Lunch and Dinner Restaurants in Honolulu: 1. 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. do you need a permit to fly the drone in Hawaii? Snorkel at Hanauma Bay. To get you started, here are a few of my favorite hidden gems. Halona Cove Some of the links in my content may be affiliate links. You can read my full review HERE. What better way to see Oahu than from hundreds of feet up in the air. Ive got you covered with them all so see how many items on this Oahu bucket list you can tick off! Tropical Yet Metropolitan. Where: Sharks Cove, Haleiwa, HI 96712, United States. The Plantation offers tours and has a huge hedge maze. Water rushes in with waves, filling the cave before being spat out with great force. Wave direction : Right and left. Find some in the following locations: Each one is unique and brings its own peace when you visit. Hidden Gems: 8 Secret Things to Do in Oahu Hawaii Dillingham Ranch (most instagrammable places in oahu) Dillingham Ranch is one of the best photo spots you can visit in Oahu! After Diamond Head Hike, Manoa Falls is the second most popular hike on Oahu. It is important to know that this hike is illegal and off-limits. Fringed by a beautiful beach of white-tinged sand, it all sits in a volcanic crater protected from the elements. 2023 Hawaii Travel Guide. Cockroach Cove is right next to Halona Blowhole. Oahu's capital city of Honolulu has an average yearly coastal water temperature of between 76F (March) and 81F (September) - that's only a 5F change all year! The Mermaid Caves are literally a secret place in Oahu and should be kept that way! From here, you will have amazing views over Waikiki and the ocean. A beautiful canoe or kayak paddle to theMokulua is a great escape for the day to an isolated island. During the snorkeling session, jump in for a snorkel adventure of a lifetime! Despite this, Oahu has its share of magic just like the other Hawaiian Islands. Discover Panama with Taggea Tours by Viajes Yarilena and Complimentary Itinerary Building Assistance, How Smart Payments Can Help Alleviate Future Travel Chaos, Discover the Animals of Panama on World Wildlife Day, Adventure and Culture in Tahitis Islands, Best Destinations for Travelers Who Hate People, Parents Leave Baby at Airport Check-In Counter To Catch Their Flight, The Top 20 Most Powerful Travel Agencies in 2022, 19 Caribbean All-Inclusive Resorts with the Finest Dining. Hawaii Travel Guide. Stunning, Welcoming. There are plenty of awesome spots on Oahu to get a good look at the stars each night. 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 glass-bottom floor of the boat allows you to see sea life as it swims by and also gets a great view of one of the many shipwrecks on the coast of Oahu. Oahu has some of the finest food on the islands, but when the noise and nightlife gets a bit much, the time has come to look for a more local-driven, quieter experience. This is another great place to watch the sunrise. Visitors just have to know where to find it. Here are some of the secret beaches in Oahu! This waterfall is a beautiful gem on Oahu to visit and explore the culture of Hawaii a bit more! When it comes to hotels in Oahu, it's hard to find a refuge that hasn't already been discovered by the teeming hordes. One of my favorite things to do on Oahu was to head to spitting cave on the east coast cliffs and watch the divers jumping off. ~ Trusted by Millions of Hawaii Visitors Annually ~. 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 is a residential area as well, so people need to be aware that extreme noise will cause disruption for local people. HALE'IWA, OAHU (ALI'I BEACH PARK): Reef break. 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! Your tour begins with a short ATV ride to the top of a mountain. WHAT IS THE BEST CHEAP BACKPACKER TRAVEL INSURANCE? 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. I had done some Oahu cliff jumping in the past but this spot was always a little bit sketchy for me at the time. When parking in the Makapuu Lighthouse Trail carpark, there is another attraction close by. 21. The highlight of the trip is the snorkeling in Hanauma Bay where its quite famous for swimming with lots of tropical fish and sea turtles. It's obscured from view by the vegetation that lines the section of Kamehameha Highway, and is deemed inaccessible (to the public) due to its location on the other side of the Moli'i pond. Enjoy a slice of paradise, complete with cocktails. Discover short videos related to secret spots on oahu on TikTok. Turtle Bay Resort Oahu . Amazing adventures! cooland on keeamoku for assortments of cold treats. MERCH!! Dream Vacations. You can take a tour of the farm and even sample the fresh fruits right off the vine! There are many more gorgeous places will provide endless family fun and zillions of postcard-perfect photo . But you cant visit the North shore without trying some famous Garlic Shrimp. But what they don't realise is that there is a lot . Jumping off the rock is one of the most iconic things to do on Oahu. Hanauma Bay. Something that people love about this tour is the staff! Oahu has tons of amazing places to eat. You can walk toward Diamond Head side to get away from crowds, but there are many incredible areas for you on this island! Image by Ignacio Palacios/Getty Images. This 5-hour historic tour is a combination tour in which you will be guided through Pearl Harbors comprehensive history see the sunken USS Arizona, get a chance to visit the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl, and stop by the landmarks of Honolulu metropolitan area. If you just want someone to show you, the best option is to take a professional with you. Have you ever thought about swimming with sharks? It is a great place to visit if you can! Despite this, Oahu has its share of magic just like the other Hawaiian Islands. Ala Moana Beach Park Here at Best of Oahu, you will be treated to an insider's view of fantastic Honolulu attractions, dreamy Oahu beaches, and unique Hawaiian culture around the island! If not, we recommend giving them a try. The tour picks you up at 7:15 in the morning at selected Waikiki hotels and the itinerary includes Diamond Head Lookout, Tropical Hawaiian Coffee, and Macadamia Nut Farms, ChinaMans Hat, North Shore Shrimp Trucks, North Shore Fruit Stand, the legendary Sunset Beach, Turtle Snorkeling, and Dole Pineapple Plantation. Its the only luau Ive ever been to that has a traditional Samoan kava ceremony as part of the festivities. Because it is a non-practicing Buddhist temple, all visitors are welcome. One of the best spots to get a Haupia Pie after a day of beaching it on the north shore is Teds Bakery. There are no paved roads or commercial buildings here, just beautiful Hawaii nature as far as the eye can see. However, what most people dont do is venture down the cliffs to the tide-pools on the waters edge. Off the beaten path, amongst a Honolulu neighborhood you'll find Helena's, she's been serving authentic Hawaiian plates since 1946. Many people still do the hike every day. I hope you enjoyed this guide to the best things to do on Oahu and found a few activities for you and your family to do while on vacation. Nu'uanu Pali Lookout is one of the most beautiful places in Oahu for landscape photography. 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. Oahu Nicknamed Christmas Tree Park for the giant metal tree that glows green during the holiday season, this little park was once called Telegraph Hill, a lookout where King Kamehameha's troops. On Oahus, most eastern point sits the Makapuu Lighthouse. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Wow what amazing place to go backpacking, fabulous post! Book your tour: Koko Head Trail Guided Adventure. You will mainly be hiking along a paved trail. . The views of the Koolaus are worth it all. Thankfully, tourists do not visit this beach and park area, so you can have the beach almost all to yourself! This is why it is one of my favorite spots to go to. Located on Oahu's Western coast, Bellow's Beach is part of the longest stretch of sandy shoreline on Oahu, and many consider it one of the prettiest beaches on the island. Book your tour: Kayak Kailua Tour including Lunch. It isnt incredibly deep but usually, it is just deep enough. Crystal clear waters wash upon a long stretch of beach with a backdrop of Makua Valley and cliffs that seem to encapsulate the secluded beach. Oahu Travel. by: Victoria Derrick. We hope you find something new or old favorites when exploring our content about Oahu. 'Secret Spots' of Oahu Photography Tour 2023 en $ USD Account Overview What's Included Meeting And Pickup What To Expect Additional Info Cancellation Policy Book online or call: (888) 651-9785 Chat now Home Things to do in USA Things to do in Hawaii Things to do in Oahu Oahu Tours Outdoor Activities Nature and Wildlife Tours Definitely a must-do excursion on Oahu! And Kauai has the colorful Waimea Canyon and tropical North Shore coastline. There are A LOT of surf spots in WaikikiCanoes, Ala Moana, Queens and Kaisers just to name a few. This is the most popular hike on Oahu and probably the most popular thing to do on Oahu aside from visit Waikiki Beach. A place popular with surfers and jumpers, these cliffs will partner with a beautiful sunset to greet everyone at the end of the day. Ka'ena Point State Park wraps its far-reaching and rugged arms around the coast of one of the most photogenic places on Oahu. Ive added the link to some of the top-rated tours in each section so you can book your activities in advance for your vacation to Oahu, Hawaii. Trademarks and brands are the property of their respective owners. What to do on Oahu? Bellow's Beach Park. Parasailing is the perfect activity on Oahu as the sun sets so you can enjoy the beautiful colors from up high, looking down on the city. Halona Beach Cove 4.7 (84 reviews) Beaches Open all day "Don't go here. North Shore Tacos Head to open-air North Shore Tacos (formerly known as Surfin' Tacos) for tacos island-style: laden with fresh fish, cilantro, and the joint's Secret Surf Sauce. For 20 minutes under the water, youll be surrounded by around a dozen sharks or even more. Book your tour: Manoa Falls Guided Tour (with hotel pick/up). The best way to find the hidden gems along the north shore is to drive along Kamehameha Highway and to pull over at any fruit stand, beach, or place that looks interesting to you. Panama Blog, Adventure and Culture in Tahitis Islands This area is really beautiful during sunrise and just after as the mountains will be lit perfectly and Chinamans Hat is a nice silhouette out in the water. Koko Head. We also receive a small commission from travel partners for some of the links found on this website. 1Before Visiting these Oahu Hidden Gems 2Byodo-In Temple 3Ka'ena Point State Park 4Ho'omaluhia Botanical Garden 5Mermaid Caves/Cove Oahu 6Electric Beach 7China Walls 8Kawela Bay 9Goat Island (Mokuauia Island) 10Kahuku Farms 11Lanikai Pillbox Hike 12Halona Blowhole + Beach Cove 13Moku o Lo'e/Coconut Island 14Waimea Falls 15Sharks Cove Known as "The Gathering Place," Oahu is the second oldest island of the six main Hawaiian islands. Combine all the best parts of Oahu in one awesome yoga session on the Ocean while watching a sunset come down one side of Ala Moana, while palm trees line the other side of the bay. Its sort of tucked away in the hills above Honolulu at the first macadamia nut farm in Hawaii. The ship was confiscated in the1990s for carrying more than 90illegal immigrants toHawaii. Support of local industry allows Hawaii and its business owners to remain viable and self-sustaining. These 12 places are some of Hawaii's best kept secrets, though don't worry, I haven't given away all of their locations. Leonard's Bakery is a spot that takes you back to the old days, with their old-fashioned storefront. The Kuliouou Ridge Trail isnt what you would expect on Oahu. And you find this hidden oasis of Oahu! Simply Wander | Family Friendly Travel Guides. Travel Agent, 19 Caribbean All-Inclusive Resorts with the Finest Dining At the Hoomaluhia Gardens, you can paint, fish, and explore the beautiful surroundings. This tour includes hotel pick-up and drop-off. 1. The Halona Blowhole is on the east side of Oahu and is one of the most popular things to do on Oahu. Learn from your guide the rich plantation history and describe how this famously sweet plant became a symbol of Hawaii. The hike is 2.7 miles one way and shows off the volcanic coast, tide pools, arches, and so much more. The best snorkeling tour on Oahu is the Turtle Canyon Snorkel Cruise by Catamaran. This is easily one of THE MOST POPULAR tours on Oahu. If you go, be sure to try the acai bowl, it is the best Ive tasted! Places located off the beaten track can be the very thing that keeps a multitude of tourists milling about. In order to restore the marine life, the bay is a nature preserve . These are my most popular blog post and guides from the beautiful island of Oahu to help you plan your trip! You will feel like you are in the middle of the island and you just about are! Book your kayaking tour: Kaneohe Guided Kayak and Snorkel Tour. No tours are going to the Mermaid Coves, and for a good reason. Onboard a sailing Catamaran drinking tropical Hawaiian cocktails and relaxing while enjoying the legendary sunset and the magnificent Hawaiian coast.