North Shore of Oahu

The North Shore of Oahu is home to several of the most famous beaches and surf spots in the world. Every winter, swells generated in the North Pacific Ocean deliver large, magnificent, and many times dangerous waves to the North Shore. These swells can range anywhere from 2 to 25 feet high! Surfers and spectators from all over the world come here every winter to experience the spectacular waves at spots like the Banzai Pipeline, Sunset Beach and Waimea Bay. Although known for it large waves, the North Shore of Oahu has surf spots that suit every level of surfing.

Surfing Makaha

Makaha Beach
Leeward side of Oahu Hawaii

Most times is a fun and pretty beach but during the Winter, this beach's surf does indeed exhibit "fierce" conditions. Wave heights often average fifteen feet and can peak as high as thirty feet plus. In addition to this definitely not being a time even for novice surf and body boarders, it certainly isn't a time for swimmers to be in the ocean at all. The waters are otherwise safe except when there is high surf. Strong back washes are created and the shorebreak and resultant undertow becomes very dangerous. During high surf time there are many surf boarders. In addition to the surfers, be sure to watch out for their runaway surf boards.

More fotos at Makaha

Sandy Beach

Oahu's Sandy Beach is known all over the world as a top body boarding and bodysurfing spot. It's also known for its unfortunate high proportion of ambulance calls.

Sandy Beach, or Sandy's, as the locals refer to it -- is a wide golden sand beach that lies at the base of Koko Crater, which, at 1,208 feet, is the highest crater on the shoreline of Oahu. On its west end is the famous Halona Blowhole. Those mountains lead down to Sandy Beach with a moderately steep, sloping foreshore. However, what Sandy's is truly famous for is the ocean bottom that drops quickly beyond the shore to overhead depths. The quick change in depth creates steep, hard-breaking waves that form a pounding shore break. Many of the experienced shore break bodysurfers (locals and tourists alike) find that its waves have no equal anywhere. Be careful though if you're a newcomer. The locals will make it look so easy at times that many newcomers often seem to get hurt trying to emulate them.

Those Sandy breaks are the reason that this beach is so popular, and at times, slightly crowded. Shore break builds up quickly forming a tube that's perfect for an adrenaline-boosting fast ride. For the amateurs, the best time to test your skills at Sandy's is when the waves are two to four feet. Anything higher than that and you're advised to leave the water to those most experienced. Annually, Sandy's wins in the most injuries category, so it's smart to obey all posted warning signs.

If you're not looking to test those waters skills, this beach still gets a high rating at almost every other level including sunbathing and people watching. At the north/east end of the beach, waves also break on a rocky point and further offshore there's an outer reef that provides a base for local fishing. There's also a large kite-flying area on the east side of the beach with well maintained grass and a couple picnic tables. The beach is located only about 20 minutes from Waikiki and the beautiful drive along Oahu's east coast is a pleasure in its own. It is rare not to see crystal clear blue waters along your drive. The trade winds keep Sandy's comfortable and cloudless on many days so make sure you apply plenty of sun block.

There are no shops or restaurants near so pack a picnic unless you want to take your chances with the local lunch wagon. There are public restrooms and cold water showers to rinse of the sand when you are finished for the day. Parking is free but can get crowded, especially on the weekends.

Link to lots more Sandy Beach fotos

Waikiki - what else

Waikiki beach is the most famous of all the Hawaii beaches. It is almost perfect in every way - long days of endless sun, fine golden sand, excellent surfing and body surfing, a long stretch of shallow sandy bottom lagoon ideal for swimmers, both inexperienced and experienced, protected areas with no waves and exposed areas with frolicking waves, lots of water activities from catamaran cruises, hobby cat sailing, paddle boats and snorkelling trips and most of all, lots of people, lots of high rise hotels with fantastic views, lots of restaurants and good nightlife.

Waikiki Beach is located on the sheltered south coast of Oahu a few miles to the east of downtown Honolulu. Waikiki stretches for almost four miles in an almost unbroken stretch of soft white sand and has over a hundred high rise hotels to choose from and lots of smaller inns and units for rent but only a few of these are absolute beachfront.


Waikiki from the air


Waikiki from the 'Pier'


Kapi'olani Park Beach


Waikiki Surf


International Market
Hawaii's royal family enjoyed private estate living in Waikiki for more than 500 years before the arrival of outsiders in 1792. Prior to the building of the Ala Wai Canal, rain-fed streams from the Ko'olau Range filled fishponds and pools in Waikiki, a wetland area of taro, sweet potato and banana farms whose ocean-side farmers supplied the community with a diet rich in shellfish. With the arrival of whaling ships and foreign visitors, royal estates were replaced with luxury hotels and Waikiki's way of life was changed forever. During your first days on O'ahu, journey through Waikiki's story - from past to present - and take a stroll along its white sand beach as you reflect on the island's rich past and modern-day abundance.


Collection of Waikiki Fotos
Waikiki Historical Trail