Visit Italy: Beaches in Cagliari

One of our hosts in Italy loves the ocean.  After one visit to Hawai`i, he was transformed, and has since become obsessed with surfing and Hawai`i.  He graciously took us to visit some beaches in Italy.

We went to a few beaches in Cagliari.

The first stop was Cape Carbonara.

It was not crowded at all.  I'm not sure if it was because of the heat (in the 90s), or the time of day, but there were very few people on the beach.  It's rare to see an empty beach mid-day in Hawai`i!

One thing I found very interesting was how there are numerous peddlers on the beach while at Spiaggia Timi Ama, selling everything from clothing to beach toys.  

It was really great to experience beaches in Italy, and the crowds were very minimal compared to what we see in Hawai`i.  

But in my humble opinion, nothing can compare to the beaches we have in Hawai`i!
 

Read More

Papailoa Beach

I had never heard of Papailoa Beach until a few months ago, when I attended a wedding there.

Located in Haleiwa, the beach is accessed via a small, quiet neighborhood path (limited parking is available), and is commonly known as the beach where the Lost TV show was filmed at. 

We went there in the late afternoon, and it wasn't very crowded, but there were families and friends frolicking in the ocean and playing in the sand.

It was a pretty stretch of beach, and it was a lovely place for quick, casual outdoor wedding.

We were even greeted with a double rainbow!

Read More

Visit Big Island: Punalu'u Black Sand Beach

Gorgeous Black Sand Beach

Located on the southeastern Kau coast of the Big Island, Punalu'u Black Sand Beach is one of the most famous beaches in Hawaii.  The black sand is made from fragments of lava and totally worth the hour's drive from Hilo.  It's also common to see Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles sunning on the beach, but be sure to keep your distance as they are endangered and protected.  The strong currents make it risky to swim, but take heart; the view from the beach is quite beautiful.    

Lily pond

Read More

Laie Beach Park

Laie Beach Park, also known as Pounders Beach, is a popular spot for bodyboarding and surfing, as well as fishing.

There is a decent-sized parking lot, however, there are no restroom facilities.

It's a nice alternative to the sometimes over-crowded Windward or South Shore beaches!

Laie Beach Park
55-202 Kamehameha Hwy
Laie, HI 96762

Read More

Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve

Earlier this year Dr. Beach named Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve the #1 Beach in America, and we took the kids there for the first time a few weeks ago.

Whenever we'd drive past Hanauma Bay mid-morning, we'd always see a sign advising the lot was closed, so we made sure to get there early.

How early?

6:20am (parking lot opens at 6am).

And I was shocked to see that the parking lot was already 1/3 full.

By arriving that early, we also bypassed the parking fee $1/car, and non-residents didn't have to pay the entrance fee ($7.50 per person 13+; kama`aina are free).  We also didn't have to watch a safety video (instead one of the attendants explained that guests should not stand or sit on the coral; no frisbee or ball throwing).

It is a fairly steep walk down to the bay, but it's really not too bad (going up is not as bad as it may seem either).  If you can't or don't want to make the walk for whatever reason, there are trams you can take for a fee ($1 down; $1.25 up; $2 all day; $1 scuba tanks - credit cards accepted).

The walk up

Trams

Since we got there quite early, we easily found a spot on the beach. As the morning went on, more and more people gathered at Hanauma Bay.  I was seriously amazed at just how many people were there by 7am.

We had our own snorkel gear, but you can rent them from Hanauma Bay.

You didn't need to put on snorkel gear to see fish, however.  Simply wading through the shallow water we could see hundreds of fish.

There are shower, changing, and restroom facilities, and near the entrance is a restaurant, as well as exhibits for people to enjoy while they wait for their video showing.

When we left, there were long lines at the admissions booth as well as crowds of people waiting to get into the video screening.

When we left near 10am, no cars were being let in to the lot.

If you decide to go to Hanauma Bay, my biggest piece of advice would be to get there early!

And be sure you don't go on a Tuesday (they are closed on Tuesdays).

Read More

Kawela Bay - A Stop on Our Custom Tour with Circle Island Tour in 24

Despite being born and raised on Oahu, I've never been to Kawela Bay until we stopped there during our Custom Tour with Circle Island Tour in 24.

Kawela, which means "heat," is part of a legend which tells of how gods Kane and Kanaloa struck spring water from a rock known as Wai-Kane to give life to the then waterless area around Kawela Bay.

The blue waters seemed very calm, and with the exception of a couple of companies who were offering lessons (Kawela Bay is popular for stand-up paddle boarding and kayaking), the beach was not crowded at all.

On the way to the beach you'll go through a whimsical tree tunnel which leads to a magical banyan tree.  The single tree with multiple trunks has been seen in popular TV shows and movies.

I had no idea Kawela Bay was home to so many hidden gems!

Stay tuned for more on our Custom Tour with Circle Island Tour in 24.

Read More