Whether you drive past Diamond Head and Maunalua Bay and around Koko Head Crater past Hanauma Bay, Sandy Beach, Makapuu Point and Waimanalo or begin your drive at the end of the Pali or Likelike Highway at Kane'ohe Bay, a drive along Oahu's Eastern Shore and Windward Coast makes for a perfect day trip from Waikiki.
In Hawaii, windward refers to the eastern side of an island and leeward the western side. The prevailing winds in Hawaii blow east to west as opposed to the mainland where winds tend to blow west to east.
For the purposes of this feature we'll define Oahu's Southeast Shore as the area from Koko Crater to Kailua and the Windward Coast as Kane'ohe Bay all the way to just before Laie, the gateway to the North Shore.
The Kalaniana'ole Highway is the main road along the Eastern Oahu Coast. The Kamehameha Highway is the main roads from Kaneohe northward.
During the winter, temperatures reach highs of 79°F and dip to 70°F. During the summer, temperatures range from 84°F to 73°F.
Windward Oahu tends to receive more rain than elsewhere on the island as most storms approach from the east and drop their rain as they hit the mountains.
The benefit of this rainfall is that Windward Oahu is the greenest and, arguably, loveliest part of the island. It also tends to be the windiest part of Oahu.
Many of Hawaii's loveliest beaches are located along the Southeast Shore and Windward Coast.
Near Koko Head is Hanauma Bay, one of the top snorkel spots in Hawaii. Close by Sandy Beach offers spectacular, but often, dangerous waves for surfing. It's the best place to fly a kite on Oahu.
Further north you'll find Lanikai Beach, often chosen as one of Hawaii's and the world's top beaches.
On either side of the Mokapu'u Peninsula are two wonderful bays - the reef-protected Kailua Bay and Kane'ohe Bay, both worthy of a stop.
North of Kailua there are many other smaller beaches which tend to feature rougher surf.
Oahu's Southeast Shore and Windward Coast are not principal locations for lodgings. You won't find any of the large hotels or resorts that you'll find in Waikiki.
If you're interested in staying along the Southeast Shore or Windward Oahu, your best bet is to look for one of the bed and breakfasts or vacation rentals that are scattered along the coast
Finding a good place to eat can be a bit tricky on the Southeast Shore and Windward Coast. If you're making a day trip consider taking a picnic lunch.
There are, however, a number of good restaurants along the coast such as Brent's Restaurant, Cinnamon's Restaurant and Lucy's Grill N' Bar in Kailua, Buzz's Original Steakhouse in Lanikai, The Crouching Lion Inn in Ka'a'a'wa, the Punalu'u Restaurant in Punalu'u and the Rainbow Diner & BBQ in Hau'ula.
For great reviews and sample menus of these restaurants, I recommend the excellent Oahu Restaurant Guide by Robert & Cindy Carpenter.
Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve
Located about 10 miles east of Waikiki just off the main coastal road (Kalaniana'ole Highway, Route 72).Hanauma Bay is the first Marine Life Conservation District in the State of Hawaii.It costs $1.00 per car to park and $5.00 per person to enter the Preserve. A nine minute film is required to be seen to be granted beach access. The snorkeling is some of the best in Hawaii.
Halona Blowhole
Just north of Hanauma Bay off the Kalaniana'ole Highway you'll find the pullout for the Halona Blowhole.The blowhole results when waves are forced into an underwater lava tube and the pressure forces a stream of water to "blow" out the other end shooting high into the air.
Just to the right is the Halona Beach Cove, also known as Cockroach Cove where the famous love scene between Burt Lancaster and Deborah Kerr in the 1953 movie From Here to Eternity was filmed.
Sandy Beach Park
Just down the road from the Halona Blowhole is the long and often very windy Sandy Beach Park.It's a great place to stop and watch folks fly their kites and there are almost always lots of surfers and body boarders testing the surf.
Makapu'u Point and Lighthouse
A few miles east of Sandy Beach, just past the Hawaii Kai Golf Course, you'll come to Makapu'u Point.A parking area has recently been built to accommodate folks who want to take the moderate 2-mile hike up to the point and the Makapu'u Point Lighthouse.
The view of the coast in both directions is amazing. It's a great place to see whales in season. On a clear day you can see the island of Moloka'i in the distance.
Sea Life Park
As the road leads back down from Makapu'u Point keep your eye out to the left for Sea Life Park. Just 15 miles from Waikiki, Sea Life Park is a world-class marine attraction featuring educational displays and live entertainment featuring dolphins, sea lions, penguins.Don't miss the world's only known wholphin (offspring of a false killer whale and Atlantic bottlenose dolphin).
Waimanalo Beach Park
A short drive up the road takes you to the community of Waimanalo Beach which is home to about 4,000 people and where you'll find Waimanalo Beach Park, my favorite beach on Oahu.Over 5 miles in length with lovely, soft white sand, Waimanalo Beach is rarely crowded on weekdays. It's a great place to meet and talk to a local enjoying this wonderful spot. The swimming is generally excellent since there are rarely large waves.
Don't leave any valuables in your car since you won't be able to see it from the beach.
Lanikai Beach
After Waimanalo the highway bends inland. You'll pass by Bellows Air Force Station on your right. When you reach Kailua Road you can either make a left and continue your northward drive or make a right and take a detour to visit Lanikai Beach and Kailua Bay.Lanikai Beach has been named Best Beach in America by Dr. Beach and was recently selected as top Hawaii beach by the Travel Channel. It's truly a superb beach, but visiting it is often difficult since parking in Lanikai is very difficult.
Lanikai is a small, exclusive community with one looping road. Beach access is only available by a limited number of public access walkways. From the beach you'll have great views of the Mokuluas, two small islands approximately three quarters of a mile off the coast.
Kailua Beach Park
Separated from Lanikai by Alala Point, you should next stop at Kailua Beach Park. Kailua is a very popular recreational beach with excellent swimming. You'll also likely see several windsurfers and an outrigger canoe club practicing. This beach has lifeguards, a picnic area, restrooms with showers, and concessions.Leaving Kailua Beach Park, you'll want to head west on Kailua Road until it intersects with the Kamehameha Highway which you'll follow to head further north along the coast. This is also where you'll begin your exploration of the Windward Coast is you've taken the Pali or Likelike Highway from Waikiki to Kane'ohe.
