Photography: Shaun Regan
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT:
The property’s Banyan Tree
made cameos in Lost;
spot 100-year-old turtles
at the North Shore;
Turtle Bay Resort.
Turtle
Bay
Resort
57-091 Kamehameha Highway Kahuku, Oahu, Hawaii
Here’s why Turtle Bay won us over.
Aside from ocean views from every
guestroom (410 to be exact) and 42
beach cottages, there are 5 miles of
beach and 12 miles of hiking and biking
trails. Wander down one of these paths
and stumble upon massive banyan
trees, whose roots grow from the top
down.
Or let your horse do the trotting. The
stable is home to former racehorses in
semi-retirement. Our riding instructor
told us horses alternate one day on and
one day off to do what they please.
There’s also plenty of exploring to do outside
the property. Before you head out, stop by the
resort shop for surf gear and GoPro products and
Though some may dismiss Oahu as a jumping point to Maui
and the Big Island, locals and insiders know that Oahu’s North
Shore is a slice of island heaven. Locals escape the hustle and
bustle of Waikiki and Honolulu for the relaxed beach vibe of the
northern coastline. Here, there is only one (sprawling, 840-acre)
resort, Turtle Bay. The property has made cameos in a myriad of
films and TV shows, from Forgetting Sarah Marshall and Lost,
to Pirates of the Caribbean IV and Catching Fire. We skeptic
mainlanders had seen most of these films and were worried
they were all camera tricks. And why not just use AirBnB and
stay at a beachfront home? We tried both.
accessories. You’ll need it when you spot 100-yearold turtles feeding on algae.
And when you’re all done, the tranquil Nalu Kinetic
Good for: families, couples, Oregon State football
team (we ran into the orange-clad boys before their game
against University of Hawaii)
Location: remote and secluded, but conveniently
located on the main highway
where you can listen to the waves crash against the
Value: their prices were less than what you would pay for
a Waikiki beachfront hotel
shore, and open-air garden view massage cabanas.
Service: excellent, friendly staff
The resort also gets points for its green practices:
Vibe: relaxing, casual luxury
Spa awaits. There’s an outdoor relaxation area
they recently became the first Oahu resort with a
solar roof installation.
CULTURE COLLIDE . 61