“A year from now you will wish you had started today” – Karen Lamb
The Hidden Gem
When driving down the South Shore of Oahu, once you pass Hanauma Bay, it’s one of the prettiest sights on the island. The coastline looks absolutely incredible and the water is a blue as can be.
Before you get to Sandy Beach, there’s a small cove which can go unnoticed if you don’t know it’s there. Cockroach Cove or Halona Cove has a lava rock shoreline and has a small sandy area.
This is a hidden gem in many ways and is also where they filmed a couple scenes of Pirates of Caribbean 4.
To check out my adventure here a few weeks back: Saturday Adventure Awaits
The Overlook
Before we talk about making our way into the cove, I like to hike up the ridge behind it, especially for sunrise.
If you cross the road, you are climb up the rocks and get an awesome overlook of the cove, Sandy Beach, the stretch of coastline, and more! Here is where you can also access the Koko Head Arch.
This overlook makes for a great spot to capture photos with Cockroach cove in the background, and just enjoy the sun coming up over the horizon.
The Cove
To get to the cove, you go down some rocks on the side of the road. There is a small sandy area to chill out and tan, and there are rocks you can venture around and jump off of, as well.
There aren’t too many people that come here which makes it even better. Especially is you come early morning, you will typically have the beach to yourself.
I love this beach so much because the crystal clear blue water and clarity. I know has beautiful water everywhere, but something about this place I like a lot.
If you’ve never been here, it’s definitely a place worth checking out, you won’t be disappointed!
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The posted pictures are really nice! they made me realize how much i actually miss summer…
Wow that is absolutely stunning! You’ve really captured the beauty of it. I would love to visit.
It surely does look like a hidden gem and untouched and tranquil. I love places like these that are not overrun by tourists. Complete with peaceful moments and gorgeous views! I love it!
Yes the places with the locals are the best places to go for sure!
Your photos are gorgeous and the sunsets here are incredible! I love that it doesn’t get very busy. Hidden gems are always a sweet find 🙂
Beautiful place! So sad that i cant swim but it would be nice to sit here, listen to the waves and watch the sunset..simple pleasures of life are the best ones!
It’s always nice to just listen to the waves and enjoy the ocean breeze!
I’m pretty sure I’ve been to that spot or a spot very similar in Oahu – it’s deserted just like you said, definately worth the hunt down, we spent the whole day there!
Amazing pictures. I envy your determination and ability to wake up before the sunrise to take them!
As soon as you do it once, you will want to keep doing it!
What a beautiful place! I love discovering hidden gems. Do you know how it got the name Cockroach Cove?
I actually don’t but I need to look it up. There’s probably a cool story around it.
Amazing pics! Thanks for sharing this hidden gems with us, hope one day I would visit them! 🙂
Gorgeous photos! I love your style! This post makes me want to be on an island immediately instead of in Snowy Minnesota! =) Thanks for the inspiration! I love hidden gems!
I have a friend in Minnesota and I always think about how the weather is over there. Definitely need to come soak up the sunshine of Hawaii!
aaah amazing photography! definitely love posts about hidden gems 🙂
I think this is one of the best things about Hawaii, discovering all the little hidden places! that are also free and so beautiful. my family needs to get to Oahu! We went to Maui and the big Island last summer.
Maui is beautiful! Love that island as well. Hopefully you and you’re family can make it out here soon.
Hoping to go here in the spring with a friend – Hawaii has been on my list for the longest. Love your photo editing style too! Do you use any specific apps or tools that you’ve found helpful?
We got back from a visit to Oahu recently. It really was a magical place. We spent a week down near Ko Olina. I loved getting up early for the sunrise and taking photos of the sun setting over the beaches.
Great photos and hidden treasures. Nice to find places that don’t have a lot of tourists traffic.
It appears you are enjoying the island more and working less.