“Mele Kalikimaka is the thing to say / on a bright Hawaiian Christmas Day…” famously sung by Bing Crosby, tells of sunny holidays sought by tourists for decades. Don’t fancy the snow and plunging temps? Have a White Christmas with sand instead in Hawaii! Each Hawaiian island has its own unique flavor, starting with Oahu, the capital.
Everyone pictures the white sand and sparkling surf, and if relaxing on the beach is what you want for your holiday vacation, then it's available in spades. If you are looking for activities to get your blood pumping and adrenaline spiking, there is plenty of that, too.
Adventure enthusiasts, conservationists, and tourists alike will enjoy a two-hour boat and snorkel trip with One Ocean Diving leaving from the North Shore. One Ocean Diving is the brainchild of famed Shark Whisperer Ocean Ramsey and her husband, Juan Oliphant. I have followed them on Instagram (okay, stalked) for years and was so excited to make this trip to swim with sharks. There are multiple boat trips a day that depart from the North Shore, but I recommend taking the first one out for the day, 7-9 a.m. It’s a short boat ride, where you can see the shore the entire time and whales depending on the time of year. Some people wore wetsuits, but I did not use one, and I was fine. Bring your GoPro for some great footage, and yes- you will see sharks! The two most common shark species you will see are Galapagos and Sandbar sharks. The sharks are curious but also intimidated by you, and I was so excited when a little sandy swam up to check out my GoPro!
If you would rather get your kicks on land and like hiking, then the Koko Crater Railway Trail is for you. This is a hike that firemen train on, boasting about a mile and a half straight up the crater. There are over 1000 “steps” that are actually railroad ties. This is a very difficult hike and not one that I would recommend for small children or pets. However, if you are adventurous and in good shape, then this is a formidable hike rewarded with a breathtaking view.
If you need something easier, the Lanikai Pillbox Hike is an easy to medium hike about a mile and a half in the Lanikai neighborhood. The pillboxes are a series of military bunkers on the mountainside. I did this hike before sunrise on New Year’s Day when it was very dark. I sat on a pillbox on the edge of the mountain, watching the sunrise over the islands. There was something spiritual about watching the dawn of the new year over the ocean on the side of a mountain.
Whether you have grown up in the water, want to learn to hang ten, or just love the movie Point Break, Hawaii is the best place to learn to surf. When I decided to take a surfing lesson, I went with Sparky (from Sparky’s Surf School) and had an amazing time! I am incredibly clumsy, but Sparky had me up and riding waves on Waikiki in no time!
If you want some healthy local cafes, then check out The Sunrise Shack for incredible açaí bowls, Farm to Barn for the best avocado toast, and Island Vintage Coffee for 100% Kona coffee and the best banana bread I’ve ever had.
“Whether you have grown up in the water, want to learn to hang ten, or just love the movie Point Break, Hawaii is the best place to learn to surf.”