Seeking Adventure, Thrills, Açaí, and Sunsets

After an exhilarating morning surfing the waves of Waikiki, we headed back to the house to regroup, refuel, and meet up with Ashley. But we weren’t done chasing adventure—not even close. The North Shore was calling again, and we were more than ready to answer.

First on the list was Waimea Falls—but unfortunately, swimming was off-limits due to low water levels. So, we pivoted. (Pro tip: always be ready to pivot in Hawaii.) Instead, we made our way to the legendary Waimea Bay, where crystal-clear waters and sun-soaked sand awaited us—and so did a towering rock formation that immediately grabbed our attention.

Taking the Leap at Waimea Bay

From the beach, the cliff jump didn’t seem that intimidating. Jeremy immediately made his way towards the rock and I followed. But the second we climbed up and walked to the edge, the perspective changed completely. That “little” jump suddenly looked a whole lot higher. You know that moment when your heart kicks into high gear, your brain does a double take, and your legs start questioning your decisions? Yeah, that.

But hesitation wasn’t going to win today. I took a breath, stepped forward—and jumped.

Let’s just say the landing was… spirited. My backside lit up like a firecracker, and I came out of the water buzzing and very aware of gravity. Jeremy, apparently made of rubber and adrenaline, scrambled right back up for round two (and three… and four). After a quick recovery and the return of feeling to my legs, I joined him for one more tandem jump before officially retiring from cliff-jumping for the day. He kept going—backflips and all—while we cheered from the beach and admired the boldness.

As if the scene wasn’t already amazing enough, a couple of Hawaiian monk seals made a surprise appearance, casually cruising just offshore like they’d been cast for this cinematic moment. Nature really knows how to flex.

Searching for Turtles and Açaí on the River

Still buzzing from the jumps (and maybe slightly sore), we set off on our next mission: turtles and açaí. A local shop owner had tipped us off about a hidden gem nearby—a quiet river just past a bridge where sea turtles like to hang out. And even better, there was a paddleboard rental stand right there.

We found it easily enough—hard to miss the cluster of local kids cannonballing off the side of the bridge with fearless enthusiasm. Daren and I grabbed a two-person kayak, while the rest of the crew went for stand-up paddleboards. We drifted slowly up the river, eyes scanning the surface for any sign of turtles.

The water was darker and murkier than the ocean, so spotting them took a little patience—but sure enough, we found a few lazy giants floating beneath us, popping up occasionally for a breath before disappearing back into the green. The entire scene was slow, quiet, and peaceful—a perfect counterbalance to the cliff-jumping chaos from earlier.

Sunset, Served Hawaiian Style

As the day wound down, the sky began to glow. The North Shore treated us to a final act that was pure island magic: a postcard-perfect Hawaiian sunset, all golden hues, cotton-candy clouds, and soft waves kissing the shore. We sat in silence for a while, watching the sun sink below the horizon, hearts full, legs sore, and souls just a little more alive than they were that morning.

Surfing, cliff-jumping, turtle-hunting, and chasing sunsets—this is what happens when you follow the whispers of adventure. And maybe stop for an açaí bowl along the way.