Turtle Bay Resort is one of those places where you wish you could come back to it year after year.  Located in North Shore in Oahu, Hawaii, this fantastic resort features well over 400 guest rooms, suites, beach cottages, and villas to help anyone get away from the hustle and bustle that city life offers.  You can rent a great place at Turtle Bay Resort Rentals.  Among the many great accommodations that Turtle Bay Resort has to offer includes helicopter tours, horseback riding, segway tours, spa, kayaking, and the list goes on.  Along with the accommodations there are a total of seven restaurants that one can dine at on the property, with food ranging from Italian to traditional Hawaiian cuisine.  There is something for everyone to enjoy at Turtle Bay Resort, and I haven’t even gotten to the best part yet, the golf courses.

Since Turtle Bay Resort is located in such a prime location near the coastline, one can expect the golf course to be good, right?  Add on golf course designer names such as Fazio and Palmer, and you can expect to play at two of the finest courses not only in Hawaii but in the entire United States as well.  Let us first start with the Fazio Course.

The Fazio Course was built during the early 1970s and is an 18 hole course with a par of 72.  The course is not that long with the back tees at approximately 6,500 yards, but it can still provide a great challenge.  This course has hosted LPGA and Champions Tour tournaments in the past, so one can anticipate a challenge on many holes.  What really make this golf course stand out from others in the area are the greens, which were recently renovated into Paspalum greens.  They are simply the best that one can putt on, as the ball just rolls perfectly every single time.  The views that one has on many golf holes, especially the back nine of the ocean, make this a destination for anyone visiting Hawaii.

The Palmer Course was built more recently in the early 1990s and has an even greater distinction than the Fazio Course; it was rate as one of the top 100 golf courses in the country by Golf Digest recently.  It is a par 72 golf course that measures out to an astounding 7,218 yards.  What make the Palmer Course special are the different types of challenges one faces from hole to hole.  The golf course runs through natural wetlands so one as to face not only the wetlands, but also tree lined fairways and ocean breezes as well.  Throw in top notch practice facilities and you have a resort that must be visited at least once during your lifetime, if not for the golf than certainly for the other accommodations.

Hele Huli Adventure Rentals
Next to the hotel tennis courts at the Turtle Bay Resort
(808) 520-1513

Wow! It’s about time that the North Shore of Oahu had it own Adventure Center with Mopeds/scooters and much more.  Now we don’t have to travel to town to get a scooter.  And, the prices are just as good if not better than the rental shops in Honolulu.

The Hele Huli Adventure Center at Turtle Bay coordinates the fun activities you’d like to do on the North Shore in one place.  The adventure center manages the tennis courts, horseback rides, scooter rentals, segway tours, electric bike rentals, helicopter tours, kayak tours, and GPS hikes.

Scooter Rentals
$30 per hours or $59 for all day for single rider
50cc mopeds
Must have drivers license – no motorcycle license required

This is my favorite activity.  We took the scooters all the way to Lanikai Beach in Kailua.  It was so much fun.  Almost the whole journey was along the beach on Kamehameha Highway.  We even passed through a jungle.  The scooter go up to 40mph and that’s about all you need for the slow streets in Hawaii.

Segway Tours
30 minute demo $45
90 minute trail tour $90

Do segways look really dumb?  Yes, but they are so cool.  These Segways have soupped-up with big off-road tires.  This is the best way to get to know and explore the entire Turtle Bay Resort.

Electric Bikes
Either pedal or battery powered
30 miles of battery life
$20 first hour, $10 next hour, or $50 per day

GPS Hikes
starting at $20
TV and movie set tours
WWII historical sites tours
Nature tour – birds, trees, and flowers
Geocatching (treasure hunting)

Kayaks Tours by Shaka Kayak
Cool clear bottom for viewing sea life
Guided eco tours
Visit secluded beaches
Visit movie and tv shows including “Lost”

This incredibly funny movie staring Jason Segal (How I Met Your Mother) and Kristen Bell (Gossip Girl) was filmed right at the Turtle Bay Resort.  Scenes include dinner at Olas Restaurant right in between the Turtle Bay Hotel and the Ocean Villas.

They also filmed scenes with Mila Kunis (That 70s Show) and Russell Brand (Get Him to the Greek) staying at the Turtle Bay Beach Cottage – the hotel managed rooms to the West of the hotel.

Many scenes were filmed right inside the Turtle Bay Resort Hotel. The crew made a makeshift hotel lobby right inside the real lobby that the hotel made into a coffee shop.

Perhaps my favorite scene was when Peter jumped or better yet fell off the cliff at Laie Point.  See the trailer below:

MTV – The Hills (season 5 episode 5)
Wow, they filmed right at the Ocean Villas.  Lauren Conrad, Audrina Patridge, and Lo Bosworth stayed at the Turtle Bay Ocean Villas.  The cast laid out at Keiki Beach (kids beach at Turtle Bay).  They also had a private bon fire at Kawela Bay (the private beach area owned by Turtle Bay).  Brody Jenner was filmed surfing at Sunset Beach, he was actually pretty good (if it was actually him).

See the full episode here:

Turtle Bay Resort Stables
1/3 mile west of the hotel past the Beach Cottages
(808) 447-6569

Horseback riding – listed as a top thing to do at Turtle Bay Resort.

Want a more adventurous way to see the beautiful North Shore of Oahu and the 5 miles of secluded beach of the Turtle Bay Resort rather than a simple walk?  Why not try the stables at Turtle Bay?  There is a 225 lbs weigh limit to ride the horses.

Trail Rides – on the sand and through the tropical forests
45 minutes
Daily Starting: 8:30 am, 9:30 am, 10:30 am, 12:30 pm, and 1:30 pm
Maximum Riders: 8
Price: $65 plus tax.  Kama’aina $50 plus tax

Evening Rides:
75 minutes
$90 plus tax
Call for start times

Sunset Rides:
75 minutes
$105 plus tax
Call for start times

Private Rides - 60 minute walk, trot, or canter in Kawela Bay and trails.
$125 plus tax
24 hour notice is required
Maximum 4 riders per group
Proper attire is required

Children’s Pony Experience - cool, learn to groom, feed, and ride a pony or a pony drawn cart and get a small gift.
15 minutes
$45 plus tax
Ask about pony parties
for children 6 and under

The Surfer Poll Awards was held at the Turtle Bay Resort last Monday.  The 40th annual even is typically held in California.  Honorees and attendees seemed to have applauded the new venue.

The Surfer Poll Awards are conducted by Surfer Magazine and allows the general public to vote for their favorite wave riders and surf movies. The even is the most anticipated surfer awards event of the year.

Surfer Fred Patacchia and ESPN’s Sal Masekela hosted the show.

Here are the results:

Heavy Water Award: Jamie O’Brien (“Who is J.O.B.”)
Best Cinematography Award: Taylor Steele (“Castles in the Sky”)
Worst Wipeout Award: Derek Dunfee (“Down with the Ship”)
Best Maneuver Award: Jordy Smith (“Modern Collective”)
Best Performance Award: Jamie O’Brien (“Who is J.O.B.”)
Digital Short of the Year Award: Allan Wilson and Mickey Smith, “Dark Side of the Lens”
Breakthrough Performance Award: Craig Anderson
Best Barrel: Andy Irons (“High 5″)
Agent of Change Award: Mauli Ola Foundation
Best Documentary Award: “Sea of Darkness”
Movie of the Year: “Modern Collective”

Surfers – Top 10 Male

1. Kelly Slater
2. Dane Reynolds
3. Jordy Smith
4. Mick Fanning
5. Taj Burrow
6. Andy Irons
7. Rob Machado
8. Joel Parkinson
9. Julian Wilson
10. Owen Wright

Top Female Surfers:

1. Stephanie Gilmore
2. Carissa Moore
3. Coco Ho
4. Sofia Mulanovich
5. Alana Blanchard

Turtle Bay Vacation Rentals has added a new page –Turtle Bay Condos for Sale.  The page will list all the condos currently for sale at the Turtle Bay Resort.  Turtle Bay Vacation Rentals constantly researches and investigates all Ocean Villa condos and Kuilima Estate condos for sale.  The list of the best condo values are listed on the new page as well. We haven’t seen those price levels since 2002.

Turtle Bay  Vacation Rentals President, Max Jolley, recently stated, “I’ve been waiting for this opportunity at Turtle Bay for 4 years.  I’ve hesitated speaking to investors about Turtle Bay condos because I felt prices were coming down.  Now, I can enthusiastically discuss the prospect of investing in Turtle Bay with investors and second home families without hesitation.  Prices for bargain hunter is at 6 year lows and a positive cash flow are now open for discussion.”

On the west side of the resort, there are 12-miles of breathtaking oceanfront trails to hike along. There are also some surf spots for those who want to surf. Surfboards and equipment can be rented out at the resort, and surf lessons are also available.

Pool & Water Slide
Two tropical pools with a view of the ocean are available for swimming, as well as a kiddie pool with whimsical sea turtles painted on the bottom for small children to enjoy. The main pool is large and situated right next to the Hang Ten Bar & Grill. This is a good place to relax on a lounge chair and order cocktails and Ahi Sashimi appetizers.

The other pool is more active and includes a fun water-slide, and a tropical waterfall in a lush setting. A smaller waterfall descends into the shallow kiddie pool. There are also two hot tubs to sit in and enjoy views of the ocean and swaying palm trees.

Spa & Massage
Turtle Bay’s Spa Luana offers a number of services, including treatments that use local indigenous fruits and plants. Get a relaxing massage, or indulge in one of the many scrubs, wraps or facial treatments. The Pineapple Pedicure includes a foot soak in warm coconut milk with a pineapple-honey mask and massage. Spa treatment packages are also available.

Helicopter Tours
Turtle Bay Resort is the only resort on Oahu with onsite helicopter tours. Take a ride on a helicopter for 10 minutes or up to an hour, and experience the majestic views of the island. This is also an excellent opportunity for photos.

Horseback Riding
Take a morning trail ride along the ocean, or a sunset ride in the evening. Morning rides are 40-45 minutes and evening rides are 75 minutes. Pony walks are also available for children under 7.

Fitness Club, Golf and Tennis

For those who need to get that workout in, Turtle Bay’s Fitness Center has a variety of cardio and weight machines available. A private trainer and private yoga instructor are also available onsite.

The Turtle Bay Resort features two 18-hole golf courses, the Arnold Palmer Course and the George Fazio Course. The Palmer Course ranks as a Top 100 Public Golf Course according to Golf Digest. The Fazio course is family-friendly and has holes that come all the way down to water. The onsite Turtle Bay Golf Academy is taught by PGA professionals. Complimentary daily clinics are available as well as a full-day golf school.

The Tennis Center at Turtle Bay offers private lessons, tennis clinics and junior clinics. Courts are available and racquets and other equipment can be rented, including a ball machine.

Dine Island-Style
Island-style dining at Turtle Bay’s Ola restaurant is an experience not to be missed. The dining area at Ola is situated right on the beach, with a completely unobstructed view of the ocean. The eclectic Hawaiian fare features the best of local produce and fresh fish. Try the Chef’s Signature Togarashi Salmon caramelized in cane sugar and accompanied by a medley of edamame, mixed peppers, Okinawan sweet potato, Kahuku corn and sea asparagus.

Go to a Luau
Turtle Bay Resort offers a Hawaiian Luau every Friday at 6pm on the Kahuku Terrace. The Dinner Show includes entertainment, a Hawaiian-style buffet and one cocktail or beverage. The Show-Only package starts at 7:15 and includes one cocktail or beverage and entertainment. The entertainment consists of both Polynesian dancing and Tahitian fire dancing.

Other activities at the resort include eco-kayak tours, ukelele lessons, lei making, botanical tours, pilates and hula lessons. There are plenty of activities and adventures to experience at Turtle Bay.

Turtle Bay Resort on Oahu recently announce reduced rates for tee times on its Arnold Palmer Course and George Fazio Course, as well as an expanded practice range.

“We want to make golf more affordable and hopefully by doing that, more people will be inspired to make golf their activity of choice when visiting the Islands,” said Turtle Bay Resort Director of Golf Matthew Hall, a PGA Professional. “With two great courses, PGA instruction, world-class practice facilities, matched with Hawaii’s ideal climate and weather, Turtle Bay provides the perfect recipe for creating memories with family and friends.”

The newly renovated 16,000-foot George Fazio Practice range at Turtle Bay now accommodates up to 18 golfers at a time. Guests playing a round at either of the resort’s courses receive complimentary practice balls, and for those just wishing to practice, $10 purchases unlimited practice balls until noon. Or a $25 daily practice pass includes unlimited range balls and use of the Palmer Practice facility with its putting green and 80-yard chipping area.

Turtle Bay also offers rental golf club sets that include Titleist irons and woods, Scotty Cameron putter, and Vokey Wedges.

Turtle Bay Resort was selected as Hawaii’s “most underrated resort” by Travel+Leisure Golf magazine readers in 2006. It is the only full-scale resort on Oahu’s North Shore, home of world-famous surfing, remote coastlines and exciting activities. The resort is located on a promontory offering wide vistas of the ocean from every room.