Turtle Bay is the only full-service resort on Oahu's legendary North Shore, situated on a breathtaking scenic peninsula spanning 1,300 pristine acres with five miles of shoreline and seven distinct beaches where Hawaiian green sea turtles and endangered Hawaiian monk seals frequently bask on the sand. The resort's flagship property, The Ritz-Carlton Oahu, Turtle Bay, offers the only resort in Hawaii with its own horse stables, providing beach horseback riding experiences along the shoreline and scenic mountain trails. The protected Kawela Bay, the resort's premier snorkeling destination, features calm waters, a sandy bottom, and colorful corals teeming with tropical fish, while Keiki Cove offers a shallow, protected area specifically designed for young children to safely wade and play in gentle ocean waters.
The resort provides comprehensive ocean activity programs including surf lessons on North Shore's iconic waves with certified instructors offering private, semi-private, and group sessions daily, along with outrigger canoe rides on Kawela Bay where paddlers can spot honu (turtles) and vibrant marine life in calm protected waters. Stand-up paddleboarding, guided night diving to discover nocturnal marine life, and keiki beach experiences combining outrigger canoeing and tandem surfing cater to all skill levels and ages. Beyond water activities, the resort features two championship golf courses designed by Arnold Palmer and George Fazio, a heliport, two landscaped pools, and extensive hiking trails through the peninsula's natural landscapes. The resort's seven beaches each offer unique characteristics—from the calm, family-friendly conditions at Kawela Bay to more exposed beaches facing the powerful North Shore winter swells that draw professional surfers during competition season.
The best time to visit Turtle Bay for swimming and snorkeling is during summer months from May to September when the North Shore's massive winter swells subside and Kawela Bay offers crystal-clear, calm conditions ideal for families and beginning snorkelers. Winter months from November to March bring the famous North Shore big wave season, when outer beaches become dangerous for swimming but offer world-class opportunities to watch professional surfers tackle massive waves at nearby Sunset Beach, Pipeline, and Waimea Bay. Resort guests enjoy private beach access with complimentary beach equipment, while the property's multiple restaurants provide convenient dining including the Beach House by Roy Yamaguchi for upscale Pacific Rim cuisine, Alaia for farm-to-table Hawaiian fare, and Lei Lei's Bar & Grill at the golf clubhouse. The resort's North Shore location provides easy access to historic Haleiwa Town just 15 minutes away, offering additional dining at Haleiwa Joe's, Giovanni's Shrimp Truck, and Matsumoto Shave Ice, while Foodland Pupukea and nearby North Shore food trucks provide casual meal options within minutes of the resort.
