Hidden Gems They Won't Share With You... But We Will.
Oahu is full of hidden gems that you wouldn't know about unless you lived here and had time to thoroughly explore the island yourself. The problem with coming for a week long vacation is you only get to scratch the surface of what Oahu really has to offer. Also, the gate keeping here is real! Don't even bother trying to ask anyone, because no one will tell you. Good thing you have us, because in today's blog post we are spilling the tea. Here are all of Oahu's most picturesque places.
Palm's Over Water
It took us so long to find these palm tree's. The crazy thing is we drove by them all the time and we never even noticed. You'd be surprised how much of Oahu's hidden gem's are not that hidden, but are in fact right in front of your face. We had so much fun shooting here and recommend you stop here if you're on the east side.
Makua Cave
This one took a while for us to do, because we always found ourselves at the beach instead. Our favorite beach is just down the road and we always have to pick which one we would rather do. Had we known how cool of a spot this is, we would have done it sooner! You'll want to come here for epic content during sunset!
Tip: Follow the trail to the right. It's easy to get lost and the wrong trail is very dangerous. If it doesn't feel right, go back. The trail is easy and shouldn't feel too hard.
Pali Puka
This is a very steep, but short 25 minute hike to the Puka. It can be a very dangerous hike with high winds and sheer drop offs, so please be very careful! This was the first hike we ever did right after moving to O'ahu and it felt like such a magical beginning to our move. This is another great sunrise spot and has stunning views of East Oahu.
Tip: DO NOT attempt to climb the Puka. It's NOT worth it.
Makua Beach (2nd Entrance)
Speaking of our favorite beach, Makua is a beach you could only ever dream about visiting. We didn't know beaches like this even existed in Oahu! We were blown away, not only by the beach, but the crystal clear water. Pack up some chairs, towels, games and drinks then make a stop at Tamura's for some poke to go. Enjoy your food on the beach and spend the whole day here. It's one of the best places on island to watch sunset. Keep in mind you cant order Uber to take you out here. It's about an hour from Waikiki and you will need need to rent a car.
Lava Tube
Everyone knows about lanai lookout (which is amazing for watching the sunrise or moon rise,) but no one knows this Lava Tube is just a few feet away. If you want to mix it up a bit, we suggest taking a walk through this cave that leads you to a more secluded area similar to lanai lookout.
Makapu'u Tide Pools
We aren't so sure this is such a secret anymore, but we still get people asking us about it and think it's worth a mention! I wont lie, this is one of our favorite spots on the island. It's super fun and we love bringing our friends here when they come to visit. You'll want to wear good shoes because there is a lot of loose gravel going down and the rocks can be slippery. Our only tip is to watch out for big waves, because like most spots in Oahu anything can happen.
Our Secret Beach
This is our number one favorite spot on the entire island, but there's a catch... conditions have to be perfect. A perfect day at this beach has minimal to no wind, low tides and full sun. It's technically a part of Waimanalo beach and very close to Obama's beach, but it's not an area most people know about. Every time we go we only ever see one or two other people, so it feels like a more secluded area when there's two busier beaches are just around the corner. On a perfect day, this is what it feel like to walk into a travel leisure magazine. Fingers crossed you get to witness it!
Palm Tree Forest at Dilingham Ranch
We weren't sure we were going to share this location, because if you choose to do this you will be trespassing. We are not telling you to go, but If you decide the risk is worth it enter at your own risk and be cautious of falling coconuts. It's a little bit of a maze to get through, but just find an area with the most palm tree's and start shooting! We love this spot because it reminds us of the palm tree forests you would find in Asia.
Koko Crater Arch Trail
This is an off the beaten path, short and really fun hike. It adds a new perspective to the east side that most people don't know about! Enjoy views of the arch and views of Hawaii's ocean. On a clear day, you might even be able to see views of Lanai!
Obama's Beach
This spot is becoming more and more known, but it's one of Oahu's viral photo location and one of our favorite places! Turquoise waters, white sands and a nice little lagoon make for perfect conditions almost all year round.
Basketball Courts (Kuli'ou'ou Beach Park)
It's a nice change to shoot one of these tennis courts over the regular beaches or hikes we normally photograph. It will add a different vibe to your instagram feed and everyone is going to be asking you where to find these! It's best to shoot at these locations with your drone. To see what we shoot with, check out our blog post, "Whats in our Camera Bag."
Gypsy House
We're not sure if this abandoned building has an official name, but we call it Gypsy House. When you see the art work inside you'll understand why! We think this is such a unique location and makes for a fun little adventure. It's just right off the road and has very easy access! You'll want to park across the street in the neighborhood.
Tip: Bring mosquito repellent
Secret Island -AKA the dock at Moli'i Pond
This is one of our favorite sunrise spots! Here you'll find a beautiful stretch of beach with palm trees and boats, a dock sitting beneath tall mountains and an A frame for jumping and swimming. What more could you ask for in one location?
Upper Kuli'ou'ou (AKA Camping Spot)
Kuli'ou'ou is an amazing hike that takes about 6 hours. Most people dont know if you continue up the trail passed the lookout, you will find an even more beauitful lookout with these views. We like to bring our camping gear and spend the night up there, but know that it can get extremely stormy out there. Make sure to go when the weather is good and you'll have the best time!
Ka'awa Beach
The best part is just down the road from Secret Beach (the dock,) you can find this viral beach. I swear every time I see a photo or reel of this place it blows up. Make sure to go when the tide is low otherwise the beach will be swallowed by water. This is the ultimate drone spot and has such breathtaking views.
