O'ahu

Best time to visit O'ahu

The best time to visit O'ahu depends on your preferences and what you want to do on holiday.

Winter (November - March) has big wave surfing on the North Shore, it is the peak whale watching season, and has cooler temperatures but more rain (especially on the windward side), expect higher prices around the holidays.

Spring (April - May) has pleasant temperatures and fewer crowds making good deals a possibility. Calmer waters allow for a range of water activities and the waterfalls tend to be at their most impressive.

Summer (June - August) is hot and sunny making it the best time for beaches and snorkelling on the North Shore. It is also a good time of year for hiking but expect larger crowds and potentially higher prices.

Autumn (September - October) has warm temperatures and fewer crowds than summer, but is still good for hiking and water activities.

Discover O'ahu

There are two main areas that make up the focal points to Honolulu – the historic and business district of downtown and the world-famous resort of Waikiki, three miles to its east where you’ll find dozens upon dozens of hotels, golden sand beaches, hundreds of surfers riding the ocean waves and eclectic dining, lively bars and the shopping mecca of the Ala Moana open-air shopping centre. History, both ancient and modern, has shaped the island’s culture and nowhere else evokes a more poignant sense of Hawaii’s past than at the moving memorial at Pearl Harbor and at Iolani Palace, the only royal household standing on United States’ soil.

When you feel like a break from the city, drive an hour from lively Waikiki and the mood changes dramatically. The Windward coast boasts some of the island’s most lush, verdant coastline, and is as famous for its turquoise waters and light-sand beaches as it is for being former President Obama’s vacation destination of choice along with being the filming location of the block buster film Jurassic Park. Closer still and you have the Leeward Coast, where mountains stretch out into the sea; beaches are expansive and remain relatively untouched by tourism.

The waves of the iconic North Shore are legendary. In the winter months, you can watch big-wave surfing with swells anything up to 40-feet high, attracting the world’s best surfers to the premier international surfing competitions. Summer sees things calm down considerably, when the waves subside, and beginners can boast they’ve scaled the surf of the fabled North Shore. But you don’t have to be a surfer to get the most out of the area. The beaches are gorgeous any time of year and there is an abundance of less rigorous activities from kayaking and snorkelling to horseback riding and whale-watching.

Things to do on O'ahu

Iolani Palace

Dominating downtown’s Capitol District is the magnificent Victorian-style Iolani Palace, one of Hawaii’s most honoured landmarks. Completed in 1882, this is the only royal palace anywhere in the United States and was the official residence of the Hawaiian Kingdom’s last two monarchs: King Kalakaua and his sister and successor, Queen Liliuokalani before the monarchy was overthrown in 1893. Influenced by European architectural styles, the rich interior features a beautiful koa staircase, dramatic portraits of Hawaiian royalty, ornate furniture and royal gifts and ornaments from all around the world and visitors can explore the palace on self-guided or guided tours.

Oahu Beaches

With over 100 miles of sandy shoreline, there’s a beach for everyone on the island. Located on the south shore of Honolulu, Waikiki was once a playground for Hawaiian royalty and today has one of the world’s most famous beaches – a 2-mile slither of well frequented sand, set against the backdrop of Diamond Head Crater. But do try to make time and head out of the city. The South Shore is blessed with many sheltered beaches which are ideal for families except during the summer months when the surf is at its highest. The tropical Windward Shore is a favourite for windsurfers and sailors and the North Shore is of course world-renowned for spectacular winter surf alongside beautiful white sand beaches. The Leeward or West Shore as it is also known has its fair share of enormous winter waves too, but it also harbours some excellent swimming beaches and is renowned for some of the best fishing on the island.

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Diamond Head (Le’ahi)

The iconic silhouette of Diamond Head State Monument keeps watch along the Honolulu skyline just beyond Waikiki. The 760-foot tuff crater is one of Hawaii's most famous landmarks and gives an excellent perspective into the island’s geology and geography. A short drive or bus ride will get you to Diamond Head Crater from Waikiki where you’ll start on a moderately challenging trail which includes two sets of stairs, with a total of 175 steps. The stunning views of Honolulu and Waikiki extend all along Oahu’s south shore and are guaranteed to make the trek very worthwhile.

Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona Memorial

Oahu Island is not only steeped with a local history but a national and international one as well. The aerial attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941 left thousands dead and hundreds wounded and was the single event responsible for the United States’ entry into WWII. Today Pearl Harbor is a vivid memorial to these events and still acts as a pilgrimage for many of its visitors. The USS Arizona Memorial and the Battleship Missouri Memorial top and tail America’s role in World War II - the very moving USS Arizona Memorial was constructed astride the middle portion of the actual sunken battleship. See the names of all those who died in the Shrine Room and see the oil patterned waters that continue to rise from the sunken battleship.

Waimea Bay & Valley

Located on the legendary North Shore, Waimea Bay was an influential surf spot during the dawn of big wave surfing in the 1950’s. Adventurous surfers began to challenge the powerful winter waves of Waimea which in turn gave birth to the big-wave riding phenomenon that is so prevalent now. Away from the surf you can also explore Waimea Valley, a beautiful botanical garden and cultural attraction that is home to the stunning Waimea Falls.