The Hawaiian Islands are renowned for their stunning landscapes, tourist destinations, and spirit of aloha. 

If this is your first time, you can feel overwhelmed by the amount of planning required and unclear of where to begin. 

There is no need to panic, though, as you will discover five things from this blog that you ought to be aware of.  

You may improve your travel preparation with these five tips to make it as easy as possible. 

Should you rent a car or take the bus? 

Whether it’s one of the popular surf beaches or little tucked away spots away from it all, the North Shore will quickly turn into your favorite area on Oʻahu. Photo courtesy of thebus.org

The best way to visit the North Shore of Oʻahu is by car. On the drive to the North Shore, there is a lot to stop and see. With a car, you can take your time and enjoy every step of the way.   

Renting a car can be expensive, so if you are looking for a cheaper way to get around, there is a reliable bus that comes about every 15-30 minutes. However, if you are taking the bus, expect a 2-hour ride each way as opposed to a 1-hour drive in a car. 

Click here for “The Bus” routes, schedules, and information : http://www.thebus.org/

How much time should you spend on the North Shore? 

Panoramic view from the top of the Ehukai Pillbox, looking out over the famous Banzai Pipeline. Photo by Nina S. Jones.

To fully enjoy the North Shore, plan to spend two days. One day should be set aside to enjoy the town of Lāʻie, and the other day to enjoy the beautiful beaches of the North Shore along with a drive through the nostalgic town of Haleiwa.  

If you’re looking for a place to stay on the North Shore, check out this article: https://blog.polynesia.com/north-shore-lodging 

Which route should you drive to the North Shore? 

Image of Interstate H3 looking west towards the tunnels connecting it to Honolulu courtesy of Hawaiʻi Magazine.

There are several ways to drive to the North Shore. The H3 is one of the most scenic roads you will ever drive on and will take you roughly an hour to get to the North Shore. This drive gives you great views of the windward mountains and the greener side of the island. There is also the option to drive up through the center of the island and along the full length of the beautiful North Shore communities, but this will take you closer to 2 hours and will include lots of slowdowns due to traffic, pedestrians and road conditions.

This drive adds a few more lookout points and tourist attractions. If you want to see the historic town of Haleiwa, you can take the H2. This route allows you to see the pineapple plantations and gets you to the world-famous surf, such as Waimea Bay, Pipeline (Ehukai Beach) and Sunset Beach. 

For a list of places to see on the North Shore visit: https://blog.polynesia.com/whats-interesting-things-may-spot-along-north-shore-oahu 

What’s the weather like? 

The beautiful Polynesian Cultural Center sits near the northeast corner of Oʻahu.

Being on the greener side of the island does receive more rain. However, the North Shore is beautiful all year long. Make sure to check the forecast and plan accordingly. The rainy season is from November to March, when all of the surfing competitions take place. During the months of April to October, the waves are smaller and the days a bit sunnier.  

One place on the North Shore you won’t want to miss 

Courtesy of TheChurchofJesusChrist.org

The town of Lāʻie has some amazing spots to visit: the Polynesian Cultural Center, The Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Brigham Young University of Hawai`i, and Lāʻie Point. 

The Polynesian Cultural Center is Oʻahu ’s number one paid tourist attraction. Their overarching goal is to spread the cultures of our beautiful Polynesian islands, including Samoa, Aotearoa, Fiji, Hawaiʻi , Tahiti, and Tonga. The Center provides you with a selection of cultural activities, dining preferences, shopping opportunities, music, dance and more. 

Visit the Lāʻie Temple to explore the lovely garden, cascading pool, and huge fountain. 

Lāʻie Point has a spectacular lookout from a high cliff and a can be accessed by turning at the lone stoplight in Lāʻie . After winding your way up the hill, simply turn right and head to the end of the road. Please keep in mind, however, that this is a residential area, so please show Aloha by obeying speed limits, street signs and showing extreme caution on windy and high surf days. 

Lāʻie is a great place to truly experience Hawai`i. You’ll be so glad you came to visit. 

About the Author:

Dallin Williams, a Business Marketing Major at Brigham Young University-Hawaiʻi , from Utah. Dallin is an outdoor enthusiast. He loves surfing, hiking, mountain biking, and skiing.