Trust me, you can’t miss the beaches on an O’ahu tour! Whether you’re into surfing, sunbathing, or sea-turtle-watching, there’s a beach for you.
Let’s take a look at some of the best beaches on O’ahu:
- Waikiki Beach. You could consider Waikiki Beach the birthplace of surfing! Surfing was once a uniquely Hawaiian sport until Duke Kahanamoku, a member of the US Olympic Swim Team, brought surfing to the mainland in the early 1900s. Since then it’s become an international phenomenon! A statue to commemorate Kahanamoku welcomes guests to Waikiki, often adorned with fresh floral leis placed there by locals.
- Diamond Head Beach. Located right next to the Diamond Head volcanic crater is the sparkliest beach on the island. That’s because calcite crystals are mixed in with the sand. These are also where the place gets its name: back in the 1800s, a ship of British soldiers sailed past this beach on their way to Honolulu. They saw the calcite crystals sparkling in the sun and thought they must be diamonds! There are no precious gems to be found here, but no need to be disappointed: it’s still one of the prettiest picnic spots around!
- Waimea Bay Beach. Waimea Bay has been a Hollywood favorite for beach and jungle scenes. If it looks familiar, you might have seen it in the 70s heist film Point Break or, more recently, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire in 2012. The unique environments found in Hawaii are film-ready; no need to build sets or create special effects. Download this tour to hear more about the many movies filmed here!
- Turtle Beach. For decades, Turtle Beach has been the number one spot for Hawaiian green sea turtles. They come here to bask in the sun and feed on the plentiful kelp and green moss which clings to the shoreside rocks. They’re so big and slow, they often look like rocks themselves! If you visit the beach, keep in mind that it’s prohibited to touch the turtles. Preservation efforts have boosted their numbers, but green sea turtles are still on the endangered list!
- Waimānalo Beach. Looking for something off the beaten path? This beach is ultra-secluded, so most tourists overlook this hidden gem. Three miles of white sand bordered by ironwood trees can be all yours!
- Sunset Beach. Here’s one you might want to save for later in the day. As you might guess by the name, this is a spectacular spot to catch the setting sun in the west. You have front row seats to watch the sun turn from gold to orange to red as it melts into the pristine ocean. What could be better than that?
As you can see, there are PLENTY of beaches to choose from. How do you pick? When you follow the O’ahu Tours app, you will pass by ALL of these beaches and even more. As the narration guides you through the twists and turns of Hawaii highway, it will tell you about what makes each beach truly special. All that’s left is to pack your swimsuit and your sunscreen! Safe travels!
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