Oahu is surrounded by wonderful snorkeling areas. Shark’s Cove is one of the most enjoyable. Appropriate for both beginning and experienced snorkelers, Scuba Diving Magazine rated Shark’s Cove as one of the best shore dives on the planet. The cove is packed with tropical fish, coral and large rock formations, creating an interesting and fun underwater landscape to explore. If you’re planning on visiting Shark’s Cove during the winter, check the ocean conditions first as waves are often high.
Shark’s Cove
59-712 Kamehameha Hwy
Haleiwa, HI
Scuba fans won’t want to miss diving at Kahe Point Beach Park. The area is also known as Electric Beach, as it’s located next to a large power plant. For the best diving, swim a hundred yards straight out from the power plant. You’ll know you’re in the right place when you feel the water temperature rising. About 20 feet down, two huge outflow pipes pump hot water out of the power plant. The warm water attracts fish, sea turtles, eels and other sea life, creating a unique diving experience.
Kahe Point Beach Park
Farrington Hwy
Kapolei, HI
Oahu offers a variety of hiking trails all over the island. From beginner-level loops along the ocean to steep mountain trails, hikers on Oahu can take their pick of scenery and difficulty. If stunning views are your thing, you’ll want to hike Diamond Head State Monument at the south end of Waikiki. Diamond Head, an extinct volcano, rises over the eastern end of Waikiki Beach. The Diamond Head Summit Trail is .8 miles long with a strenuous 560-foot gain. Beat the heat and go in the early morning or late in the afternoon. You’ll enjoy the beach, city and ocean view from the summit.
Nature lovers won’t want to miss the Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve. This shallow bay was designated as a protected underwater park and marine life conservation area since 1967. The bay is teeming with sea life, including over 150 species of fish. Swim with green sea turtles along a living coral reef. Hanauma Bay is a popular destination for tourists, snorkelers and scuba divers and if the parking lots fills up, visitors will be turned away. The bay is closed to the public on Tuesdays.
Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve
455 Kalaniana’ole Hwy
Honolulu, HI
Oahu’s North Shore is famous for its world class surfing. According to Surf Guide Hawaii, Waimea Bay boasts the biggest surfable waves on the North Shore. The waves are 4 to 10 foot near the shore and the surf often gets up to 20 feet high. Waimea Bay is considered suitable for experienced surfers only, so if you’re a beginner, sit back and watch the experts.
Waimea Bay
61-031 Kamehameha Hwy
Oahu, HI
Hawaii Snorkeling Guide
Oahu Hiking
Diamond Head State Monument Trailhead
Hanauma Bay Nature Reserve
Surf Guide Hawaii: Waimea Bay
Oahu, Hawaii is full of fun activities. Whether you prefer snorkeling, scuba diving or just relaxing on the beach, Oahu has much to offer. Hike to the top of an extinct volcano or try your hand at surfing in Waimea Bay. Swim with sea turtles in Hanauma Bay or enjoy some fresh local cuisine. The fun never ends on Oahu.
Snorkeling
Oahu is surrounded by wonderful snorkeling areas. Shark’s Cove is one of the most enjoyable. Appropriate for both beginning and experienced snorkelers, Scuba Diving Magazine rated Shark’s Cove as one of the best shore dives on the planet. The cove is packed with tropical fish, coral and large rock formations, creating an interesting and fun underwater landscape to explore. If you’re planning on visiting Shark’s Cove during the winter, check the ocean conditions first as waves are often high.
Shark’s Cove
59-712 Kamehameha Hwy
Haleiwa, HI 96712
hawaiisnorkelingguide.com
Hiking
Oahu offers a variety of hiking trails all over the island. From beginner-level loops along the ocean to steep mountain trails, hikers on Oahu can take their pick of scenery and difficulty. If stunning views are your thing, you’ll want to hike Diamond Head State Monument. Diamond Head, an extinct volcano, rises over the eastern end of Waikiki Beach. The Diamond Head Summit Trail is .8 miles long with a strenuous 560-foot gain. Beat the heat and go in the early morning or late in the afternoon. You’ll enjoy the beach, city and ocean view from the summit.
Diamond Head State Monument Trailhead
Makapu’u Avenue & 18th Avenue
Honolul, HI 96809
808-587-0300
hawaiistateparks.org/parks/oahu/index.cfm?park_id=15
Nature lovers won’t want to miss the Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve. This shallow bay was designated as a protected underwater park and marine life conservation area since 1967. The bay is teeming with sea life, including over 150 species of fish. Swim with green sea turtles along a living coral reef. Hanauma Bay is a popular destination for tourists, snorkelers and scuba divers and if the parking lots fills up, visitors will be turned away. The bay is closed to the public on Tuesdays.
Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve
455 Kalaniana’ole Highway
Southeast O’ahu, HI
808-396-4229
http://www.honolulu.gov/parks/facility/hanaumabay/information.htm
Oahu is home to a variety of great scuba spots. One of the most unique and fun is off of Kahe Point Beach Park. Nicknamed Electric Beach, the best diving area is a few hundred feet off-shore over the top of large outflow pipes from an electric power plant. The area is easy to find; just look for an area of water that appears to be bubbling and head out to it. You’ll feel the water temperature rising as you near the pipes and notice the fish population increasing dramatically. Keep your eyes open for sea turtles, eels and dolphins.
Kahe Point Beach Park
Farrington Hwy
Kapolei, HI 96707
One of the best parts of a vacation is trying new and local foods. Oahu is chock full of Polynesian, Asian and just plain great cuisine. Seek out restaurants that feature organic and local products; you’ll feel healthier and it’s better for the environment, too. After an morning of snorkeling at Shark’s Cove, walk across the street for some organic fare at the Shark’s Cove Grill. This funky restaurant, housed in an old bus, serves up some of the best ahi and shrimp on the island. Served on skewers–heavy on the vegetables-with brown rice, a salad and pine nut pesto or creamy oriental sauce, this seafood will fill you up without weighing you down. Top off your meal with a smoothie full of bananas, strawberries, acai berries and sweetened with honey.
Shark’s Cove Grill
59-712 Kamehameha Hwy
Haleiwa, HI 96712
808-638-8300
sharkscovegrill.com/
Diamond Head State Monument Trailhead hawaiistateparks.org/parks/oahu/index.cfm?park_id=15
Hanauma Bay Nature Reserve http://www.honolulu.gov/parks/
Hawaii Snorkeling Guide hawaiisnorkelingguide.com
Shark’s Cove Grill http://www.sharkscovegrill.com/
Hawaii Snorkeling Guide hawaiisnorkelingguide.com
Oahu Hiking http://oahuhiking.com/
Diamond Head State Monument Trailhead
http://www.hawaiistateparks.org/parks/oahu/index.cfm?park_id=15
Hanauma Bay Nature Reserve http://www.honolulu.gov/parks/
