Things to Do near Aulani in the Ko Olina Resort Area & West Oahu
Most of my life I’ve pretty much been known for loving two things 1) Disney and 2) Hawaii.
So when Disney built its Aulani Resort and Spa in Hawaii, it’s like they were building it just for ME. And it’s since become my home away from home. I mean really…Disney AND Hawaii. What could be better???
I’ve written quite a few posts about Aulani (read through my archives here), but this particular post is all about things to do NEAR Aulani.
Ko Olina is a high end resort area on Oahu’s west side that’s honestly kind of known for not having too much to do. But in a good way. This is miles and miles away from Waikiki and frankly, more in line with what a lot of people are looking for in a Hawaiian vacation than the hustle and bustle of the city.
But there’s not NOTHING to do. There’s plenty to keep you busy when you want a little break from book.
Things to Do near Aulani
This post may contain some affiliate links, which means I’ll make a little money on anything you choose to purchase. But of course, I only recommend my absolute favorites to you. Thank you for supporting the brands that make HulaLand possible.
Beach Lagoons
This is why everyone comes to Hawaii, right? Crowds (well that’s a relative term compared to Waikiki) are drawn to sleepy Ko Olina because it has some of the island’s best swimmable beaches.
Yes, these are man made beaches, but they don’t feel like little rinky dink sandboxes. The four protected lagoons are wide and spacious and give you all the pros of the beach without any of the cons: soft sand and gentle lapping waves without dangerous swimming conditions and unwelcome critters.
Lagoon number one (closest to the marina) has the most public parking and there’s no resort on it so it may be less crowded, however crowds pick up on the weekends. The family friendly conditions at the lagoons make them popular with locals. FYI no umbrellas or sunshades are allowed on the beaches, but there are usually plenty of shady spots to be found on the lawns that fringe the beaches.
Look for Turtles at Paradise Cove
While the four main lagoons in Ko Olina are manmade and built in a way that protects them from the open ocean, the cove in front of the Paradise Cove Luau (just north of the Four Seasons) is a natural cove/reef/beach and so it’s your best bet to find turtles and do a little snorkeling.
Watch Sunset
Its westward facing location makes Ko Olina one of the best places on Oahu to watch the sunset. Find a spot on one of the lawns near the lagoons or at one of the oceanfront resort restaurants to see if you can catch the famous green flash.
5 Mile Walking Trail
I love a good walking trail, and the one that winds through Ko Olina is a GREAT spot to get your morning exercise. It’s also the most scenic path to take if you’re walking from one resort to another for dinner.
Ko Olina Star Gazing Experience
I haven’t done this here yet, but I’ve star at other places in Hawaii and it’s always amazing. You can sign up for this tour to do some stargazing near the Four Seasons. If you’re staying at Aulani, they usually have a complimentary star gazing session set up for resort guests (ask about it in the Pau Hana room).
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Paradise Cove Luau
Usually rated as the number one luau on Oahu, the Paradise Cove Luau is within easy walking distance if you’re staying in Ko zolina. It’s a great luau for kids, it’s right on the beach, and they put on a great show. Make reservations in advance. Read my full review here. Plus my post breaking down the best (and worst) luaus in Oahu here.
Ka Wa’a Luau
This newer luau at Aulani doesn’t draw the crowds that Paradise Cove Luau does so it feels a bit more intimate. It’s not on the beach, but there are numerous cultural activities to enjoy before the show starts. It’s targeted more towards younger children and families (Moana, Mickey, and Minnie all make short appearances throughout the night), but it’s also the best luau food I’ve ever had and honestly, probably my favorite overall luau experience. Read my full review here.
Golf
The course at the Ko Olina Golf Club has been named in the top 75 resort courses in the US by Golf Digest, so if you’re a golfer, you definitely don’t want to miss this one!
Tennis
The Four Seasons has a phenomenal rooftop tennis facility that’s open to non resort guests. It’s actually the only tennis facility in the area. Book a lesson with a pro, attend a daily clinic, or just reserve a court for a friendly match.
Snorkel Trip
Book a snorkeling trip out of the Ko Olina Marina where you’re almost guaranteed to spot dolphins and even whales in season. In addition to the dolphins, the boat will also make stops at known natural turtle cleaning stations (the algae eating fish clean the turtle’s shells).
Water Sports
Each resort in Ko Olina has rentals for paddle boards, kayaks, snorkel gear, etc. so you can get out and enjoy life on and under the water in the lagoons.
Ride the Sugar Cane Train
The Hawaiian Railway Society Cane Train runs right through Ko’olina, but you’ll have to drive over to Ewa to catch it. The 90-minute ride takes you from Ewa to Kahe Beach Park and back on Saturday and Sunday for $15. You’ll hear stories about the old sugar cane trains and plantations as well as see points of interest along the west side of the island.
Things to Do in Waianae and West Oahu
Located on the west side of Oahu, the Ko Olina Resort is really close to an area of Oahu that most visitors don’t get around to exploring. Read on for some fun things to do in Waianae and West Oahu (just north of Ko Olina). Note: you will need a car to get around the west side.
Snorkeling with Turtles at Makua Beach and Electric Beach
These are two of the best spots for spotting turtles in the wild. Makua Beach is lovely with a beautiful background of lush green mountains.
Electric Beach (officially called Kahe Point) isn’t so lovely above the surface. It’s called Electric Beach because it’s located next to a power plant. But the snorkeling/sea life is phenomenal here. Take your own gear and monitor conditions before you get in the water. If it looks rough, don’t go out.
You’ll come to Electric Beach (Kahe Beach Park) first, just a short ways from Ko Olina. Continuing north from the Mermaid Caves you’ll come to Makua Beach.
These beaches are less frequented by tourists than other beaches. The entire west side is less frequented actually. These are “local” beaches and while it’s perfectly safe and starting to attract more “adventurous tourists,” just be mindful of your surroundings and be extra respectful.
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Mermaid Caves
In between Makua Beach and Electric Beach is where you’ll find the famous Mermaid Caves. They’re becoming a popular spot for a lot of adventurers, but I don’t necessarily recommend going down into the cave. If you’re there at low tide on a calm day and there are plenty of other people around, you might be tempted. But it makes me nervous going down into a wet cave (i.e. at high tide it’s underwater). You’ll find it at Nanakuli Beach Park.
You’ll want water shoes as you have to cross lava rock to get to the opening. Once you find the opening, you jump down into the sand below. The trick is getting back out. You have to be able to pull yourself back up through the opening. Like I said, only attempt if the conditions are just right and there are others around that could help out in case of an emergency. It’s quite a site to see though.
Kaena Point Trail
If you’re a real adventurer, keep on going until you come to the end of the road. The Kaena Point Trail is dry, rugged, and pretty isolated. There just aren’t too many people that make it out there. It’s mostly because the road doesn’t connect around the island.
The trail goes about 2.5 miles out and it offers great views of the coast, but it’s very arid so bring plenty of water. The tide pools below may look enticing, but it’s just so isolated that I recommend staying out of the water. If anything should happen, there’s just no one around to help.
Maili Pillbox Hike
There are several other popular pillbox hikes around the island (my favorite is the Lanikai one), but this one on the west side is home to the insta-famous PINK pillbox.
Want to read more posts about Aulani? I’ve got plenty!
Everything You Need to Know about Aulani (Start Here)
How Many Days to Spend at Aulani?
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