Oahu's Guarded Beaches . . .

THE NORTH SHORE -- This coastline, blessed with pristine white sand beaches - perfect, glassy walled, epic waves and tubes, is known for its world-class surfing, body boarding, body surfing, great swimming, snorkeling and scuba diving in the Summer months.

Caution is advised especially during the Winter months when the high surf's waves may reach heights of up to twenty-five feet plus. The surf can rise quickly going from two feet to twenty-five feet high and larger during the course of a day. (The waves have been "cranking up" to fifty feet plus in recent Winters at Waimea - totally awesome, but also totally dangerous!)

Listen to surf reports on the radio and television, or check out other sources like newspapers - about approaching swells and surf forecasts. Check out the local conditions by talking with the lifeguards, local surfers or fisherman before you enter into the water. The best surfers in the world ask the lifeguards about conditions, why can't you? And, if in doubt, be wise - and just stay out!

From June through September there are incidents of stinging limu (seaweed) along beach front near Laie. Lifeguards will post affected beaches; the State Health Department issues public warnings. Heed postings and warnings about it . . . the alternative is itching and burning skin for as long as twenty four hours after exposure to it.

Learn more about the guards who perform rescues and save lives in some of the truly most epic surf in the world by clicking here for the web site of the North Shore Lifeguard Association.

These are the most popular, guarded beaches on the North Shore:

HERE ARE SOME
BASIC OCEAN SAFETY TIPS:

• Swim in Lifeguarded Areas
• Never Swim Alone
• Don't Dive Into Unknown Water or Into Shallow Breaking Waves
• Ask a Lifeguard About Beach and Surf Conditions Before Swimming
• If You Are Unable to Swim Out of a Strong Current, Signal for Help
• Rely on Your Swimming Ability Rather Than a Flotation Device
• Look For, Read and Obey All Beach Safety Signs and Symbols
• If In Doubt, Just Stay Out!

Return to the Beach Hale (Home) Aloha Page. Or, use the following links to continue your beach and ocean tour: South Shore, East Shore, and the West Shore.

Or, you can go to the Beach Directory for a listing of all the beaches covered in these pages.

Suggestions, comments and recommendations are welcomed. These pages are a project of the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association, a not for profit, professional association of Hawaii's lifeguards devoted to the advancement of lifesaving services and public education on beach and ocean safety.

Webmaster: This page is maintained by J. B. Lee . You can reach me by e-mail at: jblee@aloha.com. Last modified: 21-Dec-2001 11:49 AM HST

Source URI: http://www.aloha.com/~lifeguards/nshore.html

ALOHA . . . malama i ke kai!