Kailua
A wide arc of sand drapes around the jewel-colored waters of Kailua Bay, bookended by formidable volcanic headlands and with interesting little islands…
Must-see attractions in Windward Coast
Windward Coast
About 5 miles northeast of Honolulu, turn as indicated to the popular ridgetop lookout with a sweeping vista of Windward Oʻahu from a height of 1200ft. As…
Windward Coast
Huge extended-family groups gather for weekend picnics on the wide, grassy field that fronts the narrow white-sand beach here. There’s good swimming, with…
Windward Coast
The dramatic ridged cliffs of the Koʻolau Range are arrayed in front of you like an Imax screen at Oʻahu’s largest botanical garden. It encompasses 400…
Windward Coast
Also known as Sherwood Forest, as a gang likening themselves to Robin Hood and his merry men operated here in the 1960s, this broad sandy beach backed by…
Windward Coast
A half-mile south of the Polynesian Cultural Center (PCC) main entrance, this is an excellent bodysurfing beach, but the shore break can be brutal, thus…
Windward Coast
Crashing surf, a lava arch and a slice of Hawaiian folk history await at Laʻie Point. The tiny offshore islands are said to be the surviving pieces of a…
Windward Coast
You'll probably have seen Naoki's magnificent gyotaku (Japanese-style fish prints) all over Oʻahu in galleries, restaurants and bars, but there's nothing…
Kailua
Rich in stream-fed agricultural land, fishing grounds and protected canoe landings, Kailua was an ancient economic center that supported at least three…
Windward Coast
A cultural park owned by the Mormon Church, the PCC revolves around Polynesian-themed ʻvillages’ representing Hawaii, Samoa, Aotearoa (New Zealand), Fiji,…
Valley of the Temples & Byōdō-In
Windward Coast
It's so peaceful and parklike that it might take you a minute to realize that Valley of the Temples is an interdenominational cemetery. Up at the base of…
Windward Coast
An extenuation of stunning Waimanalo Beach, this beach park is only open to civilians on weekends (and national holidays), as it fronts Bellows Air Force…
Windward Coast
By the side of the roadway south of the main business area, this sloping strip of soft white sand has little puppy waves that are excellent for swimming…
Kailua
Kalama Beach Park, 1 mile north of Kailua Beach Park on Kalaheo Ave, is the best place to park for a great walk. Climb over the grassy lawn to a much more…
Windward Coast
A wide patch of sand, good surf and decent parking make this a great beach to pause for a picnic and a splash. There's a wide lawn, picnic tables and…
Windward Coast
Take a tractor-pulled wagon tour through the taro patch and fruit orchards at this family farm – sampling included. Then stop at the gift shop for bath…
Windward Coast
In spite of over 40 years of political controversy and failed plans for a living-history village, this park is currently still open to visitors.
Kailua
One of Hawaii’s largest freshwater marshes, Kawai Nui provides flood protection for the town and a habitat for endangered waterbirds, and is also one of…
Windward Coast
When the tide is low you can wade from Malaekahana State Recreation Area's southern Kalanai Point to Mokuʻauia (Goat Island), a state bird sanctuary about…
James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge
Windward Coast
A few miles northwest of Kahuku town heading toward Turtle Bay, this rare freshwater wetland provides habitat for four of Hawaii's six endangered…
Kailua
Just southeast of Kailua, Lanikai is an exclusive residential neighborhood fronting a gorgeous stretch of powdery white sand overlooking two postcard…
Windward Coast
That eye-catching islet you see offshore from Kualoa Regional Park is called Mokoliʻi (Little Lizard). In ancient Hawaiian legend, it’s said to be the…
Windward Coast
On the Honolulu side of the island, you can make a scenic side trip along a remnant of the Old Pali Hwy, now called Nuʻuanu Pali Dr. The road runs through…
Windward Coast
Offshore in Kaneʻohe Bay, Moku o Loʻe (Coconut Island), southeast of Heʻeia State Park, was a royal playground, named for the coconut trees planted there…
Windward Coast
This park on Kealohi Point has picnic potential and views of Heʻeia Fishpond to the south. This location was sacred to ancient Hawaiians as a place of…
Malaekahana State Recreation Area
Windward Coast
The long, relatively uncrowded beach with buff-colored sand is popular with families. Swimming is generally good here year-round, although there are…
Windward Coast
Just north of He‘eia State Park, off the Kamehameha Hwy, is one of the Windward Coast’s only small-boat harbors. Watch the comings and goings of local…
Windward Coast
The Crouching Lion is a landmark rock formation just north of mile marker 27 on the Kamehameha Hwy. According to legend, the rock is a demigod from Tahiti…
Windward Coast
Although many of Kahana's archaeological sites are inaccessibly deep in the valley, impressive Huilua Fishpond is visible from the highway and can be…
Senator Fong's Plantation & Gardens
Windward Coast
A labor of love by Hiram Fong (1907–2004), the first Asian American elected to the US Senate, these flowering gardens aim to preserve Hawaii’s plant life…
Windward Coast
At this long, narrow swimming beach, an offshore reef protects the shallow waters in all but stormy weather. Be cautious of strong currents near the mouth…
Windward Coast
Right along the highway in the middle of town, this narrow, ironwood-shaded beach has a shallow, rocky bottom that isn’t too appealing for swimming but…
Windward Coast
The beach here offers mostly safe swimming with a gently sloping sandy bottom. Watch out for the riptide near the bay's southern reef break. There are…
Windward Coast
North of Laʻie Shopping Center is a crescent of white sand that’s a leisurely place for swimming when summer waters are calm. Just beware any time the…
Hamakua Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary
Kailua
Downstream from Kawai Nui Marsh, this tiny nature preserve provides more habitat for rare waterbirds, including the koloa maoli (Hawaiian duck), aeʻo …
Windward Coast
In 1919 Mormons constructed a smaller but still showy version of their Salt Lake City, UT, temple here at the foot of the Koʻolau Range. It was the first…
Windward Coast
Fronted by a shore wall, this narrow neighborhood beach is used mainly by fishers. You'll see kids splashing around and local families picnicking and…
