Trip to the Island of Oahu in Hawaii
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General:
Oahu is the most populated island of all the Hawaiian Islands: more than 75 percent of the residents of the state of Hawaii live there, and its population today numbers about 840,000 people, half of whom live in the capital city of Honolulu, which is a modern and vibrant city. Honolulu is the economic, commercial, and governmental center of the state. This city is the beating heart of both the state and the island of Oahu. To many, Oahu is synonymous with Hawaii, and they are unable to distinguish between the most famous island and the state. In the southwest of the city is Waikiki, the most famous neighborhood in Hawaii, which stretches over 4 km along the most famous and crowded beach in the world, which has white sand and calm turquoise waters. Every day, tens of thousands of tourists crowd into this small area, most of them Americans, Japanese, and Koreans, who fill the many tourist attractions, including a zoo, aquarium, sports activities, bars, clubs, restaurants, and shops.
Waikiki is known for its nightlife. Most of the island's hotels are located in Waikiki, most of them skyscrapers adjacent to the sea. In Honolulu, the modernization and abundance of the 21st century meet the ancient Polynesian culture and the desire to preserve the customs of the past, which creates a colorful and intriguing combination.
The number of tourists arriving on the island each year approaches five million, making it one of the most visited destinations in the world. Honolulu serves as a major junction both for flights crossing the Pacific Ocean and for flights from the USA to neighboring islands. Many cruise ships also arrive at the island.
Recommended tours on the island of Oahu for cruise ship passengers:
With pickup from the port, for booking through Viator website
♥ Recommended hotels in Oahu
Staying in Waikiki
In the heart of the action and tourist sites:
5-star hotel full of attractions and activities
Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort
More expensive:
Deluxe 5-star hotels
Trump International Hotel Waikiki
Or:
4-star suite hotels:
The Grand Islander by Hilton Grand Vacations
Or:
Embassy Suites by Hilton Waikiki Beach Walk
Cheaper, 3-star hotels not on the beachfront:
Or:
Alternatively, if you want to stay in a quieter area with recommended beaches:
A recommended resort with double rooms and spacious holiday apartments:
Marriott's Ko Olina Beach Club
Book guided tours and trips in Oahu
From GetYourGuide.com:
Book tours and trips in Oahu from Viator :
Beaches:
The variety of beaches in Oahu is most impressive: from quiet and picturesque beaches with white sand and turquoise water, through lagoons and reefs that are a paradise for divers to beaches with giant waves crashing against the shore with force that attract the best surfers in the world. Everyone can find a beach to their liking: both those just looking to sunbathe among the beautiful people and athletic windsurfers. Oahu is known for the wide variety of water sports available there.
In some of them, there is no permanent lifeguard. Most have orderly facilities, showers, and parking. This is the place to mention that during the peak tourist season and especially on weekends, severe parking problems can occur at popular swimming beaches. It is also worth noting that the popular beaches in Oahu are much more crowded and busy than on the other islands. Most of the beaches can be seen from the main road (COASTAL HIGHWAY). In general, similar to the other Hawaiian islands, the beaches in the west of the island, especially in its south-western part, are the quietest and are suitable for both swimming and snorkeling and for most types of water sports such as: sailing and boogie boarding. The most famous beach in this area, considered one of the most famous beaches in the world, is Waikiki Beach. The beaches in the northern part of the island are very quiet in the summer and ideal for swimming and snorkeling but very stormy with giant waves and huge currents in the winter.
In the southern beaches, actually in the summer, the sea is stormier with strong currents and short waves breaking with force onto the shore, but there is a big difference between one beach and another depending on the location and protection from the wind by natural breakwaters. Interestingly, the best beach for diving and snorkeling, Hanauma Beach, is located in a protected bay in the south of the island. The beaches in the east of the island are ideal for windsurfing thanks to the breeze that usually blows there, but they also have great beaches for swimming that are chosen time and again among the ten most beautiful beaches in the USA. All beaches in Hawaii are public, which means that anyone can visit and enter all the beaches on the island for free. Even beaches located in the heart of luxury neighborhoods must have convenient public access; sometimes between private villas there is a narrow passage for pedestrians which is the main access to the beach. All beaches are well marked and there is clear signage that helps find them.
Surfing:
Oahu is considered, and rightly so, the world capital of surfers. Although all the Hawaiian islands have beaches suitable for surfing, Oahu has the widest variety and the most famous and best beaches for surfing. Every surfer can find a beach in Oahu that will suit them, from the most novice beginners to the best surfers in the world. Waikiki beaches are suitable for novice surfers, while the north shore beaches, especially: Banzai Pipeline, Sunset Beach, and Waimea Bay are the best beaches in the world for surfing in the winter months and are known for their giant tube-like waves. Makaha Beach in the northwest part of the island is an excellent beach for surfing in all seasons. Surfing lessons are given by several companies on the island that also provide all the required equipment.
Map of Oahu Island
The main attractions on the island:
The monument in memory of the Navy ship Arizona in Pearl Harbor:
The Navy ship Arizona is the final resting place of many of the 1,177 crew members of the ship that took a direct hit and sank on December 7, 1941.
BATTLESHIP MISSOURI MEMORIAL - at a pier near the visitor center in memory of the Navy ship Arizona, the battleship Missouri is anchored, known by its nickname "Mighty Mo" which participated in the famous battle where the Japanese surrendered, a step that actually marked the end of World War II. The surrender agreement of the Japanese was signed on its deck on September 2, 1945.
USS BOWFIN SUBMARINE MUSEUM AND PARK – near the visitor center in memory of the Navy ship Arizona, the 1,500-ton USS BOWFIN submarine is anchored, which was launched exactly one year after the attack on Pearl Harbor. This submarine sank 44 enemy ships during its period of service and was nicknamed "Pearl Harbor's Revenge".
A half-day tour to Pearl Harbor including hotel pickup can be booked: Salute to Pearl Harbor
Or:
Book a combined tour to Pearl Harbor and the Polynesian Cultural Center: Best of Oahu: Pearl Harbor, Arizona Memorial & Polynesian Cultural Center
"Diamond Head" DIAMOND HEAD STATE MONUMENT
Located in southern Honolulu, it is a tuff cone near the ocean that was formed about 300,000 years ago in a single volcanic eruption that happened long after most of the volcanic activity on the island had already ended. The area of the crater is about 350 acres, and its width is greater than its height. The peak height is about 230 meters. From the top of the cone, a beautiful 360-degree view of the southern and western part of the island is revealed, including the impressive WAIANAE mountains. This explains its strategic importance in the past. Today, Diamond Head is known as one of the island's hallmarks and provides a great backdrop to Waikiki. Since 1968, Diamond Head has been declared a state park (park phone number: 808-5870300) and entry involves a modest fee.
"Punchbowl" PUNCHBOWL CEMETERY
Inside a volcanic crater, more than 300,000 soldiers are buried in the NATIONAL MEMORIAL CEMETERY OF THE PACIFIC. The ancient Hawaiians called this place "Hill of Sacrifice" because violators of the Kapu laws were offered there as a sacrifice to the gods. Phone: 808-532-3720. The crater is located above the city of Honolulu and can be reached from road H1, from PALI HIGHWAY and also from ALA MOANA BOULEVARD.
HAWAIIAN WATERS ADVENTURE PARK
The only water park in Hawaii. In this modern park, there is a large wave pool, an inner tube track, and a complex of water slides. There are also water slides for small children, pools, and jacuzzis. Located north of Honolulu in the town of Kapolei, about a forty-minute drive to Waikiki.
Polynesian Cultural Center
It is one of the most popular attractions on the island and even in all of Hawaii, even though it is located in the northeast of the island, relatively far (about an hour's drive) from the bustling center of activity in Waikiki. The place can be defined as "Disneyland Hawaii style" even though it has no amusement rides or roller coasters. The place is divided into seven Polynesian villages: Fiji, Tonga, Tahiti, Samoa, New Zealand, Hawaii, and Marquesas. In each of them, there are performances of dances, songs, music, and other activities characteristic of the region, including interesting demonstrations. The most impressive show of all is Samoa. In each village, you can try different typical activities, such as: spear throwing, making souvenirs from coconut leaves, various games, etc. Every day, there is a joint show for all the Polynesian villages held in the center of the park in the main river (which flows along the entire park) called: Canoe Pageant, where members of the different villages perform their dances on large canoes. The show is very colorful and rhythmic. You can sail on the river in large canoes accompanied by authentic Polynesian music while hearing explanations about the different Polynesian villages, their way of life, customs, and history. On site is a 3D cinema where IMAX movies are screened. Every evening, a massive show takes place in a large theater which is undoubtedly the highlight of the visit to the Polynesian Center. This is the largest Polynesian show in the world, with the participation of about a hundred dancers, singers, musicians, fire eaters, and jugglers from all seven villages.
Book a combined tour to Pearl Harbor and the Polynesian Cultural Center: Best of Oahu: Pearl Harbor, Arizona Memorial & Polynesian Cultural Center
Honolulu Attractions:
Honolulu is known as a center of active recreation and water sports on the island. You can take boat trips in kayaks, canoes, large and luxurious passenger boats, participate in surfing lessons, diving, fly in gliders, fly in a helicopter, etc. Honolulu also concentrates most of the tourist sites and attractions of the island, including historical sites, gardens, and museums.
♦ Helicopter flight experience on the island of Oahu:
The most recommended and famous museum of all is the BISHOP MUSEUM, established in 1889 by Charles Bishop in memory of his wife, the Hawaiian Princess BERNICE PAUAHI. Originally, the museum was intended to display the artworks and jewelry of the royal family. Today, it is the National Museum of Hawaii for Natural History and Hawaiian Culture.
Adjacent to it is the Hawaii Planetarium. Open daily. Entrance fee required. The museum is located on Bernice Street.
Art lovers will find what they are looking for at the HONOLULU ACADEMY OF ART, which presents permanent and changing displays of the best artists in the world, from Asia, through the USA and of course European art. The academy has thirty galleries as well as a series of open spaces and gardens. Guided tours, art workshops, and activities for the whole family are also held there. Address: Beretania St.
The only palace in the entire United States is also located in Honolulu. The palace, built in 1882, is called: IOLANI PALACE and it is a four-story Victorian building. It was the official residence of King KALAKAUA and his wife from 1882 until his death in 1891. His sister who inherited him, Queen LILI'UOKALANI, also lived in the palace until the end of the Hawaiian monarchy in 1893. Guided tours are held at the palace, including a video film about the Hawaiian monarchy, the history of the palace, and a 45-minute tour of the palace rooms.
The palace is located at the corner of King and Richards streets near the Hawaii State Capitol building. Across the road is the statue of King Kamehameha the Great (a copy of the original statue located on the Big Island).
The STATE CAPITOL building, built in 1965, is an impressive building characterized by many Hawaiian motifs. Its exterior walls are decorated with volcanic rocks, while the interior walls are decorated with Hawaiian prints. The doors are made of wood brought from the Big Island and in the central structure sand brought from the island of Molokai to symbolize the unification of all the islands under a single government. The courtyard and central structure are open 24 hours a day. Address: 415 S. Beretania.
One of the most interesting, diverse, and busy neighborhoods in Honolulu that attracts locals and tourists alike is CHINATOWN. In this small neighborhood of only 15 blocks, you will find a mix of exotic shops, oriental restaurants, noodle factories, acupuncture healers, art galleries, and elegant temples. This is the oldest Chinatown in the USA, built over 120 years ago.
Animal and plant lovers will also fare well in Honolulu. The city has the HONOLULU ZOO which houses over 1,200 species of mammals, birds, and reptiles, including the only snakes in all of Hawaii. Entry and parking are for a relatively modest fee. The place is full of rich tropical vegetation including jungles, banyan trees, and exotic flowers. The park is open every day except Christmas and New Year's Day. The park is located between Waikiki and Diamond Head on Kalakaua Blvd.
In Waikiki, you can visit the WAIKIKI AQUARIUM, which is an old aquarium that has been operating for many years but has undergone serious renovation and expansion in recent years. The aquarium has more than 300 marine animals characteristic of Hawaii and the South Pacific region, including giant clams, rare sea snails, sharks, and many diverse species of fish. Address: 2777 Kalakaua Ave.
A nice experience for those who want to see marine animals in their natural environment but are not fans of diving or snorkeling is a submarine cruise. There are several companies operating submarines in the ocean waters, the largest and most popular of which is ATLANTIS SUBMARINES. During the cruise, in addition to plenty of exotic fish, you also see sunken ships.
Honolulu has several botanical gardens, the two most popular are:
FOSTER BOTANICAL GARDENS and the LYON Botanical Gardens. It is hard to believe that so close to the high-rises and busy shopping centers of Waikiki, you can hike in a natural jungle on a path leading to beautiful waterfalls: Manoa Falls Trail. This is a very popular path because it is short (1.3 km each way), easy to walk, and very close to Waikiki. The path is wide and comfortable but can be muddy after heavy rain. The path passes by a stream inside a forest and leads to a high waterfall at the base of which is a shallow pool. On the way, you pass by guava and apple trees and ginger plants. Especially suitable for families. It is very humid in the forest which attracts many mosquitoes, so it is recommended to apply mosquito repellent.