Honolulu is the capital of Hawaii, and in my opinion, the Island with the most fun. The Waikiki neighbourhood is the main area for the best dining, nightlife and shopping. Do you watch the hit crime television show Hawaii 5'O? The show is taped all over Honolulu Island, so keep your eyes out for McGarret! There are so many fun attractions to visit and see on the island, so hopefully you have planned a long stay.
When To Visit
Oahu has great weather year round; in fact, many people believe it has the best weather of all the islands. Maybe that's why almost half of all visitors to the state of Hawaii pick Oahu.
Do You Surf?
If so, head to the rugged North Shore where the best surfers in the world conquer giant waves. Not only are the waves unreal, but the views as you surf in are incredible! I learned to surf on the island, which was extremely difficult with the huge waves, but I learned very fast. Some of the other beaches that are good if you like to surf are: Banzai Pipeline, Waimea Bay, and Sunset Beach. If you love surfing, or even just watching others surf, these beaches are the best.
Beaches
If you love being at the beach, Honolulu is a great place for you. There are so many different beaches that have different activities and adventures.
Hanauma Bay -Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve is a gorgeous wineglass-shaped bay situated on the southeastern side of Oahu near Hawaii Kai, tucked into the sheltered side of Koko Head. Merely a 30 minute drive from Honolulu (when the traffic is good!), this stunning bay feels like a world away from the bustle of the city, which cannot even be seen from the beach as the large bay is surrounded by the lush green, gently fluted hills of Koko Head.
Waikiki Beach - One of the most well-known beaches on the planet, this 2-mile stretch of white sand and calm turquoise blue ocean fringed by towering high-rise and boutique resorts is located on the south shore of Oahu. From Hilton Hawaiian Village on the west side to Kapi’olani Park in the east, Waikiki is definitely among the most popular travel destinations on the globe.
Lanikai Beach - If you were to visualize what the perfect Hawaiian beach would look like, you would be thinking of Lanikai Beach. This beach is located in the neighbourhood of Lanikai in Kailua, which is on the Windward East side of Oahu. This little treasure beach has plenty of soft white sand and seclusion for a morning if hot sun or swimming in the aqua blue waters.
Turtle Beach - Yes, it is called turtle beach. And yes, there are turtles. The beach is located in the entrance to the North Shore, and is located near Kahuku Point, the most northerly point of Oahu. Tourists come here to see the turtles because they are known to hang out rather close to the shore. The swimming isn't great at this beach due to currents and the beach rock that lines most of the near shore waters. Beyond the reef, the area is popular for surfing.
Other Tips
If you are planning to be visiting different beaches every day, you may need to think about renting a car. I think it is defiantly worth it to be able to see the whole island for yourself, instead of being stuck in a resort the entire time.
Hawaii is considered part of the United States, so they use American money
I would recommend booking a helicopter tour, the views are incredible!