Oahu Vacation Rentals

Things To Do

Waikiki is more than a place, it's an experience! Take a swim at the iconic Waikiki Beach and stroll down Kalakaua and Kuhio Avenues for great shopping, dining and entertainment. Visit Pearl Harbor in Honolulu to see the USS Arizona Memorial, Battleship Missouri Memorial and the Pacific Aviation Museum. A new Pearl Harbor Visitor Center enhances the experience of learning about the infamous December 7th 1941 attack that brought the US into World War II. To beat the crowds to this popular attraction go early before the tour buses arrive. The Bishop Museum in Honolulu is another great way to learn about Hawaii's past and includes a Planetarium with programs for kids. The Waikiki Aquarium is a fascinating place to learn about Hawaii's marine life with exhibits including coral reefs, sharks, eels and a touch tank for kids. A departure from city life is found in Oahu's many botanical gardens such as Senator Fong's Plantation & Gardens where you can take a guided tour through forests of native and Polynesian-introduced plants, tropical fruits, ferns, palm trees and fragrant blossoms. Kids love the Dole Plantation in Wahiawa with its giant Pineapple Garden Maze which covers three acres and includes 2.5 miles of paths creating a challenging labyrinth to navigate. Other botanical gardens include Hoomaluhia in Kaneohe and Koko Crater Botanical Garden (yes, it's in a crater!) in east Oahu. The Nuuanu Pali Lookout is about five miles from downtown Honolulu and provides stunning views of the windward (east) shoreline including Kailua and Kaneohe. Visit Kailua Bay for a variety of water sports in a well-protected bay and enjoy one of Hawaii's prettiest beaches nearby at Lanikai Beach with its crystal clear water and pure white sand.

On the north shore you can visit world famous surfing spots like Banzai Pipeline and Waimea Bay, hike through a tropical rainforest and go snorkeling at some of the island's most pristine beaches. Learn about Pacific cultures at the Polynesian Cultural Center and enjoy its famed luau feast and Hawaiian-style entertainment including fire knife dancing. Also on the north shore you can stroll through a 150-acre botanical garden in Waimea Valley and enjoy the park's many offerings including hula dancing and cliff diving presentations. Then take a refreshing swim beneath Waimea Falls and go horseback riding or mountain biking. Haleiwa town is known as the "gateway to the north shore" and a nice place to shop, eat and enjoy a shave ice. At Dillingham Field you can go skydiving or take a ride in a glider.

Oahu has many exceptional golf courses. On the south shore there are two golf courses in Hawaii Kai including the Championship Course and the Executive Course, both with nice ocean views. The Ala Wai Golf Course in Waikiki takes in views of the city skyline, Diamond Head and the Koolau mountains. On the west side of Oahu is the top-rated and immaculately groomed Ko Olina Golf Course, and Makaha Resort Golf Club set in Makaha Valley with nice views of the Pacific. On the east (windward) side is Olomana Golf Links with impressive views of the furrowed Koolau mountains. This is the course Barack Obama golfed in his youth and still sometimes plays during vacations as President. Also on the east side is is the Pali Golf Course with lush and tropical landscaping and great views of the windward side. On the north shore the Turtle Bay Resort features championship oceanfront golf courses, and the municipal Kahuku Golf Course is also set along the shoreline.