Hawaii has such an amazingly diverse terrain. Whether you are looking for lush jungle, magical misty cliffs or tropical beaches. But where can you truly find that heavenly clear water that some might say is comparable to the Maldives? The secret is getting to the sandbar, in particular, the Kaneohe sandbar just a mile off the coast of Oahu.
Compared to many of the popular and crowded beaches, you will be surprised at how little people there will be in your vicinity for how beautiful and picturesque this place really is. You might be wondering, how is this possible? The answer is simply because it’s not just a beach you can simply walk or drive to, it’s a sandbar that you requires you to cross about a mile of ocean to get there.
You can either take a kayak out or take one of the tourist boats. If possible, I highly suggest renting a kayak! As you can imagine it allows you to be a lot more intimate with your surroundings and escape the crowds. You’ll also get a killer arm work out (pretty much a win-win situation). Just as importantly, you can rest assured that you chose the more eco-friendly choice as compared to the boats that use fuel.
Where to Rent a Kayak
We rented a kayak from Holokai Adventures and they were great. Fairly quick and painless and they tell you all you need to know, and they also let you rent out snorkel gear and a waterproof bag for your belongings.
If you are planning on kayaking, make sure you have a strong set of arms that will be able to help you kayak to and from the sandbar. Unless of course you can handle it yourself! I personally rented a kayak out with my boyfriend and had a feeling he would be doing most of the arm work. I did help at times but there’s only so much a 5’3, 100lb girl can handle who is not used to working out! Granted, my arms were still sore when we got back.
The kayak we rented against a gorgeous view
What to Bring
- Waterproof bag for your belongings.
- Plenty of water and a snack
- Reef-Safe Sunscreen
- Snorkel Gear
- Waterproof Camera or Go Pro
Prepare for the unexpected!
You may get rained on.
My boyfriend and I went in November. I wouldn’t say it actually “rained” but it did pour for a good 10 minutes and then completely subsided. It was merely a massive rain storm that came and went. Nevertheless, it did come as a surprise and we were in the middle of the sandbar when the beautiful orchestra played all around us with no where to take cover. It’s at that moment when you realize that all you can do is resort to laughter as nature brings to you this unexpected surprise.
If you’re lucky you’ll see a sea turtle!
We didn’t get a chance to see any but apparently it is not uncommon for a honu to be spotted. On a side note, this is why it is so important to wear a reef-safe sunscreen. The last thing we need while on such a pleasant enjoyment for ourselves is the guilt of having left toxins (or even trash) to those animals that call the place their home.
Types of Pictures You Can Expect to Take
How I edited photos from my visit to Kaneohe Sandbar
I edited these photos with the VSCO app! Here are the presets that I used:
- Filter: U3 Overcast
- Exposure: 0.5
- Contrast: 2.9
- Tone (Shadows): 3.8
- White Balance (Tint): 6.0
- Saturation: -1.5
- Sharpen: 3.3
- Clarity: 0.9
- Fade: 3.1
- Vignette: 0.7
Processed with VSCO preset
Important to Remember
If you do end up visiting this magical place (which I hope that you do!), my hope is that you will leave inspired with an even greater respect towards the beautiful island of Oahu. Many of us share photos of such beautiful places. But makes sure that your appreciation goes beyond what you share on social media. Take a kayak if you can. Crystal clear water can only stay ‘crystal clear for so long’ with an excessive amount of boats that use fuel and disrupt the delicate environment. Just a friendly reminder to keep the water as clean as possible so that it will be just as beautiful as it was if we ever have a chance to make it back.
Follow @natalie.nln on Instagram for more photos!