Things to do / Travel Guide
Congratulations, you've made it to Oahu, the island home of Hawaii's capital, Honolulu! You're going to have a marvelous time on the island, and everything you've ever heard about the wild and pristine wonders of Hawaii still won't prepare you for the outdoor recreational experience you're about to have. Whether you've come to hike the island region's mountains or forests, bike its myriad of trails and roads, kayak around its beaches, wreck and reef dive its waters, or fish inland or out in the ocean, what you'll be able to tell others will be just a fraction of the awesome experience you will really have had. Bottom line: Oahu is one of those places that you have to see, touch, and use all your senses for yourself, to believe. And there are more than enough means to go about that. The volcanic tuff formations, the stretches of pristine seashore and clear-blue water and waterfalls, the fascinating wildlife and plant life - it's all here next to the prime attractions of Diamond Head, the Waimea Valley, Hanauma Bay, and of course Waikiki Beach, Lanikai Beach, Kahana Bay Beach, and Sunset Beach.
Land-based Activities on Oahu
The bare-bones, back-to-basics way to explore Oahu is, of course, by foot, and in this pursuit virtually every hike-able place on the island is mapped and marked out for your convenience. This yields some amazing results! Traverse the incomparable Diamond Head, take the Aiea Loop Trail through forests of tall eucalyptus and guava trees as it descends from the Koolau Mountains, or hike the Manoa Falls Trail for views from a rainforest of 100-foot cascade, to name just a few of many options. You can also visit Keaiwa State Recreation Area, inland for some more great hikes.
If you prefer to bike your way through the island, you'll net beautiful scenery on all sides. Favorite routes the locals prefer include the Hauula Loop Trail, to discover the big and beautiful Kaipapau Gulch in a pine forest, and biking in Waimea Mountain Bike Park, in Waimea Valley, for 20 different trails of various skill levels.
For the golf lover, one thing not to miss is Koolau, Oahu's incredibly unique golf course carved out of the rainforest. It's one of the most beautiful, and most difficult, in the entire United States. Bring lots of golf balls, a good sense of humor, and an appetite for adventure. Fore!
Water Activities on Oahu
Scuba diving and snorkeling are next up, and this is where Oahu's, color really dazzles. There are numerous shipwrecks to explore, some sunk to create artificial reefs, others sunk in circumstances more tragic. One of the most popular dive sites is that of the Mahi shipwreck, while another is of the Corsair airplane wreck. In these, as well as in the other, coral reefs, caverns, and coves, you'll come face to face with eels, rays, sea turtles, dozens of colorful fish, sharks, and sponges.
A gorgeous location at which you can dive or snorkel is Hanauma Bay. Accessible by shore, it's a deservedly popular site for water activities of all stripes. The bay was formed by the remains of a volcano's cone, and it has become a protected environment for over 100 species of fish and other forms of sea life. Hanauma Bay is where you'll decide that you'll need to make some more trips to Oahu.
You're in Hawaii! Hit the beach! Hanauma Bay's got a spectacular beach, and, overall, Oahu boasts the some of the most fabulous beaches in the world. Notable great ones include Waikiki Beach, Lanikai Beach, Kahana Bay Beach, and Sunset Beach, all of which you can work on your tan at, see and be seen, play some beach volleyball, or hit the waves.
Speaking of hitting the surf, there's no place like Oahu when it comes to surfing (except maybe some of the other Hawaiian islands). While the surfing can be pretty indeed on Waikiki Beach and Ala Moana, it's the North Shore that draws the world's surfers and that has put the state of Hawaii on the map as a surfing destination. The names here are legendary: Banzai Pipeline (a surf reef break with at least three reefs, and whose survivors hold the most bragging rights), Waimeia Bay (where the surf rises to a daunting 30 feet), Sunset Beach (which can handle any swell that's thrown at it), and more. Finish off the day at Sunset Beach, whether you're surfing or just enjoying the scene, and you'll be treated to what many esteem as one of the best sunsets the world over.
Fishing off Oahu is another one of those legendary Hawaiian experiences that'll never leave you for a lifetime. The Wahiawa Public Fishing Area is where you can practice the freshwater variety and catch catfish, bass, carp, or sunfish. Of course, saltwater sport fishing is what Oahu is known for, and you'll find more than enough charters to choose from and sail out on. Maybe you'll be the lucky one of the group to bag the king of game fish, the blue marlin. Others to be proud of include mahi-mahi, yellow fin and skipjack tuna, and wahoo. You're in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, and it's just you, and a lot of fish - awesome dude!
Some choose Oahu to travel to and vacation at for the relaxation opportunities. That's fine and they'll have a good time, but Oahu is also, and we're sure you'll agree, an outdoor paradise just waiting to be explored. From rainforest hiking to underwater exploration and everything in between, Oahu offers plenty of outdoor adventure and a full spectrum of colors to liven up your recreation - you've gotta come see it for yourself!
Outdoor Recreation in Honolulu, Waikiki and Oahu, Hawaii
Outdoor-Sports-Recreation
Waimea Bay Beach Park - Oahu, Hawaii
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