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Escape to Paradise Oahu

Welcome to Oahu

Sometimes called “The Gathering Place,” Oahu certainly lives up to its name. The third-largest Hawaiian island is home to the majority of Hawaii’s diverse population, a fusion of East and West cultures rooted in the values and traditions of the Native Hawaiian people. It’s this fundamental contrast between the ancient and the modern that makes discovering Oahu — from bustling city life to laidback surf towns — so enjoyable. You'll find plenty of different options for exploring Oahu's different regions, the island's many activities, its eclectic restaurants and accommodations.

Why should I visit Oahu?

  • Swim with the Wild Spinner Dolphins
  • Home of Hawaii’s Royal History
  • Hikes with stunning views
  • Watch a torch lighting ceremony!
  • Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona Memorial

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Top things to do in Oahu

  1. Snorkel at Hanauma Bay
  2. Iolani Palace
  3. Waterfalls at Ko’olau Mountain Range
  4. Take an Open Door Helicopter Tour of Oahu
  5. Cliff Jumping at La’ie Point
  6. Go Shark Diving Oahu
  7. Visit Pearl Harbor
  8. Go on a 4x4 tour of Kualoa Ranch - Jurassic Park Oahu
  9. Take a Turtle Canyon Snorkel Cruise
  10. Hike Diamond Head
  11. Stairway to Heaven Oahu
  12. Polynesian Cultural Center (Best luau in Oahu)
  13. Surf Lessons at Waikiki Beach
  14. Dole Plantation Hawaii Tour
  15. North Shore Surfing
  16. Oahu Ziplines and Rope Bridges Through the Rainforest
  17. Watch the Sunset at Sunset Beach
  18. Attend a stargazing show at Stars Above Hawaii
  19. Helena’s Hawaiian Food
  20. Waiahole Poi Factory
  21. Leonard’s Bakery
  22. Green World Coffee Farm
  23. Kaka'ako Farmers Market
  24. Spot Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles at Laniakea Beach
  25. Learn to Hula

Oahu hotel suggestions

  • Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa
  • The Royal Hawaiian
  • The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikiki Beach
  • Moana Surfrider
  • Sheraton Waikiki
  • Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa
Waikiki

The Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrive in Honolulu

Explore your hotel and take a short dip in the Pacific. If you're not too tired, dine at House Without A Key, one of the most iconic restaurants in Waikiki, House Without A Key is Halekulani’s popular indoor/outdoor gathering spot for sunset cocktails, appetizers, and Hawaiian entertainment.

Day 2 - Beach Day

Make this a beach day. Enjoy some watersports and fun activities at your hotel or schedule a spa treatment.

This afternoon, take a stroll around Waikiki. Most Waikiki hotels are just a short walking distance from International Marketplace, Waikiki Aquarium, Honolulu Zoo, Kapiolani Park, and Diamond Head.

Day 3 - Pearl Harbor

Arizona Memorial, Pearl Harbor & Honolulu City Highlights Tour

No trip to Hawaii would be complete without visiting Pearl Harbor Visitor Center and the Arizona Memorial. Our combo tour offers live narration and highlights of Pearl Harbor and downtown Honolulu.

6 Hours

View from Diamond Head

Bucket List Ideas

  • Ride an ATV through Kuoloa Ranch, Jurassic Park of Oahu
  • Kayak along Kailua Beach
  • Admire the Honolulu street art
  • Visit Dole Pineapple Plantation
  • Hike to Manoa Waterfalls
  • Snorkel Turtle Canyon
  • Go to a luau
  • Snorkel with manta rays at night
  • Visit a local farm
  • Take a Polynesian cooking class
  • Visit Giovanni's Shrimp Truck
  • Hike the Koko Crater Arch at sunrise
  • Watch a surf competition
  • Watch the cliff divers at Spitting Cave
  • Visit the Kaka’ako Farmers’ Market
  • Snorkel at Hanauma Bay
  • Hike Diamond Head
  • Visit Chinatown

Day 4 - Polynesian Cultural Center and Luau

Spend the day exploring the rich heritage of the Pacific Islands. Wander through 42 acres of tropical splendor and enjoy the adventure of traditional hands-on activities. Then dine like royalty with platinum level seating at an authentic Polynesian luau and top it off with the most spectacular evening show on the islands.

Day 5 - North Shore

North Shore Circle Island Adventure

Experience an Oahu island tour in Hawaii unlike any other! See Hawaiian green sea turtles in their natural habitat on Oahu's beautiful North Shore. This fun island expedition takes you to a secret location where the turtles like to hang out. You'll even get to snorkel with them (weather permitting). This Oahu Turtle Eco Adventure is truly a unique tour and is great fun for the entire family.

  • Encounter Oahu's wildlife
  • See Turtle Beach and Chinamans Hat
  • Try some of the most delicious seafood dishes on the island
  • Learn about the unique culture and history, and experience one of the most sacred places on the island

Day 6 - Hollywood Movie Sites & Kualoa Ranch Tour

This Jurassic Adventure Tour will take you to all of the iconic sites in both Hakipu’u and Ka’a’awa Valleys. Check out the spots made famous in Jurassic Park, Jurassic World and also Jurassic World Fallen Kingdom and more!

Day 7 - Hidden Gems of Oahu with Waimea Waterfall/Botanical Garden

This Oahu day tour will pick you up in Waikiki and take you around the beautiful island while a local guide tells you about the history and culture of our Oahu.

  • Diamond Head ( Amelia Earhart Lookout)
  • Halona Blow Hole
  • Makapuu Pt.
  • Macadamia Nut Farm
  • Chinaman’s Hat
  • Lunch at a local restaurant
  • Fruit Stand
  • Sunset Beach
  • Waimea Waterfall / Botanical Garden (swimming allowed)
  • Dole Pineapple Plantation

Day 8 - Shop til you Drop, then sunset cruise

What better way to end your vacation than with a Sunset Mai Tai Sail. You’ll board barefoot from Waikiki Beach then sail into the sunset sipping a fruity Mai Tai for a ninety-minute sail. This romantic journey offers golden views as the sun paints the sky and melts into the sea.

Favorite Food

  • House Without a Key, Halekulani
  • Merriman's
  • Helena’s Hawaiian Food
  • Hoku’s, The Kahala Hotel & Resort
  • Malasadas at Agnes’ Portuguese Bake Shop
  • Orchids
  • Roy's Waikiki Beach
  • Beachhouse at the Moana
  • Ama Ama
  • The Pig and the Lady
  • Restaurant 604
  • Moku Kitchen
  • d.k. Steakhouse
  • Nico's Pier 68
  • Duke's Waikiki
  • Goofy Cafe & Dine
  • Giovanni's Shrimp Truck
  • Romy's Kahuku Prawns & Shrimp
  • Uncle Clay's House of Pure Aloha
  • Rainbow Drive-In
  • Matsumoto Shave Ice
  • Mud Hen Water

Oahu's signature restaurants and luaus often become sold out. We recommend making advanced reservations.

Best Luaus

  • Chief's Luau
  • Paradise Cove Luau
  • Toa Luau
  • Diamondhead Luau
  • Polynesian Cultural Center Luau
  • Ka Moana Luau
  • Oahu Luau
  • Queens Waikiki Luau
  • Waikiki Starlight Luau
  • Germaine's Luau
  • Rock a Hula
Stargazing on the beach at Ko Olina Resort

Stargazing & Photography Tours in Oahu

Photographs make the best souvenirs and Hawaii is one of the best places for landscape, nature and night photography. Oahu offers some of the best stargazing spots in the world! There are photography tours for all levels of ability and you don't need a lot of equipment or even a great camera. Capture the starry night sky and Galactic Center of the Milky Way, sunrise, sunset landscapes, beautiful beaches, waterfalls and wildlife, and more.

Stargazing is also a popular activity. With giant GPS telescopes on the beach at Ko Olina Resort, be amazed at clear views of planets and star clusters that can't be seen with the naked eye. Guides will share stories and facts about each star and their significance in astronomy and folklore.

If you want your Instagram to be the envy of your friends, then a photography tour is a must. Local photographers and naturalists will guide you and take you to hidden places on the island. Let them assist you with pro photo tips whether you are using a mobile phone, pocket camera, or DSLR. Experienced photographers will appreciate all of the unique locations and those who are new to photography will like the simple non-technical hands-on approach to learning to take photos.

* Accommodations, transportation, tours, and activities described in this itinerary are based on availability and are subject to change at any time. If something is not available at the time of booking we will do our best to find a suitable alternative. For this reason, rates and availability will vary. We will gladly price this itinerary upon request and will modify it to suit your personal needs.

Our thoughts about Travel Insurance

Travel should be fun and relaxing. But what if something happens? What if you or a family member becomes sick, your bags are lost or stolen, or you need to cancel a trip due to an emergency?

A travel insurance plan is a package of benefits and services intended to protect your travel investment, your belongings, and most importantly, you. Now more than ever, we have witnessed just how important travel insurance is. No matter what your vaccination status is, if you plan to travel it's important to have a financial safeguard in place for pandemic-related trip problems. This is especially true if you’re traveling abroad, where your U.S. health plan may have limited global coverage. Travel insurance can provide that safety net.

Most plans provide benefits for:

  • Trip Cancellation
  • Trip Interruption
  • Medical Expenses
  • Missed Connection
  • Travel Delays
  • Baggage Loss
  • Reimbursement for missed portions of your trip if you're forced into quarantine due to a positive Covid test.
  • Optional "cancel for any reason" - a benefit of travel insurance coverage that offers the opportunity to cancel travel plans for reasons other than those listed as “covered reasons” on a policy.
Created By
Brenda Ajay
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Credits:

Created with images by PublicDomainPictures - "small island honolulu" • wojoan - "water travel sky" • user32212 - "hawaii diamond head" • Pexels - "animal beach coast" • j32217 - "hawaii sailing boat sunset"