North Shore activity recommendations/General itinerary

[DisneyRunner2009]

We got back at the end of October. The day we went to the north shore took us a full day. We rope dropped Dole Plantation on our way. The speed limit is mostly 35 mph on two lane roads. We stopped at a surf shop, ate at Ted's, Turtle Beach, Sharks Cove and Matsumoto. Glad to know we drove past Banzai. Parking is hard to find the whole way up to Turtle Beach once you get into Haleiwa.

 

[WinterSolider]

Yes, I agree. But Kualoa Ranch would most likely need a THIRD day, if the OP plans on doing the North Shore and PCC as well, as a first-timer. No way could you do all that in a single day.

PCC doesn't open until noon anyways, you could plausibly do North Shore morning, PCC afternoon/evening. But yeah if you want to do all three it's definitely two days at least.

Honestly, I don't really "get" the North Shore. People talk about it like it's a huge Thing To Do but it's never been the highlight of any of my Oahu trips.

 

[maxbuffmelvin]

PCC doesn't open until noon anyways, you could plausibly do North Shore morning, PCC afternoon/evening. But yeah if you want to do all three it's definitely two days at least.

Honestly, I don't really "get" the North Shore. People talk about it like it's a huge Thing To Do but it's never been the highlight of any of my Oahu trips.

We like the North Shore, especially its architecture, but we feel it's overrated and not a must-do on return trips to Oahu. It also has not been a highlight on any of our past trips. We will only visit on trips to PCC.

 

[cruisehopeful]

I'm a big fan of the North shore. We stayed at what was then, Turtle Bay resort. It was an amazing experience. I love Waimea both the beach and the garden walk to the waterfall. My next visit was split between Waikiki and Aulani. While I didn't like the Ko Olina area overall (just too far away from the stuff I enjoy), I will end up staying there because I own DVC now.

 

[WinterSolider]

I'm a big fan of the North shore. We stayed at what was then, Turtle Bay resort. It was an amazing experience. I love Waimea both the beach and the garden walk to the waterfall. My next visit was split between Waikiki and Aulani. While I didn't like the Ko Olina area overall (just too far away from the stuff I enjoy), I will end up staying there because I own DVC now.

Turtle Bay is where I would stay if I didn't have kids, it's so gorgeous up there.

I couldn't stay in Waikiki, not my speed. We do Diamond Head and then walk the beach one day each trip just to say we did, and that's enough "city life" for me on my Hawaii trip.

 

[J-Dog]

Honestly, I don't really "get" the North Shore. People talk about it like it's a huge Thing To Do but it's never been the highlight of any of my Oahu trips.

For me, I would agree if it wasn't for the food trucks. I could live without the beaches, since there are plenty of other good ones on Oahu. But at least one North Shore food truck is a must-do for us every trip. Kuhuku Sugar Mill is one of my absolute favorite places on Oahu.

 

[WinterSolider]

For me, I would agree if it wasn't for the food trucks. I could live without the beaches, since there are plenty of other good ones on Oahu. But at least one North Shore food truck is a must-do for us every trip.

We went to that one food truck stand right on the corner one time and the food was great, but the flies were so bad it made the experience unbearable.

 

[J-Dog]

We went to that one food truck stand right on the corner one time and the food was great, but the flies were so bad it made the experience unbearable.

That's weird. I learned from Shawn Kaliponi's YouTube page to bring those little "Fly fans", but we have never once felt the need to use them.

 

[WinterSolider]

That's weird. I learned from Shawn Kaliponi's YouTube page to bring those little "Fly fans", but we have never once felt the need to use them.

Maybe they're seasonal.

The next time you're in Oahu and craving food truck style food, check out Yummy Huli Huli chicken over by the Byodo-In Temple. It's not a food truck per se, it's a gift shop that sells plate lunch. But it's the best food and best value I've ever had in Hawaii.

 

[J-Dog]

Maybe they're seasonal.

The next time you're in Oahu and craving food truck style food, check out Yummy Huli Huli chicken over by the Byodo-In Temple. It's not a food truck per se, it's a gift shop that sells plate lunch. But it's the best food and best value I've ever had in Hawaii.

Thanks for the tip! I've actually never been to Byodo-In temple, but it's on my list, so I will absolutely check that out.

 

[WinterSolider]

Thanks for the tip! I've actually never been to Byodo-In temple, but it's on my list, so I will absolutely check that out.

Get to the temple for "rope drop."

It's beautiful and serene for about an hour after it opens. Then the tour buses show up from Waikiki and it becomes a zoo.

 

[jimmymc]

Turtle Bay is where I would stay if I didn't have kids, it's so gorgeous up there.

I couldn't stay in Waikiki, not my speed. We do Diamond Head and then walk the beach one day each trip just to say we did, and that's enough "city life" for me on my Hawaii trip.

A split stay between Turtle Bay and Aulani is my perfect Oahu trip. You get two nice resorts and cover both sides of the island.

 

[Carouselofplanning]

Personally if you have never been to Aulani I would spend more time there. My first trip I booked a few of excursions away from Aulani and regretted it. But then again one of those was Waikiki and we strongly disliked Waikiki.

Traffic in Oahu is no joke, it can be really bad (this last trip it took 45 min to drive 3.9 miles back to Aulani from Target) To me that eats into my vacation time and I dont like that. We did love Kualoa Ranch and would do that again and deal with traffic for it no problem.

I have heard if you just want to drive the North Shore the Shaka App is really good for it. https://www.shakaguide.com/

By the way I agree. Love Aulani and also worth seeing other parts of Oahu but maybe not 1st visit. Plenty to do in and around Aulani the first time. Also REALLY agree I don’t need to see Waikiki again. No bueno. Also agree on traffic. If you are going to venture out just get up and go in the am. Don’t have a leisurely breakfast and then wander out onto the highways middday or later you’re asking for traffic.