The Easy Outdoor Adventure In Hawaii Everyone Will Love
By Megan Shute|Published February 19, 2017
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Megan Shute
Author
With more than 10 years of experience as a professional writer, Megan holds a degree in Mass Media from her home state of Minnesota. After college, she chose to trade in her winter boots for slippahs and moved to the beautiful island of Oahu, where she has been living for more than five years. She lives on the west side but is constantly taking mini-road trips across the island and visits the neighboring islands whenever she can getaway. She loves hiking, snorkeling, locally-grown coffee, and finding the best acai bowl on Oahu.
Oahu’s north shore is famous for its incredible beaches, the charming town of Haleiwa, and a plethora of mouthwatering food trucks; but once you step back from the ocean, you will find some absolutely incredible landscapes to explore, including the lush and beautiful Waimea Valley.
An area of historic cultural significance, the Waimea Arboretum and Botanical Garden is home to 35 distinct plant collections, with one of the most impressive collections of Polynesian plants in existence.
The gardens are absolutely breathtaking and perfect for a day of exploration for the entire family - from young stroller-bound children to elderly adults.
Waimea Valley is one of the last partially intact ahupuaa on Oahu, and encompasses approximately 1,875 acres. Dubbed "The Valley of the Priests" Waimea Valley has been a place of deep cultural and historical significance for more than 700 years.
Much of the valley floor was used for the cultivation of taro, sweet potatoes and bananas. Descendants of the high priests lived and cared for the valley’s land until 1886, and you will find countless pieces of history scattered throughout the valley, including religious sites and shrines, house sites, and fishponds.
The main trail is approximately 1.5 miles round trip, and is entirely paved, with plenty of unpaved offshoots to check out along the way. You can even pay $1 for a tram ride to true highlight of the valley: the lovely 45-foot Waimea Falls, an idyllic spot for a family swim.
Visitors will have to pay an entrance fee for the botanical garden, but once inside, the stroll to the waterfall is quick, and features a changing room, life jackets available for free use, and lifeguards on duty.
Can you even imagine a more perfect family day than strolling through a lovely botanical garden before reaching a charming waterfall pool ideal for a quick swim? Head across the street to Waimea Bay afterwards and you have a quintessential Hawaiian day.
The famous Waimea Bay is a popular spot for boogie boarding and cliff jumping in the summer, as well as a haven for surfers of all skill levels during the winter months. The iconic bay even plays host to the famous Quicksilver In Memory of Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational, perhaps the most prestigious event in surfing, that is only held when ocean conditions are perfect.
