The Island of Oahu – Where Adventure Abounds
Continuing our grand Hawaiian adventure, our second day found us at Hanauma Bay (at 5:30am) to snorkel with the Humuhumunukunukuapua’a (it’s a fish – really, it is!!) Then we were off to the Dole Plantation, the North Shore, and eventually, the resort swimming pool, where a beautiful little mermaid just happened to be on hand!
Hanauma Bay – a snorkeler’s paradise
Located on the southeast side of the island of Oahu, Hanauma Bay is a pristine marine ecosystem that gives visitors a spectacular view of the marine life in Hawaii.
After a volcanic eruption, the circular bay was formed on the sea floor, eventually filling with ocean waves and creating what we see today. In the 1800’s, it was the playground to Hawaiian royalty. Today, it is open to a limited number of guests each day (except for Tuesdays, when they’re closed) and the focus is on educating tourists on the natural wildlife. Volunteers maintain this beautiful bay and work hard at preserving it daily. In 1967, Hanauma Bay was declared a protected marine life conservation area.
It’s on the list!
Hanauma Bay is paradise! In fact, it is one of the top 3 destinations on Oahu! You will see lots of beautiful fish. Here is a chart of all of the varieties within the bay, along with two of our favorite images.
To read more about Hanauma Bay, visit their website HERE!
Fees
There is a $7.50 per person park entry fee, and parking is $1 per car. Arrive early, as the parking lot is small and fills up quickly. You can also rent snorkel equipment – $20 for a standard set, and $40 for a premium set. There are also lockers for you to store your valuables – $10 for a small locker and $12 for a large.
The hours are 6am-7pm in the summer, and 6am-6pm in the winter. When visiting the Island of Oahu, make sure that you include Hanauma Bay – seeing Hawaii’s beautiful ecosystem in action can’t be beat!
Dole Plantation – A treat to quench your knowledge of pineapples, and your tastebuds!
After leaving Hanauma Bay, we changed out of our bathing suits and headed for the Dole Plantation for Hawaii’s complete pineapple experience.
Opening in 1950, as a fruit stand, the Dole Plantation has grown to welcome more than one million visitors a year. While there, you can ride the Pineapple Express, a narrated train tour explaining the history of the plantation and learn about various stages in the pineapple growing process. There is also a Plantation Garden Tour and a Pineapple Garden Maze. Throughout the property, there are informational displays and presentations as well as a gift shop full of wonderful treats and treasures.
A highlight while at the Dole Plantation is tasting the world-famous DoleWhip! It’s the most delectable whipped pineapple treat – very tart, yet sweet. My husband topped his with more pineapple. I wish I had done the same!
In the giant pineapple maze, Daddy Starbucks and I raced against the kids. Knowing how competitive we both are, I’ll let you guess who won! We then headed to the world-famous Giovanni’s Shrimp truck, in the town of Haleiwa, which did not disappoint! One of my sons chose Kalbi (beef shortribs), from Honos, which were also spectacular.
We spent the rest of the day in the jacuzzi, watching a mermaid entertain the resort guests! Meanwhile, my other three kiddos were playing putt-putt golf, shuffleboard, giant chess, and ping pong. 🧜♀️
How we actually got to Hawaii!
We were able to spend two full weeks in Hawaii because of credit card points. You see, everything that we spend in our household gets charged on one of several credit cards. Then we immediately pay that credit card bill in full (sometimes several times per week). We NEVER carry a balance and we are very mindful to never charge more than we can pay off. If you are interested in our step-by-step plan for accumulating points, you can check that out HERE.
Let’s Get to the Point
If you would like to learn more about how we travel the world for little to no money, using points, feel free to reach out to me HERE, or sign up for my newsletter on the right side of my blog. As well, please follow along on my social media channels, on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
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That snorkeling trip sounds amazing! I would gladly get up that early on vacation to experience something like that!
Trisha, since our bodies were on the central time zone, we woke up almost every morning at 3:30am!! We were definitely ready to get out and play by 5:30am! And being so close to all the fish and turtles was AMAZING!
Looks like a wonderful trip! Hawaii is my dream! I hope I get to finally make it to one of the islands this year for my birthday.
Eva, definitely make it a plan – you won’t regret it! In my opinion, Hawaii is one of the most beautiful places on earth! Blessings!
We love Hanauma Bay, it is so beautiful there. I haven’t made it to the Dole Plantation yet but the Dole Whips look like a great reason to go!
Casandra, the Dole Plantation is definitely worth a visit, and a great learning experience too! And Dole Whip!!👏🏻 🍍
Great post – we are planning a trip to Hawaii in the next two years (before my daughter graduates) so this info will come in handy.
Pam, feel free to go to my “Archives” and search June 2019. We spent two full weeks on Oahu, Maui, and Kauai! Also, if you search “Southwest Companion Pass”, on my blog, there is a post that explains how two of my children went completely for free. We all flew for free (using points), but with the Companion Pass, you don’t even use points and someone gets to fly free an unlimited number of times for two full years (if you time it correctly). If you have questions, feel free to reach out. Blessings!
I can’t wait to go to Hawaii one day! The Dole Plantation is on my list for sure. I’ve never been snorkeling, but this looks like a great place to try it. Great inspiration!
Stacey, Hanauma Bay would be the PERFECT introduction to snorkeling. The reef is protected and secluded, and the water is relatively shallow (so no sharks)!!🦈 Thanks for stopping by. Blessings!
This looks like a great trip! We’re hoping to visit the Disney Aulani Resort in Ko Olina within the next couple years. We want to venture out in O’ahu.
Taquia, Aulani is on our dream bucket list. It’s REALLY tough to get in there on points though, and I don’t like to pay to travel!!🤣 When we flew from Kauai to Maui, we had a short layover in Honolulu, and we flew right over Disney’s resort – it looks beautiful for sure! Enjoy planning your Hawaiian getaway! Blessings!
Hanauma Bay is so beautiful. We saw so many fish when we went!
Isn’t it, Lisa? We were happy to see the crazy beautiful Humuhumunukunukuapua’a fish! 😁
The circular bay looks like an interesting place to visit
It’s incredible Jennifer! 😁
Going to be honest. I just need that Dole whip. Bahaha. Sounds like an incredible trip!
I hear ya, Stacie! I could use one of those right about now too! 😁
I LOVE Hawaii! I can’t wait to go back one day. Oahu will definitely be on the list.
We really did love this island! Thanks for stopping by, Jordin!
Beautiful photos! And we loved the Dole plantation.
We did too Karen! Our entire Hawaiian adventure was quite spectacular!
Snorkeling sounds like so much fun. I know my husband and kids would enjoy it so much. I don’t know why, but the ocean scares me a little bit, so hopefully, I’d be able to work myself up to trying it, even if only for a few minutes. Pineapple, on the other hand, is my absolute favorite fruit, so I feel like I would also be perfectly content to just hang out there all day too.
Sara, I understand. Hanauma Bay would be a GREAT place for you then, as you could stay right along the shoreline and still see beautiful fish. You can wade out (where it’s still quite shallow – maybe up to your knees) and put your face in the water and see so many beautiful sights! And yes, pineapple is LIFE!! Blessings!
Another fun Hawaii post. It looks lovely. I look forward to traveling again.
Thank you Heather! And we are looking forward to getting back out there too!
We love snorkeling. Hanauma Bay would be wonderful to snorkel.
Missy, it really would! Definitely add this one to your bucket list! Blessings! 😁
I hope I can get to Hawaii someday. It looks so gorgeous and full of history and natural wonders.
These look like really fun places that we’ll have to visit when we can get to Oahu. We usually visit Maui, but Oahu has some really great places too!
Kirsten, we enjoyed Maui as well, but there is something extra special about Oahu. We didn’t spend much time in town though – we explored the entire time we were there! And our other favorite was definitely Kauai!!!
I loved our trips to Hawaii but I’ve only been to Kauai! I want to go back and explore other islands too. Sounds so fun!
Brenna, Kauai is our all time favorite island! But there’s so much to see on Oahu! Blessings!
The pictures sure look like you had a great time. The trip sounds amazing with time for both relaxing and fun.
Adrienne, thanks so much. It was a perfect mix of adventure and relaxation! And thank you too for the kind words! Blessings.
Hawaii is on my bucket list!
Jessica, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed!! 😁
That dole whip looks amazing! I loved snorkeling at hanauma bay!
Agreed Chantelle! We had a wonderful time! 😁
This looks like a fun place to vacation! Thanks for sharing. I have really enjoyed reading about travel adventures while we’ve been quarantined, especially in a flat land-locked Midwest state.
Bless your heart Rachel – we’ll all be out there traveling soon enough. Thank you for your kind words. Blessings.
That’s great to get to Hawaii with points. I got a card to do that with but then didn’t have work for the month and used it to live. Uggg not a good idea. We got points but then had to pay catch up. It’s so important to not have a balance. Looks like you had a fabulous time.
Karie, hang in there. It happens. Just pay it off as quickly as you can, and then start again. You are right – carrying a balance kinda ruins any progress. You’ll get back on track though. This is a tough time for so many. Blessings.
I really want to go to Hawaii. It looks like you had a great trip and have given me some great ideas for mine!
Cindy, thank you for your kind words. Have a wonderful time once you can travel again! Blessings.
Sounds wonderful! I would love to spend a few weeks in Hawaii.
Pamela, if you can make it happen, you won’t be disappointed! Any island(s) you choose is(are) spectacular!
The Dole Plantation is on my bucket list! Can’t wait to visit Oahu some day! And the Humuhumunukunukuapua’a – we swam with them in Kauai! So cool!
Tara, Kauai is our all time favorite island, but you definitely need to see Oahu too. Very different, but spectacular none-the-less! Blessings.
I WANNA GO SO BAD!!!! I’ve never been to Hawaii. I did however, go to the chiquita banana and pineapple plantation in costa rica. Super fun!
Oh Emily!! I WANNA GO to Costa Rica. That’s at the top of our bucket list (along with Jamaica). Do you have a blog post on the Chiquita banana and pineapple plantation? I’d love to read it.☺️
This has been on our travel bucket list, thanks for the great info.
Elaina, you’re welcome! Blessings!
Hawaii is everything!! I’ve been three times but only gone to Maui each time (everyone has their favorite island). I figured the next island we would visit would be Kauai, but Oahu sounds fantastic as well. Thanks for all of the great insight. Can’t wait to see Hawaii again!
Tammica, I understand! We also loved Maui. I would highly recommend Kauai (that’s our VERY favorite), but at some point, you’ll have to see Oahu too! Make sure you see the whole island, and venture out from Honolulu. Blessings!