6. Keep scrolling to see my top 13 Oahu hidden gems worth adding to your Oahu itinerary! Leonard's Bakery is a spot that takes you back to the old days, with their old-fashioned storefront. The coral here is amazing and it is a protected bay so it is perfect for a half-day snorkel adventure. 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. Mahalo! I'm off to Oahu on Wednesday, what are some hidden treasures - reddit 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. For lunch, try some fresh Hawaiian shrimp from one of the local food trucks (own . Its like swimming in a giant aquarium, but staying dry the whole time! While all the beaches in Hawaii are gorgeous, some just take your breath away. inone day. A traditional coconut pudding many locals crave. It is family and dog friendly and a great way to see some fantastic views of the east side. While not technically a beach, this location is in fact a stretch of lava rock cliffs and edges extending high above sea level. You can camp in the Sherwood Forest part and be a few steps away from this amazing hidden gem on Oahu. Amazing adventures! Many love to jump off China Walls as well. Visiting this beach is one of the most special things to do on Oahu. Here are the most Instagrammable places in Oahu- including several hidden gems I found myself! View from Lanikai Pillboxes Hike on Oahu The Lanikai Pillbox Hike is around a mile long and usually takes around 40 minutes, depending on your hiking ability. In fact, most of them have official names, and are relatively easy to find. It is a 3.5-mile hike and is not too difficult. You will feel like you are in the middle of the island and you just about are! gallery icon There are tons of things to do in Waikiki but surfing has to be at the top of your list. Keep your eyes peeled for the playful Spinner Dolphins who live in these waters. Huge waves crash directly onto sand or only a few feet of water. Wave direction : Right and left. Locals flock to get barrels before getting dumped and the beach is always full of action. History comes alive before your eyes as you weave your way up the Koolau Mountains to the Nuuanu Pali Lookout where King Kamehameha I battled to unite the Hawaiian Islands. This is the busiest tourist spot in Hawaii. 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. It is a great place to visit if you can! As the waves crash into the cliffs under the rocks the water surges out of a blowhole shooting into the air. Book your tour: Two-hour shark dive on Oahu. Valley of the Temples 365 Historic Sites Cemeteries By jt552233 Whether you want to take stunning photos there or love exploring geology, be sure to visit China Walls! 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. The Halona Blowhole is on the east side of Oahu and is one of the most popular things to do on Oahu. When he surfed the quarter-mile-long wave into the bay he thought it resembled the Great Wall of China. My personal best was 12:15 but I have seen people fly up much quicker. Things to Do on Oahu for Adventure Seekers. Oahu Sacred Places - To-Hawaii This article will provide a list of the best hidden gems in Oahu that are perfect for your next trip. Ka'ena Point State Park After a drab drive, inspiration awaits at little-visited, yet . Towns like Laie, Waimea, and Haleiwa are good places to explore. Notable competitions are the Billabong Pipe Masters and the Eddie a big wave surf competition at Waimea Bay. 10 Great Places Only Locals Know in Oahu - Discover Hidden Gems in Oahu Hanauma bay is a longtime favorite of water lovers, but sadly, the big number of tourists caused serious damage on the reef. Just inside the Koko Head volcanic region. Ka'ena Point State Park wraps its far-reaching and rugged arms around the coast of one of the most photogenic places on Oahu. Learn about the best time to visit Oahu . On the island of O'ahu, AKA 'The Gathering Place', Honolulu has long drawn international visitors with promises of sunny beaches and reliable waves. Click Here to book your tour of the North Shore Zipline Tour in advance (Often sells out weeks in advance). This is a hidden beach that is worth it! One of my all-time favorite beaches is the one at Waimanalo Bay Park. Another hike on Oahu worth waking doing for sunrise is the Lanikai Pillbox Hike. Many people still do the hike every day. 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. Be prepared for masses of tourists. Kane'aki Heiau. Pictured below is a shot I took at Waimea Bay a week before the Eddie. Marvel at the Views from the Nuuanu Pali Lookout. New Orleans & Company, How Smart Payments Can Help Alleviate Future Travel Chaos Something that people love about this tour is the staff! 43 Oahu Instagram Spots: All the Best Places to Take Pictures in Oahu Hike up the Diamond Head Crater for epic views of Waikiki. Painted pink as a testimony to breast cancer victims and survivors, the abandoned military pillbox isnt hard to spot. This stunning bay is surrounded by lush green hills. Once on the path, you will begin to feel the spray from the ocean. Oahus famous farm-to-glass distillery never gets the applause it deserves. It is a natural beauty and should be kept as an off-the-beaten-path on Oahu to ensure it is kept beautiful. Waikiki Beach is one of the most popular Oahu attractions. 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. This safe, sandy, protected bay is one of the most famous snorkel spots in Hawaii and is often listed as one of the best places to visit on the island of Oahu. Book your kayaking tour: Kaneohe Guided Kayak and Snorkel Tour. Highly rated hidden gems in Oahu's North Shore: Top hidden gem activities. One of the lesser known thingsto do on Oahu but definitely one to enjoy from a safe distance. 92-1770 Kunia Rd #227, Kunia Camp, Oahu. Not many tourists hit this spot. These are my most popular blog post and guides from the beautiful island of Oahu to help you plan your trip! The Aloha State has six unofficial beaches that are all called "secret." Ironically, some of these hidden spots aren't really so undiscovered. The hike itself is free but it isnt near Waikiki. 10 hidden gems in Honolulu GO Blog | EF United States 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). 3212 Monsarrat Ave. and two other locations in Honolulu, (808) 392-8862, bananbowls.com. A beautiful canoe or kayak paddle to theMokulua is a great escape for the day to an isolated island. Some of the links in my content may be affiliate links. Secret O'ahu: sights only the locals know about. China Walls got its name from Richard Okita, one of the first to surf this wave at Portlock Point in 1948. 1/11 Some are for sunrise, sunset or landscape focused with locals who know the spots and can teach you how to shoot amazing photos. The road is narrow and has several hairpin turns with beautiful homes along the way. Nu'uanu Pali Lookout is one of the most beautiful places in Oahu for landscape photography. Oahu Instagram Spots: 25 Beautiful Places to Visit on Oahu The North Shore Shark Cage Dive Tour is the most easily the most epic and most unique activity on Oahu. However, the beach area is only for extremely talented swimmers due to the strong waves. The hike takes a few hours if you are quick and 5-6 hours if you are a slower hiker. Your email address will not be published. Three Peaks or Olomana Trail is a treacherous looking hike with three steep peaks that can be seen all the way from Lanikai. 'Secret Spots' of Oahu Photography Tour 2023 - viator.com Youll never run out of things to do on this fantastic island. When parking in the Makapuu Lighthouse Trail carpark, there is another attraction close by. They really make sure you are entertained and you will have the best trip to Oahu. Find this local favorite on the East Shore of Oahu! The Mermaid Caves are literally a secret place in Oahu and should be kept that way! Not only is it a fun place to visit, but it is also the best Oahu Instagram spots to capture stunning pictures. I have createdthe Ultimate Oahu bucket list for inspiration about the best things to do on Oahu, Hawaii. Disclaimer of Warranty and Limitation of Liability. Alan Davis Beach. If you are lucky you will even spot a turtle but you can be guaranteed to find hundreds of amazing fish and marine species. Pickup and drop-off service and equipment are included. Take a tour instead. 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. 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. There are shuttle options for those who cannot hike, which is great for families wanting to swim by the waterfall! There are plenty of food trucks lining the coast all claiming to be the best and the original. 14. This was one of my all-time favorite things to do on Oahu. The surf here gets a reputation for toying with even the most experienced riders. Mermaid Cove is one of the best hidden gems of Oahu, in my opinion. A cascading waterfall in the middle of the forest is a peaceful spot to enjoy the afternoon. 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. Its only a few years old, so most tourists havent heard of it. Arena for high-performance surfing. During the snorkeling session, jump in for a snorkel adventure of a lifetime! This is not a hike for the faint-hearted with a number of narrow parts of the trail with steep drop-offs. This is something your friends back home wont believe and it is one of the unique activities in Oahu. Not only do you get the chance to swim with these friendly giants and tons of tropical fish, but you'll also get a catamaran cruise from Waikiki. Oahu Bucket List: 10 Places & Things to do in Oahu (Hawaii)
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