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Oahu, home to Hawaii’s capital city of Honolulu, is known as “The Gathering Place.” Home to 80% of Hawaii’s population, it is seen as the travel “hub” of the islands. Visitors love Oahu for its famous Waikiki Beach, Pearl Harbor & USS Arizona memorial, Diamond Head volcano, and the famous North Shore, which is home to world famous surf competitions. Oahu has a lot to offer her visitors.
I’ve put together a few of the most popular Oahu excursions, to get you started on planning your activities on your upcoming trip to the islands.
As a Travel Agent, I use and recommend my clients book activities through Project Expedition, which has verified and highly rated excursions available throughout the world. Today, though, we are focusing on Hawaii’s Gathering Place, Oahu.
Private Oahu Circle Island Jeep Tour
If you’re planning to stay in the ever popular Waikiki area, but still want to experience the entire island, this is the tour for you.
Circle the island of O’ahu on this full day custom adventure tour. This is the perfect option if you want to see as much of Oahu as you can in one day. You will be treated to scenic lookouts, cultural & historical sites, famous filming locations, and much more. You will also discover the world famous north shore beaches such as Sunset, Pipeline, and Waimea. This 8 hour private tour costs $194 for 17+, and $110 for ages 1-16. For more information, or to book, go here.
Shark Cage Snorkel
Not for the faint of heart, this exciting adventure puts you IN THE WATER with sharks!
Spend your time observing the wild sharks as they swim around and under the cage. You will observe mostly the Galapagos and Sandbar shark species, as well as schools of tuna or other fish, maybe even a barracuda. Safe and available to all ages, there are grab bars in the tank for you to hold onto. During your 20 minutes in the cage, you may also see dolphins, and during whale season, see or hear humpbacks! $65 for children ages 3-12, $103 for 13+. Transportation from other parts of the island is available. For more information, or to book, go here.
Private Off Road UTV Adventure, with Food
There is so much to the Hawaiian Islands that is inaccessible by car, so taking an off road tour is a great way to see some sites that are off the beaten path!
Enjoy a guided UTV ride to a mountain backcountry. You’ll see filming locations, a secret cave, natural landscapes, wildlife, and WWII historical sites. You will also have the opportunity to enjoy a picnic lunch while taking in the beauty of the Hawaiian countryside. This 2 hour guided tour is suitable for ages 5+. Priced at $104 per person, this 2 hour adventure departs from Oahu’s North Shore. For more information, or to book, go here.
Beyond the Call to Duty Pearl Harbor Tour
This luxury tour is for history buffs, and includes visits to all 5 museums, the memorials, and also includes the Pacific Aviation Museum.
With expert World War II narration, you will visit the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center, USS Arizona Memorial, USS Battleship Missouri, USS Bowfin Submarine, Pacific Aviation Museum, Battleship Missouri Memorial, USS Oklahoma Memorial, National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, and the Hawaiian Palaces and Royal Grounds. Also includes a Honolulu City Tour, and a film showing authentic film footage of the attack. This full day adventure offers hotel pick up, and returns around 4pm. $199 for adults, $178 for children 4-11, and free for lap children under age 4. Military discounts available, and the tour is wheelchair accessible. For more information, or to book, go here.
Holokai Kayak & Snorkel Adventure
Kaneohe Bay is Oahu’s only barrier reef, and this is Kaneohe Bay’s only kayak eco-tour.
Kayak on beautiful Kane’ohe Bay. Experience the magnificence of Kaneohe Bay’s pristine waters and diverse sea life. The three hour tour will journey to Coconut Island, home of the Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology (and where the television show, Gilligan’s Island, was filmed). Along the way explore and snorkel at various patch reefs and observe sea turtles, rays, and tropical fish in their natural habitat. Snorkel equipment is available for rent. Children ages 3+ are welcome, but must be over 30lbs. Cost is $139 for adults, and $119 ages 4-11. For more information, or to book, go here.
Of course, there are many other options when visiting Oahu, which can be found by following this link.
I hope this gave you some good ideas, and as always, if you need any assistance in booking your Hawaii vacation, please don’t hesitate to contact me. I have partnerships with amazing companies and am always happy to help book my clients a memorable Hawaii vacation!
I also have a list of recommended activities for Maui or The Big Island!
