Best Beaches on the North Shore of Oahu

The beaches on the North Shore of Oahu change with the seasons, with some better for swimming and others known for surfing. This guide covers the best North Shore beaches and helps you choose where to swim, snorkel, surf, or visit with kids.

The beaches on the North Shore of Oahu are known for dramatic seasonal changes, which is what makes each one feel so different.

In winter, powerful swells draw surfers from around the world. Outside of the surf season, many beaches are calm and inviting, making them great for swimming, snorkeling, and easygoing beach days.

Conditions vary from beach to beach, even on the same day, which is why choosing the right one matters.

Map of the North Shore beaches

This map shows where each of the North Shore beaches in this guide is located, from Kaʻena Point on the west side to Sunset Beach and Turtle Bay farther east. Use it to get a sense of distance and see how the beaches are spread out along the coast.

For many visitors coming from Waikiki, the beaches in Haleiwa are a common first stop on the North Shore.

Best time to visit

The beaches on the North Shore change a lot between summer and winter, and those conditions affect what each beach is best for.

Knowing the seasonal differences helps you choose the right beaches for swimming, surfing, or simply spending time by the ocean.

Summer (May to September)

Summer brings calmer ocean conditions to the North Shore, making this the best time for swimming, snorkeling, and hanging out at the beach.

The water is warmer, the weather is mostly sunny, and many beaches that are rough in winter become inviting during these months. This is the most popular season for families and casual ocean time.

While summer is busy, crowds are usually more spread out than in winter, especially on weekdays.

Winter (October to April)

Winter is our surf season, and the North Shore comes alive with a different energy. Surfers and visitors from around the world come to ride the waves and watch surf competitions, making this the most exciting time of year to be here.

It's a great time to watch surfers, take surf lessons, go whale watching, and still swim or snorkel at a few select beaches that stay calmer in winter.

This is also our wetter season, so you can expect more rain, occasional passing showers, and breezy trade winds that can make it feel a bit cooler on the beach.

6 Best beaches on the North Shore of Oahu

Below are the North Shore beaches we recommend and what each one is best for.

1. Banzai Pipeline

⭐️ Best for: winter surf watching, summer swimming, long sandy beach walks

Banzai Pipeline (Ehukai Beach Park) is best known for its powerful, hollow waves that form perfect barrels in winter, making it one of the best places on the North Shore to watch the surf up close.

In winter, the currents are strong, so this isn't a good place to swim. If you want to see it before you visit, you can check our live Pipeline webcam.

In the summer months, the water is calm for swimming and snorkeling, and the beach feels open and relaxed, with plenty of space to walk along the shoreline.

🚿 Amenities: Restrooms, outdoor showers, picnic tables, grassy park areas, and lifeguards on duty. Free parking is available at the beach park and nearby street spots

2. Waimea Bay

⭐️ Best for: summer swimming, winter wave watching, wide sandy beach

Waimea Bay is one of the North Shore beaches that feels completely different in summer and winter.

In winter, it's known as a big-wave spot, with swells that can reach over 40 feet. Even if you're not a surfer, it's incredible to watch the waves roll into the bay.

You can still enjoy spending time on the sand and at the beach park in winter, but it's not a good time for swimming. The shorebreak can be strong, even on days when the waves don't look that big.

In summer, the bay transforms into one of the best beaches for swimming and snorkeling.

The water is usually calm and clear, and the wide, sheltered beach makes it a favorite for families and easygoing beach days.

Summer is also when people jump from the large rock along the shore, when conditions are calm.

🚿 Amenities: Lifeguards on duty, restrooms and outdoor showers, picnic tables, paved paths, and free parking (which fills up early).

3. Sunset Beach

⭐️ Best for: summer swimming, winter surf watching, wide sandy beach

Sunset Beach sits right along the road, making it one of the easiest beaches on the North Shore to pull over, access, and enjoy.

There's plenty of space to spread out in both summer and winter, which makes it a great place for relaxing on the sand and watching the ocean.

In summer, conditions are usually calm enough for swimming, and it's a popular spot for families and kids.

In winter, strong swells and currents make swimming less ideal, but Sunset Beach becomes one of the best places to watch surfers and surf competitions. It's also one of the most famous surf spots in Hawaii.

🚿 Amenities: Dedicated parking stalls and restrooms are located across the street, and lifeguards are on duty.

4. Laniakea Beach (Turtle Beach)

⭐️ Best for: turtle viewing year-round, winter surf watching

Laniakea Beach, often called Turtle Beach, is a well-known roadside stop on the North Shore where many visitors come hoping to see Hawaiian green sea turtles.

Turtles can be seen all along the North Shore, but this beach became popular after so many visitors shared seeing them here. The north end of the beach is where they're most often spotted resting on the sand between the rocks.

By law, visitors are required to keep at least 10 feet (3 meters) away from the turtles on land and in the water and should never touch them.

The beach itself is narrow and rocky, and it changes a lot with each swell. There's an easier entry to the water on the west side, but currents can be strong, so swimming isn't ideal here.

Laniakea is the first beach you'll pass after Haleiwa Town, sitting right along the coastal road. Parking is available across the street and along the road, but it can be limited, and traffic often slows down in this area.

🚩 Amenities: There are no public restrooms or showers here, but lifeguards are on duty during the day.

5. Shark's Cove & Three Tables

⭐️ Best for: summer snorkeling and tide pools

Shark's Cove and Three Tables sit right next to each other and are best known for snorkeling, scuba diving, and exploring tide pools in the calmer summer months.

Three Tables has a small sandy area where people lay out between swims.

Shark's Cove is more rugged, with rocky tide pools and caves to explore.

Snorkeling and diving are best in summer, when the ocean is usually calm and visibility is good. This is the time to swim through caves, see tropical fish, and sometimes spot turtles.

In winter, conditions change. Strong swells make water entry unsafe most days at both beaches, but Shark's Cove is a dramatic place to watch waves crash against the rocks when the surf is up.

🚿 Amenities: Parking, restrooms, and outdoor showers are available near both Shark's Cove and Three Tables. Food options are located across the street.

6. Haleiwa Beach Park

⭐️ Best for: swimming, families, water activities, sunset views

Haleiwa Beach Park is one of the most approachable beaches on the North Shore, with calm water and easy access right near town. It's a great choice for swimming, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding year-round.

The beach has a relaxed, local feel and is especially popular with families and anyone looking for an easy beach day without dealing with strong surf or changing conditions.

It also has some of the best sunset views on the North Shore, with plenty of open space to sit and enjoy the evening.

🚿 Amenities: Free parking, restrooms, outdoor showers, picnic tables, and grassy areas are available throughout the park. It sits right next to Haleiwa Town and is close to other nearby beaches like Ali'i Beach, Pu'aena Point, and Kaiaka Bay.

Best beaches for swimming & snorkeling

Calmer months (typically summer)

These beaches are usually best for swimming and snorkeling when the ocean is calmer:

• Waimea Bay
• Three Tables and Shark's Cove
• Haleiwa Beach Park
• Ali'i Beach Park
• Kawela Bay
• Kuilima Cove (east side of Turtle Bay Resort)

Surf season (winter, calm days only)

Swimming and snorkeling are more limited in winter, but these beaches can still be calm on days between swells:

• Haleiwa Beach Park
• Three Tables (between swells)
• Kawela Bay
• Kuilima Cove
• Waimea Bay (between swells)

Kid-friendly beaches

Here are kid-friendly beaches on the North Shore with calmer water and easier access, depending on the season:

• Waimea Bay (summer)
• Three Tables (summer and occasionally in winter)
• Haleiwa Beach Park (summer and winter)
• Kuilima Cove (summer and winter)
• Kawela Bay (summer and winter)

Beginner-friendly surf spots

Here are a few easy places to start surfing on Oahu's North Shore that are also popular for longboarding:

• Pua'ena Point: This is one of the easiest places to learn to surf on the North Shore. The inside reef has mellow waves, and you'll usually see surf schools teaching here.
• Chun's Reef: When the waves are small, Chun's can be a great option for beginners and longboarders. Lessons are often held here when conditions are right.
• Haleiwa Ali'i Beach: This beach works well on smaller days, and it's common to see kids and first-timers learning to surf here.

Best beaches to watch surfers

Watching the surf during our winter season is one of the highlights of visiting the North Shore.

These are some of the best beaches to stop and watch the surfers. I've included a map below so you can see their location and easily pull them up in Google Maps.

• Haleiwa Ali'i Beach
• Waimea Bay
• Off the Wall
• Pipeline
• Rocky Point
• Sunset Beach