If you want to visit a waterfall during your vacation in Hawaii, check out Waimea Falls. They guarantee to have you standing up and riding a wave! Away from the city at Kaena Point or at Makapuu seem to be the most popular. Just inside the Koko Head volcanic region. Ka'ena Point State Park After a drab drive, inspiration awaits at little-visited, yet . You also need to complete a few basic rock climbs to complete the trail. Huge waves crash directly onto sand or only a few feet of water. It sounds like there would be few venturing into the water however, this is the most crowded beach on a weekend. Then enjoy spectacular panoramic ocean and mountain views of Oahus famous North Shore from long, high, and extra-quiet zip lines ranging from 500 to 2,400 feet. 5. Where: K Hana Distillers. Keep your eyes peeled for the playful Spinner Dolphins who live in these waters. Magic Island 4.5 (134 reviews) Parks Open all day And Kauai has the colorful Waimea Canyon and tropical North Shore coastline. What to do on Oahu? Because it is a non-practicing Buddhist temple, all visitors are welcome. There is a tour that includes transport, assistance, food, and someone to carry your water and guide you along the way. 43 Oahu Instagram Spots: All the Best Places to Take Pictures in Oahu Oahu Snorkel Guide - The Best Beaches For Snorkeling [2021] In fact, most of them have official names, and are relatively easy to find. Book your tour: Hidden Gems of Oahu with North Shore Turtle Snorkeling. They are protected so once they swim onto the shore you must keep a safe distance from them and definitely dont touch them. Primarily primitive lava rock, this is perfect for those who like a bit more peace and quiet. Aloha! Starting at $109-139/person. As Melville says, "It is not down on any map; true places never are." So, if you want to find Mermaid Cave, keep in mind that most of us are guests on Oahu, and part of the joy of being in . Lyon Arboretum 430 Gardens Educational sites By Cruiser26741642330 Make your reservation in advance and drive past the busy parking lot and crowd at Manoa Falls to this botanical gem! If you are lucky you will even spot a turtle but you can be guaranteed to find hundreds of amazing fish and marine species. Live like a local and discover Honolulu with our pick of the hidden gems and secret spots in and around the city. Onboard a sailing Catamaran drinking tropical Hawaiian cocktails and relaxing while enjoying the legendary sunset and the magnificent Hawaiian coast. Hawaii. Hanauma Bay. Oahu, The Gathering Place, is Hawaiis most populated island, home to almost a million people. Find Dead mans catwalk (or where it used to be), Reach the summit of Wiliwilinui ridge trail, The highlight of the trip is the snorkeling in Hanauma Bay where its quite famous for swimming with lots of tropical fish and, Turtle Canyon Snorkel Cruise by Catamaran, Oahu Full-Circle Island 60 minute Helicopter Tour, Pearl Harbor, Arizona Memorial, & Punchbowl National Cemetery, Eco-Friendly Dolphin and Snorkel Half-Day Cruise, Diamond Head Crater Hike & Manoa Falls Combo, Waikiki Discovery Scuba Diving for Beginners, Sunset Dinner Cruise with Live Hawaiian Entertainment, One hour Waikiki surf lesson for two people, Hidden Gems of Oahu with North Shore Turtle Snorkeling. It is a great place to visit if you can! It was purchased by Voyager Submarines, cleaned up, and sunk in 1999. story that you dont even have to be a huge fan of rum to appreciate what has been accomplished here. For 20 minutes under the water, youll be surrounded by around a dozen sharks or even more. The 25 Best Things to Do on Oahu - Wandering Wheatleys Stuart Schuffman. Jurassic Park and Lost filmed scenes in this lush green area. This cruise will let you see the beauty of the colorful sunset in Oahu with a view of the island at night as the artificial lights glow and cover the place. BYOB (Bring Your Own Bottle/Booze) 8. The entire sweeping coastline is stuff vacation fantasies are made of. By donating to our small business, you accept and acknowledge the donation terms. Book your tour: Majestic Full Day Circle Island Tour(Best-selling tour). Koko Head. Samurais in Aiea for awesome ice treats. You will find a large pool of water and even a rope swing. You wont regret it. This is one of the less popular things to do on Oahu but it was by far one of my favorite hikes on the island. The best part about these Oahu hidden spots is that they are all free! This is a post in my Oahu Bucket List series. One of the coolest luaus in Hawaii is Toa Luau up at Waimea Valley in North Shore Oahu. Top Little Known Spots in Oahu - Indefinite Travel Take a Scenic Helicopter Flight Over Oahu. You can take a tour of the farm and even sample the fresh fruits right off the vine! The Koolaus will loom behind you in the darkness as you wait for the sun to creep over the horizon. The ship was confiscated in the1990s for carrying more than 90illegal immigrants toHawaii. Copyright 2023 Journey Era | Mediavine Trellis Child - Journey Era on Trellis Framework by Mediavine. Secret Spots for Shopping on Oahu Global Village Hawaii If you're not in the mood to follow the crowds to bustling Ala Moana Shopping Center, there are plenty of unique boutiques to discover on Oahu. Waikiki beach, Oahu. Locals flock to get barrels before getting dumped and the beach is always full of action. You are picked up from your Waikiki hotel and taken to the harbor for a short boat ride to a few secret snorkeling spots. Maybe its because they think twice about the location, or maybe because the call from the Cocktail lounge was far too strong on that day. 25 Amazing Hidden Gems in Hawaii - The Crazy Tourist However, a beautiful hike winds around the cliffs above the bay leading towards the oceans edge. Hawaii Hikes. by: Victoria Derrick. If you dont mind camping, it is totally worth it to see this beach! Bowls range from $6 to $15 depending on where you buy them from. Lanai Lookout. 9k followers. Mermaid Cove is one of the best hidden gems of Oahu, in my opinion. Very popular place for surf lessons because the white water from the set waves out back funnels into the little bay-like setup making it a great place to teach surfing. The atmosphere at surf events is like no other sporting events. HALE'IWA, OAHU (ALI'I BEACH PARK): Reef break. Enjoy Sunrise Views on the Stairway to Heaven Hike. Water rushes in with waves, filling the cave before being spat out with great force. Stunning, Welcoming. Something that people love about this tour is the staff! They really make sure you are entertained and you will have the best trip to Oahu. Tread lightly. Surf at Sunset 3. Destination & Tourism, Best Destinations for Travelers Who Hate People Bellow's Beach Park. Located in the Kekaulike Market, 1039 Kekaulike St #113, Honolulu for the most delicious poke bowls. If you do not agree with any part of these terms and conditions, you should not use this website. The Pillbox hikes on Oahu are another favorite photo spot for tourists. Book your lesson: One hour Waikiki surf lesson for two people. I include a map and photos as well! Kona coffee comes from the Big Island of Hawaii, but it's also incredibly fresh in Oahu. The Makapuu Lighthouse hike is one of the most popular things to do on Oahu. No worries take a look at these 13 places as potential options (or pick one from each category) and make a plan now before you go! Get up early and head to the east coast of Oahu before the sun rises. Or do you just want to experience a fun and relaxing evening with absolutely no itinerary? Jumping off the rock is one of the most iconic things to do on Oahu. Enjoy a slice of paradise, complete with cocktails. So, lets go and see what we can find that may be less crowded and more akin to the peace and gentle Hawaiian nature that will have you coming back again and again. Descending to 100 feet underwater is an adventure in itself. You can actually walk right to it! Aside from the fabulous beach and suitable waves for surfing, people can enjoy themselves as there . You wont believe how beautiful all of these spots are until you see them yourself. Ive got you covered with them all so see how many items on this Oahu bucket list you can tick off! The views of the Koolaus are worth it all. If you struggle with being on a beach with hundreds of tourists, check out Kawela Bay. Book your tour: Diamond Head Crater Hike & Manoa Falls Combo. Leonard's Bakery is a spot that takes you back to the old days, with their old-fashioned storefront. The China Walls are a secret place to cliff jump . 50 Most Instagrammable Places in Oahu in 2021 (with Map & Photos) The entrance fee is just $5 but if you prefer to join a guided tour to show you the way and share stories and history with you, I can recommend this top-rated tour, which combines Diamond Head hike and the easy Manoa Falls hike in one day! Sharks Cove is a beach park in Oahu that you'll feel like is a well-kept secret due to its uncrowded and unusual features. It isnt incredibly deep but usually, it is just deep enough. Cant decide? Only a short drive or a 30-minute walk up the hill from Waikiki is the much more relaxed Cromwells beach. It is relatively safe but I wouldnt recommend this hike for people in good shape as there are moments where you need to use ropes to pull yourself up steep segments. There are plenty of awesome spots on Oahu to get a good look at the stars each night. While not technically a beach, this location is in fact a stretch of lava rock cliffs and edges extending high above sea level. These are my most popular blog post and guides from the beautiful island of Oahu to help you plan your trip! Book your tour: Oahu Whale Watching Excursion. Hanauma Bay is the most popular snorkeling beach on Oahu with hundreds of tourists visiting each day. Oahu Travel. Its called the Circle-Island tour and most tourists to Oahu love this one. It is family and dog friendly and a great way to see some fantastic views of the east side. Best snorkeling in Oahu - Top snorkel spots - Snorkel Around The World Poke Bowls became my favorite food on Oahu. WHAT IS THE BEST CHEAP BACKPACKER TRAVEL INSURANCE? Insider Secrets to Travel Like a Local on Oahu I will never endorse anything fake or not worth considering. This was one of my favorite little hidden beach spots in Oahu. Known as "The Forbidden Isle", Niihau island is one of the best-kept secrets in Hawaii. The Kaneohe Sandbar is located in the middle of Kaneohe Bay in-between Chinaman's Hat and Coconut Island, and may or may not be covered with water depending on the tide. Where: Anywhere off the main strip. From authentic Hawaiian fast-food joints to picturesque drives usually overlooked by visitors, here are nine Oahu secret spots to make your next trip unique. As much as locals rely on the tourist trade, there are always going to be a few places theyd like to keep for themselves, or at least, not be as well known. On the far west side of Oahu, Makua Beach lies at the foot of majestic mountains, hiding behind a wall of trees. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.