When it comes to beaches in Hawaii – trust the locals! They will tell you what to expect on a beach in Hawaii depending on the season and even the day.
For example, we were on the North Shore in the summer. At Shark’s Cove, we spent the day snorkeling and climbing on the rocks. We saw fish, sea turtles, and coral with mostly gentle waves coming into the cove. We looked for sea glass and enjoyed the warm Hawaiian sun with our toes in the water and sand. The kids also spent time sitting in beach chairs in the water and let the waves come to them. Sometimes, the wave knocked them over- which was part of the fun. The older ones climbed onto the rocks and the large ancient walls that protect the cove to get a look at the ocean.
That was summer, in winter it’s a completely different story. The waves are massive. They crash onto those rock walls with an awe-inspiring thunder and display. Each one is marvelous to watch. The waves spill into the cove with power and energy that is a site to behold – from the shore.
Another North Shore Location:
You’ve probably heard of Sunset Beach on the North Shore. If you’ve watched a surfing competition from Hawaii, then it was likely on the North Shore in the winter. The waves are massive. We happened to be driving along the North Shore and came upon one of the big competitions. We took our chairs and blankets down to the beach (along with our sweatshirts) to watch the incredible surfers ride the waves. It was such a great day – loved every moment of it. And the surf was only for the professionals. No boogie-boarding!
Just a few months later, we were snorkeling and riding gentle waves on that same beach. And yes, it’s a great place to watch the sunset in any season.
So which is better? The verdict from our days of aloha…both.
Let me help you determine your best time to travel and coordinate activities and reservations for you.
