Oahu’s Best Photo Spots

With azure waters washing up on the pure white sands, it's easy to see why Lanikai is consistently voted Oahu's "most beautiful" beach and one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Still, it has its drawbacks. Being extremely popular, you might have trouble finding a parking space. There are also no bathrooms or changing facilities. Watch where you park! Laws are strictly enforced here.

Also known as the Kaiwa Ridge Trail, this short, sometimes narrow hike features two military bunkers decorated in colorful graffiti and a panoramic view of Lanikai Beach. Intermediate. Read parking signs carefully and bring wai a.k.a. water.

The lush Kualoa Valley on Oahu’s windward coast was sacred land to ancient Oahuans. Today, it’s one of Oahu’s premiere attractions. The valley is now home to the Kualoa Ranch, a working cattle ranch that also offers a variety of exciting tour packages for the public. Take a tour of the picturesque valley on horseback or ATV, and if you choose the movie site tour, you’ll visit film locations used in such ...

As expected, this lookout offers you a terrific view of the islands of Lanai and Molokai (and even Maui if the skies are especially clear) as well as panoramic views of the wave-battered rocky coastline. It’s also a favorite spot among whale watchers from December to March, so if you come during these months make sure to bring a pair of binoculars in the highly like event that a few whales decide to make...

Hanauma Bay is considered the best place to start for beginning scuba divers and snorkelers. As a protected marine life conservation area, you’re sure to see an abundance of fascinating marine life within the cove’s massive coral reef, including green sea turtles and colorful parrot fish. Advanced snorkelers and divers can venture out into deeper waters where the reef also extends. There’s also a crescen...

Enjoy one of the very best views of Oahu’s beautiful windward coast from the Nuuanu Pali lookout. From this 1200-foot high vantage point, you’ll see an expansive view of Kaneohe Bay and Kailua, as well as Mokolii island (a.k.a. Chinaman’s Hat) in the distance. Also visible is the Kaneohe Marine Corps Base and the Hawaii Pacific University Windward campus. This site also holds great historical significanc...

This gorgeous Buddhist temple in Oahu’s Valley of the Temples Memorial Park is a smaller-sized replica of an 11th Century temple in Kyoto, Japan. Fans of the TV show Lost may recognize this location as the “South Korean” home of Sun’s father. Of interest on these beautifully landscaped grounds are the 9-foot gold leaf Amida Buddha, the three-ton Bon-sho (a sacred brass bell, customarily rung before enter...

The massive 760-foot crater Le'ahi got its nickname, Diamond Head, from 19th Century sailors who mistook the worthless but sparkly calcite crystals within to be actual diamonds. The would-be prospectors didn’t strike it rich, but the crater went on to become Hawaii’s most well-known natural landmark. It was formed sometime between 200,000 – 300,000 years ago when a cinder cone volcano blew its top, sendi...

World-famous Waikiki Beach is Oahu’s premiere resort beach with a string of hotels lining its busy shore. Needless to say, it’s not the place to be if you’re looking to escape crowds of vacationers. However, if you favor happening spots with plenty of restaurants, shopping, rentals, etc. at your disposal, Waikiki is the beach for you. The beach itself is relatively small, with half its length reserved fo...

The memory of Duke Paoa Kahanamoku, the “father of modern surfing” will forever live on in Hawaiian legend, and this bronze statue in Waikiki’s Kuhio Beach stands as a testament to this icon’s immense cultural significance among islanders, young and old. For his record-breaking freestyle swimming, he took home multiple Olympic medals—three gold and two silver between 1912 and 1924. He is most beloved, ho...

The extensive plant collections at Waimea Arboretum and Botanical Garden are neatly organized by island, family, genera, and their special uses, making for a truly informative and fascinating botanical experience. However, there’s definitely more to do here than to simply learn about and admire the diverse plant life. You can hike one of several stream trails, picnic within the picturesque Waimea valley,...

According to an ancient myth, Hi’iaka, patron goddess of Hawaii and hula dancers, chopped the tail off a dragon and cast it into the ocean. The tail grew to become the small islet MokoliʻI (“little lizard”) in Kāne'ohe Bay. Centuries later, Hawaiians thought the island looked more like a conical Asian hat, so the small island became known as Chinaman’s Hat—and the name stuck. Today, it’s a popular destin...

The cool, blue, and crystal-clear ocean water is a welcome refresher on hot O'ahu days. On those days you'll find these pools crowded. But there are other things to do such as hike the trail up to the lighthouse or to explore inside the mist-spewing caves known as the Devil's Nostrils.

Even if you’re not a history buff or military enthusiast, a visit to Pearl Harbor is a must if you’re in Oahu. Though there are several commercial tours available, you can see the sights at your own pace by renting an audio tour. Start off at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center which, in itself, is a fascinating stop with informative and riveting exhibits about that fateful day on December 7, 1941. According...

Climb aboard the Pineapple Express and take a tour of a world famous Dole pineapple plantation, walk through mini gardens for a chance to smell and touch the crops, and navigate through the world’s largest maze. Mainly a destination for tourists and children on educational field trips, the plantation is definitely a worthwhile stop if you’ve got kids, are curious to learn about the Dole company and how t...