Top Things to do in Waimanalo
10 Things to Do in Waimanalo That You Shouldn't Miss
Discover the best top things to do in Waimanalo, United States including Waimanalo Beach, Kailua Beach Park, Lanikai Beach, Bellows Field Beach Park, Diamond Head State Monument, Makapu'u Beach, Lanikai Pillboxes, Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve, Small Kine Farm, Sea Life Park Hawaii.
Restaurants in Waimanalo
1. Waimanalo Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 580 reviews
A large beach in Oahu.
Reviewed By Jenn D - Yulee, Florida
Away from the hub hub of Waikiki, this beach is quiet and much bigger waves. There is a bathroom and several places to eat nearby. The sand is super fine and soft and tree offer some shade after noon. The shoreline is long too so it is a good place to walk the beach.
2. Kailua Beach Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2 reviews
Reviewed By mjmorris009 - Chagrin Falls, Ohio
Went here today with family including three teenagers. Great setting, and very nice beach. Great for casual swimming. Water fairly quickly gets to 8 feet, but doesn’t drop off further than that for a fair ways out. Waves very minimal. Nice and clean restrooms on beach and very neat general store within walking distance. Oahu is full of good beaches, and this is one of the better.
3. Lanikai Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2 reviews
Reviewed By ileanie - Wilmette, Illinois
We first came to this beach with local friends 3 years ago. Hard to find if you don't know where you're going. Go past Kailua Beach. You'll go through a roundabout and a curved bridge. You'll start to see cars parked on side of road and people walking. There is a sand walkway between a couple of houses. A large white to right. The beach isn't large and limited when the tide is high. No facilities. Calm waters and great view!
4. Bellows Field Beach Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 364 reviews
Reviewed By Alexander G - Honolulu, Hawaii
O'ahu is literally surrounded by beautiful beaches, but some are truly nicer than others. Bellows Field Beach Park may be one of the more beautiful on this island. Located on the eastern shore, just north of Waimanalo, it's a quick drive from either Honolulu/Hawaii-Kai, or from Kailua. You simply turn onto Tinker Road, which leads you right to the park. The beach itself is well kept white sand; plenty of area to lay out and tan, or relax swimming in the surf. The waves never seem to be too big, so it doesn't strike me as good surfing area. It's a crescent shaped beach so it's perfect for pictures: mountains to the back with green trees, islands off the coast with clean blue waters.
There are two distinct areas to this park. The first is open to the public and allows camping. There is a large bath house and areas under the trees for parking and tents, permits are required. One issue with this area is it's crowded, especially on the weekends. With the beauty, I can understand why but it doesn't seem like an ideal situation to "get away."
Traveling down the road a little farther leads to a security check point where the beach becomes part of Bellows Air Force. With valid ID (check their website for specific types), entry will be granted to reach the other facilities. These include free paved parking lots, the rental cabins, castle playground, pavilions, and cabin rental office. Inside the latter, they have a newly renovated bar with pool tables, light food, and beer; a pro shop with golf, water sports, tennis, and disc golf equipment; and public restrooms. In the park proper you'll find the tennis courts, open field for volleyball and other games, and a disc golf course surrounding it (please see my specific review if interested).
Staff in all these facilities are friendly and professional, it feels like a family here. There are always big groups having fun for events. The beach is an easy walk; everything is picturesque. Be sure to have a beer on the lanai and just watch the clouds roll in. For anyone with access, whether visiting or living here, this is a must visit beach!
5. Diamond Head State Monument
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 19 reviews
A dormant volcano crater.
Reviewed By fishmister - Syracuse, Utah
We visited Diamond Head on a Wednesday at about noon. According to Google it started to slow down by then.
The lot was full but we were able to pay and wait in the parking line/queue until someone left. Took about 5 min.
As we started the hike there were two groups from tour buses coming down the hill. So the crowds were decreasing.
The hike starts out slow and then hits some switch backs that weren't too bad. The final part of the hike are steps. We took a break after the first set of stairs. If you don't like the idea of tunnels you can avoid the second one by going left and up the stairs on the side of the hill, but the first tunnel you have to go through up and down. It is wide enough for traffic both ways but can be snug on the down hill side. The peak was crowded and had to wait our turn to get the best photo ops but was not crazy.
We wore flip flops, sneakers or hiking shoes would have been better for the down hill. Great for the whole family.
Bring water you will need it.
6. Makapu'u Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 262 reviews
Stretching more than 1,000 yards of sandy shoreline, this spot is considered the premier bodysurfing beach in Hawaii.
Reviewed By Jin G - New York City, New York
We got off the bus at sea life park and tried to walk back to Makapu’u lighthouse hiking trail. We spotted this beach along the way and decided to take a look. The beach was beautiful and not crowded. I was so glad to catch bodyboarders in action.
7. Lanikai Pillboxes
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 742 reviews
Reviewed By TAWNYA W - FT MYERS
Breathtaking 360 degree views from the top. Worth the effort required to reach the top. Was semi challenging hike for me as this hike is a steady and steep upward climb. It was fairly easy for my hubby, but he did feel the burn from this hike as well. Went at my own pace, took short breaks when necessary to catch my breath and hydrate. Rested and recovered at the top while soaking in the sunrise and panoramic views. Worth the effort!
8. Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 13 reviews
A perfect snorkeling spot.
Reviewed By venicegirl - Los Angeles, CA
Although advised to go early, since it was gloomy and chilly early in the morning, we didn't arrive until 9. However, there wasn't much of a line, we got the 9:15 presentation spot, and the day warmed up considerably. The setting and water color is beautiful.
Although it was quite crowded on the beach and in the water, and there wasn't much in the way of colorful coral, my kids (4, 6, and 8) and I were all impressed and delighted with the variety and quantity of very large, colorful fish we saw while snorkeling.
Food options are very limited and barely edible so eat beforehand or bring food with you!
9. Small Kine Farm
Overall Ratings
5 based on 25 reviews
Why everyone loves mushrooms? How does a recycling company give rise to an USDA certified organic mushroom farm? Not only are we the only Portabella farm in Hawai‘i, but by using our own compost and a high-tech pasteurization and growing process, we have been able to produce safe, high quality USDA certified organic mushrooms. Tour includes 15 minutes of presentation on the farm history. 30 minutes of guided composting and cultivation process. 20 minutes of mushroom tasting and fun.
Reviewed By arewell - Honolulu, Hawaii
Small Kine Farm shows that sustainable organic agriculture can not only survive, but thrive, in our difficult island agricultural market. Their research and dedication to producing top quality products in a zero waste operation is impressive. Hopefully, their community outreach will encourage shoppers to buy organic and other entrepreneurs to enter the field of agriculture.
10. Sea Life Park Hawaii
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 1 reviews
Sea Life Park, Hawaii's marine life comes alive in a dazzling display that will entertain and delight visitors. Located just 15 miles from Waikiki, on Oahu's beautiful and scenic Makapuu Point, Sea Life Park is a world-class marine attraction perched between the majestic Koolau Mountain Range and breathtaking Makapuu Beach. See dolphins swim, sea lions sing, and penguins perform in this magical place by the sea.
Reviewed By Reverend T M - Honolulu, Hawaii
A Hawaiian Disappointment
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I have been living on Oahu about 25 years and go to the south shore about once every other month. My daughter was coming from Texas to visit and wanted to visit several Animal oriented attractions here in Hawaii. She is a Government Animal Protection Agent from Texas and these type of things are interesting to her.
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We made a special trip to south shore just to visit this Park. I really can not state how disappointing our trip to this park was. My daughter stated that the living conditions of the animals bordered on cruelty.
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The park itself is small and the grounds and buildings are much in need of painting and repair. They provide a few shows but the shows are all scheduled at the same time so you will need to stay longer to see other shows.
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There is a Bird exhibit and it is cool. The birds are not sea birds and I fail to see what they have to do with a Sea Life park.
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They do provide a few extras to do such as swimming with the Dolphins, but these are provided at an additional cost and seemingly to overt your attention away from the lack of entertainment that the rest of the park provides.
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If you are reviewing the 'Ka Moana Luau' please do a TripAdvisor search and post it on the TripAdvisor 'Ka Moana Luau' page.
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Happy Hawaii Days
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