Hawaii

North Shore Oahu: Best beaches? Anyone been to the farmers market? NEWBIE!

Hi All!
We are in step 1 of our wedding planning.  The vision: rent a beach front estate in the North Shore area to hold the wedding and reception for about 35 of our closest friends and family.  Does anyone have any recommendations for the best beaches (views, sunsets, snorkeling, gentle enough water for swimming and children)?  Also, does anyone have any experience with the Farmers market?  Can you find native flowers there?

Re: North Shore Oahu: Best beaches? Anyone been to the farmers market? NEWBIE!

  • edited December 2011
    I don't have much local knowledge, but the few times we visited, it was pretty windy and tempestuous on the North Shore. Not sure if that's true year round, but I would be wary of too much wind disrupting the festivities. Also, be sure any property you rent allows parties, ceremonies, and rentals like tables and chairs. Many restrict this, charge new, and/or require insurance so definitely confirm efore putting any money down! Welcome and congrats!!
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  • cass_k20cass_k20 member
    Fifth Anniversary 10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I don't have any advice to give... but we're looking to do the exact same thing! Oahu, vacation rental wedding with 25 or less guests... need info for fresh leis... good places for children (8 of our 25 will be kids !)

    I'll be following this thread!
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- While trying on a wedding dress, I asked my 3 year old niece what she thought. She responded "where are your glass slippers?"
  • edited December 2011
    ThanksI read somewhere that Costco sells leis.  Can anyone confirm?
  • edited December 2011

    Yup, Costco sells leis and flowers. I think I also read someone on the board that you can get in contact with the flower buyer at Costco to pre-order? Not sure on the details though.

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  • AKWinterBrideAKWinterBride member
    Knottie Warrior 1000 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    I agree with Tanq....  We spent our honeymoon at Turtle Bay Resort on the North Shore and it just wasn't for us.  It's always windy and cloudy up there.  Granted, it's windy a lot in Maui too but it seemed a lot more windy up there. 
    The beaches up there are pretty bare except on the weekends, and they are beautiful, but the water is super coral-y up there and so they aren't the best swimming beaches.  Good luck, there were some beautiful homes on the water up there but they are all squeezed in tight to eachother. 
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  • TripleAubsTripleAubs member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    For swimming and snorkeling on the North Shore, it's best in the summer when there are no northern swells. The rest of the time there are usually big waves and current! Even now, the waves have been picking up (just went on Thursday and didn't want to get in because it was too rough).

    What time of year are you coming? If it's in the fall/winter, you should definitely check out Pipeline (right across from Sunset Elementary school). The waves are huge and it's perfect for watching the surfers since it breaks really close.

    If you come in the spring/summer and it's flat, I'd recommend checking out Waimea Bay, and get there early to find parking. You can jump off the big rock there, and swim through a cave underneath! Plus it is just gorgeous there. Sharks Cove and 3 Tables are great places to snorkel as well. Chun's Reef is also a popular place for families to go, also when it is flat.

    I haven't been to the farmers market up there but I've heard they have great things!
    10.9.10

    a+k

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  • HIgirl00HIgirl00 member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    I second Waimea Bay. It's beautiful. As far as properties to rent on the North Shore there are a couple worth mentioning but they are very high priced. Sunset Ranch and Loulu Palms are two of the best. The service at Loulu Palms however made me book elsewhere. We eventually chose Kualoa Ranch which isn't the North Shore but is about 35 minutes south and closer to Waikiki which made it more convenient for our guests. Kualoa Ranch is also very cheap compared to venues elsewhere and has still has magnificant views even though you're not on the beach. Good luck!
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  • edited December 2011
    Thank you! Great info!
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