Founder of HawaiiGuide & certified travel expert with 20+ years of experience in Hawaii tourism.
Oahu Best Beaches
North Shore Oahu Beaches
Escape to the North Shore, a beach-side paradise! With long stretches of white sand, you can spend all day in the sun and watch the sunset over the water. Get a taste of heaven with Sunset Beach, Oahu.
Overview of Sunset Beach
Are you shopping for the perfect beach getaway? We recommend checking out Sunset Beach. Located on the North Shore of Oahu, less than an hour's drive from Honolulu, this island gem is ideal for families, a romantic getaway, thrill-seekers, or beach bums. The beach features hiking, snorkeling, surfing, sunset watching, and more. Ultimately, we consider Sunset Beach one of the best places to catch noteworthy waves or watch the sunset on Oahu.
During the winter months, waves and shore breaks are lovely for surfing. Yet, the summer months provide relatively calm waters for ideal swimming and snorkeling. This North Shore oasis features two miles of stunning white sand stretching 200-300 feet wide, kissing the ocean blue waters.
Be Safe
Be aware of the Sunset Rip. It's a notorious spot for rip currents. Also, watch out for the waves, which often can reach 25 ft high during the Winter. Furthermore, there is stinging limu (seaweed) incidents from June through September, making for an unpleasant experience.
Directions to Sunset Beach
If you choose to drive to Sunset Beach, search for "Sunset Beach State Park" on your GPS for an easy drive to the beach! Sunset Beach falls right outside of Haleiwa Town past Waimea Bay. Note that you've gone too far if you reach Turtle Bay Resort.
Pro tip: You can easily find plenty of parking at the Sunset Beach Support Park. There's also parking nearby on the side of the street, but it can be a hassle.
Amenities at Sunset Beach
- Free parking lot across the street and beside the beach park
- Restrooms
- Beach showers
- Picnic bench tables
- Lifeguard on duty
- Few shady areas for lounging
Family-Friendly Activities
Make memories with the whole family at Sunset Beach, the ideal North Shore paradise. See what makes this beach a classic. Spend the day playing on the beach, catching waves, and watching sunsets in Hawaii. You'll find plenty to keep everyone's spirits high with wide-open spaces for playing in the sand, swimming, and snorkeling. Summer months offer the best opportunities for your children to enjoy the water because the waves are calm then. Yet, winter is great for surfing and surfing events. There are plenty of nearby activities like a nighttime Lua, hiking, golfing, and more. You can also peer into a few tide pools to observe some of the most colorful wonders of nature.
Sunset Beach Activities
Snorkeling with turtles: The summertime gives way to flat waves-perfect for snorkeling enthusiasts. Snorkelers love watching turtles in their natural habitat. With your mask on, you can watch these fantastic sea creatures as they swim just below the water's surface. The reef surrounding Sunset Beach has some of the most diverse marine life.
Catch an International surfing contest: Sunset Beach hosts various world-renowned surfing events. Tournaments such as the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing garner attention and contestants.
Go Surfing: Crown of surfing in winter- this beach offers consistent waves for beginners to learn the sport. Yet, the beach's steep drop-off makes it a rewarding experience for advanced surfers.
Sunsets: Treat yourself to a sunset before returning to town. The sunsets here explain the reason behind this beach's name.
Oahu's Sunset Beach- home of the perfect sunset- is ideal for surfers and and relaxers alike.
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Nearby Sights and Activities
The Banzai Pipeline: Many refer to the Banzai Pipeline as the "Holy Grail of surfing" because only the most potent surfers can ride these enormous waves. Located at Ehukai Beach Park, it has some of the largest waves on earth, so be careful!
Ehukai Pillbox Hike - Find a little-known secret hike across from Ehukai Beach. The 30-minute trek leads to the top of a ridge, where two WWII military bunkers overlook the North Shore coastline. Enjoy the spectacular views!
Golfing at Turtle Bay Resort – Looking for more luxury? Go up the road to the Turtle Bay Resort! This 4 miles beachfront property includes two championship golf courses, splendid restaurants, spas, and more. Visitors can check in with security at the entrance.
Toa Luau to end the evening: Get your cultural experience at the Toa Luau with the evening luau! Your ticket includes entrance to Waimea Valley and Waterfall and the Lua feast. Lua only runs from Monday to Wednesday evenings.
