North Shore Survival Tips

Tourists, locals, and other random people come out of the woodwork to get wet or to a glimpse of the swells on Oahu’s famed North Shore.  This has proved great for local businesses, but bad for local residents and surfers.  Surf culture has hit the main stream and with the recent exposure this has created mayhem at our island’s most famous coastal area.

While there is no way to stop the flocks of people and bumper to bumper traffic, there are methods of surviving such madness.

Here are a few North Shore survival tips for those of you who are heading up to the “country” this winter:

• Expect Crowds. On the beach, in the water, at local eateries, and stores there will be crowds of people everywhere.  Especially during a surf contest you should expect waits and massive amounts of people.
• Expect Traffic. On the weekends and during big swell days, expect bumper to bumper traffic starting in Haleiwa.  Traffic has even started to back up near Sunset Beach coming from the east side of the island.
• Beware of High Surf Advisories. During high surf advisory days, lifeguards will have warning signs posted to protect visitors.  Obey the signs to avoid injury and death.
• Respect the local North Shore residents.  Don’t park in their driveways, litter, drop in on their wave, use their water hoses, or do any other disrespectful things.  North Shore residents hate the winter masses and will be quick to tell you off or even key your rental car.
• Don’t wear your watch.  Because of the long drive to the country and all the traffic, things in North Shore always take longer than you think.  Plan to spend the day at the beach and take in all that mother nature has to offer.

A visit to the North Shore takes a full day to enjoy.  Haleiwa town, the Banzai Pipeline, and the turtles at Laniakea are just a few of the great activities to partake in.  Take your time and enjoy your day trip!

Photo courtesy of Hawaiian Beach (Flickr)