One of the last main things we did was hired a care and did a day trip drive around Oahu. I hired a car through Budget which had the cheapest rates by far and pickup was at the Hyatt Regency hotel in Waikiki. We started off fairly early so we could get to Hanauma Bay early on. I basically followed
this guide to plan my trip, and plugged each address in a GPS.
Hanauma Bay
We arrived at Hanauma Bay pretty early - before 8 A.M. - and found parking OK, but quickly filling. Parking cost $1, and entry was $7.50 per person. Snorkel hire was $12. Upon arrival, you watch a video about park and wildlife conservation, and then trek down a long and steep driveway down to the bay. We found a spot under the shade and I snorkeled for about 30 minutes. I didn't have an underwater camera but it was a nice place to snorkel, and having taken photos underwater in the Great Barrier Reef and Fiji I wouldn't have been taking anything new, but if you haven't taken underwater photos before I definitely recommend buying an underwater disposable camera from the ABC store before you go. Hanauma Bay is closed on Tuesdays.
Lanai Lookout
Lanai Lookout is literally a couple of hundred metres down the road from Hanauma Bay. Some lovely views and we got a nice talking to from a Seattle native who apparently spends two weeks out of every month in Hawaii and comes to the lookout daily because it's so nice, blah blah blah. We made a quick escape back to our car.
Halona Blowhole
Cool views, and the blowhole goes off pretty regularly, although I was expecting more height.
Makapu'u Overlook
Again, lovely views on the way to Kailua. We stopped in Kailua for lunch, and had burgers at a pretty good local burger chain, Teddy's Bigger Burgers. Friendly, old style diner type service, with tasty and filling burgers and fries cooked fresh to order.
Heeia State Park
This place was really quiet, with only maybe two other cars of people around, so was a nice break with some beautiful and tranquil parkland views.
Kualoa Regional Park - Chinaman's Hat
The cliffs behind the car park here are amazing - the photos don't do them justice. The Chinaman's Hat sticks abruptly out of the water and is quite funny to look at. Apparently you can walk over there in low tide.
Laie Point
This place is literally down the end of a residential street so parking is pretty crazy. Some people were serenading the rest of us with their stereo blaring hip hop tunes. Great photo place, with something that reminds me of the London Bridge on the Great Ocean Road in Victoria, and waves crashing all around.
Sunset Beach Park
Again, the photos don't really do this place justice. You park along the side of the road and the beach is roped off as it's too violent. Waves were HUGE and crashed on shore. Too choppy for surfing. We sat and watched the crazy waves for a few minutes before driving on.
We also stopped by Lanaikea Beach Park to try see some turtles (none around), parking again on the side of the road, and Haleiwa town before driving through the centre of the island past the Dole Plantation on the way back to Waikiki. With all the stops, we arrived back in Waikiki around 5, as there was a fair bit of traffic back into Waikiki. Definitely a good drive to do.
What is your favourite scenic drive in the world?
