10 Fun Things to Do on the North Shore of Oahu

If you're looking for fun things to do on the North Shore of Oahu, you have come to the right place. The North Shore is a great place to visit if you are looking for beautiful beaches, amazing hiking trails, and plenty of activities to keep you busy. In this post, I'll give you all of the details on 10 fun things that you can do on the North Shore (besides "go to the beach"...you already know to do that!).

Before we get to the list, let's take a minute to discuss available accommodations on the North Shore. If you're looking for a beautiful upscale resort, you can't go wrong with Turtle Bay Resort. Also--it's pretty much the only game in town. There are very few hotels on the North Shore, and Turtle Bay is the only full-service resort in the area. If you choose to stay on the North Shore--which I really enjoyed--you'll be far away from the high rises of Waikiki, from the cluster of big resorts at Ko Olina, and from the crowds. It is a decidedly more relaxed vibe up on the North Shore--no hustle and bustle here!

Even if you choose to stay elsewhere on Oahu, the North Shore is just a scenic drive away. So let's dig in to the many things you can do for fun on the North Shore!

1. Learn to surf

Surf with a Pup

The North Shore is the place to learn to surf in Hawaii. If you've always wanted to give surfing a try, this is the perfect place to do it. The waves on the north shore are some of the best in the world, and there are plenty of surf schools ready and waiting to teach you how to ride them. The Jamie O'Brien Surf Experience is based out of Turtle Bay Resort, and they’ll have you hanging ten before you know it. Also at Turtle Bay, you can surf or stand-up paddleboard with a cute doggo on your board!

2. Take a scenic drive

The Sunrise Shack

Shrimp from Giovanni’s

The North Shore is home to some of the most beautiful scenery on Oahu. From the famous beaches like Sunset Beach and Waimea Bay to the lush tropical forests, there is so much to see. Take a drive up the coast and stop at all of the lookout points to snap some photos and take in the views. Along the way, stop for refreshments at Sunrise Shack or Giovanni's Shrimp Truck--you can't go wrong with either one!

3. Visit the Polynesian Cultural Center

The Polynesian Cultural Center is a must-visit for anyone interested in learning about Hawaiian culture. Located just a short drive from Turtle Bay Resort, the center offers demonstrations and activities that will teach you all about the history, traditions, and way of life of Hawaii's people. Plus, DOLE WHIP.

4. Stargaze

Dedicate an evening to the stars with Stargazers of Hawaii. They use high-powered telescopes to help you learn about different constellations and astronomy, and how they were used in Hawaiian navigation. Stargazing experiences can be arranged through Turtle Bay Resort.

5. Visit Haleiwa

Snoopy’s Surf Shop

Matsumoto Shave Ice

Haleiwa is the largest town on the North Shore, and it's a great place to do some shopping, grab a bite to eat, or just explore. While you're there, don't miss the chance to grab some shave ice!

6. Head to Kualoa Ranch

Kualoa Ranch is a working cattle ranch that offers a variety of activities and tours. You can go horseback riding, ATVing, ziplining, or take a movie tour to see where some of your favorite films and TV shows were filmed (Jurassic Park, Hawaii Five-0, Lost, and many more!).

7. Go horseback riding

One of the best ways to experience the beauty of the North Shore is on horseback. There are several stables that offer horseback riding tours, but if you're staying at Turtle Bay you won't have to go far--they've got stables and beautiful horses on property! Horseback riding is a great way to see some of the areas of the North Shore that are inaccessible by car.

8. Visit Pono

Pono is Turtle Bay Resort's resident good boy. A couple times a week you can go on a hike with him, but most days he is also available for pets and scritches.

9. Go whale watching

During the winter months (November-May), humpback whales come to Hawaii to mate and give birth. This makes for some incredible whale watching opportunities! You can often see them from the shore, but if you really want to get up close and personal, there are several tour companies that offer boat tours. One of my favorite things to do during my stay was to sit on my balcony at Turtle Bay and watch the whales pop up out of the ocean. It never got old!

10. Watch the sunset

Speaking of things that don't get old, let's talk about the sunsets on the North Shore. They are seriously breathtaking. Every day, without fail, the sun sets over the ocean in a blaze of orange and red, leaving behind a beautiful pink sky. It's one of those things that you have to see to believe. I'm sure there's a scientific reason why the sunsets are better here, but I'm more than happy to chalk it all up to magic.

There you have it--ten fun things to do on the North Shore of Oahu! Have you ever been? What's your favorite thing to do on the North Shore? Let me know in the comments!