Here on Oahu, it feels like summer nearly every day. The sun is shining, the water is warm, and everyone on the island flocks to the beaches and the outdoors every chance they get. Summer remains one of our most popular travel seasons. During the summer on the North Shore, many of our fearsome North Shore surf breaks are smaller and even mellow. Waves like our home break, Turtle Bay, churn out perfect peelers during the summer, and the North Shore becomes ideal for swimming, snorkeling, and exploring. To learn what to do in Hawaii in the summer, continue reading below.
Stand Up Paddleboard Yoga
Summer is the perfect time to take up a new hobby you can continue at home, even if you don’t live on the coast. Stand-up paddleboard yoga can be performed on any body of water, from a gently flowing river to a lake or even a pool. Stand-up paddleboard yoga provides all the strength and flexibility benefits of yoga with the added focus on balance and core stability from being on a standup paddleboard. Additionally, SUP yoga will even help refine and improve your pose technique. Beyond the many health benefits, SUP yoga is another wonderful way to get out on the water and enjoy the sun and the surf.
Surfing Turtle Bay
While Pipeline, Sunset, and the other famed North Shore waves may go flat for the summer, Turtle Bay continues to produce fun-sized surf that’s perfect for any skill level. Our beginner surfers always feel safe in Turtle Bay under the guidance of our expert surf instructors during our North Shore Surf Lessons. Intermediate and advanced surfers will be pleasantly surprised by the point break quality waves that peel across the bay.
Snorkel Sharks Cove
The lack of swell in the summer on the North Shore allows us to safely swim, dive, and snorkel spots that would be hard to access in the winter. Sharks Cove is one of Oahu’s premier snorkeling beaches thanks to the cove’s rocky topography, which attracts a variety of fish species. Shark’s Cove ranges in depth from 2-20 feet and has a fascinating underwater landscape full of boulders, nooks, and crannies to explore.
North Shore Sea Turtle Safari
In addition to the plethora of sea life found in Shark’s Cove, the waters in and around Turtle Bay are teeming with life and well worth exploring. As the name suggests, the surounding waters by Turtle Bay are one of the best places on the island to spot sea turtles. Our favorite way to spot sea turtles is from a stand-up paddleboard or giant SUP Squatch. On a stand-up paddleboard North Shore Sea Turtle Safari through the protected waters of Kawela Bay, you’ll encounter the three species of sea turtles native to the Hawaiian Islands: Leatherback Sea Turtles, Hawksbill Sea Turtles, and Green Sea Turtles.
Celebrate Hawaiian Royalty
On June 11th, Hawaiians honor King Kamehameha I, the first ruler of the unified Hawaiian Islands. The June 11th celebration was started by King Kamehameha V, the grandson of the great King Kamehameha I. Kamehameha Day is celebrated across the island chain and includes lei-draping ceremonies, parades, and a Hoʻolauleʻa.
Cliff Jump off Waimea Rock
While people jump off Waimea Rock year-round, during the winter, the massive shore break can make it a bit sketchy for first-timers. During summer flat spells, visitors can take the plunge off the massive rock outcrop into the calm, turquoise waters below.
Hike without worrying about the rain
It’s never a bad time to hike in Hawaii. With so many hikes offering stunning ocean views, waterfall access, and jungle bound trails, hiking in Hawaii is an adventure unlike any other. In the tropics, you never know when it might rain, especially during the winter. In the summer, however, it rains significantly less, so you can hike with confidence.
If you’re visiting Oahu during the summer, book your stay at Turtle Bay Resort to stay close to the action on the North Shore. Check out our North Shore Surf School for the best surf lessons and surf guiding on the island, and stay tuned to our blog for more Hawaii travel content.
