North Shore Coastal Drive (Kamehameha Hwy)

The North Shore drive follows Kamehameha Highway, which HDOT lists as Joseph P. Leong/Kamehameha Highway. North Shore beaches with lifeguards every day include Haleʻiwa Aliʻi Beach Park, Laniākea, Chun's Reef, Waimea Bay, Ke Waena, ʻEhukai and Sunset Beach. From November through April, north shores get consistent, huge and dangerous swells, and swimmers of any skill should stay out during high surf. Waimea Bay is often calm and clear in summer but takes high surf and powerful shorebreak in winter, and the City lists Waimea Bay and ʻEhukai among the island's common shorebreak beaches. If you see a sea turtle on the beach, give it plenty of space and never touch, chase or feed it, because turtles are protected under state and federal law. Near Laniākea, shoulder parking is limited and the highway is busy, and the Oʻahu Visitors Bureau does not promote that beach because of pedestrian safety and traffic. HDOT updates scheduled construction closures for state roads every Friday afternoon, and recent ones on this highway were for tree trimming and utility upgrades, so check before you drive.