Lakes, Rivers, Canals & Beaches

This is one of those beaches that one can't help but stumble upon sooner or later. It's in downtown Honolulu, but that doesn't diminish its popularity with locals. Like the famous Kamaole Beaches in Kihei, this place is the site of constant frisbee games, beach parties and extended family picnics. The waves are good for swimming or bodyboarding, and the Hawaiian sun is out most days of the year, attracting crowds of sunbathers.

While it's almost become too popular with yacht owners, and as is a result beginning to suffer from over-congestion, this harbor is a favorite scenic spot. Views of the Ala Wai Harbor are a coveted feature for downtown restaurants and hotels. From the harbor one can see the Diamond Head or the endless blue Pacific. If you want a little more action, head over to Kaiser's Bowl and watch the surfers do their thing. The Waikiki Trolley makes regular stops here.

This company offers a variety of entertaining cruises in the waters off Honolulu and beyond. Its most popular activity is the Pacific Splash Barefoot Fun Cruise, which lasts or about three hours. Dolphin-watching cruises depart each morning and whale-watching cruises happen several times a day during the winter (December 15 through April 30). Sunset dinner cruises and extended voyages are also available.

Famed for its beautiful horseshoe-shaped sandy beach and clear, calm turquoise waters, this natural marine sanctuary is home to thousands of colorful tropical fish. The waist-deep water inside the reef is perfect for novice snorkelers to explore. More experienced snorkelers might want to check with the lifeguard before venturing beyond to deeper waters to see sea turtles and other marine life. The Bay is least crowded in the early morning or late afternoon. Admission: non-resident adult visitors USD3, free to all others. Parking fee is USD1 per vehicle.

Hanauma Bay boasts some of the best snorkeling in the entire world. You can see schools of exotic fish without even wading out past hip-level. However, if you're unfamiliar with the ocean or you've never tried snorkeling before, it's nice to go with an experienced guide. The price of a snorkeling tour includes transportation, instruction and equipment. Depending on which package you choose, you can spend up to four hours at the bay. Call for more information.

Windsurfers, a breed apart from regular humans and similar to wave surfers, travel from far-distant corners of the world to hit this top windsurfing beach. When the water is flat, they simply sit and wait. When the wind starts, they head here in droves. If you are not a windsurfer, you can still enjoy the warm waters and gentle surf of this famous, beautiful beach. Barbecue facilities, bathrooms and showers are available.

Picture yourself paddling your way over the crystal blue waters of the Hawaiian islands with the sun bathing you in its soft light and bouncing off the water. Well, with Kailua Sailboards and Kayaks you don't need to imagine it. You can just do it. This rental place offers guided tours by kayak or sail boat or even paddle boat to the nearby Mokulua Islands. If a group tour isn't your thing, you can always rent out a Kayak and go adventuring on your own. This rental shop offers various eco tours or rentals to choose from — windsurfing, kayaking, kite surfing, snorkeling etc. So take your pick and take the plunge.

During low tide in Kane'ohe Bay, a sandbar known as Ahu O Laka, emerges, forming a temporary beach in the middle of the bay. The Kane'ohe Bay Sandbar is a favorite spot for recreational boaters to drop anchor, fire up the hibachi and enjoy a cold beer. The panoramic view from the sandbar is breathtaking. The calm turquoise water is home to abundant marine life including turtles and hammerhead sharks. Several tour boat operators run snorkeling and dive tours to the sandbar from Hee'ia Pier in Kaneohe. The tours usually include the use of water toys and lunch. - Shiyana Thenabadu

This small harbor and park area is a favorite with fishing boats and pleasure cruisers. Voyager Submarines and Ali'i Kai Sport Fishing are two of the notable marine activity companies with a home base at this port. There is also a fish market, a high-tech research facility, a small park and a dolphin center on the premises. The area has a rather gruesome history; in pre-contact Hawai'i, it was used as a human sacrifice spot. (This is not a fact that is commonly shared in the tourist guides or cruise ship brochures.)

This 4,000-acre, former working ranch in Windward Oahu has been turned into a giant outdoor activities park. Facilities include horseback riding, jet skiing, canoeing and kayaking, windsurfing, freshwater fishing and a shooting range. You can tour the movie sets used in filming Jurassic Park and Godzilla, or relax on Secret Island, a secluded fantasy beach. There's even a petting zoo for the kids. Activities start as low as USD16 per person. Various full-day packages start at USD65 for adults, USD39 for children ages 3-11. Reservations are required.

This is reputed to be one of Oahu's most beautiful beaches—and that is high praise indeed. The aquamarine waters, smooth white sands and gently swaying palm trees epitomize South Pacific Paradise. Of course, when the wind is up, the hordes of energetic windsurfers quickly dissolve any fantasies of being marooned on a tropical island. Still, most of the time, the beach is fairly quiet, and even when it's not, one must gape a bit at the natural beauty of it. Note: As with all Hawai'i beaches, conditions are changeable. Check with the lifeguards or locals before entering the water, and always use caution.

With swells that get as large as 30 feet during the winter months, this beach is a well-known surf spot. Beginning surfers and boogie boarders are discouraged from testing the surf when the waves are high; swimming is unheard-of. Swimmers and boogie boarders should visit during the summer and always be careful of riptides, undertow and unexpected high surf. The area has quite an interesting history. In days gone by, a gang of marauding outlaws hid out in the Makaha valley, wreaking havoc on the unlucky locals and visitors. Of course the outlaws have long since disappeared, but the name, which means "fierce", stuck.

Tucked in the back of lush Manoa Valley is this waterfall, which is commonly thought to be one of the most beautiful sights on O'ahu. It rushes over a precipice and drops 100 feet to the pool below. The briskly cold water makes a refreshing change from the sticky Hawaiian air. The hike to the waterfall takes approximately an hour and is not particularly difficult. The trail can get slippery during the rain, but on sunny days, it's clearly marked and easy to follow.

Visit top O'ahu attractions with this well-known tour company. The Arizona Memorial and USS Missouri Tour visits Pearl Harbor, the battleship USS Missouri and the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. The Polynesian Cultural Center Tour takes you through Oahu's most scenic areas. See the natural beauty that makes the Islands famous: tropical forests, seaside villages, championship surfing spots and world-renowned beaches. Prices run USD20-61.50 per adult and USD15-31 per child. Meals are not included.

This is a bit of a local secret. It offers excellent snorkeling, mostly nearby the reef formation known as Three Tables. Scuba divers also visit the cave and the waters past the reef. The beach is located on the North Shore, nearby famous Waimea Bay and Sunset Beach. It's in a residential part of the island, and gets only occasional visits from tourists. Snorkelers would do well to make the journey here, however, as the underwater sights are vivid and plentiful. Note: As with all Hawaii beaches, conditions are changeable. Exercise caution, especially during winter months.

Hula dancers greet each sunset sailor as passengers depart on the largest of the local cruise ships, The Star of Honolulu. Visitors cruise off Oahu's leeward shore as the sun sinks below the horizon and the twinkling lights of Honolulu and Waikiki emerge in the dusk. There is always a live band and singers. Dine on a feast of steak and crab legs with a complimentary tropical cocktail. Prices for The Sunset Dinner cruise start at USD66 for adults and USD33 for children.

When the water is calm, this beach is a lovely swimming spot. The tide pools, located in a sheltered spot on the point of the beach, are great for snorkeling during calm days. It should be mentioned that, as with most beaches on the north shore, the surf here gets dangerously high during the wintertime. It also "cranks" sometimes during the summer. If you are not a strong swimmer or avid surfer, definitely check the local surf report before driving to this North Shore park.

Surf n Sea is a staple on the North shore landscape, built in 1921 and housing the premiere surf shop since 1965, SurfnSea has it all. Surf gear and apparel for most ocean activities, not to mention tours, lessons, sales and rentals, plus plenty of souvenirs. They specialize in Surfing, Scuba Diving, Bodyboarding & Snorkeling. The look, feel, and location of the building makes it easy to envision the past. Surf legends and current top professionals from around the world have set foot inside this historic shop. To this day it sits alone on the World Famous Haleiwa coastline and you couldn't ask for a better place to find what you need for a great day at the beach. In the winter, ask about their prize patrol program where they give out a free sticker and you can win prizes if seen sporting the sticker around town. -Rex Davidson

The best of Oahu's attractions are at your fingertips. Low rates are offered on submarine dives, city tours and other popular activities. Day tours to other islands are also available. Visit Maui (The Valley Isle), Kaua'i (The Garden Isle) or the Big Island. The highlights of each island are included in the tour, along with airfare. Single-day tour costs start at around $15 (Pearl Harbor and City Tour) and go up to about $149 (Big Island Circle Tour). Overnight packages are also available. Call for details.

Never has a beach been as fabled as Waikiki. Since the 1950s, this beach has been a tourist destination extraordinaire. While much of it has been eroded, trampled by millions of feet, or encroached upon by towering skyscrapers, hints of its original beauty can still be seen in the crashing waves and the warm sand. Come night time, the hipsters strut their clubwear on the beachwalk, and lovers find peaceful little nooks under the cover of sweeping palm trees.

When someone hears the name "Waimea", chances are that images of 20-foot waves and daredevil surf monsters come to mind. That stereotype is correct. This beach is ranked among the top ten big-wave surf spots in the world, and when the waves are high, hardcore surfers come from the far corners of the globe to test their mettle. Novices are discouraged from swimming in the wintertime, which is the big-wave season at this beach. During the summer it is usually safe to take a dip, but make sure to consult the lifeguard first.