In addition to the beautiful beaches and surroundings of Honolulu, Oahu offers an excellent collection of interesting places: museums, ocean and mountain parks, hiking trails for "wild tourists" and a variety of extreme entertainment. All the best, the most interesting, where you can go / climb / dive - you will find in this article.

1. Polynesian Cultural Center

Un ical theme park entertainment and open-air museum at the same time, it is located on the north coast of Oahu. The Polynesian Cultural Center is one of the most visited tourist places in Hawaii.

The park has a showroom (IMAX theater), a lagoon, and visitors can canoe.

On the territory of the Polynesian Cultural Center, villages of the peoples of Polynesia were built, including traditional houses Hawaii, Samoa, Aotearoa (now New Zealand), Fiji, Tahiti, Tonga, Marquesas Islands.

In addition to the villages, the Polynesian Cultural Center has a special exhibit dedicated to Rapa Nui (Easter Island).

Each village has a show at certain times of the day.

Try to plan your day to attend each show. All shows are interesting and familiarize with the peculiarities of each culture of Polynesia.

Visitors are also offered participation in luau - traditional Hawaiian party

2. Sea Life Park Hawaii

One of the main attractions of the island of Oahu. Opened in 1964, the park allows visitors to interact with marine animals, swim with dolphins, sea lions and stingrays, and feed turtles. The park also houses a bird sanctuary and an aquarium.

The most interesting sights of the park:

Sea Lion Discovery - Allows visitors to swim in the water with sea lions.

Sea Trek Adventure - an underwater walk in a reef reservoir, which is inhabited by eels, rays, sea turtles, a wide variety of tropical fish.

The Hawaiian Reef Aquarium is a huge body of water, home to over 2,000 reef marine life, including sharks, rays, turtles and schools of tropical fish.

Hawaiian Ocean Theater is home to the main show featuring dolphins, penguins and sea lions. During the show, a story about the latest teaching methods and the park's efforts to preserve the wealth of the underwater world.

Penguin Habitat is the habitat of the park's penguins.

Dolphin Show Cove is an outdoor theater that features dolphin shows twice a day.

The Bird Sanctuary - This bird sanctuary is home to many wild seabirds, including frigate birds, gannets, petrels, albatrosses, most of which are sick or injured.

Hawaiian Monk Seal Habitat - the habitat of the Hawaiian monk seals, shows with these animals.

The Dolphin Royal Swim, Dolphin Adventure Swim, Dolphin Encounter and Dolphin Aloha programs allow visitors to interact with dolphins in the water.

However, in the process of collecting information, I met disappointed reviews that a lot of what was promised is closed - so find out in advance which of what you would like to see there is working. From the pictures on Google, it seems that there is only one dolphinarium working there :))

Location: Makapuu Point, 24 kilometers from the center of Honolulu. How to get there: Bus number 22 or 23 from Waikiki. Websitewww.sealifeparkhawaii.com

3. Buddhist temple Byodo-In Temple in the Valley of the Temples

is a replica of the 900-year-old Uji Temple, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan. Inside there is a 3 m gold-plated figure of a wooden Buddha.

Ponds and Japanese gardens surround the temple against the backdrop of the Koolau Mountains. The Byodo-In Temple is visited by thousands of tourists from all over the world. People of all faiths take part in his services.

Apart from services, the grounds of the temple are often used for weddings and official events.

4. Stairway to Heaven (Haiku Staircase)

The famous Haiku staircase, or as it is often called the stairway to heaven, is located on the island of Oahu. The famous staircase originates from the Haiku Stairs, which is famous not only in Hawaii, but also far beyond its borders. This path was dubbed a stairway to the sky, because on a very steep ascent, the steps literally go up into the clouds and disappear from the line of sight.

The trail begins like a simple wooden ladder attached to a cliff on the southern side of the Haiku Valley. The original wooden structure was built back in 1942 by the military, who were expecting an attack from Japan and decided to use this natural formation for their own needs. The military decided to lay a communication cable here to connect the Haiku Valley and the Vahiavi. And since the cable had to be serviced, a staircase was erected on the site of the path.

The antennas stood at 2,000 feet, and the Haiku staircase itself rises to a height of 850 meters and consists of 3,922 steps. At the very top, a unique view opens up on both sides of the hill.

An unforgettable walking trip up the steps through the haze of clouds fascinates and attracts tourists here. And although the trail is officially closed for tourists, this does not stop fans of extreme recreation, although if discovered, unauthorized ascent can be fined. The flow of visitors here does not diminish, despite the fact that climbing and descending the stairs is not physically such a simple matter.

The Haiku Trail is distinguished by its exceptional beauty and unique location that will delight and make you nervous. This is one of the most impressive hiking trails in the world. Nowhere else in the world you will find anything like it!

5. Sacred Falls State Park

located on the north coast of Oahu. The park covers the Kaluanui canyon and the waterfall at its very end, after which it is named. The waterfall is closed to the public indefinitely after the fatal rock collapse on May 9, 1999 in the canyon. Then eight tourists were killed, and many were injured. The only way to see this beautiful natural creation is by helicopter.

The Nu'uanu Pali State Wayside offers panoramic views of the Nu'uanu Valley and the northeastern side of Oahu. Nu'uanu Pali was the site of one of the bloodiest battles in Hawaiian history, during which Kamehameha captured the island of Oahu and united it under his rule.

ENTERTAINMENT IN OAHA

1. Swimming with dolphins in the ocean

From Waianae Bay, tour participants travel along west coast Oahu in search of dolphins (in winter get the opportunity to see humpback whales). After spotting dolphins, snorkelling tour participants dive into the water and watch dolphins swim past them. Then a small cruise to the habitat sea ​​turtles snorkeling with tropical fish and sea turtles. At the end of the tour, lunch. A photographer will take your underwater photos with dolphins and turtles, and send them on CD to anywhere in the world. Address: Waianae, Oahu, HI, website www..dolphinexcursions.com

2. Horseback riding through the rainforest

Horse riding along north coast the islands of Oahu through a forest, fern-covered valley and tropical orchards. Tours are focused on family holiday... The only ranch on Oahu where children as young as 6 are allowed to ride their own horse. Address: 59-231 Pupukea Road, Haleiwa, Oahu, HI, website www.happytrailshawaii.com

3. Passing Macadamia Nut Farm.

Educational and very interesting tour on a farm specializing in the cultivation of Macadamia. Macadamia is a very tasty Australian nut with a hard-to-shell kernel, and it is very difficult to harvest them, which is why macadamia is the most expensive nut in the world. The tour lasts about an hour. First the bus ride to the tea plantations introductory information about how the ancient Hawaiians used tea leaves, made a fire, and collected coconuts. Then a boat trip in a small lake, during which the guide will point you to the filming locations of famous Hollywood films.

The farm has a good shop that sells various types of macadamias, souvenirs, jewelry, arts and crafts, creams, aromatic oils, coffee, even fresh coconut. Interestingly, in the store you can enjoy macadamia nuts for free and enjoy the famous kona coffee. Tours are available 7 days a week, from 10:45 am to 6:00 pm (except Tuesday when there is only one tour at 10:45 am). Address: 49-227A Kamehameha Hwy., Kaneohe, Oahu, HI 96744, website www.macnutfarm.com

4. Swimming with sharks

This two-hour tour departs from Haleiwa Pier. Having sailed from the coast for 4 - 6 km, a metal cage is placed in the water and kept at the level of the water surface. Armed with snorkels and masks, the tour participants watch the whales swimming inches from the cage from the cage. Water in an area with a visibility of 70 meters or more. During this tour you will have the opportunity to see Hawaiian green sea turtles, dolphins and even humpback whales during migration season. Be sure to bring underwater cameras with you in order to take pictures of sharks. Tour departure times: 6:00 am, 7:00 am, 8:00 am, 9:00 am, 10:00 am, 11:00 am, 12:00 pm, 13:00 pm, 14:00 pm (6:00 am tour is available from May 1 to August 15). Address: slip 35 of the Haleiwa Small Boat Harbor, Haleiwa, Oahu, HI, website www.sharktourshawaii.com

5. Tourist routes from Kualoa Ranch

Movie Sites & Ranch Tour... Visit the famous Kaʻaʻawa Valley, often referred to as the Hawaii film set. Famous Hollywood films and television shows (Jurassic Park, 50 First Kisses, Windwalkers, Hawaii 5-0 and others) were shot here, the duration of the tour is 1 hour.
Jungle Expedition Tour... Adventure tour to the beautiful Kaaava Valley. Tour participants in off-road vehicles travel in the middle of the jungle along east coast Oahu islands. Tour duration 1 hour
Ancient Fishing Grounds & Tropical Gardens Tour... Drive to an ancient Hawaiian fish pond, visit a tropical garden of fruit trees and flowers.
Hakipu'u Hike... Hike along the Hakipu'u Valley, the trail is just over 2 km. Two tours a day: 09:00 to 11:00 and 12:00 to 14:00.
ATV tour(ATV Tour). Visit the famous Kaaava Valley in ATVs, the filming locations of many Hollywood films and television shows. During the tour, observe the beautiful panorama of the Pacific Ocean from the observation deck. Tours last one and two hours.
Horse riding tour(Horseback Tour), on the tour, see the Mokolii island and 800-year-old Hawaiian fish pond. The ranch is located at 49-560 Kamehameha Highway, Kaneohe, Oahu, HI, www.kualoa.com/tours

6. Diving.

Many tourists visit the island of Oahu solely for the opportunity to plunge into the Pacific Ocean and see the wealth of the underwater world. Hawaii is one of the top ten diving destinations in the world. It is home to over 100 endemic species (not found anywhere else on the planet), explore sea caves, swim with sea turtles and monk seals. The trade winds often cause high waves in the afternoon, so most operators plan to dive early in the morning and end their tours at noon. Oahu Diving Sites: www.oahudiving.com www.rainbowscuba.com www.alexsaquaticadventures.com www.waikikiscuba.com

7. Hiking.

Hiking to Coco Crater (Koko Head Crater Trail Hike). Coco Crater is one of the most popular places hiking on the island of Oahu. A path leads to its top along the railway sleepers. About 1 km long, the trail rises to a height of 366 m. From the upper observation deck of Coco Crater, a panorama of the eastern part of Oahu and the coast opens. Get up early in the morning to avoid the heat and bring plenty of water with you. If you've climbed to the top of Diamond Head, this hike is many times more difficult.

Bicycle is a popular way to explore Oahu. For information on bike trails, bike tours, contact Bike Hawaii (www.bikehawaii.com); this company offers a variety of group tours, including "Rainforest to Reef". The tour includes a drive down the paved road (8 km) with panoramic views of Waikiki, Honolulu and the Manoa Valley. Learn more about flora and geology on the tour Hawaiian Islands... After that, leave your bikes for a 3 km round trip to the 80 meter high waterfall, then cruise on a sailing catamaran.

8. Hawaii's Plantation Village.

A one-hour tour of this restored village dives into the era when sugar plantations made up Hawaii's economy. From the arrival of the first workers in 1852 until 1947, when the sugarcane era ended, more than 400,000 men, women and children from China, Japan, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Korea, the Philippines and other countries migrated to work in the sugarcane fields. On the territory of the village, each ethnic group is represented by a house decorated in accordance with the traditions and customs of the time. The houses contain clothing from that era, bedding, ceramics, toys and games, photographs, books and other memorabilia. Open: Mon-Sat from 10:00 to 14:00. Address Waipahu Cultural Garden Park, at Waipahu Depot Rd, Waipahu, website: www.hawaiiplantationvillage.org

9. Extreme flights

Light flight aircraft Paradise Air over the north coast of Oahu. Each tour participant receives a flight certificate. Address: Dillingham Airfield, Hwy 930 (Farrington Hwy), Haleiwa, Oahu, HI 96791, website www.paradiseairhawaii.com

Jumping from an airplane offered by SkyDive Hawaii (www.hawaiiskydiving.com). Jumping in tandem with an experienced instructor will keep the thrill of a lifetime. Website www.hawaiiskydiving.com

10. Surf lessons

Sunset Suratt Surf Academy "s teaches surfing lessons from beginner surfers to pros, and also provides equipment for rent. Sunset Suratt Surf Academy's lessons take place on the beach at Haleiwa. The lessons are two hours long. Tourists are provided with videos and photographs of the learning process. Address: North Shore, Sunset Beach, Haleiwa, Oahu, HI 96712, www.surfnorthshore. com

At North Shore Surf Girls Surf School only women work. All female instructors are former professional surfers. Private or group surf lessons at 9:00, 12:00 and 15:00 daily near Haleiwa. Two popular types of tours:

North Shore surf lesson and Turtle Tour Includes a 2-hour surf lesson, the opportunity to see sea turtles live, visits to the famous Pipeline and Sunset Beach surfing beaches, and a girl-cooked seafood dinner. End of the tour - watching the sunset.
Surf Lesson and Sunset Barbecue includes a 2-hour surf lesson and a barbecued by the girls on the beach. End of the tour - watching the sunset. Address: 66-031 Kamehameha Hwy, Haleiwa, Oahu, HI 96712 www.northshoresurfgirls.com

Hawaii Is one of the most remote island groups on the planet. In the past, many species of plants and animals could not get there by water or air. Therefore, Hawaii has developed its own natural habitat. Like many islands remote from the great land, Hawaii is home to amazing and one-of-a-kind species of fish, flowers and insects.

After visiting Hawaii for just a few days, it seems that there were no previous travels at all. The striking nature and relaxed atmosphere of the islands made it possible to quickly forget the stuffy Caribbean islands and difficult movements. Making 8 flights in 2 weeks and changing the time zone several times can be unsettling.

Hawaii is a place you won't find anywhere else on Earth. There is magnificent nature here, everything around breathes moisture and greenery, a smooth mountain landscape and an amazing ocean floor. Although I am already far away, I still cannot forget these delightfully beautiful green mountains, waterfalls and the smell of greenery along the trail. Even the sunlight in Hawaii is special, intense.

Oahu - the gathering place

Oahu- the first island where everyone arrives from different parts of the planet. Translated from Polynesian means Gathering place... To get to Oahu, the easiest is fly to San Francisco first in any convenient way. Within the United States, flights are inexpensive, and the road from the very to California can do only 150 dollars, which is almost a third in distance the globe! From San Francisco Airlines Hawaiian Airlines,Island air per 200 dollars delivered to Oahu.

Oahu is a very small island, only 1,545 sq. km, but more than two-thirds of all island people live here - more 950 thousand human. Most of them live in the capital Honolulu... This is a huge city, just incredible. You wonder how skyscrapers of unreal sizes are placed on such an island, and how people are not crowded here.

Honolulu and surroundings

The higher north, the more humid the air becomes, and the mountains encircle the track more and more closely. In the town of Laie, there is a place where everyone comes to jump from the cliff into the ocean. There are many such places on the Hawaiian Islands. Jumping off a cliff- one of the favorite activities of tourists. In the very north of the island, there are some great beaches for sunset lovers.

And also the whole north peak of the island- this is green Zone jungle where is located Waimea waterfall... Further around the island, the road is interrupted. Return to Honolulu via the center of the island and the town of Wahiawa, where mostly local Hawaiians live.

Where to meet Hawaiians?

In general, Hawaiians are not so easy to meet on the island of Oahu. They are somehow lost against the background of Asians and various mixtures of nationalities. They say that true Hawaiians live on the small island of Niihau. This is a closed Hawaiian island, which can only be reached by invitation from the locals. There the way of life is maintained as it was in the past for many centuries: people fish, live in wooden houses, do manual labor, weave jewelry, etc.

This the island is strictly guarded from the introduction of anything modern - there is no electricity, sewerage, cars, paved roads. Real Hawaiians are like that large, tanned people with slightly slanted eyes. They themselves can leave the island for a while (which is rather strange, because how can they return to a world without electricity, if they have already tasted the benefits of civilization?). However, if one of them decides to stay on other Hawaiian islands, then he has no way back home to Niihau ...

What else to see in Oahu?

In addition to the magnificent north, you can go west where scorched wastelands give way to wild green reserves, where you can only walk. I don't know much about this area, the only thing that caught my attention was the concentration of flowing valleys Makua, Makaha, Lualualualei.

At all, Oahu Island was formed by two parallel mountain ranges- Koolau and Waianae (an older ridge aged 4-5 million years).

And of course, do not forget about - a uniquely shaped bay that has attracted various nations throughout history. There is also a museum right on the half-sunken ships Arizona and Oklahoma.

Literally 10 minutes from Waikiki located Manoa area... This is the purest cool place with huge ancient trees in the intricate jungle forests. Landscapes from Jurassic Park, the sounds of the jungle and the feeling of a dinosaur around the corner.

How to live in Oahu?

Overall, the Hawaiian Islands are an expensive place. However, having gathered, at the very least, you can live on 15-20 dollars per day if you eat at home or in fast foods, ride the bus or walk and do not book excursions, do not buy anything from clothes and gifts.

Transport system it is well developed, so buses can deliver anywhere in the islands. The security is good. Of course, sometimes on the street you can meet a couple of strange types of passers-by, beggars, or some guy can become attached with questions. There are much more people here than on other Hawaiian islands, so the percentage of strange people is higher.

In the evening it becomes not so safe, you can meet a few unobtrusive hippies. Evening Waikiki makes noise from people no worse than in the morning. Bars and restaurants are opening in hotels along the beach.

Local kitchen

I have not followed the so-called purely Hawaiian cuisine. At all corners in supermarkets they sell japanese sushi, spam musubi(this is such a harmful thing, like a large piece of sushi, but instead of fish there is ham). The most delicious raw fish dish in Hawaii is poke... I have noticed that raw fish is seasoned differently on different islands. And sometimes they just eat it.

For example, like, the fish is poured with lemon juice and salt. coconut milk is added to the fish. Hawaiian poke Are square pieces of red raw fish with sesame seeds, soy sauce and lettuce. Hot rice is served separately, which then needs to be mixed with fish.

It turns out that in a tropical forest, tropical rain can be very, very wet ...

Hiking: Manoa Falls Trail, 3.2 km, easy

Early this morning we returned from the Big Island of Hawaii back to Honolulu on the island of Oahu. We had the same hotel booked in the Waikiki area as before the trip. Big Island... One BUT: it was possible to check into the hotel starting at 2 pm and not earlier.

We had almost 6 hours at our disposal. Today we got up in the middle of the night, because of this, the little eyes became a little heap. But we are in Hawaii, and there are so many interesting things around us that we have not yet experienced, so there was no time to pickle despite lack of sleep.

Therefore, we quickly left our things in the trunk of the Mustang we rented, rolled for breakfast and, cheered up with aromatic strong coffee from Starbucks, went to look for Manoa Valley and with her the same name waterfall (Manoa Falls).

While the Waikiki area was bathed in warm sunshine, which is a pure pleasure to bask in, the Manoa Valley was generously watered by tropical rain. In one of our previous vacation notes here on Oahu, we already mentioned the fact that a mountain range passes through the island. The clouds coming from the east hit these low mountains, accumulate, turn into heavy gray tearful clouds and all this “joy” pours out like a bucket onto the surrounding area.

From a distance, these mountains look shaggy and green. There are real dense tropical forests, thickets, it is always wet and very humid.

Moreover, from sunny beach Waikiki, to the beginning of the trail leading to Manoa Falls, nothing at all - about 9 kilometers by car, and the difference in weather is significant.

And the closer we got to the parking lot, which is almost at the end of Manoa Road, the more it rained. Well, yes, but "we light it up" on a Mustang with an opening top ... Well, not the point.

The bottom line is that when we did find a parking lot, paid $ 5, parked the car and did not even have time to get out of it, it started pouring rain. Lil like a bucket. Warm tropical rain.

Where to go, we decided to wait it out. Half an hour later, we realized that you can wait here for days on end. The rain subsided and then grew again. And still he walked.

"Come on, not sugar ones! ..." - we thought, took out raincoats, took only an iPhone with us and stomped along the walking track leading to Manoa Falls.

The first hundred meters they jumped like goats, trying to get around, step over, jump over the puddles that came across at every step.

Then the path somehow imperceptibly turned into one continuous long puddle, it was useless to jump on it, and my sneakers were already squelching with might and main (Tyomik had sandals on his bare feet, he was generally deep purple).

The views in the rainforest were great. And of course I would like to consider them in more detail in dry weather, but this tropical rain anyway added a special zest to our trip. And although in the end we got soaked to the very last thread, nevertheless this walking route we really liked it.

The walking track itself is not that long - the round trip is about 3 kilometers. But it is not easy in the sense that the path is mostly not equipped. Heavy rains regularly erode it, and there were many sections of the most common soggy clay along the way.

Imagine, on this slippery porridge-malache you also had to crawl up and down. After a while, our legs were just like those of piglets. I was already a little upset, whatever one may say, about my white sneakers one could forget.

But on the trail several times there were streams, which were impossible to jump over, they were quite wide. I just had to walk on the water, and its height was sometimes ankle-deep, well, like this, the sneakers washed themselves in a “natural way” and I returned to the car with almost clean shoes. True, the sneakers could be squeezed out, they were damp and full of water.

On the way, we tried to photograph the nature around us with an iPhone. But the rain poured down so that they began to worry not only about the fact that the iPhone would get wet in the rain, but because there was nowhere to hide it, all clothes (even with a raincoat) were soaked through to the panties.

We crawled with a quiet glanders (and in some places we had to really crawl so as not to fall off slippery stones and a clay path and roots sticking out of the ground) to the waterfall.

Manoa Falls impressed with its turbulent, very noisy stream. Its height is 46 meters, the water falls into a small lake, but you cannot approach it. Because of the constant torrential rains, landslides often occur here, which is unsafe for people.

The feeling at the waterfall was very original. Imagine a powerful cascade of water falling from above, all this riot creates a large cloud of moisture, and to this add another pouring rain. It felt something like going into the shower while wearing your clothes and turning it on at almost full power.

In general, there at the waterfall, even through my glasses, I could not see anything, which greatly complicated my orientation on the terrain, because I can't see anything without glasses.

What made me happy, we were not the only weirdos that came here, the people walked and walked to meet us, all the same damp and wet and insanely satisfied with this “attraction” of local nature.

On the way back, it was already deep purple in general - we got soaked to the last thread. We returned to the car, even at first they did not know how to get into it, because the water just flowed from us. And there was nowhere to change in the parking lot. We covered ourselves with packages and went to check in to the hotel, laughing heartily at the same time, tk. at the reception had to explain where we fell so damp.

In general, lovely! Experienced real tropical rain in a real rainforest. We liked.

And after a hot shower at the hotel and a hearty lunch in a cozy restaurant, we were waiting for surfing on the world famous Hawaiian beach Waikiki and katalovo on Mustang in the evening Honolulu.

Oahu attracts more tourists than any other island in Hawaii. About 6 million tourists (mainly from the American mainland and Japan) come here every year to enjoy a typical beach holiday. With a total area of ​​1,545 km2 (71 km long and 48 km wide at its widest part), Oahu is the 20th largest island in the United States. Bird's-eye view, two are clearly visible mountain ranges on each side of the island: Waianae on the west coast and Koolau on the east.

Mother Nature has carved out green valleys, adorned the island with sandy beaches of all spectrum of colors, from white to black, even green and red. With colorful sunsets, beautiful unspoiled nature, a huge variety of golden beaches and weather that fluctuates between perfect and perfect, Oahu has a lot to offer vacationers. The island attracts visitors with its incredible natural beauty and developed tourist infrastructure. The island is home to almost 1 million inhabitants, but the number of visitors is about 6 times the population of the island.

Oahu Island Map

Places of Interest Oahu

The beaches

Oahu - Mecca of sun and sand, revered by fans of beaches and aquatic species sports. Oahu has over 125 beaches for every taste, the very name of the island is identified with the beaches and the ocean. With an average annual water temperature of 25˚C, it is easy to understand why millions of visitors from all over the world regularly come here to relax. Each of the beaches has its own unique features that make it stand out from the rest. Some of them are popular with surfers, others are suitable for sailing, and others are ideal for a comfortable family vacation.

Hanauma Bay(Hanauma Bay). At a distance of only 16 km from Waikiki is Hanauma Bay, one of the best places for snorkelling in Oahu. A small beach surrounded by palm trees is located in the crater of an extinct volcano, on one side destroyed by the ocean. The sheltered cove provides protection from strong currents and large waves - ideal conditions for swimmers and divers.

Since 1967, Hanauma Bay has been granted the status of a Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve. In the 1990s, an excessive influx of holidaymakers (about 3 million per year) presented a serious problem for the fragile ecosystem of the bay. Paid access since 1998 has led to a decrease in the number of holidaymakers. In 2002, the Maritime Education Center was opened, visitors are obliged to first watch a short film and familiarize themselves with the rules of respect for the nature of the bay. Today, Hanauma Bay receives an average of 3,000 visitors a day, or about a million a year.

Some tips:

If you rent a car, try to come here early in the morning, the parking lot quickly becomes full and leaving the car is a big problem.
A visit to the reserve is paid, all visitors must watch a short film. If you arrive before 7 o'clock in the morning, avoid payment and will not watch the video.
Bring your own drinks and snacks as there is nothing for sale on the beach downstairs.
The shallow beach has soft sand and calm waves. But sometimes the waves are very strong, on such days swimming is recommended only for good swimmers.
A path leads down from the mountain. If you don't want to pay a private company for transportation, you can walk back and forth.
The beach is closed on Tuesdays.
Easily accessible by bus from Waikiki.
Fish feeding is prohibited in order to maintain a more natural balance of fish in the ecosystem.

Address: 7455 Kalaniana "ole Hwy., Honolulu, Oahu, HI 96825, website www.hanauma-bay-hawaii.com

Halona Beach Cove... Near Hanauma Bay is Halona Beach Cove, a small but very beautiful cove. The film "From Here to Eternity" was filmed here.

Waimānalo Beach with a total length of almost 9 km - the longest sandy beach on the island of Oahu. The beach has escaped commercial development (there are no hotels nearby) and is notable for its local flavor and proximity to the Hawaii Sea Life Park.

Lanikai Beach

A little-visited beach on the east side of Oahu with a length of one and a half kilometers. In the morning, photography enthusiasts have been trying to capture the famous sunrise. The beach looks beautiful against the backdrop of the Koolau Mountains. When the trade wind blows, sailing and windsurfing is practiced on the beach. Calm waves White sand, wonderful panorama in all directions. There are no toilets, showers, even parking for cars, but a beautiful beach with white sand and calm turquoise water fully compensates for these disadvantages. Address: Mokulua Drive, Kailua, Oahu, HI 96734.

Kailua Beach... Oahu has more spectacular beaches, with better conditions for swimming, but none offer as many leisure options as Kailua Beach. Fishing, sailing, windsurfing, kayaking, diving, snorkelling, kiteboarding, sale and rental of water sports equipment. A popular kayaking destination, Popoi "a Island" is located about 400 meters from the coast. Condé Nast magazine named Kailua Beach the best beach in the USA in 1998. Many locals visit the beach on weekends, almost No. Address: 526 Kawailoa Road, Kailua, Oahu, HI 96734.

Laniakea Beach is located about 4 km south of Waimea Bay. Laniakea Beach is most often referred to as "Turtle Beach" because endangered green sea turtles have been basking on the warm sand of the beach since 2000. The turtles were attracted by the abundance of algae in the area. Volunteers are on duty on the beach, they stretch a red rope around the turtles in order to restrict them from the beach visitors. Take your snorkel and mask with you and enjoy swimming with the turtles. And don't waste money on a tour. To see the turtles, rent a car, spend the day here and you won't be disappointed. Never touch turtles, otherwise you can get a high fine. Address: Haleiwa, Oahu, HI 96712.

Malaekahana Beach... If you want to be in Hawaii before jet aircraft brought here millions of vacationers, then you are on the Malaekahana beach. Surprisingly, very few visitors visit Malaekahana - one of the best beaches on the island of Oahu.

Kahana Bay Beach Park... A crescent-shaped beach set against a lush valley lined with towering cliffs. Kahana Beach has good fishing and ideal kayaking conditions. Throw in the picnic spots, camping sites, walking trails in the woods and you have some of the best beaches on the island.

Ko "Olina lagoons... The owner of the huge resort complex Ko "Olina Resort has created four artificial sandy lagoons, turning them comfortable seats for beach holiday in any season. The almost completely rounded lagoons are surrounded by white sandy beaches bordered by grassy lawns. The generally calm waters are ideal for swimming, and snorkelling is possible around the boulders at the entrance to the lagoons. Ko "Olina lagoons are located next to Kapolei, but public transport does not come here. The nearest bus stop is on Farrington Highway, over 6 miles from the resort. Address: Kapolei, Oahu, HI.

Oahu's north coast(North Shore) is considered the world capital of surfing. Every winter, swells, long sea waves formed by storms and storms thousands of kilometers north in the area, roll onto the northern coast of Hawaii. Bering Sea... Such waves are much more stable in their direction and frequency than ordinary waves generated by the wind, and therefore more favorable for surfing. The north coast in the context of Oahu geography refers to the northern coastal area of ​​the island between Ka'ena Point and Kahuku Point. The largest locality in this area - Haleiwa. Every December, it hosts the Triple Crown of Surfing, a series of three internationally renowned competitions. The most famous beaches are described below.

Ehukai Beach Park stretches continuously as a continuous strip of sand with only one sign - EHUKAI BEACH PARK. Most people think that this is one beach, but in fact, three separate beaches follow one after the other. Long, wide, white sand, Ehukai Beach is known for its winter surfing. Swimming is safe during the spring and summer months, but coastal currents and strong waves make swimming unsafe during winter. Access to Pipeline and Banzai beaches via Ehukai Beach Park.

Pipeline beach located next to Ehukai Beach Park near the small town of Pupukea on the north coast of Oahu. When the surf reaches the shallow coral coast in winter, waves are so steep that the crest of the wave, falling forward, forms an almost perfect pipe ("pipeline" means "pipe"). For many years, the craftsmen tried to master these waves, many of them falling, receiving lacerations and broken bones on shallow reefs.

The Pipeline is the most famous site of huge waves on the north shore of Oahu, often referred to as the deadliest wave in the world ( average height waves is almost 4 meters). More surfers have died or been seriously injured at Pipeline Beach than anywhere else in the world. The most important competitions in the world of professional surfing take place here.

Banzai Beach. To the west of the Pipeline, there is a strip of beach that surfers call Banzai. The Japanese word "banzai" means the battle cry "hurray" or "forward." In the late 1950s, director Bruce Brown was filming one of the first surfing films Surf Safari and saw a surfer riding a huge wave. Brown shouted, "Banzai!" and since that time the name has stuck. During the winter, it is a very popular beach with surfers, curious locals and visiting vacationers. There are not very many people here during the summer months. Again, access to the beach is via Ehukai Beach Park. Number 52 TheBus (Circle Island) stops on the highway near Ehukai Beach Park.

Waimea bay- one of the most beautiful beaches Oahu islands. From October to April they roll on the beach huge waves creating a strong reverse flow. Even professional surfers are in danger when high, up to 5-meter waves crash with force on the shore. It is hard to believe that in summer this same bay is quiet and calm - a great place for swimming, snorkelling, and diving. On the right side of the beach, turtles swim very close to the shore. The most interesting moment of the visit is the jump from the famous lava rock. Address: 61-031 Kamehameha Highway, Oahu, HI.

Sunset Beach... One of the most popular beaches on Oahu. During the season (September-April), swimming is very dangerous due to high waves (5 meters and more) and strong reverse currents near the coast. The only safe period for swimming is summer. To avoid the crowds, visit on weekdays. The beach is located off the Kamehameha Highway. Bus number 52 (Circle Island) will take you there if you don't want to take a taxi or rent a car.

Interesting places of the island of Oahu

Polynesian Cultural Center (Polynesian Cultural Center) - a theme park and open-air museum at the same time, located on the north coast of Oahu. The Polynesian Cultural Center is one of the most visited tourist destinations in Hawaii. On its territory, a competition is held annually, in which participants demonstrate the skill of using fire knives. The park has a showroom (IMAX theater), a lagoon, and visitors can canoe.

Hawaii Marine Life Park (Sea Life Park Hawaii) is one of the main attractions of Oahu. Opened in 1964, the park allows visitors to interact with marine animals, swim with dolphins, sea lions and stingrays, and feed turtles. The park also houses a bird sanctuary and an aquarium. The most interesting sights of the park:

Sea lion discovery- allows visitors to swim in the water with sea lions.
Sea trek adventure- underwater walk in the reef reservoir, which is inhabited by eels, rays, sea turtles, a wide variety of tropical fish.
Hawaiian Reef Aquarium- a huge body of water, home to over 2000 marine reef inhabitants, including sharks, rays, turtles and schools of tropical fish.
Hawaiian Ocean Theater- the venue for the main show featuring dolphins, penguins and sea lions. During the show, a story about the latest teaching methods and the park's efforts to preserve the wealth of the underwater world.
Penguin Habitat- habitat of the park's penguins.
Dolphin show cove- an open theater where dolphin shows are shown twice a day.
The bird sanctuary- This bird sanctuary is home to many wild seabirds, including frigate birds, gannets, petrels, albatrosses, most of which were sick or wounded.
Hawaiian Monk Seal Habitat- habitat of Hawaiian monk seals, shows with the participation of these animals.
Programs Dolphin Royal Swim, Dolphin Adventure Swim, Dolphin Encounter, and Dolphin Aloha allow visitors to interact with dolphins in the water.

Location: Makapuu Point, 24 kilometers from the center of Honolulu. How to get there: Bus number 22 or 23 from Waikiki. Website www.sealifeparkhawaii.com

Byodo-In Temple located in the Valley of the Temples and is a replica of the 900-year-old temple in Uji City, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan. Inside there is a 3 m gold-plated figure of a wooden Buddha. Ponds and Japanese gardens surround the temple against the backdrop of the Koolau Mountains. The Byodo-In Temple is visited by thousands of tourists from all over the world. People of all faiths take part in his services. Apart from services, the grounds of the temple are often used for weddings and official events. Address: 47-200 Kahekili Highway, Kaneohe, Oahu, HI, website www.byodo-in.com

Sacred Falls State Park ... Sacred Falls State Park is located on the north coast of Oahu. The park covers the Kaluanui canyon and the waterfall at its very end, after which it is named. The waterfall is closed to the public indefinitely after the fatal rock collapse on May 9, 1999 in the canyon. Then eight tourists were killed, and many were injured. The only way to see this beautiful natural creation is by helicopter.

Nu'uanu Pali State Wayside Viewpoint offers panoramic views of the Nu'uanu Valley and the northeastern side of Oahu. Nu'uanu Pali was the site of one of the bloodiest battles in the world, during which Kamehameha captured the island of Oahu and united it under his rule.

What to do, tours of local tour operators

Swim with dolphins in the ocean from Dolphin Excursions Snorkel Adventure. From Waianae Bay, the tour travels along the west coast of Oahu in search of dolphins (get the chance to see humpback whales in winter). After spotting dolphins, snorkelling tour participants dive into the water and watch dolphins swim past them. Then a short cruise to the sea turtle habitat, snorkelling with tropical fish and sea turtles. At the end of the tour, lunch. A photographer will take your underwater photos with dolphins and turtles, and send them on CD to anywhere in the world. Address: Waianae, Oahu, HI, www.dolphinexcursions.com

Horse Riding by Happy Trails Hawaii ... Horseback riding along the north coast of Oahu through a forest, fern-covered valley and tropical orchards. Tours are family oriented. The only ranch on Oahu where children as young as 6 are allowed to ride their own horse. Address: 59-231 Pupukea Road, Haleiwa, Oahu, HI, website www.happytrailshawaii.com

Macadamia nut farm... An educational and very interesting tour at a farm specializing in the cultivation of Macadamia. Macadamia is a very tasty Australian nut with a hard-to-shell kernel, it is very difficult to harvest them, which is why macadamia is the most expensive nut in the world. The tour lasts about an hour. First, a bus trip to tea plantations, introductory information about how the ancient Hawaiians consumed tea leaves, made a fire, and collected coconuts. Then a boat trip in a small lake, during which the guide will point you to the filming locations of famous Hollywood films.

The farm has a good shop that sells various types of macadamias, souvenirs, jewelry, arts and crafts, creams, aromatic oils, coffee, even fresh coconut. Interestingly, in the store you can enjoy macadamia nuts for free and enjoy the famous kona coffee. Tours are available 7 days a week, from 10:45 am to 6:00 pm (except Tuesday when there is only one tour at 10:45 am). Address: 49-227A Kamehameha Hwy., Kaneohe, Oahu, HI 96744, website www.macnutfarm.com

Swimming with sharks from North Shore Shark Adventures. This two-hour tour departs from Haleiwa Pier. Having sailed from the coast for 4 - 6 km, a metal cage is placed in the water and kept at the level of the water surface. Armed with snorkels and masks, the tour participants watch the whales swimming inches from the cage from the cage. Water in an area with a visibility of 70 meters or more. During this tour you will have the opportunity to see Hawaiian green sea turtles, dolphins and even humpback whales during migration season. Be sure to bring underwater cameras with you in order to take pictures of sharks. Tour departure times: 6:00 am, 7:00 am, 8:00 am, 9:00 am, 10:00 am, 11:00 am, 12:00 pm, 13:00 pm, 14:00 pm (6:00 am tour is available from May 1 to August 15). Address: slip 35 of the Haleiwa Small Boat Harbor, Haleiwa, Oahu, HI, website www.sharktourshawaii.com

Rancho Kualoa (Kualoa Ranch) has become known for the wide variety and quality of its tours. The most popular are described below:

Movie Sites & Ranch Tour... Visit the famous Kaʻaʻawa Valley, often referred to as the Hawaii film set. Famous Hollywood films and television shows (Jurassic Park, 50 First Kisses, Windwalkers, Hawaii 5-0 and others) were shot here, the duration of the tour is 1 hour.
Jungle Expedition Tour... Adventure tour to the beautiful Kaaava Valley. Participants on an off-road tour drive through the jungle along the east coast of Oahu. Tour duration 1 hour
Ancient Fishing Grounds & Tropical Gardens Tour... Drive to an ancient Hawaiian fish pond, visit a tropical garden of fruit trees and flowers.
Hakipu'u Hike... Hike along the Hakipu'u Valley, the trail is just over 2 km. Two tours a day: 09:00 to 11:00 and 12:00 to 14:00.
ATV tour(ATV Tour). Visit the famous Kaaava Valley in ATVs, the filming locations of many Hollywood films and television shows. During the tour, observe the beautiful panorama of the Pacific Ocean from the observation deck. Tours last one and two hours.
Horse riding tour(Horseback Tour), on the tour, see the Mokolii island and 800-year-old Hawaiian fish pond. The ranch is located at 49-560 Kamehameha Highway, Kaneohe, Oahu, HI, www.kualoa.com/tours

Diving... Many tourists visit the island of Oahu solely for the opportunity to plunge into the Pacific Ocean and see the wealth of the underwater world. Hawaii is one of the top ten diving destinations in the world. It is home to over 100 endemic species (not found anywhere else on the planet), explore sea caves, swim with sea turtles and monk seals. The trade winds often cause high waves in the afternoon, so most operators plan to dive early in the morning and end their tours at noon. Diving sites in Oahu:

Hiking to Coco Crater (Koko Head Crater Trail Hike). Coco Crater is one of the most popular hiking spots on Oahu. A path leads to its top along the railway sleepers. About 1 km long, the trail rises to a height of 366 m. From the upper observation deck of Coco Crater, a panorama of the eastern part of Oahu and the coast opens. Get up early in the morning to avoid the heat and bring plenty of water with you. If you've climbed to the top of Diamond Head, this hike is many times more difficult.

Bicycle is a popular way to explore Oahu. For information on bike trails, bike tours, contact Bike Hawaii (www.bikehawaii.com); this company offers a variety of group tours, including "Rainforest to Reef". The tour includes a drive down the paved road (8 km) with panoramic views of Waikiki, Honolulu and the Manoa Valley. Learn more about the flora and geology of the Hawaiian Islands on this tour. After that, leave your bikes for a 3 km round trip to the 80 meter high waterfall, then cruise on a sailing catamaran.

Hawaii "s Plantation Village ... A one-hour tour of this restored village dives into the era when sugar plantations made up Hawaii's economy. From the arrival of the first workers in 1852 until 1947, when the sugarcane era ended, more than 400,000 men, women and children from China, Japan, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Korea, the Philippines and other countries migrated to work in the sugarcane fields. On the territory of the village, each ethnic group is represented by a house decorated in accordance with the traditions and customs of the time. The houses contain clothing from that era, bedding, ceramics, toys and games, photographs, books and other memorabilia. Open: Mon-Sat from 10:00 to 14:00. Address Waipahu Cultural Garden Park, at Waipahu Depot Rd, Waipahu, website: www.hawaiiplantationvillage.org www.hawaiiskydiving.com

Sunset Suratt Surf Academy "s surf school teaches surfing lessons from beginner surfers to pros, and also provides equipment for rent. Sunset Suratt Surf Academy's lessons take place on the beach at Haleiwa. The lessons are two hours long. Tourists are provided with videos and photographs of the learning process. Address: North Shore, Sunset Beach, Haleiwa, Oahu, HI 96712, www.surfnorthshore. com

At North Shore Surf Girls Surf School only women work. All female instructors are former professional surfers. Private or group surf lessons at 9:00, 12:00 and 15:00 daily near Haleiwa. Two popular types of tours:

North Shore surf lesson and Turtle Tour Includes a 2-hour surf lesson, the opportunity to see sea turtles live, visits to the famous Pipeline and Sunset Beach surfing beaches, and a girl-cooked seafood dinner. End of the tour - watching the sunset.
Surf Lesson and Sunset Barbecue includes a 2-hour surf lesson and a barbecued by the girls on the beach. End of the tour - watching the sunset. Address: 66-031 Kamehameha Hwy, Haleiwa, Oahu, HI 96712 website www.northshoresurfgirls.com

Swimming lessons on the board from Rainbow Watersports Adventures. The instructors will teach you standing board swimming skills. All groups are private or individual (one instructor - one student). Duration of tours: from 2 to 4 hours, upon completion all participants are provided with photos free of charge. Address: Haleiwa, Oahu, HI 96712, website www.rainbowwatersports.com, more about

Entertainment

Attending a luau (traditional Hawaiian party) is part of the cultural agenda for most Hawaiian holidaymakers. Hawaiians have traditionally used the Luau to celebrate memorable events (birthdays, harvests, battles won, etc.).

Luau differ from each other, but the celebration is necessarily accompanied by the preparation of pork in the underground imu oven, all participants are presented with lei (garlands of flowers) and treated with cocktails. Upon arrival at the luau venue, guests are invited to participate in various events: canoeing, spear throwing, lei making, tattoo lessons, hula dancing, beach fishing with tackle and the like. Then dinner and a cultural show of the peoples of Polynesia (dances of the peoples of Samoa, Tahiti, New Zealand, Fiji, Hawaii). Luau provides an opportunity to better know the culture and traditions of Hawaii and Polynesia. Each luau ends with watching the sun set, extraordinarily beautiful in Hawaii.

Most popular luau dishes:

Lomi salmon- salted salmon with tomatoes, onions and peppers;
Kālua pig- pork wrapped in banana leaves and cooked inside an underground oven (imu);
Pipi kāula- Hawaiian-style beef jerky;
Poi- grated and boiled taro tuber;
Laulau, pork and butterfish, steamed in wrapped leaves;
Lū'au- taro leaves, baked with coconut cream and, as a rule, octopus (from this dish went modern name holiday);
Haupia- gelatin made from condensed coconut milk.

Paradise cove- the most famous luau on the island of Oahu (www.paradisecovehawaii.com).

Slightly inferior in popularity Germaine "s(the venue is near the small town of Kopolei, www.germainesluau.com).

But the most famous lalu does not mean the best yet. I would recommend you Chief "s Luau at the Hawaii Sea Life Park. It is smaller than other luau on Oahu, but the most fun and memorable. If you are looking for a family-oriented luau, try Chief's Luau at Hawaii Marine Park and you won't regret it. Showman Sielu is widely regarded as the best and most entertaining presenter in Hawaii, making this lualu special. for other similar parties Address: 41-202 Kalanianaole Hwy, Waimanalo, Oahu, HI 96795, www.chiefsluau.com

The picturesque island of Oahu is the most populous island in the Hawaiian archipelago. Here is the capital of the Hawaiian Islands - the city of Honolulu, as well as the most famous landmarks and cultural centers archipelago. Oahu has a well-developed tourist infrastructure, thanks to which adherents of various types of recreation will be able to organize their leisure time. The capital of the archipelago is the starting point of many excursion programs; the legendary historical monument- Iolani Palace. This is the only remaining royal palace in the United States, construction architectural complex took place at the end of the 19th century. Quite recently, the palace underwent a complete reconstruction; a huge number of tourists visit it every day.

In the immediate vicinity of the beautiful palace is the main religious attraction of the island - the Kavaiahao Church. Its construction was completed in 1842, the church is the oldest on the island and is perfectly preserved to this day. Honolulu's Chinatown deserves special attention, which is usually regarded as a single attraction. This is one of the best places for hiking on the island.At every step in Chinatown, you can find interesting shops and restaurants decorated in the national style, as well as colorful markets and temples.

There are also interesting natural attractions in the capital, including the Fosters Botanical Garden. The park was founded in 1850 and today bears the name of its founder - a famous German botanist. In the southern part of the island of Oahu, there is a world famous landmark, known to literally everyone. We are talking about the Pearl Harbor naval base, a unique historical monument reminding the locals and guests of the island about the tragic events of 1941. In honor of the sailors who died during the battle with the Japanese troops, a beautiful memorial was opened.Visitors of the historical complex can see old warships and get acquainted with the collection of historical exhibits presented in the local gallery.

The Waterfront area is rich in interesting excursion sites; beautiful skyscrapers are of particular importance among local attractions. Once there were the most high buildings archipelago, many of them have retained their former grandeur to the present day. After admiring the monuments of modern architecture, it is worth stopping by the Hawaiian Maritime Center. It is one of the largest in the country maritime museums, many of the exhibits presented within its walls are unique. Near the museum originates beautiful park Kapiolani Park, it is considered one of the outstanding natural sites of the country.