Diamond Head State Monument
Amelia Earhart Lookout is a beautiful lookout near Diamond Head State Monument and overlooking the clear blue water where Amelia Earhart gained reputation as the first person to solo flight from Hawaii to North America. This lookout grants us a great opportunity for pictures of the south eastern coastline of Oahu, with notable sights as far as Hanauma bay and Maui on a clear day.
Halona Blowhole
This natural wonder on the island of Oahu was formed due to past volcanic activity thousands of years ago. Halona Blowhole now occasionally shoots seawater up to 30 feet in the air because of waves coursing through the underwater lava tubes. The viewing point provides a breathtaking view of Halona Cove, a beautiful beach that has been featured in many movies and music videos. If you visit during winter, you may be lucky enough to witness whales in the nearby waters.
Sandy Beach Park
A peaceful and serene but is known for its notoriously powerful shore-breaks and the fine beach sand that gets into everything! Sandy Beach is a beautiful isolated stretch of sand that lays just beyond the popular Halona Blowhole. This Oahu beach has a magnificent scene that you arrive upon after driving along the lava rock cliffside of Koko Head Crater.
Makapu'u Point
Beautiful coastal vistas and views of offshore islands. Look off into the azure blue waters of the bay and you will see Oahu’s famous Manana Island also known as Rabbit island due to its rabbit-like shape.
Byodo-In Temple
Oahu’s Byodo-In Temple was built to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the first Japanese immigrants to arrive in Hawai’i in 1868. The temple is also known as Phoenix Hall in Japan, due to either the shape of the building which resembles the outstretched wings of a bird or from the Phoenix that sits atop the roof. Walking around to the back of the temple and you’ll realize the building is configured in the shape of a T with the surrounding pond flowing underneath the back of the temple.
Constructed in 3 years the temple was dedicated in June of 1968 with a traditional Buddhist ceremony. Since that time, it has become one of the top ten visitor attractions on Oahu. Today the temple sees more than 300,000 visitors annually.
Inside the temple is housed a Lotus Buddha with brass artwork adorning the ceiling. As impressive as the structure and Buddha are there is much beauty to the experiences in the surrounding gardens and pond too.
Tanaka Kahuku Shrimp
--LUNCH BREAK-- We break for lunch at a local restaurant where you can have your pick of either a famous North Shore Garlic Shrimp plate or other local delicacies. Non-Shellfish and Vegetarian options are available. Please bring cash for lunch
Waimea Arboretum and Botanical Garden
Next we visit Waimea Valley and Waterfall. This enchanting location showcases over 5,000 species of tropical flowering plants, ancient archaeological sites, and one of the most scenic waterfalls on the island.
Dole Plantation
A historic pineapple plantation home to pineapple magnets, pineapple t-shirts, pineapple keychains and most importantly pineapple ice cream aka Dole Whip!!
Laniakea Beach
TURTLE BEACH - Located on Oahu's North Shore, Laniakea Beach offers such frequent sightings of the Hawaiian green sea turtle that locals simply know it as "Turtle Beach." This is an amazing spot to see gentle waves usher turtles to the shore for some sunbathing, and it's considered one of the most reliable turtle-watching spots in Hawaii.
Oahu's North Shore -Sunset beach
SUNSET BEACH -This is the legendary big-wave surfing location where towering, giant waves arrive and surfing contests are held between November-April. A change of pace from the crowded beaches of Waikiki, the infamous Sunset Beach on the North Shore offers tranquility and is the epitome of a beautiful Hawaiian Beach. However don’t let the summer months fool you, during the winter months, swells of 30 to 40 feet can be seen from the safe confines of shore.
Drop off the guests to hotels
3 Comments
4.4
We had an amazing time driving around Oahu with our group, soaking up the stunning views at every turn. A standout moment was definitely stopping at Waimea Bay, where the waves were perfect for a quick swim and some laughs. The only downside was that the day felt a bit rushed at times, but the blend of culture and those breathtaking beaches made it totally worth it.
4.6
We felt like we had the island to ourselves during this private tour, especially when we stopped at a secluded beach that was absolutely perfect for a quick swim. The cultural insights shared by our guide added depth to the stunning landscapes, particularly at a famous landmark that we never would have found on our own. Although the day was jam-packed with sights and activities, occasionally the pace felt a bit hurried, making it hard to fully soak in the beauty around us.
4.4
Exploring the breathtaking views and hidden beaches on our private tour was a highlight of our trip, especially when we stumbled upon a secluded cove where we enjoyed the sound of waves and vibrant local culture. While our guide was incredibly knowledgeable, we wished there had been a bit more time to linger at some of the scenic spots.