Beaches of Oahu

We drove around the island the days we were here and stopped at the different beaches we would find along the way. We found lots of secluded hidden beautiful beaches. We also went to the beaches where the surfers go but it was crowded in that area and were not able to find a place to park so we kept on going. Following are pictures of some of the beaches we enjoyed.

Here is Gordon at a beach on the west side the island. There are no waves on the beaches on this side of the island. The coral reef is so close to the beaches. The dark areas on the water is coral reef. It is just gorgeous!

This side of the island is not rocky but the mountains are close by.

Gordon enjoying a walk at on of the beaches we stopped on the north side of the island.

This is a beach on the north side of the island. This is the closest we got to the famous beaches where the surfers go (no place to park at the surfer beaches). See some of the waves behind me. Somehow they don't look as big in the picture as when we are actually there. I am sure the waves are better where the surfer's are.

This is the sand at this beach, beautiful small little rocks. We took some to bring to my students and for our classroom rock collection.

We decided to booked a two hour Kayaking trip.
Here at Kailua Beach is where we began our Kayaking trip to the Flat Island.
The sand was so fine and soft and the water clear. Love the light blue color of the water. The darker blue color of the water indicates the coral reef is there.
As we kayaked we saw turtles swimming by us and poking their heads at us.

This picture by our Kayaks was taken by our tour guide as we arrived to the Flat Island.
It looks like the main land is not that far but it took us half an hour to kayak to this island.

We walked around the Flat Island. It is an island made out of hard coral rock. So as we walked around it there are all kinds of beautiful coral rock holes and formations. The two islands in the distance are the islands that the four hour tour people go. They are much further. They were not taking people there that day because the water was too choppy.

Gordon having fun snorkeling at Lanikai Beach

This is the East side of Oahu. This is the rocky side of the island.
We were surprised to find that even in this rocky side there are hidden beaches.
There are great views from the different rocky mountains that stick out into the ocean.

Hanauma Bay is a bay that is partially protected from the open ocean here in the east side of the island. It is a very popular place. We tried to come here in the morning but the parking was full and were not letting any more people in. So we came back in the evening and was able to be there when the crowd was gone but since they close at 6:00 in the evening we were not there long.

I got to go in the water a little here in Hanauma Bay before they chased us out.

It is very shallow. The water here is not completely clear but I can see the coral reef and the fish from above the water. The water was a little cold when you first get in but later did not fee cold at all.