Sharks Cove Rentals

John and Wilma (owners) represent the true spirit of Aloha! My wife and I took a chance on Shark's Cove Rentals for a last-minute getaway up to the North Shore without knowing much about it. We just wanted to spend a night up on the North Shore without having to drive back down to Honolulu (where we live). That night turned out to be one night that we will cherish for a long time.

From the moment we checked in, John and Wilma (who have owned the place for 22 years) were full of information about the area, and wanted to make sure that we knew all about the place and all the hospitality available to us. They have extensive knowledge of the surf scene, weather and swells, and local golfing.

A very nicely equipped kitchen is available to all guests and you're only a short walk away from a very nice Foodland grocery store. If you don't feel like cooking, there's plenty of good, local food trucks parked nearby.

The main house has two very nice "suites" on the second floor with private baths. There are also other nice rooms on the first floor with a shared bathroom. They also have a second house behind the main house with another nice deck and different size rooms for every price range. John and Wilma (in one perfect North Shore location) can accommodate everyone from young surfers on a budget to couples and families needing a little more space and privacy.

If you're going to stay in the North Shore, check out Shark's Cove!

Best place and location to stay up on northern oahu.

Quiet spot but still close to what you need.
Clean.
Beautiful.
Has the beach!!!
But for real. It was affordable and spacious. I felt safe and felt like it wasn't too obvious we were tourists. The neighbors gave us awesome tips for food. We hit Haleiwa a few times but ventured south on the windward side often. The beaches that way! Sunset, Turtle Bay, Pounders, Laie Point...
So we got food down that way often
Hot donuts (at Penny's malasadas)
Thai food at elephant truck
Korean BBQ at hauula bbq
Lunch every day at pupukea grill...and on and on...
We were 40 minutes from honolulu and just minutes from groceries and fun!!!

Clean, comfortable and very affordable. Right across the street from Sharks Cove, bring your reef shoes. Lunch and Dinner trucks, gear rental all with visual and walking distance. Shared and non shared accommodations, laundry, TV... if you really need to watch, internet... close to numerous beach on the north coast.

When we we're looking for decent places to stay in the North Shore, we were not sure what to expect. We found this place third party, but we were curious about Shark's Cove Rentals; the listing looked spectacular initially, and the reviews looked solid. I had some doubts, but wasn't sure until we had arrived.

On the day of, we were late, I didn't know the host would not be staying with us until I read later in the notes. It seemed more of a hostel environment, open kitchen, locked doors on the rooms. Bring your own food, drink, etc. The beach house had an open ventilation, with glass plated windows, screens on some of them, locked doors from front to back, parking seemed a little complicated when we arrived. The directions were clear, since our host was not present. I could see why the use for notes and signs. was acceptable.

Our room was cozy, plenty of space, full sized bed, window unit air conditioning and ceiling fans. Our cleanliness and linens seemed a bit questionable. They smelled clean, but the dingy outdated look on some of the towels and white sheets, seemed really worn out. Our neighbors were friendly and respectful. We had a big rental, and our car fit most of the time, but the spots were made more for a compact car. Our host was a call away, and had surveillance on site. It seemed safe, but then again,it's all visual.

Anyway, to the point, our nights went smooth; not too loud, easy to sleep, nice and dark to sleep in. House Keeping would roll in every day to clean and situate for future guests, it was a little annoying to use the only bathroom and run into people cleaning it. Parking was hard to get to, everyone came and went, some people parked in different spots, it was hard for us to navigate and get out sometimes, because of our big vehicle, and just to make sure we could make it out on time. I could see it being an issue, if you need to be somewhere by a certain time, but you're blocked in because the car behind you is stuck there and their owners are on a hike or swimming, for God knows how long. Just an issue to be mindful of. Not to mention if you need someone to move, you have to find out where their staying and bother them to move their cars out of the way. It seems a little inappropriate, but it's what to expect.

Room cleanliness, seemed iffy, with bugs all of over the unit, house keeping kept the windows open for the most part to ventilate, but left it open for lizards and common critters to waltz in and hang out in the coolness of the house. It sucked for my fiancée whose terrified of these kinds of critters.

To note, it also depends on whose staying with you the days you're there. We stayed for three nights, and most of the guest were friendly and respectful. Everyone minded their own business. Our last night was rowdy; some family came in late, and started banging on cabinets, talking loud, right at bedtime, drinking, and looking for something in all of the kitchen cabinets, which me and my fiancee's room were next to. The next morning we come to find a couple of dudes sleeping on the common couch, the only bathroom and like five people rotating in and out of it, when I got it in it seemed partially used, bars of soap all over the floor, stuff on the counter. It felt like we were staying with someone and we were the inconvenience. Our shelf in the fridge got raided from our previous left over from the other night, there was a half bottle of vodka on the counter, and our pizza box was open with slices missing. And some other food we had stored for breakfast that day was gone and containers were in the trash. Hard to tell without evidence, but this didn't start until this big family rolled in guns blazing and appetites low. Glad I could oblige! I don't mind sharing pizza, but I don't know where or who you are. It's common house manners not to touch other people's stuff.

So to note, this may not happen to everyone, I hate to write the shitty review, but this experience left a sour taste in my mouth. It would make me look for condos elsewhere. I know saving money is important to most, and if it is, book carefully. We were at the beginning of peak season, and I'm not sure how full it gets, or what kind of crowds roll that way in the busy times. Just know it leaves you vulnerable, and hopefully you have a less tasteful experience of this kind of hospitality.

We're no strangers to Sharks Cove Rentals; living in Waikiki my bf and I sometimes like a weekend getaway up north and this is our go to place. For the price and amenities, it beats Airbnb any day. There's a variety of rooms but where you stay depends on what's available. Be advised this is pretty much a hostel with shared bathrooms and kitchens (very clean) BUT there are a few rooms which have its own private bath.

As previous posts have mentioned the staff (John/John jr) are wonderful. They always go out of their way to make sure our stay is comfortable.

The rentals are located right in front of sharks cove so on summer days you can snorkel. It's also like a 3 min walk to foodland, and pupukea grill is next door. (They're food is bomb)

There are 3 separate "houses" that make up this place. Front house, middle and back. We've stayed in the front house (boardroom) which has its own bathroom/AC. So if your not about sharing bathrooms get this room. There's also a shared full sized kitchen in each house equipt with everything you need to cook! Just bring your food.

Don't expect a Hilton but expect a clean, home-styled, chill place up north.

Oh forgot to mention misc amenities: washer/dryer, bikes, snorkels, outside warm shower.

Definitely worth the stay!

John has been like a father to me since I met him . (About 3 or 4 years ago) Little john like a brother . I pretty much feel like there my family . Even his wife Wilma is always super nice to me . Any time I need a place to stay they are who I call up when I'm on the north shore . I love staying here and will for many years to come . The outside shower is so awesome and so I come cook food and live the dream while I am up here on my north shore oasis . I get to take care of everything I need to do and head back to town . If your lucky you can ask John John to take you fishing . He's a great fisherman and super entertaining guy to be around . Do yourself a favor And stay here . You will be stoked! Aloha, christian nguyen

Ps I always wanted to keep this under wraps but decided it would be nice to let the people know the truth about shark cove rentals

Maybe not the fanciest, but i think my stay in the north shore was infinitely better staying here!

My boyfriend and I came to Hawaii to visit a friend and for vacation and did NOT want to stay in Waikiki with all the tourists. My friend had spotted this place when she lived in the north shore and recommended it to us.

First off, we made our reservations about 3 months in advance and ended up paying $550 for 1 week!! Our individual room was a bunk bed with a double bed on the lower part, which we used and had 2 dressers and AC. Small room, but i am in Hawaii and all i want to do anyway is be outside!

We stayed in 302 which was in the sunset suite and there was 2 other rooms that shared the kitchen, bathroom and living room area. Everyone we met in the suite were really fun to get to know and the place had free wifi, cable and an outdoor washer/dryer.

It is in Pupukea and 1 block away from foodland, across the street from sharks cove, where you can snorkel with fish and close to a lot of good beaches in the area.

There is a picnic table outside which everyone shares and at night we would all get drinks and get acquainted with one another!
I have such fond memories of staying here and will stay here again when i return to Oahu!!!

We LOVED out stay here. The owners (John and Wilma) and their son (John Jr) were SO friendly, helpful and nice! The customer service was top-notch! The location was perfect! We could walk across the street and snorkel and we were also walking distance to a grocery store (Foodland) and a bike rental place, as well as many great places to eat. AND only 10 minutes from Haleiwa! You couldn't beat the price either. It was everything we needed while we explored the North Shore of Oahu, a place to sleep, make meals and shower. And it was nice and clean! We will be back for sure!

Shark Cove rentals is wonderful for the price. The concept is between B & B and hostel. Some rooms have private bathrooms. We had the Oceanview suite and the Mountain View suite. Parking can be a challenge, but no worse than a large resort. The facilities are clean

Out of everywhere we stayed in Oahu we had the best experience with John and Wilma at their hostel. They were professional, personable and kind, not to mention their location was prime real estate directly across the street from a protected underwater sanctuary where we saw more fish in 5 minutes than I saw anywhere else on the island. They're also 5 minutes driving from Waimea Falls and 10 minutes driving from a very cool little town Haleiwa. John had great recommendations for everything from what time to snorkel to where to eat/drink etc., Our room was comfy and the other guests were polite as well. For the price, you can't beat it and we will definitely be back to visit soon. Thank you John and Wilma!