Aloha and welcome to Oahu!
Chances are if you’re visiting Hawaii from the mainland, you’ll be visiting this wonderful island or at least its airport. On that note, let me take a moment and thank the wonderful people at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport for including a garden for visitors to sit in while waiting for their flight. That garden is seriously AMAZING and it was the perfect place for my daughter to get out some wiggles. If you have a layover while flying through, make sure to find the garden!
Ok enough about the airport! Let’s get sightseeing!
Lanakai Pillbox Hike:
Ok so, if you’ve visited my blog before it’s probably no secret that I love to hike. I especially love hikes like this…where the end result is a stunning view!
These pillboxes are old military fortifications that were used during World War II. Pretty neat piece of history!
Be aware: this is a tough hike! But, there is a lesser-known shorter pathway that can make your trip to the top a little quicker ! Thankfully, some Hawaiian friends of mine knew where to go and I followed them up!
Check out that rewarding view! Total paradise!
To get here the shorter way, check out All Trails‘ website. They have some great detailed directions to follow.
Pearl Harbor:
If there’s one word that I could use to describe the Pearl Harbor area it’s the word, “impactful”. Upon viewing the memorials, galleries, videos of the survivors, reading eye witness accounts and seeing the remains of the naval fleet once stationed there, you will leave changed.
Take the time and stop to honor and remember.
A few tips to make your Pearl Harbor visit a bit smoother:
- Don’t bring a bag: I know, I know this is tough BUT if you decide to ignore my advice, you will have to pay to store it—and that’s no fun.
- Reserve your tickets to see the USS Arizona Memorial ahead of time: Due to a little research, we were able to skip a HUGE line waiting in the hot sun and breeze right up to the ferry entrance. Here’s the website: USS Arizona Memorial Tickets. Tickets to see the Bowfin (submarine) and the USS Missouri are a little easier to come by.
- Wear Sunscreen: Yes there are some shady spots around the Pearl Harbor memorial but there will still most likely be a hot blazing sun hitting most of the memorial. Be prepared with water and sunscreen.
- Do some additional research: The NPS has some guidelines about what to wear, strollers, parking etc. Make sure you’re up to date on what they require so that you don’t have any issues.
Enjoy this beautiful tribute to the men and women who gave their lives to serve our country that unforgettable day. December 7, 1941 we will always remember.
North Shore Shark Adventures:
If you’re ready to give your adrenaline a little jolt, take my advice and book a shark cage excursion. Yes, I know this sounds CRAZY and you’re thinking, “Why in the world would I ever do that?” But seriously, it was incredible to be that up close and personal with these sharks.
First off, you should know that these are not Great White sharks. They are Galapagos sharks that rarely attack humans, so if that makes this idea a little easier to swallow—well I’m glad I helped you out 😉
Hawaii is one of the few places in the world that has this rare opportunity and North Shore Shark Adventures made the experience easy and safe. Never once was I scared of getting left in the ocean or attacked. They clearly do this all the time and know this shiver of sharks well.
Cost: $75 per person for 2 hrs. We were in the cage for about 15 min, but had a nice boat ride out and back from the harbor too. The memories are priceless.
Live life to its fullest and take the chance. Dive with the sharks.
Nu’u Pali Lookout:
This lookout is a quick detour off of Pali Highway. Its a gorgeous spot that also has some great hiking! Look around for the trailhead signs and enjoy the beautiful scenery.
Parking is $3 and it can be crowded. The best plan is to get there early to ensure you have a spot!
Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve:
Hanauma Bay is a great snorkeling spot and just overall wonderful place to spend the day! Kid friendly beach and lots of fish to see. The only tricky part is its so popular you have to schedule a reservation time 2 days early AND get to the parking lot early to snag a spot. Parking requires cash only–$3. Entrance fee is $25 per person. Yep, be prepared for that.
Reservation website: Hawaii Department of Parks & Recreation
Are there other free places to snorkel on the island? Yes, but Hanauma Bay is a unique and protected cove that has a wonderful variety of coral and fish. It’s worth your time and money to go.
Make sure to check the days and hours of operation. They often have a few days in a row that the bay is closed so the marine life can rest. Click here to double check their hours!
Lanakai Beach:
My one goal when going to Hawaii was to swim with a sea turtle. By day 13 of our 14 day trip I was pretty discouraged that I hadn’t seen one yet (and I had been snorkeling MANY places). Thankfully, my friends Katelyn & Tristan came through for me! They knew that Lanakai Beach was the spot to see them.
If you’re on the mission to see some turtles, check out Lanakai! It’s also just a great beach in general, but be warned that finding parking can be tough (especially later in the day).
**Side note: Sea Turtles are highly protected within Hawaii, so make sure to maintain your distance and never touch them.
Places to Eat:
Ohhh Hawaiian food how I love you! Delicious fruits, meats and other detectible treats will have your tastebuds swooning. Here were a few of my favorites along the way:
- Waialua Bakery and Juice Bar: Guys this place is straight up incredible especially for their homemade ice cream sandwiches. Yep you heard me right. They freshly bake their cookies each day and then slap some of their famous ice cream in between two cookies—Wha-la! Ice Cream Sandwich!
- Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck: Whew! I’m salivating thinking about this place. Giovanni’s is known for their amazing seafood and I’m here to tell you those reviews are absolutely true. Expect a line around lunch time, but your stomach won’t be disappointed!
- Shave Ice: I don’t have a specific place to recommend to you here BUT you should at least try one shave ice place while in Hawaii. President Obama has said his favorite spot is Island Snow–Kailua. Give it a try and see what you think!
Well, we’ve come to the end! Writing this post makes me want to hop on a plane and head back to Oahu!
I hope you’ve gathered a few tips and that you have a fantastic time on the island of Oahu!—– Mahalo!
