This neighborhood in Honolulu, Hawaii will give you a surfing experience like no other. Try some of the other local favorites eating spots. Book your tour: Diamond Head Crater Hike & Manoa Falls Combo. Marvel at the Views from the Nuuanu Pali Lookout. Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve is the first place you should add to your Oahu bucket list. If you are lucky enough to explore even a few of them, your stay and the memories created in Oahu can only ever be enhanced. A traditional, magnificent example of Hawaiian self-sufficiency where rums are made from heirloom sugar cane. Also known as King Kamehameha III summer home, this is a slice of Hawaiian history hidden on the Nuuanu Oahu hike. 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. 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. This is also a very kid-friendly beach because the waves are almost always calm. Stuart Schuffman. Hoomaluhia means to make a place of peace, and the botanical gardens are nothing but peaceful! This rental company is a not-for-profit, with proceeds helping to fund Kamaaina Kids and Heeia State Park! 13 Not So SECRET HIDDEN GEMS in OAHU HAWAII ! You can climb around on the rocks, take in the beauty, or go along the beach shore. Halona Cove. We hope you find something new or old favorites when exploring our content about Oahu. Book your tour: Oahu Full-Circle Island 60 minute Helicopter Tour, Book your tour: 25-minute Waikiki Helicopter Tour. The Hawaiian monk seal is the only seal native to Hawaii and is one of only two mammals nativeto the islands. There is nothing wrong with the traditional Oahu tourist spots, and you should check them out during your vacation as well. Waimea Bay is my favorite beach on Oahu. Here's our favorite hidden spots on Oahu. One of my favorite things to do on Oahu was to head to spitting cave on the east coast cliffs and watch the divers jumping off. The Kuliouou Ridge Trail isnt what you would expect on Oahu. Electric Beach got its name from the power plant close by, well, right across the street! Honolulu and Waikiki from Diamond Head on O'ahu. This incredible island has great beaches, hikes, waterfalls, snorkeling spots, and restaurants to try. Valley of the Temples 365 Historic Sites Cemeteries By jt552233 While not technically a beach, this location is in fact a stretch of lava rock cliffs and edges extending high above sea level. Best secret spots near me in Honolulu, HI Sort:Recommended All Price Open Now 1. If you take a leisurely walk up you can expect to finish between 30 minutes and 1 hour. 2023 Hawaii Travel Guide. 23 Best Oahu Instagram Spots & Photography Destinations (2023) There's no doubt that lively Waikiki, historic Pearl Harbor and 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. Guide of Hawaii, LLC is a privately-owned (non-government) business. Makapuu Lookout. 22. The Plantation offers tours and has a huge hedge maze. Copyright Journey Era, 2022 | Sitemap | Privacy Policy. If you happen to venture out of the inner city, dont forget to try locally grown and made traditional foods. We saw sharks, turtles, plane wrecks, and shipwrecks. While all the beaches in Hawaii are gorgeous, some just take your breath away. Starting at $109-139/person. 10 Hidden Gems of Oahu | TravelPulse Known as "The Forbidden Isle", Niihau island is one of the best-kept secrets in Hawaii. Set sail along the turquoise waters of Hawaiis coast heading towards Ko Olina coast. It's obscured from view by the vegetation that lines the section of Kamehameha Highway, and is deemed inaccessible (to the public) due to its location on the other side of the Moli'i pond. The North Shore Shark Cage Dive Tour is the most easily the most epic and most unique activity on Oahu. This luau is run by a Samoan family that incorporates a lot of Samoan traditions in addition to Hawaiian culture. One of the most popular hikes on Oahu, Koko Head Stairs is a relatively short hike but dont be fooled. Located in the Kekaulike Market, 1039 Kekaulike St #113, Honolulu for the most delicious poke bowls. Picnic on the Beach 2. 3. 22 Best Oahu Instagram Spots (2023) - Hawaii Travel with Kids The Best Snorkeling Spots in Oahu - TripSavvy This is a residential area as well, so people need to be aware that extreme noise will cause disruption for local people. Have you visited any of these hidden gems on your trip to Oahu? document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Wow what amazing place to go backpacking, fabulous post! But can you get off the beaten path and find the bridge? 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. It is about a 30-minute drive from Waikiki. Not necessarily in that order. 1. This was one of my favorite little hidden beach spots in Oahu. I have createdthe Ultimate Oahu bucket list for inspiration about the best things to do on Oahu, Hawaii. Hidden Eateries on Oahu You Need to Try - Hawaii Magazine WHAT IS THE BEST CHEAP BACKPACKER TRAVEL INSURANCE? This waterfall is a beautiful gem on Oahu to visit and explore the culture of Hawaii a bit more! This is a hike none of the other tourists in the hotel will even know exists. Kawela Bay, Oahu A lovely secluded and protected beach, Kawela Bay is close to Oahu island's northern tip. If you are looking for a peaceful spot to relax away from tourists, the Hoomaluhia Botanical Gardens is another one of the hidden treasures on Oahu. Best of Oahu 2023 On the island of O'ahu, AKA 'The Gathering Place', Honolulu has long drawn international visitors with promises of sunny beaches and reliable waves. 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. A trip well worth it, and a secret, hidden gem you wont be able to keep to yourself. Source: adamkresina on Instagram. This is one of the best Oahu photography spots for sure. The China Walls are a secret place to cliff jump . by: Victoria Derrick. Whether you want to take stunning photos there or love exploring geology, be sure to visit China Walls! Trademarks and brands are the property of their respective owners. The Aloha State has six unofficial beaches that are all called "secret." Ironically, some of these hidden spots aren't really so undiscovered. Aside from the tiny village of Pu'uwai - home to the island's 200 isolated inhabitants - this privately owned island is otherwise untouched by society. I include a map and photos as well! Where: Anywhere off the main strip. Built in the 16th century, Kane'aki Heiau is considered the best preserved heiau on Oahu. A great afternoon adventure for the whole family and a very unique experience. 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). You are picked up from your Waikiki hotel and taken to the harbor for a short boat ride to a few secret snorkeling spots. Three Peaks or Olomana Trail is a treacherous looking hike with three steep peaks that can be seen all the way from Lanikai. . BYOB (Bring Your Own Bottle/Booze) 8. Maui's Secret Cove, for example, is a popular spot for wedding ceremonies, and Kauai's Secret Beach can be found easily on Google. Oahu also draws more visitors than any other . At the end of the trail is the chimney a vertical rock face you can climb with the assistance of a rope. Goat Island is a tiny little island off the coast of Laie Bay. Maui has tons of gorgeous waterfalls along the Road to Hana as well as the lush Upcountry Maui. Aug 28, 2013 4 min read. The rougher the day the bigger the spray from the blowhole usually. Just inside the Koko Head volcanic region. With regular waves breaking perfectly for beginners' surf lessons, Waikiki beach is one of the first beaches that visitors to Honolulu flock to. Who knows, you may just find your own secret restaurant. Best Oahu Snorkeling Beaches - Hawaii Snorkeling Secrets! The Complete This is the only remaining real dairy farm business in Hawaii, and long shall it remain so. Find some in the following locations: Each one is unique and brings its own peace when you visit. Where: K Hana Distillers. Book your tour: Turtle Canyon Snorkel Cruise by Catamaran. 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! Visiting in winter? Chinatown on Oahu isn't particularly beautiful, but that's exactly what qualifies it as a secret Oahu destination. Most mornings, you can spot dolphins out in the ocean here! A Local's Guide to the Best Off-the-Beaten-Path Oahu Activities Visiting a waterfall is a must-do activity on Oahu and Lulumahu is one of the most unique things to do outside of Waikiki. If you go, be sure to try the acai bowl, it is the best Ive tasted! Hanauma Bay. The 71 Best Photography Spots In Oahu in 2023 (With Map) Although tourists will come and go en masse in the carpark above the cove it is actually a great spot to chill out. A spicy sauce or seasoning covers the fish. If you dont mind camping, it is totally worth it to see this beach! Hours: 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM LEARN MORE. Best Sunsets in Oahu + Places to See Them - Adventures & Sunsets Book your tour: Sunset Dinner Cruise with Live Hawaiian Entertainment. One of the best spots to get a Haupia Pie after a day of beaching it on the north shore is Teds Bakery. One of the coolest luaus in Hawaii is Toa Luau up at Waimea Valley in North Shore Oahu. Locally produced means the finest in all dairy products, which is exactly what this dairy farm offers. 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. Off the beaten path, amongst a Honolulu neighborhood you'll find Helena's, she's been serving authentic Hawaiian plates since 1946. In the mountains on the west side of Oahu is the Pink Pillbox Hike. 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. Once you arrive at the island a mini hike to the top will give you amazing views of the shore and the Kualoa Mountains. On Oahus, most eastern point sits the Makapuu Lighthouse. Hanauma Bay. Only a few yards high they make the area a perfect spot to hang out for the day. Guide of Hawaii, LLC is a privately-owned (non-government) business. inone day. Its one of the top things to do in Oahu for adrenaline junkies. It might seem extreme but it is very controlled and quite safe. Book your tour:Pearl Harbor, Arizona Memorial, & Punchbowl National Cemetery. You must get a picture here! If you're ready for a true locals only challenge, try a visit to the secret Mermaid Cave. The road to heaven is said to be one of the scariest in Oahu, so if youre driving here, take care. Best Oahu Hidden Gems: Secret Places in Oahu You'll Want to Check Out