Green Sea Turtle Habitat - Laniakea Beach at the North Shore
White sandy beach, coconut palms, turquoise sea water and countless green sea turtles which have chosen the coastal section as their natural habitat. The name Laniakea Beach or Turtle Beach was especially chosen because of the Honus, as the turtles are called in Hawaiian, and it is one of the most popular beaches in Hawaii.
The huge white sandy beach on Oahu's North Shore, which is lined with palm trees and rocks depending on the section, invites visitors to swim, surf, snorkel or just lie lazily in the sun, depending on the season. The main reason that makes Laniakea Beach a popular beach among travellers are the countless green sea turtles that cavort here year after year. These fascinating creatures can weigh up to 300 kilograms and live up to 100 years. The protected turtles lie in the soft, warm sand and enjoy the sunshine. Every year, countless visitors come to the beach to observe the animals in their natural environment. It is not surprising, the Honus offer a beautiful sight on the white sand. If you visit the beach, you will also come across volunteers who are working on projects to help the turtles. The volunteers pay attention to the habitat of the animals and the behaviour of the visitors towards the turtles. It is important to Hawaiians that visitors respect the animals and that the following rules regarding the turtles are considered.
- Keep at least a distance of three meters away from the turtles.
- The turtles must not be fed.
- Petting and lifting the turtles prohibited.
Those who follow these simple rules can enjoy a wonderful day on the beach together with the turtles. Visitors who do not follow the rules and touch the turtles will face fines of $10,000 to $25,000. This should bring every visitor to the realization to look at the fascinating creatures from a distance. Those who like to jump into the cool sea here to cool off should watch out for rocks in the sea and the strong currents. Especially in the winter months, rough conditions prevail in the ocean and the danger of powerful waves and strong currents increases. Those who spend the entire day at Turtle Beach will experience a breathtaking sunset from the beach in the evening hours. Every day the sun sinks into the horizon as a glowing ball of fire, creating beautiful red and orange colours.
Important information for visitors
Facilities at Laniakea Beach:
Turtle Beach has kept its originality and offers the turtles their natural habitat. Near the beach, visitors have the opportunity to use picnic tables. However, there are no restrooms or showers available here. Also, there are no lifeguards on the beach.
Directions and parking:
The beach is located on the north coast of Oahu, approximately midway between Haleiwa and Waimea Bay, and is easily accessible by car via the Kamehameha Highway. There is no associated parking lot but visitors have the option to park their vehicle on the right side of the road.
It is also possible to reach the North Shore and Laniakea Beach from Waikiki by bus. However, this option is costly and takes about 2.5 hours each way.
