Weddingbee Blog

It’s almost impossible to decide on my favorite thing about Oahu… Sparks and I loved pretty much everything we did! In fact, one of the things we loved most about the island was that there was SO much to do. Oahu is definitely #1 when it comes to having a wide range of activities to choose from. Buuuuut, if I HAD to choose, here are the top 5 things you shouldn’t miss if you visit Oahu (according to the Sparklers ):

1. Go Hiking

It’s so easy to spend all of your time in Hawaii lounging on the beach. I’ll admit, it was pretty hard to get me out of that beach chair once I plopped down. But if you don’t explore the hidden beauty of Oahu, you’re really missing something spectacular! There are so many hiking trails and paths winding through the island, you might have a hard time deciding which one to take (I recommend grabbing this book for help… it was a lifesaver). Sparks and I were lucky enough to have a local show us around. Our friend Matt moved to Hawaii about 3 years ago, and he was kind enough to lead us through the Hawaiian jungle on a hiking trip that he promised would be “easy.” Hmph. Maybe this is easy to the locals (our buddy hiked it BAREFOOT), but I was pretty exhausted by the time we made it back to the car. But, oh boy, was it worth it.

Our reward at the top of the trail… Sparks is mid-jump, can you spot him???

Sparkler Tips: Two words… Bug. Spray.

2. Watch the Sunset

OK, so technically, you’re going to see a Hawaiian sunset every night… but there’s something extra-special about making time to sit on the beach, pop a bottle of wine, and really taking it all in with your new husband. So pick a great spot and really watch that sun go down. It’s awesome.

“Cheers, to a perfect night! And 3 buck Chuck!”

Sparkler Tips: We spent an evening watching the sunset on Lanikai Beach in Kailua (it’s been voted the best beach in Hawaii a few times!). We were pretty much the only people there, and the drive from Waikiki was gorgeous! I highly recommend it… and it’s a good place to spot celebs sometimes.

3. Go to Duke’s (on Sunday if you can)

Jimmy Buffett didn’t write a song about this place for nothin’. Yes, it’s a touristy destination, but it’s also FUN. Go there on Sunday to grab a Mai Tai around 4PM, and you won’t regret it. I suggest wandering in after a busy day of shopping, relaxing in the bar overlooking Duke Kahanamoku’s famous surf spot, then taking a sunset stroll on the beach.

Our view for dinner…

…followed by another amazing sunset!

The man himself… Duke!

Are you a Oahu vacation veteran? What are your top tips for visiting the island?