Why go to Oahu and what activities to do? Read in this chapter.

The 10 best hotels on Oahu

Beaches and swimming

Oahu is an island where lovers of beautiful beaches will especially enjoy themselves. The beautiful beaches are one of the few natural assets that Oahu has that rival the other Hawaiian islands.

A big plus of Oahu's beaches is the fact that the vast majority of them can be easily reached without a car, buses run along the coastal road from Honolulu at least 1-2 times an hour and usually stop right at the beaches.

Oahu's beaches all boast fine white sand, exemplary cleanliness (including the city ones) and almost always a picnic beach with benches and tables.

On the other hand, it's rare to find beach chairs and umbrella rentals, and beach bars or sports activities are not common on Hawaiian beaches.

Usually, however, you'll find snack stands near the beaches by the road or in village centres. However, free toilets and parking are almost always a standard feature of Oahu's beaches.

All beaches on Oahu are open to the public and free of charge, including those belonging to hotel resorts.

The beaches on the east and south sides of the island have much calmer waters without large "surfing" waves, while the beaches on the west and north sides of Oahu are windier and, especially in October-May, with large waves.

The most beautiful beaches on Oahu

Get inspired and head to the best beaches on Oahu:

• Waikiki Beach - One of the world's most famous and largest urban beaches right in the heart of Honolulu
• Lanikai Beach - Often referred to as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, it is located in a quiet area overlooking several islands
• Hanauma Bay - surrounded by beautiful nature outside the city, ideal for a day's relaxation away from the hustle and bustle of the city, but still easily accessible
• Sunset Beach - a quiet beach in the north of Oahu popular for its breathtaking sunsets
• Laniakea Beach - a pretty sandy beach known for regular visits from giant crabs
• Ko Olina Lagoons - several man-made and well-maintained lagoons around luxury resorts

Sights of wartime history

Undoubtedly one of the major landmarks not only in the Hawaiian Islands, but in the whole of the USA, is the area of the Pearl Harbor military naval base, where the 1941 attack by the Japanese air force resulted in the USA's entry into World War II.

Read detailed information about the Pearl Harbor Memorial.

Surfing

Surfing is not only a sport but also a cultural tradition in the Hawaiian Islands, from which it has spread around the world. And Oahu in particular has been described as one of the best surfing paradises in the world.

The famed North Shore boasts typical surfing waves for much of the year, with the biggest waves occurring between October and May. The best surfing conditions occur around Sunset Bech, Ehukai Beach and Waimea Bay near the town of Pupukea. The North Shore is a location for particularly experienced surfers.

Another place with excellent surf conditions is the Diamond Head area of Honolulu, which is popular with both experienced and beginner surfers.

Surf schools on Oahu

Want to learn how to surf? Or do you just want to try the sport for once? You couldn't have picked a better destination. Oahu has dozens of surf schools for beginners that will teach you the basics and more at some of the world's most renowned surf spots.

What prices to expect? The cost of a two-hour beginner lesson is usually between 150 usd and 200 usd with a private instructor who will be dedicated to you and from 75 usd in lessons with multiple students. Prices always include the hire of all equipment.

Examples of surf schools on Oahu:

• Ty Gurney Surf School (Honolulu, Waikiki)
• Kahu Surf School (Honolulu, Waikiki)
• Ohana Surf Project (Honolulu, Waikiki)
• North Shore Surf Lessons (Pupukea)
• Hawaii Waves Surf School (Pupukea)

Diving

Oahu and the Hawaiian Islands in general are a paradise for exploring the underwater world and rank among the best locations in America.

In the waters around Oahu, you can dive to several World War II shipwrecks, submarines and aircraft, or marvel at the colorful reefs with millions of marine life in Kaneohe Bay or Hanauma Bay.

There are several dive schools on Oahu that specialize in beginners and you can take a complete PADI course with them. Beginner dives and an introduction to diving lasting around 4 hours cost around 200 to 250 usd, while a full PADI certificate costs around 500 usd.

Individual trips to the best dive spots cost around 75 usd to 100 usd and you can usually expect 2-3 dives in 3-5 hours.

Examples of dive schools on Oahu:

• diveoahu.com (Honolulu)
• oahudiving.com (Honolulu)
• oahuscubadiving.com (Hanauma Bay)

Snorkeling

Are you attracted to the underwater world but don't like to venture into depths greater than snorkel length? That's okay, because Oahu is one of the best snorkeling spots in the U.S. and all of America.

Plus, most snorkeling spots can get by without having to pay for expensive boat trips to offshore reefs, as you'll find great snorkeling spots right off the coast, some even on the most famous beaches.

The best conditions for snorkelling are between May and October, when the water is warmest and visibility is highest. But even during the winter you can snorkel well, just be prepared for the occasional cloud that can momentarily spoil your visibility underwater.

There are several snorkel gear rental shops in Honolulu (e.g. Snorkel Bob's) where you can rent a complete set (snorkel + mask + fins) for around 14 usd per day or discounted rates around 40 usd per week.

Best snorkeling spots on Oahu

Where specifically to go snorkeling?

• Hanauma Bay - an easily accessible beach on the edge of Honolulu perfect for lovers of small colorful fish and coral. The waters here are calm and the accessibility to snorkeling spots is absolutely great, located in shallow waters just a few meters from the beach.
• Sharks Cove - one of the few great snorkelling spots on the north coast, particularly accessible between April and October due to the waves. The beautiful rocky, rugged bottom offers hundreds of species from fish to turtles. Although it lies right in the centre of Pupukea, the entrance to the water is very rocky and even moving in the water is only recommended for more experienced swimmers.
• Kahe Point - a secret tip for connoisseurs lies on Kahe Beach, also known as Electric Beach after the nearby thermal power plant. The extremely clear waters and the steeply dropping coral shore offer excellent snorkelling conditions, especially for more experienced swimmers.

Hiking and sightseeing

Oahu, like the other Hawaiian Islands, stands out for its beautiful nature and breathtaking scenery. The truth is, however, that when compared to the other main islands of Kauai, the Big Island or Maui, which are primarily headed for nature, Oahu's hiking is more of a complementary role to beaches, surfing or urban tourism.

A large part of the center of the island is very difficult to access, and Oahu is the most populated and therefore the most affected by civilization.

However, you can still enjoy the steep wooded mountainsides, jagged ridges and photogenic coastline while travelling around the island .

Some of the most popular hiking spots include Diamond Head Crater and Koko Head Mountain in Honolulu. You can also head to the private Kualoa Ranch Preserve, where you can take advantage of the many different activities on offer.

If you prefer more challenging hikes in remote areas where you'll encounter virtually no hikers, head to the Ewa Forest Reserve (accessed from Pearl City) or the hills around Waiane, where you'll find plenty of hiking trails.

On the filmmakers' trail

The combination of Honolulu's good big-city facilities, quality road network, and often otherworldly-looking scenery has brought countless filmmakers to Oahu. Many famous movies or TV shows have been filmed here, so film enthusiasts will really enjoy the place.

Take a look at the 5 most famous filming locations on Oahu and which movies or TV shows have been filmed here.

• Kualoa Ranch - a famous private nature preserve made famous by the movies Jurassic Park, Pearl Harbor and Godzilla and the TV series Lost.
• Papailoa Beach - "the" beach, one of the main motifs of the Lost series, around which much of the plot revolved
• Sea Life Park and Makapuu Point - major locations of the famous romantic comedy 50 times and still for the first time
• Halona Cove - the cove where the landing of Pirates of the Caribbean was filmed
• Manoa Falls - the setting for the jungle scenes of The Hunger Games