🌈 Yes, Rainbows Are Real Here. No, You Don’t Need to Chase Them with Your Rental Car.
A friendly guide to Oahu’s most magical (and surprisingly common) photobombers.
Welcome to Oahu, the only place on Earth where seeing a double rainbow before breakfast is just... Tuesday.
But while Hawaii’s rainbows are 100% real and 200% magical, that doesn’t mean you should treat them like evasive Pokémon on the H-1 freeway.
So let’s talk about why the rainbows are so frequent, where to spot them, and how to enjoy them without becoming a traffic hazard.
🌧 + 🌞 = 🌈 The Science (and Magic) Behind Oahu’s Rainbows
Rainbows are basically nature showing off — and Oahu gives it the perfect stage:
Light tropical rain showers ✔️
Lots of sunlight ✔️
Dramatic mountain backdrops ✔️
Mist in the air (especially near waterfalls or after passing storms) ✔️
Translation: you get rainbows all year round, often more than once a day. No filter needed.
🚗 PSA: Please Don’t Chase Rainbows with Your Rental Car
We’ve seen it. A rainbow appears, and suddenly someone pulls a full U-turn across two lanes trying to “get a better angle.”
Spoiler: The rainbow is made of light. You’re not going to catch it.
Besides, it’s literally moving with the sun and mist. You chase it, it disappears. And now you're facing the wrong way on a one-way road with three chickens judging you from the sidewalk.
📸 Where to Actually See the Best Rainbows (Without Getting Arrested)
Here’s where locals and smart travelers go to rainbow hunt — safely:
Pali Lookout – Post-rain views = double rainbow jackpot.
Lanikai Pillbox Hike – Morning hikes often deliver rainbow payoffs over the ocean.
Byodo-In Temple – Peaceful gardens + misty weather = prime rainbow conditions.
North Shore coastlines – Rainbows + crashing waves = chef’s kiss.
Along your Circle Island Tour – Yes, we time it just right. 😉
🏝 Bonus: Ever Heard of a Moonbow?
That’s right — Hawaii gets nighttime rainbows too. They’re rare, but if there’s enough mist and a full moon, you might catch one.
It’s basically a ghost rainbow.
(You’re welcome.)
🫶 How to Photograph Rainbows Like a Local
Don’t zoom — just crop later
Use wide-angle for full arcs
Keep the sun behind you
Turn on HDR mode on your phone
And for the love of shave ice... don’t block the road
🌺 Want to See Rainbows the Right Way?
Join our Next Level Circle Island Tour — we’ll take you to scenic viewpoints where the odds of catching a rainbow (and a killer photo) are sky-high. No U-turns, no stress — just pure Hawaiian magic, delivered safely.