Oahu - The Diamond Head & an island tour on Oahu (USA)

Today we wanted to explore the island of Oahu with our rental car and drove from our Hotel Maile Sky Court in Waikiki to Diamond Head.

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The Diamond Head Viewpoint

Our first stop was the Diamond Head Crater (called L’ahi in Hawaiian) the landmark of Honolulu and Waikiki.

We walked over the Diamond Head Summit Trail from the parking lot to the crater rim – a steep path about 1.3 km. From below, this looks relatively boring – but the effort was more than worth it, because once you have reached the top you have a magnificent view of Honolulu and Waikiki, of the crater itself and of the coast with its lighthouse.

The entrance to diamond head state monument

The crater from the inside

The last steps to Diamond Head

The view from Lookout Point to Waikiki

View of Honolulu & Waikiki

View of Waikiki Beach

View of the lighthouse

Panoramic image, Oahu, Island tour, On your own, Attractions, Hawaii, USA, Travelreport

Panoramic image of the Lookout of Diamond Head

Along the coastal road of Oahu

After the descent from Diamond Head Crater we drove on to the coastal road 83 and passed many viewpoints. The whole thing reminded us a little of Highway 1 in California and the drive along the Cape Peninsula in South Africa.

The journey along the east coast of Oahu

The view from the Makapuu Lookout

Koohikaipu Island State Seabird Sanctuary

Beach on the east coast

At one point we could even see some humpback whales in the ocean, which can be found everywhere here in Hawaii from November to April. Unfortunately, even with a 300 zoom lens from the coast, there is not much to be done.

Humpback Whales, Oahu, Island Tour, Own, Attractions, Hawaii, USA, Travelreport

Humpback whales off the coast of Oahu

Surfers on the north coast of Oahu

On the route there were many beach parks, which are very beautifully laid out here in Hawaii. There is free parking, toilets, showers and picnic areas. Especially on the north coast you will find the beaches so typical of Hawaii with their meter-high waves and the many surfers.

Surfers on the north coast of Oahu

We drove the road 83 and then the 930 just so long until it didn’t go on. The road ends at Kaena Point Trail. When it was already dawning we drove back to Honolulu. All in all a beautiful route for Oahu (link in Google Maps), which can be done well in one day.

Haleiwa Surfer Shield

The view of the north coast

Our car rental

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The route of our current tour over the island of Oahu

Snorkeling in Sharks Cove (Pupukea Tide Pools)

The next morning we actually wanted to snorkel at Oahu’s most popular snorkeling spot: Hanauma Bay. Unfortunately, the Beach Park is always closed on Tuesdays. Unfortunately, we hadn’t researched this before. Very annoying. As an alternative to Hanauma Bay we went again to the north coast to Pupukea Beach Park, because we had read that you can also snorkel there in the tide pool “Sharks Cove”. But it wasn’t really worth it. The tide pool is not very large and has only a few fish to offer.

The Sharks Cove - Pupukea Tide Pools

The parking lot at Pupukea Beach Park

The Tidepool Sharks Cove

All travelogues from Hawaii (2015)

Our world trip led us after almost 2 months from the American mainland to Hawaii. Situated in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, 3,600 kilometres away from the US mainland, the 50th state of the USA. For many, it is the epitome of the South Seas. During our two-week stay in Hawaii we visited four of the six main islands: Kauai, O'ahu, Maui and Big Island. Each of these islands has its own personality, nature and sights and offers different activities for all tastes: From the big city Honolulu with the famous Waikiki Beach, the fascinating Waimea Canyon and the breathtaking Napali Coast on Kauai, the famous Road to Hana on Maui to the most active volcano in the world on Big Island. The islands radiate a unique flair and have enchanted us very quickly with the famous Aloha charm.