Five Family Friendly Things To Do On Oahu

When it comes to classic vacation destinations, few places can compete with Hawaii. Many people grow up or spend their entire lives dreaming of a Hawaiian vacation. To these people, Hawaii is seen as one of the ultimate places to go to participate in a number of activities all in a warm and tropical location. The visual beauty of Hawaii is also another large reason that many people choose to head there for their much anticipated family vacations. The island of Oahu is a fabulous Hawaiian location to choose as a destination. A number of the areas and activities on the islands though are geared towards adults, both in the area of recreation as well as in the area of romance. Here is a look at five family friendly things to do on the Hawaiian island of Oahu.

Atlantis Submarine Tour

One of the best ways to get a look at all there is to enjoy underneath the surface of the water when on Oahu is to check out the Atlantis Submarine Tour. The tours include being ferried out to where the waiting submarines rest, boarding the submarine and undergoing the initial pressurization process, and then the actual dive and undersea tour. Among the many things seen out the portals during this submarine adventure are sunken ships, coral and man made reefs, and even the remains of a sunken commercial airliner. All that and also a great look at the undersea creatures that surround the island including fish, sea turtles, and even sharks.

USS Missouri Tour

The USS Missouri was built during World War II and went on to play an important role during the final days of the war. In fact, on board this ship was where the Empire of Japan surrendered to end the war. The ship went on to see action in the Korean War and the Persian Gulf War before being decommissioned for good in 1995. The ship was later donated to the USS Missouri Memorial Association and today is a museum ship in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The ship is currently docked just five hundred yards from the more famous USS Arizona Memorial. Actual military veterans who have seen action in the nation’s conflicts serve as the tour guides aboard the USS Missouri. This is a rare opportunity for visitors to get a chance to set foot on an actual United States naval destroyer. This attraction is popular with both those interested in history and those who are not.

Honolulu Zoo

One of the most popular stops for families with small children visiting Oahu is the Honolulu Zoo. The zoo features more than 1,200 animals, all separated into distinct habitats designed to give the appearance and feel of what their natural surroundings would be. The maze of paths through the zoo lead visitors past many animals including gazelle, lemur, monkey, rhino, cheetah, bats, tigers, orangutans, mongoose, snakes, horned frogs, iguanas, skinks, tortoises, and more. A trip to the Honolulu Zoo is a great way change of pace to the beaches and water that are also welcome attractions on the islands.

Sea Life Park

While one would think that with the ocean surrounding the island of Oahu that it is easy to just go for a swim and see a great deal of marine life, this is not always the case. The best place on the island to visit to be guaranteed a chance at seeing all of the marine life possible is Sea Life Park. The park offers a number of signature activities including the Dolphin Royal Swim, Dolphin Encounter, and Sea Lion Discovery. The park is not only home to regularly schedule marine life shows, but also wonderful opportunities to interact with animals like dolphins and sea lions on a one-on-one basis. Kids especially love a visit to Sea Life Park and it often turns out to be their favorite part of a Hawaiian vacation.

Kualoa Ranch

The Kualoa Ranch is located very near to the famous and historic Ka’a’awa Valley. The natural scenery here is gorgeous and there are a number of great photographic opportunities. This area of Oahu is only available to those that purchase a special permit and those that sign up for tours that are offered by the ranch itself. Visitors wishing to see some of the best and most naturally untouched land in Hawaii can tour the valley by bus, horseback, or ATV. The Kualoa Ranch is not the first stop on most people’s itineraries, but it is indeed one of the best places to take a family in Oahu.

While many of the attractions and activities found in Hawaii, and more specifically on the island of Oahu, are aimed at interesting and attracting adult travelers, there are also some great attractions with features that are geared right towards children. These types of attractions truly make the island of Oahu special because they provide a wonderful opportunity for the entire family to be entertained and still remain together. One of the best bonding experiences that can be had by a family is spending quality time together at family friendly attractions. The act of everyone enjoying their time together has a great way of bringing families closer. Oahu is loaded with family friendly attractions, a traveler to the island just needs to know where to look.