When staying at our cottage in Waimanalo you will feel you are in old Hawaii, a million miles from the tourist centers even though it's only a 30 minute drive to Waikiki if you choose to leave our essentially private beach for a day or an evening. We live on the loveliest off-the-beaten-path beach on Oahu in the small country town of Waimanalo. Snorkel, kayak, swim, hike, play a game of bocce or Podagee horseshoes, or just relax on the beach. Local eateries are nearby, city life is a beautiful 30 minute drive away. The beach, which is just beyond our house, is calm and gorgeous and there are no tourists other than those who come to see the Manum PI house 2 houses down. The rest are locals (kama'aina), fishermen, and shell and sea glass collectors. The cottage is a classic beach bungalow down to the beautiful green gecko's that visit. The master bedroom is upstairs off the main room. The second bedroom is downstairs but accessed from the outside which makes it a poor choice for smaller children (for them there is a sleeper sofa upstairs) but provides privacy for teens or other adults. There is a twin with a pullout trundle. We also have a pack n play for wee ones. The kitchen and bath are stocked with essentials. Beach towels, umbrellas, and all you are likely to need for a day at the beach, other then a bathing suit and sunblock, are provided. The beach and front yard are just past our house and are yours to enjoy. Beach toys, a kayak, boogie boards, and snorkel equipment are provided. Though check in is 3 and check out 11, if there are no other guests you are welcome to come earlier and stay later. You are always welcome to spend the day at the beach before or after check in/out. We live in the main house on the property. We have lived on Oahu over 40 years so can provide all the knowledge of a local (kama'aina). We are surrounded by amazing natural beauty. The beach we live on is a row of 18 houses bordered by the sea on one side and the mountains on the other. Everyone who lives here loves the nature that surrounds us. The residents of town are mostly native Hawaiians, so we have a clear sense of living in Hawaii, not just visiting the touristic parts, A rental car is the best bet but the bus to town stops right in front of our house and goes to waikiki, downtown, or the major shopping center, Ala Moana. With one connection you could get to the airport, Pearl Harbor, the North Shore. The cottage is just off the road and there are feral roosters and a 'guard goose' next door but ear plugs are provided if you want to sleep later than they do.