To use Navigation Bar, Turn on Images! Home Page Calendar of Events Accommodations Cyberguide Activities Cyberguide Restaurants Cyberguide Things To See and Do Special Places
Alternative-Hawaii

ISLAND OF OAHU

NORTH SHORE DRIVE GUIDE

The Area Identified with One Word-Surfing
Old Towns, Surfing Beaches, Hawaiian Shrines

Printer Friendly Version

Created by: Alternative-Hawaii.com
  • Approx. 107 miles round-trip from Start of Drive (Waikiki at Kalakaua & Kapahulu Avenues).
  • Allow 3.25 hours round-trip driving time excluding time spent at each "stop".
  • For safety, please observe Cautionary Notes.
  • Set Odometer to Zero between "stops" below.
  • Do not leave valuables in vehicle or unattended.
(Click on PHOTOGRAPH to view Stop on Tour.)

STOP 1: KUILIMA COVE PHOTOGRAPH
START: WAIKIKI AT INTERSECTION OF KALAKAUA & KAPAHULU AVENUES  
DIST/TIME: Approx. 44.5 Miles / 70 Mins.  
WATCH FOR: Sign-Turtle Bay Resort (Right Side)  
 ROUTE:
  • From intersection, take Kapahulu Ave. to H-1W
  • Take H-1W & go 2.8 mi. to Exit 21B (61N:Pali)
  • Take Exit 21B onto Hwy 61 & go 7.9 mi.to Hwy 83 (Kamehameha Hwy)
  • Turn Left onto Hwy 83W & go 2.4 mi. to Hwy 63
  • Turn Left onto Hwy 63 & go short way to continuation of Hwy 83W (now called Kahekili Hwy-right side)
  • Turn Right onto Hwy 83W & continue 28.8 mi. to entrance road for Turtle Bay Resort
  • Turn Right onto entrance road & go to public parking lot (on right-just before security gate)
A sandy inlet at the Turtle Bay Resort. One of the nicest swimming and snorkeling areas on the north shore.

Note: Food concession, showers, restrooms. The cove is located on right when walking toward hotel.

Caution: No lifeguards-swim at your own risk. Inlet has sharp coral bottom, dangerous current beyond buoys.




STOP 2: SUNSET BEACH PHOTOGRAPH
LEAVE: KUILIMA COVE PKG. LOT  
DIST/TIME: Approx. 4.2 Miles / 7 Mins.  
WATCH FOR: Roadside Parking (Right Side)  
 ROUTE:
  • Turn Right onto Hwy 83W & go 3.7 mi. to pkg. lot
Famous board surfing beach-site of professional surfing contests. Spectacular winter surf reaches heights of 20 feet.

Note: Lifeguards all year, picnic, restrooms.

Caution: Swim at your own risk-very dangerous in winter.




STOP 3: EHUKAI BEACH PHOTOGRAPH
LEAVE: SUNSET BEACH PKG. LOT  
DIST/TIME: Approx. 0.8 Mile/5 Mins.  
WATCH FOR: Wooden Statue of Maui (Left Side)  
 ROUTE:
  • Continue on Hwy 83W & go short way (0.5 mi.) to turn-off for Ke Nui Rd. (right side-opposite statue of Maui the demigod)
  • Turn Right onto turn-off for Ke Nui Rd.
  • Turn Left onto Ke Nui Rd. & go to pkg. lot
Best view of the famous "Banzai Pipeline"-surfers disappear inside the wave and emerge seconds later.

Note: Lifeguards all year, picnic, showers, restrooms.

Caution: Swim at your own risk-very dangerous in winter.




STOP 4: PUPUKEA BEACH PARK PHOTOGRAPH
LEAVE: EHUKAI BEACH PKG. LOT  
DIST/TIME: Approx. 1.1 Miles / 5 Mins.  
WATCH FOR: Paved Pkg. Lot (Right Side)  
 ROUTE:
  • Continue on Ke Nui Rd. & go short way (0.1 mi.) to next exit for Hwy 83W
  • Turn Right onto Hwy 83W & go 1 mi. to pkg. lot
Beautiful cove and tidal pools in a marine reserve.

Note: Pavilion, showers, restrooms.

Caution: No lifeguards-swim, scuba, snorkel at your own risk in summer only on calm days. Extremely dangerous in winter. Taking of marine life prohibited.




STOP 5: PUU O MAHUKA HEIAU PHOTOGRAPH
LEAVE: PUPUKEA BEACH PKG. LOT  
DIST/TIME: Approx. 1.4 Miles / 7 Mins.  
WATCH FOR: Foodland (Left Side)  
 ROUTE:
  • Continue on Hwy 83W & go very short way to Pupukea Rd. (left side-by Foodland)
  • Turn Left onto Pupukea Rd. & go short way (0.6 mi.) to entrance road (first road on right-at heiau sign)
  • Turn Right onto entrance road & go short way (0.7 mi.) to pkg. lot
Oahu's largest heiau (sacred place of ceremony)-a historic landmark. Spectacular overlook of the north shore.

Caution: Please show respect for this sacred site and stay on designated trails-help preserve Hawaii's past for the future.




STOP 6: WAIMEA VALLEY AUDUBON CENTER PHOTOGRAPH
LEAVE: PUU O MAHUKA HEIAU PKG. LOT  
DIST/TIME: Approx. 2.5 Miles / 15 Mins.  
WATCH FOR: Sign-Waimea Valley (Left Side)  
 ROUTE:
  • Return to Hwy 83W (by Foodland)
  • Turn Left onto Hwy 83W & go short way (0.7 mi.) to park entrance road (left side)
A historic nature park on 1,800 acres with over 6,000 species of plant life. Hiking trails, picnicking, birdwatching, 45 foot waterfall. Botanical and environmental self-guided tours.

Note: Entry charge, open daily 9:30-5:00, tel.638-9199, visitor center, restaurant, snack bar, gift shop, picnic, restrooms.

Caution: Wear hiking shoes on trails.

 

STOP 7: WAIMEA BAY BEACH PARK PHOTOGRAPH
LEAVE: WAIMEA VALLEY AUDUBON CTR. PKG. LOT  
DIST/TIME: Approx. 0.5 Mile / 2 Mins.  
WATCH FOR: Sign-Waimea Beach Park (On Right)  
 ROUTE:
  • Turn Left onto Hwy 83W & go very short way (just across bridge) to beach park entrance (right side)
Heart of board surfers' paradise-the largest surfable waves in the world (30 feet not uncommon during winter months).

Note: Lifeguards all year, picnic, showers, restrooms.

Caution: Swim at your own risk in summer only on calm days. Bay is extremely treacherous in winter.

 

STOP 8: HALEIWA TOWN PHOTOGRAPH
LEAVE: WAIMEA BAY PKG. LOT  
DIST/TIME: Approx. 4.6 Miles / 10 Mins.  
WATCH FOR: Steeple-Liliuokalani Church (on Left)  
 ROUTE:
  • Turn Right onto Hwy 83W & go 4.6 mi. to unpaved pkg. lot in town (right side-opposite Church)
A plantation town that has come of age- old general stores co-exist with modern boutiques, art galleries and eateries.

Note: The "in-spot" on the north shore-great shave ice!

 

STOP 9: MOKULEIA BEACH PARK PHOTOGRAPH
LEAVE: HALEIWA TOWN PKG. LOT  
DIST/TIME: Approx. 7.4 Miles / 13 Mins.  
WATCH FOR: Camp Mokuleia (Right Side)  
 ROUTE:
  • Continue on Hwy 83W & go to Weed Traffic Circle (at Mile Marker 0)
  • Take Hwy 930 & go 1.2 mi. to Jct. Hwy 930 & 803
  • Turn Right onto Hwy 930 & go short way (0.7 mi.) to fork in road
  • Bear Left at Fork & continue 4.6 mi. on Hwy 930 to park entrance (right side-just beyond Camp Mokuleia)
Deserted windsurfing beach for experts. Hike to Kaena Point-where the west and north shores meet, creating Hawaii's largest waves.

Note: Picnic, camping, showers, restrooms. Kaena Point trail begins 2.9 mi. beyond park (at end of Hwy). Hike is approx. 2.5 mi., 2 hrs. one-way.

Caution: Do not swim-no lifeguards, dangerous currents all year. You cannot drive to Kaena Point.

 

END OF DRIVE-RETURN TO WAIKIKI
93080399SH-2SH-1EEXIT 25A:KING ST
(39.7 Mi./55 Mins.)


On to Circle Island Drive or,

Back to Oahu Tour Guide Index or Be Your Own Tour Guide Index or Home Page
Contact Us | Sponsor Join Us Form
©Ala Mua Hawaii 2003