Oahu: North Shore Love

The North Shore of Oahu has become a special place for us over the last two years.  It represents our return to adventure and has become a place of healing for us.

Our first taste of the North Shore was when Nikki and I baby-mooned at Turtle Bay in 2014 when we were living in San Francisco.  Oahu was the most accessible tropical destination from the west coast and it had been on our radar since the first time we watched one of our favorite movies, Forgetting Sarah Marshall.  That movie made us smile for reasons beyond Jason Segel’s funny character.  The contrast of the blue ocean and the majestic green mountains hooked us.  Our baby-moon was amazing despite Nikki’s morning sickness.  Our time there offered us a sense of awe as we took in the natural beauty and surreal landscapes that rise out of the ocean so majestically.  It was unlike any place we had ever seen. 

With our move back to the Midwest just months later for our first child’s birth and our eventual sailing adventure that would steer us towards the Caribbean, we knew that Hawaii may not be a place we would return to any time soon.  Then in 2018, we found ourselves living back on the west coast, this time in Seattle, and though we really couldn’t afford it at the time, Hawaii was calling.  It had been a year since our Puerto Rico sailing adventure was cut short and we were forced to evacuate due to hurricanes.  We were trying to adjust to the dreary Seattle skies, but we just needed to see tropical water in a million shades of blue.  We booked flights and couldn’t wait to introduce our kids to this magical place.

We have been to Oahu, specifically the North Shore, three times in the past two years and it has become “our place”.  It has provided the space for us to dream again and strengthen our connection as a family over our most loved passion, the ocean.  Our kids have gained confidence in their swimming and snorkeling skills and the pride that comes with that is priceless.  It has also been the back drop for some hard conversations that have proven to help redefine the strength of our marriage.  This place is magical for more reasons than the shades of blue.  We are so happy and fortunate that we have been able to play in this magical place with our kids.  It will always represent our ability to overcome and dream again. It may just be where Our Travel Anew was born. 

Here are our top reasons why we love the North Shore of Oahu:

Secluded Beaches

Unlike the popular Waikiki area, there are pristine secluded beaches on the North Shore that you can have all to yourself if you are willing to work for it a bit.  From the beaches on the perimeter of the Turtle Bay Resort to the tucked away beaches in Laie, we have found ourselves on many occasions playing on the beach and in the waves without another soul in sight.

Food Trucks

This will be a post of its own eventually because there are just too many places that we love.  There’s something about eating amazing food at picnic tables with a Hawaiian sunset as the backdrop that makes the food even more amazing.  And also, the sound of our kids giggling while they watch (and sometimes chase) the free roaming chickens run under and around our table makes dinner a memorable experience too.  From Haleiwa to Kahuku, if you cruise Kamehameha Hwy there are so many choices for delicious dishes, great ambiance, breathtaking views, and delightful people. 

Sunsets

There is a popular surf spot just off the pointe at Turtle Bay Resort, where a magical sunset show happens.  Surfers catch the final sets rolling in with a backdrop of breathtaking oranges, pinks, and purples.  The surfers become silhouettes as the sun sinks and you are treated to a mindful experience, aware of every color displayed in the vast sky. Tiki torches, a slow stroll and the last moments of a sun soaked day in paradise make this one of our favorite experiences on the North Shore of Oahu.

Winter Waves & Summer Calm

Depending on what time of year you visit, you get completely different beach and ocean experiences.  From late spring to early fall the water is calm and gently laps onto the beach.  It’s the perfect water for snorkeling, swimming and exploring tide pools with the kids.  During winter the waves become epic.  The world famous Pipeline break turns the summer calmness into a completely different wonder.  The waves are gigantic and the traffic becomes thick as surfers from all over the island rush to the North Shore to catch their waves.  The caution tape along the beaches warns the novices not challenge these beasts, so most do as they’re told and instead gather along the warm grassy slopes to watch the majestic show in awe.  Watching the brave souls bobbing in the monster swells waiting for that perfect set is completely captivating and a family pleaser every time.

Waimea Valley

This place is magical and full of Hawaiian culture and history. The history of Waimea Valley dates back to early days when Polynesian voyagers landed on the shores of Oahu.  Known as the “Valley of the Priests” it played an important role in the religious history of the island.  Today you can pay a small fee and hike the paved, stroller friendly trails along the Waimea river.  The trails are surrounded by incredible botanical gardens and wildlife.  Our kids had fun identifying the beautiful and unique birds flying through the gardens that are highlighted in a guide available at the entrance.  The hike is doable for the whole family (about 20-30 min each way) and the reward is an exhilarating swim under the falls.  Floating on your back at the base of the falls and gazing up at the dense green walls of the valley is breathtaking.  We found this to be a great rainy day excursion as the canopy from the lush landscape provides refuge and a unique experience. 

Turtle Bay Resort

This property truly is a tropical paradise and makes our list because of the expansive trails, beaches, and sunset views.  There are miles of gorgeous beaches, some that feel completely secluded.  The main beach, Kuilima, is located right next to the resort and is an easy walk from the parking lot.  We are morning people, so we’ve never had a problem with parking, but it is always packed by noon.  We have stayed both at the Turtle Bay Resort and at The Estates at Turtle Bay.  The latter are condos along the golf course equipped with kitchens and lanais and just a quick 10-minute stroll to Kuilima Beach.  As a traveling family with two small humans, we have found that for price and space, renting a condo at The Estates at Turtle Bay works best for us.  We like to have a kitchen and lanai to start our day with breakfast in the company of palm trees.  We love the extra space the ground level condos provide and we often leave the sliders open for the kids to run and play outside.  Maybe the most important reason we love staying here is the three pools.  They are surrounded by lush landscape, rarely crowded, super convenient, and each has a grilling area.  They also provide a refreshing quick dip at the end of the day that may or may not take the place of bathing the kids after a long, sandy day.  Try not to judge, this place puts us in full on island mode.

The North Shore is such a family friendly paradise and each time we go back we discover even more reasons to keep returning to this idyllic retreat on the North side of Oahu. 

Please share any advice or tips you may have from your travels to the North Shore.  We are always looking for new experiences.  And feel free to comment below or email us if you have any questions about our experiences on the North Shore.  We’d love to help you plan a family adventure to this incredible place!