Oahu Photo Diary

Things to do on Oahu:

1. Don't stay in Waikiki. Use Airbnb or VRBO to rent a beach house for far cheaper!
2. But if you must, be sure to rent a car and leave Waikiki every single day... and come back for some crowded, touristy beach bar experiences at night (try Duke's at the Outrigger!)
3. ...to drive along the Northeast shore and stop to see the views at: Chinaman's Hat; to eat shrimp in Kahuku; to get the best poke bowl on the island (seasoned raw fish on hot rice) at the Kahuku Superette; and to snorkel at the calm Kuilima Bay (aka Turtle Bay)
4....to drive along the North shore to see the top surf spots on the island like: Pipeline and Sunset Beach. Take a swim in beautiful Waimea Bay and stop in Haleiwa to get your tourist fix. Skip Matsumoto's Shave Ice (100 person lines and not the best on the island), but be sure to stop somewhere less crowded and order a lilikoi (passion fruit) and li hing mui (a seasoning used in the islands that tastes amazing) shave ice with a snowcap!
5. Take a trip out to Kailua on the windward side of the island (35 minutes from Waikiki) and visit Kailua beach park to watch wind surfers and take a swim in the calm waters of Lanikai beach. If you get there around sunrise, take a hike up to the pillboxes above Lanikai for insane views!
6. While in Kailua, call ahead 15 minutes to Agnes Bakery for hot malasadas (Portuguese donuts). Stop by Madre Chocolate in downtown Kailua for some amazing local chocolate bars (best I've had!). Stop by Island Snow for great local t-shirts that don't look touristy and for amazing shave ice! be sure to get some iced coffee and bakery treats at Kalapawai Cafe (two locations - one right by the beach and one downtown). If you're staying for dinner, there's a great salad bar and fresh fish for dinner at Buzz's Steakhouse.
6. Eat poke every single day (raw fresh catch fish seasoned with seaweed, sea salt, and soy sauce) but be sure to read the labels. Check for "fresh" rather than "previously frozen" fish.
7. Use jet lag to your advantage and catch a sunrise or two. The beaches are least crowded in the early morning (around 6:30 a.m.) and the sunsets are spectacular!
8. Drive around the southern end of the island through Waimanalo to get stunning views of the Ko'olau mountain range, to see some gorgeous sunsets poking through the mountains behind you, catch a whale sighting, and check out the Halona blowhole!
9. Have dinner with a view at Kona Brewing's Koko Marina location after driving around the southern point of the island and into Hawaii Kai.