Big ocean waves in oahu hawaii. What to see on oahu attractions
The island of Oahu (Oahu), the third largest among Hawaiian archipelago. From the Hawaiian language Oahu is translated as "gathering place". This beautiful island is formed by two shield volcanoes, Ko'olau and Wai'anae. Of course, the most famous part of the island is the beach and the place is the most densely populated among all the islands. However, Oahu still has its secrets!
Although there are buses all over the island of Oahu, a car is the best way to explore. So rent a car. And I asked a friend to show me the beauties of the island.
And the first secret that I want to introduce is a place away from chic roads and familiar routes. Hawaiians themselves come here to relax. But despite the love of Oahu residents for this place, it is still deserted. There is a great chance that once you get here, you will find yourself all alone! So, you just need to leave the highway to Nuuana and fall on an inconspicuous road, over which the crowns of trees hang. Taste the spring water and take a deep breath of the purest air.
Read also:
Nuuanu Pali - a cliff on the island of Oahu and its history + photo
And now a little history. After the relaxation and joy with which you leave secret place Oahu, one has to remember the bloody battle that took place on the cliff of Nuuanu (Nu'uanu pali). Nuuanu Pali is part of the Koolau Range, one of the parent shield volcanoes. And it was here in 1795 that the battle of Nuuanu took place, in which the king of the island of Hawaii (Hawai'i) Kamehameha the First (Kamehameha), having gathered a united army from his native land, as well as the conquered Molokai (Moloka'i) and Maui (Maui), defeated the army Oahu. Kamehameha brought ten thousand people with him. And the defenders of Oahu, led by King Kalanikupule (Kalanikupule), were driven into the valley, and then pushed back to the edge of the cliff. In this place, many warriors found their death by falling from a height of 300 meters.
At the end of the 19th century, many skulls were found under a cliff on the island of Oahu. This tragic discovery confirmed the ancient legends.
Travelers, however, not only remember the terrible pages of Hawaiian history, but still worship the local goddess of volcanoes, Pele, who guards the pass from a possible invasion from the ocean and the valley. Drivers leave flowers here to make their journey safe. Parents, seeking to protect their children, bring umbilical cords here and bury them between stones. And also legends tell about a lizard girl who can turn the heads of men and take them towards the cliff, where they can find their death.
Anyone who comes to the pass with evil intentions will be thrown down. And the one whose thoughts are pure will receive gifts.
Everyone knows and loves Waikiki Beach. Perhaps this is the most famous beach in Hawaii. But of course, this is not the only place to stay on Oahu. Volcanic beaches, incredible in their beauty, are waiting for everyone who is ready to admire them. It is not surprising that the black stones lying in the waters of the ocean, like whales, reminded me of the embankment, which was also born from the volcano Etna. Similarities and differences are just mind games. And beauty is eternal!
USA, Hawaii, Oahu
Tours to Hawaii, and in particular tours to oahu- it's lovely Holidays in Hawaii, excellent tours to oahu and excursions.
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Oahu is the third largest and most populous island in the Hawaiian archipelago. Main tourist destination, Honolulu is also located here - the most main city Hawaii.
Climate Oahu
Oahu has a tropical, maritime climate that is warm and sunny all year round. In summer here the thermometer rises to 29÷32 degrees, and in winter - up to 18÷21°С. Precipitation mostly falls during the winter months. The hurricane season on Oahu is from June to November. 
Oahu beaches
Oahu Hotels
Almost all Oahu hotels are located on Waikiki Beach. Ten of them are located directly on the beach.
The most luxurious are 5-star hotels Kahala, Halekulani and Royal Hawaiian. According to readers of the influential travel publication Conde Nast Traveler, the best hotels Oahu are: Halekulani, JW Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa, Kahala Hotel & Resort and Moana Surfrider (Westin).
Attractions Oahu
- Iolani Palace is a fabulously beautiful palace of the Hawaiian kings, which presents the richest collection of inlaid furniture.
- – naval US base destroyed on October 7, 1941 by Japanese aircraft. Today there is a commemorative memorial to the ship Arizona, which was sunk during the raid.
- Polynesian Cultural Center provides tourists with the opportunity to get acquainted with the culture and traditions not only Hawaiian Islands, but also other parts - Tahiti, Samoa, Tonga. Each region has its own pavilion. Here, almost every hour, exciting events take place.
- The Bishop Museum, which has a huge collection of Hawaiian and Polynesian antiquities and works of art.
- Valley of the Temples, which features traditional Japanese gardens and the Buddhist temple Byodo-In Temple.
- Hanauma Bay − real paradise for diving enthusiasts. It is home to numerous tropical fish species, painted in all sorts of bright colors.
- Aloha Tower - in the past, the tallest building on the island - 68 meters (together with the spire). Today, Aloha Tower Market is located around the tower - a popular shopping place for tourists.
Accommodation
Tour to Oahu, Waikiki coast, 9 days 8 nights
Tour program
1 day- Island of Oahu and Waikiki Beach. Welcome to Hawaii! Upon arrival at international Airport Honolulu you will be met by a representative of the company in traditional Hawaiian style with lei, and will show you to the baggage claim area. After baggage claim, you will be transferred to your hotel of choice on the famous Waikiki coastline.
2 day- Honolulu. Free time. Vacation on the beach. Excursion program at extra charge. EXCURSION AROUND THE ISLAND (GRAND CIRCLE ISLAND TOUR): Visiting the most interesting places islands of Oahu.
3 day- Honolulu. Free time. Vacation on the beach. Excursion program for an additional fee.
Day 4- Honolulu. Free time. Vacation on the beach. Excursion program for an additional fee. PEARL HARBOR & HONOLULU CITY TOUR.
And the pineapple this is the most delicious and healthy snack. We ate a whole thing in the early morning before surfing on the way to the beach. Chopped up and taken to the park by the beach for a picnic. Then we ordered pineapple acai bowl and finally tried to find a Hawaiian pizza with pineapple. If you haven't guessed yet, Hawaii - truly the birthplace of pineapples.
On Oahu by the way there is a main Dole pineapple plantation. It is open to the public and offers a variety of tours.. And even though we didn't get there, ate pineapples then a year ahead! Take home a couple of jars ( more is better), to warm up with Hawaiian scents at home.
8. Mountains and hiking
This is one of the reasons, by which we will definitely return to the island! On this trip, we focused more on the beaches, although we are all in the mountains— also climbed a little. ANDthus only awakened the appetite!We visited Makapuu, went up to the lighthouse, about from there a stunning view of the small islands located near the coast of the island opens. In particular , can be seen from above, up to which kayaking from the beach Lanikai. And if the weather is clear, they say , can be seen and Maui, another island in the Hawaiian archipelago. The ascent will take minutes 45. There is parking, but there are usually not enough places for everyone who wants to. Therefore, we advise you to arrive early.. Perhaps we can also add the Diamond Head mountain to our piggy bank which is next to Waikiki, but we saw her already from the seat of the plane. Oh, mountains, we'll be back!
9. Waikiki
And yes, Waikiki stayed for the dessert of my short story. This is the heart of tourist Oahu. Everything is here. And sandy beaches, and the opportunity to try yourself in surfing under the guidance of instructors and in the company of hundreds of those who wish. And a beautiful promenade along the beach, planted with beautiful slender palm trees, along Kalakaua Ave.And an insanely beautiful sunset every evening is also provided here! Find on Waikiki luxury hotels with excellent design and service will not be difficult. But there are also homeless people here, and a lot of them.! And crowds of tourists. We used to come here often, and we even got our own secluded place. When the crowd of tourists got bored, but I didn't want to go home cheesecake factory, long known from other American travels, with the most delicious cheesecakes in the world!
And a final tip for those, who will come here by car:take note of the free parking at the zoo, He has saved us many times!
Oahu is an island in the Hawaiian Islands, here are the capital of the state of Hawaii, the city of Honolulu, the famous beaches of Waikiki and Lankai, Pearl Harbor and the Diamond Head crater and the Haiku stairs. In addition, there are beaches, mountains, national park with albatrosses and other interesting places.
I will tell you about all these sights of Oahu and where they are on the map, about transport around the island, how to get there, where it is better to stay and show our photos.
What to see on Oahu
Diamond Head Crater
Diamond Head (Diamond Head) is a crater long ago extinct volcano Coolaw on the eastern outskirts of Honolulu. It is about 200 thousand years old, so it does not look as "volcanic" as, for example, craters on or. Geologists believe that there will be no new eruptions here.
The native Hawaiians called this place Liiahi (Lē "ahi).
Ticket price: $1 per person or $5 per car with any number of passengers.
Trek up and back takes 1-1.5 hours.
There are a lot of warnings at the entrance. There are many signs along the entire track at the slightest suspicion of a fork. Step left-right - execution!
And this is the path. Above, it became more natural.
From the top you can see the city of Honolulu and the east coast of Oahu, including Waikiki Beach.
There were many birds in the park.
Honolulu is the capital of Hawaii
Honolulu is the most Big City and the administrative center of the state of Hawaii, 400 thousand people live here.
Honolulu means "sheltered bay" in Hawaiian. The Polynesians discovered this territory in the 11th century, and the first Europeans (British) appeared here as early as 1794. At the beginning of the 19th century, there was an attempt to establish a Russian protectorate here, but the United States intervened and annexed this territory.
The most famous place in Honolulu is Waikiki beach(Waikīkī Beach). We looked at it from the Diamond Head crater and did not understand why go there at all, given the crowd.
The sand here is bulk, and due to erosion it is constantly washed away.
Nearby is a similar Kuhio beach(Kūhiō Beach).
In addition to a beach holiday, there are several other interesting places.
Attractions Honolulu:
1. Iolani Palace(Iolani Palace, Gav. "sky hawk") - this is the former residence of the Hawaiian monarchs and the only Royal Palace within the US. Built in 1882.
2. Aliiolani Palace(Aliʻiolani Hale, Gav. "house of the heavenly kings") was built in 1874 by the Hawaiian kings. This is the site of the Hawaiian Supreme Court. Admission is free Mon-Fri from 8 am to 4 pm.
3. Aloha Tower(Aloha Tower) is a lighthouse, clock and observation tower located on Pier 9 in Honolulu. Built in 1924. Its height is 56 meters, there are 10 floors - it long time was the tallest building in Hawaii.
The observation deck on the 10th floor is open daily from 9.30 to 17. It is better to come not during rush hour, because its capacity is only 24 people.
4. Art Museum(Honolulu Museum of Art): One of the largest collections of Asian and Pacific art in the United States, plus work by American and European artists, is collected here.
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 10-16.30, closed at National holidays. Ticket price $20. Free: third Sunday of the month.
5. Bishop Museum(Bishop Museum): A natural history museum and the world's largest collection of Polynesian art.
Opening hours: daily 9-17 except Thanksgiving and Christmas. Ticket price $24.95.
7. Chinatown- an ordinary Chinatown, like in other cities of the world.
8. Also in the city there is zoo And aquarium.
Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor (Eng. Pearl Harbor, gov. Puʻuloa) is a harbor near Honolulu, where the active base of the Pacific Fleet of the US Navy is located.
On December 7, 1941, Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, and this was the reason for the US entry into World War II. Films "Torah! Torah! Torah!" were made about those events. and "Pearl Harbor", and now a memorial is open here.
- Monument (National Monument) - from 7 to 17.
- USS Missouri (Battleship Missouri) - from 8 to 16.
- Submarine "Bowfin" (USS Bowfin Submarine) - from 7 to 17.
- Aviation Museum (Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum) - from 9 to 17.
Ticket price for everything: adult $72, child $35. There are options for cheaper tickets if you only want to visit certain places.
Walk along the sea and albatrosses (Ka "ena Point State Park)
Caena Point(Ka "ena Point State Park) is the most western cape Oahu.
The trail goes along the sea and mountains, starting from the end of road 930. You can get to the same place by walking from the end of road 93, but the locals say that it is more dangerous to leave the car there.
Looking ahead, we have never met such a parking lot, and we have never seen cars with broken glass on the 4 islands of the state of Hawaii, and we have traveled there a lot.
We saw huge albatrosses that hovered right above us. There, at the end of the road, they were expected seals monk seals, but there were none :(
People for scale :)
Then we rode around the island, drove around it literally up and down. There was nothing super exciting, but the scenery is quite pleasant :)
Very strong waves in places:
But some don't care
Beaches on Oahu
All these beaches are marked on the map of Hawaii, which I inserted at the end of the post.
For swimming: Pōka‘ī Bay, Kailua Beach, Lanikai Beach, Waimanalo Beach, Makapu‘u Beach.
For snorkeling: Hanauma Bay, Kāne‘ohe Bay.
Surf: Banzai Beach, Sunset Beach, Makaha Beach. Season big waves- from December to March.
Turtles
Polynesian Cultural Center
The Polynesian Cultural Center has a Polynesian village, a restaurant, and day and night shows.
Ticket prices start at $90 (show + dinner), so we didn't visit it.
Haiku Stairs
Haiku Stairs is a steep path on the island of Oahu. It consists of 3922 steps and leads to the top of the Kula ridge. It starts as a simple wooden ladder attached to a rock on the south side of the Haʻikū Valley. The steps rise to a height of 850 meters above sea level and offer views of the entire island. Sometimes at this altitude there is dense cloudiness, and the peak is hidden in the clouds. Therefore, sometimes this route is called "Stairway to Heaven".
"Haiku" is not in honor of Japanese poetry, but after the name of the flower Haʻikū (Banks' Grevillea).
Since 2012, the Haiku stairs have been officially closed to tourists: (Thousands of dollars are fined for illegal passage through it, but people still continue to climb there and run into fines and arrests.
How to save on admission tickets
Oahu sells combined tickets for the Go Oahu City Card: .
There is also an option to compose a card for yourself only from those places where you definitely want to go and in this way.
- snorkeling, kayaking, rafting, surfing, SUP,
- hiking, horse riding, jeep and bicycle rides and other outdoor activities,
- zip line, yoga, spa, cooking classes, fire show and Polynesian dances, photo shoots and much more for children and adults.
Where to live on Oahu
Hotels, inns and apartments
The island is small, but unlike Kauai and Maui, there are a lot more people and cars here. Traffic jams in Honolulu.
If you are more interested in museums and night life, then it will be more convenient to settle in Honolulu. If a beach holiday and nature, then in the southeast of the island.
Given the prices for food in US restaurants, see options with a kitchen.
The best hotels according to tourists' reviews:
Hotels around the island:
Camping on Oahu
We stopped on Oahu for couchsurfing and never spent the night at campsites, but the rules for living in them are the same as on Kauai, Maui and Big Island. We have about Hawaiian campsites.
How to get there
The island has one airport - Honolulu (Honolulu, IATA code: HNL). Aircraft fly here from other Hawaiian Islands and some cities in the US mainland.
If you are going to visit all four islands in Hawaii, then.
How to find the cheapest tickets to Honolulu from any country
To find cheap flights, I usually compare prices using several aggregators. They all have the same principle - they look for tickets in the databases of hundreds of airlines, but their databases may differ, so the price will be better in one or the other - check everything at once.
- - unrealistically flexible search, and there is a guarantee of connection, even if you fly with low-cost airlines and the first flight is delayed!
- - the best prices for tickets from Russia and Kazakhstan, a convenient calendar low prices.
- - there are good prices for tickets from Ukraine.
By the way, KIWI gives 20 euro coupons for airline tickets to new users, but they can only be received by email. Who needs - I can send an invitation.
Get 20€ on kiwi.com ➜Airfare low price calendar:
Life hack: how we saved $80 on Hawaiian flights
On most Hawaiian flights, you can carry 2 hand luggage of 8 kg each, plus a so-called personal item, which can be a laptop bag or a small backpack (the size depends on the impudence of the passenger). Thus, we checked in only a large backpack, and dragged everything else into hand luggage. On other Hawaiian flights, we also took advantage of this rule, and saved $80 in total!
You can rent a two-wheeled vehicle from a bike to a Harley.
Rental prices per day:
- regular bike from $25
- scooter (moped) from $45
- electric bike from $50
- motorcycle Honda, Kawasaki from $70
- motorcycle Yamaha, Harley-Davidson from $120
- Motorcycle Harley-Davidson Heritage from $180
This is an analogue of car rental sites only for two-wheeled vehicles and ATVs. There is the same system: reservation, deposit, payment by card, the corresponding rights are required. The kit includes a helmet (two helmets for motorcycles and mopeds), a lock, a case for things (if needed).
When renting, you pay 10-15%, the rest is already in place.
Public transport - buses
Oahu is the only Hawaiian island with a normal public transport. Large TheBus buses run around the island.
Schedule and route map: thebus.org/SystemMap/TheBusSystemMap.pdf
Ticket price $2.75, day pass $5.50. Payment is made in cash without change, money must be thrown into a special box near the driver.
To stop a passing bus, you need to stand under the stop sign. Inside the bus, the signal to stop is to pull the cord that hangs through the entire bus.
Bicycles are allowed if space is available. They are attached to the outside of the bus.
Tours in Honolulu
There are no package tours on Oahu. But you can safely book a flight and a hotel and rent a car yourself, using my tips above.
Oahu on the world map
Oahu is part of the US state of Hawaii and is located in the North Pacific Ocean. There is a red dot in the screenshot.
See all the attractions of Oahu and other Hawaiian Islands on interactive map. It can be moved, enlarged, reduced, as well as download points to your smartphone.
When to go to Oahu - weather and climate
All Hawaiian Islands are good all year round :)
High season: December-April and June-August. Many people. House prices rise by 50-100%, especially between Christmas and New Year. Winter is wetter, but best time to see whales and to surf. Summer is hotter.
transitional season: from May to September. Air and sea temperatures are pleasant, mostly sunny. Crowds and prices decrease except during school holidays.
low season: October and November. The fewest people, flights and hotels are the cheapest. The weather is dry and hot - hiking is bad.
Oahu attracts more tourists than any other island in Hawaii. About 6 million tourists (mostly from the American mainland and Japan) come here every year to enjoy a typical beach holiday. FROM with total area At 1,545 km2 (71 km long and 48 km wide at its widest point), Oahu is the 20th largest island in the United States. From a bird's eye view, two mountain ranges are clearly visible on each side of the island: Waianae on the west coast and Kulau on the east.
Mother Nature carved green valleys, adorned the island sandy beaches all spectrums of colors, from white to black, there is even green and red. With colorful sunsets, beautiful wilderness, a huge variety of golden beaches, and weather that fluctuates between perfect and perfect, Oahu has a lot to offer vacationers. The island attracts visitors with its incredible natural beauty and developed tourism infrastructure. The island is home to almost 1 million inhabitants, but the number of visitors is about 6 times the population of the island.
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| Map of Oahu |
Beaches
Oahu - Mecca of sun and sand, revered by fans of beaches and aquatic species sports. Oahu has over 125 beaches for every taste, the very name of the island is identified with the beaches and the ocean. With an average annual water temperature of 25˚C, it is easy to understand why millions of visitors from all over the world regularly come here for vacation. Each of the beaches has its own unique features that make it stand out from the rest. Some of them are popular among surfers, others are suitable for sailing, others are ideal for a comfortable family vacation.
Hanauma Bay(Hanauma Bay). Just 16 km from Waikiki, Hanauma Bay is one of the best snorkeling spots on Oahu. A small beach surrounded by palm trees is located in the crater of an extinct volcano, on one side destroyed by the ocean. The sheltered cove provides protection from strong currents and big waves - ideal conditions for swimmers and divers.
Since 1967, Hanauma Bay has received the status of a nature reserve (Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve). In the 1990s, an excessive influx of tourists (about 3 million per year) was a serious problem for the fragile ecosystem of the bay. Paid access since 1998 has led to a reduction in the number of holidaymakers. In 2002, the Maritime Education Center was opened, visitors are required to first watch a short film and familiarize themselves with the rules for caring for the nature of the bay. Today, Hanauma Bay receives an average of 3,000 visitors a day, or about a million a year.
Some tips:
If you rent a car, try to come here early in the morning, the parking quickly fills up and leaving the car is a big problem.
A visit to the reserve is paid, all visitors must watch a short film. If you arrive before 7:00 am, avoid paying and not watching the video.
Bring your own drinks and snacks as nothing is sold down on the beach.
The shallow beach has soft sand and calm waves. But sometimes the waves are very strong, on such days swimming is recommended only for good swimmers.
A path leads down the mountain. If you don't want to pay a private company for transportation, you can walk back and forth.
The beach is closed to the public on Tuesdays.
It is easily accessible by bus from Waikiki.
Fish feeding is prohibited in order to maintain a more natural balance of fish in the ecosystem.
Address: 7455 Kalaniana "ole Hwy., Honolulu, Oahu, HI 96825, website www.hanauma-bay-hawaii.com
Halona Beach Cove. Near Hanauma Bay is Halona Beach Cove, a small but very beautiful bay. Filming of From Here to Eternity took place here.
Waimanalo Beach with a total length of almost 9 km - the longest sandy beach on the island of Oahu. The beach has escaped commercial development (there are no hotels nearby), is notable for its local color and proximity to the Sea Life Park of Hawaii.
Lanikai Beach
A little-visited beach on the east side of Oahu, one and a half kilometers long. Since early morning, photography enthusiasts have been trying to capture the famous sunrise. The beach looks beautiful against the backdrop of Mount Koolau (Koolau Mountains). When the trade wind blows, sailing and windsurfing are practiced on the beach. Calm waves, white sand, beautiful panorama in all directions. There are no toilets, showers, even car parking, but the beautiful white sand beach and calm turquoise water fully compensate for these shortcomings. Address: Mokulua Drive, Kailua, Oahu, HI 96734.
Kailua Beach. There are more spectacular beaches on Oahu with better swimming conditions, but none offer as many options as Kailua Beach. Fishing, sailing, windsurfing, kayaking, diving, snorkeling, kiteboarding, sale and rental of water sports equipment. A popular kayaking spot is Popoi "a Island", located about 400 meters from the coast. Condé Nast magazine called Kailua Beach best US beach in 1998. On weekends, the beach is visited by many locals, on weekdays there are practically no vacationers. Address: 526 Kawailoa Road, Kailua, Oahu, HI 96734.
Laniakea Beach is located about 4 km south of Waimea Bay. Laniakea Beach is often referred to as "Turtle Beach" because the endangered green sea turtles have been constantly basking on the beach's warm sand since 2000. The turtles were attracted by the abundance of seaweed in the area. Volunteers are on duty on the beach, they stretch a red rope around the turtles in order to limit them from beach visitors. Take your snorkel and mask with you and enjoy swimming with the turtles. And don't waste your money on a tour. To see the turtles, rent a car, spend a day here and you won't be disappointed. Never touch the turtles, otherwise you can get a high fine. Address: Haleiwa, Oahu, HI 96712.
Malaekahana Beach. If you want to be in Hawaii before the moment when jets brought millions of vacationers here, then Malaekahana Beach is for you. Surprisingly, very few visitors visit Malaekahana - one of the best beaches on the island of Oahu.
Kahana bay beach Park. A crescent-shaped beach set against a lush valley with high cliffs. On Kahana beach good fishing and ideal conditions for kayaking. Throw in picnic areas, camping, walking trails in the woods, and you have some of the best beaches on the island.
Ko" Olina lagoons. Owner of a huge resort complex Ko "Olina Resort has created four artificial sandy lagoons, turning them into convenient places for a beach holiday at any time of the year. The almost completely rounded lagoons are surrounded by white sandy beaches bordering grassy areas. The generally calm waters are ideal for swimming, around the boulders at the entrance to lagoons you can swim with a mask and snorkel. Ko "Olina lagoons are located next to Kapolei, but public transport does not call here. nearest bus stop located on Farrington Highway, over 6 miles from the resort. Address: Kapolei, Oahu, HI.
North Shore of Oahu(North Shore) is considered the surfing capital of the world. Every winter, swells (swells) roll on the northern coast of the Hawaiian Islands - long sea waves formed as a result of storms and storms thousands of kilometers north in the area Bering Sea. These waves are much more stable in their direction and frequency than regular waves formed by the wind, and therefore more favorable for surfing. The north coast, in the context of Oahu's geography, refers to the northern coastal area of the island between Kaʻena Point and Kahuku Point. The biggest locality in the area is Haleiwa. In December of each year, it hosts the Triple Crown of Surfing, a series of three world-famous competitions. The most famous beaches are described below.
Ehukai beach park stretches continuously in a continuous strip of sand with only one sign - EHUKAI BEACH PARK. Most people think that this is one beach, but in fact, three separate beaches follow one another. The long, wide, white sand beach of Ehukai Beach is known for its winter surfing. Swimming is safe during the spring and summer months, but rip currents near the shore and strong waves make swimming unsafe during the winter. Access to Pipeline and Banzai beaches via Ehukai Beach Park.
Pipeline Beach located next to Ehukai Beach Park near the small town of Pupukea on the north coast of Oahu. When the surf hits the shallow coral coast in winter, waves are so steep that the crest of the wave, falling forward, forms an almost perfect pipe ("pipeline" means "pipe"). For years, craftsmen struggled to master these waves, many of them falling with lacerations and broken bones on the shallow reefs.
The Pipeline is the most famous location for huge waves on the north shore of Oahu, often referred to as the deadliest wave in the world (average wave height is almost 4 meters). More surfers have died or been seriously injured at Pipeline Beach than anywhere else in the world. The most important competitions in the world of professional surfing take place here.
Banza Beach. To the west of the Pipeline stretches a strip of beach that surfers call Banzai. The Japanese word "banzai" means the battle cry "cheers" or "forward". In the late 1950s, director Bruce Brown was filming one of the first surf films, Surf Safari, and saw a surfer riding a huge wave. Brown shouted "Banzai!" and the name has stuck since then. IN winter time it is a very popular beach with surfers, curious locals and visiting holidaymakers. During the summer months, there are not very many people here. Again, access to the beach is via Ehukai Beach Park. Bus number 52 TheBus (Circle Island) stops on the highway next to Ehukai Beach Park.
Waimea Bay- one of the most beautiful beaches the islands of Oahu. From October to April, huge waves roll on the beach, creating a strong reverse current. Even professional surfers are in danger when high, up to 5-meter waves crash against the shore with force. It's hard to believe that in summer the same bay is quiet and calm - a great place for swimming, snorkelling, diving. Turtles swim very close to the shore on the right side of the beach. The most interesting moment of the visit is the jump from the famous lava rock. Address: 61-031 Kamehameha Highway, Oahu, HI.
Sunset Beach. One of the most popular beaches on Oahu. During the season (September-April) swimming is very dangerous due to high waves (5 meters and above) and a strong reverse current near the coast. The only safe time for swimming is summer. To avoid the crowds, visit on weekdays. The beach is located near the Kamehameha Highway. Bus number 52 (Circle Island) will take you there if you don't want to take a taxi or rent a car.
Interesting places on the island of Oahu
Polynesian Cultural Center (Polynesian Cultural Center) - theme park entertainment and open-air museum at the same time, located on the north coast of Oahu. The Polynesian Cultural Center is one of the most visited tourist places in Hawaii. A competition is held on its territory every year, in which participants demonstrate their mastery of fire knives. The park has a showroom (IMAX theater), a lagoon, and visitors can canoe.
Hawaii Marine Park (Sea Life Park Hawaii) - one of the main attractions of the island of Oahu. Opened in 1964, the park allows visitors to interact with marine animals, swim with dolphins, sea lions and rays, and feed turtles. The park also houses a bird sanctuary and an aquarium. The most interesting sights of the park:
sea lion discovery- allows visitors to swim in the water with sea lions.
Sea Trek Adventure- underwater walk in the reef reservoir, which is inhabited by eels, rays, sea turtles, a wide variety of tropical fish.
Hawaiian Reef Aquarium- a huge body of water, home to more than 2,000 reef marine life, including sharks, rays, turtles and schools of tropical fish.
Hawaiian Ocean Theater- the venue for the main show with the participation of dolphins, penguins and sea lions. During the show, talk about the latest teaching methods and the park's efforts to preserve wealth underwater world.
Penguin Habitat- the habitat of the penguins of the park.
Dolphin Show Cove- an open theater in which dolphin shows are shown twice a day.
The Bird Sanctuary- This bird sanctuary is home to many wild sea birds, including frigatebirds, boobies, petrels, albatrosses, most of which arrived here sick or injured.
Hawaiian Monk Seal Habitat- the habitat of the Hawaiian monk seals, a show with the participation of these animals.
Programs Dolphin Royal Swim, Dolphin Adventure Swim, Dolphin Encounter and Dolphin Aloha allow visitors to interact with dolphins in the water.
Location: Makapuu Point, 24 kilometers from downtown Honolulu. Getting there: Bus number 22 or 23 from Waikiki. Website www.sealifeparkhawaii.com
Buddhist Temple Byodo-In Temple located in the Valley of the Temples and is a replica of a 900-year-old temple in Uji City, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan. Inside is a 3 m gold-plated figure of a wooden Buddha. Against the backdrop of the Koolaou Mountains, the temple is surrounded by ponds and Japanese gardens. Byodo-In Temple is visited by thousands of tourists from all over the world. People of all faiths take part in his services. In addition to the service, the temple grounds are often used for weddings and official events. Address: 47-200 Kahekili Highway, Kaneohe, Oahu, HI, website www.byodo-in.com
Sacred Falls State Park . Sacred Falls State Park is located on the north coast of Oahu. The park covers the Kaluanui Canyon and the waterfall at its very end, after which it is named. The waterfall is closed to the public indefinitely after a fatal rock fall on May 9, 1999 in the canyon. Then eight tourists were killed, and many were injured. The only way to see this beautiful natural creation is by helicopter.
Nuʻuanu Pali State Wayside Observation Deck offers panoramic views of the Nuʻuanu Valley and the northeast side of Oahu. Nuuanu Pali was the site of one of the bloodiest battles in the world, during which Kamehameha captured the island of Oahu and united it under his rule.
What to do, tours by local tour operators
Swim with dolphins in the ocean from Dolphin Excursions Snorkel Adventure. From Waianae Bay, tour participants depart along west coast Oahu in search of dolphins (in winter, get the opportunity to see humpback whales). After spotting dolphins, snorkelling tour participants dip into the water and watch the dolphins swim past them. Then a short cruise to the habitat of sea turtles, snorkeling with tropical fish and sea turtles. Lunch at the end of the tour. The photographer will take your photos underwater with dolphins and turtles and send them on CD to anywhere in the world. Address: Waianae, Oahu, HI, website www.dolphinexcursions.com
Horse riding from Happy Trails Hawaii . Riding along north coast Oahu through forest, fern-covered valley and tropical orchards. The tours are family oriented. The only ranch on Oahu where kids as young as 6 are allowed to ride their own horse. Address: 59-231 Pupukea Road, Haleiwa, Oahu, HI Website www.happytrailshawaii.com
Macadamia Nut Farm. Educational and very interesting tour on a farm specializing in the cultivation of Macadamia. Macadamia is a very tasty Australian nut with a hard shelled kernel, they are very difficult to harvest, which is why macadamia is the most expensive nut in the world. The tour lasts about an hour. First, a bus ride to the tea plantations, information about how the ancient Hawaiians used tea leaves, made fire, and collected coconuts. Then a boat ride in a small lake, during which the guide will point out the filming locations of famous Hollywood films.
The farm has a good shop where you can buy various types of macadamia nuts, souvenirs, jewelry, arts and crafts, creams, aromatic oils, coffee, even fresh coconut. Interestingly, in the store you can enjoy macadamia nuts for free and enjoy the famous Kona coffee. Tours are available 7 days a week, from 10:45 am to 6:00 pm (excluding Tuesdays when there is only one tour at 10:45 am). Address: 49-227A Kamehameha Hwy., Kaneohe, Oahu, HI 96744, website www.macnutfarm.com
Swimming with sharks from North Shore Shark Adventures. The two-hour tour departs from Haleiwa Pier. Having sailed from the coast 4 - 6 km, a metal cage is placed in the water and kept at the level of the water surface. Armed with snorkels and masks, the cage tour participants watch the whales swim inches from the cage. Water in an area with visibility of 70 meters or more. During this tour you will have the opportunity to see Hawaiian green sea turtles, dolphins and even humpback whales during the migration season. Be sure to bring your underwater cameras to take photos of the sharks. Tour Departure Times: 6:00 AM, 7:00 AM, 8:00 AM, 9:00 AM, 10:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 1:00 PM, 2:00 PM August 15). Address: slip 35 of the Haleiwa Small Boat Harbor, Haleiwa, Oahu, HI website www.sharktourshawaii.com
Rancho Kualoa (Kualoa Ranch) has become known for the wide variety and quality of its tours. The most popular are described below:
Movie Sites & Ranch Tour. Visit the famous Kaʻaʻawa Valley, often referred to as the film set of Hawaii. Famous Hollywood films and TV shows were filmed here (Jurassic Park, 50 First Dates, Windtalkers, Hawaii 5-0 and others), tour duration 1 hour.
Jungle Expedition Tour. Adventure tour to the beautiful Kaaava Valley. Tour participants on SUVs travel in the middle of the jungle along east coast the islands of Oahu. Tour duration 1 hour
Ancient Fishing Grounds & Tropical Gardens Tour. A trip to the ancient Hawaiian fish pond, a visit to a tropical garden of fruit trees and flowers.
Hakipu'u Hike. Hiking in the Hakipuʻu Valley, the trail is just over 2 km long. Two tours per day: from 09:00 to 11:00 and from 12:00 to 14:00.
ATV Tour(ATV Tour). Visit the famous Kaaawa Valley by ATV, filming locations for many Hollywood movies and TV shows. During the tour, observation from observation deck for a beautiful panorama of the Pacific coast. Tours lasting one and two hours.
Horse riding tour(Horseback Tour), see Mokolii island and 800-year-old Hawaiian fishpond during the tour. The ranch is located at: 49-560 Kamehameha Highway, Kaneohe, Oahu, HI, website www.kualoa.com/tours
Diving. Many tourists visit the island of Oahu solely for the opportunity to plunge into Pacific Ocean and look at the richness of the underwater world. Hawaii is one of the ten best diving destinations in the world. It is home to over 100 endemic species (not found anywhere else on the planet), explore sea caves, swim with sea turtles and monk seals. The trade winds often cause high waves in the afternoon, so most operators plan to dive early in the morning and finish their tours at noon. Diving sites in Oahu:
Hike to Coco Crater (Koko Head Crater Trail Hike). Coco Crater is one of the most popular places hiking on the island of Oahu. A trail leads to its top along railway sleepers. About 1 km long, the trail rises to a height of 366 m. From the upper observation deck of Koko Crater, a panorama of eastern Oahu and the coast opens up. Get up early in the morning to avoid the heat and take plenty of water with you. If you have climbed to the top of Diamond Head, this hike is many times more difficult.
Bike is a popular way to explore Oahu. For information about cycle routes, participating in bike tours, contact Bike Hawaii (www.bikehawaii.com); this company offers a variety of group tours, including "Rainforest to Reef". The tour includes a drive down the paved road (8 km) with panoramic views of Waikiki, Honolulu and the Manoa Valley. During the tour, you will learn more about the flora and geology of the Hawaiian Islands. After that, leave the bikes for a 3-km hike back and forth to an 80-meter-high waterfall, then a cruise on a sailing catamaran.
Hawaii's Plantation Village . A one-hour tour of this restored village takes you back to the era when sugar plantations made up Hawaii's economy. From the arrival of the first workers in 1852 until 1947, when the era of sugar cane cultivation ended, over 400,000 men, women and children from China, Japan, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Korea, the Philippines and other countries migrated to work the sugar cane fields. On the territory of the village, each ethnic group is represented by a house decorated in accordance with the traditions and customs of that time. The houses contain clothes of that era, bed linen, ceramics, toys and games, photographs, books and other memorabilia. Open: Mon-Sat from 10:00 to 14:00. Address Waipahu Cultural Garden Park, at Waipahu Depot Rd, Waipahu Website: www.hawaiiplantationvillage.org www.hawaiiskydiving.com
Sunset Suratt Surf Academy's Surf School teaches surfing lessons from beginners to pros, and also provides equipment for rent. Sunset Suratt Surf Academy's lessons are held on the beach of Haleiwa village. Classes last two hours. Tour participants are provided with videos and photos of the learning process. Address: North Shore, Sunset Beach, Haleiwa, Oahu, HI 96712, website www.surfnorthshore. com
At the North Shore Surf Girls Surf School only women work. All female instructors are former professional surfers. Private or group surf lessons at 9:00, 12:00 and 15:00 daily near Haleiwa. Two popular types of tours:
North Shore surf lesson and Turtle Tour includes a 2-hour surf lesson, live sea turtle viewing, visits to the famous Pipeline and Sunset Beach surf beaches, and a seafood dinner prepared by the girls. The end of the tour is watching the sunset.
Surf Lesson and Sunset Barbecue includes a 2-hour surf lesson and a barbecue prepared by the girls on the beach. The end of the tour is watching the sunset. Address: 66-031 Kamehameha Hwy, Haleiwa, Oahu, HI 96712 website www.northshoresurfgirls.com
Swimming lessons on the board from Rainbow Watersports Adventures. The instructors will teach you how to swim on a standing board. All groups are private or individual (one instructor - one student). Duration of tours: from 2 to 4 hours, at the end of the tour, all participants are provided with free photos. Address: Haleiwa, Oahu, HI 96712, website www.rainbowwatersports.com, learn more about
Entertainment
Visiting the luau (traditional Hawaiian party) is included in the cultural program of most vacationers in Hawaii. Through the luau, Hawaiians traditionally celebrated memorable events (birthdays, harvesting, winning a battle, etc.).
Luaus differ from each other, but the celebration is necessarily accompanied by the preparation of pork in the underground imu oven, all participants are presented with leis (garlands of flowers) and treated to cocktails. Upon arrival at the luau venue, guests are invited to participate in various activities: canoeing, javelin throwing, lei making, tattoo lessons, hula dancing, fishing on the beach with tackle, and more. Then dinner and cultural show of the peoples of Polynesia (dances of the peoples of Samoa, Tahiti, New Zealand, Fiji, Hawaii). Luau gives you the opportunity to get to know the culture and traditions of Hawaii and Polynesia better. Each luau ends with watching the sunset, which is extraordinarily beautiful in Hawaii.
The most popular luau dishes are:
lomi salmon- salted salmon with tomatoes, onions and peppers;
Kalua pig- Pork wrapped in banana leaves and cooked inside an underground oven (imu);
Pipi kaula- Hawaiian-style beef jerky;
Poi- grated and boiled taro tuber;
Laulau, pork and butterfish, steamed in wrapped leaves;
Lu'au- taro leaves baked with coconut cream and, as a rule, octopus (from this dish came modern name holiday);
Haupia- gelatin made from condensed coconut milk.
paradise cove- the most famous luau on the island of Oahu (www.paradisecovehawaii.com).
Slightly less popular Germain's(venue near the small town of Kopolei, www.germainesluau.com).
But the most famous lualu does not mean the best. I would recommend to you Chief's Luau at the Sea Life Park of Hawaii. It is smaller than other luaus on Oahu, but the most fun and memorable. If you're looking for a family-friendly luau, try Chief's Luau at the Marine Life Park of Hawaii and you won't regret it. Sielu, the showman, is rightfully considered the best and most entertaining host in Hawaii, which makes this luau different about other similar parties.
