Oahu Site Seeing
Renting a car for exploring the hidden beauty in different parts of Oahu is the feasible option. Especially, if you are looking to visit the remote lands for sight seeing, you definitely need to rent a car. You will find best of the sightseeing opportunities for few bucks or, even, free in many cases. Some of the famous sightseeing spots in Oahu are lanikai Beach, Heiau, Ualakaa State Park and, above all, Diamond Head crater.
If you have limited time on Oahu, one sight you just cannot miss to see is the Diamond Head Crater. With its crowning glory, the view from Diamond Head Crater is the most famous among the pacific. To reach the base of the crater, you have to go by car where you will be stunned to see the luxurious houses of the business men. Two spots on the way to the crater are the Diamond Head Lighthouse and Diamond Head Lookouts, where the sizzling experience of the panorama offered by these places is, just, unforgettable. The trail along the crater takes 30 minutes and is very easy to reach.
Those of you who are willing to explore the wild beauty of Oahu in a true way should do it by the seaplane. Having stunning views of beautiful North shore and Hanauma bay, you would be flying over the great Diamond Head Crater, and memorials of the Pearl Harbor incident. All this is available in a single package of one hour for 170$. The birds eye view of the Waikiki beach will add to the whole sizzling experience.
For watching the best view of sun rising in the morning, you can visit the Lanikai beach of Oahu. The specialty of this view is that the sun rises over the two remote islands just like a painting you used to draw in your school days. It looks as if the scenery of coloring book is brought into existence at this very place of Oahu. What adds to this unforgettable experience is the delightful voices of birds which go out in the morning in search of the food. Make sure you reach here as early as it is still dark in the morning and don’t forget to take your camera along with you to capture these moments.
Those of you who are fond of visiting ancient buildings, there is a special attraction in Oahu. The place is known as the Heiau. The site is the remains of the largest temple of Oahu called Puu O Mahuka Heiau. With its large area of nearly 5 acres, this temple has so much to offer for visitors interested in sight seeing as well as history. The stonework and pathways, those are left there, are considered to be depicting the best skill of the ancient architects. You can have snaps with the ancient plants those are still fighting for their survival. The temple bluff, nearly 300 feet high, is the place to have a bird’s eye view of the remote areas between Waimea Bay and Kaena Point.
Puu Ualakaa State Park is very famous for its majestic panoramic views of the sunset. The weather here is always clear and that is the reason why, potatoes were planted here way back a long time. Every evening at the Puu Ulakaa Park is a special occasion for the visitors to come and enjoy the view of Diamond Head with the sun setting down slowly. At night, this romantic place finds most of its visitors in the form of young love birds.
Atractions on Oahu
Yes, it is the place known as the “real Hawaii” where the expectations for visitors to have the completely different experience are very high. Without any doubt, in the kind and friendly atmosphere of the island, you can relax and find many attractions. Mai tais, Kayaking, and stunning views of Waianae Mountains are not the only attractions but sport fishing, local cuisines and the operating culture provide visitors so much to explore, for a true Oahu experience.
If you don’t plunge into water to see the world under Hawaii water, keep in mind, you are wasting your trip to Hawaiian Islands. Swimmers as well as non-swimmers, both have equal opportunities to plunge into water and explore the magical world of colorful fish.
The most famous snorkeling spot in Oahu is located in its eastern part. At the small beach of Hanauma Bay having golden sand, you can enjoy sunbathing and snorkeling in the shallow waters with the marine life. There is another dangerous spot for serious divers. It is called”the slot” which makes its way to the strong currents of Deep Ocean. Don’t get caught by sharks while you are swimming with the turtles.
One function that should never be missed is the Halau, a form of hula, which is performed at the Bishop Museum where the local Hawaiian dance show is arranged. Those of you who have previously visited Oahu cannot forget the Kodak Hula Show in which the members of the Hawaiian Glee Club used to dance in traditional skirts. Unfortunately, this show is not organized nowadays.
As you move towards the North shore, you can enjoy some of the most spectacular beaches. Especially, if you happen to visit this place in winters you will see it crowded with people who come here for watching the surfing done by the professionals. Out of more than 130 beaches, Waikiki beach is the name that comes in mind when talking of beaches in Oahu. Due to its popularity it is attracts many visitors. You can select other less crowded beaches but how can you miss the Longest-running beach party at the Waikiki beach.
Being on Oahu soil, it is the time you go out and meet the local folks to get familiarize with the local culture. You will have every opportunity to make new friends from different ethnic groups. Visit the Ala Wai Canal on weekend, find a good spot to sit and watch the locals playing one of the oldest local sports of Canoe Paddling. Go out and visit the Arizona Memorial of Pearl Harbor Tragedy. You can image yourself at the day when Pearl Harbor was bombed by Japanese warplanes on December 7, 1941. Don’t miss to have a hike with your family at the Diamond Head.
Horseback Riding in Kauai Hawaii
Once you are at the Island of Kauai, you should have no difficulty in finding opportunities for having fun in the area nearby. Breathtaking views of deep valleys, high cliffs, and the stunning flora, that’s there for free, is the most memorable experience on the island of Kauai for the visitors. For watching frequent rainbows, high waterfalls and experiencing the cool winds of Kauai Mountains, all you have to do is to get out of your hotel and start exploring the island. There are numerous ways out there for you to get the best out of the Kauai vacation. As most part of Kauai Island cannot be covered by car; this opens other ways for visitors to explore Kauai in different ways and one of those ways is to explore it by horseback riding.
For sightseeing and exploring Kauai beauty, what most people prefer is horseback riding. Newly married couples should not miss the opportunity to have a ride on the horse to explore Kauai. Especially, for those people who don’t have the stamina to walk miles of trails, horseback riding comes to rescue. Most guided horseback tours in Kauai are provided by the private ranches. Princeville Ranch Stables and CJM country stables are the two famous names, you should remember if you are willing to explore Kauai by Horseback riding. It is your choice whether you want to have a long ride or small.
The horseback riding package duration can range from 1.5 to 4 hours. The longest ride can be of more than 4 hours, in which, you will be treated with visit to hidden beaches and have a picnic there. What the natives suggest is to have a horse ride package known as “Waterfall picnic Ride”. In this package, you are taken by horses through ranch lands along with the guides. Continuing further on the trail, you reach at waterfalls where you can swim in the pools.
For having panoramic views of Hanalei Mountains; visiting beautiful Anini beach, and wave-watching at the North shore, you can choose from the different packages offered by Pinceville Ranch Stables. The ride from North shore to Anini Beach does involve some walking to the beach, after you tie your horse before moving forward. Before choosing a riding package, do make sure that whether you will be served with the lunch in the same package or there are extra charges for it.
Iolani Palace
A Hawaiian national treasure and the only official state residence of royalty in the United States, `Iolani Palace was the official residence of the Hawaiian Kingdom’s last two monarchs–King Kalakaua, who built the Palace in 1882, and his sister and successor, Queen Lili`uokalani. During the monarchy period, the Palace was the center of social and political activity in the Kingdom of Hawai`i.
Though its grandeur was neglected after the overthrow of the monarchy, restoration began in the 1970s through efforts of concerned individuals. Restoration and preservation continues, and, as a result, today’s visitors to this National Historic Landmark in downtown Honolulu enjoy one of the most precise historic restorations and learn much about Hawaiian history and heritage.
Image Gallery of Iolani Palace
Wailua Falls – twin waterfall
Wailua Falls is the must-see waterfall to visit on the garden island of Kauai. Mainly, because it is the most easily accessible waterfall. Most of the many waterfalls on Kauai are either only accessible by helicopter or on private land (a big bummer), but this one in Wailua River State Park is very easy to see, well marked, and has a developed viewpoint.
Wailua Falls is a spectacular 80 ft. high waterfall. In normal flows, it is really quite pretty, dropping in 3 separate segments. In high flows, as shown above, it is a single massive falls. Wailua Falls is the waterfall that used to be shown on the old TV show, Fantasy Island. It is also where in ancient times men used to dive off (over the falls) to prove their worthiness. The best time to visit Wailua Falls is very early in the morning before all the crowds come here, as it is a very popular tourist stop. But if you are here alone, before anyone else, then it is much more pleasurable.
It is possible to get down to the base of Wailua Falls. There is a turnout about a quarter mile before the main viewpoin. A sign there indicates not to proceed due to dangerous conditions. But there is a steep trail down to the bottom, and it is not illegal to go down there.
Image gallery of Wailua Falls
The Waikiki Aquarium
The Waikiki Aquarium, founded in 1904, is the third oldest public aquarium in the United States. A part of the University of Hawaii since 1919, the Aquarium is located next to a living reef on the Waikiki shoreline.
The exhibits, programs, and research focus on the aquatic life of Hawaii and the tropical Pacific. Over 2,500 organisms in our exhibits represent more than 420 species of aquatic animals and every year, roughly 350,000 people visit the Waikiki Aquarium.
The Waikiki Aquarium has been designated as the Coastal Ecosystem Learning Center for the Pacific Island Region of the Coastal America Partnership.