Oahu, Hawai’i
Hey! Welcome to my guide to Oahu, Hawai’i!
For each destination, I categorized the type of experience and how long I think it’ll take to experience it fully. Recommendations are listed in no particular order.
All destinations can be found via Google Maps.
Trip Dates: 31 Dec 2019 - 6 Jan 2020
POINTS OF INTEREST
KOKO CRATER RAILWAY TRAIL
HIKE // 2 HOURS
This hike is definitely worth the challenge for it’s beautiful views!
Tip: Go early to avoid the crowds and direct sunlight during peak hours. Bring lots of water, snacks, and sunblock!
HANLONA BLOWHOLE LOOKOUT + HANLONA BEACH COVE
LOOKOUT + BEACH // 30 MIN
Honestly, the blowhole was quite underwhelming but maybe it was because we saw it during low tide. There is a small cove to the right of the lookout where you can swim.
MAKAPU’U POINT LIGHTHOUSE TRAIL
HIKE + LOOKOUT // 2 HOURS
The Makapu’u Lighthouse Trail is a nice paved “walk” uphill towards the lighthouse, but is something I would pass on if I was short on time. However, would definitely check out another unmarked spot on the trail that I will talk about next!
MAKAPU’U TIDE POOLS
HIKE + TIDEPOOLS // 3-4 HOURS
The Makapu’u Tide Pools are so worth it if you have time! However, it’s definitely a challenge since you’re literally scaling down a cliff of lava rocks the entire way down.
Directions: Begin the Makapu’u Lighthouse Trail to the 3rd Lookout (Whale Watching Lookout with binoculars). To the left of the lookout’s stone walls, there are warning signs, which mark the beginning of the trail down to the tide pools.
Tip: [1] Wear water shoes for hiking down the cliff and while wading in the tide pools. The lava rocks are sharp and you’ll be thankful you have protection. [2] Go during low tide! The waves get HUGE during high tide, which is dangerous, but it also ruins the calm, crystal clear waters of the tide pools you came all the way to see.
MANOA FALLS TRAIL
HIKE // 1.5 HOURS
The falls are a popular recommendation but were kind of disappointing - the walk through the rain forest was cool and a pleasant change of scenery though! Honestly, I would pass on this if you’re short on time.
Tip: Bring bug spray!
HO’OMALUHIA BOTANICAL GARDEN
SCENIC DRIVE // 1+ HRS
I wanted to go to the Botanical Garden to check out the views of the beautifully ridged Hawaiian mountains. Unfortunately, we went while it was pouring rain so we didn’t get to explore much, but there’s a scenic drive and a lake you can walk to!
HANAUMA BAY
BEACH + SNORKELING // 4+ HRS
Hanauma Bay is the BEST place to snorkel. We saw huge, colorful fish that we’ve never been able to see anywhere else.
Tip: [1] Like many places, go early so you can get a parking spot! The parking lot opens at 6am and apparently gets full around 7am. [2] If you can’t go early, I suggest going after 4pm. At that time, they waive the $7.50 pp entrance fee (the bay closes at 6pm) and since most people are heading home, there’s plenty of parking.
LANAI LOOKOUT
LOOKOUT // 30 MIN
This lookout was super cool because you could get really close to the waves and explore the rock formations.
LANIKAI BEACH + PILLBOX HIKE
BEACH + HIKE // 2+ HRS
I paired these two together because they’re so close in vicinity that if you go to one, you should just do the other. Lanikai Beach was highly recommended and a favorite among my friends. The hike was much easier than Koko even though it was mostly uphill (took about 30 minutes to reach the top) and had great views.
Tip: [1] If you’re driving, you have to park on the the street (basically the lawns bordering people’s properties), but once you find a spot, you’re only a short walk to the beach or the hike. [2] For the hike, I would wear sneakers or even water shoes if it just rained or the ground is wet. The trail is not maintained and can get very muddy in some areas.
I lost my pictures from Lanikai Beach and the Pillbox Hike, but this stock photo is beautiful and accurately depicts both places!
MERMAID CAVES
BEACH + CAVES // 2+ HRS
Mermaid Caves were very cool, but are a bit out of the way from many tourist attractions that you may be planning to see. Definitely make the trek if you have time!
Directions: Park in the lots for Zabalan Beach or on a nearby street. From the Zablan Beach parking lots, you will have to walk South (or left) towards the lava rocks. From a nearby street, you will probably have to walk North (or right) towards the lava rocks. Keep walking along the lava rocks until you see holes in the ground that you can jump into! There is also an edge, a spot where the rocks meet the ocean, where you can do a mini cliff jump and swim into the cave.
Tip: [1] Like the Tide Pools, go during low tide or when the tide is lowering. Even during low tide, waves rush in and push you to the roof of the cave. If you don’t find a good place to hold on or lose your grip, you can easily get thrown into the walls or lava rocks sticking out of the ground. Plus, the caves will be underwater during high tide. [2] Wear water shoes. To get to the caves, you have to walk over lava rocks and, while in the caves, you’ll want shoes to add extra grip and protection when the waves come in.
ADDITIONAL POINTS OF INTERESTS
DOLE PLANTATION
It’s a convenient pitstop on the way from Honolulu to North Shore, but I wouldn’t spend more than an hour here.
DUKE’S MARKET
100% pass on this market - it’s a tourist trap.
LANIAKEA BEACH
Good beach to spot turtles. We went on a stormy day (as you can see from the picture) and still saw turtles!
ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS THAT I MISSED
HIKES
Diamond Head
Lulumahu Falls
Stairway to Heaven
Crouching Lion Hike
Koko Crater Arch Trail
Waimea Falls
SNORKELING
Electric Beach
Shark’s Cove
Kuilima Cove
OTHER
Pearl Harbor
Polynesian Cultural Center
Chinatown Block Party (First Friday of every month)
FOOD
🌟Our Favorites 📷Pictured
HONOLULU
POKE
Alicia’s Market 🌟
Keeaumoku Seafood 🌟
Tamashiro Market
Maguro Spot
Ahi Assassins (Poke is ok, but Smoked Ahi Dip was really good)
VARIOUS
Rainbow Drive In (Traditional)
Itchy Butt 🌟📷 (Korean Fried Chicken)
Marakume Udon 🌟📷 (Udon)
Me BBQ (BBQ)
South Shore Grill (Fish Tacos)
ADDITIONAL HONOLULU RECOMMENDATIONS THAT I MISSED
BREAKFAST
Hula Grill
LUNCH/DINNER
Sushi II (Omakase)
Yama’s Fish Market (Poke)
Ken’s Kitchen (Garlic Shrimp)
Shrimp Shack (Shrimp)
Zippy’s (Local Fast Food)
Tonkatsu Ginza Bairin (Japanese)
Mitch's Seafood (Seafood)
Paia Fish Market (Fish)
Nico’s Pier (Seafood)
Hula Dog (Hot Dogs, on Anthony Bourdain’s “No Reservations”)
DESSERT
Leonard’s Bakery (Malasadas)
Lilihue Bakery (Mochi Donuts)
Banan Waikiki Beach Shack (Dessert)
UBAE (Dessert)
KANEOHE
Adela’s Country Eatery 🌟📷(Pasta/Noodles)
NORTH SHORE
Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck 🌟📷 (Shrimp)
Matsumoto Shave Ice 📷(Dessert)
ADDITIONAL TIPS
Bring Reef-Safe Sunscreen: Do NOT bring sunscreen with oxybenzone, avobenzone, homosalate, octinoxate, octisalate, octocrylene, or nanoparticles. Sunscreens containing zinc oxide and titanium oxide without nanoparticles are OK.
Pack for variations in weather and conditions: Water shoes and a rain jacket are a must!
Take advantage of Uber or the local buses if you can: Traffic and parking in Hawaii is pretty rough during popular seasons.
Thank you so much for reading!
If you have any more recommendations or things I missed, feel free to comment below!
Love, Steph
Special Thanks to my friends for their recommendations: Huy D., Miranda P., Anthony N., Kevin A. Angela M., and Danny Z.