Are you thinking about living on Oahu, particularly on the Windward side, and want to know what there is to do here? In this episode of Aloha Oahu, I’m going to show you my top three things that I love doing right here on the island. I’ll give you the inside scoop on everything from the best beaches to hiking trails so you can enjoy all that Oahu has to offer.

 

Beautiful Kailua Beach

Whether you’re looking to move to the island or already live here and want ideas of what to do, Oahu has plenty of activities for everyone. The first thing I love to do, especially here on the Windward side of Oahu, is relax on the beach.

Kailua Beach on the windward side is routinely rated one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. This two-and-a-half-mile uninterrupted stretch of beach has two beach parks as well as multiple beach accesses along its route. Nestled in protected Kailua Bay, Kailua Beach is perfect for a long beach walk or some ocean fun—without having to worry about some of the extremely large surf that you get on other parts of the island.

The reason why I love Kailua Beach is that it's one of my favorite places to walk. I grab the dog on his leash and find the path between the incoming surf and the soft sand. It's a great way to catch up with a friend, and the blues of the ocean as well as the sky make it ultra calming.

Windward Water Activities

The Windward side is also known for its great water activities. Head over to Kaneohe Bat and you will find a boater’s paradise. This protected bay offers wide areas for sailing, kayaking, and boating fun. My absolute favorite outing includes a boat ride out to the Kaneohe Bay Sandbar. This natural sandbar is about a mile from land and, depending on the tides, it can range from ankle-deep to waist-deep. It's the perfect spot to have a relaxing picnic, go snorkeling, or watch for honu—which is Hawaiian for turtle.

If you're feeling particularly adventurous, Google “hammerhead sharks in Kaneohe Bay.” I've never personally seen them—though I have seen plenty of stingrays—but the video is certainly worth watching. When you're actually on the sandbar, you have an uninterrupted view of the Koolau Mountain Range. It's truly my favorite place to take a deep breath and recenter.

Hiking Hawaiian Style

If you prefer to stay inland instead of heading to the beach, you're definitely not out of luck. There are plenty of amazing hikes for all levels of hikers on the Windward side. The various hiking trails available cover everything from ocean views to mountain waterfalls. Be careful though, and make sure you do your research. Some of these hikes can be dangerous, especially if it has been raining.

If you are an experienced hiker, you can go ahead and do a ridge hike. But if you'd like things a little more simple, Maunawili Falls is a muddy trail with a great reward at the end, Old Pali Road is kid and leashed-dog friendly, and Makapu’u Lighthouse trail is paved all the way. So there are options for every level of hiker.

Fun And Sun On Oahu

I hope this gave you some ideas of what to do on a free day on the Windward side of Oahu. What is your favorite thing to do? Please feel free to comment as I'd love to hear from you.

If you have any additional questions about this video or anything else about Oahu, please feel free to contact me. I'm more than happy to help. Please don't forget to subscribe to this channel for more information on the island of Oahu, and I’ll see you on the next episode!