Guidebook for Waiʻanae
Food Scene
This restaurant isn't on the West side but we highly recommend it. If you want some tasty Thai food this is a great place to go. Still the best spring rolls and lemon grass soup I have had. I love to get a curry dish with sticky rice. I have tried a variety of food from the menu and every dish has proven excellent!
11 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Phuket Thai Restaurant
1960 Kapiolani BlvdThis restaurant isn't on the West side but we highly recommend it. If you want some tasty Thai food this is a great place to go. Still the best spring rolls and lemon grass soup I have had. I love to get a curry dish with sticky rice. I have tried a variety of food from the menu and every dish has proven excellent!
If you want to taste some amazing Indian food, you have got to check this place out! They are only open for dinner. It is a small restaurant but very popular. Try to get there before they open so you can find a place to park on the street (bring quarters for the parking meters). The service is good. The restaurant is decorated culturally to reflect the Indian styles. But what brings us back is the FOOD. It all has such good flavor. Some of mine and my husband's favorites are the curry with lamb, the coconut rice, and the nan bread. Yum Yum Yum!
31 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Cafe Maharani
2509 S King StIf you want to taste some amazing Indian food, you have got to check this place out! They are only open for dinner. It is a small restaurant but very popular. Try to get there before they open so you can find a place to park on the street (bring quarters for the parking meters). The service is good. The restaurant is decorated culturally to reflect the Indian styles. But what brings us back is the FOOD. It all has such good flavor. Some of mine and my husband's favorites are the curry with lamb, the coconut rice, and the nan bread. Yum Yum Yum!
We love Ted's bakery! What we usually do is go snorkeling at sharks cove or play at a beach on the north shore. Then we go to Ted's Bakery for lunch and dessert! I love to get a hamburger while my husband usually gets one of the local lunch plates. Then we finish off with a slice of our favorite chocolate huapia pie!
This place is great because you can stop for a bite to eat or just stop by and buy some of Ted Bakery's famous pie. You can buy it by the slice or take a whole pie home.
183 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Ted's Bakery
59-024 Kamehameha HwyWe love Ted's bakery! What we usually do is go snorkeling at sharks cove or play at a beach on the north shore. Then we go to Ted's Bakery for lunch and dessert! I love to get a hamburger while my husband usually gets one of the local lunch plates. Then we finish off with a slice of our favorite chocolate huapia pie!
This place is great because you can stop for a bite to eat or just stop by and buy some of Ted Bakery's famous pie. You can buy it by the slice or take a whole pie home.
Looking for a coffee shop nearby? This is located in the same city as my condo. Great place to grab a coffee as you head out in the morning for some sight seeing.
23 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Starbucks
86-120 Farrington HwyLooking for a coffee shop nearby? This is located in the same city as my condo. Great place to grab a coffee as you head out in the morning for some sight seeing.
Looking to get some good Thai food but don't want to drive far? This is a convenient stop to get some delicious Thai food.
43 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Spicy House
87-730 Farrington HwyLooking to get some good Thai food but don't want to drive far? This is a convenient stop to get some delicious Thai food.
Parks & Nature
Pokai Bay is one of my favorite spots to bring my children for a swim at the beach. The Bay is protected by a rock wall so only very small waves come in. It is a great place to swim and snorkel. We often see sea turtles in the water. There is also a pod of spinner dolphins that come just outside the bay daily. Sometimes you can even spot them from the beach doing their spins and tricks. This is also a great place to do stand up paddle board (especially for beginners). Definitely a beach worth checking out.
48 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Parque de playa de la bahía de Pōkaʻī
960 Bayview StPokai Bay is one of my favorite spots to bring my children for a swim at the beach. The Bay is protected by a rock wall so only very small waves come in. It is a great place to swim and snorkel. We often see sea turtles in the water. There is also a pod of spinner dolphins that come just outside the bay daily. Sometimes you can even spot them from the beach doing their spins and tricks. This is also a great place to do stand up paddle board (especially for beginners). Definitely a beach worth checking out.
The famous Makaha surf beach is just down the road form our condo. You can even walk or jog to it. This is a great spot to surf, paddle board, swim, snorkel or just sit and enjoy the gorgeous views. Usually you can spot sea turtles while you snorkel! One of my favorite things to do is to jog down to this beach in the evening and stand on the sand watching the sun set. The sunsets on the West side are STUNNING! You must go to this beach and watch the sun setting at least once. You won't regret it.
104 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Makana Beach
Farrington HwyThe famous Makaha surf beach is just down the road form our condo. You can even walk or jog to it. This is a great spot to surf, paddle board, swim, snorkel or just sit and enjoy the gorgeous views. Usually you can spot sea turtles while you snorkel! One of my favorite things to do is to jog down to this beach in the evening and stand on the sand watching the sun set. The sunsets on the West side are STUNNING! You must go to this beach and watch the sun setting at least once. You won't regret it.
If you want to see some amazing coastline views while you hike, this is the trail for you. This walking trail takes you right along the coast. The cliff and ocean views are so beautiful. At the end of the trail you find yourself in a bird sanctuary. There are usually monk seals at the end too! So fun to see these massive creatures. During the winter months (Nov.-March) you can usually spot whales spouting in the distance.
I recommend going in the morning to avoid the hottest hours of the day. Please be sure to bring sun block and water. Also a shade hat is nice. I like to pack a lunch to eat once I reach the point of the island. This hike can take 2-3 hours round trip. Just depends on the speed of the hiker. It is not a hard hike. Most of the trail is flat. There is only a small section where you hike up the hill and back down. This is one of my favorite nature hikes on the island.
66 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Punto Ka'ena
Farrington HwyIf you want to see some amazing coastline views while you hike, this is the trail for you. This walking trail takes you right along the coast. The cliff and ocean views are so beautiful. At the end of the trail you find yourself in a bird sanctuary. There are usually monk seals at the end too! So fun to see these massive creatures. During the winter months (Nov.-March) you can usually spot whales spouting in the distance.
I recommend going in the morning to avoid the hottest hours of the day. Please be sure to bring sun block and water. Also a shade hat is nice. I like to pack a lunch to eat once I reach the point of the island. This hike can take 2-3 hours round trip. Just depends on the speed of the hiker. It is not a hard hike. Most of the trail is flat. There is only a small section where you hike up the hill and back down. This is one of my favorite nature hikes on the island.
Ko Olina is a resort area. There are plenty of restaurants and there are several beautiful man made lagoons. These lagoons are beautiful. The palm trees are so dreamy. There is a lagoon here called secret lagoon where you can swim with the turtles! The water is clear and beautiful and shallow. You can walk next to the swimming turtles in some parts.
If you enjoy the luxury resort feeling, try out Ko Olina. There is a lot to enjoy here.
55 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Ko'Olina Beach Park
92-100 Waipahe PlKo Olina is a resort area. There are plenty of restaurants and there are several beautiful man made lagoons. These lagoons are beautiful. The palm trees are so dreamy. There is a lagoon here called secret lagoon where you can swim with the turtles! The water is clear and beautiful and shallow. You can walk next to the swimming turtles in some parts.
If you enjoy the luxury resort feeling, try out Ko Olina. There is a lot to enjoy here.
This is another great place to go! This hike is family friendly. It is a paved trail all the way up to the lighthouse lookout. You can bring a stroller for young children. This place has some gorgeous views as you hike/walk up the trail. Bring your camera! The views at the top are worth the exercise. ;)
261 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Sendero del Faro de Makapu‘u Point
Makapuʻu Point Lighthouse TrailThis is another great place to go! This hike is family friendly. It is a paved trail all the way up to the lighthouse lookout. You can bring a stroller for young children. This place has some gorgeous views as you hike/walk up the trail. Bring your camera! The views at the top are worth the exercise. ;)
Hanauma Bay is a great place to snorkel for beginners! They have you watch an introductory video about how we can do our part to keep the reef and fish protected, and they are willing to give anyone help or advice about snorkeling for the first time. They rent out all the gear you need to snorkel. It's a great place to see beautiful reef and fish. It's best to go in the morning before all of the sand gets stirred, which makes the water more murky. Also, its best to get there as it opens so you can leave just after lunch and avoid the worst of the rush hour traffic.
531 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Bahía de Hanauma
7455 Kalanianaʻole HighwayHanauma Bay is a great place to snorkel for beginners! They have you watch an introductory video about how we can do our part to keep the reef and fish protected, and they are willing to give anyone help or advice about snorkeling for the first time. They rent out all the gear you need to snorkel. It's a great place to see beautiful reef and fish. It's best to go in the morning before all of the sand gets stirred, which makes the water more murky. Also, its best to get there as it opens so you can leave just after lunch and avoid the worst of the rush hour traffic.
Shopping
Tamura's is one of my favorite local super markets. It has some of the cheapest produce and canned goods that you can find. This store is just 10 min. drive from my condo. This store is mostly used by the locals on the West side, not very many tourists. It is fun to feel immersed in the local community as you shop.
58 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Tamura Super Market
86-032 Farrington HwyTamura's is one of my favorite local super markets. It has some of the cheapest produce and canned goods that you can find. This store is just 10 min. drive from my condo. This store is mostly used by the locals on the West side, not very many tourists. It is fun to feel immersed in the local community as you shop.
Entertainment & Activities
I booked a dolphin excursion with this company in February 2016. It was an amazing experience! They take you for a ride on the boat and you get to see the stunning views of the West coast from the ocean. During the excursion we saw whales. We were lucky enough to see a mother with her new baby and we got to witness her teaching her baby how to communicate through tail slaps. It was truly a lifetime experience. We also got to do a 'drop' into the water with our snorkel gear and see some bottle nosed dolphins. But by far my most favorite part was when we dropped into the water and swam with a pod of spinner dolphins. Wow these creatures are so beautiful and peaceful. I even got to see a mother nursing her baby dolphin. I highly recommend this excursion.
34 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Dolphin Excursions Hawaii
85-491 Farrington HwyI booked a dolphin excursion with this company in February 2016. It was an amazing experience! They take you for a ride on the boat and you get to see the stunning views of the West coast from the ocean. During the excursion we saw whales. We were lucky enough to see a mother with her new baby and we got to witness her teaching her baby how to communicate through tail slaps. It was truly a lifetime experience. We also got to do a 'drop' into the water with our snorkel gear and see some bottle nosed dolphins. But by far my most favorite part was when we dropped into the water and swam with a pod of spinner dolphins. Wow these creatures are so beautiful and peaceful. I even got to see a mother nursing her baby dolphin. I highly recommend this excursion.
I booked a ticket with this company to get into the shark cage. It was an exhilarating life experience!! The staff were friendly and helpful. They took us on a small boat into the ocean. We put on snorkel gear and climbed into the shark cage. It was amazing! There were so many sharks swimming around us. They were a pretty good size too!
I consider this a must do in Hawaii for those who are the adventurous type.
27 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Aventuras de tiburones en North Shore
66-105 Haleiwa RdI booked a ticket with this company to get into the shark cage. It was an exhilarating life experience!! The staff were friendly and helpful. They took us on a small boat into the ocean. We put on snorkel gear and climbed into the shark cage. It was amazing! There were so many sharks swimming around us. They were a pretty good size too!
I consider this a must do in Hawaii for those who are the adventurous type.
Going to the Polynesian Cultural Center is one of the activities I consider a must for anyone who has not been there before. I recommend buying a ticket for the full package (day activities, buffet, night show)
They have day activities you can do that immerse you into the cultures of the islands. They have small sample shows and activities for all of the Polynesian islands. It is such fun that old and young alike will enjoy the activities/shows.
Then in the evening they have the buffets. Some have authentic Hawaiian food. Then when it gets dark the night show starts. This show is AMAZING. They have the best of all styles of Polynesian dancing and of course the FIRE twirling! Prepare to be amazed.
547 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Polylnesian cutlural center
Going to the Polynesian Cultural Center is one of the activities I consider a must for anyone who has not been there before. I recommend buying a ticket for the full package (day activities, buffet, night show)
They have day activities you can do that immerse you into the cultures of the islands. They have small sample shows and activities for all of the Polynesian islands. It is such fun that old and young alike will enjoy the activities/shows.
Then in the evening they have the buffets. Some have authentic Hawaiian food. Then when it gets dark the night show starts. This show is AMAZING. They have the best of all styles of Polynesian dancing and of course the FIRE twirling! Prepare to be amazed.
I went skydiving with this company a couple years ago. It was an amazing experience. The staff are friendly and helpful. They drop you out of the plane over the ocean and once you pull your parachute the winds draw you back into the island. The view is incredible! It's truly a unique thrilling way to view the island and the ocean. If you are looking for an unforgetable experience and a thrill while on Oahu, you must try skydiving!
18 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Pacific Skydiving Center
68-760 Farrington HwyI went skydiving with this company a couple years ago. It was an amazing experience. The staff are friendly and helpful. They drop you out of the plane over the ocean and once you pull your parachute the winds draw you back into the island. The view is incredible! It's truly a unique thrilling way to view the island and the ocean. If you are looking for an unforgetable experience and a thrill while on Oahu, you must try skydiving!
Essentials
Great place to shop for essentials and groceries. Or even some clothing items you may need.
41 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Target
4450 Kapolei PkwyGreat place to shop for essentials and groceries. Or even some clothing items you may need.
Great place to shop for food and essentials on a budget or even get some last minute beach gear.
159 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Walmart
700 Ke’eaumoku StGreat place to shop for food and essentials on a budget or even get some last minute beach gear.
This is a local drug store that is conveniently close to my condo. Great place to go for some last minute items.
24 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Longs Drugs
86 120 Farrington HwyThis is a local drug store that is conveniently close to my condo. Great place to go for some last minute items.