North Shore Oahu, Hawaii

The laid-back North Shore is a stretch of coast known for big waves and professional surfing contests at Waimea Bay and Sunset Beach. In summer (May–Oct), Pūpūkea Marine Life Conservation District has calm water for snorkeling among colorful coral and fish. Indie galleries, surf shops and Hawaiian plate-lunch spots fill Haleiwa town, while the Dole Plantation runs tours of its pineapple fields and tropical gardens.