Haleiwa

Travel Guide

Photo provided by Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau
Photo provided by Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau
Photo provided by Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau
Photo provided by Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau
Photo provided by Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau

The gateway to the seemingly endless stretch of beaches and waves of the North Shore is the cultural hub of O’ahu’s surf scene.

Hale’iwa got its start as a tourist spot with the building of the Hale’iwa Hotel in 1898. The hotel is gone, but many of the small town’s buildings have the same look they’ve had for over 100 years of laid-back living. Unlike Waikiki with its high-rises, you’ll find that Hale’iwa has small shops ready to serve the practical needs of surfers and surf-watchers.

Start with a visit to the North Shore Surf and Cultural Museum, also known as Hale’iwa Surf Museum. See surfing photographs and memorabilia, boards from the 1930s and old posters advertising surfing competitions. Watch a video and chat with the curator to find out what’s happening in and around town. Nearby, find gear for snorkeling, surfing, boogie boarding or kayaking in one of Hale’iwa’s several surf shops.

Picnic at Hale’iwa Ali’i Beach and watch the makai (ocean-facing) side of the park to see youngsters learning to surf. Then look over your shoulder at the Kalili Surf Center if you were a Baywatch Hawaii fan, you might recognize the headquarters for the brave and beautiful lifeguards. In July, enjoy the ArtFest with visual and performance art and numerous kids’ activities.

Walk along the shore and look for giant sea turtles. They often nest here and return to the same spot year after year. Remember that they are protected in Hawaii it is against the law to ride, feed, or even touch a sea turtle. You can still enjoy watching them.

For an old-fashioned experience, rent a paddleboard or outrigger canoe similar to those used in Hawaii for more than 2,000 years. Paddle up the Anahulu River, going under the Rainbow Bridge. Soon you’ll be in lush tropical jungle.

While you’re in Hale’iwa, be sure to sample a North Shore favorite: shave ice. This dessert has a shaved ice texture that absorbs flavor a variety of local syrup choices including lychee, lilikoi or guava and ice cream or bean paste at the bottom of a cone, with sweetened condensed milk on top. It’s not a typical snow cone.

Hale’iwa is about an hour’s drive north of Honolulu. Some would say it’s right next to Paradise.

Surfer's Cove - Steps to sand! AC
Surfer's Cove - Steps to sand! AC
Haleiwa
Stay at this apartment in Haleiwa. Enjoy free WiFi, laundry facilities, and an in-room coffeemaker. Popular attractions Turtle Bay Beach and Sunset Beach are ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (14 reviews)
Summer kickoff getaway
"Our stay we awesome. The house was sufficient and the air conditioners get the bedrooms really cold. The beach directly behind the house is nice but there is a steep drop in the beach that makes it not conducive for swimming. You need to walk down a bit to get to a usable area. Not an issue for us. ..."

Reviewed on 10 Jun 2025

Surfer's Cove - Steps to sand! AC
Epic Forest View, A/C, Fruit Trees, Beach 5m drive
Epic Forest View, A/C, Fruit Trees, Beach 5m drive
Haleiwa
Stay at this apartment in Haleiwa. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and patios. Popular attractions Turtle Bay Beach and Sunset Beach are located nearby.
9.8/10 Exceptional! (26 reviews)
Great location, easy access to the north shore
"The site was tidy and clean. Great location with quick access to town/beaches. The private patio was a great place to relax after a long day. Lots of gecko friends outside. Would definitely stay again."

Reviewed on 2 Jul 2025

Epic Forest View, A/C, Fruit Trees, Beach 5m drive
Forest Views, Acreage, Fruit Trees, Beach~5m drive
Forest Views, Acreage, Fruit Trees, Beach~5m drive
Haleiwa
Stay at this vacation home in Haleiwa. Enjoy a garden, laundry facilities, and balconies. Popular attractions Turtle Bay Beach and Sunset Beach are located ...
9/10 Wonderful! (20 reviews)
"Felt like we really were in a forest and only 5 minutes up the hill from the super market and the beach. Very peaceful and quiet. Didn't even mind the rooster alarm every morning."

Reviewed on 10 Jun 2025

Forest Views, Acreage, Fruit Trees, Beach~5m drive
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Epic Forest View, A/C, Fruit Trees, Beach 5m drive
Epic Forest View, A/C, Fruit Trees, Beach 5m drive
Haleiwa
Stay at this apartment in Haleiwa. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and patios. Popular attractions Turtle Bay Beach and Sunset Beach are located nearby.
9.8/10 Exceptional! (26 reviews)
Great location, easy access to the north shore
"The site was tidy and clean. Great location with quick access to town/beaches. The private patio was a great place to relax after a long day. Lots of gecko friends outside. Would definitely stay again."

Reviewed on 2 Jul 2025

Epic Forest View, A/C, Fruit Trees, Beach 5m drive
Surfer's Cove - Steps to sand! AC
Surfer's Cove - Steps to sand! AC
Haleiwa
Stay at this apartment in Haleiwa. Enjoy free WiFi, laundry facilities, and an in-room coffeemaker. Popular attractions Turtle Bay Beach and Sunset Beach are ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (14 reviews)
Summer kickoff getaway
"Our stay we awesome. The house was sufficient and the air conditioners get the bedrooms really cold. The beach directly behind the house is nice but there is a steep drop in the beach that makes it not conducive for swimming. You need to walk down a bit to get to a usable area. Not an issue for us. ..."

Reviewed on 10 Jun 2025

Surfer's Cove - Steps to sand! AC
Forest Views, Acreage, Fruit Trees, Beach~5m drive
Forest Views, Acreage, Fruit Trees, Beach~5m drive
Haleiwa
Stay at this vacation home in Haleiwa. Enjoy a garden, laundry facilities, and balconies. Popular attractions Turtle Bay Beach and Sunset Beach are located ...
9/10 Wonderful! (20 reviews)
"Felt like we really were in a forest and only 5 minutes up the hill from the super market and the beach. Very peaceful and quiet. Didn't even mind the rooster alarm every morning."

Reviewed on 10 Jun 2025

Forest Views, Acreage, Fruit Trees, Beach~5m drive
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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