Turtle Bay

Turtle Bay, Oahu

Turtle Bay marks the entrance to Oahu's North Shore, one of the island's most scenic coastal areas. The bay is named for the green sea turtles that live in the area and that once nested on the beach years ago.

Most people come to Turtle Bay for surfing, diving and fishing. There is a reef in the nearshore waters, and the main surfing area is beyond this reef. Waves can be powerful, especially in the winter months from November to February. Currents can also be strong, so check conditions before going beyond the reef. No lifeguards are stationed here.

The beach itself is sandy, but swimming conditions are poor at Turtle Bay because the nearshore ocean bottom is rocky and a large limestone shelf spans almost the entire length of the bay. At the west end of the bay is a small island called Papa'amoi.

The Turtle Bay Resort is located next to this bay. Many resort guests prefer to swim at neighboring Kuilima Cove because it has easier water access, a sandy patch in the nearshore area and more protection from high surf due to an offshore reef. The beach at Turtle Bay is usually sparsely visited. It can be a good place for a quiet picnic or shoreline walk, and ironwood trees line the backshore and provide shade.

Fronting the Stables, where guided horseback riding tours are offered, there is a small Hawaiian stone altar. A plaque explains that the altar is an ahupua'a marker between the traditional land divisions of Opana-Kawela to the west and Hanaka'oe to the east. The ahupua'a system divided land from the mountains to the sea and helped communities manage water, farming, fishing and other resources.