WITH ENOUGH NATURAL beauty to be revered as the jewel of Hawaii, Oahu ranks among travelers’ favorite Pacific destinations. The third largest island in this tropical archipelago, Oahu only measures 44 miles long by 30 miles wide, but it’s packed with a multitude of extraordinary attractions and activities.
Oahu is called “The Gathering Place,” because its diverse people peacefully blend East and West cultures with indigenous Hawaiian traditions. To gain an appreciation for the unique island customs, visit the Polynesian Cultural Center, where you can explore authentic villages that represent the Pacific island way of life through music, dance, foods and hand-on activities. Attending a Luau at Paradise Cove starts with a fresh Mai Tai cocktail and takes you on an unforgettable journey through traditional Hawaiian arts, crafts, music, fishing, a fantastic feast and dance performances. More current history includes tours of the imperial Iolani Palace, Pearl Harbor Museum and the sunken USS Arizona, and the state capital of Hawaii.
To understand the lay of the land, many visitors hike up Diamond Head, a colossal volcanic glacier that presents a breathtaking view of Oahu’s dramatic black volcanic mountains sloping down into turquoise waters. The walk only takes an hour roundtrip, but be sure to allow extra time for taking photos and soaking up the scenery.
The island’s 125 beaches encourage you to enjoy any water sport that strikes your fancy. Snorkel in vibrant reefs at Hanauma Bay, learn how to hang ten or get tips from world-class surfers at the North Shore, live the life of a green sea turtle at Laniakea Beach, sunbathe on the soft sands of Lanikai Beach, or watch a sunset (and a menagerie of tourists) at the famous Waikiki Beach and stay late to enjoy the bustling urban nightlife.
Moving inland on Oahu for adventures, you find 50 hiking trails through rainforests, above spectacular coastlines and amidst plush tropical gardens. Don’t miss a trek to the Makapu’u Point Lighthouse where you can climb to its 500-foot peak then cool down at the beach below. Kualoa Ranch is a 4,000-acre dreamland of activities such as zip lines, off-road bikes, horseback rides and movie tours of locations where Jurassic Park, Godzilla, Jumanji and other flicks were filmed. Local golf courses, including Turtle Bay, Hawaii Prince, Ko Olina Golf Course and Olomana, are kept in pristine condition.
Wherever you go, try the unique native dishes that are a fusion of Asian, Polynesian and American cuisine. From food trucks to top chefs, Oahu’s food scene is like no other. A trip here would not be complete without Matsumoto’s shave ice (a snow cone with fresh fruit juices), Hawaiian poke (usually tuna marinated in soy sauce, sweet onion, sesame oil and seaweed), and island plate lunches (teriyaki beef, BBQ chicken or fried mahi mahi with steamed rice and macaroni salad). You’ll be glad you did.
WHERE TO DOCK
WHERE TO DINE
