Hi Everyone, it has been a crazy travel month for me. We spent 2 weeks in Hawaii and back in LA for a week and then I packed up to attend the 19th Annual Film Festival in Newport Beach for 4 days this weekend past. Spent Sunday all day to unpack and repack for the family and now we are in NYC. Phew, I need a major break after this. But first things first, I have gotten so many questions about all the Instagrammable beaches and secret spots in Hawaii so I decided to write a post dedicated to all of the Instagram Worthy beach fronts and “secret” beaches and beach front swing in Oahu. You guys better BOOKMARK this because it will give you all the juicy details on HOW to get there.
Lanikai Beach, Kailua
What do you have in mind when you picture what the perfect Hawaiian beach looks like? Blue sky? Clear turquoise waves? Lanikai Beach fits that picture exactly and is located in the neighborhood of Lanikai in Kailua. Away from the crowded Waikiki beach crowd, Lanikai beach offers plenty of soft sand and seclusion for a morning of peaceful relaxing or swimming. Because of its remote location on the eastside of Oahu, Lanikai beach is a little tricky to get to unless you rent a beach front house (I highly recommend doing this if you are traveling with a larger group). The pedestrian access to Lanikai Beach can be found between the residential homes, and the word Lanikai is written on a pillar entrance.
From Waikiki, take the H1 headed west, then take the Pali Highway (61) to Kailua. Take a right at Kailua Rd., merge left, and then turn right onto Lihiwai Rd. until it turns into Kawaiola Rd. Left into Alala Rd., which turns into Mokulua Drive, which loops around into Aalapapa Dr. Follow as it loops around into Mokumanu Dr., and on the ocean side of that road is where the beach access points are.
Fort DeRussy Beach + Pier, Waikiki
This sunset photo on the pier generated a lot of attention when people thought that there is a magical secluded spot in Waikiki. The short of that answer is Yes, there is a rock pier located at the end of Fort DeRussy Beach in front of Outrigger Reef Waikiki Resort. The long answer is that this pier is usually PACKED with visitors, especially around Sunset because everyone is trying to capture that unobstructed sunset view. I had to use my body and dress to cover up many of the people and fisherman on the pier and photoshop out the fishing poles, but the result does look pretty magical. If you don’t mind sharing the view with other people, then here is how to get to this beach front park and pier.
If you are already in Waikiki area, park at the designated spots for the Park and head towards the beach via Saratoga road. There is a pedestrian path between the Outrigger Reef hotel and the Fort DeRussy Army Museum. Follow the path until you hit the sandy beach and you will see the Pier right in front of you. I would suggest wearing sandals because the pier is made of rock and shaped like a washboard. Walk at your own risk of excruciating pain.
Kualoa Ranch, Kaniohe Bay
Your eyes did not deceive you, this is the place where they filmed Jurassic Park. Don’t let the photo fool you, there is so much more things to do at Kualoa Ranch besides stare at the sheer magnificence of the mountain cliffs. Kualoa is a 4,000 acre Private Nature Reserve as well as a working cattle ranch with more than 600 head of cattle. It is truly a paradise for outdoor recreation and Kualoa offers guided tours by several forms of transportation … electric Mountain Bikes, ATV’s, Zipline, Horseback and more.
The simplest way to get from Waikiki to Kualoa is to take one of our many Kualoa buses straight from Waikiki. With any booking the rate is only $15 roundtrip per person, and if you purchase an activity package, it is only $10 roundtrip per person. If you are self driving, here is the ADDRESS: 49-560 Kamehameha Highway, Kaneohe, Hawaii 96744. We didn’t do many activities given the short time we have and the rain, but I would def go back and book a few of the tours and zip lining activities.
The Secret Swing of Oahu, Somewhere on Kamehameha Highway
It’s not that I don’t want to share the location of this Giant beach front swing in the middle of no where, it is because this swing is literally in a residential area and the residences have complained about people flooding to find it after a few super popular bloggers like Gary Pepper Girl posted photos of it. This giant swing was not an easy swing to find in Oahu… google doesn’t even have any details on the location…and all that I can give away is that it is on Kamehameha Highway in the neighborhood of Hauula. If you are making your way to North Shore on Kamehameha Highway, keep your eyes peeled after you have passed Kalaipaloa Point, the swing is on your right.
Secret Beach and Tide Pool of Alan Davis Beach
Those that remembers my Instastory of an adventurous day, the Alan Davis Beach is certainly one that is worthy of the books. I love this place so much that I am a little reluctant to share this untapped treasure and want to keep it all to myself. I’ve seen it listed as Alan Davis or Allen Davis, but it’s never clear if that’s the name of the trail or beach or both. In any case, Alan Davis is a nice, isolated spot on the south side of Makapu’u. No tourists, clear water and a tide pool on a nice day. It’s along the Kaiwi Scenic Shoreline and you can access it from the Makapuu Point lighthouse parking lot.
After you park for the Makapu’u light house, Instead of ascending the concrete path up towards the trailhead, take the hidden dirt path on the right down to the ocean. It’s beautiful and wild and windy and you think that you are walking towards nothing because of all the hills surrounds you. But I promise, it is there so just keep walking. The hike takes maybe 15 minutes, wear comfy shoes because it gets muddy along the way. At the end of the hike, you will be rewarded with a beautiful secluded beach that is so rural, so untouched you wouldn’t know that you are in Oahu. Bring all the swim gear with you because you will be spending all afternoon here and not wanting to leave.
I hope this post is a treasure map for all of you guys who wishes to enjoy the non-touristy things and places when you visit Oahu, Hawaii. I will continue to scout more “secret” things and places to see next time I’m in Hawaii.
Oh wow, Sheree! These photos are so stunning! Thanks for sharing.
Shelbee
http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com
Every single picture is magnificent! This is a dream trip for me. Thanks for sharing and for the link up!
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
Already the pictures are a dream! Thanks a lot for sharing <3
xx from Bavaria/Germany, Rena
http://www.dressedwithsoul.com
Wow! These photos are stunning!
Oh my goodness. These pictures are gorgeous and my breath caught just looking at them. How blessed to be able to visit and see them. Hope you’re feeling refreshed and anew!!!
Fantastic places and pictures!
https://4highheelsfans.wordpress.com/2018/04/26/chantilly-day-3-paris/
What a stunning set of photos Sheree! It must have felt heavenly in those wonderful locations! xx
Wow, you took such amazing pictures!!
xx Leah / http://www.leahbehr.com
Wow pics gal. Making me plan Hawaii once again. Love your edits on these pics.
Vaishali
http://www.vivaciouswish.com/2018/04/30/travelog-shanghai-1/
These are absolutely stunning pictures and places! How fun to go and find these little treasures!
http://www.myltitlenest.org
I’ve had major vacation envy following your trip on Instgram! Looks like it was an awesome vacation!
Cheryl Shops | http://www.cherylshops.net
Wow! I didn’t even know they had all these beautiful beaches there. For some reason I thought it was one long Beach! I think my favorite beach is the one with the swing. That looks amazing and picture-worthy. Great post!
These are beautiful photos, and all of these beaches look amazing!! I can’t wait to make it back to the beach!
Rachael
http://www.threadsforthomasblog.com
Thank you so much for sharing this post and info. I will bookmark this post for when I visit Hawaii. It is my dream list of places to go and I hope I can do it soon. All your content would be very helpful. Gorgeous images and outfits. I’m loving the white dress with Pom Poms.
xx. Gina
Wow all of the beach photos are just stunning and so breathtaking! Love it all❤️
Hey Darling,
Happy Weekend:)
Ohhh Hawaii is a Dream and Your Photos are Stunning:)
In Love with each spot what you showed:)
Definitely on my Bucket List:)
Love Kisses
Karina
“ True Beauty Comes From Within”
It’s unbelievable that skies and beaches like these even exist! So gorgeous. I’m falling back into vacation mode again after reading this blog post. Wanderlusting hard!
xo Samantha
Such a great roundup! You have me itching to plan my trip back right now! Love the swing~
xx Kristina || http://www.dearnovemberdays.com
All of your Oahu vacation photos were just so amazing and magical! We go to Hawaii every year but since we go with the kids it is hard to go in search of these amazing locations. We’ve been to Lanakai Beach as it is one of our favs and we also stay right by the Waikiki pier. The other spots you mentioned I definitely need to go and find the next time we head there. Thanks for sharing these beautiful hidden spots! xoxo, Christine
http://dailykongfidence.com/
Your photos should all be in magazines!! I love every single one! Thanks for sharing these locations too!
These are some really beautiful shots. I would love to be on a beach right about now!
xoxo Debbie
http://www.tothineownstylebetrue.com
Every single picture is so breathtaking Sheree! I assume your hubby took these amazing shots. He did such a wonder job. You are really a super mom. I can’t imagine with two little ones around and you guys took these killer shots. I definitely bookmarked this post and save it for my visit to Oahu! Thank you for sharing!
Xx
Ting
https://www.tingmystyle.com
I am absolutely in love with your Hawaii pictures. Thank you so much for sharing these Instagramable places, I have already bookmarked this post. Every picture is so dreamy and it illustrates such a beautiful story. Also loving all of your outfits :).
xx
Sarah
http://sarahatiq.com/
I was just in Hawaii in March and this gives me the itch to get back there. All so gorgeous!!
Sounds like you’re living out of your suitcase but it’s oh, so worth it! Those photos are gorg! Seriously epic! I still haven’t been to Hawaii and now I’m feeling the wanderlust, You are one lucky mama!
XO
http://www.lehoarder.com/
Oh my gosh! Instagram worthy, magazine worthy and blown-up wallpaper worthy! So pretty. The bay is my favourite! 🙂
Tatyana x
LAFOTKA
Breath taking view and thanks for sharing those amazing instagrammable places!!! I can’t wait to visit that place one day myself and to take beautiful photos at all the places!!! You post is making me dying to have a beach holiday soon!
xx, Jessie
http://4evajessie.com/4-fabulous-places-you-should-visit-in-australia/
What a beautiful post! I enjoy admiring every single shot because the views are so magical. I would like to visit those places. Hawaii is definitely at the top of my wishlist travel destinations.
Thanks for sharing girl!
Vanessa
http://thefashionstatement.net
More and more of my friends are traveling to Hawaii, and I certainly can see why!! Those beach views are incredible!! Not to mention I spied some adorbs bathing suits!
So happy you had a great time!
xoxo,
E
Beautiful travel pics. The sunset pic is extremely beautiful like an editorial. Such a great job as the other pictures you’re very talented mom.. The maxi dresses in this kind of posts results spectacular. I’m sure you had a beautiful experience.
Kisses
Eva
http://www.themermaidfashion.com
Wow girl! You are definitely living a dream life!
These beaches seem to be perfect locations for photoshooting and for spending your leisure time!
xoxo
Darya
Wow these photos are so stunning. I would love to go to Hawaii someday. This doesn’t even look real. It looks like a painting. Definitely bookmarking this! Thanks for the tips
Every single spot is beyond beautiful, what an absolute paradise! Your photos are next level, they give me the biggest travel bug!
xo
Massiel
Aww, girl, I envy you so much! I would love to visit all these places altogether. Especially, Kualoa Ranch! Those heels and all the greenery looks fantastic! Thank you so much for sharing all the insights!
Cheers, Eliza | http://www.fashion-confession.com