North Shore (Oʻahu)

The North Shore of the Oʻahu is a beautiful coastal area between Kaʻena Point and Kahuku. It is a special place that stretches along the ocean and is home to the largest town called Haleʻiwa.

One of the most exciting things about the North Shore is its huge waves. These massive waves draw big wave surfers from everywhere in the world who come to ride the powerful waters and test their skills. This makes the North Shore a famous spot for surfing lovers and athletes alike.

Surfing

The North Shore of Oʻahu is a famous place for surfing, especially during the winter months when big waves come from the North Pacific Ocean. Popular spots include Waimea Bay and Sunset Beach.

Banzai Pipeline at Ehukai Beach is the most well-known surfing spot on the North Shore and is often called one of the best in the world. It’s a great place for competitions because it’s close to the beach, making it easy for everyone to watch.

Every December, the North Shore hosts three big surfing competitions called the Triple Crown of Surfing. These include the Hawaiian Pro, the O’Neill World Cup of Surfing, and the Billabong Pipeline Masters. The Pipe Masters started in 1971 and is considered the top surfing contest. There are also competitions for women, such as the Hawaiian Pro, the Roxy Pro Sunset, and the Billabong Pro on the nearby island of Maui.

Waimea Bay holds the Quiksilver Big Wave Invitational in Memory of Eddie Aikau, a special competition where surfers must be invited to join. It only happens when there are waves at least 20 feet high, so it doesn’t happen every year.

Even though the North Shore is famous for its big winter waves, there are also surf schools where beginners can learn to surf in safer, smaller waves.

Television and film

Because of its beautiful nature, closeness to Honolulu, and big waves, the North Shore is a favorite place for making movies and TV shows.

The documentary film Bustin' Down the Door (2008) tells the story of how professional surfing grew in the early 1970s.

The Fox Network TV show North Shore was filmed there. ABC’s Lost was mostly filmed on O‘ahu, with many scenes shot on the North Shore, especially around Turtle Bay.

The North Shore was also where movies like Ride the Wild Surf (1964), North Shore (1987), Blue Crush (2002), The Big Bounce (2004), and Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008) were filmed. It was also the made-up location for the animated film Surf's Up.

Since December 2015, Hale'iwa and Pupukea have been the place where the popular German TV show Die Reimanns is filmed. The show shows the life of the Reimann family on their beautiful home in Sunset Hills.

Accommodation

The North Shore has just one big hotel, the Turtle Bay Resort, which also features two amazing golf courses made by Arnold Palmer and George Fazio. You can also find places to stay in private condos, houses for rent, and a youth hostel.

Activities

The North Shore is most famous for surfing, but there are many other fun things to do there. You can go hiking, try scuba diving, take snorkeling trips, enjoy food trucks, ride a foilboard, go shopping, taste shave ice, or join dolphin tours. There are also opportunities for surfing lessons and even shark cage diving for those who are brave enough!

Floods and beach erosion

During the winter months, big waves often cause flooding along the North Shore. This can sometimes close Kamehameha Highway and wash away parts of beaches, which can be hard on homes near the water.

The North Shore is famous for its very big waves in the winter, from early November to maybe even June or July. These waves can get as big as 45 to 60 feet! Because of these huge waves, the land near the coast can wear away, which can be dangerous for houses by the shore.

Big waves also make the tide come in much higher than usual, which adds to the problem of land wearing away and causes more flooding. This can hurt nature areas near the coast and also damage shops and businesses, especially in Haleiwa.

Besides the big winter waves, other things like climate change and rising sea levels also help wear away the coast. As the ocean gets warmer, the water expands and sea levels go up. This makes storms, heavy rain, and high tides even worse. In the past, sea levels have been rising fast, and scientists think they will keep rising, which means more flooding and land wearing away on the North Shore. This can change the beaches and places where people like to surf forever because so much land could be lost.

Communities

The North Shore of Oʻahu has several small towns and areas. The largest town is Haleiwa. Other places include Kahuku, Mokuleia, Pupukea, Waialua, and Waimea Bay. This area is famous for its big waves, which attract surfers from around the world.

Notable residents

The North Shore of Oʻahu has been home to many famous people, especially in the world of surfing. Some well-known names include Owl Chapman, a surfer and surfboard shaper, and John John Florence, a professional surfer. Other notable residents are Jack Johnson, a folk rock singer-songwriter, and Brian Grazer, an Academy Award-winning film and television producer. The area has also attracted athletes like Bruce Irons, Jamie O'Brien, and Makua Rothman, all professional surfers. Additionally, Paul Theroux, an American travel writer and novelist, also made this beautiful coast his home.