Whether you live on Oahu, or are vacationing in Waikiki, it is a definite fact that the island’s leeward coast is severely underrated. The beautiful windward coast is known for incredible hiking and lush jungle, Honolulu is the center for business and culture, and the north shore is a haven for surfers, but the west coast is often overlooked for other, more accessible parts of the island. It’s a true shame, because this slice of coastline is home to some simply stunning beaches, incredible hiking opportunities, and countless hidden gems to uncover.
- Kaena Point State Park
Nick Welles/Flickr The northwestern tip of Oahu is home to Kaena Point State Park, a magical place full of hidden gems, including heart shaped rocks, tide pools, stunning cliff faces, and a natural reserve area created to protect nesting albatrosses, Hawaiian monk seals, and the fragile native vegetation. According to ancient Hawaiian lore, Kaena Point is the “jumping off” point for souls leaving this world.
- Makaha Beach
Benghancock/Flickr Located just south of Kaena Point is this beautiful stretch of white sand with excellent swimming, body boarding and surfing conditions. Makaha is also a stellar snorkeling spot with clear, aqua blue water, underwater caverns, tunnels and arches, as well as fish, octopuses, eels, dolphins and sea turtles.
- Disney’s Aulani
Anthony Quintano/Flickr Located away from the big city in the small resort area of Ko Olina, is Aulani, a Disney resort. With character breakfasts and pool parties, movie nights, and a variety of kid’s entertainment, your children are sure to be in absolute bliss – and so will you, with an adults-only pool bar.
- Kaneana Cave
Ken Lund/Flickr Nearly 100 feet high and 450 feet deep, Kaneana Cave is said to be the place where the shark man was said to leave his victims until he was ready to eat them. The cave is dark and wet, so bring sturdy shoes and a flashlight.
Various small tunnels that lead from the main cavern have not been explored, mapped, or maintained, so it is imperative that you not enter.
- Pu’u O Hulu Kai
Megan Shute The directions to this beautiful hike may be a little sketchy; “Turn onto Kaukama Street, and park near the eleventh light pole.” But the views from the pillboxes on top of the mountain are totally worth the confusion. Experienced climbers love to scale the rockfaces, while novices can easily climb the steep – yet short – switchbacks to the bunkers at the top.
- Kahumana Organic Farm & Cafe
Kahumana Organic Farm & Cafe/Facebook Towards the back of Oahu’s Waianae Valley is this charming organic farm, café and temple that grows their own papayas and maintains an aquaponics garden. Their Community Supported Agriculture subscriptions are a must for organic eaters on Oahu.
- Yokohama Bay
Annie/Flickr Keawa’ula Beach - or as it is commonly known - Yokohama Bay, is the northernmost beach on Oahu’s western coast, and is home to stellar surfing during the winter months, and was once a popular hangout for squid,
- Wet’n’Wild
Wet’n’Wild Hawaii/Facebook In Hawaii, we love our beaches, but every once in a while, you want to have some summer fun without all the sand - that’s where Wet’n’Wild, the only water park in Hawaii, comes in!
- Mermaid Cave
LifTNG/Flickr While many people have heard of the Mermaid Cave, not many have actually been there, or even know where it is. Rumor has it that this luminous cave is located on Oahu’s leeward coast, and if you’re able to find it, or have someone take you there, you are sure to create a memory that will last a lifetime.
- Makaha Resort + Golf Club
InSapphoWeTrust/Flickr For a game of golf with incredible mountain views, head to this leeward golf club. I don’t even play golf - and I would love to check out this course for the views alone!
- Dolphin Excursions Hawaii
Paulphin Photography, Dolphin Excursions Hawaii/Facebook For the opportunity to snorkel with spinner dolphins, head to Waianae Boat Harbor in the early morning for an experience you will never forget. Snorkel tours depart at 7 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.
- Pokai Bay
MarlonBu/Flickr This calm beach is protected by a breakwater, making it an ideal spot for inexperienced swimmers and keiki. It is the most protected beach on the leeward coast,
What Hawaii area would you like us to tackle next? For more incredible Oahu gems, check out these 17 must-stop spots along Oahu’s north shore.
Nick Welles/Flickr
The northwestern tip of Oahu is home to Kaena Point State Park, a magical place full of hidden gems, including heart shaped rocks, tide pools, stunning cliff faces, and a natural reserve area created to protect nesting albatrosses, Hawaiian monk seals, and the fragile native vegetation. According to ancient Hawaiian lore, Kaena Point is the “jumping off” point for souls leaving this world.
Benghancock/Flickr
Located just south of Kaena Point is this beautiful stretch of white sand with excellent swimming, body boarding and surfing conditions. Makaha is also a stellar snorkeling spot with clear, aqua blue water, underwater caverns, tunnels and arches, as well as fish, octopuses, eels, dolphins and sea turtles.
Anthony Quintano/Flickr
Located away from the big city in the small resort area of Ko Olina, is Aulani, a Disney resort. With character breakfasts and pool parties, movie nights, and a variety of kid’s entertainment, your children are sure to be in absolute bliss – and so will you, with an adults-only pool bar.
Ken Lund/Flickr
Nearly 100 feet high and 450 feet deep, Kaneana Cave is said to be the place where the shark man was said to leave his victims until he was ready to eat them. The cave is dark and wet, so bring sturdy shoes and a flashlight.
Various small tunnels that lead from the main cavern have not been explored, mapped, or maintained, so it is imperative that you not enter.
Megan Shute
The directions to this beautiful hike may be a little sketchy; “Turn onto Kaukama Street, and park near the eleventh light pole.” But the views from the pillboxes on top of the mountain are totally worth the confusion. Experienced climbers love to scale the rockfaces, while novices can easily climb the steep – yet short – switchbacks to the bunkers at the top.
Kahumana Organic Farm & Cafe/Facebook
Towards the back of Oahu’s Waianae Valley is this charming organic farm, café and temple that grows their own papayas and maintains an aquaponics garden. Their Community Supported Agriculture subscriptions are a must for organic eaters on Oahu.
Annie/Flickr
Keawa’ula Beach - or as it is commonly known - Yokohama Bay, is the northernmost beach on Oahu’s western coast, and is home to stellar surfing during the winter months, and was once a popular hangout for squid,
Wet’n’Wild Hawaii/Facebook
In Hawaii, we love our beaches, but every once in a while, you want to have some summer fun without all the sand - that’s where Wet’n’Wild, the only water park in Hawaii, comes in!
LifTNG/Flickr
While many people have heard of the Mermaid Cave, not many have actually been there, or even know where it is. Rumor has it that this luminous cave is located on Oahu’s leeward coast, and if you’re able to find it, or have someone take you there, you are sure to create a memory that will last a lifetime.
InSapphoWeTrust/Flickr
For a game of golf with incredible mountain views, head to this leeward golf club. I don’t even play golf - and I would love to check out this course for the views alone!
Paulphin Photography, Dolphin Excursions Hawaii/Facebook
For the opportunity to snorkel with spinner dolphins, head to Waianae Boat Harbor in the early morning for an experience you will never forget. Snorkel tours depart at 7 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.
MarlonBu/Flickr
This calm beach is protected by a breakwater, making it an ideal spot for inexperienced swimmers and keiki. It is the most protected beach on the leeward coast,
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