1. Be incredibly careful in this area as it has claimed the lives of strong swimmers in the past after they were swept off the rocks. Oahu. A beach park uncrowded and unusual is how this part of Oahu is described. Best Sunsets in Oahu + Places to See Them - Adventures & Sunsets this is my secret spot !!! Despite this, Oahu has its share of magic just like the other Hawaiian Islands. Dying to take your loved one to a romantic cruise whilst in Oahu? Mahalo! The coral here is amazing and it is a protected bay so it is perfect for a half-day snorkel adventure. There are many botanical gardens over the island of Oahu. What the passengers will love is the round trip transportation they arrange for each and every one. But these are some of the best hidden gems in Hawaii that will take your vacation to the next level! The trail takes you through a steady incline surrounded by trees until eventually, you emerge to a beautiful view that stretches out. The 25 Best Things to Do on Oahu - Wandering Wheatleys While You're at it, Avoid Shopping on Kalakaua 7. Ka'ena Point State Park wraps its far-reaching and rugged arms around the coast of one of the most photogenic places on Oahu. It can be extremely dangerous, especially with strong surf. The circle island Helicopter tour will have you fly above all of the famous locations on Oahu, its simply a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Hollow barrels if big enough. This stunning bay is surrounded by lush green hills. 1) Mermaid Cave. 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. The Kona region is known for having sunny mornings, high rain and little wind. Wave direction : Right and left. 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Book your tour: Majestic Full Day Circle Island Tour(Best-selling tour). Due to the power plant emitting warm water into the ocean, the sea life there is stunning. Hawaii Vacation. No tours are going to the Mermaid Coves, and for a good reason. It is located on the island's leeward (west) side in Makaha Valley and . Waimnalo Bay State Recreation Park. At the end of the trail is the chimney a vertical rock face you can climb with the assistance of a rope. Once down on the rocky coastline, a number of tide pools are deep enough to jump into and a few blowholes might give you a surprise too. My personal best was 12:15 but I have seen people fly up much quicker. See All Oahu Hotels. Many love to explore the incredibly clear water in the caves and watch as the sun rays hit the water. I lived on Oahu for two years and loved adventuring from the beaches to the mountains to the waterfalls! Visiting this beach is one of the most special things to do on Oahu. The Beet Box Caf This organic, vegetarian spot has food so tasty it could turn a meat-eating velociraptor into a gentle brontosaurus. THE 10 BEST Hidden Gems in Oahu's North Shore (Updated 2023) - Tripadvisor Loved the places we visited the ease of being able to stay as long or as little as we wanted at. If you just want someone to show you, the best option is to take a professional with you. Essentially a poke bowl is raw fish, most commonly Ahi and rice. Hotel & Resort, Copyright 2023 Northstar Travel Media, LLC. Hike up the Diamond Head Crater for epic views of Waikiki. Each Friday the Hilton puts on a FREE blockbuster fireworks display. Waikiki beach, Oahu. Hanauma Bay. Most mornings, you can spot dolphins out in the ocean here! I did this tour with my family and they loved it. For 20 minutes under the water, youll be surrounded by around a dozen sharks or even more. The rougher the day the bigger the spray from the blowhole usually. All Rights Reserved. . Always go with someone and help each other out. 2022. The Hawaiian monk seal is the only seal native to Hawaii and is one of only two mammals nativeto the islands. This website's use is your expressly conditioned acceptance of the terms, conditions, and disclaimers found within our Disclaimer of Warranty and Limitation of Liability page without any modifications. Hanauma Bay is the most popular snorkeling beach on Oahu with hundreds of tourists visiting each day. 3212 Monsarrat Ave. and two other locations in Honolulu, (808) 392-8862, bananbowls.com. You can swim in the pool below this beuautiful Oahu waterfall. This neighborhood in Honolulu, Hawaii will give you a surfing experience like no other. Located in Kahaluu, you can go and walk on these sacred grounds. You can camp in the Sherwood Forest part and be a few steps away from this amazing hidden gem on Oahu. There are plenty of food trucks lining the coast all claiming to be the best and the original. * Hawaii-Guide.com is not a booking agent, accommodation provider, establishment, or tour operator. Book your tour: Diamond Head Crater Hike & Manoa Falls Combo. Tropical Yet Metropolitan. The Makapuu Lighthouse hike is one of the most popular things to do on Oahu. A reef prevents large waves from reaching the sandy shore and it's a terrific place to feel at one with nature and enjoy a quieter stretch of sand away from the tourist crowds. Watch the sunrise from Lanikai Pillbox hike. The cove is primarily a lava-rock beach which is a remarkable sight, and you can appreciate the history of the island's formation through these natural features. After graduating with a journalism degree, I set off to explore the world while creating adventure travel guides featuring hikes, waterfalls, beaches & adrenaline activities. Image by Ignacio Palacios/Getty Images. It is family and dog friendly and a great way to see some fantastic views of the east side. There isnt a much better way to enjoy than sunset than aboard a yacht with a cocktail! When parking in the Makapuu Lighthouse Trail carpark, there is another attraction close by. Ka'ena Point State Park After a drab drive, inspiration awaits at little-visited, yet . Leonard's Bakery is a spot that takes you back to the old days, with their old-fashioned storefront. Respect the land and try to keep it a relaxing and peaceful spot for everyone else around you. Here's our favorite hidden spots on Oahu. Any idea where to start? The best way to experience Manoa Falls is with an experienced tour guide who can explain all of the local flora and fauna, most of which is unique to Oahu. Hilo, Hawaii Kaumana Lava Tubes Hide from the tourist hordes in these relatively unknown, and unguarded lava caves. Visiting a waterfall is a must-do activity on Oahu and Lulumahu is one of the most unique things to do outside of Waikiki. Noreen Kompanik . For exmaple, they havent had any injuries or incidents in 20 years of operation. If you take a leisurely walk up you can expect to finish between 30 minutes and 1 hour. If you prefer to do the tour with a guide and includes hotel pick/up and drop-off from Waikiki it could be a good option. You will mainly be hiking along a paved trail. 30. Overseen by looming mountains, the fields of cane stand almost proudly while being housed in red dirt and sheltered by banana trees, and dense guinea grass. The best snorkeling tour on Oahu is the Turtle Canyon Snorkel Cruise by Catamaran. Off the beaten path, amongst a Honolulu neighborhood you'll find Helena's, she's been serving authentic Hawaiian plates since 1946. This whole-day tour is a combination of land and water excursion and will show you Oahus famous spots and hidden gems with sea turtle snorkeling on Oahu. 23. We saw sharks, turtles, plane wrecks, and shipwrecks. If searching for the best coffee in Oahu, then Kona Coffee needs to be on your Oahu Bucket List. Not only is it a fun place to visit, but it is also the best Oahu Instagram spots to capture stunning pictures. Waikiki. See Tropical Foliage at Ho'omaluhia Botanical Garden. The tour takes you just a few miles offshore where you will put on a snorkel and get inside a cage. That means that if you purchase a product or service that I reccomend, I get a small cut of the sale. The road is narrow and has several hairpin turns with beautiful homes along the way. Chinatown on Oahu isn't particularly beautiful, but that's exactly what qualifies it as a secret Oahu destination. Here is the complete series: Food: The 10 Most Delicious and Satisfying Must Eats in Honolulu, Hawaii Instagram: The 10 Most Instagrammable Places in Oahu Hidden Gems: 8 Secret Things to Do in Oahu Hawaii Go Cliff Jumping at the China Walls (secret things to do in Oahu). You also need to complete a few basic rock climbs to complete the trail. They really make sure you are entertained and you will have the best trip to Oahu. Hi! Jumping off the rock is one of the most iconic things to do on Oahu. All Rights Reserved. For lunch, try some fresh Hawaiian shrimp from one of the local food trucks (own . Best snorkeling in Oahu - Top snorkel spots - Snorkel Around The World Copyright 2023 Journey Era | Mediavine Trellis Child - Journey Era on Trellis Framework by Mediavine. 6. There are A LOT of surf spots in WaikikiCanoes, Ala Moana, Queens and Kaisers just to name a few. Ask a local. One of the best parts about Kahuku Farms is the delicious fresh food youll find there. After Diamond Head Hike, Manoa Falls is the second most popular hike on Oahu. Being less common to visit on a trip to Hawaii than Oahu or Maui, off the beaten path Kauai is still quiet and beautiful; nearly untouched. The Pillbox hikes on Oahu are another favorite photo spot for tourists. . 10 Hidden Gems of Oahu | TravelPulse 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. Airlines & Airports, The Top 20 Most Powerful Travel Agencies in 2022 Book your tour: Oahu Whale Watching Excursion. This is another one of the top-secret spots in Oahu to visit if you can. These affiliates don't cost you anything extra and help me keep the site going. Gunstock Ranch. Where: K Hana Distillers. Go for a walk to see where your next dining experience will take you. Set sail along the turquoise waters of Hawaiis coast heading towards Ko Olina coast. While you are up there check out one of the best beaches on the North Shore. LOL . 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). Its sort of tucked away in the hills above Honolulu at the first macadamia nut farm in Hawaii. 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. This tour includes hotel pick-up and drop-off. You are picked up from your Waikiki hotel and taken to the harbor for a short boat ride to a few secret snorkeling spots. The words The Dead Mans Catwalk were constantly being spray painted on the 6-yard strip that led out to a steep drop-off down the face of cliffs. Learn from your guide the rich plantation history and describe how this famously sweet plant became a symbol of Hawaii. This is by far the cheapest boat tour on Oahu but also one of the most interesting. After twenty minutes of hiking, you will find a small platform/pillbox that has a peace sign painted on it. 3. Valley of the Temples 365 Historic Sites Cemeteries By jt552233 See the map below for all locations: 1. This is perfect for travelers who just want to chill with sunsets and cocktails! This is why it is one of my favorite spots to go to. 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! A traditional, magnificent example of Hawaiian self-sufficiency where rums are made from heirloom sugar cane. Its one of the top-rated tours on Oahu and makes for a great date night or family night out and will give you an understanding of the history and traditions of the Hawaiian people. Hidden Gem Hotels on Oahu. The atmosphere at surf events is like no other sporting events. They also invite guests to cook Samoan food, which is a fun opportunity. 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. We all know what to expect for a tourist-dominated location such as the Hawaiian Islands, but there are some places that only the locals know. Descending to 100 feet underwater is an adventure in itself. Thank for your continued support. In the mountains on the west side of Oahu is the Pink Pillbox Hike. Book your tour: Afternoon Glass Bottom Boat Tour in Waikiki. Get up early and head to the east coast of Oahu before the sun rises. Veer off the main streets and head for Monsarrat or Kapahulu Avenues. 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