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.

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.