Bruna and Daniel

Manoa Falls has to be one of the most fascinating waterfalls on Oahu to be seen! Cascading 150 feet down the mountainside, it will seem more like 1000 feet as you stare up at the endless water falling down the rocks. Not many Oahu waterfalls are easy to travel to, that can also deliver such an impressive show!

Tricky hike, easy to get a bit lost but worth it. Gorgeous forest and jungle. River rock stream to cross, waterfall and swimming hole at the end. Usually muddy. Great fun.

Muddy walk, make sure you wear real shoes not sandals. Awesome waterfall with a big cliff jump into the waterfall. Bring water.

Kaau Crater hike is 4-5 hours of waterfalls, rope climbing, a huge volcano crater, and panoramic views makes this one of the best hikes on Oahu and one of the hikes recommended to people looking for a challenge.

This trail doesn’t ease you in. From the very first moment, it throws you into a world of enchantment. After no more than five steps you'll feel like you were in the middle of the jungle, fighting for survival, on the swivel looking for wild animals. A glistening creek was lined by majestic trunks, so tall your neck will hurt looking for the treetops. Dangling vines were strewn from the canopy as rays of sunlight broke through the dense foliage creating a natural theatre with a magical atmosphere. It truly is one of the best all-round hiking trails on Oahu especially if you are looking for a great ridge hike.

Diamond Head is a volcanic tuff cone on the Hawaiian island of Oʻahu and known to Hawaiians as Lēʻahi. The Hawaiian name is most likely derived from lae plus ʻahi because the shape of the ridgeline resembles the shape of a tuna's dorsal fin.

Walking along the dangerously steep ridge hike known as Pali Notches, gusts of wind threaten to knock you off either side of the cliff as you skitter up and down intimidating rock faces. This narrow ridge hike requires you to rock climb over the notches, which were supposedly created in the 1700s by King Kamehameha’s warriors to harbor cannons and warriors on lookout while they kept Nu’uanu Valley secure. Pali Notches is known as being one of the most dangerous hikes on Oahu and many people have fallen while on this trail so take extra caution. It’s one of the closest hikes to Honolulu downtown area so it’s quick to reach for a sunset mission.

The trailhead for this hike starts by heading straight up an unmarked trailhead to the right side of the Pali Lookout platform, a popular spot for tourists. You can see the faint trail as soon as you step over the yellow chain fence that encircles the platform. You climb your way through a grove of Hau trees that quickly opens up into an incredible view of the Pali Highway to your left and Kaneohe to your right. Like most trails on Oahu, it is ‘off-limits’ but there aren’t any reports of people getting in trouble for being on Pali Notches, which is one of the best hikes on Oahu.

See the sunrise (and whales, when in season) from the Makapuu Point Lighthouse Trail. Greeting the morning from this paved trail is a ritual for locals and visitors alike. But even if you sleep in, the views of Oahu’s southeast coast and sapphire sea are gorgeous no matter the time of day. From November to May, make sure to stop by for a chance to glimpse whales breaching in the distance. (While Diamond Head may be a more popular hike, it can get very crowded—the Makapuu hike feels less claustrophobic and still offers stunning views.)

Koko Head is brutal but worth it. 1048 stairs formed by an old railroad track lead you up the outside of Koko Crater. With no protection from the sun and oddly shaped and uneven stairs, this is a glute and quad workout from hell. Many locals do it weekly or daily as part of their fitness regime and you may even see some crazy people doing it twice. There is even a couple of locals who just do it 3,4,5 times or more and are beyond fit!

Starting off across from the Makapu’u lookout car park, this relatively simple hike has some of the most stunning views on Oahu. It is an amazing spot to watch the sunrise and the views are out of this world. Do this hike for sunrise! Getting to the top only takes about 30-40 minutes so you can get up there half an hour before sunrise, and it is truly one of the best sunrise spots on Oahu.

There is also a puka (hole in the rock) about 45 minutes of the way in. You can turn back at any point or continue on the trail that does go quite a ways. We always turned back at the puka after seeing enough but the trail looks quite good if you chose to continue on. This is one of the most underrated hikes on Oahu.

Cool off with shave ice at Waiola Shave Ice and remember... it's Shave Ice, not Shaved Ice!

Almost every culture and place that knows the stickiness of hot afternoons also knows the pleasures of icy treats. In Hawaii, the go-to cooldown is shaved ice, a soft, fluffy mound of fine-as-snow ice drenched in flavored syrups. Waiola Shave Ice does it all perfectly, from the ice to the range of syrups. Try it topped with a snowcap (condensed milk) or lilikoi cream (more like a thick lilikoi syrup).

Opened in 2012, 53 By The Sea is one of the island’s premier fine dining experiences, having received the Hale ‘Aina Award for Most Romantic Restaurant in 2017/2018, as well as the Honolulu Star-Advertiser’s “Hawaii’s Best” award for Restaurant with a View. From the iconic grand staircase to sweeping views of Waikiki, Diamond Head, and the rolling surf at Kakaako, each moment at 53 By The Sea is unforgettable.

Hawaii’s only AAA Five Diamond and Forbes Five Star restaurant, La Mer is regarded as one of the most prestigious fine dining restaurants on Oahu, with ocean views capturing the romance and elegance of Halekulani.

Our internationally acclaimed menu features local and tropical ingredients in dishes inspired by flavors from the south of France.

La Mer blends exceptional service with exquisite cuisine, all with spectacular views of the Pacific. Tranquil, graceful and refined, La Mer epitomizes superlative fine dining, and is Honolulu’s most sought-after restaurant.

For the past 29 years, La Mer has been celebrated as Hawaii's longest, consecutively ranked AAA Five-Diamond Restaurant. The award-winning extensive wine selection complements the cuisine for an unforgettable dining experience.

Several craft brew pubs have popped up within walking distance of each other in the hip industrial warehouse district of Kakaako. Uber you and your visitors down to the area and traipse through the Aloha Beer Company, the Brewseum, the Waikiki Brewing Company, and Honolulu Beerworks. Each spot brews up specialties like the Cocoweizen, a coconut hefeweizen found at Beerworks, and the Skinny Jeans IPA at the Waikiki Brewery. The Brewseum's building was once home to a military museum, and many of the items are still on display. Along with its tasty beer, Aloha Beer also houses the “secret” speakeasy called the Hi Brau Room, which offers craft cocktails. Each brewery is easily reached by foot and serves food, so no cars or additional stops required on this boozy tour.

Taste new tiki concoctions at the hidden Bar Leather Apron

Ignore the weird location, tucked inside a downtown office building, and head past the bland surroundings into this intimate bar for the most theatrical mai tai of your life. A smoking tiki statue unveils an exquisitely balanced cocktail that will linger in your mind like the smoke in your clothes. Make sure to reserve a seat at the bar in advance for the full performance.

Rockin’ open-air bar on top of the Ala Moana Mall – very lively and popular with the locals!

Fun vibe downtown bar with enough beers being represented to keep you busy all night. The DJ keeps the dance floor busy!

One of Waikiki's latest roof top restaurant & bar with great views of Waikiki action! It's the hip bar and lounging area that makes this spot so inviting!

This popular beachfront restaurant and club located in the Outrigger Waikiki was recently renovated. There's always a lively crowd at Duke's where the tropical drinks are liberally consumed to keep the fun and action going.

Hands down the most classic tiki bar on Oahu and Hawaii for that matter. La Mariana is a step back into time, and sits by itself in the shipyard on Sand Island. This is the place to see and be seen, as it’s been featured on many TV shows, and if you’re lucky there are famous stars popping in from time to time. Enjoy a zombie mai tai and take it all in!

Looking for an upscale bar with a beautiful Interior? Located in the Halekulani Hotel, Lewers Lounge is a perect setting to "lounge" and enjoy a special Mai Tai.

No trip to the North Shore of Oahu is complete without a quick stop to see the sea turtles at Laniakea Beach. The turtles usually swim close to shore munching on seaweed in the morning and bask in the sun on the sand in the afternoon. Note that the beach, found just west of Haleiwa Town, has become very popular with tourists and locals alike, which sadly causes traffic gridlock and parking issues. Sea turtle activist groups usually guard the area and rope off the turtles from visitors. And if you choose to swim at the beach, sea turtles are endangered species and are protected under federal law. Do not interact with them.

Spot turtles and colorful fish at Hanauma Bay. Hanauma Bay is still one of the best places on the island to swim with the fishes (in the living sense). Get here right when it opens at 6am to snag a parking spot and snorkel when the water is clearest. Note: The bay is closed every Tuesday to give the fish and reef a rest.

Every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, Waikiki hosts a troupe of hula dancers performing a show on Kuhio Beach at sunset. The show starts with traditional blowing of a conch shell and lighting of torches around the stage. Groups perform different styles of hula dance and are usually accompanied by a group of musicians. People line the beach around the stage and lay out on the grass.

Swim with sharks with One Ocean Diving

The shark in Jaws was just misunderstood. One Ocean Diving seeks to dispel myths about the intimidating sea creatures while teaching you about typical behaviors, various species, and how to safely approach the friendly ones—you’ll even swim in the open ocean with these creatures. The adventure is equal parts thrilling, educational and awe-inspiring.

You will leave the North Shore on Oahu from Haleiwa Small Boat Harbor and travel 3 miles out to sea to cage dive with these beautiful sharks in their natural habitat. Often on the way you may also encounter Dolphins, Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles, and magnificent Humpback Whales (November through May). All this, and breathtaking views of Oahu’s North Shore make your Hawaii shark tours complete! Shark sightings are 100% guaranteed! Shark Diving with us is the best on the island of Oahu! If you haven’t yet been to Hawaii for shark encounters or adventures, just wait until you take a Hawaii shark tour with us. You’ll want to cage dive again and again!

Shark cage diving on Hawaii is simply the most adventurous activity to add to your next Hawaiian vacation. Most say it’s the highlight of their time spent here. Shark encounters on Hawaii are safe, fun, and exhilarating. Fun for the whole family! Some have a huge fear of sharks, but once you are in the shark cage and diving with these sharks you realize how graceful these guys are. Book your Hawaii Shark Tours today!

Learn to surf in Waikiki. Ride waves at the home turf of Duke Kahanamoku, aka the Godfather of Surfing. Waikiki’s gentle waves are the perfect place to learn to surf, and iconic Diamond Head makes for a stunning backdrop. Faith Surf School will aim to get you on your feet by the end of the session.

A JetPack ride off of Oahu will be one of the most fun experiences of your life, a MAJOR rush. Your favorite memory of Hawaii? Count on it! Truly AWESOME!

Get out on the water and ride along the beautiful blue waters of Waikiki Beach! $74.99 per 30 minutes

Remember Pearl Harbor at the USS Arizona Memorial

As the generation that still remembers and fought in World War II wanes, it feels even more pressing to visit the USS Arizona Memorial now. From the Pearl Harbor visitor center, a Navy boat shuttles you to the offshore memorial dedicated to the sailors who went down with the USS Arizona in the surprise Japanese attack in 1941. Oil still seeps to the surface from the wreckage below, a ghostly reminder of the lives lost here.

Groupon runs specials for group deals. See this link below if interested:

www.groupon.com/deals/pearl-harbor-website-day-tours-2

Enjoy a 45-minute guided walking tour of historic Haiku Mill on Maui that includes a Q&A session, photo opportunity, and refreshments

KoBo Glass Studio offers basic art classes and workshops where students can produce an unusual, colorful, hand-made piece of art

Diamond Head Luau at Waikiki Aquarium - Experience authentic Hawaii traditions with Luau activities, fire dances, and farm-to-table food

Kualoa Ranch, on Oahu’s east side, has been the background for many iconic Hollywood movies and TV shows for decades. Jurassic Park, Hawaii Five-0, and Lost are just a few big shows to mention. Take your friends on a movie site tour at Ranch. The tour will take you to find Godzilla’s footprints, the road site from 50 First Dates, and many other famed locations. Kualoa Ranch also offers jungle expeditions and a trip to a beach on a secret island.

Once you’ve parked up, you might need to be patient as you watch for the blast of water. If you can plan your visit around high tide, you’ll see better activity. See this link for tide predictions from nearby Hanauma Bay.

Souvenir store in Waialua, Hawaii offering a tour of the Cacao farm. Hawaii is the only state in the US that can grow Cacao

Zipline, climbing walls, ATVs, Arial challange course, and Luau!

Everything about the Marriott Ko Olina facilities are nothing short of being immaculate and the best in its class. The Ko Olina Golf Club is no exception! It’s rated in the top 100 golf courses in Gold Digest Magazine.

Located on the Westside tip of Oahu, near Barbers Point, is 6,868 yards of prime green real estate! It’s loaded with rolling hill fairways, nicely elevated tee box greens, and water features through out the course.

There is a Groupon right now for USD 25 rounds. Follow the link below:

www.groupon.com/deals/golfnow-koolau-golf-club

The Pali Golf Course is one of the oldest Oahu golf courses, built back in 1953. Step onto these grounds, and you’ll feel like you time traveled much farther back than the 1950’s, and into the prehistoric dinosaur age.

Located towards the tip of north shore Oahu, the Turtle Bay Golf & Resort covers close to 900 acres of premier oceanfront property. It’s a perfect setting for the layout of 2 championship Oahu golf courses. Depending on your game and style, Turtle Bay Golf offers an Arnold Palmer Course and a George Fazio Course.

Located on 270 acres of open terrain in Ewa Beach, you’ll find an Oahu golf oasis waiting for you with 27 greens in pristine shape. It’s easy to set the bar high at Hawaii Prince Golf Club, because the put the money and maintenance into the course to keep up their reputation.

3 nine-hole courses (A, B & C courses) make up the 27 holes. They are intermixed to make 18 holes, which help keeps the flow moving, and switches it up to keep you challenge each time you come to play.

The fairways like the greens are in immaculate condition! You can get some extra yardage on your drives, as your ball rolls down the tight carpet strips.

Hawaii Prince Golf Club has a nice club house, an impressive grass driving range, and practice chipping greens and sand bunkers.

The Ko’olau Golf Course could be argued as the lushest green course with the most dramatic views!

The views are simply amazing as this course backs up to the sky scraping Ko’olau mountain range, with shinning aqua blue ocean waters below at the coast side. The temperature generally stays cooler with clouds moving in and out of the mountains.

The natural hilly terrain and surrounding ravines gives this windward side course a reputation for being one of the hardest to play on the island, with a 152 slope rating. The Ko’olau Golf Course was designed by Dick Nugent back in 1992. The par 72 18-hole course is divvied up over 7,310 yards throughout the rain forest. You have 4 sets of tees to play off of…I’ll stick to my white tee box!

This course is located about a half hour or less outside of Waikiki. The club house is nice with full restaurant looking over the course. There is a driving range, along with practice putting greens available if you need to warm up before teeing off.

There is a Groupon special for $25 rounds. Follow this link as the date nears to see if a deal exists:

www.groupon.com/deals/golfnow-koolau-golf-club