A Lush New Chapter for a North Shore Legend

With its latest turn as a Ritz-Carlton resort, O‘ahu’s Turtle Bay embraces a reinvention rooted in the natural beauty of its storied setting

Words by LESLEY McKENZIE

The Ritz-Carlton Oʻahu Turtle Bay — A bird’s-eye view of the resort’s Ocean Bungalow Tranquility pool.

On Oʻahu’s legendary North Shore, where surf meets untamed coastline, a singular, storied resort holds court. Reintroduced as The Ritz-Carlton Oʻahu, Turtle Bay last year, the property’s evolution blends Ritz-Carlton refinement with the authentic spirit that has defined Turtle Bay since its 1972 debut.

Spanning nearly 1,300 lush acres, the property stretches across five miles of shoreline and seven pristine beaches, offering a setting as expansive as it is intimate. Look familiar? That’s likely because this paradisiacal setting has served as a backdrop to more than 150 films and shows, from Lost to Hunger Games: Catching Fire.

Under the Ritz-Carlton banner, the resort’s evolution unfolds in touches designed to elevate the guest experience, all while preserving its local charm. Among the highlights: 408 refreshed rooms and suites, along with 42 Ocean Bungalows — showstopping waterfront hideaways just steps from the shore, each outfitted with a furnished lanai, a private tranquility pool, and front-row views of the Pacific.

Beyond plush accommodations, Turtle Bay’s reinvention also shines through in the reimagined 11,000-square-foot Nalu Spa and fitness center, now home to three open-air massage cabanas and a private seaside hale for treatments set against a soundtrack of waves. Taking cues from Hawaii’s rich botanical landscape and ingredients grown on the 468-acre on-site Kuilima Farm, Nalu’s restorative menu ranges from the detoxifying Ma‘ema‘e massage, which incorporates a locally sourced green body polish, to the potent, glow-inducing Hawaiian Renewal facial.

Meanwhile, culinary concepts like the signature Alaia restaurant reinterpret local comfort fare with a modern sensibility. The menu draws on the island’s farmers, ranchers, and fishermen, as evidenced in dishes such as the garden beet trio, served with Hawaiian heart of palm and beef tenderloin, paired with Hawaiian sweet potatoes.

But what really grounds Turtle Bay is its deep-rooted connection to local culture and community. Case in point: a collaboration with OluKai brings the Meet the Legends series to life — intimate conversations with icons like champion surfers Luke Shepardson and Zeke Lau, or shark advocate Mike Coots. And every day, guests can dip into hands-on experiences like pareu printing, wood carving, or outrigger canoe tours. Evenings might end with a sunset Paniolo dinner, where Hawaiian cowboy culture, music and storytelling takes center stage.

For families, shared adventures span horseback rides along the beach to biking nature trails, golf, pickleball, private surf lessons, and native birdwatching. With connecting guest rooms and multi-bedroom villas — not to mention a pet-friendly policy — it’s built for ohana in every sense.