Honolulu North Shore Day: Snorkeling to Dole Whip

Spend the day with me in Honolulu’s North Shore doing everything from snorkeling in Shark’s cove to stopping by the Dole Plantation for our pineapple Dole Whip fix. Honolulu’s North Shore is about 40 minutes drive from Waikiki, and is a great spot for shopping and beach activities. The drive back is just as exciting, which tons of iconic foodie shops like Matsumoto Shave Ice. I highly recommend renting a car to explore North Shore for a day. This was the best day on my entire trip!

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Musubi Cafe IYASUME

We had a full day planned, but before heading out we had to grab the essentials from Masubi Cafe IYASUME. This little cafe offers a ton of different musubi and onigiri flavors options, plus some of the cutest musubi merch I’ve ever seen. Snacks are a beach must-have for me, because let’s be real – food tastes ten times better after swimming all day. Our full haul included 4 freshly made Teriyaki spam musubi ($2.28 each), 2 Salmon and Salmon Roe onigiri ($3.88 each), and 2 Salmon and Spicy Cod Roe onigiri($2.98 each).

Combined with our big bag of Maui Style Chips, and tons of yummy fruit, these warm musubi and onigiris make just the perfect portable beach breakfast before hopping into the water. Masubi Cafe IYASUME is a super short walk away from the Waikiki Beach. They open at 7, and usually get pretty busy fast. If you’re picking up some snacks before your beach trip, make sure to head over early or expect a bit of a line.

Shark’s Cove

We’re here at Shark’s Cove, one of my favorite spots in Hawaii! Shark’s Cove is hands down the best spot for snorkeling and spotting all kinds of colorful fish – especially for a beginner like me. It is a huge rocky tidal pool and marine reserve that feels just like an open aquarium. Not going to lie – the first time I was here I was so scared by how many tiny little fish are swimming around you. But once you get used to it, it’s mesmerizing!

One of the reasons Sharks Cove is my favorite spot in Hawaii is the insanely clear water. You can easily spend hours like we did just floating and watching all the fish and coral. Dom even saw an octopus hiding between some rocks! Watching that little guy change colors right in front of us was definitely one of my favorite memories from this trip.

Shark’s cove is a public area, with parking, public bathrooms and showers nearby. There’s no lifeguard, so be aware of your surroundings. If you’re hungry, there’s a few food trucks nearby that offer tasty options. Parking fills up quickly, so definitely come early if you visit!

Ted’s Bakery

There’s tons of amazing garlic shrimp on North Shore, but the one from Ted’s Bakery is easily my favorite. Just 5 minutes away from Shark’s Cove, this cute little restaurant is famous for their yummy pies and their hearty BBQ lunch plates. I know there’s tons of amazing garlic shrimp on North Short, but this sauce is so buttery, spicy, and garlicky all at once. It has so much flavor I was tempted to order an extra bowl of rice just to soak up every last drop of that sauce. If you’re a garlic lover – you won’t be disappointed.

We also got the ribeye steak and teri beef combo plate lunch ($16.62). They were grilled to perfection and were so so good. Every piece was super juicy and full of that classic Hawaiian BBQ flavor. While the meal was excellent – let’s talk about the chocolate haupia cream pie! It’s the perfect mix of rich chocolate pudding and creamy coconut haupia pulled together by the flaky crust into a match made in heaven. We finished our slices within seconds. It really is that good! I’m so glad the regular lunch plates came with a free slice of pie.

Ted’s is open daily for breakfast and lunch from 8 AM, and their lines can get fairly long. They don’t have indoor seating, so they’re take out only. But, they have outdoor picnic tables for you to enjoy your food. If you’re in North Shore, don’t miss out on these delicious spicy garlic shrimp, rib eye, and chocolate haupia pie!

Matsumoto Shave Ice

I love coming to North Shore because even on the drive back, you can stop at iconic foodies shops like Matsumoto Shave Ice. This family-owned little shop is also known as Obama’s favorite shave ice, serving homemade shave ice since 1951. We of course had to give it a try. Their shave ice come in 2 sizes: small($3.75) and large($4.25). We ordered 2 of their iconic flavor combos: the Tropical and the Matsumoto.

The tropical flavor includes passionfruit, guava, and mango, the perfect trio of tropical fruits. Their sweet and tart flavors together just hit so differently in the Hawaiian heat. On the other hand, the Matsumoto has lemon, blue pineapple, and coconut, giving you that perfect pina colada vibe. The fluffy ice is so soft and refreshing, it melts right in your mouth. And of course, we had to add the extra mochi balls($1) on top! Definitely take the time to swing by Matsumoto Shave Ice if you’re near North Shore!

Island Vintage Coffee

Right next door to Matsumoto is Island Vintage Coffee. I’m not really a coffee person but believe me, their Kona coffee is so good. I especially love their original Açaí bowls($14.95) They are absolutely massive! Their acai is flavorful and tart. The granola layered in between is so crunchy even as the acai melts, and adds so much great texture. On top, the fruits are super fresh and the honey adds just the right compliments of sweetness to the rest of the bowl.

I love them so much, I actually ended up going back to grab one before our flight back to Vancouver – I was just that obsessed. They have tons of outdoor seating, and the rest of the shop inside is filled with different products and merch. We even brought home some of their granola and honey since it was so good!

Snoopy’s Surf Shop

If you’re a fan of the Peanuts gang, then Snoopy’s Surf Shop is a dream come true. We found this cute little store while enjoying our coffee and we had to walk in. The store has tons of surf-themed Snoopy on display, and it’s the perfect place to take a few vacation pics. This specialty store sells a wide selection of Snoopy and his friends in surf-themed souvenirs, accessories, and home decor. In addition, there’s tons of exclusive Hawaii-themed Peanuts merchandise that’s only available here.

I actually found one of my all time favorite keychains here: a little tiny plush Woodstock with a surf board. It’s so adorable! For anyone that loves Snoopy, this store is an absolute must-visit. Parking is available nearby, and it’s a great stop while exploring the scenic North Shore. They have a location in Diamond Head and in Haleiwa, so you can find your faves at either location!

Dole Plantation

I couldn’t forget about visiting the famous Dole Pineapple Plantation! There’s tons of free activities, including pineapple cutting and chocolate making demonstrations. They offer guided tours of the gardens, train rides, and a maze – there are various ticket packages you can purchase on their website in various combinations ranging from $11 – $27 per person.

Not only do they sell Dom’s favorite Dole whip, but they have the absolute cutest Hello Kitty merch. The Hawaiian collection at ABC Mart is extensive, but Dole Plantation’s collection is uniquely pineapple themed. You can find plush keychains ($20), giant 16″ hello kitty plushies ($32), home decor, and more! The Dole Plantation is located near North Shore. It’s open 9:30-5:30 every day and free to visit. If you’re in Honolulu, it’s totally worth the day trip!

Surf N Turf Tacos (8/10)

We thought we would get some Udon for dinner, but the line was too long. Instead, we found Surf N Turf Tacos. This super cute, casual taco restaurant around the corner actually left us really satisfied! Our beer battered fish tacos($13.50 for 2) were loaded generously with the toppings of our choice, which include diced onions, cilantro, guacamole, corn, and salsa. It was a ton of food! You also have the option to get tortillas made from taro, which I’ve never seen anywhere else!

We also got the Steak Mexican Fries ($12.49) and they were just as generous with all the toppings. So much so, the lid would barely close. It was definitely a great deal, since we just got so much food with our order. Surf N Turf Tacos has plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. If you’re in Waikiki and not sure about what to eat, grab some fish tacos here!