ShesSoSerene

Hawai’i is by far one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. We were there on business and only had a few short days, but as usual we packed in the activities. My colleague and I try to make the most of every business trip we take, so we typically end up with several early mornings, late nights, completely drained bodies, and very fulfilled souls.

Like most people traveling here for business, our meetings were in Honolulu, Hawai’i’s capital, located on the island of O’ahu. We had a little more than a full day to ourselves and were determined to see as much of this gorgeous island as we could. So, if you only have 24 hours in O’ahu, here are the highlights from our trip. And, if you’re one of the lucky ones spending a lengthy holiday in this paradise, make sure to add these “must-sees” to your itinerary as well.

Waikiki Beach is located on the southern shore of Honolulu and provides that perfect postcard image of city skyline, palm trees, white sand beaches, and cobalt ocean waves. It’s a surfer’s paradise. You can walk the beach, then hop right onto the main strip of Kalakaua Avenue for shopping, eating, and entertainment.

Diamond Head Trail is the ideal way to soak up a 360 degree view of Honolulu and Diamond Head Crater. There are quite a few stairs and even a long, dark tunnel that seems to contain too little breathable air when you’re huffing and puffing your way through it. Don’t worry, thousands of people do it every day which brings me to my next point. Make sure to get there before sunrise to beat the crowds. It’s a huge tourist attraction and the buses will start pulling in right as the park opens! The trail can get narrow and you’ll end up hiking in a single file line behind hundreds of other tourists. If you’re one of the first ones there, you’ll run into 2 old men waiting for the gate to open. Don’t let age deceive you – They’ll likely beat you to the top! Go say hi. Hear their story. It’s worth a listen.

Kailua Beach Park is one of many beaches on O’ahu, and you really you can’t go wrong with any of them. We only had one full day, so we decided to beach hop and visit as many as we could without feeling too rushed. This was our first stop located on the windward coastline and easily one of the prettiest. Soft white sand, turquoise water, shaded picnic tables, and bathroom facilities makes this a good choice if you’re looking to park it all day. It’s also a great spot to rent kayaks or paddle boards.

Lanikai Beach probably remains one of my absolute favorites. Located very close to Kailua Beach, it,too, contains the soft white sand and emerald waters, but this beach is nestled in a quiet neighborhood for a more private experience. You’re also offered a stunning backdrop of the twin islands, or “The Mokes.” Cherry on top? I’d say so. If you have more time, rent a kayak and go explore the islands. We opted for a $5 inner tube we picked up at the local gas station instead.

Waimea Bay is located on the north shore of the island, and a fun beach for cliff jumping when there’s no surf (we went in the summer time). I would recommend this to beginners as it’s one of the easier and less scary jumps, and a great way to get your feet wet if you’re new to cliff jumping – pun intended.

Sunset Beach was our last stop on the north shore, and a perfect spot to watch the sky turn every color of orange. Simply pull over, grab a blanket or towel, and pop a squat.

Hanauma Bay is a must snorkeling spot in O’ahu. Yes, there are a ton of other less touristy spots to snorkel on the island, but this view is worth fighting the crowds. Fun fact: This bay lies at the bottom of a volcanic crater. The lava rock tubes provide the protection desired by marine life and have attracted hundreds of different fish species to make their home right on the beach’s reef. Make sure to get there before 6:45 am to skip the entrance fee, and have the clearest water and smallest crowds (It gets packed as the day goes on). Another reason to get there early: Only 3,000 visitors allowed per day to help preserve the ecosystem. We packed a light breakfast and mimosas to help with the early rise.

Halona Blowhole is just down the road from Hanauma Bay and worth pulling over for. When the waves are rough enough, this rocky coast sprays gigantic, vertical streams of salty water high into the air. It’s truly a majestic display of the ocean’s power.

And, that’s a wrap! My short, but purposeful, list of O’ahu must-sees if given the opportunity. I hope this helped you to narrow down the abundance of activities there are to do on this tiny island, or, if nothing else, inspire you to add this gem to your bucket list.

Life is short, and the world is huge – travel on, my friend.