Alternative things to do in Oahu, Hawaii – More to it than the beaches

Aloha! So when someone mentions Oahu Hawaii, I bet the first things you think of are sun, beaches and Moana, right? Well, honestly there is SO MUCH MORE to Hawaii than just a relaxing beach holiday…

Hawaii is made up of seven islands. I was only fortunate enough to go to one – the beautiful Oahu – home of Honolulu and Waikiki, probably the most well known areas in Hawaii.

I’m not a ‘lie by the beach all day’ type of gal. I love to be up, active and exploring the unexplored. So, if you’re anything like me, then hopefully you will love the advice and tips that I have for you. However, if you’re not like me and do want to lie by the beach all day, then read on anyway because I may even persuade you to try something new!..

The Lanikai Pillbox Hike

The Lanikai Pillbox Hike is a short 20-30 minute hike with some incredible views at the top. It leads you to two old military pillboxes where you can sit and take in the view of ‘The Mokes’ and Lanikai beach from the top. Once you’re done, the entrance/exit to the hike is a short walk away from Lanikai beach. So, if you are with someone who prefers to lie out on the beach, this hike is a great compromise.

Koko Head Hike in Oahu, Hawaii

Koko Head Hike or also known as Stairs of Doom is not for the faint hearted. It totals 1048 stairs up to the crater. There is an old military base at the top and these stairs were originally constructed for a railway that carried supplies up and down. The stairs take you up 990ft, just over seven miles, so it is a tough hike but the panoramic view from the top makes it all worthwhile. From one side you can see Hanauma Bay, which brings me on to my next topic…

Hanauma Bay

Hanauma Bay is a must go after the Koko Head Hike. It is just across the way and the perfect place to catch your breath, relax and when you are feeling up to it, snorkel. It is a former volcanic crater that is now a protected marine life conservation area. The sea is exactly how you imagine; warm, turquoise blue and full of all kinds of sea life (up to 400 different species!). There is also an education centre next door, giving you advice on what to expect down below and a history of the area.

The North Shore 

The North Shore seems like a completely different island to the main tourist spot of Waikiki. If you picture Jurassic Park, you are picturing the North Shore (minus the dinosaurs). I highly recommend hiring a car and driving around the area. The public buses are okay too but you don’t get the same freedom. The views are breathtaking and every five minutes I wanted to pull over to get a better look at something. The North Shore really shows off the ‘real Hawaii’ and if you are a keen surfer then this is the place to be.

Pearl Harbour, Oahu, Hawaii

Pearl Harbour is something everyone is familiar with and as soon as I found out it was located on Oahu Hawaii I knew I wanted to go. It is an incredible site to go to and full of so much history. If you love your history, the whole island is full of it, but in particular you will not be disappointed by Pearl Harbour. 

There you have it, my top five places to visit if you want something a little different than your average beach holiday. I hope you have an amazing trip!

Aloha.