These hiking poles are sturdy, and great to help keep your balance on short or longer hikes
It never fails, almost every time we plan a trip, we end up saying “We can go to ___Fill in the blank___, or we can go to Hawaii!” Next thing you know, we are heading to the islands. We can’t get enough! Being the busiest island in Hawaii, Oahu seemed overshadowed by all the tourist traps and crowded beaches. However, the more we explored, the more we discovered that Oahu has many hidden gems. So, here are the top 10 off-the-beaten-path things to do on Oahu (not in any particular order). The only thing we ask is if you plan on exploring these amazing places, please be respectful. Be sure to respect the locals and clean up your trash. These spots are gorgeous and we need to do our part to keep them this way!
Definitely, off the beaten path, Makapu’u tide pools are a little slice of heaven hidden in plain sight. A short but challenging hike will take you to these amazing aqua blue tide pools, big enough for you to swim in. If that isn’t enough, there is an awesome blowhole that is much better than the famous Halona Blowhole.
Even though this is quite a popular hike, it is way less crowded and much better than its sister hike, Manoa Falls. As one of Oahu’s most popular unsanctioned hiking trails, it is a moderate hike that will have you winding your way through lush green forests, up and over boulders, and crossing streams. The trail ends in a grand fashion with you standing at the base of the impressive 50ft Lulumahu Falls. This waterfalls should be on your list of things to do in Oahu!
This hike is perfect for all skill levels. Kaena Point is a nice flat hike except for one small hill that will take you to the wildlife sanctuary. If you are there at the right time of year (November – June/July), you can experience the massive and amazing Laysan Albatross during their mating season. It is incredible to watch these gorgeous birds soaring through the dunes at amazing speeds! It was such a unique sight! Kaena Point can be accessed via the west side or the north side. The north side, closer to North Shore, is more convenient. However, the west side route is way more beautiful! It is our favorite route.
As a must-do of the top 10 things to do in Oahu, this was one of the most breathtaking, peaceful moments that we had experienced. Lanikai Pillbox is a more well-known hike so you won’t be alone. However, the moment the sun starts to rise, everyone seems to quiet down, mesmerized by the magical sight. We know getting up super early on a vacation is not fun, but this is so worth it!
If you want some peace and quiet, we love this local gem, the Pu’u Ma’eli’eli Trail. It takes hikers to a pillbox with expansive views of Kaneohe Bay and mountain ranges. This local gem is perfect if you’re looking for a short hike with gorgeous views.
Moanalua Valley Middle Ridge hike is not for the faint of heart! But if you choose to take it on, you will be so glad that you did. This steep and sometimes narrow trail will have you climbing over 2000 feet up to the peak that overlooks the famous Haiku Stairs, also known as Stairway to Heaven. If you love challenging hikes, we recommend putting this on your things to do when visiting Oahu!
Hawaii is a haven for cool swings. One of them is the secret swing in North Shore. It is located right off the Kamehameha Highway. We won’t give you the exact spot with respect to the locals, however, it is on the northeast side of the island. If you find the swing, don’t block any driveways and park off the road. Also, keep your noise down and take your trash with you.
Without a doubt, one of the best Acai bowls we have ever had is at the Waialua Bakery & Juice Bar on North Shore. The homemade granola, topped with the super fresh fruits keeps us coming back for more. If you are lucky, you can share your delicious treat with the adorable little Gold dust day geckos that call this place home! If you’re planning to spend more time in North Shore, check out our list of top 10 free things to do in North Shore!
Anahulu River in North Shore is the perfect place to go for a paddle, whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned paddler. This river is usually calm and has easy access. Keep your eyes open for green sea turtles basking in the sun. And if you’re lucky you can even see manta rays!
Hawaii’s sunsets are the best! It’s one of the top 10 things you need to do in Oahu! One of the most popular places to watch the sunset is, of course, Sunset Beach in North Shore. At Sunset Beach, you can see the sun descending down into the ocean but you also have to put up with many photoshoots and selfies going on at once. There are plenty of other smaller beaches along the highway that offer the same if not a better spectacular view but way fewer people. Do yourself a favor and explore.
Happy Adventuring. Don’t forget to check out the related posts below for more inspiration on your upcoming adventures. While at it, follow us on Instagram and subscribe to our YouTube channel! We’ll love you forever!
These are the gear that we personally use and find helpful for this particular adventure. Don’t forget to check out our Recommended Gear section as well.
These hiking poles are sturdy, and great to help keep your balance on short or longer hikes
If you tend to have foot blisters on hikes, get this! We use this all the time.
Our favorite hiking/travel jacket. It's warm and packable, perfect to bring on a hike or a road trip.
Our favorite hiking/travel jacket. It's warm and packable, perfect to bring on a hike or a road trip.
This jacket is packable into a super small and light little ball. Perfect for when you just need a little…
This jacket is packable into a super small and light little ball. Perfect for when you just need a little…
It's always good to bring a GPS tracker with you. We use the Garmin inReach.
This is Vy's favorite hiking bag! It has tons of room for snacks and water!
Our favorite biodegradable, eco-friendly, reef-safe sunscreen!
This is our go-to camera for all of our adventures. It comes with us everywhere!
Compact GoPro pole that extends to 25", perfect to bring on your adventure.
Nice to meet you!
Hi! We are Dustin & Vy, the proud creators of Live That Adventure. We created this website because we wanted to inspire others to live their lives to the fullest. On here, you’ll find everything from hiking, canyoneering, kayaking, and snorkeling to adventure and travel tips, gear reviews, and bucket list items such as bungee jumping or wing walking. We’ll show you the ropes so you can do them too!
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