North Shore

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Oahu's North Shore is best known for one thing: surfing.

And with 30-foot swells during the prime winter season, it's not hard to see why the pros have been flocking to these parts since the 1950s. In fact, Waimea Bay is widely considered the birthplace of big-wave surfing. If you're feeling particularly brave, you can try a lesson at one of the many surf schools that dot this stretch of coastline.

Or, if you'd rather let the professionals handle the waves, join the crowds beachside at one of the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing championships. After a day at the beach, do as the surfers do and head to Matsumoto Shave Ice, a local hot spot in Haleiwa known for its variety of homemade flavors ranging from old favorites like cherry and piña colada to exotic fruit flavors like guava, lychee, and pickled mango.

Spring
Haleiwa Metric Century Ride

Think of it as the Tour de North Shore: The Haleiwa Metric Century Ride is a 100K bike ride starting and ending in Kaiaka Bay, taking you through historic Haleiwa and along the island's northern coast through Waimea Valley, Sunset Beach, Kahuku, and Ka'a'awa. Riders of all ages and skill levels are invited to participate in what Bicycling magazine calls one of the 50 best rides in the country.

Summer
Te Mahana Hiro'a Tumu O Tahiti Dance Competition

If you think hula can get fast and furious, wait until you see Tahitian dancing! Each July, the Polynesian Cultural Center hosts the Te Mahana Hiro'a Tumu O Tahiti Dance Competition, a contest featuring solo and group performances by some of the fastest hip swingers in the Pacific.

Fall
Vans Triple Crown

Oahu's North Shore is best known for one thing: surfing. Starting in mid-November, the shore hosts a series of professional surfing tournaments called the Vans Triple Crown at three of the toughest surf spots in Hawaii: the Reef Hawaiian Pro at Haleiwa, the Vans World Cup of Surfing at Sunset Beach, and the Billabong Pipe Masters at Ehukai Beach, home of the Banzai Pipeline. Traffic and crowds can be heavy, so plan to get there early.

Winter
Whale Watching Season

Tourists and snowbirds aren't the only ones flocking to the North Shore this time of year! From December through May, keep an eye out for humpback whales traveling south from Alaska toward the warm waters of Hawaii, where they mate and give birth to their young each year. Areas along the North Shore like Shark's Cove and Turtle Bay are great places to spot the majestic creatures.