Driving Around The Island Of Oahu
Scenic Lookouts, Watefalls Beaches and Shrimp Trucks
 Places like Kualoa Beach Park await those who drive around Oahu.
For those with the drive to do something different than sit on Waikiki Beach (or spend much of their vacation shopping in its many stores), there's a great one-day escape that's well worth the time.
It's taking a drive around the island of Oahu. What awaits are hiking trails through the jungle, waterfalls, beaches and parks by beaches and shrimp trucks. What is not there are shopping centers, tour operators and high-rise hotels. There's not even any ABC Stores.
This is a quick guide to hitting the highlights of driving around the island. It takes one full day; SurfsideSam.com recommends leaving mid-morning; you'll be back by early evening.
The Pauli Highway cuts through the interior mountains of Oahu.
This guide goes from Waikiki to the Paul Highway, with the North Shore being the last stop. The drive could easily be done in reverse of this order, but it's this way to take daylight advantage of a scenic overlook and a hike to a waterfall. Timed right, one can arrive at Sunset beach just in time for, well, sunset.
The directions are simple and the roads are wide and modern. This is not a back-roads drive. And it's best experienced in a convertible.
Driving Directions
From Waikiki, take H1 westbound to the Pali Highway exit. Follow that to Highway 83; this is a well-marked intersection. The 83 runs along the coast thru to the North Shore. After the North Shore, take the 99 to H2 and follow the signs back to Waikiki Beach.
Nuuanu Pali State Park.
Nuuuanu State Park presents a wide view of windward Oahu.
The first stop is the lookout at Nuuanu Pali State Park (or, as the Hawaiians spell it, Nu'uanu). The site of the final battle of Oahu, when Kamehameha used superior weapons to win and became the first King of Hawaii. Some 800 of the other warriors leaped to their deaths from the top of this cliff.
And it's a heck of a cliff, 985 feet, to be precise. It provides a high view of the windward side of the island. And it can be windy; don't wear a loose-fitting hat because it could get blown away quicker than one's first impression of the view.
Visitors can also walk down the original highway; if it's been raining there's a small waterfall on the right side about a hundred yards down the road.
The Pali Lookout, as it is also known, is open 9 a.m.-4 p.m. There is a small parking lot with a $3 fee.
Maunawili Falls
There's no rainbow at the end of this hike, but a scenic waterfall
It's a bit of a diversion but well worth it for those who want to go for a hike and swim in a waterfall. The Maunawili Falls are a few miles past Highway 83 that runs along the coast, but it's pure Hawaii.
The falls are at the end of a 45-minute (appx.) hike through the jungle. This is not a real challenging hike, but it's not a breeze, either. There are several hills and crossing a stream is required on a couple of occasions.
The reward is a rushing waterfall with a deep pool; several people climb rocks to jump into the water. And that water is initially chilly, but the body quickly adapts.
To get there, take the Pali Highway past the lookout and through two tunnels and make a right on Auloa Road, Quickly veer to the left and park in the residential neighborhood. For those who want to go to the falls, plan extra time into your schedule. It is about 2-3 hours for this side trip.
For more on Manuawilli Falls, click here.
The Coastal Drive
Kualoa Beach Park, with Mokol'i Island in the distance.
Oahu's version of Pacific Coast Highway and US1 to the Florida Keys is the Highway 83 when it hits the windward coast. As in those scenic drives, there are dozens of places to pull over and admire the view, soak in the scenery, even have a picnic or go for a swim or snorkel.
Different types of beaches and parks are part of the coast.
SurfsideSam.com's highlights start with Kualoa Beach Park. There's a view of Mokol'i Island and this park also has snorkeling and even diving. Because it's on the windward coast it's a bit breezy. That is a common trend on this side of the island.
Further down is the Crouching Lion rock formation. You have to to go down the road to actually see it.
Laie Point is a spectacular spot to stop along the Oahu coast.
A must stop is the ragged cliffs and view of Laie Point in La'ie Town. This is a sensational coastal viewpoint from the top of rocky cliffs. Walk across the is a moon-like surface to watch waves crashing into cliffs. One rock has a hole in the center from a storm. This is Oahu's version of Cabo San Lucas' arch on Lover's Beach. To get there, Turn right on Anemoku St across from Foodland shopping center (there's a light) and make another right at the end of that road..
All during the drive, there are small beaches and parks, some of which allow for overnight camping. For those seeking that adventure, pick one and pitch your tent.
Shrimp Trucks
The Giovanni shrimp truck is the most popular on the island.
One of the unique treats of the Oahu scenic drive is a stop at the shrimp trucks at the side of the road. These famous shrimp trucks are in and around the town of Kahuku. The most popular of these is Giovanni's with its garlic shrimp. (a dozen for $13; or, you can get a half for $6.50 and a half of lemon and butter shrimp for $6.50; includes a scoop or rice). There's a picnic table and a couple of venders sell souvenirs. Other shrimp trucks are located beyond this point.
Garlic or lemon and butter shrimp, a half-dozen for $6.50 with rice.
There are also shrimp trucks in the North Shore town of Haleiwa. Across the street from a McDonald's, oddly enough.
North Shore
The laid-back Oahu lifestyle really shows itself in the North Shore.
This is the most laid back of all the laid back places on Oahu. Where surfers call home and surfing dominates the lifestyle.
The North Shore is simple – the luxurious Turtle Bay Resort is about the only high-end property – and hardly commercial at all. There are far more surf shops than, well, shops. One of the most renowned food stops is not a fancy restaurant on the water, but a small bakery that serves sandwiches, loco moco and famous pie. At Ted's, you sit not at linen-cloth tables with a view of the sea but at old hamburger stand-style round tables outside.
The most famous place in the North Shore is Pipeline. This is not actually a beach but the nickname of the break. So there's no sign for Pipeline. Instead, it's across from an elementary school (don't park there) at Ehukai Beach Park. In the summer and fall, this is a beautiful beach great for laying out and relaxing; almost nobody is on it so it's almost like a private beach, as well. In the winter, tho, whoa! There's a reason the break is called the Banzai Pipeline. It's the final, climatic stop on the three-beach Triple Crown of Surfing, held each November & December in the North Shore.
Sunset beach (top 2) and then from closer to Turtle Beach (below).
The appropriately named Sunset Beach is an ideal place to be for, well, sunset. It's ideal for swimming and even snorkeling in the summer. But not in the winter.
People can look at – but not touch – turtles at Turtle Beach.
Just down from Sunset Beach is Turtle Beach, where giant turtles come up on shore. Look but don't touch! The actual name of this place is Laniakea Beach,
or Lani's.
There were once Shark's at Shark's Cove (but not now).
The top snorkeling spot in the North Shore is Shark's Cove. It's recognizable because the view opens up a bit here and there's a rocky cove with a bathroom station and parking lot. It's just before Waimea Bay in Pupukea Beach Park close to the Sunset Fire
Station.
When it's calm, Waimea Bay is an ideal place to relax and swim.
One of the most beautiful spots is Waimea Bay. It's a large bay that's good for snorkeling when the water is calm in the summer. In the winter, though, huge waves make it an area for expert surfers only.
From here, tired travelers can head left Highway 99 and head back to Waikiki. Or veer to the right to go through the town of Haleiwa. Here is where to find shaved ice, more shrimp trucks, a margarita (Cholo's) and even sushi (Bonzai Sushi, Happy Hour M-F 4-7). For those in the need of Java, The Coffee Gallery hits the spot. All three of these places are in the North Shore Market Place.
For more on North Shore, click here. For food in the North Shore, click here.
SurfsideSam.com covers beach and tropical travel destinations around the world. © 2010. All rights reserved.
 Related Article: Swimming in Manuawili Falls
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