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 dr...

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 car...

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 als...

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’...

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 th...

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 Mo...

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 “...

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...

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,...

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 cultur...

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 exper...

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”) ...

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 lighth...

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 ...

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 m...