14 Top Things to See on the Kamehameha Highway, Oahu’s Best Scenic Drive

Today we decided that we wanted to take a drive and discovered that the Kamehameha highway was Oahu’s best scenic drive. This was recommended to us by one of our local friends Sam that lives right in busy Waikiki in the city of Honolulu. The best Scenic drive on Oahu.

We hopped into our car and headed out from Waikiki toward the north shore of Oahu. When we got on the highway, I explained to my son Rayden that the Kamehameha high way had nothing to do with his favourite cartoon dragon ball, but the cartoon probably copied the name.

It was mostly farmland at first and we thought it was pretty neat to point out the different types of farms on Oahu to our kids. A little past the farms we saw our first destination, the dole plantation. A little after that we saw the beach and the ocean. There are tons of different beaches in the area, but we were not ready for that yet. Our main destination was the Wailua falls.

When we got out of there, I wanted to get something to eat….That is when I discovered how awesome this drive really was. You can drive round trip around most of the island from this highway and there is a lot of cool shit to see. We were so impressed that I had to share this with you.

There were stunning beaches, mountains, forests, local vendors, food galore and surfers everywhere. It is instagram heaven if that is what you are looking for on Oahu.

Top things to do and see on the Kamehameha Highway. Oahu’s best scenic drive

14 Top Things to See on the Kamehameha Highway, Oahu’s Best Scenic Drive

1. Food Truck Heaven

We stopped at the food truck stand right after Waimea falls for some lunch. In my opinion the best and most Hawaiian food you can get on Oahu is from the food truck stands in the north shore. Watching the local vendors is an exciting part about understanding what it is to live on Oahu.

Buying your food from the local vendors is not only good for the people on Oahu, it also tastes way better than most of the food in Honolulu. The reason for this is that they are not trying to cater to the masses like most restaurants do. The taste of the food is unique to Hawaiian culture. We had cooked pineapple burgers, Fresh shrimp, and ahi tuna tacos. Our kids hit up the pizza stand. For dessert we hit up our favourite the shaved ice. One of the shaved ice stands had a recipe called the local on the menu it is coconut, raspberry flavoured topped with condensed milk it is amazing.

2. The Dole Plantation

The dole plantation is on the right side of the Kamehameha highway, this is a really fun educational stop you can make when you are doing this scenic drive. You will see loads of different pineapples. There is a fun train that will take you around the plantation for a small fee, our kids really enjoyed that. It is slow and safe, so don’t worry about car seats on this one. There are some really cool species of trees here like the gum tree, the bark on this tree is multi coloured. Before you leave the dole plantation, don’t forget to stop in the dessert stand. It has pineapple ice cream and many other pineapple type desserts.

3. Turtle Cove

Turtle cove is located at the halfway mark on the Kamehameha highway. It is a resort area with an amazing beach. You can park for free here and stop in at the beachfront restaurant for a bite to eat or a drink. There is really good snorkelling here.

Oahu’s best scenic drive

4. Sharks Cove

Right across the street from the food truck stand is a cove called shark cove. This is one of the top places on Oahu to go snorkelling. If you are planning to do this, you should check if there are ocean swell, because this area is no fun if there are large waves. We made a stop here and snorkelled with huge Hawaiian Turtles and loads of fish of all kinds. It is a bit rocky, so water shoes are highly recommended

5. Koala Ranch

Koala ranch is right off the Kamehameha highway, I ad this to the best scenic drive list on Oahu because you can drive in to the ranch and take a few pictures. It is absolutely stunning, a huge lush mountain range with an ocean backdrop. Some of the activities you can do at Koala ranch are horse back riding, hiking, zip lining, and quaking through the jungle.

6. Lush Tropical Forests

When I am driving I love to just stare out and enjoy the scenery. The lush forest on the Kamehameha highway stretch over the road at some points and it makes you feel as though you are driving through a forest.

7. Secret Beaches

There are hidden beaches all over this area. Many locals live here and fish their food direct from the water every day. My family loves to explore, and we hop from beach to beach when we can. The highway allows you to make a plan of where you want to visit on Oahu. The Kamehameha highway is mostly ocean front and the views of the hidden beaches are spectacular.

8. Kahana cove

When you are 3/4 way through the Kamehameha highway, you will look down on a valley with an unbelievable beach and park. That is the Kahana cove, and most tourist don’t know about this place. I really need to share this secret with you because this area hardly has anyone in it and it is one of the most beautiful, picturesque places on Oahu!

9. Coffee Farms

Scattered all over the island are coffee farms. These farms are very unique and the landscape photos you can take of the area are beautiful.

10. Fresh Road side Fruit, Cold Coconuts!

Who does not want a cold coconut when they travel? This is one of the things I love to do when I am on Oahu. I drive around and stop at local farmers sell huts on the side

Oahu drivings, most beautiful drives

of the road to sample their fruits and vegetables. My kids love doing this as well, as it makes them feel like they are on a tropical island full of new thing to see and do.

11. Local Arts and Crafts

The vendor on the side of the road will also have stand for local carved arts and crafts. If you are into this type of thing, you can get some really unique stuff! I like the tiki wood carving, they are really neat looking and would make a great conversation piece in any home.

12. Ocean Front real estate

Back home in Canada, I am a realtor and a mortgage broker. I love to look at ocean front property, and dream of eventually living in a place like Hawaii. we have made connections with some real estate brokerages in Hawaii, and I can now help Canadians to buy real estate in Hawaii. I understand the rules and regulations and am now considered the best realtor on Oahu for Canadians.

13. Massive waves

Although I still suck at surfing, I love to look out at the waves that I know I cannot yet surf. Right off the Kamehameha highway you can see the waves that only the pros can surf.

14. The slow island life

If you are staying in Waikiki, don’t judge all of Hawaii by the city of Honolulu. If you take the most scenic drive on Oahu, the Kamehameha highway. You will see that life in the countryside is at a much slower pace. The north shore along the highway feels a lot more like some of the smaller island of Hawaii like Kauai.

Secret beaches in Honolulu, Oahus best scenic drive

Common questions about the Kamehameha Highway, Oahu’s best scenic drive

Is the Kamehameha Highway safe?

Yes the Kamehameha island is very safe, in fact in most parts of the highway the speed limit is 35miles per hour.

How long does it take to drive around the Kamehameha highway?

From beginning to end, the Kamehameha highway will take you around 2 hours to drive.

What makes the Kamehameha highway Oahu’s best scenic drive?

This is Oahu’s most scenic drive because of the diversity of what you will see. You will see beaches, forests, mountains, activities like surfing and local living.

Is the Kamehameha highway good for kids?

The speed limit is slow and there is a lot to see, the kids will be busy watching out the window. When you need a rest stop, there are so many cool places to hang out along the highway.

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The Rampersauds at Ko Olina Beach in Oahu, Hawaii