The Insider’s Guide to Wanderlust O’ahu 2015
They say third time’s the charm, and now that it’s our third time at Turtle Bay in O’ahu, we’ve learned a thing or two about Hawaii’s gorgeous North Shore. We hunkered down with this year’s schedule, sifted through our memories, and found you our favorite gems.
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Tune into the aloha spirit with a ukulele workshop led by Tutu Janet, Turtle Bay’s resident grandmother and the loveliest teacher in all the land. In Tutu’s class, you’ll strum with a smile and learn the ukelele with lots of love and laughter.
Pitch your tent under the stars, fall asleep to a lullaby of waves, and wake up to the sight of monk seals lounging nearby. Gather round the firepit and kick back at our campsite in true aloha style.
Set in Kuilima Cove, our aerial program is the perfect excuse to hang by the sea. From aerial ashtanga to partner hammock yoga, vertical sun salutations to suspended restorative, this is a whole new way to lift your practice and luxuriate in dreamy O’ahu views.
Hawaii’s reefs are rich with life. In O’ahu, the honu, or Hawaiian sea turtle, is easy to spot while snorkeling, kayaking or simply strolling the shoreline. For a front row view, come along on our eco-kayaking excursion, where you’ll explore Kawela Bay, home to more than two dozen sea turtles. Or, try the Waterman experience, which combines canoeing and snorkeling with turtle spotting.
Salute the sun on Kuilima Point! Shiva Rea’s Friday class, Rhythmic Vinyasa: The Power of Collective Flow, taps into the energy created by hundreds of yogis moving together. Eoin Finn’s Saturday class, Superflow: Surf Inspired Yoga, celebrates the flow of the oceans inside and outside the body.
Join us on Saturday for a clean-up of Kahuku Beach, one of the most polluted points in all of Hawaii. We’ll bring tons of TLC and lots of elbow grease, and leave with as much trash that we can round up – material that will later be recycled, reused or repurposed as art.
After a long day on the mat, the Beauty Bar is an oasis of rejuvenation. The Bar features a curated collection of organic, local and eco-friendly brands for good looks you can feel good about. Come by to find a new go-to product, unwind with a complimentary massage, or try one of our favorite organic beauty treatments.
Knowledge of Hawaii’s unique flora and fauna has been passed down through generations of Polynesians, preserved in oli (chants) and mo’olelo (stories). Experience O’ahu’s cultural, botanical and historical legacy for yourself in one of our eco-hikes led by native guides and cultural field educators.
We might be known for dancing all night, but dedicated ‘lusters know how to get down during the day, too. For an experience where beats meet breath, take a zumba-inspired cardio class with Juri Edwards or a rhythm and dance-infused kundalini class with Noelani Love.
Before heading off to your first class, make time for self-care by rising with the sun and meditating on the beach as the day breaks. Breathe in rhythm with the sea and feel yourself healed. (Don’t worry, it’s winter so sunrise isn’t too early!)
Take a ride with us along Turtle Bay’s oceanside trails, and you’ll find there is truly no better way to tap out of your everyday worries and tap into the tranquility of nature. First-timers and veteran equestrians are all invited.
We know our schedule can tempt you to squeeze in yoga classes back-to-back, but here’s a gentle nudge to give yourself a break. Drop into a Speakeasy lecture or attend a workshop, and spend an hour stretching your heart and strengthening your grey matter. Your body will thank you, and your mind will too.
You can rent a bike right at the Hele Huli Adventure Center, on-site at Turtle Bay. Traverse the resort’s twelve miles of bike trails, or journey just a few miles to the start of the North Shore bike trail, which stretches from Sunset Beach all the way to Waimea Bay. While you’re at it, you can bike to the famous Banyan tree or head down to Pipeline Beach to watch the surfers.
After the Sea to Table dinner, don’t be surprised if you find yourself with a craving and curiosity for more local eats. Fortunately, there are plenty of local delicacies to be found on the North Shore, from Kahuku Superette known for its super-good “poke” (Hawaii’s take on ceviche) and the neighboring shrimp trucks, to the highway-side fruit stand across from Kawela Bay. See how many new noms you can try in a weekend!
In Hinduism, Krishna is thought to inhabit the leaves of the Banyan tree. With its entwined trunk and enduring roots, the tree symbolizes fortitude in many cultures. Wander to the huge specimen at Turtle Bay, and you’ll see why. Strike a pose, sit and journal, or simply ground yourself in the grove. (Fun fact: This tree has appeared in “Lost” and “Pirates of the Caribbean.”)
Try yoga afloat, and you may never want to return to land. Sign up for a stand up paddleboard (SUP) yoga class to hone your balance and experience what might just be the most relaxing savasana on your life. If you want to SUP it up without any asana, we offer paddleboarding excursions for all levels of watermen and women.
As Nahko might say, we believe in the good things comin’ to O’ahu, and we’re damn sure you don’t want miss out. Rock out to Nahko and Medicine for the People, jam under the stars with Brett Dennen, and groove to the feel-good tunes of O’ahu’s own Roothub. If you end up staying out a little too late one night, we give you full permission to hit snooze and start your day with an 11am class.
Hawaii’s North Shore is known as the mecca of surfing, so you can’t come to O’ahu without getting on a board. Turtle Bay happens to be one of the rare protected areas where new surfers can enjoy the waves, so if you have always wanted to hang ten, this is your chance to get started. The sea is calling!
If you’re excited for four days of Wanderlust, think for a moment about the power of eight. Our Voyager Immersion runs Feb. 22 – Mar. 1 and is an opportunity to dive deep into your personal practice, study with top teachers, and forge new friendships while also enjoying the full festival experience.
The Voyager Immersion also counts as Module 1 of the Wanderlust Teacher Training, and Voyagers can continue their teacher training in O’ahu right after the festival with Modules 2, 3, and 4.