On Oahu - Nature, Culture and Adventure Abound

Nature, culture and adventure abound on the island of Oahu with an array of sea, land and air activities, as well as art and cultural museums and attractions. Oahu offers beauty and excitement that is easily accessible and suits all levels, ages and interests. Our top 5 are:

1) Wild Side Specialty Tours - swim with wild dolphins on the Leeward Coast of Oahu.
2) Hawaiian Fire Surf School - surf lessons with off-duty Honolulu firefighters on secluded beach.
3) Shangri La - Doris Duke's 1937 Hawaii home filled with Islamic art.
4) Island Seaplane - Hawaii's only seaplane offers a bird's eye view of the island with a water takeoff and landing.
5) Bike Hawaii - mountain biking through lush Kaaawa Valley.

Oahu Luxury Hotels & Resorts include the Halekulani, Kahala Resort & Spa, The Royal Hawaiian, and JW Marriott Ihilani.

Following are more of the highlights to give a glimpse of the treasures to be discovered on the island of Oahu:

Exploring the Natural Beauty
Whether hiking through rainforests, biking along mountain ranges and horseback riding in lush valleys; parasailing, parachuting, gliding over the dramatic and diverse landscape of Oahu; swimming, diving, kayaking, snorkeling, and surfing in the azure blue waters of the Pacific… natural beauty is found in the ocean and on the land.

Roberts Hawaii is a full service transportation and activity company that delivers first class transportation, personalized sightseeing tours and excursions. Our service extends to the four major islands of Oahu, Maui, Kauai and Hawaii's Big Island.
Website: www.RobertsHawaii.com

Mauka Makai Excursions offers scenic archeological and hiking eco-tours of Oahu's windward side and explores sacred sites while teaching Hawaiian myths and legends of each location.
Phone: (866) 896-0596
Website: www.hawaiianecotours.net

Oahu Nature Tours provides informative guided excursions to see Oahu's unique native bird and plant species with spectacular views, excellent photo opportunities and information about Oahu's geology, archeology, mythology, and history.
Phone: (808) 924-2473
Website: www.oahunaturetours.com

Discover Hidden Hawaii Tours also offers a variety of eco-tours led by expert tour guides who teach local legends, geology, history, flora, and archeology.
Phone: (800) 946-4432
Website: www.discoverhawaiitours.com

For the more independent hiker, Oahu has many well-marked trails for all levels. Diamond Head is one of Hawaii's most recognizable features with a trail that climbs to a 763-foot summit with unparalleled views of the Honolulu area. Other popular hikes include Makapu'u, Old Pali Highway and Mânoa Falls. On Sundays, the Hawaiian Trail and Mountain Club meets at 'Iolani Palace at 8 a.m. and offers guided hikes to various trails on Oahu.
Website: www.htmclub.org

Located on Oahu's scenic North Shore, the 1,800-acre Waimea Valley Audubon Center features botanical gardens, wandering peafowl and a 60-foot waterfall, giving visitors direct interaction with the natural environment.
Address: 59-864 Kamehameha Highway
Phone: (808) 638-9199

After a hike, nothing refreshes like the cool waters of the Pacific. With more than 112 miles of shoreline, Oahu has a beach for every interest from shell collecting, surfing, snorkeling, romantic walks, seclusion, and people watching. The windward side of Oahu boasts beaches that regularly rank in America's top 10 beaches including Kailua and Lanikai beaches.

On the North Shore, winter brings the famous waves known worldwide for surfing contests at Waimea Bay, Banzai Pipeline and Sunset. In the other months, the ocean is calm again, creating perfect conditions for snorkeling and swimming.

The Leeward coast of O'ahu offers miles of uninhabited beaches, the most extensive coral systems in the state and pristine areas far off the beaten path. On the South Shore, Waikiki beaches thrive with high-energy people from all over the world sun bathing, surfing and swimming in the gentle turquoise waters.

In Waikiki, Outrigger canoe rides and catamaran cruises are steps away with dramatic views awaiting those who venture out on the water. Outrigger Hotels & Resorts' Outrigger Catamaran rides go out three times daily. The Outrigger Catamaran and Eco-Sail and Snorkel Tour offers the opportunity to search for dolphins and Humpback whales and swim with Green Sea Turtles and Hawaiian reef fish in a protected National Marine Sanctuary. The well-known beach boys of Waikîkî take visitors out throughout the day to catch waves on the traditional outrigger canoes.
Phone: (808) 922-2210

The Star of Honolulu, Hawaii's largest sightseeing and dinner cruise vessel, sails daily and offers whale-watching, entertainment and sunset dinner cruises. Atlantis offers the Navatek I, "Hawaii's smoothest cruise," aboard which guests can enjoy the breathtaking views of Oahu's famous coastlines and mountains.
Star of Honolulu
Phone: (800) 334-6191
Website: www.paradisecruises.com
Navatek Cruises
Phone: (800) 548-6262
Website: www.atlantisadventures.com

On the west side, Wild Side Specialty Tours takes researchers, students, naturalists, families, photographers, and intimate groups of travelers to encounter the coastal marine life. This unique experience includes one of a few known areas in the world that free-roaming dolphins interact with humans in the water.
Phone: (808) 306-7273
Website: www.sailhawaii.com (mentioned above in our Top 5)

Discovering the Diversity of Culture
Art, history and lifestyle shine through in Oahu's attractions, reflecting the rich cultural diversity of the island.

The Hawaii State Art Museum (HiSAM) is known to the locals as the people's museum. It features works that portray the diversity of Hawaii's culture and people, created by local artists and those inspired while in Hawaii.
Phone: (808) 586-0300
Website: www.state.hi.us/sfca

Shangri La, Doris Duke's Oahu home, opened for public tours in November 2002, showcasing her extensive collection of Islamic art, resulting from her 60 years of worldwide travel. This was made possible due to a partnership with the Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art and the Honolulu Academy of Arts.
Phone: (808) 734-1941
Website: www.shangrilahawaii.org (mentioned above in our Top 5)

Fast-forward to modern, innovative times at The Contemporary Museum, the former Alice Cooke Spalding residence, in the midst of the beautiful residential community of Makiki Heights. The museum has seven galleries with rotating works of art by celebrated international and local contemporary artists.
Phone: (808) 526-0232
Website: www.tcmhi.org

The Honolulu Academy of Arts, Hawaii's oldest and largest art museum, was founded in 1927 and is recognized for its outstanding collections of Asian, European, Pacific, American, and African art showcased in some 30 galleries surrounding six garden courts.
Phone: (808) 532-8700
Website: www.honoluluacademy.org

Visitors will find an endless number of roads leading back through Hawaiian history at the Bishop Museum. Established in 1889, Bishop Museum is recognized today as the principal museum of the Pacific and one of the world's leading scientific institutions. The museum features a permanent Hawaiiana exhibit, rotating exhibits in the new Castle Hall and planetarium shows.
Phone: (808) 847-3511
Website: www.bishopmuseum.org

Built in 1849 and nestled in the cool Nu'uanu Valley, Queen Emma Summer Palace was once the country home of King Kamehameha IV and his wife, Queen Emma, and today houses their personal artifacts.
Phone: (808) 595-3167
Website: www.daughtersofhawaii.org

This complex of New England-style saltbox homes at the Mission Houses Museum includes the Frame House, the oldest existing house in Hawaii built in 1821. Today, the Frame House is a museum of missionary history with an annex that houses a replica of the Ramage hand press used to print the first Hawaiian laws, newspapers, bibles, schoolbooks, and other material.
Phone: (808) 531-0481
Website: www.missionhouses.org

Built in 1879, 'Iolani Palace is the only royal palace in the United States and was the official residence of Hawaii's last monarchs, King Kalakaua and Queen Lili'uokalani. Painstakingly restored, the Palace is reminiscent of the grandeur of Hawaii's monarch period.
Phone: (808) 522-0822
Website: www.iolanipalace.org

This collection of 30 original and replica plantation homes and buildings at Hawaii's Plantation Village offers a glimpse of the time when sugar cane transformed the land, economy and culture of Hawaii. The living museum of a plantation village recreates the lifestyles of the different ethnic groups that helped to shape Hawaii.
Phone: (808) 677-0110
Website: www.hawaiiplantationvillage.org

The Manoa Heritage Center is a historic site committed to preserving and interpreting the heiau, the Native Hawaiian garden, the historic home and the natural and cultural history of Mânoa Valley for future generations. The historic site consists of Kuka'o'o Heiau, a Native Hawaiian garden and the historic home Kûali'i. The heiau and historic home are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Currently, only Kuka'o'o Heiau and the Native Hawaiian garden are open to visitors.
Phone: (808) 988-1287
Website: www.manoaheritagecenter.org

Pearl Harbor serves as a national landmark and is also home base for three historic attractions. The USS Arizona Memorial was constructed above the sunken ship, the USS Arizona, as a memorial to honor those who lost their lives on December 7, 1941 in a Japanese sneak attack on the United States naval fleet. The Battleship Missouri Memorial is a living museum that offers guests a glimpse into life on the historic USS Missouri or "Mighty Mo." Climb aboard the last and most celebrated battleship ever built. It was aboard the battleship's decks that the documents ending World War II were signed. Located near the world famous USS Arizona Memorial and Battleship Missouri Memorial, the USS Bowfin Submarine and Museum features a renovated World War II submarine and museum that introduces visitors to some of the sailors during the war.
USS Arizona Memorial
Phone: (808) 422-0561
Website: www.nps.gov/usar
The Battleship Missouri Memorial
Phone: (808) 973-2494
USS Bowfin Submarine and Museum
Phone: (808) 423-1341

The Polynesian Cultural Center is Hawaii's number one paid visitor attraction. Located on Oahu's North Shore, the center features seven Pacific Island villages on 42 acres with hands-on cultural experiences and interaction. Visitors can also enjoy a canoe pageant, hula show, luau and the spectacular evening show, "Horizons!"
Phone: (800) 367-7060
Website: www.polynesia.com

Another way to soak in and enjoy the culture of Hawaii is through specialized spa treatments that incorporate ancient techniques of massage and healing. Local ingredients such as kukui nuts, sea salt, seaweed, noni, tî leafs, and coconuts are also used in their treatments. Whether it's through a lomilomi massage, seaweed body mask or tî leaf wrap, the spiritual and healing aspect of the islands come to life. Oahu offers the spectrum of spas with most resorts featuring their signature treatments including Na Ho'ola Spa, Ihilani Spa, Outrigger Plantation Spa, Mandara Spa, SpaHalekulani, and Abhasa Waikiki Spa to name a few.

Satisfying an Appetite for Adventure
For those who want to enjoy the natural beauty of Oahu with activity and excitement thrown in, adventure abounds.

Surfing was once exclusive to the kings of Hawaii, where the sport originated. Today, many enjoy surfing and Oahu offers superb surfing conditions for every level. Hans Hedemann Surf School teaches the art of surfing at six locations around the island.
Hans Hedemann Surf School
Phone: (808) 924-7778
Website: www.hhsurf.com

Aloha Beach Services offers outrigger canoe rides, surfboard/bodyboard and raft rentals at Waikiki Beach. Experience Waikiki's waters through the eyes of an original beach boy.
Phone: (808) 922-3111

Dangle from a parachute as you float through the air, above the ocean and over the Waikiki coastline with Aloha Parasail and Jet Ski.
Phone: (808) 521-2446

Charter boats are popular with both locals and visitors who want to try their hand at fishing the tropical waters. Hawaii Charter Skippers Association works only with U.S. Coast Guard documented vessels that are skippered by U.S. Coast Guard licensed captains. The association takes reservations for half-, three quarter- and full-day excursions.
Phone: (808) 594-9100

Take a scenic drive out to Oahu's famous North Shore and hop aboard a glider plane at Dillingham Airfield. With Glider Rides, you'll soar above the island on a three-seater sailplane with a friendly, knowledgeable and professional pilot, and see stunning views of the northern coastline. After the ride, visit with Glider Rides' owner, Mr. Bill, and hear his personal experiences.
Phone: (808) 637-0207
Website: www.gliderridehawaii.com

Sailing offers a great way to enjoy the ocean and to get a different view of Oahu. Honolulu Sailing Company provides brief cruises off Honolulu to full-day charters along the North Shore.
Phone: (800) 829-0114
Website: www.honsail.com

Take a flight on Hawaii's only seaplane with Island Seaplane Service. This 30-minute or one-hour adventure begins with a departure off the water to offshore Waikiki, Diamond Head, Koko Head, the famous Blowhole, and on to beautiful Kane'ohe Bay. The flight continues along the famous North Shore surfing areas, Hale'iwa town and through the same valley Japanese Zeros flew for the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, ending with a water landing.
Phone: (808) 836-6273
Website: www.islandseaplane.com (mentioned above in our Top 5)

Oahu is home to the best windsurfing conditions in Hawaii. At Kailua Beach, explore the island's waters by kayaking and windsurfing with instructors at Kailua Sailboards and Kayaks, Inc. Learn how to kayak, windsurf and kite surf, or brush up on techniques under the guidance of expert guides. Paddle from Kailua Beach to the Mokulua Islands surrounded by breathtaking views.
Phone: (808) 262-2555
Website: www.kailuasailboards.com

Located in lush Ka'a'awa Valley with sweeping views of Kaneohe Bay, Kualoa Ranch & Activity Club offers horseback riding, ATV tours, a gun range, and a Hawaiian Experience tour to Oahu's nature and adventure-seeking visitors. A boat takes visitors across an 800-year-old ancient Hawaiian fishpond to Secret Island, to enjoy snorkeling or windsurfing. In ancient times, Kualoa was considered one of the most sacred places on Oahu. In 1850, Dr. Gerrit Judd purchased the land from King Kamehameha III. His son started an early Oahu sugar plantation in 1863 and began a cattle ranch at the turn of the century.
Phone: (808) 237-8515
Website: www.kualoa.com

Power a high-performance glass bottom boat and dart about Hawaiian reefs on the "Wild Thing Reef Explorer." Snorkel at Hawai'i Kai's Maunalua Bay, populated with green sea turtles, tropical fish and live coral (equipment will be provided). Hawaiian Ocean Promotions and Fishbowl Tours Hawaii both offer jet skiing, power boat rides, parasailing, and banana boat/bumper tube rides.
Hawaiian Ocean Promotions
Phone: (808) 395-0001
Fishbowl Tours Hawaii
Phone: (808) 944-3474

To discover the world under water, scuba diving on Oahu offers the spectrum of shore dives and boat dives, night or day. The pristine waters of Hawaii come to life with colorful reef fish, coral beds, starfish, turtles, octopus, lobster, intricately designed shells, and lots of other marine life. Oahu is also the only place in Hawaii for wreck diving. Breeze Hawaii, Aqua Zone and Surf-N-Sea are just a few of the dive shops that provide instruction, rental diving equipment and transportation to some of the major dive spots around the island.
Breeze Hawaii
Phone: (808) 735-1857
Website: www.breezehawaii.com

Aqua Zone
Phone: (866) 923-3483
www.aquazone.net
Surf-N-Sea
Phone: (808) 637-9887
Website: www.surfnsea.com

See Oahu's largest waterfall cascading over 1,000 feet into a steep gorge located at a 2,000-foot elevation up in the lush Ko'olau Mountains, which is inaccessible by car or foot. During Makani Kai Helicopters' popular tour, passengers will fly past famous filming locations, Koko Crater, Hanauma Bay, Kahana Rain Forest Reserve, and big surf beaches including Sunset Beach and the Banzai Pipeline. The tour concludes with a flight over Pearl Harbor's submarines and historic World War II battle sites.
Phone: (877) 255-8532
Website: www.makanikai.com

Explore Oahu's lush valleys, cascading waterfalls and far-reaching coastlines by mountain bike, foot and boat with Bike Hawaii. The "From the Rainforest to the Reef" full-day adventure begins with a stream and waterfall hike through a privately owned tropical rainforest. The day continues with a leisurely downhill, road bike ride and ends with a relaxing catamaran cruise. Other half-day and full-day biking, hiking, sailing, kayaking, and snorkeling adventures are available.
Phone: (877) 682-7433
Website: www.bikehawaii.com (mentioned above in our Top 5)