf site in the islands. For expert board riders who know what they’re doing (no, a day of lessons at Waikiki Bea…

A must for coffee nuts, these guys roast all their coffee on-site with homegrown beans and beans bought from throughout the Hawaiian Islands. There is free sampling, free wi-fi and a great vibe in this roadside coff…

With deep-blue waters, a varied coastline and a mix of lava and white sand, Pupukea, meaning ‘White Shell,’ is a very scenic stretch. The long beach encompasses three areas: Sharks Cove to the north, Old Quarry in t…

West of the Turtle Bay Resort, a 1.5-mile shoreline trail runs over to Kawela Bay. In winter you might spy whales cavorting offshore. After walking round Protection Point, named for its WWII bunker, you'll find Kawe…

Between the highway's 3- and 4-mile markers, this narrow spit of sand is visited by basking honu (green sea turtles), who migrate here from French Frigate Shoals in the remote Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. Stay bac…

A cinematic coastal panorama and a stroll around the grounds of Oʻahu's largest ancient temple reward those who venture up to this national historic landmark, perched on a bluff above Waimea Bay. It's a dramatically…

Expect a sticky-sweet overdose of everything ananas (pineapples) when you walk into Dole Plantation’s visitor center gift shop. After you’ve watched fruit-cutting demonstrations and bought your fill of pineapple pot…

Craving land instead of sea? This 1800-acre Hawaiian cultural and nature park, just inland from Waimea Bay, is a sanctuary of tropical tranquility. Among the junglelike foliage you’ll find up to 5000 native and exot…