My Favorite Things to do in Oahu

Hi everyone! I recently got to go back to Oahu to visit my sister and second ohana (Tom and Deb). I’m so happy I got to spend the holidays on the island and see so many loved ones during my trip. Me and Kiley’s lifelong friend came to visit for the first time, and I got to play tour guide. I wanted to share a few things we did that I haven’t posted about on this blog before.

1. Waimea Bay

Waimea Bay is one of my favorite beaches on the north shore. There is plenty of space on the beach, but parking is limited, so I recommend going early. When it’s calm out, it’s perfect for swimming, and there is a rock you can jump off of. During the winter months, you can watch the big wave surfers, but I wouldn’t recommend swimming unless you are a confident swimmer.

2. Moku Kitchen

Tom recommended we go to Moku Kitchen for dinner one night, and it did not disappoint. It is a farm-to-table restaurant located in SALT at Kaka’ako. I got the margarita flatbread, Reece got the burger, and Kiley got the kalua pork and pineapple flatbread. Everything was great, but Kiley’s meal took the cake. It is also super cute inside, and they have a ton of fun drink options.

3. Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden

The botanical garden is in Kaneohe; they are open from 9am to 4pm, and best of all, it’s free. Once you drive in, there are several places you can park and walk around. There is also a lake with koi fish, and the views of the mountains are unbelievable.

4. Kaka’ako Farmers Market

There are tons of great farmers markets on Oahu, but the one in Kaka’ako is by far the best. The farmers market is open on Saturdays from 8am to 12pm and there is so much to look around and see. There’s food, art, plants, and everything in between. Also, be prepared to see a ton of cute puppies walking around.

5. Crouching Lion Hike

Crouching Lion is a short but very steep hike that overlooks Kahana Bay. It gets its name from a rock formation that looks like a “crouching lion.” I do not recommend doing this hike if it has been raining because it can become slippery and dangerous, but the day we did it, the weather was perfect. I love this hike and the views from the top never fail to amaze me.

6. Fancy Fresh Food Shop

Hands down, best smoothies on Oahu, and I’ve been to many smoothie places during my time on the island. I have nothing but good things to say about Fancy Fresh. The woman working was an absolute angel and gave us multiple free samples. I got the passionfruit mango smoothie, and it was delicious. There are also food, tea, and juice options at very reasonable prices.

7. Mokuleia beach

Mokuleia Beach is a peaceful beach in Waialua. If you want to see sea turtles, this is the beach you need to go to. We saw two right when we arrived and even more when we hopped in the water to swim. The reef is shallow here, but there’s lots of life on it. The water here is gorgeous but the currents can get strong, so be cautious if you plan to swim.

8. Watch Fireworks at Hilton Hawaiian Village

Watching the firework show at the Hilton Hawaiian Village is a great way to kickstart your weekend. Every Friday night, the fireworks start at 745pm and can be viewed from the beach in front of the hotel. The firework show has become a tradition in Waikiki, and it’s definitely worth seeing.

Thank you so much for reading! If you are planning a trip to any of the Hawaiian islands remember to respect the land and the locals. Also, if you are looking for more things to do in Oahu, be sure to check out my Top 10 Things You Need to do in Oahu blog post!