I’m very glad Ryan and I enjoy vacationing the same way. We both prefer adventurous vacations jam-packed with activity. Sure, we love a day of relaxation peppered into the mix here and there, but we both enjoy exploring new areas far too much to kick back for too long.
You better believe our first full day in Hawaii was full of fun!
After a quick grab-n-go breakfast at a local coffee shop, we drove to Diamond Head to hike the 0.8 miles to the summit of the crater.
Diamond Head is believed to have been formed 300,000 years ago during a single, brief eruption and the width of the crater is even greater than the impressive height.
We parked just outside of the state park and walked about a mile to get to the entrance. We were glad we opted to walk because the parking lot was already full at 8 a.m. Labor Day crowds!
Check out all the teeny people!
The hike itself wasn’t overly strenuous and we made sure to stop and enjoy the incredible views on our way to the top.
The only part of the hike that made me uneasy was the time spent in a dark tunnel.
As a claustrophobic person, I freaked out a bit at the tunnel entrance. Fortunately a nice man coming out of the tunnel sensed my apprehension and did a great job of assuring me I would be in and out of the tunnel in less than two minutes.
He said I wouldn’t be able to see the exit at first which was my main fear, so I held onto Ryan’s back and looked down at his shoes and only looked up when Ryan told me he could see the way out. I made it, but I emerged from the tunnel drenched in a nervous sweat. Eek.
While the views on the way up were impressive, the view from the top reigned supreme.
I cannot get over the beautiful color of the water. Simply gorgeous.
The walk back down to the base of the crater flew by and we hopped back into our car, bound for the beach!
On our way, we made a pit stop to check out the Halona Blowhole, a rock formation with an impressive blowhole that shoots seawater high into the air.
The blowhole itself was really neat, but I was even more enamored by the water crashing into the jagged rocks nearby.
Breathtaking.
As we continued on our drive, we ended up getting a little lost. We were hoping to arrive at Lanikai Beach, but somehow ended up missing it and arriving at Kailua Beach.
Ryan and I were pretty hungry at this point, so before walking out to the water, we popped into Buzz’s, located directly across from Kailua Beach Park.
I knew I was hungry when everything on the menu sounded fantastic.
I ended up ordering the fresh fish burger, which came out looking more like a grilled ahi tuna sandwich which was fine by me!
The burger came with a side of hot and sour soup and I also ordered a side salad for some greens.
It was delicious! I could not stop raving about the fish and ate every last bite.
After lunch, we changed into our bathing suits and walked out to Kailua Beach to spend some time in the water and sun. 
We loved how many people brought their dogs to the beach and had a good time watching dogs play in the surf. Our favorite dogs to watch were the ones who really wanted to get in the water, but were a little too scared to bite the bullet and dive in. They were so sweet and made us miss Sadie!
Now we’re back at the hotel room and it’s time to shower and clean up before dinner. We’re hoping to find a restaurant that overlooks the water for our evening meal tonight and are loving all of the suggestions you guys sent our way. Thank you!!
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WOW! The views are unbelievable. I adore hawaii, seriously it is like visiting a postcard. I hope you have an amazing time!
Hawaii would be a dream come true to visit! Have fun!
My parents met in Hawaii almost 40 years ago and Buzz’s was their favorite restaurant. I had the chance to eat there in 2000 with them…..great memories!
Holyyy crap! The views from the top of the mountain look amazing 🙂
I know I’m not the first to say this- but WOW, the views are gorgeous!!!
Oh wow, those views are gorgeous! And I love active vacations too, I’m not much of a fan of sitting by the pool
I am so jealous! All that beautiful scenery!! I would just gaze and gaze at it all day<3
Active vacations are the way to go.
I can't stand it when no one wants to go do anything fun. Exploring first and making yourself tired enough to want to sit and relax is what people should do…or at least, thats what I think.
We were on a mission on our way up Diamond Head, and just trucked up those steps. The worst part for us (well my 6′-3″ husband) was crawling out of what felt like a bunker to get to the top. I also love that we’ve been to that same beach park. That one was so tiny and cute.
Those views are insane! So beautiful. And kind of extra beautiful since you had to hike to see them, don’t you think? I’m a huge fan of exploring and doing active things on vacation too!
ahhh you’re making me miss home so much. makapu’u lighthouse.. you won’t regret it! on the right day you get to see whales 🙂 waimea falls has a pretty waterfall at the end of the walk and you see peacocks roaming around. stairway to heaven is a crazy hike.. haven’t done it but my husband did for work and said it is insane.. have fun!!!!
Daaamnn girl you have such a rockin bod! So jealous of your getaway, that beach is calling my name!
I hate dark spaces where I can’t see the exit too! Especially in the subway, when the train randomly stops in between two walls and there is no cell phone servie OR in a tunnel when there is traffic!
And you look GREAT by the way! Hope you are having a BLAST in Hawaii 🙂
Beautiful photos, THANK YOU for sharing! 🙂 Have a great time!
Echo, echo, echo……but WOW, the pictures you took are breath taking!! Looks like paradise to me!!
It looks like you are having amazing time! I’m so glad you got to enjoy the gorgeous views from Diamond Head! Have fun at dinner tonight!
You could try Tiki’s for dinner! Overlooking the water, not on the waterfront. GREAT cocktails,American fare. Its closer down towards the ZOO! Great people watching, but up off the thoroughfare so to speak so its quieter. Live music starts later and its outside so it’s so Hawaii!
You should try the hanohano room. Its at the top of the Sheraton in Waikiki! Such good food and it has great views! My hubby and I ate there on our honeymoon 6 years ago….hope u have fun!!
Your pics are absolutely breathtaking! My husband and I just returned from Williamsburg (with a little adventure of our own!), and I think Hawaii will have to be our next trip!
Definitely try to find lanikai if you get a chance. Absolutely BEAUTIFUL beach. There is no park or parking lot so most of us just park in the residential area and hike out to the beach access lanes. 🙂
Thanks, Alyssa, we’ll definitely keep Lanikai in mind!
Yahoo! Diamond head must have been a breeze f
Beautiful photos!
After being to Oahu 10 or 11 times, I finally visited Kailua Beach in February. I couldn’t believe the colours of the water and sand.
Enjoy the rest of your vacation!!
gorgeous! I would love to go there sometime. looks like your trip is off to an amazing start! enjoy every bit of it!
The views are breathtaking! I’m totally with you guys on enjoying a busy, adventurous vacation 🙂
Your pictures are making me want to hop on a plane to Hawaii right this second!! I can make up the first week of classes…right??
It’s soooooooooo beautiful and pristine lookin! I wanna dive right into it and dare I say even drink the water~haha. Ooooo I bet you guys had some amazing dinner~
Glad you guys are having a great trip!
And I too would be scared at the tunnel!!
Oh man, you guys were soooo close to Lanikai!!! If you had kept driving past Kailua beach park and turned left at the four way stop, you would have made it to Lanikai (really just the name of the neighborhood. As someone above said, there isn’t a formal beach park but you park in the neighborhood and walk down to the beach acces path. An old law passed by one of the Queens makes all beaches public access, so there has to be at least one or more public access paths, even among swanky neighborhoods like Lanikai. The best place to park is near the “beach club” which is really a big grass field, playground and outrigger canoe club. Walk down the street to the right of the field (if you were facing toward the ocean) and the main path way is directly across the street. The road in and out of Lanikai is a one way loop, so if you miss it the first time around, you can always keep going ’round! But, don’t despair, the views from Kailua are nearly the same as Lanikai (although Lanikai has more beach as Kailua has eroded over the years and there isn’t as “beachy” as it used to be)
Love the photos- I’m holidaying vicariously through u 🙂
Go to Puka Dog!
Gorgeous views…uber jealous I must say! I love active breaks too, I’d be bored to tears sitting by a pool all day!
Looks like you guys have a great time! The pictures from your hike are beautiful – they make my feet get all itchy.
AHH!! You were like 1/2 a mile from where I live at Kailua beach! I run along that all the time. If you kept going past Buzz’s (on the right) and Kailua beach on the left, you hit a stop sign, go left and then you go up a hill (you’ll see like a lighthouse tower kinda statue at the top) then down the hill then you are are lanikai! You just have to find parking on the street and there are a bunch of beach accesses on your left! If you are in Kailua again go to Cinnamon’s in Kailua for breakfast/brunch and have the guava chiffon pancakes. AMAZing!!!!!!
You two are so cute! It looks like you’re having fun and those view are beyond beautiful. I’m so jealous!
Looks like a fantastic first day! I probably would’ve been a little freaked about that tunnel too!
It looks like you guys are having an amazing time – it looks incredible! Loving the photo recaps of your day… enjoy!
Those are beautiful pictures! The view looks incredible 🙂
Looks like you guys are having a great time – the pictures are beautiful! I hate getting into elevators, so I feel your pain about small spaces!
Wow the pictures are amazing! This might have to be our next vacay location. Hubs and I love hiking so this might be a fun way to go. You two are such a cute couple.
The views are breathtaking I love how clear and blue the water is! I agree with you I cannot just sit around all day, I need some activity in my vacations!
Hawaii looks perfect. I really need to get there 🙂 Looks like you are having a wonderful time.
I miss Hawaii!! I love it there and that water is always great feeling & looking! You guys look great & so happy! Enjoy your Hawaii time! Aloha guys :-D!
Your pictures are gorgeous!! And you two look amazing!! I´ve been wanting to go to Hawaii for a while now, it looks breathtaking. Keep posting pictures please! 🙂
That’s what I loved there! The water always looked amazing! You two look great 🙂
The water is just so beautiful there. Hope you are having a wonderful vacation!
These pictures are beautiful! It sounds like you’re having a fantastic time — I can’t wait to continue vicariously vacationing to Hawaii through your blog 😉
I absolutely loved Hawaii when I was in Maui with my family this April! The blowholes and beaches were just amazing.
Bo and I are the same way when it comes to being active. We never stopped moving on our trip to Seattle this weekend! So fun!
so gorgeous!! I’ve never been to Hawaii, but I’ve heard nothing but great things. I’m glad you guys are exploring the islands – that’s what I would want to do too! Gotta earn those relaxing beach days 🙂
Oh WOW! Those views are amazing. LOVE the color of the water!! I want to go to HI soooo bad! 😉
We live Maui, but every time we are on Oahu we make sure to stop at Bubbies (the best homemade mochi ice cream in the world with a bazillion flavors!) and Diamond Head Market/Grill for the most amazing bluberry cream cheese scone. omg. Have so much fun!! 😀
These pictures are making me jealous that I am sitting in class waiting for my Organic class to start. I’d much rather be hanging out at the beach!
All of those pictures are so beautiful!!