Welcome to North Shore
If that perfect wave exists, you’ll find it on the North Shore
The North Shore is breathtaking. It's the place to be, when the large waves and a big wave of sightseers both roll in with almost equal vigor. Seeing the winter surf and the adventurous folks who ride it remains a powerful appeal, whether at well-known spots like Sunset Beach and Banzai Pipeline or lesser-known spots like Backyards and Velzyland.
Not long ago, the North Shore was still the archetypal Hawaiian country town: laid-back and largely unknown outside of a select group of locals, surfers, and want tobes. The North Shore, on the other hand, has not lost its allure in recent years. More than half of Hawaii's 7 million visitors, according to the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau, visit the North Shore at least once during their stay.
The North Shore is an excellent area in which to live because of its incredible shopping and dining, recreational activities on land and in the ocean, near-perfect weather, and rich cultural diversity. Honolulu is one of America's most livable, walkable, and safe cities, but residents can also choose to live in one of Oahu's smaller beachside villages or in the country with easy access to a major urban hub. The natural beauty of Oahu attracts travelers from all around the world. Oahu is a popular tourism destination as well as a great place to buy a property, with lush green mountain ranges, world-renowned beaches, and some of the best surfing in the world.
What to Love
- Hosts the best male and female surfing competitions
- A favorite destination for shoppers
- Friendly people and a pleasant environment
- Beautiful beaches
Local Lifestyle
Known for its famous beaches and surfing, the North Shore still retains a slower way of living. Sprawling mansions, condos, gated townhomes, agricultural property, and enormous cliffside residences overlooking some of the world's largest surf breaks at Pipeline and Sunset Beach are all available. If you want to live near the gorgeous Turtle Bay Resort, there are a variety of Oahu condominiums and townhomes to choose from. On the Leeward coast, the off-the-beaten-path hamlet of Ko olina, home to luxury resorts and resort facilities, offers additional resort living.
Dining, Entertainment & Shopping
Stop by the Dole Pineapple Factory, a historic plantation that had humble beginnings as a fruit stand in 1950. Since then, it has developed into an incredible tourist destination as “Hawaii’s Complete Pineapple Experience”! Take garden tours, explore the pineapple garden maze, or ride the pineapple express train tour. This event is sure to be fun for the whole family.
You can also enjoy a day in Historic Haleiwa, a picturesque surf town where you’ll find plenty of great restaurants, art galleries, surf shops, and souvenir shops. Soak up the sun at the famous Waimea Beach, known for its stunning 30-foot waves during the winter months. During the summer, visitors and locals alike enjoy snorkeling, diving, and swimming in the pristine waters.
Over in Kahuku, grab a bite to eat at Ry’s Poke Shack, a local favorite that serves up delicious seafood and poke by the beach! You’ll also love dining at Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck, family-owned and operated since 1993. The iconic white truck is known for its delicious shrimp scampi, lemon butter shrimp, and, of course, the famous “no refunds” hot and spicy shrimp.
Things to Do
Many North Shore beaches offer great snorkeling and scuba diving when the surf is calm. Plus skydiving for the more active. Sea turtles, colorful reef fish, eels, and other sea creatures can all be found here. You can also rent kayaks and stand-up paddleboards along the coast.
The North Shore's lack of commercialization makes it a great spot to hike, with routes that lead far from civilization. Visit Waimea Valley, which has over 61 hectares of floral gardens, 78 archaeological sites, and various cultural activities, for an easy nature stroll. A 2.4-kilometer round-trip walk takes you through the bush to a waterfall that drops roughly 14 meters into a swimming pool.
Head to Ka’ena Point, Oahu's westernmost point, for a more adventurous experience. The only way to get to the point is on foot. Hikers will be rewarded with stunning views of the island's volcanic shoreline, the Pacific Ocean, and wildlife, including albatross, monk seals, and humpback whales, on this moderately challenging trek.
Schools
On the North Shore, there are eight elementary schools. The Intermediate and High School levels are combined, with three available.
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Hau’ula Elementary
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Ka’a’awa Elementary
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Kahuku Elementary
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Laie Elementary
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Sunset Beach Elementary
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Haleiwa Elementary
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Waialua Elementary
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Kahuku High & Intermediate School
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Waialua High & Intermediate School.
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Asia Pacific International School
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St Michael School
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