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! To get you started, here are a few of my favorite hidden gems. This article will provide a list of the best hidden gems in Oahu that are perfect for your next trip. Mahalo! The entire Diamond Head Crater hike is quite scenic but it isnt until you reach the top that you have stunning views in all directions. Onboard a sailing Catamaran drinking tropical Hawaiian cocktails and relaxing while enjoying the legendary sunset and the magnificent Hawaiian coast. One of the coolest luaus in Hawaii is Toa Luau up at Waimea Valley in North Shore Oahu. Of course, some of the best-kept secrets of Oahu are the beaches! . 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! This was one of my favorite little hidden beach spots in Oahu. 1) Mermaid Cave. This site has a lot more to do than just a waterfall; you can explore the botanical gardens and eat delicious food! Are you looking for some new adventures on Oahu? Book your tour: SUP, Kayak & Waterfall Hike Oahu Tour. Oahu Snorkel Guide - The Best Beaches For Snorkeling [2021] Book your cruise: Sunset Cocktail Cruise from Waikiki. I include a map and photos as well! This hike is a popular place for locals to work out, and tourists to take in some incredible sights! THE 80 BEST THINGS TO DO ON OAHU, HAWAII Turtle Canyon Snorkel Cruise by Catamaran The best snorkeling tour on Oahu is the Turtle Canyon Snorkel Cruise by Catamaran. Amazing adventures! The view makes it spectacular. 6. Waikiki is a famous spot for surfing. Download your copy of our You can swim in the pool below this beuautiful Oahu waterfall. But there's far more to Hawaii's capital city than surfing. Phoa,. While You're at it, Avoid Shopping on Kalakaua 7. HAWAII: FINDING SECRET SPOTS!! - YouTube A beautiful canoe or kayak paddle to theMokulua is a great escape for the day to an isolated island. Due to the power plant emitting warm water into the ocean, the sea life there is stunning. There are plenty of awesome spots on Oahu to get a good look at the stars each night. Waikiki Beach. I lived on Oahu for two years and loved adventuring from the beaches to the mountains to the waterfalls! One of my all-time favorite beaches is the one at Waimanalo Bay Park. hard (but worth it): Mt. 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. A helicopter tour over this amazing island will be the number one memory you take home with you from your vacation. Here's our favorite hidden spots on Oahu. 92-1770 Kunia Rd #227, Kunia Camp, Oahu. 5 Secret Oahu locations - Luxury on Points Located on the windward side of Oahu, Ho'omaluhia Botanical Garden is simultaneously one of the top attractions in Oahu and also a great place to get (somewhat) away from the crowds in iconic spots like Waikiki Beach. It is not easy to find, but you should find your way relatively easy if you head over to Nanakuli Beach Park. No tours are going to the Mermaid Coves, and for a good reason. What better way to see Oahu than from hundreds of feet up in the air. So, lets go and see what we can find that may be less crowded and more akin to the peace and gentle Hawaiian nature that will have you coming back again and again. I was lucky enough to see a few monk seals both in the ocean and on shore. Cant decide? Koko Head. Go for a walk to see where your next dining experience will take you. by: Victoria Derrick. The surf here gets a reputation for toying with even the most experienced riders. Here are the most Instagrammable places in Oahu- including several hidden gems I found myself! Hours: 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM LEARN MORE. 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. 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 best part about these Oahu hidden spots is that they are all free! New Orleans & Company, How Smart Payments Can Help Alleviate Future Travel Chaos Oahu Instagram Spots and Photography Destinations. Visiting a waterfall is a must-do activity on Oahu and Lulumahu is one of the most unique things to do outside of Waikiki. Travel Agent, 19 Caribbean All-Inclusive Resorts with the Finest Dining Always go with someone and help each other out. These secret places arent just great for adults but also perfect for kids as well! There are plenty of food trucks lining the coast all claiming to be the best and the original. Its one of the top things to do in Oahu for adrenaline junkies. Book your tour: Afternoon Glass Bottom Boat Tour in Waikiki. But it is better to swim to protect the coral below. cooland on keeamoku for assortments of cold treats. You can actually walk right to it! Off the beaten path Kauai: 18 secret(ish) activities and tips - 2TravelDads Feel the adrenaline rush while soaring from the top of Oahus longest ziplines on this guided tour. From Wiliwilinui Ridge you can make out Waikiki, a city of white buildings seemingly a world away from the ridges we are roaming. 4. 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. For a few dollars, you can rent yourself a surfboard and join the masses trying their hand at surfing at the famous Waikiki Beach. 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. Ka'ena Point State Park wraps its far-reaching and rugged arms around the coast of one of the most photogenic places on Oahu. These are my most popular blog post and guides from the beautiful island of Oahu to help you plan your trip! For example, as an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. All partners and related links comply with our Advertising Disclosures. - https://teespring.com/stores/zay-solis-merchUSE CODE "zay20"(no caps) FOR 20% OFF PURCHASEGET TRANSITIONS HERE - https://sellfy.com/p/Xg51/SEND FAN. It is about a 30-minute drive from Waikiki. Learn about Hawaiian history and culture while exploring the coastline. The Koolaus will loom behind you in the darkness as you wait for the sun to creep over the horizon. Turtle Bay Resort Oahu . A cascading waterfall in the middle of the forest is a peaceful spot to enjoy the afternoon. Aug 28, 2013 4 min read. For 20 minutes under the water, youll be surrounded by around a dozen sharks or even more. A spicy sauce or seasoning covers the fish. Its truly an experience theyll remember forever so dont wait any longer. 8 Secret Things To Do in Oahu Hawaii | Travel and Blossom Check Out The 5 Best Lanai Lookout Tours Here. How to Find the Hidden Gems on the North Shore of Oahu Try out this hidden gem of Honolulu if you can swim extremely well, climb up wet rocks, and need an adrenaline rush! This rental company is a not-for-profit, with proceeds helping to fund Kamaaina Kids and Heeia State Park! Pickup and drop-off service and equipment are included. If you follow the path all the way to towards the ocean and venture down the cliffs you will find a small rock bridge. Oahu is home to some of the most gorgeous attractions, like the Hoomaluhia Botanical Garden, Tantalus, the Kaaawa Valley, and the Byodo-In Temple. You might also be interested in reading about the best turtle beach in Hawaii! The entrance fee is just $5 but if you prefer to join a guided tour to show you the way and share stories and history with you, I can recommend this top-rated tour, which combines Diamond Head hike and the easy Manoa Falls hike in one day! Keep scrolling to see my top 13 Oahu hidden gems worth adding to your Oahu itinerary! 23 Best Oahu Instagram Spots & Photography Destinations (2023) Located in the Kekaulike Market, 1039 Kekaulike St #113, Honolulu for the most delicious poke bowls. Book your tour: Manoa Falls Guided Tour (with hotel pick/up). 303. Book your tour: Eco-Friendly Dolphin and Snorkel Half-Day Cruise. This is by far the cheapest boat tour on Oahu but also one of the most interesting. This neighborhood in Honolulu, Hawaii will give you a surfing experience like no other. inone day. My favorite waterfall hike on Oahu, Kaau Crater Hike leads you up three waterfalls before you navigate a fine ridge on the edge of the crater to reach expansive views in all directions. Electric Beach got its name from the power plant close by, well, right across the street! As much as locals rely on the tourist trade, there are always going to be a few places theyd like to keep for themselves, or at least, not be as well known. 3. Hoomaluhia means to make a place of peace, and the botanical gardens are nothing but peaceful! 8 Most Beautiful Off the Beaten Path Hawaii Places to Visit The hike takes a few hours if you are quick and 5-6 hours if you are a slower hiker. One of the best parts about Kahuku Farms is the delicious fresh food youll find there. The unforgiving incline will have you gasping for breath by the time you reach the top. Enjoy Sunrise Views on the Stairway to Heaven Hike. Strong swimmers only, please. The Kona region is known for having sunny mornings, high rain and little wind. 10 hidden gems in Honolulu GO Blog | EF United States Stuart Schuffman. THE 10 BEST Hidden Gems in Oahu's North Shore (Updated 2023) - Tripadvisor It is important to know that this hike is illegal and off-limits. Book your tour: Oahu Whale Watching Excursion. Chinatown on Oahu isn't particularly beautiful, but that's exactly what qualifies it as a secret Oahu destination. tively short hike but dont be fooled. The food here is really good. Lunch is included and the food is really good too, youll love the kalua pork! Lanai Lookout. Im Jackson, an Australian adventure traveler who has been on the road for eight years now. Picnic on the Beach 2. If you do go, be sure to wear some sort of water shoes, because there can be rocks every now and then. Most mornings, you can spot dolphins out in the ocean here! Hawaii. You can book yourself onto a guided tour that includes pick/up and drop-off from your Waikiki hotel. There are many more gorgeous places will provide endless family fun and zillions of postcard-perfect photo . Halona Beach Cove 4.7 (84 reviews) Beaches Open all day "Don't go here. Because it is a non-practicing Buddhist temple, all visitors are welcome. That means that if you purchase a product or service that I reccomend, I get a small cut of the sale. I did this tour with my family when they came for vacation and it was an incredible experience youll never forget. They really make sure you are entertained and you will have the best trip to Oahu. Makua Beach (sometimes known as Tunnels Beach) is the perfect sunset spot in Oahu when you just want to get away from it all. $; 54-296 Kamehameha Hwy., Hau'ula, www.north-shore-tacos.com. 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. Definitely a must-do excursion on Oahu! Loved the places we visited the ease of being able to stay as long or as little as we wanted at. Gunstock Ranch. Goat Island is a tiny little island off the coast of Laie Bay. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Do you love Hawaii? gallery icon Built in the 16th century, Kane'aki Heiau is considered the best preserved heiau on Oahu. Towns like Laie, Waimea, and Haleiwa are good places to explore. See the map below for all locations: 1. Hanauma Bay is the most popular snorkeling beach on Oahu with hundreds of tourists visiting each day. Top Little Known Spots in Oahu - Indefinite Travel Find Dead mans catwalk (or where it used to be), Reach the summit of Wiliwilinui ridge trail, The highlight of the trip is the snorkeling in Hanauma Bay where its quite famous for swimming with lots of tropical fish and, Turtle Canyon Snorkel Cruise by Catamaran, Oahu Full-Circle Island 60 minute Helicopter Tour, Pearl Harbor, Arizona Memorial, & Punchbowl National Cemetery, Eco-Friendly Dolphin and Snorkel Half-Day Cruise, Diamond Head Crater Hike & Manoa Falls Combo, Waikiki Discovery Scuba Diving for Beginners, Sunset Dinner Cruise with Live Hawaiian Entertainment, One hour Waikiki surf lesson for two people, Hidden Gems of Oahu with North Shore Turtle Snorkeling. 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. If you take a leisurely walk up you can expect to finish between 30 minutes and 1 hour. Join a full-day tour and discover all of Oahus best locations. Secret Oahu Full Circle Island Tour With A Local Guide - Viator 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. However, its most popular feature is a giant rock resting half in the water half on the shore. If you want a small, intimate luau that feels like you are hanging out in a family members yard, this is the luau to do. While you are up there check out one of the best beaches on the North Shore. 22. Disclaimer of Warranty and Limitation of Liability. If you struggle with being on a beach with hundreds of tourists, check out Kawela Bay. Hawaii Travel Guide. While onboard, you will enjoy the delicious buffet and some chitchats with other passengers. Visitors just have to know where to find it. Only a short drive or a 30-minute walk up the hill from Waikiki is the much more relaxed Cromwells beach. But can you get off the beaten path and find the bridge? . Enjoy the buffet meal, including fresh seafood, kalua pork, and tropical fruit Watch the sunset and enjoy entertainment from Hawaiian musicians, hula dancers, and fire twirlers. photo by leonard's bakery. You can also see a sea cave. Hanauma Bay is the most popular spot for tourists to spot a turtle or explore the underwater world of the Pacific Ocean. From Lanikai or Kailua Beach a kayak to the mokes will take about thirty minutes. You will feel like you are in the middle of the island and you just about are! Oahu Sacred Places - To-Hawaii Famous for being shaped like a wine glass, it is located on the southeastern side of Oahu. The ship was confiscated in the1990s for carrying more than 90illegal immigrants toHawaii. Phone +1 808-768-6861 Web Visit website This curved bay and state park is known for its year-round snorkeling and convenient accessibility. Warm white sand and clear blue water along 227 miles of coastline make Oahu snorkeling a top activity. 25 Amazing Hidden Gems in Hawaii - The Crazy Tourist 301 Route 17 N, Suite 1150, Rutherford, NJ 07070 USA | Telephone: (201) 902-2000, Last updated: 02:03 PM ET, Mon March 25 2019, 10 Most Sacred Indigenous Sites in the US, How Travel Advisors Can Capitalize on the Latest Travel Trends, Vacation Rental Bookings Rise in January 2023, Kansas City to Open First New Airport Terminal in 50 Years, FAA Adopts New Safeguards After System Failure Delayed, Canceled Flights. This lookout point is on the East Side of Oahu, and worth a quick few minutes! If you want to visit a waterfall during your vacation in Hawaii, check out Waimea Falls. It is located on the island's leeward (west) side in Makaha Valley and . This tour company takes people out and lets them swim with sharks without a cage! Book your lesson: One hour Waikiki surf lesson for two people. Book your tour: Oahu Full-Circle Island 60 minute Helicopter Tour, Book your tour: 25-minute Waikiki Helicopter Tour. This is one of the best Oahu photography spots for sure. . HALE'IWA, OAHU (ALI'I BEACH PARK): Reef break. Its like swimming in a giant aquarium, but staying dry the whole time! If you're ready for a true locals only challenge, try a visit to the secret Mermaid Cave. Makapuu Lookout. Want to skip all the planning and just access my detailed Oahu Itinerary complete with daily schedules, kid-friendly activities, and travel hacks? 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. Experiences at Waikiki - Prince Waikiki Find this local favorite on the East Shore of Oahu! Ask a local. Thankfully, tourists do not visit this beach and park area, so you can have the beach almost all to yourself! However, the beaches of this island are incredible. Learn from your guide the rich plantation history and describe how this famously sweet plant became a symbol of Hawaii. These affiliates don't cost you anything extra and help me keep the site going. Set sail along the turquoise waters of Hawaiis coast heading towards Ko Olina coast. There are A LOT of surf spots in WaikikiCanoes, Ala Moana, Queens and Kaisers just to name a few. 40 Things You Have To Do In Oahu - The Globe Wanderers Mermaid Cove is one of the best hidden gems of Oahu, in my opinion. It can be dangerous if you do not know what you are doing. Not necessarily in that order. Copyright 2023 Journey Era | Mediavine Trellis Child - Journey Era on Trellis Framework by Mediavine. Off-the-Beaten Path Oahu Activities & Adventures | Marriott TRAVELER