Turtle Bay
Explore beyond the ordinary
The surf
The North Shore of Oahu is the Mecca of Surfing and Turtle Bay is partnered with one of the best to show you the waves - Jamie O'Brien. When you stay at Turtle Bay, you can link up with the JOB Surf Experience to guide you to the best spots around.
They call it the 7 Mile Miracle for a reason. Within a few minutes drive, there are about 20 world class waves of all shapes and sizes. If you're a beginner, you can choose from a couple spots that are always nice and friendly no matter how much swell. And for intermediates and experts, it doesn't get much better.
From October through May, the North Pacific fires off swell after swell to the various reefs and beaches. Except for the sheltered beginner spots, the surf in the winter rarely gets below chest high. And best of all, the trade winds are side/offshore so the surf is nicely groomed all day.
From June through September, the South Pacific sends waves to the south and westside of Oahu. It's about an hour drive from Turtle Bay to surf "Town." During these months, the North Shore usually has great waves for beginners! Right out front of Turtle bay is a point that breaks year-round. Turtle Bay is truly a surfers paradise.
Breaks
The lodge
Deeply rooted in the land, the history, and the layered richness of Oʻahu, at Turtle Bay, you’ll find an authentic connection to a place of uncommon natural splendor and the warm, welcoming community within it. Here, your days are filled with constant discovery and moments that touch your soul, allowing you to explore the uncommon depths of this remarkable coast.
The sound of rolling waves. The smell of the sea. The breathtaking views. A place of deep natural beauty, inside and out. Surrounded by unrivaled scenery and untouched land, your home away from home is elegant, relaxing, and welcoming. More than just a greeting, we take the spirit of Aloha very seriously. It’s kindness and harmony, warmth and patience. So when you’re here, you’re ‘ohana and that means we take excellent care of you.
Arriving at Turtle Bay is a bit like coming home. Steps away from the beach or perched high above it, breathing easy or soaking up the view. Find your balance, take your time. The spirit of Aloha you find here has a way of staying with you long after you’re gone. And calls you back again.
When you surf the waters at Turtle Bay, you’re surfing the North Shore, one of the most iconic surf spots in the world.
Hawaii is the surfing capital of the world and the birthplace of surf culture. Surfing is a rich part of Hawaiian culture and the North Shore is the place to do it. Home of legendary swells, this is where you can retrace the waves of legends. And at Turtle Bay, you can catch the waves of your dreams on the world-famous North Shore with a member of the Jamie O'Brien Surf Experience Team.
Enjoy learning to surf in a private or group lesson with a certified professional North Shore surf instructor. Standing up on a surfboard has never been so easy! We provide each participant with reef walkers, a rash guard, a leash, and a surfboard. Our surf instructors will inspire you with the confidence, motivation, and knowledge needed to stand up on your first surfing experience.
Activities
Take your time and explore. Fill your days with discovery and more golf swings, surf lessons, chopper tours, and underwater sea turtle encounters. What do you long for? Connect to the spirit of discovery, the extraordinary beauty, and the authentic sense of adventure of the North Shore.
With more than 1,300 acres of tropical paradise and five miles of unspoiled secluded shoreline, it’s no wonder Turtle Bay is the only resort on the island of Oʻahu, Hawaii, where you can enjoy miles and miles of hiking, biking, and jogging trails to explore. Travel the length of the Turtle Bay Resort property, between Kawela Bay and Kahuku Point, close to the sand or through lush greenery. Pack a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, water, and snacks to make a day of it, taking swim or snorkeling breaks along the way.
Bikers will love the North Shore Bike Park and its professionally developed mountain biking trails, with wide ocean-side trails for the leisure rider. Twist and turn through the lush jungle vegetation or cruise along to find gigantic banyan trees, secluded beaches, and much more.
With five miles of beautiful coastline to explore, it’s no surprise that at Turtle Bay, we have many ways to discover it. Gliding along the protected waters of Kalewa Bay or diving deep below it, these Hawaii ocean water activities connect you to the motion and rhythm of our extraordinary North Shore. In ancient times, this area was reserved for the Ali'i or Hawaiian royalty. Today it’s a place of fresh perspective, rich in marine life. Spot sea turtles or have a chance encounter with a Hawaiian Monk Seal or baby Hammerhead Shark.
Stroll oceanfront trails and seaside pathways. Hear the sounds of birds and breezes through Ironwood trees and the roar of crashing surf and swaying palms. Visit our famous Banyan tree, a filming site for several TV shows and films. What better way to spend the day than horseback riding in O’ahu, exploring the 12 miles of beautiful paths at Turtle Bay Resort? Learn all aspects of horseback riding, explore yoga principles for you and your horse, travel along tropical coastline trails in a pony-drawn cart, or add a little sparkle to a pony. Turn to horses for team building, experiential psychotherapy with a licensed therapist, even healing horse meditations. Discover a lot more about these beloved animals than what you find along the trail. However, that’s pretty spectacular, too.
Acres of breathtaking coastline. Two championship courses. One Turtle Bay. People in the know, know to choose us from Golf Digest to the Champions Tour to the LPGA Tour to the Hawaii State Open to Golf Channel’s The Big Break. Those who make their living seeking out the world’s best golf destinations have consistently chosen Turtle Bay Resort, Oahu.
Dine
We’re deeply rooted in the land of O’ahu and the ocean that surrounds us, and we’re connected to local farmers, fishermen, and ranchers. The flavors found in our restaurants and bars come from the freshest local ingredients grown in the abundant land of our beloved North Shore and the greater island beyond. They inspire signature Hawaiian dishes, traditional meals, a tasty drink, or warm potluck-style gatherings on the beach. In Hawaii, we love to huipu, come together and eat family-style—everyone brings their flavor. Much like our restaurants.
Talented chefs and farm-to-table fresh ingredients are paired with spectacular sunsets and casual yet upscale settings. Our island is full of stories, none more inviting than the one told by the dish in front of you.
Wellness
Discover a world of wellness and nourishment for body, mind, and soul. An authentic Hawaiian experience. Aloha Aina, a love of and nurturing care for the land, drives everything we do and the setting itself restores your sense of well-being. Recalibrate with the help of an on-site Nalu Wellness Concierge. Tap into the power of nature foraging la’aulapa’au (medicinal) native Hawaiian plants in our healing gardens. And optimize health, vitality, and relaxation in a Stay Well Premier room or suite. A holistic wellness journey from early morning light to the day’s last sunset rays. We nurture this natural miracle we call Hawaii in respect and gratitude for the gifts it provides.
Rooms
Location
Getting there
Turtle Bay Resort
Marissa
Turtle Bay opened its doors in May 1972 as Del Webb’s Kuilima Resort Hotel and Country Club. The hotel boasted 443 ocean view rooms and a golf course. Webb was inspired by the name of the area the hotel sits on called Kuilima. In the Hawaiian language kui lima means "joining hands".
The former owner of the New York Yankees opened the resort with none other than Bob Hope as the headliner.
Webb had the vision of making Kuilima the first casino in Hawaii, however, a bill that would make gambling legal that he anticipated passing died.
The resort took the Turtle Bay name officially in 1983. However, locals called the area Turtle Bay before then because turtles commonly feed in the bay.
Before the hotel was built, the location was used by the military. During WWII, it was the home of a military bunker and the Kahuku Army Airfield. Guests can still hike to the bunker at the tip of the bay’s western point. Turtle Bay Stables horseback rides take guests to this historic landmark. A portion of the former airfield runways can be found trekking Turtle Bay’s trails towards Kahuku Point.
Over the years, what hasn’t changed is Turtle Bay’s untouched coastline, expansive grounds and legendary surfing. The resort rests on 1,300 acres of paradise. It is home to the stunning Kawela Bay, Kuilima Farm and the most northern tip on the island of Oahu, Kahuku Point.
The stunning location and splendor of Turtle Bay has drawn Hollywood to its shores over the past five decades. More than 150 movies, TV shows and series have been filmed at Turtle Bay, including Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Hawaii Five-0 and Jumangi - Welcome to the Jungle.
Turtle Bay Foundation
The Turtle Bay Foundation is dedicated to enriching the communities of O‘ahu’s North Shore and Ko‘olauloa region. To fulfill its mission of making one of the world’s last great places even better, the Foundation provides education scholarships for deserving youth, job training opportunities for adults, and grants for environmental stewardship, historic and cultural preservation, healthy living through sports and recreation, and health care programs for aging residents, homeless, and substance abuse recovery.
Established as the philanthropic arm of the Turtle Bay Resort in 2012, the Turtle Bay Foundation has given nearly $1 million and countless service hours to support residents in need and protect the fragile wildlands and native species that make Oʻahu’s North Shore one of the most beloved destinations in the world. Beneficiaries of the Foundation giving include fellowship programs and individuals striving to make a difference within their community and nonprofits, including but not limited to the North Shore Community Land Trust, Kupu, Friends of Kahuku Library, Waialua Robotics Program, Hale‘iwa Main Street, Hawai‘i Marine Mammal Alliance and Sustainable Coastlines, and over 50 elementary, intermediate and high schools.
