瓦胡岛观看日落的5个最佳地点

There's enough going on at Ala Moana Beach Park to fill a whole day. The reef here creates a natural breakwater, keeping the water calm, turning its half-mile crescent into a family friendly swimming pool, with outstanding opportunities for saying hey to the tropical marine life – colorful wrasses, butterflyfish and triggerfish – when snorkeling at high tide.

Between dips, you can wander the park's perimeter path (or jog it, if you're feeling particularly energetic) for skyline views that swing from Kaka‘ako’s cool street murals to the imposing hulk of Diamond Head. But it's around sundown that Ala Moana really shines, says resident sunset-chaser Kathy. Take a picnic of poke and world-famous coco puffs from Liliha Bakery, pick your bench and settle in for the show, as the sky's canvas cycles through its dramatic palette and the sun slips slowly behind the horizon.

Pro-tip: Ala Moana Beach doubles as a laid-back front-row seat for Waikiki’s Friday night fireworks. Or make a whole evening of it by taking in the legendary Ka Moana Luau (and the epic Hawaiian feast that accompanies it) as the sun goes down. Entry to the luau is included with the Go City Oahu pass.

Just down the street from Ala Moana, Kathy's second pick is the wonderfully laid back Kaka‘ako Waterfront Park. You'd never guess from looking at it now that the park was once a dump site! Sunset views don't get much better than this: the park's low-slung hills make great perches for photo-friendly horizons and takeout from nearby SALT, Redfish and H Mart Kaka‘ako’s food hall, as the city skyline starts to twinkle at your back. 

But before all that, you'll want to get to know Kaka'ako itself, right? Take a walk along to Point Panic to watch pro bodysurfers ride the rolling swells, or head into Kaka'ako proper, where a beery cycling tour gives you a chance to sample the neighborhood's celebrated craft ale scene. You'll also be able to ogle some of Kaka'ako's eye-popping street art along the way. You'll find that it's almost – almost – as vibrantly Instagram-friendly as those epic waterfront sunsets.

Pro-tip: If you're looking for more nearby excursions, Queen Emma Summer Palace is a hidden Oahu gem just a short way inland. It's frozen-in-time snapshot of how Hawaiian royals spent their downtime more than 150 years ago is well worth an hour or two of your time.

The clue's in the name of at least one of Kathy's North Shore picks. That's right: the aptly named Sunset Beach is a two-mile stretch of golden sands and crystal clear waters, drawing swimmers, snorkelers and sunset-chasers alike, as well as pro-surfers during the wilder winter season. But it's the sunsets that are the real prize here. Settle in for sumptuous rambutan reds, dragonfruit pinks and mellow pineapple golds, best photographed with the silhouette of a lone palm tree or surfer against the setting sun.

Nearby Shark's Cove adds extra bite, with rocky, lava-hewn landscapes that reflect the sky's colors and scudding clouds that bring the drama – is that cloud right there shaped like a shark's fin or is it just your imagination?

Pro-tip: Pair your North Shore sunset sojourn with one or two of the Go City Oahu pass's prime nearby attractions. Waimea Valley's lush botanical gardens and waterfall or the Wet'n'Wild Hawaii water park for the win.

Tantalus Drive weaves, winds and loops its way up through eight miles of rainforest-clad hillside roads behind Honolulu and Waikiki. Hop on your moped at golden hour and cruise up the mountain as dusk falls, city lights sparkle and the sun extinguishes itself in the ocean, painting the skies overhead in those Insta-perfect hues of red, pink and gold.

There are plenty of pull-offs along the route, with ever-more panoramic views the higher you go. You can expect the kind of tantalizing bird's-eye views of Waikiki, Diamond Head and Pearl Harbor that will stick with you for many, many years to come.

You've got as good a chance of experiencing the 'green flash' from Waikiki Beach as just about anywhere else. This blink-and-you'll-miss-it optical phenomenon – literally a 1-2-second flash of day-glo green – occurs immediately after the sun dips behind the horizon or, conversely, just before it rises. 

But don't just stand there gawping at it. This is Waikiki, where the list of prime viewing spots is almost as long as the cocktail menu at Duke's. So let's start right there, where the signature Mai Tai is perhaps the perfect partner for this extra-special Oahu sunset. You could also go full in-crowd mode and cruise out on a catamaran, with chilled sundown views and drinks included. 

Oh, and as you're winding up your evening in Waikiki anyway, why not start your day here too? The Go City Oahu pass comes stacked with fun Waikiki essentials to while away those pre-sunset hours. We're talking beach yoga, snorkeling trips out to Turtle Canyon, and even a chance to try your hand at surfing those Waikiki swells.