There are tons of things to do in Waikiki but surfing has to be at the top of your list. Trademarks and brands are the property of their respective owners. 21. THE 80 BEST THINGS TO DO ON OAHU, HAWAII Turtle Canyon Snorkel Cruise by Catamaran The best snorkeling tour on Oahu is the Turtle Canyon Snorkel Cruise by Catamaran. China Walls. I include a map and photos as well! If you do go, be sure to wear some sort of water shoes, because there can be rocks every now and then. Any idea where to start? 20. Live like a local and discover Honolulu with our pick of the hidden gems and secret spots in and around the city. This beach and park area are on the eastern side of the island in a smaller town. Go for a walk to see where your next dining experience will take you. Most mornings, you can spot dolphins out in the ocean here! Learn from your guide the rich plantation history and describe how this famously sweet plant became a symbol of Hawaii. This is an iconic photo spot on Oahu. On the far west side of Oahu, Makua Beach lies at the foot of majestic mountains, hiding behind a wall of trees. Have you ever thought about swimming with sharks? 1/11 HAWAII: FINDING SECRET SPOTS!! - YouTube Located in the Kekaulike Market, 1039 Kekaulike St #113, Honolulu for the most delicious poke bowls. Wave direction : Right and left. Oahu (Hawaiian: Oahu) is the most populous of the Hawaiian islands, the third largest in size (after the Big Island and Maui) and the cultural, financial, and top tourist destination of the Hawaiian islands. Your Facebook information, including your name, photo & any other personal data you make public on Facebook will appear with your comment, and may be used on TravelPulse.com. It can be hard to spot, especially because it is in a forest-type area! 25 Best Snorkeling Spots in Oahu, Hawaii (with Map) December 6, 2022 Hawaiian green sea turtles, tropical fish, moray eels, and rainbow corals are just a hint of the impeccable underwater world thriving in the North Pacific Ocean surrounding Oahu island. The Pali Notches are one of the most dangerous hikes on Oahu due to the strong winds that often frequent the trail, which has an unforgiving drop on both sides. If you are looking for some secret things to do in Oahu, check out Kahuku Farms. 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. This rental company is a not-for-profit, with proceeds helping to fund Kamaaina Kids and Heeia State Park! Get up early and head to the east coast of Oahu before the sun rises. While it is quite beautiful and such a fun adventure, this snorkeling location is not for beginners. To get you started, here are a few of my favorite hidden gems. Ive got you covered with them all so see how many items on this Oahu bucket list you can tick off! Places located off the beaten track can be the very thing that keeps a multitude of tourists milling about. Only a few blocks back from Lanikai Beach is the beginning of the Lanikai Pillbox Trail(Kaiwa Ridge), known for being one of the easier trails on the island of Oahu. There are shuttle options for those who cannot hike, which is great for families wanting to swim by the waterfall! Painted pink as a testimony to breast cancer victims and survivors, the abandoned military pillbox isnt hard to spot. story that you dont even have to be a huge fan of rum to appreciate what has been accomplished here. Every December through April, thousands of Humpback whales migrate to the warm waters of Hawaii. The Maunawili hike is another trail into the jungle! If you dont mind camping, it is totally worth it to see this beach! For a few dollars, you can rent yourself a surfboard and join the masses trying their hand at surfing at the famous Waikiki Beach. It is truly a magical experience. Lanikai is by far one of the prettiest areas on Oahu, laden with spectacular bechside homes, crystal clear water and the famous Mokoluas also known as mokes (two small islands) out in the ocean. These affiliates don't cost you anything extra and help me keep the site going. The surf here gets a reputation for toying with even the most experienced riders. 1) Papohaku Beach Kristina D.C. Hoeppner/Flickr You will be surprised to find very few people on this stunning beach, which is the longest white sand beach throughout the Hawaiian Islands. Some are for sunrise, sunset or landscape focused with locals who know the spots and can teach you how to shoot amazing photos. 2411 Makiki Heights Dr, Honolulu, HI 96822-2547, USA Phone +1 808-526-1322 Web Visit website For some of the best views of Honolulu, take a drive on the road that circles Mount Tantalus. Oahu is home to some of the most gorgeous attractions, like the Ho'omaluhia Botanical Garden, Tantalus, the Ka'a'awa Valley, and the Byodo-In Temple. Book your tour: Majestic Full Day Circle Island Tour(Best-selling tour). 8 secret gems on Oahu - Sunset Magazine Also known as King Kamehameha III summer home, this is a slice of Hawaiian history hidden on the Nuuanu Oahu hike. Ride an ATV to the top of the mountain and enjoy panoramic views of Oahu. Aside from the fabulous beach and suitable waves for surfing, people can enjoy themselves as there . Its only a few years old, so most tourists havent heard of it. All aboard the Haleiwa Queen, enjoy the clear view of the Pacific Ocean floor as you cruise over live tropical reefs and one of Hawaiis shipwrecks. This waterfall is a beautiful gem on Oahu to visit and explore the culture of Hawaii a bit more! Best Oahu Snorkeling Beaches - Hawaii Snorkeling Secrets! The Complete 30. It is a natural beauty and should be kept as an off-the-beaten-path on Oahu to ensure it is kept beautiful. Nicknamed Neck Break Beach the waves at Sandy Beach are unforgiving. The cement platform might be gone but the epic view is still as amazing as ever. This is a residential area as well, so people need to be aware that extreme noise will cause disruption for local people. Maui has tons of gorgeous waterfalls along the Road to Hana as well as the lush Upcountry Maui. Guest Author, Discover the Animals of Panama on World Wildlife Day Of course, some of the best-kept secrets of Oahu are the beaches! This is the most popular hike on Oahu and probably the most popular thing to do on Oahu aside from visit Waikiki Beach. 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 . At the end of the trail is the chimney a vertical rock face you can climb with the assistance of a rope. If you want a small, intimate luau that feels like you are hanging out in a family members yard, this is the luau to do. Book your tour: Waikiki Sunset Cocktail Catamaran Cruise. Lanai Lookout. If not, we recommend giving them a try. But after sleeping at more than 50 Oahu hotels, Oyster reporters have come across a good handful of under-appreciated hideaways. Discover secret spots on oahu 's popular videos | TikTok This is one of the best Oahu photography spots for sure. Or if you are like me you will need a lesson. 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. This can be a dangerous spot for those not familiar with the ocean and her mighty strength. What better way to see Oahu than from hundreds of feet up in the air. The rougher the day the bigger the spray from the blowhole usually. The unforgiving incline will have you gasping for breath by the time you reach the top. The Chinamans Hat is a small island near Kualoa Ranch. All Rights Reserved. Panama Blog, Adventure and Culture in Tahitis Islands Our popular Summary Guidesheets are now included. The tour departs from the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Waikiki and takes you to a submarine dive spot. They are protected so once they swim onto the shore you must keep a safe distance from them and definitely dont touch them. This list of 10 somewhat secret spots in Oahu Hawaii will get you off the beaten path and away from the tourist hot spots! Notable competitions are the Billabong Pipe Masters and the Eddie a big wave surf competition at Waimea Bay. When he surfed the quarter-mile-long wave into the bay he thought it resembled the Great Wall of China. There are many more gorgeous places will provide endless family fun and zillions of postcard-perfect photo . The Mermaid Caves are literally a secret place in Oahu and should be kept that way! There is also a lot of accommodation, restaurants and nightlife opportunities. This cliff offers a panoramic view of the island's northeast coast and is a short five miles from Honolulu. You wont believe how beautiful all of these spots are until you see them yourself. Everyone hates waiting in a long queue but on this tour, youll be able to skip lines for a hassle-free excursion. Learn about the best time to visit Oahu . Located in Kahaluu, you can go and walk on these sacred grounds. Waikiki is one of the most popular Oahu places to visit and its also really pretty. Oahu. Watch the sunrise from Lanikai Pillbox hike. The Kona region is known for having sunny mornings, high rain and little wind. Insider Secrets: 13 Tips for Traveling to Oahu, Hawaii 1. Its like swimming in a giant aquarium, but staying dry the whole time! Book an Airbnb 4. The Kaena Point State Park connects the Westside and North Shore sides of the island. Hawaii. Here's our favorite hidden spots on Oahu. Hidden Gems of Oahu with Waimea Botanical Garden. Oahu Surf Spots / A Guide to the Top Surf Breaks in Oahu - Lush Palm Halona Beach Cove 4.7 (84 reviews) Beaches Open all day "Don't go here. For exmaple, they havent had any injuries or incidents in 20 years of operation. This hike is a popular place for locals to work out, and tourists to take in some incredible sights! There is a great kayak rental at Kaneohe that sets up the kayaks on the beach for you so you can paddle out Chinamans Hat. If you just want someone to show you, the best option is to take a professional with you. No tours are going to the Mermaid Coves, and for a good reason. Hidden Eateries on Oahu You Need to Try - Hawaii Magazine Hanauma Bay and Nature Preserve. This is definitely one of the best hidden gems in Honolulu. Book your tour: Koko Head Trail Guided Adventure. Hidden Gem Hotels on Oahu. Away from the city at Kaena Point or at Makapuu seem to be the most popular. You also need to complete a few basic rock climbs to complete the trail. Despite this, Oahu has its share of magic just like the other Hawaiian Islands. Marvel at the Views from the Nuuanu Pali Lookout. Dream Vacations. Some things are happy to remain in the shadows. We've updated both travel guides with a lot of new great information for potential visitors (and those who've been a time or two as well). The views from each location are simply breathtaking and will leave you speechless when you arrive at each spot. Oahu Snorkel Guide - The Best Beaches For Snorkeling [2021] If you're visiting Oahu soon, be sure to download your copy of one of our updated 2023 Oahu Visitor Guides. The ship was confiscated in the1990s for carrying more than 90illegal immigrants toHawaii. You can simply just relax and not worry about huge waves. Theres actually this great tour that does kayaking, stand-up paddleboard, and a short waterfall hike all. One of the best spots to get a Haupia Pie after a day of beaching it on the north shore is Teds Bakery. The road is narrow and has several hairpin turns with beautiful homes along the way. The China Walls are a secret place to cliff jump . Onboard a sailing Catamaran drinking tropical Hawaiian cocktails and relaxing while enjoying the legendary sunset and the magnificent Hawaiian coast. You could also try Night SUP yoga with Led lights in what is an epic experience near Waikiki. Live like a local and discover Honolulu with our pick of the hidden gems and secret spots in and around the city. Take a Hike 5. inone day. This is a post in my Oahu Bucket List series. Hi! Guide of Hawaii, LLC is a privately-owned (non-government) business. If you are looking for a peaceful spot to relax away from tourists, the Hoomaluhia Botanical Gardens is another one of the hidden treasures on Oahu. This luau is run by a Samoan family that incorporates a lot of Samoan traditions in addition to Hawaiian culture. Oahu Bucket List: 10 Places & Things to do in Oahu (Hawaii) Mermaid Cove is one of the best hidden gems of Oahu, in my opinion. 9 Somewhat Secret Spots in Oahu Hawaii - Simply Wander Visit sites like Diamond Head, the Pali Lookout, Mokoli'i Island, and Laie Point. The catwalk referred to the cement slab that some claim was a possible war-era installation or was previously used asa launching strip for hang gliders. It does have strong currents, so wear fins and be extra cautious as you snorkel. A traditional coconut pudding many locals crave. Hike up the Diamond Head Crater for epic views of Waikiki.