By Chantae Reden | Published on September 26, 2023
Discover Oahu Hidden Gems
Oahu might be Hawaii's most visited island, but there are still plenty of places to get away from it all.
Polynesian legends tell of Moana Nui Ka Lehua, an ocean spirit who guards the channel between Oahu and Kauai. She has the ability to create storms and calm the seas, and the sea's conditions often reflect her emotional state. Many legends describe her as half woman, half goatfish, resembling a mermaid.
Jagged limestone walls surround a pool of azure water, known as Mermaid Cove, near Oahu's Nanakuli Beach Park. Slip on a pair of sturdy reef shoes and tread lightly into a small keyhole to a spacious underwater cave where sunlight dances across the water. Once you're inside, wade toward the pebble beach enclave that emerges during low tide. Keep your eyes open for signs of Moana Nui Ka Lehua, one of the best Oahu hidden gems.
For safety reasons, it's best to go to Mermaid Cove with a group. Enter the cave during calm ocean conditions. The only way to return from the cave is to climb the way you came, which involves a scramble up the rocky ledge.
If you're searching for a secluded beach with only a few people around, look no further than Kawela Bay. A small cove on the northernmost point of Oahu, Kawela Bay is a family-friendly beach with golden sands and lava rock reefs for prime snorkeling. Sea turtles, stingrays, reef sharks and reef fish regularly cruise through the waters just a few fin kicks away from shore. A quiet trail leads from the crescent beach inland to a giant banyan tree, one of the most impressive hidden gems in Oahu. Honeymooners, pack a picnic. You'll be hard-pressed to find a more romantic stretch of sand on the island.
Emerald peaks shrouded in puffs of mist flank the outskirts of Ho'omaluhia Botanical Gardens. The grounds were opened as a place of peace near Kaneohe in 1982, and today, trees from all over the world grow within its 400-acre boundary. Look out for rubber trees, cacao trees, peach palms, cashew trees, banyan trees and monkeypod trees. Scan the treetops for birdlife, walk along the quiet shores of the water reservoir, go for a drive along its quiet roads or stroll along the park's well-kept trails. The Ho'omaluhia Botanical Gardens are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and are free to enter.
Hidden Gems Waiting For You In Maui
Maui, the second-largest island in Hawaii, is rightfully called The Valley Isle thanks to its dramatic ridges and plummeting valleys. Venture into its interior and you'll find Maui hidden gems that include a world of waterfalls, then head to the coast and you'll discover sands that range from bright white to volcanic black.
Bamboo is endemic to Asia and was brought over to the islands of Hawaii by Polynesian seafarers, where the world's largest grass proliferated. Praised for its practicality, Polynesians used bamboo to carry freshwater as well as build shelter, rafts and instruments. Tucked inside Maui's Haleakala National Park is a quaint bamboo forest. To walk among the tall stalks of bamboo, venture along the Pipiwai Trail. Pack water, sturdy shoes, sun protection, snacks and prepare to enjoy the tranquility of the bamboo forest. Listen as the bamboo stalks rattle together like a xylophone in the breeze. At the end of the trail, the cascade of Waimoku Falls awaits, one of the best hidden gems in Maui.
On a wall of basalt rock near Wailuku, you'll discover ancient petroglyphs, etchings in rock likely created over three centuries ago. These petroglyphs are also called the Pu'u Kilea, and they're one of the most easily accessible archeological sites on the island. They're yet to become widely known. These etchings likely represent the legends and historical accounts of the first Hawaiians, though the exact meaning is still up for debate. There are tons of images of humans running, holding weapons, fighting and standing.
When the surge of the ocean funnels into cracks, holes and crevices of volcanic rock along Maui's coastline, it creates spectacular plumes of sea spray. Toss on a pair of thick-soled walking shoes, and trek along the craggy shoreline of Wailuku, Maui, to witness the wonder of the Nakalele Blowhole. The trail is just over a mile long, beginning at a marked parking lot. Once you reach the blowhole, stand back and wait for a surge. During strong swells, the blowhole spouts water over 30 feet in the air, and often leaves a rainbow in its mist. If you have more than one day in Maui, it's worth planning your trip to the blowhole when the swell is at its peak.
Big Island Hidden Gems
The Island of Hawaii might as well be synonymous with Hawaiian hidden gems. While it's the largest of the Hawaiian islands, the Big Island is relatively unpopulated compared to Oahu. From snow-covered volcanic peaks to calm bays that spinner dolphins call home, there are plenty of rarely sought-after beautiful Big Island hidden gems that will bring a little magic to your cruise vacation.
Tucked in between two cliffs, Pololu Valley is where the forest meets the sea. From the top of the trail leading toward Pololu Valley Beach, the ocean often roils in contrast to the valley's quiet stream. Humpback whales and spinner dolphins splash on the sea's horizon, caring little about the sea's turbulence.
Trail stewards greet visitors at the top of the trail and are often happy to share facts and stories about the history of the valley, as well as provide tips on how to make the most of your time within the valley. Pack a sturdy pair of shoes, sun protection and water for the short but steep walk from the parking lot of Pololu to the valley below. Stop often to soak in the views. At the bottom, a gray pebbled beach awaits. Best of all, it's rarely crowded.
If you're craving more natural splendor, continue walking to the next valley over on the Honokane Nui Trail. This trail is even more secluded than Pololu, and there's a slight chance you'll be enjoying it all on your own if you head off early in the morning.
Set on one of the Big Island's best snorkeling bays, Pu'uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park is one of the most beautiful Hawaii hidden gems. This park was once a place of refuge. When ancient Hawaiians broke a sacred law, called kapu, they were often punished by death. If the person could reach Pu'uhonua O Honaunau, their crime would be forgiven and their life would be spared. The park is thought to be guarded by Lono, the god of life.
Maybe it's the lull of pebbles washing around the shoreline or the rustle of the palm fronds in the wind, but Pu'uhonua O Honaunau still feels like a place of refuge. A small path throughout the park leads to thatched-roof structures housing artifacts like Hawaiian instruments and wooden dug-out canoes. Farther along, you'll find fishponds and a wall protecting the Royal Grounds of the property. The park is home to the only representation of a hale poke, or sacred mausoleum, which once housed the remains of over 20 high-ranking leaders. Two ki'i, sacred wooden statues, guard the hale poke.
When lava flows into the ocean, it shatters into tiny fragments of basalt sand, creating a black beach. The Island of Hawaii, Hawaii's ever-changing volcanic island, is fringed with ink-black beaches all along its southern coastline.
On the glimmering black sands of Punalu'u Beach, you'll be competing with sea turtles for a place to throw down your towel. The Big Island's southern beaches are one of the few places in the world where green sea turtles and hawksbill sea turtles come to sunbathe. Of all Hawaii's southern black sand beaches, Punalu'u Beach is one of the most accessible, and its typically calm waters make it a relaxing place to swim and snorkel. For a more secluded spot, walk south along the coastal path to a cove where few footprints are found.
Kauai Hidden Gems At Every Turn
Of the four main islands, Kauai is where you're most likely to find secret beautiful places in Hawaii at nearly every turn. The Garden Island attracts just a fraction of tourists compared to its neighbors, and these are the Kauai hidden gems you won't want to miss.
The expansive Waimea Canyon State Park on Kauai is a park that would take weeks to uncover, with roaring waterfalls, deep gorges and interesting rock formations at nearly every turn. At Red Dirt Falls, the scrubland cedes to a Martian-like landscape of red dirt, where a small waterfall trickles into a pool of rust-colored water. The waterfall ranges from a trickle to a roar, depending on the time of year, with a more impressive waterfall taking place after heavy rains. Because of its easy access, it's a worthwhile spot to stop if you've come with little ones in tow.
Grab your head torch and head to Haena State Park on Kauai's northern end, where an intricate cave system awaits. The most easily accessible of the park's caves is Maniniholo Cave, a dry cave that opens into a large natural amphitheater. Legend states this cave was created by Menehune, a mythological race of small people who once lived in Hawaii's forests. The Menehune created the cave to hide their fishing catch from evil spirits, keeping their food to themselves. Little ones will love lurking around this easily-reached cave, and its lack of water makes it safe to explore.
If you're keen to get your steps in, hike a few miles to the wet caves of Waikanaloa and Waikapalae, which fill with a mix of spring and seawater. It's best to visit these caves around midday, when the sun is high overhead to admire the caves' striking blue hues.
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