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Salty and Lei'd Up
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items Welcome to Salty and Lei’d Up, your sun-kissed guide to coastal cravings and sandy escapes. Whether you're chasing the perfect beach day or hunting down the tastiest poke bowl, I've got you covered with recs, tropical treats, and salty secrets from s...
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Top 9 Beach Recommendations when Visiting O'ahu, Hawaii
Ono Meals & Treats
Top 9 Beach Recommendations when Visiting O'ahu, Hawaii
When you step onto O'ahu shores, you are entering not only going to experience the most beautiful and mesmerizing beaches in the world, you are also entering a sacred space filled with spirit, living ecosystems, and deep history. Respecting the ‘aina...
Calm, protected waters make this a favorite for locals and tourists alike. It’s right across from Ala Moana Center, with plenty of shade, picnic areas, and a long stretch of sand for walking or lounging. Bring your snorkel! On good visibility days yo...
Ala Moana Beach Park & Magic Island Lagoon - Ala Moana Beach
Sometimes called “The Ponds,” this section of Waikīkī is protected by breakwaters, making it ideal for kids and beginner swimmers. There are areas you can surf, canoe, kayak, and there is an area called the Waikiki Wall where you can walk, people wat...
Waikiki – Kuhio Beach
Kahanamoku beach is a tourist-friendly gem in Waikīkī. It is perfect for swimming, paddleboarding, lounging, and soaking in not only the sun but Hawaiian history. It’s named after Duke Paoa Kahanamoku, the Olympic swimmer and surfing legend, and offe...
Duke Kahanamoku Beach (2025) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go ...
A dramatic, scenic beach near the Makapuʻu Lighthouse trail. It’s better for bodyboarding than swimming due to strong currents, but the views are breathtaking and iif timing it right you can beat the crowds. Powerful waves, black lava cliffs, close t...
Makapuu Beach Park
Waimea Bay Beach Park is one of Oʻahu’s most iconic North Shore destinations. It's famous for it's dramatic seasonal surf, golden sand, and lush valley backdrop. It’s a must-visit for beach lovers, thrill seekers, and anyone craving a mix of natural ...
Waimea Bay Beach Park
Shark’s Cove is a snorkeler’s paradise on Oʻahu’s North Shore, known for its vibrant marine life, rocky tide pools, and summer-perfect conditions. Despite the name, there are no sharks, just stunning underwater views and a laid-back, adventurous vibe...
Shark's Cove (2025) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Reviews)
Laniakea, located on Oʻahu’s North Shore near Haleʻiwa, is famous for the Hawaiian green sea turtles (honu) that frequently come ashore to bask in the sun. It’s one of the most reliable places on the island to see these gentle creatures on shore and ...
Laniakea Beach - See Turtles in Oahu
Banzai Pipeline aka “Pipeline Beach” is where O'ahu roars to life during surf season. During the winter months, Pipeline is a global spectacle, the best surfers in the world fly out to surf these massive barreling waves. Reef breaks are fast, hollow,...
Banzai Pipeline (2025) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Reviews)
Has been ranked one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. (I am biased, this is my favorite beach on the island because I got engaged here at sunrise, eepp!!) Powdery white sand, turqouise waters, quiet area on the Windward Side. Lanikai means ...
Lanikai Beach (2025) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Reviews)
Ono Meals & Treats
I am a foodie at heart and am here to deliver some of my top favorites, local favs and gems
Matsumoto Shave Ice is a sweet slice of North Shore history serving up rainbow-colored shave ice and all the fixings since 1951. (The line goes fast, it is worth it don't miss it.) Located in the heart of Haleʻiwa, this iconic shop draws locals and t...
Matsumoto Shave Ice
Funny story, my husband and I lived in a van and we would camp out, open the trunk, pull out our tanning chairs, order some pizzas from Spaghettini and live our best life. This will always be a place dear to our hearts. Its such a vibe, the people ar...
Spaghettini
If you are an acai girly- I promise there's something so different about having Hawaiian Acai that just literally wakes up your soul. This is one of my top favorite Acai spots I would stop at any time I could for my work lunch, or breakfast before hi...
The Sunrise Shack - North Shore or Waikiki
Getcha a** over there immediately if you are doing ANYTHING on the North Shore. Food trucks are the way to go on the island, you find the most ono gems, meet and support the local vendors, and have the BEST lunches. We would come up here every chance...
Kahuku Food Roadside Food Court / Trucks | North Shore Oahu - YAHglobal
Don't roll your eyes at me lol. Foodland is the TOP TIER place for the BEST poke on the island. Any Foodland, it doesn't matter. Try to avoid the noon lunch rush. My personal favorites were getting ½ pound spicy ahi, ½ pound Limu OR Shoyu ahi just de...
Foodland- Hawaii's Home For Poke
Another one of my absolute favorite poke spots. I like this one because you can make a whole bowl, with ocean salad (seaweed), two choice poke, half salad half rice or all rice, whateva your flavor, they have it and its BOMB.
Paradise Poke
Locally owned, it is a hike away in Waianae. I would go if I was in the area and yes this is the spot that Brettman Rock posted about on Tiktok and Yes, is soooooo ono! Poke Tacos are BOMB. I got spicy ahi tacos on my way back to town. Respect the 'a...
T8STE BUDS
Moku Kitchen is a vibrant farm-to-table hotspot in Honolulu’s Kakaʻako district, blending upcountry flavors with urban flair and one of our go-tos for date night, or when we had friends and family visit us. Located in the SALT complex, Moku Kitchen c...
Moku Kitchen
I'm just a girl that grew up in a deli and LOVES sandwhiches. A day at the beach plus a sandwhich wrapped and ready to go with me there, are you kidding me? You walk in and the smell of the bread hits you. Timmy T’s Gourmet Grinders is a locally love... With locations in Kailua, Moanalua, and Kapahulu, Timmy T’s is known for its fresh-baked bread, Boar’s Head meats, and cheeky sandwich names like The Stumpy Pete, Bird of Paradise, and Pacific Pastrami. Whether you’re craving a classic turkey grinder...
Timmy T's Gourmet Grinders Sandwich Shop
That viral tiktok restaurant with purple pasta, you mean, Adela's? YESSSS. This place is SUCH a gem in Kane'ohe. Its comfort food, its ono, its full of love and aloha in every bite, its enough for two days worth, its woman owned, take-out only, and i...
Adela’s Country Eatery
Need a little island cafe pick-me-up before continuing your adventures for the day? We would always stop here before our hikes. Island Brew Coffeehouse in Hawaiʻi Kai is a breezy, waterfront café serving 100% Hawaiian-grown coffee, vibrant brunch bit...
Island Brew Coffeehouse
My GO TO caffeine spot when I was in the North Shore area for the day. Known for its gourmet coffee and island-inspired menu, this spot offers everything from acai bowls to Kona coffee. It’s a great choice for breakfast or a midday pick-me-up with a ...
Island Vintage Coffee
Another one of my weekly favorites on my way to the north shore. Try their fun Ube latte! We loved it so much this was our first stop after we eloped on the beach, we showed up in our wedding attire! It was the best day of our life. Nestled along the...
The Crouching Lion - The Crouching Lion
A really great cafe with local artwork inside- we got to talk story with one of the female artists and it was such a great experience
Cafe Kopi
There is a coffee truck nestled inside the Boardroom area, one of my favorite daily spots with cozy drinks and the best ambiance. I loved getting the oatmilk lavender latte
The Boardroom
Another nice cafe to stop into for a little pick me up before heading back out to the beach ☕️
ChadLou's Coffee Roasters
If I had to only eat at one place for the rest of my life it is Mokes without question. Nestled in the heart of Kailua, this beloved family-run brunch spot serves up island comfort food with genuine aloha. Since opening in 2004, Moke’s has welcomed l...
Moke's Bread & Breakfast
Such a fun spot in the heart of Kailua with alcohol slushees, ribs, brisket, Mac and cheese, alllll the fixings. A go to spot for weekend brunch!
Easy 'Que — EASY RESTAURANTS - Kailua
One of my favorite weekly spots before or after the beach, quick make your own coffees that do the job , good lunch, they also have a really good hummus plate! Outdoor seating is always the way to go. Check out across the street sometimes the areas v...
Kalapawai Cafe & Deli - Waimanalo
You can’t come to Kailua and not go to Cinnamon’s for brunch, are you kidding me! Go here for guava pancakes, you wait in that line it is WORTH IT, then you can hit up Lanikai beach with a happy tummy ready for a tan
Cinnamon's Restaurant Kailua
This isn’t just a bakery, it’s an experience and it’s a must go. Do yourself a favor and get these Portuguese style fried donuts aka Malasadas. It’s a Hawaii culinary hallmark. Try the haupia (coconut) , custard filled, and dobash (chocolate) with th...
Leonard's Bakery
Fantastic lunch and dinner when you’re hanging in Waikiki after the beach, burnt, hungry, and ready for brews and pizza
Waikiki Brewing Company - Waikiki
If you’re hanging in Waikiki this is a must stop, is a small foodtruck park right across from Waikiki Brewing. Go to the Thai truck their pad Thai, curry, and sugar cane juice is fantastic. Go around the corner to the right of that truck and there is...
Waikiki's #1 Food Truck Park