North Shore Beaches are beautiful and uncrowded. From 190 Haiku Road, in order of proximity, they are:
Ho’okipa Beach is famed throughout the windsurfing world, and a much-frequented surf spot.
Getting there is a five minute drive west (toward the airport)
on Hana Highway. Ample parking, sanitary facilities, fresh water showers.
Baldwin Beach is an expansive, popular beach with no surfers or windsurfers, some boogey boarders. A local favorite.
Drive west through Paia (toward the
airport) and turn right at Mile 6. Ample parking, sanitary facilities, lifeguards on duty.
Baby Beach is sheltered by old coral and rock, a peaceful pond for small children to play in kneedeep water (their knees) without getting tumbled by the surf.
Accessible from Baldwin by foot, it’s easier to drive and park there. Continue west on Hana Highway, turn right at Nonohe Place ( the first side road with a state highway marker) go straight to Kealakai Place and turn left. Drive to the end and park. No facilities, no lifeguard, but a nice place for kids (often many). Parking can require ingenuity.
Spreckelsville Beach is a windsurf venue favored by Euros and locals. The beach between Sprecks and Camp One down the coast is isolated and lovely.
Have pity on your rental car. But if you really want to find it…
Continue west on Hana Highway, which will bend left shortly after passing the Kaunoa Senior Center. A state highway sign will mark a crossroads at the start of the bend. Turn right – this is Stable Road, but the sign only says Hana Highway.
Continue until the airport omni station is visible, and turn right at a sign prohibiting ATV’s, dirt bikes, and camping. Drive on an extremely potholed dirt road and park at the end. No lifeguard, no facilities. When the trades are blowing, arrive early or park far away.
Kanaha Beach Park is nearly paradise, a favorite for local picnickers and windsurfers alike. Extended grass areas mingle with the trees. Boutique waves with a north swell.
Windsurfers can rig on grass, and if something breaks the shops are two minutes away. This is the scene for windsurf lessons.
Kanaha Beach Park is just west of the airport. Coming from Haiku, the easiest way is to drive through the airport, around the far bend, and turn right toward the rental car return. Continue past the rental car offices to a “T”, turn right, and turn left just before reaching the gate that bars entry to the airport. Ample parking, lifeguards, sanitary facilities.
Kite Beach is a launch pad for kite boarders. It’s not really a beach.
(The sign is posted at Spreckelsville.)
To get there, it’s the same as driving to Kanaha through the airport, but at the “T” turn left instead of right.
dee@deechapon.net 190 Haiku Rd., Haiku, HI 96708
