Oahu Hawaii Island
Although only the third largest of the Hawaiian Islands, Oahu is the most populated and most visited due to its striking beauty and abundance of activities. Home to the capital city of Honolulu and a surfer’s paradise on the North Shore, Oahu has everything visitors could desire from a tropical, sand-filled vacation destination. Make your way to Oahu for the sights, swimming, and surfing, all while taking in a little history along the way, and you certainly will be pleased with your well-rounded trip on this popular island.
A vacation to the Hawaiian Islands means plenty of time spent at beautiful, white sand beaches and a trip to Oahu undoubtedly will be no different. While there are many gorgeous places to throw down a towel and listen to the sounds of the waves rolling in, two places stand out for their remarkable sights and crystal clear water. Hanauma Bay is the perfect place to view the numerous ocean life that thrive close to the shore, particularly sea turtles and colorful fish, either by snorkeling or scuba diving. However, it is a well-known tourist destination so expect large crowds and plenty of noise when venturing here on a warm sunny day.
Waikiki Beach fronts the shores of Waikiki, which is located on the southern shore of Oahu and houses the famous Diamond Head on its east side. This two mile stretch of sand is the picture perfect image of what visitors expect from a Hawaiian beach with its high-rise forests, numerous hotels and resorts, and masses of tourists spread out among the sand. Waikiki Beach is an ideal location for sunning, swimming, snorkeling, surfing, but most of all canoeing. For the ultimate Oahu and Waikiki Beach experience, plan a trip out to sea on an outrigger canoe and rid the waves next to the surfers while soaking in views of the city and Diamond Head.
Diamond Head is quite possibly the most famous volcanic crater in the world and is a worthwhile hike for vacationers who want to take in unparalleled views of the Island. The hike to the rim is considered easy to moderate and requires visitors to climb stairs, walk trails, and make their way through an unlit tunnel (don’t forget your flashlight!). Once the top is reached, however, visitors can enjoy views from Waikiki to Koki Head and of the Pacific Ocean.
Oahu’s North Shore is famous for its massive waves that draw world-class surfers here year after year. In the winter, the high surf’s waves can rise to over 25 feet before rolling over due to the swells coming out of the stormy North Pacific. While surfing is popular at places such as Sunset Beach and Waimea Bay Beach Park (where waves have been reaching over 50 feet in recent years), the North Shore also offers great swimming and snorkeling opportunities to summer visitors at Ali’i Beach Park.
No Oahu outdoor adventure is complete without a trip to Honolulu to view the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor. Pearl Harbor holds a special place in our nation’s history and is an important tourist destination even for those who were not alive when the attacks occurred. Every visitor will find the tour of the Arizona Memorial thoughtful and informative, while the addition of the Battleship Missouri and USS Missouri Memorial further highlights the historical importance of this area.
On the spectacular island of Oahu, the right accommodations can make the difference between an ordinary Hawaiian adventure and an amazing Oahu experience. Oahu vacation rentals are located throughout the island, surrounded by its numerous breathtaking features such as the Pacific Ocean, Diamond Head, and lush green forests. The choice between a sterile hotel room that you want to escape every morning and a cozy vacation rental that invites you to soak in the beauty of the island is an easy one, so begin your search for the perfect vacation rental today and surround yourself with all that is stunning in Oahu.
October 24th, 2008 at 1:29 am
Vacationing in Oahu Hawaii next month.?
I want to make sure I see all the neat things there is to see in Oahu Hawaii. Where should I go?/
October 24th, 2008 at 6:31 am
There is such an abundance of information available about great places to see on Oahu. I would first recommend checking out the podcast 808Talk which tells people the best places to visit, food to eat and the do's and don'ts of adapting to the culture. Other great places include checking out the Official Hawaii Visitor's site where you can select the island of Oahu and it tells you all the great things going on. My last suggestion would be to check out Hawaii Web which also breaks down Hawaii by island and gives you the great things to do there. Three places I would definately check out are Hanauma Bay, Polynesian Cultural Center and Iolani Palace. If your coming to Oahu those three things you MUST SEE!
References :
http://www.808Talk.com
http://www.gohawaii.com
http://www.hawaii.com
http://www.polynesia.com
http://www.iolanipalace.org
http://www.honolulu.gov/parks/facility/hanaumabay/
http://www.hawaiiweb.com
October 24th, 2008 at 6:33 am
I live here in Hawaii and personally I think Hanauma Bay is really cool, you can swim in a bay with fish swimming right along side of you. Make sure you go early the crowd can be kinda nuts, also don't forget to bring your snorkeling gear. Another place that is known world wide is the North Shore for is great surfing spots, but DO NOT go swimming there unless you are an experienced swimmer. Also make sure to stop at Haleiwa town's Matsumoto Shaved Ice stand when you're on that side of the island. A great place to swim is Koolina, it has man made lagoons. Check out the STADIUM flea market for great priced souvenirs, don't buy them in Waikiki, it's over priced there
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October 24th, 2008 at 6:35 am
My "must do" list always includes:
Polynesian Cultural Center
Pearl Harbor
Waikiki Beach / International Marketplace
North Shore to watch surfers
References :
30 years in travel business / 8 trips to Honolulu
October 24th, 2008 at 6:37 am
See my favorite places on Oahu on the following page
http://sparks-mexico.com/hawaii/
References :
http://sparks-mexico.com/hawaii/
October 24th, 2008 at 6:39 am
I totally agree with MEGD. I went to the exact same places! if you are on a budget, there are great knick knacks at ABC stores on the Waikiki strip for under 10 bucks. its good quality too. Aloha!
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October 24th, 2008 at 6:41 am
Hawaii is definately worth it! I would def go to hawaii this summer or any time of the year. I just can't get enough of that place! I have been 6 times and I have found enough on Oahu to do that i haven't even ventured out to the other islands yet! Here are some things in Waikiki and around the island to do;Dukes is def cool and right on the beach, and if you want to dance with the youngsters you can head over to scruples. There are a ton of eating places down on the strip but the real hawaii is out of town. Take the bus or drive up to manoa and experience the rainforest and a natural waterfall! Take a trip to the north shore and go to waimaia valley and see some of the most spectacular fauna anywhere! If you adventurous hike along the ridges and see paradise from 4000 feet! I did that and loved every second of it..ok well it was more like 8 hours of it but anyway..lol. Diving and snorkeling are pretty awesome too! Hanuama bay is touristy and with good reason. You are guaranteed to see tons of fish and have a nice afternoon at a beautiful beach! Diving can be done just off shore and runs around 100 bucks for 2 tanks and you don't need to be experienced. Not far out of town you can jetski or parasail. Wouldn't really bother with the jetskiing cause they have too many rules in hawaii but the parasailing is something you should atleast try once. After that it gets kind of boring. In town the international market place is def cool and worth strolling through…a tip..go to all the kiosks and then go back and don't be affraid to barter..that's how it works there! On the weekend a really cool thing to do it go to aloha stadium for a huge flea market!!! I mean huge the tents go all around the stadium and everything you find for suviners in waikiki you will find there for way i mean way cheaper!! Oh one last thing, you have to go to a luau and the paradise cove luau is the best. oh crap…just thought of something else that will help you out. Go to Entertaiment.com and buy the book for hawaii and it will give you so many discount coupons it will pay for it self right away. I did and it worked great. Don't forget that part..really do it you won't be sorry. Many 2-1 coupons on dinners in waikiki which is really expensive.I have been to hawaii 6 times now and would love to live there. I hope you make it cause you won't forget it! Aloha!
Some more stuff:
Must See Attractions
Paradise Cove Luau – Best on the Island
Polynesian Cultural Center – North Shore
Diamond Head – Cause everyone's doing it
Waikiki- Can't go to hawaii and miss the strip
Manoa Falls – An easy hike with views and feel of the jungle and it's free!
Hanuama Bay – Best tourist snorkeling in the islands!
Drive the Pali Highway and go to the lookout
Makiki Heights drive – Tourists don't find this gem and it's amazing! MUST SEE. Check your map to get to Makiki Heights. Great views of the island
Restaurants: There are tons of restaurants in Waikiki. If you are young and like to drink then drink b/4 you go out! The Pacific Beach Hotel has drink specials all week long and there a good deal. There are Mai Tai specials all over but DIXIES has the screamin Mai TAi which comes in a 32 oz glass and is about 6 bucks!!! Good Eats there too! For cheaper eats go outside of town over towards the Kaneohe side. If you do want to eat in Waikiki then i would highly recommend that you go to http://www.entertainment.com and buy the book for hawaii. This coupon book will save you a ton on the island! Seriously everytime i go i get the book and use all the 2-1 deals in it! Check ebay for it too sometimes you can get it dirt cheap!
Hotels; Best hotel for the money is the Ocean Resort Hotel on the east end of the strip. Very close to the beach, decent rooms, service is good and you will pay under a 100 a night for most rooms and the parking is much cheaper than the other hotels!
Have a great trip your gonna love it!
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Have fun on your trip!
October 24th, 2008 at 6:43 am
Go on the Grand Circle Island Tour, hike on Diamond Head, surf, go to the Polynesian Cultural Center, go on the Navatek 1 Sunset Buffet Dinner Cruise, go to Pearl Harbor/Arizona Memorial, swim, enjoy the sunsets, watch the fireworks at the Hilton Hawaiian Hotel on Friday nights, go to Duke's Canoe Club, go to Cheeseburger in Paradise-Waikiki, go see the Blue Hawaii Show at the Waikiki Beachcomber.
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personal experience (except for the hiking and swimming).