Waimanalo Bay Beach Park (45 minutes from Honolulu) can be part of a trip around Southeast Oahu that also includes a steep walk to great views from Makapu’u Lookout. A little further down the windward coast is KualoaRegional Park and Kualoa Ranch. The gorgeous beaches with soft sand and turquoise blue waters in or near all of these locations also provide perfect settings for weddings and renewal of vows. Waimanalo Bay is lined by miles of the longest uninterrupted white-sand beach on Oahu. Also known as Sherwood Forest beach, a favorite wedding location, this beach backed by lovely ironwood trees will be long remembered by visitors. Offering azure blue water, amazing views, and good body boarding, wedding couples and others will wonder (and not regret) that the beach is not better known even though it was the filming location for Magnum P.I. and Baywatch Hawaii.
Kualoa Ranch’s 4,000 acres of natural beauty, valleys, vistas and mountains, ancient Hawaiian cultural sites and lovely gardens also offer one of Hawaii most versatile wedding venues. The ranch’s history goes back to 1850 when King Kamehameha III sold roughly 600 acres at Kualoa to Dr. Gerritt P. Judd, his advisor and a former missionary doctor. Later the family’s descendants added thousands of acres to the estate that became Hawaii’s largest cattle ranch. The Ranch provides an array of activities and tours including horseback, ATV, Zipline, jungle and movie tours, and kayaking in beautiful Kaneohe Bay.
He`eia State Park covers more than 18 acres of Kaneohe Bay on the windward shore of Oahu. Located between the He`eia Fish Pond and He`eia Kea small boat harbor, the waters of the park are protected by Oahu’s only barrier reef, thus coral grows abundantly and sea life thrives. The protected waters of Kaneohe Bay make it a perfect destination for kayaking, snorkeling, standup paddleboarding, sailing catamarans and more for all ages and skill levels. The Park offers stunning views of Kaneohe Bay and the Koolau mountain range and a beautiful setting for weddings and other special events.
Located in Hawaii Kai on Oahu’s south shore, Maunalua Bay and its beach are favorites of canoe paddlers, boaters, kayakers, underwater explorers, picnickers, and wedding couples. Jetskiing or parasailing also reveal scenic views of the Ko’olau Mountain Range, Koko Head and the coastline. Maunalua Bay includes Turtle Canyon where divers can hang out with an abundance of green sea turtles. No surprise some of the words most frequently used by visitors and wedding couples to describe Maunalua Bay are “beautiful,” “peaceful” and “tranquil.”
Waimea Valley has a rich and complex history of ownerships and use by Hawaiians and others, finally and fortunately returning to Native Hawaiian stewardship by a nonprofit dedicated to preserving and protecting its heritage and beauty. Volunteers are continuously restoring the Valley’s plant life. The Waimea Valley botanical garden features over 5,000 plants, including native and endangered Hawaiian species. Birdwatchers will find as many as 20 birds native to Hawaii. As a venue for weddings, celebrations and other special events the Valley is unsurpassed for choices of outdoor and indoor venues in natural surroundings. Nearby Waimea Bay is great for swimming in summer, legendary for watching surfers and spectacular waves in winter months, and perfect for wedding and other photos year-round.