Oahu
Oahu is an island of contrasts. Soaring cityscapes and the Florentine architecture of the Iolani Palace are just minutes away from lush mountains and fabulous tropical beaches. Oahu is best known for its world-class surfing, its historic buildings and royal palaces.
Oahu is home to about 900,000 residents, the majority of Hawaii’s population, and is nicknamed “The Gathering Place”. The warm climate and beautiful beaches attract many visitors to the island each year and it is a top destination for weddings and honeymoons.
Pearl Harbor is on the south coast of Oahu, close to the international airport and the main city of Honolulu. Pearl Harbor is the home of the Pacific US Naval fleet. The USS Arizona Memorial and Visitor Centre are the most popular tourist attractions on Oahu. Visitors can watch a documentary about the attack on Pearl Harbor and take a boat trip to see the memorial.
Diamond Head is probably the most famous volcanic crater in the world with its impressive 3,520 ft wide crater. The Diamond Head Trail has some of the best sea views on the island.
Those wanting to experience an authentic luau will enjoy a trip to the Polynesian Cultural Center which shows daily life in a native village and puts on a spectacular cultural show of dancing and music at night.
The North Shore is a must for beach lovers and surfers alike. Relax on the sands or experience the rolling surf. Other attractions on Oahu include taking a guided tour of Chinatown in Downtown Honolulu, hiking through the forest to Nuuanu Point and standing on the overlook 3,000 feet above the sea.
Oahu celebrates many local festivals including the Wahiawa Pineapple festival in mid-May, the Billabong Pipeline Masters in August which is part of the ASP World Tour of professional surfers, and the Aloha Festival in September.
Whenever you visit Oahu there are always plenty of colorful events and experiences, making it a fabulous place to visit or to live.
Photo: Oahu surfer
