 |
||||||
 |
||||||
 |
||||||
Beaches and Parks
Waves generated by winds hundreds of miles to the north in the Pacific, perfect reefs, and typically off-shore winds combine to create the beaches of the North Shore, world recognized as the Mecca of Surfing. There are very beautiful beaches along the coast, providing peaceful places to relax, challenging surf breaks for professional surfers, snorkeling, scuba diving, fishing, and everything in between. The ocean is generally calm during the summer months and the large swells of waves come in the winter.
Laniakea
Laniakea- Located in the area between Haleiwa and Waimea Bay known as Kawailoa, Laniakea Beach was named by a group of surfers in the 1950's, who saw a nearby house with "Laniakea" written on it, which literally means "wide sky" in Hawaiian language. This beach is famous for its long right surf break and the Hawaiian Sea Turtles which habit the shore, grazing on limu (seaweed) and entertaining visitors amazed by these majestic yet endangered animals.
Information on seeing the turtles at Laniakea from Turtles.org
Mokuleia
A beautiful and secluded beach with white sand, frequented by windsurfers and fishermen, with occasionally huge surf in the winter.You can even see the beach live online at htp://hawaiianbeachcams.com/beachcams/livecams/mokuleia.html
Waimea Bay
Home of the surfing competition known as the Quiksilver Big Wave Invitational In Memory of Eddie Aikau, Waimea Bay is a popular beach for swimming on the North Shore in the summer, and big wave surfing in the winter. Looking from above, on the the northeast side of the mouth of Waimea Bay, is Saints Paul and Peter Catholic Church, which was originally a storage bin for rocks quarried from the around the bay in the 1930s.
Hammerheads and Aweoweo Beach Park
A popular huge tow-in surfing spot in front of a beautiful beach by the Waialua Beach Colony and Aweoweo Beach Park.
Sunset Beach
Sunset Beach- although "Sunset Beach" is commonly used to refer to the 2.5 mile stretch between Waimea Bay and Velzyland, originally named Paumalu, "Sunset Beach" more specifically refers to the area of beach that lies immediately southwest of Sunset Point, for which there is parking adjacent to the large palm trees which line the edge of the sand, and plenty of sometimes well needed parking across the street, where you can purchase Sunset Beach tee-shirts.
Ehukai Beach Park
Ehukai Beach Park- The entrance to the beach near the famous Banzai Pipeline, a reef break that some call the world's deadliest wave. One of the surfing contests held there is the Billabong Pipeline Masters, which is one of three surfing events held is the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing.
Alii Beach Park
Alii Beach Park- Location of the Reef Hawaiian Pro, the first event in the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing. Also the former filming location for the popular television show "Baywatch Hawaii."
Chun's Reef
Chun's Reef- A great longboarding spot, probably one of the few places visitors go to learn how to surf.
Haleiwa Beach Park
Haleiwa Beach Park- A unique place with beautiful brown sand, where the North Shore Canoe Club (http://www.northshorecanoeclub.com/) and other outrigger canoe teams, including Kahuku High School and Mililani High School.
Haleiwa Harbor
Where some big fish come ashore. Ahi, Mahimahi, Marlin. You can just go check it out and enjoy the ambiance, or sign up for a fishing charter, observe sharks from within the water, or take a boat tour.
Kaena Point State Park
Kaena Point State Park- Located at the end of Farrington Highway and the North Shore. There are no lifeguards and no bathrooms, but Kaena Point is a natural area reserve for lots of seabirds and rare native plants. You can take walk a couple miles in to the Kaena Point Light, the westernmost point on Oahu.
Shark's Cove
Shark's Cove- Also known as the Pupukea Marine Preserve, on calm days this lagoon enchants snorkelers and scuba divers with an upclose look at Hawaii's unique marinelife, which are protected against fishing. The coral can be sharp, so shoes are advisable. No lifeguard, and large surf in the winter can make swimming hazardous. Parking, rest rooms, and showers are available. | |||||||
 |
 | ||||||
