Oahu

Oahu is the most visited and populated of all the Hawaiian Islands. Here you'll find a huge range of entertainment, arts and cultural pursuits, as well as your fair share of world famous attractions.

 

 

Map of Oahu

Places in Hawaii

Waikiki

Located on the south shore of Honolulu, the world famous neighbourhood was once a playground for Hawaiian royalty. Today, Waikiki is Oahu’s main hotel and resort area and a vibrant gathering place for the 4 million visitors it entertains every year.  With stunning views of Diamond Head in the background, Waikiki is one of the best places in Hawaii to learn to surf or paddle a canoe, thanks to its small but long-lasting wave break.   

This stunning beach resort is made up a of number of world-famous beaches including Fort DeRussy Beach to the west, Waikiki Beach fronting the Royal Hawaiian Hotel and Westin Moana Surfrider, Kuhio Beach along Kalakaua Avenue and Queen Surf Beach home to quieter stretches on the Diamond Head side of Waikiki.

Waikiki restaurants feature everything from savoury Pacific Rim fare to your favorite national restaurants. For those who want to indulge in some fine dining, get a taste of Hawaii Regional Cuisine at restaurants like Roy’s Waikiki. This culinary movement combines fresh, local ingredients with the cooking techniques and flavours of the world. Or if you want to eat like a local, take a short drive to the outskirts of Waikiki in the neighborhood of Kapahulu.

You'll discover live music at hotels and resorts throughout Waikiki. Club and bar venues like The Yard House in the Waikiki Beach Walk and RumFire in the Sheraton Waikiki are popular spots for locals and visitors alike. With so many bars, restaurants and venues to choose from in Waikiki, it’s best to check with your concierge or with local weekly guides to see what's happening during your stay. 

Sunrise on Waikiki Beach

WEST COAST (LEEWARD COAST)

At the foot of the 1200m Waianae mountain range and less than 48km from Waikiki lies the Leeward Coast.  Drier than the east coast (Winward), this local area is home to rural towns, off the beaten track beaches and one luxurious resort area – Ko Olina. Approximately 45 minutes from Waikiki, this 17 hectare marina offers stretches of beautiful shoreline, ample water sports and championship golf. Popular activities include Wet n Wild Water Park, hiking to the sacred Kaena Point and a visit to Paradise Cove Luau for some culture. The two main resorts at Ko Olina are the JW Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa, one of our My Time partner properties, or discover all the fun of the South-Seas Disney-style at the Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa.
The Pool at Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa.
© Disney

North Shore (Waimea Bay)

Waimea Bay was an influential surf spot during the dawn of big wave surfing in the 1950’s when adventurous surfers began to challenge the powerful winter waves of Waimea and Makaha Beach. Stretching for more than 11 kilometres, the North Shore beaches host the world’s premier surfing competitions during the peak, winter months. From May to September, the waves subside, creating a more tranquil atmosphere for surfing, swimming and sunbathing.
 
Why not pick up a car and on your way from Waikiki to the North Shore take advantage of some of the attractions like Dole Plantation with its famous Guinness Book of World Records worthy shrub maze and Hawaii Plantation Village to learn about Oahu’s plantation past. Continue through the central valley of Oahu to Haleiwa, a good first stop along the North Shore. This charming laid-back surf town, approximately 1 hour drive from Waikiki, is filled with local style and country ambiance as well as cool surf shops, boutiques, understated restaurants and quaint art galleries. Rich with island history, Haleiwa is now the social and artistic hub of the North Shore. Other experiences here include Waimea Valley and Waimea Falls, Haleiwa and Polynesian Cultural Centre, Hawaii's favorite visitor attraction offering 7 Pacific Island villages and exhibits on 16 hectares. 

 

North Shore Hawaii Sign

Oahu's Outdoor Adventures

Hawaii's fabulous climate lends itself to a huge range of water sports and land-based activities. Go snorkelling at Hanauma Bay, horseback riding or hike to Diamond Head. Oahu is also an island of magnificent panoramas, encircled by white sandy beaches and capped by towering volcanic peaks - there are more than 20 craters here!  

Of course, no visit to Hawaii would be complete without an encounter with the waves: surfing is in the Hawaiian blood. The island's world-class surf breaks play host to international surf competitions throughout the year and excellent surf schools that operate throughout the islands give you the opportunity to catch a few waves.

Couple walking forest

Shop 'til you drop

Fantastic shopping can be found all around Oahu and Waikiki, but here are some of our suggestions. Ala Moana Center - One of America’s largest outdoor malls, much like an open-air Westfield Shopping Centre. It's easy to get there, just jump on the Waikiki Trolley, only 10 minutes from the heart of Waikiki. DFS Galleria and the Royal Hawaiian Center - Offer a variety of items you can only find in Hawaii, from ukulele and Hawaiian arts and crafts to designer fashion and high-end jewellery. Waikiki Beach Walk - Browse shops like Mana Hawaii and Aloha Army for even more unique gifts. Kalakaua & Kuhio Avenues - Explore a multitude of shops and boutiques as you treasure hunt for the perfect memento to remember your trip. Waikele Premium Outlets - For a great day-trip away from the beach, take the Waikele Center & Premium Outlets Shopping Tour. About 45 minutes from Waikiki, the Waikele Premium Outlets is the only outlet shopping on Oahu. A day tour to the outlests is highly recommend for serious bargain hunters as they do have a luggage store if you need to buy a new suitcase to bring home your extra bounty!

Hawaii Shirts

The Infinity Experience

Waikiki Room Categories Explained
City View: Nice views of the canal and golf course behind Waikiki. Mountain View: Great vies of the lush, green mountains to the south-east. Partial Ocean View: If you lean out from your balcony you will see some ocean. Ocean View: You can see the ocean from your bed. Ocean Front: You are directly facing the ocean.

Gallery

Images courtesy of Hawaiian Tourism Authority. See www.gohawaii.com/au/ for more information about Hawaii.