Plan the North Shore around the beaches, the valley and one boat or surf outing. Waimea Bay is primarily a swimming and surfing destination, and Waimea Falls is about three-quarters of a mile from the entrance on a paved, accessible path. The Polynesian Cultural Center sits on a 42-acre campus.
What can you do on the North Shore in one day?
Most visitors split the day between the beaches and the valley, then add a boat or surf outing if time allows. Waimea Bay Beach Park sits on the north shore, separated from Pūpūkea Beach Park by a small residential section of Waimea town. Shark's Cove and Three Tables are the two major swimming areas in the Pūpūkea Marine Life Conservation District. Turtle Bay has beaches for surfing, swimming, snorkeling or relaxing on the sand, and the resort describes the protected waters of Kawela Bay as a place to kayak.
| Place | What you can do | Good to know | Getting there | Hours or entry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Turtle Bay | The resort describes the protected waters of Kawela Bay as a place to kayak. | - | Kawela Bay/Turtle Bay is on Oʻahu's northeastern tip, past Haleʻiwa and near Kahuku. | - |
| Waimea Bay Beach | DLNR describes Waimea Bay as primarily a swimming and surfing destination. | - | Waimea Bay Beach Park is on the north shore of Oʻahu, separated from Pūpūkea Beach Park by a small residential section of Waimea town. | - |
| Polynesian Cultural Center | About 80 percent of the center's paid workforce are BYU-Hawaiʻi students, across the 42-acre campus. | - | 55-370 Kamehameha Hwy., Lāʻie, Hawaiʻi 96762. | The center opens at 12:00 p.m.; the Island Villages start at 12:15 p.m. and the day ends after HĀ: Breath of Life at about 8:35 p.m. |
| Pupukea MLCD | The district includes two major swimming areas, Shark's Cove and Three Tables, plus the offshore waters. | The tidepool area to the left of Shark's Cove is good for reef walking or snorkeling, depending on wave and tide conditions. | Pūpūkea and Waimea Bay Beach Parks are on the north shore of Oʻahu, separated by a small residential section of Waimea town. | Pūpūkea Beach Park is closed from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. |
| Three Tables Beach | Snorkeling is good around and just outside the tables area, and diving conditions improve farther out. | - | To get there, take Kamehameha Highway (Hwy 83) from Haleʻiwa or Kahuku to Waimea. | - |
For a slower stop, choose Waimea Valley over another beach. Most of its trails are paved, but some have gravel or stairs.
How do you get to each place, and where do you park?
Turtle Bay is on Oʻahu's northeastern tip, past Haleʻiwa and near Kahuku. Waimea Valley is across from Waimea Bay Beach Park, so the two make an easy pair. To reach Waimea from Haleʻiwa or Kahuku, take Kamehameha Highway (Hwy 83).
Sharks Cove has its own parking lot at Pūpūkea Beach Park, reached by the park's access road. At Waimea Falls, parking is free for kamaʻāina only, and non-kamaʻāina parking is paid. The Polynesian Cultural Center is at 55-370 Kamehameha Hwy., Lāʻie.
When are these places open?
Waimea Valley's October to November hours run 9 AM to 4 PM, open Sunday and Tuesday through Saturday, and closed Monday. Waimea Falls hours vary seasonally, so confirm them before you go.
Plan your evening around that late show if you stay for it. Pūpūkea Beach Park is closed from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.. The Shark's Cove comfort station is closed from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m..
What rules and hazards should you know about?
Keep your distance from wildlife and follow the posted limits. Stay at least 50 feet (15 meters) from Hawaiian monk seals, on land and in water, as NOAA Fisheries recommends. Within Waimea Bay only, finfish may be taken with hook-and-line from shore, within gear limits. The Pūpūkea Marine Life Conservation District follows Hawaii Administrative Rules chapter 13-34.
Water is the main hazard on this coast. At Waimea Valley, no diving or climbing is allowed on the waterfall rocks, and water conditions can swell within seconds. Visibility is generally poor inside Shark's Cove but improves quickly outside. The tidepool area to the left of Shark's Cove is good for reef walking or snorkeling, depending on wave and tide conditions.
At the Polynesian Cultural Center, shoes and shirts are required at all times, and bathing suits are not allowed.
Which tours go to these places?
Several tours cover the North Shore on a single day. Choose one of the full-day options below if you want sightseeing across several stops rather than a single beach.
- Ultimate Oahu Circle Island Tour (20 Must-See Stops in One Day) runs 8 hours and starts from $69 per person.
- PRIVATE North Shore Tour & Turtle Beach runs 8 hours and starts from $805 per group.
- North Shore Adventure Tour runs 8 hours and starts from $800 per group.
- Tour of North Shore & Waimea Waterfall and Pali Lookout runs 8 hours and starts from $144 per person.
- North Shore Tour runs 9 hours and starts from $160 per person.
- AllStar Oahu Circle island Tour runs 9 hours and starts from $79 per person.
- Oahu North Shore Circle Island Tour starts from $189 per person.
If the water is your priority, several tours on the list focus on it.
- North Shore Snorkeling Tour runs 2 hours and starts from $110.
- Sailing Cat afternoon snorkel tour sail runs 3.5 hours and starts from $139 per person.
- North Shore Surf Tour runs 3 hours and starts from $350 per person.
- Shark Cage Diving runs 2 hours and starts from $100 per person.
- Sailing Cat afternoon whale watch runs 2 hours and starts from $1,449 per group.
Shark Cage Diving and the whale watch depend on wildlife and conditions, so check the NWS marine forecast before you book a boat trip.
A shuttle is not a tour, but it gets you around. The Round Trip North Shore Shuttle Waimea Valley Haleiwa runs 8 hours and starts from $85 per person.
Frequently asked questions
Is Waimea Bay good for swimming?
Waimea Bay is primarily a swimming and surfing destination, according to DLNR. Waimea Bay is inside the Pūpūkea Marine Life Conservation District.
How long does the Polynesian Cultural Center day run?
The Polynesian Cultural Center opens at 12:00 p.m., and its day ends after HĀ: Breath of Life at about 8:35 p.m..
Can you dive at Waimea Falls?
No, diving is not allowed at Waimea Falls.
