OAHU
Oahu is the third largest of the islands of Hawaii, and is the most popular tourist destination. The island is appropriately nicknamed “The Gathering Place” as the location of Honolulu, the state capital, and over 85% of the state’s population live here on Oahu. This is the island where I was born and raised and where I am living and raising my children now. Although I’ve spent time on each of the Hawaiian Islands, Oahu is the island I know best.
Oahu is also the most popular of all the islands & this can make the island a little crowded but it makes up for that with the amount of attractions for you to visit & things to do while visiting. I always recommend to travelers who will only be visiting the island of Oahu to consider splitting their time between a Waikiki hotel and then one in the country like Turtle Bay. There are three oceanfront resorts outside of Waikiki – the Kahala Hotel & Resort near Diamond Head, the Turtle Bay Resort on the North Shore and the JW Marriott Ihilani on the West.
The island of Oahu has more than 125 beaches to choose from. From the powerful, pounding winter waves of the North Shore to the gentle shore break of Waikiki, from the spectacular Leeward side to the relaxed atmosphere of the Windward side - there is a beach on every shore of Oahu. Water temperatures range from 75°F-80°F year round which makes it easy to understand why millions of visitors from all over the world come to Oahu for swimming, sunbathing, snorkeling, surfing, sailing, kayaking, water-skiing and jet-skiing. Some of the best beaches for swimming are: Waikiki, Lanikai, Ala Moana, Hanauma Bay, & in all but the winter months - Shark’s Cove and Waimea Bay.
Oahu has plenty of outdoor adventures you can experience:
Hiking: Hike to some of the most scenic places in the world - the 761-foot tall Diamond Head, Manoa Falls, and Koko Head Crater, or walk the lush green jungle of the Ko’olau Mountains; visit a waterfall that plunges into a rainforest pool or take an ecotour to see Hawaii’s unique native birds and plant species.
Sights/Attractions: Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park, Sea Life Park, Pearl Harbor, Polynesian Cultural Center, Hanauma Bay, Diamond Head, the North Shore, Dole Pineapple Factory, Bishop Museum, Iolani Palace, Chinatown, Paradise Cove, Royal Hawaiian Luau, Honolulu Zoo, Waikiki Aquarium, Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii, Senator Fongs Plantation and Gardens, Hawaii Maritime Center, Honolulu Academy of Arts, Hawaii Theatre, & the Hawaiian Railway – to name a few!!
History: Learn about the great past of Oahu by following the trail of history from the point where King Kamehameha I fought the battle to unify the Hawaiian Islands, to Pearl Harbor where the USS Arizona still lies as a memorial to the 1941 attack that launched America into WWII; or visit one of the many museums, including the Bishop Museum, Honolulu Academy of Arts, and Iolani Palace, the residence of Hawaii’s monarchy.
Old Polynesia: Experience a taste of old Polynesia and the charm and beauty of the seven South Pacific Societies at the Polynesian Cultural Centre. While there, visit the IMAX Theatre, experience a Luau and see the spectacular Polynesian review.
Dining/Nightlife: Oahu has many restaurants to choose from, a gourmet paradise with cuisine that is a blend of the spices of Asia and the Pacific and European styles and sources. To end your busy days, Oahu has great nightlife which comes alive with bars, nightclubs, discotheques, karaoke, and gentlemen’s clubs that stay open all night long.
Weddings: Imagine this, a wedding ceremony set against the backdrop of lush tropical gardens and gently cascading waterfalls, or one on a white sandy beach with a tropical breeze cooling off a perfect sunset. These are just two of some of the most beautiful and romantic venues for hosting your wedding. With very relaxed marriage laws, Hawaii is the ideal location and has numerous experts who will give you an unforgettable wedding. Like many couples say, a Hawaiian wedding is like “heaven on earth” for its nature, beaches, and weather.
Honeymoons: Now imagine this - the two of you strolling on a white sand beach hand in hand, the warm tropical waters lapping at your feet, and the sun setting over a striking tropical horizon. Isn’t this the most romantic imagination? You can make this a reality by spending your honeymoon in Oahu, with its seductive beauty offering an idyllic setting for the blissful first weeks of your marriage.
Shopping: A shopper’s paradise, Oahu offers the latest in world fashion and jewelry. Visit Ala Moana Shopping Center and Ward Center at the edge of Waikiki, Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center, International Marketplace and ABC Stores in Waikiki, or Aloha Tower Marketplace in downtown Honolulu. Find famous brand names such as Chanel, Bernini, Burberry, DKNY, Gap, Guess, Polo, Ralph Lauren, Christian Dior, Dooney and Burke, Coach, Fendi, Hermes, Hunting World, Salvatore Ferragamo, Valentino, Gianni Versace, Disney, Bulgari, Cartier, Prada, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Tiffany, and Rolex. For the international shopper, there is the famous duty-free store in Waikiki, DFS Galleria. Hawaiian gifts include Aloha/Hawaiian shirts, Hawaiian jewelry, Hawaiian chocolates, Kona coffee, leis, and pacific art.
Oahu is a good choice if you don’t mind a lot of people and occasional traffic in order to be able to experience almost everything Hawaii has to offer on one island. Keep in mind that you can split your stay between the city life of Waikiki and then the more laid back atmosphere of somewhere like the north shore of Oahu. It’s also just a quick 30-45 minute plane ride to spend some time on another island and it’s very common for travelers to spend 3-4 days on Oahu and then another 3-4 days on another Hawaiian Island.
Contact me at Angelica@hawaii-aloha.com or directly at 808-237-5261 anytime and I would be glad to help you make your Hawaii vacation a reality!
Mahalo,
Angelica Friedmann
Island Travel Specialist
Hawaii Aloha Travel
800-843-8771 ext.21 (main)
808-237-5261 (direct)
My Bio & Hawaii Travel Blog: http://angelica.hawaii-aloha.com
Email: angelica@hawaii-aloha.com