For this quick guide, we are leaving the continental United States and heading to the beautiful islands of Hawaii. We are excited to feature Breanna from The Golden Hour Adventurer as she takes us around her home island and shares the top things to see and do in Oahu.
MEET THE GOLDEN HOUR ADVENTURER
Breanna is a wedding and portrait photographer originally from Texas, but now lives in the land of sun and ocean in Oahu, Hawaii. She is married to her husband Brian, and the two of them love going on adventures together. Like us, they love exploring the outdoors! Whether they are horseback riding, hiking, kayaking or snorkeling, their passion for the outdoors has led them to beautiful destinations all around the world. Similarly, another thing we have in common is our love of food. Breanna enjoys trying new recipes and restaurants, and is a self-proclaimed ice cream connoisseur.
Further along in this post, we’ll ask Breanna about her favorite travel memories and tips. But for now, we can’t wait to learn more about the best things to do in Oahu!
TOP THINGS TO DO IN OAHU
Why should someone visit Oahu?
“Oahu is one of very few tropical island destinations which offers all the amenities of a metropolis while still featuring incredible outdoor activities. For the nature lover, there are countless beaches, water activities, hiking trails and botanical gardens. But if you are a history lover, there are museums, the Hawaiian royal palace and landmarks, and World War II memorials. In addition, for the culture lover, Oahu is considered “the melting pot” of the Pacific. Here, you are able to soak in the island’s spiritual traditions and other ethnic customs. Oh yeah, don’t forget about local ono grinds (a.k.a. delicious food!)”
What is a touristy attraction you recommend and why?
“There are a ton of great tourist attractions on Oahu. However, our favorite is Hanauma Bay State Park. This is the most popular snorkeling spot on the island. The bay is protected from intense waves and it’s easy to snorkel in the clear, calm waters. You can see a ton of marine life, including tropical fish, green sea turtles and Hawaiian monk seals! Of course, like any touristy spot, the bay gets busy early. So you might be sharing your spot in paradise with hundreds of others on any given day.
Additionally, honorable mentions for recommended tourist attractions include the Polynesian Cultural Center and Pearl Harbor National Memorial.”
What is a touristy attraction you don’t recommend and why?
“While Honolulu is the capital of Hawaii and has endless shopping and top-rated restaurants, it’s still just a city. Therefore, if you couldn’t see the palm trees or tropical foliage, you would think you were in any other city. We avoid the downtown area as much as possible because the traffic is rough, parking is difficult, crowds are bustling and everything costs more. Although, it’s fun to say that you’ve visited Honolulu or strolled along Waikiki Beach, don’t spend all your time there! The rest of Oahu has much better beaches, views and other exciting adventures.”
What is an attraction that is not as well-known that you would recommend and why?
“Most people don’t spend a lot of time on the windward coast (west side) of Oahu. We love snorkeling at Electric Beach (Kahe Point) because the reef is much larger and deeper than other locations on the island. Plus, you have a decent chance of seeing dolphins! One of our favorite hikes is also on the west side. Ka’ena Point boasts unreal views of the sunset, the surrounding mountains and a chance to spot whales in the winter months.”
What is a must-visit restaurant and why?
“Forty Niner Restaurant is a wonderful little hole-in-the-wall eatery that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. They have the best blueberry cheesecake french toast! It’s also a great place to sample local Hawaiian food such as loco moco and garlic chicken. In addition, Nico’s Pier 38 is a great date night restaurant with fresh seafood. Liliha Bakery is also a must-try for famous malasadas and coco puffs.”
MORE TRAVEL TALK WITH BREANNA
Thanks Breanna for sharing the top things to do in Oahu! While she lives in an area that is a dream destination for most people, we also wanted to learn about where else she has traveled to. Check out the rest of our conversation below:
Where is your favorite destination you’ve ever traveled to?
“We are mountain lovers to the core. So our favorite destination we’ve ever been to is the Canadian Rockies! We have plotted on numerous occasions to move there one day… We’ll see if Brian can handle the winters haha! It’s hard to beat the serenity of immersing ourselves in nature. We loved seeing the abundant wildlife and being mesmerized by the bluest lakes & wondrous waterfalls! Not to mention, we enjoyed some of the best pizza and beer we’ve ever had in Banff. Also, we witnessed the most beautiful sunrise to date in Waterton Lakes National Park. It seems like we’ve enjoyed all of our most memorable travel experiences in Alberta! Other super close second favorites are hiking in Yosemite National Park and snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef.”
What is at the top of your travel bucket list at the moment?
“Road tripping and hiking in New Zealand!”
If you could only share one travel tip, what would it be?
“As cliche as it sounds, take the scenic route! If all you ever do is follow the well-beaten path, you’ll never discover the treasures. We are all about making our journey more important than our destination. Make memories and find adventure in the little things!”
CONNECT WITH THE GOLDEN HOUR ADVENTURER
A big thanks goes out to Breanna for sharing her expertise and passion for her home island of Oahu! Don’t forget to follow her on Instagram at @thegoldenhouradventurer and bookmark her blog at TheGoldenHourAdventurer.com. You’ll love seeing her beautiful photos from their adventures in Hawaii and beyond!
Have you been to the island of Oahu? What have been your favorite things to do there? Let us know in the comments below. Thanks for reading, and don’t forget to check out our other Trips and Tips!