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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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- 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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- Very nice beach entertainment in the evenings
- Nice waters for body boarding and kayaking
- Nice shops and restaurants
Waikiki beach is located on the south shore of Oahu. It is one of the most popular beaches visited water sport enthusiasts from all over the world. The name of the beach in Hawaiian ... moremeans "sprouting water". The beach stretched for two miles and is coated with beautiful white sand and a backdrop of hotels, restaurants, various shops and beach bars.
Being very popular, the beach is a bit crowded and parking can be difficult to find. All sorts of activities are undertaken at the beach, but the most popular are, surf boarding, kayaking, swimming, an snorkeling. Equipment for rent can also be found for the various water sports. You may also be able to take surf lessons. Waikiki Beach provides activities for all ages, families with children will find a variety of organized activities for kids and teenagers.
The waters in Waikiki Beach are primarily calm and protected by reefs. There is a long shelf which makes it possible to wade out a good distance. The beach is two miles long consists of several sections which have their own name. On the west side is Kahanamoku Beach, also the widest stretch of Waikiki Beach, Kuhio Beach is close to the Kapahulu Groin (also known as The Wall). Queen's surf beach is found east of Kuhio Beach and is a very popular boy boarder site. Kaimana Beach is then found further east and is very nice for swimming having a sandy ocean bottom.
Waikiki Beach has all the facilities of a modern beach and the convenience of being located near resorts, restaurants, and gift shops. The Honolulu Zoo, the Waikiki Aquarium and the Kapiolani Park can be found on the east side of the beach, and Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon is at the west end of the beach.
Type: Attraction, Beach, Historic, Landmark
Features: Bathroom, Equipment rentals, Food for purchase, 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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- Pineapple garden maze
- Insight on various fruits and plants grown in the region
- Scenic tour of the surounding
Dole Plantation began in 1950 as it operated as a food stand. Since, it has become a very popular attraction on Oahu. Visitors of the Dole Pineapple Plantation can experience a fun ... moreday trip and learn about the history of pineapples in Hawaii. Everything from the agricultural aspect, the soil chemistry, and the tale of James Dole.
Dole Pineapple Plantation is but two miles away from the town of Haleiwa and a
45 minutes drive from Honolulu. The train ride to the plantation offers the opportunity or some scenic views which can leave you breathless.
The Pineapple Garden Maze, which obtained the spotlight in the Guinness Book of Records as the biggest maze in the world can also be seen at Dole Plantation. Going through the maze made of green hedges, twists and turns can have you painfully seeking the way
out! The maze covers more than two acres and incorporates 1.5 miles long.
Many different activities can be undertaken while at the plantation. The garden tour will have you explore many other plants and trees, some native to the region others brought to the country. They include, bananas, cacao, coffee, papaya, mango and lei flowers.
The
plantation also has a visitor center where snacks and drinks can be obtained or simply for relaxing. A gift shop provides the perfect opportunity for obtaining pineapple-related gifts and other souvenirs. It is thought that the first pineapples were planted on the island when a
shipwreck coming from Mexico brought with it plants, tools, garments and pineapples. From then on, Spanish explorers started growing pineapples and other fruits. Jim Dole, then pioneered the pineapple industry and established the Dole Pineapple Plantation in Hawaii.
Various
activities are organized on the plantation subject to a small fee. Some
of the activities even include a stop to Pearl Harbor or scenic excursions of the surrounding. Dole Pineapple Plantation is world famous and a distinct attraction of Oahu, Hawaii.
Type: Botanical Garden, Cultural, Historic, Plantation / Ranch
Features: Bathroom, Food for purchase, Parking, Wheelchair access
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- Scenic view of the surrounding
- Spotting humpback whales and the Hawaiian green turtles
- Great for diving when the water is calm
The Halona Blow-hole located on the island of Oahu off of Hanauma Bay is a rock formation and a blow-hole formed by underwater lava which took the form of a tube and has an opening ... moreon both sides of it. As the ocean water enters the tube, the pressure increases as the tube narrows such that the water shoots upward into the air sometimes to a high of 30 feet or more. The Halona Blow-hole is a popular attraction. The location is very scenic, there are steep cliffs and fantastic views.
The blow-hole is most active during high tide. It is also the best location to go and look out for humpback whales or Honu (the Hawaiian green turtle). When there is no surf and a light northerly wind blowing, diving is possible along the coast. If the waves are breaking, it is recommended to dive elsewhere. The tidal change produces very strong currents known as 'Molokai Express" that can drag a person out to sea. Some persons have lost their life trying to sit on the blow-hole or trying to hold parts of their body into the stream of water. The area is quite dangerous, so it is best to be careful and stay at the lookout point and enjoy the view from a safe distance.
The Hawaiian name Halona means "peering place". On a very nice day, the view can be very fantastic. From far off on the horizon, the islands of Molokai, Maui and Lanai can be seen. To the right of the blow-hole is located Halona Cove, a small sandy beach that is perfect for swimming when the surf is calm. The site is also known for the famous love scene of Burt Lancaster and Deborah Kerr in the film "From here to eternity".
Type: Attraction, Geological Feature
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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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- Capitol Moved Here Because of the Harbor
- Great Shopping and Dining
- Museum and other tours
The most bustling seaport of Oahu hosting giant cruise liners as well as sailboats, Honolulu Harbor has been greeting vessels since 1926. The first European vessel to enter the harbor ... morewas that of the British merchant ship King George on the 12th of December 1786. In 1850, Honolulu was declared as the official capital of the Kingdom of Hawaii by King Kamehameha and a series of investments were undertaken to further develop the Harbor and accommodate more vessels. Since, the Harbor has grown to become the gateway of the modern metropolis of Hawaii.
The Honolulu Harbor is operated by the Hawaii Department of Transportation. It is the only port in the US that is operational for commercial fishing boats, commercial container shipping, a major cruise port and is simultaneously a museum. Most cruise ships arrive in the harbor from California, but some arrive by means of the Panama Canal.
The historic Aloha tower welcomes visitors right near the harbor. It consists of a range of retail outlets and restaurants. In the market place, nice fruits, vegetables and fresh fish can be found. The tower has an observation deck on the 10th floor that provide stunning views of the entire harbor. It also hosts free music concerts occasionally. The visitor can also walk on the decks of the only four-masted, full-rigged ship left in the world at the Hawaii Maritime Centre or take a tour of a submarine which is the world's largest hi-tech passenger submarine. Bus shuttles also provide tours around the harbor and other attractions in Honolulu.
Today, the Honolulu Harbor receives more than 500,000 cruise ship passengers every year. The harbor is more than just a gateway, it provides a real feast atmosphere with entertainment, shopping, and nightlife at the port side.
Type: Attraction, Cultural, Historic, Museum
Features: Bathroom, Drinking water, Food for purchase, Parking, Wheelchair access
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