Summer: where to swim
On a flat summer day the whole seven-mile stretch from Haleʻiwa to Sunset Beach turns turquoise. These are the stops we build a summer North Shore day around.
Waimea Bay and Jump Rock
A wide, pale-sand cove with clear water and a lifeguard tower. The big rock on the north end is the famous jump, and when the bay is calm it's the highlight of a lot of our guests' trips. Check the depth, ask the lifeguard first, and if they say no, the answer is no. Currents you can't see from the sand are still part of the picture, so keep to the middle of the beach.
Sunset Beach
In winter it's a world-famous surf break. In summer it's a long, quiet swimming beach with soft sand and water so calm it's hard to believe it's the same place. Fewer crowds than Waimea, easy parking, and one of our favorite stops to just float.
Sharks Cove
The best shore snorkeling on the North Shore, and only swimmable in summer. Calm, rocky tide pools and a deeper cove full of fish and the occasional turtle. Bring reef shoes; the rocks are sharp. No sharks, despite the name.
Winter: where to watch
From November through March the North Shore becomes the most famous big-wave coast on Earth, and most visitors never touch the water. They don't need to. Standing on the sand with a coffee watching the lineup is the whole experience. These are the four spots we use, depending on which break is working that day.
Sunset Beach
A long, open beach with plenty of room, easy parking across the highway and a lifeguard tower. Big, long-walled waves and a great view of the surfers paddling out. Our first choice on a big day with a group.
Banzai Pipeline
The most famous wave in surfing, at ʻEhukai Beach Park. The wave breaks close to shore, so you watch from surprisingly near. This is where the Pipe Masters runs in December. Parking is tight, which is one more reason to arrive with a driver.
Waimea Bay
When the swell gets huge, Waimea is where the biggest waves on the island break. The lifeguards run a yellow line to keep people back from the shorebreak, and the bay fills with spectators. If The Eddie invitational is called, this is where it happens.
Haleʻiwa Aliʻi Beach Park
The quieter choice at the Haleʻiwa end of the coast. A good surf break, grass, shade and picnic tables, and it's steps from the shave ice and galleries in town. Good for families who want the show without the crowds.
| Season | Typical water | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Summer (about May to September) | Calm and clear | Swimming and Jump Rock at Waimea Bay, swimming at Sunset Beach, snorkeling at Sharks Cove |
| Shoulder months (October, April) | Changes week to week | Experienced bodysurfers and bodyboarders; everyone else watches |
| Winter (about November to March) | 10 to 20 ft or more, dangerous shorebreak | Watching the surf at Sunset Beach, Pipeline, Waimea Bay and Haleʻiwa Aliʻi |
Conditions change by the day. The lifeguards are the final word on whether the water is open, and we check with them before anyone gets in.
Want to get in the water instead? A first surf lesson at Turtle Bay, with a private North Shore day built around it. See the surf lesson →Parking and the practical stuff
Every one of these beaches has a small lot, and on weekends, holidays and big-surf days they fill early. Waimea Bay overflow ends up at Waimea Valley across Kamehameha Highway; Pipeline parking is a few stalls and a lot of patience. With a private driver, you're dropped at the beach, picked up when you're ready, and nobody circles for a stall.
Why see it on a private tour
The North Shore is a coast with a dozen stops, and the right order depends on the swell. Our tours are 100% private and fully customizable: just your group, your pace and your stops. Big swell? We spend more time at the bay and the breaks. Flat and clear? We swim and look for turtles. Rain on the North Shore? We change the plan on the day.
Make it a full day
With a surf lesson. Book a lesson with Jamie O'Brien Surf Experience at Turtle Bay ($175 per person for the Ohana lesson, $145 for the group lesson) and we build the rest around it: a coffee stop on the way up, lunch at Giovanni's in Kahuku with no wait, and a long stop at whichever beach is best that day.
With a shark dive. The Haleʻiwa shark dive boats leave from the harbor in the morning, and the afternoon is yours for the beaches, the winter surf spots and turtles at Laniakea on the way home.
The private tour is $800 flat for a Toyota Sienna seating up to 6, or $1,000 for a Sprinter seating 7 to 14. Extra hours are $100 (Sienna) or $125 (Sprinter), and cancellation is free up to 72 hours before. Lessons and boats are booked separately with the operators.
See all our private Oahu tours →
North Shore FAQ
When can you swim on the North Shore?
Roughly May through September, when the summer flat spell sets in. Waimea Bay, Sunset Beach and Sharks Cove are the best spots. Always check with the lifeguards first.
Can I jump off the rock at Waimea Bay?
Only in summer when the bay is calm and a lifeguard says it's fine. Check the depth and conditions first.
When are the waves biggest?
November through March, with the biggest swells usually in December and January, when waves can reach 20 feet or more.
Where is the best place to watch big waves?
Sunset Beach, Banzai Pipeline, Waimea Bay and Haleʻiwa Aliʻi Beach Park. Which one is best depends on the swell direction that day, and that's what your guide is for.
Is parking a problem?
Yes, at all of them. The lots are small and fill early on weekends, holidays and big-surf days.
Is Waimea Valley close?
It's across Kamehameha Highway from Waimea Bay, so you can see the waterfall and the beach in one stop.