Oahu is the most populated of all the Hawaiian Islands and is also home to the state’s capital, Honolulu. For those people who vacation on Oahu, figuring out what to do is often a challenge due to the sheer amount of attractions, landmarks, and things to do locally. The Polynesian Cultural Center, USS Arizona National Memorial, Honolulu Academy of Arts, The Bishop Museum, Iolani Palace, Queen Emma’s Summer Palace, Diamond Head State Park, Pu’u O Mahuka, Waimea Valley Audubon Center, Dole Plantation, and Lyon Arboretum are all popular attractions for tourists on the island. Oahu is also home to a number of large retail plazas, including Ala Moana Center, the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center, DFS Galleria, Waikiki Shopping Plaza, Aloha Tower Marketplace, Kahala Mall, Koko Marina Shopping Center, Windward Mall, Ward Centres, Pealridge Center, and the Waikele Premium Outlets Mall.

For tourists who’d like to visit more natural places, Ehukai Beach Park is home to the famous Bonzai Pipeline on the North Shore and in the winter months hosts some of the best surfing competitions. Surf can rise up to thirty to forty feet in the rough months, attracting the most experienced surfers from around the world. Ala Moana Beach Park and Magic Island are both located across from the world-famous Ala Moana Shopping Center. The two combined are 76 acres in area and are quite popular for a variety of recreational activities, family gatherings, and company outings.

Located in the extreme eastern portion of the island of Oahu, the area known as Makapuu is located just past a number of expensive East Oahu real estate developments in Hawaii Kai and Portlock. Comprised of the remnants of a ridge that rises 647 feet above sea level, the cliff at Makapuu point is the site of one of Oahu’s most well known lighthouses. The panoramic views and eye-catching vistas afforded at Makapuu are tourist favorites because of the crystal blue seas, crashing surf, and stretches of white sand beaches below. A number of lookouts are spaced out along Kalanianaole Highway, the primary road through the area. A number of attractions make Makapuu a great place to hang out on lazy days. Sea Life Park is a large commercial park and aquarium dedicated to education and entertainment. Daily marine life exhibits showcase the spectacular species of animals that live in Hawaiian waters. Manana Island is an unihabited island off the shores of Makapuu and is a protected bird sanctuary that is off limits to humans. The smaller island of Kaohikaipu is Manana’s smaller sibling. The most popular landmark is Makapuu Beach Park and Kaupo Beach Park, both of which are sandy beaches carved out of the rocky lava shorelines. Known for their dangerous shore breaks, the beaches are nonetheless popular with bodysurfers.

Although Oahu offers excellent dining, shopping, and entertainment opportunities, Oahu , along with the other Hawaiian Islands, are extremely popular for their world-famous beaches. The beaches in Hawaii are blessed with beautiful sceneries, soft, white sand, and pristine, crystal-clear waters. Hawaii is also home to some of the world’s only black sand beaches. Although many people who come to Oahu for vacation stay in the Waikiki area, which is where Waikiki Beach is located, many people do not know of many of the other beautiful beaches located on the island.

Although this beach has suffered recently from overcrowding, Hanauma Bay is an extremely popular and beautiful beach that also serves as a marine life conservation area and underwater park. Hanauma Bay is home to large reefs teeming with marine life that are in shallow water, making it the ideal place for snorkeling. However, because it is a conservation area, visitors are required to not touch any of the marine life, especially any of the Hawaiian green sea turtles. Kailua Beach Park is another popular beach and is popular for swimming and ocean sports such as kayaking, canoeing, and wind surfing. Rental shops in the area make it possible for visitors to experience many of these great water sports. Other beaches worth going to include Lanikai Beach, Waimea Bay, Sunset Beach, and Sandy Beach.