Are you looking for secret things to do in Oahu? Keep scrolling to find out whether or not it’s worth visiting Secret Island Oahu for your next Hawaii vacation.
This ultimate guide to visiting Secret Island Oahu was co-written by Hawaii travel expert Marcie Cheung and contains affiliate links which means if you purchase something from one of my affiliate links, I may earn a small commission that goes back into maintaining this blog.
Guest post by local Oahu mom Kate Tekurio
Do you want to visit a secret island with your family?
Secret Island Oahu is the perfect place for families to explore. It’s full of adventure, sunshine, and so much more!
There are many reasons why people love visiting Secret Island Oahu with their families. Some people come because they want a relaxing vacation where they can unwind and enjoy themselves without having any worries or responsibilities.
Others come because they want something more adventurous and exciting than what Waikiki has to offer them. Either way, it’s a wonderful place that everyone should experience at least once in their lives!
In this post, we will teach you all about how to plan your trip and what there is to do once you get there. This is the ultimate guide for visiting Secret Island Oahu with kids.
We even include some insider tips that only locals would know about! Get ready for a trip full of adventure and excitement in paradise!
Keep scrolling to read my guide to Kualoa Ranch Secret Island.
Don’t have time to read a bunch of Hawaii blog posts and reviews? Here are some of our top picks for visiting Oahu.
Popular Oahu Tours/Activities
- Kualoa Ranch UTV Tour (this is a fun adventure with the prettiest views)
- Full Pearl Harbor Tour (this is the BEST way to do everything at Pearl Harbor)
- Hawaii Bucket List Tour (you get to pick where you stop on this custom Oahu Circle Island tour)
- Toa Luau (this is my all-time favorite Oahu luau)
- CLIMB Works Ziplining (this is the longest zipline on Oahu)
- Book a Photo Shoot (this is a Hawaii souvenir you’ll treasure forever)
Favorite Oahu Resorts/Hotels
- Hilton Hawaiian Village (this is our favorite Waikiki resort because of the amazing pool area and nearby restaurants)
- Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa (this is a splurge that is totally worth it)
- Royal Hawaiian Hotel (this is a luxury resort in Waikiki that is pink and gorgeous)
Want to Rent a Car in Hawaii?
One of the best places to rent a car in Hawaii is Discount Hawaii Car Rental because they get the best rates from top national companies like Alamo, Dollar, Thrifty, Avis, Enterprise, Budget, and Payless.
Want to skip all the planning and just access my detailed Oahu Itinerary complete with daily schedules, kid-friendly activities, and travel hacks? Click the button below.
Secret Island at Kualoa Ranch FAQs
There are tons of hidden gems on Oahu besides the Kualoa Ranch Secret Island. A few of them include Mermaid Cove, Kahuku Farms, and China Walls.
Kualoa Ranch is one of the premier Oahu tourist attractions because they have so many activities. Some things to do at Kualoa Ranch include doing an ATV tour, a movie tour, a jungle Jeep expedition, a zipline tour, horseback riding, a bike tour, a catamaran cruise, and more.
There are tons of things to do in Kaneohe Hawaii. You can definitely combine a half day at Secret Island Oahu with a drive through the Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden or a quick tour of the Byodo-In Temple.
Is There a Secret Island in Hawaii?
Yes, there is, and it is one you must see at one point in your life! There is a secret island on Oahu and is part of the Kualoa Ranch tours. You can visit the secret island beach and do many of their jungle expedition tours as well.
How to Get to Secret Island Oahu?
The secret island is along Kaneohe Bay, and you can only get to it by going through the Kualoa Ranch. Purchase a ticket for just this adventure or as part of a package to view the other tours and activities the Kualoa Ranch has to offer.
How Long Should I Plan to Stay?
Because it is a hidden island and part of a tour, you cannot come and go as you please. There are two different time lengths for each tour. You can choose to go for half a day and choose from morning (8:30 am) or afternoon (11:30 am). Or you can go for a full day (8:30 am to 2:45 pm).
With the full-day tour, you will be provided with a bento lunch!
We went for a half-day and wished we had stayed longer! With little kids, you might benefit from doing a half-day because they do get tired faster, but there are plenty of activities that will keep them busy too!
If you are short on time and only do the half-day, you can still do all the activities and enjoy this trip. Do what fits in your schedule!
Can Families Enjoy the Secret Island?
The secret island tour is perfect for families, couples, and everyone! There are plenty of activities that every age group will enjoy.
It is a beautiful place perfect for couples on their honeymoon or babymoon and makes for a great date! But there are plenty of toys and activities for kids too. We took two toddlers, and they cried when it was time to leave; they were having too much fun!
Is the Secret Island Tour Worth It?
I think it is absolutely worth it! I’ve been to countless beaches on Oahu, but there is nothing that compares to this gorgeous hidden island. There is a special peace and serenity here that you won’t find anywhere else.
There are also so many fun beach activities to enjoy while you are there, free of charge! You don’t have to rent anything; simply grab and go. There is something for everyone to enjoy, from paddleboarding to canoe and kayaks, even those who don’t love spending time in the water!
Click HERE to check the latest rates and availability!
Step by Step Guide to Visit the Kualoa Ranch Secret Island
You will need to purchase your ticket in advance. On the day of your scheduled trip, you will need to arrive 45 minutes earlier than your start time. If your tour starts at 8:30 am, you will need to arrive at 7:45 am. This is to ensure everyone makes it on time for the tour.
You will check in at the front desk and get your wristband. Due to COVID-19, you now have the option to drive yourself to the boat dock. I highly recommend it, especially if you have kids because the tour bus does not have AC and is very bumpy compared to driving in your car.
The Kualoa Ranch secret island beach is only 3 minutes away from the Ranch. You will first arrive at the boat dock. There you can learn some history about the island while you wait for the other tour members to arrive.
Then you will go on a small boat to travel to the island. All tour members will ride together, and it only takes about two minutes. You’ll get amazing views of the Kualoa mountains, so have your cameras ready!
Once you arrive at Kualoa Secret Island, it is a short walk to the beach activities and more breathtaking ocean views and surrounding mountains.
What to Do on Secret Island Beach
While it is a small island, there are so many fun things to do! Here are just a few fun things you can enjoy at this Hawaii secret island.
Paddle Boarding and Kayaks
Enjoy some relaxing paddle boarding or fun kayaking through the light blue ocean. There are plenty of each for everyone to enjoy.
This is the perfect spot to practice paddleboarding because there are no waves! The ocean is perfectly calm and is so easy to kayak or paddleboard in at the secret island.
Canoe Ride
This is a group event you can sign up for. You can ride on a huge canoe to a little sandpit out in the middle of the ocean. The sandpit is very shallow, so you’ll have the chance to get out of the canoe and explore for a bit before returning.
The canoe ride only fits 16 people, so be sure to sign up right away, so you get the chance to ride on it! They only offer one ride per tour, so don’t miss out! They will teach you how to paddle correctly and work as a team to glide through the water.
Sand Activities
If you don’t enjoy being in the water, this hidden island is still perfect for you! There are plenty of fun sand activities to enjoy without ever making it into the water.
There are plenty of hammocks all along the beach shore, so you can relax and enjoy the gorgeous views. There are even chairs that you can lay down on to suntan and feel the warmth of the sun on your body.
You can also enjoy some beach volleyball or ping pong on the sand. Both of these areas are in the forest, so there is shade all around. It is perfect for when you need to cool down and take a break from the sun.
There is also a fire pit, corn hole toss, and connect four games all through the island in the forest to enjoy as well. Kids can enjoy making sandcastles on the beach with their free shovels and sand buckets.
Glass Bottom Boat
Another fun event you can do is the glass bottom boat tour. This is another free event included in your ticket price. You will take a boat trip out to the middle of the ocean. The bottom of the boat is made out of glass, so you will be able to see all the water life living in the ocean!
You could see sharks, turtles, fish, coral life, and so much. You will also have a tour guide who gives more history and fun facts about this island as well. This is a fun experience and only happens once during each tour, so don’t miss this one either! The boat is big enough for the entire group to ride, so there is no need to sign up.
Snorkeling
The water on this island is so clear; it is perfect for snorkeling! There is gear available to help you see all the beautiful fish and coral surrounding this island. The water is about 3-4 feet deep everywhere, so you’ll be able to see everything up close.
Beach Walk
While there are certain areas you have to stay in the water, you can roam the entire island! Enjoy a beautiful walk on the beach or through the small forest surrounding the island.
Tips for Visiting the Secret Island on Oahu
While this is literally paradise, here are a few tips to make it more enjoyable:
- Bring plenty of bug spray. There are tons of mosquitos on the island, so make sure to apply it often!
- While there is free sunscreen on the island, it is best to bring your own. The sunscreen available is incredibly thick and hard to apply.
- Wear water shoes. As you get closer to the water, the sand gets harder, and there are plenty of small coral pieces along the beach shore. Also, there is coral all around the island, so it is best to wear water shoes to not hurt your feet or damage the coral.
- Don’t bring a life jacket for anyone! They have plenty of life jackets for everyone, children included!
- If you do not get the full day pass, bring food. You can bring whatever drinks and food you want, so be sure to bring plenty of water and snacks to last a few hours! You will get hungry and thirsty for sure! If you forget, you can always order some at the snack shack.
Secret Island Oahu Wrap Up
Spend a glorious beach day at this secret beach! The secret island beach at Kualoa Ranch is a beautiful hidden island that you will love to visit. It is one of the many secret beaches on Oahu and is quite an adventure! Explore this magical island and all it offers next time to visit Oahu.
About Kate
Kate Tekurio lives on Oahu with her husband and toddler. They love exploring the island and sharing their best tips with other families traveling to Hawaii.