Blake’s Oahu Guidebook
Sightseeing
This is a short hike with a steady incline on a paved trail. The views are excellent without too much work to get to the top. If it's clear enough, you can see Maui, Molokai, and Lanai! In the winter (Nov to March) whales can be spotted off the coast. I recommend arriving early in the morning or late in the afternoon because parking (and the heat) can be tough.
261 personas locales recomiendan
Sendero del Faro de Makapu'u Point
Makapuʻu Point Lighthouse TrailThis is a short hike with a steady incline on a paved trail. The views are excellent without too much work to get to the top. If it's clear enough, you can see Maui, Molokai, and Lanai! In the winter (Nov to March) whales can be spotted off the coast. I recommend arriving early in the morning or late in the afternoon because parking (and the heat) can be tough.
Beautiful hidden beach with picturesque cove and views. Be careful of the waves and don’t go in unless you’re a strong swimmer.
23 personas locales recomiendan
Halona Beach Cove
Beautiful hidden beach with picturesque cove and views. Be careful of the waves and don’t go in unless you’re a strong swimmer.
I love this beach park. The views are epic and there's always lots of space. If you rent a kayak or paddleboard, come here to go out to Chinaman's Hat. It's a short paddle out and you can even hike to the top! Bring a lunch and spend the afternoon with the locals.
50 personas locales recomiendan
Parque Regional de Kualoa
49-479 Kamehameha HwyI love this beach park. The views are epic and there's always lots of space. If you rent a kayak or paddleboard, come here to go out to Chinaman's Hat. It's a short paddle out and you can even hike to the top! Bring a lunch and spend the afternoon with the locals.
Beautiful views of the Ko’olau range behind a replica of a 900-year-old Japanese temple. Stroll through the gardens, ring the gong, or meditate at the base of a 9-foot Buddha. It’s worth a visit for about an hour. $5 entry fee.
105 personas locales recomiendan
Byodo-In Temple
47-200 Kahekili HwyBeautiful views of the Ko’olau range behind a replica of a 900-year-old Japanese temple. Stroll through the gardens, ring the gong, or meditate at the base of a 9-foot Buddha. It’s worth a visit for about an hour. $5 entry fee.
Everything pineapple! Go for a tour or just wander around on your own. There's lots to see and learn about the history of pineapple production in Hawaii. Did you know that pineapples are not native to the islands? This is worth a quick stop if you're on your way to the North Shore.
179 personas locales recomiendan
Dole Plantation
64-1550 Kamehameha HwyEverything pineapple! Go for a tour or just wander around on your own. There's lots to see and learn about the history of pineapple production in Hawaii. Did you know that pineapples are not native to the islands? This is worth a quick stop if you're on your way to the North Shore.
This is a quiet beach on the west side, rarely visited by tourists. The scenery is worth the trip, but if you swim out from shore a bit (and if you're lucky), dolphins are known to frequent the area! They're quite social and harmless. Swim at your own risk. This makes for a memorable experience without paying to swim with dolphins in a pool. Good luck!
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Pokai Bay Beach
This is a quiet beach on the west side, rarely visited by tourists. The scenery is worth the trip, but if you swim out from shore a bit (and if you're lucky), dolphins are known to frequent the area! They're quite social and harmless. Swim at your own risk. This makes for a memorable experience without paying to swim with dolphins in a pool. Good luck!
A beautiful place to enjoy the sunset at the back of an affluent neighborhood. If you're daring enough, some people cliff jump into the water (at your own risk). Bring some poke and a drink to cap off a day of sightseeing.
37 personas locales recomiendan
China Walls
Hanapepe PlaceA beautiful place to enjoy the sunset at the back of an affluent neighborhood. If you're daring enough, some people cliff jump into the water (at your own risk). Bring some poke and a drink to cap off a day of sightseeing.
Food scene
This is the first hotel in Waikiki. Inside is a beautiful courtyard centered around a large banyan tree. Pop in for a quick snack or enjoy a cold drink from the rocking chairs in the shade. Call ahead to book High Tea for a truly royal experience. It’s worth a visit and only a few blocks away.
31 personas locales recomiendan
Moana Surfrider
2365 Kalakaua AveThis is the first hotel in Waikiki. Inside is a beautiful courtyard centered around a large banyan tree. Pop in for a quick snack or enjoy a cold drink from the rocking chairs in the shade. Call ahead to book High Tea for a truly royal experience. It’s worth a visit and only a few blocks away.
Book ahead for happy hour drinks and enjoy the sunset from Waikiki’s only rooftop bar.
190 personas locales recomiendan
SKY Waikiki
2270 Kalakaua AveBook ahead for happy hour drinks and enjoy the sunset from Waikiki’s only rooftop bar.
If you’re looking to buy local coffee, this is the spot. They also have some funky artwork and cool pottery for sale. This is a nice pit stop on the way to the North Shore.
23 personas locales recomiendan
Green World Coffee Farms
71-101 Kamehameha HwyIf you’re looking to buy local coffee, this is the spot. They also have some funky artwork and cool pottery for sale. This is a nice pit stop on the way to the North Shore.
Nice pit stop before/after Kualoa Beach Park. Free samples of nuts and coffee. Plenty of local art and souvenirs.
38 personas locales recomiendan
Tropical Farms Macadamia Nut Farm y Farm Tour
49-227 Kamehameha HwyNice pit stop before/after Kualoa Beach Park. Free samples of nuts and coffee. Plenty of local art and souvenirs.
This place has the some of the best poke on the island! It makes for a great stop off the beaten path while doing the loop around the North Shore.
26 personas locales recomiendan
Kahuku Superette
56-505 Kamehameha HwyThis place has the some of the best poke on the island! It makes for a great stop off the beaten path while doing the loop around the North Shore.
Everyone will recommend Duke's (which is great), but Hula Grill is right next door and a bit easier to find a table. No matter what, book in advance! They also have tables overlooking the water, if you can plan your visit around a sunset. ;-)
58 personas locales recomiendan
Hula Grill Waikiki
2335 Kalakaua AveEveryone will recommend Duke's (which is great), but Hula Grill is right next door and a bit easier to find a table. No matter what, book in advance! They also have tables overlooking the water, if you can plan your visit around a sunset. ;-)
Great Vietnamese food in Chinatown. Try the Hanoi Style Egg Coffee with a shot of Fernet! 😉
The Pig and The Lady
Great Vietnamese food in Chinatown. Try the Hanoi Style Egg Coffee with a shot of Fernet! 😉
Neighborhoods
Haleiwa town is old Hawaii at its best! There are lots of shops, food trucks, and world-famous beaches to explore, making it a perfect day-trip outside of Waikiki.
I recommend snorkeling at Shark's Cove (Pupukea), then grabbing lunch at the food trucks across the street. The short hike to Waimea Falls is worth a visit (entrance fee required). In the winter, hang out on Sunset Beach to watch the big swells at Banzai Pipeline. And who knows...you might even spot Jack Johnson catching some waves.
273 personas locales recomiendan
Haleiwa
Haleiwa town is old Hawaii at its best! There are lots of shops, food trucks, and world-famous beaches to explore, making it a perfect day-trip outside of Waikiki.
I recommend snorkeling at Shark's Cove (Pupukea), then grabbing lunch at the food trucks across the street. The short hike to Waimea Falls is worth a visit (entrance fee required). In the winter, hang out on Sunset Beach to watch the big swells at Banzai Pipeline. And who knows...you might even spot Jack Johnson catching some waves.
This is my favorite beach on the island. I love hanging out at Sherwood Beach in the afternoon because the row of forest provides excellent natural shade. The water is warm and blue, there are islands off the coast, and it's never really too crowded. Grab lunch at any one of the food trucks along the highway.
101 personas locales recomiendan
Waimanalo Beach
This is my favorite beach on the island. I love hanging out at Sherwood Beach in the afternoon because the row of forest provides excellent natural shade. The water is warm and blue, there are islands off the coast, and it's never really too crowded. Grab lunch at any one of the food trucks along the highway.
Entertainment
This is a great venue to check out live music. Even if you’ve never heard of the artist, just go! Grab dinner at Duke’s or Hula Grill in the same building, but make your reservation in advance.
47 personas locales recomiendan
Blue Note Hawaii
2335 Kalākaua AvenueThis is a great venue to check out live music. Even if you’ve never heard of the artist, just go! Grab dinner at Duke’s or Hula Grill in the same building, but make your reservation in advance.
Kids
This place is great for young kids. They can spend hours here with all of the activities. My 3 year-old loves it!!
KIDS CITY ADVENTURE
1200 Ala Moana BlvdThis place is great for young kids. They can spend hours here with all of the activities. My 3 year-old loves it!!
This is a nice calm beach that’s great for kids. The resort grounds are also quite pleasant and a nice respite from crowded Waikiki beaches. ;-)
45 personas locales recomiendan
Ko Olina Lagoon 4
This is a nice calm beach that’s great for kids. The resort grounds are also quite pleasant and a nice respite from crowded Waikiki beaches. ;-)
Keiki and the Pineapple
909 Kapiolani BoulevardFun spot to visit with kids after some shopping at Ward Village.
Consejos para la ciudad
Cómo moverse
Gypsy Guide app
I highly recommend downloading the Gypsy Guide app for Oahu to your phone. It's like having a personal tour guide in your car! If you are planning to visit other islands during your stay, you can download the entire Hawaii package. I've discovered new places, even as a local!
Cómo moverse
Drive Hui
If you don't have a rental car for your entire stay, consider downloading the Drive Hui app for hourly/daily car rentals. The rates are competitive and you don't have to worry about finding a parking spot when you're done.