Welcome to Oahu

Oahu - The Gathering Place

For many visitors, Oahu is their first stop in Hawaii. Arriving in the bustling city of Honolulu, it is easy to wonder, 'this is Hawaii?' Busy streets, big buildings and tourist shops on every corner can seem a bit much at first. In reality, Oahu is an amazingly diverse island, offering the old Hawaii surfer feel on the North Shore, pristine sandy beaches in Kailua, beautiful views along the pali, not to mention amazing hiking along either the Waianae or Koolau Range. Waterfalls and dramatic valley views are only moments away from the great restaurants and shopping of downtown Waikiki. In many ways Oahu is the best of both worlds.

Honolulu

Honolulu is the largest city in Hawaii, boasting a half a million people. The community in Honolulu is richly diverse with representatives of almost every race and nationality residing there. Internationally acclaimed restaurants sit side by side with noodle houses and Irish pubs. The nightlife will rarely disappoint and shopping is world class in Waikiki, but most people come to Hawaii for historic sightseeing, beautiful waterfalls and fun in the sun, and Oahu offers plenty of this as well.

Waikiki Beach is possibly the worlds most famous beach. Visions of Elvis, tiny bubbles and tanned Waikiki Beach Boys are all easily invoked treading this stretch of beach. World class hotels, shopping, restaurants and nightlife are all within walking distance of each other. Make the most of a day in Waikiki. Spend the day surfing and playing in the ocean, catch the sunset at Duke's, hit a show, then out for a bit of dancing. The John Hirokowa, Magic of Polynesia show is a favorite with tourists and locals alike, and we offer plenty of surf lessons as well.

Pearl Harbor is one of Oahu's most famous historical sites attracting hundreds of visitors daily. Visitors can view unbelievable live footage shot by Honolulu citizens during the infamous Pearl Harbor bombing, peruse educational exhibits and visit the Arizona Memorial. Many people consider this to be the one must do thing on Oahu. Tours are offered daily, some include this as part of a larger tour of the island, others are more dedicated to visiting Pearl Harbor. Click Here to Learn More!

The majestic crown of Diamond Head is a sight to behold from land or sea. Many fine dinner and snorkel cruises offer an opportunity to view Diamond Head from the water. Some people will want to visit Diamond Head on their own though. If this is you, be sure to take plenty of water and wear comfortable shoes, this is a long and steeply inclined hike. The views from the top are worth it for the many hearty souls who make this climb.

Hanauma Bay was once the play ground to Hawaii's Ali'i (royalty). If you visit, you will soon see why, surrounded by sea cliffs, the crystal clear waters will invite you in for a swim. Large reefs stretching to the mouth of the bay provide a protected swimming area for yourself as well as a myriad of colorful tropical fish. Grab a mask and snorkel, and it is easy for anyone to get a taste of the underwater beauty that is one Hawaii's most amazing sights.

The National Memorial Cemetery, also known as Punchbowl, is a part of many tours available from Honolulu. The Punchbowl is gorgeous to view as you arrive, and the panoramic views of Honolulu from atop the ridge are some of the highlights here. This beautifully manicured cemetery is a tribute to all who have served their country.

The North Shore

Probably most famous for its huge waves at breaks like Sunset, Pipeline and Backdoors, the North Shore has all that and many unexpected gems waiting around every corner. A little more of the old Hawaii still exists on the North Shore, and this sense of aloha extends to all who visit. The laid back feel of the North Shore may be just what you need. If you are looking for adventure though, this is the place!

Mokuleia is Oahu's skydiving playground. Several companies offer skydiving lessons and tandem jumps for novice or first time jumpers, as well as programs for the seasoned veteran. The thrill of skydiving is one most people will never know. Combine that with what may be the most beautiful jump spot in the world and you have a proven winner. You will be able to see almost the entire island including Diamond Head as you leap from the plane. This will give you the ultimate perspective on Oahu. Glider planes and other air oriented activities are available here as well.

Looking for local arts and crafts... for that laid back feel that is all Hawaii? Haleiwa may be the town for you then. Haleiwa has grown quite a bit over the years, but it is still a great spot to get a shave ice at Aoki's while touring the shops 'downtown'. Surfshops are abundant but so are great local restaurants, art galleries and mom and pop groceries. For the health conscious, be sure to check out Paradise Found Health Food and Cafe (the food is great whether you want to be healthy or not), Dos Cholos offers tasty Mexican style dishes, the Godfather or the Greenwich (veggie) pizzas at Pizza Bob's are spectacular, and Haliewa Joe's cooks up some ono (delicious) seafood. Last but not least, don't forget the Shrimp Shack, a North Shore tradition (try anything you won't be disappointed).

Kailua

Kailua Beach County Park is a favorite stop for locals and tourists alike. Offering calm waters, beautiful white sand beaches and amazing views of the Mokulua islands, Kailua is one of the best family beaches on Oahu.

Calm waters and strong winds combine to make Kailua the perfect place to learn to windsurf or kiteboard. It is not unusual to see some of the world's top pro's practicing high speed windsurf maneuvers in the bay here.

Another top activity here is kayaking. At Kailua you can find your own private Hawaiian island. Rent a kayak and head out to the Mokulua Islands where you may find your own private island for the day. Be sure to bring plenty of sunscreen as you may not find much shade on this trip.

Makapuu

Makapuu is home to Sea Life Park Hawaii where you can learn all about the creatures in our Hawaiian waters. Basic entrance to the park includes some great family shows as well as the reef tank and aquarium tours. Have you ever wished you could swim with the dolphins? Sea Life Park offers just that chance. Two different packages are available giving you a chance to interact on a personal level with a dolphin. If stingrays are more your speed there is also Stingray Lagoon where you can swim right alongside these graceful creatures and if you are lucky you may be able to feed these beautiful ocean dwellers with the help of one of the park biologists. Sea Life Park offers abundant opportunities for the whole family to get involved, so don't be shy get yourself booked into one of the many adventures awaiting you at Sea Life Park Hawaii.