Air Travel Discount
Links of interest for your travel plans
Oahu
North Shore
When most people think of
Hawaii, they think of Waikiki Beach. Of course, Waikiki is a beautiful
tourist location. No doubt about that. However, there is much more to
the Hawaiian island of Oahu than Waikiki.
If you have not been to Oahu north shore, you have missed a very
special part of Hawaii. Here you will find a completely different
world, far away from the hustle and bustle of the Oahu center of
tourism.
Going to Oahu north shore means that you will travel across the island,
past the Dole Pineapple plantation visitor center. Along the way, you
are surrounded by pineapple orchards and you can see Oahu’s
famous Pali mountain range in the distant. If you take the left cut-off
to Waialua, the west end of Oahu north shore, some of the most
fantastic hang gliding in the world takes place there.
Turning right from Waialua on the north shore road, you can travel to
the eastern end at Kualoa Ranch. The entire shore road is dotted with
communities and natural beauty that you will not experience any place
else on Oahu.
Oahu north shore is for people looking for the laid back and easy
lifestyle for which people used to travel to Hawaii. The tourist center
of Waikiki seems remote and frankly, just as crowded and stressful as
the big city you might have left to come on vacation.
There are many resorts on the Oahu north shore; however, the ambience
is much different from Waikiki. The resorts seem more isolated and
carefree. Of course, you have all the water sport and beach amenities
as Waikiki, but it is just plain different and I think better.
If you are staying in Waikiki, you should rent a car and take a day
trip to Oahu north shore. Stop anywhere along the road and go to the
beach. You will see Waimea, which is the most famous surfing area in
the world. If the weather is right, the size of the waves will
absolutely amaze you. Also amazing is that there will be surfers out in
the water, probably local residents of Oahu north shore who left work
early just to surf.
Down the road from Waimea is Three Tables Beach. Three huge flat rocks
keep this small cove protected from the massive breakers. It is a good
place for children to play in the water. I know; I lived across the
road from Three Tables for a year on Oahu north shore.
As you progress down the road from Three Tables, the landscape becomes
even more rugged and beautiful. Try to stop at some of the art
galleries along the way. You will not be disappointed. It seems like
when people go to Oahu north shore, there attitude changes and they
become mellower.