Known as the "surfing capital of the world," Oahu's North Shore spans from La'ie to Ka'ena Point. Still, it's an area that far too many visitors never take the opportunity to see.
In this feature we'll show you the best ways to get to the North Shore by car and then we'll take a look at some of the highlights of the area. You can get to the North Shore on TheBus, but it's a long a slow ride with many stops.
Driving to Oahu's North Shore
There are two main ways of getting to the North Shore. The first way is to drive via Central Oahu.
Heading west on H1 from Waikiki, turn north on the H2. When the H2 ends in Wahiawa near Schofield Barracks, follow the signs for the Kamehameha Highway (#99). This road will take you past Dole Plantation on your right and right into Haleiwa town.
For the purposes of this feature, we're going to drive to the North Shore via the other route.
The other way to get to the North Shore is to take H1 to either the Likelike Highway or Pali Highway towards Oahu's Windward Coast near Kane'ohe and Kailua.
If you choose the Likelike Highway (#63) once you drive through the Koolau Mountains, and down the other side, take the first right-hand exit (Kahekili Highway), which soon turns into Kamehameha Highway (#83).
If you take the Pali Highway, look for signs for the Kamehameha Highway (#83). Once you go under the H3, turn left on the Likelike Highway (#63). Turn right at the second stop light onto Kahekili Highway, which soon turns into Kamehameha Highway (#83).
You'll be on the Kamehameha Highway for about 23 miles along Oahu's most scenic coast that includes Mokoli'i Island (Chinaman's Hat), Kualoa Ranch and the Ka'a'awa Valley and Kahana Bay. Soon you'll enter La'ie.
