What do dinosaurs, the magic of the silver screen, breathtaking acts of human bravery, and majestic animal species all have in common? Hawaii’s stunning Oahu Island. Nicknamed ‘The Gathering Place’, it has more than lived up to that moniker over the years – drawing everything from blockbuster movie productions like Jurassic Park, to legions of wildlife enthusiasts keen to snatch a sighting of sea turtles and dolphins. Tourists who are looking for a place to stay will find many cheap Airbnbs and other Airbnb vacation rentals to serve as their home away from home. Learn more about Oahu’s best tours and book them now!
1. Spot a turtle: guaranteed!
One of the jewels of the Hawaiian Islands has to be the rich and varied wildlife that makes its home in the heart of the Pacific – and Oahu is no exception. There are a multitude of wildlife tours to enjoy including Oahu’s Turtle Canyon cruise. Why not pop aboard a ship or catamaran and try your luck at some wildlife spotting for some fun things to do? Some tours are so confident that you’ll see turtles that they even offer a free second cruise if you are unlucky the first time out.
Book Tours : Waikiki Catamaran Turtle Snorkel Sail
2. Dolphin displays to put you in a 'spin'
Of course, turtles are not the only charismatic animal species to call the waters off Oahu their home. An array of dolphin and whale species are also common sights. Spinner dolphins, which get their name from their unique spinning leaps out of the sea, humpback whales, and other majestic species can be viewed from one of the island’s many tour boat excursions.
3. See Oahu from the air with a helicopter tour
Of course, as stunning as Diamond Head Crater is from the ground, it is arguably even more jaw-dropping from the air. And what better way to take in it and Oahu’s many other majestic sights than with a guided helicopter tour? Your 45 minute aerial adventure will also take in an array of lush valley vistas and notable landmarks like Pearl Harbor. And, as if these weren’t already enough to whet the appetite, then the Sacred Falls, with their 1,000 ft (304.8 m) drop are sure to draw the eye.
4. Oahu's stunning beaches
Beachgoers will find much to admire in this Pacific paradise. The east of the island is home to some of the most glorious surf spots and beaches, including Sandy Beach, Makapuu Beach, and Waimanalo Beach, on earth. Enjoy mile after mile of stunning sands and beautiful turquoise waters with a guided tour of the eastern coastline. The dazzling delights of Oahu’s beautiful coastline are sure to linger in the memory long after you return home.
Tour the east coast of Oahu
Address: Waikiki (hotel pick-ups available)
Price: From 84 USD
5. Kualoa Ranch: an adventure 65 million years in the making
Oahu is a movie and TV lover’s paradise. The island has proven irresistible to legions of filmmakers and production teams over the years. Whether it be such iconic TV classics as Magnum PI or blockbusting movie behemoths, Oahu has cast its spell on them all. And one of the most famous of these productions was classic dinosaur movie Jurassic Park, several scenes of which were filmed at Kualoa Ranch – including the famous attack by the T-Rex on a passing herd of Gallimimus. Get a little closer to some of those locations by enjoying a guided tour on horseback or ATV.
Book Tours : Kualoa Ranch: Movie Sites and Ranch Tour
6. Circle Island Tour
Take in many of Oahu’s most famous sights with the popular day-long Circle Island Tour. The scenic 120-mile (193-km) journey visits everything from Kualoa Ranch and Diamond Head Crater to some of the island’s most impressive beaches. Such spectacular sights and eye-catching landmarks as the Halona Blowhole and famous Dole Plantation also feature prominently. The latter features famous gardens containing an array of pineapple varieties from all over the globe.
7. USS Arizona Memorial tour at Pearl Harbor
December 7th, 1941. President Roosevelt branded it “a day that will live in infamy” after the Japanese attack which launched the USA into World War II. Learn more about the attack and its devastating aftermath with a visit to the USS Arizona Memorial. Explore world-class exhibitions and moving photographs before taking a boat shuttle out to the sunken remains of the USS Arizona, where you can pay tribute to the many sailors who perished that day.
8. Diamond Head Crater
Hawaii owes its very existence to a magma plume deep below the Earth’s crust, so it’s little surprise that the islands are littered with evidence of past and present volcanic activity. And on Oahu you don’t have far to go for dramatic evidence of this. The volcanic tuff cone of Diamond Head Crater nestles up against Waikiki, and its dramatic slopes and stunning vistas make a guided walk up its flanks an essential activity – and one which will create memories to last a lifetime.
Book Tours : Diamond Head Crater Hiking Adventure
Where will your Oahu adventure take you?
The Hawaiian paradise of Oahu has a wonderful array of attractions that will appeal to all manner of people. So whether you’re a lover of stunning locations, a fan of spectacular wildlife, a history buff or simply revel in the delights of the silver screen, there are tours on this Pacific island that are perfect for you.
For more thrilling adventures, check out some best things to do alone and things to do at night!
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