21 EPIC Things to do in Haleʻiwa, Hawaii (And Nearby!)

In my mind, Haleʻiwa is the heart of Oʻahu. It’s an iconic surf town where life is lived on island time with golden sand beaches, a charming downtown area, and some of the best food trucks on the island.

This guide covers the absolute best things to in Haleiwa, from shark diving and surf lessons to hidden beaches, epic hikes, plus the island’s best luau! All my recommendations are based on my own experience—I visit Haleiwa every time in Oahu and can’t get enough of this charming North Shore town!

And as you’re planning your Oahu trip, be sure to check out some of my other Oahu travel guides:

• ✈️ Oahu First Timers Guide: Where to Stay, What to Do, and Essential Travel Tips
• 🌊 The Ultimate Oahu North Shore Itinerary for a Fun Day Trip
• ☀️ 4 Day Oahu Itinerary Full of Sunshine, Aloha, and Adventure
• 🌈 25 Oahu Hidden Gems for Exploring Off the Beaten Path
• 🌅 Your Guide to Oahu’s Lanikai Pillbox Hike (Kaʻiwa Ridge)
• 🏯 Finding Tranquility at Oahu’s Japanese Byodo-In Temple

21 Best Things to do in Haleʻiwa, Oʻahu

1. Go shark diving

Believe it or not, one of the best things to do in Haleiwa is intentionally jump in the water with the ocean’s apex predator! 🦈

Several local companies in Haleiwa offer shark diving (with a cage) and freediving (without cage). You board the boat at the Haleiwa Small Boat Harbor and jet out a few miles into the ocean where you encounter the sharks!

On our second to last Oahu trip, my husband and I booked this tour on a whim and a few days later we were face-to-face with Galapagos sharks. As crazy as it might sound, we loved it and would absolutely do it again—but only with this tour company (it’s locally owned and they don’t chum the water).

We actually felt quite at peace in the water with the sharks, partly because our awesome local guides went above and beyond to make our whole group feel safe (and get great photos!) This is the exact tour I took, but I also compare it to other highly-rated shark dive tours and cage diving experiences in this article on the best Oahu shark dives.

If you’re curious to learn more, I wrote all about this experience (and how to prepare for it) in my guide to freediving with sharks on Oahu’s North Shore.

👋🏽 Note from the author: Did this article impact the way you planned your trip? Have any questions? Please comment at the end of the article! It helps this blog grow and helps me know what types of articles to write more. 💛

2. Attend Oahu’s best luau

If a luau is on your Oahu bucket-list, I highly recommend Toa Luau at Waimea Valley in Haleiwa! It’s one of the few luaus in Hawaii actually run by Hawaiians, and your entry to the luau grants you access to one of Oahu’s most beautiful waterfalls, Waimea Falls!

If you’ve never been to a luau, think of it as a party done right—Hawaiian style! You’ll enjoy an all you can eat buffet of delicious Hawaiian and Polynesian food, plus Hawaiian stories, dancing, and entertainment in a beautiful setting.

Photo via Toa Luau

Toa Luau has two luaus each day, I’d go with the evening luau and show up early to swim beneath Waimea Falls, but choose the timing that works best for you!

3. Hike to the northwest most point of Oahu (and see sea lions!)

Drive a twenty minutes west along the North Shore from Haleiwa town to Kaʻena Point Park, one of Oahu’s best hidden gems!

Here you can spot sea lions and tide pools while walking beneath vibrant green mountains, on an easy path that leads to Oahu’s northwest most point!

Even though this park is so close to Haleiwa, very few people actually visit, so it’s easy to feel like you have the place to yourself (if you don’t count a few local fishermen who are somehow always here!)

From the parking lot to the northwest point, it’s about 2.5 miles, but you don’t have to walk the whole way if you’re short on time.

Also Read: 5 Short But Breathtaking Oahu Hikes, 2 Miles or Less

4. Snorkel at Shark’s Cove (only in the summertime)

Say hello to my all-time favorite place to snorkel on Oahu, Shark’s Cove! Teeming with tropical fish (not sharks), this cove is almost fully surrounded by rock formations, which protect the shallow pools from the waves on most days (except in the winter). 

There is a large shallow area where you snorkel through maze-like rock formations, as well as a deeper section where you’ll find little caves and tunnels that you can swim through. So, whether you’re a beginner snorkeler or a more experienced freediver, Shark’s Cove has something for you! It’s also a great spot for families since there are calm, shallow areas.

This fun snorkel spot is 10 minutes from Haleiwa town, but it’s quite popular, so parking can be tricky sometimes. Expect to have to park on the street and maybe drive around a little bit before finding a spot.

Be sure to bring your own snorkel gear, and ideally a pair of water shoes. The rocks here are super sharp!

6. Watch professional surfers catch waves

Haleiwa attracts surfers from around the world—especially in the wintertime when the swells are bigger!

Head to one the North Shore’s famous surf breaks like the Banazai Pipeline (‘pipe’) at ʻEhukai Beach or Waimea Bay to watch pro surfers ride the waves. Although the waves are biggest in the wintertime, you have a chance of seeing surfers other times of the year depending on the surf report.

If you’re on Oahu at the right time, you might even be able to catch a famous surf competition like the Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational or Vans Pipe Masters. Just keep in mind that the traffic is CRAZY on the North Shore anytime there’s a big surf competition, so you have to be really committed if you want to attend—or avoid this part of the island if you don’t want to get stuck in traffic!

Note: this photo is actually from Waikiki because I don’t have any surfing photos in Haleiwa!

7. Take a surf lesson

By now, you probably know that surfing is one of the most popular activities in Haleiwa, so why not give it a try?

Take a surf lesson in Haleiwa to ride some of the most famous waves in the world! But don’t worry, local surf instructors know all the best surf spots for beginners and intermediates, like Chun’s Reef and Pua’ena Point.

I recommend checking out Go Nuts Hawaii Surf School, they have several surf instructors who are all life-long surfers who can teach first timers, intermediate surfing, and advanced surfing lessons! All their instructors are lifeguards, too!

8. Taste Oahu’s best acai

Haleʻiwa Bowls has the best acai bowl I’ve had on O’ahu! And you’ve never tried acai before, Haleʻiwa Bowls will set the bar high—it’s a thick smoothie bowl of blended acai berries and banana, covered with a generous serving of your favorite toppings.

My favorite is their mana bowl, which features perfectly thick, creamy acai, delicious granola, fresh fruit—and I always add peanut butter, too!

Haleʻiwa Bowls is located right by the Haleiwa marina and it is a great place to fuel up after an early morning surf, shark diving, or a day at the beach.

9. Experience Waimea Valley & Waimea Falls

Right across the street from Waimea Bay you’ll find Waimea Valley, a lush valley home to a beautiful waterfall, tropical gardens, and the Toa Luau. The historically significant valley is managed by a Hawaiian-led nonprofit focused on education and stewardship.

Walking along the easy .75 mile path to Waimea Falls is one of the best things to do in Haleiwa, but you do have to pay $25 per person to enter the property!

But you get access to the whole property—including the waterfall—if you attend the Tao Luau, which is the best luau on the Oahu. So, I recommend booking the luau and showing up early to explore the gardens and see the waterfall!

Either way, be aware that during drier months there may be no water running down the falls! If you’re uncertain, check recent hike reports on AllTrails to see what others report.

10. Visit lesser-known beaches

It’s no surprise that going to the beach is the best things to do in Haleiwa! But which beach?!

You honestly can’t go wrong with North Shore beaches. They’re all a bit different, but most feature gorgeous golden sand and turquoise water. Just know swimming can be very dangerous at some beaches, especially in the wintertime. Review Hawaii’s official ocean safety guide and ask a lifeguard or local if you’re uncertain about swimming.

Some of the most popular beaches include Waimea Bay, Sunset Beach, Haleʻiwa Beach Park, and Laniakea Beach (Turtle Beach). But if you’re looking for a lesser-known beach, I recommend Puaʻena Point Beach Park for snorkeling and beginner surfing and Mokulēʻia Army Beach for beautiful views and no crowds!

I have all my favorite North Shore beaches pinned on my free Oahu map—download it on your Google Maps app so you can see all the best beaches nearby while you explore Haleiwa.

11. Listen to live music at Farm to Barn Cafe

If you only go out to eat at one place in Haleiwa, my recommendation is Farm to Barn!

It’s a locally-owned eatery on a grassy lawn with picnic tables and umbrellas, and they have live music most days! The food is served out of a cute red barn, and I love the focus on sourcing from Hawaiian farms.

But it’s not just about the food, there’s something really special about this place — it feels like a local hangout spot. Just be aware that Farm To Barn is one of the most popular places to eat on the North Shore, so there might be a long wait for food at lunchtime!

12. Try all the best Haleiwa food trucks

While Farm to Barn is my favorite restaurant in Haleiwa, the North Shore is really known for its food trucks!

So, you’re looking for some delicious local food that you can grab quickly between all your Haleiwa acititvies, you might want to try the food trucks!

A lot of the most famous Halewia food trucks are located in the Food Truck Parking Lot (pinned on my Oahu map), including Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck, which is famous for garlic shrimp. Keep in mind that you do have to pay to park in that parking lot, and its a really small lot that fills up very quickly!

Other great food trucks in and near Haleiwa include Surf N Salsa, Pupukea Grill, and the Sunrise Shack. They’re all pinned on my Oahu map, too!

13. See the historic Liliuokalani Protestant Church

One of Haleiwa’s most striking landmarks is Liliʻuokalani Protestant Church, which named after Hawaii’s last reigning monarch, Queen Liliʻuokalani. If you didn’t know, the queen was a devout Christian who helped build many churches around the island, including this one.

Liliʻuokalani Protestant Church was originally built in 1832, but had to be rebuilt in 1961 after being destroyed by a tsunami. The church itself is small and there isn’t much to see, but since its right along the main road through Haleiwa, it’s worth a quick stop if you have time! In my opinion, the most interesting part is the small histroic graveyard in front of the church.

You can learn more about the legacy of Liliʻuokalani Protestant Church the Hawai’i Historic Foundations website or the official Liliʻuokalani Protestant Church website.

14. Visit the farmer’s market

Trying fresh fruit and other local goodies are the farmer’s market is always one of my favorite things to do on a Hawaii vacation!

I’ll be honest, though—the farmers markets in and near Haleiwa are not as grand as some of the other farmers markets in Hawaii. They seem to cater more to locals and have a lot less vendors than my favorite markets in other parts of Hawaii. But if you’re visiting Haleiwa on a day when the market is happening, its still worth a visit!

The first option is the Waialua Farmers Market, which happens every Saturday from 8:30am-1pm at the cute Waialua Sugar Mill. Another option is the FarmLovers Market at Waimea Valley, which happens each Thursday from 2-6pm.

15. Visit the old sugar mill

Haleiwa borders Waialua, a historic sugar plantation town, and you can visit the old Waialua Sugar Mill only a few minutes from downtown Haleiwa!

Toady, several local businesses operate out of this historic landmark, including the North Shore Soap Factory, Waialua Surf Shop, Mele Mele Bakery, Waialua Coffee Factory, and more. The sugar mill also hosts the Waialua Farmers Market each Saturday!

The sugar mill is definitely an Oahu hidden gem that very few people visit, besides locals. It’s absolutely worth a quick stop for a coffee, ice cream, or maybe a souvenir, depending on which businesses are open.

16. Get a smoothie or treat at the colorful Sunrise Shack

If you search ‘Haleiwa aesthetic’ on Pinterest you’ll most likely end up with a picture of the bright yellow Sunrise Shack—and for good reason! This cheery smoothie shack is picture-perfect and so are their yummy smoothie bowls and iced coffee.

There are now five locations on Oahu, but the first Sunrise Shack was started in Haleiwa by a handful pro surfers who grew up on the North Shore. You can visit the original Sunrise Shack across the street from Sunset Beach near Haleiwa, or their Shark’s Cove location.

Both North Shore Sunrise Shack locations are pinned on my Oahu map!

17. Search for sea turtles

If seeing a majestic honu (sea turtle) is on your Oahu bucket-list, this one is for you! But no matter where you are in Hawaii, be sure to stay at least 10 feet away (in the water and on land)—it’s the law in Hawaii.

There are several beaches in and near Haleiwa where you’re highly likely to see sea turtles. The most well-known spot is Lanikea Beach, which is nicknamed Turtle Beach because of how many sea turtles rest on the sand here. I’ve also seen lots of sea turtles at Puaʻena Point Beach Park.

You can also see sea turtles when snorkeling nearly anywhere, so keep your eyes peeled when you’re underwater! Always keep your distance and if you’re with a group of other snorkelers, avoid surrounding sea turtles. Sadly, you will probably see other snorkelers getting close to turtles and circling them.

18. Visit Haleiwa’s historic surf shops

If you’re a surfer, you can’t miss the chance to pop into one of Haleiwa’s historic surf shops. And even if you’re not a surfer, this can still be fun for the *surf town vibes*.

Surf N Sea is the Hawaii’s oldest surf shop, located between Haleʻiwa Beach Park the iconic Haleiwa Bridge. Other surf shops to check out include the North Shore Surf Shop, Blue Planet Surf Hale’iwa, and Haleiwa Surf Shop.

19. Shop for local goodies

With dozens of boutique shops, Haleiwa is a lovely place to shop for unique souvenirs to remind you of Oahu! Most of the Haleiwa’s shops are located along the Kamehameha Highway, which runs through historic downtown Haleiwa.

Parking can a little difficult in downtown Haleiwa, so my recommendation is to find a spot where you can, and explore all the shops on foot!

Go with whichever stores interest, you of course! But if you need a starting point, check out Coco’s Trading Post Haleiwa, Guava Shop, and Green Gypsy Thrift Shop.

20. Try Haleiwa’s famous Matsumoto Shave Ice

I couldn’t write a Haleiwa travel guide without mentioning Matsumoto Shave Ice! It’s perhaps the most popular shave ice place in Hawaii, with a long line almost every day.

And if you haven’t tried it before, shave ice is one of the best things to eat in Hawaii! It’s a refreshing sweet treat of shaved ice with your choice of fruity syrups and special toppings like mochi, azuki beans, ice cream, and condensed milk. I always go for a tropical fruit flavor like liliko’i (passion fruit) or lychee!

Matsumoto Shave Ice is special because its been operating in Haleiwa since 1951! The original owners were of Japanese descent, but were both born of the Big Island before they moved to Haleiwa and started Matsumoto Shave Ice. You can read more about the hisotry of this historic Haleiwa shave ice shop here.

21. Try locally grown macadamia nuts and coffee

It wasn’t until my third trip to Oahu that I discovered the North Shore Macadamia Nut Company in Haleiwa!

It’s located across from Haleiwa Beach Park and is easy to miss, but its worth a quick stop to taste local macadamia nuts and coffee! The mac nuts are grown just a few miles down the coast, and the coffee comes from different farms throughout Hawaii. The best part is that you can taste everything for free!

They also have some other locally-made goods and art. And of course, it’s a great place to buy mac nuts and coffee to bring home as a souvenir!