The Lowdown
Nestled into the deep surf culture of Oahu’s North Shore, Haleiwa is a laid-back paradise. The town is a short drive from some of the world’s best surf beaches. It’s also only a 45 minute drive from the city lights of Honolulu. Haleiwa is an excellent taste of Hawaii, offering rural living, surf culture, and top beaches all within a stone’s throw. To top it off, Oahu also offers some excellent and challenging hikes.
Where to Stay
Outsite (click for $50 off your first stay) is a great place to stay if you’re visiting Oahu’s North Shore. The location is extremely close to the top surf spots. Craigslist is also quite popular on Hawaii’s North Shore, so check out the availabilities on there if you’re staying for a month or more.
Credit: @AnywhereHQ
Credit: @AnywhereHQ
Where to Work
Outsite offers a dedicated workspace in the house, so you’re covered if you stay there. There are several shops and cafes around Haleiwa that offer Wi-Fi. One favourite is North Shore Coffee Bar, which offers great food and ice cream. To top it all off, some of the best poke bowls in town are at Poke for the People, which is also in the back of the same building.
If you’re looking for more of a typical office or coworking setting, there are a few options in Honolulu, including BoxJelly.
Credit: @AnywhereHQ
Credit: @AnywhereHQ
Where to Eat
If you’re looking for an introduction to North Shore food, look no further than Poke for the People. It’s a small, unassuming location that shares a building with North Shore Coffee Bar. Food trucks are also a very popular mainstay of the North Shore. The garlic shrimp found at Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck is most famous, but other trucks serve the dish just as well and have shorter lineups. You’ll find food trucks parked all along the main streets of Haleiwa. Finally, Banzai Sushi Bar serves up some of the best sushi around.
If you’ve had your fill of fresh seafood, try out Jax Wood Fired Pizza in downtown Haleiwa. With dough made on the spot and fresh ingredients, you won’t be disappointed! Farm to Barn Cafe & Juicery also grows their own ingredients next to the restaurant. It doesn’t get much fresher than that! They have tasty, healthy options for breakfast and lunch.
For breakfast, Kono’s serves up an excellent pulled pork breakfast burrito.
Finally, it’s highly recommended to catch a sunset at Turtle Bay Resort’s pool-side bar. A short drive down the highway from Haleiwa, there’s nothing better than watching the sunset with a drink in hand.
Jax Woodfire Pizza[/caption]Credit: @AnywhereHQ
Farm to Barn[/caption]Credit: @AnywhereHQ
Where to Play
Haleiwa was ranked the best surf town in the USA for a reason. There are several beaches in the area to explore- you can easily spend several days doing just that. During the winter months, there are several events The areas closer to town have calmer waves which also make it a great place to learn surfing- you’ll find a few surf shops downtown to book a lesson. Downtown Haleiwa also offers paddleboard rentals.
If you’re more into hiking, Oahu offers hikes for all ages. Although this article outlines the more difficult hikes on the island, there are plenty of easy hikes, including Diamond Head Crater.
Much of the island (and town of Haleiwa) shuts down early in the evening. You won’t find too many restaurants open past 9 or 10pm, but Honolulu offers a bustling nightlife with late-night shopping if that’s your thing.
Finally, one of the best things about Hawaii is that you’re only a 20-40 minute flight away from the other islands. Every Hawaiian Island has something different and unique to offer up. If you are staying for a longer period of time, check out Volcano National Park on the Big Island, or Waimea Canyon (also known as “Little Grand Canyon”) on Kauai. The opportunities are endless. You can “island hop” with Hawaiian Airlines.
Credit: @AnywhereHQ
Credit: @AnywhereHQ
What You’ll Need
If you want to do any exploring or grocery shopping, it’s probably best to rent a car. If you are staying at Outsite, it’s a short drive into the town of Haleiwa, where you can find shops, restaurants, and groceries.
If you’re happy just chilling at the house and nearby beaches for a few days, an Uber from Honolulu Airport to Outsite is around $100 USD.
How to Get There
Fly into Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL). From there, it’s about a 45 minute drive to the North Shore.
Ready to Go?
1. Check Outsite’s availability (click here for $50 off your first stay)
2. Check Skyscanner for the best prices on flights and car rentals.
3. Pick up Lonely Planet’s book, Honolulu, Waikiki & O’ahu
4. If you’re travelling from outside the US, grab some travel insurance below:
5. Pack your bags!