Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
(late November to early December), rides at Sunset Beach. The final leg, the Billa-
bong Pipe Masters, happens in early to mid-December at Pipeline. Parallel events
for world-class women surfers take place alongside the men's battles on Oʻahu,
but finish on Maui.
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Haleʻiwa
POP 3970
The best way to know if the surf's up is by how busy Haleʻiwa is. If the town is all hustle
and bustle, then chances are the surf is flat. If you arrive into town and find it eerily
quiet, check the beach - odds are the waves are pumping. It's that sort of town: it's all
about the surf and everyone knows it.
Despite being a touristy hub, there's a laid-back ambience to Haleʻiwa that's in perfect
harmony with the rest of the North Shore. As the biggest town around, this is the place to
stop for a shave ice, pick up a new bikini or board shorts, rent a longboard for the day
and then hang around after sunset, wishing you could stay just a little bit longer.
Beaches
Haleʻiwa has a picturesque boat harbor bounded by beach parks. The winter wave action
attracts annual international surf competitions and lots of local attention.
Haleʻiwa Aliʻi Beach Park
BEACH
(66-167 Haleʻiwa Rd)
Home to some of the North Shore's best surf, winter waves here can
be huge, with double or triple overhead tubes not uncommon. When it's flat, local kids
rip it up with their bodyboards, while newbie tourists test their skills with stand up
paddleboarding (SUP). The shallow areas on the beach's southern side are generally
calmest for swimming.
The park has restrooms, outdoor showers, picnic tables and lifeguards. Trivia alert:
scenes from
Baywatch
were shot here.
Haleʻiwa Beach Park
BEACH
(62-449 Kamehameha Hwy)
On the northern side of the harbor, this beach is protected by a
shallow shoal and breakwater so it's usually gentle enough for swimming. There's little
wave action, except for occasional winter swells that ripple into the bay. Not as pretty as
