Ultimate Guide to North Shore Oahu: Best Eats, Attractions, and Day Trip Tips
The North Shore of Oahu is renowned for its world-class surf beaches, such as Pipeline and Waimea Bay, which attract professional surfers and host major competitions during the winter months. It’s also known for its laid-back vibe, scenic coastline, and popular attractions like the historic town of Hale’iwa and the beautiful Waimea Valley. Some of our favorite things on Oahu are up or en route to the North Shore: Dole plantation, garlic shrimp trucks and the Polynesian cultural center. You’ll want to be sure to pack a swimsuit, towels and snorkel gear. There are an ample amount of picturesque beaches and awesome spots to snorkel and see some of the local tropical fish.
Fuel Up at Leonard’s Bakery: The Best Malasadas in Oahu
Malasadas from Leonard's Bakery
First we needed to fuel up with some breakfast and malasadas from Leonard’s bakery! The original location usually has a long wait so we usually try to go to one of the many food trucks around the island to beat the lines. Granted the original location has a few extra options including Portuguese sausage wrapped in sweet bread (menu), but the main stars are the malasadas.
We go with coconut cream filled, but if you’re planning to have them in the car all day the original cinnamon sugar holds up well for a late afternoon sweet treat. These things are so fluffy and I have dreams about these donuts. Even though they are light and airy they can be very filling (I think we got the six count for the box).
Standard malasada go for $1.85/ea. and the filled “malasada puffs” are $2.25/ea. This will be one of the cheapest breakfasts that you can find on the island.
Explore the Iconic Dole Plantation
Our favorite stop on the way to the north shore has to be the Dole Plantation, founded by James Dole in 1901 and played a crucial role in making Hawaii a global center for pineapple production. I cannot stress enough how important it is to get here right when they open (Everyday 9:30 am). This is a big stop for tour buses and the parking lot gets like Costco on the weekend.
They have several activities to do on property, a corn maze, garden and the Pineapple Express which takes you on a tour of the plantation. London has been talking about this train for 2 straight years because the last time we went the line was too long, but it was well worth it! You can do all 3 activities but personally I think the train is the only must do here, unless you want to spend a significant time here and cut into your time at some of the cool places on the North Shore.
Tickets for the train are $23 but you can get a package of all 3 for $37.00 (link). They give you the history of the plantation and they show you all the interesting things they grow there. Following your train ride make sure you get yourself a fresh Dole Whip and some pineapple candy from the gift shop!
Discover the Charm of Hale’iwa Town
"Hawaiian" from Matsumoto Shave Ice
The road forks and you can keep going west to some absolutely picturesque beaches, worth the trek if you have time but bring snacks, it’s a little more remote than the other path. The other route continues north to a quaint little surf town called Hale’iwa, right off the main road. We didn’t have time this trip to stop by, but there are a ton of cute little shops and a famous shave ice place called Matsumoto’s featured on several lists and shows. They’ve been open since 1951 and the have a ton of flavors and add ons like ice cream, mochi, azuki beans, etc (menu). Some of the best shaved ice you’ll find on Oahu.
If you’re in the mood for more food or perhaps a nice cocktail there’s a restaurant right near Hale’iwa Beach Park called Hale’iwa Beach House. Last time we were hear we grabbed a quick appetizer and some very stout Mai Tais. If you sit outside on their patio you get a gorgeous view of the pristine beach.
However, the star for us is an unassuming huli huli chicken spot, called Rays Kiawe Broiled Chicken. The meat is incredible, so tender and flavorful. They are only open Saturday and Sunday from 10am – 4pm, but if you have the chance I would definetly stop by. Especially, in Hawaii never turn down smoked meats in a parking lot.
Savor the Flavors of North Shore’s Garlic Shrimp
After the pineapple palette cleanser we had to stop for some famous North Shore garlic shrimp! We usually go with Giovanni’s because it’s the most popular (several locations as well) and it’s right in Hale’iwa. There are plenty of great shrimp trucks up here and to be honest they all taste pretty similar. If you aren’t hungry just yet you can hold off and wait until you’re closer to the Polynesian Cultural Center as there is a location up there. The other location also has a good shave ice place you can enjoy while you wait.
Shrimp Scampi with Rice
London's first visit to Giovanni's in '22
Important note: there are two Giovanni’s locations, one of which has paid parking (maybe $2, but still) and the other one has an awesome garlic hot dog! Regardless the shrimp is incredible and paired with some awesome rice, it’s a perfect meal or split it as a snack depending on how much you want to indulge.
Snorkeling at Shark’s Cove: A Local Favorite
As you head north from Hale’iwa there are a few spots to snorkel if that is you type of thing. First is Waimea Bay Beach, which leads into the Waimea Valley if you’re so inclined to take a tour in the Botanical Gardens. A little furthrer up the road is one of our favorite snorkeling spots on the island, Shark’s Cove. Parking is a little crazy and very limited with spots right along the road and very tight. If you can find a parking spot (earlier you arrive the better your odds),there’s also a few food trucks right across the road including a very good shrimp truck, North Shore Shrimp Truck, and an acai bowl place, The Sunrise Shack, that I will talk about more in my Waikiki post.
Important thing to note, getting down to the water is a little tricky, sharp rocks, steep slopes and pretty narrow. If you can make your way down make sure you go all the way to the left where there is kind of a wading pool, we made the mistake of going to the wrong side to snorkel initially. While the is a lot of cool coral and sea life to the right, the waves can get kind of rough and you can really cut up your skin crashing into things. The adventure is well worth the effort you will see a ton of local Hawaiian fish including: yellow tang, , butterfly fish, moorish idol, parrotfish, and the Hawaiian state fish humuhumunukunukuapua’a (reef triggerfish).
Be careful heading down to the beach and where you plan to snorkel
The forefront of this photo is the deeper rough part Shark's Cove, further back is much calmer and shallower
I’d also suggest bringing water shoes, even the rocks are sharp getting into the water (like this), and a collapsable life vest (llke this), if you want to stop at a few places so you can focus on the fish and not treading water.
Please make sure to be respectful of the wildlife and not touch the sea life and always make sure to leave things the way you found them.
Ted’s Bakery: A Sweet Stop for Haupia Pie
Continue up the beautiful scenic coast and make sure to stop at Ted’s Bakery. This place has been on Hawaii’s Best every year since 2016! It’s well worth the hype, we didn’t get breakfast this time, but everything that we got for breakfast was incredible! They open at 8:00 am and like anywhere the later you wait the bigger the crowd gets (probably only pertinent if you’re actually staying on the North Shore so prepare for a line). Easy trick for pretty much all of Hawaii is wake up early and explore, but also important to time things out as most things don’t tend to open until 10am. I’m a sucker for Spam and got that with fried rice, but the biggest surprise is the Portuguese sausage!.
Chocolate Haupia Pie from Ted's Bakery
The breakfast is great but they are a bakery so make sure to try their cinnamon rolls, turnovers and cakes. The real staple here is the Chocolate Haupia Pie (coconut to us mainlanders). Try it once and you’ll never forget it, fresh coconut cream, and chocolate its to die for. There’s various places on the island that sell it, but get it fresh from the source!
Relaxing at Turtle Bay Resort
Further north you reach the most northern part of Oahu at the Turtle Bay Resort. Turtle bay holds a special place in our hearts, it was the first hotel we stayed in Hawaii. It’s been a filming location to several films most notably Forgetting Sarah Marshall (we maybe watch the movie 3 times before we went the first time). Sadly, the hotel has been remodeled a few times since the filming so you might not recognize spots from your favorite scenes. They underwent a major remodel since we went and we were astonished. When we pulled up the valet was full of McLarens, Ferraris and other luxury cars. I promptly dropped the girls off and went to park in the free public lot (quite a trek I might add). This place is gorgeous, sadly I fear it might be out of our price range now especially after being recently acquired by the Ritz Carlton for $725M. Regardless it’s a nice place to grab a drink or a snack and look out on the waves and watch surf lessons.
Polynesian Cultural Center: A Day Cut Short
We finally reached our climax of the day, the Polynesian Cultural Center …and it was closed (haha). Poor planning on our part and I think it even happened to us last time. They’re closed Sunday and Wednesday, but we won’t make the same mistake next time.
We have been before, but we were excited to take London, it’s a great place for kids and interactive learning. It’s a little on the pricier side, however it helps to scholarship for kids to go to BYU-Hawaii located on the island and helps to keep the culture of these Polynesian islands alive and well.
There are 6 different islands represented from across Polynesia. Each country shows ceremonies, music and activities that are celebrated on each island. They have an option for just a pass to the park or there’s a package where you can also attend a luau after your day at the park (haven’t been to this so can’t vouch for it). Stop in the village outside the park and there are several highly rated poke and sweets shops I’ve found from other reputable places. We usually leave our souvenir shopping for the local Walmart because you can get a lot of the same stuff for about half the price. Check packages here.
Note: Hours are 12pm - 5:30pm with the last shows starting at 5pm. Make sure you plan your travel/stops accordingly.
From here you can head back the way you came or check out some cool things along the Eastern coast. We recommend trying the East coast at least once. Be on the lookout for our blog post about some of the fun things to do on the Eastern side of the Island.
Final Thoughts
While we didn’t get to enjoy the Polynesian Cultural Center this time, our adventure on Oahu’s North Shore was nothing short of amazing, filled with stunning beaches, delicious food, and unforgettable experiences. From savoring malasadas at Leonard’s Bakery and the iconic Dole Plantation to exploring the serene beauty of Waimea Valley and the charm of Hale’iwa, the North Shore truly offers something for every traveler.
Whether you're indulging in garlic shrimp at Giovanni's, snorkeling at Shark's Cove, or simply soaking in the laid-back Hawaiian vibes, each stop leaves a lasting impression. The North Shore is a must-visit for those wanting a mix of relaxation, adventure, and a true taste of Hawaii. So pack your swimsuit, grab some local snacks, and get ready to explore one of the most beautiful corners of Oahu.
Let us know if you have tried any of these spots or heard any other suggestions!
