Best Oahu Activities

The Gathering Place

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Early Hawaiians referred to Oahu as the gathering place. Almost half of all tourists visiting Hawaii go to Oahu. Not only is Oahu popular, but 75% of the state’s population lives on this single island. There are so many fantastic options to consider when planning your trip.

Without traveling far, you can book a magical sunset dinner cruise for a unique view of Waikiki and Diamond Head, explore historic Pearl Harbor, and visit the authentic Polynesian Cultural Center.

Want to see more of the island? Visit TV sites behind the popular TV series Hawaii Five-0 in some very exclusive locations. Oahu is also home to film sets for the famous Jurassic Park movie. Discover the film’s landscape via UTV, horseback, zipline, or on foot with a majestic waterfall hike. All trails, including Diamond Head Crater, will give you the best views of this exotic paradise.

Ocean activities are plentiful! Try a picnic and snorkel combination of Kaneohe Bay and get up close with local honu (sea turtles). You can also kayak around the Bay to see unique fish and colorful reefs. For the adventurous, check out a jet ski, or harness the power of the wind while parasailing.

You will find many unique ways to enjoy The Gathering Place and create memories that will last a lifetime.

Oahu Vacation Packages Best Oahu Tours Family Things to Do Sightseeing Tours Pearl Harbor Tours Luaus Luxury Tours Adventure Tours Dinner Cruises Snorkeling Tours Ocean Activities Kualoa Ranch Polynesian Cultural Center Grand Circle Island Tour Helicopter Tours

Oahu Vacation Package

This all-inclusive Oahu Vacation Package handles all the details while you relax. This package includes transportation to/from the airport, beachfront accommodation, concierge service, and many fun activities. This package consists of a deluxe Pearl Harbor tour to visit the USS Arizona Memorial, a Hawaiian luau, and plenty of free time to explore Waikiki and the rest of this beautiful island.

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Best Oahu Tours

From sunset cruises to hikes through the rainforest, snorkeling, luaus, visits to the famous North Shore surf scene, and even a private sail on a traditional Polynesian Sailing Canoe. There is so much to see on Oahu. Once-in-a-lifetime experiences include a submarine dive, whale watching, and even a shark adventure! You won’t want to miss the chance to taste fresh pineapple right out of the field. It’s so sweet!

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Family Things To Do

Bring the kids on an adventure you will ALL enjoy! Choose a UTV or bus tour of “Jurassic Valley,” which served as the film set for many popular movies and television shows. Water activities are plentiful, with choices ranging from snorkeling with sea turtles (honu) to shark-watching from the safety of a steel cage. For a day of sightseeing and gourmet treats, a “Sites and Bites” tour will take your group around the island with stops for donuts, fresh fruit, local coffee, and much more! Want something more relaxed? Try a kayaking and snorkeling tour of Kaneohe Bay. Trained instructors give a detailed orientation and map. Younger children will be secure with you in a tandem kayak. All gear included.

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Sightseeing Tours

Oahu’s diversity is part of the island’s unique charm. Book a sightseeing tour where you can circle the whole island in a private vehicle in one day. The itinerary is entirely up to you! Between a visit to Pearl Harbor, Waimea Valley, and the Pali Lookout, you will have lots to see, photograph, and share with friends and family back home. If you want to spend more time at specific locations like the Polynesian Cultural Center or the North Shore beaches, you can make that happen. There’s even a Hawaii Five-O tour for fans of the long-running TV series. Wherever you go, you will be greeted with lots of Aloha.

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Pearl Harbor Tours

Nearly 2 million visitors per year come to the site of the World War II attacks President Roosevelt referred to as “…a date which will live in infamy.” Film footage and photographs capture the tragedy and devastating losses of December 7, 1941. One option for visitors is a tour of the USS Arizona Memorial and the USS Missouri. The bravery of the sailors will humble you at these solemn places on this most popular tour. On the Missouri, you can stand on the spot where World War II ended as the surrender documents were signed.

The USS Bowfin submarine and floating museum is another WW2 veteran dubbed the “Pearl Harbor Avenger.” Located within walking distance of the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center, you can board and tour the submarine. Don’t forget the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum at this stop. You can even add these choices to a circle island tour or a trip to the Polynesian Cultural Center. Don’t forget the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum at this stop.

Lu’au

Nothing says Hawaiian vacation like a luau. This celebration of Polynesian culture is known throughout the world as a fun, entertaining, and delicious way to learn about the people who migrated to Hawaii nearly 1,000 years ago. Picture yourself at a beautiful beachfront location while you sip a Mai Tai, sink your teeth into a lavish Hawaiian feast, and enjoy a thrilling Polynesian show. Take an evening to relax and enjoy a genuinely Hawaiian celebration. Multiple choices and locations guarantee you can find the perfect luau for your family and friends – your ohana.

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Luxury Tours

We offer the best luxury tours, activities, and guided private tours on Oahu. Whether you want to design your own itinerary or choose pre-planned activities, it’s easy to find something for everyone. You can travel Magnum PI-style with an exclusive doors-off helicopter flight around the entire island or go exploring the North Shore on a private rafting tour for your group of up to 18 people. There are even options for a private guide and vehicle, which you can customize to your taste – including USS Arizona Memorial tickets.

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Adventure Tours

There are some compelling choices for the thrill-seeker in you! How about a zipline adventure over Oahu’s “Jurassic Valley” to get your heart pumping? Maybe you would prefer a small-group tour in an open-air vehicle for a 2.5-hour excursion to see movie sites, incredible rainforests, and waterfalls. Want some water adventure? Try flyboarding! It’s the newest adventure sport to hit Hawaii’s shores. You’ll get a one-on-one lesson then you’re off soaring high above the ocean and performing tricks! Our North Shore Shark Adventure is the absolute definition of “thrilling.” From the safety of a steel cage, you will see these fascinating creatures up close for a truly breathtaking experience.

The choice is yours for horseback and E-bike tours, kayaking, sailing, or flying over the island in a helicopter!

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Dinner Cruises

The beauty of the Oahu coastline is unimaginable until you see it in person. Sunset is especially magical. Combined with a savory feast, this is an activity everyone should enjoy.

Choose from a range of boat types and sizes. There are options for a cruise ship-type vessel, a smaller glass-bottom boat, a barefoot cocktail cruise, or a large comfortable sailing catamaran. The larger boats have stages for various performers and dinner shows, while smaller boats and catamarans cater to private parties and more intimate groups. A dinner cruise is an excellent way to view the sparkling Hawaiian evenings with delicious food, drinks, and views. There is a sunset cruise for almost every budget, and whatever you choose, the best part will be the gentle ocean breeze and the spectacular Oahu sunset.

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Snorkeling

Visitors to Hawaii say that the main thing they want to do is go snorkeling! Our beautiful beaches and an abundance of wildlife make Hawaii the go-to spot for getting in the water.

The world-famous Hanauma Bay is a favorite destination for locals and tourists alike. Take a day trip to this marine sanctuary, home to spectacular (and curious!) colorful fish, turtles, and living coral. It is in a sheltered bay, making a perfect spot for beginners and experienced swimmers alike.
A private raft tour of the waters off of the North Shore is great for groups, or you can combine a snorkel and sunset sail for an authentic Hawaii dream experience. Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles (honu) are always a favorite, and you can choose a trip to Turtle Canyon, where you’re guaranteed to see these gentle creatures up close. Lessons and gear included!

For the more adventurous, consider an up close and personal view of some of the biggest coastal shark species in the world. From the safe confines of a steel barred cage, you can see up to 30 individuals for a spectacular encounter.

Whatever you choose, once you’ve experienced snorkeling in Hawaii, you will be telling stories about your adventure for years to come.

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Ocean Activities

Ocean activities are plentiful! Options range from ocean tours on a sailing catamaran to flyboard riding. A tour of Kaneohe Bay will get you up close with local honu (sea turtles), or choose to kayak around the Bay to see unique fish and colorful reefs. If you have a need for speed, check out a jet ski, or harness the power of the wind while parasailing. For watching the spectacular Hawaiian sunset, nothing beats a romantic dinner cruise on a luxury vessel.

If you are in Hawaii from December-April, you can see humpback whales in the wild as they migrate to their northern feeding grounds. These magnificent creatures will show off for you – breaching, tail slapping, and generally frolicking while you watch from your comfortable spot on a professionally-captained tour boat.

We recommend that you try at least two or three ways to get wet, and you’ll learn why the culture of Hawaii is truly built around the ocean.

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Koalua Ranch

Ziplining, Hiking, Horseback Riding, ATV adventures, movie tours, and more! You can drive yourself or choose a Waikiki pickup to this 4,000-acre private nature preserve and working cattle ranch. There are handicapped-accessible vehicle tours and mountain bike and horseback riding options, so you are bound to find the right trip for your group.

Located on the eastern side of Oahu, Kualoa Ranch is the site of many large movie productions like Jumanji and Mighty Joe Young. As one of the blockbuster movie’s production sites, Kualoa Ranch is called “Jurassic Valley” for a good reason! Fans of Lost and Hawaii Five-O will also recognize the landscape from these popular TV shows.

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Polynesian Cultural Center

Right up at the top of iconic Hawaii activities, the Polynesian Cultural Center has been entertaining and educating visitors since 1962. Most packages include food and a hula show to immerse you in the culture of the seven Pacific Islands nations.

Within the grounds of the Center are six traditional Pacific Island villages staffed by Polynesians from the islands represented. Each village has demonstrations and activities that are particular to its location. Play traditional ancient games, hop on a canoe ride, or capture demonstrations of these island cultures’ ancient skills, dance, and chants.

There are also choices that combine a visit to the historic Pearl Harbor Memorial and the Cultural Center for a full day of ancient and recent Hawaii history.

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Grand Circle Island Tour

Starting in the morning at Waikiki, this all-day, 120-mile all-day tour takes you to some of Oahu’s most famous natural vistas, beaches, and waterfalls. You will have a chance to sample the wares at nut and pineapple farms and admire the craftsmanship of the spectacular Byodo-In Buddhist temple. Your expert guide will provide fascinating narratives and “talk story” about the natural wonders, plants, and animals and the rich history and culture of the Hawaiian Islands. You will visit the famous Nu’uanu Pali Lookout, where King Kamehameha I and his troops famously battled the king of Oahu to unite the islands in 1795.

A favorite stop is the beautiful Waimea Valley Botanical Gardens and waterfall. Breathe in the fragrant air in this tranquil setting and let your shoulders relax. And no visit to Hawaii would be complete without stopping to taste freshly picked pineapple. It is an entirely different taste than canned fruit and will leave you wanting more!

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Helicopter Tours

There is nothing more thrilling than seeing iconic Hawaiian landmarks from the air. Whether you choose a private tour or a pro photography flight, you will feel like Magnum PI as you take in the scenery below. Several options for length of tour and destination will allow you to choose what will best fit your group.

From 30-minute, partial island tours or deluxe 60-minute flights that circle the entire island, you have safe, informative, and fun helicopter touring options that will highlight your Hawaii vacation!