This is the most popular hike on Oahu and probably the most popular thing to do on Oahu aside from visit Waikiki Beach. If you go, be sure to try the acai bowl, it is the best Ive tasted! Jungle Expedition: One of the Best Kualoa Ranch Tours, 12 Best Places to Eat in Oahu Hawaii | Simply Wander, The Perfect 3 Day Oahu North Shore Itinerary | Simply Wander, Crouching Lion Trail: The Most Underrated Hike in Oahu | Simply Wander, 10 Best Beaches on Oahu North Shore | Simply Wander, Maunawili Falls Trail: The Best Waterfall Hike in Oahu | Simply Wander, Makapuu Lighthouse Trail: The Best Family Hike in Oahu - Simply Wander, The Ultimate Oahu Bucket List - Simply Wander, South Point Hawaii: A Big Island Hidden Gem | Simply Wander, 9 Unforgettable Things to do at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, A Utah Glamping Adventure at Whispering Pines, 5 Kid-Friendly Things to do in Durango Colorado in the Winter. I did this tour with my family when they came for vacation and it was an incredible experience youll never forget. 21. 3212 Monsarrat Ave. and two other locations in Honolulu, (808) 392-8862, bananbowls.com. The 3-mile long, 1-mile wide sandbar is located a mile or so from the shoreline, and you'll have to kayak or boat out to it. Also, see famous places like Banzai Pipeline, Sunset Beach, and Waimea Bay. Waikiki beach, Oahu. Thankfully, you can see some of the most instagrammable places in Oahu even if you're not a hiker! I tried quite a few of them during my time on Oahu and of the more well-known trucks, I enjoyed Romys. 6. Thanks to the calm, shallow waters, Hanauma Bay is Oahu's best snorkeling spot for everyone but especially fun for families with children. Waimnalo Bay State Recreation Park. READ NEXT 25 of the Best National Parks in the USA (Beautiful + Diverse!) 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. While onboard, you will enjoy the delicious buffet and some chitchats with other passengers. Its sort of tucked away in the hills above Honolulu at the first macadamia nut farm in Hawaii. Only a few yards high they make the area a perfect spot to hang out for the day. There are many botanical gardens over the island of Oahu. Copyright 2023 Journey Era | Mediavine Trellis Child - Journey Era on Trellis Framework by Mediavine. Around the back of the islands, youll find quite a few good cliff jumping spots and also the Queens bath, which is one of my favorite spots on Oahu. MERCH!! Kaneohe Sandbar. You also need to complete a few basic rock climbs to complete the trail. You can camp in the Sherwood Forest part and be a few steps away from this amazing hidden gem on Oahu. In order to restore the marine life, the bay is a nature preserve . Waimea Bay is my favorite beach on Oahu. The morning sun slowly warms the sandy beaches of Waikiki as your guide takes you on a journey through the history of the island. 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. WHAT IS THE BEST CHEAP BACKPACKER TRAVEL INSURANCE? If you want a more authentic experience, these are hands-down the best luaus on Oahu. You will mainly be hiking along a paved trail. Try out this hidden gem of Honolulu if you can swim extremely well, climb up wet rocks, and need an adrenaline rush! While it is quite beautiful and such a fun adventure, this snorkeling location is not for beginners. Dream Vacations. Were here to help! Hilo, Hawaii Kaumana Lava Tubes Hide from the tourist hordes in these relatively unknown, and unguarded lava caves. 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. 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. Hanauma Bay and Nature Preserve. Log in, Hi I'm Jamie! This beach and park area are on the eastern side of the island in a smaller town. To get you started, here are a few of my favorite hidden gems. This lookout point is on the East Side of Oahu, and worth a quick few minutes! Learn about Hawaiian history and culture while exploring the coastline. Cant decide? Ask a local. I lived on Oahu for two years and loved adventuring from the beaches to the mountains to the waterfalls! of the trail you can see the turquoise water of the east coast and the panoramic views. Interested in learning how to scuba dive while on Oahu: Waikiki Discovery Scuba Diving for Beginners, Already certified to scuba dive and want to book a scuba tour to a wreck or a reef: Scuba diving full-day tour on Oahu. A great afternoon adventure for the whole family and a very unique experience. Off the beaten path, amongst a Honolulu neighborhood you'll find Helena's, she's been serving authentic Hawaiian plates since 1946. See the map below for all locations: 1. Oahu, The Gathering Place, is Hawaiis most populated island, home to almost a million people. take about thirty minutes. The unforgiving incline will have you gasping for breath by the time you reach the top. 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. As the waves crash into the cliffs under the rocks the water surges out of a blowhole shooting into the air. Prices shown for: 1 Rm, 2 Guests. See Tripadvisor's 116,798 traveler reviews and photos of Oahu's North Shore hidden gem attractions. Thankfully, tourists do not visit this beach and park area, so you can have the beach almost all to yourself! The Kuliouou Ridge Trail isnt what you would expect on Oahu. Strong swimmers only, please. In fact, most of them have official names, and are relatively easy to find. Utilize Oahu Public Transportation 9. This is run by a nonprofit to keep the area safe, beautiful and to preserve the culture. When parking in the Makapuu Lighthouse Trail carpark, there is another attraction close by. Hanauma Bay. Hanauma bay is a longtime favorite of water lovers, but sadly, the big number of tourists caused serious damage on the reef. The white sand, clear blue water, and never ending small waves make this a perfect spot for beginners to become a grommet (supposedly this means beginning surfer). Alan Davis Beach. You'll see the golden yellow sands of Makapu'u Beach down below, a whole bunch of reefs in the turquoise waters, and even a lighthouse! Choose from snorkeling, a picnic or simply just take in the surroundings that make you appreciate the history of this rock formation, and of all of Oahus natural beauty. 20. Visit sites like Diamond Head, the Pali Lookout, Mokoli'i Island, and Laie Point. A traditional coconut pudding many locals crave. Around the corner is the historic Dole Plantation surrounded by rows of pineapples and fields of sugarcane. 2022. Lunch and Dinner Restaurants in Honolulu: 1. There is nothing wrong with the traditional Oahu tourist spots, and you should check them out during your vacation as well. Hidden Gems of Oahu with Waimea Botanical Garden. Book your tour: Eco-Friendly Dolphin and Snorkel Half-Day Cruise. It can be extremely dangerous, especially with strong surf. Maui has tons of gorgeous waterfalls along the Road to Hana as well as the lush Upcountry Maui. It is about a 30-minute drive from Waikiki. The paved trail that takes you there is one of themost popular hikes on Oahu because of how accessible it is and the amazing views it presents. It is a great place to visit if you can! Theres no doubt that lively Waikiki, historic Pearl Harborand towering Diamond Head are still must-dos for first-time visitors, but the real soul of Oahu lies off its beaten paths on roads less traveled. The Mermaid Caves are literally a secret place in Oahu and should be kept that way! A forest setting you would expect in the Pacific Northwest of the Mainland is a great spot to have an afternoon hike. Keep your eyes peeled for the playful Spinner Dolphins who live in these waters. There are shuttle options for those who cannot hike, which is great for families wanting to swim by the waterfall! While not technically a beach, this location is in fact a stretch of lava rock cliffs and edges extending high above sea level. There are beautiful trees along the beach, which is another great Oahu photo spots! A few of our favorites include breakfast tacos at Konos, loco moco from Cinnamons, the deli at Foodland for fresh poke, the musubi from 7-Eleven, and shave ice from Uncle Clays House of Pure Aloha. One of the coolest luaus in Hawaii is Toa Luau up at Waimea Valley in North Shore Oahu. 1. Visiting a waterfall is a must-do activity on Oahu and Lulumahu is one of the most unique things to do outside of Waikiki. It is a 3.5-mile hike and is not too difficult. I have createdthe Ultimate Oahu bucket list for inspiration about the best things to do on Oahu, Hawaii. Lots of visitors to Hawaii hear about luaus in the tourist magazines from the airport. If you see yourself as someone who prefers the roads less traveled some of these may be for you. On the island of O'ahu, AKA 'The Gathering Place', Honolulu has long drawn international visitors with promises of sunny beaches and reliable waves. You must get a picture here! This incredible island has great beaches, hikes, waterfalls, snorkeling spots, and restaurants to try. New Orleans & Company, How Smart Payments Can Help Alleviate Future Travel Chaos You can also see a sea cave. After Diamond Head Hike, Manoa Falls is the second most popular hike on Oahu. The ship was confiscated in the1990s for carrying more than 90illegal immigrants toHawaii. There's no doubt that lively Waikiki, historic Pearl Harbor and towering Diamond Head are still must-dos for first-time visitors, but the real soul of Oahu lies off its beaten paths on roads less traveled. Destination & Tourism, Parents Leave Baby at Airport Check-In Counter To Catch Their Flight Honolulu and Waikiki from Diamond Head on O'ahu. Guided tours are a great way to learn about those little places, activities and off-the-beaten-path gems. Known as "The Forbidden Isle", Niihau island is one of the best-kept secrets in Hawaii. I have linked the top-rated tour below. Definitely a must-do excursion on Oahu! Although tourists will come and go en masse in the carpark above the cove it is actually a great spot to chill out. This is something your friends back home wont believe and it is one of the unique activities in Oahu. Ka'ena Point State Park. This rental company is a not-for-profit, with proceeds helping to fund Kamaaina Kids and Heeia State Park! You can actually walk right to it! . See whales, guaranteed, or come again for free! gallery icon You could also try Night SUP yoga with Led lights in what is an epic experience near Waikiki. You can read my full review HERE. Go for a walk to see where your next dining experience will take you. Where: K Hana Distillers. This island is home to seabirds, not goats. This is also a very kid-friendly beach because the waves are almost always calm. Phoa,. Discover short videos related to secret spots on oahu on TikTok. Copyright 2019-2023 Hawaii Travel With Kids/Marcie In Mommyland, Best Oahu Hidden Gems: Secret Places in Oahu Youll Want to Check Out, Privacy Policy for Hawaii Travel with Kids. Book your tour: Diamond Head Crater Hike & Manoa Falls Combo. Veer off the main streets and head for Monsarrat or Kapahulu Avenues. Book your tour:Pearl Harbor, Arizona Memorial, & Punchbowl National Cemetery. Theresa Norton, Every State's Best Events This March A friendly low-key environment on the beach while surfers ride some mental waves out in the water. It was purchased by Voyager Submarines, cleaned up, and sunk in 1999. It is important to know that this hike is illegal and off-limits. Looking out over Kahana Bay, the Crouching Lion Hike offers amazing views, steep drop-offs, and beautiful lush surroundings. 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! Youll never run out of things to do on this fantastic island. One of the best parts about Kahuku Farms is the delicious fresh food youll find there. 22. Waimea Valley and its waterfalls await you, discover this beautiful place steeped with history, spirituality and island traditions. Oahus famous farm-to-glass distillery never gets the applause it deserves. Sherwood Beach. Oahu has tons of amazing places to eat. Learn about the best time to visit Oahu . There is more to this amazing island than meets the eye with many locally owned and secret places hiding in plain sight among the bright lights, Mai-Tais, and flip-flops. The rougher the day the bigger the spray from the blowhole usually. Waikiki Beach. 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. 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. Enjoy Palladium Hotel Group's Cancun Resorts, TBO Empowers Travel Advisors to Control Commission, Explore the Greek Islands on a Fam Trip With Exodus Travels, For more information on You will feel like you are in the middle of the island and you just about are! Whether you want to take stunning photos there or love exploring geology, be sure to visit China Walls! This is one of the Honolulu secret spots right in town. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Wow what amazing place to go backpacking, fabulous post! Book your tour: Circle Island Tour of Oahu. What the passengers will love is the round trip transportation they arrange for each and every one. This means that state law prohibits certain activities (like fishing for one), within these areas. by: Victoria Derrick. Its called the Circle-Island tour and most tourists to Oahu love this one. Makua Beach (sometimes known as Tunnels Beach) is the perfect sunset spot in Oahu when you just want to get away from it all.