Tour of Oahu Hawaii - How to Plan the Vacation - Where to Stay and What to See - Travel Plans and Sightseeing Trips

June 22nd 2006

Oahu

The Hawaiian Islands is one of the most desirable vacation spots in the world, with beautiful weather all year round amidst a tropical setting. Waikiki, on the southwest coast of Oahu, is a very popular destination spot. There is a line of hotels right on the beach to choose from. The more desirable (and more expensive) rooms face the ocean.

You can drive around the Island of Oahu in one day, but there is so much to see that you may want to spend a few days investigating the sites. Waikiki is next to Honolulu and Pearl Harbor. The USS Arizona Visitor Center is located on the Pearl Harbor Naval Base adjacent to the sunken remains of the USS Arizona. The center and USS Arizona Memorial are free of charge to the public and there are no reservations.

Along the southern coast is Hanauma Bay, where you can rent snorkels and fins or swimming. If you have never been snorkeling before, this is the place to do it. The small bay has been protected since 1967 as a marine life conservation area. You can swim and actually touch many varieties of colorful fish.

The curve of the Hanauma Bay was created by an ancient volcano that was flooded when an exterior wall collapsed. The cove floor is actually a reef that extends throughout the bay into deeper water. There is a large sandy beach perfect for sunbathing.

There are wonderful restaurants and hotels on the eastern side of the Island. You may want to stop into the Polynesian Cultural Center, located about an hour's scenic drive from Waikiki. The Center claims to have the most authentic luau, and the world's largest night show.

The North Shore of Hawaii gets some of the largest waves in the world. It is also home to one of the most exclusive (expensive) resorts on the island. The Turtle Bay Resort is the only true full-service luxury resort on the island of Oahu. It is set on 880 acres of ocean-front property, including 12 miles of ocean trails.

If you decide to drive back through the center of Oahu back to Honolulu, you should stop at the Dole Plantation. Dole claims they have the world’s large maze on their property. They also have a wonderful train called the Pineapple Express. This 20-minute fully narrated train tour is great fun for kids and adults. You’ll learn about the history of the pineapple and agriculture in Hawaii. You will also hear the fascinating story of James Dole and see some of the most beautiful scenery on the North Shore.

For a minimal fee, visitors can take the Dole Plantation Garden Tour. Here you can wonder through the different gardens and get up-close to a wide variety of crops including sugar cane and pineapple.

There are ooddles of Hotel and Airfare packages available. You may want to consider a timeshare rental to save money. All of the major online travel companies have special package deals, including Priceline.com, Expedia, Hotels.com, Travelocity, and Orbitz. The Internet is a great way to compare these prices and features.