From the east at Kaena Point, through Haleiwa and west to Papialoa Beach, these are the beaches of Oahu's wild North Shore. Read this "Star-Bulletin" article about beach safety in Hawaii.

Mokuleia Beach County Park

North Shore, Oahu, Hawaii. Some of the water at Mokuleia is safe for swimmming during the summer as portions of the beach are protected by an offshore coral reef. But keep in mind: like many other North Shore beaches, the waters at Mokuleia can be very dangerous.

Location :: Along the Farrington Highway, two-and-a-half miles east of Kaena Point State Park

Access :: Farrington Highway

Services :: Picnic tables, restrooms, playground, lifeguards, camping allowed (with permit).

Notes :: Mokuleia is located within walking distance of Mokuleia Army Beach, a privately-owned beach. Quiet for the most part, the silence at Army Beach is sometimes shattered by the roar of jets taking off from the airfield. Also: Mokuleia Beach County Park lies close-by an unofficial, seldom-crowded, 300-yard beach.

Kaika Beach Park

North Shore, Oahu, Hawaii. An unremarkable beach, Kaika features conditions suitable for good swimming and snorkeling.

Location :: On Kaika Point, west of Haleiwa, off of Kamehameha Highway.

Access :: Kamehameha Highway.

Services :: Picnic facilties, restrooms, camping allowed (with permit)

Haleiwa Alii Beach County Park

North Shore, Oahu, Hawaii. The shoreline at Haleiwa Alii is composed primarily of rocks and coral, with pockets of sandy beach scattered in-between. Though the beach has some areas good for swimming, the beach is best noted for its surfing.

Location :: The western shore of Wailua Bay, outside the town of Haleiwa, off of Kamehameha Highway.

Access :: Kamehameha Highway.

Services :: Restrooms, small boat launch, lifeguard tower.

Haleiwa Beach County Park

North Shore, Oahu, Hawaii. Known for its good surfing and fishing conditions, Haleiwa is a beach perhaps best utilized for its swimming.

Location :: Eastern shore of Wailua Bay, off of Kamehameha Highway.

Access :: Kamehameha Highway

Services :: Pavilions, showers, picnic tables, food/drink concessions, lifeguards.

Notes :: Haleiwa is probaby the only beach along the North Shore that offers good, wintertime swimming for the average swimmer.

Papailoa Beach, Laniakea, Chun's Reef

North Shore, Oahu, Hawaii. Strung together along the highway, these three beaches are all unsafe for recreational swimming, but are well-suited to surfing, Chun's Reef being the best-known among the three.

Location :: Between Haleiwa Beach County Park and Waimea Bay, along the Kamehameha Highway.

Access :: Kamehameha Highway.

Services :: None.

Notes :: An area found roughly at the center of line formed by these three beaches is currently being developed and will be known as Kawailoa Beach Park.