Pearl City, Hawaii

Parking is pretty straightforward once you are on Farington Highway coming out of Haleiwa. There's a small dirt lot on the east side of the gate and grass parking to the west. Once you go through the first gate and see the Mokuleia Forest Reserve Access Road sign on your right, you'll know you're...

The hike to the Waimea Falls offers both the natural beauty of a tropical rainforest, as well as the unique, in situ opportunity to learn about local history. Although this hike can be crowded, it is definitely worthwhile to see and swim in this amazing Hawaiian waterfall. The approximately mile...

Bellows Field Beach Park is near the Bellows Air Force Base.  It has a campground, but remains relatively uncrowded when compared to other beaches on Oahu.  It has lush trees and beautiful mountain views.  There are small waves, good for boogie boarding. Note:  - Look for signs warning of Portugu...

The view from the Kuliouou summit is one of the most rewarding on the island and well worth your time. This diverse hike is somewhere between a beginner and intermediate level and takes 2-4 hours, depending on your pace. The trail is well maintained and very popular on the weekend. Start early to...

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...

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...

Kuliʻouʻou Beach Park is located just off of Bay Street in the Hawaii Kai neighborhood of East Honolulu, Hawaii. There is a parking lot with additional street parking nearby. The beach offers a very shallow shelf for quite a ways offshore. This doesn't make for a great place to swim, but is good...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

I was told about this spot by a friend who lived there for a little, and it turned out to be amazing. The waves break and crash right against the wall where you can catch a wave or just jump right in. No long beach to walk on, few people, and amazing blue water.Head towards Koko Kai Mini Beach Pa...

Spitting Cave is a short loop trail located in Eastern Honolulu, Hawaii near Hanauma Bay. The trail is a little steep and rocky, sturdy shoes are recommended. This is a great location to see the sunset if you'r e near Hawaii Kai during the right time of day. 

With a high fish populations, calm shallow water, and white sand, Hanauma Bay is the perfect snorkeling destination on Oahu. Large reefs teeming with marine life are located a short swim from shore. The water is calm, and the bay is protected from waves, making it a great spot for beginners and a...