I've polled the experts, asked the locals, spent a week in paradise, and compiled all of the best things to do, places to eat, and beaches to go in Oahu. Take me back. Until then, I will dream over these pictures and reminisce over the good times had.
Before last week, I had never been to Hawaii, and oh did it ever, live up to all of it's hype. It's magical. The full, lush nature is overwhelming. You feel as if Mother Nature is giving you a giant hug the entire time you are there.
Let's get to it.
The Big 5 of Oahu: Beaches, Food/Drinks, Hikes, Transportation, and the Outrigger Canoe Experience
5. Transportation
RENT A CAR. Some of the best advice I can give someone who has never been to Hawaii, is to make sure you have wheels at your disposal. The island of Oahu is 44 miles long and 30 miles wide. You don't want to be stuck in one region of the island because all sides are created equal in Hawaii. North, South, East, and West; there is something to discover in each place.
You will more than likely be staying Waikiki or Honolulu, because that is where most of the resorts are located. And although Waikiki boasts it's own bundle of beautiful beaches, you are going to want to explore more and the best way to do that is to drive.
4. Hikes.
Being that you are surrounded by constant beauty and the weather is a mild 80 degrees, you will not be spending much of your time indoors. A great way to start your day is with a hike and then end up relaxing the rest of the day on the stretches of gorgeous sandy beaches.
-Diamond Head: An ancient volcanic crater with a great short but steep hike about 3/4 of a mile long to the top, with great views and a chance to see "pill boxes" that were used to defend the island in WWII. The hike is hot and popular, so the sooner you get there in the day, the more enjoyable the hike is for you.
-Koko Head: Another popular hike on the South side of Oahu that has origins from WWI, is the Koko Crater Trail. A railway was created to haul cargo up to the pill boxes in WWII. Now the abandoned railway is used as stairs for hikers to reach a viewpoint and get a butt kicking workout. The stairmaster of Oahu, has over 1,000 steps to the top, but well worth the views once you've accomplished your goal.
-Makapu'u Lighthouse Trail: An easier, well paved, flatter hike with the same rewarding views is the Lighthouse Trail. As your driving around the island to the East side beaches of Oahu, this is a great trail to stop at to make a 1.5 loop with jaw dropping views along the way.
3. Beaches
Oahu holds a variety of beaches, each one with it's own unique aspect of beauty to discover.
-South:
Waikiki Beach is one of the most famous beaches in the world. With that being said, it will have a lot of tourists. It's a 2 mile stretch and a great place to walk the strand of hotels, swim, surf, boogie board, and relax. But don't expect a whole lot of peacefulness here, if you're looking for a quieter spot, you will have to venture to the other sides. At the far end of the beach, near the Outrigger Hotel, you can rent surfboards and take lessons. The water is shallow most of the day and a great place to learn.
Hanamua Bay is a your best place to snorkel, early in the morning. Mornings are the best because the tides are lower making the water more clear and easier to see the reef and fish.
-East:
Makapu'u Beach is a hidden gem of Oahu. A magical little oasis not attracting many people and nestled in a sandy cove. A great place to chill for the day watching the local boogie boarders as the waves crash in around you.
Waimanalo Beach is a calmer, beautiful sandy beach to hang out.
Lanikai and Kailua Beach Park are better for swimming and hanging out in the water. Unlike the North shore where the waves get so big, sometimes you can't go in the water, Lanikai and Kailua are more relaxing spots with long stretches of sandy soft beaches. Kailua Beach is where Obama goes to vacation
-North:
North Shore/Haleiwa are must go to's. Haleiwa is a cute little surfer town that is a good stop either for lunch and shopping halfway through your beach day or on your way out. Make sure you hit the food trucks, the garlic shrimp is a showstopper!!
Laniakea Beach or Turtle Beach is a rare spot on the island where the sea turtles come out of the water to hang out.
Banzai Pipeline Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches on the North Shore. The waves can get up to 50 feet which means if you don't have fins or are an experienced surfer, you will be taking up real estate on the beach with a towel. But the show is worth it to watch the several surfers battle with the waves and become one with them.
2. Food/Drinks
There are 3 rules I will now have for myself when returning to Hawaii: 1. Poke everyday. 2. Acai everyday. 3. Mai Tai's everyday. Repeat.
-Manifest: a great whiskey bar located in Chinatown
-Rumfire: ocean side club at Sheraton
-House Without A Key: known for their Mai Tai's and the perfect spot to watch the breath taking sunsets
-Mai Tai Bar: Hawaii has mai tai's down. I will never order one anywhere else, if it's not their national drink, it should be.
-Ono Seafood: best known for their ahi tuna, a hole in the wall poke place
-Side Street Inn: known for their local specialties, hole in the wall
-Duke's Waikiki: legendary. on the beach, Hawaiian atmosphere. What Hawaiian dreams are made from
-Leonard's Bakery: Portuguese donuts, known as malasadas. Don't ask questions just go, and thank me later
-Bill's Hawaii: breakfast/brunch spot, hidden gem
-Pig and the Lady: Vietnamese fusion restaurant, everything is amazing
-Waiola: Shave Ice
-Island Vintage Coffee: the best acai bowls
-Shirokiya Food Court in Ala Moana Mall: Local Japanese food court, if you like $1 beer and ramen this is the place for you. Highly recommend.
1. Outrigger Canoe Club
Hands down the best thing I did during my time in Hawaii was Outrigger Canoe. An outrigger canoe is a canoe featuring one or more lateral support floats known as outriggers, which are fastened to one or both sides of the hull. I was in a 4 person canoe and we paddled out into the ocean and through the instructions of our skipper, in no time at all were riding major waves. It gave me the sensation of what surfing must feel like, but MUCH easier. It was incredible. It is slightly physically demanding so a bit of a workout, to paddle the waves hard to try and ride the wave in, but so exhilarating.
You have to have a connection to get into Outrigger Canoe Club, it has a longstanding tradition and is hard to become a member of, but if somehow you can do some research on how to make this activity apart of your adventure, I wouldn't miss it. Surfing waves on a canoe? Yea bruh. Gnarly awesome.
Mahalo Hawaii for your serene beauty, calm vibes and majestic views. I shall return.
xoxo
