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Five scenic lookouts on Oahu: attractions that have you wishing your vacation never ends.

Get your pen (or tablet) ready for some heavy note-taking.

Let’s check out the best things to do in Hawaii!

Nu’uanu Pali Lookout

Pali Lookout, Oahu

Located off the Pali Highway in Central Oahu, the Nu’uanu Pali Lookout will blow you away—literally! Winds here can reach up to 80 mph, so hold onto your hats on your visit to the Pali Lookout.

Historically, the Pali Lookout is one of Hawaii’s most significant locations. Here, King Kamehameha I and his army fought a fierce, bloody battle in an effort to unite the Hawaiian Islands as one nation.

Kamehameha succeeded, consequently sending thousands of enemies over the steep cliff. When the Old Pali Highway under went construction in the late 1800s, nearly 800 bodies of warriors were found at the base of the mountains.

It’s not all grim, however. The views of Kailua and Kaneohe—sister towns in Windward Oahu—are breathtaking. The ridges of the Ko’olau Mountains to the left of Pali Lookout make for an stunning photo opportunity.

Don’t miss this stop on your vacation! 

Click here to learn more.

Laie Point State Wayside Park

Laie Point, Oahu

You’re not up the mountains at this scenic Oahu lookout, but it’s definitely one of the best views of the Pacific Ocean on the island (and here’s why).

Feel free to walk about the area, where rocky flats stand high above crashing ocean waves below. Locals love to fish, cliff jump, and play music with friends here at Laie Point.

To the left, you’ll see one of Oahu’s greatest natural wonders: an offshore island with a puka, or hole, in its center.

The forces of Mother Nature once hit the island so hard that a hole was dug right through the middle! It’s been the most memorable landmark of Laie Point ever since.

You’ll want to stay here a long time. We don’t blame you!

Join us on your next trip to Oahu. 

Hanauma Bay

Hanauma Bay, Oahu

For a small admission fee, you can park in the Hanauma Bay parking lot and walk to one of Oahu’s most popular lookout points. (With a tour, all admission fees are included, even better!)

On a clear day, you can peer into the waters below and watch snorkelers exploring the coral reefs teeming with tropical marine life. The water is a crystal blue-green, and the waves crash gently at the bay’s crescent opening, making their way slowly to shore.

Hanauma Bay is one of the must-see things to do in Oahu.

Click here to book your trip to Hanauma Bay.

Makapu’u Lookout

Makapuu Lookout, Oahu

Are you finding yourself asking this question: What is there to do in Hawaii between Laie Point and Hanauma Bay?

Plenty! But if there’s one stop you must make along the way, it’s the Makapu’u Lookout. You don’t want to miss this gorgeous scenic lookout!

As the most eastern point of Oahu, Makapu’u Lookout offers views of offshore Rabbit Island, Waimanalo Beach Park, and humpback whales off in the distance on a clear day.

And if you have time, be sure to hike up to the top (about 45 minutes roundtrip) and experience the lookout near Makapu’u Lighthouse, sitting atop the rocky cliffs.

If you want to experience Makapuu Lookout on your vacation, leave that to us!

Diamond Head Crater Lookout

Last but not least: Diamond Head. You have two choices for an amazing scenic lookout on this remarkable mountain.

Hike your way to the top, or check out Diamond Head Crater lookout.

The hike is best in the late afternoon or early morning—you’ll experience a sky bursting with the colors of dusk (or dawn).

The lookout is just the same, and is a great place to finish your circle island tour of Oahu.

So much more to discover

That was just the top five most popular lookouts. For more on what to do in Hawaii, join us on an Oahu Circle Island Tour.

Click the button below to discover Oahu at its best!

Guess what: our Oahu Circle Island Tours take a lunch break nearby, so there’s a good chance you’ll see the film set and production crew in action.

Filming at Kualoa: Building a movie set at Kualoa Ranch.

What is the Last Resort? Here’s the description from tvlines.com:

“Set in the not-so-distant future, Last Resort follows the crew of a U.S. nuclear submarine who become fugitives after refusing to fire their missiles. Ultimately, they make camp on an island that hosts a NATO listening station and declare themselves an independent nuclear nation.”

TV writer Shawn Ryan is part of the Last Resort team. Shawn’s work can be seen on shows like The Shield, The Unit, Terriers, The Chicago Code and Lie To Me. 

ABC gives no guarantee that the show will actually air—”pilot” shows don’t always make the cut and are dropped before airing on television.

Last Resort, produced by Sony Studios, has been described by ABC as  “international action thriller/soap” where the world is held hostage by a crew possessing nuclear weapons.

Here’s some of the latest pictures from production, via @ShawnRyanTV on Twitter.

Last Resort pilot production

Don’t miss your chance

Join us on a circle island tour, our stop at Kualoa is a great opportunity to see history being made!

Most travelers will ask, what do I bring to Hawaii on vacation? Shorts and slippers? Sunscreen and sunglasses?

Keep reading for the essential packing list for your trip to Hawaii.

What to pack for a Hawaii vacation? (Photo: jepoirrer / Flick)

What to pack for your trip to Hawaii:

Light jacket or sweater.
Even though we live in paradise, we still live in a tropical climate–which means it can still rain in Hawaii. Also, fall and winter seasons in Hawaii don’t bring snowfall, but the nights are certainly cooler–between 65-70 degrees Fahrenheit.

Comfortable shoes.
First off, bring a pair of slippers/flip-flops/sandals. But because Hawaii is a great place for outdoor activities, be sure to bring shoes too. If you’re touring the Big Island volcanoes, bring hike-friendly shoes for Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

Aloe vera gel.
Aloe helps reduce the pain and effect of sunburns. Aloe also speeds recovery time. Prevent it from the start and bring sunscreen, too. If you can’t find a bottle under 3 ounces in size, pick up some at a local ABC Store when you land.

Refillable water bottle.
We pay 6 cents per can/bottle in Hawaii, and soft drinks are no exception. Save money on buying beverages and reduce waste by bringing your own refillable bottle.

Casual dress wear.
Hawaii is laid back when it comes to dining out–an Aloha Shirt and long pants is usually all a guy needs to look ‘dressed up’. There are some places where formal wear is necessary, so consider calling ahead to a restaurant when you’re still on the mainland to ask about the dress code for dining.

Cash, and a CO-OP credit union debit card.
The banking market in Hawaii is dominated by local banks. You won’t find an ATM from a national branch like US Bank, Chase, Bank of America and so on. If you have a credit union debit card that’s part of the CO-OP ATM network, you can avoid ATM fees by using a CO-OP ATM in Hawaii. Otherwise, you’ll be paying an extra $2.50+ every time you withdraw money at an ATM in Hawaii with your mainland bank card.

Polarized sunglasses.
Protect your eyes on vacation.

Maps.
Find your way around the islands, avoid getting lost. If you’re using a smartphone, you can use Google Maps or a similar app.

Respect.
You might be on vacation, but there are over a million people living on these islands. Arrive ready to understand and respect the communities of Hawaii and your vacation experience will be even more fulfilling. Residents of Hawaii are friendly and happy!

Got a packing tip to add?

Leave a comment with your best packing advice for a Hawaii vacation.

Oahu: Chinaman’s Hat (Mokoli’i)

Hawaii Travel Guide: Chinaman's Hat

One of my favorite places on Oahu is the Windward side, where Kualoa Ranch is located. A scenic drive along Kalanianaole Highway–which travels South Shore Oahu, past Waimanalo and into Kailua–brings you to Kamehameha Highway, which then leads you past Kualoa Ranch.

Just across Kualoa Ranch is the Kualoa Regional Park, where Chinaman’s Hat sits just offshore (if you’ve got a kayak you can actually visit the island!). But not everyone knows that “Chinaman’s Hat” is not the island’s true name.

The island’s true name is Mokoli’i, meaning “little lizard”. Hawaiian legend tells of Pele’s sister, Hi’iaka, defeating a dragon and placing the body into the sea.

You can learn more about the legend and “Chinaman’s Hat” with our Hawaii Travel Guide and on our Oahu Circle Island Tours.

Maui: Ho’okipa Beach

Hawaii Travel Guide: Ho'okipa Beach

The world’s capital of windsurfing is on Maui, near Pa’ia Town close to where the Road to Hana begins.

The ideal conditions at Ho’okipa Beach were widely recognized as a windsurfer’s paradise with the rise of a new trend in ocean sports in the 1970s.

Modern day surfing at Ho’okipa Beach was popular, but it was the windsurfing community that really took this beach to worldwide stardom.

Learn more about Ho’okipa Beach here, or take one of our Road to Hana tours and experience it for yourself!

Kauai: Tunnel of Trees

Hawaii Travel Guide: Tunnel of Trees (Photo: lytfyre on Flickr)

Historic, picturesque and inspiring. There are so many ways to describe Kauai’s Tunnel of Trees, which mesmerizes passerbys as they drive through the lush canopy.

Kauai residents, businesses, and volunteers gather each year to clean up the Tree Tunnel on Kauai. In 1992, Hurrican Iniki damaged the Tunnel, but with the help of volunteers and Father Time, the trees grew back to their full state.

Learn more about the Tunnel of Trees and our Kauai tour on the Hawaii Travel Guide.

Big Island: Thurston Lava Tube

Hawaii Travel Guide: Thurston Lava Tube

The Thurston Lava Tube enchants visitors as they walk through an underground pathway formed when lava flowed, cooled and hardened at its edge. Those hardened edges helped for a tube or tunnel.

Both eerie and otherworldly, the lava tube is actually a short, easy walk along a path with dim lights.

However, the tube extends deeper (and darker) on a path that regular visitors don’t go. Adventurers who want to explore the darker side of the Thurston Lava Tube can do so, but flashlights are essential!

Learn more about the Thurston Lava Tube and our Big Island Volcano tours.

What’s your favorite destination in Hawaii?

We met up with one of our Hawaii tour groups on the Oahu Circle Island Eco Tour. (Click here to learn more about the Full Day Circle Island Eco Adventure Tour.)

Kualoa Ranch Tours

Kualoa Ranch offers a variety of fun things to do on Oahu, like horseback riding and ATV adventures through the valley. We recently launched a variety of easy-to-book tours at Kualoa, including:

• Horseback
• ATV
• Movie Sites & Ranch
• Jungle Expedition
• Ocean Voyaging
• Secret Island (includes Ocean Voyaging Tour and counts as two 1-hour tours)
• Ancient Fishpond & Gardens
• Legends & Legacy
• Hula Lessons

If there’s one lesson everyone learns when they’re vacationing in Hawaii, it’s to be prepared for the sun! We recommend wearing sunscreen and bringing drinking water on your day trips. Don’t forget your sunglasses and a camera, too!

Secret Island at Kualoa

One secluded area on Windward Oahu that is owned and operated by Kualoa Ranch is Secret Island, which requires access via boat ride and has a beautiful, quiet beach where you can swim, sunbathe, and kayak.

While on the Secret Island Boat Ride, look “mauka” (toward the mountains) for a stunning view of Oahu’s Koolau Mountain Ridge. Check out more on our previous blog post.

The scenic drive home

Leaving Kualoa, highway 63 will take you either North toward La’ie or South toward Kailua. It’s one of the most scenic drives on Oahu–along the way you’re right next to the beach or directly below mountains. It’s one of my favorite highways on Oahu!

Windward Oahu on Highway 63