Highway Journey: Drive Round Oahu in a Day

A wonderful rainbow over the Oahu skyline. (Photograph: Getty Photographs)

There are various methods to see the island of Oʻahu—take a guided tour, hitch a experience on a helicopter, or discover the coast by boat.  These are all thrilling choices, however we desire sightseeing by automotive. The explanation?  Effectively, you select the route, you may linger so long as you need, and you’ll eat and store alongside the best way.

The island of Oʻahu is simply the best measurement for taking a drive. It’s massive sufficient that you’ll not run out of issues to do and sights to see but sufficiently small that you could full the drive in someday.

Chances are high that though it’s attainable to see all the island’s postcard-worthy sights in someday, you received’t need to. You’ll meet a honu (turtle) and need to keep to play. You’ll uncover a waterfall and determine to go for a swim. You’ll hike a mountain and discover the view is an ideal background for a photoshoot of you and your somebody particular, and also you’ll linger for much longer than you supposed. Nonetheless, listed here are our beneficial stops for driving round Oʻahu in day.

1. Waikīkī

Waikiki Seaside and Diamond Head on Oahu. (Photograph: Getty Photographs)

Most guests to Hawaiʻi keep in Waikīkī. That is almost definitely the place you’ll be beginning your day. Watch surfers paddling out for his or her morning session or catch a wave your self at Waikīkī seaside. You too can make the brief, however the steep 0.8-mile hike up Diamond Head. The path will lead you to outdated army bunkers, a lighthouse, and summit views of the ocean and Oʻahu’s Southern coast. Getting outside and into nature is a good way to start out the day!

2. Hawaiʻi Kai and Waimānalo

View of Waimanalo Seaside and a lifeguard tower by ironwood timber on the windward facet of Oahu. (Photograph: Getty Photographs)

The East facet of the island is an out of doors lover’s playground with Sea Life Park and Hanauma Bay being two nice choices for these eager to see, swim, and play with Hawaiian marine life. If it is a precedence for you, plan on spending a lot of time in East Oʻahu. There will likely be a lot to see.

One other nice solution to begin your street journey is with a brief two-mile hike as much as Makapu‘u Level lighthouse. It can save you Waikīkī and Diamond Head for one more day and head out early for a dawn hike. From the vantage level at Makapuʻu, you’ll achieve attractive views of the solar arising over the blue horizon, the shoreline, Rabbit Island, Molokaʻi, and even whales in the event you’re there between December and Might.

The drive up the coast from Makapuʻu will take you thru the city of Waimānalo. Roadside cafes and eateries make this a handy and scrumptious place to cease for a chunk to eat. Waimānalo is a hidden treasure. Many individuals don’t get the chance to expertise this native hang-out, however you may.

3. Kailua

Tempting and alluring scenic ocean view at Lanikai Seaside searching in direction of Na Mokulua aka the Mokulua Islands in Kailua on Oahu. (Photograph: Getty Photographs)

Not too far up the coast from Waimānalo is the fashionable seaside city of Kailua. If you wish to see what all people’s been speaking about, enterprise by Kailua to take a look at Lanikai seaside, hike up Lanikai pillboxes for a whimsical view of the offshore Mokulua Islands or sunbathe at Kailua seaside. Each Lanikai and Kailua seashores have been winners of the distinguished #1 Seaside in America title.

With many eating places to select from and many wholesome choices, Kailua is a superb place to get a very good meal.  We suggest consuming right here earlier than persevering with your street journey, as eating choices are restricted alongside the stretch of street from Kailua to the North Shore.

4. Pali Lookout

(Photograph: Kevin Allen)

Situated simply mauka (mountainside) of Kailua, there are two essential the explanation why you must try Pali Lookout. One, you’ll see wonderful views of the Koʻolau Mountain Vary. Two, this pali (cliff) is the location of a serious battle that befell in 1795. You’ll have the ability to stand the place King Kamehameha I and his military defeated the Oʻahu forces earlier than happening to unite all the islands into one kingdom. The robust winds and crisp air listed here are refreshing.

5. Kāneʻohe

View of the doorway and Ko’olau Mountains as one drives by the Ho’omaluhia Botanical Park. Strolling or driving by these lush 400 acres in windward Oʻahu, you’ll really agree that Hoʻomaluhia is rightfully named “a peaceable refuge.” Opened in 1982, this backyard in Kāneʻohe options plantings from main tropical areas all over the world. (Photograph: Getty Photographs)

Kāneʻohe, the subsequent cease on our drive round Oʻahu, is thought for its wealthy, lush inexperienced landscapes. These two attractive stops show it. You will have caught glimpses of the Byodo-In Temple in varied exhibits like Hawaii 5-O and Magnum P.I. However even when you’ve got, you’ll nonetheless be in awe if you gaze upon the Japanese temple reproduction and its verdant environment. Hoʻomaluhia Botanical Gardens is one other tropical treasure with acres of Native Hawaiian vegetation and jaw-dropping Koʻolau mountain views.

6. North Shore

(Photograph: Getty Photographs)

Leaving Kāneʻohe destined for Oʻahu’s epic North Shore, you’re in for a scenic one-hour drive. You’ll see lush forests, lovely bay views, and Oʻahu’s “nation” facet. You’ll cross the small offshore island known as Chinaman’s Hat in addition to Kualoa Ranch the place many films have been filmed. (We extremely suggest you come again to spend a day right here.) Additionally, you will cross the Polynesian Cultural Heart. (This can be a excellent spot to expertise a lūʻau. Possibly after your day at Kualoa?)

While you see the shrimp vehicles serving up yummy plates of garlic shrimp, you’ve reached the North Shore nation city of Kahuku. Journey a bit extra and also you’ll hit Haleʻiwa and the well-known 7-mile miracle which is residence to a number of white-sand seashores of miraculous magnificence, beginning with Sundown Seaside and ending with Haleʻiwa Seaside Park. Laniakea Seaside the place the honu are identified to relaxation is situated right here. You’ll be able to swim close to the honu or watch them relaxation on the sandy shores however please don’t contact. Honu are endangered species. Throughout the summer season, the 7-mile miracle seashores are picture-perfect for sunbathing or sundown walks. Throughout the winter, large swells roll in, and the harmful surf turns into a playground for the world’s finest watermen. Additionally alongside this 7-mile stretch is Waimea Valley the place you may stroll by a botanical backyard, swim at a waterfall and take part in cultural actions.

Cool off with Matsumoto Shave Ice’s rainbow of tropical shave ice flavors. Matsumoto’s is “the shave ice place” on the North Shore. They do their toppings proper and now they even have an edible cracker bowl imported from Japan. Mmm!

7. Ko ʻOlina

View of Ko Olina seaside and the Kohola lagoon from the resort room. (Photograph: Getty Photographs)

The North Shore of Oʻahu is a wonderful place to finish the day, and the sunsets are simply gorgeous. If you happen to’ve made it this far, relaxation assured you’ve seen the most effective of Oʻahu. Nevertheless, in the event you’ve made good time throughout your drive round Oʻahu, our final suggestion would be the icing on the cake. Ko ʻOlina on Oʻahu’s Westside is wild and beautiful. An space boasting breathtaking seashores, golf, and water actions, a few of Hawaiʻi’s finest resorts are situated right here, like Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, and 4 Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko ʻOlina. You’ll be able to swim in one of many space’s 4 artifical lagoons, catch a standard Hawaiian lūʻau at Paradise Cove or just benefit from the sundown over the infinite blue sea.

Your drive time again into Waikīkī from Ko ʻOlina will likely be about 45 minutes.  From Haleʻiwa, the drive time again into Waikīkī is just below an hour.