Hawaii stole our hearts and to give you just a taste of all the amazing things we experienced there, we wanted to share with you our Top 5 Things To Do In O’ahu Hawaii.
This was our first trip to this gorgeous island and it still doesn’t seem real. So much of the Island looks like something you would see in a post card.
Not only is the scenery beautiful, the culture and people living there are so kind, loving and appreciative.
Since this was our first trip to the island we tried to experience as much as we could.
That being said, here is our Top 5 Things To Do in O’ahu Hawaii.
1.Hike Diamond Head
Diamond head is a volcanic tuff cone on the Eastern edge of Waikiki’s coastline. It is Hawaii’s most recognized landmark and is know for its hiking trails and stunning views.
The hike to the top is steep and the grounds can be uneven. Overall, we thought the hike was very manageable and once you reach the top you will understand why this hike is completely worth it. The view from Koko Head to Wa’anae is gorgeous.
The hike round trip takes about 1 1/2 to 2 hours. With the warm temps we would recommend bringing a small backpack with water, a snack or two and don’t forget to bring your sunscreen.
Reservations for entry and parking are required for non-residents and can be made up to 30 days prior to your arrival.
The park is open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m with the last entry at 4 p.m.
To get additional information, make reservations and view pricing check out the Diamond Head official website by clicking here.
2. Visit the Pearl Harbor National Memorial
Visiting Pearl Harbor was an absolute must see. As a military family it was necessary that we pay our respects to one of the most pivotal moments in US history.
Not only only was it necessary to see the National Memorial, the trip would not have been complete without stepping foot on the USS Arizona Memorial. Seeing this Memorial in person was a sobering reminder of the importance of paying our respects to those who served and are currently serving in our US military.
It is important to note that the same day-first-come first-served ticket distribution program has been discontinue.
The USS Arizona Memorial program is time and capacity dependent so reservations are required. The program runs daily, every 15 mins from 8 am to 3:30 pm.
You can make reservations and find out more information by clicking the link here.
3. Visit Waimea Valley and hike to Waimea Falls
Waimea valley is a sacred and historical place to explore Hawaiian culture and explore some of the natural beauty of Hawaii.
Our main goal when visiting Waimea Valley was to hike to Waimea falls. The trail to the falls is about 3/4 of a mile and takes about 30 mins.
The trail is paved the entire way, with small hills so it is totally doable for a family with small children and a stroller. The walk is filled with beautiful scenery, flowers and Hawaiian cultural sites.
Once you reach the stunning grounds of Waimea Falls you will be greeted with the sounds of rushing water from the beautiful water fall.
Swimming in and around the falls is permitted and everyone entering must wear a life vest, which is provided for adults and children. There is also a storage location to store your items while swimming for a small fee.
This was definitely one of the highlights of our trip. The kids had so much fun swimming and exploring the grounds.
Of course, after this fun and tiring adventure my children were very hungry. So, grabbing a quick snack was a must.
At Waimea Valley you are welcome to bring in your own food, however there are several different snack and drink locations on the grounds.
My favorite was the Hale Kope Coffee House. They offered coffee and delicious vegan and gluten free treat options to give yourself and your kids that afternoon boost.
You could definitely spend an entire day here exploring the grounds, and learning all about the Hawaiian culture.
To check out pricing, discounts and all there is to do at Waimea Valley click the link here.
4. Visit Laniakea Beach (Turtle Beach)
Why should you visit this beach over some of the others? For starters this beach is gorgeous. Located in the North Shore of O’ahu, this beach has a picturesque view with a rocky cove, bright blue waters and swaying palm trees.
Laniakea beach, more commonly know as turtle beach, is as a popular location to catch a glimpse of the Green Sea turtles. We saw so many turtles of all different sizes floating near shore. It was spectacular and probably one of my favorite experiences of this trip.
The Green Sea turtles come ashore most of the year but more commonly between May and September when the ocean is more calm.
During the day the turtles are commonly seen around the hours of 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The only parking is a small gravel lot across the road from the beach. The lot does fill up fast so arrive early if you want to snag a spot.
5. Snorkel at Sharks Cove
A snorkelers paradise, Sharks cove is one of O’ahu’s main attractions and it definitely made the top of our list. The area is absolutely beautiful with bright blue waters and soft sandy beaches.
This gorgeous location is rated as one of the top snorkeling spots in the world. During the summer months the waves are flat leaving the perfect cove for snorkeling.
Sharks Cove is great for the entire family. The water level for our kids was waist to chest deep in most of the area, and with the clear calm waters they were able to see so many different fish making this the perfect spot for our kids first time snorkeling.
The initial entry to the cove is a bit rocky so we recommend wearing water shoes. Also, the farther out you go the deeper and more waves you will encounter so we recommend staying within the main basin of the cove.
Parking in the main lot can be difficult. We recommend either getting there early or parking along the road and walking. There is also public restrooms, showers and picnic tables available.
5. North Shore Food Trucks
After all these fun family adventures we thought it necessary to stop for a bite to eat. Plus, finding new and unique dining can be half the fun.
Right across the road from Shark’s Cove are several food trucks that will leave your families happy and satisfied. Our favorite was North Shore Taco’s.
They had some of the best fish taco’s I have ever had and right next to it is North Shore Shrimp Truck that had some pretty amazing Hawaiian shaved ice.
Our kids favorite part about this experience was watching the chickens and their little chicks running around while we ate. We must admit they were pretty cute!
Now, we know there is so much more to explore and see on this breathtaking island, but we hope this will help guide you and your family on your upcoming trip to O’ahu. And if you’re looking for more fun you can check out some of our other family adventures here.