Oahu, Hawaii

	Oahu Overview		Must See Highlights		Shore Excursions

Oahu has a reputation for having the most consistently beautiful weather – light trade winds and 82°F almost year round. Cosmopolitan Honolulu features fantastic dining, world-class shopping, historic landmarks and glamorous Waikiki Beach. Away from the city, check out Diamond Head, the famous waves along the North Shore and more.

		Must See Highlights Oahu intoxicates your senses with frangipani-scented sea breezes and tropical warmth. Her surface shimmers with clear sapphire-blue waters, flawless beaches, the North Shore’s famous waves, majestic Diamond Head Crater and a nearly perfect year-round climate. Honolulu sizzles with sophisticated excitement, chic beaches, dazzling nightclubs, great shopping, and stirring historical landmarks and monuments.
		Shore Excursions Bring your curiosity and a comfortable pair of shoes as you set out on a Hawaiian shore excursion. There are plenty of treasures to uncover in this land of lush, emerald green foliage and active, molten volcanoes. Whether you choose to fly over Oahu in a helicopter, explore the famous North Shore or visit historic Pearl Harbor, know that your tour will be led by guides who are ready to share their rare insights about the true Hawaii.

Learn More About Oahu

With Waikiki as a central hub, you can explore the legendary North Shore of Oahu one day, and spend the next day on the east side snorkeling at Hanauma Bay, a protected marine sanctuary with tons of colorful fish. It’s clear that Oahu offers just the right amount of diversity for the adventurous as well as the cautious visitor. Thrill seekers can skydive at Mokuleia while daydreamers can relax peacefully on the beach. Exquisite dining and exciting nightlife also entice people to Oahu again and again.

Culture & History
Oahu’s rich cultural heritage may be something you seek out, but you’ll most certainly find it without even trying. There are several ways to soak up Oahu’s colorful history. Museums, temples, cultural centers and festivals just to name a few. Historical artifacts can be found at both the Bishop Museum and Iolani Palace, home to the last reining monarch, Queen Liliuokalani. Take in turn-of-the-century architecture with a stroll through Chinatown, or ride the trolley through Waikiki and you’ll see historical hotels such as the Sheraton Moana Surfrider and the Royal Hawaiian Hotel made famous in the early 1900’s.

Oahu Family Activities
In Hawaii, it’s evident that caring for keiki (children) is very important. On Oahu, there are a variety of exciting activities designed specifically with kids and families in mind. Take a submarine ride and witness sunken ships, airliners and reef structures. Ride the thrilling waterslides at Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park. Get up close and personal with dolphins, sea turtles, stingrays, sharks, and moray eels at Sea Life Park. Spend the day at the Honolulu Zoo or Waikiki Aquarium and see animal and marine life like you’ve never seen anywhere else. Or explore 4,000-acres of fun at Kualoa Ranch by horse, ATV, helicopter, jet ski or kayak.
There are also plenty of other educational and cultural excursions for kids and families year-round, including nature walks, hikes, wildlife feedings, fishing, catamaran sails and more. Many hotels and condominiums also offer programs for kids that include activities such as lei and kite making, lauhala weaving, and sandcastle building. This is one family vacation where boredom is never a problem!

Oahu Weddings & Honeymoons
No matter how you define romance, a trip to Oahu will almost certainly redefine it for you. Sunset strolls along miles of soft sand beaches come with the territory, typically followed by scintillating evenings of world-class nightlife and entertainment. The island will send your heart racing. Consider a horseback ride along the tumbling surf of a deserted beach. Set sail on a starlit cruise. Wander through acres of lush tropical gardens to discover a waterfall plunging into a hidden grotto. Surrender to a day of indulgence at an opulent spa. Of course, if you can’t decide what to do, just follow your heart. You’re sure to end up somewhere unforgettable.

Golf on Oahu
Great golf is one of the main reasons Oahu is a favorite destination. There are more golf courses on Oahu than any other island. You can choose from more than forty public and private courses, ranging from casual municipal links to elegant resort courses. They offer not only superb challenges, but also spectacular vistas. The backdrop for a shot here might be forested mountains, desert-like terrain or the impressive sweep of the Pacific. There are even courses built on former ranch lands, fields of sugar cane, and seaside layouts that resemble British links. Constant sunshine makes for long hours of dependable golfing weather, and the spectacular surrounding scenery quiets the mind and stirs the heart. So relax and enjoy some of the most pleasant golf in the world. It’s all right here.

Oahu Arts Scene
Museums and galleries offer wonderful discoveries for the visitor, and all within easy striking distance of Waikiki. The Tennent Art Foundation Gallery just below Punchbowl offers robust paintings from Hawaii’s celebrated Madge Tennent. The Maritime Museum by Aloha Tower presents excellent permanent surfing, whaling and voyaging exhibitions. The three galleries at the UH Manoa campus always offer surprises. Honolulu's Chinatown is full of independent galleries and presents the fabulous First Friday Gallery Walk every month, a free night of shows and receptions. There are also Family Sundays at the Bishop Museum, free concerts from the Royal Hawaiian Band at Iolani Palace every week, and free Hawaiian music concerts at Hawaii State Arts Museum every month. And the great favorites for visiting and local families, free open air movies and performances with the City’s "Brunch on the Beach" and "Sunset on the Beach" series.

Some content reproduced with permission from Hawaii's Official Tourism Site.

Some content and photos used with permission from Norwegian Cruise Line.