Words and Photos By Brennen Daniels,
Special Contributor
Oahu, Hawaii is overflowing with life. You can hike a mountain to watch the sunrise, snorkel with sea turtles, and surf to the backdrop of a sunset painted sky all in one day.
Oahu translated means “The Gathering Place”. Being the most heavily populated of all the Hawaiian Islands Oahu can sometimes feel like a never-ending tourist trap. But get away from Honolulu and there is a hidden paradise waiting to to be explored.
Surf On The North Shore
Oahu is known best for housing Pipeline, one of the top surf breaks in the world. It annually hosts a surf competition on the break, attracting thousands of surfers from around the world. Luckily the islands four coast are full of less popular surfing spots great for people of all skill levels.
Laniakea on the North Shore is an amazing break with a deep reef, so you can worry about shredding the wave and not your body. During the fall and winter season waves at Lani’s (as the locals call it) can break at double overhead, but in the summer months it produces much calmer waves, making it great for beginning surfers.
White Plains beach on the South Shore is another great place to go for beginning surfers. Named for the plethora of small whitewash waves, White Plains offers plenty of space and small enough wave for the beginner to safely wipe out.
If body surfing or boogie boarding is more of your speed head to Makapu’u Beach on the South Shore. There is always lifeguards on duty at Makepu’u so if you are a beginner make sure to check the stand for the condition of the waves and tides.
Read More: Top Hawaiian Surfing Spots - Best of Oahu
Eat At A Food Truck
Hungry after getting barreled all day? Oahu is full of fresh bites to fuel a full day of outdoor activity.You could waste all you money at fancy restaurants in Honolulu where the staff all wear tacky Hawaiian garb, or you could adventure around to some of the islands food trucks and grab a bite side by side with local surfers.
The food truck lot across from Sharks Cove on the North Shore is one of the best places to stop as it houses a variety of food that will satisfy any appetite. Grab an amazing Thai poke bowl from Aji Limo truck, spicy tuna at Pupukea Grill, or a fresh sandwich from Sandy’s Sandwich Truck.
Read More: Where to Find the Best Food Trucks in Hawaii
Try A Pillbox Hike
Jurassic Park didn’t film three movies on Oahu for no reason. Stepping into the lush tropical forests of Oahu feels like adventuring into a lost world. You will find hidden waterfalls and beautiful mountain top views.
There are many “pillbox” hikes around Hawaii but the view from the pillbox hike in Kailua on the east-side of the island is by far the best. Pillbox hikes are generally relatively easy hikes that end at a small concrete box overlooking the ocean. The thing that puts Killua above the rest is the view it gives of the Moakes, a set of two islands sticking out of the turquoise water.
Chinamans hat is another island that sticks up right off the coasts of the island. To do this hike you need either a canoe or a paddle board. A quick twenty minute paddle off the beach will take you to the island and you can follow a path to scale the rock which will give you a spectacular view of the mountains back on the shore.
Read More: A Guide to the Lanikai Pillbox Hike in Oahu, Hawaii
Check Out Wahiawa
It might seem that the only thing worth doing in Hawaii revolve around the bountiful shoreline that goes around the island, but there are plenty of great little towns to snoop around inland. Wahiawa is a great town only 20 minutes for the North Shore that houses plenty of shops, eateries, and a real look into the life of locals.
Need a tacky tourist shirt to bring home for the family? Why not support a great local non-profit instead of a big chain. The Vintage in small town Wahiawa has a great selection of vintage thrift finds for guys and girls. The store is owned by a non-profit called Surfing the Nations that focuses on giving back the the Hawaiian community.
While your there head next door to Surfers Coffee and grab an espresso one of the best acai bowls on the Island. Like The Vintage, the profit from Surfers Coffee supports Surfing the Nations. The shop is decked out in retro surf boards and pictures from various legends. Lots of locals stop into the shop and love to talk about the island, so don’t be shy!
Head to Taqueria El Ranchero on Tuesday night to get authentic, one dollar tacos. Make sure to come early in the night as a line out the door and into the parking lot quickly forms. If you do get stuck in line, the restaurant often sets up a mechanical bull in the lot and will sometimes give free margaritas for those who hold on for dear life.
Read More: Top 20 Places to Stay in Wahiawa
Go Cliff Jumping Off Maunawili Falls
If you are seeking some thrills there are plenty of great places to cliffs to jump off of on Oahu. Adventure deep into the forests or climb up the coast and take a plunge that you can brag about for years to come.
Take and hour hike back to the Maunawili Falls in the center of the islands for a great place to test your courage. The is a short wide cliff for the more cautions to jump off, and a lager cliff for those brave a heart. Make sure to go on a dry day if you don’t want to get stuck in the mud.
Waimea houses a great cliff to jump off on the North Shore. The beach also has a great lawn for an afternoon barbeque or nap. After making the plunge make sure to head back behind the beach and see Waimea Falls for a small fee.
Read More: 11 Amazing Waterfalls on Oahu
Snorkel At Kuilima Cove
The waters of Hawaii are teaming with life making it a dream for snorkelers and scuba divers. It doesn’t take a long to spot a sea turtle, some dolphins, and maybe if your unlucky a shark.
Kuilima Cove is one of the best places to go diving for beginners. The cove is almost completely sheltered by rocks so no matter how hard the waves are ragging the water will be calm. The beach is also usually pretty quiet and the sand is beautifully white.
Sharks Cove on the North shore is one of the best places on the island to dive. The famous rocky coast is riddled with systems of caves for divers to explore.
Read More: Kuilima Cove Snorkeling Secrets
Grab An Espresso In Haleiwa
Haleiwa, a small town on the North Shore, is one of the most up and coming towns in Hawaii. Though the whole islands feels like a surf town, Haleiwa owns this vibe the most.
One of the best local places to eat on the North Shore, if not the whole island is Cafe Haleiwa. The cute little wooden building looks like it is taken right off a tropical 70s postcard. The cafe serves American diner food meet California Mexican, with a local twist. They also serve a mean espresso.
Get to know about the history of the Hawaiian people by visiting the Polynesian Cultural Center in Haleiwa. The center houses exhibits that depict the lifestyles and history of people from across the Pacific Islands.
Read More: Dream Town, Haleiwa, Hawaii
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