My husband and I are spending 2 1/2 weeks traveling in rural Japan in April. We come home through Hawaii, and I thought that since we land in Oahu, the North Shore might be nice, since we have never been there. We were thinking of renting a condo at the Turtle Bay Resort, since they are quite reasonable, both on VRBO, and on the Turtle Bay Condo site. But I was wondering if 5 days on the North Shore is too long. We really just want to rest. We are in our 60's, but like to drive around. My husband is a photographer. We don't like Waikiki. We don't really want to fly to another island.

It wouldn't be for me.

We like to go snorkeling too, but will we be able to do that at the end of April?

Yes, why not? The water temps in Hawaii don't vary that much during the year, they average around 74 degrees.

Sounds heavenly to me!

Consider a rental up near Haleiwa-good snorkeling
at Sharks Cove and great beach at Lanikai Beach.
We were up there for 7 days-not long enough !

R5

The reason we were thinking of a Turtle Bay condo is that I think they would have access to the resort's amenities, like the spa. Also, from what I have heard, the water at Sharks Cove gets cloudy in the afternoon, and my husband is a late sleeper, so we would never get there early in the morning.

Dazzle - just curious, were you in Haleiwa for 7 days or at Lanikai Beach for 7 days?

cathart-never experienced the cloudiness at Sharks Cove
and I am no early bird, LOL !

sf-we were in a rental house just down the road
from Lanikai Beach-t'was heaven-dined in Haleiwa
often.

R5

rd, I promise I'm not trying to be difficult, but Lanikai Beach is on the east shore and Haleiwa is on the north west shore. You drove that for meals regularly? (we did it once, and it was great, but then we were heading back toward the south shore after dinner --- a big circle).

Care to share the house you rented?

April is a transition month from winter to summer.

You may or may not have calm enough surf to snorkel at Shark's Cove/Pupukea.

You can snorkel at Kuilima Cove at Turtle Bay. There is a breakwall protecting the cove. Snorkeling there won't be as good as Shark's Cove, but it will be OK.

You can also go to Hanauma Bay.

Oahu is small enough that you can easily tour the island form one location.

Lots of info:

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...trip-to-hi.cfm

sf, no it's ME being difficult 'cause I cannot spell, LOL!
I meant Laniakea Beach and here is the house we stayed in
http://www.hawaii-beachhomes.com/sit...5/default.aspx

When we stayed there it was called the House of Ginger
and Koi. I can see why they re-named it.
There is a large koi pond you cross over
via a little bridge to the "front" door.
Be warned, there is a VERY noisy waterfall
splashing into said pond-we needed earplugs
to sleep.

R5

Oh, the view is gorgeous -- I'm bookmarking that!

I thought you meant Laniakea! Couldn't imagine driving from Lanikai to haleiwa for dinner...

Good grief, sf and lcuy-I must get my Hawaiian up to speed before Jan 27th, as we're off to the Big Island !

sf-Don't book that house until you "talk " to me.
There are some caveats I want to share with you.

R5

Hi Razzle. I'd like to email you regarding this property, but not sure how to do that! Can you let me know? Thanks!

Hi Cathart, We are staying at a turtle bay condo the week of 4/13. The reason we chose it was the amenities from turtle bay resort(which we were going to stay at, but for $2200 for a week compared to $900 for the condo,that is a lot of meals, drinks, etc.) we want to use the spa, and have access to restaurants and lounges. All the things I want to do, a week isn't enough, you should be able to find plenty to do: hiking, snorkeling, relaxing, sightseeing, pcc, waimea valley, kualoa ranch, shrimp trucks,etc. This is our 5th trip to Oahu and still so much I want to do along with relaxing. You will have an awesome time.

Razzle- I'd like to hear about the caveats. e-mail me - [email protected]

Razzle, where are you?? Speak to me!!