Best of Windward Oahu | Sunrise to Sunset family adventures

November 7, 2024

Best of Windward Oahu: Choose your own adventure

As a long-time Oahu resident (23+ years) and family photographer, I know the island well. Especially the windward side which has been my home. When a visitor asks for advice on what to do, I get excited and tend to go overboard giving them way more than they can cover in a single trip.

With that in mind, I present to you (cue drum roll) the best of windward Oahu. I don’t expect you to complete every activity on this list, at least not all in one day. So check the forecast before heading off on your windward Oahu adventure and pick according to what makes sense for the weather and your level of adventure.

exploring the best of windward oahu starting with sunrise at makapuu beach

Sunrise at Makapuu Beach Park or Makapuu Point Lighthouse Trail

Want to hear the good news? If you’re traveling from the mainland, jet lag is your friend. Depending on time of year and your time zone, sunrise in Hawaii will be 2-6 hours later than at home. So a 6 am sunrise will feel more like an easy noon for you east coasters. Now sunrise doesn’t sound so bad, does it?

We’ll start our best of windward Oahu adventure with the dramatic lava coastline at Makapuu. My preferred view is from the beach which includes the cliff and lighthouse while big surf crashes around. you. However, it’s more popular to hike up the Makapuu Lighthouse trail and watch sunrise here. Personally, I prefer this hike at sunset. Either way you can enjoy views up the coast including the small islands off shore – Manana (Rabbit) Island and Kahohikaipu Island. Looking further north you can see the twin islets, Moku nui and Moku iki. That is the direction you will be heading.

Detour 1: Coffee along the way at Kalapawai Cafe in Waimanalo.
Detour 2: Kaiona Beach. If you prefer a bit of solitude, quietly reading a book in the shade of a palm tree. stop here. This beach is tucked off the main road south of Waimanalo Beach.
Detour 3: Waimanalo Beach. This is a tough one to drive by. Waimanalo Beach is a long stretch of stunning beauty and it’s usually empty at sunrise. It has bigger shorebreak (fun to body board), easy parking, and lots of space
Detour 4: Skip Makapuu entirely and head directly to Lanikai Beach for sunrise
Skip it: SeaLife Park. If want to swim with dolphins or visit a luau at an ocean side setting, it’s worth considering. However, it’s not even open this early, so drive on past.
See sunrise photos taken at Makapuu Beach here, here and here.

Lanikai Beach, Kailua

My teenage son scoffed when he heard that Lanikai Beach was named best beach by the esteemed Dr. Beach. “What about beaches in Indonesia? New Zealand?” he complained. Best beach in the U.S. for the record. Duke Kahanamoku in Waikiki won best beach for 2024. Anyway, he’s being silly. Lanikai is a spectacular beach well deserving of such an award. I love this spot for sunrise photos and have often had clients gasp at their first glimpse of powder-fine sand, sparking blue water, and mountain views.

You could bypass the lava drama at Makapuu and catch sunrise at Lanikai but I’m sending you here a little later because an hour after sunrise is my favorite time to visit this beach. The sunrise gawkers have taken photos and departed but the beach-goers haven’t arrived. You have an hour or two to soak in the beauty of normally crowded Lanikai Beach.

Detour 1: Lanikai pillbox hike. If you’re a hiker, start hiking before dawn so you can watch sunrise from the hillside over Lanikai Beach (and then jump in that beautiful blue water below).
Detour 2: Kailua town! After sunrise, head into Kailua town for local coffee at Chad Lou’s and breakfast at Over Easy. You might browse the local boutiques or visit a farmer’s market if you want to extend your time in Kailua.
Detour 3: Kayak out to Popoia (Flat) Island off of adjacent Kailua Beach Park or Moku nui Island off of Lanikai Beach.
See photos taken at Lanikai Beach here, here and here.

Hoomaluhia Botanical Garden

Hoomaluhia Botancial Garden is free botanical garden that brings you close to the dramatic Koolau mountain range. It’s open from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm and well worth a visit. The garden became “Instagram famous” and started to attract so many visitors hoping for the perfect shot that they placed obnoxious “No parking, No stopping” signs and bright cones along the entire entrance. They have since come to their senses and toned down their message. Hit the visitor center for a map and stroll down to the lake or, if short on time, simply drive to the end and back.

Detour: If you want to try and squeeze in a quick waterfall hike, head to nearby Likeke Falls + the old Pali Road.

Byodo-In Temple

The Byodo-In temple is a peaceful, beautiful temple tucked close to the Koolau Mountains. Spend time wandering around the garden, feeding the koi fish and don’t forget to strike the peace bell. Price is $5 for adults and $2 for kids under 12 (or $3/$1 for kamaaina). It gets crowded with tour buses but if you can make it around opening (8:30 am) or closing (4:30 pm) it will be much more peaceful.

Detour: If you’re stomach is rumbling, you’re in luck. Waiahaloe Poi Factory is midway between the temple and the ranch. Pick up some tasty, authentic Hawaiian food. If you’ve already eaten, order the “fat lady of Waiahole” for a treat of warm kololo and ice cream.

Kualoa Ranch

Kaaawa valley is one of my favorite places on the island. You know it – the one from Jurassic Park (and a bunch of other movies) where the dinosaurs are “flocking this way!” A chance to explore the valley by way of Kualoa Ranch is definitely a highlight on the best of windward Oahu tour. My favorite way to do it is by ATV or ebike.

Detour 1: Macadamia Nut Farm. Tourist-y and worth a quick visit. Towering monkeypods and dripping vines provide the backdrop for this stop. Enjoy the free coffee and macadamia nut samples and then head out back to crack your own. Bonus for clean bathrooms.
Detour 2: Kualoa Beach Park and Mokolii Island. If you’re not up for a tour at Kualoa Ranch or have time beforehand, make a spot at the adjacent beach park for great views. If it’s crowded you can wind your way along the wooded coast to Secret Island. For bigger adventures, kayak out to Mokolii Island and climb to the top. It’s beautiful at sunset!
See photos taken at Kualoa Beach here, here and here.

Laie Point State Wayside

Laie Point State Wayside is worth a short visit. A rocky, limestone point forms the terminus of a small neighborhood. Walk out to the point for dramatic views of the windward coast and and Kukuihoolua Island; known as the hole in the rock. Footing is uneven and rocks are sharp so take care as you explore the area. Daredevils like to leap into the sea from the southern end of the point.

Detour 1: Kahuku Superette. This unassuming convenience store has some of the tastiest spicy ahi poke around. Grab some poke bowls and head to Turtle Bay.
Detour 2: Gunstock Ranch. Horse lovers can end the day here with a private sunset dinner ride.
Skip it. Polynesian Cultural Center. I don’t say skip it because it’s not worth visiting but because it takes time visit. I would plan for 6-8 hours and add on the luau and show.

Sunset at Turtle Bay

Turtle Bay sits at the tip of the windward coast. From here, you can see west which allows you to start your epic day with sunrise and end it with sunset. The resort was purchased by the Ritz-Carlton in late 2024 and they may have some changes in store. However, at this point, it remains one of my favorite places for sunset.

Public parking is provided for shoreline access so you can grab a spot and make your way out to the rocky point for sunset views. Even better, head to the poolside bar for drinks with a view. At sunset, they have a brief ceremony with torch lighting and fire dancers. A great way to end any day in Hawaii.