Hawaii Travel Guide: The Best Way to Spend Your Day on O'ahu Island

When traveling to Hawaii, there are many things that come to mind: beaches,the ocean, palm trees, hiking, snorkeling, food and more. Here are some places that are absolute can't miss destinations for families, couples, and people just taking a much needed break.I recently traveled to Hawaii, and on the plane ride there i sat next to a woman who was born and raised on the island (Oahu). I asked her if she would mind recommending some places. The very first place that she mentioned is: Hanauma Bay.

THE BEACH: Hanauma Bay
By taking the main highway(H1) thru the island east (really southeast), the H1 will take you most of the places you want to go, including Hanauma. Take the H1 until it ends and continue straight. You'll be driving along the coast for a while, passing such things as the Kona Island Brewing Co (which I'll mention more about later). You'll see signs for Hanauma bay eventually. I would recommend getting there as early as possible, because parking fills up pretty fast, and since it is located away from populated areas, finding parking is priority #1.

Once parked its a quick walk to the entrance. If you have never been there before, you have to watch a quick and painless 10 minuted video about not damaging the reefs when swimming and snorkeling with the fish. Afterwords you are on your own.

Its quite a hill down to the actual bay (the bay is surrounded by mountains before you get the the wonderful sandy beaches). You can take a little trolley for 50 cents on the way down, and $1 on the way up. The walk down really isn't all that difficult, but back up, after a day at the beach, its pretty nice to just drive up it on the trolley.

If you are into snorkeling, this is the place for you. There is a place right on the beach that you can rent snorkeling equipment for for a reasonable price. $6 for a set( goggles with tube and fins for you feet), or $9 (which is what i paid) which is basically the same set, but it has a box on the top of the tube that helps keep water out better.