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Hawaii Islands - Oahu Island Holiday Deals

Oahu Island Holidays

Reference WW38905
Oahu Holidays in Hawaii

Known as the Heartbeat of Hawaii, Oahu is the tropical island paradise that effortlessly blends everything that makes this archipelago a beautiful must-visit.

With fantastic beaches, soaring mountains and metropolitan oasis across the island, Oahu effortlessly blends modern life with the awe-inspiring Hawaiian vistas. This offers visitors to the island a whole host of things to see and do.

There’s the area’s most famous landmark, the extinct volcanic cone of Diamond Head overlooking the Hawaiin capital, Honolulu. Which means you can explore the lush green wilderness of the jungle by day and hit the dance floors at night! Not to forget the fantastic water sports available in this surfers paradise.

But if that sounds far too exciting, how about spending your afternoons dipping your toes in the warm turquoise waters of the Pacific Ocean and just watch the world go by? Whatever side of Hawaii you’re hoping to see, you’ll find it on the island of Oahu.

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Top 5 things to do in Oahu:

Diamond Head - Diamond Head is the name of a volcanic tuff cone on the Hawaiian island of Oʻahu and known to Hawaiians as Lēʻahi, most likely because the shape of the ridgeline resembles the shape of a tuna's dorsal fin.
Polynesian Cultural Center - Polynesian-themed theme park and living museum located in Laie, on the northern shore of Oahu.
The ʻIolani Palace was the royal residence of the rulers of the Kingdom of Hawaii beginning with Kamehameha III under the Kamehameha Dynasty and ending with Queen Liliʻuokalani.
The USS Arizona Memorial, located at Pearl Harbor in Honolulu, Hawaii, marks the resting place of 1,102 of the 1,177 sailors and Marines killed on USS Arizona (BB-39) during the Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor.
Pearl Harbor is a lagoon harbor on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, west of Honolulu. Much of the harbor and surrounding lands is a United States Navy deep-water naval base.

Location

Oahu Holiday Highlights

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Oahu - Pearl Harbor Arizona Memorial & Honululu City Tour

Adult: £46 Child: (3-11 yrs) £29

A visit to the Arizona Memorial in Pearl Harbor is definitely a "must see" activity for every Hawaiian vacation.

Experience the history of December 7, 1941. Step aboard the USS Arizona Memorial where you will see the hand engraved wall of marble with the names of those still entombed in the proud vessel below.

From here we take a drive through the National Cemetery of the Pacific for a narrated tour and onwards to downtown Honolulu for its historic highlights. A tour that is assured to give you a special appreciation for the 50th State.

Highlights:

  • Pearl Harbor and Arizona Memorial (Museum & Movie)
  • Punchbowl National Cemetery of the Pacific
  • Iolani Palace
  • State Capitol and Washington Place
  • King Kamehameha Statue
  • Kawaihao Church and Mission Houses

A great addition to this Tour is the 90 minute Pearl Harbor Audio Tour. Discover a whole world of exploration through wartime history. It features the voices of real Pearl Harbor Survivors and Hollywood star Jamie Lee Curtis!

The Pearl Harbor Visitor Center has recently been expanded and renovated, with panoramic views of Pearl Harbor including the Ford Island Bridge, USS Arizona Memorial, USS Missouri Battleship, wartime museums, memorials, exhibits, and displays

If purchasing both tickets, you can present your tour voucher to the driver and as you get off the vehicle at Pearl Harbor, you can present the second voucher at the counter to pick up your audio guide.

Please Note: This tour is only available from and on the Island of OAHU.

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Oahu - Dolphin Encounter & Interaction

Adult: £134 Child: (3-7 yrs) £134

Interacting with dolphins in the idyllic tropical waters of Hawaii is the stuff that dreams are made of – but now you can make it a reality on this fabulous Dolphin Encounter in Oahu!

You’ll have so much fun interacting with you friendly, playful dolphin friend – this is definitely an experience that’s not to be missed!

This is also ideal for small children as it is educational as well as fun!

Highlights:

  • Meet the dolphins at Sea Life Park in Oahu for a day of fun and frolics in in a tropical Hawaiian setting. Your Park Admission is included.
  • From a waist deep platform, participants observe the dolphins while they perform high-energy behaviors. Dolphins play, kiss and even “dance” with the guests! Photos with your dolphin are available for purchase weather permitting
  • Learn about the dolphins’ daily life and observe their hilarious behaviour on this fascinating and educational experience
  • You’re guaranteed to fall in love with the inquisitive dolphins – and you certainly won’t want the experience to end!
  • This dolphin activity is ideal for small children, to both get them used to being in the water and being around animals.

Please Note: This tour is only available from and on the Island of OAHU.

When to Visit

  • Jan
  • Feb
  • Mar
  • Apr
  • May
  • Jun
  • Jul
  • Aug
  • Sep
  • Oct
  • Nov
  • Dec
  • Currency US Dollars ($)
  • Flying time from the UK 10 1/2 Hours
  • Primary Language English
  • Passport & Visas Brits must have a full 10-year British Passport that's valid for six months after you return to the UK.
Overview

Nearly all of the millions of people who holiday in Hawaii each year come to Honolulu. Home to the state's largest airport and its largest port, Honolulu is the transport hub of Hawaii. Far from the quiet and isolated resorts that many associate with the islands, Honolulu is a bustling city of nearly a million people.

Honolulu is Hawaii in microcosm. Visitors can spend their morning paddling a kayak or taking a surf lesson, shop 'til they drop in the boutiques of the Ala Moana Center, and attend a luau or take in a show at the Polynesian Cultural Center in the evening. The city itself has many attractions, and visitors will enjoy visiting the Waikiki Aquarium and Honolulu Zoo (both in Kapiolani Park), peering into Diamond Head Crater, and having fun on one of the many stunning beaches in Waikiki.

Honolulu is home to many excellent restaurants, a lively nightlife, and enough souvenir shops to satisfy even the most avid bargain-hunter. The hustle and bustle of the city may not be everyone's idea of a romantic holiday in Hawaii, but a few days in Honolulu is a must on any island getaway.

Getting Around

Getting around Honolulu, and Oahu in general, involves familiarising yourself with local directions. Visitors may be told to go makai (toward the sea) or mauka (toward the mountain); the famous Diamond Head crater is also an important landmark and reference for the east, and the town of Ewa stands in for the west. The main public transport system is simply called The Bus, and serves Honolulu and most of Oahu. The bus network is comprehensive, with about 100 fixed routes and more than 4,000 stops allowing travellers access to all parts of the island. The most popular route runs between Waikiki and Ala Moana Center every 10 minutes. Single tickets are $2.50, or 4-day visitor passes are available for $35. The Waikiki Trolley is also a fun way to get around Honolulu, looping around 12 key locations every 40 minutes with commentary by the driver. Taxis are also available, and provide a good means of getting around at night; they are locally regulated so fares are standard across all companies.

Nightlife

While many tourists think of Hawaiian nightlife as resort luaus with hula dancers and roast pigs, Honolulu offers a much more diverse experience for the adventurous visitor. Waikiki has a number of bars and restaurants ranging from friendly pubs to upscale nightclubs, and some host live music on various nights of the week. Chinatown is also a bustling neighbourhood after dark, with a number of underground bars. Other great nightlife hubs in Honolulu include The Aloha Tower Marketplace, which has more than 60 restaurants and bars, and the Ala Moana Shopping Centre.

Sight Seeing Overview

Honolulu sees many visitors coming from across the globe to enjoy its beautiful beaches, lively nightlife, shopping districts and tropical climate.

The city is made up of three areas, Waikiki, Downtown and Pearl Harbour. Waikiki is a main tourist hub, drawing travellers with its exquisite stretch of beach and picturesque shoreline. If in Waikiki, a visit to the Waikiki Aquarium is a must; not only is it one of the oldest aquariums in the US but it is also home to more than 3,500 plants and animals. The Downtown neighbourhood is geared more towards history and good museums, historic buildings and landmarks provide interesting sightseeing fodder. The USS Arizona Memorial is a must-see when in Honolulu, allowing for a look back in time to the tragedy of Pearl Harbour and America's entry into World War II. Another unique attraction, of a very different sort, is the Diamond Head Crater; this extinct volcano is one of the most famous landmarks in Hawaii.

Exploring Honolulu's Chinatown is a novel option and illustrates just how multi-cultural the Hawaiian islands are. Markets and restaurants in this vibrant neighbourhood sell all sorts of delicacies and visitors can view art, a dragon procession or even make an offering at a Buddhist temple.

Restaurant Overview

Honolulu offers diners anything and everything, from the local and delightful, to many exquisite international cuisines. If home-grown and unassuming cuisine is what you're after then you will find it in and around the city without too much effort.

Classic dining spots offering regional food at its best are the likes of Helena's Hawaiian Food, a famous eatery in and around Honolulu established in 1946 and still producing firm favourites for tourists and residents alike. Another popular spot in Honolulu is Uncle Clay's. Friendly staff, a relaxed atmosphere and original snow cones are what keep people coming back.

If you want a truly luxurious experience, Honolulu happily caters to that too; many high-end restaurants are always abuzz in the city. Sushi Sasabune offers visitors a unique and upmarket sushi experience while La Mer ensures a breezy and romantic oceanside evening in a restaurant known for its impeccable service and French cuisine.