Coastline Drive: Lovely Views Just Past Our Doorstep

You don't have to travel very far outside Honolulu to experience Hawaii's famous natural scenery. The southeast coast of Oahu is one of my favorites- it offers stunning coastline views, wonderful beaches and surf spots, and world-famous snorkeling at Haunauma Bay. And it's all within an easy half-hour drive from Waikiki.

We found there's nothing quite like driving, to give you a sense of the geography and layout of Oahu itself. And it's tough to get lost since there's really only one main road that follows the coast. Route 72 hugs the water, connecting one small town and bedroom community to the next as you thread your way along the coast.

And though Dan wasn't back to his usual energetic self yet, I was able to get him out for some fresh air those first few days in Hawaii.

Views from seaside lookout below Koko Crater:



Koko Crater from the road:


Checking out the surf scene at Sandy Beach:



View up the Windward Coast with Koolau Mountains on the left, and Makapuu Beach down below:


No trip to the Windward Coast would be complete without a stop at Dave's Hawaiian Ice Cream in Waimanalo. Besides the all-American classics like chocolate and cookie dough, they make exotic flavors here too- azuki bean and taro to name a few. I just had to try the bright purple ube (purple yam), alongside a scoop of Dave's famous coconut macadamia:


Delicious!