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. Waimea Valley and its waterfalls await you, discover this beautiful place steeped with history, spirituality and island traditions. If there is something you are curious about, theres a live tour guide so feel free to ask all you want! Ala Moana Beach Park Five pillboxes in total line the ridge, which takes less than an hour to hike. 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. Come along see these beautiful mammals at their best on our exciting eco-friendly whale watching excursion. 10 Best Surf Spots In Oahu, Hawaii, USA | Trip101 Arena for high-performance surfing. The view makes it spectacular. Here's our favorite hidden spots on Oahu. Where: An hour northwest of Honolulu on the leeward coast, In the municipality of Waianae, Oahu. Keep your eyes peeled for the playful Spinner Dolphins who live in these waters. Ultimate Surfing Guide to Oahu, Hawaii | Oahu Surf Spots - My Wave Finder If you want a more authentic experience, these are hands-down the best luaus on Oahu. There isnt a much better way to enjoy than sunset than aboard a yacht with a cocktail! Places located off the beaten track can be the very thing that keeps a multitude of tourists milling about. 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. Nicknamed Neck Break Beach the waves at Sandy Beach are unforgiving. Nu'uanu Pali Lookout is one of the most beautiful places in Oahu for landscape photography. I was lucky enough to see a few monk seals both in the ocean and on shore. Since 1967, Hanauma Bay has been a protected marine life conservation area and a favorite spot for visitors to enjoy snorkeling off the shore. They guarantee to have you standing up and riding a wave! Watch popular content from the following creators: mellowyellowpay(@mellowyellowpay), Daniella Daniel(@daniella19889), DJ ill Will(@deejayillwill), layla(@lylamatar), kris(@kristheglobetrotter), Ashley Hernandez(@wildlyunconventional), Localkineting(@crazychazu), Ntxhi (See)(@whisperntxhi), Gabby(@gabriellewoolery_), tasia . 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. PUA'ENA POINT: Slabby reef out at the main peak. Veer off the main streets and head for Monsarrat or Kapahulu Avenues. This is not a hike for the faint-hearted with a number of narrow parts of the trail with steep drop-offs. 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. There are no paved roads or commercial buildings here, just beautiful Hawaii nature as far as the eye can see. Utilize Oahu Public Transportation 9. 3. This tour is perfect for visitors who stay in Oahu for a short time but still want to see what Oahu has to offer. Stunning, Welcoming. Taste of Leonard's Bakery starts with malasadas - a deep-fried ball of dough that tastes like heaven. Book yourticket: Ka Moana Luau with Dinner & Show. Oahu. Oh also if you want to see how terrible I am at surfing watch the video below. 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. Find some in the following locations: Each one is unique and brings its own peace when you visit. Thankfully, tourists do not visit this beach and park area, so you can have the beach almost all to yourself! These links do not cost you anything and help provide the necessary funding to maintain this website. Acai berries are a superfood native to Central and South America. Hawaii Hikes. 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. Oahu Instagram Spots and Photography Destinations. Theyll be able to explore nature like never before while learning about Hawaiian culture along the way too! 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. This is a hidden beach that is worth it! The North Shore Shark Cage Dive Tour is the most easily the most epic and most unique activity on Oahu. Find this local favorite on the East Shore of Oahu! On Oahus, most eastern point sits the Makapuu Lighthouse. At the summit, there is an old satellite atop a small bunker. 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. Oahu has tons of amazing places to eat. Live like a local and discover Honolulu with our pick of the hidden gems and secret spots in and around the city. Top Little Known Spots in Oahu - Indefinite Travel 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. It can be hard to spot, especially because it is in a forest-type area! Things to Do on Oahu for Adventure Seekers. Explore around the corner and try and spot the semi-enclosed salt water rock pool created by someone with much, much more money than myself. Hanauma Bay. This waterfall is a beautiful gem on Oahu to visit and explore the culture of Hawaii a bit more! The hike is right next to the Pali Highway and only takes about 30 minutes. Not only is this a secret beach not many know about, but this is also an amazing hiking opportunity as well! It is not easy to find, but you should find your way relatively easy if you head over to Nanakuli Beach Park. Secret O'ahu: sights only the locals know about - Lonely Planet March 25, 2019. 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. Maybe not so much hidden but a gem to be experienced, nonetheless. However, what most people dont do is venture down the cliffs to the tide-pools on the waters edge. READ NEXT 25 of the Best National Parks in the USA (Beautiful + Diverse!) Try some of the other local favorites eating spots. How to Find the Hidden Gems on the North Shore of Oahu Experiences at Waikiki - Prince Waikiki Aug 28, 2013 4 min read. 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. Noreen Kompanik Aside from the fabulous beach and suitable waves for surfing, people can enjoy themselves as there . It is a natural beauty and should be kept as an off-the-beaten-path on Oahu to ensure it is kept beautiful. 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 site has a lot more to do than just a waterfall; you can explore the botanical gardens and eat delicious food! If you walk back towards Waikiki along the coast away from the lighthouse there are a collection of wooden planks hanging out over the crystal clear water at Alan Davis Beach. Where: Anywhere off the main strip. Hi! The tour departs from the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Waikiki and takes you to a submarine dive spot. Kawela Bay, Oahu A lovely secluded and protected beach, Kawela Bay is close to Oahu island's northern tip. Built in the 16th century, Kane'aki Heiau is considered the best preserved heiau on Oahu. It is accessible by kayak or a short swim. 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! If you happen to venture out of the inner city, dont forget to try locally grown and made traditional foods. Copyright 2023 Journey Era | Mediavine Trellis Child - Journey Era on Trellis Framework by Mediavine. Oahu - Wikitravel Its like swimming in a giant aquarium, but staying dry the whole time! Secret Oahu Full Circle Island Tour With A Local Guide - Viator Its like swimming in a giant aquarium, but staying dry the whole time! The rougher the day the bigger the spray from the blowhole usually. take about thirty minutes. It is about a 30-minute drive from Waikiki. One of my all-time favorite beaches is the one at Waimanalo Bay Park. Despite what its name might suggest, the Dead Mans Catwalk provided more amazingviews than perils. It takes about 30-minutes to reach the top of the trail to find old war bunkers. My personal best was 12:15 but I have seen people fly up much quicker. If you are looking for some secret things to do in Oahu, check out Kahuku Farms. Atlantis Submarines offers a one-of-a-kind underwater experience giving guests a close-up view of an array of sea creatures, exotic coral reefs, and numerous sunken vessels without getting wet. Surf at Sunset 3. Locals flock to get barrels before getting dumped and the beach is always full of action. You will mainly be hiking along a paved trail. Lunch is included and the food is really good too, youll love the kalua pork! During the snorkeling session, jump in for a snorkel adventure of a lifetime! The Pillbox hikes on Oahu are another favorite photo spot for tourists. The China Walls are a secret place to cliff jump . This is easily one of THE MOST POPULAR tours on Oahu. Local Gems: The Best Places To Eat In Oahu - Heartbeet Kitchen Only minutes from the busy streets of Waikiki, this jungle trail leads you to a large waterfall. The road to heaven is said to be one of the scariest in Oahu, so if youre driving here, take care. 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. Every December through April, thousands of Humpback whales migrate to the warm waters of Hawaii. In the mountains overlooking the famous Pipeline beach and the North Shore of Oahu, the Peace Hike provides a great vantage point. Destination & Tourism I will never endorse anything fake or not worth considering.