Phone +1 808-768-6861 Web Visit website This curved bay and state park is known for its year-round snorkeling and convenient accessibility. THE 10 BEST Hidden Gems in Oahu's North Shore (Updated 2023) - Tripadvisor 13 Not So SECRET HIDDEN GEMS in OAHU HAWAII ! Dont worry about the gear as the tour guide will provide you snorkel gear like goggles and masks. 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. Oahu Travel Guide for the Ultimate Vacation Experience 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. Jurassic Park and Lost filmed scenes in this lush green area. You might also be interested in reading about the best turtle beach in Hawaii! While You're at it, Avoid Shopping on Kalakaua 7. No tours are going to the Mermaid Coves, and for a good reason. (MUST VISIT) 23,013 views Aug 14, 2022 10 Not So Secret Hidden Gems in Oahu Hawaii in 2022 - Secret Places Hidden in Plain Sight. Lanai Lookout. Surf at Sunset 3. Ka'ena Point State Park. House of Mana Up Hawaii Features products from local markers and artisans that highlight homegrown ingredients, thriving cultures and woven textiles in the Hawaiian Islands. :), These images are incredible and well informed knowlege of oahu. Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve is the first place you should add to your Oahu bucket list. Guided tours are a great way to learn about those little places, activities and off-the-beaten-path gems. Punchy rights and lefts on offer. If you do go, be sure to wear some sort of water shoes, because there can be rocks every now and then. 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. This means that state law prohibits certain activities (like fishing for one), within these areas. While onboard, you will enjoy the delicious buffet and some chitchats with other passengers. Visiting in winter? Poke Bowls became my favorite food on Oahu. 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. Book your tour: Koko Head Trail Guided Adventure. Im Jackson, an Australian adventure traveler who has been on the road for eight years now. 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. Book your lesson: One hour Waikiki surf lesson for two people. This tour is perfect for visitors who stay in Oahu for a short time but still want to see what Oahu has to offer. Only a few yards high they make the area a perfect spot to hang out for the day. The highlight of the trip is the snorkeling in Hanauma Bay where its quite famous for swimming with lots of tropical fish and sea turtles. Around the corner is the historic Dole Plantation surrounded by rows of pineapples and fields of sugarcane. Discover amazing hidden Oahu waterfalls, the rugged & rustic Oahu North Shore, and famous Hawaiian surfing spots. You can read my full review HERE. Do you love Hawaii? 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. Panama Blog, Adventure and Culture in Tahitis Islands Ultimate Surfing Guide to Oahu, Hawaii | Oahu Surf Spots - My Wave Finder But after sleeping at more than 50 Oahu hotels, Oyster reporters have come across a good handful of under-appreciated hideaways. Oahu (Hawaiian: Oahu) is the most populous of the Hawaiian islands, the third largest in size (after the Big Island and Maui) and the cultural, financial, and top tourist destination of the Hawaiian islands. 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. Oahu Instagram and Photography Spots Overview. Electric Beach got its name from the power plant close by, well, right across the street! 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! 10 Places the Locals Love on Oahu - Peter Greenberg Travel Detective With regular waves breaking perfectly for beginners' surf lessons, Waikiki beach is one of the first beaches that visitors to Honolulu flock to. Honolulu and Waikiki from Diamond Head on O'ahu. Local Gems: The Best Places To Eat In Oahu - Heartbeet Kitchen We've updated both travel guides with a lot of new great information for potential visitors (and those who've been a time or two as well). 'Secret Spots' of Oahu Photography Tour 2023 en $ USD Account Overview What's Included Meeting And Pickup What To Expect Additional Info Cancellation Policy Book online or call: (888) 651-9785 Chat now Home Things to do in USA Things to do in Hawaii Things to do in Oahu Oahu Tours Outdoor Activities Nature and Wildlife Tours There is a long water pipe out in the ocean, which is the best spot to go snorkeling. 1. However, you can get a bowl with octopus, squid or other types of seafood. Its sort of tucked away in the hills above Honolulu at the first macadamia nut farm in Hawaii. For example, as an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. This list of 10 somewhat secret spots in Oahu Hawaii will get you off the beaten path and away from the tourist hot spots! But it is worth all the trouble! The pillboxes at the top of the hikes are full of colorful graffiti and offer a nice view of the ocean. The 71 Best Photography Spots In Oahu in 2023 (With Map) 100 feet below the surface lies The Sea Tiger, which is a former Chinese trading vessel originally named Yun Fong Seong No. When he surfed the quarter-mile-long wave into the bay he thought it resembled the Great Wall of China. Theres a great deal that offers you a one-hour and riding a wave lesson for two people at once. This is a hidden beach that is worth it! Very popular place for surf lessons because the white water from the set waves out back funnels into the little bay-like setup making it a great place to teach surfing. The Halona Blowhole is on the east side of Oahu and is one of the most popular things to do on Oahu. Tread lightly. Have you visited any of these hidden gems on your trip to Oahu? The Beet Box Caf This organic, vegetarian spot has food so tasty it could turn a meat-eating velociraptor into a gentle brontosaurus. All Rights Reserved. For exmaple, they havent had any injuries or incidents in 20 years of operation. If searching for the best coffee in Oahu, then Kona Coffee needs to be on your Oahu Bucket List. Destination & Tourism, Parents Leave Baby at Airport Check-In Counter To Catch Their Flight 10 hidden gems in Honolulu GO Blog | EF United States The 25 Best Things to Do on Oahu - Wandering Wheatleys It is the most convenient place on the island to learn how to surf with many surf schools and board rentals. Its truly an experience theyll remember forever so dont wait any longer. Lanikai is by far one of the prettiest areas on Oahu, laden with spectacular bechside homes, crystal clear water and the famous Mokoluas also known as mokes (two small islands) out in the ocean. The hike takes a few hours if you are quick and 5-6 hours if you are a slower hiker. 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. Places located off the beaten track can be the very thing that keeps a multitude of tourists milling about. 10 Great Places Only Locals Know in Oahu - Discover Hidden Gems in Oahu The Best Snorkeling Spots in Oahu - TripSavvy Oahu's Top Hotels, Resorts, B&Bs, & Vacation Rentals, Oahu's Best Tours, Excursions, & Adventures. Learn about the best time to visit Oahu . Hollow barrels if big enough. Want to skip all the planning and just access my detailed Oahu Itinerary complete with daily schedules, kid-friendly activities, and travel hacks? Hanauma Bay and Nature Preserve. 2022 13. So inspirational is the history and the people responsible for this agri-success (new word!) 73 Cool and Unusual Things to Do in Hawaii - Atlas Obscura by: Victoria Derrick. Book your tour: Atlantis Submarine Adventure. Maybe not so much hidden but a gem to be experienced, nonetheless. Hidden Eateries on Oahu You Need to Try - Hawaii Magazine Goat Island is a tiny little island off the coast of Laie Bay. Hawaii. Maui's Secret Cove, for example, is a popular spot for wedding ceremonies, and Kauai's Secret Beach can be found easily on Google. I have linked the top-rated tour below. Oahu. Best of Oahu 2023 Secret Photo Spots Oahu 25. You also need to complete a few basic rock climbs to complete the trail. 10 Hidden Gems of Oahu | TravelPulse Cruise along 7 miles of world-famous surfing beaches on Oahus north shore and sample the local flavors along the way. If you struggle with being on a beach with hundreds of tourists, check out Kawela Bay. Where: K Hana Distillers. These affiliates don't cost you anything extra and help me keep the site going. After twenty minutes of hiking, you will find a small platform/pillbox that has a peace sign painted on it. Where: An hour northwest of Honolulu on the leeward coast, In the municipality of Waianae, Oahu. There is a back-way up that is technically legal and all of the information is in the blog post I wrote in the link below. . I was lucky enough to see a few monk seals both in the ocean and on shore. Be sure to do the hike on a day with big swell so you can watch the huge waves roll in one after another from up in the mountains. The current is pretty strong on the way to Goat Island, especially when the tide rises, so be extra careful. Where: Sharks Cove, Haleiwa, HI 96712, United States. They also have tours if you are interested in going with a group or want more fun facts about the gardens. Hanauma Bay. Book your tour: Two-hour shark dive on Oahu. I'm off to Oahu on Wednesday, what are some hidden treasures - reddit Below are our favorite off-the-beaten-path places on Hawaii's Big Island. The rougher the day the bigger the spray from the blowhole usually. The tour takes you just a few miles offshore where you will put on a snorkel and get inside a cage. Five Hidden Gems Near Waikiki and 'Alohilani - Alohilani Book your tour: Afternoon Glass Bottom Boat Tour in Waikiki. Waimnalo Bay State Recreation Park. Every December through April, thousands of Humpback whales migrate to the warm waters of Hawaii. It is an official seabird sanctuary, so some parts of the island are marked, and you cannot enter. 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. One of the best experiences I had on Oahu was swimming with the beautiful spinner dolphins on this exact tour. Oahu Bucket List Series P.S. 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. There is no better way to start your day than with a short sunrise hike overlooking the ocean and amazing scenery. Find Inner Peace at the Byodo-In Temple. There are A LOT of surf spots in WaikikiCanoes, Ala Moana, Queens and Kaisers just to name a few. What started out as a small roadside shop has turned into a fun place to visit! There are shuttle options for those who cannot hike, which is great for families wanting to swim by the waterfall! Its only a few years old, so most tourists havent heard of it. 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. If you follow the path all the way to towards the ocean and venture down the cliffs you will find a small rock bridge. 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. Kawela Bay, Oahu A lovely secluded and protected beach, Kawela Bay is close to Oahu island's northern tip. 6. 1. Are you looking for some new adventures on Oahu? The Kaena Point State Park connects the Westside and North Shore sides of the island. The Byodo-In Temple is another secret of Oahu worth sharing. See All Oahu Hotels. As Melville says, "It is not down on any map; true places never are." So, if you want to find Mermaid Cave, keep in mind that most of us are guests on Oahu, and part of the joy of being in . inone day. Were here to help! This is truly one of the most epic viewpoints anywhere in the world and a must-do activity on Oahu. Everyone hates waiting in a long queue but on this tour, youll be able to skip lines for a hassle-free excursion. Notable competitions are the Billabong Pipe Masters and the Eddie a big wave surf competition at Waimea Bay. But what they don't realise is that there is a lot . gallery icon It is best accessible when it is low tide. After graduating with a journalism degree, I set off to explore the world while creating adventure travel guides featuring hikes, waterfalls, beaches & adrenaline activities. This tour company takes people out and lets them swim with sharks without a cage! There are 11 Marine Life conservation districts in Hawaii - Three of which are in Oahu: Pupukea. Jumping off the rock is one of the most iconic things to do on Oahu. 10 Best Surf Spots In Oahu, Hawaii, USA | Trip101 3. The best part about these Oahu hidden spots is that they are all free! You can walk toward Diamond Head side to get away from crowds, but there are many incredible areas for you on this island! This is a hike none of the other tourists in the hotel will even know exists. However, what most people dont do is venture down the cliffs to the tide-pools on the waters edge. 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! The fireworks usually begin at 7:45 and hundreds of people fill the beachto watch the fireworks launch from along the shore. THE WEEKLY #309: 6 YEARS AS A TRAVEL BLOGGER, TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY GEAR: WHATS IN MY BACKPACK. 9 Of The Greatest Snorkeling Spots In Oahu, Hawaii - Journeying The Globe Prices shown for: 1 Rm, 2 Guests. When you turn the other way at the top . 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. Secret Beach Oahu. Kane'aki Heiau. Book your tour: Circle Island Tour of Oahu. Check Out The 5 Best Lanai Lookout Tours Here. Here are the most Instagrammable places in Oahu- including several hidden gems I found myself! From here, you will have amazing views over Waikiki and the ocean. 24 Restaurants That Serve the Best Breakfast in Oahu, According to Locals. Best Sunsets in Oahu + Places to See Them - Adventures & Sunsets These 12 places are some of Hawaii's best kept secrets, though don't worry, I haven't given away all of their locations.