Fort DeRussy Beach—Honolulu
My wife and I have made a few visits to Fort DeRussy Beach, on the west end of Waikiki (towards Ewa), and have always done something different each time we went. It’s an excellent beach to spend the day at. We found that the beach here is wider than on Waikiki Beach proper (i.e. the area in front of the Royal Hawaiian), and there is a protected area inside the reef offering calm and shallow water. There are also beach rentals on the sand for kayaks, floats, and aqua bikes. Read the rest of Fort DeRussy Beach—Honolulu »
Have you ever seen a sea turtle in its natural environment? At Laniakea Beach, aka “Turtle Beach” you’ll get your chance! This beach is on Oahu’s famed north shore, about a mile and a half from Haleiwa town. If you’re driving from Honolulu or Waikiki, it’ll take about an hour to get there. This is an excellent stop-over if you’re going to see the famous surfing beaches of Pipeline or Sunset Beach, or going to the town of Haleiwa. 
Bodyboarding (also known as “boogie-boarding,” after Morey Boogie, a popular brand of bodyboard) is a form of wave riding where riders use a short foam board to ride waves, usually in a prone position, but also sometimes knee-boarding or even standing up. In Waikiki there is great bodyboarding spot called “Walls,” named after a prominent seawall there with a gazebo on the end of it. This structure is formally known as the Kapahulu Groin. To get there, go to the intersection of Kapahulu and Kalakaua in Waikiki.
Nestled among the foothills of Manoa Valley is the gorgeous campus of the University of Hawaii at Manoa. This oasis of tranquility sits less than a mile from Waikiki and the Ala Moana district. The campus has many interesting things to see and do, and for those of you wanting to experience something besides Oahu’s tourist attraction staples, a short trip to the UH Manoa campus will let you relax for a bit and see part of the “real Hawaii.” 
Oahu is a unique scuba destination which is not to be missed. There are many dive sites along the shores of Oahu which include wreck diving, coral reefs, fascinating marine life, and don’t forget the warm and clear water! For those who are not yet certified scuba divers, many dive shops and resorts offer an “intro to scuba” type of course, also known in the industry as a “resort course,” which lets non-certified divers give scuba a chance and see if it might be for them. 
Looking for a relatively short hike close to Waikiki and Town (Honolulu)? The Diamond Head Trail is just the thing for you! Everyone who has visited Waikiki has seen Diamond Head—it’s the majestic, towering volcano (now inactive)–that landmark silhouette which has graced countless Hawaii postcards. 
Recently my wife and I decided to try fishing out of Honolulu. We are not experienced fishermen, and do not own our own boat (except for a 
My wife and I occasionally go kayaking right off different parts of Waikiki Beach. Any part of the beach can be fun and interesting. We have a two-person inflatable kayak that we set up on the beach and launch into the waves. Note that I say “we” kayak but it is actually me who does the paddling! One of our favorite spots to go is right off of Queen’s Beach in Waikiki. This is near the popular body boarding spot known as “Walls,” named for the prominent seawall there. 
