Oahu Road Trip : Kalanianaole Highway Part 2- Central Windward Coast to the North Shore

The drive around the Windward Coast and North Shore Oahu island on Kalanianaole highway would be easily completed in a day, but we broke it up over 3 days. On our first day we explored the southern half, and later returned to the Windward Coast to visit the Kualoa Ranch. From there, we continued to the North Shore.

Kualoa Ranch to turtle Cove

We pre-booked the 1 1/2 hour Movie Set Tour at Kualoa Ranch, which is located slightly inland from the coast but has views of the ocean from the cliff side in the park.

North Shore

Highway 3 runs through the center of Oahu, and is one of the major roadways taking people from the Honolulu area across the mountains to the eastern side of the island. After a visit to the Kualoa Ranch for a Movie Tour, we continued along the Kalanianaole toward the famous North Shore. Small public beaches were easy stops along the drive. In some areas, like the town of Hau’ula, the roadway hugged the waterfront.  

We read on one of the many “Losties” blogs that one of the most utilized filming locations for the Lost series was in the bamboo forest around the Turtle Bay Resort. There was public parking along the side of the highway with a trail leading to the beachfront. An enormous banyan tree was also a draw for tourists.

Sunset Park Beach

We couldn’t find parking at  Wameia Bay and quickly realized why. The cove created both calm beach waters for swimmers of all ages during the summer, while nearby rocks invited adventure-seekers to jump into the ocean below. During the winter season, huge waves are a draw for surfers.

We were lucky to find a spot at Sunset Park Beach and it was our favorite swimming beach of the entire trip.  The water was perfectly calm and crystal clear, and perfect for floating and cooling off. There were public restrooms with parking across the highway and parking adjacent to the beach front. 

Shark Cove Beach

Early into our trip we realized that purchasing snorkels would be well worth the cost. We loved Sunset Beach so much we decided to return the next day with our snorkels and masks, but to our surprise the beach was completely different. It was more crowded, and there were waves and surfers taking advantage of them. Discouraged we kept driving and found parking at the famous Shark Cove. Shark Cove Beach was perfect for families with young children to try snorkeling in the shallow waters, while more confident swimmers could venture out further. Water shoes would also have been helpful, and we decided to wear our tennis shoes to walk along the rocky tide pools. Also of note, and contrary to the name, the rocks are a deterrent to sharks.

• DAY 1:

  Flight to Oahu, Hawaii from Norfolk, Virginia
  Check-in for a one-night stay at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach

  

• DAY 2:

  
  Coastal Drive along the Koko Head Area and the Wayward Coast
  Hikes at the Koko Crater Botanic Garden and the Ho’omaluhia Botanic Garden
  Check-in for a 3-night stay at Disney’s Aulani Resort & Spa

  

• DAY 3:

  Breakfast at Green World Coffee
  A hula performance, waterfall pool swim and garden tour at Waimea Botanical Garden
  Swim at Sunset Beach on the North Shore

  
• DAY 4:

  Movie Tour at Kualoa Ranch
  Drive along the North Shore
  Snorkel at Shark Cove

  
• DAY 5:

  Dole Pineapple Plantation
  Wahiawā Botanical Garden
  Byodo-In Temple
  
  

  
• DAY 6:

  Waikiki Beach
  Foster Botanical Garden
  Ala Moana Center
  Flight from Oahu, Hawaii to Los Angeles, California for a 3-night stay at Disneyland
  

  

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