When planning a Hawaii vacation, the art galleries, surf shops, and food trucks often attract visitors to Oahu’s North Shore. As locals will tell you, the island’s West Side offers whale watching opportunities and other fun activities to commune with nature. So you don’t miss out on this hidden gem, here are a few West Side excursions to include in your itinerary. 

5 Ways to Explore Oahu’s West Side

1. Boating Along the Waianae Coast

The Waianae Coast extends from the southwest corner of Oahu to Kaena Point on the northwest reaches. Visitors are encouraged to tour the coast by boat and take pictures of the sprawling seascape. The trip offers opportunities for dolphin and whale watching. Remote beaches are found on the northern stretch of the coast too. Geology buffs can see some of the oldest lava on the island along this shoreline. 

2. Hiking Mount Ka‘ala

To gaze down at Oahu from the island’s highest peak, take a hike up Mount Ka‘ala, which climbs 4,025 feet into the sky. Along the boardwalk trail, you can take in views of the Pacific Ocean and Waianae Valley below. Hikers can also view rare plant life and an ancient rain forest on the plateau.

3. Hiking Kaneana Cave

For a short excursion, you can hike the 0.7-mile Kaneana Cave, or Upper Makua Cave, in 45 minutes. It’s the perfect place to savor views of the West Oahu coastline at sunset. The cave is approximately 150,000 years old and was once underwater.

4. Daytripping to Different Beaches

One or several days of the trip should be devoted to exploring many of the pristine beaches on the West Side. Surfers like to catch the waves at Yokohama, while Electric Beach is a prime location for snorkeling tours. After exploring Makua Cave, you can sunbathe on the beach right beside it. Nanakuli Beach Park is home to the Mermaid Caves, where you can soak in the cobalt blue water.  

5. Visiting Kaena Point

In addition to dolphin and whale watching, you can also see a variety of birds on the West Side. Kaena Point State Park features a bird sanctuary and a 6.3-mile trail to explore. Tide pools and natural stone arches are some of the highlights along the way. 

For professionally guided snorkeling trips, whale watching, and dolphin excursions on Oahu’s West Side, reach out to EŌ Wai‘anae Tours. The family-owned and -operated tour company specializes in helping visitors explore the Hawaii seascape safely. To reserve a tour, call (808) 699-5910, find answers to frequently asked questions online, and see photos from the excursions on Facebook.