O‘ahu, Hawaii

If you're looking to get away from the summer crowds of Waikiki, you should consider heading to the North Shore, especially in the summer. Although this season is considered the off-season on this side of the island, it simply means the North Shore transforms into a gentle, family-friendly 7-mile...

Lyon Arboretum Short Loop is a loop trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii.

Located in close proximity to Honolulu, the 150-foot Manoa Falls is accessible from the nearest road by a hike of approximately 0.8 miles (one way). The hike passes through a diverse array of ecosystems in Manoa Valley and feels like a true jungle, which makes it a great photo-zone. This valley i...

To get to Aihualama trail follow the Manoa Road into the back of Manoa Valley. Manoa Road ends at Paradise Park, continue up the road, through the parking lot, towards the entrance of Lyon Arboretum.  At the sharp left bend in the road to Lyon, proceed straight ahead until you reach the parking a...

Even though the North Shore of Oahu is known for big waves in the Winter, in the Summer months (northern hemisphere) there can be a ton of great beaches to relax at and spend the day. Three tables is one of those places that can be sometimes overlooked, but well worth the stop if you are headed u...

To get there, go to Ala Moana Harbor/Boat parking lot near Hilton Hawaiian Village. Walk along the rock jetty that parallels the boat harbor on the right. Jump off rocks and paddle right towards the deep water boat channel, there's a huge buoy out there. If it is on, you will see a thick sucky le...

The Maunawilli Trail connecting to Maunawili Falls is just over 5.5-miles roundtrip. You'll start off the Pali Highway just east of Kailua. You'll hike in a covered forest along the riverbank, which leads to an amazing waterfall and swimming hole. Many people like to jump from the waterfall into ...

Are you looking to get away from the crowds at Hanauma Bay? If you've got your family or it's just you and a few friends looking to do some snorkeling, free diving or exploring underwater caves, then Shark's Cove is your spot. There is no fee to enter the cove, just park on the side of the street...

Whether you're a paddle boarding enthusiast or it's your first time, this spot is perfect! The waves are nice and calm allowing for a relaxing time. This area is away from the main part of Waikiki so you'll still get the beautiful view of Diamond Head without the large crowd of people. You'll als...

Pupukea is located on the North Shore of Oahu.  This beautiful spot is a great place to catch the sunset.  During the winter time there can be very large surf, so be extra careful not get too close to the water's edge. It's a popular spot for locals and tourists to just relax and enjoy the Island...

Makua Cave, also known as Kaneana, is a historic and interesting destiation located about an hour from Honolulu along Farrington Highway. The cave is an impressive natural formation, around 100 feet tall and 450 feet deep, and its coastal location makes for a scenic drive with nearby beaches like...

Trail Overview Distance: 3.8 miles round trip to Peak 1 | 4.7 miles for all three peaks Elevation Gain: 1,550 feet to Peak 1 Difficulty: Peak 1: Strenuous/Extremely Difficult | Peaks 2-3: Technical Class 4-5 Climbing Time: 1.5-2 hours to Peak 1 | 3-6 hours for all peaks Dogs: Not allowed Fe...

There are several ways in which you can reach the top of Mt. Olympus, I decided to take the Wa'ahila Ridge trail. This hike nestled in the Manoa Valley takes your breath away with its view of the island as well as its difficulty. Being located in Hawaii there is no need to worry about the right t...

This hike starts directly across from Banzai Pipeline, the famous barreling wave at Ehukai Beach.  It only takes half an hour to get to the pillbox so it's a great hike to do at sunset but bring a headlamp.  IF you don't hike at sunset it's still an incredibly beautiful hike with views of Pipelin...

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...

Getting There:  From Honolulu, head west on the H1 and follow signs for Waianae. Continue as the H1 turn into Farrington highway and drive along the coast. On your way to Makua Beach you will pass through Waianae and a couple small towns; depending on your schedule you may stop at a couple beache...