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Oahu Trailblazer - Where to Hike, Snorkel, Surf From Honolulu to the North Shore

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Oahu Trailblazer - Where to Hike, Snorkel, Surf From Honolulu to the North Shore

Oahu Trailblazer - Where to Hike, Snorkel, Surf From Honolulu to the North Shore

by Jerry and Janine Sprout

The Bottom Line

Too many travelers visit Oahu and never explore the island beyond Honolulu and Waikiki. Oahu Trailblazer shows you the extensive variety of hikes, snorkel and surfing spots across the entire island of Oahu. It is the definitive book for anyone interesting in exploring Oahu to its fullest.
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Pros

  • Clear, concise descriptions of each hike, snorkel or surf location.
  • Completes the set of Trailblazer books for each major Hawaiian island.
  • Detailed information on parking for each location.
  • Excellent and extensive photos.
  • Good 35 page section of supplemental Information.

Cons

  • More detailed maps would be helpful.
  • No mention of About.com in the "Surfin' da Web" section.

Description

  • 117 hikes - ancient sites, beaches, botanical gardens, rainforests, ridgetops, valleys, waterfalls.
  • City strolls in Chinatown, Honolulu, Waikiki, the North Shore, USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor.
  • 37 snorkeling and swimming beaches, coves and tide pools, including hike-to specials.
  • 100+ surfing spots - longboard and shortboard, bodyboarding, bodysurfing, windsurfing, kiteboarding.
  • Seven maps and more than 200 photographs.
  • A Trailblazer Kids section for family attractions, picnic spots, swimming beaches and easy hikes.
  • A Best of section that helps you pick the right activity for the right day.
  • Handpicked resort recommendations, choice rustic accommodations, and selected restaurants.
  • A Resource Links secrion with visitor information, public agencies, campgrounds, and more.
  • Strategies for visiting, planning your trip, getting around, what to pack and where to stay.

Guide Review - Oahu Trailblazer - Where to Hike, Snorkel, Surf From Honolulu to the North Shore

Oahu Trailblazer is the long awaited companion book to the authors' excellent books covering the Big Island of Hawaii, Kauai and Maui.

Jerry and Janine Sprout are the definitive experts in hiking in Hawaii. Their books are essential "books to pack" when planning a trip to Hawaii.

So much of the beauty of Hawaii must be seen on foot by exploring the numerous ancient sites, beaches, botanical gardens, rainforests, ridgetops, valleys, and waterfalls of each island. As a bonus, the authors give their suggestions for walking tours of some of the more urban areas of the island.

As the authors indicate many folks who want to get away from the hustle and bustle of Waikiki and explore the island of Oahu often get frustrated not knowing where to go or what to do. This book provides help in planning those adventures away from the comfortable confines of your hotel or condominium rental.

This 256 page book is an amazingly easy read. The reader is able to use the tips provided by the authors to select the hikes, snorkel or surf locations that are right for them considering their age, health and willingness to be truly adventurous.

So, on your next trip to Oahu, pack your backpack, hiking stick, camera and above all else your copy of Oahu Trailblazer and you're all set to discover the Hawaii that many visitors never get so see.

Visit their Web site.

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User Reviews

 5 out of 5
took us all around Oahu, Member eloise303

There are so many places to see that are not listed in any other guidebooks. These authors have really explored the place and we felt fortunate to have chosen this book. Good snorkeling in the most unexpected places. There are driving directions and maps to all the best beaches all along the coast from Waikiki to Haleiwa up north, that's where Sunset and Pipeline are located too. Watched some amazing surfers catch big waves. Also it's filled with hikes that provided gorgeous vistas. We were surprised there was such a developed trail system on Oahu. I recommend it to everyone going there.

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