You will find many lookouts during your visit on Oahu. Some of them don’t worth the detour but others must be on your ” to do list “ .
Offering breathtaking views, it would be a shame to miss them. In this selection, these vantage points are easily accessible by car. So with minimal efforts to get there you have no excuses !
With no specific order here is my Top 5:
Nu’uanu Pali Lookout
“Pali” means cliff in Hawaiian.
So you’ll find this lookout at the top of a 1200 foot high cliff between Honolulu and Oahu’s windward coast.
From Kailua to Chinaman’s hat you will have a panoramic view of a large stretch of Oahu’s east shore.
Be careful, the Pali lookout is known for his strong winds so hold on your cap !
This place is also an historical landmark. In 1795 Kamehameha the Great conquered the island of Oahu after a bloody battle. Refusing to surrender, hundreds of warriors jumped over the cliff.
Legend says you can still hear the screams of the warriors.
Informations
100 m
15 minutes
From Honolulu, take the H-1 freeway to the Pali Highway ( route 61 ). Once on the Pali watch for the sign to the Lookout.
There is a $3 parking fee ( except for Hawaiian residents ).
Makapu’u Lookout
Located along the Kalaniana’ole Highway ( route 72 ) just after the entrance to the Makapu’u Lighthouse Trail, the Makapu’u lookout will offer you a panoramic view of Oahu’s Southeastern shoreline.
From here the view is amazing. Not only you overlook the ocean and its turquoise waters, but you also have a breathtaking view of Makapu’u Beach as well as the islets of Rabbit Island (Manana) and Kaohikaipu.
If you’re lucky you may see some turtles swimming.
You are also here on a famous paragliding spot and not far from their landing zone so look above your head !
Informations
100 m
20 minutes
Take Highway 72 towards Sea Life Park. Follow the sign to this his scenic point.
Parking is free but limited to 20 minutes.
Hanauma Bay Lookout
The Hanauma Bay lookout is often forgotten because few people knows that it is possible to enjoy a breathtaking view of the bay without paying the $ 7.5 entrance fee.
This nature preserve was once a volcanic crater, part of which has subsided, creating the current bay. Turquoise waters, huge coral reef, white sand beach, palm trees … and hundreds of tourists: welcome to one of Oahu’s most visited places.
Informations
200 m
30 minutes ( this is so nice ! )
Take the Kalaniana’ole Highway ( Route 72 ) eastbound to Hawaii Kai. The entrance will be on your right just after the Koko Head lookout.
Parking fee is $1 but refunded if you stay less than 15 minutes.
Open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. or 7 p.m. depending the season. Closed every Tuesday and on Christmas Day & New Year’s Day.
If possible, park your car at the end of the parking, you will be closer to the access to the two lookouts.
As the car park fills up very quickly feel free to come back in the afternoon
Halona Blowhole Lookout
The Halona Blowhole Lookout, also located along the Kalaniana’ole Highway is worth a visit.
As its name suggests, the attraction of this lookout is the blowhole. It’s an underwater lava tube with an small hole on the rocky shelf. When the water enters the tube, the pressure increases and the water shoots up into the air sometimes up to 30 feet like a geyser ! Off course this is when the waves are high that the jet is the more impressive.
From the lookout you will also have an amazing view of Halona Beach Cove.
Also known as Cockroach Cove or Eternity Beach ( from the popular movie From here to Eternity ) this is a small beach that is worth a visit.
An easy access is possible via some rocky steps.
And if you have time, don’t miss the lava tube. Entrance is on the beach and can be explored. You will then come out on the other side of the road ! Just be aware that you’ll have to squat down to do the last few meters.
Informations
50 m
15 minutes. More if you go down to the beach.
On Kalaniana’ole Highway ( route 72 ) close to Sandy Beach.
You can’t miss it !
Pu’u Ualaka’a State Park aka Tantalus lookout
Unlike the previous lookouts, the panorama will be more urban.
Located at the top of Mount Tantalus, the Tantalus Lookout offers fantastic views of Honolulu, from Diamond Head to the airport’s runways.
The road to the lookout, the Round Top Drive, is a beautiful drive and gives you a taste of what to expect up there.
A huge lawn allows you to rest and appreciate the scenery. This is the perfect place for a picnic or to watch the sunset and the city lights.
Informations
100 m
20 minutes
This lookout is located at the end of the Pu’u ‘Ualaka’a State Wayside Park.
Parking is free but limited ( only 10 cars ) but more spaces are available at the picnic shelter. An access will allows you to reach the lookout in a few minutes.
Gates are open from 7:00 a.m until 7:45 p.m in summer months and until 6:45 p.m during winter.
