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- Beautiful coral reef and abundance of marine life
- Snorkeling
- Swimming & sunbathing
Hanauma Bay Beach Park on the southern shores of Oahu was named the best beach in the United State in 2004. The beach is a protected cove with a stretch of white sand and tall palm ... moretrees. Because of the shape of the bay, the water is mostly kept calm providing ideal conditions for swimming and snorkeling and also making it very accommodating for kids of all ages. No surfing or body boarding is allowed on the beach.
The curved bay had been declared a protected marine wildlife conservation area and underwater park in 1967. A rich coral reef extends throughout the cove and into deeper water. The marine life is diverse and abundant, making snorkeling and scuba diving, particularly fun and exciting. As a protected site, visitors watch a short video of the bay's history and wildlife before entering the beach. The bay floor is the crater of an ancient volcano that flooded as the exterior walls collapsed letting the ocean water rush in.
The bay is often full and finding parking can sometimes be difficult. Most amenities can be found at the beach. Gift shops also provide the opportunity for obtaining souvenir. Non-Hawaiian residents have to pay an entrance charge of $7.50 dollar, which is waived for Hawaiian residents, children under 12 and active military persons. Opening hours of the beach is at 6:00 am daily with the exception of Tuesdays when the beach is closed.
As a protected marine conservation area, no fishing is permitted neither is it allowed alcohol on the beach or intervening with the marine life. The sun is quite blistering at the beach therefore it is recommended having sun glasses, sun cream and other such items.
Type: Beach, Geological Feature
Features: Bathroom, Drinking water, Equipment rentals, Food for purchase, Lifeguards, Lockers / storage, Parking, Picnic tables, Showers, Wheelchair access
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- Spectacular view of the surrounding
- Hiking to the top
- Learning about the history of Diamond Head
Type: Geological Feature, Hike, Mountain, Park, Scenic Lookout, Volcano, Landmark
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- Swimming long distance
- Playing various games at the beach
- Barbecue at the beach
Ala Moana Beach Park is a free public beach located between Waikiki and downtown Honolulu. The beach is very popular among locals and a favorite spot for enjoying the sea. About 100 ... moreacres of gold sand that stretch half a mile, the beach is man-made created in the 1950's when the owner of the Dillingham Dredging Company was searching for a location to dispose of his dredged earth. The sand was dumped in the park, creating the beach
The park has many facilities such as restrooms, showers, tennis courts, picnic tables and even a music pavilion. It is a great place for undertaking various water activities. The waters are often quite calm, making it ideal for swimming, particularly long-distance swimmers, novice swimmers, families and children. It is also great for jogging, surfing, skateboarding and other beach activities.
Novice swimmer need nevertheless be careful since the ocean bottom near the shore drops quickly. The east end of the beach is a lot more preferred and much safer as the ocean bottom is sandy without any reefs or rocks. In the middle section and the west end the bottom of the beach is rocky which makes entering the water quite tricky.
Ala Moana Beach Park also has big grassy areas, palm tree, and banyans making it an ideal location for barbecues, picnics, and for playing various beach games. Next to Ala Moana Beach Park is "magic island" where various cultural events take place.
Features: Bathroom, Drinking water, Food for purchase, Lifeguards, Picnic tables, Showers
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- Bodyboarding and bodysurfing
- Picnic at the beach
- Snorkeling
Sandy Beach Park on the east side of Oahu is well known for two good reasons, the beautiful beach sand and powerful shore breaks. Getting to this beach will have you drive along the ... morelava cliff side of Koko Head crater. The beach is just beyond the popular Halona blow-hole. During the summer period when the beach is often calm, the offshore reef that protects it also provide very good conditions for swimming, snorkeling and diving. The soft sand, the gentle water and the ease of entry into the water attracts families with small children seeking to spend some fantastic moments on the seaside.
Sandy Beach is not almost always gentle. In fact, the locals in Hawaii call it "the beach of broken necks". It is listed as one of the most dangerous beaches in Hawaii. You must always be on the look out for red warning flags and signs posted on the beach warning of the dangers of strong currents, high surf, sharp coral, and dangerous shore breaks. Sandy beach is popular among experience body surfers and body boarders.
In the winter months, there are powerful shore breaks and rip tide currents during high surf. You should avoid swimming in front of Keawaakio Cove even when the water seems calm because of rip tide currents.
Sand Beach Park does not provide scenic views like many other beaches in the surrounding, but it does provide a lot of thrill. One of the things you will notice is that the sand on the beach seems to get everywhere. On your hair, nose, ears, swimwear, even after having taken a shower, you will still be brushing off sand.
The beach has all the facilities of a modern beach including lifeguards. there is not much shade on the beach but a grassy area with some picnic tables can be found which is perfect for relaxing, taking photos or watching the waves.
Features: Bathroom, Lifeguards, Parking, Picnic tables, Showers
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- 42- acres of Cultural Fun
- Twirl Poi Balls and Play Tititorea
- Sample Tahitian Coconut Bread
During the day, visitors to the Polynesian
Cultural Center can experience life from seven Polynesian cultures as interpreted
by natives from those cultures in centers set up as if ... morethe visitors were
visiting those islands. Over the course of a few short hours, you will feel
like you have been to all the islands.
For example, at the Island of Samoa, visitors
can see living quarters, cooking huts and a chief’s home all built without
nails, learn to crack a coconut using only a small rock, and watch barefooted-young
maidens climb coconut trees.
Alternatively, at the Island of Tonga,
experience spear throwing, learn to play the large native drums, and challenge your friends to native games like lafo.
On the other hand, visitors to the Fiji
Island can view the interior of a six-story high Fijiian temple, but be careful
entering the wrong door can end with death. See the weapons that these
islanders use to fight their battles, and experience the opportunity to fight
with them.
There are seven villages just waiting to be
explored, but that is not all. As you start to get hungry for dinner, you can
experience a Hawaiian luau, a prime rib buffet or the contemporary island
all-you-can-eat buffet.
After dinner, make sure to stay for the
evening show. This Broadway style show is part Polynesian dance, part native music
and all accented with blazing fire knives.
Type: Attraction, Cultural
Features: Bathroom, Drinking water, Food for purchase, Parking
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- Spectalar moments watching The Eddie competition
- Jumping of the Waimea cliff
- Body boarding and snorkeling
Waimea Bay has become renowned worldwide since the 1950's when adventurous surfers challenged the powerful waves that forms on its coast, hence giving birth to the big wave-riding ... morephenomenon. Waves at Waimea Bay can reach 20 feet or more in height. Surfers from all over the world gather at the location in the months of November through February, the big wave season, to take part in the thrill and excitement.
Waimea Bay is home to the Quicksilver competition, in honor of Eddie Aikau, a legendary Hawaiian Waterman. The Quiksilver contest only takes place during massive swells. Several other famous competitions take place at Waimea Bay or the beaches in the vicinity. One such competition is the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing also known as the Super Bowl of surfing which happens between the months of November and December.
Despite being renowned for the big waves and surfing competitions at its beach, Waimea Bay is also a beautiful place to enjoy the beach. During the summer months, the water is calm and give the perfect opportunity to swim in the crystal clear blue waters or undertake any other water activities such as canoeing, scuba-diving, wind surfing and more.
Exploring the surrounding is another experience. Not far is the town of Haleiwa with shops and restaurant. A botanical garden and cultural attraction can be found nearby in Waimea valley and is home to very beautiful Waimea Falls. Waimea Bay nevertheless, still attracts surfers from all over the world seeking excitement and adventure and to take part in the most famous competitions in surfing.
In other seasons, the beach provides the perfect conditions for body boarding or body surfing. Another activity that is often undertaken is cliff diving from the popular 'Waimea cliff".
Overlooking Waimea Bay Beach Park is the Saints Peter and Paul Church, a popular landmark on the North Shores of Oahu. It can easily be seen from the beach. Humpback whales and dolphins can also be spotted particularly at dawn from the beach. The beach also has a nice grassy area, which is great for playing football or just relaxing in the shade of trees when it is too hot.
Nearby Waimea Bay Beach Park is also other attractions such as the Botanical garden home to the beautiful Waimea Falls. The town of Haleiwa is also not very far when shop, restaurant provides the opportunity to have some wonderful time. You may also want to try the famous cool shave ice.
Type: Beach, Park, Scenic Lookout
Features: Bathroom, Drinking water, Lifeguards, Parking, Picnic tables, Showers
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- Beautiful view of the mountain and Chinaman's Hat
- Spectacular green wall
- Apua fishpond
Just at the edge of Kane'ohe Bay off of Kamehameha Highway, on the Windward side of the island is Kualoa Regional Park. This is a perfect location for having a relaxing time at the ... morebeach. It is never crowded, the water is calm and you have stunning views of the Kualoa Mountains and Chinaman's Hat. The location itself is considered as being sacred by the ancient Hawaiians since whale bones used to wash on shore in the location. The bones were used for making jewelry and valuable tools. In Hawaiian, Kualoa means "long ancestral background". Hawaiian chiefs used to bring their children to the park to teach them about their heritage and tradition. Today, the park is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Kualoa has a very narrow beach and a shallow ocean bottom near the shore with some rocky patches. There is a very little reef area. It does not ideal for swimming. You should also keep a look out for the Portuguese-Man-of-War (Jellyfish) and the stinging limu (seaweed). High surf and strong current are possible, so, you should always monitor the ocean conditions. On the south end of the park, there is a stone barrier which makes it a very nice area for a dip. Two ancient Hawaiian fishponds, Moli'i and Apua, can also be found there. About 30 campsites are located in the park. A permit is required if you want to use the camping site.
The main attraction of the Kualoa Regional Park is the beautiful view of Mokoli'i Island (Chinaman's Hat), the nickname was given because the island looks a bit like a coolie hat when watched from offshore. Kualoa Regional Park also has a very large grassy area perfect for a picnic. All throughout the park are scattered ironwood and wiliwili groves and paved paths that go all the way to Apua fishpond and the Ancient Molii Pond.
Kualoa Regional Park is a great escape for recreation, big parking space, many parallel beaches, restrooms, showers, Kualoa ranch is just across the street if you want to buy a snack or go horseback riding. The area is always nice, and breezy being surrounded by mountains from all sides. It is also very popular with tourists.
Type: Beach, Park, Scenic Lookout
Features: Bathroom, Camping, Food for purchase, Parking, Picnic tables, Showers
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- USS Arizona memorial
- Shrine room with the names of victims engraved on the walls
- Sunken USS Arizona battleship
Japanese forces on the 7th of December 1941 made a sneak attack which crippled much of the United State Navy and abruptly brought the United State fully engaged into the Second World ... moreWar. The Pearl Harbor attack was undertaken when in need of oil and other raw materials, the Japanese engaged in a war against China in mid-1937 and other oil and mineral rich countries of the East Indies, and South East Asia has as allies Germany and Italy.
With peace negotiations ending in November 1941, the United State secret agency expected the Japanese to attack into the Indies, Malaya, and the Philippines but did not anticipate an attack east as well. Japanese aircraft carriers reached the US fleet at Pearl Harbor, launching an aerial strike that resulted in sinking 5 out of 8 US battleships, and the others badly damaged or sinking, the majority of the Hawaii-based combat planes were damaged and more than 2400 Americans lost their lives.
The USS Arizona memorial is part of World War II valor in the Pacific National Monument that commemorates the events of that day. 1,102 sailors and marines of the 1,177 crewmen of the USS Arizona were killed during the Pearl Harbor attack.
In 1949, the Pacific War Memorial Commission was created and charged to build a memorial which was erected on the site of the submerged hull. The memorial stands to represent the American pride before the war, the depression after the attack and the rise to new heights after the war.
Along side and perpendicularly docked to the USS Arizona is the USS Missouri. It was moved to Pearl Harbor from the west coast of the United State. On the deck of the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay, the Japanese surrendered to General Douglas MacArthur and Admiral Chester Nimitz of the United State army effectively ending World War II.
Each year, millions of visitors embark on the Pearl Harbor tour, which provide a whole day tour of four historic locations that includes, the USS Arizona memorial, the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum and park admission, the Pacific Aviation Museum, and the Battleship Missouri Memorial.
Type: Cultural, Historic, Memorial, Museum
Features: Bathroom, Food for purchase, Lockers / storage, Parking
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- Scenic outlook from the tower
- Gourmet dining at the Alowa Marketplace restaurants
- Nice shops to visit
The Aloha Tower is a landmark in downtown Honolulu. It is well recognized as a welcome symbol for tourists arriving in Honolulu Harbor. It was built between the wars and officially ... moreopened in 1926 at Honolulu Harbor's ninth pier. When it was built, it was the tallest structure in Hawaii at the time standing ten stories high and an extra 40 feet of the flag pole.
The tower itself has a square shape and is slender. It is topped by a dome that has an opening on all four sides. Just under the dome are two very big clocks one of which faces the harbor while the other faces inland and between them is written in big character that can be seen from miles "ALOHA". Surrounding the tower is the Aloha Tower Marketplace. Many quaint shops, and restaurants can be found in the marketplace which makes it a very interesting place to hang around after having visited the tower.
During the 1920's until the 1930's, when the tower had been built, passengers arriving in the harbor were greeted by hula dancers, thousands of colorful streamers and performances by the Royal Hawaiian Band in what was known as "boat days".
Boat days were a very big deal, the entire harbor was permeated with flowers; there were musicians playing, young men diving for coins tossed overboard by tourists.
Inside the tower, visitors obtain panoramic views of Honolulu Harbor and the surrounding areas. The observation deck is on the tenth floor. You'll have to take a small vintage elevator to get there, but it is quite small. You might want to avoid the ride if you're claustrophobic.
Today, many events take place on the tower's just adjacent to the Marketplace complex all throughout the year. Tours are also organized on a daily basis. The Aloha Tower played an important role after the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor which led to the defensive positioning of Coast Guardsmen at the tower to protect it from being occupied.
Type: Attraction, Scenic Lookout
Features: Bathroom, Food for purchase
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- Very good for kayaking
- Very nice area for relaxing at the beach
- Turtle Bay Resort
Turtle Bay, located on the north shore of Oahu between Kuilima Point and Protection Point covers an area of about 5 miles of beach and 12 miles of hiking trails. The area is one of ... morethe last underdeveloped of Oahu. The area is recognized for very nice rock formations. The turtle Bay beach is sandy, but the ocean bottom is rocky and has sharp limestone all along its length which makes for poor swimming conditions.
Surfing, diving, kayaking, and fishing are the activities most undertaken at Turtle Bay. The area just behind the reef in the near shore waters is the best location for surfing. In the winter months, November to February, the waves are very big, and there is a strong current.
The small island of Papa'amoi can be found on the west side of Turtle Bay. Just near the bay is the Turtle Bay resort. Guests at the resort prefer to go swimming to the neighboring Bayview Beach because there, the ocean bottom is sandy, and the area is protected from high surf. There are also two championship golf courses at the resort
Not many people use the beach at Turtle Bay so it is a quiet place often perfect it you are seeking for a location to relax or have a picnic. There is plenty of shade. Ironwood trees line the back shore of the beach. Turtle Bay has also been a favorite location in the neighborhood for weddings. It is a very romantic place and provide some beautiful sunrise and sunset.
There are no facilities or lifeguards at the beach.
Features: Parking, Picnic tables
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