First Timer’s Guide to Oahu’s North Shore, Honolulu, Hawaii

I’m fresh of my solo trip to the Hawaiian island of Oahu. It was my third time visiting the island, which is something I rarely do. I typically prefer to explore new destinations, but there is something about Hawaii that has me hooked. Part of it is the fact that it is so easy to travel there, no passport is needed and your phone works just like it would anywhere else in the U.S., which is a plus especially when traveling alone.

Another perk to returning to a destination I’m familiar with is knowing exactly what places I could skip – like Waikiki – and where I wanted to explore – the North Shore. If you’re planning a trip to Oahu and wondering what to see and do, below is my first timer’s guide to Oahu’s North Shore.

There are a few different options for reaching the North Shore from Oahu’s capital city of Honolulu, which is where you’ll fly in.

Option 1: Straight up the middle. This is the least scenic route, but it is the fastest. If time is an issue, take Interstate H1 West to HI-99 North and you’ll be at the North Shore in about 30 minutes. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).