Oahu is one out of the eight islands that make up the state of Hawaii. Oahu aka “The Gathering Place” has the largest population of the eight islands and is home to their state capital, Honolulu. Here are my recommendations on places to visit on Oahu. For a foodie blog on the best places to eat on Oahu – check out my previous post here.
Dole Plantation [64-1550 Kamehameha Hwy]
Have you ever noticed the “Dole” stickers on the fruits you eat?! The stickers indicate that they came from the Dole Plantation, right here on Oahu. I highly recommend giving this place a visit because it’s so fun and it caters to all age groups. Hop on the Pineapple Express Train to get a tour of the plantation and absorb all the history facts during this tour. Check out the class on how to cut a pineapple. And most importantly, taste the fresh pineapple and pineapple whip. You will not regret!
North Shore Marketplace [66-250 Kamehameha Hwy D203]
North Shore is the opposite side of the island from Honolulu and Waikiki area but definitely worth the visit. It’s best to rent a car, stop at Dole Plantation first, then head to North Shore. North Shore has better ocean views, less tourists, bigger waves and you might catch more surfers here riding the waves. This marketplace is just one of many small areas in North Shore where they offer a variety of food trucks, shave ice, and murals for the Instagram shots. Find a spot to park your car, then take a stroll and explore.
Waimea Bay Beach
After you fill your bellies with some food and shave ice at North Shore – drive about 12 minutes to Waimea Bay Beach. Catch the surfers here and take in the beautiful blue ocean waves and white sand.
Byodo-In Temple [47-200 Kahekili Hwy]
This Buddhist temple was built to replicate the same one in Kyoto, Japan. However, this one sits in the Valley of the Temples on Oahu. You’ll definitely find your zen here and you certainly don’t have to be a Buddhist to appreciate this beauty. The drive through Kaneohe is the most serene drive I’ve ever experienced in my life. The greenery and the huge mountains touching the sky is just breath-taking! The admission rate is only $5 USD/adult.
Halona Beach Cove
This beach cove is so beautiful with aqua and clear water! If you want to take a dip, you can simply park your car at the lookout lot. Just be careful swimming, as the strong currents seem to pull folks out to the ocean! So, hang by the shallow area for your own safety. You can also appreciate the view from the lookout above and be sure to catch the Halona Blowhole nearby.
Makapu’u Lookout [Kalanianaole Hwy, Waimanalo, HI 96795]
The sea cliffs overlooking Makapu’u Beach is definitely a panoramic worthy pit stop. This lookout is located right off Kalanianaole Highway at the southeastern tip of Oahu. Take in the ocean breeze and head to the Makapu’u Lighthouse trail nearby afterwards.
Makapu’u Point Lighthouse Trail [Waimanalo, HI 96795]
Makapu’u Lighthouse trail is completely paved and is an overall easy 30-minute hike to reach the top. Aside from the incline, there is no actual climbing necessary. There were even parents hiking with their children in strollers. Once you reach the top – you’ll find the lighthouse and overlook the ocean and the small islands within it. You might even spot the whales depending on the season you’re visiting.
Manoa Falls [Manoa Road, Honolulu, Oahu, HI 96822]
Another hiking trail to consider is Manoa Falls; approximately 1.6 mile. Obviously, the end prize is the magnificent 150 ft. cascading waterfall! The tall ancient trees and the amount of greenery sure gave me Jurassic Park vibes. It’s definitely a rainforest type of hike, so I recommend using bug spray or you’d leave with a ton of bug bites. A walking stick might also be helpful on this trail. There are some narrow parts that will require you to hold onto some rocks to get through. Some parts of the trail and rocks may be muddy and slippery from the rain, so be cautious.
The amount of things to experience on Oahu is endless, so I hope to have the opportunity to re-visit this place in the future. Wish you all the best experience on Oahu and safe travels. Please comment below if you have experienced other things to do on Oahu!
Happy traveling!
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Cameras used for these photos and video:
[+] Olympus OM-DE M10 Mark II
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Disclaimer: this post is not sponsored.
Oahu looks amazing!! Thanks for sharing!