Kailua, Hawaii

Diamond head has a couple of good breaks close to town if you're looking to get away from the crowds at Waikiki Beach. There are easy trails down to the beach and channels to paddle out in - the paddle is a little long, so mentally prepare yourself. The two main breaks are Cliffs and Lighthouse. ...

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...

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...

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, ...

Access: There are two options for accessing the trailhead:  (1) Get a permit from the Division of Forestry and Wildlife Oahu so you can drive the 6-mile dirt road to the true trailhead. The permit provides you car access through the locked gate and is only available on weekends and holidays. You...

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...

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 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 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...

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 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...

Once you get to the Turtle Bay resort, you just follow the signs to Kawela Bay/ the Stables. From there the signs are super easy to follow, with options ranging from 0.5mi to 3.0mi. and you can do this as a simple out-and-back or as a longer loop that takes you through Banyan forests, beaches and...

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...

Laniakea beach or Lani’s, is a world-class surf break located on the North Shore. It is also referred to as “Turtle beach”, because this natural sanctuary attracts so many of the endangered Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle or “Honu”...making this the perfect place to see a few up close. If you're drivi...