Haleiwa, Hawaii

Want to visit the beautiful North Shore but on a tight budget? Camping is the trick. On my last two trips to Oahu this has been our primary base camp for our adventures. The campground sits only a 5 minute drive east of Turtle Bay resort, right next to the town of Laie. This means is only 10-20 m...

Start at Kahana Bay in Ahupua'a O Kahana State Park on Oahu's windward coast, between the towns of Kaneohe and Laie. Paddle for as long as you'd like! The current gets stronger further upstream.

Kahana Bay is the last public Ahupua’a on Oahu. The Ahupua’a is the traditional Hawaiian land division system. Each Ahupua’a contains a cross section of the island so that each slice of land meets the needs of the inhabitants by containing all resource zones necessary for subsistence. Typically, ...

This is a fun hike in central Oahu that leads to multiple water falls! Bring some shoes that you don't care about because the trail is muddy and you will definitely get dirty. There is also a cliff diving spot at one of the falls. This hike is just one trail located in the Ewa Forest Preserve. T...

Coming from Honolulu you'll take the H1 West to the 93 West and just stay on that the whole way until you see the turnoff on your left. From the North Shore, it's a little more complicated, but take the 83 West to the 99 South, jump on the H2 South, then the H1 West to the 93 West (clicking on th...

The beach might not be very big but fortunately the Ocean has plenty of space. This is an awesome snorkeling spot. You can see tons of fish. The electric company right across the street has a large pipe that runs into the ocean and releases a heavy amount of hot water. This causes many fish to co...

NOTE: as of April 2021, this trail is closed indefinitely. Please do not attempt to hike on closed trails.  This trail is not for the faint of heart or those easily scared of heights. The crouching lion trail is a 4 mile loop with an elevation gain of 2,000 feet. The elevation gains and losses a...

Secret Beach is situated in the Ko Olina resort area in the town of Kapolei on the island of Oahu. The beach is accessed via a short path from the small public parking area between Paradise Cove Beach to the north and Sacred Beach to the south. Just off the beach, there is a small channel that i...

The Ko Olina Beach Park Trail near Kapolei on Oahu is a great walking path for both tourists and locals looking for a leisurely and scenic coastal walk or run. The trail is beginner-friendly, making it accessible for families and strollers. The well-maintained path, which stretches along the la...

Secret Island is on the East side of Oahu.  It's located near the town of Kailua.  It's a great place to have a beach day and avoid the crowds of Waikiki.  The water is super calm and the background makes you feel like you are in a Jurassic park movie, which filmed just up the road.  You can get ...

Looking for a good photo opportunity while on Oahu? Mokoli‘i is one of the best you can find. Not only is it a scenic and unique view, but you can also have some fun with perspective. Located only 20 miles from Honolulu, hop on H1 W for about 2 miles before turning onto HI-63 N for 7 miles. Then...

Kaneohe Bay is the remnant of a massive volcanic caldera. The collapse of the eastern side of the Ko’olau volcano created this protected bay surrounded by Hawaii's only barrier reef and the epic cliff sides that form the Ko’olau Mountain Range. If you have the chance to kayak out to these coral r...

Aiea Loop Trail is a 4.8-mile loop in Keaiwa Heiau State Recreation Area, that offers a mix of shaded forest, ridge-line views, and jungle scenery. The trail winds through a mix of eucalyptus, Norfolk pine, and native koa trees. Along the way, you’ll get occasional glimpses of Pearl Harbor and th...

Mokoli‘i is an island located off the coast of Kualoa Regional Park. You can swim, kayak, or SUP to the island. When it’s low tide, you’re actually able to walk out there, but be mindful of the tides, because the current picks up on higher tides, which makes the route back more difficult. If you ...

The ‘back way’ to the ever popular and still somewhat illegal Haiku Stairs, the Moanalua Middle Ridge hike brings plenty of beauty and even more challenges than the path down the Haiku Stairs. To get to the trailhead, park outside the Moanalua Valley Park and the trail begins just after the green...

Resting at the foot of the Ko'olau Mountains, the Byodo-In Temple was built to commemorate the first Japanese immigrants that came to Hawaii. This beautiful Buddhist temple is a smaller-scale replica of an over 950 year old Buddhist temple in Uji, Japan. The temple grounds host wildlife such as ...