Things To Do
Waimea Bay
This place is our peace. Melanie has been coming to Waimea since she was little, and it’s the beach that feels the most like home to us. There’s just something about it. The water, the mountains behind you, the way the light hits at sunset. It’s magic without trying to be. It’s perfect for a full, easy beach day. Set up early, relax, stay all afternoon. Foodland is about two minutes away, so grabbing poke and bringing it back to the sand is the ultimate move. Right across the road is Waimea Valley, which is absolutely gorgeous if you want to explore waterfalls and lush gardens before or after the beach. Parking can be a little tricky if you come later in the day, but there’s usually side street parking nearby and the walk in is short and beautiful. Totally worth it. If the surf is up, it’s amazing to watch. And the sunsets here are truly insane. If you do one North Shore beach day, we would choose this one every time 🤍
Maguro Spot
One of our absolute favorite poke spots on the island. There’s almost always a line out the door, but don’t let that intimidate you—it moves surprisingly fast and is well worth the wait. Pro tip: try to grab your poke before 4:00 PM for the freshest selection! If you're up for a drive: Melanie’s all-time favorite poke can be found at Kahuku Superette, a tiny and unassuming market on Oʻahu’s northeast side. The sweet ladies in the back make fresh poke bowls to order, and it's one of those hidden local gems that's absolutely worth the trip.
Tantalus Lookout - Puu Ualakaa State Park
If you want one of the best views of Honolulu, this is it. Tantalus Lookout sits up in the hills above the city and gives you a full panoramic view of Waikīkī, Diamond Head, and the ocean — especially unreal at sunset. No tickets, no reservations. Just drive up, park, and take it all in. It’s simple, easy, and so worth the few extra minutes up the hill. Perfect little golden-hour moment before dinner 🤍
Hoʻomaluhia Botanical Garden
If you’re craving a peaceful, lush, “wait this is real life?” moment... go here. Hoʻomaluhia is one of the most beautiful botanical gardens on Oahu, with huge mountain views, tropical greenery everywhere, and the dreamiest walking paths. It’s completely free and you don’t need tickets. You just drive in, park, and explore at your own pace. It’s quiet, stunning, and feels like stepping into Jurassic Park (in the best way). Perfect for a slow morning, a picnic, or just taking in how insanely beautiful Hawaii is 🌿
Banzai Pipeline
If the waves are up, this is legendary. Pipeline is one of the most famous surf breaks in the world. In the winter especially, the waves can be massive and it’s unreal to watch the surfers out there. This is more of a “watch in awe” beach than a casual swim spot when the surf is big. It’s dramatic, powerful, and very North Shore.
Marugame Udon
This is officially one of our spots. If you ask us where we want to eat in Waikīkī… it’s probably here! Marugame is casual, fast, and so good. You walk through the line cafeteria-style, pick your fresh udon bowl, grab whatever tempura looks amazing (we always grab too much), and then find a seat. It’s affordable and somehow hits every single time. Very important: do NOT let the line scare you. It can look absolutely insane — sometimes literally down the street — but it moves weirdly fast. Like shockingly fast. We’ve stood there thinking “this is a mistake” and then had food in our hands 10 minutes later. Trust the process. It’s worth it 🤍
Roy's Waikiki
If you’re wanting a nicer dinner night while you’re here, Roy’s is such a classic. It’s upscale but not stuffy, and the food is consistently so good. Think fresh island seafood with a little elevated, date-night energy. It’s a great option if you want something that feels special but still very “Hawaiʻi.” Definitely recommend reservations, especially on weekends. And if you’re venturing a little outside Waikīkī — we adore the Roy’s inside the The Ritz-Carlton O‘ahu, Turtle Bay. The setting is unreal and it’s one of our favorite North Shore dinner spots 🤍
Giovanni's Shrimp Truck
Okay. If you go to the North Shore and don’t get shrimp… did you even go? Giovanni’s is the iconic shrimp truck in Haleʻiwa — super casual, very no-frills, and absolutely delicious. You order at the window, grab a plate (the scampi is the classic), and sit at the picnic tables covered in signatures. It’s messy, buttery, garlicky, and so good. Definitely more of a laid-back lunch stop than a fancy dinner, but it’s part of the full North Shore experience. Pro tip: bring wipes. Trust us 😂
Lanikai Pillbox Trail
If you’re up for a little workout with a huge payoff, this is such a good one. It’s a shorter hike but definitely steep at parts, so wear real shoes and bring water. The views at the top are unreal. You’ll see the bright blue water and the Mokulua Islands off Lanikai. Sunrise here is especially beautiful if you’re an early riser. Short, sweet, and very worth it.
Foodland Poke
This is iconic. Like… Hawaiʻi iconic. If we could only eat one thing while we’re here, it’s Foodland poke bowls. No debate. Our actual death row meal. It looks so casual — you grab a number, walk up to the deli-style counter inside a grocery store, and point at what you want. That’s it. No reservations, no frills, no fancy presentation. And yet… it is hands down some of the best poke on the island. So fresh, so simple, so good. Spicy ahi or Spicy Shoyu are our forever orders, but you truly can’t go wrong. It’s also the ultimate grab-and-go. Pick it up, head straight to the beach, sit in the sand, and eat it with the ocean in front of you. Truly elite. Low-key experience. Highest-tier reward. Please trust us on this one 🤍
Waikīkī Beach
Classic for a reason. If you’re staying in Waikīkī, this is the easiest beach day ever. Walkable, swimmable, and always lively. You’ll have Diamond Head in the background and the city right behind you. It’s great for swimming, beginner surfing, or just laying out and people watching. Easy and fun.
7-Eleven
We need to address this because it’s important... Hawaii 7-Eleven is elite. It’s not mainland 7-Eleven energy. It’s basically Japanese 7-Eleven vibes.. which means the food is actually amazing! You can walk in at literally any time of day and grab fresh spam musubi, bentos, noodles, fried rice, sandwiches… it’s shockingly solid. It’s hot, reliable, fast, and everywhere on the island. Perfect for beach days, late nights, early mornings, or when you just need something quick that isn’t a full sit-down situation. It may not look glamorous… but it will absolutely come through for you.
Saylor's Coffee - Haleiwa
Our favorite North Shore coffee stop 🤍 Saylor’s is one of those places that just feels cool but still cozy. It’s small, local, and perfectly Haleʻiwa. The coffee is consistently so good, and it’s the kind of spot you’ll want to linger at for a bit. Perfect for a slow morning before the beach or a little mid-day reset while exploring the North Shore. If we’re up there, there’s a very high chance we’re holding a cup from here.
Makapu‘u Point Lighthouse Trail
This is one of the easiest “wow” hikes on the island. It’s fully paved, gradual, and great if you want views without a super intense climb. You get sweeping ocean views the entire way up, and in the winter you can sometimes spot whales offshore. It’s breezy, open, and so pretty. Perfect if you want something active but not extreme.
Haleiwa Town Shops
If you’re on the North Shore, you have to wander through Haleiwa town shops. It’s colorful, laid back, and full of little surf shops, boutiques, shave ice spots, and local finds. You can easily spend a couple hours just popping in and out of stores and walking the main strip. It feels very old school beach town in the best way. Relaxed, local, and not trying too hard. Perfect to pair with shrimp trucks, coffee, or a slow afternoon drive along the coast 🤍
Sunset Beach
The name says it all. Sunset Beach is wide, beautiful, and especially magical in the late afternoon. The sky here really does put on a show. It’s another amazing North Shore stop, whether you’re swimming in calmer months or just sitting back and watching the waves roll in. Such a perfect end-of-day spot 🤍
Ala Moana Shopping Center
If you need a little shopping moment while you’re here, Ala Moana is the spot. It’s an open-air mall right outside Waikīkī with everything from high-end designer stores to easy grab-and-go basics. It somehow feels tropical and elevated at the same time, which we love. Great if you forgot something, want to browse, or just need a little break from the sun. It’s big, easy to get to, and honestly kind of a fun afternoon stop 🤍