Welcome to the Island of Oahu - "The Gathering Place"
The island of Oahu is the third largest in square miles in the Hawaiian chain, but it is by far the Hawaiian island with the largest population. There are more people living on Oahu than all of the other Hawaiian islands combined.
The North Shore also boasts the biggest and best Surfing in the world and is the "Mecca" of surfers from around the world. Not to be outdone, the North Western Waianae coast is truly the best Dolphin watching spot in all of Hawaii. Seeing dolphins there on our special fleet of dolphin watching boats is almost a given and quite often Swimming with dolphins is in the cards as well.
Oahu is also the sight of some of the most popular and dynamic attractions in Hawaii. Certainly leading the pack would be the Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor along with the historic Battleship Missouri. The Polynesian Cultural Center which is considered the busiest Attraction in Hawaii is a true Hawaii landmark. Waikiki is home to the famous shows such as the Cirque Hawaii, Society of Seven and the Magic of Polynesia.
Air Tours - Fixed Wing on Oahu - Fixed wing air tours on Oahu are fun and they take many forms. One great tour is a seaplane that takes off and lands on the water. Others are glider rides that are towed from the ground to thousands of feet in the air where you glide on the quiet and gentle currents of air viewing the beautiful sites below. | ![]() Air Tours - Fixed Wing on Oahu Price Range: (From: $88.90 - To: $239.90) |
Attractions on Oahu - The island of Oahu has more special attractions than any other island by far. You can visit Pearl Harbor and the Battleship Missouri Memorial, tour the Hawaiian Waters 25 acre water adventure park, participate in horseback riding, ATV rides, Hawaiian sailing and fishing, visit Hawaiian movie sites at the Kualoa Ranch, spend a day at the Polynesian Cultural Center or visit Oahu's famous Sea Life Park and interact with dolphins at this World Class Ocean Center. | ![]() Attractions on Oahu Price Range: (From: $28.80 - To: $225.00) |
ATV Off-Road Tours on Oahu - The island of Oahu is a natural for ATV riders. The rugged outdoor environment is ideal for these four-wheeled vehicles and ATV's provide a means to explore areas of the island that would be out of the question for the average visitor. Literally thousands of acres of private property are available to be driven upon varying in topography from cane fields to hills and streams with swimming stops at beautiful waterfalls. | ![]() ATV Off-Road Tours on Oahu Price Range: (From: $60.17 - To: $138.48) |
Bike Tours on Oahu - Everywhere you go on Oahu you'll find bikers bike riding, bike rides, bicycle rentals, bike rental companies, bike tours, bike eco-adventures, mountain bike tours and virtually everything pertaining to bikes. | ![]() Bike Tours on Oahu Price Range: (From: $49.99 - To: $142.99) |
Combo Packages on Oahu - Over the years people have asked us over and over again to recommend tours and activities that may be appropriate for them. Each person's needs are different and with the thousands of choices we have on our websites it may become a daunting task. To make things easier for you, we have put together certain packages of tours and activities that may be just perfect for specific groups of people. | ![]() Combo Packages on Oahu Price Range: (From: $162.00 - To: $228.00) |
Dinner Cruises and Sails on Oahu - If you're looking for nightlife in Hawaii, the dinner shows, dinner theater and evening entertainment in Oahu's Honolulu and Waikiki are the places to be in the islands. Honolulu is definitely the "Broadway" of the Pacific and you should consider taking in one of Honolulu's great shows such as "The Magic of Polynesia", "Cirque" or the "Society of Seven". | ![]() Dinner Cruises and Sails on Oahu Price Range: (From: $19.95 - To: $564.90) |
Dinner Shows on Oahu - If you're looking for nightlife in Hawaii, the dinner shows, dinner theater and evening entertainment in Oahu's Honolulu and Waikiki are the places to be in the islands. Honolulu is definitely the "Broadway" of the Pacific and you should consider taking in one of Honolulu's great shows such as "The Magic of Polynesia", "Cirque" or the "Society of Seven". | ![]() Dinner Shows on Oahu Price Range: (From: $39.90 - To: $117.99) |
Diving and Scuba on Oahu - Diving on Oahu can include beach dives, boat dives, multiple dive sites and dive locations, scuba certification, night dives and PADI courses. Some of the scuba dives available on Oahu are dives to shipwrecks, a Corsair Fighter plane wreck, cave dives and dives to lava tubes and beautiful coral reefs. Many of the scuba dives on Oahu are off the coast of Waikiki and the South Shore, but some of the more adventurous scuba diving is off the coast of the North Shore. | ![]() Diving and Scuba on Oahu Price Range: (From: $79.90 - To: $479.90) |
Dolphin Excursions on Oahu - The Wai'anae coast off leeward Oahu is arguably the very best spot to view dolphins in Hawaii. Hundreds of Spinner dolphins are located just moments from the harbor and trained professionals are there to introduce you to the dolphin environment. A remarkable 95% of the time these "dolphin watches" depart they are successful in finding the dolphins, but what is even more remarkable is that 80% of those times you are able to experience swimming and snorkeling with the dolphins. These dolphin eco-adventures are the best kept secret on Oahu. | ![]() Dolphin Excursions on Oahu Price Range: (From: $29.00 - To: $215.00) |
Entertainment on Oahu - If you're looking for nightlife in Hawaii, the dinner shows, dinner theater and evening entertainment in Oahu's Honolulu and Waikiki are the places to be in the islands. Honolulu is definitely the "Broadway" of the Pacific and you should consider taking in one of Honolulu's great shows such as "The Magic of Polynesia", "Cirque" or the "Society of Seven". | ![]() Entertainment on Oahu Price Range: (From: $39.90 - To: $117.99) |
Fishing Charters on Oahu - Head out in search of the legendary blue marlin or to troll the schools of ahi or aku that swim the channel between Oahu and Kauai. While Oahu is well - known for its nightlife, the Arizona Memorial and other world-class attractions, it is also known as a great location for sport fishing charters and deep sea fishing charters. | ![]() Fishing Charters on Oahu Price Range: (From: $145.90 - To: $570.90) |
Helicopter Tours on Oahu - Helicopter and air tours are undoubtedly the most spectacular way to see the island of Oahu. Most people think of Oahu as just Honolulu and Waikiki but its scenic North Shore and beautiful Koolau and Waianae mountain ranges are truly spectacular. Our favorite Oahu tours are the full island which include a return to the heliport in the valley between the two mountain ranges in the same path that was taken by the Japanese when they bombed Pearl Harbor. Other helicopter tours on Oahu include an evening flight which highlights the Honolulu city lights. | ![]() Helicopter Tours on Oahu Price Range: (From: $43.90 - To: $475.98) |
Hiking Tours on Oahu - Nature tours, hiking trips, eco-tours, walking tours, bird watching tours: these items are all among the list of activities and tours that most people don't associate with the island of Oahu. In actuality Oahu is covered with hiking trails to beautiful jungles, forests, mountain ridges and waterfalls. The island of Oahu is the second oldest of the major Hawaiian Islands and the volcanos have been extinct for over three million years. The huge amount of rainfall in portions of Oahu gives the island many carved and chiseled features. | ![]() Hiking Tours on Oahu Price Range: (From: $22.75 - To: $106.25) |
Horseback Riding on Oahu - You will have to drive to the more remote areas of Oahu, far from the streets of Honolulu and Waikiki, in order to search out your horseback riding adventure but when you arrive at your horseback riding stable you'll be able to enjoy a more "laid back" Oahu experience. Some of our horseback rides on Oahu are on a working cattle or horse ranches on the North Shore and others are in a scenic East Shore location that is famous for the blockbuster films that have been filmed their over the years. | ![]() Horseback Riding on Oahu Price Range: (From: $36.90 - To: $179.90) |
Inter-Island Excursions from Oahu - On Tom Barefoot's website, tours and activities that you see on any of the Hawaiian islands are available to you through "Car" and "Over-Night" packages. Here are some of the most popular "Inter-Island" tours and activities packages. While visiting the State of Hawaii you don't have to be marooned on just 1 island. In Hawaii, our Interstate uses airplanes. | ![]() Inter-Island Excursions from Oahu Price Range: (From: $10.00 - To: $334.90) |
Jet-Ski Rentals on Oahu - As you may be aware, parasailing is a sport which makes use of a parashute being pulled by a speed boat. The parashutest is floated via a 400' to 800' pull rope and raises to heights of 400' to 500' above the ocean surface. Everything is controled by the boat driver and the passenger is virtually along for the ride.
Parasailing had its debut in Oahu about 20 years ago and has become one of the most visual of sports operating off the coast of Honolulu and Waikiki. Unlike Maui, where the parasailing is limited to the summer season when the whales are not visiting, Oahu parasailing happens all year round. | ![]() Jet-Ski Rentals on Oahu Price Range: (From: $67.00 - To: $72.90) |
Kayaking Tours on Oahu - Although the beaches off Waikiki and Honolulu are the most frequented by visitors, some of the most exotic waterscapes can be found on Oahu's eastern and northern windward coasts. The Mokulua Islands just lie about a mile or so off the coast of windward Oahu and the shallow water in between provides excellent coral formations and plenty of sea life within a few minutes kayak paddle. | ![]() Kayaking Tours on Oahu Price Range: (From: $52.25 - To: $238.90) |
Kid's Tours and Activities on Oahu - On Oahu, even the kids can have fun on tours and activities. Here's a selection of tours and activities specially chosen for kids.
Kids will love these exciting tours and activities in Oahu: submarine tours, hiking tours, swimming with dolphins, horseback riding, water parks, and exciting beach activities. | ![]() Kid's Tours and Activities on Oahu Price Range: (From: $28.80 - To: $238.90) |
Land Tours on Oahu - Oahu is the perfect size island for bus tours and van tours. It is just the right size to circle the island in one day and many varied tours are offered. Probably the most famous Oahu tours however are the bus and van tours that take you to Pearl Harbor to visit the Arizona Memorial and the Battleship Missouri. Many Oahu land tours will also take you through Honolulu and Punchbowl, the Cemetery of the Pacific. | ![]() Land Tours on Oahu Price Range: (From: $22.00 - To: $199.00) |
Luaus on Oahu - Oahu is the home of three of the most famous Hawaiian luaus; the "Polynesian Cultural Center" Luau, Germaine's Luau and Paradise Cove Luau. The Hawaiian luaus and feasts on Oahu are heavily steeped in Hawaiian history, Polynesian history, hula dancing and all facets of Hawaiian culture. Luaus on Oahu are all similar to the extent that they all include a full compliment of Hawaiian foods such as lomi lomi salmon, chicken long rice, kalua pork (prepared underground in a pit or "imu") haupia and of course poi. Some of Oahu's Hawaiian luaus include various options that allow for special seating and upgraded food choices. | ![]() Luaus on Oahu Price Range: (From: $48.00 - To: $216.00) |
Parasailing - Parasailing is a sport which makes use of a parachute being pulled by a speed boat. The parachutist is floated via a 400' to 800' pull rope and raises to heights of 400' to 500' above the ocean surface. Parasailers can either fly by themselves or be accompanied by another person and seated in tandem. Take-offs and landings are from the back of the parasail boat which makes use of a wench system to reel the parasail up into the Oahu sky. | ![]() Parasailing Price Range: (From: $25.00 - To: $132.00) |
Polynesian Cultural Center on Oahu - The Polynesian Cultural Center has been considered for years to be the most visited of all of Hawaii's top paid attractions. Over 33 million people have visited this beautiful North Shore location to experience the seven native villages that give visitors a rare opportunity to participate in various levels of the daily activities of these South Pacific cultures. The cornerstone of this experience is education but the education is presented with a flair of fun and excitement and the days seemingly "never-ending adventures" will keep you well occupied all day long. In the evening you will be treated to one of Hawaii's most famous luaus and the world's largest Polynesian night show. "Ha: Breath of Life" the Story of the Polynesian Soul, a new production starting Aug 14, 2009 | ![]() Polynesian Cultural Center on Oahu Price Range: (From: $48.00 - To: $216.00) |
Restaurant Tours on Oahu - If you have a sense of adventure and are passionate about wining and dining, Hawaii Food tours on Oahu is a First-Class ticket for food lovers! There are three different guided restaurant tours in and around Honolulu (Oahu) for you to choose from. Includes pick up and return from your hotel or condo. | ![]() Restaurant Tours on Oahu Price Range: (From: $99.00 - To: $199.00) |
Sailing Charters on Oahu - Oahu sailing tours and charters will likely include Mai Tai's and other beverages as a part of your Oahu sailing adventure. If you plan to get out in the stiff Hawaiian tradewinds for an invigorating sail the best time to go would generally be mid-afternoon. | ![]() Sailing Charters on Oahu Price Range: (From: $19.95 - To: $564.90) |
Snorkeling Tours on Oahu - Great Oahu snorkeling spots can be found off the coast of Waikiki and Honolulu but many excellent snorkel areas can be found off the coast of Waianae, Kailua, and Haleiwa as well. One such trip takes you over the mountains through the Pali Tunnel to Kaneohe Bay where you'll sail to a sand bar that overlooks the film site of Gilligan's Island and the picturesque island called Chinaman's Hat. There are numerous snorkeling boats on Oahu and many will include round-trip transportation from your Waikiki hotel. | ![]() Snorkeling Tours on Oahu Price Range: (From: $23.00 - To: $564.90) |
Submarine Tours on Oahu - Atlantis Submarine cruises will take you on a submarine cruise on one of their 4.5 million dollar underwater viewing vessels to depths of over 100 feet and stay submerged for approximately 40 minutes! These are great for children but remember that they have to be at least 3' tall. | ![]() Submarine Tours on Oahu Price Range: (From: $99.00 - To: $228.00) |
Sunset Sails and Cruises on Oahu - A variation of the dinner sunset cruise is what is fondly referred to in Hawaii as the "booze cruise". This usually includes just "pupus" (appetizers) and an open bar plus entertainment. These "booze cruises" are very popular and are a fun way to begin an evening in Honolulu. | ![]() Sunset Sails and Cruises on Oahu Price Range: (From: $19.95 - To: $564.90) |
Surfing Lessons on Oahu - Surfing fans and observers flock to Oahu's famous surfing beaches every year for the best waves in the world. Don't feel that you have to be a pro surfer to enjoy the fun. Oahu has a number of great surf schools to assist you in learning how. One Oahu surfing school's instructors are Honolulu fireman and in another all instructors are women. | ![]() Surfing Lessons on Oahu Price Range: (From: $20.00 - To: $265.90) |
Theatre and Show - Oahu is the home of many of the most famous theatres and shows including the Cirque Hawaii, Magic of Polynesia, and Society of Seven. | ![]() Theatre and Show Price Range: (From: $39.90 - To: $117.99) |
Unique Tours and Activities on Oahu - The island of Oahu is the second oldest of the major Hawaiian Islands and as such, its volcanos, have been extinct for millions of years. The huge amount of rainfall in portions of Oahu gives the island many carved and chiseled features along with beautiful forests, valleys and gorgeous foliage. This provides the perfect environment of hiking trails for hiking trips, nature tours and eco tours of all varieties. | ![]() Unique Tours and Activities on Oahu Price Range: (From: $43.00 - To: $265.00) |
Water sports - Surfing fans and observers flock to Oahu's famous surfing beaches every year for the best waves in the world.
During Hawaii's warm winter season, November - March, storms in the North Pacific create big waves on the north and western shores
Oahu's North Shore is the home of fthe world's largest professional surfing competitions.
Surfing was a sport of the ancient Hawaiians and is even more popular in Oahu today. Oahu's abundant coastline offers big waves for surfing veterans and surfing spots suitable for beginners. | ![]() Water sports Price Range: (From: $20.00 - To: $265.90) |
Whale Watching Tours on Oahu - The whale watching season is usually under way by the 15th of December and usually lasts through Easter. The best way to observe humpback whales, is by taking one of the many whale watching tours on one of a variety of whale watch boats off the coast of Oahu. Pick-up and return are generally provided from your Waikiki hotel. Whale watch tours usually last about 2 hours which is plenty of time to visit these gentle humpback whales. Almost all whale watching tours will include whale naturalists to explain the fascinating whale behavior such as breaching, sounding and the various mating rituals displayed. | ![]() Whale Watching Tours on Oahu Price Range: (From: $17.50 - To: $95.00) |
X-Treme Activities - Interest in extreme tours and activities on Oahu is growing rapidly. Enjoy extreme watersports, scenic and aerobatic glider flights and watching sharks swimming underwater in Oahu. | ![]() X-Treme Activities Price Range: (From: $53.99 - To: $265.00) |
Oahu - General Information:
Oahu,
the "Gathering Place", is the third largest
of the Hawaiian Islands and most populous of the islands in the State
of Hawaii. The state capital Honolulu is located on the southeast coast.
Including small close-in offshore islands such as Ford Island and the
islands in Kaneohe Bay and off the eastern coast, it has a total land
area of 1,545.3 km² (596.7 mile²), making it the 20th largest
island in the United States. In greatest dimension, this volcanic island
is 71 km (44 mi) long and 48 km (30 mi) across. The length of the shoreline
is 366 km (227 mi). The island is the result of two separate shield volcanoes:
Waianae and Koolau, with a broad "valley" or saddle (the central
Oahu Plain) between them. The highest point is Mt. Kaala in the Waianae
Range, rising to 1,220 m (4,003 ft) above sea level.
The 2000 census showed a population of 876,151, which was essentially the entire population of Honolulu County except for 5 individuals who lived in the far-flung Northwestern Hawaiian Islands portion of the county in the United States Census Bureau's Census Tract 114.98 of Honolulu County, Hawaii.
The island is home to about 900,000 people (approximately 75% of the resident population of the state) and partly because of this, Oahu has for a long time been nicknamed "The Gathering Place". However, the term Oahu has no confirmed meaning in Hawaiian, other than that of the place itself. Ancient Hawaiian tradition attributes the name's origin in the legend of Hawaiiloa, the Polynesian navigator credited with discovery of the Hawaiian Islands. The story relates that he named the island after a son.
The city of Honolulu—largest city, state capital, and main deepwater marine port for the State of Hawaii—is located here. As a jurisdictional unit, the entire island of Oahu is in the City & County of Honolulu, although as a place name, Honolulu occupies only a portion of the southeast end of the island (essentially, the Honolulu District). The island extends from Kaena on the west end to Makapuu on the east. Well-known features found on Oahu include Waikīkī, Pearl Harbor, Diamond Head, Hanauma Bay, Kāneohe Bay, and the North Shore.
Oahu - History:
Kamehameha III moved his capital from Lāhainā, Maui to Oahu in 1845. Iolani Palace, built later by other members of the royal family, is still standing, and is the only royal palace on American soil.
Oahu was apparently the first of the Hawaiian Islands sighted by the crew of HMS Resolution on 18 January 1778 during Capt. James Cook's third Pacific expedition. Escorted by HMS Discovery, the expedition was surprised to find high islands this far north in the central Pacific. Oahu was not actually visited by Europeans until 28 February 1779 when Captain Clerke aboard HMS Resolution stepped ashore at Waimea Bay. Clerke had taken command of the ship after Capt. Cook was killed at Kealakekua Bay (Island of Hawaii) on February 14, and was leaving the islands for the North Pacific.
The opening battle of the Second World War in the Pacific for the United States was the Imperial Japanese Navy attack on Pearl Harbor, Oahu on the morning of December 7, 1941. The surprise attack was aimed at the Pacific Fleet of the United States Navy and its defending Army Air Corps and Marine Air Forces. The attack damaged or destroyed twelve American warships, destroyed 188 aircraft, and resulted in the deaths of 2,403 American servicemen and 68 civilians.
Today, Oahu has become a tourism and shopping haven as over 5 million visitors (mainly from the American mainland and Japan) flock there every year to enjoy the quintessential island holiday experience that the Hawaiian Islands and her multicultural people now personify.
A series of earthquakes struck Oahu and the surrounding islands on October 15, 2006, interrupting electrical supplies and knocking television broadcasting stations off the air. Preliminary reports said that the first earthquake measured 6.3 on the Richter scale and originated 155 miles (249 km) southeast of Honolulu.
Oahu has been featured in many movies and television shows, including, but not limited to: 50 First Dates, Blue Crush, Flight 29 Down, Hawaii Five-O, the Jurassic Park movies, Lost, Windtalkers, Mighty Joe Young, The Karate Kid , Magnum P.I., North Shore, and Pearl Harbor.
References: Official site of County of Honolulu Oahu; County of Honolulu Oahu QuickFacts from the U.S. Census Bureau; Hawaii Dept.of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; and Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
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Hearing Impaired - Read the full transcript for this page's audio narrative.
Oahu Tours and Oahu Activities - With regard to activities, the island of Oahu provides many unique adventures not offered by any other island. A few examples are its fabulous glider rides, it’s shark adventures, its tremendously successful dolphin viewing tours, its boat trips out to the sand bars, the Polynesian Cultural Center, Pearl Harbor, the Arizona Memorial, the Battleship Missouri, Hawaii’s only seaplane ride, its Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park, Mathew Gray’s popular Hawaii Food Tour, the special kayak adventures out to the Mokulua Islands, Sea Life Parks fantastic dolphin interaction experiences, Kualoa Ranch and all the evening dinner shows which are so well known on Oahu. Many people view Oahu as simply a big city on an island. It is far more than this. You’re first trip on a helicopter or seaplane will show you the wide expanses of beautiful land that exists in Oahu’s country areas. There are magnificent ranch lands, jungles, mountain gorges and tropical areas. Oahu is the one island you can actually do quite well on without a car as most of the activities will pick you up for your tour event. I would suggest however that you rent a car if you can so you can visit some of the more scenic areas in your free time and view them in accord with your own time and pacing.










































