Top Attractions in Oahu’s Windward Coast
- Byodo-In Temple. 1,837. Points of Interest & Landmarks • Religious Sites.
- Kailua Beach Park. 3,006. Beaches.
- Lanikai Beach. 3,017. Beaches.
- Waimanalo Beach. 718. Beaches • Parks.
- Hoomaluhia Botanical Gardens. 391. Gardens.
- Makapu’u Beach. 320. Beaches.
- Bellows Field Beach Park. 416.
- Pillbox Hike. 922.
Contents
What is the windward side of Oahu like?
Oahu’s East Shore, also known as Windward Oahu, is located 30 minutes from Waikiki and Honolulu and is well worth touring by car as the coastal drive is scenic and varied. The region is largely made up of quiet, coastal neighborhoods and towns nestled between stunning 3000ft mountain ranges and the sea.
What does windward side of Oahu mean?
Oahu’s windward side sits along the eastern coast of the island.Windward is the direction that the wind is coming; oftentimes this side of the island sees a bit more rainfall than other parts of Oahu.
What towns are on the windward side of Oahu?
Cities
- Waimanalo.
- Kailua.
- kahalu`u.
- Waiahole and Waikane.
- Kualoa.
- Ka`a`awa.
- Kane’ohe.
What is there to do on the Westside of Oahu?
Beaches
- Electric Beach. Located near Nanakuli, just north of the Ko’olina Resorts, the official name for this beach is Kahe Point Beach Park.
- Makaha Beach Park. This white sandy beach is a hidden gem on the west side.
- Maili Beach.
- Mermaid Cave.
- Ko’olina Lagoons.
- White Plains Beach.
- Ka’ena Point.
- Maili Pillbox.
Is the Windward side of Oahu windy?
Windward Oahu tends to receive more rain than elsewhere on the island as most storms approach from the east and drop their rain as they hit the mountains.It also tends to be the windiest part of Oahu.
Which side of Oahu gets more rain?
Current Weather in Honolulu (Waikiki)
The weather on Oahu’s windward (east) shore is therefore usually a lot wetter than on the leeward (west) shore. But thanks to the rain, the windward coast is green and lush while the leeward coast is dry and has no rainforests.
What is the dry side of Hawaii?
west side
The weather conditions can change drastically over the island in a matter of hours, but there is some consistency. The west side (Kona side) is called the ‘dry side’ of the island, and the east side (Hilo side) the ‘wet side’.
What is lee side of island?
The leeward side is the side protected by the elevation of the island from the prevailing wind, and is typically the drier side of an island.In the case of an archipelago, windward islands are upwind and leeward islands are the downwind ones.
Is the leeward side cooler?
Rain. As condensation occurs, it releases heat into the surrounding air.As the air continues to descend towards sea level, atmospheric pressure increases which causes a temperature increase. Because of all of this (scientifically called adiabatic warming), the leeward side is generally warmer and drier.
Where is the leeward side of Hawaii?
The Leeward Coast is on the northwestern portion of the island, about 30 miles from Waikiki, and includes the Waianae Coast. The islands resorts reside here, in the town of Ko’olina, and this part of the island is largely undeveloped, with small towns, desolate beaches, and stunning landscapes highlighting the area.
Is Manoa Falls hike open?
The trail is open from sunrise to sunset, but it’s highly recommended that you don’t start the hike after 5:30 p.m.
What side of Oahu is Kailua on?
windward coast
Kailua (view panorama) is located on Oahu’s windward coast, about 12 miles (19 km) northeast of downtown Honolulu. It is one of the largest residential communities on this side of the island (after neighboring Kaneohe). Kailua has a central commercial district, located along Kailua Road.
Where do locals hang out in Oahu?
10 Great Places Only Locals Know in Oahu
- Naked Cow Dairy Farm and Creamery.
- Manulele Distillers.
- Naval Air Museum Barbers Point.
- Waialua Sugar Mill.
- Pillbox Hike.
- Ka’ena Point State Park.
- White Plains Beach.
- Sharks Cove.
What should you not miss on Oahu?
Best Things to do on Oahu
- Snorkel at Hanauma Bay. Snorkeling at Hanauma Bay is a must do in Oahu.
- Waterfalls at Ko’olau Mountain Range.
- Take an Open Door Helicopter Tour of Oahu.
- Cliff Jumping at La’ie Point.
- Take a Turtle Canyon Snorkel Cruise.
- Visit Pearl Harbor.
- Hike Diamond Head.
- Stairway to Heaven Oahu.
What is the best side of Oahu to stay on?
Some of the most scenic and beautiful parts of Oahu are definitely outside of Waikiki & Honolulu. Ko’olina on the leeward west side is, in our opinion, the best area to get a more authentic resort experience, especially if you’re looking to avoid some of the hustle/bustle of Waikiki.
What is the best month to visit Oahu?
April
The best time to visit Oahu is from mid-April to early June or between September and mid-December. During these shoulder seasons, attractions are less crowded, festivals are plentiful and airfare and room rates are at their lowest.
What side of Oahu is less windy?
The Honolulu/Waikiki side *usually* has less wind, but the Trades CAN be up.
Is Waimanalo always windy?
Since Waimanalo Beach is located on Windward Oahu, it faces the prevailing northeasterly trade winds, which can be quite breezy. If you plan a picnic here in the winter months (November to March), you may want to bring a light jacket as it can get a bit chilly, especially if it’s windy.
What is the rainiest month in Oahu?
December
The driest month in Honolulu is June with 0.43 inches of precipitation, and with 2.85 inches December is the wettest month.
Which side of Hawaii is windward?
In general, the north and/or east sides of each Hawaiian Island tend to have the windward climate. In contrast, the south and/or west sides of the islands are leeward.
