Category: Hawaii Beaches & Ocean

Have you ever heard of Shipwreck Beach on Kauai? While not much of a wreckage remains, there’s still a lot to love about this Hawaii beach.  Shipwreck Beach Kauai Decades ago, an old, wooden ship crashed in waters offshore of Poipu on the South side of Kauai. It may not have been as exciting as […]

Hanalei Bay Pier has become a popular and iconic Kauai hangout over the years. Teens cannonball into the waters below, fishermen cast out lures, and tourists chill under its pavilion. It’s a favorite spot of mine whenever I’m on the island – I come to slow down and cool off with a mid-day plunge into […]

While you may not find a rabbit-in-a-hat or the rubber band man at Magic Island, you will discover something comparable to that level of hocus pocus; say, out-of-this-world sunsets, enchanted lovers and a mystical nation of power walking people. That pretty much sums up Magic Island, which is not so much an “island” but rather […]

Cromwell Beach was once a locals-only hangout, a secret place tucked away not far from Waikiki. Today, it has become a popular stomping ground for tourists and locals alike. And though it’s no longer a hidden gem, it’s still one of our favorite places to visit on Oahu.  Cromwell’s Cove Kaalawai Beach, often called Cromwell […]

Every year, a local social studies teacher asks his students, “What do you think the largest city in the world is?” And every year, he gets answers like, “Mexico City” or “London.” The correct answer, he tells them, can actually be found closer to home, within their home to be more precise. The largest city? […]

Waikiki Hi is one of the top places to visit in Oahu (and all of Hawaii). But that means it’s also incredibly popular. This neighborhood has lots of resorts, shopping, and dining, and a gorgeous stretch of beach.  Whether you are staying in a Waikiki Grand Hotel or driving over to visit, you’re likely wondering […]

Sand has a sneaky side. It plasters itself onto the roots of your hair, finds a home deep in your swim trunks and decorates your ankles like an au natural kind of body art. Sand gets everywhere, and oftentimes no matter how carefully you stretch the corners of your beach towel to prevent those tiny […]

Winter hours begin today for seven state parks on Oahu. This notice caused me to question what hours other parks have, and whether the overnight closures affect beaches. First, the easy part. Seven parks on Oahu have entrance gates that are open from 7 a.m.to 6:45 pm. during winter months. These parks are: Keaiwa Heiau […]

Blow Holes – a natural phenomenon. In Hawaii, you may hear one before you see it. As waves splash against a rocky coastline, water spurts up through a natural crevice to spray mist into the air.  When the wave conditions are really good, it looks like a geyser, but it’s actually a blow hole. How […]

Snorkeling is something anyone can do to enjoy Hawaii’s waters; it doesn’t matter what age you are or how athletic you are. At the very least, you just bob in the current like a fish. At most you paddle yourself around assisted by flippers and maybe pe. The gear is cheap; you can get goggles, […]

The beautiful Hawaiian beaches include some of the best sand in the world: soft, comfortable, with some variation in size and color of the pebbles, not rocky. Photographs show the sky reflected in the receding waves on a palate of smooth sand. However, one thing I have not found in strolls along several beaches is […]

Some of Hawaii’s scenic beauty is captured in photographs, but the best camera still cannot really capture what it’s like to be at the beach. One of the missing elements is the sensation of the waves rolling to shore. I was struck once again by the soothing the sound of the waves on my Sunday […]