ALOHA!
So you are thinking about making a trip to the beautiful East Oahu aka the windward coast of Oahu!
The most popular tourist town on the east side of Oahu is Kailua.
Some of the most incredible views on Oahu can be found on the east side of Oahu!
So if you’re staying in Waikiki, it’s a MUST to go!
Best things to do in East Oahu
1. Hanauma Bay
Hanauma Bay is located at the southeastern point of Oahu.
This is one of the most popular spots for snorkeling on Oahu.
So if you want to get some good snorkeling in when you’re on Oahu, this is one spot to consider.
It’s a pretty easy drive to get here from Waikiki.
There used to be a direct bus to Hanauma Bay.
You can still get from Waikiki to Hanauma Bay by bus if you don’t mind a lot of walking with your beach gear. It’s around a 20 minute walk from the bus stop to Hanauma Bay.
But there’s local food near the bus stop to make up for your effort!
The bus stop you’ll get off for Hanauma Bay is near Koko Marina Center, which is where you can find local food like malasadas at the Leonard’s Bakery food truck or a Hawaiian plate lunch at Fatboy’s. (map)
Tickets for Hanauma Bay can sell out, and it costs $25.
Although there are limited walk-in tickets available every morning, it’s best to make reservations for Hanauma Bay before you go.
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2. Koko Head hike
If you’re looking for a good workout in which you’ll be rewarded with stunning views, hike the Koko Crater Railway Trail aka the Koko Head hike!
This hiking trail has also been called nature’s stairmaster because the hike is basically a whole bunch of stairs to reach the summit of Koko Crater.
But there are amazing views waiting for you at the top which could make it worth your effort!
This crater is basically right across the street from Hanauma Bay.
3. Lanikai Beach
For picture perfect beach views, Lanikai Beach can be one of the best beaches on Oahu!
It has even made the list of one of the best beaches in the world by a number of publications.
This is also where you can go to see the famous twin islands of Oahu, aka the Mokulua islands aka the Mokes.
One of the negative parts of going to this beach though is that parking can be a struggle.
Another down side of Lanikai Beach is that there are no proper beach facilities here.
4. Lanikai Pillbox hike
The Lanikai Pillbox Hike is another East Oahu hike that you can get iconic views.
You can make this into a longer hike or a shorter hike.
For the longer hike, it can be a point-to-point hike basically making this a ridge trail as you walk along the mountain range. (Of course, you can also make it an out-and-back hike!) You can consider this the full Kaiwa Ridge Trail.
But more popular is to do the short version, starting on the beach/coastal side, and then going a short distance up to the pillboxes, and then going back down.
Either way, you’ll get those amazing views of the Mokulua Islands from above!
5. Kailua Beach
Kailua Beach is another one of the popular beaches in East Oahu.
Kailua Beach might be a bit more convenient than Lanikai Beach in many ways, because of the parking situation and beach facilities.
As a proper beach park, Kailua Beach has a parking lot, bathrooms, showers, and lifeguards on duty too.
Getting around Kailua by bicycle can be a fun little thing to do!
6. Mokulua Islands
If you’re looking for a more adventurous way to do East Oahu, you can go kayaking!
It’s possible to go kayaking from Kailua Beach as a guided kayaking tour, or you can rent the kayaks to go kayaking on your own.
7. Waimanalo Beach
Waimanalo Beach is another one of the most scenic beaches in East Oahu.
This is a beach that doesn’t get as many tourists as some of the other beaches on Oahu.
So there might be a better chance that you can get a little bit more of a quieter beach experience if you go to Waimanalo Beach.
If you’ll be driving to Kailua or Lanikai, you can make Waimanalo be on the way from Waikiki if you make it a drive along the coast (as opposed to an inland drive). So you could stop to check it out along the way!
8. Makapuu Point Lighthouse Trail
This is a paved coastal trail that will offer you stunning views of East Oahu nearly the entire way!
If you’ll be on Oahu during whale season, it could be a good place to try your luck for spotting whales from far away.
There are binoculars on the trail for you to attempt to spot whales.
Generally speaking the best time for whales on Oahu is considered to be January through March, although the season in which whales visit Hawaii are said to be from November to May.
But even if you won’t be on Oahu during whale season, the ocean views will always be there!
9. Byodo-in Temple
A replica of a temple by the same name in Japan, the Byodo-In Temple in the Valley of the Temples Memorial Park is a symbol of Japanese culture in Hawaii.
This is the famous Japanese temple in Hawaii.
You’ll get a beautiful backdrop of a mountain range too!
10. Hoomaluhia Botanical Garden
Going to the Hoomaluhia Botanical Garden means seeing amazing mountain views!
There are also several small loops you can walk to see a wide variety of plants.
You’ll get mountain views just by driving through the Hoomaluhia Botanical Garden, and there’s also the Kilonani Mauka overlook you might want to stop by!
11. Puu Maelieli Trail
The Puu Maelieli Trail is a 1-2 hour hike with views of Kaneohe Bay.
This means you will get amazing views of the east side of Oahu, mountains and ocean!
The Puu Maelieli trailhead is located directly alongside the main road.
It’s also in front of the Valley of the Temples, so it can be perfect to do alongside a trip to Byodo-in Temple.
12. Kuliouou Ridge Trail
And finally… if you are looking for a slightly longer hike that’s so Hawaii, then you’ll want to look at doing the Kuliouou Ridge Trail!
This is a half day hike that will having hiking up the mountain with a destination of ocean views of the windward coast of Oahu!
Because of trail access, it’s best to have a car to do the Kuliouou Ridge Trail. (Otherwise, you’ll be adding extra walking getting from the bus stop!)
Can you take a bus to East Oahu?
Yes, you can go to East Oahu by bus!
There is a bus that goes around Oahu, and that includes East Oahu!
You can get to East Oahu by bus from Waikiki, among other places.
But as it goes with taking the bus, it does require time and patience!
But, it is there for you if you are on Oahu without a car!
See more about taking the Oahu bus.
Waikiki to East Oahu
Because Waikiki is a bit of a distance from the east side of Oahu, going by car can be the most convenient.
Driving time from Waikiki, although always dependent on traffic, will generally be:
- To Hanauma Bay – 20-30 minutes
- To Makapuu area – 30 minutes
- To Waimanalo area – 30-40 minutes
- To Kailua area – 30-40 minutes
Also see: Things to do in Waikiki without a car (for VIEWS!)
And those are some of the best things to do on the east side of Oahu to consider making a part of your trip to Hawaii!
More for beyond East Oahu:
- Things to do on the North Shore of Oahu
- Things to do in Waikiki
- Best beaches on Oahu
- Best hikes on Oahu
HAPPY TRIP TO EAST OAHU!
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