Top Things to do in Kailua
Top 10 Things to do in Kailua, United States
Oahu's Kailua, meaning "two seas" or "two currents," is named after either the two lagoons located on the island or the two currents that run through Kailua Bay. Steady trade winds make Kailua Beach a great windsurfing and kite-flying destination. Kailua Beach Park features pristine white sand and views of the offshore island known as Moko nui or "two islands."
Restaurants in Kailua
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. Hoomaluhia Botanical Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 244 reviews
A 200 acre botanical garden.
Reviewed By Ingo S - Vancouver, Canada
We drove into the gardens and parked at the visitor centre. We continued the rest of the gardens on foot. The ridges you see are impressive and the trees amazing. You only hear the birds singing if you listen carefully. It is nice and shady in the garden so even on a warm day it is pleasant to go there. You will not be disappointed.
4. 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!
5. 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!
6. 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!
7. Kailua Farmers Market
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 127 reviews
Like the more famous Saturday market at Diamond Head, this market features amazing foods and the nicest people -- very full of aloha!
Reviewed By Marc_and_Kim_Z - Kailua, Hawaii
Tons of food at good prices. They also have plants, veg, and other farmer market items. The night we went they had live music. If in Kailua on a Thursday recommend a visit.
8. Kalama Beach Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 130 reviews
Reviewed By MickBaby8 - Canada
We ended up rending a house that was only 1.5 blocks away from the Kalama Beach Park. We felt so lucky to be so close to such a beautiful beach. The parking lot as mentioned by others is extremely small so it was nice that we could just walk there. I didn't really look to see what amenities were around other than noticing that there is a shower type area for people to rinse off the salt water and sand. The sand is soft and the beach is clean and the water is blue. The waves were quite rough the day we went so we didn't do any swimming as we had young kids with us; however, we did see a bunch of people boogie boarding out in the waves and it looked really fun. Great beach to visit!
9. Olomana Three Peaks Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 117 reviews
Reviewed By Surekha A - Bellevue, Washington
I have a mild fear of heights with which I always try to challenge myself. This hike was a very vertical hike (you're basically hiking to the top of a mountain in 1.5 miles). It included several instances where there's rock-climbing involved. The steep rock-climb sections had ropes to help with the climb. The last rock climb section was basically a vertical climb with a big rope. Then there's just a little more to go with steep cliff drop offs just below your trail. I made it ~20 ft from the top of the first peak and got too scared to continue, and my husband went up the rest of the way and took photos. I definitely don't recommend it for people who have a legit fear of heights. But I felt so accomplished even getting as far as I did. It was a great adventure, and it felt great to achieve what I did with my husband by my side. We also got some phenomenal panoramic photos from the top! Just make sure you give yourself plenty of time: we took about 2+ hrs with stops for taking photos just to get to the top, and actually descended mostly in the dark with headlamps, because we went so late in the afternoon.
10. Maunawili Falls
Overall Ratings
4 based on 192 reviews
Reviewed By JenSour - virginia
I never made it to the falls. After an hour of trudging through thick mud, climbing over roots, slipping, and holding onto vines and trees, and crossing a mid-calf deep stream to walk up the slippery trail we ended up turning around and trying to make it back safely down the slippery trail. My running shoes didn’t stand a chance. Every step was a chance to wipe out. Last week there were flash flood warnings and several hikers had to be rescued from this trail after they were stranded on the other side of the creek.
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